"I know some choices are hard but they help you grow. It's okay to not be prepared for it because to be real, when in life are we ever prepared? Our future is a mystery. Whatever comes along in life, sometimes even if you know it and prepare for it, you aren't really ready. You just take the risk and march forward and learn lessons as you go."

And Jungkook knows Yoongi is right.

"To be honest, I can't remember a time I've truly been prepared in my life, not even for exams during my school going days," adds Yoongi with a laugh and just as he predicts, it has a smile forming on Jungkook's face.

"I wasn't prepared the day I married your appa. I was a nervous wreck that day. I wasn't prepared to be a father either. I wanted to of course but I wasn't truly prepared no matter how much research I did. But I learnt. I learnt how to be a good husband to Hoseok and a good father to you. But was that learning smooth? Hell, no. It was hard. It was challenging. It was rough. But I learnt through mistakes."

Jungkook clings onto Yoongi tight and the older drops a kiss to his forehead.

"I know it's scary. It's a scary world out there but baby, this home is always open for you. You're welcome here anytime. Not to mention, you can always give us a call or ping us anytime and we'll be here to give you support but step outside, explore the world, and create something for yourself out there. It's okay to feel afraid, it's okay to feel like running all the way back home. But like the dandelion seed, dance with the wind, soar high with it, and stand independent. Someday, you'll have your own story to tell when your kid clings onto you, afraid to let go."

Jungkook nods slowly. He's unsure what to say or how to say thank you. He just stays in father's hug and mumbles out a soft 'thank you.' And Yoongi knows. He can hear the gratitude in his voice, can feel it through the younger's actions, knowing he has a hard time putting out his emotions into words.

"We should get going now, bub."

"But appa?" Jungkook asks, voice hoarse from crying.

"He'll meet us at the airport and hey, don't cry. Where's that bunny smile I absolutely adore? Ah, there it is."

Jungkook's smiling, showing all his 32 teeth. Yoongi thumbs away the stray tears that linger on his son's cheeks.

"It's going to be okay," he whispers and Jungkook nods because maybe it is.

To be continued
1 November 2022