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

Chapter 114: Emotional Floor Plans & Chaotic Bonds

Hoseok's POV

Dinner is chaos - the good kind.

The kind where you're too busy laughing to finish your soup, where chopsticks clack against bowls in sync with clinking glasses and too-loud declarations of culinary war.

Yoongi hyung's already claimed bulgogi superiority.

Jin hyung is fending off accusations of favoritism in seasoning.

Joonie's still insisting he didn't knock over the wine glass on purpose and Y/N noona has declared herself the new Supreme Court Justice of the household kitchen.

It's warm in our apartment.

Not just from the food or the flickering candlelight, but from the people who fill it - sprawled across the mismatched chairs and floor pillows, toes brushing, eyes sparkling, breathless from teasing and toasting and too much love stuffed into every glance.

Yeontan's under the table, head on Tae's socked foot like it's his rightful throne.

Wacha, majestic as ever, has claimed the windowsill. She's preening like she owns the entire lease, tail flicking in soft judgment with every loud human laugh.

Beside me, Kookie catches my gaze.
He grins.

And I swear I feel it like lightning in my ribs.

Ten years, and he still knocks the wind out of me with one look.

He knows it, too-the brat.

He bites his lip, leaning closer like he's about to whisper something naughty, but Y/N noona whacks his arm with a chopstick before he gets the chance.

"No flirting during banchan," she scolds.

"Unrealistic expectations," I say, deadpan, feeding Kookie a piece of grilled mushroom just to spite her.

"Oh my god," Jimin groans from beside Tae, covering his face with a napkin.

"This is a circus."

"I know right?" Tae says dreamily, kissing Jimin's cheek with a soft,

"You love it."

Jimin melts. "Unfortunately."

Cue Yoongi hyung choking on his water.

"I think I just aspirated on your flirting," he wheezes.

"Don't die, hyung," Joonie says, patting his back while shoving more rice into his mouth.

"We need you to finish the leftovers."

Then, finally, between bites of japchae and the thousandth refill of Jin hyung's wine glass, he sets it down and raises a brow.

"So. What's the occasion tonight?" he asks casually, but there's mischief in his eyes.

"We celebrating something?"