Little things - Taekook (ON HIATUS)

Chapter 6

You chose: CHOICE FOUR: help because of your own curiosity

After a few moments of consideration, my natural curiosity kicks in. "Hyung? May I ask a few questions?"

Hoseok nods uncertainly. "I won't answer if I don't think it's right," he warns me in advance, and I nod in understanding.
"I wouldn't expect you to, don't worry. I just wanna understand it a little better, is all." He smiles slightly.
"That's fine. What do ya wanna know?"

"This childish nature - is it always there?" I ask carefully. His smile widens at how careful I'm being.
"Not always. It comes and goes, depending on various factors that even we don't know. He acts like an adult sometimes."
"Is there a name for it?"

His eyes widen. "A name?"
"Yeah, like something I can search up so I understand what it really is. I know it's not a disorder or anything, but I want more information just in case I cause problems."

Hoseok raises an eyebrow at me, an amazed look in his eyes. "Kook, you are a more friendly person than I anticipated."
"Okay, I'm officially offended," I say jokingly, raising an eyebrow at him, and he chuckles at me.
"I'm kidding, don't worry."

I smile slightly. "I know, hyung. I know. So, what is it called?"
"Little space," Hoseok says carefully, watching me with worried eyes. I nod slowly, not recognising it.
"I'll look it up before he arrives. When will he arrive at mine, by the way?"

Hoseok shrugs. "Probably in about two hours. His bedtime in Little space is normally about half nine, so it would make sense to ensure he feels safe by then with you. He's very worried around strangers."
"Understandable," I say calmly, nodding in agreement. "Well I will certainly be willing to look after him. Are there any rules?"

"Past the obvious, like not too much junk food and not judging him and bedtime?" Hoseok checks. I nod. "Well, don't fuck him," he says simply, shrugging again. 

My eyes go wide. "Hyung, I wasn't gonna-"
"I don't think you would, but it's worth saying. He's a gorgeous sweetheart, but you must ignore your hormones, even if he wants you to help him get dressed. You wouldn't wanna fuck a kid, so don't do that to him."

I nod gravely, holding my head high. "I am determined to keep to these rules," I tell him simply, and he smiles slightly. 
"You're a good person, Kook. I know that. But remember that he's my best friend and I am protective over him."
"And I get why, I really do." 

An idea comes to my mind. "Do you want me to meet him at your apartment? That way, he's in a familiar setting and with people he knows, so it's less scary?"

Hoseok beams at me. "I knew I could trust you. I'll see you in two hours. Just be warned - he's not the only one who's a Little. If you're lucky, you'll meet someone else as well. He's just as important to me, just in a different way."
"What do you mean?"
"You will see," he says mysteriously, his smile widening further. 

I nod in understanding, deciding to take my bags and get my apartment ready for a visitor. I don't really want to change it that much, but all of the potential risks I would worry about for a child go away. The sharp objects, painkillers, things that could be dangerous. Any alcohol. It all goes away, hidden behind lock and key. 

If he's anything like what I was as a kid, he'll be determined to look at everything I own. I don't really mind that. Curiosity is fine. But children put things in their mouths. So I have to keep him safe, if I can. I owe that much to everyone who's trusting me with his life. 

I type the phrase 'Little Space' into my search bar, wondering what it's all about, and the internet explains everything. There's websites dedicated to it, definitions, explanations of how to get into that headspace, everything I could possibly need in order to better understand what I'm about to get myself involved with.