"Tae? Taehyung, what's wrong?" Jeongguk asks, his voice wavering in fear.

"Bring Taehyungie home please..."

"Tae... don't be like this. Come on tell me what's going on?" He crouches down in front of Taehyung's frail figure, too careful not to scare the latter.

"B-big Taehyungie is scared... Little Taehyungie is, too. Please daddy, go home..."

"Holy fuck. Shit, okay let's do that, but d-daddy has to carry you home, okay? Would you be a good boy and latch your arms around daddy's neck tightly?" Taehyung nods slowly and he entrusts his whole being to Jeongguk. It's not that far from his apartment, anyways. He could feel Jeongguk's breath fanning his hair, and he couldn't help but snuggle in closer.

"It's okay. You're okay, little one," Jeongguk whispers in assurance. As soon as they arrive inside Taehyung's apartment, Jeongguk lays him on his bed, asking him if he could dress himself on his own. When the little starts undressing, Jeongguk excuses himself and goes outside to call for help.

He dials the first person that his mind could think of - Yoongi.

["This better be good Jeon, what the fuck do you want?"]

"Hyung... It's Taehyung..."

["What the fuck did you do to him?! I swear to God if you hurt him again I will fucking cut your balls off!"]

"No! God, no, hyung! It's just that... I think he's turned little?"

["Fuck. Fuck, Guk. Okay, fuck. Where is he?"]

"I left him inside the room to let him get dressed. Hyung, I'm so lost. What the fuck is actually going on?"

["Jeongguk, do you, perhaps, know something about age regression?"]

"I do know a little about it, hyung. But it's the very first time I ever encountered someone who's into that. I don't know what to do."

["Wait, before I entrust Taehyung to you and let you be his caregiver just for the night, what happened before he slipped into little space?"]

"Okay, so we went out for dinner, and then when we were walking back towards his apartment, a drunk man approached us and started talking shit about Taehyung. He was insulting him and I might have done something impulsive in front of him..."

["Jeon Jeongguk, please don't tell me you knocked that man out cold..."]

"Wait, is that motherfucking Park Jimin?"

["Yes. Yes, it is, Guk. Now please, tell me what you did."]

"I punched him on the face and made him apologize to Tae... I snapped out of my anger when Tae started sobbing and the moment he faced me, God, hyung, I was so scared when he started talking to me in third person."

["You fucking punched a stranger in front of Taehyung? Holy shit, Jeon Jeongguk! Didn't I tell you not to use violence and sort things out calmly whenever you encounter things like that?! Ugh, Min Yoongi! Talk some shit out of this kid! What? Why the fuck are you silent?!"]

["B-babe, you actually said that one to me, not to Jeongguk... and I may or may not have punched Jeongguk on the face back then so I really don't have a say to that..."]

["Okay, that's it. I'm out. I'm done with you two."]

"Wait, where are you? Yoongi hyung, I can't do this alone!"

["Guk, as much as we want to return home, we just arrived in Daegu. Jimin and I have been planning this trip and I- Jimin, why are you packing your things? No, we aren't traveling back in the middle of the night! I'm sure Taehyung will understand! Besides, Jeongguk's by his side right now! Just go shower and get ready for bed!"]

"Hyung?"

["Oh, I'm sorry 'bout that, Guk. Jimin's a little bit worried which is very surprising since it's me who usually goes loco whenever Tae slips into little space. Anyways, Guk, do you see a box under Taehyung's couch?"]

"Yep! What is this for?"

["You can find some necessary things inside. There's a list of rules, rewards, and punishments folded on top of a pink bib. Taehyung's a bit sensitive and clingy, note: VERY clingy, when he's little. He might cling to you like a koala but let him be. Bad things will happen if you push him away, or if you show him no affection. He likes to eat his happy meal, plus don't give him plain milk, he likes strawberry flavored the most. If he doesn't eat his veggies, bribe him with candies or ice cream. You have to be strong not to give in to his antics, he likes to pout and guilt trip you for making him eat 'eeky stuffs'. Use punishments when he acts like a brat, because he does that sometimes to me. I trust Taehyung to you since I'm not there. Please look out for him."]

"Okay that is a lot to take in, but I'll try my best, hyung. I handled Storm alone, what difference would it be with Taehyung? I'll call and update you, okay?"

["He's just... a bit more sensitive, so be careful around him. Thank you, Guk. Please take care of my best friend."]

"I will, hyung. I promise."

As soon as Jeongguk returns his device inside his pocket, he stares blankly at the paper he was holding. He didn't move a muscle, but then he feels the other side of the couch getting heavy so he turns to look beside him.

"Hey, little one. Why aren't you sleeping yet?" Jeongguk asks as soon as he sees Taehyung already dressed up for bed. The little shakes his head before crawling on Jeongguk's lap. Fuck, Yoongi wasn't joking when he said Little Taehyung is very clingy.

"Daddy's not there to cuddle Taehyungie. The bed feels empty without daddy," Taehyung mumbles and nuzzles on Jeongguk's chest. Jeongguk can feel his face heat up from hearing the word again... Does Taehyung call Yoongi daddy, too?

"I'm sorry, peaches. Daddy just made an emergency call to someone. Come on, let's get you to bed, okay?"

"M'kay, daddy. Taehyungie wants to be carried..."

And so he does carry Taehyung back to his room, placing him gently on the bed. He makes sure that Taehyung feels warm and comfortable before lulling him to sleep, and when it's safe, Jeongguk pulls out his phone to message Jin.

Jinnie hyung

iMessage

Today at 20:50

Hyung?
How's Storm? Is he asleep?

He's doing great, guk
He's finishing his milk but
i'll send him to bed as soon
as he's done

Can you hand him the phone?
I'm gonna call you

[read 20:53]

"Hey, buddy."

["Daddy! How was dinner with Papa Tata?"]

"It's all good, buddy. Did you eat healthy foods for dinner?"

["Yes, yes! Uncle Jinnie made sure to give me my veggies!"]

"Way to go, buddy! I'll make sure to get you some gummy bears tomorrow. But before that, you have to drop by at Papa Tata's apartment."

["What happened to Papa? Is he sick?"]

"It's hard to explain, buddy. You'll see once you get here. Now, go to sleep, yeah? Good night, my bunbun. Daddy loves you a lot!"

["I love you, too, daddy! Good night! Kiss Papa Tata for me!"] He hears his son giggle before handing the phone back to Jin. Jeongguk immediately looks at Taehyung's sleeping figure.

["Guk? Everything alright?"]

"I'll explain everything tomorrow, hyung. Thank you for taking care of Storm."

["I love taking care of your son, Guk. Go get some rest."]

He sighs and bids his hyung goodbye.

Kiss Papa Tata for me!

One kiss on the forehead won't hurt...right?