Jungkook's gaze skirts to the side in order to meet Yoongi's, a soft flush rising from his cheeks to the tips of his ears. It was easier to make assumptions about his father — easier to justify that it was natural for a child to hope for things from their parents and to crave acceptance. Easier to fall back on the belief that it's almost a parent's responsibility to continue loving their child, no matter what challenges might come in the way.

But to hope for the approval and love of Yoongi's mother has always felt even more distant and abstract. It's even more important to Jungkook than the opinion of the still living parent. Maybe that's unfair of him, maybe Yoongi's father should have more weight in the equation. Jungkook finds himself hard-pressed to care as much, when Yoongi's father has clearly shown himself to be neglectful.

"You think your mom would really approve of me?" Jungkook asks quietly, rubbing at the back of his neck. "Should we head over soon to find out?"