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Something was wrong. Something was very, very wrong. It wasn’t wrong in a way that could be fixed or controlled, it was just bad and left Wooyoung feeling entirely trapped in his body, unable to escape whatever feeling this was. His body was shaking and his mind was moving so fast that he could hardly decipher his own dream. Nightmare, actually, was probably a better term for what it was.
Wooyoung didn’t want to open his eyes, scared of what he might find if he did, if the nightmare was real. Thankfully, when he finally gathered the courage, he was met with nothing more than raindrops on his window and the streetlight outside casting a white glow onto his wall.
He stared at the angry red numbers on the alarm clock, trying to calm his rapid breathing as wind slammed the rain into the window. It was too loud , Wooyoung’s own thoughts drowned out by the sound of thunder in the distance growing closer. In some ways, that was probably better; if he couldn’t hear his own thoughts, he wouldn’t remember his nightmare. That way, maybe he would be able to make it through the rest of the storm without regressing.
Not that Wooyoung didn’t want to regress- of course he did- but he had never been small around Seonghwa before, and the idea of Seonghwa seeing him in this state was not something he wanted to think about.
A particularly loud rumble of thunder shook the glass of water on Wooyoung’s nightstand, his whole body going rigid at the feeling. Lightning flashed not long after, violet lighting up his room briefly before everything went pitch black again, including his alarm clock.
Great. The power is out . Wooyoung crawled out of his warm blankets to reach an arm blindly under the bed, searching for his favorite stuffed animal to curl up with. He figured that maybe if he could hold it tight enough, he would forget about the storm and his nightmare and he would be able to fall asleep then wake up like nothing ever happened.
“Wooyoung?” The sound of Seonghwa’s voice outside of his door made Wooyoung freeze again, his hand squeezing the soft stuffed animal’s tail.
“Yeah- yeah hyung?”
“The power went out, I just wanted to make sure you’re alright. Can I come in?” Safe. Seonghwa sounded safe. He sounded warm and comforting and just like what Wooyoung needed.
Wooyoung stood up, stretching for just a second before walking over to open the door and let Seonghwa in. He never let go of the stuffed animal, even when Seonghwa looked over him entirely, checking for any signs of distress. When he was satisfied, Seonghwa stepped right past Wooyoung and sat on his bed, waiting for Wooyoung to join him there.
“You sure you’re alright Wooyoungie? I thought I heard you tossing and turning before the storm came in.” Wooyoung felt himself sink a little bit deeper, berating himself for almost slipping entirely into little space without any warning to Seonghwa.
“I’m fine. It was just- I had a nightmare. That’s all, hyung. Nothing to be worried about.” Seonghwa nodded as if he didn’t quite believe Wooyoung, but he didn’t want to press him either. Wooyoung felt his heart flutter a bit when Seonghwa pulled him in for a hug, inhaling the scent of roses and vanilla on his skin.
“Are you going to be able to fall back asleep?”
“I don’t know. I don’t think so until this storm passes at least, but then maybe.” If he regressed, Wooyoung knew he would fall asleep quickly in Seonghwa’s embrace. That wasn’t an option, though.
“Would it make it better if I stayed?” Yes , it would make everything better if Seonghwa stayed.
“I don’t- maybe. I don’t know, I’m sorry hyung.” Wooyoung didn’t say yes, despite the way he felt safer in Seonghwa’s arms with every passing second. All he wanted to do was let go and slip entirely into little space with Seonghwa as his caregiver, but they’d never discussed it and he knew Seonghwa would want to know first.
“There’s something you aren’t telling me. It’s alright, baby, I want to help however I can.” Wooyoung felt his eyes burning with tears, want coursing through his veins until-
“Hyung, have you ever heard of age regressing?” The words were out there, floating in the air in a bubble that hovered over Wooyoung’s head tauntingly.
“I have, I’ve been there when Hyunjin regressed before and I watched Chan act as his caregiver. Why do you ask?” Wooyoung let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding in. Seonghwa knew, and he didn’t think it was weird or embarrassing, he just thought it was normal.
“Because hyung, I age regress too, and right now I really want to, so please can you be my caregiver tonight? Just until I fall asleep, please?” This was definitely not where Wooyoung thought his night was going, but the second Seonghwa nodded his approval, Wooyoung clung to him impossibly tight, letting himself go.
“Ok, little one. Can you show me on your fingers how small you’re feeling?” Seonghwa requested gently, brushing his fingers through Wooyoung’s hair. Five fingers, alright, he could manage that.
“Thank you, baby. Are you feeling non-verbal?” A nod, then Wooyoung was nuzzling his face into Seonghwa’s neck, trying to push himself even closer to Seonghwa as the rain got louder. He smiled, rubbing his hands up and down Wooyoung’s back until he calmed down a little bit more.
Seonghwa felt Wooyoung melting into his touch, the soft breaths on his neck evening out and slowing down until they turned into quiet snores instead. He moved as slowly as he could, readjusting their positions until they were cuddled together under the covers on Wooyoung’s bed. Seonghwa made sure that Wooyoung still had his stuffed animal, pressing a kiss to his forehead before very slowly starting to climb out from under the covers.
“Don’t go, hyungie.” Wooyoung whimpered a bit, and Seonghwa’s heart absolutely melted . He felt his eyes stinging a little bit as he crawled back under the covers, shifting until he had his arms wrapped around Wooyoung’s waist.
“I’m not leaving, baby. Don’t worry, hyung isn’t going anywhere.”
—
Wooyoung woke up with his arms around his stuffed animal and Seonghwa’s arms still wrapped protectively around his waist. He sighed in relief, remembering their very brief conversation in the middle of the storm last night and how Seonghwa hadn’t hesitated at all to take care of him with just the right amount of softness.
“Hi Wooyoungie, are you feeling better?” Seonghwa’s morning voice was like the sunrise, warmth spreading through Wooyoung’s body when he spoke.
“Yeah, thank you for last night. I know it was super last minute but still, thank you.”
“Of course, baby. If you ever need or want to regress, I’ll gladly be your caregiver if that’s ok with you.” Wooyoung felt his heart flutter, nervous butterflies dancing in his stomach. No one had ever offered to be his caregiver before, he was always the one asking first. But Seonghwa, he wanted to take care of Wooyoung, and he loved him for every part of himself.
“Why are you crying, lovely? Did I say something? I’m sorry, baby, shh don’t cry.” Wooyoung only cried harder at Seonghwa’s words, falling forwards into his lap for a hug. He felt delicate touches on the back of his neck and soft kisses pressed to the crown of his head, calming him down effectively.
“You didn’t say- say anything wrong hyungie,” Wooyoung hiccuped, tangling his fingers in Seonghwa’s and squeezing reassuringly. He felt Seonghwa relax a little bit, sighing into his neck. “Would it be ok if I slip for a while right now?”
Despite knowing that Seonghwa would be ok with it, Wooyoung still let his shoulders drop in relief when Seonghwa said yes and handed him his stuffed animal. They went through the same process as they had the night before, Seonghwa asking Wooyoung how small he was and Wooyoung answering with a number of fingers before hopping off the bed to go into the kitchen.
“Tteokbokki?” Wooyoung pointed at the stove, giving Seonghwa the most powerful puppy eyes he could make. He blushed when Seonghwa chuckled and walked over to scoop him up into his arms while he started the tteokbokki.
Seonghwa made sure to give Wooyoung more than enough kisses the whole time, also kissing his stuffed animal on the cheek a few times when Wooyoung wanted to make sure that ‘Mlem’, as Seonghwa was told to call them, was getting enough attention too.
They spent the rest of their day sharing tteokbokki and watching movies until Wooyoung eventually fell asleep in the middle of Frozen , his hand still in Seonghwa’s.
He was safe there, protected by someone who Wooyoung was certain with every fiber of his being wouldn’t let him get hurt.