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

Chapter 117: Versions of A Home

"That's the part that gets me."

I nod.
Because it's true.

It's not about trust. It's not about love. It's about time.

He was there first.
And right now? He's here again.

__________________________

Jungkook's POV

It was supposed to be a quick trip towards the kitchen. Just a granola bar. Maybe a cold drink.

Instead, I walked straight into a scene inside hobi hyung's studio that scraped something sharp against the inside of my chest.

Gabriel's hand.

Resting lightly-too lightly-on noona's lower back as he leaned in to point something out on the blueprint she was holding.

It was brief. Nothing dramatic.
But that didn't matter.

My eyes locked on that moment like it was the only thing in the room.

Her laugh followed.
Soft. Familiar.

That kind of laugh I knew-when her walls dropped, and her childhood came spilling out.

She barely noticed the touch.
But I did.
And so did Hobi hyung.

He was closer than I was, sorting through a pile of paint samples with one hand, the other holding a screwdriver.

The moment he saw my face, he dropped both.

"Hey," he said gently, walking over like he wasn't even thinking-like it was instinct.

He reached out, tugged me into a hug, arms tight around my shoulders.

I held onto him. Didn't say anything.
But I didn't stop watching either.

Gab stepped back like nothing happened, gesturing to Yoongi hyung about some angle adjustments near the shelving line.

Yoongi hyung nodded. Said nothing.

But I saw his jaw tense.

The whole room felt... suspended.
And then Gab spoke.

"As we're finishing this wall," he said, looking around,

"I've been thinking-if we really want to lock in the baseboard wiring by Monday, I can stay over this weekend? Only if you guys are okay with it, of course."

The silence was immediate.

Y/N noona blinked, straightening where she stood, blueprint still in her hands.

She looked around the room. At each of us. Then back at Gab.

"I-" she started. "Actually, it's okay, Tisoy. You don't have to."

She said it quickly.
Too quickly.

She knew. She could feel the room holding its breath.

Her voice was soft, polite-but I knew her. She was trying to protect everyone's feelings.

And she looked sad.
Not just awkward. Sad.

I hated it. The way she folded her wants back into herself because she thought she had to.

And apparently, so did Yoongi hyung.
He didn't even pause.

"I agree with Gabriel here," Yoongi hyung said, eyes still on the sketches.

"We need to finish this soon. You should stay. You can use the guest room downstairs."

Noona blinked. "Yoongi, really-he doesn't have to-"