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

Chapter 48: A Reckoning in Motion ⚠️

Because he knows.

He knows exactly what Jin is asking.
And he knows exactly what will happen once he answers.

I glance at him. He glances at me.
A quick, silent exchange.

Should we even tell him?

But we both know the answer.

So-after a beat-Yoongi exhales, slow and measured. And then-he speaks.

He rattles off the names of the firms-the ones that dismissed Taehyung, that told him there was no case because he had signed the documents.

And Jin-
Jin smiles.

It's a small smile.
A polite smile.

But his grip on his pen tightens.
Just slightly.

Just enough to make my stomach twist with anticipation.

His thumb presses down, rolling the pen between his fingers, slow and deliberate.
Like he's holding something sharp.
Like he's weighing exactly how much damage he can do with it.
A beat. A breath.
And then-smooth as ever-he sets the pen down.
"Interesting," he murmurs, tapping his fingers once against the desk.
That's all he says.
No elaboration.
No reaction.
But I know.
Yoongi knows.
Taehyung shifts uncomfortably in his seat, glancing between us. "...Hyung?"
Jin looks up. "Hm?"
Taehyung hesitates. "...You're gonna do something, aren't you?"
Jin blinks.
Then-
He smiles again.
"Who, me?"
Yoongi snorts, shaking his head. "You're a terrible liar."
Jin hums. "Am I?"
I exhale, my pulse thrumming with something I can't name. "Jin-"
He waves a hand, dismissive. "Don't worry about it."
Which, of course, means we should definitely worry about it.

I exchange a look with Yoongi, who only raises a brow in response.

Taehyung, however, seems amused.
"You're scary, hyung."

Jin smirks. "I know."

And God help me-
It shouldn't make my stomach flip.

But it does.
So help me God. it. does.

The energy in the room shifts then-softens, just a bit.

Jin leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his gaze warm as it flickers between us. "Now that we have a plan in place, I think that's enough legal talk for today."

Taehyung exhales in relief, sagging against the chair. "Thank God."

Jin chuckles. "I imagine this has been a long day for you."

Yoongi snorts. "Understatement."

Jin watches them both for a moment-watching us, really-before his smile softens.

"You know," he says, tilting his head slightly, "I like you guys."

Taehyung blinks. "Huh?"

Jin grins, easy and genuine. "I mean it. You're... refreshing."

I blink, caught off guard. "We are?"

Jin leans back, a thoughtful expression crossing his features. "Most of the time, my clients are... distant. Guarded. It's part of the job, I suppose. But with you guys-"

His gaze lingers on Taehyung for a second longer.
"It feels different."

The air shifts again.
Something unspoken lingers between us.

It's there.
That thing.

That pull.
And I know.
I know.

Jin feels it too.
He doesn't say it.
He doesn't need to say it.

Because the way he looks at us-
The way his eyes soften, the way his entire posture settles like he belongs here-
It's enough.

My chest tightens.

I glance at Yoongi.
At Taehyung.
They feel it too.

Taehyung swallows, his fingers curling against the hem of his sweater. "...I'm glad it's you."

Jin stills.

Then-his expression melts into something softer.
Something unreadable.

"...Me too," he murmurs.

And that's when I know.

There was never another option.
There was never another choice.
Jin was always meant to be here.

Even if the LoveMap app doesn't confirm it yet-
We already know the truth.

When we finally stand to leave, there's a shift. A hesitation.

Jin moves to stand with us-smooth, professional, every bit the composed lawyer-
But he lingers.

Just a second too long.

Like he doesn't want us to go.
Like something in him is holding on.

Even though he doesn't say it.
I see it.

The brief flicker of something in his eyes.
Something unspoken.
Something known.

I see it in Taehyung too.

The slight way his lips part-like he almost says something.

Like something is stuck in his throat, waiting to be let out.
But he swallows it down.

Instead, his fingers clutch at his sweater, his grip tightening for just a fraction of a second-
Before he exhales and nods at Jin.

And Jin-
Jin notices.

His gaze flickers, watching Tae closely, something softening in his expression.
Like he understands.

Like he sees the weight of what wasn't said.

Then-Yoongi moves.

There's a pause.
A tension.

And then-
Yoongi extends his hand.

For a second, Jin simply looks at it.
Like it's something foreign. Like it's something he wasn't expecting.

Slowly, he reaches out and takes it.

And when their hands clasp, it's not just a handshake.

It's something deeper.
Something unspoken, but known.

An understanding.
A moment of recognition.

Like finding a lost puzzle piece and feeling it click into place.

Jin's grip is firm.
Yoongi's fingers tighten just slightly.

Their eyes lock.

Not quite trust, not yet.
But something close.

Something bordering familiarity.
Something bordering attraction.

Yoongi nods.
A simple, wordless acknowledgment.

When their hands release, the shift remains.

I feel it too.
Because when I turn to Jin, his gaze lingers on me for just a second longer than necessary.

Something flickers in his expression-something unreadable, something intentional.

I don't know what it is yet.
But I feel it.

Like a thread stretching between us, pulling tight.

And then-He smiles.
Soft. Certain.

Like he already belongs with us.

And maybe-
Just maybe-
He's starting to realize it too.