Hey... It's been awhile. CW: Depictions of depression
It's been hard, watching you lay there. It's almost like you don't exist like you were a figment of their imagination. Others have tried to visit you since Maya did. Jirou tried to coax you under the guise of listening to music you both enjoyed, Yaoyorozu tried with books, Kirishima with TV. Everyone tried their luck and each time it failed. You didn't respond to any of them. You blinked, turned away, and didn't even move. It was heartbreaking.
You were a shell of your former glory, and as you sunk deeper, they could not help but feel the guilt of it all.
It was their fault, they concluded. You wouldn't be where you are now if not for them. You wouldn't feel like this. You wouldn't be like this.
Nomu was probably looking for them, they rationalized, and you got caught in the crosshairs. The guilt ate at them slowly, and soon no one ventured toward your room again.
...
Kirishima was in the living room, cleaning up after the kids came home from school. He hummed quietly as he picked up toys.
"Hi!" Kya giggled, looking up at Kirishima.
"Hiya Kya," he replied, smiling down at her.
"I like your hair. I wish I had red hair. And I like your teeth. They're like sharks' and sharks are cool," she chattered, raising her hands.
Kirishima chuckled. He hears her say the exact sentence every time he sees her. Kirishima lifted her on his shoulders.
"Wow! You're so tall! I can see everything from here!"
Kirishima laughed, remembering that she'd said that before too."I know! What did you do today?"
"Me and Oliver went to school and I learned about am- amphi—"
"Amphibians?"
She nodded vigorously. "Yeah! Those."
"What else did you do?"
Kya went on to tell Kirishima every detail of her day, rocking happily on his shoulders. Kirishima answered accordingly, nodding and reacting correctly. He was surprisingly able to keep up with her conversation, even as she jumped from topic to topic and circled back to previous ones.
"Hey, Kya? Where's your brother?" Kirishima asked in a lull of conversation.
"Oh! He's with Mama."
"And Aria?"
"I think she's in my room sleeping. She was tired today."
Kirishima nodded, making a note to check on her. He wandered around the living, Kya squealing in excitement.
He's glad she's in better spirits despite her mother still being holed up in her room. Out of the three of them, Kya has been the more outgoing one, talking to the adults. She still goes to her mom's room sometimes, but she's never quiet. She always talks about her day or whatever she gets up to.
There was a day when Bakugo asked her why she talked so much when her mother barely responded. "Because I know she's listening, she's just taking her time. Mama always said to be patient."
The adults were shocked by her response, but not surprised.
Aria had been so confused, preferring to keep her distance and hang out more with the adults. If she was antsy or seemed overwhelmed, Maya always came by to take her to the agency. She seemed to be most comfortable there, especially with your growing lack of presence. Nothing kept her anchored here except the other children.
Oliver seemed to have taken it the worst of the three. He had been glued to your side since that door had been opened. Every day after school and a quick snack, he would sit next to your bed, doing whatever.
It was concerning. Oliver shouldn't see you in that state. Kirishima knew you wouldn't want him to see you like this. But Oliver was adamant. He threw tantrums, and purposely let his quirk get out of control. Midoriya and Shinsou had to find ways to calm him down. In the end, he got what he wanted, and was glued to your side ever since.
Kirishima sighed, staring in the direction of your room. All of this was so messed up. You should've been at work, or home, hanging out with your children.
Anything but this. It felt like an ever-growing chasm of space between you and them. You, drifting further away, growing further apart. It made him ache to be closer to you. With your presence, you became an important part of their rag-tag group, and now it felt like a puzzle piece was missing from them. And it felt like you would never be found.
...
In your room, Oliver stared at you as you stared blankly back at him. In your mind, you admonished him, telling him that you needed privacy. You felt shame roll over you every time he came in the room, sat next to you in silence, and did whatever activity that kept him occupied. He did this frequently, only leaving when he was called to eat or go to bed. Most of the time Midoriya called him, and he always answered reluctantly.
The same happened again today, and Oliver glanced back at you, slightly annoyed he couldn't just stay. But he looked deeply into your eyes and willed himself up from the floor.
"I'll be back, Mama," he said quietly, leaving your room.
You blinked after him.
While you won't admit it, you truly appreciate the company everyone has provided. Kya treats you as if you hadn't been mute this entire time, and you feel pride bloom in your chest. It reminds you of the days when Oliver wouldn't and couldn't speak. She seemed to have learned from that and grown from it.
Oliver, with his quiet reassurance, sat next to you patiently, just existing with you. Despite your shame, you still felt your heart tug with pride and love at Oliver's comforting skills. He grew so much from the skittish little boy you first met.
The only child you hadn't seen was Aria, and it made your heart hurt. You knew she wouldn't be able to handle this, and you felt shame at letting your new charge see you in this state. It was so upsetting, and it must have been so confusing for her.
But there was nothing much you could do now—all of those thoughts sunk through the pool of honeyed nothingness in your brain.
...
You became conscious of the door shutting gently, two pairs of little feet pattering into the room. You didn't smile, despite wanting to, at the head of messy black and brown hair.
Must've been roughhousing.
Kya smiled at you, and you blinked at her.
"Hi, mama. How are you?"
You blinked.
"I'm fine too, I finished a yummy dinner. Scowly made noodles, and chicken, and veggies, and other things. We all sat in front of the TV and watched a new movie. It was so fun. But Oliver didn't finish all his veggies."
"Yes I did!" he argued, nudging her.
"No you didn't! I saw you," she shot back, sticking her tongue out.
You blinked long and slow, and your kids quickly stopped their bickering.
"Anyway, I just wanted to say hi. Aria already went to bed after dinner, I think she's still tired."
A micro frown crosses your face. You miss the sweet girl.
"It's ok mama, she'll come soon. Good night! I love you so much." She pressed a wet kiss to your forehead, smiling. She shot Oliver a look, and he looked away. Kya shrugged, and bounded off to her room. Oliver stood diligently by your side, as he always did.
You made eye contact with him, watching his face. He looked scared, like he was going to say or do something you wouldn't approve of. That made you nervous.
Instead, you looked at each other.
...
To Oliver, you were the greatest person in the world. You were strong, you were caring, and you showed him what love really is. Even when he was difficult, you were patient with him. You never gave up.
So why did it seem like you did now? Why was everyone else giving up on you?
He heard when they whispered about how long you were taking to get better, how worried they were. They didn't think he understood, but he did. He could read the room and knew exactly what they were saying. It's why he's been stuck to your side. You would never leave him if he was like this, so he won't leave you unless he has to.
Over the last few weeks, Oliver had been feeling weird. He'd been having a lot of headaches, and it hurt bad. It always happened when he got to quiet time in class. It was like the room would get too overwhelming, and it wouldn't stop until the silence was broken.
It was so weird. He loved quiet time. It was his favorite thing to do. But now, he dreaded it. It was like everyone was talking when no one was talking at all.
He didn't tell anyone. The one person he would tell was lying in the bed in front of him.
It wasn't until he was focused on the teacher was when it all began to make sense.
Oliver couldn't read lips, but it was very obvious that the words coming out of his teacher's mouth were not the same words that he could hear.
"I hope this makes sense to them."
"Why are they all looking at me like that?"
"Why did I become a teacher again?"
He shook his head, dispelling the words he heard. He glanced at Marco, trying to focus on something else.
"This is so easy."
"Ms. Woods is so pretty. I wish she was my mom."
"Kya's hair is so nice."
"What's for lunch later?"
It kept happening, making poor Oliver's head hurt more than usual. He raised his hand quickly, asking to go to the nurse.
The nurse was kind but seemed exhausted seeing him for the fifth time that week, and it was only Wednesday. She opted to call his auntie, and hopefully, she could help figure this all out.
Later that night, after taking medicine for his head and drinking water, Oliver sat on his bed, books scattered across his bed. His night light was on, and it gently illuminated the titles of each book.
There had to be some explanation for his headaches, and hearing other people's thoughts. He was going to do some research.
Each book title had something to do with people communicating with thoughts, and each person complained about headaches. So it confirmed what he thought, but there wasn't a word for it.
He was engrossed in a comic book about a teacher who sat in a wheelchair, and then it finally clicked.
Telepathy.
Oliver was a telepath. It's why he could move things with his mind. It's why his quirk freaks out when he's upset. It all made sense now.
...
That, along with better practice on keeping out of other people's heads, and asking Mr. Sleepy many suspicious questions about his quirk, brought him to the present. He wanted to try something. He hopes it will make you feel better.
You continued to stare at him, blinking slowly. Oliver drifted closer, resting his head on your chest.
You can do this Ollie. For mama.
Oliver pressed his forehead to yours, and you felt a shock through your system, like lighting across your brain. Nerves seemed to fire rapidly, and the well of honey your consciousness seemed to sink into seemed to dissolve.
What's happening? is the only thought you have.
You reacted the most you've ever done in weeks, eyes widening, head rearing back. But, he pressed on.
I love you, mama.
Oh God. Your son was speaking to you. But his lips didn't move.
He was in your head. He was speaking to you in your thoughts.
You're so strong.
The clotted mess that was your brain started to unravel at his words.
You're so great.
A pull.
You are amazing.
A harder pull.
You can do this.
Your head was coming up, breaking the surface.
You are a great mom. I love you so much.
That's all he said. He repeated it, despite the obvious discomfort, and it was like your body was rushing through thick streams of water, trying to reach for air.
I love you so much. I miss you.
You gasp, lurching up from the bed. Oliver startled, jumping back from you. Your eyes burned, red with unshed tears. You hunched over your knees, wiping desperately at your face. Your shoulders shook as you breathe heavily. Your back bursts with pain at the sudden movement, as does the rest of your body. Blinding pain, adding to the plethora of textures and feelings and thoughts flooding you.
You chance a glance at Oliver. Oliver stares in fear at the crazed look in your eye. But as he stared into your (E/C) eyes, he saw the fog leave. Recognition was there. You knew who he was.
"Ollie?"
He crumpled.
...
A week later
It's been officially a week since Oliver has broken you from your stupor. Tears, kisses, and shared hugs reigned between you both. You weren't ready to fully talk yet, and you begged Oliver to keep the door closed. You weren't ready yet. You needed time.
You shift in the bed, no longer feeling pain or uncomfortable. The muscles in your back constrict with soreness, but nothing you couldn't handle. You raise your arms, stretching carefully.
A step in the right direction.
Your recovery starts slow in these moments. You start from moving your legs one day, to moving your arms. Then, you muster the courage to sit up.
Well, the time was now.
You feel dizzy at first and almost fall back down onto the bed. Your head swims, and the light disappears for a moment.
But you don't.
You swing your legs over the bed, hovering over the soft carpet.
Small victories.
You squeeze your eyes shut to stop the room from spinning and press a foot onto your carpet. Pins and needles shoot up your foot from lack of use, and you exhale in pain and shock. You shuffle, trying to pull your wheelchair closer.
You were going to get out of your room. By any means necessary.
You'd practiced the motion multiple times. You'd exercised your arms as much as possible, stretching your back and shoulders. Your legs were late to the party, but it would all come together now.
Don't embarrass yourself by falling.
All that hard work for nothing if you do.
You breathe slowly, preparing for the effort it was going to take. You pressed onto the bed, lifting your body. You push harder, despite the shake and soreness, and land heavily onto the seat.
You breathe heavily, black spots behind your eyelids. You feel nauseous, but you fight through it. You sorta regret not eating.
When the episode passes, you place your hands on the wheels, and prepare yourself to go outside.
...
They were in the living room, chatting quietly to themselves. It was warm in the room, despite the chilling lack of you. But they continued, discussing plans for the future.
"I believe we should prepare lasagna tonight for the children—they need the variety–"
A screech behind them grabs their attention, and they turn quickly to a shocking surprise.
There you were, sitting in front of them. Outside of your bedroom.
Your body seemed gaunt, evidence of the minimal amount of food you've been eating. A terrible pallor covered you, making you look sicker than ever. You looked ghostly almost, like you weren't even there. But your eyes, the beautiful portals into the depths of your mind, they were clear. You were there. Right in the flesh.
They blinked, some harder than others. This had to be a prank, a trick of the light.
This couldn't be right. There's no way–
"Hi," you whispered hoarsely, voice scratchy from disuse.
Immediately, Mina broke out into tears, falling to her knees. Yaoyorozu and Ochako followed suit, covering their faces. The boys stood aside in shock. You were there. Your speaking confirmed it.
Midoriya took a step toward you, watching with bated breath as you looked at him. You tilted your head, struggling to move your mouth to make a comforting expression.
"I—"
He rushed to where you were, falling into your legs. He buried his head into your lap. You felt your knees wet with tears, his arms holding you tightly to himself. His shoulders shook with the weight of each tear and sob. You raised your arms in shock, unsure of what to do. You looked around, with similar expressions on everyone else. Tears, red faces, and most of all: relief.
You were back.
Bakugo slyly wiped his face, refraining from speaking. He couldn't mess this up. Iida removed his glasses, pressing fingers into his eyes. Shinsou was clutching his shirt, bringing himself back to earth. Sero slapped a hand on Kirishima's back, and they wrapped arms around each others shoulders. The girls were clutched eachother on the floor, crying softly.
Kaminari was right next to Midoriya, hugging your other leg. Your hands ran through their hair, and they seemed to cry harder than ever.
All you could do was look at them, unsure of what to make of this. Tears were everywhere, already overwhelming you. You turned, searching for an escape. Then, at the top of the stairs, Kya and Aria stood, jaws dropped in shock.
A wobbly smile crossed your face, and you raised a hand to wave. You blinked once, and then your two kids were buried in your stomach, squished against the two men on the floor. Cries from Aria, teary cheers from Kya surrounded you, and the weight of it all hits you.
They missed you. They missed you so much.
Another weight was behind, and your smile strengthened when you felt Oliver behind you.
You were reunited with the pieces of your life.
You were back.
END. Thank you so much all for reading this. Is anyone still interested in this? I know it's been a long time since I've updated, and I really apologize for that. I've been extremely bust with school, and it's been really hard to update. But it's summer! So I should be getting out more chapters for all my readers out there. Thank you so much for sticking with me.
I really appreciate the time you took to read this. I know its been a while. Don't forget to vote and leave comments! I read all of them and love to see you guys enjoying my writing. Have a good night!