Maia

32

Word Count: 1230

-

Third person POV

Lorenzo spun around to confront Rawiri, his eyes narrowing as a shadow fell across his face. With an air of determination, he brushed past Alessandro, who stood momentarily stunned and seized Rawiri' with surprising swiftness. The sudden grip caught Rawiri off guard, leaving him with barely a moment to process the shift in the atmosphere before Lorenzo's firm hold pinned him in place. His fists were locked in a vice-like grip around Rawiri's neck, his knuckles white with tension. The brother's collective breath hitched as they watched the life weaken from Rawiri's face, a pale mask of fear. The air was thick with tension, and the flicker of panic in Rawiri's eyes spoke volumes as he struggled for breath, each gasp becoming more laboured than the last. The two had never fought before; they were closer to each other than the rest. Before the situation escalated further, Alessandro caught hold of Lorenzo, shoving him back, while Wiremu gently led Rawiri away from the conflict.

Rawiri's colour gradually returned to his face, his breath coming in quick, laboured gasps that echoed the turmoil within him. Lorenzo's expression was a storm of anger, his eyes dark and fierce, but Alessandro leaned in close and murmured some words, firmly holding him back from acting on his fury. Lorenzo shot a seething glare in Alessandro's direction before he erupted from the room, his frustration boiling over. Desperate to find a target for his blame, he turned on Rawiri, the nearest figure to vent his rage upon. Although he knew Rawiri wasn't to blame, Lorenzo was hurting deeply.

Rawiri sank onto the couch, his body feeling heavy with weariness, as the remaining brothers formed a concerned semicircle around him. Their expressions were etched with worry for Maia, a silent understanding passing between them as they grappled with the weight of the situation.

"Someone should go check on her," Rawiri said, his voice tinged with concern.

"She definitely needs to see a doctor," Giovanni added, his brow furrowed as he recalled the unsettling scene from earlier.

"I think we need to help her calm down first," Wiremu proposed, tapping his fingers anxiously against his thigh. The three boys began brainstorming ideas, tossing around various plans and suggestions to ensure she felt safe and supported.

Meanwhile, Alessandro stood apart from the group, his mind drifting into a haze. He felt a heaviness in his heart as thoughts of his sweet Principessa filled his mind, her face illuminated in his memory like a soft glow. The worry for her well-being overshadowed everything else, making it hard for him to focus on the plans being discussed.

Without uttering another word, he slipped away from his brothers, the chatter fading as he climbed the staircase. The familiar creak of the wooden steps beneath his feet seemed to echo in the quiet house. He could hear soft, muffled sobs coming from her room, the sound barely making its way to him as it was enveloped by the plush confines of her pillow.

Taking a deep breath, he approached her door, raising his hand to knock gently, mindful of not startling her. This was uncharted territory for him; he had never before found himself in a position to comfort someone, especially not someone as important to him as Maia. But ever since his Principessa had returned home, he felt a surge of determination to be there for her in whatever way he could.

"Maia, it's me, Al. Can I come in?" he called softly, his voice barely louder than a whisper, as he used the affectionate nickname she had gifted him. It was a name that held special meaning—one that only she could bestow upon him. He would never allow anyone else to label him, but for her, it felt entirely natural. In his heart, he knew she could do no wrong.

She remained silent, her soft sobs growing fainter as she buried her face deeper into the plush cushion. On the other side of the closed door, Alessandro felt his palms grow slightly clammy, an unfamiliar wave of anxiety washing over him. This wasn't like him at all; he prided himself on his stern demeanour and collected nature, rarely allowing his emotions to surface. Yet, his precious principessa awakened a torrent of feelings within him that were both new and daunting.

"Please, principessa?" he pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation. "I promise I won't hurt you. I just want to talk, to be there for you." The words tumbled out in a rush, surprising even himself with their uncharacteristic fervour. Normally, he was concise and to the point, never one to ramble. But in this moment, all he could think about was reaching her, to comfort her in any way he could.

He let out a deep sigh when he received no response, realizing it might be best to give her some space for a while. As he turned away, he took two hesitant steps before he heard the soft creaking of her door. There she stood, his Principessa, wrapped in a cozy hoodie that hung loosely over her frame and paired with loose-fitting sweatpants. Her cheeks glistened with tears, and her dark hair was pulled into a tousled bun that seemed to reflect the turmoil she felt inside. The sight of her so vulnerable made his heart ache painfully.

Slowly, he approached her, each step deliberate and gentle, careful not to startle her. Once he was close enough to see the mixture of confusion and sadness in her eyes, he crouched down to meet her gaze. His hand reached up tenderly, brushing away the tears that had pooled on her cheeks. "I love you, Maia," he declared softly for the first time in a while, his voice steady yet filled with emotion.

Her eyes widened in shock, glimmering with an array of unspoken feelings. In that moment, it struck her that this was the first time anyone had ever expressed love for her. Not her mother, not a friend - no one had ever told her they loved her, at least not that she could remember. The warmth of his words felt comforting.

Maia felt a surge of emotions overwhelm her as the words sank in, and she began to cry even harder. Alessandro's expression shifted to one of alarm. "Oh no, no, no! I'm so sorry, Maia. I didn't mean to upset you," he exclaimed, his voice filled with concern. Maia, however, could only shake her head, words failing her in that moment of anguish.

With no hesitation, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him tightly into her embrace. Her tears streamed down her face, soaking into the fabric of his tailored suit jacket, the saltiness mingling with the warmth of his body. He was initially taken aback by the sudden intensity of her grief but quickly realized the depth of her need for comfort.

He gently returned her embrace, cradling her as he softly rubbed her back in soothing circles. They gradually sank to the cool, hard floor of the hallway, the world around them fading into a blur. The only sounds that filled the air were Maia's muffled sobs, echoing softly against the walls, while they remained wrapped in their cocoon of silence, enveloped in each other's presence. In that moment, nothing else mattered but the solace they found in that shared vulnerability.

-

A/N: Hi guys, sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, I've been busy with lectures and debating some life choices like why did I decide to do Biology...
I don't know whether to laugh or cry because I have a test on and I haven't studied sooo woohoo! But I mean hey at least I'm not Maia... that girl is going through it rn..