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

Chapter 87: Plants, Pinkies & Paper Cranes

"That... actually makes a lot of sense."

I grinned. "It does, doesn't it?"

There was a beat of quiet-an easy one this time, like we were both just catching our breath, letting ourselves exist without the pressure to fill every second with something.

I watched him sip again from the can, slower now, more comfortable.

His posture was less guarded, one knee drawn up slightly, arms no longer crossed but loose at his sides.

"I used to play WoW," I offered, casually.

"Had a whole phase. Blood Elf warlock. I was committed."

That got another genuine laugh out of him.

"Of course you played a Blood Elf."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I cried.

He shrugged, but there was a teasing light in his eyes now, that sharp sparkle that had been buried behind walls before.

"Just... you're very aesthetic," he said. "Drama. Elegance. Feels right."

"And you're one to talk," I teased back.

"I bet you had a Night Elf rogue."

He smirked. "Tauren warrior."

My mouth dropped. "No. Really?"

He nodded, smug.

"I liked smashing things."

"I-Wow. That explains everything."

"Does it?"

"Yes. Your gameplay, your stoic intensity, your terrifying ult usage. I should've known the Bull King lived within."

Jungkook chuckled again, shaking his head.

The flush on his cheeks wasn't from the heat anymore-it was softness, blooming slow and honest.

He still wasn't meeting my gaze directly for too long, but he was looking at me more now. With curiosity. With warmth.

And God, I was trying so hard not to drown in the way he smiled when he forgot to be careful.

"You really game?" he asked, quieter this time, like it mattered.

I nodded.

"Not like you. I'm not esports-grade. But I love it. It's where I go when the world gets loud."

He looked at me for a long second. "Same."

Something passed between us then. A tether. Quiet, golden, glowing.

This wasn't just a shared hobby.

It was a shared escape.
A shared language.

A window we'd both crawled through when the real world felt too sharp-edged and full of noise.

"You ever think about doing it seriously?"

he asked, voice cautious but curious.

I shrugged, rubbing the back of my neck.

"I thought about streaming once. Even set up a Twitch overlay. But... I dunno. I think I liked keeping it for myself."

He nodded like he understood.

"I forget that sometimes," he said, voice low, thoughtful.

"That it used to be something I did just because I loved it. Before it became performance. Pressure. Numbers."