Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 37: Oh, Hayoon (Jennie 28; Rosé 31)

Jennie stood by the window of Rosé's apartment, staring out at the quiet city lights. The evening had settled into a comforting rhythm—Hayoon was tucked into bed, fast asleep, and Rosé was in the kitchen, finishing up some dishes. Everything felt so perfect, so right. And yet, a knot of worry had been growing in Jennie's chest ever since they had made their relationship official.

She turned back to see Rosé walking over, drying her hands with a towel. Rosé gave her a soft smile and leaned against the counter, watching Jennie with that familiar warmth in her eyes. It was a look that had once made Jennie's heart race, but now it made her feel something deeper—something more settled and profound.

But tonight, it wasn't enough to shake the thoughts that had been bothering her.

Rosé seemed to pick up on Jennie's unease. "What's on your mind?" she asked, her voice soft and understanding.

Jennie bit her lip, debating how to start. She let out a small sigh, deciding to just say it. "I've been thinking... about Hayoon."

Rosé's expression shifted slightly, the same concern reflected in her eyes. She moved closer, sitting down next to Jennie on the edge of the sofa. "What about her? Did something happen?"

Jennie exhaled slowly, fidgeting with her fingers. "I mean, how do we... How are we going to tell her? Or should we? She's only three, Rosie. She doesn't understand things like this, and I don't want to confuse her." Jennie's voice faltered slightly as she added, "And what if she accidentally says something? What if the world finds out?"

The weight of that possibility hung in the air between them. Rosé's fame, despite her desire for privacy, had always been a factor in their relationship. It wasn't just about Hayoon or their families—it was about how their relationship could become the center of a media storm, one that neither of them were prepared for.

Rosé sighed, "I've been thinking about that too. I mean, it's not like we're doing anything wrong, but... you're right. It's complicated. More than complicated, actually. Hayoon is still so young, and explaining something like this to her..." She trailed off, rubbing her forehead. "I don't even know where to begin."

Jennie looked down, her mind swirling with the implications. "And what about our parents?" she asked, her voice quieter now. "I don't know how mine will react. I mean, you know how traditional they are. They barely talk about these things, and when they do, it's usually negative."

Rosé reached out, gently taking Jennie's hand. "I know, Jen. But... we don't have to figure everything out right away. We'll take it one step at a time. With Hayoon, with our families—if we decide to tell them. We don't have to rush."

Jennie nodded, though her heart still felt heavy with uncertainty. "I just worry. I don't want Hayoon to be put in a position where she feels confused or caught in the middle. She's already gone through so much with the divorce and everything."

Rosé squeezed her hand, her voice reassuring. "She loves you more than anything. That's what matters. We'll make sure she feels safe and loved. As for telling her... we can wait until she's older, when she can understand. And until then, we'll just be... careful."

Jennie sighed, resting her head on Rosé's shoulder. "I know. I just don't want to mess this up—for her, or for us."

Rosé stroked Jennie's hair gently. "You won't. We won't."

Hayoon hadn't seen anything out of the ordinary yet—just cuddles on the couch or a shared laugh, moments of affection that could easily pass for friendship in a three-year-old's eyes. But the idea of Hayoon one day noticing something more, or worse, overhearing something and innocently blurting it out—it terrified Jennie.

"What if she says something?" Jennie whispered, voicing the fear that had been gnawing at her.

Rosé sighed again. "It's possible, yeah. But we can teach her. We can explain things in a way that makes sense to her without overwhelming her. We just have to be smart about it."

Jennie shifted slightly, her brow furrowing. "And what about the media? What if the world finds out before we're ready?"

Rosé hesitated, biting her lip as she considered the question. "That's a risk, yeah. But... I don't think we can live our lives based on what the media might do. We have to be careful, but at the end of the day, this is our life, not theirs."

Jennie nodded, though the thought still stayed in the back of her mind. The weight of Rosé's fame, the expectations of her parents, the societal norms that still frowned upon relationships like theirs in Korea—it was all so much to process.

But as Rosé's fingers intertwined with hers, a sense of calm washed over Jennie. They would figure it out. Together. For now, that was enough.

"Let's take it slow," Rosé said softly. "We don't need to decide everything tonight. One day at a time, okay?"