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

Chapter 116: Echoes of a Former Home

Y/N's POV

There's something sacred about waking up to the sound of tiny paws and soft purring.

Wacha is curled beside me like a fuzzy comma, her purr vibrating through the duvet like a low, comforting engine.

Her nose is tucked into her paw, ears flicking every so often like she's chasing dreams I'll never get to see.

Then-patter patter... tap... skitter

Yeontan and Bam. The unofficial hallway welcome committee.

Tannie's footsteps are frantic-like he's reporting for duty at sunrise. Bam's heavier but smooth, calm. That balance between them makes me smile every time.

Golden morning sun filters in through the curtains. I stretch and sit up slowly, catching Wacha's ears twitch as if to say, finally.

I lean in to kiss her head and whisper, "Good morning, your highness."

Downstairs, I hear the sounds that have become the symphony of our mornings:

the gentle scrape of Bam's bowl on the floor, a low bark

Kook's voice cooing something affectionate, and the soft chug of the coffee maker.

I throw on my robe and wander down the hall.

By the porch window, I stop and smile.

Wacha had gone down with me curled up and Yeontan. They're positioned like synchronized sunbathers, curled on matching cushions.

Their tails twitch in perfect tandem, like two oddly-shaped metronomes conducting a duet only they can hear.

They look like little yin-yangs-Wacha's sleek elegance against Tannie's puffed-up majesty.

Tannie shifts and rests his chin against Wacha's back. She allows it. Doesn't even flinch. Just blinks slowly and turns her face into the sun.

In the living room, Jungkook's on a face mask and still in his pajama pants and oversized tee. With Bam lying right on top of his legs, Kook about to brush his teeth.

Bam wags his tail, nudging gently into Kook's chest.

"Morning," I murmur.

Kook looks up, takes off his face mask and taps his face dry.

I laugh at how adorable and shiny his face is.

His eyes immediately softening when he looks up at me again. "Hey noona. You sleep okay?"

I nod, and without thinking, I walk over and press a kiss to his tenple

He leans into it, lips tugging into that shy, sweet smile he saves just for mornings.

Then, without a word, his arms wrap around my waist, and he hugs me tight-like he means it, like he needs to.

I rest my chin on his shoulder, smiling against his skin.