Chapter Text
Tamaki and Mirio became even closer after high-school. They both had become sidekicks and decided to move out of their childhood homes. Tamaki too nervous about living on his own agreed to rent an apartment with Mirio.
Like everything, there were good and bad days. Tamaki had felt that he had more bad days than Mirio. He would always seek Mirio's comfort whether they would talk about what was on Tamaki's mind or ordering food and watching a movie until late night hours. However, there was something he felt he couldn't even tell his best friend. Tamaki was a Little.
He used it as a healthy coping mechanism for anything going on in his life and it worked well for him. Although it had gotten lonely. Being a little without someone to watch him made him feel like he could never fully dive into his headspace as a Little. There was always something to stay big for. Whether that was getting a snack, drinking enough water, reaching for the paci that dropped on the floor and cleaning it himself...it was tiring. But for now, it will have to do.
In the dorms, it was difficult to be Little on his own time. One never knew when a knock on the door would come to ask about a study group or late night movie in the common room. The constant worry of this made him push down his Little feelings.
Living with Mirio was far from terrible but Tamaki was going through eternal hell trying to keep his Little side from Mirio. He only ever went into Little space a few times a year when in high-school so this added pressure did not help one bit.
But like all terribly held secrets, it eventually gets told. Tamaki made sure to triple check that it was his day off and that Mirio was working. The calendar they used held their schedules in different coloured marker so it was even more clear.
Tamaki felt the Little inside him slowly crawl its way up his spine, crying to finally be let out for months now but hero work is a selfless job so the day he knew he would be home alone, he knew he would slip.
The morning of, Mirio left a note of what time he would be home and there were some leftovers from Mirio's breakfast for Tamaki to heat up. Instantly Little Tamaki came out to play.
He ran back to his room and took out the cleverly hidden box from his closet that held his little items. He popped in his pacifier and his shoulders immediately relaxed. He dumped the entire box on his bed, blankets, toys, and colouring items piled on top of everything else. He took his bottle out and slung his favourite and softest receiving blanket over his shoulder. He skipped back to the kitchen, happily sucking on his pacifier as he heated up some milk in his bottle.
The day was filled with colouring, building blocks, a nice long nap on the couch, and not a single care about the outside world. Heating up the breakfast leftovers for his lunch went by with only a few tears, he couldn't remember how to use the microwave but he got it eventually.
It just so happened to be the time that Mirio would be home like his note said but Tamaki was too far into his headspace to worry about that. He sat on the floor in front of the TV with an animated movie playing, his blanket draped over his head and wrapped around him, intently sucking on his pacifier, and that's exactly how Mirio found him when walking in the door.
For a pause they just stared at each other. Tamaki's mind was going 100 miles an hour. His brain couldn't keep up with itself. He didn't know if he should cry or if he could move to hide or even if he could think of a lie good enough to tell Mirio what was going on.
"Whatcha doing, Tamaki?" Mirio stepped in further dropping his duffle bag on the floor.
Tamaki was frozen just watching Mirio slowly make his way forward and sitting on the floor cross-legged beside him.
"I liked this movie a lot when I was a kid. It's been so long since I've seen it. Brings back nostalgia, ya know?" He flashed his signature million-watt smile at Tamaki.
Tamaki nodded, still unable to process anything going on in his mind. He turned back
to the TV, he and Mirio watching the rest in silence. Tamaki tried to watch Mirio out of the corner of his eye but the movie seemed more interesting to Little Tamaki.
When it was all over, Mirio turned off the TV and turned to Tamaki.
"Wanna order something for dinner? I'm wiped after today and you look too comfortable to do anything."
Tamaki lowered his head and blushed. Mirio didn't seem to mind how Tamaki was now, even with a pacifier in his mouth. All at once, he seemed to take in how their shared living space must look. Toys everywhere, colouring book opened to an unfinished piece, and an almost empty bottle of milk dripped on the floor from when he dropped it earlier. Little Tamaki couldn't stop the tears rolling down his cheeks.
"Oh, Tamaki. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. It's ok, buddy."
Tamaki sobbed at Mirio's words. Mirio knew Tamaki could cry for hours, working himself up to the point of throwing up.
"C'mere." He enveloped the crying boy in his arms and held on tight. Tamaki cried into Mirio's chest, his sobs muffled in his shirt. Mirio rocked side to side to soothe Tamaki. He gently shushed the Little boy and ran his fingers through his purple hair.
Eventually, Tamaki's cries were only sniffles and hiccups. Mirio spied the blanket thrown behind the sad Little and his pacifier. He reached to pick them up, draping the blanket
over Tamaki's shoulders. He looked at the pacifier and bounced it around in his hands.
"Lemme wash this for you." He ruffled Tamaki's hair before washing off the pacifier in the kitchen. When Mirio walked back into the living room, Tamaki had taken a seat on the couch, curdling into his blanket hiding most of his face.
"Say 'Ah'." Mirio held out the cleaned pacifier to Little Tamaki. He opened his mouth and Mirio popped it in, sitting down next to Tamaki.
Tamaki looked away from Mirio, the little strings hanging off his well-used blanket were more interesting.
"Tamaki, how old are you?" Mirio asked.
Tamaki quickly looked up at Mirio across from him. He hesitated and alternated holding up 2 and 4 fingers.
"Ok, Little man! I was going to order us some food for dinner, is there anything you want?"
Tamaki thought for a second, tapping his finger on his cheek.
" 'Oodles?" He mumbled around his paci.
"Noodles! Great idea! Don't worry, I know what you like!" Mirio took out his phone from his pocket and had the food ordered in no time.
"I need to take a shower and change but I want you to have all your toys in a row on the floor by the time I'm out. Can you do that for me?"
Tamaki nodded his head. Mirio ruffled the Little's hair again before walking down the hall to clean up.
Tamaki looked around and collected all his toys in a big pile before putting them in 2 neat lines on the floor. One line wasn't big enough. Tamaki wasn't paying attention when Mirio stepped out of the bathroom, pj's on and towel drying his hair. Mirio watched the Little impatiently playing with the toy at the end of the first line. Not taking it out of its spot but still not perfectly lined up with everything else.
"Hey, your toys are so cool!"
Tamaki jumped at Mirio's voice. He knocked the toy out of the line which bumped a few others. Tears welled in Tamaki's eyes as he
hurriedly tried to fix it all. He didn't want to be a bad boy for not doing as he was told.
Mirio walked over and crouched next to Tamaki holding his hands over Tamaki's trembling ones which were still trying to reorganize the mess.
"I didn't mean to startle you, buddy. That's my fault. I'm sorry." Tamaki stilled his hands and nodded.
"No more tears." Mirio wiped the tears from Tamaki's face. "Let me help you fix this, yeah?"
Tamaki nodded again and watched Mirio line everything up like it was before.
Mirio sat back and admired everything Tamaki had. Big Tamaki was trying his best to peek behind Little Tamaki but was quickly pushed aside. Tamaki focused on the floor in front of him, would Mirio like his toys?
"What is your favourite toy to play with? I bet it's the blocks right? Building is so fun!"
Tamaki looked at Mirio and mumbled, "stickers".
"Yeah, that's what I said!" Tamaki giggled at Mirio being silly with him.
A knock on the door stole the smile from Tamaki's face.
"You can go wait at the table in the kitchen! I'll bring the food in for you!
Tamaki hesitated, his lip quivering. "B-but toys!" He whisper-yelled, the pacifier dropping from his mouth. Mirio picked it up, tossed it into the air, and caught it.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure they don't see it."
Another knock on the door came and Tamaki hurried into the kitchen and took a seat at the table. He heard Mirio and the delivery person make small talk at the door. He trembled in his seat at the thought of his secret being out to another person. Two people in one day! Unplanned! That would be too much.
Mirio placed down the takeout bag in front of Tamaki and the pacifier on the kitchen counter, pulling him out of his spiraling thoughts.
"Let me set the table, okay? But first I think it would be best if blankie stayed in the living room." Tamaki clutched his blanket tight. Blanket can't leave him! Blanket keeps him safe and warm!
"If Blankie stays at the table they could get dirty and then have to go in the washing machine. Let's keep Blankie clean, yeah?" Mirio held out his hand. He didn't want to force it out of Tamaki but giving him a choice would make Little Tamaki trust him.
Tamaki hugged his blanket and tears stung his eyes as he handed over his beloved Blankie to Mirio. He held his face in his hands and sobbed. He didn't want Blankie to get dirty and have to sleep without it but he needed Blankie to keep him company.
Mirio's heart clenched in his chest. He didn't want to see his baby boy cry like this. Full stop. /His/ baby boy?
Mirio crouched down to be eye level with the crying boy.
"Hush, baby, it's ok. Blankie is still here. Look." He offered Blankie to Tamaki.
Tamaki shook his head and pushed Mirio's hand away.
"NO!" He sobbed. "No dirty! Need Blankie!"
"Blankie is very important aren't they?"
Tamaki nodded in his hands.
"How's about we walk Blankie to the living room together so they won't be lonely."
Tamaki's sobs stopped instantly. He looked over at his Blankie, tears clumping together his eyelashes.
Tamaki nodded impatiently and took Mirios hand to walk his Blankie to the couch. Mirio folded the blanket up with one hand. Tamaki held onto Mirio with both hands, scared that he would be left behind if he didn't hold on tight.
"Hmm, would Blankie like a friend to keep him company?" Tamaki's eyes lit up, nodding once again.
Mirio led the Little over to his toys on the floor and he picked out his stuffed Zebra for Blankie. Placing the Zebra on top of Blankie, Tamaki sniffed and gave the two toys a small wave before being led back to the kitchen.
Mirio seated Tamaki and readied the table for dinner.
"Thank you for the food." Mirio said before digging in.
Tamaki looked down at his bowl and chopsticks.
"Tanks." He mumbled. He picked up his chopsticks, scrunching up his nose in frustration. His fingers didn't want to hold the chopsticks. Mirio watched Tamaki fumble and drop a stick on the floor.
Tamaki held his head low and huffed. He had already cried so much today. Does he have any tears left?
"No worries, Little man! Are the chopsticks too hard to hold?" Tamaki nodded solemnly.
Mirio scooted his chair next to Tamaki and rearranged the table. Tamaki watched with his head corked to the side. Mirio grabbed a new set of chopsticks and held up some noodles to Tamaki.
"I'll feed you then! That way you don't have to worry about dropping anything or getting too messy!"
Tamaki blushed but let Mirio feed him. Mirio made sure everything in the boy's mouth was gone before feeding him more so he wouldn't choke. Tamaki ate all of his dinner and didn't make faces when Mirio gave him his vegetables.
"You did such a good job, buddy! You ate all your food! High-five!" Tamaki slapped his hand to Mirio's and giggled.
Together they cleaned up the table, Tamaki helping out as best as they could. The only dishes to clean were the extra set of chopsticks and the lunch dishes from Tamaki but those could wait until tomorrow.
"If you're as full as I am, I think a movie and then bedtime is on the agenda. How does that sound?" Tamaki nodded his head and pointed to his pacifier Mirio left on the counter. Mirio looked over to where the Little was pointing and chuckled.
"Use your words, Tamaki. You have to tell me what you need." Tamaki blushed and looked away, wringing his hands together.
"Um, pa-paci, please." He whispered.
Mirio ruffled Tamaki's hair. "Thank you for using your words and your manners, baby boy. Let me wash it for you. Why don't you go see how Blankie is doing, I'm sure they miss you!" Tamaki's eyes widened and he zoomed out of the kitchen to tackle his Blankie and Zebra on the couch.
Mirio watched the Little boy snuggle up into his toys on the couch before washing off the pacifier. Tamaki ran his hands over his Blankie in the same spot over and over, happy to have it back in his lap. Zebra was a good companion for Blankie, he knew how to have a good conversation.
Mirio sat next to Tamaki and popped in the Little's paci. It wasn't uncommon for the two to cuddle while watching a movie but never had Mirio felt so protective over Tamaki like this before. Tamaki was leaning against his side with Mirio's arm on the back of the couch.
Mirio made sure to find something appropriate for his Little boy to watch, even though he's been dying to see the newest action thriller that came out a few weeks ago.
Half-way through the movie, both boys were out like a light. Mirio lightly snoring and Tamaki's paci barely in his mouth. Tamaki woke up to the end credits rolling on the screen and felt a little pain in his lower abdomen.
He couldn't remember the last time he went pee today but he was having such a good time that it's a miracle he hasn't had an accident yet.
He nudged Mirio until he peaked one eye open and wrapped Tamaki in his arms for a big bear hug.
"Aah! No, no! G-gotta go, Mirio!" Tamaki whimpered, struggling against his firm hold.
"Go where baby boy? Bed? That's not going anywhere-"
"No, Mirio! Gotta pee!"
"Oh!" Mirio let go of Tamaki and the boy flew down the hall into the bathroom and slammed the door before he could have an accident. Or at least that's what Tamaki wanted to have happened.
Tamaki couldn't help but stare at the big wet spot on his pants and underwear, tears forming in his eyes. This is what being Little made him do. Tamaki couldn't stay Little because then bad things like wetting his pants would happen. Tamaki couldn't be Little anymore. He had to clean himself up and drag himself to bed, ashamed that he let this happen.
A knock on the door startled Tamaki.
"Are you ok, Tamaki? Do you need help?"
Tamaki could trust Mirio, right? He's been patient and comforting all evening. Helped Tamaki eat dinner and kept him entertained. Mirio could help Tamaki with this right?
Mirio knocked again. "Baby boy?"
Tamaki's tears finally rolled down his face.
"Help, Mirio." He cried. Mirio walked in the door and saw Tamaki crying into his hands and the dark spots that traveled down his pants.
"Hey, you're ok. C'mere," Mirio stepped closer to Tamaki with his arms outstretched for a hug.
Tamaki stepped away holding his hands out.
"No hug, Mirio. I-I'm gross. All-all dirty and gross. I'm bad, so bad." He said between sobs.
"You're not gross or bad, baby. You just need some help. Will you let me help you?" Mirio took another step forward this time dropping his hands. Tamaki rubbed his eyes with his fists and nodded his head.
"Good boy, Tamaki. Let me take care of you ok? I'll start the shower for you and-"
"N-no shower, too small." He cried.
"Ok, bath then. I'll help with your clothes-"
"NO!" Tamaki cried harder.
"Hey, hey. Shhh, you're ok. Tell me how I can help, Baby. We need to clean you up so a bath would be best, ok?"
"But M-mirio watching is em-embarrassing." Tamaki sobbed, this time against Mirio's chest as he clung onto the fabric.
Mirio and Tamaki had seen each other change and have showered in the same room since they were in middle school. Only now is Tamaki telling Mirio that he has been uncomfortable this entire time? Hell, the guy has seen Mirio's dick more often than anyone else on the planet with all the training they have done together.
Mirio took a steadying breath, he was getting frustrated with Tamaki but that's not going to help.
"I don't want you to take a bath alone, Baby. Please, what else can I do to make you feel better?" Mirio wrapped his arms around the boy and waited for his crying to subside.
Tamaki tried to use more words for Mirio to understand.
"My r-room. Um. Baby wipes." He sniffed.
"Great idea, Tamaki." Mirio said softly. "I'll go get them and some PJ's for you, sound good?" Tamaki rubbed the tears from his eyes and nodded.
Before Tamaki could miss Mirio's arms around him he was back with clean underwear, PJ's, his blanket, and the baby wipes.
"Tell me if you need help ok? I'll be standing outside the door if you need me." Tamaki gave Mirio a small smile.
After Mirio closed the door, Tamaki was able to freshen up and change into his clean, warm PJs. He was glad Mirio brought in his Blankie. He held it close when he opened the door.
Mirio gave Tamaki a quick kiss on his forehead and ruffled his hair before taking the soiled clothes from Tamaki.
"I'll put these into the wash, do you want to hold my hand and come with me?" Tamaki nodded and held onto Mirio's hand like he would disappear.
"Oh! Here, want your paci too?" Mirio pulled out Tamaki's cleaned paci and popped it into his mouth before booping him on the nose.
Tamaki trailed behind Mirio and watched him put the laundry into the wash. Mirio led them back out to the kitchen and poured up a glass of water.
"Can you drink at least half of this for me, baby?"
Tamaki looked down to the glass and back up to Mirio and shook his head. If he drinks water so late at night he will wet the bed!
"You've cried a lot today, baby boy. Mirio doesn't mind wiping your tears, ok? But we need to replace the water you lost so you don't get sick, does that make sense?" It pained Mirio to try and make Tamaki do something he didn't want to but he needed to be firm since this was to keep his baby happy and healthy.
Tamaki nodded his head to answer Mirio's question but he still didn't want the water. Mirio held out the glass but Tamaki took a step back, a whine escaping his chest.
"Do you need it in a smaller cup? I can hold it up to your mouth, Tama, we can take it slow."
Tamaki shook his head and let go of Mirio's hand to clutch his Blankie to his chest.
"No, no, no. No mess." He whimpered.
"No mess? It's only water, it won't hurt you."
"NO, NO, MIRIO! MESSY! NO, MESS" Tamaki whined, tears threatened to roll down his cheeks.
"Shhh, ok Tamaki. No mess, ok. Come let's sit down." Tamaki followed Mirio back to the couch and sat on the opposite side from him.
"Can you tell me what mess means, Tamaki? Mirio wants to understand his baby boy."
Tamaki sniffed and held his Blankie closer.
"No m-mess like b-before. I-I don't- no mess, Miri." Tamaki covered his face with his Blankie. The light bulb finally turned on in Mirio's head.
"Are you scared of having another accident, Tama?" The Little boy sobbed into his Blankie, that was a good enough answer for Mirio. He scooted over to Tamaki and wrapped his arms around him.
"It's ok, baby. I won't let that happen, ok? No more tears now." Mirio leaned Tamaki back and wiped away the tears from his eyes.
"Come back to the kitchen with me, yeah?" Tamaki nodded and let Mirio bring him to the kitchen table to sit down. Mirio crouched down next to his seat so he had to look up to Tamaki and held the glass of water up to eye level.
"Do you think you can drink all of this without an accident baby?" Tamaki shook his head.
"Hmm, ok well what about half? I don't want you dehydrated baby, being sick is not fun."
Tamaki studied the glass but was still hesitant to agree. Mirio then got an idea.
"How's about this..." He filled another glass of water for himself and put both on the table in front of the Little boy.
"Choose which glass you want and as long as you drink half of it, then I'll feel better you going to bed. I'll drink the other glass and we can take turns drinking. Does that sound like a deal, Tama?"
Tamaki looked at the glasses on the table in front of him and nodded once.
Mirio gave Tamaki a smile and took a seat at the table. Tamaki reached for the glass that had marginally less water and stared down into the glass. Mirio took the other glass and took a big gulp of his water.
"Aaah, nice and fresh. Your turn, Baby Tama!"
Tamaki giggled at the new pet name but he liked it. He took a small sip from his water and felt the cool liquid go down his throat. He felt a little better knowing it would make Mirio proud. Maybe having water before bed wouldn't be so bad.
Turn after turn the boys finished off their water and Mirio gave Tamaki and great big bear hug and told him he was so proud of his Little boy. It made Tamaki giggle but soon after he was yawning and rubbing his eyes.
"Bedtime for Little Tama. Come on." With one hand Tamaki held onto Mirio's and rubbed his eye with the other.
Mirio sat Tamaki beside his bed first and cleared off some remaining Little items, placing them inside the box and the box under the desk in Tamaki's room.
He lifted Tamaki up from the floor and tucked him in bed. Tamaki grabbed his Zebra from the living room beforehand and tucked him under his chin.
"Do you need a light kept on, Tama?"
Tamaki lazily shook his head, yawning again.
"Ok, goodnight baby boy." Mirio kissed Tamaki on the forehead and with that he quietly closed the door on his way out.
Mirio had a long night of research ahead of him. He scratched the back of his head and walked back into the living room. He kicked something on the floor that he didn't see.
He walked over to where the object was and picked up the bottle Tamaki dropped on the floor earlier. Mirio decided to wash it along with all the other dishes in the sink.
He had so many questions for Tamaki when he was feeling bigger. Thank God they both had the day off tomorrow. After clearing the dishes, Mirio crept down the hallway and slightly opened Tamaki's door. The boy was sleeping soundly with the blankets pulled almost up to his nose. Mirio smiled and closed the door. He sat at the desk in his room across the hall and began his research online.