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

Chapter 48: A Reckoning in Motion ⚠️

Jin exhales, glancing between us. "We have a solid start."

His gaze softens slightly as it lands on Taehyung. "This won't be easy. They'll try to discredit you, undermine your claims. You'll have to be prepared for that."

Taehyung nods. "I know."

Jin studies him for a long moment.

Then-he smiles.
Soft. Encouraging.

"You're stronger than you think, Tae."

Something in Taehyung's expression cracks.

His lips part slightly, his eyes flickering with something fragile-something unsure.

And then-
Slowly, hesitantly-he smiles back.

It's small. Barely there.
But it's real.

Jin exhales, long and slow, like he's making a decision he's already known the answer to.

And when he looks up, his gaze is steady.
Resolute.

"There's no scenario where I don't take this case."

Silence.
Complete, utter silence.

I forget how to breathe.
Yoongi stills beside me.
And Taehyung-
Taehyung blinks.

Like he didn't hear him right.
Like his brain is struggling to process the weight of what was just said.

Jin leans forward, resting his forearms on the desk.

"There was never another option," he continues, voice smooth, unwavering. "Even if there was, I'd fight tooth and nail to make sure I am the one who sees this through."

His jaw clenches.
"Because there is no universe where I let those monsters walk free after what they did to you."

Something inside me shatters.

A soft, wrecked sound escapes from my lips, my hands tightening around Taehyung's instinctively.

Yoongi exhales sharply, his entire body locked with tension, his fingers twitching as if they don't know where to grip-his knee, the desk, Jin's collar.

And Taehyung-
God.

His lips part. His breath stutters.
His eyes are glassy, stunned.
Like he can't believe what he's hearing.
Like he doesn't know how to accept it.

"I-" His voice catches.

Jin's gaze softens-just slightly.

But underneath it, beneath the polished professionalism, beneath the smooth edges of his carefully composed mask-
I see it.

Something simmering.
Something barely restrained.
Something breaking apart.

He's angry.
He's furious.

He's trying to stay calm, to keep his distance, to keep his professionalism intact-
But it's not working.

Because he feels it.

I see it in the way his fingers flex against the desk. In the way his nostrils flare, in the way his chest rises and falls just a fraction too quickly.

He's angry in a way that goes beyond being a lawyer.

He's invested in a way that goes beyond professional obligation.

He cares.

And Taehyung-
Taehyung feels it too.

I watch as his throat bobs, as his fingers curl into his sleeves, as his entire body wavers between breaking apart and holding itself together.

"You're going to help me?" His voice is barely above a whisper.