Chapter 116: Echoes of a Former Home

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And still-still-Y/N noona didn't notice how every glance, every light touch on Gab's shoulder, every laugh, was being filed away.

Judged. Compared. Measured.

Even if we knew-knew-her heart was with us.

It didn't stop the feelings.

"I'm going to steal dessert," I declared dramatically, standing up and grabbing a plate of tiramisu from the center.

"Gab, do you like your coffee sweet or bittersweet?"

"Uh... sweet, I guess?" he blinked.

"Of course you do."

Joon hyung elbowed me. "Tae."

"I'm just trying to learn about our guest," I said, pouring espresso over the dessert with a theatrical flourish.

Behind me, Hobi hyung threw his arm around Jungkook's shoulders, pulling him close.

"Let's take a photo!" he said brightly, phone already out.

Kook smiled, a little forced, but leaned into the hold. I watched his fingers curl slightly on Hobi's wrist-holding on, grounding himself in the touch.

It was always like that with them. Their love was deep, old.

Ten years of silent support and shared breath. Of matching mugs and inside jokes and the kind of harmony you couldn't manufacture-it just was.

"I want in on the photo," Y/N noona said, sliding in beside them.

Gab followed. Too closely.

So close that Jin hyung's glass clinked too hard against the table as he set it down, and Yoongi's smile didn't match his eyes

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So close that Jin hyung's glass clinked too hard against the table as he set it down, and Yoongi's smile didn't match his eyes.

But Y/N noona was trying-bless her heart.

She kept tugging everyone into conversation.

Boasting about each of us to Gab like we were trophies she was proud to display.

"Jin oppa-he's one of the top criminal defense lawyers in the country."

"Joonie? Genius. He's like a poet disguised as a CEO."

"Yoongi's the reason your phone still works and you haven't been hacked."

"Taehyung literally turned our upstairs library into an art gallery. You have to see it."

She even dragged Gab over to pet Wacha, who sniffed him once and then turned her back like she'd seen all she needed.

"That's approval," I told him. "She didn't bite you."

"I'm honored," Gab said, smiling like a diplomat. "And I promise, I'm not trying to bite anyone."

Yeah. That didn't help.

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