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

Chapter 55: Ground Zero ⚠️

Tae swallowed hard, nodding. "I know."

Namjoon squeezed his shoulder lightly before letting go, and Tae visibly exhaled, some of the tension in his body easing.

The elevator ride up was quiet, save for the occasional squeeze of hands-Yoongi pressing his fingers briefly against Tae's wrist, me brushing my thumb over his knuckles, Namjoon nudging Tae's foot with his own just to get him to crack the smallest smile.

Small reassurances.

We were here.
He wasn't alone.

When the elevator doors slid open, we expected to see Jisoo, Jin's paralegal, waiting for us like last time.

Instead, Jin Oppa was already there.
He stood casually against the wall, but the moment he saw us, he pushed off, walking toward us with purpose.

Beside me, Namjoon straightened slightly, his presence a quiet force at my back.

My breath caught-not because of the sharp elegance of Oppa's suit or the powerful aura he carried-but because of the warmth in his eyes.

"I wanted to be the first person you saw today," Jin Oppa said, his voice steady yet gentle.

"There are a few people inside, and it's going to be a lot-discussions, planning, details. But before we step into that room, I need you to know-you're not alone in this."

A soft, strangled sound came from Tae.

Yoongi's hand slid to Tae's lower back, rubbing slow, soothing circles. I tightened my grip on his wrist, my touch whispering,

"Breathe, baby. We're here"

Namjoon stepped closer then, his warmth solid at Tae's side, his hand reaching out to squeeze the back of Tae's neck-gentle but grounding.

"You have me," Oppa said, his gaze locking onto Tae before shifting to each of us.

"You have Yoongi. You have Y/N. You have Joon. And when we step into that room, you'll see that you have even more people fighting for you."

Tae's breath hitched, his grip tightening around the bear in his arms.

Yoongi didn't say anything, but I felt the shift in him-the way his shoulders dropped a fraction, the way his fingers curled into a loose fist before relaxing again. His gaze softened-not just with gratitude, but trust.

Jin Oppa wasn't just saying these things. He meant them.

And Yoongi knew that.
Then-Tae finally moved.

He surged forward, wrapping Oppa in a tight hug, crushing the teddy bear between them.

Oppa didn't even hesitate.

His arms came up immediately, wrapping around Tae, holding him close, holding him steady.

Namjoon exhaled beside me, his hands flexing like he wanted to reach out too.