Fandom: Boku no Hero Academia (BNHA)
Expendable: (adjective) of little significance when compared to an overall purpose, and therefore able to be abandoned.
Toshinori's always considered himself expendable, at least when his loved ones are involved.
[Contains Toshinko and major character death, and major spoilers for the manga]
It’s only 6 in the evening, and Toshinori Yagi is a nervous wreck.
By all accounts, he shouldn’t be; he’s going on a date with the woman of his dreams, a very kind woman who cares about him more than he feels he deserves. The very same woman who also happens to be the mother of his protégé.
For a while, they met to discuss Izuku and his progress.
He isn’t quite sure when their little “meetups” became full-blown “dates,” but ever since then, they’ve been seeing each other regularly. Of course, everyone knows of their relationship - there’s really no way to truly be subtle, since it’s extremely difficult to find someone who doesn’t know of All Might. Even though he’s just Toshinori now, and can’t maintain his hero form for more than a scant couple of seconds, he is always recognized.
In a way, it’s a bit liberating to not have to worry about his time limit anymore - but on the other side of the coin, the fact that he no longer has the ability to protect torments him every day.
Shaking off the thoughts, he sits for a moment in his car in front of the Midoriyas’ house; in his pocket, he fingers the fringe of the warm red scarf he’s purchased just for the occasion - although he often gifts Inko with flowers or chocolates or other such trinkets, he’s noticed that she is lacking in a scarf, and often shivers in the cold. As a man whose lanky frame and state of health make him particularly susceptible to lower temperatures, he can understand the value of having proper clothing. She’s been saying for some time that she ought to knit herself a new scarf but, he figures, it’s easier to buy her one, to save her time and do something nice for the woman he loves.
He approaches the door with some trepidation, bony fingers knocking on the wood before he can allow himself a chance of anxiety-driven hesitation. Soft footfalls pad closer to the door before it opens with a low creak, and he can’t help the smile that spans across his face.
She’s greeting him with a soft smile as always, although she seems a bit nervous to be seen in what he realizes is a new dress. Slight amounts of makeup adorn her face, and she holds a purse, keeping her hands behind her back for a moment. He realizes she’s feeling self-conscious. He’s no stranger to feeling that way, either.
He thinks she’s beautiful.
It isn’t particularly cold on this night, but he presents her with the scarf anyway, blushing deeply as he does so. The look on her face alone is worth it, he thinks as she pulls him down by the tie to press a kiss to his cheek. His entire face blossoms in a rosy blush.
There’s a soft blush on her face as she tucks his gift gently around her neck, and he isn’t quite sure if it’s from the slight chill in the air or something else entirely.
He’s never been very good at this whole romance thing. When he worked as a hero, he never had time nor the interest to pursue anyone - and those interested in him were always shallow fangirls. Now, though, he’s free to date - but that doesn’t mean he’s particularly suave, or good at it. He’s just his typical self, a little awkward and always worrying about others.
He feels so defenseless without his powers, however. It may be years since his final stand with All For One, but he is still no more used to his newfound perpetual weakness. Luckily, he hasn’t been met with very many villains while out and about, and when he has, there have always been other heroes there. He’s just useless as he is now.
But no, he shouldn’t think about this, he’s on a date with Inko Midoriya, the woman he’s been with for years, and she deserves nothing but his full and utmost attention.
As they exit the car, he can’t help but look down at the sight of her cuddled into his arm. Her elbow is hooked together with his, and she offers up a slight smile, face tinged pink as they enter the restaurant.
Dinner is nothing but a blur to Toshinori; he’s more invested in the beautiful woman sitting opposite him. She’s laughing and telling jokes in a way that makes his heart twist with a pleasant pang of joy and he can’t seem to look away from her face.
That is, until there’s a sudden and loud smashing noise coming from outside, followed by several shrill screams. Half the restaurant begins to crumble, and patrons make a mad dash for the exit in terror. Caught in the stampede, the former hero pulls Inko to the side of the street, glancing over her for any sign of an injury. He finds none, but turns forward, and wishes he hadn’t.
He remembers this particular villain distinctly. He’s brutal and ruthless, going by the name of The Scourge; he takes the form of a larger than normal man, but with sharp spikes and other implements that may retract into his body at will, as well as extremely enhanced speed and strength. He’s well known for leaving few, if any, survivors in his wake.
Toshinori feels his heart constrict and his pulse gallop. Of all the villains for him to be faced with while Quirkless and defenseless, it has to be this one. He’s defeated The Scourge before, but when he was in the prime of his power - a state he is certainly not in now. He’s in trouble.
More than anything, he needs to keep Inko safe, no matter the cost to himself.
The attack feels sudden, though; he isn’t sure what’s brought this on, as at first glance he sees no other villains. Then The Scourge laughs, running his tongue over cruelly sharp and pointed teeth, and Toshinori’s blood runs cold.
“Will ya look at that? They were fuckin’ right. All Might, enjoyin’ a little dinner with his little girlfriend.” The villain cackles, making the former hero’s teeth clench in fury.
“If you so much as touch her, I’ll -”
He’s cut off by a massive blow to the buildings right next to them; although the structures remain stable and don’t crumble, he is forced to dodge, pulling Inko with him.
“Stay here. Please,” he begs, scanning the horizon for any possible approaching heroes. Despite the number of panicked civilians around, there aren’t any rescuers present yet.
If I can just buy some time…
He braces his arms in his famous fighting stance, but without the power of muscle to back up the pose, he hardly forms an imposing figure, despite his height. The criminal only laughs.
The attack comes before he has a chance to react, let alone dodge. The sharp spikes of The Scourge’s body pierce deep into his flesh, sending him staggering back in pain. He’s unbalanced on his feet and begins to topple, but isn't allowed to as he is hit with an onslaught of punches. The impacts come hard and fast, breaking bones with audible crunches; in unbelievable pain, Toshinori realizes how damn useless he really is.
It's almost funny how the former Number One Hero is now being so thoroughly destroyed by the same villain he once incapacitated.
There's nothing he can do except take the beating and pain, and pray that his actions buy time for the civilians. He can't fight against the criminal, and he certainly can't beat him; right now, the only purpose he can serve is as a distraction.
As his arm fractures with a wet snap, Toshinori draws in a faint breath, oblivious to Inko’s quiet gasps behind him.
If he can keep her safe, everything will have all been worth it.
But he’s losing blood fast; there are more puncture wounds and bruises on his body than he cares to count, and he feels woozy, barely able to stand.
“I wonder, All Might, if ya wanna see yer pretty little girlfriend die before ya.” The Scourge leers down at him, goading and teasing the already physically broken man; in one last show of defiance, Toshinori raises his chin, emaciated and weakening body shaking with anger.
“Don’t even think about touching my family.”
It’s at that very moment that a group of pro heroes crests over the hill, and Toshinori’s heart lifts. His guard is down, though, and the villain launches a last attack. The punch hits just to the left of the former hero’s old wound, and the spike combined with the extreme force sends him flying into the dilapidated ruins of an abandoned building on the other side of the road. After the dust cloud has settled, nothing stirs, and silence reigns for a moment.
Inko hates that she doesn’t know what to do. She’s shaking, and she’s terrified, but more than anything she fears for Toshinori.
One of the arriving heroes - she doesn’t know which one - is engaged in combat with the villain, and she runs over to the rubble of the abandoned building, heart pounding in her chest, the scarf dropped and forgotten.
She can barely see the shock of golden hair amidst the wreckage, but when she does she begins to panic. Her Quirk is practically useless in such a vital, grave situation, but there’s nothing else she can do except attempt to move the chunks of concrete and stone off of Toshinori’s prone form.
Pulling the bits of crumbled building towards her, she finds with a stab of shock that the job feels somewhat easier than she expected it to. With the adrenaline coursing through her veins, though, she pays it no mind, deeming it something to be thought about later.
There’s a particularly large and stubborn piece of concrete almost directly on top of the man, and by the time Inko struggles and manages to free him, she’s horrified at the extent of his injuries. He’s surrounded by a halo of slick crimson blood; it’s everywhere, staining his mustard-yellow suit and smearing all across the concrete. She doesn’t even want to think about broken bones and the incredibly likely internal bleeding he’s suffering.
Inko doesn’t think she’s seen this much blood in her entire life, and by the time she manages to drag Toshinori (while mentally apologizing for having to move him so unceremoniously) to a more safe, flat patch of ground, there’s a trail of smeared blood leading all the way there. She tries to make him more comfortable, arranging his arms and legs into more natural, unbroken positions and placing his head in her lap.
Although she’s fighting off tears now, she strokes his cheek gently, chest heaving with emotion as she tries to remain calm for his sake. With a low groan, it’s then at last that he opens his eyes, blue lights flickering to life inside darkened orbs.
The first thing he notices is the crushing, devastating pain he feels resonating in every bone in his unfortunate body.
The second thing he notices is the terrified, teary form of the woman he loves.
The third thing he notices is that he’s dying.
It’s funny that, as much as he had reacted to the prospect of dying with nonchalance and a resigned shrug, now more than ever Toshinori wants to live.
He gasps for air, another spurt of blood flying from his mouth with his efforts. Chest rising and falling, he blinks, nestling his head further into the pillow of Inko’s thighs. She looks down at him, running a hand through his tangled mess of blond hair while tears bead in her eyes.
Toshinori smiles, because she’s safe, and that’s all that truly matters at the moment.
“I’m sorry,” he croaks finally, the words for being so reckless hanging unspoken in the air.
I’m sorry for dying on you.
“How many times have I told you… not to throw your life away for the sake of others? You stupid, stupid man!”
She clutches at his suit, the yellow material now liberally stained with blood, and quivers; hot tears fall upon his face, practically burning the skin. His fingers feel numb, but he reaches to entwine them with Inko’s, gripping her hand tightly. They both ignore the startlingly bright crimson blood on her hands, and all around them.
He looks up at her voice, making eye contact with her, and is surprised to see her eyes hard in anger.
“You shouldn’t have tried so hard to protect me, Toshinori! You’re human, not a villain-fighting machine! Sometimes…” Her voice trails off, becoming quieter and quieter by the second.
“Sometimes you just can’t protect everyone you’d like to protect.”
He blinks for a moment, puzzled, because of course he’s going to protect the people he loves? He’s All Might, the hero who saves people with a fearless smile! - or, at least, he used to be.
“Protecting people is something I need to do, Inko. Your lives are more important than mine.”
He smiles then, grinning despite his fear, because it’s true. He’d rather see himself bleeding to death on a dusty street than any of the people he’s vowed to protect.
Toshinori looks up at her, but her face is contorted in a grimace, and her tears roll down his cheeks. Her free hand tightens in the material of his suit.
“Don’t ever say that again! You’re important, Toshinori. So, so important, to me and Izuku.”
That’s when he pauses, grin faltering slightly. Protecting others is all that has ever mattered to him.
“Izuku… I wonder what will happen now that he no longer has a mentor. Perhaps Aizawa will take him under his wing…”
“He doesn’t need another mentor, because you’re not going to die!” Her voice warbles with denial and the force of her tears, and his heart clutches. He shouldn’t be causing so much anguish to the woman he loves.
It’s all he can say, although he knows it isn’t enough. It will never be enough.
He closes his eyes in the face of overwhelming pain, and thinks the next breath might be his last - at least, until he hears a familiar shout, and musters the strength to continue. “All Might!!”
He turns his head a fraction, muddy vision meeting with the sight of his protégé running towards him as fast as his red sneakers will carry him.
No, please, not now… Don't see me like this!
The boy’s green tinged hair flops as he skids to a stop in front of the mangled form of his mentor, eyes horrified and enlarging.
Izuku’s mother looks up at him tearfully, and it’s in that very moment that he understands the older man is dying. He falls to his knees, ignoring the pain that streaks up his legs from the hard asphalt, his eyes dazed and vacant. His hands hover over Toshinori’s wounds, over deep, bleeding gashes and broken bones - but there’s nothing he can do, there’s nothing anyone can do to save him.
Toshinori coughs, blood splashing onto his lips, and fights to make eye contact with the teenager.
“Izuku… this is nonsense. You have to go. Save people.”
The inheritor of One For All looks up, head quirked slightly to the side.
The dying man smiles, staring steadily into teary emerald eyes for as long as his stamina will allow him. There’s a calm in the air now, despite the battle ensuing behind them.
“Son… you’re the Symbol of Peace now. Stand there, and tell them you are here.”
He doesn’t realize he’s used the word son until the green eyes of both Midoriyas widen, and his frail, dying body is attacked by a hug from the boy he took under his wing, so long ago. The boy is careful not to hurt him any further, but it doesn’t matter - his wounds don’t hurt so much anymore, not even his old one, although his vision is blurring around the edges, and he can barely find the strength to speak again.
“Be the hero you always wanted to be. Be the hero I know you are.”
His grip on Inko’s hand tightens as the grin he’s been falsely wearing for the past fifteen minutes comes loose for a moment, and he grimaces in pain. She squeezes his hand back, providing comfort; she looks around for an ambulance or any type of medical care, seeming hopeful - but he knows he’s dying.
There’s no way out of this one.
“It’s alright - it’s ‘all might!’”
Toshinori pulls the woman’s attention back to him. He’s struggling for breath, but he doesn’t think he can take dying without looking at her smile one more time. She seems to realize, with a strangled gasp and scream of a cry, that her efforts to save him are futile. She gently cups his head in her hands, tears dropping freely now as he begs her not to cry.
He’s terrified. Now that he’s finally got something to live for, a family, and all he can do is die for them - he doesn’t think he can take the injustice of it all. He grits his teeth as he maintains, out of habit, the fearless smile he’s held in the face of danger for all of these years. It’s for their sake, as well as for his own.
“Please don’t cry,” he rasps again, rapidly losing the strength to speak. With the hand that is not currently gripping the older Midoriya’s like it is a lifeline, he wipes tears from her eyes; his efforts are to no avail, for as quickly as he can wipe the droplets away, they are replaced by a thousand more in a moment.
Izuku’s sobbing now as well, kneeling by the side of the man who nurtured and protected him for so long - the teenage boy is trembling, and this has nothing to do with losing the man he looks up to as a hero.
It has everything to do with losing the man he looks up to as a father.
Toshinori’s smile wavers for a moment, but soon recovers, growing wider than Izuku’s ever seen it, even on TV. The man formerly known as All Might finds that his grip on Inko’s hand loosens as his muscles fail him; slick with blood, his fingers fall from hers, hitting the concrete with a soft thud. Fading in and out of consciousness, he barely registers that she’s pulled him up, further into her arms, and is now cradling him close to her chest - he’s struggling to keep smiling, and his heart is slowing.
But he’s always had the spirit of a fighter, and with the tenacity he’s had his entire life, he manages to cling to the cusp of consciousness for a few more seconds.
“T-Take care of your mom, son,” he wheezes with a sense of finality, and even as the already dim light begins to fade from sunken and haunted blue eyes, tired from a lifetime of heroics, he can see Izuku’s taking these words to heart; tears streaming down his face, he’s sitting back on his knees, nodding fiercely and trying to put on a brave expression.
It warms Toshinori’s dying heart.
His chest rattles as he draws his last breath, just as those villains wished for him so long ago, at the USJ - only now he’s surrounded by his loved ones, his most precious family. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Inko force a smile for him; he knows it’s only for his sake and not her own, as she’s still crying just as before, with no sign of ever stopping.
At least you’re safe now.
Eyelids finally slide closed over empty cerulean eyes, and at last All Might is still.
There’s silence for a long while after that, punctuated only by the shuddery gasps and increasingly loud sorrow of the two Midoriyas. The fight in the background between heroes and villains goes unnoticed, and for once Izuku isn’t paying attention to the appearance of a new hero.
Things are all too surreal, and all too terrible.
Through a haze of tears, Inko spots the bright red scarf, lying discarded no more than a few feet away; she scoops it to her chest, weeping into the material and refusing to look at Toshinori’s body.
Izuku, meanwhile, can’t bring himself to look away from the lifeless form of his mentor and father figure; the tears still stream down his face as well, and he’s shivering, as if he can’t believe this is reality.
Although now their family is just two people, as small as it was for the years since his biological father left them, now it feels as if something important is missing. There’s an empty hole in the Midoriya family, and suddenly all the figures and posters in Izuku’s room are ten times more important to him than they ever were before.
They’re all he has left, of the greatest hero and father, All Might.
You’ll always be my family.
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