Published:  1/31/2022

Words:  2666

Relationship:  Lee Minho/Stray Kids

Group:  Stray Kids (OT9)

Characters:  Bang Chan, Kim Woojin, Lee Minho, Seo Changbin, Hwang Hyunjin, Han Jisung, Lee Felix, Kim Seungmin, Yang Jeongin

Tags:  de-aging/age regression, little space, angst, fluff, OT8 Stray Kids

Little:  Minho (age 2)
Caregivers:  Stray Kids

Dishonorable Mention
Ex-Caregiver:  Lee Donghyuck/Haechan (NCT)

Prompt:  Full-time little Minho has been abandoned by his previous caregiver, and believes that no one will ever want to take care of him again... until he meets 8 boys that will change his life forever.

Names Used
• Appa (BC)
• Mama (WJ)
• Papa (CB)
• Eomma (HJ)
• Dada (HN)
• Daddy (FX)
• Baba (SM)
• Mummy (IN)

Requested:  No

* I just picked a random idol from a random group! This is only fiction, so please don't take any of this seriously! *

^ I put down an OT8 Stray Kids tag for a reason. While this does include OT9 Stray Kids, this is a world where Minho is a full-time little and never became a part of Stray Kids. It makes sense. *

~ ~ ~ ~ || STRAY KIDS || ~ ~ ~ ~

Cold.

All Minho felt was cold, and he didn't like it one bit.

It was December — the middle of winter in Seoul — and it was freezing outside.

Minho was shivering from the cold weather, but had nothing on him to help keep his body temperature from its continuous decrease. The only thing wrapped around his body was his favorite baby pink blanket, which was now dirty from the dirt and trash littered throughout the alleyway Minho was currently sitting in.

Lee Minho is 20 years old, but has the permanent little space mindset of a 2-year-old, which means that he needs constant care and attention from a caregiver. Toddlers can't look after themselves, after all.

Minho had a caregiver who took extremely good care of him, but he couldn't understand why Haechan left him in this dark, cold, and scary place. The little had been so confused when Haechan sat him down on the ground and handed him his shoebox filled with his toys, his kitty stuffy named Sooni, dummy, bottle, and sippy cup.

The brunette boy was even more confused when his supposed caregiver drove away... leaving Minho on the streets of Seoul. In the cold. Alone.

Who in their right mind would ever be so stupid to do something like that?!

Minho had been exposed to the cold for almost two days now, and had come to the conclusion that Haechan wasn't coming back for him.

He'd cried that night when Haechan left him there, wanting to believe that this was nothing more than a cruel prank or joke, but it wasn't. His caregiver abandoned him without any explanation. Negative thoughts clouded Minho's mind as he kept crying.

Was MinMin a bad boy? Did Haechan not love him anymore? What did he do wrong?

"N-No one c-cawe 'bout MinMin. MinMin g-g-gon' be awone f-fo-webew!" He'd sobbed into his hands as he shivered.

Being alone was so scary to little MinMin; he didn't like being alone!

The boy didn't even register that he hadn't eaten or drank anything in almost 48 hours; his mind was overcome with sadness and hopelessness. His usually pink lips were beginning to turn blue, and his eyes were red and puffy from how much he'd cried.

Minho was staring at his lap, too immersed in his own thoughts. When he felt someone's hand on his shoulder, he let out a terrified scream and curled into himself, trying to hide his face from the person that scared him.

Kim Woojin — the eldest member of the kpop boy group, Stray Kids — was the owner of the hand that caused Minho to scream.

Woojin and the other members of Stray Kids had spotted Minho from across the street, and they immediately ran to him because they were so concerned about this boy who was alone and in the cold.

When Woojin had noticed the blanket around the boy's body, he quietly informed the others that whoever this was could possibly be a little.

He turned out to be right, as Minho's reaction was the answer to Woojin's theory.

Woojin didn't jump in surprise when Minho screamed. If anything, it broke his heart.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I didn't mean to scare you. My name is Woojin. What's your name?" He spoke softly and knelt down to the little's level.

Woojin didn't want to frighten the small boy any more than he already was.

Minho was still shaking as he peeked from over his blanket, looking into the older boy's warm brown eyes. Woojin's gentle smile made him relax a little, and he peeked behind Woojin's shoulder to be greeted by 7 other warm smiles belonging to his friends.

The little gazed back at Woojin, still clutching his blanket around his upper body.

"M-Minho. L-Lee Minho."

Woojin nodded at the younger's words. "It's very nice to meet you, Minho. And these are my friends."

He motioned to the boys behind him before kneeling down next to Minho, wanting to introduce the little to his friends.

"That's Bang Chan," Woojin pointed to a boy with curly blonde hair.

"Changbin." The short boy gave the little a wave.

Woojin smiled as he continued. "His name is Hyunjin."

The tallest boy gave Minho a cute smile.

"And that's Jisung," Woojin introduced.

Jisung poked his cheeks as he smiled, showing Minho that he resembled a squirrel.

Woojin chuckled as Minho looked at them all in awe. "And then Felix is right next to Jisung."

Minho looked at Felix, seeing his squishy cheeks that were littered with beautiful freckles.

"The boy with brown hair is called Seungmin."

Seungmin gave Minho a gentle smile.

"And then the boy with the red hair is Jeongin, but you can call him Innie."

The maknae showed off his signature smile, showing off his braces and natural cuteness.

Minho smiled shyly and waved at everyone. "H-Hai."

Stray Kids felt their hearts melt when Minho greeted them, letting out a chorus of 'awe's.

If Minho wasn't so cold right now, he'd probably be blushing.

Woojin let his smile fade and looked at the little with worry and concern etched into his features.

"Minho... is it okay if I ask you a few questions?"

Minho didn't know why, but he felt like he could trust the pretty boy and his pretty friends. He nodded wordlessly, still a little shy in front of these new people.

Woojin wrung his hands together, unsure how Minho would react to what the older wanted to ask him.

"Minho, are you a little?"

"Uh-huh. MinMin wittwe. MinMin dis many," the little replied and held up two fingers. "MinMin awways wittwe."

"I see," Woojin replied. "What are you doing out here by yourself, MinMin? It's really cold." He said softly. "Did you get lost?"

Minho shook his head and looked down at his lap, tears threatening to fall. "Haechannie weft MinMin hewe. Haechannie nuh wob MinMin nuh mowe. MinMin gon' be 'wone 'cause nuh one wob MinMin. MinMin bad boy. Nuh be cawed fow."

Minho pouted sadly, his bottom lip quivering as he spoke.

Something inside Woojin and the boys snapped. Whether it was learning that Minho was abandoned by his caregiver or Minho thinking that he was unable to be cared for, they didn't know. But they all silently came to a single conclusion:  they wanted to take care of and love little MinMin.

Woojin gently wrapped his arms around the little, feeling Minho's cold body embrace Woojin's warmth.

"Oh, sweetie, that's not true. You're not a bad boy, baby. You're such a good boy, MinMin. Don't ever think that no one loves you, okay? If it's okay with you, baby boy, my friends and I want to love and take care of you. We want to be your caregivers. Would you like that, little one?"

Minho looked up at Woojin, his cheek smushed against the older boy's shoulder.

"Why, Woojie?" He asked cutely.

Woojin giggled at his cuteness, despite the fact Minho was still shivering.

"Because you're just so cute and sweet, bunny. And we don't want you to be cold and alone; we want you to be happy and warm and loved and safe."

Minho peeked over Woojin's shoulder, looking at the 7 pretty boys that had their eyes on him. "Woojie and Woojie's pwetty fwiends wan' cawe fow MinMin?"

"Yes, baby boy. Woojie and all of Woojie's friends want to care for MinMin," Woojin answered and gently ran a hand through the little's brunette hair.

Minho hugged Woojin a little tighter, feeling relief wash over him.

"MinMin wan' Woojie and Woojie's fwiends be MinMin's cawe... uh... c-cawegibews."

That day might've been the best day of Minho's life.

~ 3 Weeks Later ~

Taking in Minho was the best idea ever!

Ever since Stray Kids had brought the little home to their dorm, everything seemed to change for the better and for everyone.

Day by day, Minho was slowly becoming more and more comfortable with his new caregivers. Though the terrible experience of being abandoned was brief, it left Minho with separation anxiety and a fear of abandonment. But his 8 new caregivers were always with Minho, and made sure that MinMin was happy and comfortable in his new home.

Honestly, the little couldn't remember the last time anyone had ever shown him this much affection and love before. Not even Haechan!

Even though Minho knew that his caregivers had to work, he still didn't like it. Whenever anyone had to leave for the studio, Minho would start to get fussy. It wasn't really his fault; he was just so attached to them already and he had a hard time being without any of them.

Minho was currently watching cartoons — accompanied by Woojin and Felix — in the dorm's sitting room, sucking on his pastel yellow dummy and cuddling Sooni, who was wrapped up in Minho's baby pink blanket.

The little was dressed in one of Hyunjin's oversized shirts and a pair of Chan's old sweatpants that the leader could no longer fit. Minho's eyes were fighting to stay open, though he desperately wanted to finish watching his cartoon.

His dummy was just about to fall out of his mouth, and it was a good thing that Woojin had bought a clip that was currently on Minho's shirt. This way, if the dummy ever did fall out of his mouth, it'd never fall on the floor.

Chan emerged from the kitchen, knowing that it was time to get Minho ready for his nap.

"MinMin? It's nap time, baby boy." He told the little.

The aforementioned boy looked to Chan, making grabby hands for the leader.

With Minho's very young headspace, he couldn't be on his feet for very long. A lot of the time, he was carried. Not that anyone minded; MinMin was so small and cute in everyone's arms!

Chan cooed as he plucked little MinMin from the couch, placing the sleepy brunette on his hip.

"Okay, kitten, say goodnight to Woojie and Lixie."

With Sooni and his blanket secured in one arm, and his dummy now dangling from its position on the clip, Minho waved to the two boys on the couch.

"Ni ni, mama," He said to Woojin. "Ni ni, daddy." Minho told Felix. "MinMin wob chu."

Woojin and Felix's jaws dropped to the floor from the shock they were in.

Minho had never called them anything other than a shortened version of their names. So it was endearing and uplifting when the little bestowed caregiver titles upon them.

Woojin shook his head and snapped out of his shock, looking towards a still sleepy Minho and an equally shocked Chan.

"Night night, baby. Mama loves you more."

Felix closed his mouth once Woojin nudged him in the side. "Sweet dreams, bunny. Daddy loves you."

Chan carried Minho into the kitchen, still reeling in from the shock of what just happened. He was brought out of his thoughts when Changbin called his name from his place at the table.

"Yes, Changbin-ah?" He asked.

Changbin smiled as he playfully rolled his eyes.

"I was asking you if you're taking MinMin upstairs for his nap. Because if you are, Jisung, Hyunjin, and I have to tell him goodnight first."

Changbin motioned between himself, the younger dancer, and the squirrel-like boy that were also at the table.

Ever since Minho's first nap time with his new caregivers, Minho had to say goodnight to everyone before taking his nap. If he didn't say goodnight to everyone, then he'd feel bad because maybe someone didn't get a special goodnight from MinMin!

Chan chuckled. "I know, Changbin," he told the younger while bouncing MinMin on his hip.

"Kitten, let's say goodnight to Binnie, Jinnie, and Sungie."

Minho lifted his brunette head from Chan's shoulder, waving his hand to the three at the table.

"Ni ni, papa." He told Changbin sweetly. "Ni ni, eomma," he bid to Hyunjin. "Ni ni, dada," he spoke to Jisung. "MinMin wob chu. MinMin gon' go ni ni."

Their reactions were similar to Woojin and Felix's. However, they recovered quicker from their shock.

"Goodnight, MinMin. Papa/Eomma/Dada loves you," they recited simultaneously.

This elicited a tired giggle from the little before he was carried upstairs.

Chan stepped into Seungmin's room, where the vocalist was reading a book. "Seungmin-ah, MinMin wants to say goodnight before he lays down for his nap."

Seungmin looked up from his book, cooing at how precious Minho looked.

He wasn't prepared for what Minho was about to say.

"Ni ni, baba. MinMin wob chu."

Seungmin wore a look of shock before breaking out into the biggest smile ever known to mankind.

"Sleep well, MinMin. Baba loves you so much," Seungmin bade sweetly with his big smile and a wave.

Chan chuckled as he closed the door to Seungmin's room. He trekked down the hallway, Minho in tow, and made it to the little's bedroom that he shared with Jeongin. The leader found the maknae on his phone, most likely reading something.

With his free hand, Chan knocked on the doorframe, making Jeongin look up. The maknae smiled widely when he saw his leader holding the very sleepy little on his hip.

"Hi, Channie hyung. Is there a little kitten that's ready to take a nap?"

Chan chuckled as Minho gave a tired whine, making grabby hands at Jeongin. "Okay, kitten. I'm handing you over to Innie."

Jeongin's arms were filled with the little, who blew a messy kiss in Chan's direction. "Ni ni, appa."

The Aussie's heart definitely fluttered at his given caregiver title, and pressed a kiss to Minho's cheek. "Night night, bub. Sleep well, okay?"

Minho hummed as he leaned into the maknae's touch, ready for his nap.

Jeongin kissed the little's head, placing him on his bed. Because MinMin already looked so comfortable, Jeongin tried his best not to make much noise as he laid down next to the little.

Jeongin cooed softly as MinMin immediately laid on top of him, his head resting above where Jeongin's heart was. The maknae ran a hand through Minho's brunette hair and giving the little's head another kiss.

"Goodnight, my little honey bunny. Wake me up if you need me at all, okay, princess?"

MinMin nodded against the fabric of his caregiver's shirt, still clinging onto his blanket and Sooni.

"Ni ni, mummy. MinMin wob chu," he yawned before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

Jeongin's heart melted and a smile graced his lips as he rubbed Minho's back, carefully placing the little's dummy between his lips. The maknae watched as Minho instinctively began sucking on his comfort item.

"Mummy loves you so much more, kitten. Mummy loves you more than you'll ever know."

~ ~ ~ ~ || STRAY KIDS || ~ ~ ~ ~

Wow! This is definitely a long one. Hopefully, you guys enjoyed reading this, and I didn't do too terrible of a job at writing this!!