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

Chapter 82: The Smoldering Fuse

"You did, though," I murmured. "And that means something, doesn't it?"

Namjoon swallowed, glancing down at our hands before nodding. "Yeah," he whispered. "It really does."

I swallowed.

I can't imagine how he must have felt when he couldn't even give them to hyung.

I can't even fathom his emotions, his grief when he had picked out every gift so carefully, so thoughtfully.

Only for it to be left untouched, gathering dust like a frozen piece of the past he hadn't been able to let go of.

Until last night.

I studied him, searching his face.

"Do you feel lighter now?"

He was quiet for a moment, considering.

Then, he let out a slow breath.

"Yeah. I think I do."

A small, genuine smile found its way onto my lips.

"That was really brave of you, Joon."

Joon's lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but then he just chuckled, shaking his head.

"I just-I wanted him to know that I never stopped thinking about him. That I still love him."

I smirked. "Yeah, we got that, lover boy."

Namjoon groaned, grabbing a pillow and dramatically pressing it against his face.

I burst into laughter, reaching over to push at his shoulder.

"I mean it, though," I continued, my voice more sincere.

"That was probably one of the most romantic things I've ever seen. Hyung was wrecked."

Joon peeked at me from behind the pillow, dimples showing. "You think so?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, please. He was two seconds away from ugly crying."

Joon lets out a small laugh, shaking his head.

"I thought he might run away for a second."

I snorted.

"Honestly? Same. You have too much power over him. It's unfair."

Joon grinned.

"I could say the same about you."

I blinked. "What?"

He tilted his head, eyes twinkling.

"You think I didn't notice the way you got all flustered around me yesterday?"

Heat rushed to my face. "I did not-"

"Oh, you did." His smirk was infuriating.

"The way you turned bright red threatening to leave the table during the drinking game"

"That's not-! It was warm in the room, okay?"

Namjoon raised his eyebrows and smirked.

"We were outside hyung during winter. In a ski lodge surrounded by piles of snow."

I groaned, burying my face in my hands.

"You're insufferable."

"And you're predictable," he teased, nudging me playfully.

I peeked at him from between my fingers.

"You're enjoying this way too much."

"Oh, absolutely."