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

Chapter 48: A Reckoning in Motion ⚠️

Like this moment-this touch-was always meant to happen.

I hold my breath as I watch the man reach out, his hands moving with the kind of careful intention that makes my chest ache.

He doesn't rush. Doesn't demand.

He simply-waits.

Gives Taehyung every chance to pull away.
But Taehyung doesn't.

He couldn't, even if he wanted to.

Because the second the man's hands enclose around his, Taehyung shudders.

Like something inside him-something small, wounded, hidden away for years-finally unravels.

I feel it happen.

I see the way his fingers wrap around Taehyung's, holding him with more care than I've ever seen anyone hold anything.

Not tight. Not hesitant.

Just enough.

Just enough to say-I see you.

Just enough to say-You're safe.

Just enough to say-I've got you now.

A warmth spreads through the air between them, tangible, undeniable.

It seeps into Taehyung's skin, into his chest, into the deepest, most hidden parts of him.

I see his throat bob as he tries-fails-to swallow the lump rising there.

Because it's been so long.

So long since someone held his hands like this.

Like they weren't fragile.
Like they weren't broken.
Like they were meant to be held.

Beside me, Yoongi sits perfectly still, but I can feel his chest rise and fall, slow and deep.

Because he feels it too.

Because we both know-we know-that Taehyung, for all his sunshine and laughter, has spent too much of his life holding himself together.

Had to be his own anchor.
Had to carry everything alone.

And now-
Now he doesn't have to, Not with me, Not with Yoongi, Not with this man- Not with his soulmates here.

The man is holding him like he's something precious, irreplaceable.

He holds him like he's already made the quiet decision to never let him feel alone again.

I bite my lip to keep my chest from aching too much.

Because I know-I just know-that Taehyung has spent his whole life searching for this.

For a touch that doesn't hurt.
For a touch that doesn't ask for anything in return.

For a touch that simply says-don't worry I'm here, we're here.

The man exhales softly, his thumbs brushing against the back of Taehyung's hands, slow, absentminded-like he's memorizing the feel of him.

His voice, when it comes, is so gentle it makes my throat tighten.

"And You... must be Taehyung."

Not a question. A certainty.
Like he's always known.
Like his heart knew before his mind ever did.

Taehyung stares at him, eyes wide, lips parted, stunned.

Like he doesn't know what to do with this kind of kindness.
Like he's afraid to breathe in case this moment disappears.