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

Chapter 54.5: The Countdown || Part 2

DAY 4

It was panic. Chaos. Absolute madness.

Yoongi, Taehyung, and I were moving around Tae's apartment like we were preparing for the event of the century.

And in some ways-we were.
Because tonight was important.

Tonight, we were finally meeting Taehyung's family.

Not by blood, but by love.

I glanced at Tae, who was practically vibrating with happiness, grinning from ear to ear as he mixed drinks at the kitchen counter.

Yoongi was at the stove, cooking up a storm, his sleeves rolled up, hair slightly messy, muttering under his breath as he perfected every single dish.

I was setting the table, adjusting and readjusting the plates a hundred times, stepping back every few seconds to make sure it all looked just right.

Everything had to be perfect.

Not because Jiwon and his parents would judge us if it wasn't-no, that wasn't it at all.

It was because we owed them everything.

For saving Taehyung.

For giving him a home when he had nowhere else to go.

For loving him when the people who were supposed to love him failed.

I had so much gratitude for them, and I hadn't even met them yet.

Yoongi turned, placing a plate of side dishes on the table before sniffing the air, nodding approvingly.

"Everything smells incredible, Yoongs," I told him, reaching up to smooth his hair down slightly.

He hummed, glancing at me with something soft in his gaze. "It better be. I'm not letting Tae's family leave thinking I'm a bad cook."

I giggled, squeezing his wrist.

Across the room, Tae was still bouncing on his feet, his excitement infectious.

I exchanged a glance with Yoongi, and we both smiled.

It had been a long time since we had seen Tae this giddy. This light.

And then-
The doorbell rang.

Tae froze mid-bounce, his eyes widening.

I barely had time to react before he was sprinting toward the door, nearly tripping over Yeontan, who barked excitedly as he ran after him.

Yoongi and I followed, my heart pounding in anticipation.

Tae flung the door open.

And suddenly-
We were met with the kindest, warmest, most loving humans we had ever seen.

Jiwon was grinning, looking just as excited as Tae, his arms immediately going around him in a tight hug.

And behind him-
Jiwon's mom.

Gentle. Radiant. The kind of woman whose presence felt like a soft embrace, even from a distance.

And his dad.

Tall, quiet, strong-but not in an intimidating way. No, his strength was warm, steady-the kind of presence that told you you were safe, that you were loved, that you were home.

And the way he looked at Taehyung-
Like there wasn't a single doubt in his mind that Tae was his son, too.

My throat tightened.

Jiwon pulled away first, his hands gripping Tae's shoulders. "Look at you, idiot. You look happy."

Tae's eyes shone. "I am."