Ronin

This man has pretty much no fear, which, is obviously something we already know, but that applies to everything. Including you going out regressed.

If you need a paci? done, he doesn't care if other people will think its weird, he'll stare them down until they back off.

Stuffie? absolutely, he'll even carry it when your arms get tired and talk to them like a live pet!

Can't walk? he'll carry you, on his hip, cradle you, piggy-back you, even bring a trailer/trolley sort of thing to push or pull you around.

Anyway! Back on track!

Ronin is so unorganised, and you both need to get out of the house, so he decides, easy option, going to the park!

What could possibly go wrong? you may ask

Literally. Everything.

(safe to say, he will not be attempting a walk to the park without prior preparation again)

You're thoroughly enamoured with a game (depending on your age, could be a video game, could be stacking rings) when Ronin presents the idea to you

Immediately met with retaliation.

No way

nuh uh

you're having fun!

why would you want to go to the park!

But no, Ronin is determined, he knows that you'll be up all night if you don't do some sort of exercise, so he picks you up and puts away your game, much to your displeasure.

Cue toddler tantrum.

"NO! NO DON'T WANNA! DOWN! DOWN DADA DOWN! GO 'WAY!"

"Baby, you like the park!"

"NUH-UH! NUH UH! NO PARK!"

Ronin tries to soothe you for a while, but eventually decides that he needs a new tactic.

"How about we just put our shoes on and then we see how we feel?"

There's a long pause while you consider this, before you settle down, harumphing, "Foin.."

Then comes the next problem.

You see your roller-blades.

So much for not wanting to go outside.

"WOLLER BADES!!!!"

Ah shit.

You're squirming in Ronin's arms again as he struggles to set you down gently, before scrambling towards your roller blades.

"Dada I wear woller bades?"

"Baby do you really think that roller blades are the best option to go to the park in?"

Ronin figures he needs to at least attempt to stop you from trying to roller blade to the park.

"Yuh!"

So much for stopping that, you're already fumbling with them in an attempt to put them on, on the wrong feet, of course.

"Alright then, let me help."

He kneels down in front of you, gently moving to remove the rollerblades to put them on the right feet, but you are having none of that.

"CAN DO MYSEF! NO HELP"

"They're on the wrong feet bubs."

"NO DEY'RE NOT!"

Ronin sighs, but he grabs his own shoes instead of pushing it, watching you fumble with all the buckles, but refusing to accept any help.

The rollerblades are finally on and fully done up when you realise that they're on the wrong feet.

"Dada!"

You're giggling and falling forward to poke at Ronin to make sure that you have his attention.

"Dada dada dada! Dada look! Dey're on da wrong feet!"

Ronin, has nearly abandoned the idea of going to the park at this point, but he nods, rolling his eyes and snorting at your enthusiastic announcement.

"Funny that. Do you want help putting them on the right feet, bubs?"

"Nope!"

You go back to fumbling with the buckles once more, and Ronin's face is in his palms, and he's sent Angel a photo of you completely focused on your rollerblades, which she thought was adorable. Which Ronin agrees with, but that was not the point.

Finally, finally, your rollerblades are done up, on the correct feet this time, and you're clapping your hands excitedly, catching Ronin's attention once more.

"Dada ready!"

"We're ready to go?"

"Uh huh!"

He stands up and helps you up as well, making sure that your hand is in his, just so that you can't really fall over without him catching you.

With you rolling around him, Ronin grabs the 'baby bag', or, the bag that has everything you might need and slings it over his shoulder.

"Alright then bubs. Let's go."

The walk (or roll, in your case) is nice, it's good for the two of you to get out every now and then, even if it can be a little bit of a hassle sometimes, but you spend ages at the park, on the swings and the slide and playing tag with Ronin (who lets you win ofc)

By the end, you're thoroughly exhausted, the rollerblades are in the bag, and Ronin piggybacks you all the way back home

(is it a little inspired by bluey? maybe... but this is 1000% something that would happen with him. trust me)

Angel

As soon as Angel discovered that you were a regressor, she found the closest parks and took you to all of them to test them out and see which ones were the best.

The two of you settled on one that wasn't too far, but also had swings, a flying fox, slides, a mini water run, and all sorts of other stuff to play in.

She has baby wraps that she can use to tie you to her back and carry you, but Angel is definitely stronger than she looks and can carry you in other ways too, but around the house and when you're super little, that's the way she goes (plus they're also like, so adorable, she has so many photos of you asleep and awake in the baby wraps)

But today? Today you're feeling older.

So instead of being carried or clinging to Angel's hands as you toddle along beside her, you're bouncing around and begging for Angel to do your hair for you and put on lipgloss

"Mama! Can you do my makeup and hair too? Please please please please?"

Angel laughs, "Settle down sweetie, let's save the energy for the park. If you sit down I'll do your hair and we can put on some lipgloss if you'd like."

Despite you requesting Angel's help, you're still squirming and wriggling in the chair as Angel works, "Are you done yet mama? Can we go?"

"Calm down sweetheart, give me a few more minutes, then we'll be ready."

"Awwwww, I wanna go nowwwwww."

You're pouting, but you do your best to stay still as Angel finishes weaving your hair into two neat braids.

There's a squishy toy in your hands so that you can fidget and not mess up your hair.

Angel is almost done when an idea hits you.

"Mama! I can do your hair!"

"Oh? You want to do my hair?"

"Yeah!"

"Alright, let me tie the plaits off first, then you can give it a go."

She grabs two hair ties and ties the plaits, before pressing a kiss to the top of your head.

"All done, sweetheart. You want to get up?"

"Thanks mama! I'll do yours now!"

You shoot up out of the chair and excitedly encourage Angel to sit down.

"You're gonna look so pretty when we go to the park!"

"I'm sure I will! The brush is here."

Angel hands you the brush, "Just remember that we still need to get to the park before the sun sets, okay sweetheart?"

"Mkay!"

You nod and brush out Angel's hair and attempt to plait Angel's hair, ending up in a sort of odd knotty weave, but you're doing your best nonetheless.

Eventually, you're finished with your... interesting interpretation of a plait, which you present to Angel with pride radiating off of you.

"Tada!!!!"

"Wow! It's so beautiful baby!"

You're preening as Angel admires it, giggling happily.

"Are you ready to go now?"

"Mhm! Let's go let's go let's go!!!!!"

"Yes, shall we go get our shoes then?"

"Kay!"

Both of your shoes on, bag slung over Angel's shoulder, the two of you head to the park, with you skipping ahead of your caregiver, before pausing to make sure that Angel was still behind you every couple of steps.

"You excited sweetie?"

"Yes!! I'm gonna play on the swings and the flying fox and the slides and then we can play shops!"

"Wow! That's a lot!"

"Yup! It's gonna be great!"

"Of course!"

The two of you spend ages at the park, with Angel watching you on the slides, helping you onto the flying fox, pushing you on the swings, and playing shops with you, purchasing various acorns and leaves from your store, and attempting to leave without paying once!

You're feeling much younger on the walk back home, holding Angel's hand tightly and swinging your arms until you get too tired for that, and you end up flopping into Angel's side, leaning all of your weight into her.

"Are you tired sweetheart?"

"Mhmm."

Angel smiles and stops, holding you up, "Do you want me to carry you?"

"Yeahhhhh."

"Alright."

You're scooped up into Angel's arms, "There we go, you can sleep now baby."

I loooove angel smmmm XD

She's so sweet and awesome!

Alr alr alr

Misaki or V? Let's do our favourite assassin next >:3

Misaki

Misaki is the only one we're doing the theme park for :3 bc ofc! she loves theme parks/amusement parks!

similar to ro, Misaki does not have good time management.

You're both already running late when Misaki is awake and dressed, hurriedly making breakfast for both of you before waking you up.

There's currently an amusement park in town, that both of you had discussed going to while regressed.

So you're still asleep while Misaki is rushing around the caravan to organise your regression things and everything else that you'll need forthe day.

And then suddenly you're at their side, bouncing excitedly

"Nomma! Nomma! Nomma we go to da park?"

Misaki snorts, "Gremlin! Your breakfast is on the table, go eat that and then we'll get you dressed."

"Kay!"

You scurry to the table to eat your breakfast and Misaki pulls out some clothes for you to wear.

The speed at which you devour your food is impressive, itching to get to the park

And then you're jumping around while Misaki tries to get you into clothes.

"Nomma we go nowwwww!!!!"

"Patience Gremlin." But Misaki's laughing nonetheless, "You've gotta let me make sure that we have everything."

"How long?"

"Five minutes."

You groan and flop dramatically, "Das foreverrrr."

"Not quite you silly goose."

"Is da sameeee."

"Alright, you keep complaining and I'll make sure we have our stuff."

"Wanna go noww now nowwww nommaaaaaaaa!"

"I'm well aware of this, but give me a few more minutes your majesty."

This time it's you who's giggling, at the nickname Misaki only gives you when you're being particularly dramatic.

Before you can make another comment, Misaki stands from where they've been hovering over a bag.

"Okay, now we're ready your majesty."

"Yay!!! Nomma Nomma come on!!!"

Misaki holds your hand the way, as the two of you walk to the train, with you skipping and bouncing the whole way.

There are several pit stops where you pick up leaves and feathers and interesting sticks and flowers to give to Misaki.

Headphones are wrestled onto your ears when you get into the train, mainly because you are failing miserably at sitting still

The two of you spend the day riding the rides and playing all of the games at the park.

Misaki helps you to win all of the sharpshooter games, much to the horror of the stall owners

By the end of the day, you're thoroughly exhausted and practically passed out on Misaki's back, as she carries you to the train, and then back to the trailer.

Once you're put in bed, they take a picture to send to the others to tell everyone what a great day both of you had.

And finally,

last, but certainly not least,

V

i like to imagine that V has a like, really reeeealllyyyyy big backyard, like, idk, forest in his backyard sorta thing

:3

you had been restless all. day.

it was safe to say, that your endless energy, had worn down on V by this point in the day

So, he decided, a walk would be best

For you, for him, for the animals, for all involved

You were bouncing around as he put K9's leash on

You're still bouncing around when he puts on his own jacket and has to practically hold you down to make sure that you put on yours as well

"Papa papa lets go lets go! Gonna walk with da pupper!"

"You- Hold on you need to put your shoes on-"

You are no longer paying attention

instead, you are scruffling K9 and getting all excited, giggling madly as you get licked all over the face

"Little one you need to wear shoes."

"NO!"

And then you're scampering to the door, occasionally tripping over your own feet before you swing the door open.

"Hang on- Dear- Wait-"

"OUTSIDE PAPA!!!"

"No you need shoes dear!"

"NUH UH! GONNA GO OUTSIDE NOW!"

"Love! Come back!"

You are well and truly outside now.

bare feet and all

V sighs, picks up your shoes and socks to put in a bag that he slings over his shoulder and then follows you out into the backyard

Outside, you're doing cartwheels in circles, and K9 bounces and tries to chase you around

"Papa papa look! Look I'm doin cartwheels!!!"

"I can see that little one."

"Are dey good?"

"They're very good dear. Are you going to help me walk K9?"

"Kay!"

You skip back over, palms covered in mud and a couple of leaves.

"Papa c'n we climb a tree?"

"I don't think that's the best idea right now dear, you're a little young for that."

V gives you a quick pat on the head when you sigh dramatically.

"You can throw the ball if you'd like though."

"Yeah!"

You're handed the ball thrower by V, which you promptly throw the ball, except it doesn't actually get thrown, falling out of the thrower and landing behind you for K9 to excitedly grab and drop back at your feet while V unclips the leash

"Oopsies!"

You giggle, flopping against V before you scoop up the ball again.

For a while you just throw the ball for K9, but eventually you get bored and hand the thrower back to V, instead opting to chase after the ball with K9

When you're thoroughly exhausted, you end up leaning into V, pouting and whining about how your feet hurt

"Love if you'd just put your shoes on like I'd told you to earlier, this wouldn't be an issue."

"Mmmmmm but don wan shoooesss."

"I know love, I know, but now your feet hurt, don't they."

You huff and groan into V's side upsettly as he chuckles

"Papaaaa yous bein meannnnnnn."

"Shall I carry you then, little one?"

The way you immediately perk up is impressive, "Yeah!"

"Alright then, up you get love."

You're hoisted up onto V's hip, head resting on his shoulder.

"Okay love, let's get you home."

IT IS DONE!

thank you, thank you, you have no idea how long this took ToT

well, the person who requested this does, but no one else XD

I hope you enjoyed guys!

These characters have my heart :3

Angel

She's probably the first to find out/work it out

Talk about a mother or older sister cg XD

She's always happy to babysit or care for you, irl or on call.

funnily enough, she's even happy to drop work for you, if you're babbling in her dms, she's already leaving to take care of you (something something better at seeing/taking care of others needs than her own...)

Depending on how old you are, she'll do different things with you.

Dress ups are all ages tho (if ur comfortable ofc)

She's got a really good singing voice, so if you're really young, she's happy to sing to you or read books or just talk to you.

This is gonna be a common theme, but she's like, rlly strong (i figure they all have to be, cause, yk, serial killers) so picking you up, carrying you around, rocking you etc are all well within her abilities

She will carry you everywhere if you like being carried

spoiled? her little? babes how is that even a question. You have everything you could ever want, she'll drop off random gifts at your place if she sees something you'd like, big or little. Whenever you go to her place and regress, she always has something new, be it a toy, accessories, bottles, pacis, blankets, whatever it is you like

When she finds out, she's probably one of the most already knowledgeble on regression, her and Misaki and their chronic online-ness

If you're older, she's all for doing makeup with you, painting nails together, clothes shopping, hair styles, etc :) Ofc she's sooo good at all of them, she'll probably do yours and she'll let you do hers

When she's not available, depending on how old you are, her first people to take care of you would be Misaki, and then Ronin, because as much as she trusts Ronin, she does not trust that his house is kid friendly, or his ability to take care of you without you returning with a myriad of swear words or dyed hair or a desire for a large collection of pets

If she has to work, you're typically brought with her, everyone on set looves hanging out with you and spoiling you, so you're well and truly taken care of :)

Misaki

She has sooooo much fun

Immediately does so much research into regression, knows everything within the hour

Wishes that she could be with you irl when you regress, but she settles for video calls or voice calls

They love to show you different shows that they like, depending on what ages you regress to.

looooves to make you laugh, makes the silliest faces at you when you're really young, messes up things that 'should be obvious' when you're older, has sooo many jokes for you, calls you silly names

If you're a middle or teen regressor, they'll teach you things, or have you teach her things,

If you're primary school age, and like to learn, she'll send you letter sheets :)

if you're younger, they'll find colouring in sheets to send to you, along with connect the dots and colour by number

They'll send you gifts specific to your regression whenever they can (much like Angel) and she makes sure that you open them on call with her

Comes up with the best games to play, no matter what age you regress to

Angel is their first choice for baby-sitter, then it would be either Feli or Luca :3

As your babysitter or temporary caregiver, they still have so much fun, honestly, they don't have much confidence, but she does enjoy hanging out with kids

Could be older sibling or parent, she does not mind

When they get to be irl with you, they're taking you to all the places you want to go, playgrounds, shopping, arcades, whatever you want (horse riding :3)

would 100% teach you to shoot as a teen/middle regressor, not because she thinks you'll need it, but because she thinks you'd find it fun XD

Ronin

Safe to say he didn't know what regression was when you first tell him about it

secretly learns so much about it, asks Angel cause he thinks she'd know

He doesn't really trust himself to take care of you, but you keep coming back to him, regressed or not, and he hates to admit that he likes taking care of you

Tries to play games like truth or dare, or twenty questions with you, ends up like that episode of bluey (double babysitter) pure chaos

suuuuper overprotective, yk that image of rosa with the puppy? he's like that, same with v :3

Puts alllll of his knives and sharp objects away when you're around

gets/gives you things, but instead of just giving them to you like the others, he like.... has a box or smth and new things appear whenever he sees things that you'd like

yes you hang out with his pets, ofc

Super strong, picks you up all the time, can hold you above his head and spin you around, piggy back rides, all that fun stuff!

if you're into horror, he'll find age apropriate horror games, shows and movies and make sure that all of your comfort stuff is nearby, with your other favourite shows nearby just in case you need it

Angel is 100% your babysitter, there's pretty much no one he would trust more :3

Would encourage you to be regressed on the server, thinks it's absolutely adorable when you're hanging out with others when little

the absolute best at decoding babbling, will have full blown conversations with young regressors with you just babbling

secretly super soft :3

V

has no clue what regression is XD

has to do an awful lot of research to work it out, with some help with you.

Unsure how to interact with kids, but he does his best :)

like Ronin, he'll have full conversations with younger regressors.

as with all of them, super protective, 'ive had you for an hour and if anything ever happened to you i'd kill everyone and then myself' vibes :3

sooooo lost when you cry, he tries everything to try and help

does eventually have to ask others for help, Angel is super helpful, definitely grows on him in the process, makes her your babysitter if he ever can't take care of you

takes you on walks, to parks, swimming and all sorts of things in nature with his animals

loves to teach you things, especially animal facts, how to take care of different types of animals, training animals, lots of cool stuff!

would 100% teach you self defence, cause fun

if you like being carried, he would carry you, absolutely.

will play lots of games, lotta toys and fun things.

if you like doing makeup, or hair, or painting nails or dress ups he is so happy to let you do them on him. Will leave his house with stickers on his face and brightly coloured nails if you did it for him :3

Has fake swords and weapons to fake battle with you, absolutely loses every time, puts up a fight, but he totally loses to you, especially if you get the animals involved

reluctantly gets along with everyone else because you like them, even ronin... veeery reluctantly. not impressed if you like ronin as a babysitter, but he will cope, even if he's seething internally.

general consensus, he's a bit lost at the start, but he does his best :3

OTHER CAST

Feli

Super sweet, probably better with older regressors, but she's happy to coo and chat at/with you

does drawing and colouring in with you :3

activity sheets? girl is the activity sheet creator, she can make anything and finds it so fun (if she has the time ofc)

Keeps an eye on you when she's studying, puts on shows for you to watch and she'll glance up to chat with you every now and then

often you're on call with her and Luca, so he can entertain you while she's busy

Speaking of...

Luca

you guys are always at the beach

he's totally teaching you to surf or boogie board

loves swimming with you, suuuuper careful tho (he does not want you accidentally getting killed, he knows the ocean is dangerous)

if you don't like the ocean, or you're too young, he has buckets and shovels and all sorts of fun stuff for you to do in the sand

you guys make the best sandcastles ever

ice cream or icy-poles after is a must

he'll call and chat alll the time, again, often feli will join :)

Vince and Ai Hua

they're both thrilled and happy to hang out/take care of you

you get lots of duck photos and videos ofc ofc

if you're really little, Ai hua will play peekaboo with you

Vince is happy to chat with you when you're babbling

i will 100% add to this later, but i think this is enough for now :3

(someone convince me not to get overkill, i really really really wanna get itttttt but i shouldn'ttttt i should just wait till expanded edition....)

pls tell me if you have suggestions or ideas :3

You're panicking, gasping, mind fogging as panic keeps triggering your regression, just spurring on from your video call with Ronin-

Ronin. Something about- bout Ron'n.

Mad? Is mad an- an you dunno why- an- an-

You whine, standing to get out of your chair, but your knees buckle and you're sent tumbling to the floor, tears pour down your cheeks as your hands find their way into your mouth to comfort you. Sucking on your fingers as you sob. Something's wrong, and you can't pick what it is.

Something is off.

You should have called the cops by now.

Should have done something.

And yet…

You've been 'online' since he hung up. And no one has shown up at his doorstep.

Shit.

He might have to make good on his threat.

Shit shit shit shit.

Reluctanly, he gathers his crowbar and a knife, tossing a mask into his pocket, shoving his feet into boots and trudging out the door.

He plots your address into his phone, follows the map, climbs up and into your room through the window. He lands softly, stands, and takes everything in.

Crowbar in hand, Ronin freezes when he hears sobbing.

Glancing around your room, he spots you, curled up with a hand in your mouth, eyes wide and bleary, not reckognising him, not really… seeing. You're sobbing and whimpering, cheeks red from tears, drool coating your hands and you flail, gasping and hiccupping.

And this is not-

He-

You're teetering, tipping over, and Ronin's on you in a second, catching you and laying you down gently on the ground, and then he's out, through the door, back pressed up against it the second it's shut.

Hands shaking, crowbar clattering to the floor, he scrambles to pull out his phone, dialling Angel, gasping out as soon as the call connects, "Angel… I fucked up"

There's a long pause, before, "… Shit… Text me your details, I'll give an alibi"

"No- no. it's- it's not the cops… not yet at least…" Ronin trails off, how would he have coped if you had called the cops?

"The fuck is it then??" Angel's huffing, he can hear her scowl.

"Remember when I told you I was going to play a game, I found a new toy?"

"Ronin…" She trails off, Angel can already see where he's going and he knows it.

"And then I let them onto the server…"

"Ronin what the fuck did you do?" Oh she's angry now, he's going to get eaten alive the second she gets her hands on him.

He winces, "… They're not a serial killer…"

"RONIN WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK" He has to pull the phone away from his ear as Angel shouts.

"No! No they're- they're a writer! a crime writer! And it was all fun and games and I didn't care how it ended…" Ronin's quick to defend himself, hissing out justifications that sound wrong to even his own ears.

"But?"

Shit, Angel knows him all too well, "But they didn't work it out, so I told them that was it. Game over. They should have called the cops."

"… Ronin I swear to any higher power that may or may not exist…"

"They didn't! So I thought… why not make good on my threats, what's the point if I don't, they'll start thinking I've got a soft spot!" He hates how he feels sick at the idea of killing you now, a feeling he refuses to admit that he was shoving down earlier.

"I'm not seeing the fucking up."

"They're… shit what did you call it? Uh…"

"Ronin I say many things, I cannot read minds."

"A baby." Ronin summarises.

"Now I certainly haven't said anything like that to you…."

"…"

"… Ah, fuck. an age regressor." Angel's voice softens, not for him, but for you.

"Angel they're sobbing, I was prepared for grovelling, for fighting, for anything, but a baby??"

Angel groans, "What are you going to do."

"I don't know how to take care of kids!? Why are you asking me?!"

"Well I assumed you'd kill them anyway, but they certainly aren't your usual victim, I don't think they've actually done anything cruel in their life." Angel sounds… worried… quietly annoyed at him.

"Shit Angel, you're not making this any easier." He knows he's not going to kill you, but…

"Hey, don't pin this on me, this whole thing? all you…"

He's silent, until Angel snaps.

"... Fuck Ronin! I genuinely liked them! they were so lovely! I didn't know we were picking on innocents now!"

"I know I know but I was bored and they were just begging for it! Asking all the right things in places that were far too public! If they had just picked up on my fucking name-" His excuses sound pathetic to his own ears, he hates how you seem to already have his aorta in your clutches.

"Ronin did you ever stop to think that maybe they had already started to regress? The fuck man! They were already under so much stress, and all of a sudden you spring that on them, of course they couldn't work out your fucking name!"

There's a long pause, you're still sobbing, screaming, he can hear your limbs hitting the floor and he winces, resolve hardening.

"I'll call you back."

"Ronin what are you-"

He takes off his jacket, his weapons are placed outside your room before he opens your door again.

Your eyes are wide and unrecognising as Ronin pads back into your room.

You lie on the floor now, just where you were when he left you, still sobbing, hands still shoved in your mouth as you drool all over yourself.

Ronin hesitates, almost walks back out... but you look so... vulnerable... and he hates to admit how fond of you he is.

So he crouches down beside you, brushing your hair from your face even when you flinch ever so slightly. Ronin freezes, and then you seem to recognise that someone else is there, one hand gets pulled from your mouth to reach up to him, still not fullly aware of who he is.

"Alright, alright darlin'," Ronin folds your legs up and gently scoops you up, carrying you to your bed, despite how you kick out at him, drool and tears soaking through his shirt - not the usual bodily fluids he has staining his shirt, but he'll forgive you for the change - "The Devil's got ya, and he's not going to let anyone hurt you."

You're still sobbing in his arms, whimpering little sounds and gasping for breath when you forget you need it, so he adjusts his hold to rock you gently, bouncing you ever so slightly, smiling when your tears slow and you begin to quiet.

"Shh, shh, you're okay little one, you're safe."

Safe... In the arms of a renown serial killer... Ronin almost laughs at the irony of him telling someone that they're safe. And yet... It seems he's making a lot of exceptions for you.

Slowly but steadily, you quiet, bar the occasional hiccupping breath, you relax into Ronin's arms, curling into him as something warm and soft swells and cements itself in his chest.

He would kill for you.

No. No, for him, that doesn't mean too much.

Somewhere deep inside him, he knows that he wasn't going to be able to take your life no matter how this day turned out

He would die for you. But more importantly...

He would live for you.

He will live for you.

Ronin hums quietly as he rocks you, soft kisses pressed to the crown of your head, gentle words cooed into your hair.

Eventually your breaths even out, and he places you on your bed, atop a blanket that he thinks is large enough for an attempt at a swaddle, something he thought he had forgotten how to do long ago, but is it so egregious if that knowledge comes in handy for you?

You're quickly wrapped in the soft material, occasionally babbling quietly, cooing and giggling when Ronin responds all too seriously.

It's easier than he expected to find a pacifier for you, one you happily accept when presented with it, having started crying again when he extracted your fingers from your mouth.

"There, isn't that much better than your fingers, bug?" Ronin coos, feeling the warmth in his chest grow at your sleepy blinking, fully aware that you haven't processed a thing he's said to you, "Sleep, bug. I'll be here when you wake up."

It would have been threatening.

It should have been threatening.

But he'd just spent the last hour rocking and caring for you, and the thought of you being afraid of him is suddenly horrifying.

When you're fully asleep, he leaves the room to grab his jacket, phone, and lay his weapons by your shoe rack.

He almost leaves, but the soft thing nearly shatters at the thought, surprisingly, he's grown soft for you.

And even more surpisingly?

He finds he doesn't seem to mind.

"'nin I'm bored." a pout on your lips, fighting the urge to bring your fingers to your lips when Ronin doesn't immediately turn to face you.

"Bored huh? You wound me darlin'." He's still fully focused on his game, not seeing the way you take a couple of wobbly, unbalanced steps towards him, arms stretched out until you end up dropping to the floor, sitting cross legged by Ronin's feet and fiddling with the hems of his pants, "You right down there darlin'?"

"Mhm, wanna color!"

Ronin blinks, pausing his game to actually look down at you, "Colour? What do you mean by that baby?"

"With crayons?" You look up with wide childlike eyes.

"With crayons? Uh, I don't think, I don't think I have any crayons darlin', how about I get you some pencils and paper instead?"

He's concerned now, standing up, scruffing your hair quickly before moving over to a shelf from which he pulls out coloured pencils and a sketchbook. Ronin crouches down in front of you, holding the items out until you take them with grabby hands, childish grin on your face, "Fank you!"

"I'm… I'm going to do something for a second, how about you do your drawing for a few minutes, I'll be right here if you need anything darlin'."

Ronin sits back in his chair, shutting down his game and opening up his chat with Angel as well as his browser.

<goreboy> hey Angel. has <user> ever talked to you and it's just been… off?

<Angelic> …. What's happened?

<goreboy> i'm not really sure.

they were bored, and then came over to me and started playing with the edges of my clothes.

now they're drawing

<Angelic> You ever heard of age regression?

<goreboy> no?

<Angelic> every now and then, I'll come online and get drawings that look like something a toddler made, of all of us, of horses, dogs, characters from shows and things of the sort.

Then I chat and hang around, sometimes we call and I get to hear all the babbling, when we're just messaging, letters are all over the place, it's really a game of 'what could that word be' most of the time

Look it up, there's heaps of stuff on tumblr.

I can call to help if you'd like.

Ronin's typing up 'age regression' into his browser, scrolling through post after post on tumblr, advice from caregivers, rambles from regressors, definitions, explanations, so on and so forth.

<Angelic> You still there?

<goreboy> there's a Lot of things on tumblr.

<Angelic> HA yeah, a lot

Wanna call?

<goreboy> you're happy to show your face?

<Angelic> yeah, we're good.

<goreboy> call us in a minute

Ronin peers down at where you're 'drawing' (there are a lot of red scribbles across the page), gets out of his chair and crouches down to be at eye level with you in an attempt to catch your attention.

"Hey there darlin', Angel's going to call us, you up for that?"

You're blinking up at him again, smiling happily, "Ria?"

"Ria as in Maria?"

"Yah! Ria!" You chirp, because, obviously, "Now?"

"In a minute, shall I put you on my lap, baby?"

You reach over to him with grabby hands, "Up!"

Warm hands wrap under your arms, lifting you up as Ronin stands, and settling you on his lap when he sits in his chair.

"Comfortable baby?" You nod, grabbing Ronin's arm and pulling it towards you.

A ringing starts, and Ronin uses his free hand to answer the call, Angel appearing on the screen.

"Hey there little one!" Angel smiles, catching your attention and earning an excited wave.

"Ria!" You're squirming on Ronin's lap, twisting to face the computer, "'wo!"

"Hello. I see you've got Ronin with you."

You nod, putting on a serious expression, "Mhm. Got pe'cils."

"Pencils, wow, that's pretty exciting, no markers though." You pout, and Angel gives Ronin a pointed look.

"Wan' textas." the huff from you gets a snort from Ronin and Angel.

"I know sweetheart, but remember what happened last time you had textas?" You shrug and Angel rolls her eyes affectionately, "Well we don't want your whole body covered in ink, do we?"

"Foin. No textas."

"Mhm, you hear that Ronin? No textas."

Ronin brings a hand up to his chest in mock offense, "Me! What did I do?"

"Hey, it's your walls that'll suffer if you don't listen to me."

There's a grin on Angel's face, as though she's looking forward to hearing about how Ronin's walls are covered in ink and scribbles, "Anyway, how old are you feeling sweetheart?"

5 fingers are held up, "Dis many!"

"Five? Wow! You're so big!"

"Uh-huh! I can do anyfing!"

"Yeah you can! Have you done any drawings for me?"

"Yah! 's on da foor."

Ronin leans down behind you to grab the sketchbook, and hand it to you, "There you go darlin."

"Fank you!" Your drawing is thrust towards the camera to show Angel, who gasps and compliments the colour choices and artistic interpretation, which Ronin snorts at.

"So, what are the two of you going to do now?"

You shrug, clinging to Ronin's arm again and gnawing on his hands, making him wince, but he doesn't comment, letting you chew away, instead he refocuses on Angel, "I don't know, you got any ideas?"

"Well, someone needs food and water, at some point at least, if you have a drink bottle with a spout that would be ideal, drinking is a bit more difficult like this. And if you want, I can send you the link to a site where you can watch Bluey." Angel reaches out of the frame for a second, appearing back with a sippy cup, "This is the one that I keep for when we get together."

"That… Yeah, can you send me the link, but also stay on for a minute and share screen to stream it while I get a bottle and some snacks?"

"Of course! I'm always up for a hang out with my little one! Calypso or Granny Mobile?"

"'wanny 'bile!" You're mumbling around Ronin's fingers.

"Alright, I'll leave you two to that, I'll be back in a minute, have fun baby." Ronin carefully extracts his fingers from your mouth, earning a whine from you, and struggles when you squirm as he attempts to lift you out of his lap and place you into the chair, "Behave, monster."

"I've got this handled, shoo Ronin!" Angel waves him away, starting a screen share and pulling up the episode.

"Okay, okay, I'm going!"

The door is left open behind Ronin, and you're thoroughly enamoured with Bluey, giggling and sucking on your fingers.

"Sweetie do you have your paci with you?" Angel smiles, pausing the video.

"Mm-mm." You shake your head, fingers still in your mouth.

"Alright, well, I'm going to let the fingers in the mouth slide, but just this once, okay?"

You nod, and Angel plays the episode again, looking down to message Ronin.

<Angelic> Hey, fair warning, baby's getting little.

<goreboy> i Know?

<Angelic> No, I mean now we're talking baby/toddler young

You got anything to chew on or suck?

Otherwise your fingers are going to get it.

<goreboy> i suppose my fingers will Suffer then

<Angelic> K, I'll hang out until you get back, but then I need to go, work things.

<goreboy> i'll be back soon

There's a purple bottle you left at Ronin's one time, and you've never really asked for it back, instead leaving it and using it whenever you're over, but now that he looks at it, it's much more like a kids bottle than he thought, which, damn, he probably should have noticed that earlier.

Still, Ronin fills it up with water, and grabs out the pretzels you always steal (even though he only buys them for you) and puts some in a (plastic) bowl, before heading back into his room where Granny Mobile is ending, and you're barely holding yourself up with your fingers in your mouth and your hand covered in drool.

"He's back!" Ronin appears at your side, placing down the bowl and drink bottle, laughing when you immediately grab at the pretzels with your free hand, "How's my little monster been?"

Angel grins, shutting screen share, "Good, but I have to go now, have fun you two! Stay out of trouble little one!"

Your 'goodbye' wave is far more uncoordinated than your hello one earlier on, with your hand flailing about and accidentally whacking into (several) things.

The call ends, and Ronin watches how you don't seem able to sit up anymore, so he lifts you up, resting you on his hip, "Hey there darlin, how about we wash those hands before we do anything else, hm?"

He doesn't get a response, you're leaning into him, limbs all floppy apart from the hand still in your mouth. Ronin carries you into the bathroom anyway, washing your hands and then his own, drying you with a fluffy towel and pressing a kiss to the crown of your head when it's all done.

"I've got you some water and pretzels, but I think that you need a nap baby, does that sound good?" You've managed to grab Ronin's hand again, gnawing and sucking on it once more, but your eyes flutter shut, and if Ronin hadn't been holding his hand up for you, it would have fallen when you yawned, "Yeah, let's take a nap, Bluey and drawing will be waiting for when we wake up."

You're so tired you barely notice the way you're adjusted in Ronin's arms to be cradled instead, or how you're lain down and held close to his chest as you drift off to sleep.

And Ronin has never thought he'd be someone good with kids, or like kids at all, but with you? He thinks he could get used to this.