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

Chapter 87: Plants, Pinkies & Paper Cranes

Jungkook took his time, and I could see him thinking. His brows did that adorable little furrow, and his lips pursed.

Then, innocently-too innocently-he said,

"What's something really weird you do when no one's around?"

I blinked.

"That's your question? No, like, 'what's your deepest regret?' or 'what's the worst lie you've ever told'?"

He shrugged. "Start easy."

I sat up, smirked, then leaned closer.

"I talk to my plants," I said without shame.

"All of them. Even the sad little cactus on my windowsill that's probably already dead but too polite to admit it."

Jungkook's laugh slipped out-a quick burst, surprised and genuine. "Seriously?"

"I give them names too. My monstera's named Minho. Very dramatic boy. The succulents are all part of a K-drama love triangle. It's a thing."

He was dying, trying to keep his laughter down but failing, and God, it felt so good to see him laugh like that.

Real. Unfiltered.

"Okay," I said, cracking my knuckles.

"Rematch. Your turn to lose."

We played again.

This time, I won. Sweet, sweet victory.

"Favorite memory," I said, eyes gleaming.

"One you haven't told anyone before."

Jungkook stilled, shoulders tensing briefly before he relaxed again.

The silence stretched, but I didn't rush him.

I just waited.

Finally, he said softly,

"When I was six, my mom let me stay up late during a thunderstorm. We sat by the window together, wrapped in this huge blanket. She told me every thunderclap was just the sky hiccuping because it drank too much rain."

I smiled. "That's kind of beautiful."

He nodded, eyes far away for a second.

"I forgot about it for a while. But... lately, it's been coming back."

There was something fragile in the way he said it, like that memory was a thread he was afraid to tug too hard on.

We played again.
I lost.

"Okay," he said, suppressing a grin.

"What food do you absolutely hate?"

"Cucumbers," I replied immediately.

Jungkook blinked.

"Wait-you hate cucumbers?"

"No, no, no. You hate cucumbers,"

I countered.

His jaw dropped. "How do you-?"

"You made a face earlier when you saw the cucumber vines in the corner."

He looked offended and impressed.

"Hyung, are you spying on me?"

"I am an observant genius, thank you."

That got him again.

That soft, shy laugh that made my heart ache just a little bit.

We went on like that-joking, laughing, sharing silly things and meaningful things alike.