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

Chapter 80: Love, Laughter & Liquor

Laughter erupts around the table, and Jin oppa groans, knocking back his drink as if he's suddenly reconsidering his life choices.

Before he can scold Taehyung, Yoongi-ever indulgent-ruffles his hair, making Taehyung beam with pure joy.

"To Taehyung," I add, smirking. "For being the ultimate meddler."

Namjoon chuckles. "The ultimate soulmate, he says."

We all clink glasses, the warmth of this moment settling into my bones like something eternal, something infinite.

And then, finally-the feast begins.

And what a feast it is.

Jin oppa and Yoongi's dishes are perfection-the galbi-jjim so tender it practically melts in my mouth, the tteokguk warm and comforting, the japchae rich with savory sweetness, the pancit malabon full and umami, the lechon belly golden and crisp.

My own contributions blend seamlessly into the spread- the queso de bola and ham a perfect balance of salty and sweet, the hotteok flaky and flavorful, and the tsokolate batirol thick and indulgent.

"Tae, I swear-" Jin oppa swats at him as he catches Taehyung sneaking yet another piece of lechon, the crispy skin already halfway into his mouth.

"If you take one more bite before we've all served ourselves-"

Tae pouts but relents, placing it, reluctantly, back on his plate.

Yoongi, however, snatches it for himself without missing a beat. "Too late," he mutters, popping it into his mouth with a satisfied smirk.

Taeh gapes at him, betrayed. "Hyung!"

Namjoon laughs, stealing a bite from my plate next.

"What?" he says, when I raise an eyebrow at him. "It's a soulmate tax."

The night unfolds in a blur of warmth, laughter, and teasing.

"Oh, so that's a thing now?" I challenge, leaning in with a smirk.

"Always has been," he murmurs, pressing a quick kiss to my lips before I can retaliate.

Jin oppa, catching us, groans loudly. "Yah! No getting lost in each other's eyes at the dinner table!"

"You're one to talk," Yoongi mutters, not even looking up from his plate.

Jin oppa fusses over everyone, making sure we all try everything at least once.

Joon gets caught up in a deep conversation about the cultural significance of each dish, his enthusiasm lighting up his face.

Tae, meanwhile, alternates between sneaking more food and dramatically feeding bites to Yoongi, who grumbles about it but never actually stops him.

At one point, Wacha and Yeontan sit by the table, looking up at us with hopeful eyes.

"We can't say no to them," Taehyung insists, already tearing off a tiny piece of ham.

Jin oppa gives him a pointed look but sighs. "Fine. But just a little."

I watch all of them-the people I love most in the world-laughing, eating, stealing little touches and glances.

And my heart is so full it feels like it might burst.

This is love. In every shared meal, in every teasing remark, in every lingering glance.

In the way Yoongi pretends to scold Taehyung but lets him get away with everything.

In the way Jin oppa tries so hard to maintain order but ends up just as chaotic as the rest of us.