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

Chapter 71: The Softest Claim 🔥

"You sure you're okay?"

I nod, smiling softly. "I promise."

He still hesitates, his fingers brushing over my knee, and my heart swells at how much he cares.

I reach out, tugging him closer by the front of his shirt, my voice softer now.

"Stay with me?"

His lips part slightly, surprised, and for a second, I think he might say no.

That maybe this is too much too soon.

But then he exhales, his gaze softening, and nods. "Yeah."

He strips down without hesitation, slipping into the water first before pulling me in with him.

I settle between his legs, my back against his chest, and he lets out a content sigh, his arms wrapping around my waist.

I sink into him, into the warmth of the water, into the warmth of him.

His hands move slowly over my skin, gentle, washing me off, massaging where I'm sore.

It's intimate in a way that has nothing to do with sex-just care, just Yoongi being Yoongi.

I tilt my head back, pressing a lazy kiss to his jaw. "I could get used to this."

He hums, amused. "You better."

A soft smile tugs at my lips.

Yeah.

I think I already have.

His hands move over me with that same careful, deliberate touch, spreading warmth across my skin as he washes me.

The bathwater is still hot, but it's nothing compared to the heat of his body pressed against mine.

I feel boneless, sinking into him, letting him take care of me in a way I never knew I needed.

His arms tighten around my waist, and he presses a soft kiss to my temple, his breath warm against my damp skin.

"You're beautiful, you know that?"

I blink, surprised.

My head tilts up slightly, and I catch his expression-serious, soft, like he means it.

"Hyung-"

"I mean it," he murmurs, his fingers tracing slow circles on my thigh beneath the water.

"I see you, Tae. Not just this-" He gestures vaguely, his gaze flicking over my body, lingering for a second before returning to my eyes.

"I see you. The way you feel things so deeply. The way you love. The way you care about people without expecting anything back."

My breath catches.

"You act happy and full of energy, but I see you get tired too, you don't have to hide it from me, Y/N, Joon and Jin hyung, we don't want you to" Yoongi hyung continues, voice quieter now.

"And I know you don't let just anyone have you. So I don't take this lightly. I don't take you lightly."

His words settle in my chest, deep and warm, making my heart ache in a way I don't know how to describe.

I swallow hard, feeling a smile tug at my lips despite the lump forming in my throat.

"Well, you're damn good-looking too, hyung."

Yoongi hyung huffs a small laugh, shaking his head. "That's not the point, Tae."

"I know," I whisper, reaching up to cup his jaw, feeling the rough scratch of his stubble beneath my fingers.