Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 38

Taehyung had no idea what Kookie said to Clara but at least she seemed willing to eat a bit more after their conversation. That felt like progress as far as he was concerned.

About half an hour later Namjoon arrived so he could talk to Clara. Taehyung's hopes were up after the conversation with Jungkook, now he just needed Namjoon to seal the deal and convince Clara to stay.

Namjoon found Clara out of bed but still covered with a large hoodie pulled over her head.

"Hey Clara, I haven't seen you since yesterday. How are you feeling?"

"Oh, uh, I'm fine I guess."

That wasn't exactly the response Namjoon was hoping for. "Really? I heard you have been hiding out a bit. The word is you haven't even seen the twins much recently. Is that right?"

Clara seemed to wither a bit. "Yeah, I guess."

Namjoon tried to give a reassuring smile. "I know how much you love the boys Clara. If you haven't been with them I wonder if you're not quite as ok as you say you are."

Clara seemed to shrink even further as she had to acknowledge that what he said was true.

"I'm sorry," Clara said quietly, her head hanging low. "I can try to do better."

"No Clara," Namjoon interrupted. "That's not the point. The point is that I want you to be honest with me. Can you do that?"

Clara nodded her head but refused to make eye contact. Namjoon moved to sit next to her and wrap an arm around her shoulder.

"Taehyung asked me to talk to you so I want to do that, but I want to hear from you first. What are you thinking about everything that has happened?"

There was a long pause before Clara started speaking. "I think it would be best if the twins and I went home. Having us here is starting to cause you guys a lot of problems. I know Taehyung would tell me that isn't true but we both know that it is."

Namjoon nodded to acknowledge that he heard her.

"I'm struggling to feel like I could be comfortable staying here with Taehyung right now. I know that isn't his fault, but I don't feel very confident staying with the band right now when you are the center of all this attention. I think we need to give it some time to let things quiet down. It would be better if the twins and I went back home."

Namjoon nodded his head again. "Ok, I hear you, but what do you envision that looking like if you went home?"

Clara thought for a moment. "The boys and I could resettle into a routine, just the three of us. Maybe walks in the park, trips to the grocery store. Hopefully we'd just stick out less and be less noticeable."

"But Clara," Namjoon interrupted. "You do have to realize that it will be difficult to do that in Seoul. Not only is Taehyung very easily recognized but by now you and the twins will be too. It's not like there are that many foreigners there with twin boys the cub and tiger's age. And I hate to point it out, but your scar is quite distinctive."

"I know, that's why I think the boys and I should go back to New York."

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Taehyung didn't want to admit it but he was listening in the door. Clara wanted to take the boys back to the US? For how long? And how could he ensure they wouldn't want to just stay there? Sure, they could blend in easily but what if she was happy there and didn't want to move back to Seoul? What was he supposed to do? He certainly wasn't open to the idea of his wife and children living on the other side of the globe permanently. And it wasn't like he really had the option to be based in New York for any length of time himself.

He also worried that there wouldn't be anyone to watch over her if she went back to the US. At least if she was in Seoul his parents might see her or security from the company could stop by. Being in the US was really far from any resources if she had an emergency. Could he ask her parents to go with? But it sounded like she was trying to avoid having a large entourage that drew attention, would she even be open to that idea?

He returned to listening in, hoping Namjoon could read his mind and would tell her that was a terrible idea.

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"I guess that might make sense," Namjoon considered her proposal. "But I think Taehyung isn't going to feel good about letting you go somewhere you don't have a support system. Remember how you got sick with the twins? What if that happens again? It's not just you now but you have the boys. And what if someone does discover you there? There wouldn't be anyone to get you out of a tricky situation."

Clara had to acknowledge he was right.

"Joon. I really want to leave and I think New York is the best option for me and the boys right now. Can you help me think of a way to convince Taehyung? Please?" Clara was prepared to beg. She knew Namjoon would be easier to wear down and if she could get his support it would be harder for Taehyung to object.

Namjoon knew Taehyung wasn't going to be happy if Clara left, no matter where she went. At the same time he thought that Clara was making a reasonable request. She should have the ability to make her own decisions and regain some control over her life, particularly after everything that had happened.

"Ok," he said. "Let me see if I can help make a plan."

They spent most of the next hour considering Taehyung's most likely objections and how they could work around them. By the time they were finished Clara felt like she had a plan she could live with and hoped Taehyung would agree to the same. Namjoon was off to talk to a manager to see if he might get buy-in from the company to support her vision.

Shortly after Namjoon left Taehyung quietly slid into the room to see Clara. "How were your conversations with Jungkook and Namjoon?" He was trying to play it cool but it was admittedly a bit challenging.

"Good. I think I've worked out a plan for when the boys and I leave. Tae, I'd like to go to New York for a while. I think that would be the best thing for us."

Taehyung shook his head no and sighed. "Clara, I really don't think you should leave right now. It is better for you to stay with me."

"But Tae, you promised me. You promised me you'd let me go if after a week I still felt the same. I know I'm going to feel the same so I'm trying to make a plan that we both can agree on."

"Clara," Taehyung interrupted her. "You also promised me before we got married that you would defer to me in matters of safety because I spent more time in this world than you do. I'm telling you now, it is better for you to stay with me. Please, I'm asking you to trust me, but if I have to I will force the issue."

Clara felt blindsided. She hardly knew what to say. "But you promised me Tae."

"I know Clara. And I'm sorry I did that but I've been thinking about it too and I think you should stay."

"That...that's not fair!" Clara was becoming increasingly emotional. "You...you promised! And you can't make me stay! I'm an adult and I can make my own decisions!"

"I know you can sweetheart. But I'm sure you are aware that you can't take the boys from the country without my permission. I hate to do this, but if I need to use that to protect all of you, I will."

Clara was shocked. Taehyung was threatening to keep her from the twins? After everything that happened?

"Clara, please...I'm begging you. Just take a bit more time to think about it and be open to staying. I know that is what is best for us...for you. And I ask you to consider my position for just a moment too. I am also hurting and I don't want to be apart from you and the boys. I felt like I've been punished enough, to have you and the boys abandon me...I just don't think I'd make it."

By this point Clara was openly weeping, just trying to stay upright. It was only a few moments before she scurried out of the hotel room letting the door slam behind her.

Taehyung sighed again. He felt terrible but he also knew what was best for them. Clara didn't understand how hard it was to be out in the world unprotected. Even if she hated him for it he was going to do what he needed to. She really just had to stay.