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

Chapter 27: Cocoa, Chaos, and Comfort

I wait, letting her gather her thoughts. "But what?"

She sighs softly, then lowers her voice. "But I can't stop thinking about him. Namjoon. There's this pull between us. And I don't know if it's just me, but I feel like it's the same for him too."

I feel the familiar heat rise in my chest.

She's not wrong. There's been something about Namjoon's presence these past few days that's impossible to ignore.

That handshake, the way he looked at us, the way his voice softened when he spoke to us-it wasn't just professional.

It was something more. Something deeper.

"I know what you mean," I mutter, suddenly feeling the weight of everything that's unsaid. "I felt it too. There's definitely something there. And I don't know if it's just... the project, or if it's something else. Maybe he's realizing it too, but he's holding back."

Y/N nods slowly, her fingers lightly tapping the edge of her glass. "Maybe he's scared. Maybe he's still figuring it out. I don't know. But I get the feeling that we're not the only ones feeling this... this pull. It's like he's aware of it too. But is he ready to face it?"

I chew on the question for a moment, my thoughts swirling.

It's a tricky situation.

None of us really know how to handle this-how to approach what's happening between us.

But there's no denying that the connection is real, undeniable even.

Before I can say anything more, my phone buzzes on the table, and I glance down to see a message from Taehyung.

I swipe to open it and immediately smiles at what I see.

Taehyung (Group Chat)
How's dinner!?! 🍽️ I hope you enjoy guys! I'm still sulking about me being away for a work trip😭🥺😩

Taehyung (Group Chat)
I wish I could have joined dinner!!! I miss you two too much!!! 💔

Taehyung (Group Chat)
I'm on my way back to Seoul, though! 🚘

Taehyung (Group Chat)
Now, about my day... I saw a pigeon try to steal my sandwich, and I'm not okay with it.🐦🥪😡

Taehyung (Group Chat)
I may have had a conversation with it in the park.

Taehyung (Group Chat)
It's official. I'm friends with a pigeon now. 🤝

Y/N snorts, her shoulders shaking with laughter as she reads the message from her phone screen as well.

It's so like Taehyung-always finding humor in the most unexpected places.

His lightheartedness is infectious, and for a moment, the weight of everything seems to fade away.

Y/N (Group Chat)
I KNOWWWW!! We miss you too tae!! We've been missing you all week! 😭

"That's just so Taehyung," Y/N says with a grin, shaking her head. "Only he could turn a pigeon into a life-changing experience."

I laugh too, chatting him back.

Yoongi (Group Chat)
Taehyung, I think we need to meet this pigeon someday. We'll bring it some breadcrumbs.

Taehyung responds almost immediately

Taehyung (Group Chat)
Oooohhh are you hinting a future trip to Damyang!!??

Taehyung (Group Chat)
I'll introduce you, but no promises. Pigeon might be more famous than you. 😂

Yoongi (Group Chat)
Taehyung are you driving right now?