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

Chapter 82: The Smoldering Fuse

Joon shifts slightly, his fingers twitching where they rest on his lap.

"You never ask for anything, hyung." His voice is careful, deliberate.

"I just wanted you to have something of mine. Something just for you."

I stare at him, really stare at him.

The way his brows furrow slightly, the way he keeps his gaze on me even though he's clearly nervous.

Then I lean in, pressing a lingering kiss to his forehead.

"Thank you, again Joonie," I murmur against his skin.

Joon exhales shakily, his fingers brushing against mine, lingering.

For a moment, neither of us moves.

The room is quiet except for the faint hum of my laptop, the glow of the screen casting soft shadows between us.

Then-because he's Namjoon, because he can't help himself- he smirks.

"You're really affectionate this morning, hyung."

I scoff, swatting his arm.

"Shut up. You started it."

He laughs, bright and open, dimples deep, eyes crinkling at the corners, and I can't help but laugh too.

But as I close the laptop, my fingers still brushing over my name engraved on the hard drive, I know this isn't something I'll ever take for granted.

Because Namjoon always gives me exactly what I need, even before I realize it myself.

"You think Jin-hyung would want to snowboard tonight?"

I asked, a smile tugging at my lips as I recalled the way he had shamelessly praised himself earlier, claiming to be a God at snowboarding.

Namjoon huffed a quiet laugh.

"I mean, he went on and on about it, but I've yet to actually see him do it."

I turned to him, expecting amusement in his expression-but instead, I noticed the slight shift.

The way his shoulders tensed, the way his fingers curled in his lap.

Something was off.

My smile faded. "Joon? What's wrong? What's been bothering you?"

He hesitated.
His fingers fidgeted.

Then, finally-softly-he spoke.

"Honestly..." His voice was quieter now, the usual confidence stripped away.

"The most emotional part for me was finally giving Jin-hyung his gifts."

I inhaled sharply. So that was it.

The weight in his voice, the vulnerability in his expression-this was what had been sitting heavy on his chest all morning.

I exhaled, tilting my head to fully meet his gaze. "That must've been... a lot."

Joon nodded, his eyes distant, lost in a memory. "I picked those out every year for four years. Four years."

He let out a breath of disbelief, shaking his head.

"I never thought I'd actually get to give them to him."

His words settled between us, heavy and unspoken.

I didn't rush to fill the silence.
Instead, I let it linger,
let him breathe through it.

Then, gently, I reached for his hand, squeezing it once.