Chapter Text
Kaiser heard the knock before the doorbell—sharp, impatient, the kind of knock that wasn’t asking permission. He paused mid-step in his apartment, already annoyed, already assuming it was someone who didn’t care about his schedule. When he opened the door, the irritation froze into something sharper.
Rin stood there with a baby bag that was dropped in front of his leg, jaw tight, eyes burning. Bunny and Sae were on either side of him like they were delivering a package instead of a person.
Kaiser stared at them. Then at Rin. Then back at them again.
“…No,” he said flatly.
Bunny smiled like he’d expected this. “Hi to you too, Kaiser.”
Sae didn’t bother with greetings. He stepped forward just enough to press a folded paper into Kaiser’s chest. “Routine. Don’t lose it.”
Kaiser looked down at the paper like it might explode. “You have got to be joking.”
Rin shifted, gripping the strap of the bag harder. “They didn’t even ask,” he snapped, voice sharp with restrained fury. “They just dragged me here.”
Bunny leaned slightly in front of Rin, tone calm but firm. “Rin, listen. You’re classified as a little. You can’t be left alone. You know that.”
“I’m not regressed,” Rin shot back immediately. “I’m fine. I don’t need—” He cut himself off, glaring sideways at Kaiser. “—him.”
Kaiser let out a short, humorless laugh. “Oh, trust me, the feeling is mutual.”
Sae straightened, eyes cold. “This isn’t optional. The place we’re going is caregivers and neutral adults only. "
" Littles aren’t allowed.”
“You could’ve stayed,” Rin said, voice lowering. “You always leave. You always do this.”
Bunny’s expression flickered, smiling passing over his face for half a second before he smoothed it away. “We are coming back at night, Rin.”
Rin scoffed. “You dump me.”
Kaiser finally unfolded the paper, skimming it with visible disbelief. “Feeding times? Check-ins? Comfort rules?” He looked up slowly, eyes narrowing. “You planned this.”
Sae met his stare without blinking. “You’re a registered caregiver. He’s assigned. End of discussion.”
Kaiser clenched the paper in his fist. “You don’t get to decide this without telling me.”
Bunny stood, already stepping back. “We’re telling you now.”
Rin’s breathing was shallow now, anger vibrating under his skin. “You didn’t even explain. You just—” He swallowed hard. “You just said we’re leaving and pushed me here.”
Bunny reached out, then gently adjusted the strap of Rin’s bag. “We’ll be back tonight. Follow the routine. And If you feel yourself slipping—”
“I’m not going to slip,” Rin snapped.
Kaiser looked at him, sharp and assessing. “Famous last words.”
Rin spun on him instantly. “Say that again.”
Sae interrupted before it could escalate. “Kaiser, don’t provoke him. Rin, don’t fight it. You know the rules.” he warned bitterly
Rin bit down. “Funny how the rules always apply to me.”
Everyone fell silent....
And then Sae broke the silence again "We are leaving now. do you want me to take you potty, before we go."
Rin’s face burned red "NO! Just fucking leave." he screamed on top of his lungs . Bunny's face darken at the his curse "repeat that again?"
Rin gulped. he saw bunny's smile drop, and his tone sending shivers through his body. He didn't mean to say that, or shout at his niichan. he really didn't! he started to feel small, yet bit his lips to hid this feeling.
" 'm sorry." he muttered slowly. hoping kaiser didn't hear him, or is looking at his eyes that is about to spell tears.
Sae sighed it off, making the other caregiver that looked like he is about to spank Rin. in his spot to back down. "I will ask again, Rin. do you want potty now?" He said surprisingly calm, and didn't get angry like Bunny. Rin shooked his head fast Sae nodded.
There was an awkward, heavy pause. The kind where no one wanted to say goodbye properly.
Bunny smirked. “Be a good boy, okay?”
Rin didn’t answer.
Sae turned, already walking away. “We’re late.”
They left. Just like that. No further explanation, no reassurance. The hallway felt colder the moment they were gone.
Kaiser stood in the doorway, arms crossed, staring down at Rin, but didn't dare to mention a single word to what just happened now, Rin stared back, eyes blazing.
“Well,” Kaiser said finally, voice tight. “You gonna come in, or do you plan on brooding in my hallway all night?”
Rin hesitated—just a fraction—before stepping inside, shoulders stiff. “Don’t think this means anything. I don’t need you.”
Kaiser closed the door with more force than necessary. “Good. Because I didn’t ask to need you either.”
Silence stretched between them, thick with resentment. Rin dropped the baby bag onto the floor harder than needed.
“I hate this,” Rin muttered. “They always choose themselves.”
Kaiser looked at the bag, then back at Rin, jaw clenched. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “Welcome to being stuck with someone you didn’t choose.”
Rin shot him a sharp look, then turned away, pacing like a caged animal. He wasn’t regressed—not yet—but the tension sat heavy in the air, fragile, waiting.
And Kaiser knew it.
That was the worst part.
_____
Rin dropped onto the couch without asking, grabbing the controller and turning on the console like it was a shield. The startup sound filled the room, sharp and loud, and within seconds a horror game menu flickered onto the screen. He cranked the volume a little higher than necessary, eyes fixed forward, very obviously pretending Kaiser didn’t exist.
Kaiser noticed. Of course he did.
He stood near the counter, the paper Sae had shoved at him unfolded in both hands, eyes moving line by line. At first he read it with annoyance. Then disbelief. Then something that looked dangerously close to outrage.
“…You have got to be kidding me,” Kaiser muttered.
Rin didn’t look back. “Not my problem.”
Kaiser cleared his throat and read aloud, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Routine and supervision notes. Wow. They even titled it.”
Rin’s shoulders stiffened, but he kept playing. A monster shrieked from the TV speakers. He hated when his brother say things about, when he is a little.
Kaiser continued, pacing slowly. “Let’s see. ‘Rin will deny discomfort. Do not wait for verbal confirmation.’” He paused, then looked straight at Rin’s back. “What does that mean.”
Rin’s jaw clenched. “It means stop reading.”
Kaiser ignored him. “Check pull-up personally. Rin gets embarrassed and won’t report when wet.” He scoffed. “You’re kidding.”
Rin finally snapped his head around. “Don’t say it out loud!”
“So it’s true,” Kaiser said flatly.
Rin’s face burned. But turned his head to the game.
Kaiser glanced back down. “Do not allow adult Rin to be without pull-up, (he always take them off secretly because he hate them) , especially during sleep. High accident frequency.” He let out a sharp breath. “Unbelievable.”
Rin turned the game off with a hard click and stood up. “I said I’m not regressed. They wrote that like I’m—” He stopped himself, fists clenched. “Like I’m incapable.”
Whats wrong with Sae writing these. he told him he is not going to regress today!
“And yet,” Kaiser replied coolly, holding up the paper, “they left you here with instructions.”
Silence stretched, thick and uncomfortable.
Kaiser resumed reading. “Potty routine: take him twice per hour. Ask directly. He answers honestly.” He raised an eyebrow. “Do you?”
Rin looked away. “…Yes.”
“Huh,” Kaiser said. “At least that’s something.”
He flipped the page.
“Emergency calming kit:” Kaiser read. “an owl plushie and Three pacifiers in bag. One clipped to shirt, hidden under jacket.” He stopped. Slowly looked up.
Rin’s hand flew to his jacket instinctively. As if Kaiser is about to snatch it from him now. “Don’t.”
Kaiser stared. “You’re wearing one. Right now.”
“It’s not—” Rin snapped. Then quieter, “It’s just in case.”
Kaiser read on, voice slower now. “Rin cannot self-regulate without oral grounding. Severe oral fixation. If crying or escalating, pacifier is the only effective de-escalation.”
Rin’s voice was sharp with embarrassment. “You didn’t need to read it like that.”
“I absolutely did,” Kaiser shot back smirking. “They expect me to handle this.”
Rin laughed bitterly. “Handle me. That’s what they all say.”
Kaiser paused, then continued. “Screen time limited to one hour. After that, remove phone regardless of protest.” He glanced up. “You’re not going to like that.”
“Touch my phone and I’ll—”
“And here it is,” Kaiser interrupted, reading carefully. “If he becomes defiant or disruptive, apply disciplinary correction. Spanking permitted. Size does not negate behavior. Rin is extremely bratty.”
Rin froze.
“…They wrote that? ” he said quietly.
Kaiser looked at him, expression unreadable. “They did.”
Rin swallowed. How dare they let a stranger do this to him. Or let them know...
Kaiser folded the paper slightly, then unfolded it again. “Yeah. I can see. why they wrote this.”
Yes mabye, someone is always throwing a tantrum. So expected from Rin
He finished the list. “Bedtime at 8 p.m. No exceptions. Do not alter diet. Avoid sugar and stimulants. Follow meals exactly.” He exhaled slowly. “That’s it.”
The room felt too quiet now.
Rin sat back down, shoulders slumped, anger drained into something heavier. “They are insane "he muttered.
Kaiser sat across from him, elbows on his knees. “they are.”
Rin stared at the blank TV screen. “I wasn’t even regressed. I was just mad.”
Kaiser studied him for a long moment. “You’re still not regressed,” he said finally. “But you’re close.”
Rin flinched. “Don’t say that.”
“I’m not threatening you,” Kaiser said. “I’m stating an observation.” he slowly brought up the last event that happened between Bunny and Rin.
Rin’s hands twisted in his sleeves. “I just want to play. Forget everything.”
Kaiser sighed, rubbing his temples. “You’ve got… forty minutes left, according to this.”
Rin looked up sharply. “You’re actually following it?”
“I don’t like surprises,” Kaiser replied. “And I don’t like cleaning up messes later.”
Rin huffed. “You’re impossible.”
“And you’re stuck here,” Kaiser said calmly. “So we’re going to survive the evening without killing each other.”
Rin hesitated, then turned the game back on, volume lower this time.
“…You’re not touching my jacket,” he muttered. He was hiding the paci under the jacket, because he was feeling a little shy bringing it in front of Kaiser. he told Sae he is not regressing today! but Bunny insisted on making Sae clip it in his shirt
Kaiser stood, walking toward the kitchen. “Relax. I know where it is.”
Rin’s grip tightened on the controller, heart pounding—not from the game th is time, but from the weight of rules, routines, and the uncomfortable truth settling in.
He wasn’t regressed at least...
___
The rest of the morning stretched out into something heavy and exhausting, the kind of day where every minute felt like it was dragging its heels on purpose.
Kaiser moved into the kitchen, shoulders tense, trying to focus on something normal—cracking eggs, setting a pan on the stove, pretending this was just an ordinary morning and not a forced assignment he never agreed to. Behind him, Rin stayed glued to the couch, horror game sounds filling the apartment again. Screams from the speakers, fast breathing, frantic button presses.
“Rin,” Kaiser called without turning around. “You’ve got five minutes.”
No answer.
Kaiser glanced over his shoulder. Rin didn’t even look back.
He plated the food, set it on the counter, then walked back into the living room. “Time’s up. Turn it off.”
Rin’s grip tightened on the controller. “No.”
Kaiser crossed his arms. “I’m not repeating myself.”
Rin’s voice pitched higher, sharp with frustration. “You can’t just take it! I was in the middle of something!”
“You had an hour,” Kaiser said evenly. “That was the deal.”
Rin shook his head, hair falling into his eyes. “I don’t care.”
Kaiser’s jaw clenched. “Rin.”
“I said no!” Rin snapped, the word breaking into a whine at the end.
Kaiser took a step closer. “Listen to me. It’s the beginning of the day. Don’t make it worse for yourself.”
Rin stood abruptly, face flushed. “Stop talking to me like that!”
“Turn it off,” Kaiser warned. “Or you’re getting a time-out.”
Rin laughed—high, brittle. “You won’t.”
Kaiser’s eyes narrowed. “Or worse.”
That did it.
Rin screamed, a raw, furious sound, and hurled the controller to the floor. It hit hard, plastic cracking, pieces skidding across the tile.
Silence crashed down.
Kaiser froze, eyes wide—not angry yet, but stunned. Slowly, something shifted in his expression, something colder, more controlled.
“…You broke it,” he said quietly.
Rin’s chest heaved. “I didn’t mean to!” he didn't mean that he was just in the middle of playing with Hiori. Kaiser can't just close the game like that, and embarrass him with Hiori.
But Kaiser was already moving.
In a few quick steps, he grabbed Rin, firm and practiced, guiding him back down onto the couch. Rin struggled, shocked more than anything, but Kaiser was stronger. He pressed Rin forward, steadying him with one hand.
“Stop—!” Rin cried, panic flooding in.
“Why the fuck did you broke it,” Kaiser said sharply. “You crossed a line.”
Rin felt the swats land—six, clear and undeniable—against the padded pull-up he was wearing. He had thought it would dull it more. It didn’t. The sting cut through anyway, sharp enough to steal his breath.
Well at least, he didn't take off his pants and pull up. like how sae and bunny does, but this was still freaking embarrassing. how dare he spank him.
“Ow! 'm sorry! Stop!” Rin cried, tears spilling over as he twisted away. "get off, I hate you!"
Kaiser released him immediately once it was done.
Rin scrambled back, heart pounding, eyes wet and wide. “How dare you,” he shouted, voice shaking. “You can’t—!”
“Corner,” Kaiser said, pointing. “Now.”
Rin stared at him, fury warring with humiliation. “I’m not a baby!”
“Corner,” Kaiser repeated, tone iron-hard.
Rin’s face hardened. He knew. He knew Sae had written it. He knew this was allowed.
That was what hurt the most.
Without another word, Rin walked to the corner and stood facing the wall, fists clenched at his sides. His legs trembled, He didn’t cry out loud.
Behind him, Kaiser picked up the broken controller pieces, muttering under his breath. “Unbelievable… What kind of a little throw things like that. what they even teach you at home…”
Each word felt like a needle.
Rin swallowed hard. He hadn’t meant to break it. He hadn’t meant for any of this to happen. He just hadn’t wanted to lose. He was challenged to defeat Hiori in the game this time. He just wanted—
His chest tightened painfully.
I want niichan, his mind whispered traitorously.
Tears welled despite him fighting them. His breathing hitched once. Twice. Little hiccups he tried desperately to swallow down.
Kaiser didn’t say how long the time-out was.
That was the worst part.
Minutes passed—or maybe seconds. Rin couldn’t tell. His thoughts spiraled, guilt pressing heavier and heavier. He was bad. He’d heard Kaiser say it. He’d heard it before, from others.
Eventually, Kaiser turned and went back into the kitchen. The clink of plates, the sound of the stove.
He didn’t look at Rin.
He didn’t say a word.
Rin’s tears finally slipped free, silent and hot, sliding down his cheeks as he stood there alone, stuck between anger and shame, balanced right on the edge of something he didn’t want to fall into—but could already feel pulling him down.
___
The apartment stayed quiet for a long time after that.
Too quiet.
Kaiser moved around the kitchen on autopilot—setting plates, pouring drinks, sitting down at the table like this was any other morning. His mind was already elsewhere, irritation simmering, thoughts looping around work, the broken controller, Bunny and Sae dumping responsibility on him without warning.
He genuinely forgot.
In the corner, Rin was still standing.
At first, he told himself he could handle it. He wasn’t little. He wasn’t. He pressed his back straight against the wall, jaw clenched, refusing to give Kaiser the satisfaction of hearing him complain. But minutes stretched. His legs started to ache, a dull burn creeping up his calves. His feet shifted slightly, then stilled again when fear spiked—what if that makes it worse?
He didn’t know how long he was supposed to stay.
No number. No “you can come back when.” Nothing.
Is it forever? the thought crept in, ugly and sharp. Is this just… my day now?
Anger flared hotter than the pain. He hated this. He hated Kaiser. He hated Bunny. He hated that Sae had left him—left him again—and that Bunny had taken him away like Rin didn’t even matter.
His throat tightened.
He put his hands on his mouth so no one could hear him, shoulders shaking as silent tears slipped down. He didn’t make a sound. He couldn’t. Crying would make it real. Crying would mean he was—
He sucked in a breath that came out wrong, hitching. Another followed. His thoughts tangled, emotions blurring together until he wasn’t sure where the anger ended and the loneliness began.
I want niichan, I want Sae. I don’t want to be here.
He wiped his eyes with his sleeve, frustrated when it didn’t help. His chest felt tight, his body heavy, like gravity had quietly doubled. He didn’t notice when his thoughts softened, when the sharp edges dulled into something smaller, more helpless.
He didn’t realize he was slipping.
At the table, Kaiser finished setting the food down. He picked up his fork—then paused.
Something felt off.
He looked up.
“Oh—” His eyes widened. “Oh shit.”
Rin. In the corner. Still there.
Kaiser pushed his chair back hard, standing immediately. “Rin—” He stopped, guilt hitting him square in the chest. “Hey. Come here. Breakfast is ready.”
Rin didn’t turn around.
“I’m not hungry,” he said, but his voice wobbled, thin and broken at the edges.
Kaiser frowned. That didn’t sound like defiance. He crossed the room in a few steps. “Don’t be bratty. Come on.”
This really wasn't time for another tantrum... For god sake, this was just the beginning of the day.
He reached out and angrily turned Rin by the shoulder.
And froze.
Rin’s face was completely red, eyes swollen and glossy, tears still clinging to his lashes. His lips trembled despite his clear effort to stop them, breathing uneven and shallow like he’d been holding himself together by force alone.
Kaiser’s stomach dropped.
He slipt? Didn't Sae—
“…Fuck,” he muttered under his breath. “I— I forgot. I didn’t mean—”
Rin’s chin wobbled. “I wanna go,” he whispered. “I don’t wanna stay with you.”
Kaiser swallowed hard. “Rin, listen—” he didn't even know how ti comfort a little he never did that before and with the little being Rin it was even harder to think like is this the same guy who is about to kill everyone on the field.
He knew the guy was a little, but he never even witness him being a little before. never even saw him cry before. The guy looked tough you could mistake him for a caregiver, or at least a neutral. but what was more surprising he was a little.
“I want my niichan,” Rin said again, louder now, cracking completely. “I want Sae. He left me. Bunny took him and left me.”
The words came out messy, tangled with hiccups and tears, his hands curling into fists at his sides like he didn’t know what to do with them.
Kaiser had no idea how to handle this.
He dragged a Rin over the table over and sat down awkwardly on the stool, then gently tried to guide Rin between his knees, unsure, hesitant. “Okay—okay, just—stand here for a second.”
Rin immediately resisted, twisting away. “Don’t touch me.” he said harshly. Kaiser was now confused. is he a little, or no. or he is in between his headspace. Kaiser can't even detect that.
“I’m not— I’m just—” Kaiser sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I’m bad at this, alright?”
Rin shook his head hard, tears spilling over again. “I don’t want you. I want niichan.”
Kaiser winced. He remembered the list. The stupid, list Sae had written.
He won’t calm without it.
He hesitated, then slowly reached for Rin’s jacket, fingers finding the clip Sae had mentioned. The pacifier slid free.
Rin noticed immediately. “No,” he said weakly. “I’m not a baby.”
“I know,” Kaiser said quietly. “I know you think that.”
He held it out, not forcing it, just close enough. Rin turned his head away at first, breathing hitching, clearly torn. He didn’t even realize how deep he was slipping—how small everything felt, how big the ache in his chest had become.
Kaiser tried again, slower this time. “Just… try it. You don’t have to look at me.”
Rin hesitated. His protest faded into a soft, broken sound when the pacifier brushed his lips. His body betrayed him before his pride could catch up—his mouth opened, sucking reflexively.
The change was immediate.
His breathing slowed, But the tears won't stop coming. The sobbing softened into quiet sniffles as his body finally unclenched.
Kaiser let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.
“There,” he murmured, unsure if Rin could even hear him now.
He gently pulled Rin closer and sat him down on his lap, awkward but careful, one arm resting around him like he was afraid to do it wrong. Rin didn’t fight this time. He leaned in slightly, pacifier moving steadily, eyes half-lidded and unfocused.
Kaiser froze, then slowly wrapped both arms around him.
“…You’re okay,” he said quietly, even though he wasn’t sure if that was true. “I messed up. I shouldn’t have left you there.”
Rin didn’t answer. He just stayed there, small and trembling, sucking quietly on the pacifier while Kaiser held him, the kitchen forgotten, breakfast going cold on the table.
For the first time that morning, the apartment felt less hostile.
And Kaiser knew—without a doubt—that Rin wasn’t angry anymore.