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

Chapter 88: The Comeback Kid ⚠️

His eyes flick from one of us to the next as if he's been caught doing something he shouldn't.

"You know... work. Prep trials. VR content deadlines," he stammers, his voice higher than usual.

We all hum in unison, a soft blend of acknowledgment and understanding.

But it's not just about the words. Joon's fingers brush mine briefly, grounding me, while Yoongi and I exchange a glance over Taehyung's shoulder.

We've known him too long, too deeply, not to notice. There's something-something quiet and aching-hiding beneath the surface of his smile.

But we don't push.

Not today.

Not with the pre-trial weighing down our shoulders like fog before a storm, and not with Jungkook-our soulmate, one of our missing pieces-still a looming absence in the spaces between our conversations.

We'd made the choice together one night, curled up without Taehyung in the shared warmth of tangled limbs and whispered fears.

We would wait.

Let him carry what he needed to carry until he was ready to share it.

Now, walking through the polished lobby floor that gleams beneath the overhead lights, it's almost too bright, too pristine-sterile in the way all powerful places are.

But Taehyung's presence brings color to the silence.

He walks a step ahead of us, his hair slightly mussed, wearing his anxiety like perfume-present, potent, but familiar.

We reach the elevator.

He exhales deeply and sets the stuffed animals down gently on the floor, letting them lean against the sleek mirrored wall before reaching into his coat pocket.

A crinkling sound.

He pulls out a small paper crane-creases softened from handling, the edges a little smudged, like he's carried it for a while.

He closes his eyes, kisses the folded wings gently, then slips it back into his pocket like it's the most natural thing in the world.

"What was that?"

I ask, my voice hushed with curiosity and affection.

Tae turns to us, lips curled in that sleepy, wistful grin that always makes my heart hurt a little.

"It's for good luck," he says, laughing lightly. "Or something."

Yoongi snorts, nudging his shoulder.

"You're such a weirdo."

"Your weirdo," Tae mutters, still smiling.

"Our weirdo," Joon corrects, warm and firm.

I step closer to Tae, threading my arm through his and resting my head briefly on his shoulder.

He doesn't flinch.
He just breathes.

The elevator glides up with a smooth hum. None of us speak. We don't need to.

The silence is full-of history, of pain and love, of quiet promises we never had to voice.

And when the doors finally slide open on the top floor, there he is.

Jin Oppa.

He's standing in the boardroom entrance like he's been waiting for us his whole life.

Tall, proud, unflinching. His eyes soften the moment they land on us.

But especially on Taehyung.

"Come here, you little shits,"