Archive of Our Own

Jongho woke up slightly disoriented from his unexpected nap, with the TV still on and the typical “Are you still watching?” message from the screen. He didn’t remember falling asleep or feeling tired at all, which wasn’t a good sign. When he was big, he didn’t feel the need to nap, his body had enough energy and his mind was alert enough to go through the day without any problems.

He has stayed in his normal headspace for the whole week, leaving time for his caregivers to go to work normally and just checking with him through the day by texts and calls, reminding him that when he starts to feel little they can go back home. Throughout the whole week, he’s been fine, after spending over three months living with Seonghwa and Hongjoong, his headspace has finally adjusted to being with them permanently, not having the necessity to be little all the time to cope with the change. But, hey, he is still a little, and apparently, his body decided that five days was enough and needed to drop. Though he wasn’t feeling little yet, his impromptu nap was a clear indicator that he was going to drop at any point during the day, so he needed to tell his caregivers about it. He sighed. 

Still lying on the couch, he thought about what to do, he wasn’t in his big headspace fully but was old enough to care for himself still, so no, his caregivers didn’t need to interrupt their work day to come and care for him, but deep down Jongho has started to miss them, after all these past few months they were always near him, with having the option to work from home it wasn’t required for them to go to the office every day and this was the first time that they both were away for more than two days. Usually only one of them stays home while the other goes for important matters. Is mostly Seonghwa who has stayed home with Jongho, because Hongjoong, being the CEO and owner of the company they both work at, his presence is more needed. Seonghwa could do his work from home just fine, through emails and video calls. But lately, some clients have been bugging him to meet in person so they could close a deal, so he’s been using this time to meet with clients and sign contracts. 

After giving some thought Jongho had an idea, he could go to the company! Both of his caregivers had told him that he could visit them any time he wanted, they put the route to the office on his phone and the times they were available in case he wanted to go. By him going there instead of his caregivers coming home, they could still work, Jongho would have company and in the case that he ended up dropping his caregivers were right there. The perfect plan! 

He looked at the time on his phone, if he leaves in the next 15 minutes he could make it long before lunch. Jongho got up to pack a bag with his switch console and chargers, some drawing supplies if he gets bored of the switch, pull-ups just in case, and some toys if he starts to feel younger, he grabbed his wallet while he put his Classification ID on his neck and walks to the door to put his shoes on- and that makes him think, did he need anything else? What if he drops? He needs specific supplies for that and it is unlikely that Hongjoong or Seonghwa would have little supplies in their offices. He groans. He goes through the diaper bag that’s always near the front door, taking the bottle, formula, wipes, and -he blushes- some diapers, as well as his favorite pacifier. Finally, he returned to his room to pack his blanket and one of his plushies, which were a bear and a bunny, that he always had to have near him. He decided on the bear since he's been attached to it lately. The backpack turns out heavier than anticipated but at least his caregivers would have everything at hand. 

He walked to the bus stop, thinking he might’ve grabbed a jacket? Though it was warm enough just to be with his t-shirt and flannel. He got on the bus and sat on the first seat, fixing his Classification ID that got twisted on the short walk -It always has to be facing forward, honey, so people can see it - His Mama's words on his mind. He frowned, maybe he was feeling younger than he thought if he was calling Hongjoong Mama instead of hyung, but then, these past few days he’d been calling them by their nicknames more than calling them hyungs, even when he was feeling big, so he wasn’t sure. He sighed, things had shifted rapidly in such a short time that he wasn't sure what would be his new normal and what was caused by his headspace, but that’s what happens when you have a new family, Jongho was happy despite the changes, they were for good. 

He looked up and saw an old lady smiling at him, probably amused by him being in his little world, Jongho blushed but reciprocated the smile, and then his phone dinged, indicating that he needed to get off at the next bus stop. He bowed to the old lady and got off the bus, walking a short distance to the building and observing his surroundings. He hadn’t been to this part of the city before, it was nice. There was a lot he hadn’t seen yet, his life before living here was in his old town until he was dropped off at the Adoption Center here in Seoul, and at the center, littles weren’t allowed to leave under any circumstances so for almost a year the only things he saw were the center facilities, at most was a park nearby when the caretakers there would do a “field trip” and that’s it. He was grateful that he was able to explore on his own, though never that far from the apartment, but there was a lot to see so he hadn’t got bored yet. 

He made it to the company building and it was huge. In reality, Jongho didn't know what to expect, he partially knew how successful his caregivers were but it was the first time that he had seen something related to their work, until now he only knew how important they were by the constant meetings and calls they received while they were at home but this is something that put it on another perspective. Feeling a little intimidated, he went inside, met instantly by receptionists at the front that he could barely see through the counters, the furniture being almost his height. “Why do I have to be so small?” Jongho groaned in his mind. 

-Hello… -He tried to get the receptionist's attention. 

-Hello, there, how can I help you? -She said with a smile and standing up so she could see the other better. She got a glance at his Classification ID. 

-I’m looking for Kim Hongjoong, my name is Jongho. 

-Do you have a meeting of sorts? -She was confused about why a Little was asking for the CEO.

-No…-Jongho started to think that maybe, this wasn't such a good idea- But if you call him he'll know who I am.

- I’ll call him and tell him that you’re here, why don’t you wait there while I make the call? -She said pointing to some couches nearby. 

-Ok, thank you -He bowed politely, and the receptionist smiled. He went to sit down still a little unsure, looking at the walls and decorations that were around, everything was so beautiful and delicate and he felt out of place.

Not even five minutes passed when Jongho heard someone calling his name, too absorbed in looking at paintings on the walls to see someone approaching him.

-Jongho? What are you doing here, honey? -The little heard Hongjoong’s voice. 

-Mama! -The younger got up to hug him, putting a sweet smile on his caregiver's face. 

-Hi, baby -They hugged briefly, having missed each other's presence- How are you? How come you’re here, mhm? -Hongjoong asked while breaking the hug, he rapidly studied Jongho’s face and body to see if something had happened to the younger.

-I just wanted to see you, I was feeling a bit lonely at home - and I think I'm going to drop , Jongho didn’t add, but he knew that his Mama would understand his visit eventually. He took off his ID, since he was with one of his caregivers he didn't need it.

-Ow, my baby -Hongjoong hugged him again, making the younger giggle- You could’ve called, you know? We told you we could go home if you needed us -Hongjoong held Jongho’s hand and lent him to the elevators.

-Yeah, but you said that you have some meetings today, right? You also said that I could visit, it was a perfect excuse to discover a new place -Hongjoong chuckled, because, yeah, he said both things, and he also knew his baby's excitement to see new places, so yes, it was the perfect excuse.

The elevator doors opened and they got inside, Jongho bowing politely to the few people that were there. Hongjoong smiled proudly at his baby and also bowed when his workers greeted him. 

They got out when they made it to their floor, none of them said anything during the ride so as not to disturb the people around them, but also to not give away Jongho’s identity yet, everyone was looking at them eager to ask something but not wanting to disrespect their boss, so he just kept quiet, ignoring everyone around him. He knew everyone would gossip about his little being in the building and try to pry for answers, he didn't want to overwhelm Jongho when he just got here. 

-Are we going to your office?- Jongho asked while looking around.

-Not yet, let's go visit your Papa first, I think he needs some hugs -Jongho gave him a puzzled look, but didn't comment on it. He also wanted some hugs from Seonghwa too.

Hongjoong greeted his husband's secretary and asked if he was busy, deliberately not introducing Jongho to her because he didn't trust her yet; she had only been working here for a few months. When she gave him the thumbs up to enter his office he didn't even knock.

-Hello, Vice-president Park, you have visitors.

-Hongjoong, not now…- Seonghwa looked up to tell Hongjoong off but, instead, his face lit up at the sight of Jongho- Baby! What are you doing here? 

The younger ran to hug his Papa -I missed you, I wanted to see you -Said while putting his head in the curve of his neck.

-I think he is feeling little -Hongjoong mouthed to Seonghwa who nodded in understanding.

-Aww, my baby bear, missed you too -He kissed his temple- Are you wearing a pull-up, honey? -Seonghwa whispered in his ear, even in his big headspace he would sometimes have a hard time making it into the bathroom so it's better to be safe than sorry. Jongho groaned and tried to pull away- Ah, ah, I asked you a question -With a frown and a blush, he nodded, and both caregivers chuckled at their baby's antics.

-So, you don't have time for me but you do have time for Jongho? I smell favoritism -The other caregiver asked while taking a seat at the other side of the desk.

-Yes, you've been replaced, Jongho is my favorite now- He placed the boy in his lap after he took off his backpack, hugging his waist - He gives me hugs, not work.

Hongjoong rolled his eyes and Jongho giggled, hugging Seonghwa’s neck. They stayed like that for a little while, talking about their mornings and asking Jongho questions about the walks they know he takes around the neighborhood, the little never leaving his caregiver's lap. Their little bubble burst when Seonghwa’s secretary called him to remind him of his next meeting.

-Ugh, come on, baby, give me one last hug so I can have energy to talk to those idiots.

-That bad? -Hongjoong chuckled, he knew how much Seonghwa hated these clients in particular.

-You have no idea -The older said while standing up, leading his small family out of his office -When I'm done with the meeting I’ll go get you so we can have a family lunch! -He gave a small peck to Hongjoong's cheek and kissed Jongho’s forehead.

-Ok, good luck with your meeting -Hongjoong said while also giving his husband a peck on the cheek.

-See you later, Papa -Jongho waved.

-See you later, my loves.

Hongjoong took Jongho's backpack, ignoring the younger protests, and led him back to the elevators. This time, instead of pushing a button he swiped his company card to take him to the more private offices at the top of the building. Since the elevator was empty they talked freely, Jongho asking different questions about his work and “ How come you never told me you were the CEO!? ” Hongjoong just laughed saying that it never came up in conversations.

During the ride, as expected from such a large building, people got in the elevator, among the people that got in was a person that Hongjoong despises (and he despises Hongjoong too) he never sees him often because he is not important within the company, some manager in one of the departments, and because Hongjoong is always in the top part of the building he truly never sees him (he doesn’t even remember his name) but the times he has seen him he’s either harassing his female co-workers or making some comments about how Hongjoong is not fit to be the CEO because of his age, or about his relationship with Seonghwa, so yeah, this man is not one of his favorite workers. The issue lies in that Jongho was telling him about the nice park he discovered near the apartment, and obviously, the younger used his nickname, they were alone after all, and during those seconds when this man entered the elevator heard Jongho said “Mama”, he gave the pair a questioning look but kept quiet probably because there were more people around, but Jongho saw the look he gave them and hold to Hongjoong's arm, intimidated and kind of embarrassed being judge so openly like that, which it hadn’t happened in a while. Hongjoong kissed the top of his head and murmured a simple “it’s ok” to not cause a scene but he was boiling in his insides because one: how dare he? and two: he knew that he would spread the word about Jongho being here. He just sighed and held Jongho tight. 

They eventually made it to the caregiver's office, greeting his secretary and introducing him to Jongho who shyly greeted him back. Hongjoong instructed him not to let anyone inside without calling and asking him first unless it was his husband. The caregiver knew that even if the offices here were more private and only some people could access them, there was a possibility that some workers would come by to ask pointless questions and deliver useless papers to find out who the boss’ new little was.

Jongho was shocked when they entered Hongjoong’s office, it was much larger than Seonghwas and had more stuff. The first thing you see is the desk and the immense windows with a beautiful sight of the city, on the side was a lounge area, with couches and a coffee table and the other was a door and some bookshelves and cabinets.

-Your office is huge! -the younger said, looking around.

-Yeah, perks of being the CEO -Hongjoong chuckled- I offered one as big as this one to your Papa but he refused, said he didn't spend enough time here- Which was true, before even thinking about adopting a little Seonghwa preferred to work from home, not wanting to deal with idiots face to face. Now that they have Jongho, he has come by even less than before. 

Jongho settled on the couches, the older allowed him to take off his shoes and lay down if he wanted. Hongjoong explained that he needed to finish some paperwork and make some calls, and if he needed anything, just speak up.

The younger felt at peace, this is what he wanted, to be near his caregivers. He had gotten so used to being with them all the time these past 3 months that just a few days without them were hard, and it wasn't like he didn't see them at all, they were only apart during their work hours and spoke frequently throughout the day, it was just their presence near him that calmed him and make him feel safe. 

Jongho had a hard time accepting his classification, his biological family being so judgemental towards his kind made him embarrassed and insecure about his nature, and the fact that he was a very young Little made everything worse, he felt like a burden. His family filled his head with the thought that no one would want him, that no one would adopt such a worthless, annoying little, and he believed that for the longest time, his stay at the Adoption Center felt like a confirmation because not a lot of caregivers wanted to care for such a young baby that it took almost a year for him to be out of there. That was until he met Seonghwa and Hongjoong, they clicked immediately and even the workers at the center were surprised at how fast Jongho opened up to them, the couple showed genuine interest in getting to know him unlike other people he met there, leaving him as soon as they learned his age range, but they didn't and teach him how to love himself again with the simple act of being kind, and even though the process of adoption lasted forever, it was one of the best periods for Jongho because it meant that he was getting a home and a family that loved him unconditionally. 

The sound of Hongjoong talking and typing on the computer was like a lullaby for Jongho, who found himself fighting sleep once again. He sat up in an attempt to wake his body but with the movement felt the pressure on his bladder. He could go to the bathroom on his own just fine, but didn't know where it was and Hongjoong was currently talking on the phone so he was a little embarrassed to ask, so he decided to wait a bit to see if the older one would end the call soon.

-Hyung? -Jongho asked when it seemed that he wasn't going to end anytime soon. Hongjoong looked kind of shocked by the name since the boy had been calling them by their nicknames regularly, so he was confused. He quickly paused the call.

-Yes, honey?  

-I need to go to the bathroom -the younger one said blushing, making an obvious potty dance.

-It's the door right there, you need help? -Jongho shook his head -Ok, put your shoes back on so you won't slip.

Jongho did his business quickly and when he was back Hongjoong still was on the call so he just lay back down on the couch, instead of playing with his console he went through his phone, judging by the hour Seonghwa was going to come by any minute now, so he just scrolled by some videos until it was time to go get lunch. 

-Baby, is there a reason why you called me hyung? -the caregiver asked when the call was finally finished- I'm not mad, just asking.

-Just… you were talking on the phone… I didn't know if, uhm, you know -Jongho tried to explain without much success, the way that the man in the elevator judged him so openly because of the nickname had affected him a lot, but Hongjoong knew even if the other didn't say it out loud, he spent months trying to get Jongho to understand that it was alright to call him however he felt the most comfortable.

-Baby, like I have told you before, it's okay to call me whatever you want to call me, it's completely fine by me if you want to call me ‘Mama’, I don't mind, and if others have a problem with it, it's their issue, yeah? -The caregiver reassures him, walking from his desk to sit beside his baby, hugging him. Jongho just nodded, still feeling unsure about the whole issue.

They kept cuddling on the couch, the older one saying that any of his work was urgent enough so they just stayed there talking softly to each other, and that’s how Seonghwa found them, snuggling and giggling about whatever they were talking about, he swore his heart exploded at the sight, something that he never thought he would have. When the couple on the couch realized the older one was there, Jongho clung to him, claiming that he missed him too much to let him go, the caregivers just chuckled, understanding that he maybe started to feel a bit younger now, Seonghwa hugged him close while they headed to the elevators but as soon they got in Jongho let go of him, the older of the three gave his husband a questioning look, but he just shook his head and mouthed a “later”. For lunch, they went to a restaurant near the company building, a place the couple always goes when they have time and it allows Littles in. 

Lunchtime was mostly uneventful, they just chatted about nothing in particular, though when Jongho went to the bathroom, Hongjoong quickly explained to Seonghwa what happened on the elevator earlier in the day, and how Jongho had reacted, how insecure he got afterward. Seonghwa wanted to punch that idiot in the face, he could deal with him talking shit about him but this was his baby , with whom he had spent countless nights assuring him that nothing was wrong with him and shouldn't be ashamed of himself. They came to the consensus that they just needed to keep reassuring him that the nicknames were fine, that they didn’t mind them, and that he didn’t need to be so embarrassed about his classification. After all, their sweet boy hadn’t done anything wrong, people are just assholes. When Jongho was back they quickly changed the subject to not make him more anxious about it.

During the last bit of their lunch, Jongho didn’t participate much in the conversation, apparently having both of his caregivers with him and acting so sweet toward him was the perfect recipe for his little headspace to push through, he wasn’t near dropping still but he was feeling significantly younger and oh god, so sleepy. One of the things on his routine, when he was little, was a nap after lunch, so now that his body was used to it, it was like an automatic response to start feeling tired after finishing eating. When they were walking back, he held each caregiver's hands, and he was fighting the urge to yawn every five seconds.

They separated in the elevator ride, Jongho whined a little and clung to his arm but Seonghwa needed to finish some paperwork and make some last calls to be done for the day but promised his baby that he would work as fast as he could. He returned to his office, not before warning Hongjoong also to be done with his work so they could go home together because it didn’t matter that Jongho was here, he was going to kick his ass if he even thought about staying late. Hongjoong promised to finish his work on time since he didn’t want his ass kicked, making Jongho laugh at their antics. 

The two went back to their positions, Jongho on the couch and Hongjoong on his desk, the older one reminding him to speak up if he needed anything. Jongho didn’t lie down this time though, not trusting his body to not fall asleep so he stayed seated playing on his console, he even put headphones on so he could have the volume up and not disturb Hongjoong. About thirty minutes went by, Jongho fighting sleep and Hongjoong focused on his work when the older received a call from his secretary. 

-Yeah? -he answered quickly. 

-Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Kim, but Mr. Song Mingi is asking to come in, he mentioned that he needs to verify some information and revise a presentation for an upcoming meeting.

-Yeah, yeah, let him in, thank you, Yechan-ssi. 

-What’s with the security measures? Poor guy has a mountain of papers on his desk from people wanting to come into your office -Mingi said as soon as he barged in, completely missing Jongho sitting on the couch. 

-Well, I need to protect that little guy right there -Hongjoong pointed to the boy on the couch, and that’s when Mingi noticed that they weren’t alone. 

-Hi, Mingi-hyung! 

-Woah, a baby! -Mingi went to hug him and ruffled his hair- So the rumors were true, uh? The CEO had a “bring your kid to work” day. 

-I knew they were going to gossip -Hongjoong sighed -that’s why I asked to not let people in unless I approved it, and didn't want intruders near Jongho. 

-Hell yeah, Mama Bear -Mingi said, making Jongho giggle, Hongjoong just rolled his eyes.

After a little chatting, they went into business. The younger felt a little more awake because of Mingi’s presence, his hyung always being loud and funny, but soon after they started to talk about work, all the tiredness came back full force and he was struggling to keep his eyes open. 

-Your child is falling asleep -Mingi pointed out. Hongjoong laughed fondly seeing his baby trying to keep his head up. 

-Wait a second -The caregiver got up from his desk and took Jongho’s headphones off and his console from his hands leaving them on the coffee table, the younger let out a puzzled sound, to which Hongjoong responded with a soft hush -Why don’t you lie down and take a nap, mhm? You’re falling asleep, honey -Jongho just went along when the other took off his shoes and made him lie down. Hongjoong grabbed a blanket from one of the cabinets, one he uses when he stays way up late in his office. He covered Jongho and grabbed his hand when he tried to suck on his fingers, the other whined in response -I know, I know but you can't chew on your fingers, baby -When the whining was turning into a small cry, the caregiver went through the backpack praying for a pacifier, he was amazed at everything Jongho had packed and was very much thankful. He grabbed his bear, blanket, and pacifier, the items were well-received by the younger, who started eagerly sucking on the soother and hugged the plushie and his blanket. Hongjoong caressed his cheek softly until his breath evened out, with a kiss on his forehead he went back to sit at his desk. 

-Well, crisis aborted, I thought he was going to cry when you didn't let him suck on his fingers-Mingi commented, when he looked at his hyung caught the fond look on his face, and chuckled -Dude, you’re so whipped- Hongjoong blushed. 

-Shut up, like you and Yunho weren’t even worse when you guys adopted San -The younger one just laughed in agreement. 

Jongho was still asleep when Mingi left after they went through all the presentations for the meeting, correcting errors and adding necessary information, the fellow caregiver left with a “Good luck with the intruders, hyung”. Hongjoong just laughed. The little one napped for more than an hour, and when Hongjoong was thinking of waking him up to not mess with his sleeping schedule, soft whimpers could be heard, the caregiver stopped what he was doing and looked in the boy's direction and suddenly Jongho started to cry. Hongjoong quickly got up from his chair and took the little in his arms, rocking him to calm him down, it was clear that he wasn't in his big headspace anymore. Hongjoong moved around his office holding Jongho, soothingly patting his bottom.

-My baby, Mama is here, no need to cry. Did you get scared, mhm? Waking up in a big scary place you didn't recognize? My poor thing -He murmured in his ears.

-Mama…-He nuzzled on his shoulder, the older could feel the wetness of the tears spreading on his work clothes, hoping that Seonghwa wouldn't be too mad about it. Eventually, the cries subsided to just sniffles after a little while but he kept rocking Jongho until he lifted his head out of his neck.

-Hello there, feeling better? -Hongjoong smiled when the other nodded, rubbing his eye with his fist -Let’s get you cleaned up then.

He took the pacifier that fell when he grabbed Jongho out of the couch and the backpack and went to the bathroom, before washing his face though he changed him into a diaper to prevent accidents, which was a challenge since he needed to do it on the floor and Jongho whined and kicked his legs showing his annoyance at being left on the cold floor. Hongjoong tried to be as fast as he could but it was difficult with a fuzzy baby. Then he sat the little on the closed toilet seat, cleaned his face with a wet paper towel, washed the pacifier on the sink, and clipped it to the boy's shirt. Jongho’s eyes still were very puffy due to the crying but the way he looked at Hongjoong was so adorable that he couldn't resist showering him with kisses, making the younger shriek with laughter, Hongjoong’s heart explode with love.

-There is my happy boy! Mama loves you so much! -He kept kissing him just to hear him laugh.

Hongjoong lifted Jongho in his arms again, not trusting his baby to walk on his own since there was a lot of glass stuff and delicate furniture around his office that could be dangerous for Jongho to trip and potentially hurt himself. His baby couldn’t walk properly when he was in his headspace and tended to tumble a lot, and when he was fully dropped he just resolved to crawl everywhere, so Hongjoong preferred to carry him for now. 

The caregiver knew that he wouldn’t get much work done since Jongho was little, but he tried either way. He put the boy on his lap, chest to chest and the little hid his face on Hongjoong's neck. Due to the crying fit he was in a cuddling mood, so he was fine with staying there sucking on his pacifier while holding his Mama, it worked in the caregiver's favor who could finish what he was doing before Jongho woke up, he also made a list of what was urgent and gathered the necessary paperwork so he could work on it at home. 

Jongho was content with being so close to the older, when he woke up from his nap he couldn't remember where he was! and got so scared that he just started to bawl his eyes out, the anxiety of not recognizing anything sent him straight to his little headspace, but then he realized that his Mama was talking to him and he was holding him so he relaxed almost instantly. Being close like this with his caregivers never fails to make him feel safe and sound. 

Minutes passed and Jongho started to feel more awake and alert, he lifted his head and saw the windows with a sight he didn't remember seeing before, he looked around and remembered that he had come to visit his Mama and Papa at work! That's why he couldn't recognize where he was. He turned to look at Hongjoong who was concentrating on the computer in front of him, so he started to poke his cheeks in an attempt to get his attention, the older tried to hold his laughter at his baby's shenanigans not wanting to give in yet. The next time Jongho poked his cheek he moved his head and tried to chomp on his finger, making the younger scream in delight and hide his hands so his Mama wouldn't eat them.

-I guess I won't get any more work done, uh baby? -Hongjoong chuckled and tickled him just to hear his laugh. 

-Wanna play with Mama! -Jongho could say between fits of laughter.

-Let's go play then.

Hongjoong moved to the couches, he placed Jongho on one and moved the coffee table out of the way so they could sit and play on the carpet. He took the toys that were in the backpack, some dolls, and a small set of blocks.

-Come here, baby -Jongho got out of the couch and crawled towards Hongjoong, he also took his teddy bear from the spot on the couch he napped on. 

Hongjoong felt warm inside, having his baby here, in his office in his company building, playing and giggling freely like this, something he and his husband fought so hard for. 

-Let's make a house for them! -Jongho said with enthusiasm, eager to play with his Mama. 

After a while of playing together, the younger suddenly started to get very quiet, from having a full story for the dolls that they were playing with to just saying a few words when Hongjoong asked him directly, the caregiver looked at him taking note of how he was sitting hugging his bear.

-Are you feeling tiny, baby bear? 

Jongho looked at him but didn't answer, just sucked on his pacifier and made grabby hands towards him. Hongjoong chuckled took him to his lap and started to rock him. Jongho sighed and held onto his Mama’s shirt staring at his face. Hongjoong hummed a soft tune while patting his diapered bum, he moved his hair out of his eyes noting that his baby needed a haircut. Jongho never stops staring at him while sucking on his pacifier, Hongjoong sometimes wonders what his baby is thinking about when he does this, just looking at them when they are rocking him or feeding him his bottle. And thinking of which, he looked at his wristwatch, it was time for a snack. He left Jongho on the carpet so he could get up and make Jongho a bottle, but as soon as he was on his feet the little started to cry, lifting his hands towards him.

-Shhh, it's okay, baby, I'm not going anywhere -Hongjoong said while going through the backpack, taking the small container of formula and the baby bottle- Don't you want a yummy bottle, mhm?

He just let him cry for a bit since sometimes the baby would cry thinking that they were going to leave, but as soon as he realizes that his caregivers weren't going anywhere he stops. Today wasn't one of those days. 

Hongjoong went to the cabinets, where he had hidden a mini fridge, a microwave, and an electric kettle along with coffee, tea, and some snacks (he spends too much time in his office sometimes) to fetch a water bottle to make the milk and Jongho's cries went louder, he was straight out wailing. He crawled from his spot on the carpet to follow him and tugged on Hongjoong's pants, trying to get his attention.

-Honey, there's no need to cry, Mama is right here -He tried to calm him down while measuring the water and the formula -Are you in a velcro mood, baby bear? -He patted him on the head in an attempt to soothe him. Jongho just cried, now hugging Hongjoong's leg. 

Why wasn't his Mama holding him? He was right there! It was very rude of him to just leave him on the floor when he was looking at his pretty face and now he was ignoring him? This is not okay! He kept crying and making grabby hands. Maybe his Mama didn't understand what he wanted? Sometimes they say that they can't understand when he cries too loud, maybe that was it? He tried his best to calm down a bit so he could say something, but words were a bit tough right now, only managing to say “Up!” while tugging on his Mama's pants. 

-Aww, baby, one second -Hongjoong finally managed to put the bottle in the microwave to heat it, and lifted Jongho in his arms, who immediately hugged him, holding him for dear life crying right in his ear -Shh, you're okay, come on, no more tears, baby bear -The caregiver tried to get the baby to suck on the pacifier so he could calm down but Jongho wasn't having any of it and move his face out of the way. Hongjoong started to rock him, stroking his back and occasionally trying to get the pacifier in his mouth but nothing was working, and that’s when his phone started to go off. Crap. He looked at who was calling and cursed under his breath, it was his secretary.

-Yes, Yechan-ssi? 

-I’m sorry to bother you, Mr. Kim, but is everything alright? I can hear crying through the door -The man sounded worried- Should I call Mr. Park? -And no, that's the last thing Hongjoong wanted. 

-No, no, there's no need to call Seonghwa, everything is okay, don't worry -He tried to convince him, though the other could, obviously, hear Jongho cry through the phone.

-Mhm… ok, Mr. Kim, in case you need something just call me, yeah? -Even though he didn't sound so convinced he just went along with his boss. God, Hongjoong needs to give him a raise.

-Thank you, Yechan-ssi. 

-Papa? -Jongho asked tearfully when Hongjoong ended the call. He didn't want to call his husband because he knew that he would drop everything to care for their baby, but Hongjoong also knew that he needed to finish some stuff or he would have to be back at the office tomorrow. He can take care of Jongho on his own for a while so his husband can be done in peace, even at the price of his wrath later. 

-Papa is working, he will be here later -Jongho didn't look too happy with that answer, but at least he stopped crying.

-Milk? -He asked when the microwave made a sound. Hongjoong laughed at the mood change of his baby. He went to fetch the bottle and screw the lid, these past few months he had mastered the skill of making a bottle with one hand -No! -The baby screamed and started to cry again when he thought that his Mama was going to leave him on the couch.

-I'm going to sit with you, Jjongie -Hongjoong sighed -you are really clingy today, uh? - The older positioned the little one across his lap, his head resting on his arm and feet on the couch. Before giving the bottle to Jongho he tested it first to see if it was too hot and then put it on his baby's lips. The other did the same as before, grabbing his shirt while staring at his face while Hongjoong hummed a soft tune again since it's something that calms Jongho down. 

At first, with Jongho being way too shy with them, he wasn't a big fan of being held, he was content with just them being near and didn't talk much, not even when he was big. His social worker told them about his trauma from his life before going to the center and his hard time accepting his classification. The couple understood and were patient with him. Eventually, with Jongho realizes how much the couple actually cares about him, he starts to be more open with them, talking more freely and starting physical contact. Later, when he had his first full drop, the caregivers met the most adorable cuddly baby bear they had ever seen, and god, they fell in love with him even more. Now he is more open to hugs and cuddles, being super clingy when dropped but he still shies away from physical contact when fully big.

A whine brought back Hongjoong to reality, who was dozing off due to the serenity of the atmosphere. He looked down at Jongho who was getting frustrated because nothing was coming out anymore, he left the now empty bottle on the couch and maneuvered Jongho chest to chest, patting his back softly to help him burp but also let out a bit of spit, soiling his shirt even more. 

-Mhm so nice, thank you, angel -Hongjoong tried to wipe his shoulder with a napkin he had in his pocket, though the damage was already done, he sighed, now Seonghwa was going to kill him for ruining another work shirt, he can already hear his husband scolding about having a burp cloth or something since this isn't the first time it happened. He shifted Jongho's position again, who looked at him with that gummy smile of his and Hongjoong couldn't resist kissing his cheeks, forgetting about the dirty shirt. They stayed on the couch, the baby playing with the older hands and babbling softly, as he had fully dropped now the endless tears had a reason, he always felt overly sensitive when he was about to drop. Thankfully, when he was this young it was fairly easy to keep him entertained because every little thing was interesting to him. The caregiver let him play with his hands until he tried to chew on his fingers for the third time, then a session of peek-a-boo that soon got boring though so they moved to the carpet again to play with the toys, which turned out to be a great idea because on how focused Jongho was, Hongjoong was able to get up, get his tablet and sit back down without him even register that he was gone from his side, and the older could answer some emails and do some light work while paying attention to Jongho every time the younger tried to ask him something in his baby language. 

For almost an hour the baby was entertained by the little toys he had but, as expected, he eventually got bored. He sat there hugging his bear while looking around the office, Hongjoong noticed that he wasn’t playing anymore so he kept an eye on him to see what he would do. The younger spotted something shiny on one of the bookshelves at the other side of the office, so he left his plushie to the side and tried to crawl forward to investigate, but before he could make it past the edge of the carpet, hands gently grasped his hips and guided him back to a sitting position. He whined loudly and looked at his Mama with a frown, who just chuckled in return. 

-I’m sorry, but it’s not safe to crawl around here, honey -Hongjoong tried to explain but knew that his baby would probably not understand him. 

The caregiver tried to engage him with the toys again but he was having none of it, tried making voices or telling a story but he only wanted to crawl around, Hongjoong even had to put him in his lap because Jongho kept trying to get away from him, and truly he couldn’t blame him, at home he was free to crawl around the whole living room, but because they spent a week baby proofing the space and have gates so he couldn’t go to other rooms, so it was only natural that he wanted to do the same here, but the office was nowhere near a safe place for Jongho to explore with too many cables and outlets in the open, the décor wasn’t made for a -mentally- 12-month-old and Hongjoong didn’t want to be responsible for any injury, thank you very much.

Jongho was getting antsy, wiggling and kicking his legs in an attempt to break free from his Mama's grip, and when he started to let out a frustrated cry, the caregiver used his last resort: YouTube. He didn't want to deal with more crying for now. With the app open on his tablet he searched for baby-appropriate videos; the musical ones were Jongho's favorite. As soon as the colors appeared on the screen the younger started to clap, excited. The caregivers don't let him have too much screen time when he is this young, preferring to have him play rather than be attached to a tablet or a TV.

-Mama, ‘ook!- Jongho pointed to the tablet and clapped again, Hongjoong couldn't stop smiling at his baby cuteness. 

They both were too focused to notice the office door opening, Jongho trying to sing along with the video, and Hongjoong watching him doing so. Seonghwa snapped some pictures of the scene and recorded a short video of his baby babbling the tune of the song, a smile never leaving his face. 

-What is it about a baby being here today? -The older one finally asked when the video was over.

-Pa! -Jongho shouted and crawled out of Hongjoong's lap who just let him since they were still seated on the floor. Seonghwa crouched down and took his baby into his arms.

-My baby boy! -The older hugged him tight and kissed him, rocking him lightly while doing so. 

-Papa! Ah! -Jongho tried to say something and gave his caregiver a pacifier kiss on the cheek, and though Seonghwa couldn't understand what he was saying he understood the sentiment.

-I missed you too, my baby bear -He kept cuddling the younger while taking a seat on the couch beside his husband, who had moved from the carpet- And I missed you too -then kissed his cheek. 

-I also missed you a lot, Mr. Park -Hongjoong teased, cuddling to his side. 

-Yeah, actually -He gave his husband a look- Why didn't you tell me he was little? 

-Because you needed to work -Hongjoong explained -Besides, we were fine…

-Oh really? So what is it about Jongho crying so loudly that others hear? -Seonghwa interrupted him.

-Did Yechan called you? -The other groaned -I told him not to…

-No, he didn't call, that's why I'm mad -Seonghwa adjusted the boy in his lap -When I asked him if you were busy earlier, he told me what had happened because he was worried that there was something wrong with Jongho -He explained, kissing his baby forehead- Was something wrong? 

-Nothing was wrong, per se -Hongjoong sighed -You know he gets really sensitive when he is about to drop, right? First, he woke up from his nap a little scared because he couldn't recognize where he was and then he cried because I wasn't holding him while I was making a bottle -Seonghwa chuckled in response, he knew that situation well- And now he's dropped, Papa is here and everything is fine, so there's no need to worry, love -Hongjoong tried to reason with his husband - He is very young, though.

-Yeah, I noticed, he couldn't speak more than a word -The couple looked at their baby, who was cooing at them -But please call me if something like this happens again, I know how stressed you get when Jongho cries.

-I can take care of my baby -Hongjoong huffed.

-I never said that you couldn't, I said that you get stressed -Seonghwa pointed out -And I get it, I get nervous when he cries too, that's why I want to help, okay, my love? -The older one kissed the top of his head, and Hongjoong mumbled an “okay”.

-Can you watch him for a bit? I need to gather some paperwork for later, I'll need to finish some work at home tonight -Hongjoong said while walking towards his desk- Since a certain baby wouldn't let me do anything but hold him.

-Now I can't kick your ass for being late, you have the perfect excuse! -Seonghwa complained- You kept Mama busy playing with you, uh? -Jongho answered with a giggle, patting his cheek.

During the time Hongjoong was busy, Seonghwa went to the bathroom to change Jongho who put up a bit of a fight, not linking being on the cold tiles of the bathroom floor. Then he tried to sit him on the couch so he could collect the stuff that Jongho brought and be ready to leave once Hongjoong was done. Key word: tried . As soon as Jongho realized what was going on, he whined loudly and held tightly to his clothes, Seonghwa attempted to get Jongho to let go but only managed to make his baby cry once again. 

-I told you he just wanted to be held -Hongjoong laughed at the situation, his husband just looked at him.

-Shh, it's okay, my clingy bear -The caregiver rocked him, patting his bottom, something that always does the trick. 

Seonghwa tried to tidy the place a bit but it was difficult with the baby in his arms who wouldn't stop moving, so he just gave up and played with Jongho while they waited. Soon Hongjoong was done and finished the job of gathering everything that was left, put back the coffee table, and took his suit jacket to put it on, but Seonghwa stopped him.

-What the hell happened to your shirt? -Asked horrified. Hongjoong barks out a laugh.

-Too many tears and a messy baby -He just replied.

When they got out of the office they said their goodbyes to Yechan.

-Yechan-ssi, next time you think something is wrong with my husband and baby, please call me -Seonghwa said- That's an order, doesn't matter what Hongjoong says.

-Yes, Mr. Park -Yechan bowed 

-Hey! I'm your boss - The other complained.

-I'm sorry Mr. Kim but Mr. Park is my superior, and I can't ignore a superior’s order -The secretary explained. Hongjoong rolled his eyes at his husband's laugh.

When they entered the elevator they didn't think much of it, it was already past working hours and there weren't that many left at the building at this hour, so they never thought of having to encounter rude people. The couple was talking about what having for dinner, Jongho was in Seonghwa's arms, with his head lying on his shoulder sucking on his pacifier. When the doors opened, it wasn't that many people, just 2 girls and a man. The man being the asshole. Hongjoong got tense, not expecting to see him again today. Seonghwa shifted Jongho's face, hiding him on his neck. The man gave them a smirk when he saw how uncomfortable they got. The girls cheerfully greeted Seonghwa, who is their boss in the marketing department, and commented on how cute Jongho was, all in a very respectful manner. Such a contrast from the other man (Hongjoong still couldn’t remember his name) who gave them such a sarcastic greeting. 

-Good to see the big boss playing around -He said with a mocking voice- Playing happy family with… him- It was obvious that he was rudely referring to Jongho and that he didn’t care about the other people around him witnessing such behavior. Jongho whined, sensing the uncomfortable atmosphere and how tense Seonghwa was. Both caregivers shush him.

-Should I remind you that I am your superior ? -Hongjoong warned, truly he was tired from the day he had, and dealing with him was the last thing he wanted. 

-I’m sorry, sir, sometimes it is hard to remember that you’re actually our boss -Said, again, in a mocking tone. That was enough for Hongjoong. Seonghwa had convinced him before to not mind him, that he was jealous, and all that he says is a way to feel more powerful over him, but now it was different, he was insulting his baby. But before he could say anything else in response, his husband spoke. 

-HR is gonna hear about this -Seonghwa said with such venom, rocking Jongho to calm him down- Maybe then you will remember who the boss is. 

-And what is it that they are going to hear about? -His whole demeanor changed after what Seonghwa said.

-For showing a lack of respect towards your superiors and contributing to a negative work environment -Hongjoong explained- And before you ask, yes, we have witnesses -Said while looking at the girls- And I’m pretty this won’t be your first complaint towards your attitude.

The elevator stopped at the lobby. The man kept quiet after what was said and just bowed before going away. Both girls assured them that they would testify against him if it was necessary, they were tired of his attitude too. The couple thanked them and wished them a good way home.

Both caregivers were grateful that they rode in Seonghwa's car since the older always kept the car seat in his vehicle “ It's for emergencies, Hongjoong ” the older says when questioned, and now Hongjoong understood.

Jongho only whined a little when he was secured on his seat since his Papa was sitting beside him and was given his blanket and bear. He had missed his Papa so much! Playing with his Mama was fun but he preferred to be with the both of them, though he was a bit sad that his Mama wasn't going to sit with them he could see him from his seat so it wasn't so bad. On the way home kept talking to Seonghwa about his day, the caregiver didn't understand much, just a few words here and there, about playing with his Mama and something about Mingi that he never quite caught. 

-How long did he nap? -Seonghwa asked- By this time he usually is more calm -He chuckled.

-A long time I was thinking about waking him up when he started crying -Hongjoong commented- The first time.

Seonghwa laughed at that, making Jongho laugh too though he didn't know why they were laughing. The rest of the drive was the same, Jongho babbling away and the caregivers trying to understand what was said, it was very entertaining for them. They parked at their apartment building and went to the elevator to go to their floor, Jongho now in his Mama's arms since he missed him during the trip. In the elevator they met some neighbors and chatted with them, when they got out on their floor they heard a loud laugh that they instantly recognized.

-Hello! -Wooyoung greeted, who was waiting for the elevator alone.

-Hello there, Wooyoung-ah -Seonghwa responded -Giving your Appa a hard time?

-Nope, just waiting for the elevator! -Wooyoung said with a mischievous grin.

-Woo! -Jongho said excited to see his friend.

-Hi, Jjongie! -The other little tried to hug his friend awkwardly since Jongho was in Hongjoong's arms. Then another person appeared.

-Wooyoung, how often do I have to tell you to wait for me? -Yeosang reprimanded. Wooyoung pouted but mumbled an apology, his caregiver just sighed -Hello, hyungs.

-Hi, Yeosang -Hongjoong chuckled a little at their interaction -Hard day?

-He’s between headspaces, so yeah, so much mischief today- They talked for a bit until both littles started to get a little impatient, so they parted ways with a promise to get together on the weekend. 

The couple met Yeosang and Wooyoung two years ago when the duo moved into the apartment next to them. The places were broad, so there were only two apartments per floor. They first met Wooyoung, the little liked to run to the elevator even if his caregiver wasn't with him so they met in the hallway, the extroverted boy that he is started to chat with them right away and Yeosang apologized profusely after he got out of his apartment, the couple told him that it was okay and introduced to him properly. Wooyoung practically forced his Appa to be friends with them and now both littles were very close. 

When they got into the apartment Hongjoong went to change Jongho into something more comfortable, jeans weren't the best for a baby. Some shorts and an oversized t-shirt will do until bathtime after dinner. He left the little one in the living room with music on the TV, so he could roam freely while he went to change his clothes too. He met Seonghwa in the hallway on the way to their room, the older one already in his cozy clothes. 

-What should I do with the shirt? -Hongjoong asked.

-Leave it on the bed, I'll deal with it later -His husband laughed and gave him a peck on the lips -I’ll start with dinner.

Jongho was exploring the living room, looking for something to do when he saw his Papa pass by, he didn’t think much of it for now, he liked to play on his own once in a while. Also, he could crawl freely now! Not like when his Mama stopped him before, though the other place was a bit boring since there weren't any toys unlike here, where he could find toys everywhere he looked! Jongho played with a plush ball for a while, throwing it across the room to then crawl to get it back and throw it again. He played like that until he started to get lonely, not having seen his caregivers in a long time! (like fifteen minutes) He got up on his knees, supporting himself on the baby gates that prevented him from leaving the living room. 

-Papa? -He calls out, remembering seeing him walk past him. From where he was, he could see the dinner table but not the kitchen, where his Papa probably was. 

-I’m right here, honey -Seonghwa said, popping his head from the kitchen door. Jongho whined loudly and made grabby hands towards him, indicating that he didn’t want to be alone anymore. The caregiver smiled and went to get his baby -Are you gonna help me with dinner? -Seonghwa kissed his cheek and sat him on his highchair that they only use when he is really young. The baby was given a small bowl with blueberries to keep him entertained while the older kept working on dinner.

Some time passed before Hongjoong realized he got distracted responding to emails after he contacted HR regarding their encounter with the rude man. The caregiver went back to the living room, but his baby wasn't there so he went to the kitchen and saw the most adorable sight. Jongho was in his highchair watching and trying to mimic Seonghwa's dance, the older was singing and dancing around the kitchen and when he saw his husband, he took his hand and made him dance with him, they kept the show for Jongho for a while, laughing and singing their hearts off until the timer for dinner went off, they bowed to Jongho, finishing their performance, who clapped and laughed at his caregivers. 

They fed dinner to Jongho first, so they could eat in peace later, a small bowl of rice and some vegetables, since the little wasn't a fan of chewing when he was this young, they let him eat whatever he wanted to accept, and then they give him a bottle with a special formula that has more nutrients. 

The couple chatted while eating, Hongjoong telling everything he did with Jongho during the day, also finally explaining that Mingi had stopped by the office, which is what Jongho was trying to say earlier, and Seonghwa narrating whatever was important during his meetings. They ate peacefully, since their baby was busy with his bottle and just looking at them while they talked. 

Then was the after-dinner routine. Seonghwa always has some playtime with Jongho while Hongjoong takes a shower since the older one likes to shower right before getting in bed. Jongho’s favorite activity has always been building with blocks, he has different types depending on how old he is feeling, he even has some Legos for when he is fully big and builds along with Seonghwa during these playtimes. Seeing how young he was, the caregiver gave him some big foamy ones, so that if anything happened he wouldn’t get hurt. This time he wasn’t that interested in building something, more like stacking them and then laughing and clapping when he knocked them down. Seonghwa laughed along with him and helped him rebuild it even bigger than before so the knocking down would be more dramatic. 

After Hongjoong was done they prepared the bath for Jongho, this time it was Seonghwa’s turn to bathe him, so the older filled the tub and made sure that the temperature was right while his husband undressed the baby and got him ready. The little whined a bit, not wanting to comply. 

-No! Pa! -Jongho wiggles trying to get away.

-Yes, Pa! -Seonghwa said with a chuckle- We need to keep you nice and clean.

Soon the baby was entertained with the bubbles and bath toys, he let him play for a bit before washing him. Like always, the person bathing the little ends up absolutely drenched,  so when they were done, Jongho was passed to Hongjoong so he could dry and dressed him while Seonghwa took his own shower since he was already wet. 

The little still had a lot of energy, so Hongjoong had a few good laughs trying to get his baby dressed. When he was drying his body with the towel Jongho started giggling at the tickly feeling, the same happened when he applied lotion on him, making him laugh too. Then, Hongjoong made the mistake of putting the baby powder too close to his baby’s reach when he was putting the diaper on, so he ended up with a cloud of baby powder on his face, making them both crack up at the situation. 

-What in the world is going on in here -Seonghwa said laughing too. He didn’t get too close though. 

-C’oud! -Jongho cutely said, still laughing his head off. 

-He’s still full of energy -Hongjoong coughed a little- I still can’t even get the diaper on.

Seonghwa helped his husband by distracting the little so he could finish diapered him. Then they both work together to maneuver his arms and legs into a onesie since Jongho was having none of it and kept moving around. They always dressed him in a long-sleeved footie onesie when Jongho is in his headspace since he tends to kick the covers off of him while sleeping and they didn’t want him to get cold.

Since Jongho wasn't tired enough to go to sleep, they decided to watch a movie in hopes that the stillness would make him sleepy. The baby was given a small bowl of non-sugary cereal so he would snack and put on a kid's movie. The three of them cuddle on the couch with Jongho in the middle. None of the adults were paying attention to the movie though, they had watched this movie a thousand times but it made Jongho happy, so they just followed his lead. 

-Are you going to the office tomorrow? -Seonghwa asked quietly so he wouldn't disturb the little.

-Nah, I'm gonna finish whatever is necessary now and stay home, I bet Jongho will stay little for a few days since he was big almost the whole week -Hongjoong said while caressing the little’s head, who sighed and cuddled closer to him.

-Don’t stay too late, yeah? You know he wakes up way too early when he's dropped.

-Papa? -Jongho said to get his attention.

-Yes, baby? -He answered, and the boy gave him the bowl back.

-What? Do you want more? -Jongho nodded.

-Can you say more? Mhm? -Seonghwa asked, they try to encourage him to talk at least a few words so that in case of an emergency they can understand whatever he needs. 

-Moh! P’ease? -The baby asked, giving his caregivers a look he knew they couldn't resist. Both of them cooed at him.

-You’re so cute! -Hongjoong kissed his forehead and watched his husband go to the kitchen to get more cereal. Mingi was right, they were so whipped for their baby.

Towards the end of the movie, Jongho was yawning constantly, so the mission was a success. The baby was trying his best not to fall asleep yet so he could watch the rest of the movie. Afterward, Seonghwa took him to the bathroom to wash his teeth and change his diaper before putting him to bed. He tucked him with his blanket and his bear and bunny plushies, clipping his pacifier on his onesie so it wouldn't get lost during the night. Both caregivers told their goodnight, telling him how much they loved him and to sleep well, each kissed the top of his head. Turning the nightlight on, they were about to leave when they heard the cutest thing. 

-’ove y’u, too -Jongho mumbled, falling asleep.