Work Text:
Little: Minho & Felix
Caregivers: Stray Kids
No one's POV.:
Minho had always had a hard time allowing the younger members to see his struggles. The only one the dancer felt like he could open up to was Chan as the Aussie was older than him. At first, that wouldn't seem too bad but considering how often the leader was busy, Minho usually didn't want to bother him either, keeping quiet about his worries and bottling everything up till he couldn't take it anymore. Felix, who had been a little ever since his elimination from the survival show, couldn't continue watching his hyung struggle by himself because he was too stubborn to talk to them, so he proposed that Minho should try regressing too. At first, the second oldest was skeptical and denied to even try but after Felix jumped over his shadow and started slipping around his members more often, Minho couldn't help but envy his dongsaeng.
The Aussie seemed so carefree when he was regressed and the way the other members babied him was just so adorable. Slowly getting more comfortable with the topic, Minho took care of little Felix from time to time and started to learn more about littlespace. He also did some research of his own, browsing the internet, and couldn't help but feel like Felix was right. Age regression might just be what he needed to handle his stress and overwhelming emotions better. That didn't mean he'd go to his dongsaengs to have them baby him though. Minho felt guilty because he was the second oldest and should take care of the younger members, so he tried to regress in secrecy, which didn't work at all as he just couldn't seem to slip. Getting frustrated, he gave up on it and decided it just wasn't for him.
A few months after Minho's failed attempts, Felix brought the topic up again, waiting to talk to his hyung in privacy. "Hyung, did you at least think about it?", the Aussie asked, afraid to get harshly brushed off again because Minho often got defensive when asked about it. What the younger didn't expect was the other heaving a sigh, admitting: "I did and I tried but I don't think it's for me. I don't have a younger headspace like you do. Sometimes I wish I did because you look so lighthearted when you slip but I can't." - "Well, it wasn't easy at first. It took quite a while till slipping came naturally like it does now", Felix hummed quietly, glad that the other was at least that open, "I wouldn't give up on it so quickly, you know. Maybe we can help you slip. No promises that it works but for me it's a lot easier to slip when someone treats me as though I'm little." Minho shrugged. He knew what Felix meant by being treated as though he was little. It meant babying him to no end and the older couldn't imagine having one of his friends treat him like that.
Except for Chan, everyone was younger than him and the leader already had so much on his plate that Minho for sure wouldn't ask him to baby him. "Hyung, I know it might be weird at first but I wouldn't mind to take care of you like that. You've done the same for me so many times, so it'd only be fair for me to help you too. I'm not going to force you to anything but if you want to try being talked down, you're more than welcome to come to me", Felix reminded, not wanting to pressure his friend too much, as he knew the older would shut him out again if he moved too fast. Minho nodded with a shy smile, muttering a quiet 'thank you' before his dongsaeng left him alone with his thoughts again.
It took a few weeks for Minho to make up his mind. Maybe Felix was right, maybe having someone baby him would work. It at least sounded nice, although he wouldn't admit that, and if anyone would be able to do that, it would be Felix, considering he was a little himself and the only one, who really knew what it took to make someone feel small. Despite still feeling a bit shy about going to one of his youngest dongsaengs for help, Minho used the opportunity of the dance-racha finishing up with their schedule first. The three of them arrived home first and wanting to meet up with some friends, Hyunjin showered first. While he was in the bathroom, the older went to talk to Felix in the other's room. "Lix, I thought about what you told me and if you don't mind, I'd like to try it one day. Doesn't have to be now, I'd just like to try it in general", Minho admitted quietly, having to stop himself from rambling as he grew more embarrassed the longer he continued. Had he dared to look at his friend, he would have noticed the bright smile spreading on his dongsaeng's freckled face. Getting up from his bed, Felix beamed: "How about we do try it today? Hyunjin will be out soon and the others won't be back until later. You can go pick out a comfortable outfit, which you feel cute in, for after your shower and when we're both done washing up, we can try. I'm glad you jumped over your shadow, hyung."
Felix was the next one to shower, quickly getting dressed, so he could cook them dinner until Hyunjin had left for his meet-up with his friends. Minho stepped out of the shower a few minutes after their fellow dance-liner left and nervously changed into an oversized sweater along with a pair of shorts. It didn't necessarily look cute but he felt comfortable in it. Anxiously fiddling with his hands, the oldest dancer made his way to the kitchen where Felix just finished cooking. Felix knew his friend wasn't used to the kinds of food he himself liked to eat when he was little but decided to make some dinosaur nuggets anyways. He had also filled one of his sippy cups with juice, acting like it was completely normal to serve his hyung his food like that. Minho couldn't help but blush when the younger motioned for him to sit down and placed the dinosaur nuggets and sippy cup in front of him. Knowing this food choice would probably make him slip, Felix decided to have some ramen instead, so he'd still be able to take care of the other should his plan work out. "I hope you like dinosaur nuggets, Minho", the Aussie smiled, dropping the honorifics, "They're just super cute, don't you think?" - "Hm, t-they're cute, I guess", Minho muttered quietly, not really comfortable with the shift in dynamics between them. Allowing the other to make peace with his food, Felix ate and watched his friend in silence. Hesitantly, the older picked up one of the nuggets, nibbling on it. It only got more awkward when Minho wanted to have a drink. Eyeing the sippy cup, he asked: "Do you want me to drink from that?" - "Mhm, it's super cute, look! It has a cat on it, so I thought you'd like it", the Aussie nodded, turning the sippy, so Minho would see the design.
They continued in silence, Minho not having had a drink yet although he had to admit, the cat did look cute. The thought of using a sippy cup was just too weird to him. Sure, he had taken care of Felix before and it was adorable but he just couldn't imagine him doing it himself. "You're not eating your nuggets", the Aussie pointed out sadly, "If you don't eat, hyung will have to feed you." Eyes widening, Minho stared at his dongsaeng. He felt funny, hearing Felix referring to himself as hyung. Still frozen in his spot, the older could only watch as his friend picked up one of the dinosaur nuggets, moving it around and making soft 'rawr' noises. It took all of Felix' self-control to not slip while holding the nugget, moving it closer to Minho's face. Before he could feed him though, the other broke into a giggle. He wasn't little but Felix playing with a dinosaur nugget was just too funny. "Say 'ah'", the Aussie instructed, finally succeeding to feed Minho. While he chewed, Felix picked up the next nugget, abandoning his own food while the other slowly grew more comfortable with having someone feed him. Conveniently, the nuggets also made Minho a bit thirsty and though he had refused at first, he soon didn't care about having to drink from a sippy cup, as long as he could have a drink at all. Watching the boy set the sippy back down, Felix praised: "Good job, Min. Do you like your juice?" - "Mhm, like it", Minho smiled shyly, feeling funny inside.
Felix soon cleared the table and asked: "Do you want to watch a cartoon? You could get a plushie and I'll get us a fluffy blanket, so that we can cuddle." Shaking his head, Minho frowned and tugged at his clothes. "I don't look cute, don't like it", he whined quietly. A small smile spread on Felix lips as he realized, the other was at least somewhere between big and little, not fully big anymore. Taking his hand and walking him back to his room, the Aussie cooed: "Oh no, let hyung pick something cute for you to wear. We'll make you look all cute and cuddly." Opening his own closet, Felix pulled out a fuzzy, pastel blue sweater and handed it to his friend before biting his lip. He had two or three skirts, which he knew would look amazing on Minho but he didn't want to make the other uncomfortable or weird him out.
While he was still contemplating what to pair the sweater with, Minho had already changed into it and scanned the insides of Felix' closet. Spotting a light grey skirt with polka dots, Minho couldn't help but turn bright red. He didn't even question why the other owned it but could only think about how badly he wanted to try it on. Hesitantly reaching for the Aussie's arm, Minho breathed: "H-hyung?" Felix froze for only a second before playing it off and smiling, knowing that his hyung had finally slipped. "What is it, kitten? Did you see something you like?", he hummed, cooing when the boy brought his fingers up to his lips, chewing on them lightly. Of course, he noticed the pinkish tint of his friend's cheeks but figured he just felt embarrassed as it was the first time he slipped.
When Minho remained quiet, Felix cupped his cheek and hummed: "You don't need to be shy, sweetheart. If there's anything you'd like to try on, go for it." Hesitantly removing his fingers from his mouth, the little pointed at something light grey with polka dots, causing Felix to freeze. He thought he had hidden it better but at least the other wasn't weirded out. "Alright, I think you'd look adorable in it", he smiled, pulling out the skirt and handing it to Minho. He turned around while the little changed into the skirt, twirling around with a curious look before breaking into a happy giggle when the fabric flew up around him. Hearing the joyous sound, Felix turned back to look at his friend. "Aish, my dongsaeng looks so cute and pretty", the Aussie beamed, squishing Minho's cheeks, which instantly heated up at the praise, "Let hyung make your hair pretty for you?" The little nodded eagerly and followed Felix to the bathroom, where the Aussie pulled out a few hair clips. He gently brushed Minho's hair, to which the little gave a content smile, before adding the hair clips. "Min looks like a princess", the boy giggled happily. Heart fluttering at the comment, Felix cooed: "Yeah, Min is my cute little princess. Do you want some lip gloss too, princess? It tastes like strawberry." - "Strawberry!", Minho squealed, nodding, eager to have his hyung make him even more pretty. When they were done, the little couldn't stop looking at himself in the mirror, not having felt this cute in ages.
"How about we take a few pictures, hm, princess?", Felix asked, guiding the other back to his room, "You look so pretty, it'd be a shame not to treasure that forever." Minho nodded, instantly twirling in his skirt again as he loved the feeling. With Felix' instructions, he struck a few cute poses, which the Aussie captured with his phone before checking the time and realizing the other members would be home soon. Slowly approaching the boy, Felix hummed: "Can hyung pick you up?" Instead of answering, Minho made grabby hands at him and giggled cutely when he was lifted off the ground. "Princess, our friends will be home soon. Do you want to change back or show them how pretty you look?" - "Hm, they be pwoud when Min ish pwetty?", the little questioned, slipping his fingers between his lips. "I'm sure they're going to love it", Felix smiled, carrying Minho to the living room where he turned on a cartoon for the little to watch while he sent a threat to their group chat, claiming whoever made fun of Minnie for his outfit wouldn't get brownies the next time he made them.
Being on his phone as he waited for the rest of the group to return, Felix browsed a few of his favorite online stores, that he usually ordered from when it came to his littlegear. He was proud of himself as he looked at Minho being so comfortable with his newly developed headspace, he wanted to get him something nice. Considering Minho looked absolutely adorable in a skirt and also seemed to like the feeling a lot, Felix ordered him a skirt similar to the one he was wearing at the moment. It was mint instead of grey and had the same cute polka dot design. Since Minho fit so well into his skirt, Felix figured he could just order the same size he himself wore. To go with it, the Aussie ordered a pacifier in the same color and would see where they could go from there. He surely hoped his friend would slip more frequently from now on.
Minho was so distracted by the cartoon, that he didn't hear the front door open and was startled by a loud squeal. "Oh my god, he's so adorable", Jisung breathed, approaching the couch. The dancer waved at him cutely, getting up from the couch to twirl around. "Hyung made Minnie all pwetty", the little smiled shyly, playing with his skirt. Cupping his pink cheek, Jisung agreed: "I can totally see that. Can I pick you up, sweetie?" Nodding, Minho wrapped his arms around the rapper's neck and let the other pick him up. They were no strangers to handling a little, considering how freely Felix had started to regress around them, but having Minho be all soft certainly was a change and the new little was soon passed around between his hyungs. Each of them told the dancer how adorable he looked and by the time Minho needed to go to bed, he wasn't hesitant to let them care for him anymore, openly asking Seungmin to help him get ready for bed. The vocalist guided him to the bathroom, handing him his toothbrush before leaving to retrieve his pajamas. When he was changed and ready for bed, Seungmin took his hand, so they could go and tell all of the members good night. The last one they went to was Jeongin, who followed the two back to their room, making sure Minho was comfortable with his plushie before tucking the little in and kissing his forehead, so he could fall asleep feeling loved and taken care of.
That night, Minho slept better than he had in ages, being free from the thoughts racing in his mind. The entire group had taken it well, happy that their second oldest finally allowed himself to be taken care of, instead of always pushing through whatever he might be struggling with on his own. After the two maknaes had tucked the dancer into bed that night, Felix gathered all of them in the living room. He recounted how the two had spent their day and explained how he had managed to make the other slip. The Aussie also insisted the other needed to be handled with lots of patience as he wasn't used to being little yet and took quite some time to finally slip. He made sure, all of the members knew how to make Minho feel little in case the older needed an escape from his stress, while Felix wasn't available.
When all the information had been relayed to the rest of the group, the other little finally allowed himself to give in to his own headspace. His head was hurting a bit after fighting it down all day and he gladly allowed Chan to get him ready for bed, while Changbin prepared him a bottle. "You did so well today, Lixxie", Chan smiled, "Hyung is really proud of you for taking such good care of Min. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you to stay big around all your little stuff." - "Lixxie stwuggle", the younger pouted, "Can Min and Lixxie hab a pway date soon? Lixxie nevew had wittle fwiend." - "Of course, you can, sunshine", Chan cooed, cupping the little's freckled cheek, "We have a whole weekend off soon, remember? How about the two of you slip and those who stay at the dorm will take care of both of you, hm? Lixxie won't have to think about big people things then." As a bright smile spread on Felix' lips, he tightly wrapped his arms around the leader's middle and hugged him tightly, muttering: "Tankies, tankies, tankies!" He went to sleep soon after Changbin had fed him his bottle and tucked him in, dreaming of his play date with Minho, which he couldn't wait for.
Later that week, Felix order with the new skirt and pacifier for Minho arrived and he asked Hyunjin for help wrapping the gifts. For one, he was afraid it wouldn't look as neat if he himself wrapped them and two, he risked slipping if he looked too closely, especially at the pacifier. They'd only have a few days left till their weekend off and Felix hadn't talked to Minho about having a playdate yet. After the older had last slipped the topic of his regression had somehow been brushed under the rug. The day after, Minho had woken up big and they were busy, so they didn't really have an opportunity to really discuss it, plus, the older was a bit shy when it came to the topic, mostly trying to steer the conversation away from himself. Sure, he had enjoyed the experience but he couldn't imagine relying on his dongsaengs to take care of him. Maybe if the stress mounted again, he could try slipping into his headspace on his own.
When the weekend came, Minho still hadn't entirely stopped avoiding Felix. He knew it was mean to do so but he felt he couldn't face the younger after being so vulnerable in front of him. Not having to work, the Aussie slipped first thing in the morning and put on his grey skirt with the polka dots. His mood was dull though, as he could tell his hyung was still avoiding him. All he had wanted to do was help the older deal with his stress better and maybe also get a new little friend but he only managed to ruin their dynamics and bring tensions to their friendship. Minho heard that Felix had slipped and was even more certain, he'd be spending most of his day in his room, not wanting to face the other little, while also fearing he himself might start feeling little if he saw the Aussie's littlegear.
Chan struggled feeding Felix his breakfast as the younger didn't have any appetite. He was afraid his hyung didn't like him anymore and he had been so excited for a playdate, it was difficult for the little to understand what had happened to their previously good relationship. "Come on, Lixxie. Just a few more bites, yeah?", Chan sighed, nudging Felix' arm. The younger just shook his head and pouted at the leader. Pushing the plate away, Chan pulled the younger into his lap and cupped his cheek. "What's wrong, sunshine? You're not acting like yourself and you were so excited for today", the older frowned, swaying the bay in his lap. Nuzzling his face into his hyung's shoulder, Felix whimpered: "Why Min nuh wike Lixxie 'nymore?" - "Oh sweets", Chan cooed, "I'm pretty sure Minho still likes you. Wasn't it confusing when you first slipped, hm? I think he just has to figure out what he's feeling right now but you didn't do anything wrong, okay? You helped him try it out and helped him be a bit happier that day. Now it's on him to make peace with the situation."
Though Felix tried to accept that he hadn't hurt his friend's feelings, he still wanted to be with Minho. Especially, because he didn't know how long the older would take to make peace with his situation and he was already missing him so badly. When nothing seemed to cheer the little up, Hyunjin offered: "Didn't you get a little gift for Minho? Why don't you give it to him today and see if you can get him out of his shell?" Felix' face instantly lit up and he looked at Chan for confirmation. "Go ahead, sunshine. I'm sure he'd be really grateful for the reassurance", the leader smiled. Taking Jisung's finger, the little dragged the rapper off to his room to collect the gifts he had gotten for Minho and Jeongin curiously followed the pair. Felix held both of the gifts as Jisung carried him to Minho's room, entering after the older had invited them in. Minho stiffened as he saw his dongsaeng's skirt, his mind growing weirdly fuzzy. Jeongin watched from the doorframe, feeling his heart clench at the uncomfortable atmosphere, that almost brought Felix to tears but the Aussie forced himself to stay strong and give his hyung the gifts.
"Those are for me?", Minho asked quietly, disbelief written all over his face. Felix nodded shyly, hiding his face in Jisung's shoulder after handing the older the wrapped gifts. The rapper took a seat at the foot of Minho's bed, holding Felix in his lap as they watched Minho unwrap the first gift. His eyes went wide and his cheeks heated up when he realized it was a skirt, all too similar to the one, the other little was wearing right now. Next was the pacifier. Minho had never tried a paci before but it looked adorable and it matched his new skirt. The dancer couldn't stop the tears falling from his eyes as his mind was slowly overtaken by the fuzziness. "Nuh cwy pwease", Felix whimpered sadly, tightening his grip on Jisung's shirt. Burying his face in his hands, Minho choked out: "I ish sowwy." - "Oh babies", Jeongin cooed, "Hyung, why don't you take Felix and help him calm down and wash his face, while I help Min change into his new clothes. Is that okay, Min? We'll make you all pretty again."
Not long after Jisung had taken Felix out of the room, Minho finally allowed himself to give in entirely. Jeongin took a seat on the other's bed and held the little in his lap as he cried. "What's wrong, kitten? Don't you like what Felix got for you?", the maknae asked softly, rubbing Minho's back. Scrubbing at his face, the dancer sniffled: "Me wuv 'em." - "Are you overwhelmed, Min?", Jeongin hummed carefully, earning a small nod. He tightened his arms around Minho and allowed the little to just cry the emotions off his chest, gently rocking him to calm him down. When the other had finally stooped crying, Jeongin offered: "Do you want to try on your new skirt? Hyung can make you all pretty afterwards." - "Min be pwincess again, pwease?", Minho requested, playing with the pacifier in his hands. The maknae agreed and encouraged him to try the pacifier first, so he'd have his hands free. Minho almost teared up again. He hadn't expected it to feel this comforting to suckle on something but now he understood why Felix loved using pacis. While the dancer was still busy getting used to his new comfort item, Jeongin picked out a pastel pink sweater that went well with the mint shade of his friend's new skirt.
Minho was eventually changed into his new outfit and allowed the maknae to take him to the bathroom to was his face. Jeongin also took to hair ties and pulled the boy's hair into two pig tails, giggling when Minho moved his head, making the pig tails bounce. The paci bobbed softly between the little's lips as he looked at Jeongin, trying to figure out why the other was laughing. "You look so precious my little princess", the maknae cooed, pulling the other in front of the mirror, so he could look at himself. Smiling widely behind his paci, Minho squealed: "Me wook soo pwetty! Show Lixxie pwease?" - "Of course!", Jeongin agreed, "Let's go to the living room and show all of them, yeah?" He took the little's hand and guided the dancer towards the living room, smiling when the boy innocently waddled along.
That didn't last long though, as Minho soon spotted Felix, sitting on the carpet and playing with his plushie. "Lixxie, Lixxie, Lixxie", Minho chanted excitedly, dashing over and tackling the Aussie in a hug. Laying on Felix' chest, the other little, nuzzled his face into the Aussie's chest and grinned: "Tankies! Min feew soo pwetty!" Felix broke into a relieved giggle and wrapped his arms around Minho, hugging him tight. "Aww, my two princesses are both so pretty", Chan cooed, patting the boys' heads, "That's an adorable paci you have there, Min. It's going really well with your new skirt." - "Mhm, wook! Da skiwt can fwy", Minho beamed, getting to his feet and twirling in his skirt. He giggled happily when the fabric flew up around him. Catching him in a hug, Seungmin smiled: "That looks like Lixxie made an amazing choice and like someone is finally learning to accept himself." Minho nodded, leaning into the vocalist's embrace. "Min ish happy", the little announced, settling onto the carpet next to Felix. He gladly accepted his stuffed cat from Jeongin, so the two little's could play together till it was time for everyone to have lunch.
For lunch, Chan had put some dinosaur nuggets into the oven, remembering that those were Minho's first littlespace meal, so better stick to the basics for now. The rest of the group still had some left over from the previous evening and watched the two littles play with their dinosaur nuggets. They new as good caregivers they shouldn't let them play with their food but the soft 'rawr's and giggles were just too adorable. When they had finished their lunch, it was getting close to Felix' usual naptime. Minho didn't have an official naptime yet but he too felt a bit sleepy, which was no surprise with how much they've been working lately. Neither of the two littles wanted to have their nap though. They had only met each other in headspace today and didn't want to separate yet, so Changbin turned on a cartoon, while Jisung collected Felix' fluffy blanket. Chan and Hyunjin filled Felix' bottle and sippy cup with warm milk and honey, letting them choose, who wanted to drink from which. After finishing their milk, the two littles eventually fell asleep to the cartoon playing in the background, both cuddled into each other as Minho's suckling on the pacifier grew slower and slower, till it fell from his lips and Seungmin placed it onto the coffee table. Not wanting the two to wake up sore, Chan picked up Minho and Changbin picked up Felix and tucked the two littles into Felix' bed together, smiling when the Aussie instantly snuggled closer to his friend's side. Jeongin brought the fluffy blanket and covered the pair before they left them to finish their nap together.