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

Chapter 46: From Wounds To War ⚠️

Taehyung (Group Chat)
I have become one with the smoke.🙏

I grab my phone and call immediately. "TAEHYUNG."

He picks up, coughing dramatically. "Never forget me, noona. I will always love you," he wheezes.

Yoongi's voice cuts in from my other ear. "Tae. Open a window."

There's shuffling, followed by Yeontan's bark of concern.

"...Oh," Taehyung says. "There's a lot of smoke."

"Tae!"

It's chaos. But it's our chaos.

That night, Yoongi and I step into the elevator, exhausted but content.

It's been a long day, but the thought of going home to Tae, Wacha, and Yeontan makes it better.

Then we smell it.
Smoke.

Not overwhelming, but concerning.

Yoongi and I exchange glances as the doors open to our floor.

Then we hear it-Yeontan's frantic barking. Wacha's annoyed meowing.

And then- a crash.

We sprint to my apartment door. I throw it open- and find absolute destruction.

Smoke wafts from the kitchen.

Yeontan stands on the couch, barking at the stove.

Wacha perches on the counter, watching with quiet judgment.

And in the middle of it all-Taehyung.

Holding a burnt frying pan in one hand, an oven mitt in the other.

He turns, completely flustered, but still grinning sheepishly. "I thought I'd surprise you guys with dinner," he says, looking guilty but unfairly adorable.

He lifts the pan. "Uh... Surprise?"

And in perfect comedic timing, Wacha and Yeontan knock over a lamp. The thud echoes through the now-silent room.

Yoongi and I just stare.

Taehyung winces.
"I can explain," he tries.

Yoongi lets out a long, suffering sigh and walks to the kitchen.

He inspects the stove.
Then the burnt mess on the counter.
Then the floor.
Then he turns back to Taehyung.

"No, you can't," he deadpans.

I choke on laughter.

Taehyung pouts and dramatically flops onto the couch. "I TRIED. My effort should be rewarded."

Yoongi walks over and flicks his forehead.

"HYUNG!" Taehyung yelps.

"Your reward is not burning the apartment down, cub." Yoongi quips as he crosses his arms

I wipe away tears from laughing. "It's fine, baby bear. It's the thought that counts."

Taehyung perks up instantly. "Right?! See, Yoongi hyung?! Noona appreciates me!"

Yoongi rolls his eyes. "Fine," he mutters. Then, after a beat- "Next time, just order takeout."

We quickly learn that leaving Taehyung unsupervised for too long is a risk.

To public safety. Or at the very least, to my apartment.

One morning, I stumble into the kitchen, still half-asleep, only to find Taehyung staring at the refrigerator like it personally offended him.