Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 40

They had a full schedule that evening that just couldn't be avoided. They put Taehyung in the back corner to make him less obvious since he looked like a total wreck. The company decided they weren't going to make any announcements about what happened, trying to avoid calling any more attention to the horrible reality.

Taehyung made it through the evening but didn't even say goodnight before he left the others to wallow in his disappointment and frustration. By now he knew that Clara was staying with Namjoon, which he hated. But at least he knew she was safe and he'd take care of her.

Taehyung stopped by Clara's parents room to see the twins before he went to bed but they were already sleeping. Not wanting to disturb them he just rubbed their backs lightly and whispered to them of his love while sniffling back tears.

Clara's father came up behind him and rubbed his own hand on Taehyung's back. "I know it feels hard right now, but I also know you are going to make it. Why don't you come for breakfast tomorrow? Namjoon will bring Clara and hopefully we can have a conversation and try to straighten things out a bit. How does that sound?"

Taehyung sniffed back his tears. "I'm sure you hate me just as much as Clara does. You can just tell me now."

"Taehyung-ah," Clara's father tried to encourage him. "I know Clara, and I know you, and I know myself. Clara may be hurting but she could never hate you. As for me and my wife and Namjoon, we know this is incredibly difficult and you are doing your best. We want to see good for all of you. That could never include hating you. But we do have to be open and honest about what is happening if we're going to fix this, ok?"

Taehyung nodded but kept his eyes glued to the sweet little cub and tiger in their crib.

"Ok, then why don't you go and get some rest. You know the boys are resting peacefully. Clara is probably asleep too. We really want everyone to be at their best tomorrow for our conversation and that includes a good night's sleep." Clara's father tried to gently steer him toward the door.

"Goodnight Taehyung-ah. I hope you sleep well. Tomorrow we'll figure everything out."

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The next morning Namjoon gave Clara the option of eating breakfast in his room or her parents. Clara tried to ignore him but Namjoon was serious about making sure she ate something so she eventually relented and agreed to eat breakfast in her parents suite.

Before long Clara and Namjoon were in his parents room, waiting for Taehyung who was surprisingly late.

Namjoon went down the hall to knock on the door to Taehyung's room but received no answer. He knocked harder, calling for Taehyung, but was surprised when it wasn't Taehyung's door that opened, but Jimin's, who was across the hall.

"Hey Namjoon hyung. Are you looking for Tae? He spent the night here with me last night."

"Oh hey Jimin. Yeah, we need Taehyung in my parents room. We're going to talk about what Clara and the boys should do next."

Jimin looked tentative. "Um, ok. I'll see if I can get him ready and down there. Give me just a few minutes."

Namjoon nodded and returned to his parents room, informing everyone that Taehyung was on his way. Clara looked a bit stricken, nervous about the conversation to come, but her mother laid a hand on her shoulder assuring her that everything would be fine.

By the time Taehyung arrived Clara was stiffly holding the little tiger in her arms, trying to keep herself calm for the stressful conversation to come.

Jimin knocked on the door and when Namjoon opened it he was surprised to see Jimin largely propping Taehyung up.

"Um...he had a bit of a rough night. I'm sorry, I didn't know you'd need him this morning and...well...he decided he needed to blow off a little steam."

Namjoon crouched down a bit to try to look Taehyung in the face. "Tae? Tae, are you drunk?"

Jimin looked sheepish but was largely focused on trying to extricate himself from Taehyung's grip and the awkward situation as quickly as possible. Namjoon had to reach out to grab Taehyung to keep him from falling over as soon as Jimin had stopped providing his balance.

"Oh god Tae, how much did you have to drink?"

Taehyung's head was lolling around, barely held upright. "Hyung? Oh hey Hyung. I had just a little...maybe...uh...six...no...eight? Can't really remember. Wait, what did you ask me?"

Namjoon gave a disappointed sigh. "Alright Tae, let's get you a big glass of water and get you back to bed. You know we have a concert tonight, how could you do this?"

"I don't want Clara to hate me. Promise you won't tell her."

It seemed Taehyung was totally oblivious to the fact that Clara was only about 15 feet away from him, sitting on the couch in plain sight.

"Clara is so...so...perfect. And beautiful. Have you ever really looked at her Hyung? She is the most beautiful person I've ever met. But I think she is mad at me. Do you think she's mad at me?"

Taehyung dropped to his knees and held his hands together. "Hyung, please make Clara love me again. Please just make her do that. Can you do that?"

"Tae," Namjoon tried again, "why don't we talk about this later huh? I really think you need to sleep this off". Namjoon helped Taehyung off his knees and out the doorway while giving Clara and his parents an apologetic look.

They had barely made it out the door when Clara handed the baby to her mother. "Um, I think I should go with and help."

Her father smiled at her tentatively. "Namjoon can get him into bed, Clara. You can go but don't feel any pressure."

Clara paused for just a moment to think. "I know, but he is still my husband. I think it would be best for me to go."

Her father came over to give her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "I do too, my dear. I do too."