Work Text:
Everyone knew Hongjoong was kind of a workaholic. Not that he had said it out loud or anything, but nobody could miss the amount of hours he locked himself in his studio. It was an obvious fact about him.
Right now, his head rested in the palms of his hands as he stared at the computer monitor. The music was playing through one of his old headphones, and he could barely hear it over the sound of his brain. If only the stupid thing would listen to him.
Sighing, Hongjoong continued. He added beats, redid vocals, and yet nothing came outright.
Hongjoong was beyond frustrated by now. By taking a sip from his water bottle, he hoped to clear his mind. Hongjoong's thoughts returned to his music, trying to figure out which beats and sounds could fit together with the lyrics.
Unconsciously, during all of this, Hongjoong began nibbling on the water bottle. His head fuzzed a little and a small whine escaped. He didn't want to do this anymore! Puffing out air, Hongjoong replaced the bottle with his thumb, gently sucking on it. His work, long forgotten.
Ripped out of the fuzzy feeling by a knock, Hongjoong sat up straight. “Come in,” he said.
Their producer, Eden, entered with a sigh. "You've worked long enough today. Go home, now."
Hongjoong would have liked to protest, but the entire ordeal earlier had weirded him out so much that he just wanted to go home now.
He agreed, not seeing Eden's shocked expression, and packed his belongings.
"I'll be going home. Take good care of yourself, okay?"
Hongjoong rolled his eyes. He didn't need to be babied.
"Okay.”
Eden left, leaving Hongjoong alone with his thoughts. He didn't know what happened before, but he knew that was the first time he ever felt safe and free from all of his responsibilities. It was probably a product of his sleep deprivation. It was stupid anyway. Who feels safe sucking on a thumb?
Hongjoong scoffed and shook his head.
He took his phone from the table and left his studio. Luckily, their company wasn't far away from their dorms and it only took 5 minutes to get there. Any longer and Hongjoong would just faint from exhaustion.
Entering their dorms, he noticed the stillness. A rare thing to happen, considering that eight people lived in one household. They were all long asleep after their hefty amount of practice. His members always worked hard and nothing could make Hongjoong prouder.
He placed his bag next to the sofa. Doing so made him realize how sticky his clothes were from today’s practice. He really needed a shower.
After the shower, he went to his shared room. On the way, he found a familiar-looking plushie on the floor. Taking a closer look, Hongjoong realized it was Shiber. It must have fallen out of San’s bag. Hongjoong figured he’d give it back to him in the morning.
In his bed, he petted the animal and whispered a small “Shiber”. His eyes slowly drooped down, hugging Shiber as he let the fuzziness enter his head again.
His harmless dreams abruptly turned into nightmares. Fears of abandonment played out in Hongjoong’s head while he turned left and right, letting out erratic whimpers.
Hongjoong’s snapped open, his discomfort amplified when he felt the wet sheet beneath him. Soon, a chain of shrill sobs escaped his mouth. The world seemed to get bigger and bigger while he shrank.
At that moment, someone opened the door. Hongjoong flapped his hands in fear while a fresh round of tears escaped.
“Hey, it’s okay,” a person said. Hongjoong knew that voice. He reached his hands out and made grabby hands towards the person. Jongho, being said person smothered the other into a hug immediately.
He had heard Hongjoong’s cries while getting himself some water. He definitely didn’t miss the strong smell when he entered the room. Seeing the faint yellow stain on the sheets confirmed his suspicions.
“Jongie ‘yung, I’m scawed,” the little sobbed. Any other person would’ve woken up, but luckily Seonghwa was a deep sleeper, who could sleep through all his alarm clocks.
There was one thing which confused Jongho. His Hyung had just called him ‘Hyung’ while being the older one. These thoughts were quickly shoved away. Hongjoong needed him.
“You’re scared? Why?” He gently rubbed Hongjoong’s back.
Hongjoong whimpered into his chest. “Scawy dweam and…” he said in a high-pitched voice, but he seemed hesitant about the last part.
“And? You can tell me.”
“And me feel icky.” He nuzzled his head against Jongho’s chest.
Hongjoong was acting a lot like a… child. That’s when it all came together.
“You’re safe now. '' he pecked the top of Hongjoong’s head. “Let’s shower you, okay?. It’ll make the icky go away.”
The little calmed down in the presence of Jongho and mumbled a small okay, to which Jongho picked him up and placed him on his hip.
They were met with a surprise when they opened the door. Hongjoong hid his face in the crook of Jongho’s neck out of fear. In front of them stood Wooyoung. Still tired by the looks of it.
“What are you doing?”,he slurred, “and why are you carrying Hyung?”
Jongho thought about if he should tell him, but then again someone had to clean up Hongjoong’s bed while he showered him. “I have to explain some things first.” Wooyoung nodded, signaling him to go on.
“Hongjoong hyung is an age regressor. Age regressors are people who de-stresses by regressing to a younger headspace. The whole thing itself is called age regression or little space. In no way is this a kink, got it?”
“Got it. And what’s the problem?”, he asked, now fully awake.
Jongho sighed while rubbing Hongjoong’s back. “He had a nightmare and wet his bed.” Hongjoong whined at the statement to which Wooyoung cooed. “I was about to shower him. Could you change his sheets in the meantime?”
“Yeah, sure,” he proceeded to pinch Hongjoong’s cheeks,” you have a good shower, prince.” The little giggled, wiggling away from Wooyoung’s grip.
Jongho chuckled at their exchange. “Let’s go now, baby.” Only getting a babble in response. Hongjoong must have regressed to an even younger Headspace.
When they reached the bathroom, Jongho sat Hongjoong on the toilet seat. “I’ll go bring some clean clothes now. So be a good boy for me and stay here.”
Hongjoong frantically shook his head, “sta’ Appa sta’!”
Jongho’s eyes widened. It was weird hearing that term, but he didn’t mind that much. He kneeled down and ruffled Hongjoong’s hair.
“Joongie baby, Appa won’t take long. I’ll even bring your pink sweater. The fluffy one with lots of glitter on.”
Hongjoong didn’t like his Appa leaving, but he did like his pink sweater. He gave Jongho a small nod. “Nuh long?”
“Yeah, I won’t take long. Promise.”
And true to his word, he came back quickly with a new set of clothes and, of course, the pink sweater.
“Time to shower, love!”
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Hongjoong squealed as he wore his sweater.
“What is it, sweetie?”, Jongho asked.
“Sof!”
“I bet it is, let’s how Wooyoung Hyung is doing right now–” he placed Hongjoong back on his hip “--and I’ll warm up some milk for you and bring you back to bed.”
By the mention of bed, Hongjoong let out a big yawn. “Yep, you sure are sleepy,” Jongho chuckled.
When they arrived in the living room, they already saw Wooyoung sitting on the couch, mindlessly scrolling through his phone. He turned his head, as he must have heard the footsteps.
"I think I've done a pretty good job with the bed," he smiled and put two thumbs up.
"Mik."
"What?"
Jongho let out an amused sigh, "he wants milk."
Wooyoung’s face lit up with understanding. "I can go warm up some."
"I was planning to do that anyway, but if you want to-"
"-I'll do it. Bye." And he was gone.
"Eomma gone?," Hongjoong asked.
Jongho figured out pretty quickly that 'Eomma' must be Wooyoung. "Eomma will be back. He'll come back with the milk I promised you, so don't be sad, prince."
"Me no sad," Hongjoong tugged on Jongho's hair, "silly Appa."
"You little rascal," Jongho laughed and ruffled Hongjoong’s hair, gaining a yelp from him. "A really cute rascal."
"Me cute?", the little asked wide-eyed.
"Of course!", someone yelled in the back. Wooyoung ran up to Hongjoong and pinched his cheek with his free hand. "You're the cutest, love."
Hongjoong cheeks dust a light shade of pink. "You cute too, Eomma."
Wooyoung couldn't help but coo at the parental name. "Thank you, sweetie!" Wooyoung took Hongjoong out of Jongho's arms, ignoring his offended expression. "Now, let's get some milk in you."
He sat on the chair, laying his hand on the back of Hongjoong’s head, and brought the rim of the cup to his mouth. He made sure Hongjoong drank at a slow pace so he wouldn't choke.
"We gotta buy him a bottle soon," Jongho said, sitting down beside him.
Wooyoung hummed affirmatively.
As Hongjoong swallowed the last sip, his eyes closed, Jongho and Wooyoung watched with fond smiles.
"Good night, sweetheart."