Sunshine in her Shadows (Rosekook AU)

29

Jungkook's POV

The day had started like any other—rounds at the hospital, consultations with patients, and the constant hum of hospital life filling the air. But then, just before lunch, I received an appointment notification for a new patient consultation: Park Roseanne.

Something about the name felt familiar, but I couldn’t place it. I glanced at the appointment details—criminal lawyer, Seoul branch. The title caught my attention. It wasn’t every day I had someone in such a high-profile career coming to see me, but I shook off the thought and continued with my day.

By the time the appointment came around, I was deep into my work and barely thought about it. I grabbed my clipboard and headed into the consultation room, expecting a normal, straightforward meeting.

But when I opened the door, I froze.

Sitting there, with her back turned to me, was a woman with blonde hair. She was scrolling through her phone, tapping her fingers anxiously on the arm of the chair. There was something about the way she sat, the way her shoulders curved ever so slightly, that sent a jolt of recognition through me.

“Roseanne?” I asked tentatively, stepping inside.

She turned, and my world stopped.

It was her. Chaeyoung.

Her hair was different—blonde now, more sophisticated—but it was definitely her. Her eyes widened, and we just stared at each other for a heartbeat, the room feeling like it had shrunk to just the two of us.

“Jungkook,” she whispered, standing up from the chair. Her voice broke something inside of me.

I didn’t think. I didn’t hesitate. In three strides, I crossed the room and wrapped her in my arms, holding her tight against my chest. I grew taller, so she felt smaller engulfed in the hug. She felt so familiar like no time had passed at all.

“I love you,” I blurted out, my voice thick with emotion. “I regretted never saying it when I had the chance, and I won’t make that mistake again.”

Chaeyoung—no, Roseanne—looked up at me, her eyes already shimmering with tears. For a moment, she just stood there, stunned, as if she hadn’t expected this. But then, her expression softened, and she buried her face into my chest, sobbing softly.

“I love you too,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “I always have, Jungkook. I missed you so much.”

I pulled back slightly, just enough to cup her face in my hands. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and I brushed them away with my thumb. Her eyes were the same deep brown I remembered, filled with so much emotion it made my chest ache.

Without another word, I leaned down and kissed her.

It was soft at first, hesitant, like we were both testing if this was real. But then it deepened, and all the years apart melted away. Every moment, every feeling we’d held back surged forward. She tasted like home—like every memory we had shared, every piece of our past coming together in that one moment.

When we finally pulled apart, she smiled through her tears. “I missed you, Jungkook. More than you’ll ever know.”

“I missed you too,” I whispered, pressing my forehead against hers. “I thought about you every single day.”

She let out a shaky laugh, wiping her eyes. “I can’t believe this is real. I came here, hoping to see you, but I didn’t expect it to happen like this.”

“Neither did I,” I admitted. “But I’m so glad you’re here.”

We stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, neither of us wanting to let go. It felt like the world outside had disappeared like nothing mattered except the two of us.

“You feel like home,” she murmured softly, resting her head against my chest.

I smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “So do you, Chae.”

We stayed like that for what felt like hours, just holding onto each other, letting the weight of everything we’d been through fade into the background. In that moment, I knew that no matter how much time had passed, no matter what had happened, we were meant to find our way back to each other.

Without pulling away, I whispered into her hair, "You know my parents missed you as much as I did."

Roseanne looked up at me, her eyes wide with surprise. "Your parents? After all these years?"

I nodded with a small laugh. "They still ask about you sometimes. My mom never gave up hope, said she knew you would be back. They’ll be over the moon when they hear you’re back."

She smiled softly, brushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. “I’d love to see them again if they’ll have me.”

“Are you kidding?” I chuckled. “They’ve been waiting for this. You should come over tonight. We can have dinner at my parents’ place.”

Roseanne hesitated for a moment, her smile faltering. “Jungkook, what if—what if they’re disappointed in me? I left, and I wasn’t sure I’d ever come back. I didn’t even know how to reach you.”

I took her hand in mine, squeezing it gently. “You came back. That’s all that matters. They’ll be so happy to see you, Chaeyoung. You’ll always be family to them.”

Her eyes softened, and she nodded, her worry easing. “Okay, I’ll come. But only if you let me help your mom cook. I owe her that much.”

I grinned. “Deal.”

We spent a few more minutes in the consultation room, lost in each other’s presence. It still felt surreal having her here, after all the years of wondering where she was and what she was doing. But now, we were planning dinner at my parents' house like no time had passed at all.

“I still have a few patients to see today,” I said reluctantly, not wanting to leave her side. “But we’ll meet up right after. Here, give me your number so I’ll text you the address once I’m done.”

She smiled, looking more at ease now. “I’ll be there. Can’t wait to see them again. And, of course, to catch up properly with you.”

I kissed her again, a soft reminder that this was real. “Tonight,” I promised.

As she walked out of the hospital, I stood there, my heart full for the first time in years. Tonight, we would be together again, with my family, just like we always used to be. And this time, I wasn’t going to let her go.

A/N: Hope this reunion was worth the wait. It was not my intention to torture you guys with slow burn but it just made sense that they should be the best version of themselves before they are a couple, for their own sake. They deserve a happy ending after everything they have been through together, don't they? Only two more chapters to go.