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

Chapter 79: Interrupted Kisses & Unfinished Business

"You let him go. You're still letting him go."

She stepped even closer, her eyes burning into his.

"In our world, we need someone who fights for us," she whispered. "And If you can't even do that, then maybe you never deserved him."

Namjoon had stood frozen, unable to breathe.

Dara had exhaled sharply, shaking her head. And then, almost as if it hurt to say it-

"...This is why I don't believe in soulmates."

And then she had left.

Namjoon exhaled heavily beside me, running a hand down his face.

The weight of Dara's words still clung to him, heavy and unshakable. His jaw tightened as he stared at nothing, lost in the echoes of that moment.

"She's different now," he murmured. "Colder. Sharper."

I studied him, the flicker of pain in his eyes, the regret lining every breath. "She still cares, though."

A slow nod. "Yeah. But she's right, too."

His voice was quiet, raw.

"I chose this. I let him go."

I laced our fingers together, squeezing gently, grounding him.

"But I know you're not anymore, you won't anymore, not this time. And that—that's what matters."

Namjoon turned to me then, and for the first time, he truly looked at me.

The turmoil still swirled in his gaze-years of pain, regret, love buried deep but never lost.

But beneath all that, there was something new.

Hope.

And I clung to it.

I reached up, brushing my fingers along his jaw, my touch light, careful.

"Dara doesn't believe in soulmates," I murmured, "but I think we can convince her."

His brows furrowed. "What?"

"She's seen you at your weakest," I continued, my thumb tracing soft circles against his skin.

"She's seen us shattered too, breaking apart. But now... she also sees us different. Stronger."

Namjoon swallowed hard.

"She sees how we choose each other. Again and again. That's what soulmates really are, Joon. Not fate. Not some invisible force tying us together."

I leaned in, voice soft but certain. "It's the choice. It's the fight. It's loving each other despite the pain."

His breath hitched. His fingers curled tighter around mine, as if holding onto my words.

"I love you," I whispered.

"And I love Jin. And Tae. And Yoongi. They are our soulmates, Joon. And so are we."

His eyes searched mine, something shifting between us, something undeniable and inevitable.

His hands rose to cup my face, his thumbs brushing along my cheeks as he exhaled shakily.

"This..." His voice broke. "This is all I ever wanted."

I smiled, my heart full. "Then take it."

And finally-finally-he did.

Namjoon surged forward, his lips crashing into mine with a desperation that stole my breath.