ALL GOOD THINGS
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
"No!" Falling to his knees, hands trembling as they hovered over the prone form of his mentor, tears blurring his vision even if he couldn't let them fall—wouldn't let them fall, because how could he grieve for somebody who wasn't dead? Who wasn't going to die, because this was All Might, his mentor, All Might, his friend, All Might his teacher and supporter and, at times, the strange mix of older brother, father, and crazy uncle he had come to internally consider him as. All Might, the symbol of peace and justice, beloved by all. He couldn't possibly be dying. "Please, no…"
Behind him, Izuku could hear his classmates holding the media back and the pro heroes apprehending several in the League of Villains—though not the ringleader, not the mastermind, it was all for nothing— but he barely noticed them. All Might smiled up at him, blood staining his teeth red—but All Might always smiled, of course he did, but now he was dying and it was because of him, because he hadn't been fast enough—
"H-hey, it's not your fault. It's your turn now."
A sob hitched in the back of his throat and he shook his head frantically. His voice was so quiet, and that was unnatural, even when he was coughing up blood he still talked loudly and confidently. This can't be happening. Please, no. Please please please—"You're supposed to live! Remember?" Remember that we were going to twist your fate? Remember you weren't going to die? "I can't—you promised you'd be there when I'd be able to say I'm here! I'm not ready yet!"
All Might's smile was smaller, dimmer, and he couldn't think about that. He couldn't, wouldn't, shouldn't—all three and he didn't—"You've been ready for a long time, my boy."
"No, no I haven't." Because a part of him had always thought that saying he was ready—and he'd never be ready, because how could you become somebody as good as All Might, as great? How could he, quirkless and tiny, ever measure up to that? "There's so much I have to learn from you still!"
But All Might didn't answer him.
This is my official debut into this fandom, a 400 word drabble about Dad Might dying that I've been sitting on for several weeks. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) for you, there's probably more to come.
... okay, but while the concept of Dad Might inevitably dying hurts me in canon, I really, really like writing about mortality and the human condition? There's not enough fandom material about Toshi contemplating life to satisfy the inner sadist of my soul.
So, obviously, I have to fix that. =) x)
Title is a play on "all good things must come to an end."