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

Chapter 48: A Reckoning in Motion ⚠️

Jin's gaze doesn't falter.
"I am helping you."

No hesitation.
No second-guessing.

Like it's already been decided.
Like it was never a question.

Taehyung shudders.
His breath stutters, his fingers gripping mine so tightly it hurts.

But I don't let go.
Neither does Yoongi.

Jin leans back slightly, running a hand through his hair.
"I have resources. Connections. I win cases, Tae. That's what I do. And I swear to you-" His voice dips, low and dangerous.

"This one will be no different."

A breathless exhale leaves my lips.

Yoongi makes a rough, choked sound in his throat.

And Taehyung-
Taehyung laughs.

But it's not light. It's not amused.

It's wrecked.
A hollow, disbelieving sound.

Like he doesn't know if he should cry or fall apart or just collapse into us.

"Jin-hyung," he breathes.
And Jin stills.

It's the first time Taehyung has called him that.

For a second-just a second-his composure cracks.

The muscles in his arm shift-an almost imperceptible movement.

A reflex.

Like he almost reaches out-before catching himself.

Before curling his fingers back into his palm.

But it's there.

That instinct.
That pull.

But I see it.
I feel it.

And Taehyung sees it too.

Like something inside him clicks into place.
Like something inside him relaxes in a way he didn't expect.

Yoongi sees it too.
His eyes narrow-assessing, calculating.

Because the way Jin reacts-the way he doesn't correct Tae, doesn't brush it off, doesn't flinch-
It means something.
It confirms something.

Even if we can't say it yet.

Jin clears his throat.

Then-
He smiles.
Soft. Sure.

A lawyer's smile.
But underneath it-
Underneath it-
There's something else.
Something undeniable.

Jin nods "I'll draft the initial filings and start gathering contacts. We'll take this step by step."

Yoongi lets out a slow exhale. "Good."

I squeeze Taehyung's hand. "We've got you, baby bear."

Taehyung's fingers tighten around mine.

And just like that-
The fight begins.

Jin flips his notebook closed with a soft thud, his expression composed-calm, even-but there's something in his eyes.

Something sharp. Calculated.
Something that tells me he's not done.

"By the way," Jin says, almost casually, leaning back in his chair. "Can you remind me which lawyers and law firms you spoke to before you came to me?"

I blink.
Yoongi stills.

For a second-just a second-he hesitates.
His fingers twitch against his knee, his breath shifting just slightly.