Thanks for reading everybody. So a little bit more on this fic. It's rated M, not for anything graphic, but there is a lot of talk about abuse and some sexual assault. So yeah, I'll have further warnings at the beginning of each chapter if that helps. Also, i'm sorry if it bothers anyone but I kept Historia's name as Krista in this fic. It was a little easier for me. More notes at the end of the chapter.
"Glad that you're joining us!" Armin smiles. Before standing, he places his hands on her shoulders. "We'll be sitting with my friends. Are you okay with that?"
Ina looks over his shoulder at the young soldiers eating and gets the feeling of stones in her chest. She shakes her head.
"Ina, can I ask you to trust me?"
Her instant nod is a surprise to them both.
"If that's the case, do you think I'll let anything bad happen?"
Ina looks down. "No."
"So then is there anything to be afraid of?"
"No."
"Let's get some food."
Armin walks hand in hand with Ina to the kitchen. A few of the soldiers have now taken notice that there's a little girl with him. The table with members of the 104th are quite intrigued.
"Did Armin pick up a stray?"
"She's adorable!"
"She looks scared out of her mind."
"She's a twig. He better get her fed."
Mikasa and Eren just exchange a look.
"Guys." Eren starts. "Let's ease up on the questions when they get here. She scares real easy."
"Is that the kid Captain Levi and the Squad Leader found?" Connie asks.
"Yeah. It looks like this is her first time up and about since she was rescued." Eren assumes.
Armin and Ina exit the kitchen. He carries both their plates while she walks behind him, her arms folded across her chest and her head down. She really does look frightened. Eren moves from his seat next to Mikasa and goes to sit next to Jean. Armin sets the two plates down and turns to help Ina sit at the table.
"Ina, this the 104th. Guys, this is Ina. A new friend I made this morning."
"Ina? What a pretty name." Krista leans forward and smiles at the little girl who has yet to lift her head. "I'm Krista."
"Wanna say hi?" Armin leans closer to Ina and whispers to her. "Krista is really nice."
Ina looks up slowly and makes eye contact with the beautiful girl sitting across from her. "Hi, Ina! It's nice to meet you!" When Krista reaches her hand across the table Ina jumps back. Armin holds her to keep her from falling and whispers words of comfort until she stops trembling.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't know." Krista gasps.
Ina looks up when she feels more calm.
"It's okay." She sighs. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize." Mikasa says suddenly. Ina looks at her with confusion. "It's our fault."
"She's right." Armin agrees. "We don't mean to scare you."
"Don't worry. If anyone tries to bother you, I'll break their fingers." Mikasa barely turns in Ina's direction and her tone is as flat as her expression.
"Take her word for it." Armin whispers to her. "They're all afraid of her."
Ina looks at Krista and the others and they all nod. Armin pushes Ina's plate closer to her. "Eat. Before your food gets cold."
Ina nods and looks at her plate. She begins to nibble on a piece of toast with jam. She really likes the sweet taste. It's something she's never had before. Her belly is full before she can finish her meal. She pushes the plate away when she's had her fill. The soldiers around her make friendly conversation with her and each other. She finds Connie and Sasha to be the funniest. They even manage to bring a smile to her face. Jean and Eren both seem very hotheaded. They argue over just about everything. Armin tells her it's normal and they usually get over it within a few minutes. If not, Mikasa just threatens them or carries Eren off.
Watching everyone interact is so interesting to Ina. The way they talk and laugh is something completely new to her. Even Jean and Eren seem to argue in a more playful sense than anything else. It still seems that they respect each other. She finds herself enjoying the conversations, funny stories, and banter. Maybe this is what it's like to have friends. Be normal. Maybe this is what it's like to not be afraid of everyone that you meet.
She finds it beautiful in the strangest way.
The one called Jean stands and starts collecting plates to take back to the kitchen. "You done, kid?" Ina looks away from him, but still nods. She picks up her plate to hand it to him, but it slips right through her fingers and shatters on the ground. She's on the floor in a flash, rushing to pick up the broken pieces.
"I'm sorry. I'll clean it up." Ina whimpers. "Sorry. Sorry. Sorry." She sounds like she's barely breathing.
This is over. Whatever good Ina thought would come of this is gone. She's ruined her chance now.
It's all over.
"Please don't be mad."
"Take it easy, kiddo." Jean kneels to help her.
In her rush to gather the broken pieces, Ina accumulates numerous cuts on her hands from the jagged edges.
"Armin she's hurt." Jean observes.
"No! I'll clean this! I'm sorry!" Ina cries.
Armin and Krista sit on the ground on either side of her. Krista gently takes Ina's hands and pries the shards from her steadily bleeding fingers.
"Let Krista and Jean clean this up." Armin places his hands on her shoulders. "Come on." He says. "Let's go, Ina."
"It was an accident. I'll pick it all up, I swear!" Ina cries. Begging them to give her another chance.
"Ina." Mikasa is looking at her now. "Go with Armin."
Ina finally lets go. Armin helps her to her feet but she can barely stand. He resorts to carrying her. Ina cradles her throbbing and bloody hands and curls up to become as small as possible.
"I'm sorry." She whimpers. "Please. Don't punish me." Why bother? It's over. You did something bad. You're going to be punished.
"It's alright, Ina." Armin whispers to her. "Remember that place I was talking about?"
"Mm… Ocean." Ina shuts her eyes.
"That's right. Let's go to the ocean. Keep your eyes closed, think about the ocean. Only good things happen there, right?"
"Yes…" She mumbles.
Armin carries Ina across the room and gets Hange's attention. She quickly catches the hint and stays silent. After seeing that the girl is covered in blood, Levi finds he's never been more tempted to ask what happened. But he noticed Armin signal for silence, all for Ina's sake. He keeps his curiosity to himself once again.
Armin walks behind Hange to the infirmary, whispering words of comfort and reassurance to Ina the whole way.
"Ina, Hange is just going to take a look at your hands alright? Can you unfold your arms for us?" Armin asks.
She moves slow but eventually complies. Ina remains calm throughout the entire thing. Armin stays by her side, telling her more facts about the ocean and reminding her that she's in that safe place.
"Captain?"
"What is it Jaeger?" Levi doesn't even turn to look.
"Do you know if the girl will be okay? A few of us were wondering if you'd heard from Armin or Hange?"
"I haven't."
"Sorry to bother you captain." He can hear them all salute but still doesn't turn to acknowledge them. Footsteps can be heard when the concerned soldiers begin to walk away.
"I'll find out and send Arlert to tell you all her status."
"Thank you captain. We really appreciate that." He can hear the others breathe sighs of relief. They must be really worried about the girl. Levi would be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little worried.
"While you wait, clean this place up. It's filthy."
Levi says as he stands to take his plate and mug to the kitchen. He hears them groan in irritation.
"I'm doing you brats a favor. Sitting around worrying about something you have no control over is a waste of time. You might as well do something of purpose."
"Sir!" They salute him once he turns in their direction and then go to start their cleaning. All except Lenz.
Levi just looks at her as she stands like a deer caught in the headlights.
"What?" Levi glares at her.
She still says nothing.
"With all due respect sir, I just thought I should warn you." Krista finally starts. She sounds ten times more confident than she looks.
"About…." He wishes that she would get on with it.
"This girl has been through hell. Even the kindest gesture is a slap to her face… I tried to shake her hand and she thought I was going to strike her." She pauses. "If you look like that in her presence you'll scare her."
"Like what, Lenz?" Levi bites back.
"Like you hate everyone and everything around you. Like you're going to lash out at any moment. The rest of us are used to this, but she isn't. All I'm saying, sir, is that you really have to be careful around her. She could probably look up to you as a protector, but only if you show her that that's what you're there for." Krista explains. "Right now, that's what she needs."
"Get to work." Levi walks away.
Krista salutes. She lingers just a bit longer before joining her comrades.
As he walks down the large halls toward the infirmary, Levi contemplates that brats words.
Even the kindest gesture is a slap to her face.
A/N: So that was the second chapter. Thank you so much for reading, it really means a lot to me. So a few more announcements for you guys. I guess we can consider this a kinda sorta AU fic. The focus is less on Titan stuff and more on the OC and her relationship with everyone on base. Also, sorry but there are no pairings in this fic. I'm just not good with romance lol. Actually I'm downright terrible at it. I think that's everything I wanted to tell you guys for now. Stay tuned for more and thank you again for reading!
