Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“But… but I was playing with it…” Gunwook complained as he tried to take the small game console out of Yujin's hand. 

Yujin looked at Gunwook, confused as he pulled the console back towards him. “We are playing together, Wook! It's my turn to play the game.” Yujin argued, trying to reason with Gunwook even though he didn't understand why he acted like that suddenly. Maybe Gunwook was upset because he lost on his last turn to play, but it was still weird.

Actually, Gunwook knows it is Yujin’s turn to play, but for some reason, he can't accept that. If he wants to play, he should be able to play, right? Why was Yujin being mean to him?

“But… I- I want to play… no… give me!” Gunwook raised his voice involuntarily as he tried to take the console out of Yujin's hands again. However, this time, as Gunwook tried to pull the object towards him, he noticed he didn't feel as strong as he normally would. After some push and pull from both, Gunwook got frustrated and let go of it, causing Yujin to lose his balance and trip with the sofa behind him.

“YUJIN!” Hao yelled from a distance when he saw the younger almost fall and hurried to see if he was okay. The other members just stared at the scene amusedly from the kitchen as they were still having breakfast. 

“Han Yujin and Park Gunwook… I told you countless times to be careful when you guys play. Our comeback is near and we don't need any injuries, especially you two. What are you doing right now?” Hao asked when he got close enough to check if they were alright.

“I didn't do anything, hyung!” Yujin defended himself, feeling wronged. “We were playing together just fine, and then Gunwook decided he didn't want to share this thing with me anymore.” He pointed at the game console they were arguing about just some minutes ago. Now, Yujin was the one who was upset with Gunwook.

Gunwook was listening to Yujin's conversation with Hao without uttering a word. He tried to pay attention to what they were saying, but for some reason, he felt like some of the things they were saying didn’t make sense at all. Why are they trying to confuse him with difficult words? They're so mean. Gunwook just wants to play his favorite game a little more.

“Why did you do that, Gunwook?” Hao, this time turned around to look at Gunwook, taking him out of the imaginary bubble Gunwook himself didn’t realize had entered. “You guys always play together, and if you've already had your turn, it's only fair for Yujin to play next, right?” The center of the group tried to reason with the second maknae, unaware of the internal struggle inside his head.

Gunwook knows Hao is right. He also knows he is in the wrong for not wanting to share with Yujin. However, at the same time, he thinks Hao is being mean for no particular reason, which upsets him. Gunwook’s mind was so full of contradicting thoughts that he didn’t know what he was supposed to say or do, so he crossed his arms in front of his chest to show he disagreed with what he had heard from the older and deliberately ignored him, surprising everyone in the room. Because if you know one or two things about Gunwook, you know he would never disrespect one of his hyungs unless he was joking around. But he clearly wasn't right now.

“Gunwook, don’t ignore Hao… He is just trying to help.” Hanbin, who had been witnessing everything, finally intervened to sort the matter quickly. However, contrary to Hanbin's desires, Gunwook seemed to have only started, because he ignored his leader too, staring at him defiantly and looking visibly upset. 

By now, Gunwook's mind was a complete mess. Very deep down, he still knew he was in the wrong, but his thoughts only became progressively more complicated and the only thing that made sense were the things he wanted to do. And he just wants to play games. Why can't he? 

Gunwook was starting to get very frustrated because one part of him wanted to apologize to the members, but the other didn’t want to listen to anyone but himself. He also couldn't come up with the words to explain how he was feeling, so he chose to do what he thought was best in that situation. Gunwook ignored everyone who was still trying to talk to him and went to his room in a hurry, leaving the rest of the members shocked.

Once in his room, Gunwook started to feel dizzy and his thoughts started to become foggier than before. He didn't understand what was happening, making him feel anxious and more upset. Then, Gunwook felt the sudden urge to cry, his nose started to get red, and sad tears filled his eyes; and before he knew it, he was bawling his eyes out.

Now Gunwook was very sad, he didn't know what was happening to him, his hyungs now probably hated him, and he still couldn’t believe Yujin didn't let him play that stupid game like he wanted to.

~

Back in the living room, the members were staring at each other, trying to figure out what had happened just a minute ago. 

“Does anyone know something I don't?” Hanbin asked the rest but he only got confused looks as a response. “That was so… unlike Gunwook.” He thought out loud, and the rest agreed silently.

“Did you and Gunwookie have a fight?” Matthew asked Gyuvin at his side, but he seemed to be as confused as everyone else. “No? I mean, Gunwook and I never really fight at all in the first place. But I also don't understand why he was acting that way just now. I am as confused as you guys are.” Gyuvin assured him.

“This is really so unlike Gunwook, guys. Something must have happened,” said Jiwoong, who had been silently listening to the conversation.

“I agree, Jiwoong hyung. I mean, any other day I would have gotten mad with any of you for ignoring me like that, but I know this is not how Gunwookie acts. Right now, I'm just worried something happened,” said Hao worriedly. 

“Should we check on him? He might be stressed from all the work we've had these past weeks. He tends to put a lot of pressure on himself and doesn't really know how to manage it.” Ricky suggested and everyone agreed.

“Who will check on him?” Taerae wondered aloud.

“Well, since Gyuvin is his boyfriend, he can probably talk to him. But, I would like to talk to him first to try to sort out whatever the problem is quickly. I mean, we don’t know why he is acting like this.” Jiwoong suggested, trying to think of the best solution. 

“I don't mind you going, hyung. If it doesn't work out, I can go after you and try to talk to Gunwook.” Gyuvin was the first one to accept, and the rest agreed too, so Jiwoong went upstairs to find the younger’s room. The rest of the members would wait for him downstairs, and Gyuvin had his phone on hand in case he needed him.

Jiwoong stood a few seconds outside Gunwook’s room before knocking at the door softly, waiting for the younger to let him in. He stood there in silence before knocking at the door again, this time a bit louder, making sure Gunwook heard him. But he never answered the door. It probably wasn't the best thing to do but Jiwoong still made his way inside the room just to make sure Gunwook was okay. 

He was shocked when the first thing he heard upon entering was faint sobs that came from one corner of the surprisingly very dark room. “Gunwookie?” This time, Jiwoong didn’t hesitate to completely enter the room in a hurry, alerted by the crying he easily recognized. Once he reached the bed, he was met with a devastating sight. 

Gunwook's body was entirely covered by his big white blanket, and Jiwoong could see his body shake as he tried to muffle his now quiet sobs. Jiwoong immediately hopped on the bed to comfort him, being equally worried and confused about the entire situation. “Shh, Gunwookie. Don't cry.” Jiwoong patted his back, trying to calm him down. “Gunwook… Can you come out of there? I want to help.” He asked softly, almost in a whisper. 

After a few minutes, Gunwook finally peeked his head out of the blankets, his red eyes still wet due to all the previous crying. “Help Wookie?” The younger one asked hesitantly, his lips forming an adorable pout. Jiwoong nodded his head, extending his arms, encouraging Gunwook to get out from under the covers. “hyungie… no hate me?” Gunwook asked again once he was properly seated in bed with the help of Jiwoong, who was confused by Gunwook’s choice of words but failed to notice how difficult it was for the younger one to articulate that simple sentence. 

“I don't hate you, Gunwookie. Why would you think that?” And as if he had said some magic words, Gunwook opened his arms and hugged Jiwoong tightly. The older one was taken aback but still hugged Gunwook back regardless. Then, Jiwoong helped Gunwook sit on his lap so their position was more comfortable for both. “Do you really think anyone could hate you  while being this adorable?” Jiwoong asked while Gunwook just tightened his arms around his hyung’s shoulders even more. 

Jiwoong backed away from the hug to look at Gunwook and wiped away the few tears that still stained his reddened cheeks. “Gosh… you're such a crybaby. It was just a small discussion, Gunwookie. I know you’re not used to dealing with this kind of situation, but there’s no reason why you should cry like this. You're breaking my heart right now.” Jiwoong kept soothing him and patting Gunwook's back for a few minutes until the latter completely stopped crying. When Jiwoong noticed Gunwook's cheeks were finally dry, he maneuvered himself to be more comfortable in bed, because apparently, Gunwook would not leave his lap any time soon. He sat the younger in a more comfortable position so he could talk to him, thinking they would now be able to have a proper conversation, but he was about to learn the opposite when the younger was the first one to break the silence.

“Cuddle wookie?” asked Gunwook, tilting his head to the side. 

Jiwoong melted at the sight and almost complied with the younger, but he remembered what he came to the room for. He shouldn't get distracted. “No, Wook. We have to talk about what happened earlier first.” Jiwoong said, trying to focus on sorting the matter first. Gunwook's lips trembled, threatening to cry again. Jiwoong panicked, thinking he had said something wrong. Then, Jiwoong got even more confused, because even though Gunwook has always been a sensitive kid, he would not cry just from his hyung trying to talk with him. Something was wrong.

“Okay, okay… don't need to cry again, Gunwook. We can cuddle, come here.” He opened his arms, welcoming the younger again who, now with the widest smile, accepted the hug, throwing his body weight onto Jiwoong carelessly, and rested his face in the crook of his hyung's neck. Jiwoong sighed but still held him. He wouldn't reject one of his babies wanting comfort, for whatever reason he might need it. He could figure everything out later. 

~

Jiwoong didn't realize how much time had passed until he looked at his phone. It had been about half an hour since he entered the younger’s room. 

He moved Gunwook slightly so they could try to talk again but he realized the younger was fast asleep, thumb in mouth and all. Jiwoong couldn't help but coo at the sight. He had never seen Gunwook act as one of the youngest members even though he was the second maknae. He normally likes to appear older than he is, so this entire situation was new. A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. He allowed whoever it was to enter, trying not to be loud so Gunwook didn't wake up. A few seconds later, Gyuvin was in front of him, looking confused at the sight of his sleeping boyfriend resting on the lap of another man. 

Jiwoong looked at Gyuvin's complicated expression so he explained briefly what happened. “He was crying when I came in, then he wouldn't stop crying unless I cuddled him. I didn't realize how much time had passed until I looked at my phone and by that time, he was already asleep. He looked tired so I didn't want to wake him up.” 

Gyuvin's expression softened at that. “Awe, my baby.” He cooed, getting closer to the bed so he could stroke Gunwook's hair. “It's okay, hyung. I just came up because you were taking a while and Hao was getting anxious. Thank you for explaining everything, though. I was very surprised to see you guys like this.” Gyuvin looked at his boyfriend with adoration. Then, he furrowed his eyebrows, noticing something strange. “Why does he have his thumb on his mouth? He never does that.” Gyuvin looked at the older man like he would have an explanation for him, but Jiwoong just shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea. I was going to ask you about it. I found it odd too.” 

At that, Jiwoong finally started to think back on everything Gunwook did that day that he hadn't minded at the moment. First, Gunwook fought with Yujin over a game they normally shared. Then, he refused to listen to Hanbin and Hao, even though they’re Gunwook’s favorite hyungs. Then the crying, the babbling, asking him for cuddles, the thumb on his mouth; and if he doesn't remember wrong, Jiwoong now realizes Gunwook had not been able to form one single proper sentence since he entered the room. 

A sudden realization hit him. 

“Gyuvin… has Gunwook ever behaved as if he were younger than his actual age?” 

Jiwoong might be reading too much into this, but everything he saw today might have an explanation for Gunwook’s sudden change in behavior. Gyuvin was still looking at Gunwook and stroking his hair when he heard Jiwoong, so he stopped to think. “Now that you mention it, hyung... lately I’ve been feeling that some of his reactions are a bit… childish? I don’t know how to explain it, but sometimes... it feels like I'm talking to a 3-year-old.” He said, hesitantly, afraid of the reaction the other would have. “Just two days ago, he pouted for an entire day because I hugged Hanbin hyung first instead of him. At first, I thought Wook was playing around like he normally does, but he genuinely seemed upset and only felt better after I gave him chocolate and we cuddled to sleep. He didn’t always do this, though. He only started a couple of weeks ago.” 

“I see…” What Gyuvin said kinda confirmed Jiwoong’s suspicions. The Gunwook they know would never act jealous, nor ask for cuddles unless you were Gyuvin, nor fight with his only little brother Yujin. “I think I might know what is happening, Gyu. I'm not sure but it's the only thing I can think of right now.” 

Jiwoong explained what he thought Gunwook was doing while Gyuvin listened attentively, trying to take everything in. They started discussing different possibilities of what could be happening, but their conversation stopped when Gunwook started to wake up. 

Gunwook opened his eyes tirelessly and blinked a few times to get used to the light of his room. He started to become aware of his surroundings and when he noticed his boyfriend, he smiled at him, happy to see him. Then, Gunwook realized he was hugging someone, not anyone but his hyung Jiwoong? What? “Why am I in Jiwoong hyung’s lap?” He asked, looking up.

“You asked to be held, Gunwookie. It was like an hour ago. You have been sleeping since then.” Jiwoong carefully explained, letting the younger sit properly on the bed. Gunwook immediately missed the warmth of someone else’s body near his own, so he quickly sat on Gyuvin’s lap for good measure. He was still confused by what he had heard earlier though.

“I asked?” Gunwook questioned Jiwoong while trying to find a more comfortable position in his boyfriend’s lap, asking Gyuvin to hold his waist to feel more secure. Gunwook felt satisfied when the older embraced him tightly so now he could try to assess the situation.

“Yes, you asked...You got upset earlier when you fought with Yujin and were here crying alone when Jiwoong hyung found you. Then, you asked for cuddles and later fell asleep.” Gyuvin explained carefully behind him. 

But from Gunwook’s expression, Jiwoong could tell he had no idea what had happened during the last couple of hours.

“Fought with Yuji? crying? Me?” Gunwook asked repeatedly, clearly still very confused. “Are you sure you weren’t sleeping and dreamt that? That doesn't sound like me.” Now there was the real Gunwook.

“I know you are probably very confused right now, Gunwook. We are too, but I think I have an idea of what might have happened today, but we should all have a conversation.” Jiwoong tried his best to be calm while explaining. He didn’t want to upset Gunwook enough for him to go back to his previous state before discussing important things with him. 

“What is it?” Gunwook encouraged him to keep talking, “Am I sick or something?” 

“No, Gunwook. You’re not sick.” Jiwoong took his time to think of the right words to say. “I think… I think all this time you might have been going into little space without knowing.”

The room fell completely silent.

“Little… little space? What’s that?” Gunwook hesitated to ask, not quite understanding what Jiwoong was talking about. At the same time, he felt Gyuvin hug him tighter, making him feel warm and cozy despite the confusing situation he found himself surrounded in.

“Well, it’s a mindset,” Jiwoong started explaining carefully. “We actually should look into it more together because I don’t know much about it myself. What I know comes from the things I witnessed, courtesy of all the years I've been in this cursed industry. Anyway, I know people who have used little space to avoid feeling stressed. The person who goes into little space has the mindset of someone younger… and even though it might be too early to tell, I think you have been unknowingly going into that space to cope with all the anxiety and stress you have been feeling since before our debut.” 

“I'm little?” Gunwook tilted his head, trying to make sense of what he heard. Jiwoong smiled at him fondly. “From my understanding, the person who is in little space also believes to be younger, hence why they stop worrying about their concerns in their adult world,” Jiwoong explained as he saw how Gunwook was trying to grasp all the information, but, strangely enough, it seemed like the younger was having difficulty to understand not just the idea of what was being said to him but also the words that were coming out of Jiwoong's mouth. 

This time, Jiwoong was able to see the change before it even started. He quickly realized that Guwnook hadn't fully left little space when he woke up. He figured that maybe Gunwook was assessing the situation and when he felt he was safe with them, he started to slip again.

“Baby? Are you listening to Jiwoong hyung?” Gyuvin had also noticed the sudden switch-up on Gunwook, even though he couldn’t see his face. 

“Ji…hyungie?” Gunwook looked around the room to find his hyung. Then he laughed at the funny expression he thought Jiwoong was making when he found him. His hyungie looked hilarious when he was serious. “There!” Gunwook pointed at Jiwoong proudly after recognizing him. How did he not see him before?

“And he was, in fact, not listening,” Jiwoong murmured, patting Gunwook's head as a reward for finding him. 

Gunwook suddenly missed being in the warmth and comfort of his hyung's arms so he opened his, making grabby hands towards Jiwoong, asking to be held again. Jiwoong didn't seem to understand at first, but he later opened his arms too at the realization of what the younger wanted. Gunwook tried to escape the tight embrace he was surrounded in, but failed miserably. He even felt more trapped as someone tightened their arms around his belly. 

Gunwook looked at Jiwoong in despair. Why couldn't he move? He just wanted to be with his hyung! Tears started to cloud his sight. “Wookie cannot… not move! help!” The younger one raised his voice towards his hyung who he had now realized was laughing at his struggle. Meanie hyung .

“You're stuck, Gunwookie?” Meanie Jiwoong asked him while smiling. What was so funny?! He wasn't having fun. He just wants to be helped! “I think Gyuvinie just wants to spend more time with you, Wook. Can't you let him hold you? mhm?” Gunwook stopped moving immediately and looked behind to confirm what Jiwoong said. Gyuvin indeed was just behind him. He was sitting on Gyuvin hyung’s lap! How did he not notice before? His cheeks suddenly started to tint a deeper shade of red.

“Aaw, are you feeling shy Gunwookie? That’s just Gyuvin, you know him right?” Jiwoong asked and Gunwook nodded in response, playing with his hands to avoid looking up. He then started to move frantically again and asked Jiwoong to hold him. Gyuvin opened his mouth in disbelief but he didn't want the little version of his boyfriend to be upset with him so he finally let go of him. Gunwook practically jumped onto Jiwoong's lap, straddling him in the position he was in when he went to sleep an hour ago.

Jiwoong held him tightly and gave him gentle pats on his back. “Is there something wrong, Wookie?” asked Jiwoong when he felt the younger sigh behind him while tightly holding him. “Shy…” Gunwook whispered, hiding his face in the crook of Jiwoong's neck.

“mm? Why are you shy?” Jiwoong asked, confused but finally understanding when Gyuvin laughed hysterically, making Gunwook squirm in his lap. “No way my baby is shy because he realized I was the one holding him.” Gyuvin tried to stop his laugh at Jiwoong's stern face but he couldn't help it. 

“Is that so, baby? You were shy because Gyuvin was holding you?” Little nods were the only answer the younger gave them.

“Oh my God, you are the cutest baby ever, my love.” Gyuvin pinched the younger's cheeks, causing him to hide his face even more. Jiwoong laughed, rolling his eyes. “Leave him alone, Gyuvin. Now we have to talk about what we are going to do. We weren't able to talk to him while he was big for a few minutes, and the others may be wondering why we are taking so long here.” Jiwoong said, worriedly.

“So your suspicion was right,” said Gyuvin, trying to think of what to do. “Can't we just take a nap? We don't have any schedule later and I can’t think while I’m tired. I'll just tell the others that Gunwookie was tired and went to sleep. We can tell them about this little space after we confirm with Gunwook that's what he wants.” 

“Okay, I will tell them that, then.” Jiwoong motioned to get out of bed, only for Gunwook to complain. “No… no leave wookie." The younger one backed away from the hug, looking at his hyung with sad puppy eyes. “I'm not leaving you, baby. I will come back in a few minutes.” Jiwoong explained. “No~ no leave wookie, please~” Tears threatened to come out of Gunwook's eyes again.

Gyuvin was dying from cuteness at the slurred version of words that came out of Gunwook's mouth. He didn't want his boyfriend to be upset, so he offered to go instead of Jiwoong. It seemed like little Gunwookie was very fond of the older. It's not like actual Gunwook wasn't already fond of him, but the little one seemed to care about him more.

“I'll be back in a few minutes. Don't have much fun without me here. I'm talking to you little one.” Gyuvin pointed at the younger one who was finally able to look him in the eye, only to go into completely shy mode again. Gyuvin left the room happy to be able to cause a reaction from him.

“Should we change into something more comfortable, Wook? We have to sleep now. You're probably still tired.” A yawn that came out of Gunwook's mouth confirmed Jiwoong's suspicions. “A nap it is.” jiwoong chanted.

Jiwoong got out of bed, still holding Gunwook. For someone as tall and big as Gunwook was, he was actually pretty light, so Jiwoong had no trouble carrying him around. He got Gunwook a new change of clothes from his closet and convinced him to sit on the bed again on his own, but when Jiwoong handed Gunwook the clothes, he only looked at him expectantly, not knowing what to do.

“Oh, no… this is a problem, Gunwookie.” Jiwoong sighed. He wasn't tired, he was just overwhelmed thinking about all the questions he had to ask Gunwook when he became an ‘adult’ again. “I didn't get to ask you if you were comfortable with me helping you change, honey.” Jiwoong smiled at him, reassuring him when he noticed that the little one became a bit hesitant when Jiwoong mentioned the word problem. 

Sigh, now Jiwoong had to mind his words too.

“hyungie, have problem?” Gunwookie tilted his head, not fully understanding what was wrong. As little as he was right now, Gunwook was still a smart kid. He can tell when his hyung is going through something. He just doesn't know what it is about.

“No, Wook. I don't have a problem. I just- can you try to change your clothes so you are a bit more comfortable for your nap?” Jiwoong offered slowly. Thankfully, Gunwook nodded a few times in agreement. He is a big boy. Of course, he can change his clothes on his own. 

Unfortunately, that confidence died down fast.

Of all days, today was the one adult Gunwook decided to wear a buttoned shirt, which would be completely fine on a normal day, but little Gunwookie was struggling to undo his first button, and he grew impatient, starting to whine. Jiwoong laughed a little at the struggle but shortly stopped when he noticed the younger was starting to get upset. 

“Don't worry, love. Buttons can be hard to undo, it's okay.” Jiwoong decided he would intervene today. He could later ask Gunwook’s older version if he was comfortable with that or not. “This is what we are going to do, Wook.” The younger looked at him, paying attention. “Today, I can help you get dressed. Then, if you happen not to like it, I will teach you how to do it on your own.” Jiwoong explained slowly for him to understand. “Are you okay with me helping you get dressed?” He then asked. Gunwook nodded his head again, shyly. “woongie help,” said Gunwook enthusiastically, raising his arms so Jiwoong could take his shirt off.

Jiwoong quickly got him changed and left Gunwook's clothes in the laundry basket. Of course, he had to do all that while carrying Gunwook because, apparently, too much time had passed since he was not in his arms. He placed Gunwook in bed and later lay beside him to keep him company. Not even three minutes later, Gunwook was again on top of Jiwoong, sleeping soundly. Jiwoong sighed yet again, playing with the strands of Gunwook's hair until he got drowsy too, and fell asleep alongside him.

~

“Oh, thank God you're back. I was about to go up to look for you guys. I was worried,” said Hao as soon as he saw Gyuvin coming down the stairs.

“Sorry, hyung. We didn’t realize how much time had passed.”

“That's okay. Now, is Gunwook okay?” Hanbin asked worriedly.

Gyuvin got nervous looking at his leader’s serious expression. He should have asked Jiwoong what to say before coming down. Now he felt like he couldn’t say anything without sounding suspicious. He looked at his hands momentarily, trying to think of something before speaking. He was probably already acting suspicious because it didn't take long for the rest of them to start asking questions too.

“Well?”

“Is Gunwook okay?”

“Why aren’t you answering, Gyuvin?”

“Mmm, He’s okay. Don’t worry.” He replied shortly, hoping that would be enough for them. 

It wasn’t. 

“Where is he now?” 

“Why isn't he here?” 

“What about Jiwoong hyung?”

They really wouldn’t let him be, would they? 

“Gunwook stayed in his room. He was tired and Jiwoong stayed with him to keep him company. If you want to talk with him, you can do it when he wakes up.” Gyuvin replied. It wasn’t a lie; Gunwook was sleeping. He just missed a few details.

“Oh, okay? That’s odd, but I guess he was really tired if he had to go to sleep right away. That’s fine, we can talk to him later.” Hanbin said after a while

“I kind of want to take a nap too. Yesterday we stayed until late rehearsing for the comeback and today we woke up early. We don’t have any other schedule until tomorrow anyway.” Taerae luckily said after that, so everyone decided to do the same. 

Gyuvin thanked him internally and went back upstairs in a hurry, not forgetting to take his phone with him. When he entered Gunwook’s room again, he and Jiwoong were already fast asleep. He took a few pictures for the record of how adorable they looked in that position and lay down on the other side of Gunwook, hugging his waist.

Just about an hour later, Gyuvin felt someone moving. He opened his eyes slightly to see Jiwoong getting up. He looked up at him, confused. How did he manage to escape Gunwook’s hold without waking him up?

“I’m just thirsty. I’ll be back in a minute. I don’t think he is waking up any time soon.” Jiwoong whispered, quickly leaving the room in case the younger one woke up and was still little. 

But of course, Gunwook woke up as soon as Jiwoong closed the door. 

Gunwook started looking around as if he were trying to find something. Gyuvin stayed still, scared of his reaction. He didn't know if he was the actual Gunwook or not, so he just watched his every movement to figure it out. 

When Gunwook was more awake, he realized someone was behind him. He turned around and saw Gyuvin already looking at him. Gunwook smiled brightly. “Oh, you are here!” Gunwook said while hugging Gyuvin by the shoulders and nuzzling his nose on his boyfriend’s neck. 

The actual Gunwook is back. 

“Hey, babe.” Gyuvin quickly relaxed, reciprocating the hug. “Did you rest well?” 

“I think I did, I don't feel tired at all.” He replied happily, stretching his body. Lately, he had been having trouble sleeping so that was a relief for both of them. Maybe that mentality he had gone to earlier really helped him feel more relaxed. They lay in bed talking about anything in particular, just enjoying each other's warmth and embrace. Gyuvin would talk about the ‘important’ situation later. Gunwook didn’t seem to want to talk about it anyway. 

Five minutes later, Jiwoong arrived. He opened his eyes in surprise when he saw the younger one was awake. Luckily, he noticed the difference too. That was their Gunwook, not the younger version of him.

“Jiwoong hyung?” Gunwook questioned as soon as he saw him by the foot of his bed. He normally would not enter his room unless he needed something in particular or something was wrong. “Did something happen?” He looked confused, but not as confused as Gyuvin and Jiwoong. Did Gunwook not remember anything from the previous hours?

“You feel okay, Gunwookie?” Jiwoong ignored his worries and asked the younger one.

“Yeah, I'm fine?”

“You don’t remember anything, Gunwook?” This time, his boyfriend asked. Now Gunwook was even more confused.

“I'm not sure what I'm supposed to remember. You guys are scaring me.”

“Oh, you don’t have to be scared. Nothing bad happened.” Jiwoong hurried to explain. He didn’t want to cause distress to Gunwook again. “We were wondering because we thought you would remember at least something, but you just woke up and you probably are very confused right now.” He saw the younger one nod his head slowly. “That’s fair. We do need to talk to you, though. Freshen up and the three of us will talk here before we go down. The others are already waiting for us.”

And so they did. As confused as Gunwook was, he did as told and took a quick shower to feel completely awake. A few minutes later, they were back in his room, sitting on top of the bed. 

“Okay, Gunwookie. Now that you are more awake, do you happen to remember anything from this morning?” Jiwoong, again, was the one to lead the conversation. 

The younger took his time, trying to remember everything he did that day. He remembered waking up early to go to their schedule, then going back to their apartment and having breakfast. After that, he thinks someone asked him to play with him. He kinda remembers a discussion, but he wasn't really sure what it was about. Everything else felt like a blurry memory to him. The last thing he remembers is waking up confused in his bed and Gyuvin being beside him. 

Gyuvin and Jiwoong exchanged glances, silently debating who would be the one to tell him everything.

“So… this morning, after having breakfast, Yujin did ask you to play with him but you guys fought over the controls.” Gunwook listened attentively while Gyuvin explained slowly. “Hao tried to intervene but you wouldn't listen. Hanbin tried to talk to you too but you ignored them and came up to your room.” Short flashes of the previous conversation he had with Jiwoong started to appear in Gunwook's mind, but every memory was still blurry.

Jiwoong seemed to notice that. 

“I know you're probably very confused, Gunwook but we need to get this sorted before it happens again.” It being Gunwook becoming younger again and unable to hold a conversation with more than three words per sentence. “Do you remember me saying something about Littles?”

Gunwook slightly nodded his head. “I do… but I don't remember what you said about it. I just remember you saying that word.” Jiwoong and Gyuvin exchanged glances again. 

“Well, I still don't know much about it but…” Jiwoong took the time to explain again what he had already said. Gunwook stayed quiet the whole time listening to their hyungs talk.

“So I'm a little,” Gunwook repeated to confirm what he had heard. His hyungs nodded their heads in silence, like waiting for him to say something about it. “Is it bad? That I'm a little I mean. You guys already have enough on your plates and I don't think dealing with a younger version of me will make it any better.” 

“You don't have to worry about that, Gunwook. You know I would do anything for you, especially if it is something that helps you feel better.” Gyuvin held Gunwook's hands and looked at him lovingly.

“That’s right.” This time Jiwoong spoke. “There’s nothing wrong with it and I'm sure any of us would say the same thing.” 

Gunwook thought about it for a while. He knew he could trust his hyungs. He could trust them more than he trusted himself even, but a part of him was scared. He didn't enjoy the idea of being too vulnerable in front of them. Thankfully, they assured him that everything would be okay.

One hour later, they had researched the topic and discussed Gunwook's boundaries about it. Jiwoong also let him know that he had helped him get changed earlier. Gunwook blushed heavily but assured them that if he needed it, it was okay for them two to help him.

“We only have one more thing to discuss,” Gyuvin reminded them. “Are you okay with us telling the others about this? Seeing that you haven't even attempted to leave your room since we started talking about this, I don't think so.” Gyuvin had noticed for a while now how Gunwook kept asking questions he should already know the answer to, only to stay in the room. 

Gunwook looked down at his hands. “For now… I think I'll be okay with only you two knowing about it. It's not like I don't trust the others. It's just… It's a little embarrassing to tell and I would rather at least do this trial experience with only you two.”  

"That's okay! We will do that, then.” Jiwoong assured him.

~

After their lengthy conversation with Gunwook about what he preferred to do about his current situation , the three boys went downstairs to finally meet the other members.

Once he saw the others in the kitchen, Gunwook apologized for his unusual behavior, assuring them he was completely fine and was upset because he was tired after their intense dance practice. Not a complete lie but also not the entire truth, just enough for the members to stop being worried about him while he figured it out all the little space things with his two other hyungs. Luckily, his ever-so-kind members understood the situation and assured him they weren't mad. They would think of everything that happened that day as a misunderstanding.

Later that night, Gunwook and Gyuvin went to sleep, tired from all the things that had happened during the day. 

Gunwook was putting on a sleeping shirt when Gyuvin noticed he was quieter than usual. By now, Gunwook should be asking him what movie they would watch, just to later complain that he can’t choose and make Gyuvin choose one for himself, especially if the next day had nothing important to do. “Gunwook?” Gyuvin called his name. Maybe he was slipping into little space and he hadn't noticed, but Gunwook lifted his head, letting him know he was still him. “Are you okay, love?” Gyuvin approached him slowly, not wanting to startle him, but again Gunwook didn't answer. “Are you feeling little?” Gunwook shrugged his shoulders at that, seemingly confused about what was going on.

Gyuvin sighed, not knowing what to do, so he just hugged Gunwook from his waist. The younger leaned into the hug, appreciating the warmth that exuded Gyuvin's body, and sighed back. “I'm not feeling little, Gyub.” Gunwook finally answered and hugged his boyfriend tighter.

“What is it then?” Gyuvin pulled back from the hug a bit to hold Gunwook’s cheek lovingly. Gunwook shook his head, eyes shining under the dim light of the room. “I don't know,” Gunwook answered quietly.

Gyuvin smiled fondly, all of this probably took the most of Gunwook, so he understood he was probably still feeling confused. “Do you want us to cuddle in bed until we fall asleep?” Gyuvin offered this time. 

Gunwok appreciated how patient his boyfriend was with him, even more so today than on other days. Then, he nodded his head, a slight smile drawing on his face. Gyuvin smiled back and guided him to bed, covering both of them with the fluffy covers. He hugged Gunwook by his waist, keeping him close. Gunwook rested his face in the oldest chest, finding comfort in the proximity of their bodies.

“Thank you, Gyub.” An almost imperceptible whisper came out of the younger's mouth. Gyuvin looked down to see his face, a bit taken aback. “What for, baby?” His large hands rested on Gunwook's face, drawing circles on his cheeks. Gunwook hesitated before answering, looking down, not able to face him. “Just… for everything, really.” This time, Gunwook smiled at him, still hesitant, but Gyuvin knew what he meant. No other words were necessary.

“You know I'll always be there for you, Gunwook,” said Gyuvin, reassuring him. “Always…” Gunwook repeated, letting the sleepiness finally take over him. 

Gyuvin smiled at the sight fondly, kissing Gunwook's forehead. “Always,” Gyuvin repeated before falling asleep too.

Chapter Text

Three weeks have passed since Gunwook discovered this new thing he does to avoid feeling stressed.

Still, everything in Gunwook’s life remained the same. Well, only if he doesn’t mind the fact that his boyfriend and Jiwoong became overly protective of him.

Every time he expresses a small discomfort, they reach towards him at high speed, asking if he needs anything. If he says he is tired, they immediately urge him to go to bed. He says he’s hungry, and a snack appears out of nowhere in front of his face. 

And like that and many other instances, Jiwoong and Gyuvin show up to help Gunwook with whatever they think is necessary.

Maybe that is the reason why Gunwook refuses to slip back into little space after that one time. 

As soon as he woke up the day after his first time slipping, he pretended everything was okay and didn't even bring the topic up.

It could have been because Gunwook found the whole situation uncomfortable. But, in reality, he didn't want to be a burden when their comeback was near, so he didn’t slip into little space again. 

Even when there was nothing more that Gunwook wanted than to feel so secure wrapped between his hyungs’ arms, he refused to do it and forced himself to deal with whatever struggle he had on his own. 

Little did he know his choice was not only affecting him, but the entire team.

—

“Wook, are you sure you don't want to slip for a bit?” 

Gyuvin asked for the fourth time that day while he followed Gunwook closely behind to his room, making sure no one else was near to hear their conversation.

Gunwook sighs. 

“Gyuvin, I already told you. I don't feel little today. I don't want to be little. Please, stop asking.”

Gunwook complained and lay face down on his bed so he wouldn’t have to see the worrying expression on his boyfriend’s face.

Gyuvin sighs back. 

He knows Gunwook is lying. Since the first day they found out Gunwook slipped into little space, Gyuvin became overly protective of him, so right now he couldn’t help but worry that Gunwook would somehow get hurt if he didn’t slip when he obviously needed to do it.

“Had any luck?” 

Jiwoong asked, entering the room and closing the door behind him to make sure no one would interrupt them. 

He only had to take a look at Gyuvin’s expression to know the answer to his question.

“Gunwookie, please.” 

The older one sat by the foot of Gunwook’s bed, caressing his legs softly. Gunwook remained in the same position, not answering back. Maybe, if he ignores them, soon enough they will disappear. 

It's not like Gunwook didn't want to stop thinking and worrying, especially knowing he could easily do it with the help of his hyungs. But, on the other hand, he can’t help to think about how stupid it is of him to rely so much on them. He is old enough to manage his own emotions. He doesn't need to bother his hyungs. It doesn't matter how much he misses the comfort and warmth he felt last time. It’s wrong. 

Gunwook spent a few more minutes overthinking while his hyungs' worry increased with each passing minute. 

“Gunwookie? Please, talk to us.” 

Jiwoong tried again a few minutes later, massaging his calves to get his attention. 

“Mhm…” Gunwook made a sound to acknowledge Jiwoong, but he still refused to face them. 

Gunwook was currently having an internal battle in his mind. 

Now, he was refusing to acknowledge them because he knew he would not be able to resist the urge to slip once he saw them, because ignoring what they were saying stopped working a while ago. 

“You know we insist because we’re worried about you, right?” Gyuvin said this time. 

Gyuvin knew his boyfriend had been really stressed lately, and what worried him the most was that even the rest of the members had started to notice how Gunwook became more serious and moody during practice. Similarly to the time when he first slipped unannounced. 

And if the other members were starting to notice, it meant Gunwook was on the brink of snapping like the last time, and they knew Gunwook didn't want that to happen. But he is still stubborn and refuses to slip, even though Gyuvin and Jiwoong keep reassuring him that there’s nothing to worry about.

Ultimately, after failed attempts to convince Gunwook, they decided they would come up with a plan to help him.

When Gyuvin found out his boyfriend slipped into little space as a coping mechanism, he educated himself on the topic thoroughly. He read articles, several studies, and even blogs with other people’s suggestions for those who had started slipping for the first time. 

In his research, Gyuvin found that many first-time littles avoided slipping when they were too scared of the sudden change, and they needed reassurance from their carers . 

So that’s exactly what Gyuvin and Jiwoong planned to do for Gunwook. They would care for him.

According to what Gyuvin read, when littles find themselves in very stressful situations, what helped them slip the most was surrounding themselves in a calming atmosphere that made them feel younger. 

Many experienced carers mentioned that music could help, as well as games, so the littles progressively relaxed. Other carers mentioned that using children’s clothes or even pacifiers would quickly make someone slip into little space, but Gyuvin thought none of them were ready for such an abrupt change. 

Not yet, at least. 

What really caught Gyuvin’s attention was the change in the way the carers referred to the little once they slipped. They would use sweet pet names or cuter versions of the person’s name to make a difference between the ‘big’ and the little person to avoid slipping by mistake in an inappropriate place. 

Fortunately for Jiwoong and Gyuvin, they had already been doing that without realising. So, they would attempt to help Gunwook feel comfortable enough to slip. They were not sure their plan was going to work on Gunwook, but they decided it wouldn’t hurt to try.

Gyuvin, who was standing beside Gunwook’s bed, took a glance at Jiwoong to confirm they were about to do it. Jiwoong nodded his head, encouraging him. 

“ Wookie ?” Gyuvin tried, hesitantly. “Wookie, look at me… please?” Gyuvin muttered softly, approaching Gunwook. 

Gunwook froze in place at his boyfriend’s sudden change in tone. Gyuvin normally talked to him in a soft tone, but this time it was different. He could feel it. 

However, he still refused to look at them. Gyuvin looked at Jiwoong, asking for help. 

“Wookie,” Jiwoong felt the younger move a bit under his touch. “ Baby … we just want to help you.” 

Now, that immediately made Gunwook lift his head from under the covers and look back at his hyung, surprised. 

The only one who calls him baby is Gyuvin. But, now that he thinks about it, Gunwook doesn’t remember the last time his boyfriend referred to him with that pet name. Unfortunately for them, Gunwook quickly realized what they were trying to do.

“I’m not little!” he replied. But, contrary to his words, he sat with his back leaning against the headboard of his bed, finally acknowledging them.

Gunwook might have realized what they were doing, but it was somehow working. The younger’s demeanour definitely changed. 

But they needed more than pet names for that stubborn little head to slip, and they already had something prepared for that.

“Baby, would you like to play a game?” Gyuvin suddenly asked Gunwook, tentatively. 

Gunwook remained still, confused. He wasn’t expecting that to come out of Gyuvin’s mouth. Still, the tone in his words intrigued him for some reason, so he waited to hear what he had to say.

“Let’s play!” Jiwoong yelled a bit too loudly, startling Gunwook. “Do you want to play with us, Wookie?” Jiwoong asked more carefully this time.

Gunwook hated how fast his body reacted to that sentence, but he quickly approached Jiwoong, definitely interested. Whatever they were doing, it was working.

Gyuvin saw Gunwook was paying attention, so he proceeded with their plan.

“Oh, oh!” Gyuvin said this time, raising his tone of voice, making Gunwook pay even more attention. 

Gunwook turned his head to look at Gyuvin immediately. He had a box in his hands. Where did he get that from? 

“This box says that this is a game for children,” Gyuvin faked concern and signaled Jiwoong to do the same thing. 

“Oh! But if that’s the case, our Wookie won’t be able to play with us.” Jiwoong pouted, looking at the younger one with slight expectation. 

Gunwook’s eyes opened big in surprise. At this point, even if he knew what they were trying to do, he didn’t care enough to stop them. 

His brain couldn't care enough.

“Why can’t Wookie… I mean. Why can’t I play?” Gunwook asked, hesitantly, his thoughts already starting to cloud. 

Then, he noticed, for some reason, he was holding Jiwoong’s hand tightly. When did that happen?

“Mmm… Because this is a game for littles Wookie, and you just said you are not one. That’s a bummer. Well, I guess we can’t play today.” Gyuvin motioned to put the game away.

“WAIT!” Gunwook raised his voice involuntarily. Jiwoong noticed how his lips started to quiver. “Wookie can- I Can play!” Gunwook tried to convince Gyuvin, who had already put the box down. 

“No, Wookie. It's okay. I guess I'll just have to ask Yujinie to play with me late-

“NOOO!” Gunwook looked at Jiwoong in despair, like asking him to do something. His eyes started to fill with tears, and his duckie lips were in full display. 

Jiwoong didn’t seem to know what to do to help, so Gunwook got frustrated. 

“I Little!” He ended up saying as his last resort, a slight tear falling down his rosy cheeks. 

Gyuvin's heart sank, and he hurried to hug his boyfriend, but Gunwook rejected him, turning his body completely towards Jiwoong, asking him to hold him instead. 

Jiwoong opened his arms, and Gunwook immediately hugged him, sitting on his lap. 

“I'm sorry, baby. Don't cry, please.” Jiwoong caressed the back of his head apologetically. 

“Wookie, I'm so sorry. Baby, we can play together!” Gyuvin tried getting closer again, but Gunwook hid his face in the crook of Jiwoong's neck.

Gyuvin looked at Jiwoong defeatedly. 

“Baby, don't hide…” Jiwoong grabbed Gunwook's face gently and wiped away the tears that were still falling. Gunwook was still sad but listened to his hyung and paid attention to him. “Gyuvinie was just joking. You can play!” 

However, as soon as Jiwoong said that, Gunwook cried again, hugging Jiwoong even tighter.

“Vinnie meanie… say- say Wookie no play!” He pouted his way through the sentence the best he could. Jiwoong looked up to see Gyuvin almost crying too.

They waited for some time while Jiwoong patted Gunwook's back until he calmed down. Then, he offered him water that Gyuvin passed him in a light-blue sippy cup. 

That was the last thing they would resort to if the game thing didn't work. They were glad they still found a way to use it after all.

Gunwook stared at the sippy cup for a while, and with a wide smile, he accepted it from Jiwoong's hands. 

“You like your new cup, love?” Jiwoong asked as he maneuvered himself to be more comfortable in the bed while Gunwook nodded a reply. Gyuvin stared at the scene with a smile on his face, happy to see his boyfriend was okay. 

“You were thirsty, huh… Now we can play!” Jiwoong offered again. But Gunwook's head dropped to his new cup. “What happened, Wookie?” Jiwoong grabbed the cup and put it aside to lift Gunwook's head. “Tell hyungie what's wrong, baby.”

Gunwook hesitated to answer, and Jiwoong started to worry. But before he could ask again, Gunwook leaned in closer to him, whispering in his ear. 

“Meanie now let Wookie play?” Jiwoong wanted to laugh after hearing the little version of Gunwook call his boyfriend meanie, but sweet Gunwookie looked so serious when he said it that Jiwoong could only reply in the same tone. 

“Maybe if you ask nicely, he will let us play with him,” Jiwoong whispered back.

Gunwook's eyes opened in surprise once again and a little whine left his lips. 

“hyungie asks!” he whispered-yelled again in Jiwoong's ears.” 

Gyuvin smiled at that, obviously hearing the conversation, preparing himself to give a proper answer this time. 

Jiwoong suddenly cleared his throat, preparing to speak. Gunwook looked at him proudly, happy to get what he wanted. Until, 

“Gyuvin, our baby has something to say. Please, listen to him.” Jiwoong chanted out loud, gently turning Gunwook's face so he was forced to face Gyuvin.

“No!” Gunwook screeched and squirmed his way out of Jiwoong's hold and hid again in the crook of his neck. 

“You have something to say, Wookie?” Gyuvin approached the bed with more confidence this time. “I'm all ears, pumpkin.” 

Gunwook looked up at Jiwoong's face first. He couldn't believe his hyung was smiling this wide after betraying him like that. Then, he slowly turned around, getting up from Jiwoong's lap and sitting to the side of his bed, just in front of Gyuvin.

Gunwook stayed in the same position for a few seconds while his hyungs waited for him. They knew little Gunwookie had a hard time approaching Gyuvin for some reason, so they didn't rush him. 

After some serious thought, Gunwook finally looked up, only to immediately stare at his hands as soon as his eyes met Gyuvin's, his cheeks turning a deeper shade of red. 

He reminded himself he wanted to play, so he tried to talk, focusing on his socks instead of the older one’s face this time. 

“mmm… Wookie- Wookie play?” He asked hesitantly, his heart beating faster every passing second. Gyuvin didn't answer, which was funny considering he couldn't see Gyuvin dying from cuteness just in front of him. 

“Mmm, let me think about it…” Gyuvin tested. 

Gunwook looked up at that. He was worried Gyuvin wouldn't let him play after calling him a meanie. He had to do something.

“Please?” Gunwook suddenly puckered his lips as he tilted his head to one side. He doesn't know where he learned that, but it sure was working as the first thing Gyuvin does is squish his cheeks and call him cute repeatedly for a whole minute. 

The contact started to bother him, so he backed away, still looking at Gyuvin with puppy eyes.

“Oh my god, you are seriously the cutest baby to ever exist. My heart will explode, you can't keep doing that, love.” Gyuvin touched his chest, trying to compose himself. “Of course you can play. The game is yours, I bought it for you.” Gyuvin finally confessed as he started to lean forward to hug the younger, but Gunwook once again backed away from him.

“Thank you, Vin hyung.” Gunwook answered quietly, trying to give him a smile as a reply. Then he turned around to look at Jiwoong. “hyungie! Wookie play!” He crawled excitedly through the bed to get to Jiwoong and hugged him instead, leaving Jiwoong and Gyuvin speechless

This wasn't the first time little Gunwook rejected something from Gyuvin just to ask Jiwoong for that same exact thing, and, at the moment, none of them understood why. 

Jiwoong noticed Gyuvin’s disappointment, but he still held Gunwook. He would talk about it with Gyuvin later. 

“Let's play, Wookie!” Jiwoong encouraged the younger one after sending Gyuvin a sympathetic look.

—

After playing two rounds of a very easy game for children, Gunwook started to get sleepy, so Jiwoong helped him shower and got him a new change of clothes before putting him in bed. Gyuvin wanted to help too but Gunwook, once again, refused and asked only Jiwoong to help him.

Gyuvin reluctantly stayed behind, tidying Gunwook’s room while he waited until the younger one was asleep so he could talk to Jiwoong. 

As soon as Jiwoong was able to escape Gunwook's hold, he and Gyuvin left the room to talk.

“Gyuvin…” Jiwoong started as soon as they reached the kitchen. Luckily, the other members were all in their respective rooms. “Tell me what's on your mind.” 

Gyuvin sighed heavily, chugging a cup of water. 

“I'm just confused, hyung. I don't understand why Gunwook rejects me when he is little. Did I go too far today? I didn't mean to make him cry like that,” he lamented.

“I know Gyu. If I had done it, he would've had the same reaction. Don't worry too much about it.” 

“But he would already have forgiven you.” Gyuvin dropped his head into his hands. 

“We'll figure out why he is like this with you, don't worry.” Jiwoong tried to reassure him.

—

The next day, everything went back to normal again.

Gunwook woke up in a good mood, greeted everyone good morning, and went to practice with the biggest smile on his face.

Unfortunately, these sudden changes in attitude didn't go unnoticed by the rest.

“Something good happened to you between last night and this morning? What's with the sudden giddiness over having to practice more than usual, Gunwook?” Taerae, who never failed to point out directly what he thought, questioned as he tried to set himself in a more comfortable position on the couch of the practice room.

After their comeback promotions that had just finished, many stages overseas followed for the group, so they had to rehearse a few more songs than usual. And Taerae was not particularly happy about it. No one was really, but Gunwook didn't seem to mind. Today, he looked happy to stay longer in the practice room.

Gunwook was dancing along to their song ‘Blue’ when they were supposed to rest during the precious five minutes they barely get during a long practice session like today, but what Taerae said made him stop in his tracks. Was he being too much?

Gyuvin noticed his boyfriend's hesitation upon hearing Taerae. 

It's not like he was in the wrong, but since Gunwook was still lingering between little space and actual Gunwook since this morning, he is still quite sensitive, and what Taerae said could have sounded rougher than the older one intended.

Gyuvin approached Gunwook with the excuse of passing him some water and patted his back, showing him he was right there for him. Gunwook immediately relaxed, thanking his boyfriend with a knowing look over the mirror.

Gunwook drank a bit of the liquid before attempting to answer back.

“I think I just slept really well. I hadn't been able to sleep since our comeback.” He gave Taerae a sincere reply. 

It was true, anxiety kept him awake most nights, and the fact that he denied himself refused resting and slipping made the symptoms even worse, but he hadn't noticed until Taerae pointed it out to him.

“That's good then,” Matthew chimed in, offering Gunwook a smile. 

Gunwook smiled back. Taerae only nodded a reply.

“Shall we go back to practice?” Hanbin said, the team's improved mood suddenly gave him a surge of good energy too.

This past month, the whole team had been walking on eggshells for a while, since none of them had gotten a proper break in a while. And the fact that one of the moodmakers of the team wasn’t acting like himself made everyone else feel funny too. 

So, with Gunwook back to his energetic self, everyone else started to feel better too.

Everyone agreed to go back to practice, focusing on what had to be done so they could go back home shortly after.

Practice ended flawlessly, but Gunwook became quieter again; a typical reaction when he had too much on his mind. 

His carers noticed.

—

As soon as they arrived at their apartment, everyone dispersed to shower. Gunwook tried to do the same thing, dragging his feet along the corridor and reaching the doorknob of his door. He hadn’t realized the pair of boys following him closely behind. 

Once he noticed, he didn’t say anything, dragging this out would only make it worse, so he just entered his room, expecting the other two to close the door for him.

“Babe, are you okay?” Gyuvin asked when he saw Gunwook throw his backpack mindlessly on the floor and hop on the bed without saying a word.

Gunwook looked back at him, tears filling his eyes. When did he become so sensitive?

“Oh, baby…” Jiwoong reached Gunwook’s bed and didn’t hesitate to approach him and hug him.

“Hyungie,” Gunwook sobbed, letting himself be hugged by the older. “Wookie tired, hyungie,” Gunwook complained in between sobs; a devastating sight for Gyuvin, who stood still at the foot of his bed.

This time, the change was so quick, it amazed Gyuvin how quickly Jiwoong realized Gunwook was little. 

“Can I hug you too, baby?” Gyuvin asked hesitantly. 

They still hadn’t figured out why little Gunwook sometimes rejected his presence, but he couldn’t stay still seeing his boyfriend cry his eyes out. So, he approached the younger one. 

Gunwook lifted his head from Jiwoong’s chest and looked up at the older, his cheeks tinting a darker shade of red at the sudden attention. He didn’t spare Gyuvin a look and went back to his hiding spot once he noticed Gyuvin was close to him.

Gyuvin stopped moving immediately.

Jiwoong furrowed his eyebrows, confused by Gunwook’s attitude. It just didn’t make sense. 

“Wookie, can Gyuvin hug you? He wants to make sure you’re okay,” Jiwoong offered slowly.

Maybe the answer would change if he was the one asking.

Gunwook squirmed in his touch a little, but after thinking about it, he reached for Jiwoong’s ear and whispered something quietly enough for Gyuvin not to catch.

“What!?” Jiwoong answered back after hearing Gunwook, and he could not help but laugh uncontrollably right after.

“No laugh hyungie!” Gunwook complained cutely and crossed his arms, and an adorable pout adorned his face right after.

Gyuvin didn’t understand what was happening, but smiled at how adorable his boyfriend looked. Then, he looked at Jiwoong for an explanation.

“I think I know why this baby can’t be too close to you,” Jiwoong said while still laughing.

“Hyungie!” Gunwook squirmed his way out of their hug and covered himself with his blankets.

Gyuvin got even more confused at their different reactions.

“He likes you,” Jiwoong said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Then, he proceeds to laugh out loud again, seeing Gyuvin’s confused face.

“What do you mean?” Gyuvin furrowed his eyebrows, not understanding. “Of course he does. He might not want to be near me when he’s little, but he is still my boyfriend Jiwoong hyung!” Gyuvin said, irritated.

“Gyuvin, this is little Gunwookie we’re talking about. He doesn’t know what kind of relationship you guys have outside of what he sees right now.” Jiwoong explained more slowly this time, trying to compose himself.

“I still don’t get it.” Gyuvin looked between Jiwoong and Gunwook, like that would give him an answer.

“Wookie has a crush!” Jiwoong whispered-yelled, now a bit irritated.

“On who!?” Gyuvin was fed up with Jiwoong not giving him a straight-up answer.

“On you, dumbass!” Jiwoong couldn’t help but raise his voice a bit. “Little Gunwook has a crush on you! That is why he hesitates and gets shy when he is near you. He likes you.”

Gyuvin was taken aback by what he heard. “So… you’re saying my boyfriend likes me?”

Jiwoong laughed once again but stopped once he saw Gyuvin’s expression. 

“He’s not your boyfriend when he is little, Gyuvin. At least he doesn’t seem to know he is.”

“Oh my god,” Gyuvin says while falling dramatically on Gunwook’s bed. “All this time I've been so worried thinking the little version of my boyfriend HATES me. And you’re saying he likes me?” He repeated, trying to make sense of what he had just heard.

“He very much does.” Jiwoong nodded his head. “He just told me you look so handsome today, he cannot face you.” 

“Hyungie! Was secret!” Gunwook finally got out of his hiding spot, trying to shush Jiwoong.

Jiwoong laughed once again, whipping away an imaginary tear from his eye. He found the entire situation hilarious. 

“I’m sorry, Wookie, but Gyuvinie thought you didn’t like him and was feeling a bit sad. I had to tell him. Please, forgive me.” Jiwoong pouted towards Gunwook's direction.

Gunwook immediately looked at Gyuvin when Jiwoong said that, concerned.

“Vinnie hyung not sad! Wookie likes Vinnie hyung!” He approached Gyuvin carefully.

Gyuvin was unable to hide his smile. He had been so worried this whole time, he had no idea how Gunwook felt about him.

“Baby, please, let me hug you,” Gyuvin asked again, extending his arms towards Gunwook.

Gunwook hesitated a bit once again, looking back at Jiwoong for confirmation. He only closed the distance between him and Gyuvin after Jiwoong gave his approval.

Once Gyuvin had Gunwook close enough, he embraced him in a big hug. Gunwook felt butterflies when he felt his hyung's breath on his neck, so he giggled in his embrace.

“Oh, you have no idea how much I missed this,” Gyuvin said after some minutes holding the younger. He still didn’t let go of Gunwook.

Jiwoong rolled his eyes. “You’re so dramatic. You hug him every day, Gyuvin.” He complained, but later smiled at the sight of those two together.

“But not when he was little! This is the first time he lets me!” Gyuvin refuted, securing his hands around Gunwook’s waist even more tightly. “Gosh, I can’t believe I’m celebrating the fact that my boyfriend likes me. This is ridiculous.” He laughed at himself after the realization.

“What’s boyfriend?” Gunwook separated a little from their hug, looking up at Gyuvin.

“What?” Gyuvin opened his eyes in surprise and looked at Jiwoong for help, only to realize the older one looked as if he had just seen a ghost.

“What did you say, Gunwookie?” Jiwoong asked instead, avoiding replying to the question. 

Hopefully, Gunwook would forget what he had asked. He does that often when he’s in little space.

But of course, this time he didn’t forget.

Gunwook pouted briefly before speaking again. “Vinnie hyung say, hyungie. Boy- boyfriend? Yes, boyfriend! What’s that?” He asked again, waiting expectantly for an answer.

Jiwoong and Gyuvin looked at each other once again, unsure of what to say. Then, they sighed out loud. Meanwhile, little Gunwook thought their expressions were funny, so he giggled, covering his mouth. 

“You really want to know, little one?” Gyuvin asked Gunwook, tidying a few loose strands of his bangs.

Gunwook nodded his head a few times. For some reason, he felt excited to know. 

“KIM GYUVIN!” Jiwoong stopped him before Gyuvin could utter a word, throwing himself at them.

The conversation ended in a tickle fight that Gunwook ended up losing.

Luckily, Gunwook did end up forgetting he had even asked something in the first place, and that same day, Gyuvin and Jiwoong promised to be careful with what they talked about in front of him. 

They needed more time to figure out how they would answer those kinds of questions.

Chapter Text

Once Gunwook accepted that he sometimes needed to let his mind wander off into little space, everything became easier for him. 

Especially now that he feels equally comfortable with both of his hyungs.

Gunwook’s little self is still a bit shy around Gyuvin but he doesn't reject his hugs anymore, and in return, he’s sometimes the one to ask for them first. 

The day Jiwoong told him that his little version had a crush on Gyuvin he wanted to hide out of embarrassment, but soon enough forgot about it once his boyfriend confirmed that he found it adorable.

Embarrassment aside, Gunwook did not have any other problem. Now, he had no trouble sleeping and he became better at regulating his emotions. 

He can't take all the credit for himself, though. His hyungs were the sole reason he accepted he should be doing it in the first place, and he will be eternally grateful for that.

However, considering he is still a full-time idol, of course Gunwook can’t slip into little space whenever or wherever he wants to. Also, still no one else in the group knows about it so he can slip for a limited period of time, and only if either Jiwoong or Gyuvin are there with him.

Despite that, everything else was perfect. Gunwook was stress-free, and the rest of their members only had to focus on the promotions for the next comeback. 

Nothing could go wrong.

Or at least that is what they thought.

After Gunwook's first and only almost-slipping incident in front of the members, Jiwoong made sure that either he or Gyuvin were near Gunwook at all times. At least until Gunwook felt comfortable enough to tell the rest. 

But, Jiwoong is not in charge of their schedules, so of course some situations were out of his control sometimes.

—

The boys found themselves once again in a practice room, rehearsing the choreo for one of the new songs of their upcoming album. 

Normally, practice would go smoothly, considering everyone had already learned every step of the choreography by now. 

However, Gunwook was having unusual issues remembering some of the position changes.

And it didn't help that neither Gyuvin nor Jiwoong were there with him, because they just so happened to have a magazine photoshoot at the same time.

Prior to this rehearsal, Gyuvin had already advised Gunwook to take the day off. They could use the fact that he had been sick the prior week as an excuse. That way, they would assure nothing happened when he and Jiwoong weren’t around. 

It's not like Gunwook was going to slip if they weren't with him all the time, but his carers did not want to take any chances. 

Besides, Gunwook has been getting antsy more frequently these days for some reason.  At first, they weren't sure why it was happening, but later they came to the realization that Gunwook hadn't been able to go into little space for a while.

Almost three weeks had passed since Gunwook last went into little space, almost as long as when he refused to slip when he did it the first time. So, Jiwoong and Gyuvin wanted to keep a closer eye on him just to be safe.

But, Gunwook being Gunwook, he insisted he was completely fine, and told them he would not miss practice if it wasn't necessary. He would be fine as long as he focused on the choreography. 

Gunwook promised he would be okay without them.

He shouldn't have promised.

The first time he got the formation wrong, Hanbin let him know calmly. It's not like they're robots, mistakes can happen from time to time. 

The second time he got the formation wrong, however, Gunwook accidentally bumped into Taerae, which got him a serious warning about possible injuries. 

But by the sixth time in a row that Gunwook made a mistake, Hanbin had already raised his voice at him. 

“Gunwook, what is wrong with you today? I said this plenty of times. You wait for Taerae to walk first. Then, you can go. How many times do I have to repeat myself?” Hanbin had already lost all the patience he is known to have.

Comeback seasons could be stressful, and if one of the best dancers of the group failed to get the proper formations, everyone would get distracted. 

Hanbin couldn't afford that.

“I'm sorry hyung. I- I don't know why,” Gunwook tried explaining himself even though he was hurt by the words from his leader. 

Is not like Hanbin was being mean to him, but Gunwook didn't enjoy the tone the older one used.

“You're just not paying attention, Gunwook.” Hanbin interrupted him, crearly fed up with the situation.

“No, I was- I… hyung,” Gunwook tried really hard to explain his body was feeling heavy and he was starting to get dizzy, but the words wouldn't come out of his mouth. 

It was like the harder he tried, the blurrier everything became for him; and he couldn't control it. 

Meanwhile, Hanbin was still waiting for a proper explanation from Gunwook, but the younger one remained silent, not feeling confident to form a sentence in his state.

In all fairness, Gunwook was still new to how abrupt things could change for him now, so he did not always notice the signs that clearly told he was about to slip into little space. It wasn't until the other members also tried talking to him that he noticed he was also having difficulty understanding them. 

His head suddenly felt like there was a rainy cloud constantly floating above his brain, flooding his thoughts. 

At that moment, something finally clicked in Gunwook's complicated mind. 

He was about to slip into little space, and his caregivers were not there with him.  

His eyes bleared at the thought.

Gunwook realized he had to do something before he fully slipped, so he disregarded everything around him and went looking for his backpack, where he had his phone.

“Are you ignoring me, Gunwook?” He thought he heard someone say in the distance, but he was too busy trying to find his phone in his unnecessary large backpack. 

Once he found it, Gunwook searched for his boyfriend's name on the screen and made a quick call. 

But Gyuvin didn't answer, making Gunwook feel anxious. 

He inhaled and exhaled a few times like Jiwoong had taught him, trying to calm himself down. 

Fortunately, that helped him remember Gyuvin had a schedule today and probably that's why he wasn't answering his phone, so he tried to call his other hyung instead. 

He thought he might have luck with Jiwoong. The older one had never ignored one of his calls.

Unfortunately, this time he did, and the call went straight to voicemail. 

Now, Gunwook got even more anxious and he couldn't control it like he thought he would be able to. 

In the back of his mind, he knows his hyungs are busy right now and they'll most likely contact him as soon as they see he called them. 

But he couldn't be sure of that, and he also couldn't dissipate the feeling of being left out.

It didn't help that Gunwook could still hear Hanbin complaining about something he didn't understand. Does hyungie hate him now? Wookie did something wrong?  

At that point, Gunwook couldn't stop the tears that had already started coming out of his eyes; so he curled his body in one corner of the room, trying to hide. 

He didn't know what or who he was hiding from, but he felt that he needed to do it. Hopefully, his hyungs would find him soon.

Outside of Gunwook's struggles, now six pairs of confused eyes were looking at him from a distance. 

The leader was the first one to approach him, hesitantly. 

“Oh, come on Gunwook. I wasn't trying to make you feel bad. I-”

“NO! Bin meanie, wookie cry!” Gunwook complained in a loud voice, confusing Hanbin and everyone else in the room even more.

“Wait, what?” Hanbin knew he probably shouldn’t have raised his voice, but he didn’t think that what he said would affect the younger one this much. “What are you saying, Gunwook? I didn’t mean to make you cry… I-” 

Gunwook’s ringtone suddenly interrupted their conversation. The younger one hurried to answer the call once he recognized the name on the screen full of heart emojis.

“Is everything okay, babe? I didn’t hear when you called. I was getting changed and-” Gyuvin stopped talking as soon as he heard Gunwook's small voice over the phone. 

“Hyungie…” 

That was everything Gyuvin needed to hear. Apart from the small sobs he had just realized he was hearing through the phone.

“I’m coming to you right now, Wookie. Don’t worry,” Gyuvin reassured him while he hurried to get changed.

He also started motioning for someone to look for Jiwoong. He didn’t care about the photoshoot anymore. His baby needed him. 

“Hurry? Please,” Gunwook pleaded this time. 

He fortunately sounded calmer, hearing Gyuvin’s voice made him feel better.

“I'll be there, baby. I promise. Are you alone?” Gyuvin suddenly remembered the situation they were in. 

Gunwook shook his head to answer him, not realizing Gyuvin couldn't see him.

“You have to speak, Wookie. Hyungie can’t see you through the phone, silly.” A smile adorned Gyuvin's face at the thought of his adorable boyfriend.

“Not alone… dance” and while Gunwook was trying his best to say that, he remembered the reason why he had called Gyuvin in the first place, so his eyes filled with tears once again. “Bin hyungie meanie!”

‘ Oh no,’ Gyuvin thought. 

They got caught. Now they all saw Gunwook in a vulnerable state and they would have many things to explain. 

But he would figure out how to fix that problem later with Jiwoong. The only thing he was concerned with right now was his boy’s well-being.

“Baby, I need you to pass your phone to Hanbin hyung,” Gyuvin tried. 

“No!” Gunwook immediately refused, making himself impossibly smaller, trying to hide his phone away from everyone else. “Bin meanie… wookie cry.” He pouted, trying to make obvious how upset he was.

“I’m sure he didn't mean whatever he did, Gunwookie. And if he did, I will make sure to scold him as soon as I'm there with you; but right now, I need to talk to him, please.” Gyuvin heard Gunwook's small complaints over the phone and his little mumbles, trying to come up with good excuses to not give his phone. 

So, Gyuvin had to resort to the one thing not even big Gunwook was able to resist. 

“Aren’t you a good boy, Gunwookie?” 

The younger one didn't reply immediately, so Gyuvin assumed he nodded his head in agreement this time. 

“Okay, so be a good boy for me and give Bin hyung the phone, please.”

The line became quiet for a while.

“Wookie, yes good boy.” Gyuvin suddenly heard over the phone, and smiled triumphantly. 

It always worked.

Gyuvin then heard movement and, a few seconds later, Hanbin was finally on the other side of the phone.

“Gyuvin, what the fuck is going on?” Hanbin asked, a bit irritated.

“Language, hyung. There are minors in the room. I’ll explain everything briefly. Then, we’ll properly talk about this when we get home. I’m so sorry we didn't tell you sooner.”

Hanbin was perplexed, to say the least. He remained quiet as he listened to Gyuvin explain everything.

At some point, his eyes diverted to Gunwook, still sitting in a corner of the practice room. At first, he couldn't believe what he was hearing, but now Gunwook’s unusual behavior made much more sense. 

Hao saw Hanbin with a worried expression, so he approached him and grabbed the phone from his hands to talk with Gyuvin in his place. 

After briefly talking to Gyuvin and listening to a short explanation of what was going on, Hao put the phone on speaker so Gunwook could hear, too.

“Wookie, can you hear me?” Gunwook lifted his head from in between his arms hearing the familiar voice and nodded his head. 

“He can,” Hao answered for him. 

What Gyuvin told him earlier was already starting to make sense. 

“Love, I need you to go to our dorm with Hanbin hyung. Jiwoong hyung and I will be there by the time you arrive,” Gyuvin explained calmly.

“No!” Gunwook made himself smaller again. “No meanie,” Gunwook whined.

Hanbin opened his mouth in surprise, regretting what he had said to the younger just some minutes ago. How did he not realize the state Gunwook was in? 

“He didn’t mean to, Gunwookie. Please, you have to go with him,” Gyuvin tried to convince him again, but Guwnook didn't want to listen. 

Luckily, Gyuvin immediately thought of something that could work. “What if Hao hyung and you go together instead? You like him, right?” This time he asked, tentatively.

Gunwook thought about it for a while. He does like Hao hyung. Plus, he wasn’t a meanie.

When Gunwook didn’t answer right away,  Hao approached him carefully so as to not scare him. He lowered himself to be at his height and caressed his head, fixing some loose strands of his hair in the process. Gunwook smiled at that, looking up to him. 

Hao chuckled, Gunwook was still Gunwook, no matter what age he was. 

“Let’s go, Wookie?” Hao asked, offering his hand. 

After pondering for some time, Gunwook finally held Hao's hand tightly and let himself be taken to the center of the room, where everyone else was still pretty much confused about the whole situation. 

Gunwook lowered his head once he noticed they were looking at him and hid behind Hao to feel safer. 

If he couldn't see them, they couldn’t see him, right? 

“What happened, Wookie?” Hao noticed the younger one hiding behind his back.

“Shy,” Gunwook replied, whispering in his ear.

Hao looked at everyone else in the room in disbelief. “Stop staring at him! Let’s go home. We needed to rest anyway.” Hao commanded right after.

“But,” Hanbin tried to refute the idea. They still had about one more hour of rehearsals.

“I said let's go,” Hao repeated himself; and this time no one refuted, following him to the exit right behind him and little Gunwook.

—

On their way to their apartment, Hao and Gunwook rode a different car than the rest of the members so he was more comfortable. Hanbin tried to complain again, but one look from Hao made him regret ever doing it and went directly into the other van without saying anything else.

Hao smiled at the memory of his silly, worried boyfriend. 

His thoughts were interrupted by a small yawn to his side. He turned his head to see a sleepy Gunwook bumping his head to the rhythm of the car's movements. He laughed quietly and slightly pushed Gunwook's head towards his shoulder, helping the younger one fall asleep right after.

Not long after, the seven members who were at the practice room arrived at their dorm.

Hao tried to wake Gunwook up but he was sound asleep. The second youngest probably was really tired from all the previous practices they had had over the last weeks. Hao’s chest hurt at the thought. 

Luckily for them, when this time Hanbin tried to wake up Gunwook, Gyuvin and Jiwoong appeared in a different van. 

Without muttering a word, Jiwoong quickly approached Gunwook and carefully lifted him from the seat, carrying him inside the dorm. Gyuvin just quickly followed them right behind. 

The rest entered after them, in silence.

At the dorm, Jiwoong and Gyuvin headed towards the younger's room, helping him get changed into more comfortable clothes so he could rest comfortably while they talked to the rest of the members. 

Once they confirmed Gunwook was still sleeping, they left the room, not before Gyuvin gave Gunwook a peck on his forehead.

—

When they got to the kitchen, the rest of the members were already there, waiting for them.

“We’re all ears,” said Hanbin as soon as they arrived. 

Gyuvin looked at Jiwoong expectantly, not knowing where to begin. Jiwoong gave him a small nod, stepping forward. 

“I have to start by telling you guys that we know we should have said something sooner, but we were too busy and we didn’t want to give any of you guys something else to worry about. Also, at first, Gunwook thought it was better if we didn’t tell you. Not because he didn’t trust you, but because he didn’t want to put an extra burner on you.” Jiwoong started. 

Gyuvin rested his hand on his shoulder for support. Then, he spoke next. 

“We knew we wouldn’t be able to keep this from you guys for a long time, fortunately, we were prepared for that,” Gyuvin began. “A few nights ago, we discussed with Gunwook about telling you guys and he agreed.” Gyuvin continued while everyone listened attentively.

“I know you guys probably found Gunwook’s behaviour today a bit odd. However, if you try to remember, this is not the first time you’ve seen him act like this,” Gyuvin said, and everyone’s mouth fell agape.

“When he fought with me over the game console months ago?” Yujin wondered aloud.

“Yes. That day in particular was the day hyung and I found out,” Gyuvin confirmed.

The conversation continued with Gyuvin and Jiwoong explaining everything they knew, since the moment they found out Gunwook went into little space until the reason why they thought Gunwook had suddenly slipped again today. Then, they apologised for keeping them in the dark for so long. 

“I’m the worst leader ever,” Hanbin suddenly said once the room got quieter.

“Don’t you ever say that again, Sung Hanbin.” Hao reproached him, approaching him.

“No, hyung. There was no way you would know. I’m his boyfriend and didn’t realize until it was very obvious.” Gyuvin reassured him.

“Still, I should have known.” Hanbin shook his head. “I always ask for too much from him because I know he is reliable. I keep forgetting he is one of the youngest members. I even caused him to go into little space today.” Hanbin couldn’t help but blame himself.

“Hanbin,” Jiwoong approached him and hugged him. “You will not take the blame for this. Gunwook has been stressed and struggling for a while. I promise it has nothing to do with how you treat him. In fact, he loves when you rely on him. You’re probably one of the people who actually help him not feel stressed by acknowledging he is capable of more. It is not your fault. I can assure you he is not mad at you,” Jiwoong said. 

“But he said I was mean,” Hanbin looked up at his hyung feeling discouraged. 

Jiwoong laughed, involuntarily. 

“Oh my god, who’s the child here?” Everyone laughed at the older one’s joke. “Don’t worry Bin, it’s like a four-year-old got mad at you because you didn’t want to share your candy. He’ll be fine. We’re all gonna be fine. I promise.” Jiwoong looked at everyone saying the last line.

A brief moment of silence followed in the kitchen. Everyone had too many questions, but weren’t sure if they could get answered.

“So… Can I play with him? I want to meet the baby version of Gunwook. Today only Hanbin and Hao hyung got to talk to him. It’s not fair,” Yujin interrupted the serious mood with a complaint. 

“I want to meet baby Wook too. I couldn’t even see him properly,” Ricky complained right after.

“I want to be the first to play with Gunwookie. How was I not aware of this sooner? I would have babied more than I already do,” Matthew chimed in later.

And, after him, everyone else started arguing about who would be the first one to spend time with Gunwook.

“Don’t fight over the little version of my boyfriend,” Gyuvin complained jokingly in the end. “He’s still my boyfriend, you know.” 

“Don't be greedy, Gyuvin. You and Jiwoong have already spent a lot of time with him,” Taerae pointed out, objectively.

“I say, while Gunwook is a baby, he can be everyone’s baby! Those in favor say I ,” Matthew encouraged.

“I!” They all, except Gyuvin and Jiwoong who only rolled their eyes, yelled in unison.

“Hey, we should read articles about little space while we wait for Wook to wake up,” Yujin suggested, enthusiastically. 

The others agreed, already looking forward to the time they would spend with Gunwook. 

Gyuvin and Jiwoong stood behind them, looking at them with a proud smile. 

They had nothing to worry about.

—

“I'm not sure if you’ll be able to play with him after he wakes up, guys,” Jiwoong said after some time. “We don't know if he will still be little or not. He tends to go back to actual Gunwook after a nap.” 

They couldn’t hide the disappointment in their faces once they heard Jiwoong, which made Gunwook’s carers laugh. 

“How many times has he gone into a little space so far?” Taerae asked, wanting to know more about little Gunwook.

“I don't know… about seven, eight times?” Gyuvin tried to remember. “Today was the first time he’s able to slip in a while. Our schedules were too packed to arrange for only me or Jiwoong hyung to be with him here, so that’s probably why he snapped today. He normally doesn’t behave like this even when he's in little space. Gunwook’s a polite kid too, and he’s adorable. You won’t have to worry,” Gyuvin reassured them.

“Awee, I need to meet him.” Matthew said, putting his phone down after going through a couple of articles about littles.

“Please, please, please, can't I just go and wake him up? I’ll deal with the consequences,” Yujin pleaded right after.

“Oh my gosh, I just got an idea. Can I play dress up with him? He never lets me do it when he is actual-age Gunwookie,” Ricky suggested at the same time.

Once again, everyone started talking over each other about the things they would like to do once they meet the little version of Gunwook.

Suddenly, everyone’s chatter stopped when they heard noises coming down the stairs, and a sleepy Gunwook showed up. 

All of them froze, unsure of how to act.

Meanwhile, Gunwook yawned his way to the kitchen, looking for a glass of water. His throat always gets thirsty when he gets up and, for some reason, his cup wasn’t on his bedside table. 

Maybe he forgot to bring it before taking a nap. 

Pause. When did he go to sleep? Weren’t they supposed to be rehearsing right now?

That’s when he finally looked up to see everyone else already staring at him. The sudden attention made his cheeks blush and lower his head in embarrassment. 

“Why are you guys staring at me like that?” 

They all immediately turned their heads to look at Gyuvin and Jiwoong for confirmation, but both shook their heads. That wasn't little Gunwook.

“Wook!” Gyuvin went to his boyfriend before anyone else could say something that made him feel uncomfortable. “Did you sleep well? I thought you would stay in bed for longer. I was even going to accompany you in a second,” He said carefully. 

Gunwook smiled at his boyfriend, his initial worries dissipating.

“Oh, I slept well. I think. But weren’t you and Jiwoong hyung supposed to be in a photoshoot right now?” Gunwook got confused. His little and big self still trying to make sense of the last couple of hours.

“Uhm, yes! But we finished earlier,” Jiwoong explained briefly.

It wasn’t a lie, they did finish the shoot earlier. Gunwook doesn't need to know right now he was the reason why. 

“What about the dance practice?” This time Gunwook looked around to get a reply from the other members who were oddly quiet.

“uhm,” Hao began. “Something happened, and we had to come back sooner than expected, remember?” He asked carefully.

Gunwook paused to think again, trying to remember what happened during the day. The moments where he goes into little space sometimes completely erase from his memory. He opened his eyes in surprise at the realization and looked at Gyuvin like asking if what he was thinking was right.

Gyuvin smiled at him sweetly, combing the strands of his hair. Then, he nodded, confirming Gunwook's suspicions.

He went into little space without meaning to, and the other members knew.

Gunwook's eyes watered and he immediately hugged Gyuvin, looking for comfort. 

He should've listened to his hyungs. He should have known. His other hyungs probably hated him right now.

As soon as he saw Gunwook's demeanor change, Jiwoong approached him and when his hand caressed his hair, Gunwook opened his arms, asking to be carried. 

The rest of the members remained frozen in place, not wanting to make the younger one feel even more upset or uncomfortable.

“What's wrong, baby?” Jiwoong asked while taking Gunwook to the living room so he could talk to him more comfortably.

Gyuvin followed them after asking the others to stay in the kitchen.

“Don’t cry, Wookie. Talk to us. What's wrong?” Jiwoong asked again, sitting on the couch with Gunwook in his lap. The usual position that Gunwook and himself found comfortable when he was little. 

Jiwoong wiped the singular tear that dropped down Gunwook's left cheek.

Gunwook felt better once he noticed he was only with his hyungs, but he still didn't dare to look them in the eyes, finding his fidgeting fingers his only refuge. 

Gyuvin and Jiwoong looked at each other, confused by the younger’s actions.

“Baby, what happened?” This time Gyuvin asked, thinking something wrong happened during the time they left Gunwook alone upstairs.

Gunwook murmured something, barely a whisper that none of them could catch. 

“I'm sorry, I couldn't hear, honey. What did you say?” Gyuvin got closer to him, encouraging him to speak a bit louder.

“Sorry…” Gunwook finally looked up at them, his eyes red and wet from the tears he was trying so hard not to drop. 

“What are you sorry for, love?” Gyuvin asked again, Jiwoong equally confused as him.

“No listen hyungies, wookie sorry,” Gunwook murmured this time, looking at them apologetically. 

While Gyuvin was still confused about the apology, Jiwoong thought of something.

“Is it because you went to the practice room even though we advised you not to?” Jiwoong asked softly, and Gunwook only nodded his head. 

“Oh, Gunwookie.” Jiwoong caressed his cheeks and Gyuvin held one of his hands for reassurance. “We are not mad at you, it's okay.” Gunwook opened his eyes in surprise and looked at Gyuvin for confirmation.

“Jiwoong hyung is right, baby. No one is mad at you,” Gyuvin affirmed. 

Gunwook smiled, suddenly opening his arms to hug them.

“Not mad?” He asked again just to make sure, slowly backing away from the hug.

“No, my love. We're not. Was that why you were so upset just now?” Gyuvin asked, and he and Jiwoong waited some time for Gunwook to understand what he meant. When Gunwook goes into little space, many words seem too difficult sometimes. 

Once Gunwook understood, he simply pointed his finger at the kitchen behind them.

“Is it because everyone was staring at you?” Gunwook nodded his head again.

“Hyungies hate wookie?” Now the younger one asked, tears almost starting to form again in his eyes.

“No one hates you, Wookie. Actually, everyone is eager to meet you!” Gyuvin reassured him.

Gunwook looked behind Gyuvin, where his other hyungs were.

“Really?” Gunwook pouted, not sure if they were telling him the truth.

Gyuvin tsked. 

“Have I ever lied to you?” Gyuvin asked Gunwook.

“no, no lie. Lie is meanie” Gunwook tried to express what Gyuvin had taught him some weeks ago when he lied about not being tired, which ended up in a manager almost witnessing Gunwook go into little space. 

Since then, Gunwook hasn't lied again.

“Okay then, so you know we're not lying,” Jiwoong chimed in. “Do you want to meet them?” 

This time, Gunwook nodded enthusiastically and stood up right away, almost running to the kitchen. 

Then, he remembered he would actually have to meet new people, which made him regret his decision. Gyuvin laughed and held one of his hands to guide him to meet the others. Jiwoong was at the other side of him, holding his other hand.

When they got to the kitchen again, everyone looked at Gunwook in adoration, not knowing what to say or do. 

And like usual, Gunwookie got shy and hid behind his hyungs. 

The members cooed at that.

“Gunwookie, it's okay! You already know them,” Jiwoong tried to reassure him.

Gunwook peeked behind Gyuvin's shoulder to look at the others, everyone was still smiling at him, which brought a smile to his face too.

Hao was the first one to approach Gunwook. “We actually already talked, right?” Hao asked, but Gunwook didn't really remember that so he got confused. 

“He doesn't always remember what happens between his slips. He might not remember you right now hyung,” Gyuvin explained.

“Oh! I didn’t know that,” Hao backed up a bit before speaking again. “Hi, Wookie!“ Hao tried to catch his attention again.

But, instead of looking at Hao, Gunwook focused on the only person who didn't look desperate for his attention.

“Who are you looking at, baby? Do you remember Hanbin?” Jiwoong asked. 

When Hanbin looked at Gunwook, the younger one hid again, suddenly remembering some parts of their first unfortunate interaction.

“No! Meanie,” Gunwook whispered-yelled behind his carers’ backs.

Everyone looked at Hanbin. He cleared his throat before speaking.

“Hey, Gunwookie! I'm sorry, hyung hurt your feelings earlier,” Hanbin started but Gunwook did not come out of his hiding spot. “I love you so much and I would never hurt you.” He said later, but still got no response from the younger. “And I bought some chocolate cookies on the way home. I think you'll like them.” He finished, hoping Hao's plan to get Gunwook’s trust back worked.

Fortunately, Gunwook peaked his head as soon as the sweet treat was mentioned to look at Hanbin, his round eyes shining enthusiastically. 

“Cookie?” Gunwook wondered aloud, still a bit unsure.

“Yes, a cookie just for you, Wookie!” Hanbin offered again, extending a big, chocolate cookie in front of him.

Gunwook looked at Gyuvin with his best puppy eyes, knowing he lets him get away with anything. “Wookie can eat cookies?” he asked innocently. 

Matthew and Ricky cooed at that a little too loud, which earned them silent death threats from Taerae who was also enjoying the show.

“You can have a cookie only if you give Hanbin hyung the biggest hug and say that you love him back,” said Gyuvin, and Gunwook almost looked offended at said offer. 

Give the meanie a hug? For a cookie? No way!  

But the cookies… okay, maybe meanie is not so meanie anymore.

After some consideration, Gunwook bravely left his hiding spot and approached Hanbin with small steps, his eyes planted on the floor. 

When he saw Hanbin shoes, he extended both hands, asking for the cookie.

Gyuvin chuckled. “Manners, baby.” 

Gunwook wanted to complain but chose to listen this time. 

“Can Wookie have?” he asked almost in a whisper, but Hanbin pretended not to hear him well.

Gunwook knew the only way he could get things and always worked was when he used his eyes but he couldn't do that if he was still staring at Hanbin's shoes, so he looked up at him.

“Please, give Wookie a cookie?” He asked again. This time, tilting his head to the side adorably. Something he knew had worked on Gyuvin before.

Hanbin melted at the sight and he gave it to him. 

Gunwook smiled, triumphantly.

“What do you say, Gunwookie?” Gyuvin encouraged him to talk more to their leader

“Thank you, meanie. Love you too!” Gunwook said while escaping, hiding behind his favorite hyungs again.

Hanbin’s eyes opened in surprise at the nickname Guwnook gave him. 

“I’m not mean, Gunwookie!” He defended himself and everyone else in the room started laughing, including Gunwook who was pretending to be oblivious of what he had caused. 

Hanbin pouted his lips pretending to be upset, but Gunwook was now too distracted by the scrumptious-looking cookie he had in his hands to notice. 

“Can I go play with him now?” Yujin suddenly asked Jiwoong while everyone else stared at Gunwook in awe. 

Jiwoong smiled at him, nodding in response. “We’ll ask him first.” He approached Gunwook. “Do you want anything else to eat with that cookie?” Jiwoong asked, and like a magic spell Gunwook stopped minding the sweet treat to look at him. 

“Milk? Please,” Gunwook smiled at his hyung.

“Of course, love. Go sit somewhere and I'll warm some milk for you,” said Jiwoong, ruffling his hair. 

“Guys, he’s adorable. I think I might pass out from all the cuteness,” said Matthew after Gunwook chose to sit beside him. 

Ricky tried sitting to the other side of Gunwook but Taerae pushed him before he could sit, winning the spot. 

“What the f-”

“Ricky, language!!” Gyuvin whispered-yelled at him so he wouldn’t say it out loud. 

As Gunwook’s mentality wasn’t older than that of a 5-year-old, according to Jiwoong, they tried to speak only nice words he could repeat later. 

Yujin used that time to sit in front of Gunwook. “Hi, baby Wookie!” He greeted him enthusiastically.

Gunwook looked up at him and smiled. 

“Hello, Jinnie!” 

Yujin opened his mouth, surprised. “Oh my god, he called me Jinnie! Isn’t he the cutest baby?” 

Jiwoong smiled at the interaction of the youngest members. “Wait, that made me think of something,” he commented with a glass of milk now in his hand. “If Gunwook is little, technically Yujin is now older than him.” He put the glass on the table for Gunwook but, before he could take a sip out of it, Jiwoong stopped him. “Be careful, love. We don’t want it to spill.” 

Gunwook nodded without paying much attention. 

“So, I'm not the maknae anymore?” Yujin cheered.

“You’re still the maknae, Yuji. Just not when Gunwookie is little,” Hao explained. 

“It's okay, I'll take that.” Yujin smiled and paid attention to Gunwook again. “No, Gunwook. Wait!” The youngest tried to warn.

But Gunwook had already spilled the glass of milk all over himself. 

“Oopsie!” Gunwook giggled, playing with the wet spot on his shirt. 

“So this is what having children feels like,” Taerae murmured amusingly, making everyone in the room laugh.