Chapter Text
It was Saturday night, and Mingyu had happily gathered a few of his and his partners stuffies and set them on the couch as well as blankets and got the TV and remote set up. It was even his turn to pick the movie for the group's weekly movie night.
Just as Mingyu was about to start making the popcorn and other snacks, he looked around the living area and realized... no one had joined him. His heart dropped down to his stomach.
He knew that there had been a lot going on recently, a few of the members more stressed and on edge, almost as if they were all feeding off of each other's anxiety and stress.
But they never forgot movie night. Movie night always happened without a hitch, unless there was an explained absence. But here he was, sitting alone in the kitchen. And it hurt.
As his chest ached, Mingyu began to gather up everything he had set up and put it all back. On his way to his bedroom he noticed that everyone seemed to be huddled in or close by to Seungcheol's room. When he peeked in the slightly open door, he was met with the sight of Wonwoo, Dino, Vernon, Joshua, Seungkwan, Jeonghan, and Minghao cuddled up on Seungcheol's bed, whispering what he assumed to be comforting things to him.
It was then he realized that he had not had anyone to sleep next to and cuddle for the past 2 days. And there was always someone to cuddle Mingyu. The ache in the tall boy's chest grew further.
He felt tears prick his eyes when he passed by the next room over, which was Seokmin and Jihoon's, and saw Soonyoung, Junhui, and Jihoon playing with and taking care of a regressed Seokmin.
Mingyu admittedly had felt drawn to the idea of regressing occasionally like his fellow members, but any time he thought too much about it anxiety bubbled up inside his chest and made him refuse the feelings. Even though he knew his partners would welcome little him with the same open arms they did for everyone else, he was still scared.
The reminder that his partner was freely regressing and able to be taken care of by so many people, caused Mingyu to crave that feeling even more.
Oh, how he craved to be in a little, carefree, playful state of mind. One where he knew he would be taken care of by everyone around him. One where he could just forget about his schedules and all the other adult things in his life. One where he could be constantly reassured and not have to worry about any of his big emotions.
Mingyu hadn't even realized he begun to cry until he felt a few wet drops fall onto his shirt. Then he realized he was still standing outside Seokmin and Jihoon's bedroom. And one more look inside, seeing toddler Seokmin giggle as Soonyoung held up his hands in a tiger claw position and Junhui tickle his sides had Mingyu breaking.
He quickly held his breath but it didn't stop the ugly sobbing sound from escaping his lips. Jihoon, who had been glancing at his phone, turned to face Seokmin, thinking it was his baby who had suddenly gotten upset. But upon seeing Seokmin looking around curiously, like he was also confused, Jihoon's head whipped around and met eyes with Mingyu.
Mingyu's breath hitched and he couldn't control the fear that washed over him. Jihoon opened his mouth to ask if the boy was okay, but it was all too much for Mingyu. He had to get away.
Mingyu turned as quick as possible and practically ran to the bedroom he shared with Wonwoo. But not that it mattered right now. They were all ignoring him and leaving him for the others anyway.
Mingyu sat on his bed with his knees to his chest and let his sobs wrack through his body. Everything felt like it was spinning all around him and all he could do was cry.
"Gyu?"
Wonwoo's voice sounded softly from the other side of the door, followed by a gentle knock.
"G-Go away!" Mingyu choked out, followed by another strangled sob. He could barely breathe. Why would Wonwoo want to see him if he was so busy and focused on Seungcheol and Seokmin? They both needed care more than him. They were better than him.
But Wonwoo didn't go away. Instead he opened the door and came into the room.
Mingyu's jaw dropped for a second. "No no no!" He pulled at his hair and shrunk further in on himself, trying to get away.
"Oh, Gyu, it's okay baby," Wonwoo spoke softly as he sat down on the bed next to Mingyu.
"No it's not!" Mingyu cried out, practically wailing.
"Gyu, please look at me," Wonwoo spoke softly but also firm enough to cut through Mingyu's anxious thoughts. It was hard to not feel calmer whenever he spoke. So Mingyu lifted his head a little bit.
Wonwoo was quick to praise him. "Good job, you're doing so well baby. I'm so proud of you, Gyu. Can I touch you?"
Mingyu hesitated. Why was Wonwoo being so nice now? He was certain he hated him and was leaving him. But, oh, how Mingyu craved his touch. Wonwoo was always so good with that. He needed to be comforted so bad.
Mingyu nodded. His breathing had slowed a bit but he was still crying hard.
Wonwoo moved closer to Mingyu and maneuvered him so that he was laying in the older's lap.
"There we go," Wonwoo began to pet and stroke Mingyu's hair, "Now what has you so upset?"
Mingyu hiccuped as he tried to get the words out, "Ev-Everyone is ignoring me and you all are gone."
"Oh, Mingyu..." Wonwoo put Mingyu's head into the crook of his neck and Mingyu grabbed onto Wonwoo's shirt as hard as he could, making sure Wonwoo wouldn't leave. He couldn't leave.
Wonwoo let Mingyu cry for a moment, whispering sweet nothings, telling him to just let it out. Then he lifted the boys head and met his eyes.
"Mingyu, please listen to me," Wonwoo began. Mingyu held his breath. "No one is leaving you. You're safe. I'm so, so sorry we made you feel ignored and hurt. It was never the intention."
And Mingyu was crumbling again, but positively. He thinks, at least. "I love you," he whimpered, burying his face in Wonwoo's shoulder.
"I love you too, I love you so much. Please don't forget that, you're okay, Gyu," Wonwoo threaded his fingers through Mingyu's hair as he spoke. Mingyu loved it. It made him feel softer, lighter. He felt like he was floating.
Wonwoo continued, "Gyu? Can you breathe with me a bit?"
Mingyu took in a shaky breath and nodded into Wonwoo's shoulder. His tears and breathing had slowed a lot, but Wonwoo still wanted him to be fully calm.
As Wonwoo counted and breathed alongside him, Mingyu followed. After a few minutes, he was completely surrounded by the soft floaty feeling.
"Gyu," Wonwoo whispered. Mingyu whined in response. "Are you feeling small?" He continued in an even softer voice. Wonwoo lifted Mingyu up into a sitting position on his lap, pulling the neckline of his shirt out of Mingyu's mouth. Mingyu hadn't even realized he had anything in his mouth until it was removed.
And suddenly Mingyu understood the soft fuzzy feelings that had washed over him in waves. So he nodded slowly and tears pricked his eyes again.
"Appa..." Mingyu said, ever so quietly, his bottom lip jutting out in a pout.
Wonwoo felt his heart ache. Appa was the title given to Seungcheol when he was big and a caregiver, but Wonwoo knew that Seungcheol was having a bad anxiety day, and if he wasn't regressed now, he probably would be soon. Not to mention even if he was big, he may be too upset and anxious to take care of a little.
Mingyu whined and sniffled again, seemingly getting more distressed. "Daddy... P'ease, Appa..." He repeated.
"Baby, I don't know if he's able to come see you right now," Wonwoo informed Mingyu. This only made Mingyu worse.
He trusted his Daddy, of course he did, but he needed his Appa. He was always there when he was upset. He was the best at taking care of big him, so surely he would be the best at taking care of little him as well. And of course, Mingyu wanted Seungcheol to feel better too, he wanted to go snuggle next to him to maybe make him feel better.
"Okay, Pup, can you stay right here while I go see if he's available?" Wonwoo asked carefully. Mingyu seemed to light up a little at the thought being able to see his Appa, so he nodded quickly.
Wonwoo glanced around the room and his eyes fell on a light brown puppy plushie by the pillow of Mingyu's bed. He grabbed it and held it out to the boy. "Will you stay here with your stuffie and be good? Daddy will be back in just a moment."
Mingyu nodded again. Wonwoo wondered how old he was feeling. He didn't think Mingyu would be a very quiet little, since big Mingyu wasn't on the quiet side. So maybe he was feeling young enough that he couldn't speak? Wonwoo didn't know, but he would figure out. Just a little later.
With one last glance and a nod from Mingyu, Wonwoo stepped out of the room. The members were more spread out around the dorm now. Joshua, Vernon, Jihoon, and Jeonghan were in the kitchen, standing or sitting by the counters.
When they saw Wonwoo come out of his room, they looked over with concern clear on their faces. Wonwoo made his way closer to them.
"Is he okay?" Jihoon was quick to ask.
Wonwoo brushed his hair back, letting out a small breath. "I think so. He regressed though. He's asking for Seungcheol but..."
"But he probably can't take care of him right now," Vernon continued.
Wonwoo hummed in agreement. He wasn't sure what to do.
"Can we do anything to help?" Joshua asked carefully.
"I don't know," Wonwoo admitted. "He got upset because he felt like we were ignoring him. Which... when he told me I realized how little time we've all spent with him. I was just so caught up with everyone else..." Wonwoo felt horrible. He never wanted to upset any of his partners.
"Then tell him that. We all did the same thing, we got distracted. But we know now, and we can try to fix it and make it up to him. It's all going to be okay," Vernon kissed Wonwoo's forehead and smiled at him.
"Yeah, you're right. Okay. I don't think I need any help for now, but I'll get someone if I do. I'm going to ask Cheol just in case," Wonwoo kissed each of them, and walked back down the hall with a quick 'I love you'. He should probably hurry, not sure about how well Mingyu was holding up on his own. The boy was notoriously clumsy after all.
Wonwoo knocked lightly on Seungcheol's door. When he heard a soft "come in" he entered. Seungcheol was on his bed, same as when he left when Jihoon had come in informing him of Mingyu's state. On the bed still was Dino, Seungkwan, and Minghao.
Wonwoo smiled a little and stayed in the entryway to the room. "Gyu slipped and he's kind of asking for you, Cheol, do you think you feel okay enough to be with him?" He asked.
Seungcheol's head lifted from where he had been holding it in his hands. "I... I don't..." He looked about on the verge of tears. And Wonwoo took that as a "no".
"It's okay love, I've got him, don't worry. I just wanted to ask you. Please rest up, okay, bunny?" Wonwoo watched Seungcheol's face relax a little and he nodded.
Wonwoo left the room, and quickly made his way back to his, where he had left Mingyu. Upon opening the door he paused for a second. Mingyu was sitting right where he was left, but he had something in his mouth that he was chewing on.
"Hey, Puppy, what do you have there?" Wonwoo sat back down on the bed. He didn't want to startle the boy, but he also didn't want him to be chewing on something he wasn't supposed to.
Mingyu pulled the object from his mouth and held up his hands. Wonwoo's face faltered upon seeing the stuffed fox baby toy, with a teether attached, that he had been gifted by his members soon after the first time he regressed. Wonwoo didn't often have the toy out, because he didn't often slip, but he faintly remembers letting it fall to the floor a few days ago after being woke by a little Cheol needing a change. He assumes the little must have spotted the toy on the floor and grabbed it for himself.
"Oh, baby, that's not yours," Wonwoo went to grab the toy but stopped when he saw tears forming in Mingyu's eyes for the however-many-th time this night. "Daddy can wash it for you can then you can borrow it for tonight, okay?"
Mingyu hesitated before allowing his Daddy to take the toy. "Appa?" He asked hopefully.
"I'm sorry, baby, he's not feeling well. But I can take care of you! And I promise you we can go see him when he's feeling better," Wonwoo compromised. It's not like he had a choice, he would probably be taking care of the little either way, always so worried about everyone in his life.
Mingyu's face fell to concentration, like he was thinking over his options. But eventually he agreed. Then he began to whine again.
"What's wrong, Puppy?" Wonwoo asked, petting Mingyu's head.
"Icky," Mingyu simply said, followed by a tug of his shirt.
He smiled to himself. "Let's get you cleaned up then, okay?"
Mingyu nodded. "Yes p'ease, thank you."
Wonwoo stood up, the fox toy still in his hand as he needs to wash off the teether for Mingyu, and Mingyu held out his arms. Wonwoo couldn't not pick Mingyu up with the puppy dog eyes he was giving him. Wonwoo first went over to Mingyu's closet.
"Pup?"
Mingyu lifted his head from where he had rested it on Wonwoo's shoulder.
"Can you tell Daddy how old you're feeling?" Wonwoo asked, tilting his head a little.
Mingyu thought for a moment, then held out his hand with all 5 fingers up.
Wonwoo was a little shocked. So he's just quiet and clingy, he thought to himself. He dug around Mingyu's closet, Mingyu watching closely.
Mingyu was mostly silent until Wonwoo brushed past a part of tan shorts. "Daddy, Daddy!" Mingyu chanted quietly.
"Yes, Pup?" Wonwoo stopped his search for clothes.
Mingyu simply pointed at the pair of shorts. "P'ease."
Wonwoo grabbed the shorts and instructed Mingyu to hold them. He was glad for how well mannered little Mingyu was. Most of the littles were, but some like Seokmin and Soonyoung who were very hyper could forget to use their inside voices and say 'please' and 'thank you'.
Wonwoo also picked a pair of light blue socks and a big plain white t-shirt for Mingyu to wear as well. Since Mingyu was older, he figured he wouldn't need a pull-up or diaper for him. Then the pair made their way to the bathroom, and Wonwoo sat Mingyu down on the toilet seat.
Mingyu was easy to change and wash off with a wet cloth, wiping away the dried tears and snot. It was when Wonwoo got to brushing the littles teeth that he began to whine and move away.
"Pup, we need to brush. Puppies need to take care of their teeth to make sure they're big and strong, right?" Wonwoo tried to soothe him.
But Mingyu just whined. "Noo feels yucky!"
Wonwoo sighed a little. Then he got an idea. Wonwoo set Mingyu's toothbrush down and went to start washing the teether part of the fox toy off. Technically it wasn't a big deal, they shared plenty of food, drinks, and kisses while Mingyu was big, and Mingyu had already had the toy in his mouth, but Wonwoo still felt the need to at least wash it off with water. Once rinsed, Wonwoo presented Mingyu with the toy again. Mingyu was quick to take it and got distracted by the rattling noises it made.
Once distracted, Wonwoo stuck the tooth brush in his mouth. Mingyu began to protest but stopped once he felt the plush in his hands. And that's how Wonwoo got through the full 2 minutes of brushing Mingyu's teeth.
After all of the cleaning up, Wonwoo and Mingyu stopped by Seokmin's room to borrow a few coloring things and stuffies. Technically, it was only Wonwoo who stopped by, Mingyu was quick to run and plant himself in front of the door to his own bedroom, scared of anyone else seeing him.
And finally, with a animal themed coloring book, a few blank sheets of paper, a pack of 24 crayons, and two stuffies, a black and white puppy and a dinosaur (picked by Seokmin himself, wanting the best for his brother), Wonwoo and Mingyu were back in their room sitting on Mingyu's bed.
Mingyu didn't seem to want to color though, because once Wonwoo sat down too, he climbed into the older's lap and smushed his face into Wonwoo's chest.
Wonwoo simply wrapped his arms around Mingyu, petting his back softly, but Mingyu began to whine and nuzzle his head into Wonwoo.
Wonwoo thought he was awfully like a real puppy as he went to pet and lightly scratch Mingyu's scalp.
They stayed like that for a while, in each other's arms, and Wonwoo even began to fall asleep a little.
"Daddy?" Mingyu murmured, waking Wonwoo up instantly.
"Hm?" Wonwoo hummed.
"Daddy... Are you gonna leave?" Mingyu asked. He felt himself becoming sad and worried again. Even though his Daddy had showed no signs of even wanting to leave, Mingyu had to make sure.
"No, my puppy, I'm not going to leave you. Never. You're okay."
"Okay, Daddy," Mingyu accepted his answer easily. He then lifted himself for Wonwoo's embrace (and if Wonwoo was a little dissapointed, no one had to know). "Daddy?" Mingyu spoke again. And boy, Mingyu called him a lot.
"Yes, pup?" Wonwoo adjusted himself on the bed, sitting up a little more.
"Watch?" Mingyu simply said, clearly a man of few words.
"You want to watch something?" Wonwoo clarified.
A nod.
"How about we get cozy in bed and watch something until we go to sleep?" Wonwoo suggested, assuming Mingyu wasn't much of a player.
Another nod.
"Okay pup." Wonwoo began getting all the blankets and stuffies in bed (Mingyu had been clear none of them could be left behind) and then he turned off the light. Though, every one of their rooms had nightlights for the littles.
Once Wonwoo was in bed Mingyu snuggled up to him again, blanket covering most of his face, and chewing on the teether from the fox toy. Wonwoo pulled out his phone and let Mingyu scroll through Netflix and the littles' shared YouTube account. Mingyu eventually landed on a kids show Wonwoo had never heard of before, but Mingyu seemed entertained as he watched with awe and spoke quietly to himself as he watched.
Wonwoo had never felt happier. He would make it up to his puppy for making him feel so upset. He was also glad Mingyu was able to relax and go into his headspace. Even if this was the first time, Wonwoo was sure he would get attached to Mingyu pretty quickly.
And as Mingyu began to doze off, Wonwoo's phone slipping from his hand, Wonwoo carefully replaced it with his own hand, and kissed Mingyu's forehead.
"Sleep well, my pup."