"Aeri-ya, you're so adorable!"

The baby blinked at the man in front of her, unable to comprehend what was happening.

Is this appa...?

She stared back into the cheerful eyes that was vehemently trying to grasp her attention. Aeri's vision was still blurry but she could see how the man is holding something in front of her.

A sudden flash of white light covered her vision and it caused her to sob out of the unfamiliarity of the material.

"A-ah I'm sorry! I forgot to turn the flash off, ahh I'm so sorry Aeri-ya." The man was quick to react, shoving his phone in his pocket and pick the baby up. He cradled her in his arms, cooing at her little cries that seemed to calm down as he rocked her back and forth.

The man sighed, "Baekhyun-appa is sorry. I'll take good care of you from now on! That's my promise to you." 

Aeri noticed how the man, Baekhyun apparently, is so concerned with handling her and she couldn't help but giggle a little with how his face seem to look like a mochi. 

The giggle made Baekhyun turn to look down at her, a fond smile formed on his face as he saw Aeri looking so happy, "I guess you like that huh? I'll stay with you forever if I have to, I won't let you down." 

———

"Aeri-ya! It's your first birthday~" 

Baekhyun held her in his arms and lifted her up despite her small and fragile appearance. 

"I prepared cake and balloons for you, although I guess you won't be able to eat it," He chuckled to himself. "Ah it's okay, I'll eat it on my own then."

The one-year old appeared like she doesn't know anything, but in her head she's preening at the attention being given to her by her Baekhyun-appa. If pnly there was a way to show him she knows what Baekhyun is doing for her.

Baekhyun decided to place her in the small crib first to play with her toys. "Wait, I have one more suprise for you! I'll go and get it first okay?"

He knew he wasn't going to get a response yet so he walked over casually to the cabinet where he hid his surprise for her.

"A- appa..."

Baekhyun almost tripped when he heard the sound coming from his daughter as he was about to walk back with the box with his surprise.

"Did Aeri just say... Appa?" He approached her steadily and peered over the crib to see his adorable daughter trying to speak again.

"Appa!"

Baekhyun immediately looked at her in disbelief. "You called me appa... My aeri can talk now, ah- why am I about to cry." He wiped his tears with laughter coming from his mouth. "Aeri-ya called me appa already, I'm so proud of you." 

Aeri couldn't resist the smile that broke on her face when she saw her Baekhyun-appa's happy face. "Appa h- happy~"

Laughter erupted from Baekhyun as more happy tears began to flow down his face, "Yes sweetie, Baekhyun-appa is so happy."

"Aish, you even made me distracted for giving you my surprise."

Aeri watched Baekhyun rip off the gift wrap from the supposed surprise he had and she watched him take out a pair of baby shoes that awfully looked like the color tiffany blue.

Her father placed the shoes next to her in the crib, "These are for you." Aeri touched the shoes carefully and giggled at the soft material.

"Do you like it?"

All Aeri could do was nod. She was so happy she has Baekhyun-appa.

That night, instagram welcomed a post with the picture of the pair of shoes with an "L" gesture, captioned with "Aeri's First Birthday Celebration Present!"

———

"Aeri-ya you're doing amazing, keep going. Appa will be here to help you."

Currently, Aeri was being taught by his Baekhyun-appa how to walk properly. She has been struggling but she was able to take a few steps without Baekhyun's help, and her Baekhyun-appa couldn't be prouder.

"That's it sweetie, one step at a time okay? Appa will hold your hand if you fall-"

As if on cue, Aeri lost her balance and tripped, lucky enough to have instinctively had her hands touch the ground before she lands face first. But now her small hands are scraped and she couldn't help it. Her lip wobbled and small sniffs could be heard from her small figure, and eventually her cries turn louder that alarmed Baekhyun to rush to her side.

"I- it hurts appa, it hurts so much." she cried relentlessly, feeling the burn on her palms.

Baekhyun lifted her up and gathered her inside their house. "We'll be taking a break for now." He set her down on the couch and kneeling down gave her head a small pat.

"Baekhyun-appa is sorry for letting you get hurt like this. I'll go get the first-aid kit first then I'll patch you right up."

His little Aeri-ya gave a small hum of agreement, now calming down as she continued to talk to her appa.

Baekhyun came back in a flas, holding the first-aid kit with his right hand.

"Let's get you all patched up now." He took her hands in his and gave them both a small peck before cleaning the small scrape and carefully bandaging it after he's done.

"It's all done Aeri-ya. I'm sorry you had to go through pain because of me."

Aeri immediately shook her head, "Not Baekhyunie-appa's fault." A pout formed on her lips. 

Don't blame yourself, appa please.

Baekhyun grinned at the nickname, "Well if my little Aeri says so, then everything is fine."

———

Baekhyun continued to guide Aeri in her life, she grew up into a smart and bright young girl just like her father.

In between the time that has passed, Baekhyun continued to work as well, sometimes even coming home to his daughter sleeping by the couch, obviously tired from waiting for him for too long. 

This time, Aeri was watching the television while she was waiting for her Baekhyun-appa to come home. It was already past 10PM and she was actually growing restless as every second passed by.

"Where could appa be..."

She was pacing back and forth now, she couldn't handle staying put while trying to wait for him. Her small frame actually looked a bit ridiculous pacing back and forth like that as if she was stressed over something- well she kind of is but still. 

The door creaked open and Aeri almost pounced at the door on how worried she is. There she saw Baekhyun, looking exhausted, his eyes bloodshot.

"Appa... Are you okay?" she was biting her bottom lip worriedly.

Baekhyun looked up from his downcasted eyes and he looked so tired that Aeri just wanted to tuck him in bed already.

"I'm fine Aeri, just a bit tired from work."

He set his coat by the rack and heaved a deep sigh.

Aeri frowned at this and took long strides in front of him to chastise him. "Baekhyun-appa isn't looking okay to me."

"Appa always told me to be honest with him always and I think appa needs to do the same," she had her hands on her hips now and she looked so cute that Baekhyun couldn't help but laugh at her antics.

"Why is appa laughing at me?"

Eventually Baekhyun stopped and gave his daughter a gentle smile, "Aeri-ya, I'm very very tired right now, work has been stressing me out lately and I-"

He sighed again, "I just want to rest."

"Well then you should rest and sleep now!" Aeri placed herself behind Baekhyun and began to push him towards the bedroom. She forced him to change that very instant, promising not to peek while he does so. After he got changed and let Aeri take charge, he found himself under their comforters with Aeri already by his side.

Her head was pressed against his chest, trying to snuggle closer to her appa before continuing.

"Appa always told me that he'll protect me..." She felt Baekhyun's arms sleepily wrap around her body, his chin resting on top of her head. Aeri could tell her appa was already falling asleep even before saying good night to her but she could care less. 

"You promised to protect me, but Aeri will always be here to protect you too, Baekhyunnie-appa."

———

I created this short story because I was restless. I'm sorry if I'm getting annoying with the constant updates, I'm just making the most out of my vacation hehe.

ps: this is in no way trying to target anyone who is outside of the exo-l fandom, this was written for the sake of showing how EXO's Baekhyun treats EXO-Ls like his own daughters. I hope I explained this enough.

If you want to be friends with me on twitter, please do follow @eksoelle https://twitter.com/eksoelle

Please do leave a comment, I would love to hear your thoughts on this!