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Something is poking him. He could only guess that it's his small but talented roommate, Jihoon.
"Hyung," he whined "Let me sleep a bit more. We don't have any schedule this week." He continued as he turn to the other way. A weight was pressed on his ribs.
He ignored it. But a small whine made him snap his eyes open. Lee jihoon does not whine at the crack of dawn. He groans, yes but no whines. Never whines.
He sat up and look to his side. Granted, there is a person staring back at him. For his nightmare, a baby that looks younger than a 1 year old, naked no else, was staring at him.
His brain took quite a long time to process what is in front of him. The baby, took the opportunity to climb onto his laps and cupped his face with small hands.
"I- What. Who are you?" Ah yes, clever Mingyu. Asking a baby that for sure cannot talk yet for his identity.
The baby babbled as if understanding what Mingyu had asked. Seeing mingyu just gaping at him, he climbed down Mingyu's laps and the bed to grab something from Jihoon's bed.
He came back with something in hand, his short baby feet seems to be moving too fast from what his body can handle which almost resulting on him face-plant on the floor if Mingyu move a second too late to catch him.
The baby whined, trashing his hands around until Mingyu put him back on his lap. He huffed and looked down to his hand.
Then he reached for Mingyu's hand to put the thing he was holding to his hands. It felt hard and cold.
He looked at it and saw Jihoon's ring. He looked at the baby again. "Where did you get this? Hyung never took off his ring." He asked.
The baby stared at him and pointed to himself. He took the ring again and clumsily put it on his right ring finger.
"There is no way you're Hoonie... Right?" Mingyu said. The baby pouted and slap Mingyu's bicep as hard as his baby hand can do -which is quite hard.
"I- this is a dream." He face palmed and rubs his face a few time. "This must be a dream, good lord. Please wake me up." He rambled to himself.
The baby, his Woozi hyung, just watch his antics. Then he bit Mingyu's finger with his newly grown front teeths. "Ow!" Mingyu yelped.
Jihoon gave him an 'are you done?' face.
"Alright, alright...uh," Mingyu look around. Jihoon took his hand and tried to put his ring on Mingyu. "Do you think our neighbor have diapers?"
That earn a protest cry from his suppose to be older friend. "Hyung, you won't like to be naked the whole day." He reasoned and put Jihoon's ring on his finger. It fit just right since Jihoon's hand is just a bit lankier than his.
Jihoon caved so he took this opportunity to stood up. "Don't wander around, I'll be back with some diapers for you... And maybe some clothes."
Mingyu has never felt so embarrased when he talk to his neighbour, an hour after dawn no else. Poor woman thought he impregnate someone before marriage.
He sighed as he closed the front door quietly, a few diapers and some baby clothes in hand. He prayed to whoever that would listen to him that no one would suddenly woke up- mostly to Wonwoo.
He stalked his way back to his and Jihoon's room with his eyes trained on Wonwoo's figure. He made it into his room undetected.
He set the clothings down and look at Jihoon, who is now asleep with some blankets bunched up on him. His heart swelled, sure he know that Jihoon was so cute when he was a child- he still is but to be able to see it, makes his heart flutter.
He pulled the blankets away and slowly turn Jihoon on his back to wear him the stuff he got. It was a bit big for Jihoon but at least he won't be cold.
He looked at the clock, '7.00 a.m.' it reads. It won't hurt to sleep a bit more. If he remember it correctly, Jihoon came back from the studio really late last night.
He went to Jihoon's bed so that he won't bother Jihoon too much in his sleep but the smaller whine- borderline crying when he felt the weight shifted.
"Baby! It's alright, I'm just going to the other bed." Mingyu reassured but Jihoon sat up to pull him down.
"You want me to sleep here?" He asked. Jihoon babbled sleepily and laid on one of Mingyu's arm. Mingyu cooed as he brushed Jihoon's hair away from his face.
He finally laid down, adjusting Jihoon gently which earns a few whines and put his unoccupied hand on the other's hip.
Mingyu fell asleep after he feel Jihoon's heartbeat even out.
Mingyu startled awake and quickly look down. The baby, Jihoon, is still there justifying that it was infact not a dream. He sighed and pet the sleeping bundle on his arm.
He turn around to look at the time but he was met with the members curious gaze. He jumped slightly and his hand went to cover Jihoon's face.
"I- Good morning?" he greeted. The others blinked. "YOU HAVE A BABY!" Seokmin exclaimed.
Mingyu winced and looked down at Jihoon again. God bless him for being able to sleep in a noisy environment.
"I... Do." he admitted and look at Seungcheol who in turn, clears his throat. "Alright everyone. Out. I'll talk to Mingyu. You guys go alert the other dorm."
The others went out reluctantly. Mingyu tried to sit up but Jihoon's sleepy noise stops him. Instead, he picked the baby up and settled him on his chest.
"So, where did you found him?" The leader asked as he sat down on Jihoon's bed. Mingyu bit his lips, thinking on the best approach to the truth.
"And is that Jihoon's ring?"
"It is. Uh... Hyung, you might not trust me but this baby is... Uji hyung." He answered. His eyes avoiding Seungcheol's as he rubbed Jihoon's back a few times.
He heard shifting from his side so he gulped. "That's... Jihoon. Mingyu this- this is not a fantasy world to say that."
"I know! But trust me I also don't understand what's happening. Let's- let's just wait till he wake up?"
He finally look at Seungcheol who have the most stern and confused look on his face. The leader finally sighed and stood up after what was like 5 minutes.
"After he wakes. Then you're telling us everything you know. I'll try to stop the members from coming in." He opens the door which reveals the dorm's member.
"This room is not to be entered until Mingyu comes out." Seungcheol announced which earns protest from the others but they moved away from the door.
After the door clicked shut again, Mingyu let out the breath he didn't know he's holding. Jihoon stirs and mushes his face more into Mingyu's collarbone.
"Baby? Are you awake?" A whine slipped out of Jihoon's lips. He nuzzled into the other's face and chuckled.
"Alright sleep a bit more. We'll come out when you're ready."
They spent 30 minutes on that position with Mingyu patting the baby's bum. Jihoon finally wiggled around and sat up using both hands to support himself to look at Mingyu sleepily.
"Good morning." He greeted and peppered Jihoon's face with kisses. The big Jihoon would have had his head on a stake but baby Jihoon laughed.
"You wanna see the others?" Mingyu asked. Jihoon pouted and shook his head. "Why not? They're our friends, sweetheart."
Jihoon shook his head again and hid his face into Mingyu's neck. He babbled some stuff. Seriously Jihoon should have feel tired trying to talk when he know he can't.
Mingyu hummed. "Well, even if you don't want to Seungcheol expected answers from us and we need breakfast." He stood up while trying to make sure a thrashing Jihoon doesn't fall off.
When he reached the door, Jihoon finally stop to admit his defeat. They went to the kitchen and Mingyu saw a pot of porridge on the stove and Joshua, on his phone, leaning against the sink.
"Morning, hyung." Mingyu greeted. Joshua looked up from his phone and smile. "Cheol said that's Jihoonie." He said instead.
"Y-yea. I know it sounds weird and stuff but trust me-" "I do trust you. But can I do something?" Joshua cuts him off.
"Sure?" Mingyu answered. Joshua went closer and carresed Jihoon's cheek. "Hello, Hoonie. Will you convince me that it is you?"
Jihoon wiggled away from Joshua's hand with a whine of displeasure. Then-
"Ouch." Joshua pulled his hand back. Mingyu hissed. "Sorry, he likes to bite." He said but Joshua just chuckled.
"No no. I asked for a convincing and a convince I got. Jihoon is the only baby that would bite anyone really." Joshua reassured.
"Alright then," he ruffled the baby's hair, "the others will come down in an hour. You should feed Jihoon."
Joshua retreated to the hallway that connected the whole house. "I made that porridge for Jihoon and I expect him to eat it!" He said before his room door closed.
Mingyu stared at the direction Joshua had gone to and Jihoon's weight shifting was the one that caught his attention again.
"Let's eat then." Mingyu took out a bowl and set it beside the porridge. "Do you think you can manage eating by yourself?"
Jihoon whined. "I'll take that as a no."
He scooped out some porridge, pour it inside the bowl and brought it to the table. Since they don't have baby seat and Jihoon might not be able to stand up for too long, Mingyu sat him down on the table.
He ate some of it to test the temperature. It was lukewarm which is the perfect temp for Jihoon.
Feeding Jihoon was an easy task. And at least he's kind enough not to babbles as if complaining when Mingyu ate his porridge too.
"Do you want to drink formula too?" He teased.
Jihoon scream and Mingyu quickly covers his mouth. "I'm sorry! Don't bite my fingers please." He said. Jihoon opens his mouth to suckle on Mingyu's finger.
"Let's take a bath then. Then we can go out with the others to buy some stuff for you?" Jihoon kicked him on his ribs.
"Then you just want to stay home?" Jihoon didn't answer but he busies himself with covering mingyu's hand with his saliva.
"Gross." Mingyu teased. Then he picked Jihoon up. "Come on at least you should look presentable when the others come down.
Who would have thought that bathing Jihoon was a nightmare. He keeps on splashing water everywhere and even in a baby body, he's strong- like really really strong.
Mingyu ended up being drenched in water. He wraps Jihoon in a towel and brought him back to their room.
"I hope you feel terrible that you drenched me." Jihoon being the little devil he is, giggled. Mingyu rolled his eyes and dressed Jihoon up in a cat onesie.
He brought Jihoon to Joshua's room. "Hyung, can you look after him for a bit? I'm going to take my bath."
Joshua extended his arms to take Jihoon. However, as soon as he's in Joshua's hold, he started to cry while making grabby hands towards Mingyu.
"He like you so much." Joshua commented. Mingyu smiled sheepishly as he stayed where he stood looking at his baby Jihoon who was still crying for him.
"Go on. And try to make it quick." Joshua said. If he didn't, Mingyu might have cancelled his bath.
So, sprinting to the bathroom he took a nice bath, did his skin care routine and throw on a white tee with a pair of grey sweatpants.
He came back to Joshua's room, to see Jihoon still in Joshua arms, face red and tear track on his face. He would wiggled away from time to time while Joshua sway both of them side to side.
The baby finally saw Mingyu and cried, reaching for him again. Joshua turns around and passes Jihoon to him.
"He was really upset that you left him with me." Mingyu hummed and wiped Jihoon's tears away with his thumb. "He won't even let me touch his face."
"Jihoon, you can no longer tell me that you have no favourite." Jihoon stuck out his tounge to him and slings his hands over Mingyu's shoulder.
"Please don't fight now." Mingyu walked out of the room.
"Thank you for your help hyung. I'll manage Hoonie now."
At the living room, the members were already waiting. Most of them looking excited while some were anxious.
"Hi guys." He greeted. All 10 heads whipped to his direction. Soonyoung wasted no time to run over to him.
"Jihoonie!" He sang and hold Jihoon's hand. Mingyu watches Jihoon's reaction and honestly he was expecting a piercing cry but Jihoon just stare at the tiger enthusiast blankly.
"Can I hold him?" Soonyoung asked.
"Mingyu will let you but I doubt Jihoonie will." Joshua's voice came. He kicked me in my ribs five minutes after I start to hold him.
"Awe, but I'm his best friend!" Soonyoung pouted. "I thought I'm you best friend." Seokmin said, scandalized.
"You are but it's Jihoon's day today." Soonyoung argued. He tried to take Jihoon away but he recieved a hard kick.
"See? I told you. He's soft for Mingyu. He don't want to be put down too." Joshua said. Mingyu grinned as Jihoon snuggled back into his's chest.
"Now that everyone's here, take a seat Mingyu." Seungcheol motioned to Wonwoo's bed. He followed dutifully and readjusted Jihoon.
"Alright, what happen exactly?" Mingyu took a deep breath.
"So..."
The members took the story quite well but they asked questions like lots and lots of questions. The only thing that silence them was Jihoon crying.
"Hey, hey. What's wrong?" Mingyu asked quickly. Jihoon's hand which hold Mingyu's finger firmly, reaches to the kitchen.
"He's thirsty." Minghao answered. Mingyu hummed and walked to the kitchen. "Does anyone have something I can use to put water in?"
Everyone look at each other. Jihoon was still trashing in Mingyu's arm. An earpiercing scream pulled out a sigh from Jeonghan.
"I have a bottle." He admitted. "Why?" Seungcheol asked.
"My pet need to drink alright?" He reasoned. "You have a pet rock." Chan said.
"So? He feels thirsty too." Jeonghan raised an eyebrow in challenge. Seungcheol pinched his nose bridge.
"Just, go take it. Jihoon might explode any time soon." He pushed Jeonghan towards the door. Mingyu distracted the baby by kissing his cheeks to annoy him.
But baby Jihoon is not big Jihoon so instead he giggled and shy away.
"He is very soft." Wonwoo commented. "I want to kiss Jihoon hyung too!" Seokmin complained, hugging Wonwoo's pillow to his chest.
Mingyu smile apologetically but went to Seokmin's side. He bent down to pass Jihoon to him. And to their surprise, mostly to Soonyoung and Mingyu, Jihoon accepted Seokmin.
"You shattered my heart Jihoonie." Soonyoung dramatically fell onto the floor and splayed all over the floor.
Mingyu and Wonwoo, who have been watching Jihoon know why he would go to Seokmin. He was just sleepy.
"What's taking Jeonghan hyung so long?" Seungkwan finally opens his mouth. On cue, the front door open. Jeonghan came in holding a baby bottle filled with milk.
"You feed your rock formula?" Seungkwan asked. "No. I heated milk in the fridge." Jeonghan handed it to Seokmin who then lay Jihoon on his lap and brought the bottle to his lips.
Jihoon whined a bit, probably because he's not used to bottle feeding. Or because all his members were watching him.
"Alright, everyone back to your dorm. Jihoon don't need to feel uncomfortable drinking." He ushered everyone away but Soonyoung stayed.
Mingyu stood there awkwardly, suddenly becoming aware of the lack of weight on his hands.
"He's so cute!" Soonyoung cooed. "His chubby cheeks," he pinched Jihoon's cheek, "his chubby fingers," he brushed his pointer finger over the baby's knuckle, "I want to kiss him!" He exclaimed and fall towards Wonwoo who readily catches him.
"I can kiss you if you want." Wonwoo said. Soonyoung pouted and pushed the other's face away. "But I want Jihoonie's! He never let me kiss him."
He dramatically lay on the bed with his legs dangling out. He put his arm over his eyes while still rambling about how cute Jihoon is.
Seokmin chuckled and gave Mingyu Jihoon's finish bottle then helped him to stand up. Mingyu went to the kitchen to wash the bottle while Soonyoung felt his trousers being tugged so he uncover his eyes and looked up.
Seeing Jihoon, he jumped off the bed to sit on the floor in front of Jihoon. They had a stare down for a bit.
Then, Jihoon quickly leaned over to peck Soonyoung's cheek and left to Mingyu. He ignored the tiger's fuss over his kiss.
He tried to waddle to his roommate but the sound of footsteps nearing him from behind sent him walking too fast. Listen, he don't want to be babied by anyone especially if that anyone is Soonyoung and Mingyu is a different case alright?
He tripped over his chubby legs and face-planted onto the floor. He heard everyone panicking. He whimpered, being in this body sucks so much.
Next thing he know, he's crying and in Mingyu's arms again.
"I'll bring him to sleep. If you wanna play with him, you can do it after his nap." Mingyu announces. Seokmin and Soonyoung gave a defeated remarks.
Mingyu brought them to their room and tried to put Jihoon down. The baby however, clings to Mingyu as hard as he could.
"Is my chest that comfortable for you?" Mingyu asked. Jihoon made a noise making Mingyu sighed and sat down with his back against the wall.
Jihoon reaches for Mingyu's hand and brought it to his lips. "You are really becoming a baby. Do you want a pacifier too?"
Jihoon whines and applied pressure on the finger with his teeth. "Fine then, sleep. Since I can't move, I'll be here."
He didn't realize when he had fallen asleep. But when he wakes, Jihoon was no longer on him. He almost went into a panic state if not for the laughters and someone calling for Jihoon.
He sighed and look at the clock. He slept quite long. It was already near sunset. He'll ask the others when Jihoon woke up.
He stretched his limbs up and rubs his back. If he need to sleep like this for the night, he would force Jihoon to sleep with someone else.
He sat there for a few moments, scrolling through social media and weverse. Suddenly, a crash happen.
Mingyu sprang up and rushed out as subtle as he can. He don't want to make it look like he don't trust his members.
Jun was holding Jihoon, spinning him around. The little laughed in amusement. He's in a different attire so Mingyu guess that they already bath him.
Jihoon is having too much fun without Mingyu that it him pout.
And he's not jealous okay? He's just on the borderline of snatching Jihoon and lock both of them in their shared room.
He decided to take his bath first before Jihoon decided to latch on him again.
Then he walked past all of them to get to the kichen. Jihoon don't even acknowledge his presence. He stared into the fridge while he cried internally.
His cute little hyung won't look at him anymore.
It's an exaggeration honestly. No matter how much baby Jihoon click with the others, he knows by heart that he would still cry for him.
He busies himself with taking some food to eat for dinner and sat down at the dining table. He tried to eat but his stomach just don't feel like it so he ended up just playing with it.
He paid no attention to his friends. He missed the looks exchanged by them.
"Mingyu-ah," someone called for him. He looked and was instantly greeted with Jihoon's disinterested face.
He jerked back and blinks a few times. "Uh," he started. Jihoon pouted and tried to reach for him.
"Go on. Take him." Jun said. Mingyu raised an eyebrow and took jihoon. The baby cooed from the familiar warmth and melted against him.
"You guys are not playing with him anymore?" He asked. The others grins.
"We would but poor Jihoonie has been playing for the past hour and his favourite person is sulking to his food." Soonyoung said, wiping a non-existant tear from his eye.
"I'm not-" "There's no use to deny it, hyung. You didn't even greet your baby." Chan cut him off, eyes still focused on whatever game he's playing on his phone.
Mingyu frowned as he watch Seokmin took away his plate, scrape off the leftovers and put it in the sink. "My food." He murmured.
"Hush. You're not even eating." The honey-skinned main vocalist said. Again, he frowned and stood up. He head straight to the front door.
"Where are you going?" One of them asked. "I'm going to spend time with The8." He announced and left.
His long legs took him to the other dorm quickly. He entered the door code and went in. He barely registered the other members in the living room as he went straight to his best friends room.
He barged into the room and look straight to Minghao. "Where's your greeting or knocking?"
"I'm sorry but I need someone to hangout with!" he panted and sat down on Minghao's bed. "There's the others," the room owner stated. "And I doubt hyung wants me."
Still, Mingyu gave Jihoon to the other. Minghao accepted but still waiting for the ear-splitting cry but Jihoon snuggled into his embrace without a fight.
"He's tired, huh." He commented as he pat Jihoon's bum. Mingyu just smiled sheepishly, actually happy to see Minghao holding Jihoon.
"You are yet to answer me. Why are you here and not downstairs?"
"Uh... I want to hang out with them but they're too loud for hyung...?" He answered, uncertain with himself.
"Nonsense!" Minghao exclaimed. "Jihoon hyung can tolerate so much noises." He continued as he readjust the baby.
Mingyu groaned and laid down on the bed. He just woke up but he already feels tired. He just listens to Jihoon's small baby whines and Minghao's nagging.
He finally admits on being jealous towards the others which recieve a teasing smile from his friend. They ended up chatting with each other for a few hours while Jihoon rest.
Mingyu comes down to his dorm with Jihoon. It was quite late, they ended up eating dinner at Minghao's dorm.
As soon as he got in, Seokmin made a bee-line towards them. He tried to take Jihoon away from him but Mingyu had a firm grip on the baby.
"I'm bringing hyung to sleep." He announced. "But it's only 10." Seokmin pouted.
"Yes, but hyung's sleep quota didn't reach his usual yet. If he's still like this tomorrow, you can play with him. If not, well, we'll see if hyung wants to hang out."
Mingyu ignored Seokmin's protests and bid his goodnight to the others. Inside their room, he put Jihoon on his bed and turns on the air conditioner.
It doesn't take a whole 5 minutes for Jihoon to doze away. Mingyu stayed awake for a bit staring at the baby. He carressed the other's small head.
"If only I'm brave enough to say this to you directly. Hyung, I..." He stops himself.
This is ridiculous
Jihoon is asleep. There's no reason for him to do this. But his heart ache. He don't think he could sleep without doing it.
"I like you, hyung. My heart don't beat fast for you but I know I like you. You're asleep now and there's no chance of you hearing this." He stares into the darkness.
Then he wordlessly climbed into the bed and laid down. He sighed and kissed Jihoon's forehead.
"Goodnight, Hoonie."
“Minggu." he heard someone calls for him and the ghostly feeling of kisses being peppered on his temple.
He cracks an eye open and saw Jihoon smiling down at him. He reached up dazedly and cup the older's face.
"Hyung," he whispered. "You're back." He continued. Jihoon put one of his hand on the hand on his face. Then he nuzzles his face into the hand.
"Welcome back." Mingyu whispered more.
Jihoon giggled. "Thank you for taking care of me, Minggu." He whispered.
The air surrounding them feels so fragile. Maybe it's just because Mingyu is tired or maybe because it has always been like this. Just the two of them, in the same room and the same trust and comfort.
"Hyung," he called. "What is it?" the other answered.
He stared at Jihoon's face in the darkness. Jihoon waited for him to continue. "I love you." He finally said.
Jihoon giggled and bent down to kiss Mingyu on his cheek.
"Go to sleep, Minggu."
Jihoon tucks him properly. He didn't cuddle with Mingyu but he stayed close to him. He played with Mingyu's hair as he hums a song.
He fell asleep again not long after. Jihoon's soft voice lulling him to the edge of his consciousness.
"...I love you too, Minggu."