a/n: i'm really tired right now, but i wanted to get this out, so i'm sorry if it sucks :pensive:

spoilers for the end of the overhaul arc

A clean, empty room with the walls bare and devoid of any color other than just the shade of white. Freshly pressed sheets, tucked neatly around and his immobile, numb body.

Flowers by the bedside: vivid red roses — bundled together by the rich green stems with a satin white ribbon.

A note lay there unread; nestled between the blood-red petals. There it would lay, unread until one of the hospital workers would decide to get rid of it once and for all. After all, the recipient of the letter: former Yakuza leader of the Shie Hassaikai, Kai Chisaki — Overhaul — wasn't well enough to read it, let alone pick it up.

...and that was because of his arms. The source of his power; the very thing that helped him function—

They were gone. Ripped away from him in an instant by League of Villains leader Shigaraki, just as his dream had been shattered to bits and pieces by the heroes.

The future seemed dark and bleak for the male. And it was.

—

Kai Chisaki wasn't doing well. Even by the third day of extensive treatment, he was still extremely weak — unable to move well on his own. The most he could really do was prop himself up against the pillow, though it was difficult to do so since... his arms weren't exactly—

...it didn't matter now.

As he sat there on the third day, staring at the white sheets, golden gaze blank and lifeless; Kai wondered where the rest of the Shie Hassaikai had been put. 

Surely, Rappa and Tengai hadn't gotten... separated? It was obvious that the two of them needed each other to function properly; after all, a spear couldn't be without a shield, and a shield couldn't be without a spear. And Setsuno... well, he was another story. 

It was certainly difficult to just be sitting here, useless — armless — unable to do anything but wait for the moment when his treatment was over, and it came time for him to be thrown into jail: where he belonged. All he could really do was think.

...and Kai's thoughts were often relentless, dark, and unforgiving. 

Did he even do the right thing? Rushing out like that, impulsive and fierce — spurred on by a fit of rage induced by heroes?

And most importantly: was he the core of the Shie Hassaikai's failure? Their downfall?

If this was true... Could Kai even bear to live with himself? Knowing fully that he was the reason why the group that had nurtured him from a small, scared orphaned boy to the man he was today had disbanded?

Kai then blinked. His golden eyes flickered a bit to the side, eyeing the bundle of crimson flowers at his bedside, before he shut his eyes, laying back.

Perhaps if he slept, the thoughts would go away.

— (time skip; a week later)

Kai had gotten stronger over the course of the week, now able to shift the nubs of his arms around a bit more. His golden eyes had grown sharp again, lidded but attentive whenever a doctor or nurse would come in. He would also perk up whenever a certain medical assistant came into the room.

In particular, you. 

You were kinder than most with him; the movement of your hands delicate and gentle whenever you changed his bandages for him. You also often initiated small talk with him, your kind eyes watching his form intently.

Today was no different. You entered the room, a soft smile on your face as you moved to stand next to his hospital bed. However, there was now a box in your hands, and Kai peered curiously at it, golden eyes flicking up to meet your e/c eyes.

"Chisaki, I have something new for you today. We've been monitoring how you've been doing, and the doctors above me have decided that you're strong enough to have these..." you explained softly, setting the box down on the bedside. You then opened it, revealing its contents.

Metal pieces lay in the box, and Kai noticed that they looked like arms. Prosthetic arms, perhaps? His eyes then widened at what this meant.

Potentially... could he have arms again? This... seemed too good to be true.

"When I put these on, they might sting a little. They're supposed to allow you to channel your quirk through them, though it's a little difficult to get them connected to the right... areas." you then added, frowning a bit as you picked up a piece.

Kai just nodded, looking at you silently. He could take the pain. After all, he had gotten his hands chopped off by force. What couldn't he take at this point?

Besides, around you, he didn't have many complaints. Often, you addressed his concerns before he could say anything about them, and he liked you for that. You respected him.

You then gently grabbed his shoulder, shifting him closer to you slightly. You took the top portion of his right arm and pressed the prosthetic arm against the bottom of it — connecting it.

The process stung, but Kai refused to let it show. He merely grit his teeth tightly. 

Then, you released his arm, looking at him expectantly. Kai got the hint immediately, shifting his new arm. The metal arm twitched slightly, but it wasn't a strong movement. Kai couldn't help but feel a little dejected at that.

You then offered him a soft, sympathetic smile. 

"It's alright. We'll work on it together. It'll be a little hard to get used to, but at least it's something, right?"

Kai nodded, and then you hummed, moving to the other side to connect the other arm. As you went along with your work, he watched intently. 

Silently, Kai then vowed to get strong enough to break free from the chains that were currently holding him down, and reunite the Shie Hassaikai. Hopefully, with you by his side.

You had helped with his recovery, and he couldn't thank you enough for that.