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

Chapter 79: Interrupted Kisses & Unfinished Business

His words sat heavy between us.

"You were afraid," I said gently.

Namjoon let out a hollow chuckle.

"Yeah. But I let fear win."

I turned to face him fully, my grip on his hands tightening.

"Namjoon, you love him. You love Tae. You love Yoongi. You love me. And we absolutely, indescribably love you. That love never went away, did it?"

He swallowed hard.

"Being soulmates doesn't mean it's easy,"

I continued. "It means loving someone even when it's hard. It means learning, growing, fighting through the pain. It means that even if you let fear win once, you don't have to let it win forever."

Joon blinked rapidly, his jaw clenching as he looked away. The weight of my words settled over him, pressing against the walls he had built so carefully.

"God," he whispered. "How do you always know exactly what to say?"

I smiled, nudging him. "Soulmate intuition."

He let out a breathy chuckle, but his eyes were still distant.

I nudged him again, this time with a teasing smirk. "Dara must've been furious with you."

Namjoon groaned, running a hand down his face. "You have no idea."

I laughed, watching as he recalled the memory.

Dara had stormed into his place, her coat barely off her shoulders before she started.

"So that's it?" she had demanded, arms crossed, eyes ablaze with fury.

"You're just going to watch this happen?"

"You're just gonna let us get engaged and wait for the love of your life get married to someone else like he didn't even matter!?"

Namjoon had exhaled slowly, jaw tightening. "Dara-"

"No, don't 'Dara' me," she snapped.

"He's miserable, Namjoon. He's still waiting for you."

Namjoon had clenched his fists, refusing to meet her gaze.

Dara's voice only grew sharper.

"He still looks for you, you know."

Namjoon's breath caught.

"In every crowded room."

His throat burned.

"In every silence in between."

His chest ached.

"You're in everything he does."

Dara stepped closer, voice softer but no less furious.

"And it's destroying him."

Namjoon had squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head.

"It's not that simple, Dara." His voice had cracked.

"Jin deserves better. I-I lost the right to fight for him."

Dara had stared at him for a long moment. Then-her voice turned cold.

"No, Namjoon," she said quietly. "You just chose not to."

Namjoon had inhaled sharply, his fingers twitching at his sides.