Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 20

Taehyung's parents were slated to arrive the next day. Needless to say, he was very nervous about how things were going to go. His parents still hadn't patched things up with Clara and he wasn't on the best of terms with them either. He'd largely kept his parents and Clara apart hoping to provide a reprieve from their criticism, but it was time for an intervention.

"Clara, babygirl, you know my parents are arriving tomorrow, right?"

She hummed in acknowledgement.

"I know it's been difficult, but I do hope that we can use this trip to make that relationship a bit smoother. Are you ok with that?"

"Yes of course, just let me know what I should do. I know how important your parents are to you. I'm willing to do whatever I can."

Taehyung gently smiled at her. She always was the first to sacrifice and to give but he wanted something different from her this time.

"I'm going to talk to my parents. I think you've bent to them enough at this point. I will remind them that I love you and that having a relationship with me and the boys is contingent on them having a relationship with you." Taehyung paused, knowing the next part would be the hard part.

"While they are here I want you to stand up for yourself ok? Don't just go along with what they want if it doesn't work for you. Their decisions for you and the boys aren't always best and I want to make sure you feel comfortable saying that to them. I want to reset the relationship with you feeling like you have some control over your life. Can you do that?"

Clara thought for a minute. "Tae, I know one of the things your parents really want is a daughter in law that will defer to them. Don't you worry it might make things even worse if I move in the opposite direction?"

Taehyung considered for a moment. "You are right about that Clara, but what they want isn't what I want. We've been trying to play by their rules and it hasn't turned out very well. I think we really need to try something else. If they really were serious about your best interests it would be different but right now I think they really aren't doing a great job demonstrating that."

"I guess I can try." Clara offered, although she wasn't very committed. "But I'd need to know for sure you'd be willing to back me up. It's not that I don't trust you but I know how much your parents mean to you. Are you really ready for that?"

Taehyung nodded. It really was what he wanted too. He was tired of his parents bulldozing over Clara at every turn. He was convinced they would only start to respect her if they both demanded it at the same time.

Assuring her of his support he drew her into his arms. Steering her toward the bed he laid her back, covering her body with his own as he covered her cheeks, neck and lips with kisses. "I promise I'll always be on your side no matter what, ok?"

Clara nodded and offered a small smile. "Ok, I trust you, we'll do it together."

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Clara didn't see much of Taehyung's parents the first couple of days. There were two concerts back to back and Taehyung's parents would go to the first. He'd already talked to them about watching the boys the night of the second concert so Clara could go and they happily agreed, ready to spend some extra time with their grandsons who they hadn't seen in too long.

Finally it was the day for Clara to attend the concert. Taehyung had planned everything. He organized security for her and made sure there was a perfect space for her at the venue. She would be just the right distance for a good view. He got her an ARMY bomb and left her a BTS baseball cap on the bed. A driver would take her to the concert and hand her off to security at the back of the stadium. From there she would be taken to her seat with a member of the security team next to her for the entire night. She would come backstage after the concert to join the boys and then ride back to the hotel with Tae.

Taehyung felt a special energy knowing Clara would be there. He was excited to sing and perform for her and he could hardly wait to hear what she thought. He was absolutely vibrating with excitement, anxious to finish the sound check and get the concert started.

In the meantime Clara was at the hotel doing the handoff of the twins. They were well fed, freshly diapered, and playing on a blanket on the floor. She carefully showed Taehyung's parents where to find anything they might need including formula, diapers, clean clothes, and their favorite blankets to snuggle with at night. She left a detailed schedule for the evening noting the times she normally would feed them, change diapers, bathe them, and put them down to sleep. Even so she assured the grandparents that she fully supported them playing it by ear. More than anything she really wanted to ensure they all had a good time.

Clara answered a knock on the hotel room door and let her security guard in, giving the boys one last kiss and assuring her in-laws that they should let her know if they needed anything, no matter how small. Her mother shooed her out of the room reminding her that they had already successfully raised two sons and could easily handle the boys for the night.

While Clara was nervous at first it was quickly replaced with excitement. She had heard the concerts were over the top amazing and she did want to see it first hand. It never felt like quite the right time but she was glad Tae had made the offer for her to go tonight. While she didn't want to create a ruckus she had been secretly hoping an opportunity might present itself. She'd planned to wait until her own parents returned to the tour to try to go but was glad she wouldn't even have to wait that long.

Clara was settled in her seat and she was absolutely captivated from the first strum of music and the first moment of video. The boys really were showmen and their ability to engage the crowd while dancing and singing like there was no tomorrow was overwhelming. She didn't even want to blink for fear of missing something.

She had noticed a couple of times Taehyung seemed to make eye contact and even winked at her, causing the girls around her to begin screaming as they thought his affection was for them. Clara bent her head down, feeling a bit shy that someone who was adored by so many would even consider being by her side.

So much of his on stage personality made her laugh. Parts of it were so true to who he was. He laughed a lot, constantly cared for the other members, and was outgoing with the crowd. But other parts felt more like an act. He was much more serious in real life, passionately caring for those around him which often required him to set aside his carefree demeanor. On stage he quickly switched back and forth from playful boy to tempting man, playing both parts perfectly. She could hear the girls around her screaming for him and was reminded over and over how lucky she was that he was hers.

For his part Taehyung was loving seeing Clara in the crowd. She went from shy to singing and dancing along over the span of just a few moments. He wanted this performance to be his best ever to make her proud. After all, she and the boys were who his world revolved around now. Everything was to provide for them and make them happy.

About three quarters of the way through the concert he couldn't find her in the crowd anymore. There seemed to be an empty space where she and the security guard had been standing.

At first he didn't think much of it. Maybe they went out so she could use the restroom or get a drink of water. As they went through several songs he became more anxious. Had she been caught by some fans? Was she feeling sick? Did something happen to the boys?

He could tell he was becoming distracted and he was sure the members could tell too. They graciously covered for him but he couldn't help but feel his anxiety soar. By the time they finished their last song and were off stage it was all he could think about.

Grabbing the first manager he immediately began an interrogation. "I didn't see Clara at the end of the concert. Where did she go?" The first manager just shrugged, turning the other direction to help guide the members back to the dressing room.

They had hardly gotten into the room when another manager burst in. "Hey Taehyung, can you please come with me? There has been a little accident and we need to go to the hospital."

"What?" He thundered out. "What happened? Is Clara hurt?"

"No, not Clara. It's one of the twins. Let's go, we can talk about it on the way."