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

Chapter 111: Before the Break Becomes A Ruin

"Because you don't see what I see. You're rushing into this with heart and no caution, Noona, and I'm trying to stop you from ruining everything we've built."

Her eyes go wide, then narrow.
Her chest rises and falls quickly.

"That's what you think of me? That I'm reckless? That I'm just some overly emotional wildcard?"

I look away because Jin hyung is watching from the couch, laundry half-folded in his hands.

Hobi and Jungkook have gone silent, their card game forgotten.

Jimin has just slumped down next to Tae at the dining table, eyes darting between us.

Tae stills, his hand paused midair, feeding Yeontan.

Everyone can feel it.

I can feel it-burning in my lungs, hot and thick.

"You don't listen to reason, Noona," I say, quieter now, but the edge is still there.

"You never have when it comes to something you care about too much."

"And you never let yourself feel anything fully," she throws back,

"because you're so busy protecting everyone else that you forget you're allowed to be scared. Or angry. Or wrong."

That lands. Hard.

Jungkook's mouth parts in disbelief.

Jin hyung puts the shirt down, finally.

Yoongi hyung's standing behind her, silent, but tense. Watching me too carefully.

"You're being childish," I say.

Her voice shakes. "And you're being a coward."

And that-that shatters the last wall.

"Don't you dare," I growl.

"You don't know what I've seen. What it costs to move too fast. You think this feature is safe? It's a goddamn beacon. You revised it, yes. But people can still get hurt. One breach, Noona. One fucking misstep and we're exposing people who already live in fear."

"That's why I revised it! That's why I fought for it!" she yells.

"You're so blinded by your fear that you can't even see what's right in front of you!"

"Yes! I'm scared!" I yell back. Loud enough for everyone to flinch.

"Of course I'm scared!"

I don't even realize how hard I'm shaking until Jin hyung stands up.

"You think this is just about tech? About strategy? This could end us! One wrong move and it won't just be bad press, Y/N. It won't just be backlash. It'll be him. Jin's father. You think he won't find out? That this map of allies, this soulreach feature won't lead him right to our door?!"

The room holds its breath.

Jin hyung flinches, and Yoongi hyung finally steps forward, a hand raised gently toward me.

"Joon-" he starts, but I don't stop.

"He'll destroy us. He's done it before. He'll ruin Jin hyung. He'll dismantle Speak Yourself. He'll make sure that he crushes all of our lives, dreams, careers, years of what we've all built. Us, this soulmate bond, the soulmates that you love will be nothing but empty shells. He'll erase this love before the world even knows it existed."

"Stop," Jin hyung says quietly, voice trembling.

"Namjoon-stop."

But I can't.
I've already said too much.
The truth is too raw.