Shadowverse: Maura Abelard Story Arc Kanon58
Summary: Events took place before the main plot of Shadowverse. Maura soak in the streets like a damp cat, Leon pick him up and gave him a home. Not knowing despair awaits when he had hopes they were family. A Dedicated Mauro/Maura Fanfic POSTED AT ARCHIVE
Note: I LOVE MAURO, HE DESERVES MORE BACKGROUND PREVIEW and angst. So everything I write here maybe invented out of assuming where Mauro came from before Leon found him or you can convince your crazy self like me that this is canon events. Why not? MAURO IS THE BEST CHARACTER IN SHADOWVERSE AFTER ALL, HIS ANGST IS SUBARASHII.
Sorry kinda went sadistic ehem. Enjoy and drop a review if you love the imagination!
ENGLISH SUCKS BUT DONT BOTHER, JUST ENJOY THE STORY.
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Glossary:
Chapter 1 Soak Stray, his name is Maura
Chapter 2 Meeting other Orphans
Chapter 3 Grooming his IT
Chapter 4 Disliking Hiro and Kagura
Chapter 5 The Prince of Shadow
Chapter 6 Tattoo of Age Ceremony
Chapter 7 Tree of Woe's Sacrifice
Chapter 1: Soak Stray, his name is Maura
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TIMELINE: 5 YEARS OLD MAURO
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['It was raining very hard that day.']
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Maura's POV
I remember as if it was yesterday, the shivering of my body from the cold weather and the grumbling stomach of mine.
I staggered through streets with people under their umbrellas who doesn't even bat an eye to take a look at me.
Them in warm and cozy clothes while I almost naked to the point am in bones.
As if...I did not exist.
While my mind is polluted with gluttony, I was loosing my voice and my vision.
'I'm hungry...I'm hungry...someone...someone just give me...even just a little food.'
Praying even just one person would give me a sheer of kindness to have a food or at least give me an umbrella for shelter.
But no.
The world is cruel to me.
I hate it, I hate it.
It rejected me, it was...it was the last straw.
"Ah!"
It is no use.
"Ugh..!"
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Outer POV
The long hobo haired green kid trips over a small rock, it was very small but with his bare dirty feet it is enough to make his legs shake.
He was that...hungry.
"...ugh...can't..."
The rain continued to fall heavily until for some reason it did get later on quiet droplets.
Drip, drop, drip, drop.
Questions start to make its way to make his ears, he hear it.
'What am even doing...?'
Still the rain had not stop.
"I feel...so cold...I..."
He in his rag rat torn clothes is the evidence for who knows how many days he had been around outside like a stray cat.
The little boy starts to feel dry despite how the rain soaks him.
He had no water and food for who knows how long.
'Nothing matters anymore...'
His little eyes starts to fade its crystal lights, from tears into dried ones.
The proof that this boy is dying.
He had given up.
'I want to die...hurry and die already dear self...'
The boy chanted inside his mind.
'Please God, end my suffering...this world...I hate it...release me from this hell hole...I beg...'
Drip, drop, drip, drop.
'I'm done.'
As he is about to allow himself be eaten by weakness in both physically, mentally and socially exhausted.
He heard footsteps.
Tap, tap, tap.
'...who?'
His eyes are closed at this point but he can feel a shadow just hover above the grey blue sky of sadness where the rain continues to pour.
The gentle voice with such unmoving tone whether was he even being empathetic or he is scolding him.
"Why won't you do anything?"
It sounded annoying to be truth.
So the homeless street rat boy opens his eyes, he weakly looks up and saw...a man in business suit with black gloves, blonde hair with piercing gaze yet somehow they were curious and hid unnerving emotions behind it.
It is no other than Leon Aurenche.
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Maura's POV
A voice suddenly spoke to me.
"Why won't you stand up and fight more? Why are you even here...?"
Curiously, I bothered to open my eyes.
There I saw a blond long haired man his eyes fixated on me. Most notably, he looks like he owns some company of such seeing he's suit and tie wearing businessmen outfit.
The very typical CEO vibes.
Is this God or something? He looks angelic to me, but the distaste in my heart is much heavier than his words and the rain who told me to suck it up.
I answered to show him that the things he had ask against me is meaningless.
"I give up, nothing matters anymore. I hate this world...I do not want to live in it." As my hearing fades yet my vision blurs it suddenly zooms wide.
Because the strange man who awfully smells very nice said such words as his face comes closer against me.
"Then I will take your life for myself."
He picked me up as if I was a kitten whose injured. My body did not refuse the touch, instead I went limp. I practically did not care what he is planning to do.
The next thing he did shocked me more though.
'Eh...?'
The man hug me up and pat my back.
He whispered kindly.
"I'm taking you home."
I was a kid, a little boy in fact. Those words...means a lot.
It was the miracle of HOPE.
"Uuww...!" I cried and clawed onto his back. I was desperate for a warm touch and this person did not hesitate to actually allow me to feel his warm.
My body is like dip in an iceberg yet his very warm body structure against my chest and small face gives me the heat I needed.
"Huhuhu...!" I clings to him and I can feel his smile of relief.
"Let's go home, child."
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Outside POV
At Leon's Apartment.
"Here bon appetite." There beholds the plate of food and a delicate tea flush. "The tea should warm your body, I suggest you sip first before the food itself."
As if the deranged boy is a kitten who is suspicious of the food sniffing it. Trying to detect if it is safe to consume otherwise with his little hands he trembles and choose to press his palms to the hot teacup.
'Ahh...so warm...'
He hasn't taken a bath yet, Leon knows well that picking up a stray should be fed first before you ask them to be cleaned.
"Do not be shy, I made that for you." At the plate it was a simple soup with bits of bread crumps. Who knows what this is called but to the boy it is probably something called porridge.
Frail as he is, the green haired boy dig in to the food first. He did not took a sip as he was instructed. It made Leon simply smile with a small sigh. His inner thoughts were ringing. 'I guess of course it may not be easy to manipulate this object right away.'
Of course Leon took him for a purpose. It was not because he is a kind hearted man who needed a child...seeing the surrounding that he is single.
Busy eating until its all gone. Maura is stuff. As he burps, he finally took a sip on the tea flavored flush.
His eyes sparkled.
For a moment Leon is stunned. Even though it is very short, he saw Maura's eyes.
'Such aesthetic eyes...I know them so well.'
Aside from seeing the boy finished his plate the reaction from him satisfies Leon's expectation.
The man chuckles and pulls out a handkerchief. "Look at you, you still had food at your lips~ here, let's wipe it."
Without warning the man with gloves uses the white cloth made contact at Maura's cheeks. "Nnn..!?" He flinched but Leon did not allow him. "Stay still." Somewhat affirmative but gentle touch at the same time while Leon rubs the clean handkerchief all over Maura's face.
It made the boy's heart flutter but he remained muted.
There were 2 seconds pause, then finally Maura saw a childhood photo of Leon with 2 other individuals. One is a browned haired girl while the other one is a red haired boy with the widest smile. For some reason the child version of Leon looks grumpy yet the photo is truly cared for.
After all it was in a frame.
Next Maura's eyes linger to scan the whole room, seeing the chandelier clearly says this stranger who pick him up is no ordinary man.
'This place smells good.'
Next thing Maura noticed is the next photo frame at the desk that somewhat look like an office desk.
A photo of three adults in a scientist or lab suit.
The long blonde hair gave away, Maura knew right away it was this man himself and with the other two familiar faces from the other photo he saw.
'Friends...'
Maura's thoughts were interrupted upon Leon noticing him spacing out as he always knew Maura is a curious kitten.
"Ahh~ those are my childhood friends." He explained briefly. "Though they are not around anymore." In short glimpse Maura noticed the small portion of detached cold eyes from Leon's but it quickly switches to kind ones.
"Now that you are done eating, let's have a talk."
Leon sat across him.
Feeling his own bones or internal soul is being stared at, Maura cannot help but fidgets at the chair he had not moved at all after eating everything that was given to him.
Leon with a straight forward question.
"Boy do you have a name?"
Maura froze.
"..."
Leon tries to push on it.
"I know you can speak, you were very bitter when we first converse. So do not be shy and tell me."
Maura is hesitant.
"..."
Leon frowns and is worried for a sec.
"Could it be you do not remember your name or you do not have one?"
Maura gathered up his courage, he shouldn't be rude to him right? He gave him food and his dry throat is replaced with such tasty flush of tea.
He should consider being obedient.
Thus...the scared boy opened his mouth.
"M..Maura...that is what my parents named m-me."
Maura is also surprised at himself that he still remembers his own name. It has been a while since he talked properly to another human being without being hushed or pushed away.
Still afraid if he speak more he might get hurt, Maura waited for Leon's response.
The man puts finger at his own chin, thinking out loud. "Hmm Maura, that's a girl's name. Are you a girl?" Somewhat baffled.
Leon is starting to doubt Maura's gender upon seeing his beautiful eyes earlier and come to think of it...maybe if he washes him he will see his cute face.
Because Maura had a promising good looking face.
'Though this object being a girl may affect the plan...how problematic.' Leon talking to himself mentally.
Maura shakes his head, he ain't a girl.
'Oh good.'
A relief came by, Leon is delighted. "Very well then, you see I need a son." Quickly he puts out his cards of reasoning why he took him in. "Therefore moving forward you will be my son." Somewhat forceful as well. "Thus I will renamed you as Mauro."
Maura shaken up. "Mauro...?" Is he a pet or something? You can't just change someone's name like that.
Though Maura at this age never really thought too seriously. He is just expecting that from now on he will stay here...maybe or maybe not.
Depends on his behavior.
"Yes, although I can't have you using my last name for such heavy reasons. But that is not what you should be focusing right now." Leon smiled. "I will tell you more details eventually as you get accustomed living here with me, got it?"
Maura unsure how else to response just nodded with a very faint... "O-okay."
Leon perks up. "Also you do not have a last name?"
Maura shyly answers. "I-I don't know..."
Leon ignoring Maura's shaking, the boy must be feeling cold again. However he isn't done interrogating. "I see, well by your appearance I can tell you are not from Nekome. You are from the village of Tale."
Maura not understanding. "Tale...?"
Leon nochantly shared his possible origin. "Your beautiful piercing purple eyes are a trait look from that ancient village." He says as if he have seen them.
Technically yes, Leon and his best friend went there for finding the ancient Tree of Woe.
Meanwhile Maura blushed. 'Eh...?' Did Leon just called him beautiful eyes? Nobody complimented him before, as far as he got exposed outside...he met lots of mean people towards him and called him names.
Leon still speaking out loud. "Yes, that means your last name must be Abelard. Maura Abelard...like that~ don't you think?"
With a slightly serious tone of voice. "The village of Tale all of their last names are Abelard, most likely they marry each other."
Maura giving sweat drops, Leon finally drops it. "Though that does not concern you anymore they are gone. You are here now." However this time...the boy spoke about himself.
"M-my hometown...yes...it is gone...I know." With feelings of pain. "I woke up one day and I saw the world ended."
Maura's world have already ended. He accepted that fate, he no longer desires to live.
Even though Maura looks like a cinnamon roll, the way his eyebrows knot with distaste clearly shows that he may have some anger issues waiting to be acknowledge.
Sooner or later Leon will be able to uncover what kind of person Maura Abelard is.
'Very well, I will raise him to the thing I wanted.' The evil plan is in motion, step one...
Praise the object.
"Amusing you are quite giving the smart answer despite being..." it took Maura's attention to awkwardly blush again. He is not used to being praised yet for things he does not really understand.
Leon insisted to know more. "How old are you?"
As if obliged to answer, Maura reveals his age. "...Five." he at least knows how old he is.
So maybe he is not a dumb hobo kid after all.
Leon then looks at the calendar. "I see you are five years old, same age as Eiji's son."
Maura with pure question mark on whatever Leon means about this Eiji person's kid is also same age as him.
Leon Aurenche delightful at the calendar. "Today is May 27." He glances at Maura. "Let's make that your birthday shall we?"
Maura blinks. What on earth is this man saying?
'Is it ok to stay here...?' Maura is afraid that he might get kicked out if he disobey. At the same time he had a lot of question. '...Come to think of it...who is this man...?'
As if there is a telepathy, Leon finally realized why Maura couldn't address him. He forgot to share his name back.
Hands claps together. "Oh right, I haven't introduced myself...how rude of me. Manners are important for aristocrats." Bowing. "My name is Leon Aurenche. Nice to meet you Mauro Abelard, I look forward to living under the same roof from now on. It will pleases me if you will follow everything I told you. Is that clear...?"
He showed his hand for a shake.
Maura unsure why, Leon took his hands to force a hand shake making the boy agreed. "Y-yes sir...?" Though still confused.
Leon acted very friendly.
"You can call me Leon."
Maura stared at him with confusion.
"..."
Leon knows he cannot push his luck, but he wanted to show his straight forward personality that either way will eventually resurface since they are going to live together in this building.
Better to show him right away how he had this bossy complex but not harmful in a way. Like a friendly father figure it would appear that way.
"I guess it is too early to be too familiar, I understand."
Leon released Maura's small hands, seeing the kid does a close open method to his tiny cold and dirty hands. Leon can read how this boy is thinking he is dreaming right now.
"This is your reality now Mauro." He calls him, making Maura looks up. "For now if you would please change to the clothes I prepared for you, I have a business meeting later at a party where everyone has to bring their child or heir."
Wait.
"Eh?"
Maura did not sign up for that.
"Now that you have eaten it is time for you to take bath."
Leon gestured his fingers to snap.
"Ein."
There enters a girl in ponytail age probably 16 years old with cold eyes and beige colored hair bowed with such formality. As if she is a maid or something. "Yes Leon-sama."
Leon cheered his instructions. "If you could tidy up Mauro for me I will be very happy."
Without looking, Ein bowed once more to affirm the command. "As you wish Leon-sama."
The moment her eyes drops to Maura whose definitely smells bad.
"Now kid come with me to the bathroom." Pulling his hand to come along, Maura panicked "U-uhh...!" Yet Leon assured him.
"It's fine Mauro, Ein will take care of you."
Deciding to believe Leon's words, Maura allowed himself to be stripped out naked in the bathroom.
...
Inside the tub where Maura accepted his fate to be scrub here and there until Ein is applying shampoo to his hair.
Ein with such stern voice threats Maura. "Listen to me kid, now that you are here you have to be behave and make sure you don't put Leon-sama in shame or else-" half way she stopped. Ein is not sure if this new orphan Leon took might report her for being mean.
Sighing. "...I mean, try to believe that you are his son from now on. However don't get ahead of yourself as well...do you understand?"
Maura who didn't like how she threatened him but he knows for a fact he should stay put. "...Okay."
Ein sighs again, this time with relief.
"Good, now let's wash you up."
Thus Maura is finished bathing.
...
Looking better, Leon Aurenche can now clearly see how Maura's green hair actually had black strands on it while his eyes are purple indeed when he opens them. Confirming all his suspicion that Maura is from that village they once explored and dig up the Tree of Woe.
'...Possibly, this kid is a guardian that is why he survived the explosion.'
In a red bow tie, looking very different from before. Maura is forced to wear a blue peacoat and white formal pants. Maura fidgets uncomfortably while Leon is staring at him.
Leon commented. "Hmmm is that it?" Eyeing the maid. "Ein if you could leave us alone."
Ein once more with strict emotions for her age bows. "As you wish, Leon-sama."
Silence...
'Why is he staring? Did I look that bad?' Nervous as hell. 'Am going to be rejected...?'
Or...
'Is he going to hurt me...?'
Only negative thoughts enters Maura's mind. You can't blame him. Outside the streets were harsh. If you ask for food he will be pushed off or yell out how untidy he was or smell bad.
Everything is simply horrible.
But this changes now.
Leon says. "Something not quite right with your appearance."
Ah oh.
Maura looks down, clawing his nails to his pants...his long nails are gone. It has ben cut short.
Feeling vulnerable. "Uhh.." Maura is making small sounds.
Until, "I know, how about this..." Leon removed the golden circle shaped brouche from his own neck tie. Untying, Leon grabs Maura's hair.
"This will help you see better."
"Eek!" Maura panicked but before he could attempt to swat Leon's hand, the man is done.
"Alright." Feeling proud of what he did, Maura realize his frenzy hair got ponytailed up.
'...Eh?'
This world he hated the most suddenly brimming with such care. 'What is this man...?'
Leon knelt down his level with the kindest smile he had ever encountered while the man's one hand pat within his shoulders.
The words that gave him hope for a new start.
"From now on watch the world carefully and make your own decisions."
The attractive purple eyes widens. Maura's spirit was moved.
'My own...decisions?'
Suddenly he cried. "Wuuu..."
"Oh dear, dear~" Leon chuckles as he wipes his tears. "Silly child, you are safe here now...Mauro." As Leon pulled him close for a hug. "Listen to me and you'll be fine. I look forward raising you."
Unable to control such overwhelming feelings of longing affection.
Maura Abelard seriously thought so.
'Am...am really allowed to live that way? In this cruel world? I have a place...to belong to?'
Little did he knows everything this man says, everything this man gives him...a price in exchange awaits.
He barely remembered.
["I will take your future for myself."]
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Night time at a ballroom party hall...
A girl with black long hair and one pony tailed behind her head. Wearing pink princess dress whose the same age as Maura. Bored and unhappy Kirisame Kagura having the grumpy face.
'This party sure is boring...' is her inner thoughts.
Kagura comes from a wealthy family dedicated to the production and development of Shadowverse. They work under Genesis Company. Despite being delighted with the game, Kagura could not allow herself to participate in battles because her family is not allowed to enjoy games but to entertain others.
And the worst part she is the only younger age than the rest of wealthy family sons and daughters are already teenagers.
Not until.
"Hm?"
Kagura spotted a timid Maura at the corner of resting chairs.
Maura is told by Leon to sit and wait like a good boy in the corner. Suppose to be Ein is watching over Maura however due to the fact Ein is not a family member of Leon nor official maid, since Ein is just one of the orphans he took so he can make them someday become Shadow Knights.
That story is far from the present though. Thus it leads Maura being alone at this crowded party with strangers.
Leon is confident enough to leave Maura alone due to assuming he is used at the streets where all kinds of people passes by without recognition, he truly believes this object would behave.
Except...
'A boy same as my age?'
Kagura is still a curious little girl at this age. So she approaches him,. "Hey what's your name?" Due to Kagura's strong personality it startled Maura. "U-uhh?"
Maura already trembling. Kagura is disappointed how the other kid simply had eyes close and did not even said a word.
As if he did not have manners or otherwise...
"Are you deaf or are you just ignoring me?" Kagura eyed Maura suspiciously whose now mumbling words. "Uhh...what should I do? What should I do?"
Kagura cannot hear him quite so she steps forward, intimidating more the shy boy Maura.
"Am asking you your name. It's my first time seeing you. Are we on the same age or am older?" Kagura smiled but it was not enough to make Maura calm down.
"I'm Kirisame Kagura and you are?"
Maura is freaking out, he is actually very shy and he really dislikes people. 'She is talking to me! She is talking to me! She is talking to me!'
Maura can hear his guts' to RUN.
-BADUMP!-
Hearing Kagura's annoying voice more clearly, Maura opens his purple craze eyes. 'She is raising her voice at me! She is going to hurt me doesn't she?!'
In defense...
"Hm? Hey you have black paint in your hair or something? Let's wipe it-"
Maura pushes her off out of instinct.
"STAY BACK!"
"Kyah!"
Kagura falls down. "That hurts!" Rubbing her back. "What is wrong with you?!" Finally snapping at Maura whose so awkward and uneven in this party.
'Who is this brat anyway?!'
Kagura glares at Maura, but he doesn't care about that. He starts to say things that won't make sense to a five year old Kagura. "No, no, no, I will be kicked out. He won't forgive me. He will, he will throw me away...!"
Worried, Kagura got up and about to touch Maura's shoulders to calm down. "Huh? Hey-" but Maura runs away.
"Hey wait up!"
As if Maura can sniff his master like a cat he found Leon's leg and clings to it.
Feeling the little touch, Leon looks down behind. "...Mauro what's wrong?" Questionable eyes.
Kagura is right behind Maura finally catching up. "Hahh, hahh," the running is difficult in dress. "Are...hahh, hahh, you...Are you his father?"
Leon immediately switched gears from confused to his friendly smile. "Why yes, you are Kirisame Kagura-chan?"
Kagura didn't like the surprise. "Why do you know my name-"
"Kagura, manners!"
Eyes widen, Kagura's father is actually talking to Leon. "F-father!" This time Kagura got scared, but then again she looks to Maura whose hiding to Leon's legs back to the man. "Eh? This means you are...!"
Leon proudly praises himself. "Yes, it is I Leon Aurenche the CEO of Shadowverse Card Game. Please to meet you princess Kagura."
Kagura in disbelief of the weird kid being related to... "T-then this kid is your-!"
Leon nods. "What is it with Mauro? He is my son."
Kagura points. "Your son here pushed me at the floor! He had no manners!"
Leon skeptical. "Is that true Mauro?" Seeing Maura is very afraid, he did not even hesitate to response. "S-she tried to touch me...I was s-scared. A-also her v-voice...so loud."
Leon narrowed his eyes for a second before closing them. "Ahh~ I understand now." Then he knelt to Kagura. "My apologies in behalf. You see Mauro's is still under a traumatic experience."
Leon then switch to see Maura and pats his head to calm down while he is already sobbing silently.
"Eh? Trauma?" Kagura is unsure how to feel now to her own aggressive actions if that is the truth.
"Oh, since when you had a child Leon-sama?" Kagura's father eyed Maura suspiciously.
Leon quickly told a lie. "Aah~ Mauro's mother is from the Village of Tale." Or somewhat the truth. "I was planning to marry her but she died in the explosion...of you know." It is all well planned.
All adults knows the tragic incident of the lab explosion, the Tree of Woe eats the nearest village...where Maura's homeland is.
"I-I see, sorry to brought it up." Kagura's father knows well those are classified information.
Leon is pleased. "Thus in memory of my beloved future wife, meet Mauro Abelard." Still patting Maura's head.
Kagura's father nervously chuckled. "Ahaha, you will be having him to use your wife's last name instead of yours?"
Leon smiles wider. "Yes, after all Mauro is being refused to be acknowledge by my own family."
Then he looks at Kagura whose feeling guilty over her actions now. "Sorry about that Princess Kagura. Please understand Mauro went through a lot."
Kagura with a sad face. "...I do apologies as well for acting too friendly at him." Then facing Maura. "Mauro, I'm sorry."
Leon in authoritative tune. "Now Mauro, apologize back. Reply."
Maura squeaks but then he oblige. "S-sorry."
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At that night, the car way home is silent.
Little timid Maura have his eyes close all the time while he is all about frowning his eyebrows.
Such a gloomy kid.
Leon Aurenche's eyes is like staring at his soul once more. Maura feels uncomfortable, same time he does know he deserves to be scolded.
Leon had thoughts. 'Now this is problematic. To think this object ended up pushing the daughter one of Shadowverse sponsor...this has to be taken care of as soon as possible.'
Which is why once they got back to Leon's apartment up in the penthouse of Genesis building.
"Mauro, we need to talk."
Maura's heart jumped. "Eek...!" So terrified he run at the corner of the room.
Leon sighs. "I'm not mad, just calm down." As he corners Maura whose shivering and about to cry any moment. "Look at me Mauro."
Maura Abelard refuses to look at him in the eye.
Annoyed.
'What a pain...but to train this thing I has to have more patience.'
Leon is very good at masking his real emotions through facial means, that is why he is able to betray so easily the Ryuugasaki couples.
Soft pat.
"Hey..."
Maura did not expect not to get hit, rather a pat in his back.
"Were you hurt?"
Like a lost baby, Maura finally turned his head and opened his purple eyes which always makes Leon muse on it's unique irises.
"...?"
Leon started his act once more. "Can you tell me why you pushed off Kagura?" Sensing no danger, Maura did not hesitate to display his displeasure.
"...I don't like her."
"Is that all...?"
Maura starts having teary eyes again.
"I-I don't like...anyone..." however these tears are not of fear or loneliness. Leon saw it.
Anger.
There is a hidden anger lurking at this object and that will be very useful.
For a while he should reconfirm something though...
"Then do you dislike me?"
"No!"
Taken back. "Mauro?"
Maura ended up making fist both of his hands were droplets of tears wets them. "I...I..." however he couldn't really finish, he ended up sobbing.
Leon displays a smile that fits the situation. "I understand you are still adjusting. It is my fault as well for not giving you enough time to prepare human exposure. I was under the impression that you are used to people. After all you have been wandering around the streets where millions of people are passing by each day."
Maura keep crying silently but he does allow Leon's touches onto his back.
"I hope you don't hate me Mauro." Leon apologizes. "I have learned my lesson for today."
Maura sniffs. "*hic, hic,.,*"
Leon made his movement of manipulation.
"I promise I will ask your permission first before I take you somewhere."
Maura though surprisingly questioned his kindness.
"Why...?"
"Hm?"
Maura's purple eyes full of despair made a proper eye contact to Leon's. "Why are you being so kind to me? Who are you and why are you doing this to me...?"
Leon is actually happy about this. "Since you have ask..." it favors him to get the flag heart be triggered. "As mention, I will take your future for myself." Then he proceed to embrace the small Maura. "I need you Mauro and I know for a fact you need me too."
Tightening the hugging. "Do you want...to get out of here?"
Maura gasps and clings back to him. "I...I don't want to be hungry again!" He is child. He is innocent, he yearns love so...so he is being submissive.
However Maura still lacks the ability to convey his feelings and wishes properly. He has a long road to go on doing that.
Smirking his lips, Leon pulls away from the cuddle moment. "I take that answer as a mutual feelings that you wish to stay." Patting Maura's shoulders. "I beg of you Mauro, please stay here with me."
Maura's tears had stop, all remain is the pure innocent face and his eyes are closed again.
"..."
Seeing Maura looks pretty worn out for the day. Leon stands up and offered his hand for Maura to touch and follow. "I know you are tired, worry not I prepared your personal room. Come..."
The way his hands with black gloves zoomed in to Maura's vision. The first heart flag got raised.
"Let me take you there."
~BADUMP~
Maura felt his heart moved.
"Mauro?"
Too good to be true, Maura stared dumbfounded at Leon's offer.
Acting a little bit playful. "I can be forceful too." And carried the boy like a sack of potato. "Hiyaah!" Maura struggles like a cat suddenly getting picked up.
However as mention Leon is very good at lying over and over for the sake of his ambitions.
"Shh, you are so tense." The patting gets Maura.
Maura did not say anything but Leon can feel the kid trusts him.
Taking him to a prepared bedroom where Maura will sleep from now on.
This was prepared by Ein and other orphans inside the Genesis building while Leon and Maura is away in the party.
Opening the big wardrobe, Maura can only stare how it is empty but rather a small white robe is inside.
Leon taking it out. "Here is your pajama." Maura faintly appreciates. "T-thank you."
Leon smiled for today's achievement. "You are welcome."
Saying his errands are done so Maura can change clothes by himself. "Sleep well Mauro, tomorrow there is a lot of things I want to discuss with you. So make sure you savor the bed. It is all yours." About to leave the room, the boy raised his voice for the first time.
"W-wait!"
"Hm?"
Leon waits, in the end Maura just...stared at him with such face.
Leon realize his fingers move automatically to turn off the lights while the lamp light at the desk near Maura's bed is open.
"Ah sorry, you do not want the lights off...?" He forgot kids are usually afraid of the dark.
Well actually no, Maura is used to the darkness. Outside the streets is pitch black when he isn't allowed to shelter where warm lights are posted.
That is not his problem.
Maura is more in disbelief. "N-no...uhh...this room is mine?" Is what he wanted to know.
Leon nods. "Yes. The whole room is yours. You see those empty cabinets and shelves? You may fill it in with your desires and customize it at your will."
It was that word made his heart moved once more to believe the stranger.
"Were together now Mauro Abelard."
Maura's voice trembles. "R-really...?"
Before Maura can cry, Leon took his luck by cupping Maura's cheeks as he smiled so kind.
"Yes, so goodnight~"
Maura mouth agape. "...ahh " the door closes.
Talking to himself. "He is...so kind..."
Is this happiness even real...?
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Maura's POV
Warm food.
Happy faces.
Members of my family that I can no longer remember the exact faces.
However one thing for sure...
('Maura...')
The moment I blink.
('What was that!?')
A bright light appeared through our window. I can hear the neighbors voices gasping on how it blinds them.
('Everyone run!')
The second I opened my eyes everything went dark.
...
I gained consciousnessbut...
"Where...?"
Before me is the end of the world.
"Eh...?"
Everything and everyone is gone.
"Hello?"
The perished buildings, households, plants, trees.
The only thing that prove this place existed were the broken wooden carvings of dolls.
Things that I like.
"Where is everyone? H-hello...?"
I was only 5 years old. I searched for other people, as days passes by I forgot who am even looking for.
At first it is to find other survivors.
Eventually my thoughts clouded with grave hunger and fatigue.
My only thoughts now were food.
"Food, please give me food or any cents would do-"
I got pushed away by some man. "Don't touch me! Dirty!"
"Augh...!" My stomach hurts, it hurts more when I fell off the cold ground.
I cannot tell how many days has it been.
The fact that from ruin scaped buildings I have reach a city full of life but full of monsters as well.
"P-please...Just a bit of food would help-" A lady screamed. "Kyaaah! You are pushy! Scary!"
"Ow!" Hitting me with a bag I collapsed at the floor.
The rain starts to fall and I start to cry.
"Huhu...huhu...Mommy...Daddy...anyone...ugh...please, I don't wanna be alone...!" I sob as I curled up like a yarn ball to give myself some warmth.
However its still freezing.
As nights being covered by stars, yellow lights showing me those happy humans with warm food, warm clothes.
It made it sick.
"Why is this world so cruel to me? What did I ever do to deserve this...?"
Crying.
More, more rejection, pain hunger and loneliness.
"I'm tired...tired...tired..."
Walking bare foot.
There is no hope, only despair.
"I hate this, I want to go home."
Dizzy as hell.
"I wanna...die..."
Then I bumped to some thugs in a dark alley.
"Hey kid! Where are you even looking at?!"
Small and scared, I stuttered. "S-sorry, my vision went blank for a second-"
"Take this!"
PUNCH!
"Ack!"
My body flew.
I got punched.
"O-oow...!" I coughed blood.
The group of thugs starts to laugh.
"Kihihi! Lowlife like you has no place in this earth!"
My eyes widens.
They sound...they sound so right that I can't even speak back.
The laughing died down when one of them exclaimed. "Wait man, I think it's a girl?" The biggest guy who hit me suddenly changed his tone of voice. "Oh shoot! Did I just hit a girl!?"
"Hey stray, look up!" The guy grab me by my hair. They wanted to see my eyes apparently. I whimpered. "P-please don't hurt me...I don't like...p-pain..."
The three of them smiles with evil intention.
"Well~well looks like we got a cute cat. Shall we have fun?"
I can't even remember what happen, but I'm sure it hurt.
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Outside POV
"Aaaaah!"
Leon's beauty sleep got interrupted with a loud hysteric scream.
"What's that?!" Getting up his bed and went to the next room.
Opening the door where revealed the lights he left open.
Maura Abelard tossing and shaking hysterically at his bed.
The stray is yelling in horror and pain.
Alarmed.
"Mauro!" Leon got close to the boy. "What's wrong-" about to touch him. "Mauro?"
Crazy eyes wide open yet his pupils directed no recognition at all. Maura is seeing something else with following words.
"No, no, no...I'm hearing it...am...am...am!"
Leon click his tongue and had no choice but to use violence if shaking the kid. "Mauro wake up! You are having a nightmare!"
Maura is clearly terrified and is unstable.
"I SAID WAKE UP!"
SLAP!
G a s p.
The moment Maura's void eyes gain crystal tears. "H-help me!" He clings into Leon's arms.
"Mauro?" Still not understanding Maura's actions what have caused him to freak out. "Wuuu...wwuuu..!" The child once more crying.
Leon decided to do the pat technique. "There, there." Truly he thought. 'Is he...mentally unstable? Is it the effect of living in the streets or...perhaps trauma?'
After subsided cry time, Leon made Maura face him by pulling away from the comforting hug zone. "Mauro are you awake...?"
Maura eyes panics. "E-ehh...?"
Leon is worried. "Do you remember me?" If this stray is not useful as he thoughts.
To his surprise.
"Le...Leon?" Maura spoke his name for the first time.
"That is me. Thank goodness you are awake." Leon expressed relief, it caught Maura off guard. "Were you having a nightmare?"
Maura furrowed his eyebrows, unsure of himself. "...D-did I say something?"
Leon explained. "In fact your eyes are wide open and you were screaming." Portraying a genuine worried looks. "Can you tell me what's wrong?"
Maura's heart felt a heart strike with Leon's caring face while in reality this adult is a devil.
'Maybe it be best if I call a psychiatrist after.' Already making plan precautions. 'I can't be having him mental problems now or I will be screwed.'
"Papa." Maura sobs.
"Eh?" Leon did not foresee this kind of misunderstanding, but he let him for now.
"Papa and Mama...everyone died and left me alone." Maura's broken voice. "But...you won't leave me right?"
Leon would almost roll his eyes if he is not in mission of portraying trust right now. Ruffling Maura's hair. The boy is truly teary. "Silly, why would I? I did not took you just to throw you." With the magical words. "Mauro you may not believe it but you have a purpose."
As he and Maura's eyes met.
"You may not realize for now...but you are a chosen one for a very important mission."
Though Maura has no idea what on earth he is blabbering about. "Mission?" It is too early to even bring it up.
So Leon cut him short. "Sshhh~" wiping Maura's tears. "Go back to sleep shall we?"
Maura fidgets. "U-umm." The fear is visible again, Leon knew if he left him here he would fail to get the target's submission to him.
"Let's sleep together, enjoy the luxury for now." Laying Maura to bed as Leon himself also comes along.
Facing each other, close to the warmth of this human who took him so suddenly.
"Goodnight Mauro."
Maura felt happiness for the first time.
"G-goodnight..."
That night, Maura's nightmare did not resurface.
To Be Continued.
Notes: IF YOU LOVE MAURA DROP A LOVELY REVIEW. I want to promise to finish same time I'm not sure how long will I be inlove with Shadowerse fandom so take the opportunity to enjoy this...! Kanon58 wa Canon desu! Teeheee