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

Chapter 124: Love in the Tension Lines

I let out a half-laugh, half-sob, the sound wet and ridiculous.

"Remember that night you taught me that stupid palindrome?" I sniffle.

"'Love is evil, Tim, I revel evil is... something...something. Sorry I forgot the rest of it, but you hummed it in my ear until I did a broken jig in the hallway."

Jungkook makes a soft hiccup sound.

A weak snort. The ghost of a smile pulls at the corner of his mouth.

"That palindrome made no sense," he mutters.

"You made it worse by dancing like a haunted deer," Jimin chuckles, his voice wrapping around us like a blanket.

But something breaks, in the best way.

Kookie's shoulders start to shake-not from crying exactly, but from this messy tangle of grief and love and overwhelmed relief.

The way a dam finally gives and all that water finds somewhere to go.

I kiss the top of his head. Firm. Steady.
"I've got you," I say again.

And for a second-just one-the fear of today disappears.

A few moments after, we hear the door opening as it creaks so soft it could've been the wind.

"Gentlemen," Yoongi hyung's voice hums from the doorway, low and warm like vinyl on a rainy morning,

"this ship's not sinking. Not today."

He steps inside without a hint of rush, like the room invited him in. His gaze skims over us.

Kookie, tucked between me and Jimin like a soul needing stitching;

Jimin, his lips pressed gently to Kook's temple;

and me, arms draped over both like I could hold the whole damn world steady.

Yoongi hyung walks to the edge of the bed and tousles our hair one by one, fingers brief but gentle-like wind through grass.

A grounding touch.
Not too much, just enough.