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

Chapter 54: The Countdown || Part 1 ⚠️

And then it hits me.
Jin Oppa has barely mentioned Namjoon at all.

I glance at Yoongi, who's already noticed too-his fingers tapping idly against his chopsticks as he watches Oppa's expression carefully.

Tae, oblivious, keeps talking. "I mean, he'll find out one way or another, right? It's better if we're upfront with him."

Jin Oppa nods. "You're making the right move."

But that's all he says.
No questions.
No follow-ups.
Just that.

I wait for him to say more.
To react.

To ask how it went the first time we met Namjoon.
But he doesn't.

He just smiles, a little too easy, and reaches for his drink again.

And I realize-
He doesn't want to talk about it.

I glance at Yoongi. He looks like he wants to press, just a little, but when Jin shifts-his shoulders just slightly tense, his fingers tightening just a fraction around his beer-Yoongi seems to understand too.

We let it go.
Jin Oppa will tell us in time.

Whatever his history with Namjoon is, whatever is keeping him from talking about it-he'll tell us when he's ready.

And for now?
That's enough.
So instead, we move on.

Tae launches into another story-something about Yeontan bullying Wacha by stealing her bed-and soon enough, Jin Oppa is laughing again.

Yoongi relaxes, nudging Tae's knee under the table, smirking at his outrageous storytelling.

I let myself lean back, letting the warmth of the evening settle deep into my bones.

This is what matters.
This. Us.

For tonight, we don't have to worry about the lawsuit.
Or Namjoon and Jin's dynamic.
Or the weight of the week ahead.

For tonight, we just are.

Before we leave, Jin Oppa stops us.

"Hey," he says, voice steady, but there's something careful in his tone.

We pause, Tae halfway through stuffing the last piece of pork belly into his mouth. "Hmm?"

Oppa exhales, glancing at each of us before landing on Tae.

"Before you meet him... let me talk to Namjoon first."

The air shifts.

Yoongi stills beside me. I straighten slightly.

Tae, wide-eyed, blinks. "Wait-really?"

Jin Oppa nods. "I won't go into detail. But I'll let him know... something."

The words linger, settling between us like a quiet weight.

Because Oppa-who has skirted around Namjoon all night, who has carefully avoided his name-is suddenly offering to be the one to tell him first.

And it means something.

Yoongi tilts his head, watching Jin Oppa closely. "Are you sure?"

Oppa just smiles, but it's small. Private.
"I'm sure."

And that's it. No explanation.

But I see it-the way his fingers tighten just slightly around his jacket sleeve, the way his gaze flickers for just a second.

He's not doing this for himself.
He's doing this for us.
For Tae.

Tae, who's watching Jin with soft, steady trust.