Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 19

To Taehyung the day felt like it was one of those days he was swimming against the current. Rumors were coalescing around the belief that he was the boy's father. It seemed like everyone had a relative, neighbor, or friend who worked at HYBE and could confirm it was true. At a certain point the company stopped tracking where the rumor started because it seemed like it was originating from everywhere.

It was becoming clear that they needed a new plan on how to deal with the twins not even ten days after they last dealt with the situation. This was really becoming quite tricky and a major distraction.

Half way through the concert rehearsal he saw a bunch of security and managers go running. Later he heard that a collection of girls had accused one of the staff of assaulting them while they were in the hotel lobby. When the police and company officials reviewed the video footage from the lobby it was clear the girls were lying, but the video also captured their conversation and he'd learned that the girls said some incredibly cruel things to Clara. He was both furious and worried how she was managing.

Taehyung was glad the concert wasn't until tomorrow. He spent most of the day thinking and worrying about Clara and the boys and he wasn't sure he had the patience to wait to see them.

As soon as he walked into the suite he saw Clara laying on a blanket between the boys, encouraging them to reach out and grab the toys in her hands. The boys were focused, but struggled to reach them until she put them closer to their grasp, rewarding them with kisses for their success.

"Oh you are getting to be such a big boy" she said to the little cub, while taking the opportunity to shift the little tiger, balancing him on her shins which were up in the air, flying him like an airplane.

"Hey beautiful," Taehyung interrupted their little game. "I'm so glad you are here."

Clara carefully settled the tiger back on the ground, handing him a toy and bouncing up to see Taehyung. "Me too. I missed you."

Taehyung went to kiss Clara's lips but she dodged away. "Dr Park said we should take another day just to be careful. Can I sit on your lap and snuggle instead?"

Taehyung quickly ushered them to the nearest chair and invited Clara to settle on his lap, pulling her close so he could wrap his arms around her and settle her head under his chin. "Is this good baby girl?" Clara nodded in contentment.

"I heard you had a special dinner planned for tonight?" Clara could feel Taehyung stiffen under her as she spoke.

"Oh Clara, I'm so sorry. I was hoping to have a special dinner with just the two of us but today was crazy. Do you mind if we just have room service instead? I can try to get something delivered otherwise but the day just got away from me."

Clara pulled away and smiled up at him. "It's ok, I'm just happy I'm back with you and the boys. I think room service is fine. I'm still a little nervous about eating anyway so that should be more than good."

Taehyung kissed the top of her head again and asked her how her travels had gone and how she's spent the afternoon. Then he brought up the issue that was weighing on his mind. "I heard from security about what happened in the lobby. Are you doing ok?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. One of the assistants came and got me so it worked out fine."

"I mean the girls." Taehyung interrupted. "I heard what they said about you. You know that isn't true right?"

Clara sighed. "I know that they were being petty and mean, but it is true that my scar is a mess. Oddly I think it didn't bother me so much because they were saying all kinds of things I knew weren't true, so I kind of tuned them out."

"Oh really? Like what?"

"Like Jungkookie would like them. Or you were going to be the father to their babies. Just crazy fan stuff. But is it really like that all the time?"

Taehyung couldn't help but laugh. "I can get pretty intense but we mostly just ignore it too." He snuggled Clara closer as he continued. "I'm glad you were able to tune it out. The opinions of jealous fans mean nothing. All that matters is the people who really know and love us."

Clara nodded. She was just moving to snuggle in closer when one of the boys began whining. Clara bounced up to grab him, Taehyung following close behind to pick up the other. "Do these guys still need a bath?" Taehyung asked, already heading to the bathroom.

Clara could only smile. It didn't matter how crazy things were in the world, Taehyung would always find a way to take care of them.

"I'm coming" she called after him, looking forward to being reunited as a family of four.

—-------------------

While Clara tried to remind Taehyung that Dr. Park suggested they keep their distance for another day, he just wasn't having it. He wanted his wife in his arms, with his lips on her and her flesh pressed tight against his. He really felt like it couldn't be helped that she simply made him insatiable.

The next morning they both were awake early with the boys. Clara offered to get them but Taehyung insisted on coming along, promising her that he could cat nap throughout the day. He also had a question he wanted to ask her.

"Hey Clara, I'd really like for you to come to one of our concerts. I've been thinking that you're with me traveling all around the world but you haven't even seen us perform yet. Would you like to do that?"

Clara thought for a minute, "but I did see you perform on the variety show before we were married, don't you remember?"

Taehyung smiled. "Of course I do. But a stadium concert is totally different. I want you to experience that too. It's important for me that you know what it is like."

"'Sure, I guess so."

Taehyung could tell Clara was hesitating. "I know it is difficult so I don't mind if I haven't seen you in concert. I mean we'd have to figure out what to do with the twins and...I don't know, I just don't want to cause any trouble."

Taehyung had already thought about this and had an answer. "Next week my parents will be here. I'd like to ask them to keep the boys one night when we are performing. We will have two shows back to back so they can see one and you can see one. What do you think about that?"

"Ok, if you think that will work."

"Clara", Taehyung caught her attention again as he finished changing the cub's diaper. "I've been so happy having you on tour with me. I feel like I've gotten everything I wanted out of it, having you close, seeing the boys grow...but what I wanted for you keeps falling apart. We haven't been able to go on dates like I hoped. We really haven't had any freedom for you to enjoy some of the benefits of going on a world tour to all these amazing cities. I want to change that. What do you think?"

"But Tae, I've been happy just being with you. You don't have to do anything special. I know you work so hard, I don't want you to feel like you have to do anything extra."

Tae really didn't want to resort to it but he would if he had to. "Then I'd like you to do it for me. Will you do that if it is important to me?"

"Sure, if that is what you want of course I'll go."

What Taehyung hadn't mentioned to Clara was that yesterday Namjoon had pulled him aside and told him in no uncertain terms that he thought he wasn't really doing the best by Clara and even if things felt complicated, he needed to work even harder to make sure she was living a good life too. Taehyung couldn't really dispute him, he'd been thinking it himself. It was a good reminder that he needed to do more and getting her to a concert could be a good first step.

"Thank you, I'll take care of everything."