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“Midoriya…”
He steps into the UA teacher lounge, quietly closing the door behind him. He gazes at his former teacher (now colleague) and walks carefully over to him, taking meticulous steps. His eyes never leave him as he approaches. When he was called, he was expecting to stop by to discuss something regarding today’s lesson for heroics but the way he looks at him tells him that this isn’t a typical teacher-to-teacher meeting.
“Mr. Aizawa? You-you wanted to see me?” Midoriya asks, a wave of anxiety cascading through his senses.
This feels oddly like high school, being called to Aizawa’s desk to discuss his performance. But this is not high school, he is a teacher now and has been for the past 10 years (and an active pro-hero for two).
“Yeah…sit down.”
Was he in trouble?
No.
The way he gazes at him didn’t scream “you are in trouble”. His expression—troubled, haunted—gives Midoriya the answer he had hoped he would never have to face. He feels it in his gut…he hates to acknowledge it, but he thinks he knows what this is about, why he is here when he should be teaching his homeroom class.
Midoriya grabs the seat from his desk and swivels it over so it’s facing Aizawa. Promptly, he sits down.
“You know All Might hasn’t been doing too well for the past couple of weeks, right?” Aizawa starts.
Midoriya nods, moving his focus to his twiddling thumbs, “Yeah, I am aware. He-he’s at the hospital getting treated…but he’s okay, right? He’s doing fine…right?” He asks, hoping for a sliver of hope that he isn’t pulled out of class to receive some dreaded news.
Aizawa closes his eyes and sighs, “I’m sorry Midoriya, but no, he isn’t.”
No, he isn’t.
Midoriya jumps. Those words hit him like a punch to the gut. His breathing hitches, suddenly feeling a constricting force squeezing his lung, getting worse the longer he sits there.
“W-What do you mean?” Midoriya asks, terrified to hear what Aizawa has to say.
Then, he puts a gentle hand on Midoriya’s lap and gazes into his eyes, a sadness piercing through his gaze, “There’s no easy way to say this, but All Might…he’s dying.”
And there it was—the final blow.
Dying…
That word hung heavy, crushing the air from the room. For a second, everything around him seemed to blur, his mind struggling to catch up with what had just been said. All Might…his mentor, the one who helped him become the hero—no, the person who he is today is…dying.
“No—I—but—” Midoriya opens his mouth to speak, but no words come—just the heavy weight of the news sinking deeper, pulling him down like a stone. He takes a moment to re-center himself before he speaks again, “But how—he was fine w-when I saw him yesterday…how is he—dying?”
He tries to stop himself from letting the tears fall, and the shakes from threatening to overtake his body. But he can’t. Everything around him seems to blur, his mind struggling to conceptualize what Aizawa just said.
“I know…” He leans in and embraces Midoriya in a hug. He accepts, he knows this looks completely unprofessional, but he doesn’t care. After hearing such devastating news, he didn’t know how to act or even think.
“The call wasn’t easy on me…” He continues, hearing Midoriya’s soft whimpers.
He knows Midoriya is no longer his student, but the way he clings to him—desperate, seeking refuge—feels all too familiar. It’s as if he’s comforting that same boy who once carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, forced to give up everything for the sake of saving it. Midoriya may be approaching his 30s, but at this moment, all he sees is a broken kid, the same distraught boy who is terrified of losing the only father figure he’s ever known.
The same Problem Child.
He gently pulls Midoriya off and looks at him, his tearful eyes glistening, “You should go to him…I’ll take care of your class while you are gone. You of all people should be by his side.”
Midoriya lifts a hand to wipe his falling tears, “K-Kacchan…does he k-know?”
Aizawa nods, “He does...just like you, he didn’t take the news so lightly. He is on his way to the hospital.”
“Y-yeah…I’m sure he didn’t—” Shakingly, he grabs his yellow backpack and moves to stand, “I’m gonna go then…I should—get there as soon as possible.”
“Uraraka is outside by the way…” Aizawa interrupts. Immediately, Midoriya’s eyes widen.
Aizawa softly grins, “You think I’m letting you go to the hospital by yourself? In that state? Absolutely not. She agreed to drive you—I mean isn’t that what a fiancé should do?”
A soft chuckle escapes Midoriya’s lips, “I guess…”
“Well, go. And um—give All Might my thanks—for everything…” Aizawa says, his voice slightly quivering.
“Of course, thanks, Mr. Aizawa.”
Midoriya heads out with his head hung low and his thoughts running at miles per minute. Aizawa takes a few deep breaths, not letting his own emotions get the best of him.
First Shirakumo, then Kayama, and now Toshinori.
He hates death and can’t stand to face it…not again. Seeing Shirakumo’s and Kayama’s lifeless bodies is enough for him…he can’t stand seeing another person he cares about in that state again. So, he waits, hoping Midoriya will be okay, that he could somehow move forward from an event he had never wanted to witness.
“Thanks, Ochaco…for the drive,” Midoriya says as they walk into the hospital, his hand grasping hers.
“Of course, Deku. I rather you don’t go on your own, you know?” Uraraka replies. She then grabs Midoriya’s unoccupied hand and clasps them between hers, feeling the scars that riddle his skin, “I’m so sorry, Deku.”
“Yeah…” He sighs, not knowing what else to say, “You-you sure you want to come?”
Uraraka nods, “I have to be there for you, Deku. No matter how hard it may be. Plus, I want to see my former teacher and the one who made you the amazing person that you are one last time.”
Midoriya was ready to bawl his eyes out after hearing her response, but he stopped. He didn’t want to break down, not right now.
“Okay, let’s go. Thanks, Ochaco.” He smiles, or at least he tries.
.
.
.
The nurse gives him a run down on All Might’s condition, and it doesn’t look good. His organs are failing, and no medication or treatment has been able to stop his rapidly deteriorating condition. He’s been given some pain relievers to make him as comfortable as possible…that’s all they could do. But what hurt was what she told him afterward.
All Might has minutes to live.
So, with that, he pushes the door and walks in with Uraraka pressed beside him.
“Oh—m-my boy…” All Might whispers, his head slowly moving to look at him.
“All Might…h-hi,” He replies, his voice trembling.
His eyes trail and notices Kacchan, sitting beside his mentor. The explosion quirk user rubs his eyes and turns to look at the new visitors, and the sight he sees breaks him. His eyes are bloodshot and puffy, a clear sign that Kacchan has been crying. He does his best to hide it but fails drastically.
“Hey, Izuku…Uraraka,” Kacchan voices, standing up. He is wearing his hero outfit except for his gauntlets which he has set beside the door. Based on his fit, he must’ve come running from work.
“Hey, Bakugo…good to see you,” Uraraka replies for Midoriya.
Midoriya and Uraraka stand beside Kacchan with the green-haired hero placed in the middle. They don’t say anything, they simply exchange glances, too choked up to say anything. Their focus soon moves to their former teacher, his pale and wrinkly complexion staring at the two. His eyes blink slowly, each time struggling to reopen. But when he looks at them, he smiles—a familiar, shining grin that Midoriya knows all too well. It’s the same smile he has always given him…the same one he always loved seeing.
It feels like he was coming to his office at UA, to discuss One for All, and not to visit his deathbed.
“I’m so glad—to see you—three,” All Might starts. He lies there, smiling softly, his eyes tired but still kind, “Young Uraraka, Young Bakugo, Young Midoriya—it’s good to see your—faces.” He chuckles but is soon interrupted by a ravaging cough.
“All Might!” Midoriya yelps. Kacchan also perks up and leans a little forward, ready to act if needed.
“Oh—sorry…” All Might apologizes, letting the cough subside, “This old body of mine—just doesn’t work how it used to.”
The three listen and they want to laugh at his joke, but they can’t. Their teacher, their mentor, their…loved one is dying. They are heroes, trained for combat, disaster, and pain—but not this, not watching someone they love fade away. Midoriya gazes at the heart monitor beside him, its steady beeping filling the silence—a constant reminder of how fragile the moment is, and how much he dreads the thought of that rhythmic sound stopping.
All Might eyes scan the three and his face morphs, noticing their clear distress, “Hey…” He weakly lifts a shaky hand and Midoriya immediately takes it and wraps his fingers around his, feeling the warmth, feeling how his blood continues to flow—his heart still blazing.
“It's okay," he says, his eyes warm with acceptance, “This was going to happen—but I’m happy with everything I have—done.” His gaze locks on Midoriya. He notices and he can’t help but let the waterworks develop, tears threatening to spill.
“I’m so proud of every single one of you…you all became—amazing heroes…” All Might states, ensuring to look at his three former students, “It’s been an honor…seeing you all grow…”
Midoriya wants to yell, his heart urging to stop him from uttering those words. He didn’t want to hear it. He wants to hear him say those words when they are having their weekly dinners. When All Might stops by his apartment to cook some dinner together and discuss their days…from the jaw-dropping moments to the mundane occurrences. But not here.
“All Might…I—” Midoriya begins but his words get drowned out by the hitches forcing themselves out. Uraraka notices his struggle and wraps her arm around him, “I don’t want you to—go…there’s still so much—so much I want to show you…o-our wedding…my future kids…there’s so much…”
All Might squeezes his hand—or at least tries to and lets out a quiet chuckle, almost a sigh, and speaks, his voice soft but steady.
“I’ll be there every step of the way—young Midoriya. I can’t—I can’t wait to see what’s next for you—my boy. I’ve seen how amazing of a pro-hero you’ve become…you’re continuing to inspire others, and I couldn’t be prouder.” All Might informs.
Midoriya listens. Tears of grief well up from the corner of his eyes before they begin to fall.
“Young Uraraka,” Uraraka perks up, “Take care of him for me, and continue to be the amazing hero that you are, okay?”
Her lips tremble but she smiles and nods, “Will do, and thank you so much, All Might…for everything.”
“And young Bakugo…” His eyes move to him who has remained silent this entire time, constantly sniffling and silently wiping away the creeping tears, “You have inspired me so much, young man. From your determination to your selflessness—it’s been amazing to—see. I love seeing your growth. Keep fighting with your—fiery might. And take care of him for—me while I’m gone.”
Bakugo nods. He clears his throat before replying, “Yeah…thanks All Might for helping me out through everything. And thank you for tolerating my dumbass self in high school.”
All Might smiles, “Of course…”
The room goes quiet, except for the steady beep of the machine and the rustling of their quiet breaths as if they were all waiting for the inevitable. But All Might speaks once more. The attention of the three young heroes snaps back to him.
“I said—everything I wanted to say but I want to know—” All Might expresses, “Are you happy? Are you all content—with your lives?”
The three exchange a quick glance, smiling before turning their attention back to All Might, “Yeah, we are,” They reply in unison, smiling with sniffles filling the hospital room.
“I-I’m glad and young Mido—no, Izuku…did I accomplish my duty of helping you become the greatest hero, did I help you reach your—goals?”
Midoriya’s heart trembles. The question hung in the air, delicate but piercing. He didn’t understand why he was asking that question, in his final moments. He should know—he should know that he did more than that.
Yet, the way he stares at him tells him that he genuinely wants a response.
But how could he answer? How could he even begin to explain that it wasn’t just about being a hero? It was everything—everything he had done for him, for all of them. He did so much more than help him become a hero—so so much more.
“You—” His voice cracks, the words catching in his throat. He wipes his face with a shaking hand, but the tears continue to course down his cheeks, no matter how hard he tries to stop them. “You—you did more than that,” he stutters, his voice barely more than a whisper. "You made me who I am. I—"
He pauses, struggling to find the strength to continue, his heart aching with every word. "I wouldn’t be here without you. I—I can never thank you enough."
All Might smiles, weaker this time, nothing but warmth radiating from that grin.
“But yes…All Might. You did it—you accomplished your duties. You helped me reach my goals of becoming a hero and so many more,” Midoriya concludes.
“I-I’m glad to hear that…then I can go knowing—I did what I wanted to do—” All Might whispers, his eyes closing immediately after he utters those final words.
Midoriya, however, panics.
“All Might?” Midoriya asks, his heart hitching, “A-All Might?” But he says nothing.
“No…please—don’t…” He dives over the bed and hugs him, everything around him blurring into silence, time itself feeling distant, “I can’t…I don’t—”
“My boy…” He sighs, “You can—I’ll be—right beside—you…”
His arms wrap tightly around his frail body, feeling the shallow rise and fall of each labored breath. He holds him as if the sheer strength of his squeeze will keep him here, that it will pull him back from the edge. But the breaths become slower and fainter. The warmth that once radiated from his mentor begins to fade, leaving behind a chilling stillness.
He feels it, he feels it all. The rapid depletion of his life draining from his body, and all Midoriya does is hug him, keeping him tightly in his embrace. His head rests on his chest, burying his face and letting the sobs become muffled. He feels the soft thrum of his heart, each beat drawing him deeper in.
“I’m going to—miss you…” His voice squeaks, hot torrents of grief coursing down and staining his mentor’s shirt.
All Might says nothing yet, Midoriya listens.
The thumps become fainter.
And fainter…
And fainter…
And—fainter…
Until there is nothing…and the dreadful sustained beeping of the monitor fills the soulless place.
“No…”
He presses harder onto his chest, wishing and hoping that this is just his mind playing tricks. But the faint rhythm of his breathing—it isn’t there. The warmth that had always been there, guiding him, comforting him, is gone.
That’s when it hits him.
His hug tightens and a disgruntled cry, raw and broken, somewhere between a wail and a gasp comes out.
“ALL MIGHT! No! Please…”
His tears run down like a broken dam, uncontrollable and without stop. His body shakes, wracked with the pain of a goodbye he had never wanted to say.
“Deku…” A hand presses on his back, warm and comforting, urging him to let go.
But he didn’t.
“Come on…” Uraraka gently says.
Eventually, his trembling hands loosen their grip, but he can’t bring himself to pull away, not yet. He stays there, his heart breaking, clinging to the silence that follows as if staying close could somehow bring him back.
“It’s okay, Deku…” Uraraka wraps him in a hug and Midoriya takes it without hesitation, burying his anguish in her shoulder. She looks at Bakugo and motions to join her, which he does. “It’ll be okay…we’ll move forward…let’s continue to make him proud.”
And they let themselves cry, letting the room fill with their anguished wails until the nurses come and take him away.