When I awoke the next morning, All Might had gone. The chair, which he had sat in the night before, still remained next to the bed. I rubbed my tired eyes, and flopped down hard against the pillow that rested behind me. He had kept true to his word, and sat with me until the early morning hours, and told me about my Mother. His eyes lit up when he spoke about her, and became damp yet again when he reached an emotional point in his story. Sometimes he would reach out his hand, and attempt to touch her as if she were right in front of him.
His eyes would become dark, and void as he came to the realization that her presence was only a figment of his imagination, and his hand would fall through the empty space in front of him until it returned to the spot he previously rested it. At times he would pause to touch my cheek affectionately, and then would resume speaking as if nothing had happened at all. When he spoke about his feelings for her it seemed nearly impossible for him to speak of without becoming emotional, but would find reassurance when I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Tears would stream down his cheeks, and he seemed thankful that I understood if he needed to take a moment to collect himself.
"You remind me of her." He'd say while wiping his eyes on his sleeve.
When the story had reached its conclusion, he looked over at me. His eyes were red rimmed, and tired, but he still faked a smile as I looked back at him. I intertwined my fingers, and twisted them around uncomfortably.
"What is it, Miya?"
I avoided his gaze in fear that the anger that was bubbling warmly in my stomach would burst out.
"It's," I sighed, "nothing."
He inched forward in his chair.
"Don't shut down on me now. Come on, Miya. Tell me what you need to say. I'm here. I'm listening."
My stomach twisted furiously. A wave of nausea swept over me.
"You've got some nerve asking me not to shut down."
Guilt flashed in his eyes as he sank back.
"I know, Miya. It's a lot to take in."
"A lot to take in?" I echoed angrily, feeling my body quiver.
A perplexed look crossed his face, and then it looked as if he were fighting back tears. He blinked several times before signing deeply.
"Up until recently I had a Father who was finally starting to open his heart to me. For one brilliant moment I believed he cared more about me, and loved me for more than my Quirk."
I looked away from him.
"It was a stupid, childish dream, but it was my dream. All I've ever wanted was for my Father to love me the way I deserved to be loved, and when I thought it was happening, when it was beginning to be within reach, it all came crashing down. He's never seen me as anything but a pawn in his fucking war against Pro Heroes."
With that the tears returned to his eyes, and he lunged forward. His frail arms wrapped gently around my shoulders, and he pulled me gently into his chest.
"You're so much more than just a Quirk. I swear that to you." he whispered.
He held me tightly, yet gently enough that my body didn't protest his touch. The wetness from his eyes dripped silently onto my shoulder. When he was finished, he released me, but kept one hand placed on the side of my face.
"I care about you, Miya. Your Father may not, but you mean more to me than you'll ever know. If anything were to happen to you I'd-"
His sentence remained unfinished as he sat back in his chair. He folded his hands on his lap, and pointed his eyes up at the fluorescent lights above us.
"I'd never forgive myself for losing you as well."
His words echoed in the depths of my mind as I kept my eyes on the now vacant chair. My stomach ached profusely, and my eyes became blurry with tears. There was a dull throbbing in the front of my head as my Father's face flashed in front of my eyes. He wasn't the man I once knew, that I once adored. His eyes that were once so thoughtful and wise were now vengeful, and tainted with hate.
"Ah, so you're awake now."
Recovery Girl walked over to the chair next to the bed, and sat down.
"What would you say about taking a little stroll with me?"
She smiled widely, and the wrinkles near her eyes stood out more prominent than I had ever seen them. I faltered as I stood, and she grasped my elbow gently.
"I think it's about time we get those wings of yours repaired."
She tapped them with her syringe cane, and motioned for me to follow her.
"Where exactly are we going?"
She chuckled.
"Just trust me."
She led me down a long, narrow hallway, and I was pleasantly surprised at how quickly she walked for an old woman.
"I heard that you had quite the heart to heart with Toshinori."
My stomach twisted uncomfortably.
"Er, yeah. I guess."
"Something the matter?"
She looked at me out of the corner of her eye as we walked.
I shook my head.
"No."
She returned her gaze frontward, but before she did she sighed softly.
"I understand that it may be hard for you to take his words to heart, but do know that he meant what he said with every fiber of his being."
I remained silent as we walked. She chuckled again.
"Speechless, eh? That's a rarity. At least since you've been in my care."
She turned to look at me, and concerned flashed in her tired eyes. She grasped my elbow again, and stopped walking.
"I get it, Miya. I understand how you're feeling, and it's okay."
"Do you?" I snapped.
Recovery Girl took a step back.
"Do any of you really understand? Or is that just some Pro Hero bullshit attempt to help me forget about what I lost?"
A look of hurt was plastered on her face, and I instantaneously felt an immense amount of guilt for losing my temper. It felt as if the words cascaded freely from my lips, and as hard as I tried I was unable to stop them.
"We've all had our fair share of personal losses. We're Pro Heroes after all. We've lost family, friends, hell, even strangers. But with every loss comes an even bigger gain, and that's what helps us grow."
We rounded a corner, and she stabbed at the button of an elevator with her cane.
"We aren't here to hinder you, child. Open yourself up, and let us help you grow."
She climbed into the elevator as the doors opened, and motioned for me to follow. She kept her gaze away from me as the elevator carried us downward.
"I'm sorry." I sighed.
She half smiled although it was apparent to see that the hurt still lingered.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm unsure I'm the one you should be offering an apology to."
She placed a hand gently on my shoulder comfortingly. The elevator doors slid open, and we stepped out.
"Miya!"
An energetic, pink haired girl rushed forward, and grabbed me in a bone crushing hug.
"Hatsume, what are you-"
She quivered with excitement as she peered at Recovery Girl.
"Recovery Girl asked me to assist in the repair of your wings. They're pretty mangled right now, but I have a vision."
She walked around me once, and then twice making odd gestures with her hands. She flipped open a notebook, and mumbled as she scribbled notes in it.
"Okay," she said after a few minutes, "I think I have everything I need."
She turned to leave, and then spun back around, and flung her arms around me again.
"I'm so glad you're okay. All of us are."
Her voice trembled as she spoke, and she sniffed silently as she released her grip on me.
After we said our goodbyes, Recovery Girl lead me back to the elevator.
"Feeling up to one more stop?" she said with a wicked smile.
"Where are we going now?"
I hadn't felt it before, but as we walked my body felt extraordinarily heavy. It took an extreme amount of energy just to keep myself moving.
"Someone wants to meet with you, but it needs to be kept secret for the time being."
"That's not strange or anything." I mumbled.
She rolled her eyes.
"Oh, don't be so distrusting. You'll enjoy this visit."
Instead of turning the corner like we previously had, we continued walking straight until we reached a door which seemingly lead to an office. Recovery Girl rapped on the door with her cane, and took a step back.
"It's Chiyo." she muttered.
The feathers on my wings stood on end despite being bent, and broken. My eyes were wide, and I felt my breathing rate increase. Recovery Girl nudged my arm from beside me.
"Relax. It's alright."
The door swung open slowly, and Recovery Girl pulled me into the room. All Might and Aizawa sat at the head of the table, and glanced at me when I walked in. Aizawa half smiled.
"Well, well. Look who's finally up."
"Not by choice." I snapped back.
He stood, and made his way over to me.
"Well, regardless. It's good to have you back."
He patted my shoulder, and I smiled awkwardly. His voice was tired, and cold as usual, but there was a sense of relief behind it. His eyes traveled to the far corner of the room, and he nodded. The sound of footsteps making their way towards us forced my body to tense up. My muscles ached, and my head throbbed as I began trembling slightly.
"What the hell are you so nervous for?"
Aizawa looked down at me with a frown. He motioned towards the figure that was lumbering in our direction, and placed his hands on my shoulders. There was something oddly comforting about knowing he was there.
"Miya?"
The voice sounded familiar. Like I had heard it in a dream several times before. A smile crept across the mysterious person's face as I looked at them.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?"

Hey everybody!
I'm so sorry for such a huge gap! The holidays hit me really hard, and I got really sick during, and afterwards. I ended up getting Influenza A before Christmas, and then catching Covid from my husband after Christmas. My 2022 has been crazy, but I'm hoping to start updating regularly again! I've missed writing. I love doing it so much, and writing for fandoms (yes, fandoms. I have another WIP that I plan on posting soon) that I love.
I hope all of you are happy, healthy, and staying safe. Much love!