Work Text:
Jiang Cheng was starting on dinner when his nephew came to stand beside him. He had been quiet on the ride home from school and it bugged him, but he knew the five year old would come to him in his own time. Like now. “What’s wrong?” He asked the boy, who hesitated.
“Jiujiu… am I bad?” Jin Lings voice said in a small voice. Jiang Cheng paused his chopping.
“Who told you you were bad?” He tamped down on the rising anger. Jin Ling gazed down at his twisting hands.
“Jin Chan said…”
“What did he say?”
“He said… mum and dad went away because I was naughty,” he whispered. Jiang Cheng’s grip tightened on the knife, before he set it down. He knelt, gently taking hold of his nephew’s shoulders and noted the tears threatening to fall.
“Jin Ling. You have never done anything that would make them leave. Your parents loved you very much.” His own voice started wavering.
“Then why…” Jin Ling held back a sob and Jiang Cheng pulled him into his arms.
“Sometimes…” His chest constricted. “Sometimes accidents happen,” he said into his nephews hair as his tears finally ran. His own eyes filled. “And there’s nothing anyone can do.” He stroked the boys hair, trying to soothe him, before pulling back. He held his face, locking their gazes. “It was not your fault,” he said firmly. “Never think it’s your fault.” He held his eyes until Jin Ling gave a small nod. “If someone says that to you again, I want you to tell a teacher, understand?” He sniffed before nodding again, wiping his tears. Jiang Cheng squeezed the boy into another hug.
“I miss them too.”