Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 11

Taehyung heard the door to the bedroom open at one point, but it was quietly shut again after whoever it was saw Taehyung and Clara weeping in each other's arms. Eventually, after they had both stopped shedding tears and moved to wordlessly clutching each other, Taehyung knew he needed to return to face reality. Before he left he covered every bit of Clara's face with kisses and reminded her more times than he could count that he loved her and would take care of her and the boys. Gently extracting himself from her arms, he slipped out of the bed and went to the living room to return to the conversation hoping Clara could continue to rest peacefully.

Several of the managers had left by now, trying to coordinate with security to ensure the boys' floor on the hotel remained private. Everyone else was left waiting for Taehyung's return, knowing they couldn't make any decisions without him.

Taehyung flopped onto the couch next to Jimin who quickly pulled him into an embrace. He could see the twins were contently playing with small toys while being held on members laps, so that was one less distraction while they figured out a plan.

Taehyung didn't think waiting longer would offer better options so he picked what he thought would best protect Clara and the boys. "I think we should keep Sooyun on tour with us, at least for now."

He could see the guy's expressions and there were no surprises. Even before he left the room he knew that opinions were all over the place. Hobi and Jin would be the most supportive of keeping Sooyun on tour, agreeing with Taehyung that while nobody wanted her around it would provide the best buffer.

Jimin looked disappointed but resigned. He really didn't want Sooyun to stay with them but at the end of the day he'd support Taehyung.

Yoongi looked surprised, he expected Taehyung to just ask the company to ignore it and pretend they didn't know Sooyun. Taehyung often took the path of least resistance and keeping up the spectacle by having Sooyun stay on the tour didn't really feel like it was going to be that easy.

Namjoon just looked neutral. If Taehyung and Clara were in agreement he'd support them.

But it was Jungkook who was angry. "You have to be kidding us Hyung. There is no way she can stay on tour with us. First of all she's totally untrustworthy and second she's already messed with Clara's head. Forcing Clara to continue to see her will just be cruel. And how do we know she will toe the line? She's already tried to take Clara's place and we're just going to go public and make it official? That makes no sense. How do you think Clara is going to feel? Have you even asked her?"

"Jungkookie" Namjoon said in a warning voice. "This isn't our decision beyond how it affects the band so you need to watch yourself. That said, Tae, I do think you should discuss this with Clara first just to make sure you are on the same page. Do you think she'd be willing to join us?"

Taehyung hadn't even had the opportunity to answer when the bedroom door began to swing open and Clara stepped out.

"Oh, excuse me, I don't mean to interrupt but I came to collect the boys." Clara bowed in apology as she tried to quietly make her way to the twins.

"Why don't you sit down for a minute," Namjoon invited her to sit next to him after he handed her the infant that had settled on his lap. "We've been discussing how to move forward and we'd like to hear your thoughts."

"Oh...ok." Clara looked hesitant and kept turning to Taehyung to see what she should do next.

Namjoon began to lay out the situation to her in more detail, including the three options under consideration. Clara alternated between looking at Namjoon and Taehyung trying to get a read on where her husband was at.