Withered Flowers

Chapter 24

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the small village in Okinawa where Y/N had made a new life for herself and Megumi. The scent of saltwater mingled with the fragrance of fresh flowers from her quaint little shop, which she had named "Nimbus Blooms." Each morning, she would wake early to tend to the garden she had planted, nurturing the vibrant blossoms that reminded her of happier times.

A year had passed since the chaotic battles from the disease and All For One and Shigaraki, and in that time, life had shifted in unexpected ways. Y/N had found solace in her work as a florist, crafting arrangements that brought joy to the villagers and the occasional tourist. With each bouquet, she poured her heart into creating beauty from the chaos that had once engulfed her life.

Yet, despite the tranquility surrounding her, there was a heaviness in Y/N's heart. For months, the silence from Hawks had been deafening. The letters that once arrived with regularity had dwindled, and then stopped altogether. Each envelope brought her hope, only to leave her shattered when the next didn't come. She had grieved, convinced that the man who had fought so fiercely for them had been lost to the ravages of war.

As the days turned into weeks and the weeks into months, Megumi's birthday approached, and Y/N threw herself into preparations. She wanted to make it special, to celebrate their small family and the joy that her son had brought into her life. She spent the day before baking his favorite cake and crafting a small bouquet of wildflowers, hoping to light up his face with joy.

The sun dipped below the horizon as Y/N stirred the pot on the stove, the aroma of dinner filling their cozy home. She hummed softly to herself, the rhythm of her life here a comforting routine. As she chopped vegetables for a fresh salad, a sudden wave of nostalgia washed over her. She could almost hear Hawks' laughter, feel the warmth of his embrace, and see the way his eyes sparkled when he looked at Megumi. The memories, both sweet and painful, tightened around her heart.

"Momma!" Megumi's voice interrupted her thoughts as he burst into the kitchen, his face lit up with excitement. "Can we make the cake now?"

Y/N turned, a smile spreading across her face at the sight of her son. "Of course, We can decorate it together."

Megumi rushed to her side, his small hands reaching for the colorful sprinkles. They worked side by side, laughter echoing in the warm kitchen. Just as they finished decorating the cake, the sound of a sudden knock at the door echoed through their home.

Y/N frowned, glancing at Megumi. "I wonder who that could be?" She wiped her hands on a dish towel and headed toward the door, her heart quickening with curiosity.

As she opened it, the world outside seemed to hold its breath. There, standing in the fading light, was a familiar figure—one she had thought lost forever. Hawks stood before her, his hair ruffled by the breeze, eyes shining with a mix of weariness and hope. His wings were gone, replaced by a humble presence.

"Y/N..."