Joshua had always been the sunshine of Seventeen, with his warm smile and gentle nature. The members were quick to notice when he first regressed into his little space, a state where he felt small, vulnerable, and childlike. They embraced this side of Joshua wholeheartedly, showering him with affection and care.
Jeonghan, being the nurturing figure of the group, often took on the role of Joshua's "Mamma." He'd hold Joshua close, whispering soothing words and making sure he felt safe. The other members, too, played their parts Seokmin would sing lullabies, Mingyu would bring him snacks, and Seungkwan and chan would entertain him with funny faces and stories. The entire group adapted seamlessly, creating a loving environment where Joshua could thrive in his little space.
One evening, after a particularly tiring practice, Jihoon approached the group with a hesitant look in his eyes. They all gathered in the living room, relaxing and chatting away. Jihoon took a deep breath and finally spoke up.
"I... I have something to tell you guys," he started, his voice barely above a whisper. The members turned their attention to him, curiosity and concern written on their faces. "I think... I think I regress too. Sometimes I feel small and... and I don't know how to handle it."
The room fell silent for a moment, processing Jihoon's words. Then, almost as if on cue, Seungcheol reached out and pulled Jihoon into a tight hug. "You're our baby too, hoonie. We'll take care of you," he assured him.
The others quickly joined in, forming a group hug around Jihoon. There was no judgment, only love and acceptance. Jihoon's eyes glistened with tears, feeling the weight of his secret lifting off his shoulders.
A few days later, Jihoon regressed for the first time in front of the members. It happened after a long day at the studio. He came home feeling overwhelmed, and as soon as he stepped into the dorm, he felt the familiar sensation of slipping into his little space.
Jeonghan noticed the change immediately. "Jihoonie, come here," he called softly, opening his arms. Jihoon shuffled over, his eyes wide and uncertain. Jeonghan pulled him onto his lap, rocking him gently.
"Guys, look Jihoonie's a little today," he announced to the rest of the group. They gathered around, cooing softly and reassuring Jihoon that everything was okay. They showered him with attention, playing games, and cuddling him.
In the corner, Joshua watched the scene unfold. He was happy for Jihoon, but a pang of loneliness tugged at his heart. He felt himself slipping into his own little space, but no one noticed.
As the hours passed, the members were entirely focused on Jihoon. It was nearing lunchtime, and Joshua, still in his little space, sat quietly by himself. Usually, Jeonghan would be there to feed him, but today, Jeonghan was busy with Jihoon.
Joshua's tummy rumbled, and he glanced around, hoping someone would notice. But the members were all huddled around Jihoon, laughing and chatting. Summoning his courage, Joshua approached Mingyu, one of his usual caregivers.
"Dadda," he said softly, tugging at Mingyu's sleeve. "Can you fwed mwe?"
Mingyu, engrossed in a conversation with Jihoon, barely glanced at him. "Shua, you’re a big boy. You can eat by yourself today, okay?"
Joshua's heart sank. In his regressed state, he felt too small and overwhelmed to eat alone. Tears filled his eyes as he wandered back to his corner, clutching his stuffed animal. He watched as Jeonghan lovingly fed Jihoon, wiping his mouth and cooing at him.
As lunchtime progressed, the members remained unaware of Joshua’s struggle. He sat on the floor, staring at his untouched plate of food. His usual caregivers were all preoccupied with Jihoon, their new little one. Joshua's stomach ached with hunger, but more than that, his heart ached with loneliness.
