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

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

Dara stretches her arms over her head, sighing contentedly. "Well, that was fun."

I scoff. "For you, maybe."

She grins, completely unbothered. "Absolutely."

I shake my head, shoving my hands into my pockets as we step out onto the busy street. My car is waiting, sleek and black, my driver standing patiently beside it.

Dara glances up at me, playful but knowing. "You're thinking about them again, aren't you?"

I don't answer right away.

Because she's right.
Because they haven't left my mind once since that phone call.

She nudges my shoulder. "You're hopeless."

I sigh, running a hand through my hair. "It's just-"

She waits.

I exhale. "It's fast."
She tilts her head. "Too fast?"

I hesitate.
Because the truth is-no.
It's not too fast.

It's exactly the right speed, because the moment I stepped into that office with them, the moment I saw Taehyung's hands tremble, the moment I heard the way Yoongi said my name like it meant something-

It was already done.

The connection, the inevitable pull, the way my body had known before my mind had caught up-It was already there.

Dara watches my face carefully, as if she sees the exact moment I realize it.

She hums, satisfied. "Then what's the problem?"

I sigh. "It's just..."

Dara raises an eyebrow. "Jin, you have to use actual words, not just dramatic sighs."

I shoot her a look. "It's complicated."

She snorts. "No shit."

I huff, stepping closer to my car. My driver opens the door, waiting.

Dara crosses her arms. "So what? You're scared?"

I don't answer.
Because maybe I am.

She exhales. "Look, I know it's terrifying. And I know you think you're walking into a storm. But Jin-"

She pauses.
And then-her voice softens.

"You've always been good at weathering storms."

Something tightens in my chest.
Because she's right.

I've spent years in battle-in courtrooms, in press conferences, in corporate boardrooms filled with sharks. I've spent years being a weapon, being a shield, being everything I had to be to survive.

And yet-
This feels different.
Because this isn't survival.

This is something else.
Something softer.
Something terrifying in a way that has nothing to do with fear.

Dara nudges my arm, smirking. "Go home, Jin. Stop thinking for once."

I roll my eyes but open the car door, sliding inside.

Before the door closes, Dara leans in.
"Oh," she adds, grinning, "And text Suga back. He replied to your last message ten minutes ago."

I blink.
Then-my phone buzzes in my pocket.

Dara winks. "Told you."

I shake my head as the door shuts, settling into the cool leather of the seat.