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

Chapter 48: A Reckoning in Motion ⚠️

Like an old memory.

"That night at the restaurant," he says. His voice smooth like velvet, warm like a slow-burning fire.
"I bumped into you. It's nice to see you again."

And suddenly-
I see it.

I see the exact moment the puzzle pieces snap into place for Taehyung.

His lips part.
His breath catches.

And then-
"No fucking way."

Tae's voice is breathless, stunned-carrying the weight of something too big to name.

Then-
Tae beams.
Bright. Open. Radiant.

Like the sun breaking through a storm.
Excitement radiates from him, his entire body buzzing with it.

Because this-
This man's recognition. This man's acceptance.

It's everything.

Because I know-I just know-how afraid we were.

That he'd be cold.
That he'd pretend not to notice.
That he'd act aloof, like I did when I first met Yoongi. Like Namjoon did when we felt him.

But he doesn't.

We were panicking just minutes ago.
Terrified he'd run.
Terrified he'd push us away.
That we'd be left hopeless about Taehyung's case.

But no.

Instead-
He acknowledges us.
He welcomes us.

And he does something even more unexpected-
He calms us.

And in that moment-
I turn to Yoongi.

And he is smiling.

Not his usual, guarded smirk. Not the polite, distant curve of his lips.

But something real. Something open.
And it steals the breath from my lungs.
Because I know this look.

I know what it means.

Yoongi trusts him.

And the walls-
The ones I thought were immovable-
Are coming down.

Because I have seen Yoongi guard himself like a fortress.

Watched him keep people at a distance.

Watched him control every expression, every word, every interaction-never allowing anyone to see too much.

But now?

Now, his face is unguarded.
Now, his eyes are open.

And when Yoongi finally speaks again, his voice is softer than I've ever heard it.
"My name is Min Yoongi."

A pause. A breath.

Then-
"You can just call me... Yoongi."
And it is instant.

The way Taehyung and I whip our heads toward him, stunned.

Because Yoongi never does that.

Never lets people call him by his real name so easily.

It's always Suga to people.
Always guarded, cautious, closed off.

But this man...
This stranger who isn't really a stranger...
Has somehow torn down Yoongi's walls in an instant.

And I feel it.
A shift. A pull.

A moment etched into something deeper than fate.

Like a puzzle piece falling into place.
Like a story finally picking up where it left off.