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

Chapter 56: Warfare & Warm Hands

Tae's smile softened. "I know."

Namjoon picked up his spoon. "Thank you, baby bear."

Tae beamed.

Yoongi nudged Jin oppa, whispering not-so-quietly. "I told you he was soft."

Jin rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched.

Namjoon?

Namjoon just smiled, his dimples making a gentle appearance.

And as we sat there-hot soup, warm hands, full hearts-something settled in me.

This wasn't just dinner.
It was home.

We didn't rush through dinner.

There was something about the slow warmth of it-the rich broth, the shared laughter, the quiet glances exchanged across the table-that made it impossible to want to leave.

Tae, who had all but melted into his seat, sighed happily, tapping his spoon against the rim of his bowl. "This soup is healing my soul."

Yoongi, still nursing his second (third?) bowl, grunted in agreement. "If I die, I want to be reincarnated as an ox bone simmering in this broth for days."

Jin oppa wrinkled his nose. "Yoongi, what the hell-"

I cackled, while Namjoon snorted into his tea.

Yoongi just shrugged, utterly unbothered. "I'm just saying. If I'm gonna be something in my next life, it better be delicious."

Tae wiped an imaginary tear. "Hyung, you're an inspiration."

Oppa huffed, looking deeply unimpressed. "I regret every decision that led me to this table."

Joon, still chuckling, leaned his chin on his hand. "But you'd never actually leave."

Jin Oppa, ever Jin, scoffed. "Of course not."

But then, softer-barely above the hum of the restaurant-

"I don't want to."

The conversation lulled for just a second.

Long enough for Yoongi's gaze to flicker toward Jin Oppa, something unreadable settling in his eyes.

Long enough for Namjoon's fingers to tap against the edge of his bowl, his expression briefly, briefly unreadable.

Tae, ever the sensitive one, nudged my knee under the table.

I met his eyes and smiled.

Jin Oppa, being Jin Oppa, took charge when it came to refilling our side dishes.

"This kimchi is good," he murmured, testing another bite. "Really good. We should order more."

Tae perked up immediately. "Yes, please."

Oppa flagged down the waiter like a professional, rattling off our order with the precision of a man who knew exactly how much food we actually needed.

I sighed in admiration. "Oppa, you are the backbone of this family."

Jin Oppa preened "Someone has to be, considering you three are menaces."

Tae gasped. "Excuse me?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "I can't deny that."

Yoongi, deadpan: "She's right, though."

Namjoon covered his mouth with his sleeve, shoulders shaking as he laughed. "I mean, she does have a point."

Tae whined, smacking my arm lightly. "I thought you were on our side, Noona."

I patted his head. "I am on your side, baby bear. Just... objectively speaking, we are a handful."