A/N: Hiiiii! I’m so so so sorry I haven’t posted, the start of school has been a lot then writers block kicked me in the butt and it’s been so hard to regress recently idk why :/ But I wrote this a while ago and am now posting it, I hope you enjoy! I hope to get you guys some more dreams now I’m writing again! (And ty for 21 followers♥︎)
WARNINGS!: There’s a lil tantrum, crying, kicking, one little pushes another, homesickness
Littles: Jake (5 then 3), Sunoo (4), Heesung (7), Jungwon (5)
Caregivers: Sunghoon, Jay, Niki
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Sunghoon found it strange when he went to wake Jake to find the boy already sat up, big tears reflecting in the morning sun. That’s how the caregiver knew it’d be a tough day.
When the boy normally regresses, he’s all smiles and cuddles, always a bubbly boy with his brothers and hyungs. But today, no smile lit up his squishy face and he had even pushed Sunoo away when the younger little went in for a morning hug. Jake wasn’t acting like himself. Sunghoon was stumped, he couldn’t figure out what was causing Jake's odd behaviour. He had watched the little poke at his waffles, only eating two bites before huffing and pushing his jungle animal plate away. Niki tried to reassure the older caregiver, saying littles have their off day occasionally, but that didn’t help much, Jake hadn’t had an off day before.
After Heesung, Sunoo, and Jungwon who did eat were cleaned, their syrup sticky faces and hands all wiped up, they all migrated over to the living room for playtime. During playtime, Jake sat away from the other three littles, playing with his koala and puppy plushies, keeping quiet and to himself, which is a rare occurrence for the Australian. The other boys had asked their brother to join them, but Jake just grumbled and shook his head. So, while Jungwon and Heesung built buildings and plowed them over with their big trucks and Sunoo clung to Jay, Jake excluded himself, worrying Sunghoon even more.
“Maybe he just needs a nap and quiet time with you.” Jay suggested. The elder sat in front of the couch as Sunoo giggled and stuck colourful stickers to his face, happy his caregiver was letting him decorate his face.
Sunghoon sighed and nodded, “yeah, I think you’re right. I just don’t know what’s got him all fussy.” The caregiver frowned and got up from the couch. He walked past the chaos Heesung and Jungwon were causing to their wooden town to sit next to Jake.
Jake glanced over to whoever sat next to him, letting out a little whine when he noticed it was his caregiver. He didn’t want to talk to Hoonie right now.
“Should we go for a nap, buddy? Hm?” Sunghoon asked him quietly, bringing his hand up to comb through the boy’s hair.
No response. Jake turned so he was facing further away from Sunghoon. He didn’t want to take a nap, he didn’t know what he wanted. His chest hurt and his tummy felt all empty, and his head was starting to throb slightly. And he’s grumpy. Hoonie doesn’t get it. He wants to be alone.
“Jakey,” Sunghon used a firmer voice, “Hoonies taking you for a nap.” The caregiver stated, not taking no for an answer. Sunghoon got up, picking up Jake to take him up to his room for a well needed nap.
Jake fussed and squirmed in the caregiver's arms, the actions leading Sunghoon to think he is feeling younger than usual. Usually, Jake’s headspace age floats around 4-7, he wasn’t fussy and has never thrown tantrums. But, with how Jake’s acting, it’s possible he’s dropping to the age of a young toddler.
As Sunghoon took them out of the living room and upstairs to where everyone’s bedrooms were, the little’s fusses turned into cries. The caregiver could feel his patience begin to wear thin, but Sunghoon tried his best to stay calm and understanding with his distressed baby.
But when Jake started flailing and kicking, Sunghoon snapped, done with Jake's little attitude, wanting to fix whatever was bothering him. “Okay,” Sunghoon placed Jake on top of his bed. “Stop it, we do not kick. Tell Hoonie what’s wrong.”
The harsh tone caught the little of guard, his already shiny eyes flooding with even more tears. Jake only let out a whine, all words swept from his mind.
Sunghoon sighed, “I need words, buddy.” Sunghoon told the boy, voice softer this time.
“Wanna go home!” Jake shouted, forcing the words in his head out to Sunghoon.
The caregiver raised an eyebrow, “try again.” He said, not appreciating the volume or tone Jake chose.
Jake whined again, scrunching his eyes shut, hands fisting at his pants. “Wanna go home!” He repeated, using his inside voice.
“You are home, buddy. Here, in Hoonie’s room.” Sunghoon told Jake, crawling onto the bed next to the frustrated boy.
The Australian shook his head. “Wanna go home. My home.” The little pointed to himself, hoping his Hoonie would finally understand. His wide eyes were welling with tears again, frustration making his chest ache.
Realization hit Sunghoon like a bus as he watched tears cascade down his boy’s face. Pity and guilt bloomed in his chest. “Oh Jake, buddy… I’m sorry I didn’t realize. You miss Australia?” He pulled Jake into his chest, rubbing the back of his head.
“It’s okay, buddy, it is all going to be okay. You should’ve told Hoonie.” Sunghoon tried to soothe the boy, rubbing up and down his back.
“Di-didn’t know how to say it!”
Sunghoon squashed him softly, “that’s fine. At least I know now. Is there any reason you’re feeling like this?” He asked the little.
“Mi-missed a call f-from my mom, an’ I just all bad an’ I jus’ wanna go home!” Jake wiped away his ears messily, a big pout turned his lips down.
The caregiver frowned and kissed Jake’s temple and rocked the both of them back and forth, hoping to fully calm him down. “Is there anything I could do to help you feel better, buddy?” He asked after a few quiet moments while Jake calmed his sniffles.
“I dunno, “Jake sighed. “Just a lil sad right now…”
Sunghoon hugged him tighter. “It’s okay to feel sad, buddy. Sometimes we need to feel the bad emotions in order to feel the good ones. Does that make sense?”
Jake sat up from Sunghoon’s chest, revealing his red and tear stained face. “Kinda. Thanks Hoonie.”
Sunghoon planted a kiss on Jake's forehead and continued to rock back and forth. The pair just soaked in the silence, immersing themselves in their own little bubble. The caregiver racked his brain, trying to find a way to make the boy feel better. Of course everyone in the group has felt a little homesick over the years, no matter how close or far their family is. It isn’t the first time Jake has missed his home and life back in Australia, but he’s always been in his regular headspace and dealt with it himself.
Little Jake had no idea why his chest was aching and head spinning. Little Jake didn’t know how to tell Hoonie or his other Hyungies, or deal with it all alone. But now that Hoonie knows, he’ll do anything to help his little one.
“Hey Jakey? Do you want to watch cartoons?” Sunghoon asked, breaking their peaceful silence. He thinks a fun little cartoon will help Jake be distracted from the hollow feeling of homesickness.
Jake sniffled, lifting his head up from his caregiver's chest. “Cartoons?” He wondered, then nodded, “okay.”
With the confirmation, Sunghhon scooted up the bed to rest his back against the headboard. He situated Jake in between his legs, his back against Sunghoon's chest. After Sunghoon found the TV remote, he went onto Disney+ and went onto the kids profile they had set up for the littles. He flicked through all the shows and movies, hoping to find something to distract Jake.
“Doggie!” Jake gasped, eyes locked onto a show.
The gasp alerted Sunghoon, and went back to the show he just scrolled past, Bluey. “This one, bud?”
Jake nodded, excited to watch a show all about dogs. “Yeah-huh!”
They settled in, the small tune opening the episode made Jake bop along. The show started, a family of blue dogs filling the screen. “Huh…” Jake tilted his head as he listened to the dogs.
“What is it, Jakey?” Sunghoon furrowed his eyebrows at Jake's head tilt.
“They sound like me!” Jake exclaimed in English. “Aussies!” He clapped, bouncing in his spot.
Jake let out a giggle and nodded, his eyes not leaving the screen, way more into it now that they dogs are Australian.
“Watchin’ stuffs?” Sunoo came waddling in, clutching his fox plushie, Mister, and Jake’s koala plushie, Rocco.
Sunghoon smiled as Sunoo crawled up onto the bed clumsily. “We’re watching Bluey, Angel.”
Sunoo let out a small ‘ooh’ as he placed Rocco in Jake’s lap. “Jakey feel better? We heard cryin’.”
“‘M okay NooNoo. Miss Australia.” He told his little brother. “But the doggies sound like me!”
“They do!” Sunoo gasped at the discovery. “Hoonie!” He turned to Sunghoon, “the doggies have Jakey’s ack-cent!”
Sunghoon just chuckled and nodded, patting Sunoo’s head affectionately.
The two littles curled up together and watched the Aussie dogs cause mischief. Jake was finally peaceful, the sinking feeling of missing Australia was forgotten. With Sunoo and Sunghoon, all cuddled up, Jake felt at home.
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A/N: Thank you so so much for reading! I’m hoping to write a bit more but without regressing it’s been hard to write regressed idols or readers. Having no friends in the community can be hard cuz I’m still new to all this and am not sure how to navigate everything. But that’s why I write dreams, to cope, I just haven’t had the time to :(
