the next morning, Haechan gently shook Daeun awake. "baby girl, you ready to wake up? no? it's okay, i got you. come here," Haechan whispered, giving her a few pecks after picking her up from his bed.
she didn't stir much, still recharging her energy. she laid her head on Haechan's shoulder as they met Mark in the living room.
Mark was waiting, already dressed and ready to go. he smiled when he saw the younger carrying the sleepy Daeun. "morning, baby."
Daeun mumbled a barely audible "appa" without lifting her head from Haechan's shoulder.
"hyung, hold her up, please. i left her jacket in her room," Haechan said, carefully transferring the sleepy girl to Mark's arms. Mark took her gently, cradling her against his chest. "i've got her. go get the jacket."
as Haechan hurried back to her room, Mark rocked Daeun slightly, whispering to her. "we're going to have a fun day today,"
Daeun barely reacted, too drowsy to fully comprehend what was happening, but the sound of Mark's voice seemed to comfort her. she snuggled closer, her tiny hands clutching his shirt.
with Daeun bundled up and ready, the three of them headed out, Mark and Haechan carrying her between them. as they made their way to the car, Mark felt a renewed sense of determination to make the day as smooth and enjoyable as possible for her.
_
"ouch," Daeun fell on her bum as she bumped into Mark's leg while he was discussing something with the photographer, not noticing she had woken up. she rubbed her eyes, looking up at Mark with a mixture of surprise and confusion.
Mark quickly turned around, his expression softening when he saw her on the floor. "oh, little one, are you okay?"
she tugged on Mark's trouser, blinking sleepily. "appa..."
Mark knelt down beside her, his smile widening as he gently brushed a stray hair from her face. "did you sleep well?" Daeun nodded again, allowing him to pick her up.
she rested her head on his shoulder, still a bit dazed from waking up. "let's see—where's Haechan appa? you wanna find Haechan appa? yes, yes?"
Daeun nodded eagerly, her eyes brightening as Mark's attention focused solely on her. Mark chuckled softly, caressing her cheeks. he peppered her cheeks with playful kisses, eliciting giggles from her. "there's my little sunshine. let's go find Haechan appa together,"
unfortunately, Haechan had gone outside to take a call, so Mark decided to introduce her to the other members of NCT 127. he carried Daeun through the studio, where the other members were mingling and preparing for their schedule.
first in line was Jaehyun. "who do we have here? what is your name, cutie?" he asked with a warm smile, crouching down to Daeun's eye level.
"Daeun," she said softly, then hugged Mark's leg, too shy to look at Jaehyun.
"i'm Jaehyun, sweetie. uncle Jaehyun."
"-ncle Jaeyun."
"it's Jae-hyun."
"Jae-yun."
"Hyun."
"Yun."
"how about Uncle Yuno?"
"uncle Yuno."
"uwahh, one more time."
"uncle Yunoo."
Jaehyun laughed softly, charmed by Daeun's attempt. "that's right, Uncle Yunoo. nice to meet you, Daeun."
Mark smiled warmly, gently encouraging her. "good job, Daeun, good job."
with Jaehyun's patient guidance, she gradually became more comfortable. they spent the next few minutes playing a simple game of peekaboo, Daeun's laughter filling the room.
"okay, shall we meet everyone now, cutes?" Jaehyun scooped her up, earning giggles as he playfully pinched her cheeks. Daeun squirmed with laughter, her eyes sparkling with delight.
Mark was called by the cameraman to the set. "i'm going now, baby. have fun, okay?" he said, gently ruffling her hair before heading off.
Daeun looked up at Mark with a mix of excitement and a hint of sadness at seeing him leave. she clung to Jaehyun, who was grinning from ear to ear with her in his arms.
"this is uncle Johnny," Jaehyun introduced, as they approached Johnny who was resting on a sofa.
"uncle Johnny," Daeun repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
"wahh, Mark brought his daughter?" Johnny exclaimed in surprise, his eyes widening as he looked at the bubbly girl in Jaehyun's arms, calling for him.
"Daeunie, hi!" Johnny greeted enthusiastically.
"Mm, hi," Daeun replied softly, her shyness evident as she nestled closer to Jaehyun.
Jaehyun gently encouraged her. "it's okay, Uncle Johnny is nice."
Daeun peeked up at Johnny, her curiosity overcoming her shyness a bit. "uncle Johnny, do you like dinosaurs?"
Johnny's eyes lit up with excitement. "i love dinosaurs! do you?"
Daeun nodded, a small smile forming on her face. "i have a biiig dinosaur at home."
"wow, that's so cool!" Johnny replied enthusiastically. "we'll have to talk more about dinosaurs later, okay?" Daeun nodded again, feeling more at ease with him.
"sitting on the floor is Uncle Jungwoo," Jaehyun introduced as they approached Jungwoo, who was eating snacks.
"uncle Jungwoo," Daeun repeated softly, observing him with curiosity.
Jaehyun then pointed towards Yuta, who was nearby. "the long-haired man is uncle Yuta."
"uncle Yu-a," Daeun repeated, trying to pronounce it as best as she could.
"it's Yu-ta, sweetheart," Jaehyun corrected gently.
"Yuta," Daeun repeated after him, her voice clearer this time.
"right, you're good," he praised with a smile, patting her head gently.
"BAAAA, Daeunieee, hi!" Taeyong greeted enthusiastically.
"Taeyong. uncle Taeyong."
"uncle T-Tyong."
"uncle Tyong, then it is." Taeyong then made grabby hands at her, and she delightfully accepted, enjoying her tour with him.
"have you had breakfast? are you hungry now?" Taeyong asked, noticing her slight pout.
Daeun nodded shyly, her eyes darting away. she had waited too long for Mark but didn't show discomfort being carried by the leader.
"can anyone get Mark Lee? his daughter is about to burst," Taeyong announced with a laugh, his concern evident as he glanced at Daeun, worried she might cry after being apart from Mark.
