*this is a a side story in the Jean x Marco how we met series*
TW: talks of abuse
It had been almost a year since Marco had come under the legal care of Coach Erwin and his fiancé. It has been a lot to tackle. He was in counseling, and Eriwn and Keith were doing their best to be good legal guardians.
Marco was finally breaking the habit of immediately jumping to attention any time either one of them called his name. Making sure he said "yes sir" and immediately doing any task they asked. Erwin and Keith had been unsure on how approach it.
"It's just going to take time, and a gentle approach, reassurance that it's ok if he doesn't say 'yes sir' or if he doesn't do a chore immediately" Marco's therapist told them.
Slowly but surely, Marco was started to become comfortable in his identity as a gay teenager and a member of the Smith-Anderson household. He was also finally starting the healing process from living with his abusive dad, and the mom who stood by and did nothing.
There were night were Marco would wake up in a panic scared he was back in his old room. He would look himself over in the bathroom mirror, just to make sure there weren't any new bruises or marks.
The only bruises he had now were from soccer. It was a big relief that he didn't have to lie anymore to his friends.
Despite the feeling of safety he felt now, it was still a crushing blow when he was informed by his case worker that his parents were terminating their parental rights.
"So basically, my parents don't want me anymore?" Marco said sadly.
"Oh sweetheart...I'm so sorry" his case worker placed her hand on his. "I know this isn't easy"
Marco cried most of the night.
**************************************************
The winter of sophomore year was coming around, and Marco was looking forward to the break from school.
He was finally feeling better after his breakup with his first real boyfriend, and was ready to just spend the days playing Fifa with Jean and Eren, and baking with Sasha and Historia.
It was the last day before the break. Marco was spending his break between his 6th and 7th period exams catching up on One Piece.
"Shouldn't you be studying for our French exam instead of reading manga?" Jean said sitting down next to him in the lunch room.
Marco rolled his eyes and laughed. "Seeing how my grade is a lot higher than yours, I think you are the one who needs to be studying"
Jean nudged him playfully, Marco's heart fluttered a bit.
"It's not that bad"
"Jean your grandmother is French and your mom is a French professor...you should have a grade higher than a C" Marco teased.
"I just don't wanna show off ya know"
"Yeah that's it..."
Jean was about to reply when Colt appeared in front of them.
"Jean shouldn't you being reviewing for French?"
"Right...that's what I was saying" Marco said. Glad to have someone else on his side.
"Va te faire foutre" Jean said. "Still think my french is bad?"
Colt just laughed, "but you won't say that in English."
Jean shot him a look, then reached into his bag pulling out a pack of gushers.
Colt was about to open his mouth before Jean cut him off. "No I'm not sharing"
"Wasn't gonna ask, I actually came to talk to Marco"
Marco, who has gone back to reading his manga, looked up.
"So you know your house is for sale right?"
To be continued
