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

Chapter 127: Uninvited and Unwelcome

"Still a wrecking ball, huh?"

Hobi hyung's voice floats in from the living room.

"He's been doing zoomies around the couch for fifteen minutes straight. He's in his 'unhinged gremlin' era again."

I ran up to the hallway towards the living room with bam exhaling trailing behind me like a shadow.

As I step in, it was chaos.
Comfortable, warm, lived-in chaos.

Tannie is curled in a throw blanket he definitely claimed as his own. He lifts his head only long enough to give me a disapproving glance for being vertical in his presence.

Tae is lying on his stomach, sketchpad open, feet kicked lazily in the air. He gives me a small wave with the tip of his pencil.

"You survived the night?" he asks, tone dry but fond.

"Barely," I say. "Someone-" I glance at Kookie, who's halfway to the kitchen in his sleeveless hoodie, "-snores like he's training for a marathon."

"I do not snore," Kookie calls over his shoulder.

"Bam thinks you do," Hobi hyung says, bouncing lightly on the couch and shoving a pillow under his legs.

"He barked in his sleep. Three times."

"That's just Bam being dramatic." Kookie reappears with a banana and a glare.

"He gets it from you."

I laugh, settling beside Hobi hyung on the couch, and lean into his shoulder.

"God, I missed this," I murmur.

Hobi turns to me with a smile, eyes soft.

"Then stop leaving so much."

His voice is teasing, but his hand finds mine and squeezes.

"I'm here now," I whisper.

Tae lifts his head. "You staying tonight again?"

I open my mouth, hesitate.

"I shouldn't. I've got dance evaluations tomorrow. Early."

Kookie flops down across the armchair, legs hanging off one side like a bored anime villain.

"You say that, but we all know you'll be here by 9 p.m. with ramen and a guilty look."

"I do not have a guilty look," I protest.

"You do," Y/N noona says as she finally enters the room, cheeks a little flushed from laughing, tucking her phone into her back pocket.

"It's adorable."

Gabriel trails behind her with a paintbrush in one hand and a small roller in the other.

"I still vote for the blush-toned cream with matte accents," he announces.

"Of course you do," Jin hyung says from the kitchen, where he's now banging around measuring spoons.

"You have a thing for drama."

"I have a thing for lighting," Gabriel says with mock offense. "And possibly your sister."

He winks.

I swear I could've gagged-but I school my face into a smile.

Across the room, Yoongi hyung stiffens just slightly, eyes flicking up from his laptop.

Y/N noona just rolls her eyes.

"Dream on, Tisoy! you have no chance with Jia, also you have a thing for oat milk lattes and opinions no one asked for."