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

Chapter 82: The Smoldering Fuse

Y/N's POV

For a moment, the world stills.

The only sounds are the crackling of the fireplace, the soft hum of Christmas music, and the quiet, uneven breaths filling the space between us.

My chest tightens-not in a way that suffocates, but in a way that makes everything feel too big, too much.

Real. Tangible. Impossible to ignore.

My fingers twitch at my sides as I take in the scene before me.

Namjoon, standing tall but visibly unguarded, hands hovering like he doesn't know if he should reach for Oppa or keep them at his sides.

Jin oppa, blinking rapidly, lips parted, like he wants to speak but can't find the words.

Taehyung, gripping the sleeve of Oppa's sweater, fingers curled so tight it's like he's afraid to let go.

And Yoongi-jaw clenched, shoulders stiff, hands fisted in his lap as he stares at the ornament glinting on the tree.

It's everything. It's too much.

Jin oppa swallows thickly. "Joon-ah..."

But he can't finish. His voice cracks under the weight of everything he feels.

Joon moves first.

In a single step, he closes the distance, hands coming up to cradle Oppa's face with a gentleness that unravels me. His thumbs brush over Jin oppa's cheeks, and that's when I see it-the shimmer of tears slipping down his skin.

Namjoon exhales shakily, pressing their foreheads together. "I should've given them to you sooner," he murmurs, voice thick with emotion.

Jin oppa shakes his head, a choked laugh slipping past his lips. "You gave them to me exactly when you were supposed to."

Because even though it hurts to think about the years they spent apart, about all the Christmases that passed without each other-they're here now. And that's what matters.

I can't hold back anymore. I step forward, pressing into their sides, wrapping my arms around both of them.

"You two," I whisper, my voice thick. "You love each other so much."

Jin oppa lets out a shaky breath, and for the first time tonight, he doesn't try to stop his tears.

Tae is next. He barely gives Oppa a second before throwing himself at him, burying his face in his shoulder, arms tightening like he's afraid this moment will slip away.

"Hyung," he murmurs, voice small but full of warmth. "I'm so happy for you."

Something inside Jin oppa cracks wide open. He pulls Taehyung close, pressing a lingering kiss into his soft curls.

"Thank you, baby bear."

And then, finally, Yoongi moves.

He doesn't say anything. Doesn't make a grand gesture. But when I glance at him, his expression is unreadable, his mouth pressed into a firm line.

Then-slowly, hesitantly-his fingers brush against Oppa's wrist, curling around his with quiet certainty.

His grip is warm. Grounding. It says everything words cannot.

The weight in my chest eases.

We stand there, wrapped in each other, their warmth pressing into me from every side.

No walls. No distance. Just love.

Joon pulls back just enough to press a lingering kiss to Oppa's forehead, and I watch as Jin oppa exhale, finally letting the last of his tears fall.