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

Chapter 127: Uninvited and Unwelcome

"Rude," I grin.

"True," Yoongi mutters, still typing.

"I'll come," Jungkook says, standing suddenly. Bam springs to his side like he's been waiting for the cue.

Hobi leans in, fingers resting lightly on my back. "Want me to stay?"

I glance around.

Yoongi is hyper-focused, but vibrating with tension.

Namjoon still hasn't sipped his tea.

Jin oppa has repositioned himself subtly between me and Gabriel.

Tae's flipping my sleeve. Jimin and Kook are standing by the door like a storm in waiting.

And Gabriel... he just looks hopeful.
Maybe too hopeful.

I lean into Hobi's touch. "Stay. Please."

He kisses my temple. "Always."

Twenty minutes later, Gabriel is upstairs calling his sister.

The rest of us settle back into the dining room.

Yoongi's laptop is finally closed.

Tae is sketching with Jimin's pen.

Jimin's perched in my lap now, humming into my collarbone.

Kookie's on the floor beside me, Bam a living shadow curled against him.

Joon and Jin oppa are debating the name of a book character who faked his death using a potato truck.

Hobi is feeding me orange slices, humming Love Maze like it's a lullaby meant just for us.

Tae hooks his ankle behind mine.

Jimin sighs and rests his head on my shoulder.

Kookie nudges me with a cookie like it's a peace offering.

And for the first time all day... I breathe.

Later, when we migrate to the couch fortress and Wacha is tucked between Jin oppa and Yoongi-who are bickering over the best tea temperature-I whisper to Hobi.

"Thank you. For grounding me."

He brushes his knuckle along my cheek.

"I'll always catch you, noona."

Beside us, Jimin loops his arms around both of us and hums something soft.

A lullaby he's never sung-but somehow I know.

Across the room, kookie hands Tae a glass of water.

"You forgot this, hyung."

But it sounds suspiciously like I love you.

Yoongi meets my gaze across the room.
He doesn't speak. Doesn't have to.
This is ours.
___________________________

It's quiet. The kind of quiet that doesn't mean peace, just pause-like the sky is holding its breath.