Stigma Love's Algorithm [ A BTS x Reader Poly ]

Chapter 3: Cracks in the Armor

I smiled as I scrolled through the pictures. Yeona and Ryota were one of the healthiest, most grounded couples I knew. "You two are goals, you know that?"

Her face softened, and her eyes twinkled as she swiped through a few more photos.

"Yeah, we're good together. He's my rock. But it wasn't always this easy. We went through a lot of trial and error to get here, Y/N. You know that. Sometimes the connection is messy. But it's real. You're not going to find answers by avoiding it. "

"...and besides why worry about that with Suga, he's not your soulmate right, it's just admiration, a simple harmless attraction, have fun a little since you're not into the whole Soulmates are forever stint"

I sighed, just not ready to tell anyone yet about any of this, including Yeona.

I leaned back against the counter. "I know. It's just... I don't know how to deal with this. With him."

Yeona shot me a playful look. "Well, maybe you should talk to him about it instead of acting like a nervous wreck every time he walks into the room."

I groaned and buried my face in my hands. "I really am a mess, aren't I?"
"Absolutely. But you're gonna live," she teased, winking at me as she patted me on the back.

__________________

The rest of the day was a blur of meetings, work, and more moments of me trying-and failing-to focus.

But I couldn't shake the image of yeona's words. Was it really that obvious? Was I that transparent?

Maybe I needed to talk to Suga. But how?

Every time he looks at me, I feel like I might spontaneously combust from the sheer intensity of it all.

Later that afternoon, I found myself in the break room again, trying to pretend I wasn't a mess.

Of course, that was the exact moment Suga walked in.

He gave me a quick, polite smile as he grabbed his coffee, but I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks as I tried to act like I wasn't completely freaking out.

"Hey," I said, attempting to sound casual. "How's your day going?"

Suga glanced at me, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Busy. But it's the usual." He leaned casually against the counter, clearly relaxed.

I nodded, pretending like I wasn't internally panicking. "Yeah, same here. Just... trying to get through the day."

For a moment, we stood in silence, and I could feel the pull between us.

It was like the air had thickened, and every little shift in his posture made my heart race.

"So," I said, stalling. "Have you thought about... what we talked about? You know, the whole soulmate connection thing?"

Suga's expression grew a little more serious, but there was still that softness in his eyes that made my chest tighten.

"I've been thinking about it a lot," he said slowly, his voice low.

"But I'm not sure there's an easy answer. We'll figure it out together. One step at a time, right?"

I swallowed hard, feeling a strange mix of relief and anxiety. "Right. One step at a time."

Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, distracted for a second, only to find Yeona's name flashing on the screen.

I quickly shot her a text under the table.

Y/N:
Help. I'm stuttering in front of Suga. I'm sweating like a donkey right now. What do I do??

She responded almost immediately.