#regressor!reader

Ohhhh that pacifier. 

It had been missing since they left and no one else that lived in the tower had seen it nor was it anywhere to be found in the small apartment you shared with the two men.

You hadn't been as bothered by its disappearance the first day. Mildly annoyed and inconvenience– yes. But it hadn't felt like an end of the world situation. You figured you could hold off your headspace for a few days until you found it or until the boys came back.

By the third day you had torn the apartment apart, turned the tower bedrooms upside down, and looked through every crack and crevice of the common room for it. 

The others keep trying to reassure you that you would find it or that you could just get another one but–no! No way! You couldn't just– they didn't understand!! It was so important! Your caregivers had gotten you that specific pacifier! And it meant everything to you! You always knew where it was and always used it when you regressed and– and… and you couldn't sleep without it! Not while they were gone!!

You needed to have something tangible from them that was sentimental or else… or else it meant you might not love them or they’ll hate you for not appreciating the gifts they got you and that just wasn't true because you loved it but by the stuffies– you just didn't know where it was!!

No matter how much their friends tried. Soft lights, gentle lullabies, good cuddleable toys… one of Steve's stinky sweatshirts not yet washed free of his scent… a lot of warm milk and sleepy time teas… nothing. You wouldn't sleep. You wouldn't stop having uncontrollable bouts of sobbing. Always wailing about the missing pacifier or wanting Steve and Bucky back.

It had reached a point Bruce was considering giving you a sedative for your own health. But lucky for everyone your perfect, loving, and incredibly hardworking caregivers came back early from their mission. 

Unfortunate for them that they didn't receive as cheerful of a welcome back from their sweet kiddo as they had expected. Instead you barreled into their arms, red in the face with extra dark eyebags that rivaled Bucky’s on his worst days and a throat so sore from wailing that you sounded like a radio station with a bad connection. All crackles and coughs as you babble out apologies and pleas, anything for them to never leave again. 

“Woah..! woah woah! Okay. hold on– why are you crying, bug?” Steve kneeled down, letting his bag drop from his shoulder to the floor as he hugs you close, rubbing your back as you keep sobbing out words that were too garbled to be understood. He looks up at a very exhausted but relieved looking Nat and Bruce and asks again, “what happened?”

“Lost pacifier on day one.” she starts.

“Hasnt slept since.” the other finishes.

Bucky’s brows furrow slightly at the news then shares a look with Steve who understands but also looks visibly a bit guilty. He turns his head back to you as Buck fishes around in his pocket, “Hey, bug… Stevie’s got somethin to tell you. Okay? Are you listening? Can you look at me?”

Bucky pulls out the pacifier in question out and uses the cleaner part of his sleeve to wipe off the nipple as Steve keeps going in that soft voice of his. “I must have accidentally packed it in our things out of habit before we left…he’s kept it safe in his pocket the whole time just waiting to give it back to you.”

Bucky squats down to be at eye level with the two of you as he holds the pacifier out towards your face, “Yeah, bug. Here. Look. All safe… and ready to join you for a nap.”

“All of us for a nap. What do you think?” Steve asks, silently trying to convey to his partner that he also needed some solid rest. 

You look at the pacifier that had caused you so much grief for so long with such shock and confusion it nearly stopped your crying all at once. Your arms relaxed from their death grip around the blond’s shoulders, no longer digging into him like you were trying to physically carve handles into him so you would never be able to be pried off again. 

You just couldn't believe that… that they had it the whole time. 

They kept it safe. 

They… they had taken a piece of you with them. Even if it was an accident they had still purposely kept it on them the whole time they were gone. Keeping it safe. Sleeping with it in their hands like they sometimes did when it fell from your mouth at night and… and never forgetting you. 

“Yeah… Its been a long week for all of us.” Buck agrees with that soft rumbled voice, gently tapping the pacifier to your mouth as you continue to look at it in disbelief. “We definitely deserve a nap.”

Your tears fill your eyes back up, looking up at him like he was something descending down from your best, most unbelievable dreams. You swore you could almost see a halo of light illuminating him. Well.. okay maybe it was the lights glinting off his metal arm but still– it was magical.

“Y…you… Bubby… n Sevie keped it… f’me?” you rasp out on the verge of bawling again, this time from the overwhelming feeling of… being seen and loved. 

“What did you think we would do with it? Can’t modify it to be a weapon when it's our best baby’s favorite binky, can we?” he jokes, his brows furrowing just lightly together in bewilderment as he watches you choke out a sob then start wailing again. He would've thought that teasing you would've made you feel… better. Not worse.

His looks between you and the only man that could see the twinge of worry hidden behind his features and asks, “What did I do?”

“Nothing. I think our kid’s simply tired…” Steve grunts softly as he stands up, bringing you with him. “And happy we're back.”

You reach out to grab Bucky's wrist before you and Steve are all the way up, pulling his hand closer to take the pacifier in your mouth and making him stand with you two. He holds it there for a couple moments to keep it from falling out of your mouth each time you have to suck in a breath or sob again. 

You three stand there for a minute, captain caregiver gently bouncing or rocking you while the ever dutiful brunette keeps your pacifier in place until you start to calm down enough to keep it there without help. By then you couldn’t hardly keep your eyes open no matter how much you wanted to make sure they wouldn't leave you the moment you drifted off. 

you had been waiting for freddy to came back. waiting in his dressing room. you had a special pass and he was always around after shows. but he said he had some maintenance he needed to do today… you were lonely within the first thirty minutes he had been gone and it had only gotten worse since then. your stomach got gotten uneasy and you couldn’t stop picking at a bandaid on your arm. the clock felt so needlessly loud and no cartoons on the tv helped to distract you. you let out a whine and began to cry, tears stinging your little eyes. they dripped down and you sniffled and whined, rubbing at your eyes. where was papa? he was taking so long. 

“ cub? “ your eyes shot up and you cried out as your papa bear appeared in the door. you shot up from the sofa in his dressing room and ran to him. you wrapped your arms around his metal frame and pressed your face into the soft fur modeled on his chest. he scooped you up from the floor and cradled you against his chest. “ why are you crying? did something happen while i was gone? you should have called me with your watch. “ his voice was thick with concern as he walked back to the couch. he sat down with you in his lap and paused the cartoons on the tv.

you sniffled and rubbed your nose, “i-i just m-missed you s-so much…” you tried not to cry more now. he was back. but what if he thought it was weird you got so upset? but he didn’t. he didn’t at all. he held your cheeks in his hands and wiped the tears gently. “ you’re my superstar, i missed you too. “ he leaned forward and kissed your forehead. “ i’m sorry i was gone for so long. i was worried you might get hurt if you came with. maintenance can be scary. “ you leaned into his paws and blinked through your tears. “ i-i know. “ 

The forest was glowing. Golden leaves scattered over dark roots, the wind tugged gently at your scarf, and the basket looped over your arm was already half full of acorns, dried apples, and little jars of herbs that Agatha had handed you one by one.

“You missed another mushroom,” Rio murmured behind you, gently tapping your hip with her staff. Her voice was a velvet hum, low and ancient and teasing. “What’s that, the fourth?”

“Nooo, I didn’t!” you whined, spinning to see the pale mushroom nestled near the tree. You bent to scoop it, cheeks warm. “Just... didn't see it yet.”

Agatha chuckled, stepping up beside you and tucking a curl behind your ear. “You’re doing fine, little one. This forest is generous, but she likes it when you look closely. Like this—” She crouched to nudge aside a patch of moss, revealing a tiny sprig of white sage.

Your eyes widened. “Whoa... like hide and seek?”

“Exactly.” She stood and pressed the sage into your hand. “Now let’s go find the berries for the scones. The forest spirits like tart things.”

Rio leaned close as you walked between them, murmuring, “She’s always liked sweet things best, though. Don’t let her fool you.”

“I heard that,” Agatha said, her smile sharp and fond.

—

By the time you reached the cottage, your basket was full and your feet a little tired. The three of you kicked off your boots in the foyer, and Rio immediately swept you into the warm, candlelit kitchen.

“Apron on,” she said, tapping the counter. “You’re on kneading duty.”

“But I get sticky,” you said, eyes wide.

“That’s why you have witch-mamas,” Agatha smirked, stepping in to pull your sleeves up and tie a little pumpkin-printed apron around your waist.

The next hour was warm, quiet chaos. Flour dusted the air like fog. Rio worked with slow, practiced movements, showing you how to roll dough with her hand gently over yours. Agatha summoned dried lavender from her herb cabinet with a flick of her wrist, letting you crush it with a mortar and pestle while she whispered old words in your ear.

“These are for the veil,” she told you, adding salt. “To honor what’s past.”

You glanced toward the window. The sun had dipped below the trees, and little candles now flickered in each corner of the room.

“Do the spirits really come?”

“They never really leave,” Rio said gently, sliding a tray into the oven. “But tonight, they’re closest. That’s why we offer them something made with our hands and our hearts.”

—

When the scones were cooling, Agatha poured you a mug of warm cider and carried you to the reading chair by the hearth. She let you curl in her lap, tucking the quilt around you while Rio finished setting the table.

Outside, the wind picked up, swirling leaves across the porch. You watched them through heavy eyelids.

“Y’two are like the forest,” you mumbled, drowsy and happy. “All... old and warm and magic.”

Agatha snorted softly. “Flattery, dear heart?”

“Nope. Just truth.”

Rio kissed your head as she walked by. “Truth is always welcome here.”

You yawned, small and content, fingers tucked under your chin.

Samhain was here. The veil was thin. But you were wrapped in care, surrounded by light, and held by the only two witches the forest itself seemed to trust.

And tomorrow, you’d leave a scone and lavender at the oldest tree on the hill.

you sway softly from side to side, just enjoying listening to the various noises of your apartment. the hum of the heater, the gentle splashes and clinking of jeonghan doing the after dinner dishes, the way he softly sings under his breath to himself to help him through a task. you've picked up the same habit over time, humming or singing as you pick up your things or write emails.

it's getting late. honestly you're not sure why jeonghan is even still here, doing your dishes for you and letting you sit in the living room all bundled up and cozy. you'd almost feel guilty if he hadn't insisted so much, pushing you into your room to get into your pajamas by force. the blanket smells good too, freshly cleaned. you're not sure when you last did laundry, or even if this is your blanket. everything's so fuzzy and warm it's a little hard to think. it doesn't matter, really. as long as you get to stay all warm and bundled up.

your head had just began to drift off to sleep on your living room floor when you hear soft, padding footsteps. "sweetheart?"

you make a vague whine in response.

"hi baby." the warmth in jeonghan's voice seeps into your skin, sending tingles up the back of your skull. "does someone need to go to bed?"

you grumble and pull your blanket tighter around yourself, squishing your eyes even more firmly.

"no, none of that, baby." jeonghan's hands find your shoulders and start to rub slow circles. "if you fall asleep on the floor you'll get all sore, little one. you'll wake up and think about how mean i was to leave you out here, all alone on the cold hard floor! i can't have you turning into a shrimp, now can i?" you giggle, slowly blinking yours eyes as open as they'll go.

"there you are!" jeonghan smiles fondly, eyes crinkling up at the corners. "my big boy, so responsible!" you think about thanking him, but your brain's too tired to make words at the moment. instead, you wriggle a hand out of your nest and touch his cheek. soft.

"hi baby." he repeats. "what do you say we get those teeth brushed?"

you whine.

he shushes gently. "i know, i know. but after that we can get our paci and get all snuggly in bed, doesn't that sound nice?"

you pout, looking up at jeonghan with your roundest puppy-dog eyes, but ultimately being all cozy under the covers with an actual mattress to lay on instead of the hard floor does sound nice. maybe you could even convince him to read you a story.

so, you nod once and wiggle your other hand out of the blanket, reaching up at him.

when he pulls you up and out of your nest you're suddenly hit with just how cold it is. you whine and cling to jeonghan's side for a few steps while he drags you behind him. he sighs lightly and turns back to you.

"you want up?" he holds him arms open. you try to protest, but without access to words it's a little difficult so you just look frantically between the floor and the door to your bathroom that's only about 20 steps away. "hey, hey. it's alright if you don't want to, but i really don't mind. i like taking care of you, little one." he smiles, warm again and you feel all the worry melt out of your body.

you nod a little shyly, letting him hoist you into his arms like nothing. it's almost silly how fast you reach the bathroom, and how soon he's setting back down, sat on the closed toilet lid. he walks back out to the living room and returns with your blanket, wrapping you back up. you watch with heavy eyelids as he picks up your toothbrush, attentively wetting the bristles and squeezing toothpaste on to them.

"here you are, sweetheart." he holds the handle out to you but your body just feels so heavy. you blink up at him slowly, wondering what to do next. a little noise leaves the back of your throat.

"do you need help, baby? i can do that." he coos and kneels down next to you. "say ah!" he presses lightly on the hinge of your jaw with his free hand and you open your mouth. it's a strange sensation, but not unpleasant. he brushes gently in little circles, getting between every tooth. he tells you when to put your teeth together and when to stick out your tongue so he can brush it too.

"that should do it." he nods and stands. your brush is rinsed and you're handed a cup of water before your brain registers anything. you rinse and lean to spit in the sink. he hands you your night-time meds without needing to double check, you've asked him to get them for you while you're busy enough times that he knows them by name. you take them with the rest of the water while jeonghan combs his fingers through your hair. "i'd offer to brush your hair too, but i think that might have to wait until morning." he chuckles softly as your head bobs again.

you feel yourself getting picked back up, fuzzily recalling standing first. after a few steps your placed into bed, cool sheets under you and soft blanket being draped over you. jeonghan runs his hands through your hair. you could swear he's talking but you can't register any meaning from his words. it's just so warm, and nice, and cozy. you feel a kiss be placed on your temple.

you wish you could thank him, for being so kind, for taking such good care of you, but it'll have to wait until the morning.

The crevices and rocky ground of Dada's favorite road warmed you and cooed the pangs and aches in your body. The dips were like being rocked by mother nature.

'thank you mama tree'

crunch! crunch!

Ah, that's the sound of your anxieties melting away. Really it's the gravel getting all crunched up but you know... same difference.

Your Dada was in love with these backroads. Tomorrow, while you down some fruity pebbles, you'll tell him again that they really should get married. They see each other all the time! It made trips take longer but that just meant more time with Stevie.

bop! bop!

The tapping of your head against the window was actually quite gentle. Sometimes, it'd hurt, and that's when you'd whine to Stevie that "ow it hurt!! dada whyyy!!?" To get you to stop, he'd get your favorite fast food (it was the plan all along and Stevie most definitely knew-). This time, Dada was driving super, duper slow so the bumps didn't hurt. They soothed you instead and made you very, very sleepy.

Your legs were tucked close to yourself. You laid curled up like a cat in the cold winter. In better days, you'd find your position annoyingly uncomfortable but you were so eepies- I mean sleepy.

It was kind of like leaves falling from the really tall trees in the rainforest. Sleep didn't come fast but crept up on you.

You enjoyed watching the view go by the window and the mental image of a little superhero doing parkour, racing with Dada's pickup truck. The trees had all sorts of colors and some animals hop, hopped, and peeked out from the bushes.

Everything eventually became grey, then black but you didn't mind. It was so calming, this rest your eyelids have found.

'Oh, they closed? Ooooh that's why the superguy disappeared.'

hmm hm hm hm

m

m

hmm

mm

♡

"Welcome back, Steve-O." Bucky stood at the door frame, hands resting in his jacket pockets.

Steve placed his pointer finger on his lips and tilted his head, indicating that you were asleep.

Bucky firmly nodded and held a gentle smile. 'You're finally asleep! Aww, you deserve it, little dear.'

Your dada traded places with Bucky, leaving to go get himself ready for bed.

Daddy peeked through the windows and found you with your little head against the car door. He walked around to the door opposite of you, and moved very carefully as to not wake you.

Snores filled the air and Bucky had to hold back a giggle. He thought it was so freaking cute, don't worry!

"Come here, little one." He whispered and securely held you up against his chest. Warm and snug.

Your daddy walked into your bedroom, where Steve had been waiting and prepared your bed for you.

"Here you are, darling." Daddy laid you down.

Buck and Stevie kissed the top of your head and tucked you in.

"Goodnight, sunflower."

“Pssst, kiddo.”

The words make it through your sleepy head but aren’t enough to pull you into full awareness. You can feel something soft under your fingers: the familiar texture of your favourite stuffed animal, held against your chest. Your body is twisted into a bit of an uncomfortable shape, but you’re so warm and cozy that you don’t feel like moving.

“They’re definitely asleep,” says a familiar voice. You can hear the smile in their voice and it makes you happy, even drifting between sleep and consciousness.

“We should bring them to bed,” whispers a voice from the other side of you.

“Look at them, though,” the first voice says, and there’s a gentle hand touching the top of your head, just barely felt through your hair. “They’re proper conked out.”

“I’ll carry them,” the other replies. “C’mon, we won’t disturb them.”

Their voices have woken you up properly, but you keep your eyes closed and your breathing even. You want to know how they’re going to handle this. You recognize the voices as Fred and George: the memories of the evening are blurry, but you were having regression time with the two of them. You remember about half of a fairy tale, read by George with extra dramatic voices from Fred. You must have fallen asleep partway through.

“Alright, let me help.”

There was a muttered charm and you could feel your body get lighter, the strange part-weightlessness that came with a levitation charm. You had thought you had been leaning against the couch, but as it started to move behind you, you realized that it was one of the twins. He wrapped his arms around you, picking you up without any effort now that the levitation charm was helping.

The other twin laughed quietly, and you could feel a hand fixing your hair.

“Little tyke,” he whispered, fond. “Let’s head up to bed.” That was Fred, then, and George was the one carrying you. Only Fred used that nickname for you.

You let yourself rest, somewhere between floating and being carried, doing your best to pretend to be asleep as George carried you upstairs. You could hear Fred on the stairs behind you, close enough to maintain the charm.

Your stuffed animal almost fell to the side, and you forced yourself not to grab it. Thankfully, Fred darted forwards and resettled it onto your chest.

“Thanks,” George whispered, bumping his shoulder into his twin and jostling you slightly.

“Oi, careful,” Fred said, moving out of range. “You’ll wake them.”

“I won’t!”

“Shhhh!”

You heard George scoff, and then there was the creak of a door and George crossed a room, lying you down on a soft bed. You let your limbs settle where you were dropped, unable to stop the smile on your face as you felt the pillow beneath your head.

A hand on your forehead, and one of them pulled the blankets up and over you, enveloping you in soft warmth.

“Sleep well,” one of the twins whispered, retreating towards the doorway.

The other one leaned over the bed, you could feel his weight pushing the mattress down as he leaned down to press a kiss to your forehead where your hair had been smoothed back.

“Sweet dreams, kiddo,” George whispered. “You’re very cute when you pretend to sleep.”

He was walking away from the bed before you could process his words, but you grinned as the door closed, rolling over to scoop your stuffed animal into a more comfortable position. Of course the twins had known.

Still, they had carried you gently, with whispers and careful hands. Settled you into bed, sure to keep your stuffed animal in your arms.

You squeezed that stuffed animal, rubbing your cheek against its fur.

You loved them so much. They were so good to you.