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

Chapter 95: The Moment We Collide

By the time we reached Taehyung's place, the sun was already casting that soft golden hue across the city-the kind that makes you want to slow down, breathe deeper, and hold the people you love just a little closer.

Tae's house was quiet at first. Not silent.

Just... content. Like even the walls knew it had been a long battle, and they were grateful to hold him now that it was over.

We'd swung by my apartment on the way home to pick up Wacha-my sleepy little Scottish Fold who immediately settled into my arms, completely unaware of the life-changing two days we'd just survived.

When we arrived, Yeontan bounced around her like a maniac, already trying to convince her to play.

She circles around him. Pats his head with her paw, once. Then sat down and promptly ignored him. Typical.

I think we all expected to feel wrung out. Exhausted. Maybe broken.

But instead... there was lightness.
Relief. Joy.

Each of us had filed for a three-day leave right after the trial-no meetings, no deadlines, no calls. Just time.

Time to be here.
Time to hold Tae.

Time to remind each other that healing was happening, even now, in between bowls of rice and sips of milk tea, coffee and cocoa.

The kitchen smelled like heaven.

Jin oppa and Yoongi were doing what they always did best-turning stress into love and love into food.

Oppa was stirring something on the stove that smelled suspiciously like his garlic butter soy chicken, while Yoongi was quietly focused on chopping green onions with surgical precision.

His sleeves were rolled up, his hair a little messy, and he looked so heartbreakingly soft I had to stop and stare for a second.

Joon and Tae were sprawled out on the couch, a cozy blanket draped across their laps, Tae's head on Joon's shoulder.

Wacha was curled on the armrest behind them, Yeontan at their feet.

I was sitting cross-legged on the rug near the low table, scrolling on my phone as we all talked.

The night after the next was the dinner celebration with Tae's legal team.

Jin oppa had already confirmed the reservation-some fancy private room at this beautiful hanok-style restaurant downtown.

I could already imagine it, Park Hyung Sik raising a toast with that mischievous smile, Seojun and Woo Shik teasing Tae relentlessly, Dr. Ji woo crying while pretending not to, and Jisoo documenting everything.

It was going to be perfect.

Right now, though, the five of us were just... soaking each other in.

"Okay but seriously," Oppa said, turning from the stove with a wooden spoon,

"What is this surprise you keep dangling over our heads like a damn carrot, Aein?"

"Yeah," Namjoon chimed in, grinning lazily,

"you've been dodging that question all day."

"It's so suspicious," Yoongi added, not looking up from the cutting board.

"She's way too pleased with herself."

Tae sat up slightly, eyes bright. "Noona, tell us now!"

I laughed, setting my phone down.

"You're all so impatient. Can't I enjoy the suspense a little longer?"

"No," they all said in near-perfect unison.