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

Chapter 78: Breathless Confessions

Outside, the snow-covered slopes stretch into the horizon, but inside, the warmth from the kitchen makes it feel like a world of our own.

It's the afternoon before Christmas eve, and Jin and I are elbow-deep in preparing the feast.

Jin hyung hums as he stirs the tteokguk, the gentle clinking of the ladle against the pot oddly comforting.

"I still can't believe Y/N tricked Namjoon and Taehyung into leaving," he says, shaking his head with a fond smile.

I snort, tossing a handful of freshly chopped green onions into a bowl.

"She didn't trick them. She just... strongly encouraged them to enjoy the slopes while we handle the cooking."

Hyung laughs, his voice warm and rich like honey.

"Oh, please. She told them she planned a special outing just for the three of them. Joon was immediately intrigued, and Tae? That bear cub was probably bouncing with excitement."

I smirk. "She just wanted to keep them from destroying the kitchen. Namjoon's already broken three plates, and it's only been three days. If he stayed, we'd be eating dinner off the floor."

Hyung chuckles, shaking his head as he sets down the ladle and moves toward me.

He leans against the counter, watching me work with that amused, soft gaze of his-one I know well.

We've always been like this, orbiting close, affection a language we both understand.

"And Tae?" hyung prompts, tilting his head.

"You know he'd be all over us-hugging, distracting, probably trying to seduce us out of our cooking duties."

I roll my eyes but can't help the grin tugging at my lips.

"That would've worked too."

Jin hyung's laugh is low and teasing as he reaches over, swiping a piece of sliced fish cake meant for the japchae. I smack his hand away, earning a playful whine.

"Hey, it's chef's privilege."

"Not when you're stealing my perfectly portioned ingredients,"

I argue, nudging him lightly with my hip. He doesn't move-Jin hyung is all broad shoulders and sturdy presence-but he grins down at me, eyes twinkling.

"Fine, fine. No stealing," he relents, raising his hands in surrender.

Then, after a pause, he tilts his head. "It's kind of ridiculous how much we practiced making these dishes, huh?"

I chuckle, shaking my head as I pick up the marinated pork belly for the lechon.

"We had to. Y/N deserves the best. It's her first Christmas with us. We couldn't mess up her favorite holiday dishes."

Hyung nods, a soft look crossing his face.

"She loves Christmas so much. And I swear, the way her eyes lit up when we told her we'd cook Filipino food for her? I think she nearly teared up."

I smile at the memory, recalling how Y/N had hugged both of us so tightly we could barely breathe.

"She said it made her feel like home."

Jin hyung hums, watching as I carefully roll the pork belly, tying it securely with twine.

"I know she misses her family. But at least we can make her feel loved here."

I glance at him, my chest warming at his words.

Hyung is good at that-at making people feel safe, feel wanted. It's something I've always loved about him, even before I had words for it.