Night had already fallen when Reinhard returned from spending the day with Mirio and Tamaki. The city outside was quiet. The street lamps cast pools of yellow light across the pavement. For the first time in weeks, he did not pause in front of the hospital window. He stepped inside.
The familiar hum of the machines greeted him. A steady rhythm that had become both comforting and torturous. He approached All Might's bed and took a seat in the chair beside it.
The hero's chest rose and fell faintly under the covers, wires and tubes connecting him to the machines that kept him alive.
All Might looked smaller, fragile. Reinhard's hand hovered over the sheet before finally resting lightly on the hero's arm.
"I had a good day," he said quietly. His voice trembled slightly, but he kept going. "I made friends. Real friends. People who like me for me, not because of what I can do or who I know."
A small laugh escaped him, shy and embarrassed. "And I won an All Might plushy." He chuckled again, louder this time. "Can you believe that? And it was huge. I... I don't know. It is kind of childish, but I am happy."
The words hung in the air, fragile and bright. Reinhard's smile faltered as he dropped his gaze to the steady blinking of the monitors. Each beep felt like a reminder of how little control he had over the situation.
"But it is more than that," he continued, voice low. "I am not alone anymore. I do not feel empty like before."
Reinhard paused, "Please wake up. I want to see you hear it... dad"
The silence pressed in around him. Reinhard sat frozen, staring at the faint rise and fall of All Might's chest, willing him to respond, even just a little.
Hours passed. Reinhard did not leave. He stayed beside the bed, talking in bits. Sometimes he recounted silly moments from the day.
He talked about Mirio spilling soda over himself, about Tamaki's face when he explained a game, about Mirio laughing at everything. He laughed too, softly, letting the sound fill the quiet hospital room.
When the laughter faded, he grew serious again.
Eventually, mental exhaustion caught up with him. He leaned forward, resting his forehead gently on the edge of All Might's bed. "I will go home now, but I will be back tomorrow. I promise."
That night, for the first time in a long while, Reinhard slept peacefully. The nightmares of being alone, of failing to protect All Might, faded into the background. They were replaced by the warmth of small victories, the joy of friends, and the faint hope that maybe things would be okay.
...
A week gone by, the sky dawned bright and clear. Reinhard stepped out of the apartment building. The cool air brushed against his face. For a moment, he paused, taking in the quiet city and the soft murmur of traffic waking up. He had a small smile. Today felt lighter somehow.
He had made a routine, before heading to school, Reinhard made a stop at the hospital.
The soft beeping of monitors sounded like an old friend. He stepped quietly to the bed and placed a hand over the sheets.
"Im heading to school, see you later," he whispered. "I will make you proud dad. I promise."
As he left, he felt lighter. His steps were quicker, his back a little straighter.
...
On his walk to school, Mirio and Tamaki fell into step beside him. Mirio was energetic and chatty, talking about heroes, training techniques, and his favorite fights. Tamaki, quieter, occasionally nodded and added small comments, thoughtful and precise. Reinhard found himself laughing along, sharing small stories from his life. The friendship felt new and exciting.
By lunch, the three of them had settled under a tree in the schoolyard. Tamaki leaned back against the trunk, poking at his lunch, while Mirio gestured wildly, animated as ever.
"So, what is your quirk?" Mirio asked, leaning forward with a wide grin. "We have been dying to know."
Reinhard hesitated. He remembered Nezu's advice. His powers were different, people could not find out.
"My quirk is called Divine Protection," he began carefully. "It lets me adapt to whatever situation I need."
Mirio's eyes went wide. "Whoa, that is awesome! So you can adjust to anything?"
"Sort of," Reinhard said, smiling faintly.
Tamaki nodded slowly. "That is amazing."
They introduced their quirks in turn. Mirio's was Permeation, allowing him to pass through any solid object. Tamaki's was Manifest, letting him manifest things on his body based on what he ate—tentacles, fins, even protective shells. Reinhard complimented both of them genuinely, admiring them.
Then Mirio leaned back, eyes sparkling. "So, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
Reinhard paused, thinking of All Might's broad smile, the way he had always stood as a symbol for everyone.
He smiled softly.
"I want to be a hero. A symbol people can rely on. Someone who can protect everyone."
Mirio and Tamaki exchanged a glance. "That is really cool," Tamaki said. "Sounds exactly like All Might."
"Yeah," Mirio added with a grin. "I know you can do it!"
Their laughter and conversation flowed easily, filled with the lightness of youth and friendship.
Suddenly, Reinhard's phone buzzed sharply. The screen read Gran Torino.
"Uh, I should take this," he murmured.
He answered quickly. "Hello, Gran Torino what's the matter?"
"Kid, All Might is awake," came the urgent voice.
Reinhard did not think. His chair scraped back. His expression serious."I will be right there!" he shouted and bolted from the lunch area, leaving Mirio and Tamaki stunned.
"Wait!" Mirio called, running a few steps after him. His friend seemed shaken.
Tamaki looked worried.
Mirio's face was serious.
" We should follow him. We have to make sure he is alright."
Tamaki nodded.
A/N: I'm curious, who do you think Reinhard's love interest will be? If you have a guess, or even someone you'd like to see in that role, leave your ideas or suggestions in the comments! I'm really interested in hearing your thoughts!