Lan Zhan opened the door, and Officer Todd entered. Behind him, another officer, one who was obviously his senior, followed him in.

Greetings were exchanged, and everyone sat down.

Three people on the couch was a tight fit, and Wei Ying pressed up as close as he could to Lan Zhan just so there would be space between him and Officer Todd.

"We have some more questions for you, if you don't mind answering them today." Officer Todd was a little more cautious today.

Wei Ying's eyes flickered to the other Officer, who was watching them with interest. Maybe Officer Todd had to be more professional today, since he was under observation? Wei Ying thought that was the most likely reason for him being a little cooler towards them.

It went without mentioning that they would not be talking about going to Apartment 613 yesterday; it probably went against all protocols and Wei Ying didn't want to get Officer Todd in any trouble, not when he had been this accommodating so recently.

"I understand the child from Apartment 613 is living here with you, for the moment?" The other Officer asked them. He introduced himself as Officer Ryan.

"Yes. He and our son are best friends." Wei Ying spoke up.

Lan Zhan squeezed his hand. Both of his arms were already wrapped around Wei Ying's waist, and they were chest to back now, facing the officers together.

"Hm. You should be expecting Social services to pay you a visit soon." The senior officer told them.

Wei Ying could only nod slowly.

That was yet another nightmare to face; the legal ramifications of trying to adopt another child and hoping that the powers that be would support them and make it easier. Otherwise, they were going to fight for little JingYi.

Today was the first day Wei Ying had seen him sort of back to normal, and it warmed his heart. Ever since his mother had visited them here, JingYi had been subdued, and far too quiet. Wei Ying had thought the day would never come when he would miss JingYi's voice so much. But the boy had been making good progress in these past few days.

It was yet another reason why he didn't want to tell the little boy that his mother had passed away. He didn't want to keep it a secret, but he wished JingYi was older so he could better cope with the terrible news. Maybe it was just a matter of waiting for the right time.

"Actually, before we start, do you mind if I check on the boys?" Wei Ying said, leaving the safety of Lan Zhan's arms to stand up. "I don't want them to overhear anything...that might upset them."

"Of course. Go ahead." The senior officer said, with approval in his voice.

Wei Ying was back five minutes later, after closing the door to the boys' room.

"Please continue," he told them, making himself comfortable next to Lan Zhan.

He smiled when he felt Lan Zhan kiss his hair. Having Lan Zhan here, like this, felt monumental in terms of support. He could feel the beginning of a headache start behind his eyes, and he refused to pay attention to it. It would go away soon, and everything would be okay.

He could lie down after the policemen went away.

"Can you please tell us what they were like? The couple in Apartment 613?" The senior officer started saying. He looked pointedly at Officer Todd to start taking notes.

"Well, in the beginning, it was just through JingYi. Actually, I don't remember ever going inside their home." Wei Ying was surprised by this. It had never occurred to him that even after picking up JingYi and dropping him off safely back to his home, that Mrs Lan had never invited him inside her apartment.

"But did you see her regularly? Were you friends with her?" Officer Ryan asked, leaning forward.

"No, I wouldn't call it that at all. Mrs Lan kept to herself and even when she came to open the door for JingYi, she used to kind of hide behind it. I can't believe -" Wei Ying swallowed hard, trying to get past the lump in his throat. "She came to see us on Friday afternoon...I even offered her the couch. I didn't want her to go back there." He remembered the kitchen and what it looked like. "What happened to her?" He feels he has to ask, just to give her soul some peace.

How sad would it be to have someone pass away, and what if there was no one who cared about how it happened? Her life had to have meant something, not just to JingYi.

His vision blurred but Wei Ying was able to make out the shape and colour of a white handkerchief appearing in front of him. He took it gratefully and wiped his eyes.

"As you know, we are not at liberty to discuss an ongoing case. At the moment, we are gathering evidence and only after a thorough investigation will we be able to reach a solid conclusion." Officer Ryan told them sternly.

He was basically saying that he didn't want to be the one answering questions.

"At the times that you were able to see her, could you tell that she was hurt? Did you see any bruises or injuries that seemed suspicious?" Officer Todd asked now.

Wei Ying thought back to the past.

"No...she always kind of hid behind her door. And to be honest, it's not the kind of thing you think of first, is it? I'm not going to immediately assume her husband is beating her, just because she's wearing a band-aid, am I?" Wei Ying didn't mean to sound defensive, but he hated the implications behind the officer's words.

And part of him did wish that he had done something more.

Lan Zhan rubbed his upper arms comfortingly.

Wei Ying sighed, forcing the tension out from his shoulders. His headache was worse now, and these stupid questions might be necessary to the cops, but they were nonetheless annoying, especially after a long day.

"Obviously not for just a band-aid." Officer Ryan sounded curt now. "I meant, did you see any external signs of abuse?"

"No. It was minimal contact at best. We only knew something was wrong when JingYi was favouring his arm." Wei Ying told them all about the doctor and their shock at seeing JingYi's little body, covered in bruises.

Officer Ryan asked to see the pictures then, and afterwards, told Wei Ying to forward them on by email to the address he gave.

There were more questions, but Wei Ying couldn't give them anything more, at least nothing to help in the case.

An hour later, they finally stood up.

Wei Ying stood, too.

But almost immediately, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his neck. He made himself wait until the door closed behind the police officers, before collapsing on the couch again.

"Wei Ying!" Lan Zhan was in front of him in an instant. "Is it -"

"My head -" he moaned, holding it with both of his hands.

"Do you want any painkillers?" Lan Zhan asked urgently.

"I don't keep any in our home." The pain was shooting in two directions, simultaneously.

Like streaks of lightning, one thread split up into many and attacked the base of his neck, while another thundered into his head. Wei Ying clutched at his hair, moaning.

When he opened his eyes, Lan Zhan was there holding out two white pills that said paracetamol on them in tiny letters, and a glass of water.

"They're not easily reachable." He reassures Wei Ying, assuming the reason Wei Ying had not kept any in the house was because of A-Yuan.

At this point, Wei Ying doesn't care about anything else. He takes the proffered pills and drowns them with the water. He's impatient with how long it takes for any measure of relief to be felt. And all throughout, Lan Zhan is right next to him, holding his hand.

*************

Wei Ying didn't know when he fell asleep because when he next opens his eyes, it's still dark outside, and Lan Zhan is lying next to him, wide awake. They're on their bed, in their room.

"The kids?" He whispers.

Lan Zhan pulls him close. "They're asleep now. Both sent you goodnight kisses."

"Thank you...for taking care of them." Wei Ying says, snuggling into his chest.

Lan Zhan makes a noise of disapproval.

"I know, I know, you're going to say that it's not necessary. But to me, it is." Wei Ying continues.

They're both silent, enjoying this tranquillity.

"Lan Zhan?"

"Mn?"

"What...what do you think is wrong with me?"

Wei Ying sounds so vulnerable, and kind of lost. Lan Zhan hates it, hates the way it changes how his blood smells.

"If I could take away everything that had the ability to hurt you." He says, instead. "I would do it in a heartbeat."

"I-I'm scared. Not for myself..." Wei Ying doesn't have to say anything more.

Lan Zhan knows he's scared because of A-Yuan. And maybe himself? And definitely now for JingYi.

That child has just lost his parents. Of course the kids are going to be upset with whatever this ailment is affecting Wei Ying.

Lan Zhan can feel his t-shirt getting wet, and his arms tighten around this caring, loving man with the softest, toughest heart in the whole world.

"Let's not jump to conclusions. Tomorrow, we will call the doctor and find out. Okay?" He kisses the top of Wei Ying's head. "Sleep now, my Wei Ying." He says it with such longing that he's surprised when tiny little snores are heard coming from this most adorable of people.

Was Wei Ying already asleep?

How crazy was that?

But Lan Zhan was glad, because sleeping was the best thing for him. Lan Zhan had been worried when Wei Ying had passed out on the couch, and he had been anxiously waiting for him to wake up.

In the morning, the doctor was going to get a hard push in getting results for them.

*************

Wei Ying seemed fine in the morning, and Lan Zhan was relieved, but this didn't stop him from hovering. He had to be discreet though, too aware that Wei Ying wouldn't want to be coddled.

"I'm sorry I have to work through your holiday." He tells the children, while they're having breakfast.

"We don't mind." A-Yuan tells him brightly. "We're gonna make racing cars today."

"Zhan Gege! Can you please help us? We don't know how to make them work." JingYi says, smiling at both of the adults.

"Mn. We may need other parts." Lan Zhan replies.

He makes a mental note to check through the Lego pieces they already have, though he's pretty sure they don't have certain ones to make the cars actually move.

"More parts?" Wei Ying giggles. "Haven't you guys got enough?"

"You can never have enough parts." Lan Zhan says, in a straight-up scolding voice.

This only makes him laugh more.

It is a joy to see him so happy.

Lan Zhan looks around at the people who he has come to see as part of his family, and he's enormously glad inside. They are happy and they're safe, and there's not much more he would ever want than that.

"I think you two have been cooped up inside for too long. How about when my shift ends, we go to the zoo?" Wei Ying suggests.

There are whooping cheers from the kids, who begin to ask questions about the animals and picking their favourites.

"My dad says zoos are bad." JingYi suddenly says.

"Why?" A-Yuan asked him.

"Cos animals aren't free. They're trapped." JingYi looks terribly sad, and A-Yuan wears a matching expression.

"Well, I have something really important to tell you, about zoos. Yes, they take money for people to go in and see the animals, but all of that money goes into feeding and cleaning and looking after the animals. And, this is even more important." Wei Ying says, pausing until he's sure that they are properly listening. "Most zoos only take in endangered species. Ones that might die out in the wild, and ones that are protected, ones that are hunted by bad people. Also injured animals that wouldn't be able to survive out in the wild. They do so much good, and it isn't fair that they have such a bad reputation."

"I did not know that." Lan Zhan admits.

The children stare at both of them, in awe because they just learned two important things.

"I thought you knew everything!" JingYi tells him.

Lan Zhan wants to smile at his accusatory tone.

"That's silly!" Wei Ying laughs. "No one knows everything, and it's okay to say that you don't. How else would we be able to learn anything, if we didn't ask questions?"

The kids smile back, nodding in agreement.

"And it takes guts to admit that." Wei Ying is looking warmly at Lan Zhan.

"Guts?" JingYi points to his stomach and then looks at Lan Zhan's belly.

"It's a figure of speech. It means to be brave." Wei Ying explains, biting his lip to stifle a grin.

Cleaning up is a joint effort, and then the boys run off to categorise and make an inventory of Lego parts that they already have, and what they will need for their Lego cars.

Lan Zhan pulls Wei Ying to his chest, the first chance he gets.

"Hi?" Wei Ying blushes, and it's the most adorable look on him.

"I have lots of guts." Lan Zhan informs him, a second before crashing their lips together.

This kiss is different.

On the one hand, it's full of desperation, an urgency that Lan Zhan can't explain. But he feels it keenly, a feeling that time is running out, and he must hang onto Wei Ying before he loses him. He doesn't voice his worry, but it is there in the soft slide of eager lips anxious to convey how much he loves this man.

And on the other hand, it is full of love.

It gentles when he feels Wei Ying kissing him back with his all, as they kiss again and again. It's another language, one Wei Ying has discovered that he's getting good at. In this kiss, he's offering all of himself to Lan Zhan, and accepting all of Lan Zhan in return. It's equal in his desperation to show Lan Zhan how much this connection means to him, how much he wants it, wants Lan Zhan, not only in what his lips are doing as he licks into Lan Zhan's mouth, but in the way his hands have grabbed onto Lan Zhan's shirt, fists clenching the soft cotton.

Lan Zhan wonders if this is akin to ascending.

Kissing Wei Ying's mouth is a bountiful delight of endless wonder, and he knows he will never get tired of it, of sharing their love like this.

When they break apart, it's more because Wei Ying needs to breathe. Their foreheads touch and Wei Ying smiles.

That smile alone is so precious, and priceless to Lan Zhan.

"I love you." Wei Ying breathes out, dizzy with how much that feeling has taken over his body.

His heart is galloping away like wild horses being chased by cowboys. He feels alive like never before, exhilarated and on fire.

"Marry me." Lan Zhan retaliates.

Wei Ying throws back his head and laughs.

The knock on the door before it opens, has them parting quickly and going to check.

Wen Qing is by the door, swapping out her shoes for slippers, when they enter the living room hand in hand.

"Thanks for the messages." She says, with a smidgen of sarcasm.

"What messages?" Wei Ying asked her, a puzzled frown on his face.

"Exactly." She retorts. "I was worried, especially after A-Ning told me what happened. Are you both okay? Were you alright going through the underground tunnel to the car park?"

They nod and go to the couch to sit opposite her. Wei Ying fills her in regarding Apartment 613. She looks horrified, her gaze travelling towards the boys' room where excited squeals and laughter echoes outwardly.

Wei Ying goes into detail about what he saw there, and Wen Qing listens attentively. It's more of a test when he mentions the amount of blood, because he wants to see her reaction...but he's disappointed when she does nothing, except look troubled.

"Let the police do their job." She says instead, surprising Wei Ying.

"What did you think we were going to do?" He asked her.

"Nothing, nothing." She says quickly, smiling.

Wei Ying can't help thinking he's missing something, something important in that exchange. Why would she say that?

For what reason?

But he shakes off his uneasiness because this is his JieJie. Wen Qing has always been an elder sister to him, and the thought of anything sinister, anything different to that, is simply heartbreaking to him. Wei Ying tables his thoughts and plasters a smile on his face, hoping that it's more genuine-looking than he feels right now.

Lan Zhan has his arms wrapped around his waist and this puts his wrist right in front of Wei Ying. He turns it, so he can read his watch.

"It's a bit early for a visit," he says, glancing up at her.

Wen Qing has the good grace to blush.

"I wanted to catch you before you went to work." She replies.

"What is it?" Wei Ying suddenly doesn't want to know. He's got an inexplicable feeling that it's bad news.

He squirms further into Lan Zhan's chest, and only when he feels Lan Zhan kissing the side of his head, does he calm down.

"At the moment? Inconclusive results, but they're enough to make me come here." She says, frowning. "Have you heard anything from your doctor?"

"Called him yesterday. He said the lab only works from Monday through Friday." Lan Zhan speaks up.

When Wei Ying twists in his arms, that's when he realises he forgot to tell Wei Ying about that. His expression becomes sheepish.

"I was distracted by the police coming at night. And then Wei Ying -"

"It's okay. Thanks for calling him." Wei Ying quickly interrupts him, not wanting Wen Qing to worry more.

Luckily, Lan Zhan understands and doesn't say anything more about last night. "I was going to call him again, as soon as his practice opens." He says, instead.

"Okay, make sure you do." Wen Qing replies. "If it's what I think, he'll call you in for a biopsy. But I'm hoping his second opinion will be something else, a different explanation for whatever's going on with you." She waves a hand at Wei Ying's body. "Have you had any further problems?"

"Just a headache last night." Wei Ying purposefully downplays last night.

"How bad?" She asked sharply.

"Enough for two painkillers. I was fine after, though. And what's a biopsy? What does it test for?" Wei Ying was equally sharp.

He didn't mean to be, but he was tired of having too many questions and not enough answers. At least this part was within their control.

"It's when they take a sample of your tissue or cells to test. And it might not even happen, I'm just being cautious." She stood up. "I better go or else I'll be late." She does come forward and hug Wei Ying though, all by herself.

That's what makes Wei Ying anxious, but he doesn't say anything. He hugs her back, watches her change her shoes and when the door closes behind her, he turns around and sinks into Lan Zhan's embrace.

"She's never done that before." He tells him. "It's always me. I like hugging people, but I do it to her specifically because she hates it."

Lan Zhan sits down on the couch again, holding him close.

"We can call the doctor's office soon, then we'll know for sure." He feels Wei Ying nodding, under his chin.

Wei Ying is unnaturally quiet.

Lan Zhan does his best to calm him by purposefully breathing slowly and deeply, just so Wei Ying will unconsciously mimic him, and it works up to a point.

"I really hope she's on our side. I don't want to think of her as being bad, or helping us to suit her purposes." Wei Ying says, his voice wet with emotion.

"Mn."

"I wish I could ask her outright...but, but if I do, that's...she'll be awfully hurt that I didn't trust her."

Lan Zhan rubs his back to soothe him.

There's not much he can say, especially of he is in agreement with Wei Ying. He has his own suspicions about the Wen Siblings, and voicing those doubts isn't going to help at all. No, the only thing he should do is be supportive of his beloved and keep a sharper eye out.

No one was going to hurt Wei Ying, not on his watch.

When it was just past nine, they called the doctor. He told them that he had put a rush on his request with their case and as soon as he knew anything, he would phone them.

Then it was time to leave for work.

**********

Wei Ying missed the kids and Lan Zhan as soon as they drove off, after dropping him outside the Coffee Carousel. With a heavy heart, he went inside and put on his cheerful "talking-to-customers" voice, greeting MianMian, his boss, and his other co-workers.

But from the moment he took off his jacket, he had the strongest sensations of being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stood to attention and goosebumps broke out all over his skin.

Alert, he scanned the shop, looking for the source of his discomfort and agitation. But nothing seemed out of order or untoward, and he was left feeling like a fool. Wei Ying decided to ignore himself and get on with his day.

He texted Lan Zhan and talked to the kids on his break; they had gone grocery shopping after Lan Zhan had coaxed them into it. He'd made them pick what they were going to make for dinner one of these nights, and they needed ingredients.

Wei Ying thought talking to his family would lessen the dull ache of separation, but it only made it worse. His homesickness was thrice as bad and he couldn't wait for three-thirty in the afternoon, when Lan Zhan would come to pick him up.

Then they were going to the zoo, and Wei Ying was excited.

But the prickling sense of being observed only got stronger.

Twice, Wei Ying dropped hot milk, nearly scalding himself and earning a warning look from MianMian, and since he had no proof, he couldn't answer her question on what was wrong with him. He found himself examining every customer surreptitiously, checking to see if their behaviour was even the slightest bit suspicious.

He was on edge all day, and even when he got into the car finally, he let out all of his tension in one big sigh.

Lan Zhan glanced at him before pulling away from the curb.

"Mn?"

"Oh...it's nothing. Just my spidey senses working overtime, that's all." Wei Ying turns around and chats to the kids in the back seat, smiling because Lan Zhan has bought another booster seat for JingYi.

Lan Zhan drives them straight to the zoo.

The next few hours are spent in glorious oblivion, and Wei Ying thinks it's true, that ignorance is truly blissful. Everything on the other side of the gates that let them into the zoo can be forgotten and he can just enjoy himself with his family.

The children's chortling laughter is contagious and suddenly, they're running after them, two pairs of hand holding people running after each other.

They stop for snacks at a hamburger stop, and the children are delighted with the junk food. Lan Zhan makes sure they drink plenty of water and takes them into the restroom to clean their hands.

Wei Ying is waiting outside, when he feels that uncomfortable sensation again, of being watched. He looks around frantically and nearly screams when a warm hand is placed on his back.

The soothing scent of sandalwood spreads, and he places a hand on his heart, trying to calm down. Lan Zhan merely raises a brow, not saying anything until they reach the monkey enclosures. He keeps an eye on the kids, but he squeezes Wei Ying's hand.

"Are you going to tell me what's bugging you?" He asked, pulling Wei Ying in for a hug.

"Yes."

They both sighed.

And Wei Ying realised that by not saying anything to him, he was inadvertently shutting Lan Zhan out. And it was hypocritical because hadn't he told Lan Zhan to get out if he wasn't able to tell Wei Ying what he needed?

Wei Ying reached up to kiss his cheek.

"I was being...well, I was hoping I was wrong. All day I've been feeling like someone is watching me, but when I look around, there's no one there, and then I think I'm being paranoid." He explains, his arms wrapping around Lan Zhan's waist, under his jacket.

Lan Zhan holds him tighter.

"Let me check," he says, closing his eyes.

He spreads out his awareness, checking for another heartbeat. He can hear three perfectly healthy ones, and his predatory brain tells him the difference between one older heart and two young ones.

"I cannot sense anyone else," he tells Wei Ying.

Here, they are alone, just the four of them.

"Okay, but I can't seem to shake the feeling." Wei Ying admits, shivering despite there being no breeze.

"It's alright. I will keep you safe." Lan Zhan promised. "Nothing can touch you or our family while I'm here. Please believe me." He kisses the top of Wei Ying's head.

Wei Ying simply nods, suddenly tired. Being alert and hyper aware of his fear was taking a lot out of him. Lan Zhan could feel him sagging against him, and kept his arm around his waist or shoulders, bringing Wei Ying closer so he could lean on Lan Zhan if he needed to.

They stayed until the zoo closed for the night, and then they drove home. The boys cheered when Wei Ying suggested pizza for dinner. He ordered and they met the delivery guy outside their apartment building.

They nodded towards the cops as they went up to their apartment.

The children were hungry and ate quickly, almost falling asleep at the table.

Wei Ying couldn't help smiling as they took a kid each and brought them into their bedroom to change their clothes and tuck them in. Wei Ying was happy to see the stuffed giraffe on their bed, and he placed it carefully between the boys before kissing them both goodnight.

Lan Zhan did the same, and then they turned off the light and returned to the kitchen.

"Good call, going to the zoo." Lan Zhan told him.

They were doing the dishes, and Wei Ying had insisted that he just had to see Lan Zhan wearing the yellow washing up gloves, because then he looked ravishable.

"That's not a word." Lan Zhan had huffed out his amusement and readily complied.

An excited Wei Ying was beneficial to both of them later.

"I don't remember much about my parents, but I think we used to go to the zoo often." Wei Ying picks up a plate to wipe.

"You don't talk about them." Lan Zhan said, cautiously.

"They died when I was four or five. I don't remember the particulars, too young. But Uncle Fengmian came and found me after I was put in the system. Not much to tell," he says, though his tone says otherwise.

Lan Zhan takes his gloves off and lays a hand on his arm.

"If ever you want to, I am here." His intense gaze is burning, a promise to listen to Wei Ying.

Wei Ying's answer is to slide into his arms, tucking himself as close as can to this wonderful person. His mouth finds the underside of Lan Zhan's jaw, and he kisses along the length until his lips find their twin.

This feeling is intoxicating, and Wei Ying feels drunk on love as he sways on his feet.

"Now," he says, hooking a finger in the gap where a button has come undone on Lan Zhan's shirt. "I believe someone was promised a hot night of action."

Lan Zhan picks him up in a fireman's carry and hoists him over his shoulder, but he hasn't counted on Wei Ying's hands being free, and of course, the naughty gremlin comes out to play.

They're laughing and teasing, on the way to their bedroom, when the knock sounds on the outside door.

Lan Zhan stops immediately and lets Wei Ying slide down his body.

"Were you expecting anyone?" He asks, staring first at the door and then at Wei Ying.

Wei Ying shakes his head.

"Let me go look. It might be the cops." He says, straightening his shoulders.

Lan Zhan watches him go to the front door and look through the peephole.

When he turns around, he's so pale, and trembling.

"Who is it?" Lan Zhan strides over to him.

"It's JingYi's mother, Mrs Lan."

**********

A/N

Dear Beautiful readers,

I couldn't resist, Don't kill me!!

I wanna know what you think!! Let me know in the comments, or if you think your theories might be spoilers, then feel free to Direct Message me.

I'm so looking forward to this!!

Love you guys!

Charlie