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

Chapter 33: A Bear Cub's Dillema

I laugh along with him, the sound of it feeling easy, natural. But that little pang in my chest? It's still there.

We keep walking, but something about the way Y/N noona and Yoongi hyung are sharing these little inside jokes, these little moments of connection, makes me feel... well, like I'm on the outside looking in.

I mean, I get it.

I'm the new piece in the puzzle. I've only been part of this whole dynamic for a short time, while they have this longer, beautiful history together.

They've had time to form something deeper, something more. And I'm not sure where I fit into all of it.

"hyung," I tease, bouncing slightly on my feet, "you do know you're the one who told me I looked like a giraffe when I tried to talk to that one, right?"

Noona bursts into laughter again, holding her stomach dramatically as if she's about to fall over.

"Oh my god, Tae," she says, almost crying from laughing. "You were so serious! It was like you were trying to have an intellectual conversation with a giraffe. I couldn't breathe!"

I grin, trying to shrug off the feeling, not wanting to ruin the light atmosphere "Hey, at least I'm trying to bond with nature. I'm a soulful guy, you know?" I wag my eyebrows at her, trying to make my point.

Hyung rolls his eyes playfully, the corner of his mouth twitching as he smirks. "I think you were just trying to impress the giraffe, not bond. I've never met anyone who loves giraffes as much you do and don't even get me started with your obsession with pandas."

"Hey!" I protest, swatting at his arm. "Pandas are cute, okay? What's wrong with being obsessed with pandas?"

Y/N noona grins widely at me. "Yeah, Tae, I think you'd do well as a panda in the wild. Just eating bamboo, taking naps all day." She pauses for a second, before adding with a wink, "You'd definitely blend in with the crowd."

"Hey, hey! I'm not lazy," I argue, crossing my arms. "I'm just... laid-back. Like, uh, a chilled-out lion or something."

Yoongi hyung chuckles beside me. "You're more like a cuddly koala, Tae. Always hanging on to something. It's the teddy bear, right?"

I let out a dramatic sigh. "Can you two just let me be the cool, mysterious guy for once?" I ask, trying to keep a straight face.

But of course, it's no use. Noona nudges me with her elbow, her eyes sparkling. "You are the cool guy, Tae. You know that. You just... have the added bonus of being adorable."

I roll my eyes, trying to act like I'm annoyed, but deep down, I know they're just being affectionate.

And yet, the way they keep treating me like the little brother, like I'm the one who's always cute and harmless, stings more than I want to admit.

Yoongi hyung seems to notice my hesitation and flashes me a quick glance before speaking up again, but this time, there's a different kind of amusement in his voice.

"Alright, bear cub," he teases, using the nickname I've gotten so used to over the past few weeks. "If you're gonna act like the cuddly little guy, we should start treating you like one. Let's see-how about a piggyback ride? Would that make you feel better?"

I blink at him, then shake my head quickly. "Piggyback ride? Seriously? I'm not a kid, you know?"

Noona laughs, tugging at my sleeve. "Aww, Tae, you're always going to be our little bear cub, no matter how much you try to act tough. Just embrace it, okay?"

It's meant to be playful, and I can tell they're not trying to make me feel bad.

They're just having fun, but... still. I can't help the little sting in my chest. It's not that I'm angry-it's more like I'm feeling...frustrated.