#smashfist

“ merry christmas, all might! ”   he exclaims, bounding forward to meet the retired hero. there’s a bright, easygoing smile on izuku’s face, that all too familiar happiness and residual excitement that he feels at seeing not only his idol and inspiration, but his teacher and mentor. his smile only grows at the hair ruffle, a gesture he’s sure that would have embarrassed or annoyed others but only makes him feel warm and happy inside, the same way his mother’s hugs always comfort and soothe him. 

the gift is unexpected, and izuku holds it reverently. while his blind idolization of all might has settled somewhat into a more relaxed but no less fervent admiration and respect for the former number one hero, it’s hard to break old habits and not treat everything all might related with the utmost care and reverence. whatever it is all might is gifting him, he’ll treat it with the greatest respect and cherish it forever! 

he’s expecting something small, like maybe a notebook, or some pens, but when he opens the box izuku’s mouth parts, staring down at the shin guards with surprise. new gear? from all might himself? izuku is already restless, practically vibrating where he stands in an effort to not immediately slip on his hero costume and the shin guards to try and test them out (not that they’d be anything less than perfect of course!! all might gave these to him). his mother raised him properly however, teaching him manners, and izuku would never dream of touching the guards without expressing his profuse thanks first.

he’s about to say thank you when all might continues, revealing the true nature and origin of the shin guards, and izuku’s eyes widen, fingers spasming in shock for a second, nearly dropping the box before he recovers. “ these are — ”  izuku gapes, and tears his gaze away from all might to look back down into the box. towards the shin guards. that belonged … to all might’s mentor. the woman who’d trained him. the seventh user of one for all …..

all might was entrusted him with something of hers … ?

something so important and cherished, given by the way it’s been cared for … all might was giving it to him.

trusting him with it — believing it was fit for him.

izuku’s lip wobbles and he fights against the tears building in his eyes. don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry don’t cry —-

“ all might … ”  he looks up, and he’s crying. not a lot – but the mist and glossiness of his eyes can’t be mistaken for anything else. but despite his tears, despite the way his voice wavers and wobbles with emotion … there’s a smile on his face.

“ i’ll do my best … ”  he chokes out, and balances the box in one arm so he can rub at his eyes with the other, sniffing hard before steeling his resolve and smiling wider, a look of determination and understanding on his face. “ i’ll be sure to take care of them and do my best to use them right! ” he promises. he has so much to live up to — and he will. he will.