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

Chapter 51: No More Holding Back

He exhales, finally daring to meet my gaze again.

And for a second-just a second-he doesn't look away.
Neither do I.

His lips part slightly, like he wants to say something but doesn't know how.

And god, I want to find out what it is.

So I lean in, just a fraction, voice dropping lower. "You can tell me, you know."

His brows furrow slightly. "Tell you what?"

"Whatever it is you're thinking."

Suga swallows.

I don't know if it's the champagne, the dim lights of the event hall, or just him, but suddenly, every nerve in my body is on high alert.

His gaze flickers-to my mouth, then back up.

And shit.
That's dangerous.

I grin, deliberately shifting just a bit closer. "You keep looking at my lips."

Suga malfunctions.
"I am not-"

"You are," I tease, my voice bordering on a whisper now. "It's okay. I don't mind."

He makes a strangled noise, shoving me lightly. "You're impossible."

But he's smiling, flustered and red and so damn cute that I don't even care that he just physically pushed me.

I laugh, moving back just enough to give him space. "Fine, fine. I'll behave."

Suga glares, still visibly trying to get himself together. "You're worse than Tae."

I pause, considering. "Flirty like Taehyung, or annoying like Taehyung?"

"Both."

I chuckle. "I'll take that as a compliment."

He exhales, finally-finally-relaxing again.

And despite all the teasing, despite all the tension-I'm just glad we're here. Talking.

Existing in this strange, electric space between knowing and not quite ready to admit it yet.

And from the corner of my eye, I catch Y/N watching us, her expression soft, excited.

Dara, beside her, raises a glass in our direction, smirking like she knew this would happen all along.

I shake my head, sighing.

"I hate Dara," Suga mutters beside me.

I snort. "No, you don't."

He pauses. "Yeah. I don't."

I grin, nudging him playfully. "C'mon. Walk with me."

And he does.

We weave through the event hall, brushing past clusters of people lost in conversation.

I can feel Y/N's eyes on us, warmth and excitement radiating from her as we step toward the open glass doors leading to the garden.

The air outside is cool, crisp against my skin as we step into the quiet of the night.