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

Chapter 32: Backseat Snoring, Front Seat Ramblings

Taehyung's POV

The hum of the car engine is the only sound filling the air as we drive back from the wildlife safari.

The roads are quiet, the night sky stretching endlessly above us.

I'm sitting up front, Yoongi hyung driving with that relaxed, focused look on his face that I've come to associate with him when he's behind the wheel.

He's like a calming force, even when he's just driving.

In the backseat, Y/N noona is curled up, clutching my giant teddy bear like it's her lifeline.

I don't blame her. That bear is unbelievably soft, and it brings back memories of hyung-it's just so comforting.

Yoongi hyung gives me a sidelong glance, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel to the beat of a song playing softly on the radio.

"That was a fun day, huh?" he says, breaking the comfortable silence. His voice is soft, but there's that quiet warmth to it that makes my heart feel full.

I grin, practically bouncing in the seat. "Fun? That was an amazing day! I'm pretty sure I broke the world record for petting the most baby animals in one hour. Noona and I-"

I stop mid-sentence as I glance at noona's peaceful form in the backseat.

She looks so serene, curled up against the teddy bear, her hair splayed across the seat like she's in the middle of a nap.

She looks adorable, and it's almost enough to make me forget the conversation I was having.

Hyung's eyes flicker to the rearview mirror and he gives a small smile, but it's the kind of smile that says 'I see you, and I'm soft for you.'

"Don't wake her up," Yoongi murmurs, like he's talking to himself more than me. "Let her rest. She looked pretty wiped after all the animal excitement."

I nod. "I know, right? I should've seen her face when she saw those baby goats. It was like-like her entire life was made. Seriously, she was like, 'Forget the pandas, this is the dream.'"

Hyung chuckles under his breath, glancing at me. "It's the simple things with her. She's not picky."

I can't help but laugh too. "Yeah, she's easy to please... unless you're messing with her snacks, then watch out."

The two of us laugh quietly for a moment, the hum of the car the only noise between us.

But then, the quiet moment shifts, and a thought I've been carrying for a while now bubbles up.

I glance at Yoongi hyung, my fingers drumming lightly against my thigh, unsure of how to approach it.

"Hey, hyung..." I start, my voice a little quieter now. "I've been thinking about something... about the app."

His eyes flick to me, the easygoing expression shifting just slightly, like he's waiting for me to elaborate.

He doesn't say anything though, just lets the silence hang between us, offering me the space to speak.

"The notification," I continue, the words coming out slower now. "The one that popped up that said...we've progressed... into a nurturing connection."

Hyung doesn't interrupt, but his hand tightens just a little on the wheel, as if he knows exactly what I'm about to say.

"I... didn't really know how to feel about it at first," I admit, my gaze shifting out of the window, the dim light from the dashboard casting a soft glow across my face.