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

Chapter 87: Plants, Pinkies & Paper Cranes

I tilted my head. "Do you still love it?"

His eyes flicked to mine, held.

"Yeah," he said.

"When I'm not trying to prove anything. When I'm just... playing. Then I remember why I started."

Something in my chest clenched.
Not in a painful way. Just-tight. Full.

"I want that for you," I said gently.

"More of those moments. The ones that don't ask anything from you."

He nodded, his lashes lowering slightly as if he was holding that wish somewhere private.

Then, surprising me, he asked,

"What about you? What do you love most about it?"

I blinked.

"The storytelling," I said without thinking.

"Even in games where you're just shooting or surviving-it's a story. The way your team moves. The risks you take. The moments you almost die but don't. It's cinematic. It makes you feel alive."

Jungkook looked at me like he was seeing me for the first time. Really seeing me.

"That's beautiful," he said softly.

And I-God help me-I blushed.

He reached down then, fingers brushing a leaf that had fallen between us.

His hands were calloused but careful. Every motion seemed like a secret trying to be told.

"I think I like this," he said.

"What, banana oat milk?"

He shook his head, smiling.

"This. Talking. With you."

I swallowed. My throat felt tight and hot.

"I like it too," I murmured.

And then, like gravity was tilted just slightly toward him, I shifted forward, elbows resting on my knees.

"I meant it, you know," I said.

"I want to be someone you can count on. Even when it's not easy."

He didn't look away this time.

Just breathed in. Breathed out.

"I think you already are," he whispered.

And that-
That was it.

The greenhouse didn't get louder, but it felt like everything inside it held its breath for a second.

The vines, the petals, the mist. All of it suspended, weightless, as if waiting for the next word, the next inch forward.

I didn't kiss him. That's too soon.

I had a feeling he was still very hesitant.
I just wanna be here with him. As his hyung.

But I leaned just close enough that he'd know-if he ever wanted to close that space, he could.

For now, I just smiled and said,

"Next time, we're queuing together. No excuses."

"League or Valorant?" he asked, that boyish grin rising again.

"Both. Obviously. And I call support. You can carry."

"I always do."

Cocky. Warm. Gorgeous.

I laughed. "You really are a Tauren."

He nudged my shoulder gently with his, surprising us both.

"I'll tank," he said. "You heal."