Wilted Bloom

It had been a few days since Maya had woken up, and the monotony of Recovery Girl's office was beginning to wear on her. The same four walls, the rhythmic beeping of the machines, and the endless hours of lying still were enough to drive her stir crazy. She was tired of feeling helpless, tired of the weight of her own body keeping her down.

With Recovery Girl out of the office for the moment, Maya decided it was now or never. She slipped her legs out from under the covers, her movements slow and deliberate. The cool air brushing against her skin sent a shiver up her spine, but she ignored it, her focus locked on her goal.

Her feet touched the ground, the sensation unfamiliar after so long in bed. She hesitated, her hands gripping the edges of the mattress as she tried to summon the courage to stand.

"You can do this," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible.

Summoning all her determination, she pushed herself upright. Her legs trembled immediately, unused to bearing her weight. She clutched the edge of the bed for support, her breaths coming quick and shallow.

Unknown to her, Aizawa had entered the office moments ago. His steps were silent, his bandaged form blending into the quiet shadows of the room. He paused near the doorway, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in the scene before him.

Maya's back was to him, her focus entirely on her next move. She released her grip on the bed, her arms stretching out slightly for balance. Slowly, she took a step forward.

Her legs wobbled like those of a newborn deer, shaking uncontrollably under her weight. Her foot barely touched the ground before her knees buckled, and her body tilted forward.

Before she could hit the ground, a strong arm wrapped securely around her waist, steadying her mid-fall.

"Ah—oomph!" The air escaped Maya's lungs at the sudden grip, and she instinctively reached out to stabilize herself. Her heart raced as she turned her head to look back.

Even though most of his face was hidden behind the bandages, the intensity of Aizawa's glare was unmistakable. She couldn't see his expression clearly, but she could feel the weight of his disapproval radiating off him like a storm cloud.

"What," he said in his gravelly voice, laced with irritation, "do you think you're doing?"

Maya blinked, her mouth opening and closing as she scrambled for an answer. "I—I was just... I wanted to..."

"You wanted to what?" Aizawa interrupted, his arm still firmly around her waist to keep her upright. "Fall flat on your face? Because that's what was about to happen."

Maya's cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I was just trying to stand. I thought... I thought I could handle it."

Aizawa exhaled sharply, his grip on her adjusting slightly to ease the pressure on her waist. "You haven't walked in months. What made you think doing it alone, without any support, was a good idea?"

Maya turned her head away, avoiding his piercing gaze. Her fingers fidgeted nervously, and she bit her lip, refusing to meet his eyes.

"Look at me," Aizawa said, his voice firm but not harsh. "Answer the question."

The weight of his words sent a flush creeping up her neck, her face turning even redder. She hesitated, swallowing hard as she stammered out her response.

"I... I was just bored," she admitted quietly, her voice trembling. "I didn't want to be in that room anymore. It's driving me crazy."

Aizawa watched her carefully, his sharp eyes taking in the way her face flushed deeper with every word, how she stuttered under his steady gaze. Something about her reaction amused him—it was rare to see someone so flustered by him, especially when his tone hadn't been particularly harsh.