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

Chapter 5: The Next Step

As the evening went on, the laughter came easier, the nervous tension faded just a little bit more.

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The night had started out with all the nerves and awkwardness I could muster, but as we sat there in the cozy booth of the café, something shifted.

My heart was still racing, but it wasn't out of sheer panic anymore.

No, now I was just enjoying the... oddness of it all. And Suga.

The way he looked at me, his calmness, his smile-it made everything feel just a little bit easier.

"So," I said, trying to fill the silence that was starting to feel a little less awkward. "I've gotta admit, this is kind of... different for me. I mean, I've gone on dates before, but this whole 'soulmate' thing is, uh, well, new."

Suga leaned back in his seat, one eyebrow slightly raised as he studied me. "Soulmate, huh? That's a pretty big word for someone who trips over their own feet every five minutes."

I blinked at him, laughing before I could help it. "Okay, listen, that's one time! And I swear, I'm a professional at being clumsy. I should get a medal for it by now."

He grinned, his voice smooth but playful. "Clumsy, huh? You don't look that clumsy. You're just... graceful in an accidentally elegant way. Like an art form."

I snorted, nearly choking on my drink. "Accidentally elegant? I think you're giving me way too much credit here. I'm more like a bull in a china shop. I should come with a warning label: Caution: May cause bodily injury to self and others."

Suga's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I think that makes you a lot more fun to be around. Who wants a perfect date when you can have one that's... memorable?"

I raised an eyebrow, leaning forward just a little. "Well, in that case, I'm definitely memorable. I could trip over a chair and knock over the entire restaurant, and you'd never forget me."

"Good," he said with a smirk. "It'd be a shame to forget someone as... charmingly dangerous as you."

I rolled my eyes, fighting a grin.

"Charming? I'm pretty sure I'm more like a disaster in a dress."

Suga shrugged, like he hadn't just flattered me with his words. "I think a little disaster just adds character. Plus, who wants a date that's boring, anyway? You've gotta have some chaos in the mix."

I shook my head, laughing at how effortlessly he'd managed to make me feel better about myself. "Well, I can definitely offer chaos. I'll bring the entertainment, that's for sure."

As we dug into our food, the conversation flowed more freely, and I found myself actually enjoying it-enjoying him.

We talked about our lives, our hobbies, and somehow ended up on the topic of food.

"I gotta say, I'm really impressed with your taste," I said, taking another bite of the pasta. "This place is way better than I expected. You've got a secret, don't you?"

Suga leaned back in his seat, his grin widening. "I may have a few tricks up my sleeve. It's not just the pasta I'm good at, you know."

I raised an eyebrow, suddenly suspicious. "Oh? And what other tricks are you talking about, Suga?"

He smirked, clearly enjoying teasing me. "Well, I'm a man of many talents. I know how to pick the right restaurant, how to make a mean playlist, and-"

He paused for dramatic effect, "-I can even pull off wearing all black and still look like I belong on the cover of a magazine."