Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 37

Taehyung wanted to show Clara the video of his parents' interview but she refused to peek her head out from under the covers. When Taehyung instead tried to crawl under the covers with her she immediately leapt out of the bed, bringing the blankets along with her.

"Clara, you have to talk to me. What's wrong?"

"I don't want anyone to see us together."

"But sweetheart, we're alone."

"Yes but who knows if someone else is watching somehow. I'd just be more comfortable if we kept our distance."

Taehyung sighed but let it go. "Then let me tell you about my parents."

"No thank you." Clara quietly bowed and scurried out of the room.

"No thank you?" Taehyung said to himself. "Is she avoiding me or something?"

Following Clara to the living room he tried again. "I think you'll be interested in hearing this Clara."

"No thank you." She said again. "I'm sure you have it covered."

"Clara, what does that even mean?"

"Tae," she started talking more quietly. "I don't want anyone to hear our conversations."

"Again, Clara, nobody is here but us."

"Better safe than sorry. I'm sorry Tae but I just don't feel very comfortable talking about anything personal right now." Clara scurried back into the bedroom and quickly slipped back into her closet hiding space, covering herself back up with blankets.

Seeing where she had gone, Taehyung let out a sigh. "Clara, is there anywhere you would feel safe with me?"

"I want to go home."

Taehyung could see the blankets shaking again, a sure sign that she was crying underneath. He didn't really want to have this conversation again right now, maybe she just needed more time.

"Ok, I'll let you be."

Taehyung left and returned to the main suite which by now was starting to gather other members.

"How's Clara doing?" Namjoon came close before he asked.

"Not so great. She wants to take the boys and go home."

"Oh...wow...so what are you going to do?"

"I don know Hyung." Taehyung looked defeated. "I got her to agree to stay for seven days but at this point she won't even talk to me or be in the same room. She's anxious about someone recording us again. She won't sleep in the same bed as me or let me give her a hug. I'm not sure how I can convince her if she won't even look at me."

"Well Taehyung-ah, maybe you need to consider what it would look like for her to go home."

"Please don't say that Hyung. I'm not sure what I'd do if I had to be away from her and the boys for the rest of the tour. We still have over ten weeks left. And to have her leave while she's not in a good spot, it just feels like a bad idea."

"You'll figure it out between the two of you, I trust you."

Taehyung offered a small smile. "Thanks, now if only Clara could trust me too."

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Taehyung was finally done for the day. As he walked down the hallway toward his room he could see three room service trays in the hallway. Lifting the lids off the plates he saw three untouched meals. He'd asked the company to ensure food was ordered for Clara but clearly she hadn't eaten any of it.