#poly!ot7

author's notes: hey, guys! it's been a long time since i wrote something on here, so i'm super excited to get a full story going. i have to say that i'm ready to see what happens between ryley and bts. who do you think is going to try their hardest to make things work first?

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

The Return of Bangtan | Chapter One

Under the neon glow of Seoul's cityscape, the air was buzzing with an electric anticipation that could only mean one thing: BTS was back. After the members had dutifully served their time in the military, the city was ripe with chatter and speculation about their grand return to the stage. In a sprawling dance studio tucked away in the great HYBE building, seven silhouettes moved with a kinetic energy that belied their time away from the spotlight. Beads of sweat glistened on their foreheads as they ran through the choreography for what must have been the hundredth time that evening. The mirrored walls reflected their precise movements, a symphony of popping joints and sharp intakes of breath; they were the epitome of synchrony. "Okay, let's take five," Namjoon called out, his voice a mixture of authority and warmth. The leader of the group always knew just how to tread the line between discipline and comfort. The members collapsed onto the floor, a tangle of limbs and laughter. Jin, ever the oldest and self-proclaimed 'Worldwide Handsome', sprawled out dramatically, claiming he was too old for such intense practice sessions. Taehyung laughed, nudging Jin with his foot, while Jimin playfully mimicked Jin's dramatics, causing a ripple of laughter to pass through the group. Yoongi, eyes closed, was lost in the music playing in his earbuds, tapping out a beat on his knee that was probably meant for their next hit song. Hoseok, the group's sunshine, handed out bottles of water with a bright smile, while Jungkook flexed his muscles and complained about how the military had made him too buff for some of his older clothes. In the midst of all this, their fearless leader stood by the windows, peering out into the city. "We've got to make this comeback concert the best one yet," he mused. "It's not just about the music; it's about the message. It's about the connection." They all knew the weight of his words. This wasn't just another concert; it was a reunion with their ARMY, a testament to their growth, and a declaration that they were still here, still strong. As the evening waned, the group rehearsed their vocals, their voices harmonizing in a way that felt like coming home. The new single was a bold mix of genres, a testament to their evolution as artists and individuals. It was a track that promised to get their fans' hearts racing. The days flew by, a blur of rehearsals, wardrobe fittings, and press interviews. Before they knew it, the night of the comeback concert had arrived. The air backstage was a cocktail of nerves and excitement. The group huddled together, their hands stacked in the middle of the circle. "Bangtan! Bangtan! Bang-bang-tan!" they chanted, their rallying cry since their debut days, a reminder of the journey they had embarked on together.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ryley could hardly contain her excitement as she rifled through her closet, searching for the perfect outfit to wear to the BTS concert. Samantha, her best friend and partner in all things Bangtan, sat on the bed behind her, giggling at Ryley's frenzied energy. "Ryley, calm down! You're going to have a blast no matter what you wear," Samantha teased, tossing a pillow at her friend. "I know, I know," Ryley said, trying to rein in her enthusiasm. "But this is BTS we're talking about! I have to look perfect!" After what felt like hours of deliberation and outfit changes, Ryley finally settled on a trendy ensemble that she hoped would catch the eye of her bias, Namjoon. She twirled in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection. As they made their way to the concert venue, Ryley couldn't stop jokingly talking about how she and BTS were soulmates. Samantha rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile at her friend's infectious excitement. "You know, Ry, I think you might be taking things a bit too far," Samantha joked. Ryley shrugged, undeterred. "I just really feel like I'm meant to be here. Y'know?" Samantha chuckled. "Sure, sure. Just don't faint when you lock eyes with Namjoon, okay?" Ryley playfully nudged her friend as they joined the throngs of fans streaming into the concert venue. The energy was electric, and Ryley felt her heart race with anticipation. As the night progressed and BTS took the stage, Ryley got lucky with a space close to the stage and managed to lock eyes with Namjoon, and she felt a jolt of electricity shoot through her. She could see the intensity in his gaze, the passion in his performance, and she found herself captivated by the depth of his presence. But as much as she felt drawn to him, she couldn't quite grasp the meaning of it all. Was this what soulmates were supposed to feel like? Or was it just the magic of being in the presence of her favorite idol? Lost in a whirlwind of emotions and music, Ryley danced and sang along with the rest of the crowd, feeling like she was part of something bigger than herself. And as the concert came to a close, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was something more to this connection with Namjoon than she had ever imagined.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The concert was a whirlwind of pyrotechnics, heart-stopping dance breaks, and soulful ballads that left the crowd screaming for more. The energy in the stadium was palpable, a living, breathing entity that fed the members' performance. It was during their encore, the stage awash with soft purple light, that Namjoon's gaze drifted over the sea of Army Bombs. And there, in the crowd, his eyes landed on Ryley. She wasn't particularly different from the rest at first glance, her hair a cascade of waves, her hands up in the air, moving to the rhythm of the music. But there was something about her, an inexplicable pull that had him pausing mid-verse. Jin, noticing the hiccup, followed Namjoon's gaze and nudged Yoongi, pointing subtly. One by one, each member's attention was drawn to Ryley, and with each pair of eyes that found her, the same unspoken thought reverberated through their minds: 'Soulmate.' The music swelled around them, but in that moment, the world seemed to narrow down to the connection that crackled like static in the space between the stage and the crowd. She was just another face in a sea of thousands, but to BTS, she was a beacon, shining with a light that seemed to whisper of destiny. There was something about her, a feeling that she was meant to be part of their journey, a piece of a puzzle they didn't know was missing.

As the final notes of the song rang out and the stadium erupted in applause, they exchanged looks, each member's expression a mix of awe and confusion. "Did you all—" Jin began backstage, only to be met with a collective nod. "Yeah, we did," Yoongi confirmed, the ever-stoic rapper showing a rare flicker of curiosity. "Guys, we can't just all have a soulmate in the crowd," Hoseok laughed, trying to dispel the tension, even as his heart raced with the same bewildering emotion. Jimin simply smiled, a quiet acknowledgment of the shared experience, while Taehyung mused aloud, "But what if we do?" Jungkook, ever the pragmatic one, chimed in, "We'll probably never see her again, so let's not get carried away." Yet, as they left the stage, the image of Ryley lingered, a mysterious beacon in the night that refused to fade away. The members of BTS were no strangers to strange occurrences—after all, their entire career had been a series of serendipitous events—but this felt different.

author's notes: obviously, we knew that ryley was going to choose bts over anything else. i mean, it's bts. wouldn't you?! let's just hope that things stay good with them and nothing bad happens...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Decisions | Chapter Four

*~ A few weeks later...~*

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow over Ryley's cozy kitchen. She sat at the table, a steaming cup of coffee in hand, her laptop open before her as she scrolled through pictures of BTS online.

Each image captured moments of joy, camaraderie, and boundless energy, and Ryley couldn't help but smile as she looked at them. But beneath the surface, that same sense of uncertainty from before gnawed at her, casting a shadow over her thoughts.

Samantha emerged from her bedroom, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she joined Ryley at the table. "Morning," she greeted, her voice still groggy with sleep. It had been a while since she had been intercepted by the guys in their hotel and brought to their room to have that very important conversation regarding their future. When she had returned back to her own room, she made sure to tell Samantha every little thing and they spent their whole trip back home discussing it. Now, everything was starting to settle in her mind.

Ryley looked up from her laptop, her gaze distant as she struggled to articulate the turmoil within her. "Hey, Sam. I've been thinking..."

Samantha sat down opposite her, concern etched across her features. "About what?"

Ryley hesitated, her fingers tracing absentminded patterns on the surface of her coffee mug. "About BTS, about moving to South Korea... about everything."

Samantha reached out to squeeze Ryley's hand, her expression soft and understanding. "It's a big decision, Ryley. Take your time."

Ryley nodded, a sense of gratitude washing over her at Samantha's words. She turned back to her laptop, the images of BTS smiling back at her from the screen. They seemed so happy, so full of life, and Ryley couldn't help but wonder if she could find a similar sense of belonging with them.

As she looked over their handsome faces, more and more darkness crept into every corner of her mind. What if she wasn't ready for such a drastic change? What if she couldn't handle the pressure of being in the spotlight?

Lost in her thoughts, Ryley barely noticed when her phone buzzed with new messages from the members in their group chat. She opened it, her heart skipping a beat as she read their words of encouragement and support.

J-Hope: Good morning, Ryley! Taehyung: Hope you slept well after listening to that jazz playlist I sent you last night. Jimin: Of course, you did something like that, Tae. Morning Ryley! Namjoon: Hey, Ryley. Sorry to spam you so early. The kids were just really wanting to talk to you. J-Hope: I'm not a kid... Jin: Neither am I, but I'm still going to talk to our soulmate. Morning, pretty girl! Yoongi: Jin, please. Don't scare her off before she makes a decision. Good morning, Ryley. Jungkook: Ryley! Hurry up and come to South Korea! There's so many things that I want to do with you. We'll have so much fun! Namjoon: Jungkook, you can't pressure her... She has to make that decision on her own. Remember, Ryley, no rush. This is a big decision.

"They really want me to be with them," she murmured, a deep sigh leaving her mouth, but a large smile on her features.

Samantha smiled at the sight, her eyes soft with understanding. "Then maybe you should go for it. You'll never know unless you try."

Ryley nodded, a sense of determination swelling within her as she made up her mind. With newfound resolve, she closed her laptop and set aside her doubts, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, she would face them head-on, hand in hand with BTS by her side.

And as she finished her breakfast, her heart light with possibility, Ryley knew that her decision to move to South Korea with BTS was the right one. With a smile on her face and a sense of excitement building within her, she began to make preparations for the journey ahead, eager to embark on this new chapter of her life. Packing up her entire life in America may have been a huge undertaking, but they would help her every step of the way and it had already been offered for them to do so.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Within the cozy living room of BTS' apartment where the members sat gathered around the coffee table, takeout boxes were scattered before them. Excitement buzzed in the air as they ate their dinner and eagerly awaited news from Ryley, each one lost in their own thoughts about the possibility of her joining them in South Korea.

They finally had some downtime from their tour to be able to stay at home and unwind from how hard they had been working in the States. This meant that it also gave them a lot of time to think and that was never a good thing when it came to the possibility of their soulmate rejecting them.

Taehyung used his chopsticks to play with his noodles in silence, knowing that the others were no better off than he was in that moment. It was the quietest that the guys had been in a long time.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and their head bodyguard, Mr. Lee, stepped into the room, an emotionless expression on his face just like he normally had.

"I've been informed of some news," he announced, his voice remaining calm and steady as he looked over each of the guys with his hands clasped together behind himself as if standing at attention.

BTS exchanged confused glances, their hearts pounding with anticipation and slight fear as they leaned in closer, waiting for him to continue.

Namjoon was gripping the end of the table so hard that his knuckles had begun to turn white. "What is it?"

"Ms. Ryley has made her decision," he continued, his eyes trying to give away his seriousness with something else. "She's decided to move here to be with you all."

A collective cheer erupted from the members of BTS, their faces breaking into wide smiles as they exchanged high-fives and hugs, their joy palpable in the air.

"That's amazing!" Jin exclaimed, pulling Jungkook into a tight hug, his infamous windshield wiper laughter filling the room. "We have to start preparing for her arrival!"

The other members nodded in agreement, their minds buzzing with excitement as they began to brainstorm ideas for welcoming Ryley into their home.

"We'll need to set up the guest bedroom for her," Namjoon suggested, already envisioning the perfect space for their new housemate.

"And we should make sure she has everything she needs when she gets here," Hoseok added, his mind already racing with plans for taking Ryley to all the best shopping spots.

Jimin grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "And we can't forget to give her a proper welcome, with flowers and balloons and—"

"Wait, hold on," Taehyung interjected, giving his best friend and soulmate a look that told him to slow things down. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Jiminie. We have to make sure she feels comfortable first."

The other members chuckled at Taehyung's words, their hearts swelling with love for their thoughtful bandmate.

"You're right," Yoongi agreed, his voice soft with affection. "We'll take things one step at a time."

With renewed determination, the members of BTS set to work, their excitement bubbling over as they began to run around the apartment to gather things together for Ryley like chickens with their heads cut off. They spent the whole rest of their night cleaning and organizing, setting up the guest bedroom with fresh linens and cozy blankets, and making sure that she would feel right at home from the moment she walked through the door.

As they worked together, laughter and camaraderie filling the air, BTS couldn't help but let their playful side shine through. Jin and Namjoon stole kisses between little chores that they had decided to work on together, while Jimin and Taehyung playfully bickered over the best way to arrange the pillows on the bed. Hoseok and Yoongi couldn't resist sneaking up behind each other, wrapping their arms around their boyfriends' waists as they laughed and joked about all of the fun times they would have in the coming weeks. Jungkook took it upon himself to order some gadgets for his newest soulmate so that she'd be set and connected to them without worry, even buying another controller so was customized specifically for her so that she could play games with him in the future.

author's notes: this story is really getting me pumped up! i'm trying to make this a bit of a slow burn in regard to bts not being able to find ryley right away, but i don't know how much longer i can take! lol. hope you guys are enjoying so far!

Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

The Search Begins | Chapter Two

As the lights dimmed in the arena, signaling the end of the electrifying concert, BTS stood backstage, adrenaline still coursing through their veins. But amidst the euphoria of their performance, one thought lingered in their minds: Ryley.

"Guys, we need to find her," Yoongi declared, his voice laced with determination as he gathered the group together.

Namjoon nodded in agreement. "She might have already left, but we have to try. We can't let our soulmate slip away."

Jimin's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Let's split up and search the venue. She can't have gone too far!"

The members dispersed, each taking a different direction in the maze of corridors backstage. Meanwhile, Ryley and her friend Samantha were making their way out of the arena, their hearts still pounding from the breathtaking performance they had just witnessed.

"That was incredible!" Samantha exclaimed, her eyes shining with awe. "I can't believe we were so close to them!"

Ryley smiled, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She couldn't shake the feeling of connection she had felt with the guys during their brief encounter earlier. Was it just her imagination, or was there something more?

Lost in her thoughts, Ryley barely noticed when Samantha grabbed her hand suddenly, her gaze fixed on the exit so they could leave.

Ryley looked up and turned last minute to see someone familiar emerging from one of the corridors from backstage, his expression determined as he scanned the crowd. Her heart skipped a beat as she locked onto Taehyung's form, who was looking around frantically.

"He can't be looking for me," Ryley whispered to herself, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Ryley's mind raced. What should she do? Should she approach him? But before she could make a decision, she felt a gentle tug on her arm.

"Come on, let's go," Samantha urged, looking tired and ready to head back to their hotel for the night.

Ryley hesitated for a moment, torn between the desire to meet BTS and the fear of what might happen if they found her. But in the end, curiosity lost, and she followed Samantha as they disappeared into the crowd.

Meanwhile, Taehyung's heart sank as he scanned the sea of faces, searching for any sign of Ryley. But she was nowhere to be found.

"She's not here," he sighed, his shoulders slumping in disappointment.

"Don't worry, Tae," Jimin reassured him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder after walking up behind him shortly after. "We'll find her. We have to."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

As Ryley and Samantha melted into the crowd, her pulse quickened at the thought of being sought after by the global superstars, but a voice in the back of her mind whispered doubts. What could she possibly offer them? They were untouchable, adored by millions of fans worldwide. How could she, a mere mortal, ever hope to compare?

Samantha nudged her, breaking through her reverie. "Come on, let's go."

Ryley followed Samantha through the exit, her steps faltering as doubt gnawed at her insides. With every passing moment, the weight of her perceived inadequacy grew heavier, suffocating her with its relentless grip.

As they slipped out of the arena and into the cool night air, she couldn't shake the feeling of unworthiness that hung over her like a dark cloud. She stole a glance over her shoulder, half expecting to see BTS hot on their trail, but they were nowhere in sight.

"They're gone," Ryley mumbled to herself, her voice tinged with disappointment.

Inside her heart ached with a longing she couldn't name. How could she ever hope to belong with BTS when she felt so out of place in their world?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Back at the hotel, BTS settled into their rooms, but Taehyung couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at him from within. Despite the excitement of their search, a nagging doubt lingered in the back of his mind.

"What if she doesn't want to be found?" he mused aloud, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jin glanced at him and tried not to feel hurt by the thought alone. "We'll find her, Tae. We just need to keep looking."

But as Taehyung lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, he couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty that clouded his thoughts. Was this woman really their soulmate, or were they just grasping at straws?

It didn't seem as though any of them would be getting much sleep tonight as none of the guys had gone back to their respective rooms to sleep, only wanting to be in the company of one another after the trying night they had. Sure, their concert was amazing and it was so wonderful to finally be back in the same room as ARMY, but they never had expected to find another soulmate. Wasn't seven enough? Everything was frustrating and complicated, but they knew that they had to try. And as Jungkook laid down with his arms wrapped around his Hobi-hyung's waist, cuddling into his side with a deep sigh, he made it his own personal mission to find her. Not just for himself, but for his hyungs too.

They needed her more than they had initially realized.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Meanwhile, Ryley lay in her own bed, the weight of her insecurities pressing down on her like a leaden blanket. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she wrestled with her inner demons, wondering if she would ever be worthy of the love and adoration BTS inspired in their legions of fans.

What was she thinking? Why would she even let herself believe that they were looking for her? Just because she had locked eyes with Namjoon for a short moment? It probably happened during every single concert they had, so she shouldn't even bother considering herself lucky for something so ridiculous. But... That feeling returns - akin to something tugging on her heart. What was that and why did it bother her so much?

Author's note: since it's jinnie's birthday today, i figured that i'd post something that involved him finally. i really wanted to do something poly for them and thought that this was a perfect scenario! i hope you enjoy. remember that requests are open!

Seokjin stood outside his front door, heart pounding with a mix of excitement and melancholy. He had just returned from his military enlistment, eager to reunite with his beloved boyfriends. But as he reached for the doorknob, a wave of sadness washed over him. He had forgotten that they too had enlisted, leaving him alone during their absence.

With a heavy sigh, he stepped inside, the familiar scent of home surrounding him. The silence echoed through the empty rooms, a stark reminder of the void that had been left behind. He wandered through the house, memories of their laughter and love haunting him at every turn.

As he entered their shared bedroom, Seokjin's eyes fell upon the neatly made bed, untouched since his departure. The sight tugged at his heart, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. He missed the warmth of their bodies, the sound of their voices, the touch of their hands.

Just as the weight of loneliness became unbearable, a soft sound caught his attention. He turned around, his eyes widening in surprise. There, standing in the doorway, were Namjoon, Yoongi, Hoseok, Jimin, Taehyung, and Jungkook. They were all dressed in their military uniforms, smiles bright upon their faces.

Seokjin's breath caught in his throat, happiness flooding his chest. "You're here!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief and joy.

Namjoon, his leader and pillar of strength, stepped forward, his eyes brimming with love. "We couldn't let you come home to an empty house, Jin hyung. We missed you too much."

The others nodded in agreement, their faces glowing with affection. Yoongi, the calm and collected one, spoke softly. "We enlisted to serve our country, but that doesn't mean we forgot about you. You're the center of our world, even when we're apart."

Seokjin's heart swelled with love, tears streaming down his cheeks. "I thought I would be alone, but you've given me the best surprise. I love you all so much."

Hoseok, the sunshine of their lives, enveloped Seokjin in a warm embrace. "We love you too, Jinnie hyung. And now that you're back, we can make up for all the time we missed."

They spent the day celebrating Seokjin's return, laughter filling every room. They cooked together, sharing stories of their time apart, reveling in the simple joy of being together again. In their polyamorous relationship, their love knew no bounds, and it was evident in every touch, every glance, every word.

Namjoon, the wise and gentle soul, held Seokjin's hand, his voice filled with promise. "We might have been physically apart, but our hearts were always connected."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow upon their faces, they gathered in the living room, bodies intertwined on the couch. Seokjin leaned against Namjoon's chest, Yoongi's fingers gently caressing his hair, Hoseok's laughter filling the air, Jimin's touch tracing patterns on his arm, Taehyung's mischief shining in his eyes as they relaxed side-by-side, and Jungkook's soft humming echoing in his ear.

Seokjin closed his eyes, savoring the blissful moment, feeling the love radiate through every fiber of his being. In their arms, he had found his solace, his sanctuary. Together, they would face every challenge, overcome every obstacle, and create a future filled with love and togetherness.

As the night settled around them, Seokjin whispered, his voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you for this beautiful surprise. Coming home to all of you is the greatest gift I could ever receive."

Namjoon's voice carried the weight of their collective love, his words sealing their bond. "You are our home, Seokjin, and we'll always be here to welcome you with open arms. Our love knows no boundaries."