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

Chapter 53: Between Boxes And Promises

His expression is unreadable-wide eyes, parted lips, brows furrowed slightly in thought.

Yoongi and I exchange a glance, but neither of us say anything.

We wait.

Because whatever is happening in his head right now, we know he needs time to process it.

Finally, after a long pause-
His voice comes out soft.
"He wants to be here."

I blink.
Yoongi shifts beside me. "Yeah."

Tae swallows, his fingers tightening slightly around the phone. "He said that. He really said that."

I nod. "He did."

Tae lets out a small, shaky breath, still staring at the screen. "And he meant it."

It's not a question.
Because we know.

Namjoon had said it plainly in the video-
"I don't know how fast I can get there, or how much I can promise right now, but I do know that I'm not going to run anymore."

There was weight in his voice.

A decision.
A promise.

And Tae-
Tae felt it too.

He swallows again, pressing the phone against his chest like it's precious. "You guys," he murmurs.

Yoongi hums, voice low. "Yeah?"

Tae looks up, eyes slightly glassy. "This is real, right?"

I exhale slowly, my chest tight with something overwhelming and good. "It's real."

Tae lets out a small, wobbly chuckle. "Shit."

Yoongi huffs a quiet laugh. "Yeah."

Tae presses the heels of his palms against his eyes, inhaling deeply. "I just-I didn't think-"

He stops.
Like the words are too much.
Like he doesn't even know how to say what he's feeling right now.

I reach for his hand, squeezing it gently. "Didn't think what?"

He exhales, shaking his head slightly. "I didn't think anyone else would ever want to be here."

Yoongi stills beside me.
My breath catches.

Because we know what he means.
Tae has spent years thinking that love is temporary.

That people leave.
That loving someone means waiting for them to go.

But Namjoon-
Namjoon said it.
He wants to be here.

And Tae-our Tae-
Believes him.

Yoongi shifts closer, his fingers brushing against Tae's wrist. "He's not going anywhere."

Tae sniffs, looking down at his lap. "I know," he whispers. "I just-"

His voice wobbles, and I feel my heart ache.

So I reach for him.
I wrap my arms around his waist, squeezing tight.

Tae melts into it immediately, his own arms winding around me, his face pressing into my shoulder.

Yoongi sighs softly, leaning against us, his hand rubbing slow circles against Tae's back.

And we stay like that.

Tangled together.
Silent.
Steady.

Letting it all sink in.
Letting ourselves believe it.
Letting ourselves have this.

And for the first time in a long time-
Tae isn't waiting for someone to leave.

He's waiting to meet someone who's already promised to stay.