Aftermath: Maple Warriors II

Francis

"Papa?" I was a bit surprised to see mon Mathieu at zhe abandoned building we 'ad woken up in, 'olding Kuma to 'is chest and nervously shifting from foot to foot.

Arthur refused to leave zhe place until 'e figured out what zhose "Magic waves were indicating" so Alfred and I were stuck doing nozhing.

"Mathieu? Where 'ave you been? We 'avent seen you in weeks."

At zhis, tears formed in 'is violet eyes.

"Mathieu? Come 'ere. Tell me what's wrong mon garson."

"I-I thought Alfred would have told you aboot it by now." Zhe boy stepped forward into my welcoming arms.

"Told us what?" I asked into his messy blonde hair.

"Told you who held him captive." Mathieu answered into my shirt.

" 'e can't seem to remember anyzhing more zhan a few blurry faces." I whispered, recalling what mon garson's twin told us earlier.

"Papa, I'm so sorry!" Zhe flow of Mathieu's tears increased until zhe boy could barely breathe. I could do nozhing but 'old 'im and pat 'is 'ead in a comforting way.

Zhe commotion lured Arthur and Alfred into zhe room. Zhey too joined in zhe 'ug, voicing 'ow worried zhey both were.

zhis only made mon garson cry 'arder.

I cried a little as well, but out of 'appiness at seeing zhe boy I raised again and worry over what 'e was crying about.

I didn't know what it was, but it still broke my 'eart.

"Papa? Alfie? Arthur?" 'e said once 'e calmed down.

"Oui?"

"Yes?"

"Yeah?"

"I have to tell you something. But you can't get mad at me, okay, eh?"