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

Chapter 80: Love, Laughter & Liquor

His expression shifts, piecing things together. "Was she-was she sitting-?"

His jaw drops. "Did you-were you covering her mouth?!"

Jin wheezes. Namjoon drops his drink. Tae throws himself back, cackling like a madman.

"I NEED A MINUTE." Jin wipes his eyes, looking impressed despite himself.

"Yoongi. You absolute legend."

Tae leans over and high-fives me.

"I have never been more proud."

Namjoon, finally recovering, turns to Yoongi, his gaze dark, unreadable.

But his lips curl, slow and knowing.

Yoongi just holds his stare, sipping his drink like he hasn't just been exposed in front of all our soulmates.

And me?

I shiver under Namjoon's gaze. And love every second of it.

By the time we've gone through enough rounds to ensure none of us will ever look at each other the same way again, we're all thoroughly drunk and draped over each other like lazy cats.

Joon has his head against my shoulder, mumbling something about philosophy and soulmates.

Oppa is leaning half-asleep against Yoongi, who just smirks, content as ever.

Tae is still giggling to himself, muttering, "Best game ever," as he curls up against me.

And me? I look around at all of them-my ridiculous, wonderful, beautiful soulmates-and feel something warm and golden settle deep in my chest.

Because this? This isn't just fun. This is love. In every drunken laugh, every teasing remark, every unspoken touch.

Tae hums, eyes fluttering closed. "I'm so glad we found each other."

Jin oppa, still flushed, reaches over and ruffles his hair. "Yeah, cub. We are too."

Yoongi hums in agreement, and Namjoon, half-asleep now, just squeezes my hand.

I smile, my heart impossibly full.

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A gentle warmth brushes against my forehead, soft as the whisper of falling snow.

I stir, eyelids fluttering, barely registering the chilled winter air curling around the edges of my blanket.

The contrast between the cold and the warmth pressing against my skin makes me sigh, wanting nothing more than to sink back into the cozy haze of sleep.

Then, a low, affectionate murmur reaches me, curling into my chest like something golden and sweet.

"Aein... wake up."

Jin oppa's voice is hushed, his lips pressing a second kiss to my temple as his fingers brush my hair off my face with a tenderness that makes my heart ache.

I blink up at him, still caught between the dreamlike world of slumber and the reality of his soft gaze watching me.

The fire has long since dwindled to glowing embers, but the fairy lights strung along the deck cast Oppa's features in warm, golden hues.

His eyes are fond, his expression so full of love it makes my breath catch.

"It's almost midnight," he murmurs, thumb brushing lightly over my cheek. "We can't miss the first Christmas together, can we?"

I don't think I could miss anything-not when he's looking at me like this.

Before I can answer, movement beside me draws my gaze.