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

Chapter 52: Steady, Sure, & Absolutely Lethal

I watch him. "You're kind of smitten with him, aren't you?"

Namjoon scoffs. "That's a strong word."

I raise a brow.

He sighs. "Fine."

I grin. "I knew it."

Namjoon shakes his head, exasperated.

"You're impossible."

"And you like it."

He chuckles, taking a sip of his drink. "Unfortunately."

We settle into something comfortable then, the kind of ease that doesn't feel new but also doesn't feel rushed.

And I realize-
This bond, this connection-

It's growing.

Slowly.
Surely.
Steadily.

And for the first time, Namjoon isn't running from it.

He's leaning in.

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Namjoon is dangerous.

Not in the traditional sense-he isn't reckless, he isn't wild, he isn't unpredictable. He's steady and sure, the kind of presence that commands a room without needing to raise his voice.

But this-this-the way he speaks, the way he listens, the way his dimples deepen with every teasing smirk-

This is dangerous.

Because it's pulling me in.

The way his eyes hold mine, unwavering.

The way he leans in ever so slightly, just enough to test something without fully touching.

The way he waits, watching my every reaction, seeing how far he can go before I catch on to what he's doing.

It's a slow burn.

A steady, careful unraveling.
And I'm letting it happen.

"What are you thinking about?" Namjoon asks, voice low, rich, warm.

I blink, swallowing. "Nothing."

His lips curl knowingly. "Liar."

I exhale a quiet laugh. "You're too observant."

"You make it easy," he counters smoothly.

I pause. "That... sounds like a trick."

Namjoon tilts his head, amusement flickering across his face. "What kind of trick?"

"The kind that makes people fall in love with you without realizing it," I say before I can stop myself.

Namjoon freezes.
I freeze.

The air shifts instantly, something electric snapping between us.

And then-His dimples deepen, slow and devastating.

"Oh?" he murmurs, voice dipping into something almost dangerous.

I should not have said that.
I should not have said that.

I clear my throat, forcing myself to recover. "You know what I mean."

He hums. "Do I?"

I groan. "Namjoon."

His chuckle is low, pleased, like he knows exactly what he's doing.

I glare at him. "You like doing this to me, don't you?"

Namjoon raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. "I don't know what you're talking about."

I huff. "You're impossible."