Grey Line

PTSD

Mika was currently holding up her shirt while Hawks redressed the stab wound on her stomach, "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," he glanced at her while he worked quietly.

"Why are you here," she watched him work, "I don't mean that in a rude sense, I'm relieved you're here...it's just when I left..." she trailed off.

He smirked, "I figured it was coming." Standing, he disposed of the old bandages, "Because, I'm tired of running when things get difficult."

"I understand that," she tilted her head, "I promise I'll try to be less difficult."

He laughed and shook his head, "That's not what I mean at all," he thought for a moment, "I'm not used to actually caring for someone, let alone receiving it back."

Mika blinked and chuckled, "Oh. If it makes you feel better, I understand. It's overwhelming." She bit her lip, "So let's make a deal."

"What's it in for me," he teased.

She rolled her eyes, "If we get overwhelmed, we talk about it. Dial it back. Whatever we need to do, no running," A smile crossed her features as she sat on her couch, "You won't wake up in bed alone, sound fair?"

"Sounds like a win, win," he leaned on the back of the couch and looked over her shoulder as she texted Hallie, "Tell her to leave you alone so you can rest."

"Is the winged hero jealous?"

"Yes," he huffed and took her phone, setting it aside, "you're lucky they let you leave the hospital."

"Now who sounds like a mother hen," she teased, watching his cheeks turn a faint pink.

He held out his hand, "Come on." She took it as he led her to her bed. "Lay down, I'm gonna shower. Then we can take a nap."

Mika nodded, settling into the sheets as his figured disappeared through the door. She made an attempt to lay back on the pillow and froze. The texture. It felt like Lena's silk cases, making her heart race. She felt an odd panic set in, her face flushed and her heartbeat sounded in her ears. Sitting up, her hands shakily removed the covers, throwing them aside. Her grey eyes closed as she took deep breaths to steady herself.

Hawks walked through the door and tilted his head. His golden eyes moved from a sleeping Mika, to the pillowcases on the floor. "Mika," he pet her head. Her eyes opened slowly, "Are you okay?"

She nodded, "Yeah...I just...I couldn't use them."

He could tell she was getting flustered, "It's okay, relax. Can I lay with you?"

"Please," her voice was quiet and soft.

Hawks needed nothing more as he settled around her protectively, "You're okay now." He pulled her against his bare chest. Mika burrowed her face into him and breathed deeply, basking in his warmth. He laid for a long while, carefully listening as she slept. He could feel when she got restless, her skin growing warm. Hawks carefully gave her some space, but kept physical contact.

Her grey eyes shot open and she looked around briefly before her eyes settled on him, "I'm sorry."

"Don't," his golden eyes watched her face, "There is zero reason for you to apologize." She burrowed back into him, he wrapped his arms around her, "When you're ready, I'll listen."

She placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, "I know you will."
_______
"PTSD is tricky," Hallie sat on her couch next to a napping Tobi, "It can manifest in a lot of ways."

"Like," Hawks leaned back against the headboard, glancing at a sleeping Mika as he held the phone to his ear.

"Panic attacks, aversions to certain foods, objects, or social situations, for some it's anger, others lust," she paused, "sometimes self harm or self punishment." She stroked Tobi's blonde hair, "Do you want me to reach out about talking to her?"

"Maybe," he sighed, "I just don't know a lot about it."

"Let me link you a few things that might help. Then I'll casually reach out in a couple of days and see how she is."

"Thanks," he clicked the phone as Mika slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes. "Hey sleepy head," she ruffled her hair.

A tired Mika swatted him away, grumbling. A yawn left her, "You didn't sleep at all did you?"

He smirked, "No. but it's okay, I just wanted to make sure you were alright."

"I'm not right am I," she looked at him before laying back, "I mean it's not really surprising...but still."

"It's okay," Hawks reassured her, "While I don't know what you went through, I'm not an idiot. To be honest i would be more worried if  you acted like nothing happened. So, when something bothers you, or makes you feel off, please tell me," he leaned down, putting his elbows on either side of her head, "That way I can help you."

"I'll do my best," she smiled slightly, thankful he was trying to understand and not push things. He rested his head on her chest, her hand's immediately tangled into his hair, playing softly. She smiled when she felt his entire body relax, and his breathing even out. His red wings slowly relaxed against the bed. Hawks was finally resting.
_________
Deku but his lip nervously as the phone rang, Bakugo was currently glaring at him. He cleared his throat, "M-Mika...how are you?"

Mika sat munching on some fruit, "I'm doing better. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"So, I looked over the information on project Sunshine. I was going to see if you wanted to meet up and talk about how Hallie's quirk works," he paused briefly, "Ours are very similar."

She couldn't help but smile, "Honestly, I would very much appreciate that...I haven't been feeling comfortable in my own skin lately knowing something new is there."

The green haired man let out a breath of relief, "I will do my best to help. Lemme look over some things and I'll be in touch."

Bakugo scoffed when he hung up the phone, "See? That wasn't hard, was it?"

"No, but you know I'm not good when it comes to dealing with victims," he sighed, "Oddly that's your thing."

His red eyes twitched, "I don't know if that's a compliment or a remark."

"Katsuki, be nice," Hallie walked into the doorway, Tobi close behind, "Here's some additional information, Izuku."

He smiled, "Thank you."

Tobi looked up at his father, "Pikachu zapped me today...it kinda hurt."

"Did you get him back," His red eyes looked over his son.

Hallie sighed, "Yeah, some nasty burns..."

Bakugo smirked briefly before correcting himself, "Tobi you know in training, you need to control your intensity."

Deku chuckled, ruffling Tobi's hair, "When we were young, your dad had issues too. He would get excited and create huge blasts..."

Hallie smiled as she watched Bakugo scold Izuku for ratting him out.