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

Chapter 50: To Stay, To Leave, To Want Anyway

Because how do I explain it?

How do I explain that this-this pull, this warmth, this terrifying inevitability-is something I haven't felt in years?

How do I explain that I know exactly what this is? That I've felt it before?
That I spent years thinking I'd never feel it again?

Dara watches me, patient.
Because she already knows.

She knows who I'm thinking about.
She knows about him.

Namjoon.

But she doesn't push.
Because Dara-Dara has always known when to wait.

I set my glass down. "It's..."

It's everything.
It's a risk.
It's a second chance at something I wasn't sure I'd ever get again.

I inhale. "It feels right."

Dara smiles.
Soft. Genuine.

"I'm happy for you, Jin."

I swallow, shifting in my seat. "I haven't accepted it yet."

She tilts her head. "Haven't you?"

I freeze.

Because she's right.
Because I have.

Because tonight-when I told them about the case, when I heard their voices, when I felt the way they already trust me, care for me, let me in-

I wanted it.
I want them.

And that... that's terrifying.

Dara watches my expression shift and grins. "Took you long enough to realize it."

I scowl. "You're unbearable."

She hums, unbothered.

Then-her eyes flicker with something sharper. "You know your parents are going to fight this, right?"

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I know."

"Your father will try to discredit them."

"I know."

"He's going to pull every string possible to-"

"I know."

Dara quiets.
Because she sees it.

She sees the rage flickering behind my eyes, the protectiveness settling deep in my chest.

She sees that this isn't just about me.
That this is about them.

And that no one-no one-is going to hurt them on my watch.

Dara exhales, setting her glass down. "Well. At least this will be entertaining."

I raise an eyebrow. "You're enjoying this way too much."

She smirks. "What can I say? Watching you fall in love is my new favorite drama."

I huff a laugh, shaking my head.
And for a moment-just a moment-everything feels easy.

Then-I tilt my head and asked, hesitantly "Have you told Joon yet?"

Dara blinks. "Told him what?"

I shoot her a look.

She smirks. "Oh, that."

"Yes, that," I deadpan. "Did you tell him about Tae's case? Or that I've met them?"

Dara hums, tapping her nails against her wine glass. "I told him about Taehyung's case."