“A Letter Away”— Kim Juhoon x Reader (AU)
| synopsis: Y/N and Juhoon become pen pals from different countries and slowly fall in love through letters and gifts. When Juhoon visits America, they finally meet and realize their feelings are real.
The first letter arrived on a rainy Tuesday.
Y/N remembered because she had been sitting at her desk, half-finished homework open in front of her, when her mom called her from downstairs.
She didn’t usually get mail.
Not from anyone outside her family, at least.
Confused, she walked downstairs and found a small envelope sitting on the kitchen counter. The handwriting on the front was neat and slightly rounded.
From: Kim Juhoon, Seoul, South Korea
Her school had started a pen pal program a few weeks ago. It was supposed to help students learn about different cultures and make friends around the world.
Y/N hadn’t expected much.
Maybe a boring exchange about favorite foods.
But when she opened the envelope, a small smile appeared on her face.
And a tiny packet of stickers.
My name is Kim Juhoon. I’m from Seoul, Korea.
I was happy when I got your name because I’ve always wanted to talk to someone who lives in America. I think it’s interesting how we can live so far away but still write to each other.
My teacher told us to introduce ourselves, so here are some things about me:
I like music, movies, walking outside, and eating snacks while watching shows. I also really like turtles. (My favorite animal.)
I don’t know what else to write, so I’ll ask questions.
What is your favorite food?
What does your town look like?
And what is something you think I should know about America?
I hope we can become friends.
P.S. I sent you stickers because my friend said letters look better with decorations.
So she grabbed a notebook and started writing back.
I was excited to get your letter. I think it’s cool that you live in Seoul. I’ve always wanted to visit Korea someday.
My favorite food is probably pasta, but I also love desserts.
My town is pretty normal. There are a lot of trees and small stores. It’s not as exciting as Seoul probably is though.
Something you should know about America?
People here love big cups of coffee, everyone drives everywhere, and our weather can be very confusing.
Also, I think turtles are adorable.
I’m excited to hear more about you!
P.S. Your stickers made the letter look cute, so your friend was right.
At first, their letters came once every few weeks.
Then somehow, they were checking the mailbox constantly.
Their friendship grew through ink and paper.
Juhoon started sending pictures of places around Seoul.
A photo of a street covered in cherry blossoms.
A picture of a small café he liked.
A drawing of a turtle with a little smiley face.
Y/N started sending him things too.
A bracelet she made herself.
A tiny keychain shaped like a star.
One day, Juhoon sent her a package.
Inside was a small plush turtle.
I saw this and thought of you because you always said my turtle drawings were cute.
His name is now officially “Lucky.”
Also, I have a confession.
I think I wait for your letters more than I should.
My family says I smile at my mailbox like an old man waiting for a love letter.
They’re making fun of me.
I like hearing about your days.
Y/N read that letter three times.
Like the feeling you get when your favorite song starts playing.
Lucky is sitting on my desk right now.
(Okay, maybe I’m pretending, but still.)
I think I wait for your letters too.
My friends tease me because I always talk about “my friend from Korea.”
I told them I don’t know.
She immediately regretted writing that.
She stared at the letter for ten minutes before finally sending it.
Maybe she embarrassed him.
Maybe she ruined everything.
Then one afternoon, a package arrived.
Her hands shook slightly as she opened it.
A picture of Juhoon smiling.
My sister told me to say that.
(Actually, she told me to stop being shy.)
I don’t mean just your appearance.
I mean the way you talk about little things.
The way you care about animals.
The way you always remember details about my life.
I think you became someone important to me.
Maybe more than a friend.
Y/N held the photo against her chest.
She had never heard his voice.
She felt like she knew him.
Their letters became longer.
They talked about everything.
Then, one day, Juhoon’s letter was different.
I have something exciting to tell you.
My family is taking a trip to America this summer.
We’re going to be near your city.
I don’t know if this is crazy.
Her fingers trembled as she wrote her reply.
Y/N stood outside a small café, nervously playing with the bracelet she had sent him months ago.
She wondered if he would look the same.
If he would feel like a stranger.
Standing across the street.
For a second, neither of them moved.
Juhoon looked exactly like the person she imagined.
Hearing her name in his voice made her heart skip.
“I feel like I should say something cool.”
“Did you prepare a speech?”
“Because I’d probably laugh.”
And somehow, the nervousness disappeared.
They spent the whole day walking around.
He showed her pictures he had taken.
She showed him her favorite places.
They talked like they had known each other forever.
At the end of the day, they sat on a bench watching the sunset.
Juhoon looked down at his hands.
“That you wouldn’t feel the same in person.”
“I think I like you even more.”
Y/N looked away, trying not to smile too much.
“You’re really saying that after making me wait months for letters?”
“Maybe I should write you one more.”
“Maybe is enough for now.”
And after years of letters crossing an ocean…
They finally got to write the next chapter together.
