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

Chapter 116: Echoes of a Former Home

By the end of the night, the air had softened only slightly.

But it wasn't what it was before.
Not quite.

Under the glow of the pendant lights, laughter still danced.

Our glasses still clinked. Bam sighed and laid his head in Kook's lap, Tannie yipped in his sleep, and Wacha curled once more beside me, her body warm against my thigh.

But every soulmate in that room was watching.

Every glance was weighted.

Every touch between Gab and noona-even innocent-was enough to ripple across the table like a stone dropped in calm water.

And despite our jokes and playful banter, we felt it.

That gentle, quiet shift.

That primal spark of jealousy.
Of protectiveness.
Of love that didn't want to share, even if it could.

Gab had walked into our home like sunlight from a different window.

And maybe he didn't mean to cast a shadow...but even the warmest light could change the way a room felt.

_____________________

Yoongi's POV

The night didn't end when Gabriel left.
Not really.

The door had barely clicked shut behind him-Taehyung offering a stiff wave, Hobi a bright "See you soon!" that was one octave too high to be natural-before the air shifted.

We were all still gathered in the living room.

The dinner table had been cleared, the wine glasses replaced by mugs of tea or the occasional leftover glass someone was too distracted to finish.

The music was softer now-something instrumental and low, Jimin's pick from his phone as he sat cross-legged on the floor, leaning into Bam like the two of them were old college roommates.

Wacha had returned to her favorite armrest beside the fireplace, tail flicking lazily.

Tannie snoozed near Jin hyung's feet, wrapped in the fringe of a knit throw like some tiny, judgmental grandpa.

And I was seated beside Y/N, close enough to feel the warmth of her thigh pressed gently to mine.

Close enough to hear her heart beating.

But not close enough to forget how much she'd smiled tonight-and who she'd smiled for.

"So..." she said brightly, looking around at all of us. "What do you think of Gab?"

The room paused. As if someone had muted the TV mid-scene.

Namjoon was the first to recover, ever the diplomat. He smiled, setting his mug down on the coffee table with a soft clink.