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

Chapter 76: Lines, Crossed & Unspoken 🔥

Jin's gaze flickered-just for a second.

A beat passed.

Then-he smiled.
And it was devastating.

Not just because he was stupidly handsome-which, Jesus Christ, he was-but because there was something dangerous about it.

Like he enjoyed being challenged. Like he wasn't used to people pushing back at him, and the fact that I did only made me more interesting to him.

Something hot and infuriating curled in my chest. I refuse to be interesting to him.

"So, Dara," Jin drawled, still watching me like he was learning something he wasn't supposed to. "Why exactly did you drag me here?"

Dara exhaled, setting her glass down.

"Because you both need each other," she said simply.

Jin and I turned to her at the same time, equally skeptical.

"Excuse me?" Jin deadpanned.

Dara rolled her eyes.

"Joon, you need legal counsel."

She gestured to Jin. "Jin, you need to do something with your life that isn't bailing out the worst people in Korea."

Jin scoffed. "That's a gross oversimplification."

"It's accurate."

Jin clicked his tongue but didn't deny it.

Dara turned to me. "Joon, your foundation is growing. You're starting to go up against powerful people. You need protection."

I clenched my jaw. "I can handle it."

"You think you can," she corrected.

"But this isn't just activism anymore, Joon. You're stepping into legal territory you're not equipped for."

I hated that she was right.
I hated even more that he was listening, sharp and amused.

I exhaled slowly. "So, what? You expect me to hire him?"

Dara smirked.

Jin hummed, tilting his head.

"Tell you what, kid," he mused, resting his chin on his palm. "I'll consider taking you on."

I narrowed my eyes. "Oh? You'll consider it?"

Jin's smile widened. "Mm," he nodded.

"But first-you're buying my next drink."

The First Drink
I don't know why I did it.

Maybe because Dara was right. Maybe because Jin's arrogance made me want to prove something.

Or maybe-just maybe-because something in me wanted to keep talking to him.

So, I waved the bartender over. Ordered another round.

Jin lifted his glass. "To justice?"

I snorted. "To not killing each other."

We clinked.

_____________________

The ice in my glass has melted.