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

Chapter 126: Soft Wars and Silent Codes🔥

Okay. So here's the thing.

I am relaxed.
Like, totally chill.
Peaceful. Serene. Zen even.

...Except I'm 90% sure I've chewed through an invisible stick in my mouth from all this clenching.

Yoongi hyung is to my left, reclined into the couch like he's trying to absorb into it and pretend feelings aren't real.

Taehyung hyung is on my right, eerily still, arm slung over Tannie like a mafia boss protecting a very fluffy secret.

And me? I'm sitting with Bam's entire dog-planet-sized head on my feet, trying not to combust every time he laughs loudly again from upstairs.

Gabriel.
Gabe.

Mr. "Let's Paint Your Office in Colors Named After Fancy Coffee and Vague Emotions."

He laughs again-loud, carefree, flirty-and Bam lifts his head like even he is over it.

Hobi hyung strolls past, holding a plate of melon slices like some radiant snack fairy, and gives me a side-eye worthy of an Oscar.

"You're chewing air again, Kookie."

"I'm not chewing!" I protest, too fast.

"I'm... just breathing. Aggressively."

Yoongi hyung snorts, not looking up from whatever group chat he's mentally escaping to.

"Ah yes. The classic Jeon Jungkook Silent Rage Respiration Method."

Taehyung hyung hasn't moved in ten minutes. His gaze is locked on the hallway leading to the second floor like a cat waiting for a laser pointer to reappear.

Yeontan's snoozing on his chest, unbothered. Probably dreaming of snacks and cuddles with wacha.

"I swear to God," I mutter, scratching behind Bam's ears.

"If he calls her Tabby one more time-"

"Do you want to start calling her Tabby?"
Hobi hyung pipes up from the dining room chomping a grape.

"No!" I fire back.

"That's their thing. That's a pre-me thing. I'm not gonna hijack a memory, I'm just gonna... be annoyed by it quietly forever."

Yoongi hyung finally looks up, blinking like he's aged ten years in the past hour.

"She's setting boundaries," he says, rubbing his temple.

"Let's trust her to keep them."

"I do," I say, and I do, okay? I do trust her.

I trust her like I trust Bam to never knock over my protein shakes.

But trust doesn't cancel out jealousy-it just makes it quieter.

Tae hyung hums, finally breaking his silence.

"If she paints that office warm taupe, I will riot."

"Thank you!" I throw my hands up.

"That's what I've been saying. It's not taupe. It's the visual equivalent of oatmeal with depression."

Another loud laugh floats down from above us. Gabriel again.

Probably holding a paint swatch like it's the key to her heart.

I might throw a swatch.
Just... casually.

Bam thumps his tail like he agrees.

Then, like magic-because fate is nosy and dramatic-Y/N noona's laugh drifts out next.