Work Text:
Toshinori ran through the ruins of what used to be U.A., searching.
He had to find his boy.
He had to find-
Oh.
Oh no.
All at once, he saw him.
Izuku laid in the middle of what used to be one of the courtyards, the body of All for One next to him. Blood pooled all around him and his stomach was torn open, a large gaping wound showing off his internal organs.
Toshinori swore and tried to run faster, ignoring the pain in his side.
As he approached, Izuku tilted his head slightly to see him. His eyes were glossy and only barely seemed to register Toshinori’s approach.
This wasn’t a good sign.
Gently, Toshinori kneeled down next to Izuku and grabbed one of his hands, subtly manoeuvring one thumb to check his pulse while still holding his hand.
“Hold me, please? I want you here,” Izuku asked him weakly.
Tears began to stream down Toshinori’s cheeks, dripping down onto Izuku’s face. It wiped away the blood, letting Toshinori see the gaping hole where one of Izuku’s ears used to be and the chunks in his arms that were missing.
“It’s okay, because I am here.”
Izuku giggled slightly and smiled up at Toshinori.
He gently picked up Izuku and pulled him into his lap. And oh how light he was. It wasn’t right.
“I’m sorry,” was the first thing Izuku said when he was adjusted.
“Shhhh, it’s okay, my boy. You’ll be okay. Just hold on a little longer…” Toshinori said as he tried to comfort Izuku.
Izuku’s famous waterworks began to make their appearance, quickly soaking Toshinori’s lap and shirt but he didn’t care.
His boy was too young for this. Izuku shouldn’t have had to fight All for One at all.
He should have been stronger, all those years ago. He should have killed All for One when he had the chance.
He…
He should have been the hero that Izuku needed.
“I’m not making it out of this one, All Might,” Izuku coughed up some blood. “I just want to rest. Please, can I rest?”
Tears sparkled at the corner of his eyes, “My boy… please no. Please don’t leave me.”
Izuku coughed up more blood.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I can’t do it.”
“It’s okay, my boy,” All Might choked out. “I’m so very proud of you. So proud.” He had to be here for Izuku, now. He couldn’t retreat into his shell again when his boy needed him.
A tinge of light sparkled in his successor’s eyes.
His pulse dropped rapidly, slowing.
“You can rest now. You can rest,” Toshinori told him as he pulled his boy, his son, closer
The paramedics weren’t coming. There were too many others that needed attention and they were too far out of the main battle field. No one would be looking for them for hours.
Izuku just stared up at him, waterworks slowing to barely a trickle, “Thanks, Dad.”
His pulse under Toshinori’s thumb vanished.