Sunshine in her Shadows (Rosekook AU)

30

Chaeyoung POV

As I stepped into Jungkook’s parents' new home, a flood of memories hit me. Though the house was new, everything inside felt like the past. The familiar furniture, the old family photos on the walls—it all looked just like the home I remembered, the one I used to escape to when life was too heavy. The same warmth filled the air, making it feel like I had walked back into a time I thought was long gone.

Jungkook squeezed my hand as we stood in the entryway. "Feels like home, right?" he asked softly.

I nodded, taking it all in. "It really does."

Just then, his parents appeared in the hallway, their faces lighting up the moment they saw me. His mom gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. "Chaeyoung!" She hurried over and pulled me into a tight hug, tears already forming in her eyes. "Oh, my daughter, you’ve come home!"

I hugged her back, feeling tears pricking my own eyes. "It’s so good to see you, Aunty."

She pulled back slightly, her hands cupping my face as she examined me, tears falling freely now. "Look at you! You’re so beautiful, Chaeyoung. I always knew you'd come back."

Before I could say anything else, Jungkook’s dad walked over with a wide grin and hugged me too. "Welcome back, Chaeyoung. It’s been far too long."

"Thank you," I whispered, overwhelmed by how much love I felt here, even after all these years.

Jungkook’s mom wiped her tears, laughing at herself. "I’m sorry, I’m just so happy! It feels like our daughter is finally back."

Her words tugged at my heart. I had missed them so much. "I missed you all too," I said softly.

"Come, come," his mom said, leading me toward the kitchen. "Help me with the cooking, we have a lot to catch up on."

I smiled, remembering all the times I had spent here, watching her prepare dinner. It felt right to be back in this kitchen, to be part of this family again. As we chopped vegetables and stirred pots, Jungkook’s mom started talking about him.

"He missed you so much over the years," she said quietly, glancing over at him as he talked with his dad in the living room. "He never said it outright, but I could tell. Every time he came home, he’d look at the door like he was hoping you’d walk in."

I paused, my heart swelling with emotion. "I missed him too," I admitted, my voice soft.

She smiled, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I always knew you two were meant to find each other again. No matter how long it took."

Later, when dinner was ready, we all sat down together at the table, just like we used to. It was a simple meal, but the warmth in the room made it feel like a feast. Jungkook and I exchanged a glance, and he gave me a slight nod.

"Actually," Jungkook said, his voice clear as he looked at his parents, "there’s something we want to tell you."

His mom’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, and his dad raised an eyebrow.

"We’re together now," I said, smiling nervously. "We’re a couple."

His mom immediately let out a little cheer, clapping her hands. "I knew it! I called it the day we met you on our anniversary, Chaeyoung! I knew you two were meant to be. What was that about just friends my dear son?"

His dad chuckled, nodding in approval. "It’s about time. Now, get married soon, alright? You’ve kept us waiting long enough."

Jungkook and I both shared a smile, one that felt like a secret promise that we would get married soon, though the idea of marriage didn’t sound as overwhelming as it once had. With him, everything felt easy, in fact, I cannot wait to start a life with him now.

After dinner, Jungkook took my hand and led me outside to his car. "I want to show you my apartment," he said softly, a shy smile playing on his lips.

When we arrived, I looked around his apartment—it was simple and clean, very much like him. But he wanted to show me the view from the balcony,  it reminded me so much of our spot on top of the school. We stayed there enjoying the view for a while and he turned to face me. "I don’t want you to leave tonight," he said, his voice soft. "Stay with me, Chaeyoung. Just like old times."

His words brought back a flood of memories—of the nights we spent together, falling asleep just holding each other after a rough day. It felt so natural to say yes.

"I’ll stay," I whispered, smiling at him.

Jungkook handed me a pair of his pajamas, and I changed into them, feeling oddly comforted by the familiar scent of him. When I stepped out of the bathroom, he was already lying in bed, waiting for me. I slipped in beside him, and he immediately wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close.

As we lay there, his warmth surrounding me, I couldn’t help but feel like everything had finally fallen into place. "I missed this," I murmured, resting my head on his chest. "I missed us."

"I missed you every day," he whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "I regretted not telling you how much you meant to me back then. But now… now we’re together, and I’m not letting you go again."

We talked quietly, reminiscing about our past, and catching up on the years we lost. It was as if no time had passed at all. The rhythm of our conversation slowed, and soon enough, we drifted off to sleep, curled up together just like we had always been.

It felt like coming home.

A/N: Only one chapter left. Leave your thoughts about the story.