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

Chapter 60: A Love That Never Left

I nodded helplessly, my throat closing around the storm inside me.

Namjoon's shoulders sagged as he let out a shaky breath. "Four years ago, I thought I was doing the right thing. Walking away from you, from us... I told myself it was for your own good. For my foundation. For my pride. For your freedom from the pressure."

His voice lowered, raw and jagged. "Your father hated me. He made it so clear what he wanted. And when he tried to strangle my work, when he almost tore down everything I built, I... I got scared. I felt like I was drowning."

A tear slipped down his cheek. "I convinced myself that leaving would save you the heartbreak of watching me lose everything."

I bit my lip, hard, trying to stop the sob clawing up my chest.

"But leaving you?" His voice splintered. "That was the real heartbreak."

I shook my head, blinking through the blur of my own tears. "You... you left without a word. Without giving me a chance to fight for you."

Namjoon nodded, shame written all over his face. "I know. And I regretted it the second I stepped out that door. But I was a coward, Jin. I thought letting you go would protect you. That maybe you'd be safer without me dragging you through my world."

He paused, breathing uneven. "But seeing you now-with them, with us-I realized how wrong I was."

My heart felt like it would crack in two. "We were happy," I whispered. "You and I-we were everything."

Namjoon's breath hitched. "We were more than everything." His voice dropped into a broken whisper. "You were my home."

I pressed my hand against my chest, desperate to keep my composure. But his words kept breaking me open.

Namjoon reached out, fingertips brushing my knuckles. "When we were together, I felt like I could do anything. That I could take on the world, as long as you were there. But when your father stepped in, when he threatened everything I stood for, I let my fear control me. I made the choice to walk away."

His voice trembled with guilt. "And every night since, I've wondered-what if I had stayed? What if I fought harder? What if I trusted you more?"

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I let the weight of his confession wash over me.

Namjoon's thumb brushed away a tear from my face, his touch feather-light. "But I see it now. With Tae, with Y/N and Yoongi... you've built something so beautiful. And all I can think about is how I still want to be part of it. Part of you."

His voice broke completely, tears spilling freely. "I still love you, Jin. I never stopped."

I couldn't stop the sob that escaped. "Joon."

He inhaled sharply, pleading. "Please, I'm ready now. To face everything-your family, your world, your storms. I'll face it all if it means I get to stand beside you. With Y/N. With Yoongi. With Tae. With us."

I stared at him, shattered and whole all at once.

Namjoon was here. Open. Raw. Offering his heart again after all these years.

"I missed you," I whispered, voice thick with emotion.

Namjoon's gaze softened, tears catching in his lashes. "I missed you more."

"And I still-" My voice caught. "I still love you, Joon."

Namjoon let out a broken laugh, his shoulders shaking. "Then let me stay. Let me be yours again."

I couldn't hold back anymore. I surged forward, wrapping my arms around him, clinging like I was afraid the universe would tear us apart again.

Namjoon's arms tightened around me, grounding me as we cried in each other's embrace.