I literally have zero excuses for my disappearance. This fic was completed when I started publishing it. Why I was still unable to remain consistent with my updates is beyond me. I apologize. But here we are with the final chapter of this little ficlet. Thanks for reading, more notes at the end.
Sasha starts the barrage of questions as they make their way back to the park where Levi and Ina should be waiting for them.
"So, what are your intentions with our beautiful little peanut?"
Jonathan is already confused. "Um, intentions?"
Jean snorts and clarifies. "She means how close are you guys?"
"Oh, well…. I guess… I don't know. She's my best friend. So I guess that means we're pretty close."
"Good, good." Armin almost sounds like he's taking notes. "Jonathan, I'm afraid we do have to warn you."
"About what?"
Krista doesn't miss a beat. She turns to face Jonathan directly, walking backwards- not even caring to see if she's about to run into anything.
"If you ever do anything to hurt our munchkin, there won't be a hole deep enough for you to hide in."
She smiles a beautifully threatening smile.
"Cross her, and you have- 3,4, Erwin, Dok… probably close to a dozen people that would die for her." Connie counts on his fingers.
Jean concludes the not so thinly veiled threat. "And we've been to jail. We don't have a problem going back. So don't try it, lover-boy. Just don't."
"Are… are you guys trying to scare me or are you always like this?" Jonathan can't hide the tremble in his voice, but has grown bold enough to ask.
Hange places a hand on his uninjured shoulder. "A little bit of both, but mostly just trying to scare you. I know you wouldn't try to hurt my baby doll." She laughs.
"Besides, you got a small taste of what just one of us is capable of. And that was mild."
"Ye- yeah… I did." He grimaces and shakes Hange's hand off.
They're nice. They're good. It's Ina's family. They only say these things because they love her. Not because they want to hurt you.
Eren of all people is the first to notice the sheer discomfort in Jonathan's expression. "I think that's enough." They don't want a repeat of what happened earlier. From what he heard, it was worse than what used to happen to Ina. That's a frightening thought.
"Look kid I really am sorry about your shoulder. I'll make it up to you, Alright?"
"That's really not necessary. I said no hard feelings right? I meant it."
"Well, I'm pretty sure Levi meant it when he said that Eren couldn't leave your side until you lost the sling." Hange comments. "And so do I. He's not going back to base until you're better."
"Crap…" Jonathan mumbles.
"What was that?"
"Nothing ma'am."
"I told you, it's Hange."
"Sorry, just… a force of habit. I'll stop."
"And in exchange we'll stop threatening you."
"Um… I appreciate that."
That response causes everyone to exchange looks over Jonathan's head.
"Hey, kid. Are you okay? You know we were just teasing you, right? Ina's never had a friend her age before so we're just trying to show off." Jean and the others slow the pace just slightly.
Hearing that makes a little sense actually. If he really is Ina's first friend, then this is new territory for everyone. That being said, why they would try to scare the pants off Ina's first friend is a mystery to him. Jonathan figures he'll get over this discomfort eventually. These people are the ones who risked their lives for Ina. They're the reason she's here. They know how much he cares about her. But after being hurt her whole life, he can understand why they're so protective.
"Still with us, kiddo?"
"I'm fine. Yeah I know."
"Jonathan, hold on a second. You guys go ahead." Hange sends the others off.
Jonathan keeps his head down. He leans on the brick building they'd been walking beside and takes a deep breath. Wow, Ina's family is… a lot. And he's mentally exhausted. He's been on edge all day and it's just getting harder and harder for him to keep it together. Jonathan already broke down in front of Ina's dad. He doesn't want to repeat that mess again with her mom.
He completely forgot about those few minutes he lost. When he ended up under the table. Jonathan can't remember what happened, but saw how worried everyone looked. So in reality, he's probably had two or three meltdowns today. What a great first impression.
Hange kneels so he's looking slightly down at her instead of up. She knows that leveling helps when Ina is uncomfortable. She's hoping it'll work here too.
"Levi told me about your father."
Jonathan doesn't respond. Just keeps his eyes on his shoes. He wants nothing more than to go back home and lie down in his mother's bed. It's safe there.
"Jonathan, did he ever threaten you like that? And then keep his word? Has he hurt you?"
Just a nod. He doesn't want to talk about this, but won't run the risk of being disrespectful.
"Would you feel better if we toned it down? I know that meeting all of us in these circumstances is probably… a bit much. I can tell you're overwhelmed."
Hange knows that glassy eyed look anywhere. There's a degree of trauma that no one accounted for. Plus that dissociation episode with him under the table is still giving her chills.
"I'm fine, ma'am- shoot. Sorry."
"Jonathan, look at me."
It takes almost 30 seconds for his eyes to meet hers.
"Levi was right. Ina's family is your family. We'd never do anything to hurt you."
"That's… that's okay. I'm alright. Honest. It's not like… it's nothing compared to what Ina went through anyway."
"Listen up, big guy. One person's pain doesn't outweigh another's. Ina may have gone through something truly terrible, but that doesn't make what happened to you and your mother any less real."
"Yes it does! I've never been homeless. I've always had clothes and food. I.. I could never understand even half of the stuff that happened to her."
Hange doesn't say anything at first. Just looks at him with sad honey brown eyes.
"Jonathan, that's just not fair. That's like saying you don't matter. But believe it or not, you mean the world to Ina. I think she'd be a little hurt if she realized how hard you are on yourself. You matter, Jonathan."
"No… " Jonathan fights every instinct of his that tells him to just drop his head again.
"I'll say it again and again until you start to believe it. You'll learn that I'm very persistent. You matter."
Her thumb brushes over his cheek with a feather light touch. So gentle and soothing he didn't even think it possible to feel something like that. He unconsciously leans into her. Wanting to feel protected again after being so afraid for so long.
"You matter."
"Thank you." He manages to choke out the words.
"Don't say thank you. You deserve this." She pulls him into a hug and rubs small circles on his back. They stay that way for a while. For as long as Jonathan needs. She doesn't pull away until he does, and lets him wipe his own tears this time.
"By the way, The scouts weren't exaggerating, you really are Ina's first friend ever. I know we took the jokes too far, and I'm really sorry about that, but do you think you can give us knuckleheads a chance?"
The boy sighs, but nods. He understands their viewpoint. But still has to take a little time to get used to them.
"I'll just say this and we can join the others, so long as we're around, no one can touch you. And so long as you're around us, no one will threaten you. Does that sound fair?"
"Yes, Hange."
"Hey, look at you! Catching on, I see." Hange exclaims. Jonathan finally cracks a smile, which puts Hange's unease to rest.
"And Jonathan?" Hange says as they start walking again. "We're sorry. We never want you to feel unsafe with us. You have my word as a squad leader that it will never happen again."
"Thank you."
"Jonathan! How's your shoulder? Did they bother you at all? I can straighten them out if they did, I'm not scared of these guys." Ina immediately reconnects with her best friend. Wrapping her arms around him before he can even think.
"Whoa slow down," Jonathan laughs. "I'm fine. My shoulder is alright. My mom gave me pain medicine before we left the house."
"She's not coming?"
Jonathan shakes his head. "She said not today, but maybe next time. Right now she still works nights, so she wanted to rest."
How he wishes his mom could be with him. It might have made meeting Ina's family easier, or at least less overwhelming. But maybe it's better this way. He has no idea how his mother would react to their tomfoolery. That being said, she probably loves them. They were perfect well mannered soldiers when in her presence. Jonathan's mom was charmed by that act in seconds.
"Well I'm here. And I won't leave your side. I know this is all a lot to take in. I used to be terrified of all of them. I wouldn't let anyone except Mama come near me."
"Really?"
Ina nods. "It was hard getting used to all of it. I thought that since they were soldiers, they'd be like… like the monsters. But they weren't. They became my family."
"Ina, that's wonderful. I'm so happy for you." And he means that with every fiber of his being. She deserves to be loved. Deserves everything.
"I hope they can become your family too, like Papa said."
"I think it'll happen eventually. You and your parents are right, this is a whole lot to take in at one time and I'm just… just getting by, I guess?"
"That's alright. It takes time. For me, it took a really long time. But I hope that soon you'll be able to rely on them like I do. "
Ina takes his hand and they start walking. They forget about the entourage behind them and immerse themselves in conversation. The two kids are nothing but smiles the whole time. They both seem to enjoy being in the others presence so much.
The adults and teenagers walk about ten feet behind them, not saying anything loud enough to catch either child's ear.
Hange takes Levi's hand.
"Looks like our girl is in good hands up here after all." She hugs him close for a short moment.
"I think so, too." Levi squeezes Hange's hand.
Fini
And there we have it. Another sequel to 'A Sense of Belonging' down. like, 2 more to go. I mentioned this earlier but the next fic is going to focus on Ina's 9th Birthday. It's super cute, no real angst, well some. You repeat offenders know me by now. But yeah it's only a few chapters long. After that, or maybe during, who knows- I'm going to post another fic specifically for all Sense of Belonging related one-shots. And I have a ton of those planned. So if you're interested, stay tuned! Again thanks so much for reading and thank you even more for being patient with me. I hope everyone enjoyed this. I enjoyed writing it. Until next time, toodle-loo!
