"There doesn't seem to be any sign of infection around the incisions, but it still a little tender, but it's normal for tenderness to be present for a few weeks. Do you feel any better, Izuku?" Dr. Takizawa asked, writing down notes.

"It's kind of hard to tell, "Izuku replied. " I haven't been coughing as much at night since I started taking that medicine and I can sleep better, but I'm not sure if anything is improving. It still feels like a lot." The doctor nodded in understanding.

"It'll be that way for a little while. You've been through a lot. Your body still has quite a bit of healing to do. You'll get there." She encouraged. "Were you able to try drinking the chicken broth for lunch?"

"No. I haven't been hungry at all." Izuku answered. "But I'm drinking a little more."

"I'm glad to hear that, but you can't live on just water. It'll help clear your lungs too. Even if you don't feel like you want it, you need to take something. I want to work on getting you out of bed, but to do that, I need you to get your strength back up. We'll try again later." Izuku wasn't looking forward to the task. He glanced over at the now-empty bed across from him. Bakugo had been released earlier that morning, leaving Izuku to handle his mother and illness on his own. Inko thanked the doctor, turning her attention back to her son.

"It'll be good to see you on your feet again." She commented. "I also wanted to talk to you about something." Inko hesitated, drawing in a breath, and continued. "I know you miss your friends and you want to get back to normal activity...but you've been very sick lately, and You've been through a lot. I thought maybe you could take a little more time to get back into things. Maybe just come home for a while and take some online-"

"Mom, I know this scared you, and I know you want to protect me." Izuku began patiently. "The fact is, sometimes heroes get hurt. I don't want to upset you, but it happens. I chose this path knowing that. You're my biggest support, and I'm grateful for that, but I need you to let me do this. I don't want to fall behind any more than I have to in my training. You can't expect me to sit at home. As much as I know you want to, you can't protect me from everything. I need you to trust me."Inko bowed her head.

"It's not that I don't trust you, son. Sometimes I think you might be too brave for your own good, Izuku. I know I need to learn to let go a little bit, but someday you might understand how hard it is when you have one of your own." Izuku sighed heavily.

"Mom-" Izuku was interrupted by a knock at the door. All Might appeared in the doorway, his presence earning a smile from the ill teen. Inko kissed Izuku's head.

"I'll take a little walk to the vending machines. They're just down the hall a bit. I love you, Son."

"Love you too, Mom."The teen replied, watching his mother turn and make her way into the hall with her purse in hand.

All Might approached the bed, lowing himself onto the chair beside the boy.

"It's good to see you awake and a little more alert today, Midoriya. How are you feeling?"

"I've felt better. But the doctor said she wants to start working on getting me moving around soon."

"Good. Listen, what you kids did-you guys have been through more than students should have to and each time, you impressed the hell out of us."Deku couldn't help but grin at the praise from his mentor. "That being said, I don't want to see you make the same mistakes I did. Give yourself time to rest and recover before you try pushing yourself. I know you want to get right back into everything, but If you want to be a pro, you have to live long enough to make it through UA first.
the teen frowned.

"Everyone keeps telling me to take it easy and give myself time, but if I fall too far behind, they might take me out of the program. I'll never be a hero if that happens and I-"

"No one's kicking you out of anything. You won't be doing anyone any good if you're in a state like this. We'll get you all caught up, I'm already making arrangements for possible extra credits. You'll be fine. The teachers are a lot more understanding than they let you believe. Like I said, you've really shown us something. Right now, your health needs to be your first priority."

"Yeah, I guess you're right."

"You'll be back into it before you know it. Once you're out of bed and moving around, you'll start feeling a lot better. It's tough to be stuck in bed like this. It's going to be okay, though."

"Y-you think so?" All Might nodded.

"You're a tough kid, Midoriya. Just hang in there and be patient. It's not easy to do, believe me, I know. "All Might checked his watch and stood from his chair.
"I'm sorry Midoryia, I need to get back for a meeting. I just wanted to stop by and see how you're feeling." He explained.

"No need to apologize. I can't expect you to hang around all day. Thanks for checking in."Izuku said.

"Is there anything I can do before I leave?" The older man asked. Izuku shook his head.

"I'm okay."The teen replied.

"Get some rest then. I'll try to stop by again soon." All Might promised.

After his mentor departed, Izuku settled back into his bed, coughing into his sleeve. The nurse would be in to give him another breathing treatment. He allowed his mind to wander to Bakugo. Izuku didn't think it was possible, but he missed the teen. Despite the countless times the blond boy bullied Izuku, He had also shown another side of himself, one Deku didn't often get to see. Though he knew it wouldn't last, Deku had to admit, it had been nice to think his old friend cared about him. Even if it was very brief.

"Katsuki?" Mitsuki called, entering her son's room. Bakugo sat on his bed, gazing out of his widow in silence. She moved closer to the bed.

"Katsuki!" She called again, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"What?"Bakugo growled.

"You're doing it again. Do you feel funny or-"

"It's called thinking."

"He'll be fine, Katsuki," Mitsuki assured him.

"The hell are you talking about?"

"If you're worried about Izuku-"

"I'm not. " the teen insisted.

"Right." the woman shook her head. "You've been acting weird since I brought you home, Katsuki. If it's not Izuku, then what's going on?"Bakugo didn't reply. "Do you feel okay, should I-"

"I'm fine. Told you, I'm just thinking about stuff." Mitsuki sat down on the edge of the bed.

"You've been unusually quiet since we got here. That's not like you. I'm just worried about you. I need you to tell me if something isn't right or you start feeling funny if you feel like you-"

"I don't." The boy insisted.

"But if you do-"

"I'll let you know, stop bugging me about it!"Bakugo snapped. A long silence fell over them. There had been a drastic change in Katsuki's behavior since leaving the hospital, one that Mitsuki wasn't entirely sure was caused by the injury.

"Katsuki?" She said softly.

"What now?"

"Do you want me to check in with Inko?" the teen bowed his head, not bothering to look at his mother.

"Yeah."He answered.

"I'll call her in a few minutes. If you're feeling okay later, maybe we'll go back and visit for a bit. I need you to take it easy until then, okay?" receiving no reply, she stood up, making her way to the door. She glanced back at her son.

"I know I don't say it as much as I should." She said. "But I love you, Katsuki and I'm glad you're home." With a heavy sigh, she returned to her task, her heart breaking for her son.