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

Chapter 115: Hearts, Paws, and Patience

"She's lounging in his scent," Yoongi says from the bed, watching with one eyebrow raised.

"She's either plotting murder," I say, sipping my tea, "or practicing seduction."

"Same thing, if you're Wacha."

Over the next few days, we build the schedule around the scent swaps, sneaking in moments in between work and our wild, glitter-dusted lives.

After work, we come home to dinner prep chaos and low-grade construction dust.

Hobi and Kook's studios are almost done, but not without the occasional bickering over shelf placement.

"Left more-no, more-more!" Hobi yells from his studio as Jimin climbs the ladder with a floating shelf in hand.

"I swear to God, one more more and I'm going to glue this thing to the ceiling," Jimin groans.

Kook from the hallway, "I vote for ceiling shelf! Maximum drama!"

Jin oppa, passing with a measuring tape, sighs like he's aging in real time. "Why do I live here."

Yoongi steals a kiss from him mid-grumble. "Because you're in love, obviously."

Oppa, flushed, scowls into his measuring tape.

Late at night, I peek into Taehyung's VR studio where he and Jimin are sprawled on the floor, tangled in wires and light.

Projected images flicker on the wall-abstract dreamscapes that pulse in time with soft music.

Jimin's head rests on Tae's lap as they go over hand-tracking adjustments.

Tae's voice is low, fond.

"You tilt your wrist like this, it loops softer. More flow."

"I like it when you guide me," Jimin murmurs, and Taehyung blushes, smiling like he's been gifted a galaxy.

They don't notice me watching.
But I always do.

_______________________

Tannie and Bam's relationship has been unfolding like the gentlest slow-burn romance ever written.

It started with the patio door.

For three days straight, Tannie parked himself behind the glass at sunrise, tail twitching like a metronome, staring out at Bam like he was the most suspicious weather phenomenon he'd ever seen.

Bam, blissfully unaware, licked condensation off the other side with the dazed focus of a golden retriever in a toothpaste commercial.

Tannie would watch, huff, and walk away with a flourish-disgusted, offended, unimpressed.

And then he'd come back the next day.

Same spot.
Same twitchy tail.
Same wide, unblinking eyes.

By day five, something shifted.

We were all in the living room-Joon was sketching something on the back of a printout, Jin oppa was adjusting the thermostat like it had wronged him personally, and I was mid-sip of Hobi's absurdly sweet iced latte-when it happened.

Tannie jumped up onto the couch.
The one right next to Bam's bed.

We all froze like wildlife photographers spotting a rare mating ritual.

Jin oppa clutched Yoongi's arm so hard he dropped the remote. Hobi gasped and clapped a hand over his mouth.

Tae whisper-screamed into a throw pillow. Jungkook was biting his lip like it might help him not burst into tears.