VHope Fluffshots

Babysitting

Hoseok was totally fine with the fact that Taehyung had to babysit for a family friend. The last time they both saw Daniel was when he was only a week old; they were both excited to spend a day with the two-year-old. 

But Hoseok had changed drastically these past months. Of course, he had always had some level of anxiety and depression, and he always had Taehyung to rant to and find comfort in. His younger boyfriend was always there for him, but that didn't make his mental health issues go away completely. 

So, in order to block out the constant down thoughts, Hoseok became a little. Really, he accidentally discovered that he was a little during one of his mental breakdowns. 

One night, Taehyung found him crying his eyes out in the bathroom of their apartment, and while he held his older boyfriend close, he heard a broken, "Daddy, I'm scared." Everything spiraled from there; they did their own respective research, then had a long talk about their relationship. 

Taehyung was now Hoseok's boyfriend and caregiver, and neither boy would have it any other way. 

With Daniel staying over at their apartment, Hoseok decided that he wouldn't slip into little space. Taehyung was going to need his help taking care of the adorable little baby, and he didn't want to stress his boyfriend out by being little while taking care of an actual baby. 

-------

"Hyung, can you hold him for a minute? I'm gonna make us some lunch," Taehyung muttered, handing over the giggling baby to Hoseok, who nodded with a smile. He loved Daniel, who wouldn't stop laughing every time the older of the couple smiled at him. The little baby seemed to love it whenever Hoseok smiled. 

Taehyung kissed his cheek, pinching Daniel's as well, before he stood up from the couch. "How about dumplings?" 

"Yummy!" Daniel cheered, clapping his hands while bouncing slightly on Hoseok's lap. It was a similar reaction to what Hoseok would do, and no matter how much he wanted to, Hoseok refrained from slipping into little space. 

Instead, he nodded again. "That would be great, Tae. Thanks," he said quietly, earning a slight pout from his boyfriend. 

Taehyung could tell his boyfriend was trying so hard to be the adult he actually was. Every time Hoseok forced himself into big space, he was incredibly jittery and anxious; all the uncomfortable shifting didn't go unnoticed by the younger. 

He disappeared into the kitchen, leaving Hoseok alone with Daniel, who wiggled out of the man's lap and onto the floor. "Play cars?" he asked, holding up a Hot Wheels car. 

Hoseok loved to play cars. They had a huge Hot Wheels track set up in the corner of the living room because of it. At the moment, Daniel had one of Hoseok's favorite cars in his hand; it was a little yellow Camero. 

"Sure, cutie! Let's put them on the track, yeah?" the oldest babysitter said, moving to sit by the track. He picked up one of his other cars - a 1970s Cougar - and put it at the start, pulling it back to let it go, watching it run through the track. 

It felt so weird to play cars in big space. In little space, it was a whole lot more fun and Taehyung would make sound effects when the cars would fall off the track. But Daniel was having the time of his life, and Hoseok was determined to stay big, no matter how much his mind had begun to slip. 

-------

After lunch was Daniel's nap time. Taehyung had tucked him into his and Hoseok's bed, letting him cuddle Hoseok's favorite stuffed animal - it was a stuffed tiger that Taehyung bought him. 

Hoseok remained on the couch, eyes trained on the television screen. Nothing was playing; he was simply trying to block out the little thoughts. 

I want to curl up on the couch with my blankie and TaeTae and watch The Emperor's New Groove. I want my light-yellow pacifier. I want TaeTae. 

I want TaeTae. 

"Hyung?" 

Hoseok snapped out of his thoughts, pulling his fingers from his mouth. He didn't even realize he was chewing them until Taehyung pulled him back to reality. 

The younger of the couple stood next to the couch, head cocked to the side, a frown on his face. "What's wrong? Why are you whining?" 

Little Hoseok had a habit of whining whenever he was in distress; it was like a desperate plea to come out whenever he was in big space. 

"Oh, I - I didn't - I was whining?" he asked, looking up at Taehyung, who now took a seat right next to him on the couch. He pushed his boyfriend's bangs back, smiling slightly when they simply fell back to his forehead. 

"Yeah, you were whining. What's on your mind?" he mumbled, his smile now completely gone. One of his large hands held Hoseok's face, fingertips curling into his hair slightly. 

The older held his wrist, keeping Taehyung from moving his hand, eyes drifting to the floor. "I wanted to be big for you. We're babysitting, and... I need to be in the right headspace to help you. What if you needed me to cook? What if you needed me to help change him? You can't be the only adult, Tae." 

Taehyung frowned and shook his head. "Being big hurts you, Hobi-hyung. I expected you to stay in little space, even if we're looking after Daniel. You're not difficult, baby. You shouldn't be putting yourself through all this just to make me happy, because it doesn't make me happy. I'm happy when you're happy," he said, eyes piercing his boyfriend's. 

Hoseok wanted to argue. 

He wanted to tell Taehyung that he needed an extra pair of hands, and that it was so hard snapping out of little space for even just a second when he's already in it. He wanted to tell Taehyung that he needed to be big because what if something went wrong? It was unlikely, considering Taehyung basically raised his little cousins, but still. 

But Hoseok noticed that look in Taehyung's eyes that told him that he wouldn't be able to change the younger's mind. 

He sighed, pulling the hand away from his face to hold it in his lap. "Are you sure, Tae?" he mumbled, leaning into his boyfriend just a little. 

Taehyung smiled, pulling the older into his lap, instantly wrapping his arms around Hoseok's waist. "I'm sure, baby. Now, Daddy wants a kiss from his favorite boy." 

He puckered his lips, raising his eyebrows expectantly. 

A large smile crossed Hoseok's face as he wrapped his arms around the younger's neck. "Okay, Daddy," he said happily, still keeping his voice down as to not wake Daniel. He leaned down and connected their lips in a kiss, his eyes falling shut in bliss. 

-------

The rest of the night went well. 

Taehyung had made chicken nuggets in the shape of dinosaurs for dinner, which led to Daniel and Hoseok making dinosaur noises at each other for twenty minutes. 

Hoseok fell asleep on the couch around eight, which was when Daniel's mom came and picked him up. 

"He was a doll, really. He'll sleep good tonight, though. Hoseok-hyung taught him how to dance," Taehyung said, giving Daniel a pat on the arm as Mrs Lee held him in her arms. 

She nodded, giving Taehyung a check. "I'm glad. Thanks, again, honey. Have a good night, okay?" she said, then made her way home. 

The younger of the couple walked back to the couch, leaning down to press a kiss to Hoseok's cheek. "You did good today, baby boy. Daddy's proud of you," he whispered, turning down the volume on the television. 

Babysitting with Hoseok was fun. Maybe he should do it more often. 

this was trash. I'm sorry. My birthday is tomorrow. Happy Days!

- Tae