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Seonghwa has always been the best when it came to comforting their members in times of need but this time something seemed different.
Especially when it came to Hongjoong.
The elder had never seen the man looking so timid before, so small.
So when he entered their shared bedroom to see Hongjoong curled up in the corner on the floor with his head tucked between his knees and thumb nestled between his lips, quietly sniffling and sobbing as he rocked himself Seonghwa barely even knew what to do.
He’d approach slowly as if trying to not scare away a small animal and crouch to the man’s height, softly bringing a hand to touch his back comfortingly and speaking ever so gently.
“Hongjoong what’s the matter?”
He’d reach out more to pull the man in for a hug, gasping when he clung onto him and climbed into his lap to curl up against him.
This wasn’t like Hongjoong, he seemed so broken, so small.
Seonghwa would press again now with a hand caressing the other man’s hair in attempts to soothe him.
“Baby what’s the matter Hm?”
He wasn’t used to speaking this way to Hongjoong but right now it was the only appropriate words he could think of and surprisingly it was just the right thing to say because the man would sniffle and look up with wide wet eyes blinking up at him.
“How Seongie know m baby?”
His voice shook timidly.
It left Seonghwa confused for a second before his brain began to piece everything together.
The thumb sucking , the tiny voice, the timid behaviour.
Hongjoong had regressed to the headspace of a small scared child.
But what triggered this in him? Who’d left him feeling so little and vulnerable and how could he pick up the pieces?
“Oh my poor little thing” he’d coo
“How about you let me pick you up so we can get you on the bed hm? I promise I’ll look after you I just don’t want you getting all achy down here on the floor!”
Hongjoong studied the man for a moment as if to gauge any threat before a tiny sad pout appeared on his face as he nodded and wrapped his hands around Seonghwa’s neck so that he could carry him.
Seonghwa was so gentle taking him over to the bed and carefully laying him down, tucking him beneath the covers and making sure to hold him close, even offering him a little teddy he’d always had since he was young himself which seemed to help calm the man even if just a little.
Seonghwa thanked his motherly instinct for being able to react this way.
It had been a running joke in the dorms that he was like a mother but now it was really as if he was and Hongjoong was his little baby that he’d care for and protect from any outside harm.
“Now baby.”
His voice came quiet and soft
“Can you speak to Seongie and tell what’s wrong? Seongie try fix it hm?
His voice was so gentle and sweet and his heart swelled as Hongjoong nuzzled against him more and began to mumble around his thumb that was still tucked away between his lips.
“M jus so sad mama, things so tricky sometimes n make me feel so lost n small.”
Seonghwa looked down at the timid man and his entire face softened at his tiny sad voice.
He must be so overworked for it to get this bad.
If a mommy was what he needed right now Seonghwa would happily be that for him.
He’d happily take care of baby Hongjoong and ease him back to himself.
No matter how embarrassed the man may be once he’s big again it was clear right now he needed to be looked after.
“Shh it’s okay baby, mamas here, mamas got you darling.
You’ve done so well I’m so proud of you Hm?
You deserve to be taken care of, just let mommy look after you and get some rest.”
He’d sooth, softly stroking the man’s hair and rubbing a gentle thumb across his cheeks to wipe the tears staining them.
Seeing Hongjoong like this broke his heart, it’s such a stark difference to the man’s usual personality he must really be hurting.
The way his lip quivered at Seonghwa’s encouraging words showed it was something he hadn’t heard enough and from now on Hwa vowed to himself to always keep a closer eye on Hongjoong.
He’d always make sure to be extra tender and baby him when things became too much.
He couldn’t let him get in this state again.
It must be so scary for him.
“T-thank you mama. M sorry.”
He trembled only making Hwa’s heart shatter even more.
“You never need to apologise my darling, whenever you need something I’ll be here for you okay?
You never need to apologise for being little.”
He’d hug the smaller man closer to him, now rocking his body to sooth him further.
It was evident the man needed to rest and he knew that babies liked to be rocked so hoped this would help Hongjoong too.
They’d definitely need to speak about this in the morning, set out some boundaries and make sure Hongjoong knew that he was safe to regress around him.
Maybe they could even look online and get some supplies for Hongjoong to feel more comfortable when he’s like this.
But for now he’d just hold his body close and lull him to sleep in the safety of his arms.
Getting used to little Hongjoong would take some time but Seonghwa was glad he could be the one to take care of him and treat him with the tenderness and love that he deserved.