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

Chapter 39: Drowning in Absence ⚠️

Because today marks two weeks.

Two weeks since Taehyung left.

Two weeks since the last time we saw him, laughed with him, felt his presence beside us like it was something constant.

Two weeks of waiting.

Of watching.

Of hoping.

And today-finally-he should be back.

I sit up in bed, blinking against the morning light as I scroll through my messages, my fingers trembling slightly.

But there's nothing.

No I just landed! text.

No Missed you guys! See you soon!

No teasing remark, no stupid emoji spam-
Nothing.

Yoongi exhales sharply beside me, rubbing a hand down his face. "He should've texted by now."

I nod, swallowing against the unease creeping up my spine.

I don't want to overthink it.

But I am.

I glance at Yoongi. "Maybe he got in late and needed to sleep?"

Yoongi shakes his head. "Tae always texts when he comes back from any trip. Always."

He's right.

Taehyung never leaves us waiting.

The group chat stays silent.

Too silent.

A heavy silence-the kind that makes my chest tighten, my hands clammy with unease.

Yoongi is staring at his phone, thumb hovering over the screen like he's debating whether to call.

Then, before he can-

BZZT.

A single notification.

Our heads snap toward my phone at the same time.

And there it is.

Taehyung (Group Chat):
Hey guys! So... I need to stay a little longer.

I feel my stomach drop.

Yoongi stiffens beside me, fingers curling into the sheets.

I blink. Read it again.

And again.

As if the words might change.

As if the longer I stare, the more sense they'll make.

"What?" Yoongi's voice is flat, but there's something simmering beneath it.

He grabs his phone, typing fast.

Yoongi (Group Chat):
What do you mean?

Taehyung's response comes quickly.

Taehyung (Group Chat):
Just some work stuff! Nothing crazy, I swear.

Yoongi exhales sharply through his nose. "Bullshit."

I chew on my lip. "Yoongs-"

"He's lying." His jaw clenches. "Again."

I don't argue.

Because he's right.

There's something wrong.