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

Chapter 45: Days That Feel Light Again

God, I missed this.

_________________

The workday moves fast-too many emails, too many meetings, and way too much catching up. But in between all of it, there are stolen moments.

Like when my phone buzzes again, and I see another message from Taehyung.

Taehyung (Group Chat)
I just tried to fold laundry and ended up wearing my hoodie backwards for 20 minutes before I noticed.

I choke on my cocoa, barely managing to swallow without spilling it on my keyboard.

A second later, Yoongi's reply pops up.

Yoongi (Group Chat)
How do you survive daily life?

I giggle, shaking my head, before adding my own reply.

Y/N (Group Chat)
I'm actually impressed. That's a new level of distracted.

Taehyung (Group Chat)
Distracted??? Noona, I was BETRAYED BY MY OWN CLOTHES.

Yoongi (Group Chat)
Skill issue.

I wheeze, But then-Taehyung sends another message.

Taehyung (Group Chat)
You guys have no idea how much I missed this.

Taehyung (Group Chat)
Us. Talking like this. Just... everything.

My chest tightens.

He's acknowledging it. That he's back.

For months, it felt like we were watching him fade away-like we were holding onto him by a thread, desperate not to lose him.

And now...

Now he's here. And he knows that he's here.

Yoongi's reply comes in first.

Yoongi (Group Chat)
We missed it too, cub.

I exhale slowly, my heart swelling in my chest.

Y/N (Group Chat)
So much.

Taehyung's reply comes almost instantly.

Taehyung (Group Chat)
...Yeah?

I feel my throat tighten.

Because even now, even after everything, there's still a part of him that needs to be sure.

That needs to hear it.

That needs to know we don't just love him because he was hurting.

But because he's him.

Yoongi sends another message.

Yoongi (Group Chat)
Always.

And I don't even think.

I stand up from my desk, ignoring the way Jae gives me a questioning look, and I head straight for the elevators.

Because there's only one person I want to see right now.

I knock on the door once before pushing it open.

Yoongi is sitting at his desk, phone still in hand, his expression soft in a way that makes my chest ache.

He looks up the second I walk in, his eyes flickering with something unreadable before his lips curve slightly.

"So," he drawls, setting his phone aside. "Did you actually need me, or did you just miss me?"

I scowl, but it holds no real heat. "We've literally spent the entire morning together."

Yoongi stands, closing the distance between us in two steps.

"Not like this," he murmurs, voice softer now.

Before I can respond, his lips are on mine-soft, lingering, stealing the breath from my lungs.

I sigh into it, my fingers curling into his shirt, pulling him closer.

He tastes like coffee and something inherently him, and it's so easy-so natural-to melt into him.

But then-he deepens the kiss, his hands sliding to my waist, his fingers curling into the fabric of my blouse as he pulls me flush against him.

A soft sound escapes me, something between a sigh and a whimper, and I feel Yoongi smirk against my lips.

"You're supposed to be working," I mumble, even as my hands slip up to cup the back of his neck.

He hums, entirely unbothered. "So are you."

And then he kisses me again, harder this time, his fingers tightening at my waist as his lips part slightly, teasing, tasting.

I shudder, my grip on his shirt tightening.

God, how does he always do this? How does he make it so impossible to think?

His teeth graze my bottom lip, just enough to send a sharp thrill down my spine.

"Yoongi," I breathe, my pulse pounding.

He makes a low, satisfied sound, dipping his head lower, pressing a kiss to my jaw-then just below my ear.

I feel his smile against my skin when he speaks.

"You should sneak into my office more often."

I huff, trying to regain some kind of control over myself.

"I am leaving before someone catches us," I mumble, pulling back slightly-only for him to tug me right back in.

He leans in one last time, brushing his lips over mine before nibbling at my lower lip, slow and deliberate.

A heat coils in my stomach.

I shove him, my face on fire.

Yoongi just laughs, eyes dark with amusement as he finally lets me go.

I shake my head, turning toward the door, still breathless.

As I step out, I glance over my shoulder-only to see him watching me "I told you, we'd have him back"

His eyes flickers with a softness so genuine, his voice comes out almost in a gentle whisper "He is. We have"

We smile at each other as I open the door and leave, unable stop the small, giddy smile that tugs at my lips.

Because no matter how ridiculous or chaotic this day has been

It's been a good day.

Because Taehyung is okay.

And Yoongi is Yoongi.

And for the first time in a long time-everything feels light again.