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

Chapter 53: Between Boxes And Promises

Yoongi pauses, expression unreadable.
Then-he scoffs, rolling his eyes. "Unbelievable."

Tae perks up immediately. "Joon Hyung? Is he texting?"

Before I can stop him-Tae lunges for Yoongi's phone again, grinning mischievously.

Yoongi groans. "I swear to-"

Too late.

Tae (on Yoongi's phone)
I lose it, collapsing into the couch as Yoongi attempts to strangle Tae with a throw pillow.

Tae yelps, cackling. "This is for the greater good, Hyung!"

Yoongi shakes him, muttering threats under his breath.

Namjoon
This is probably Taehyung huh? Haha Not a candle guy, but if I had to pick... maybe sandalwood? Something earthy.

Tae gasps dramatically, shoving the phone back at Yoongi like it holds the answer to life itself.

"HYUNG," he whispers-serious now, like he's just discovered something groundbreaking.

Yoongi blinks, unimpressed. "What?"

Tae stares at him. "Sandalwood is sexy."

Yoongi chokes.

I burst into laughter, clutching my stomach.

Tae nods, dead serious. "No, like. It's a sexy scent. Joon Hyung is sexy."

Yoongi gives up on life, shoving the phone back into his pocket. "I hate you."

Tae beams. "You love me."

I wipe at my eyes, wheezing. "God, we need to finish unpacking before Tae finds a way to text him again."

Tae hums, suspiciously innocent.

Yoongi narrows his eyes. "I swear, if I wake up tomorrow and find out you sent him a Spotify playlist labeled 'Sexy Sandalwood Vibes'-"

Tae gasps, eyes widening. "Oh my god, wait."

I throw a pillow at him. "No."

Yoongi sighs, running a tired hand down his face.

The afternoon stretches on, but somehow-it doesn't feel exhausting.

We make progress, even if it's messy.

Tae dramatically complains about organizing his closet, so Yoongi and I help-even if Yoongi bullies him the entire time for the outrageous amount of designer coats he owns.

Yoongi, begrudgingly, helps set up Tae's gaming setup-complaining the whole time, but still making sure everything is plugged in perfectly.

Tae fusses over Yeontan, rearranging his little bed five times before deciding the first spot was best.

I make the kitchen feel like home again, placing Tae's favorite snacks on the shelves, lining up the fridge with comfort foods we know he loves.

And through it all-
There are touches.
Subtle. Thoughtless. Easy.

Yoongi's hand brushing my back when he walks past me.

Tae leaning against me, resting his head on my shoulder whenever he pauses.

Yoongi fixing Tae's collar absentmindedly, smoothing it down before realizing what he's done and grumbling about it.

Warm. Familiar.

And when we finally collapse onto the couch hours later, Tae sprawled dramatically between us, Yeontan curled at his feet-

It doesn't feel like a day wasted.
It feels like a day well spent.
A home well loved.