Work Text:
Getting overworked is something that TXT were used to. Long nights of dance practice and vocal lessons were already ingrained into their system, not to mention the various filming sessions they had to get done.
As bad as it sounds, they’ve learned to power through. They take the tiniest of naps and numerous amounts of vitamins, they work out to keep themselves strong, but in the end it’s never good for their bodies to be overused this way.
The past few months have been the worst they’ve gone through and it seems like it’s never ending. It’s affecting one of the workaholics in the group the most, Taehyun, to the point that he’s starting to crumble.
And in the worst timing possible.
Taehyun slumps in his seat, his eyes starting to water the slightest bit when he realizes what’s happening. He slipped into little space with no warning, completely involuntarily.
He’s supposed to stay in his big space when they’re out doing work, something that’s normally easy for him to do, so this is a first. It makes him nervous, terrified that he broke one of his rules even when he didn’t mean to. He hopes he won’t get in trouble.
In little space it’s difficult for Taehyun to act fine when he’s obviously feeling stressed. He’s in the mindset of a child and most children can’t control their emotions when put in a tense situation. He’s trying his best to act normal but it gets more difficult as the seconds pass him by.
Taehyun was definitely in a more than difficult stance.
He’s suddenly way too aware of the blinding lights that are shining down on them; it’s hot and smoldering. What used to feel like a few cameras now felt like thousands, even the amount of people working behind them.
He shrinks into himself, his eyes darting to the rest of the members who are laughing at something the MC said. The interview was going well but now there was a chance that it’ll go south all because of Taehyun.
Yeonjun’s voice rings out next to Taehyun and he immediately relaxes, like comfort was blanketing him.
Right.
Everything is always okay when Yeonjun is around.
Taehyun takes a deep breath, trying his best to keep calm. He struggles to remember what Yeonjun told him to do if something like this ever happened but when he figures it out he makes sure everyone around him is distracted by the MC before he goes to grab Yeonjun’s attention.
Thankfully Yeonjun was sitting right next to him so it’s not at all obvious when he reaches out his hand tentatively to tug at the bottom of Yeonjun’s shirt. Taehyun’s grateful for how attentive his boyfriend was, leaning down to his side so the other could speak into his ear all the while keeping professional and staring straight ahead.
“Little…” Taehyun whispers, it’s all he can really say, his wide eyes darting everywhere with anxiety. The grip on Yeonjun’s shirt tightens, his fists trembling, the tugging on it proof that he was seconds away from probably throwing a fit or breaking down in tears.
Yeonjun is confused for a second but one glance at how noticeably scared Taehyun is makes him understand the situation, he can see how glazed over his eyes are. He should have known something like this would happen with how high tense the past months have been but he never thought it’d happen in an interview of all places.
Taehyun hadn’t been able to slip into his safespace, simply because there had never been time. It was always hours of practice or work and then straight home to wash up and sleep. Days where there was time to hang out were usually cut short or everybody was locked in their rooms to be alone for once.
Yeonjun curses under his breath, his posture straightening as his caregiver mode takes over. He places a hand over Taehyun’s thigh, squeezing it in reassurance while he gives the little a warm smile.
A reminder that everything is okay because mommy is here.
He can’t panic because then it’ll make Taehyun feel worse about the situation and that’s the last thing he wants.
Yeonjun leans down to whisper back in Taehyun’s ear, heart clenching at the tiny giggle that escapes his boyfriend’s lips from how ticklish it felt. He hopes that whoever watches this filming schedule just views it as very good fan service.
“That’s not a problem, baby. You don’t have to answer any questions, just sit there and look pretty like you always do. Okay?” Yeonjun asks him, his gaze softening when Taehyun nods in determination.
Taehyun was always eager to successfully complete a task his hyungs ask of him. He’s internally grateful that Yeonjun doesn’t take his hand off his thigh, the contact keeping him grounded and less stressed about the gravity of being in little space during work.
Still, he doesn’t remove his hand from Yeonjun’s shirt, in fact he even pushes his hand underneath it. The skin to skin contact grounds him more, even if it nearly makes Yeonjun squeal. He leaves it there the entirety of the interview, just like Yeonjun keeps his hand on his thigh.
It’s smooth sailing for the rest of the filming, up until the very last moment where the MC decided that aiming a question at Taehyun was a good idea.
“Taehyun, I heard you like to engage yourself with the writing process for various songs for your group. Is there a favorite song that you have currently?”
Yeonjun opens his mouth to quickly say something in Taehyun’s behalf but the other beats him to it anyways. He can’t help the way his face morphs to worry the second Taehyun gleefully rises from the stool he was sitting on.
“Miracle! We all worked on it together and it’s about how much we love each other!” Taehyun answers excitedly, catching the MC off guard with how loud he suddenly got.
The look on Yeonjun’s face was full of pure affection at the sweet and short answer he gave but the rest of the members looked horrified at the obvious sight that was Taehyun in little space.
They try their best to make it seem like nothing was wrong, laughing it off like they were affected by the way he said it. They’re worried but they’re also deeply swooning over how cute Taehyun was.
They don’t notice that one of their managers is way beyond upset at the situation.
To everyone else it simply sounded like Taehyun was talking in aegyo but TXT and their closest staff team know the difference between Taehyun forcefully acting cute and the natural adorableness that he exhibits during age regression.
The MC laughs with a wide smile, closing the interview with words none of the members really paid attention to. Instead they kept sneaking glances at Taehyun who was smiling so catlike under the attention of Yeonjun who decided that patting him on his head was a good idea.
Thankfully the camera had stopped recording, the interview finally over.
It’s when they’re all getting ready to leave the building that the day takes a turn for the worst.
“Mommy, I have to go to the bathroom…” Taehyun informs, tugging once again at his caregiver’s shirt. Yeonjun is about to answer him but before he can, one of their managers cuts him off.
“Yeonjun. A word, please.” He orders, leaving no room for refusal. The manager doesn’t even spare Taehyun a glance but the pair don’t notice, instead Yeonjun grabs Taehyun’s attention by leaning down and placing a soft kiss on his forehead.
“You think you can go by yourself, baby? Mommy has to do something important but it’ll only be a second.” Yeonjun asks him, smiling in relief when Taehyun agrees with no complaints.
“I’m a big boy, I can do it myself.” Taehyun states proudly. He giggles when Yeonjun hums in response, placing another kiss on his nose.
“But you’ll always be my little one. I’ll be waiting here, okay?” Yeonjun pats Taehyun’s bottom before turning his attention to the manager who looks like he’s trying not to say anything.
Yeonjun finds it weird, this clearly wasn’t a new development to the manager, they were aware that Taehyun needed age regression to stay leveled and on top of his work. He wonders what that distasteful look was about.
Taehyun doesn’t spare them a glance, darting towards the bathroom before he gives himself an accident like last time. He shivers when he remembers how embarrassed he had been, he held it in all because he wanted keep playing games with Hyuka.
The restroom break doesn’t take that long, Taehyun was desperate to go home and have fun with his hyungs and Kai before they had to sleep for tomorrow’s schedules.
The thought stops Taehyun in his tracks, guilt clawing up his throat when he realizes that his mind really chose the wrong time to slip. Everyone else was exhausted and pent up, there was no way they would have time to take care of or even play with him.
However, there’s a small glimmer of hope that he could at least spend some alone time with his mommy before bed time. Yeonjun was always there for him when he needed, so what if Taehyun wanted to be a tiny bit selfish?
It should be okay.
Just for tonight.
With that in mind, Taehyun rushes out of the bathroom after doing his business, sloppily wiping his washed hands on his pant legs.
He rushes past a few staff who tell him to be careful but he doesn’t pay them any mind, wanting to find his mommy as soon as possible. He wants to hold Yeonjun’s hand and sit in the backseat together on their ride home, he wants Yeonjun to praise him for being such a good boy during the interview.
Taehyun finally sees him and Soobin, slowing down in his rush so he doesn't get scolded by his caregiver. As he walks closer, dread starts to fill his stomach at the words he hears echoing down the hall. Words that he never thought he’d hear his caregiver say, especially when regressed.
“-that he should stop being childish. Like who does he think he is? He’s always ruining the mood and it’s seriously starting to get on my nerves.” Yeonjun complains, running hands through his hair in what seems to be clear annoyance
Taehyun physically feels his heart drop, the words snapping him right out of his regression. There’s this emptiness that starts to grow in the pit of his stomach, one that he hasn’t felt since the first time Yeonjun walked in on him in little space.
He doesn’t know how long he stands there just staring at the back of Yeonjun’s head. He can see the floor underneath them starting to crumble, symbolism for the first crack in their relationship.
“Baby? Hey, baby? Taehyun!”
Yeonjun’s voice snaps him out of his daze, concern written all over his face. “You okay, love?” He’s leaning down to his level like he normally does when he’s in caregiver mode.
Usually Taehyun finds this cute but now all he feels is belittled and hurt, he takes a step back with a frown.
Taehyun is suddenly very self conscious about how he slipped with no warning earlier. A hard look casts itself over Taehyun’s face, surprising both Yeonjun and Soobin.
“I’m fine. I just want to get home. I’ll be in the car.” Taehyun replies stiffly, an attitude in his voice that was rarely ever used towards his hyungs. He doesn’t give them time to say something back, sharply turning on his foot and walking away.
One of their managers calls out to him but he pretends he can’t hear them, leaving the building and rushing into one of the multiple cars waiting outside. He’d deal with a scolding from their staff later, he just didn’t want to do something embarrassing like cry in front of everyone.
Just his luck, Taehyun ends up riding home with Yeonjun.
Yeonjun tries his best to engage in more conversation but something about Taehyun’s short and curt replies make him feel like the sudden change in mood was his fault.
Taehyun and Yeonjun hardly fight which makes this difficult for Yeonjun, he doesn’t know how to brave himself and ask what's wrong. Usually if he noticed Taehyun was sad he could do something but angry Taehyun was a lot more pressuring.
They get home with unsuccessful progress.
That progress continues to be unsuccessful even after everyone showers and they dinner.
Soobin is the only other person aware of the tension between Taehyun and Yeonjun and the more they dance around each other without saying anything the more annoyed he gets. He absolutely hates when his members aren’t talking to one another because then it leaks into work as well.
He sighs to himself and decides to follow behind Taehyun who’s obviously way too skittish around everyone. He frowns when Taehyun shuts himself in his and Kai’s room, used to seeing him scurrying away into Yeonjun’s bed for a few hours.
Whatever was bothering him must be serious.
If this wasn’t fixed now there’s no telling how long it’ll take for them to get past this. Whatever ‘this’ was.
Taehyun is hiding underneath the covers, staring blankly at nothing. He’s trying not to think about the frustrations from earlier, tears pricking at his eyes. He knows the second he entertains the thought he’s going to sob his heart out.
There’s a knock on the door and it makes Taehyun tense, he doesn’t speak in hopes that whoever’s there would take the hint and walk away. Unfortunately for him the door swings open against his wishes.
“I know you’re not sleeping, Taehyun. Don’t ignore me.” Soobin tutts, shutting the door behind him and slowly walking across the room as if not to spook the other.
Taehyun sags his shoulders as he reluctantly sits up, hair still wet from the shower he just had. He doesn’t have the willpower to look up at his hyung, he knows that Soobin is aware something is wrong.
Their leader was always attentive to things like that, no matter how hard they tried to hide it.
“What’s wrong? Your mood changed so suddenly.” Soobin asks, giving the younger one a chance to speak up. Taehyun can’t get anything out, he looks nervous and a lot like he wants to bolt out of the room.
He feels like if he opens his mouth everything will start spewing out. That he was going to break down and cause a scene. That’s the last thing the rest of his members needed right now.
Soobin’s eyebrows furrow at the younger’s silence.
Taehyun bites down on his bottom lip when Soobin sits next to him, that leader look in his eyes making him feel guilty for not being honest.
“I’m not going to ask you again, angel. Tell your Binnie hyung what’s wrong.” Soobin asks a second time, purposefully using the nicknames that Taehyun often used when he was regressed.
Taehyun really tries not to slip so easily, he’s usually so in control of keeping his headspaces in check, but his mind isn’t obeying him at all. He’s too stressed and sad, both his body and brain just want to shut off and be cared for, he doesn’t want to act tough anymore.
So he bursts into tears instead.
Soobin’s eyes widen as Taehyun flings himself onto his lap, breaking down into heartbreaking sobs. He panics, not used to comforting Taehyun when he cries in little space.
Yeonjun was usually the only one that could calm him down, he should get up and go find hi-
“Mommy thinks I’m annoying... h-he doesn’t like it when I’m small, he said ‘m childish!” Taehyun weeps brokenly, his face turning red from exertion. His fists are clenched tightly as he aggressively wipes at his tears, rubbing his face raw.
Soobin is seriously out of his depth, usually he was the one crying when they’d have a heart to heart conversation but this was completely different. He didn’t know how to handle someone with the mind of a child and it didn’t help the fact that the reasoning for Taehyun’s outburst was a completely serious matter.
Wait. Why did Taehyun’s words sound so familiar?
-said that he should stop being childish. Like who does he think he is…
Ah.
This was clearly a big misunderstanding.
“Angel, Yeonjun loves you very much, he would never say that. I promise you.” Soobin tries to clear things up, using his large hands to run them through Taehyun’s damp hair. He knows that his words aren’t sticking, not with the way Taehyun shakes his head in stubborn disbelief.
“Heard him say it! M’not lying, Binnie hyung!” Taehyun continues, nearly hyperventilating from not being believed the first time.
Soobin, of course, is quick to shut that down. He grabs Taehyun by the shoulders, making sure the little was looking directly at him, and then tries to give him the softest eyes he could muster.
“Listen to me, baby. Your mommy loves you. He doesn’t think you’re annoying at all. In fact, your mommy is going to come here and tell you just how much he loves you, okay?”
Taehyun’s lips tremble, his teeth showing cutely while he nods slowly. He trusts his Binnie hyung.
Soobin coos and leans forward, pressing a soft kiss onto the top of Taehyun’s head. “I’ll be right back, angel.” He nearly stops when Taehyun lets out a small whimper as he gets up, clearly not wanting to be alone. But he needed Yeonjun more than Soobin right now.
Thankfully Soobin is able to catch Yeonjun just before he enters his own room, calling him over with a stern look.
Yeonjun walks over to him like a kicked puppy, still hurt and confused as to why his boyfriend was mad at him. He genuinely hasn’t done anything wrong, he swears it.
“Yeonjun, stop pouting and go take care of Taehyun, he’s crying his heart out in there.” Soobin urges, ignoring the whines that leave the oldest.
“But-“
“Stop. He thinks you find him annoying. He heard you talking about the manager and assumed those cruel words were coming from you.”
Yeonjun’s mouth drops open slightly, understanding why Taehyun had quickly slipped out of his headspace so suddenly. Fuck, it really was his fault, he should have been more careful.
“You need to go in there and clean up this mess now. I know you’re thinking it’s your fault, it’s not, but Taehyun is literally going to throw himself into a panic attack if you don’t clear things up quickly.” Soobin says in a stern tone, shoving Yeonjun along the hallway.
Yeonjun worries even more as soon as he hears the words ‘panic attack’ leave Soobin’s mouth. He nods in understanding, rushing towards Taehyun’s bedroom and barging in with no warning.
One look at Taehyun’s red face wet with tears has Yeonjun’s heart aching.
“Oh, baby”
Taehyun’s soft cries turn louder as soon as he catches sight of Yeonjun, holding out his arms for him longingly. He doesn’t care that he was avoiding him earlier, he just wanted his mommy. If Soobin was being honest this wasn’t a bad idea, right?
Yeonjun wastes no time, rushing forward and scooping Taehyun into his hold, they sit on the bed while Taehyun straddles his lap. Yeonjun tucks his boyfriend’s face into his neck, cooing out soft words while he rubs his back and rocks them back and forth.
“Mommy’s here now, let it all out. Baby, you know I love you so much, I’d never hurt you.” Yeonjun reassures, squeezing Taehyun tightly in his arms while the boy continues to cry.
“Then why did mommy say t-that.” Taehyun stutters out, trying to catch his breath. He didn't want to look up at Yeonjun yet, he still needed answers.
Yeonjun winces, he’d rather have this conversation with Taehyun while he was big but it seemed like that wasn’t possible at the moment.
“One of our managers said something mean and I was telling Soobin what he said. But don’t worry, okay? Mommy is going to take care of it, we can deal with it later.” Yeonjun tries to keep it short and simple, in a way that Taehyun could currently understand.
Thankfully it seems like enough to calm Taehyun down some, his cries turning softer. He sniffles a lot, rubbing his wet eyes into Yeonjun’s shoulder. He’s trying his best to catch his breath, focusing on his mommy’s soft coos and the warmth of Yeonjun’s hand on his back.
“Under…” Taehyun mumbles, his tired eyes struggling to stay open.
Yeonjun understands what the other means, trailing the hand on Taehyun’s hand under his shirt instead to rub at the skin there. He smiles bittersweetly when Taehyun finally fully melts into his body.
He really hated that this had to happen when Taehyun was small. Little space is supposed to be a way for Taehyun to feel relaxed and loved, not overrun by negative emotions. Yeonjun had to make it up to him somehow.
“Can I sleep with mommy tonight?” Taehyun asks softly, more like begs with the way he tightens his grasp around his caregiver. It was like he was physically trying to convey, ‘say yes, don’t go.’
“Of course, baby.” Yeonjun whispers, kissing Taehyun’s temple before gathering all his strength and hoisting him off the bed. They leave Taehyun’s room and head towards Yeonjun’s, Taehyun nodding off in and out of sleep on the way there.
When they lock themselves inside, Yeonjun gently places Taehyun onto his bed before ruffling his hair and starting to dig through the nearby nightstand.
“You want your paci, baby?” Yeonjun asks. He already knows the answer but he loves the shy look on Taehyun’s face when he whispers a quiet ‘please.’
Yeonjun grabs the pink pacifier that’s hiding in the nightstand along with a cat stuffed animal that he had bought the younger a long while ago on one of their dates.
He gives the plush to Taehyun before he takes off his shirt and crawls into bed next to him, pulling both of them under the covers.
Taehyun doesn’t hesitate as he places himself on top of Yeonjun, a pleased noise leaving his lips when he rests his cheek against his caregiver’s bare chest. He loved the feeling of them being skin to skin, he felt closer to his boyfriend that way.
There was a sense of comfort that he could only get from Yeonjun.
“Here.” Yeonjun whispers, guiding the pacifier into Taehyun’s pouty lips. He nearly cries when he feels Taehyun melt once again into his body the moment he starts sucking on the paci, pressing a kiss onto the crown of his head.
Normally they would talk before going to sleep, maybe even stay up to color on the various coloring books Yeonjun buys Taehyun, but today was tiring and it showed in the little’s sleepy eyes.
“Go to sleep, baby. Tomorrow morning I’ll make you some strawberry pancakes.” Yeonjun whispers, carding his fingers through Taehyun’s fluffy hair. He smiles when all he gets back in response is a quiet hum but he knows how much Taehyun loves that special breakfast that his caregiver worked hard to perfect.
Taehyun doesn’t take long to fall asleep, the sound of the suckles on the pacifier filling the quiet room. It lulls Yeonjun to sleep as well, his grasp tightening once more before he mumbles out a sweet and affectionate i love you.