Yoongi seems less upset than he was the previous day just as Hobi predicted.

"You stayed here with him last night?" He questions when he enters the living room and Hobi nods.

"I did."

Jungkook stirs from his slumber and groans. His head is pounding as though someone's trying to hammer a nail through his skull. He groans louder as his eyes flutter open and he blinks multiple times to bring the world around him into focus. When that happens, he gulps, gaze immediately falling on Yoongi's disappointed expression.

Memories of the previous night hits hard and he bites his lip, nails digging into his skin. Hoseok is observant, has always been, and is quick to grab Jungkook's hands before he can inflict any more pain on himself.

"Kookie," Hoseok mumbles, gently and delicately rubbing the skin with his thumb.

"I deserve it," Jungkook whispers, gasping softly.

Yoongi frowns, kneeling beside Hoseok to look Jungkook in the eyes.

"Breathe, Kookie," he murmurs as he rubs the teen's knee.

"I fucke— I fucked up. 'm a fucking screw— screw up. That's all I do."

"That's not true," Yoongi says immediately.

"I wanted to stop...it to stop. I didn't know how. I drank. I wanted to be numb. I wanted to stop feeling," Jungkook cries harder and Hoseok and Yoongi exchange a worried look.

"Baby —" Hoseok starts.

"You are so amazing —both are and me, 'm a screw up. I ruin everything. Not good. Not good enough. Deserve it. I deserve pain."

Yoongi cups Jungkook's face, forcing him to look the older in the eyes.

"Copy my breathing. Listen carefully and imitate me."

Hoseok's too stunned to say anything trying to process and make sense of all he's heard from their son. Yoongi guides Jungkook through his breathing and once the younger gets it under control, he speaks.

"What on earth led you to believe the untruth that exited your mouth, huh?"

Jungkook plays nervously with his fingers and Hoseok takes a seat beside his son on the couch, wrapping one arm around him in a protective, fatherly yet friendly way that makes Jungkook feel secure. He looks at Hoseok, eyes swimming in tears, body trembling slightly with hiccups.

"I try...studying is hard. It's just... it's hard. I'm so slow, compared to everyone in my class and I'm constantly pushed down, constantly targeted because of it. They mocked me and when their voices became my own, I'm not sure...but they somehow managed to convince me... I'm nothing. I'm not enough. I can't do anything right. I'm so stupid. I'm so slow. You...you both deserve better and I'm sorry you have to deal with me. You...should have adopted someone who would have made you proud rather than a fucking loser like me," Jungkook spat, angry tears burning his cheeks.

Angry and upset at himself.

"Look at me," Hoseok orders, tone firm, before Yoongi can say a word. When Jungkook obeys, he continues, "What do you think you are, Jungkook? A trophy for Yoongi and I to display?"

Jungkook's lower lip wobbles as he shakes his head and whispers a soft "no."

"You're our son. Our pride. And your scores in some fucking examination doesn't change that. Get this in your head. Yoongi and I adopted you, not to showcase your achievements to the world. We loved you, still love you, and will always love you. You're the best decision we made, Jungkook and I do not regret it even a little bit. If you feel you need to be perfect to gain our love and appreciation, you're wrong."

"Studying is hard. We know. We've been there too, Jungkookie. Honestly, I hated studying but it's not the end of the world. Not everyone who is successful in examinations goes on to be successful later in life. And at the end of the day, Kookie, the person you are matters more than having a fucking degree on paper to showcase to the world. A score doesn't define you. No matter what you do, we'll always be proud of you, Jungkook. For us the efforts you put in matters more than the result you achieve," says Yoongi, ruffling their son's hair.

"And never compare your pace to others. We all meet our goals at our own pace. If you judge yourself after comparing yourself to someone else's success or someone else's goal completion, it's as good as judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree," says Hoseok with a smile.

Jungkook buries his face in Hoseok's chest, feeling ashamed when he can't hold back sobs any longer.

"I wanted to be perfect and not a disappointment to you," he chokes out.

"You already are perfect. Never a disappointment to us. You're our pride and our joy," Yoongi is quick to reassure, rubbing his son's trembling back.

"Hush now, little Prince. It's alright. We're here. Everything will be fine," Hoseok promises pressing little kisses to his son's head.

"Don't let me drown," Jungkook whimpers.

"We're here, baby. Hold on. We'll keep you afloat," Yoongi promises, wrapping protective arms around his two favourite boys.

Just like that, Jungkook felt a majority of weight lifted from his back, allowing him to breathe properly. He was grateful that he had such supportive parents that would go to the end extent to let him know he was cared for and loved regardless of how he fared in an exam. The one fear he had was one they doused with their words of comfort and even when Jungkook stressed about the exam the previous day, they were there to rub his back and tell him it would be okay, to do whatever he could and they'd still be proud of him.

And that was all Jungkook needed at the end of the day.

The end