Kaider- Oneshots

Tea Party

Little Peony begs her father to join her for a tea party and he can't say no.

Soft knocking sound pulled Kai's mind away from the papers he was reading. His lips curved up in a smile. He usually didn't appreciate being interrupted in the middle of work, but he knew only one tiny hand that could make such light knock.

"Come in," he called out.

Door opened slightly and Kai saw a profile of a guard standing outside of his office. "She insisted to be let in, Your Majesty," guard said with a knowing smile.

"He's my daddy," bubbly voice said and a small figure pushed through the open door.

Kai's chest filled with warmth at the sight of his daughter, like it did every time he would lay his eyes on her during the past three years. She walked towards his desk, her walk somewhat wobbly but secure. In her hand she carried her favorite toy, a teddy bear named Mr. Fluffy, given to her by Uncle Thorne.

"It's okay, Huan. Thank you," Kai dismissed the guard and opened his arms for Peony to run into.

"Daddy!" she shrieked and threw her whole body in Kai's expecting arms, her teddy bear hitting his back.

He wrapped her in a tight hug and pulled her up to sit on his leg. Her black hair was styled in two neat buns on top of her head and she was dressed in her favorite red polka-dot dress.

Kai kissed her cheek and the side of her head. "How is my princess today? Did you do something fun?"

Her brown eyes lit up with excitement. "I built a pillow fort with Aunt Iko, and then we watched a movie."

Kai fixed her bangs to rest neatly on her forehead. "That's interesting, because I don't see Aunt Iko anywhere, and if I remember correctly she is the one who was supposed to watch after you today."

Peony gave him a sheepish grin. "I ran away while she was talking to Kinney."

Kai exhaled. "And what did we say about running away from adults that are babysitting you?"

She looked down at her lap, her gentle features filling with guilt. "That we don't do that." She looked up, her face cheerful and adorable again. "But I only did it to find you. You made me a promise, Daddy."

Kai furrowed his brows, spinning them slowly in his chair in a way he knew she loved. He tried to remember the promise he gave to his daughter, but other than lifelong ones he made after she was born- that he would protect her from any harm and hardship that comes her way- his brain came up with nothing.

"What promise, Peony?"

She let out one of those adorable annoyed huffs only toddlers are capable of. "The tea party, Daddy! You said you'll have tea with me today afternoon. You even made a pinky swear."

Kai groaned inwardly. He kept postponing their tea party day after day, until last night when he felt like the worst father on the planet and promised to join her for tea later today. And he really did make a pinky swear.

He looked around his desk at the piles of paper and his portscreen overflowing with more documents to read and sign. His digital calendar was filled with colorful boxes matching today's tasks and meetings.

He gently touched her chin with his thumb. "Peony, sweetie, I have another meeting very soon." Her face fell and Kai felt a sharp pang of guilt. "But I promise it's the last meeting for today and after it's over, you and I will have our tea party. We could even invite Mom to join us."