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

Chapter 53: Between Boxes And Promises

And for the first time in forever-
Everything feels like it's falling into place.

_________________

Lunch at home is perfect.

The three of us are gathered around the kitchen table, surrounded by stacks of Tupperware filled with food we shamelessly smuggled from the gala.

The apartment is warm with the scent of perfectly seasoned meats, fresh greens, and rich, indulgent sauces.

It smells fancy, and if the way Taehyung is practically vibrating in excitement is any indication, it tastes fancy too.

Yoongi leans against the counter, arms crossed, watching as Tae piles food onto his plate like he's stocking up for winter.

"You're eating like we don't feed you."

Tae glares at him, his mouth already full. "Hyung, you don't understand," he says around a bite of food. "This is gala food. Rich people food."

He waves his chopsticks dramatically over his plate. "You stole actual five-star cuisine for me."

I giggle, picking up a piece of grilled chicken. "You're welcome."

Tae sighs, placing a hand over his heart like he's deeply moved. "You guys love me so much."

Yoongi scoffs. "Unfortunately."
Tae kicks him under the table.

"Ow! Hey!"

I shake my head, setting my fork down.

"Okay, okay-focus. We have to tell you about last night."

Tae perks up immediately. "Yes. Yes. I need details."

Yoongi smirks. "You just want to hear about Namjoon."

Tae gasps, clutching his chest like Yoongi's just accused him of something scandalous. "Hyung, that is not true."

I raise an eyebrow. "Really?"

He pouts. "...Okay, maybe a little."

I laugh, nudging his knee under the table. "Well, you're gonna love this."

And then, together, Yoongi and I tell him everything.

From the moment we arrived, to our team teasing us about being late, to-

"Dara?!" Tae practically shrieks, nearly dropping his chopsticks.

Yoongi chuckles, shaking his head. "Yep."

"She really just shoved you into talking to him?" Tae demands, eyes wide.

Yoongi exhales, dragging a hand down his face. "She literally grabbed me by the arm, paraded me across the room, and dumped me in front of Namjoon like some lost puppy."

Tae wheezes. "I love her."

I grin. "She's incredible."

Tae sighs dreamily. "I need to meet her."

Yoongi smirks. "She's dying to meet you too."

Tae beams.
And then-
We tell him about Namjoon.

The way he looked at us.
The way he chose to stay.
The teasing, the tension, the undeniable pull of something big.

Tae listens intently, hanging onto every word, his eyes shining with something deep and knowing.

And when we finish-
He exhales, shaking his head.

"I need to meet him."

Yoongi smirks. "You will."

Tae shakes his head harder. "No, I mean-I want to meet him soon. Before everything happens"