Seungcheol and Jeonghan had been keeping a close eye on their boyfriend for the past week. His schedule had been grueling back-to-back rehearsals, interviews, and endless meetings. Even though Joshua always smiled through it all, they could see the exhaustion building up. He had been quieter than usual, his smiles more strained, and his energy levels visibly low. They knew he needed a break something to help him relax and recharge.
One Friday evening, after they all got home, Seungcheol pulled Jeonghan aside. "I think it's time we give him a day where he doesn't have to worry about anything," he whispered, taking a glance towards Joshua, who was seated on their bed, eyes heavy and barely focused on his phone.
Jeonghan agreed, and they quietly began preparing a surprise for him. Joshua loved his plushies and blankets, and it always brought out his little side when they indulged him with soft, comforting things. So, while Joshua was distracted, they started gathering his favorite items a pile of plushies, his softest blankets, and a few storybooks they knew he adored. They worked together, constructing a small fort in the living room using chairs and blankets draped over them, making it feel like a cozy, private little hideaway.
When they finished, Jeonghan gently called out to Joshua. "Baby, come here for a minute."
Joshua looked up, his eyes a little distant, but he stood and walked over to them. As soon as he saw the little fort and the familiar sight of his plushies waiting for him inside, his face softened. His shoulders relaxed for the first time in days, and a small, shy smile tugged at the corners of his lips.
"Do you like it, shua?" Seungcheol asked, his voice soft and sweet, hoping to encourage Joshua to let go of the tension he'd been holding onto.
Joshua nodded, his eyes growing wide and a little spark of excitement flickering in them. Without another word, he stepped into the fort and picked up his favorite plushie a fluffy bunny he named BunBun. He held it close to his chest, and that's when Seungcheol and Jeonghan noticed the change.
Joshua's actions became smaller, more hesitant, like he was letting himself slip into a safer, simpler space. He sat down, legs crossed beneath him, cradling BunBun as if the plushie was his world. His eyes wandered over to the coloring books and crayons Jeonghan had left by the side, but he didn't reach for them yet. Instead, he let out a tiny, almost inaudible hum a sound both Seungcheol and Jeonghan recognized immediately. Joshua had regressed.
He had slipped into a much younger headspace, probably around 2 to 3 years old. His whole demeanor was different now softer, more vulnerable. His eyes flicked up to Jeonghan, then Seungcheol, and back to his plushie, as if waiting for their approval.
"Oh, shua," Jeonghan whispered, sitting beside him inside the fort. He gently brushed Joshua's hair back from his face. "You've had such a long week, haven't you? How about we just relax now? No more work, okay? Just playtime."
Joshua nodded, though he didn't fully grasp what Jeonghan was saying still, he felt a wave of relief wash over him. He held BunBun tighter, scooting closer to Jeonghan as Seungcheol crawled into the fort from the other side, sandwiching Joshua between them. Seungcheol smiled down at him, reaching over to lightly stroke Joshua's cheek.
"Does our baby want to color?" Seungcheol asked gently, picking up one of the coloring books. "Or do you want to read a story with Daddy?"
Joshua glanced between the two options, his lip jutting out in a soft pout as he tried to decide. Finally, he pointed at the coloring book, his eyes lighting up a little. "C-color..." he mumbled softly, his voice taking on a much more childlike tone.
"Good choice, baby," Jeonghan said, grabbing the crayons and setting them down in front of Joshua. He opened the coloring book to a fresh page filled with simple cartoon animals. Joshua picked up a crayon, but his hand shook a little, his coordination slipping in this smaller headspace. Jeonghan immediately noticed and leaned closer.
