Chapter 4

Third's P.O.V.

(Evening of the day when BTS had met Emerald and Jayden.)

"Yoongi hyung," Jungkook called his elder cautiously.

Yoongi opened his eyes and looked at the maknae without moving from his position on the couch. "Mwo?"

"How do you know Jayden?" He got to the point directly.

Yoongi chuckled at his curiosity before letting out a large sigh. "We met a few weeks ago in our building's park when he first moved here. I had gone for a walk after fixing the date for the surgery. Well, let's just say that we caught each other at a private moment, shared our thoughts, and went our separate ways, only to bump into each other again almost every other day. He thought I was a kidnapper till I showed him that I was actually famous and lived in the same building." A soft expression was on Yoongi's face as he talked about the encounter.

Jungkook along with the others who were actually watching and listening secretly could tell that Yoongi had formed a bond with the kid and really cared for him.

"Ca-can I ask something else?" Jungkook questioned unsurely and Yoongi could tell that he wasn't sure whether he should ask whatever it was or not.

He gave the younger one an encouraging smile, "Go ahead."

"I don't know if I should ask this..." He trailed off, "Umm, Jayden's Appa. Is he not around or something? I-um, I noticed that when you invited Noona, you only mentioned her and Jayden like you knew he wasn't there. Um, I was just curious because I know we all would've asked Noona to join but we would've asked her family to join... I am just asking so that, you know, when we meet them next time, I don't bring up any topic which might unintentionally hurt both of them..." The youngest looked down rubbing the back of his head. Unsure about what he had asked.

He felt a hand patting his shoulder. He looked up at his Hyung only to see a soft smile on his face, "You've grown up so much Kookie-ah. We raised you right," Yoongi mused as he thought of the consideration the youngest had in his thoughts even though he had just met Jayden and Emerald.

"All I can tell you is that his father is alive and well somewhere. Probably enjoying his life. Jayden doesn't know who his Appa is. Just the fact that he's alive. His Eomma and Appa never got married. I think we both can guess what that means."

"That- Does it mean that he left his son?" Jungkook asked shocked.

Yoongi nodded sadly. "Jungkook-ah, there are a lot of mean and selfish people out there in the world. They don't care or think about anyone else except for themselves. While you should love yourself and give priority to yourself and your feelings, you should also take a minute to think if what you're doing is right. Especially if your choices can have a direct impact on someone's life.

"I don't know what Jayden's Appa's reason was for leaving but whatever it was, he could've stopped to think for a moment what the child, his child, will face in this evil judgemental world when people find out that he doesn't have a father and his parents were never married."

Jungkook nodded, feeling a heavy sadness in his heart for the small child who seemed more mature than any 6-year old should be. "And his Eomma," he muttered softly as a realization hit him. "Hyung, they must've gone through a lot right?"

Yoongi just nodded patting at the boy's head softly as he leaned against the sofa next to him. The others came out of their spot knowing full well that Yoongi was aware of their presence. For a while, there was silence as each of them got lost in their own thoughts of society and social norms.

Like all Asian countries, Koreans were also very closed-minded when it came to having a child before marriage. And it was always obviously the mother and child that suffered in the end. And to think about what Emerald must've gone through having a child at the age of 21. That was something none of them could fathom. The only thought that made sense to them was; 'Eommas are strong.'

"That's why we're hard on you all sometimes," Jin spoke up. "We don't want any one of you to do something that might negatively impact your life as well as someone else's. Falling in love is not a bad thing. Having a child is not a bad thing. It is in fact the most beautiful thing in life but getting into a relationship when you're not ready to take responsibility for your actions? That's selfish. Having a child but giving up on them? That's selfish. So when you do fall for someone and are sure about them, make sure you're ready to give it your all before becoming involved. I don't want anyone of us to become the reason for someone's hardships."

The younger ones nodded at the eldest's advice. It was rare for them to have moments like this. In fact, they've never had a conversation on this topic before but it felt like the appropriate time now since their youngest was 23 and eldest was 27 now. It was inevitable that one of them would find someone at one point.

As they were lost in their thoughts, there was a feeling of gratitude in each of their hearts. Gratitude for having a set of parents that loved them. They all have faced their own hardships in life. They have been in fights with their parents various times over things, especially their career path. There have been countless moments when they've or thought about running away since they felt misunderstood. But looking back now, none of them have ever felt unloved and unwanted by either of their parents. Couldn't even imagine the feeling of it.

It is human nature though. You don't appreciate what you have until one moment, no matter how insignificant it is, puts things into perspective for you and makes you realize just how lucky you really are. No one is immune to it.

And so, as they all went to bed that night, they checked in with their family first before falling asleep. Deep thoughts overtaking their minds.