Red Light

To Be Safe

TRIGGER WARNING: talk of abuse and safety for those abused

Jiang Cheng opened the hospital room door lost in thought. He was running down what he needed to do before he left the hospital as well as steeling himself to deal with his mother. He wouldn't be the arresting officer. Too big a chance it would be considered a conflict of interest in the case against her but he would be there. In plain sight. He wanted there to be no question in his mother's mind that he knew what was going on and would do nothing to stop it.

He straightened his shoulders. He would wait until the first officers showed up for guard duty before he left. A quick word concerning passbooks and behaving themselves would make him feel better about leaving.

Glancing around the room, he saw Wei Ying lying back on the bed and talking softly to Wei Yuan. Both of them were still weary but they looked happier. More at ease. They had both smiled at him when he had entered. A'Yuan's smile was still hesitant but it was a smile.

Jiang Yanli was pulling clothes out of the bags and gauging which would fit her Zhizi best. Jin Zixuan was sitting next to her on the sofa and suggesting places they could order clothes for him. He wondered if they realized how ready they were to be parents. The thought made him smile. He wouldn't mind being an uncle several times over.

He turned as Lan Wangji entered. The man was quiet. Subtle. The total opposite of himself. It made for interesting interactions between them to be sure.

He watched the sudden smile on Wei Ying's face as the detective sat beside him. Jiang Cheng wasn't sure what was going on between them. It was possible they didn't know what was going on. What he did know was Lan Wangji seemed to make Wei Ying feel safer. Happier. That was enough for him.
-----

"I must leave for a short time." Lan Wangji began and saw the smile slide from Wei Ying's face.

"Why?" his voice was small. Uncertain.

"I have no clothing. I will return quickly. There will be guards at the door and Nie Huaisang will remain as well." He was carefully observing the man before him for signs of a pending anxiety attack. Deliberately, he had left out needing his weapon.

"I don't know Nie Huaisang or the other man." Wei Ying's eyes were afraid. Jiang Cheng was leaving and so was Lan Wangji?  He felt exposed somehow. Vulnerable. He looked down then tried a brief smile. "I'll be here when you get back."

The detective watched Wei Ying begin to close himself off. He had pulled A'Yuan closer to him. "We'll wait for you together." He tried the smile again. It wasn't much better.

Lan Wangji was trying to come up with a way to soothe Wei Ying's fear.

"You'll come back, right?" Wei Ying glanced up and then back down.

"I have said so and I will. I will take care of you and A'Yuan." Lan Wangji's deep voice was serious. Another glance up but this time Lan Wangji caught and held Wei Ying's gaze. "I will not abandon you."

Lan Wangji reached over without thinking and held Wei Ying's hand. "I would not leave if you were not safe."

Wei Ying nodded. "Okay. Sorry."

"Wei Ying should not be sorry." Lan Wangji asserted. "There is nothing to be sorry for."

He picked up the glass of water and held it toward Wei Ying. "Drink a little. Then rest. Nurses will come soon then eat and sleep after. I will go while you sleep."

Wei Ying gave a firmer smile. "That sounds good." He turned to his son. "Is that okay, A'Yuan?"

There was a nod in response.