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

Chapter 76: Lines, Crossed & Unspoken 🔥

Dara left twenty minutes ago, flashing a knowing smirk before sauntering out of the bar like she'd just orchestrated the deal of the century.

And yet-neither of us move.

Jin sits across from me, rolling his empty glass between his fingers, his expression unreadable.

I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face. "I'm too tired to argue."

Jin snorts. "Well, that makes one of us."

I shoot him a flat look. "Is your ego ever off-duty?"

He grins. "Not in my contract, kid."

I ignore the kid comment, waving down the bartender. "Whiskey. Neat."

Jin lifts a brow, amused. "And here I thought the righteous like you only drank ethically sourced, organic kombucha."

I roll my eyes. "You do know lawyers aren't the only ones who drink, right?"

"Mm." Jin hums. "But you don't look like the type who drowns his idealism in alcohol."

I exhale sharply, taking a sip. "Maybe you don't know me as well as you think."

Jin watches me for a second too long, his smirk fading-just slightly.

For some reason, that makes my stomach twist.

Somewhere between my second drink and Jin's third, the conversation shifts.

We stop sniping at each other.
Instead, we start talking.

About the law. The justice system. The fucked-up way money dictates who gets to walk free and who rots in prison.

Jin starts off arrogant, lounging back in his chair, throwing out sharp, sarcastic remarks.

But as I keep pushing, keep challenging, something cracks beneath the surface.

"You actually know your shit," Jin mutters, looking at me like I've grown another head.

I scoff. "Did you think I was just some naive activist with a savior complex?"

"Yes."

I blink.

Jin shrugs unapologetically. "Most people in your position don't bother to understand the system they're trying to fight."

I lean forward, bracing my forearms on the table. "And what about you?"

Jin huffs a short, humorless laugh. "I am the system, Namjoon."

His voice is lighter, but there's something dark beneath it-something tired.

For the first time tonight, I see it.

Beneath the polished arrogance, the sharp suits, the devil-may-care charm-Kim Seokjin is jaded.

And fuck, it suits him too well.

We fall into a rhythm-arguing, debating, pushing each other's buttons.

Jin's brilliant. It's infuriating.

Every counterpoint I throw, he meets effortlessly. Every time I think I've backed him into a corner, he smirks and flips the script.

But he listens, too.
And somehow, that's worse.
It's too easy. Too natural. Too-right.

By the time we've lost track of the hours, I find myself saying something I haven't admitted out loud in a long time.

"You ever wonder if we're just playing into the system instead of changing it?"