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

Chapter 9: Nurturing Connection

"Challenge accepted," I said, and I got to work, determined to show him I was up to the task.

We worked together in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of chopping and the sizzle of ingredients in the pan filling the space.

Occasionally, one of us would glance over at the other, our eyes meeting for a split second before the small, knowing smile appeared on our faces.

I felt the warmth of the kitchen sink into my bones, and I couldn't help but feel completely at ease with Yoongi.

The rhythm of cooking, combined with the closeness we shared, made everything feel natural-like we'd done this a hundred times before.

"I'm getting good at this," I said, wiping my hands on the towel and leaning back against the counter, satisfied with the garlic I'd chopped.

Yoongi looked up from the stove, a small smirk playing on his lips. "I'll admit, you didn't make a mess," he said, and my heart skipped a beat.

He didn't even try to hide the fact that he was impressed.

"Well, I'm full of surprises," I replied, my voice light, playful.

"Hmm," he hummed, stepping toward me, his gaze never leaving mine.

"I'm curious to see what else you're good at."

I felt my pulse quicken at the implication behind his words, but before I could respond, Yoongi's hand brushed against mine as he reached for a spoon in the drawer.

The touch was so casual, yet it made my skin tingle, the connection between us growing more undeniable with each passing moment.

"You're not even trying to hide it," I said with a teasing smile, watching him as he stirred the simmering pot of adobo.

"I don't need to hide anything," he replied, his voice low and steady, "especially not around you."

My breath caught in my throat, his words sending a wave of warmth through me. I stepped closer to him, drawn to the easy way his presence made everything feel right.

"You know, you're a lot more charming than I gave you credit for," I said, keeping my voice light, though the flutter in my chest was hard to ignore.

Yoongi's eyes met mine, and for a moment, everything around us seemed to fade away.

His hand reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face, his fingers grazing my skin with the gentlest touch.

"I'm full of surprises too," he murmured, his voice thick with something I couldn't quite place.

I swallowed, trying to keep my composure. "Yeah, I'm starting to see that."

Before the moment could stretch too long, I decided to shift the atmosphere back to something playful, not wanting to get lost in the intensity of it.

"So, what's next?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, glancing at the ingredients on the counter.

Yoongi grinned, clearly relieved at the shift. "Now, we wait for this to cook. And then..." He paused dramatically, making a show of moving closer to me. "We taste test."

I chuckled, leaning in to whisper, "Oh, I'm sure I'll approve."

His eyes darkened just slightly at the playful tease. "We'll see about that."

As he stirred the pot, I stayed close by his side, watching the way he moved, the way his hands seemed to know exactly what to do without thinking.

Every so often, he'd glance over at me, and there would be that flicker of something between us-something that felt both new and incredibly familiar, like we were discovering each other in ways we hadn't even realized.