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

Chapter 51: No More Holding Back

She drops gracefully back into her seat, looking proud. "Yep."

For a moment, I don't know whether to scold her or laugh.

And then-I do laugh. Because honestly? It's kind of perfect.

Warmth fills me, gratitude curling in my chest. I squeeze her hand lightly. "Thanks, Dara."

She pats my hand, her expression softening just a bit before she takes a sip of her drink. "You're welcome."

And just like that, she joins the conversation at the table again, seamlessly slipping back into our banter.

But across the room, Yoongi and Namjoon are talking.

And this time-neither of them are looking away.

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Namjoon's POV

For a moment, I just stand there.

Suga, in front of me.

His dark eyes flicker with something unreadable-hesitation, curiosity, something deeper that neither of us are ready to name yet.

And across the room, Dara is watching.

Raising her eyebrows at me in an unmistakable Well? What are you waiting for? expression before turning back to her seat, looking far too smug.

I exhale, forcing myself to break the silence first.

"I was actually hoping to talk to you tonight," I say, offering a small smile, something easy-safe. "But I didn't expect you to be delivered like a package."

Suga huffs a short laugh, shaking his head. His shoulders relax just slightly, though his fingers still twitch at his sides.

"Yeah, Dara's got a habit of pushing people into conversations they're avoiding."

Avoiding.

The word lingers between us, heavier than it should be.

But before it settles too deeply, I clear my throat. "I wanted to congratulate you on the new accessibility update. It's a huge step forward."

Suga nods, slipping into the comfort of familiar territory. "Thanks. It's been a long time coming-accessibility features should've been a core function from the start."

His voice steadies as he talks, the tension in his frame easing.

I watch the way his mind shifts into focus, how his passion seeps through in the smallest ways-the slight furrow of his brows, the way he taps his fingers against his glass as if mapping out his next thought.

I've seen him in meetings before, in professional settings, but this is different.

This is him.

"Y/N had a big part in the push for it,"

Suga continues, glancing briefly toward the table where she sits, watching us with an unmistakable warmth in her gaze.

I meet her eyes for half a second before she grins and looks away, as if trying not to seem too excited that we're actually talking.

Something in my chest tightens.

"I figured," I say, looking back at him. "She seems like she'd fight for what's right, no matter what it takes."

Suga's lips twitch, his expression softening just slightly. "Yeah. She's got a way of making you want to be better."

I glance down, swirling the drink in my hand.