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

Chapter 118: Little Fires, Brighter Flames

"They're our mirror," she said softly. "Chaos and calm. Curiosity and care. And love in every breath."

Of course, that's when Gabriel arrived.

Just as the living room was basking in our pet-induced love euphoria.

He strolled in through the back entrance, blueprint tube in one hand, tablet in the other, hair tousled like he belonged in a K-drama.

He chuckled when he spotted The Trinity on the windowsill. "You weren't kidding, Tabby. They've unionized."

Tabby.
God, that name.
The way he said it.

I was halfway to making a joke when I saw it. That familiar casual reach-Gab's hand brushing noona's shoulder as he passed her to set his things down on the table.

It wasn't inappropriate.
Not really.
But it lit a fuse in the room.

Jin hyung, seated at the kitchen counter sipping his tea, lowered his cup with a perfectly timed smirk.

"Didn't know we were holding auditions."

Yoongi hyung didn't look up from his notebook. But his grip on the pen tightened like he was trying to snap it in half by sheer will.

I leaned down to Yeontan and whispered, "Say the word and we sabotage the blueprint files."

The day spiraled beautifully from there.

Gab was... good at what he did. I hated that. He moved around OUR house with ease, consulting Y/N noona on panel angles and light bounce.

Her laugh rang out three times in the span of fifteen minutes.

Each time, one of us reacted.

Jin hyung cracked his knuckles and announced he was "recalibrating" the shelf bracket. Loudly.

Joon hyung offered to "test the sturdiness" of the new wood panels by throwing a pillow at the wall.

Jimin, who had taken the seat nearest the kitchen, placed his phone face down and stared out the window, chewing the inside of his cheek.

Hobi hyung wasn't even subtle.

He stood behind Y/N noona while she and Gab examined a digital layout and slowly-oh so slowly-looped his arm around her waist like he'd always meant to be there.

Noona didn't even flinch. She leaned into him like it was second nature. Like home.

Gab didn't comment, but I saw the flicker of recognition in his eyes.

And Kookie?
Jungkook left the room.

Later that afternoon, I found Jimin alone on the back patio, watching the rain begin to mist over the garden.

He didn't speak as I sat beside him, didn't move as our shoulders brushed.

"He said 'Tabby' again," he said softly.

"Twice," I nodded.

"I don't want to be jealous."

"You can be," I whispered.

He looked at me then. Eyes soft, vulnerable, glowing even in the gray light.

"I like the way you always know what I'm feeling," he said.

I bumped his knee gently with mine. "I always will."

His fingers laced with mine without needing permission.

Dinner was chaotic and sweet.

We crowded around the dining table, bowls of rice steaming, laughter echoing.