Little Stay

Minho

Changbin

Hyunjin

Han

Felix

Seungmin

I.N.

If he is at work, you are blowing up his phone

-To: Daddy 🐺

'Guess what happened today?'

-From: Daddy 🐺

'What happened little cub?'

-To: Daddy 🐺

'I was cleaning up my toys, and I slipped and I fell and I hurt my knee'

-From: Daddy 🐺

'My poor little one! Daddy was so sorry he wasn't home to help you. How is you knee baby?'

-To: Daddy 🐺

'It Otay. It hurt bad at first but I was a big kid and kept going!'

From: Daddy 🐺

'Just like daddy taught you, good job cubbie! Daddy is sending kisses through the phone. He will pick you up something extra special for being so brave'

But then the lessons and reminders just stopped...

Chan had no clue why. He would come into the bedroom and you would be in an entirely new outfit. Once questioned you explained you had spilled some water on yourself. He never had to ask...you always told him

We're you not needing your daddy anymore? Did you mean it when you said you were a big kid now? Did he lose his baby?

Chan's caregiver headspace went crazy. He knew it was probably overwhelming but he needed to prove that he was still useful. He cleaned up after you, changed you, cooked for you, and so much more. You couldn't even put a sock on without him stopping to do it for you.

Then came the questions. Every second of every day Chan was asking you questions. What did you do today? Did anything happen? Are you okay? Are you sure your okay? Are you sure you are sure you are okay?

Finally it became all too much! You knew daddy liked communication so you did just that.

"Daddy, can we talk?"

His heart raced and he couldn't read your expression.

"Always cubbie, what is on your mind little one?"

"Why is daddy weird?"

Okay he had to laugh at that

"What do you mean, baby?"

"Daddy is doing everything! And asking questions! Am I bad? Can I not be...umm what's the word...do you not think I can do it?"

And then his racing heart broke

"No no no! Baby that's not it. Daddy trusts you so much! He always believes in you. Daddy noticed his baby wasn't coming to him anymore and he didn't want to lose his little one. Daddy was being selfish honey. Do you know what that means?"

"Daddy isn't shell fish. I don't want to bother daddy..."

"Why would you think you were bothering me little one?"

"Becuz I hear you talk with uncle Han bout how you keep getting dis..dis..bothered when writing"

"Oh love, that was never you. It would never be you. Your uncles keep distracting daddy. You are never a distraction"

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Want to hear what I did today!"

"Always, little one"

Instead, they were focused on cooling you down as your poor puffy face began to turn red and splotchy from the heat.

"Oh my poor baby, Mommy is so sorry." Felix felt awful seeing how your body was reacting. He placed a gentle hand on your forehead and was alarmed by your temperature. "Minho! Come here!" Felix shouted out before immediately going back to your care. "Shhh baby, Noona is coming. Your noonie will be here soon"

"What's wrong Lix, I am trying to stop Hyunjin from breaking what little A/C we have" Minho wiped his hands on his shirt before looking over at you. "My little kitten! What happened to you" He was instantly at your feet.

"They are burning up! I think the heat is starting to make them sick. We need to cool them down" Felix brushed your hair with his hand, it was a nervous habit of his as a caregiver.

"What about the waterpark?" I.N. seemed to show up out of nowhere.

"Can't, they closed it last week"

"DURING A HEAT WAVE"

"Don't yell at me! Take it up with Mr.Wildwaves himself" Minho snarked back to I.N.

"Hot" a weak little voice caught all the caregivers' attention.

"Oh we know sugar, Mommy is so sorry. Let's get everyone in here and figure out how to help our little baby." Felix ended his sentence with a bop to your nose. It didn't help much but it did make you giggle.

Once all the boys were in the living room, ideas started flying. The whole situation became overwhelming but thankfully Han caught on.

"Here little quokka, sit on Oppa's lap." After getting all snuggled up, Han pressed your head into his chest to muffle the noise.

"I got it!" Chan stood up from excitement at his idea.

"Little one?" Han kissed your head to get your attention. "Listen to Daddy now, okay?" You gave a tired smile.

"Let's go to the beach! Felix and I have been dying to take them! Minho already has lunch made so we can pack it up and take it with us. We can all hang out in the water and just relax. Sound good cubby?" Everyone could tell you agreed based on the smile that appeared on your face.

The trip to the beach was fairly uneventful. You rode with Chan, Felix, Seungmin, and Hyunjin. Jinnie tried his best to give your room so you didn't get hotter while Seungmin was determined to put every single car vent on you. This prompted a scolding from Chan in the driver's seat as he could see your teeth chattering.

When you began to see the ocean line break over the hills, you danced around in your seat. You climbed over Hyunjin to get a better look.

"Mama! See the water?" You pointed to the very obvious ocean.

"Mama isn't sure he sees it, baby. Can you point it out to me?" Hyunjin held onto your waist to keep you secure as he followed your instructions.

"But now Minnie wants to see pup! Can you show Minnie where it is?" You giggled at Seungmin's request but showed him anyway.

It was about an hour of setting up before the boys all collected around you and Jeongin on the beach towels. During that time Innie was explaining all the fun things you would get to do. All of it seemed like a whole new world to you and your eyes shined at every new activity. However, Jeongin didn't fail to notice how your eyes dulled at the mention of swimming. He wouldn't bring it up now, not while you are occupied by the strange substance known as sand.

"Okay, Bunbun! Plan time." Changbin swooped you up and sat back down with you.

"We are going to eat some lunch and then we are going to go play before we get in the water. Okay, Cubby?" Chan asked but he knew you weren't fully paying attention, Binnie was always too much of a distraction.

Minho passed out the food and gave Changbin a gentle reminder that the baby had to eat most of their food. However, that didn't stop your dada from becoming the munch monster and sneaking bites out of everything you had. While you were distracted, Jeongin whispered something to Felix.

The next few hours were some of the most fun you had. It started with sea shell hunting with Han. Then Hyunjin helped you make a sand castle fit for a mermaid royal family. Seungmin took you on a small walk up the coastline and introduced you to all the dogs that came your way. Changbin played some games like catch and frisbee with you and the other boys while Jeongin set up a small dance party. Whispers seemed to surround everything you did.

It seemed to be that time. All the boys eventually ended up in the water, well all but Minho. No, instead Minho was watching you take your much-needed nap under the comfort of the umbrella. Your eyes blinked open and you retreated into Minho's lap when the light came in.

"Oh Kitten, a little too bright huh?" He chuckled as he shielded your eyes. 

"Do you wanna join your other caregivers in the water baby, itll be much cooler."

"Um....No thank you" The way you fidgeted with your shirt was telling.

"Kitten, can Noonie ask you a question?" he was met with a hum in response. "My little kitten doesn't like water, do they? Baby, do you maybe not know how to swim?" You shied away in embarrassment. "No need to be embarrassed honey! Guess what, Noona can't swim either!"

"Noonie doesn't know how to swim?" Your head perked up at his confession.

"Nope! But you know what? I think maybe we should be brave together. What do you say kitten? Just a little splash?"

"Just a little splash." You repeated to yourself.

Minho carried you down to the water with his own shaking arms. To be honest he was just as scared as you were. But when the boys saw you both coming, the looks on their faces ranged from comforting to excited. Minho's toes graced the water and he jumped back a bit by the cold. 

Then, once situated, he lowered you down to the ground. He had to give you a bit of a shake to make you let go but his hand instantly intertwined with yours.

One step at a time you two entered the water all while Chan and Felix held out their arms.

"Come here baby, come to Daddy" Chan beckoned you over.

"Can't Daddy!" You backed into Minho.

"Yes, you can baby! Move your arms just like this" Felix motioned what he wanted you to do. "Then kick your little leggies!"

You followed his instructions and while you were moving slowly, you were moving.

"That's it cubby! Just a bit more!" All the boys cheered as you made your way into Chan's arms.

"Your turn Minho!" Han called out and was instantly met with rejection. Suddenly his torso was wet. When he looked to find the culprit he found a very smitten little staring back.

"It's just a little splash, Noonie!"