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

Chapter 52: Steady, Sure, & Absolutely Lethal

Y/N's POV

For a moment, I just sat there, caught in the way Namjoon is looking at me.

The rest of the party fades into background noise-the distant hum of laughter and conversation, the soft clinking of glasses, the music floating through the air.

But all I can focus on is him.

The way his eyes soften as they take me in. The warmth of his smile, slow and deliberate, like he's memorizing this moment.

"You look beautiful tonight," he murmurs.

I freeze.

His voice is deep, rich, and dangerous, but there's something gentle beneath it.

Something that wraps around me and tugs, hard.

I exhale, shaking my head with a small, flustered laugh. "You-you can't just say things like that out of nowhere."

Namjoon tilts his head, clearly amused. "Why not?"

"Because-" I huff. "Because it's not fair."

His dimples deepen, and god, he looks too good. "What's not fair?"

"You!" I gesture vaguely at him. "This! Saying things like that-like you mean them."

His smile softens. "I do mean them."

My breath catches.

"I've thought that every time I've seen you," he confesses, voice quieter now.

"That first meeting at Speak Yourself, all those nights in conference calls, even the day I saw you completely frazzled, running late to a presentation."

I groan. "Please don't bring that up."

He laughs, and the sound is so warm it makes my stomach flip. "I liked that version of you too."

I shake my head, flustered beyond belief, but he just watches me with quiet admiration, like he's in no rush to move past this moment.

Then, after a pause-
"I talked to Suga," he says, his voice shifting, grounding me.

I blink, heart stuttering. "Oh?"

Namjoon nods, his expression turning serious, but not heavy. Like this is something he's finally ready to say.

"I told him I'm not stepping back anymore."

My breath stills.
He continues.

"I don't know how far I can go yet," he admits. "I don't know what this will look like, or how fast I'll get there."

His gaze holds mine, unwavering. "But I do know that I'm done running."

Something swells in my chest, full and overwhelming and good.

He's not running.
He's choosing to stay.

I don't even realize I'm smiling until I see the way his own lips curve in response, something softer, something real.

"I wanted you to hear it from me," he says, voice steady. "Not just from Suga."

I swallow, my fingers itching to reach for him. "Namjoon..."

He waits.