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

Chapter 93: The Stand & the Shadow ⚠️

His voice was calm, precise, laced with just enough fire to make the truth burn in every ear it reached.

Namjoon sat beside Yoongi and me, his hand resting on mine, his other one lightly brushing against Yoongi's knee beneath the bench.

That subtle contact-those quiet, steady reassurances-kept all of us tethered.

The prosecution's voice rang out next, strong and sharp. They laid out the case against Mr. Choi with chilling detail.

The courtroom was rapt, held by the gravity of every injustice being laid bare.

When the defense spoke, they tried-of course, they tried-to shift the narrative.

To twist it.
To paint Taehyung as confused.
Exaggerating.

But the moment they faltered, the moment they misstepped, Jin oppa was there. Pouncing. Correcting. Eviscerating.

Yoongi leaned closer, whispering in Tae's ear. "You're doing amazing. Just breathe."

And then, the moment arrived.

Oppa turned to Tae, his eyes softening.

"Ready?"

Taehyung took a breath.
Then another.
He stood.

When he walked to the stand, the room seemed to tilt around him.

Not because of who he used to be.
But because of who he had become.

Tae raised his right hand. Took the oath.

Taehyung stood at the witness stand, his fingers curled tight around the edge of the polished wood. His knuckles were pale, but his stance was firm. Steady.

This was his moment.
And he wasn't going to let it slip.

Beside me, Yoongi's leg bounced ever so slightly, his hand warm where it rested over mine. I squeezed his fingers in quiet support, feeling his silent appreciation ripple back.

He was nervous. We all were.
Joon sat on my other side, his presence like gravity. Solid, anchoring, safe.

He hadn't stopped watching Taehyung since the second he'd stood.

I saw it in his eyes-the love, the pride, the protectiveness that radiated from him like a steady flame.

And Jin oppa,

Oppa was a force of calm fire, standing at the prosecution table, expression composed but eyes alive with emotion.

Professional, commanding... but beneath it all, burning with soulmate-level devotion.

The love between him and Tae was unmistakable, even in the courtroom. Especially here.

The judge gave a slight nod.

Jin oppa stepped forward. His voice was low and confident.

"Mr. Kim Taehyung," he began,

"how do you feel?"

Tae looked up, and for the briefest moment, his eyes flicked toward all of us.

First to me, then Yoongi, then Namjoon. Then, lastly, to Jin oppa. He held his gaze for a heartbeat. And then he answered.

"I feel... like I've waited my whole life for this day."

Oppa's jaw twitched slightly, but he didn't waver. "And why is that?"

"Because I'm finally allowed to say what happened. Without being punished for remembering."

No one in the room moved.
Not even the jury.
The stillness was absolute.