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

Chapter 87: Plants, Pinkies & Paper Cranes

"Thanks, hyung."

I blink, surprised by how warm those two syllables make me feel.

I grin. "Anytime, mystery boy."

And for the first time since I met him, he lets himself smile fully.

Not shy or hesitant or hidden. Just his.

Damn. I'm in trouble.

But for now, I just sit back, letting the moment stretch-sweet and slow and real.

Jungkook's posture is more relaxed now-open in that way you can't fake.

His lips curved slightly, eyes tracing nothing in particular as if he was just letting himself be.

And then, softly, like the flick of a match, he said,

"So... I read your messages, hyung"

My heart skipped.

"The one where you mentioned..." He hesitated, searching my eyes.

"...Dr. Jiwoo?"

I blinked, surprised. I hadn't expected that to be the thing he brought up.

My face softened instinctively.

"Yeah," I said, voice low. "She's my therapist. She's been helping me prep for... well. Court stuff."

Jungkook's eyes flickered-barely there, but I caught it.

That spark of something behind them. Worry? Fear?

"You're going to trial?"

he asked, and I could hear how carefully he kept his voice neutral.

I nodded slowly, picking at a loose thread on the hem of my sweater.

"Yeah. Next month."

He didn't interrupt, just listened, eyes steady on mine. And so I kept going, careful not to speak too quickly, like I was laying fragile glass between us.

"It's about the will. And the debt agreement. The abuse, obviously."

My throat felt tight, but I pushed through it.

"Jin-hyung and his team built the case. My uncle's in custody now. My aunt... she agreed to testify. She's scared, I think. But she finally admitted everything."

I stopped to breathe. Just breathe.

"She was supposed to protect me, you know?" I added quietly.

"But she just... watched it happen."

The weight of the truth hung heavy in the air.

Jungkook's jaw was tense. I could see it-his hands clenched, knuckles white.

He didn't speak right away. And when he finally did, his voice was low and rough at the edges.

"She helping you... emotionally? That's what you said?"

I nodded.

"Yeah. Dr. Jiwoo. She's been helping me get ready for the trial. Emotionally. Mentally. Some days I think I'm fine, and then I blink and I'm back in that house again. I can still smell the concrete in the basement sometimes, even when I'm here in my own apartment."

His eyes closed for a moment. His whole face twisted like he was trying to breathe through fire.

God, he was so angry.
Not loud, not violent-just shaken.

Like his heart had clenched in his chest and didn't know how to unclench again.

I watched him carefully, quietly, letting him sit with it.