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

CHAPTER 129: An Empty Tree

And that’s when I feel it, again, not just guilt.

Admiration.

Because what they have? It’s not perfect. Not tidy. But it’s real.

The kind of real I dreamed of and hope to someday find.

I dab the blood again with the tissue, careful now.

Then I speak.
Voice low. Calm.

“I think it’s best if I head out.”

Tabby blinks. “Tisoy—”

I hold out a hand, stopping her gently.

“Tabby… I’m okay.”

She nods, barely.
But her fingers twitch toward me anyway.

Like she’s still trying to reach across the line that’s already been drawn in ink.

I glance around the room.

And I mean it when I say,
“You’ve got something rare here.”

A few brows twitch. Hoseok looks down. Taehyung doesn’t look away from her.

“It’s messy,” I add with a small, broken smile. “But it’s real.”

Jin gives me a subtle nod.
No words, but I understand.

He’s still on alert, still worried about Tabby. But he knows this moment has to end here.

So I gather what I can of the blueprints, bloodied edge and all, and turn toward the door.

Just as I reach it, the bell buzzes, and I open it to find Benji standing there with a tote bag and a toolbox.

“Hey, I got your text. I brought the samples and—”

He stops.
Eyes go wide.

“What the hell happened to your face?”

I exhale through my nose.

“Long story.”

He pulls me outside, stepping down onto the front walk with me.

The porch light spills onto the concrete, casting both our shadows long across the steps.

Benji squints at me. “Is that blood?”

“Yeah.”

He waits. I don’t say anything for a second.

“They finally snapped.”

Benji’s brow furrows. “Who?”

“All of them. Me too, I guess.”

I glance back at the door, still cracked open, the light from inside glowing soft and warm like it’s a world I don’t belong in.

“I got what I deserved.”

Benji shakes his head slowly. “You serious?”

“I overstepped. I get it. But it’s hard not understanding this soulmate thing. I guess I just thought she’d still need me despite it.”

I press the tissue harder to my lip. It’s still bleeding.

“I didn’t think... it would feel like losing something twice.”

Benji doesn’t say anything.

Just puts a hand on my shoulder. Quiet.

Behind us, the house hums again.

I can hear Tannie bark softly through the crack in the door.

I can hear Suga’s voice low and grim.