Dreamcatcher Imagines

Paper Trails: Lee Gahyun x Female Reader

The apartment was quiet, except for the occasional clink of mugs as Y/N unpacked in the kitchen. Gahyun sat cross-legged on the floor of their new living room, surrounded by cardboard boxes and remnants of bubble wrap. They had officially moved in together—a milestone she once only dreamed about but now felt wonderfully real.

As she sifted through an old box labeled Memories, her hand brushed against something soft but familiar. Her heart skipped a beat when she pulled out a small stack of folded letters, tied together with a fraying ribbon. Gahyun smiled, recognizing the bundle instantly—the letters Y/N had written her years ago, back when everything between them was still unspoken.

She untied the ribbon and carefully unfolded the first note, the familiar handwriting bringing a wave of nostalgia. Her eyes skimmed the words, the same ones that had once filled her with confusion, excitement, and longing.

Gahyun chuckled softly, remembering the first time she had found one of these notes. It had been a typical day at the practice room, like so many others. She had just finished a grueling rehearsal, surrounded by her members. The exhaustion from preparing for their upcoming tour was hanging heavy in the air.

Years Earlier

The members were scattered across the space—some stretching, others chatting. Gahyun, always the playful and energetic maknae, sat cross-legged on the floor, scrolling through her phone during a rare moment of downtime. She reached for her water bottle, but as her hand closed around it, she felt something crinkly underneath.

Frowning, she pulled out a small, folded piece of paper.

"What's this?" she mumbled to herself, glancing around. Everyone seemed occupied—no one paying her much attention. Y/N, Dreamcatcher's social media manager, stood nearby, seemingly lost in her phone.

Curious, Gahyun unfolded the note, her eyes widening at the familiar handwriting. Dear Gahyun, it began, the words sweet and simple, yet carrying a weight she hadn't expected.

You're more amazing than you know. Your energy lights up every room, and I can't help but smile whenever I see you. Keep being your wonderful self.

A blush crept up Gahyun's cheeks as she read the words again. It wasn't a long message, but it felt intimate, like the person who wrote it knew her better than she even knew herself. She glanced around the room, trying to figure out who could've written it, but no one met her eye. Everyone seemed lost in their own world.

"Hey, Gahyunie, you good?" Siyeon called from across the room, her voice pulling Gahyun from her thoughts.

Gahyun quickly stuffed the note into her pocket, offering a smile. "Yeah! Just... stretching."

She smiled to herself as she took a sip from her water bottle. Whoever had written the note knew how to brighten her day.

It had been a few days since Gahyun had found the first letter. She hadn't mentioned it to anyone, unsure of what to say or how to even bring it up. Was it a joke? A one-time thing? Part of her hoped she'd get another note, but she didn't want to get her hopes too high.

After practice, Gahyun stayed behind in the dressing room to gather her things. As she zipped up her bag, she noticed something slipped under the edge of her jacket. Her heart skipped a beat as she picked it up—a familiar folded note.

She quickly opened it, her pulse quickening as she read the words inside:

Dear Gahyun,

Watching you laugh makes the hardest days a little easier. You remind me that there's joy even in the little things. You're truly special, and I hope you know that.