Shattered Dreams

Breakout

Although every ounce of One For All was now gone from his body, All Might was far from dead.

Despite his fragile-looking appearance the Symbol of Peace seemed to be on a casual jog, whereas a sweat-soaked, overheating Izuku was lagging behind. It had been going on like this for the last fifteen miles.

... But well. If the teen had been focusing more on his breathing rather than whatever he may have on his mind (which probably had nothing to do with his training), his performance would have been much better, the blond thought.

Lost in thought his young successor didn't even notice he had stopped.
All Might had to grab his shoulder to keep him from bumping right into his chest.

- What's going on, Midoriya-shōnen? Rule n°12 of the American Dream Plan I made to train you for the UA entrance exam: eyes on the road when you run!
- S-Sorry!!

As soon as he was back on balance Izuku immediately proceeded to stretch, without even catching his breath.

The older man shook his head and leaned back against a tree.
- Okay, let's take a break so you can tell me what's on your mind! he offered. You've been mumbling to yourself for the last half hour, and I highly doubt it had to do with Eraser's last test.

- How does it feel, to be at the top?

All Might raised a surprised brow and stared back at his successor.

Was that what he was worrying over right now?
Although he still had much, much to learn, and the blond had sworn he'd teach him all he knew?

He couldn't help but smile.

- Being the N°1 Hero, you mean?

The green-haired teen nodded and looked away, biting his lower lip.
- Well, yeah, I mean... how can you handle all the pressure? I guess that once you get to the top and you're above everyone, you can no longer make mistakes, can you? But haven't you ever felt...
He seemed to look for the right word.
- ... Alone?

No more mistakes allowed.
Feeling alone.

The last two sentences echoed in All Might's mind.

He had a blank, and he looked for what to answer.
Izuku always asked the most sensible questions, at the most unexpected time.
The Symbol of Peace should have gotten used to it by now, shouldn't he?

Plus, as his successor, the young man would get to the top himself one day, so the blond had to be nothing but honest.

All Might sighed and scratched his hair.
- Everybody has the right to make mistakes, Midoriya-shōnen. All that matters is that they help you move forward instead of making them again. ...Though numerous times it may seem much easier said than done, he confessed. But you're right, even if the N°1 Hero is still human, people quickly tend to assume that they're invincible. However someday, they may be forced to make sacrifices they can never digest.

His ocean blue eyes quivered and he looked away.

"I, too, need a hero... Someone to be there and catch me when everything collapses around me."

For a minute, everything vanished and All Might felt weak, so weak, as his mind rewound a few weeks back.

As he was about to hit the ground, he had been held back.

Then he had been lifted in the air, as if he weighed nothing, and pressed against a powerful chest through which he could vaguely make out a racing heartbeat.