Blue Flames

~34~

My eyes slowly opened as I saw a bright light shining back at me. I gasped as I tried to get up from my bed, but was restrained.

"Eria? Oh my gosh!" I heard a familiar voice cry.

"Is she really alive?" Another familiar voice questioned.

Suddenly, I felt people at my side. I turned to face them, it was Nejire, and my mother. Their eyes were swollen up with tears falling down.

"Oh my gosh! I thought you were dead!" Nejire exclaimed as she undid my restraints. I noticed her hair appeared to be dramatically shorter.

"Eria, you're okay... The doctor said to not make any sudden movements! So just stay there while I get them," My mom said as she ran out the door.

"Nejire, what happened? Why is your hair so short?" I croaked. Nejire shook her head.

"We'll have lots of time to catch up! But the doctors coming soon so just wait," she said, suddenly, the door opened again.

"Miss Eria, please no sudden movements," the doctor said as she inspected me.

"What happened, how long was I out?" I groaned. I felt bandages all along my body and on my neck.

"Three days. You haven't missed much. A lot of other heroes are still recovering," my mom said. My eyes widened.

"Hawks, is he?"

"He is okay. He will come by to see you soon. He wanted to be alerted as soon as you woke up. We had to put you in a coma to ensure you healed properly. Your injuries were severe. It's a good thing you used your quirk to help or it would have been far worse," the doctor said as she wrote something down on her clipboard.

"Mom, what happened?" I asked.

"The world isn't like it was before Eria. Everything has changed for the worse!" She cried.

"What does that mean?" I questioned.

"Ladies, please let her wake up. You will have plenty of time to catch up," the doctor said as she ushered them out the door.

"I will notify Hawks of your condition. I'm sure he will be here soon to see you," she said as she closed the door. I slowly sat up in my bed and hung my feet over the bed. I stepped down gently, gripping to my IV on wheels. I tested my legs, I could stand. But there was sharp pains in my stomach area. Suddenly the door opened. I looked up to see Hawks. He had a respirator covering the bottom half of his face. Bandages were wrapped around various parts of his body.

"Hawks-"

"Eria," an automated voice said. Tears filled my eyes. Hawks walked over to me and pulled me in for a gentle embrace. I looked up at him, his eyes filled with tears.

"Hawks I was so worried. Your voice, did Dabi?"

Hawks whipped out his phone as his fingers typed up a storm.

"Doctors said I have to wear this for a bit. My wings are slowly healing. But I'm alive, and so are you," the robotic voice said. I smiled as I cupped my hand around his respirator.

"I'm so glad you're okay," I whispered. Hawks cupped my cheek with his hand as he touched his respirator to my forehead, mimicking a kiss. He pulled away and started to type on his phone.

"Shouldn't you be in bed? Doctors said you were beaten up pretty badly," the robotic voice said. I nodded.

"I just, wanted to see if I was okay," I said as I sat back down on my bed. The sudden movement caused a sharp pain to jolt through my body.

"Agh!" I cried as I held my stomach. Hawks rushed to my side.

"I'm fine. Just scared me," I said as I laid back down in bed. Hawks ran his hand through my hair as he typed with his thumb.

"They're gonna have you rest here for one more night, but after that, stay with me," the robotic voice said.

"Why?"

"Just stay close," the robotic voice said. I looked up at Hawks who had pleading eyes. I nodded.

"I missed you, so much," I whispered, tears falling down my eyes. Hawks knelt to me, grabbing my hand and tracing his thumb back and forth. We sat in silence for a couple of minutes before the doctor finally came back in.

"Hawks, we need to ensure she is good for discharge. She will be leaving with you, correct?" He nodded. He pressed his respirator to my hand mimicking a kiss and then stood back up. He waved goodbye and left.

"Can my mother and Nejire come back in?" I asked. The doctor nodded. She went to go open back up the door and Nejire came rushing through, my mom following right behind her.

"Eria! We need to catch up on so much!" She exclaimed as she sat down on one side of the bed. My mom gently sat down on the other.

"Is everyone okay?" I asked concerned. Nejire's cheerful expression dropped.

"We lost a lot of heroes. X-Less, Crust.. Midnight," she said as she trailed off. My eyes widened.

"No-"

"I'm sorry Eria. This is really tough, for everyone." My mom said as she held my hand. I shook my head.

"Who else?" I asked looking up at Nejire.

"Hawks killed the villain Twice, but we also lost Eel Boy, Majestic, and Native," she said sadly.

"So many lost. Did... did we win?" Nejire looked up at me, tears in her eyes.

"No. The league is still out there,"

My heart dropped. Dabi survived.

"What else did I miss?" I asked, looking up at my mom and Nejire. Tears were spilling down my face. My mother shook her head.

"We can talk later. Right now, we need to make sure the doctors can ensure you're good so you can leave with Hawks," my mom said.

"Why am I not going back with you?" I asked.

"Eria, it's dangerous. And Hawks agreed to help me leave the country for a bit so I can stay safe,"

"Mom!" I cried. She smiled.

"My quirk isn't strong enough to protect me from the villains out in the street. And you're in no shape either to protect me. We agreed it was best," she said as she held onto my hand.

"Dont worry Eria, you still have me!" Nejire chirped. I smiled.

"Oh Eria, try to mention to me next time you're dating the number two hero. I mean, it's kinda a big deal and I would have love to have met him under different circumstances," my mom said smiling. I blushed.

"We wanted to keep it on the low," I said. She nodded.

"He seems like a good guy Eria. I'm glad he will be taking care of you," I smiled.

"Mom, call me everyday if you can," I said smiling. My mom pulled me in for an embrace.

"Of course. And you continue to be the pro hero your father always wanted you to be," she said.