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It felt like the walls were closing in and the world around him was turning black, as his heart began to race uncontrollably.
Mingi could feel his breath becoming short as he tried to breathe. Trying to control his racing heartbeat as wave after wave on nervous anxiety crashed down on him.
"Breathe Mingi." He said to himself. "Just breathe."
But every breath he took, he could feel his chest get tighter and tighter.
Reaching for his phone, Mingi began to bite his nails as he called one of the only people he trusted.
One ring, two rings, three. Mingi began to wonder if he started to get bored of him. Tired of his antics, and anxiety issues.
This caused Mingi to bite his nails even more as blood started to be drawn.
After four rings, a tired voice answered.
"Hello?"
Yunho's tired voice sounded in Mingi's ears. Indicating that he probably just woke up, causing Mingi to feel even worse than before.
"H-h-hyung, I-I can't breathe."
Mingi tried to say as he struggled to continuously gain control.
The fact that Mingi called Yunho 'Hyung' made him sit up right away, any trace of sleep gone from his mind.
"Mingi? What's wrong baby? Where are you?" Yunho asked so that he could pick him up from his location.
Mingi felt a cry crawl out as he collapsed, gripping his hair he said. "I'm a-at the s-studio. I-I'm sorry hyung, I just needed something to do!" Mingi rushed out till he was nonverbal. The world around him started not making sense, and he became more scared.
Yunho shushed Mingi, letting him know it'll be okay. "Mingi, it'll be alright. Would you like to go home?" Yunho asked in a calm soothing voice. A soft and quiet 'Yes' was heard, and Yunho chuckled softly. "Alright baby boy, I'll be there in a few minutes. Would you like me to stay on the phone talking to you?"
"Please." Was all Mingi could sniffle out.
True to his word, Yunho stayed. He talked to Mingi trying to calm him, announcing where he was at, and getting him to breathe.
It worked a little bit, till Yunho said he just entered the building, and the connection was cut off.
Mingi couldn't help the whimpers as he called for Yunho only for silence to answer him. The previous panic once again settled in.
Still biting his nails, Mingi used the other hand to tug on his hair. As it felt like hours instead of minutes since Yunho said he arrived at the building. And Mingi began to wonder if Yunho got tired of him after all.
'He hates me after all, doesn't he?' Mingi thought to himself just as the door flew open, and Yunho ran in.
Yunho's eyes fell on Mingi who was curled up in a ball, trying to be as small as possible despite his tall height. His eyes softened at the sight of the distressed boy.
Walking forward slowly, Yunho crouched down.
"Hey buddy, I'm right here." Yunho said gently, as he placed his hands on either side of Mingi's face. "Is Mingi feeling small right now?" Yunho asked as he gently forced Mingi's hand from his mouth.
Mingi nodded and held up one finger, then shook his head and held up nine in a struggle to say nine months, instead of years. But thankfully Yunho got the message.
"You're feeling really small right now, aren't you bub?" Yunho asked in a soft smile.
Thinking he did something wrong, tears filled Mingi's eyes as he nodded.
"Hey, hey hey. It's okay bub. You're going to be alright, Yunie is right here." Yunho was quick to comfort Mingi as he cuddled him up quickly, bringing him into his arms.
"Would you like to go home?" Yunho asked, his voice above a whisper, but loud enough for Mingi to hear. Mingi nodded, gripping Yunho's sleeve.
Yunho reached for his phone, only for Mingi to let out incoherent babbles.
"It's okay honey, I just need to call for someone to pick us up."
Yunho said as Mingi shook his head, and tried to keep his grip on Yunho's arms.
Every time Yunho tried to call someone, Mingi would let out a simple. 'Nuh!' As a saying of 'No', wanting Yunho to keep his arms around him. "Hey it's okay. Do you want me to carry you home?" Yunho asked, lifting Mingi up in his arms as he nodded.
Yunho smiled and patted Mingi's hair, ever so often giving a kiss to his forehead as the little would look at him with wide eyes.
Yunho cradled Mingi in his arms as he made his way through the building once again. Mingi latched onto Yunho like a koala, hiding his face in Yunho's neck whenever people saw them.
Being in Yunho's arms, Mingi felt safe, like he could breathe again. There was something about Yunho that made Mingi calm, it took his anxiety away and made him feel better.
And the fact that Yunho agreed to be his caregiver whenever he regressed, made it even better.
He loved Yunho. Loved how he took the time to check on him, and was there for him. He made sure he was well.
Without even asking for anything in return. He looked after Mingi with a smile on his face, bringing a sense of ease to him.
'Is it too much for him? What if he no longer wants to be around me? What if he gets tired, and decides to!-'
"Mingi, hey I'll never leave you, so don't think like that. Ever!" Yunho said as he cut off Mingi's bad thoughts.
He didn't realize that they made it to the dorms as the other members' voices were heard.
"Mingi-ah! Come join us!" Mingi heard the voice of Wooyoung as he rounded the corner. "Oh! Is Mingi feeling little right now?" Wooyoung asked as he saw Yunho carrying him.
Wooyoung smiled as Mingi nodded, and clutched Yunho even tighter. Wooyoung patted Mingi on his head, and said goodnight as Yunho carried the little to their room.
It was a bit of a struggle getting Mingi to let go of Yunho, but the older one promised to stay with him and give him cuddles. In which successfully got Mingi to let go, so that Yunho could get Mingi's pajamas and a teething toy for him to chew on, so he wouldn't chew on his fingers.
Once Mingi was in his pajamas and had his chewie, Yunho got them both settled in bed.
Mingi facing Yunho with his fingers once again curled in his shirt, Yunho whispering soothing words in Mingi's ears to help keep him calm while running his fingers through Mingi's hair.
As the chews became mera suckles on the toy, Mingi started to go to an older headspace so that he could talk.
The first thing he said was 'Sorry' as he still felt that he distracted Yunho from other things he could be doing, instead of taking care of him.
Yunho looked at Mingi in shock.
"Why would you say sorry?" Yunho asked. "You have nothing to be sorry about."
Mingi started crying and told him what he felt at that moment.
"I'm so sorry, hyung! You could be playing video games with Wooyoung and San, you could be helping Seonghwa hyung cook, or helping any of the others! But instead you're taking care of me!" Mingi blurred out, taking a deep breath, then asked. "Aren't you tired of having to take care of me? Am I not a burden to be around, am I not annoying?"
Mingi was full on crying as he kept his grip on Yunho, never letting him go in fear he would actually leave.
Yunho stared at Mingi in shock, bewailed that Mingi would even say that, or even ask!
He brought Mingi impossibly closer, and lowered his mouth to Mingi's ear.
"Song Mingi, now listen to me."
Yunho said in a stern voice, making Mingi listen.
"You are not a burden, so don't even ask me or yourself that horrible question.
I would never trade anything if it meant I get to take care of you, you have been my greatest treasure, and my dearest friend since high school, through debut, till now. And I wouldn't trade our friendship, no. I wouldn't trade our relationship for the world.
You are never annoying, and I love taking care of you.
So I'm not going anywhere without you. Do you understand me!?"
Yunho's speech left Mingi breathless as he tried to find the words to say. Not being able to find any, Mingi could only nod.
No longer in headspace, Mingi brought Yunho into a kiss as tears still fell from his eyes.
It wasn't a kiss of lust, or of possession.
But one of comfort, or trust. It was pure passion and bliss that had left Mingi in reassurance as Yunho took full control of it.
The kiss left both of them breathless and their lips swollen and red, as they stared into each other's eyes.
Yunho wiped the tears from Mingi's face, while also tracing his features, causing Mingi to feel tired.
As he closed his eyes, not yet falling asleep. Mingi said in his tired voice.
"Promise me won't leave me."
Yunho laughed softly, kissing Mingi's forehead once again, and running his fingers through his hair. Letting him know that he was still there. Not going anywhere.
"Believe me, Mingi. You couldn't get rid of me, even if you tried."
Mingi laughed into Yunho's chest as he was finally settled.
"Good." He yawned. "Because I feel safe with you here."
Yunho couldn't help but blush at the now sleeping Mingi.
Fully aware that he brought his love peace. And promised himself that he'll always be there with him.
No matter what.