Felix Centric One Shots

Tiny Footsteps (TF)

"Raising a toddler, one tiny step at a time."

"You're kidding."

Chan didn't answer.

Seungmin leaned back slowly on the couch, staring at him. "You're not kidding."

"No," Chan said, voice quiet, thumb running anxiously over the edge of his phone. "I'm not."

The room was silent except for the hum of the AC and the soft buzz of Jeongin's can of soda as he cracked it open.

Jisung blinked from his spot on the floor. "Wait—wait, wait, wait. Back up. You're telling us... that you're now legally the guardian of a two-year-old? As in... like, right now?"

Chan nodded.

Hyunjin made a choked noise. "What do you mean right now?"

"He's on the plane," Chan mumbled. "He'll land in about ten hours."

"WHAT?" Changbin practically shouted.

Jeongin spat soda all over himself.

"Dude!" Jisung grabbed the nearest towel and chucked it at him. "Gross!"

"Sorry, sorry," Jeongin coughed. "It's just—this is like—this is not a thing that happens to people!"

Chan buried his face in his hands. "I know."

"How did this even—" Minho started, then cut himself off. "Sorry. That was stupid. Doesn't matter how. You okay?"

"No," Chan said through his hands. "Not even a little bit."

No one said anything for a long minute. Then Hyunjin slid onto the couch next to him and gently patted his back. "Hyung... you don't have to do this alone, you know that, right?"

"I don't even know what I'm doing," Chan groaned. "I haven't seen Felix since he was a baby. His mum Soo-ah—she was my closest friend growing up. We talked all the time, but I didn't even know she put me down as guardian. I found out two days ago when the lawyer called me."

"What happened to her?" Minho asked quietly.

Chan looked up, eyes tired. "Car accident. It was... sudden."

"God," Seungmin muttered. "Poor kid."

"He doesn't have anyone else," Chan said. "No dad in the picture. No extended family that could take him. I don't even think he understands what's happening. One minute he's home, and the next he's being put on a plane to Korea."

"By himself?" Jisung asked.

"There's a flight attendant escorting him the whole way. I'll be at the airport to pick him up as soon as he lands." Chan rubbed his forehead, clearly fighting back exhaustion. "I just—guys, I don't even have diapers. Or toys. Or clothes. Or a bed. I have nothing for a two-year-old. I don't even know what kind of snacks two-year-olds eat."

"You said his name's Felix?" Changbin asked.

"Yeah. Felix."

"Well," Minho said, standing and grabbing his keys off the counter. "We're going shopping."

"Wait, really?" Chan looked up, startled.

Hyunjin was already sliding on his shoes. "Yeah. What, you thought we were just going to let you bring a two-year-old home to a bachelor dorm with no supplies?"

Chan looked like he might cry.

"I'm coming too," Changbin added, grabbing a hoodie. "We'll split up. Hyunjin and I can take toys and clothes, Minho, you handle the food and baby stuff."