Chapter Text
Zooble didn’t really understand the whole regression thing completely. But God, were they trying.
They had the basic idea of it down, reverting to a younger headspace for comfort, playing with toys, exploring (mainly around their own sleeping quarters) and singing, Baby Gangle really liked all those things. She liked adventuring the most, which seemed unusual compared to the Gangle that Zooble knew.
Gangle hummed in Zooble’s arms, curling and twisting her ribbons around her mama’s babysitter’s long limbs. Occasionally fidgeting when she saw something particularly exciting, such as a new pattern or color. Zooble let out a low, quiet sound in response. As if to calm the regressor. However, Gangle seemed too focused on her own stimulation to care — finding herself gnawing on her little ribbons again.
Zooble took notice of this, carefully prying them from the other’s mouth.
“No, no,” Zooble whispers, “you can have a chewie if you want, but you can’t have your hands.”
Gangle whined, wishing they never agreed to the teething rule.
Before this, Zooble and Gangle decided to go over a game plan, of sorts, and a few sets of soft ‘rules’ they’d follow for whenever Gangle went small.
- The regressor would have to try to keep their ribbons out of her mouth, chewing only allowed on her teethers, pacis, or food.
- Both of them would restrain from wandering outside while the others were out. Not counting Kinger, since he’d probably forget anyway.
- Gangle was definitely not allowed to explore while Jax was out. Did they hate him? No. But did they like him? Also… no.
- If Gangle was tired, they were to use the bed in Gangle’s room, not Zooble’s. Gangle’s was softer.
Big Gangle didn’t mind this, she found it very comforting actually, to have someone protect her like that.
And Little Gangle started to like it, too. Even if she was stubborn (so much so that it hurt.)
Gangle pouted, turning away from her caregiver, sniffling as Zooble cooed at her.
“C’mon, don’t be mad at me, princess,” Zooble whispered, their gaze softening, “if you try to keep your paci in instead of chewing on your hands, I’ll give you a treat, okay?”
Gangle turned around, laying her head back on Zooble’s shoulder.
“A supa’ big treat?” Gangle babbled.
Zooble nodded, “Yeah, maybe Caine could help get you something.”
“Like a big cake?”
Zooble chuckled, “Sure.”
Gangle smiled, happily suckling on the pacifer before grabbing her blanket and pulling it close to the two of them. Zooble sighed and sunk into the sheets, rubbing their eyes tiredly.
“I really like taking care of you, Gangle,” Zooble said.
Gangle smiled for a bit, before a sense of dread filled her tiny mind, it tugged at her heart and filled her stomach. The regressor could barely move, too focused on holding back her tears, she whimpered. Gangle wanted to ask, even in her toddler-like state, of course this was going to happen, of course this would happen, even if this fucked up digital hell she couldn’t—
“Gangle? You good?”
Gangle let out a tiny gasp, gripping Zooble’s arm.
“Hey, shhh, shhh, it’s okay, I’m here,” Zooble whispered, petting Gangle’s head, “I’m here and I’m not going anywhere.”
Gangle nodded, curling up in Zooble’s embrace as she relaxed, just a bit. And maybe that was okay for now.