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

Chapter 110: A Thousand Unsaid Things

Soft lights bled into the wood-paneled walls, dusk shifting through the floor-to-ceiling windows like a whisper.

The smell of something sweet-maybe Hobi's cologne, or the vanilla from the dessert Jin hyung made earlier-hung in the air.

This was our safe place. Built by our own hands, designed for love and laughter and everything in between.

But tonight... it buzzed like a live wire. Something simmered beneath the floorboards. Unsaid. Unsettled.

Wacha brushed against my leg, purring softly. Tan barked in the distance, nails clacking against the tiles as he skittered to find Tae.

Familiar sounds. But even the pets felt it.

Y/N was curled on one corner of the couch, phone in hand, not really looking at it.

One leg tucked under her, jaw clenched so subtly I doubted anyone else noticed-but I did.

Joon sat a few feet away, hands steepled together as he scrolled through something on his tablet.

His jaw, sharp and tight. Shoulders too stiff for someone supposedly relaxing.

Hobi, Kook and Jimin were the first to notice the weight in the room.

They had just stepped inside, arms full of snacks, laughter trailing behind them.

But Hobi stilled as he caught sight of Y/N, then Joon, and that laughter stuttered like a candle flickering in the wind.

"You okay, Noona?" Jungkook asked, flopping onto the rug in front of the couch like he always did.

She didn't answer right away.

Taehyung came in next, calling out a cheery, "Yeontan, let's go! Couch cuddles!"

His eyes sparkled-until they landed on the couch. On her. On Joon. His smile faltered. He stopped walking.

"...Hyung?" Tae looked at me like I had the answers. Like I always did.

Jin hyung walked in last, arms crossed, already reading the atmosphere.

His gaze swept over Y/N fluffing the same throw pillow for the fourth time, eyes not meeting anyone's. She smacked it a little harder than necessary.

He glanced at me.
Our eyes locked.

I gave a slow shake of my head.
Not now. Not yet.

But later came fast.

Joon stood eventually, announcing he was going upstairs to his home office to get some work done.

He didn't look at her.
She didn't ask him to stay.

As his footsteps disappeared down the hallway, Y/N stood, murmuring something about tea, and disappeared into the kitchen.

I counted five seconds before it happened.

"Yoongi," Jin hyung said flatly.

I turned.

They were all staring at me now-Tae wide-eyed and tight-lipped, Jimin fidgeting beside Hobi on the armrest, Hobi pouting like a kicked puppy, Kook quiet in a way that didn't match his usual fire.

Jin hyung motioned toward the pool deck with his head.

So we went.

Outside, the air was warm, slightly humid, the scent of the jasmine vines strong under the soft golden porch light.

Jin hyung turned to me the second the sliding door shut.

"What happened?"

I exhaled. "The meeting."