Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He opens his eyes and freezes. He knows he was just hit by a quirk, but everything surrounding him claims otherwise. He’s sitting in the same alley in the same spot he’d been flung, but he’s alone. No Eraserhead with his exasperated voice tinged with worry as he shouts. No Young Midoriya, desperately reaching out for him, calling his name. No villain, who shouldn’t have even been there, eyes wild and movements jerky. All of them focused solely on him.

He knew there would be many villains coming after him now that his true form was revealed. There was practically a line kilometers long of villains who’d jump at the opportunity to take down the former number one, the once all-powerful Symbol of Peace.

They’d decided to take the students out on a little “field trip” now that they were second years. Get them to see how patrols were, since that single week of internships wasn’t enough time for them to learn, and not all the students were able to go onto work-studies before the practice was cancelled. Groups of students from the now 2-A and 2-B classes were split up between pairs of staff. Then, they’d set out on routes that clear Saturday morning with the intention of teaching them the duties of a hero on patrol.

The exercise went smoothly. The students were able to help with petty crimes and work alongside the police for the formal arrests. It was just as they were debriefing as a large group in front of the gates of U.A.—right in front of the alley Toshinori was thrown in—that it all went to hell.

The villain appeared seemingly out of nowhere. He’d somehow found a way to push through the group of students and was upon him before anyone could blink.

Then, there was chaos and shouting. Toshinori tried his best to dodge the villain in his weakened form, but he was too surprised, too slow. He’s actually quite embarrassed how weak he’s gotten. He thought he was slowly building up his strength with the training he was doing alongside Young Midoriya. But it was obviously not enough, because the quirk hit him, and the breath was knocked straight out of his chest.

And now, here he is.

In the alley.

With none of his students or colleagues in sight.

Just what did the quirk do?

He coughs hard, blood spraying from his mouth and covering his clenched fist, and stands. Slowly, he makes his way towards the alley’s entrance. He pokes his head out and looks side to side. There are people walking past him, unpanicked and unassuming of the villain attack that literally just happened.

Worry fills Toshinori, and the feeling consumes him. He steps out of the alley and leans against the brick wall. The front gates of U.A. are just as magnificent as ever, with its red brick and graceful arch. However, the security system... it looks a lot more high-tech. And when Toshinori steps up to the gate, it immediately locks down on him.

Strange, he things. Maybe my security card isn’t working?

He tries to buzz Principal Nedzu, but finds himself unable to. Why did they have to change the communication system on this thing? His frustration and worry slowly morphs to dread as a security robot threatens to call the police on him, shooing him away from the gates. But... no, that protocol isn’t right; the robot should have recognized him as U.A. staff! So how...

This isn’t his city.

This isn’t his world.

If he had a stomach, it would drop.

••

He walks back to the alley and leans himself against the brick wall just outside of it. So now what? What does he do? What can he do? He’s never heard of a quirk like this, and he’s not even sure what exactly the quirk did. And it’s not like he even received training on what to do if he’s ever sent to... wherever he is? Where is he?

He takes a deep and calming breath to clear his head. Then, he walks.

Okay, maybe he’s in the future? As he studies his surroundings, he notes differences—like how instead of the ramen shop he likes to stop by, there’s a small antique shop in the store space. In the future, the ramen shop could have gone out of business and replaced by the new store. Yeah, and that small hero agency that he doesn’t remember being there! That could be one of his students'! And he could have already moved on from teaching at U.A. to be fully retired. But that would mean Young Midoriya has already graduated, wouldn’t it?

He spies the date on a newspaper stack just outside a convenience store. Well, it’s still the same day.

Just 7 years into the future.

Oh boy.

And he keeps walking.

It’s kind of unsettling, noticing the differences in the city he should know like the back of his hand. And it’s worrying to not know anything about this future—if it really is the future—and what his place in it should be. If he’s already left U.A. as a teacher, something big must have happened. After all, he could see himself teaching at least part time after Young Midoriya graduates—er,  graduated?—into full time heroics. So where was he now? It confuses him, makes him less sure of what he should do now.

He finds himself back where he started a few hours after he was first dropped in the alley. It’s as he leans once more against the building that his mind conjures up the beginnings of a plan. And he feels so stupid not to have thought it up earlier.

Tsukauchi! Find Tsukauchi and get his help to figure out how to get back to the right year!

His friend would be able to trust he is who he says he is because of the man’s very convenient quirk. And he’d be able to get into contact with Principal Nedzu as well so they can analyze the quirk that sent him here and find the best way to proceed from there!

Toshinori quickly pats his pockets for his phone. He exclaims in excitement when he finds it isn’t broken. However, his victory is short lived. He clicks on the lock screen and finds, in the top corner of his screen, that there is no service.

Shit.

“Um, excuse me?”

Toshinori’s heart leaps as he turns to the familiar voice and he’s met with the sight of Young Midoriya.

“S-sir, are you okay?”

No, this young man... he’s different from the Young Midoriya he knows. Granted, of course he looks older, and taller, and has less baby fat on his freckled cheeks (though he’s still quite baby faced). The difference is in the tired way he holds himself... and how he looks at Toshinori. The boy doesn’t recognize him. He doesn’t recognize him!

“Do you need help?”

Ah, but he is still the same Young Midoriya he knows.

“Thank you for worrying about me, young man,” Toshinori finally replies. “But I’ll be fine.”

No, he won’t. His pride and joy—the young man he sees as his own son—doesn't know who he is. This can’t be his future. It’s like they never even met at all!

Young Midoriya’s brows furrow as if he doesn’t believe Toshinori. “Are you sure? I’d be happy to help, if you need it...”

Despite how he can feel his heart breaking, Toshinori can’t keep the smile from his lips when he hears the offer. And he finds he doesn’t want the young man to leave just yet. “Well, my boy, I’m trying to get to the police department, but I’m a bit tired and my phone isn’t working...”

“The police department? Are you in trouble?”

“Ah, well, you could say that, but I assure you--”

“I’d be happy to escort you there, if you’d like!”

Toshinori blinked. “Oh, no, I wouldn’t want to impose!”

And then the boy smiled, the bright, blushing one that makes his eyes scrunch and cheeks fill. “It’d be no problem. Actually, you’d be doing me a favor by letting me know you got there safe!”

Toshinori couldn’t say no. Never. Not to that smile.

And so, he finds himself making small talk with the young man while he orders them a ride through a phone app. Young Midoriya, as always, is full of questions for the man. Toshinori finds himself detailing his friendship with the detective for the boy.

“Wow! How do you even become friends with a detective?”

“Ah, well...” Honestly, Toshinori should have expected this. “I’m—uh... don’t tell anyone this, but I’m a retired hero.”

He’s never been very good at lying to Young Midoriya. So, maybe a half-truth would work?

And there comes the shining eyes. “Really? Whoa, it’s an honor to meet you! Though, heh, I can’t really ask you your hero name if you want to keep this a secret, huh? Speaking of names, I can’t believe we haven’t introduced ourselves! That was very rude of me—”

Toshinori laughs while the boy mumbles away about his embarrassment on his lack of manners. Their car rolls up to the curb as Toshinori quiets the young man down.

“There’s no need to beat yourself up for it! After all, I too never introduced myself.”

Young Midoriya opens the door for Toshinori, and gets in after the man scoots across the bench has settled in his seat.

Toshinori continues. “My name is Toshinori Yagi. But you may call me Toshinori.”

“Oh, no! I couldn’t call you by your first name, sir! I wouldn’t want to overstep!”

“Trust me, it would make me very happy if you would call me Toshinori.”

The young man blushed, and Toshinori couldn’t keep the fond smile from his face. Oh, my boy, you’re still the same young man I’ve come to know.

“And you, young man?”

“Huh?”

“What can I call you?”

“Oh! I’m Izuku Midoriya!” The boy blushes deeper, and a smile crinkles his eyes once more. “You can call me Izuku!”

••

Over the duration of the drive, Toshinori learns many things about Young Midoriya. Some things he already knows from the boy he’s been training as his successor—like his obsession with heroes and the quirk analysis journals he keeps. Other things give him more pause.

“Oh, I’m a graduate student!” Young Midoriya states when Toshinori asks about what he does.

“Oh?” Toshinori’s surprise is obvious on his face.

When he sees it, Young Midoriya is quick to add, “I may look young, but I’m actually 23!”

Not what Toshinori’s surprised about, but okay!

Toshinori wonders what happened to keep his successor from becoming a hero. He’s pretty sure he isn’t in the future (unless something else happened and a quirk messed with Young Midoriya’s memories, but that would be a bit too complicated, wouldn’t it?) but he’s pretty sure he’d always choose this young man to be his successor. Unless, of course, he never met him.

He pauses, thinking of how the boy didn’t recognize him at all.

He never met him.

“Ah, no, that wasn’t—” Goodness, how should Toshinori put it? “… I was just thinking, with such a kind heart as yours and a hobby like quirk analysis, wouldn’t... wouldn’t you want to be a hero?”

He instantly feels awful for asking such an intrusive question. But, as he opens his mouth to redact the question, Young Midoriya finds it in himself to reply.

“Well, that was my dream... Actually, it—ah—still is.”

The boy’s laugh is sheepish and tinged with a deep sadness that Toshi feels in his own heart.

“But,” the young man continues, “well, I always knew I could never be a hero. D-don't get me wrong; I tried my best! I got into U.A.’s general education department and was planning to make my way into heroics via transfer, but... without a quirk, I never stood a chance. Not against so many amazing people with strong and useful quirks.

“After the first sports festival, I hadn’t really given up hope yet. I’ll just try again next time! I thought. After all, I knew what it was like to actually participate rather than just watch. So, I trained and trained. But the second passed with the same results, though with the training I did better. And the third... well, that was my last chance.

“But I couldn’t just... let all of my dreams die like that, so I looked for the next best thing: quirk analysis! I used my diploma from U.A. to get into a good university. I double-majored in Quirk Biology and Quirk Ethics and Philosophy. And now, I’m in school in a PhD/MD dual program for Quirk Analysis and Quirk Detection and Development!”

Young Midoriya blushes as he realizes just how long he’s been talking.

“So, it’s, uh, not that bad, you know?” His hand rubs at the nape of his neck. “I can still help people and even work with heroes... if I want.”

The car is quiet for a long time, the two stuck in their own thoughts over what Young Midoriya has admitted. Toshinori can’t help but be incredibly awed and proud of what the young man has accomplished. He knows just how much being a hero means to Young Midoriya, yet he didn’t let his unaccomplished dream tear him down. He used his head and went for something that will satisfy his wants and dreams, despite it not being his first choice. But something else he’s said gave Toshinori a fright, even though he honestly should have expected it.

The boy is quirkless. Quirkless! This proves it. They’d never met. This is no future; this is a different world.

The car stops in front of the police station, and they thank the driver before stepping away from the vehicle.

“You really don’t have to stay, Young Midoriya.” Though he wants him to stay. Wants to ask more questions and let the boy know how absolutely amazing his is. But he doesn’t feel right taking up so much of this young man’s time. “I can take it from here.”

“It would do my heart good to know you’re safe with your friend before I left, sir!”

Young Midoriya holds the door open for him once more, and Toshinori laughs. “There’s no need for you to worry over an old man like me, my boy!”

“Ah, no! You’re not old, sir!”

“You calling me ‘sir’ sure makes me feel like it! It’s Toshinori, please.”

“A-ah, right, T-Toshinori!”

They walk further into the building and stop at the front desk, where they see a woman typing away at her computer. She looks up and smiles at Toshinori. “Hello, sir, how can I help you?”

Shit. He doesn’t recognize her.

“I was hoping to speak to Detective Tsukauchi, if you wouldn’t mind?”

Her eyes squint with suspicion. It seems she doesn’t recognize him either. “He isn’t here right now; he won’t be for a week.”

“Ah. Well, what about Officer Sansa?”

“He’s with the detective. Sir, is this a matter of emergency?”

“W-well, it is quite important, yes.”

“If it isn’t an emergency, you’ll have to wait until he gets back. He’s working on something very important and cannot have distractions.”

Toshinori sighs. “Alright. Would you be able to confirm his contact number for me? I haven’t been able to call yet and I want to make sure it’s right before I—“

“Company policy dictates I am unable to give out personal information to unspecified individuals.”

“I’m sure there’s a release of information form for a Toshinori Yagi—“

“Again, sir, you’ll have to wait.”

It’s obvious she’s too suspicious of Toshinori to actually check for the paperwork (though he knows the paperwork is there if they are friends). There’s no way he can convince her to check. His skeletal appearance doesn’t do him any favors, either.

Toshinori forces out a smile. “Alright. I’ll come back again. You said one week, correct?”

The woman nods. “Yes, sir.”

“Thank you. Until then!”

He spins on his heel and starts towards the door, a worried Young Midoriya trailing after him.

When both of them are outside, Toshinori makes his way to a bench placed on the sidewalk outside. He heaves a sigh and leans his elbows against his thighs as he sags in defeat. He can’t exactly be mad at the young woman, since she was just doing her job. And a damn good job at that. At least he knows the Tsukauchi of this world also has a reliable police force behind him. But that left Toshinori in a very difficult situation.

Damn. Now what?

“Uh, Si— er… T-Toshinori, are you—… do you have somewhere safe to stay?” Young Midoriya’s voice is soft and kind.

Toshinori forces out a strained chuckle. He wouldn’t know. He stayed at the Teacher Dorms in U.A. and had an apartment near his agency. But he can’t get into U.A. and he isn’t anywhere near his agency and apartment, either. “Well, not near here. I can maybe get a hotel room…”

Do his credit cards and bank card work? Most likely not. After all, the U.A. security card didn’t and his phone doesn’t have service. He doesn’t even think his I.D. Card and hero license are valid here. He pulls out his wallet and takes a look at the amount of cash he has on hand and sighs.

Not enough.

He can’t go to his apartment, since he doesn’t know if it actually is his apartment in this world. Plus, his apartment complex is high security. He can’t contact anyone without them knowing that what he’s saying is the absolute truth (hence his need for Tsukauchi). What if he sees himself from this world? Toshinori knows that if he saw a double of himself, the first thing he’d do is capture the intruder and probably take them to jail as a possible villain trying to impersonate him. Sure, he’d get Tsukauchi’s attention sooner, but at what cost? How will he be treated? How will his boy be treated, when they inevitably realize that his boy’s been helping Toshinori? Would they arrest him too? Would they make Young Izuku miss out on his university classes and put his degrees in jeopardy because of affiliations with a supposedly villainous imposter? No, he can’t go to anyone. He’ll never put his boy in danger, no matter the intention. He must wait.

Suddenly, Toshinori’s feeling utterly hopeless. He’s been dumped in a strange world with strange circumstances and not enough money to survive waiting for his best hope at receiving help to come back to his home precinct. He has no resources, no support, and no idea how different things are here. Now what does he do?

“I, uh, can’t help but notice you’re in a tight spot. Do you… need a place to stay?”

Toshinori turns wide eyes to the young man sitting beside him. “Y-young man, I’m a stranger. And you’re just… inviting me into your home? That’s dangerous!”

“I-I know!” The boy exclaims, waving his hands in front of him. “It’s just, you need help. And I like to think I’m a pretty good judge of character, and you don’t seem to be the, uh, villain type?”

That makes Toshinori feel warm. “There are many who would disagree with you, there, young man. I do have quite the appearance.”

“But that’s all it is,” Young Midoriya counters. “An appearance. How you look and how you act are two completely separate things. Plus, I don’t think you look scary. You just look like you need a little health boost! Some vitamins will fix you right up!”

The retired hero chuckles. “I’m sure that’s not all it would take to get me back into shape.”

“Hm, no,” the boy grins. “But it’s a start!”

Goodness, Young Midoriya is a delight no matter where they are.

“So?” Young Midoriya asks. “Would you like to stay with me until you can meet with the detective?”

“That would be a great help, young man.”

••

Young Midoriya’s apartment is the same one he’d visited when the staff had to convince the students’ parents to house their children in U.A.’s dorms. Toshinori fully expects Ms. Midoriya to be in the apartment. After all, Young Midoriya is a student, and staying with his mother until his schooling is over is the best economic choice.

However, as they step inside, Toshinori sees that the apartment is dark. There’s also no answer when Young Midoriya calls out he’s home from the entryway.

They remove their shoes and put on indoor slippers before making their way further into the apartment, Young Midoriya flicking on lights along the way.

“Please excuse the mess,” the boy says as they enter the living room. “It’s been a, uh, busy few weeks. I haven’t found time to really clean yet.”

Young Midoriya invites Toshinori to sit on the couch while he makes them both something quick to eat in the kitchen attached to the living room. Toshinori expresses his gratitude before, instead, taking a look around the room.

It looks similar to his previous visit to the apartment. Though, there is a bit more clutter and paperwork scattered atop the coffee table. It also looks a bit dustier, now that Toshinori is paying attention to the photos on the walls. However, there is one glaring difference in the corner of the room, just beside the window near the entryway.

There’s a shrine.

Cautiously, Toshinori makes his way to stand in front of it. The sight of the picture makes his breath catch. It’s Young Midoriya’s mother, her gentle smile so much like her son’s, that he finds gazing back at him. The shrine is the most well taken care of area in the living room. Unlike the other surfaces, there’s not a speck of dust in sight. It’s also obvious that the boy had lit some incense earlier that day because there was a bit of ash sitting in the tray atop the small table.

He isn’t sure how long he’s been standing there in shocked horror when Young Midoriya calls his attention away.

“Uh, Toshinori, would you like tea or water? Juice?”

The older man swings his gaze towards the boy, eyes wide and startled. “Oh, tea would be wonderful.”

Toshinori looks back at the picture. He really wants to ask… But he isn’t sure how Young Midoriya will react. Young Midoriya has always had a really close relationship with the woman; out of everyone in the world, he knows she’s the one the boy loves the most. There were many times that their conversations were interrupted because of a ‘phone date’ the young man had scheduled with his mother. And Young Midoriya’s eyes always lit up with so much warmth whenever he spoke of her. Inko’s death had to be hard on him. He must’ve been devastated. She’s the only family he has.

Had.

His boy is all alone now.

Frustration builds in Toshinori. What happened to this world’s All Might, and why isn’t he with his most important person right now? This Young Midoriya needs him more than anything—has for years as his hopes and dreams were beat down and stolen from him. And just when he found a way to get up again, his mother was taken? The boy didn’t deserve this heartache. His boy deserved all the love in the world, so why wasn’t he getting that love? Why was his mother taken? How? When?

The clattering of the tea pot and cups on the dining table drag Toshinori from his thoughts. When he looks, Young Midoriya is looking at the photo with the most haunted look in his eyes.

“That’s my mom,” the boy says softly, his voice sounding more broken and hollower than Toshinori’s ever heard. “She, uh… her office was in the middle of that big villain attack that happened last month.” He watches the boy swallow past a lump in his throat as he pours the tea. “She didn’t make it.”

The silence is deafening as Young Midoriya brings the food to the table. Toshinori can tell there’s more to the story, but he doesn’t push. He doesn’t think that his boy would be able to handle talking about it just yet, not with the wound so fresh.

Toshinori takes a seat at the table just as Young Midoriya does. “I, too, lost my mother-figure in a… villain attack.” His mind briefly flashes to Nana. “You don’t have to talk about it, but… know that I am here should you want to.”

The smile Young Midoriya gives him is small and watery, but it’s filled with gratitude. It breaks Toshinori’s heart to see.

••

When bedtime rolls around, Young Midoriya seems a bit anxious, like he’s about to jump out of his skin.

“Mr. Toshinori—“

“—Just Toshinori, my boy.”

“—You can take my room!”

The young man pushes open the door with the All Might name plate on it and motions Toshinori to step inside. Toshinori feels his shoulders sag in relief when he sees that the room’s All Might theme is significantly toned down. While there are a few pieces of All Might memorabilia (like the single poster on the wall and a few action figures along the shelf above his bed), there are mostly textbooks and reading material in his bookcase, and notebooks cluttering his desk. There’s a laptop sitting in the center of the desk, and his familiar yellow backpack plopped beside the desk chair. The bed has a plain red comforter and white linen. The bedside table has a plain digital alarm clock sitting beside a phone charger cable and a book with multiple sticky notes sticking out of the edges.

“Young Midoriya—“

“—Izuku is fine.”

Toshinori sighs. “Izuku. I’m perfectly fine with sleeping on the couch. Please don’t give up your comfort for me.”

“It’s no problem! I just want to make sure you stay healthy while you’re here with me. I’ll be fine! After all, I have a lot of homework, so I won’t be using the bed as much!” Young Midoriya chuckles. “I’ll just grab my school supplies and I’ll be out of your hair. I’ll leave an extra toothbrush for you out on the bathroom counter as well as a towel. I would give you extra clothes, but I don’t think any of mine would fit you…”

Toshinori watches the young man puts his laptops and a few notebooks into his backpack. “You’re already doing so much for me, my boy. I’m grateful for such hospitality.”

Young Mido—… Izuku clutches his textbook to his chest and gives him a small smile. “It’s the least I can do.” The boy shuffles to the door. “I’ll put the toiletries out now! Feel free to take the bathroom first!” And then, he’s out of the doorway.

The retired hero takes a moment to just breathe. It’s been a whirlwind of a day, and he is nowhere close to figuring out what that quirk was and how to get back home. He can only hope that his colleagues have apprehended the villain who did this and are swiftly working towards getting him back. Yet at the same time, he doesn’t want to just disappear on this Izuku. The boy needs someone right now. And he wants to know why Young Izuku doesn’t have One for All. Who else could have it? Has this world’s All Might even passed the quirk down yet? There were just too many questions, too many uncertainties, and not enough answers.

He slowly makes his way through his nightly routine and lets Young Izuku know he’s off to bed. He worries about the lack of his nightly round of medication will do to his body. After all, he’s been relying on it since All for One destroyed his body. He can already feel the aches in his body steadily growing more painful just by missing the normal dosage time by an hour.

Oh, this is going to be a long week.

So, he lays in the bed that’s too short for his body and stares at the ceiling for hours, desperately trying to ignore the pain that’s steadily growing in intensity in his abdomen. He pleads with whatever gods are up there to let him at least sleep for an hour so he doesn’t have to run on low tomorrow (today?) and can actually be productive on his journey to get home. But, no. It’s past 3 am, he’s still awake, and he doesn’t think he’ll get to sleep at all.

He sighs and forces himself to sit up, wincing at the twinge in his gut. He tries to be as quiet as he can when he pads out of the room to get a drink of water, but he finds himself tripping when he hears a female voice coming from the living room.

“—doing, Izuku?”

Toshinori practically runs to the living room entrance. That sounds like Inko! Young Izuku’s mother, Inko! But how? Didn’t she—

The television is on, a handheld video camera plugged into the ports. On the screen is Young Midoriya, smaller and younger than he’s ever seen him, sitting in the middle of a mud puddle with a pile of the stuff placed on a giant leaf. “‘M makin’ a pie!”

The camera shakes and he can hear a bit of her laughter escape the obvious attempts at stifling it. “Oh, a pie? What kind?”

Little Izuku stands sticks on top of his ‘pie’ as he answers, “birfday.”

“A birthday pie! How yummy! Can I try?”

“No!”

“Aw, why not?”

“It’s not your birfday! It’s All Might’s birfday!”

“Oh, of course! Are we going to send it to him?”

“Did I wake you? I’m sorry.” Young Izuku’s voice—this time older and groggy with exhaustion—startles Toshinori from his stupor.

The older man turns away from the screen to squint at the boy’s face in the dim light of the television. “Ah, no. I got up for some water.”

He watches as the boy sits up on the couch and rubs his eyes. “Let me help you.”

They make their way into the kitchen as the video continues to play in the background. There’s so much laughter and love coming from the speakers. It’s hard to believe that Inko is really gone. Toshinori stares hard at Young Midoriya as he pours water carefully into two cups and hands one to him.

Toshinori takes a sip and clears his throat before speaking. “The T.V…. are you watching home videos?”

The boy purses his lips. Placing the cup down, he answers, “Ah, yeah. It seems kinda masochistic, but… I can’t sleep without her voice. ‘S the only way I can hear her voice. Don’t wanna… forget… how she sounds.”

In that moment, Young Izuku looks much older than his age. Toshinori notices the bags that are heavy beneath the boy’s eyes and the slump in his posture. He sees the crease line between his brows and the almost imperceptible shaking of his hands. He can’t stop himself from pulling his boy into his arms and holding him tight.

Young Izuku’s arms slowly wrap around his waist, not yet knowing what to do with the physical contact. But just when Toshinori thinks he should release his hold, the boy buries his face into the older man’s chest. His shoulders shake with poorly repressed sobs and Toshinori pulls him closer, rubbing his cheek into messy curls.

They stand there for what feels like both forever and a second, tears leaking from both their eyes. His boy has been suffering alone. His boy has been trying his best alone. He shouldn’t have had to face this on his own. And if he has a say in it, he won’t have to anymore.

The chuckle Young Izuku forces out is wobbly and choked. “I’m sorry I—uh—“

“Izuku,” Toshinori cuts him off. He pulls the boy closer and practically nuzzles into his hair. “Never apologize for feeling your emotions, my boy.”

Young Izuku shudders and he takes in a deep breath. He audibly swallows and whispers, ”okay.”

After another few minutes, when the hitches in Young Izuku’s breath die down, Toshinori slowly releases his hold on the boy. He looks down at the tear stained cheeks and gives a gentle smile.

“Would you like to show me more of those home videos?”

••

The sunlight creeping in from the window is practically blinding to Toshinori. He and Young Izuku spent the rest of the night watching home videos together. At first, they only watched what Young Izuku picked out, what he described as his ‘favorites’. But the young man showed Toshinori the box of tapes, and he couldn’t stop himself from requesting a few with… interesting titles.

Like ‘Izuku’s Cello Recital’ and ‘Small Might Saves the Day’. Toshinori’d snorted when he read the latter.

“Quite the fan of All Might, huh?” He’d asked in amusement.

The young man blushed heavily and turned his gaze to his fidgeting hands. “Ah, yeah. He’s my favorite.”

That made Toshinori smile.

Actually, watching all those home videos was quite the bittersweet experience. Young Izuku gave a running commentary on the different segments that he could remember, talking mainly about how his mother acted as she filmed the scene. As he spoke, the young man wore a fragile smile and had misty eyes. Toshinori found that his own expression was often similar.

It was delightful learning more about Young Izuku’s childhood (though he isn’t sure how similar it is to his successor’s, but he figures he can ask when he gets back). The boy made a cute kid, and Toshinori found himself wishing that he was able to witness it for himself.

And now, despite being in pain and feeling light headed from the lack of sleep, his heart feels lighter since he was dropped into this world.

He watches as the boy dozes. There’s a slight smile quirking up the corners of the boy's lips. Toshinori’s just about to close the blinds on the window when an alarm on Young Izuku’s phone goes off. Young Izuku jerks awake and promptly scrambles across the floor to the device, seemingly desperate to shut off the endless calls of All Might’s catchphrase ringing out of the speaker: “I am here!”

Toshinori is chuckling when Young Izuku finally manages to finish his task. The boy looks back at the retired hero, his eyes narrowed and lips in a pout.

Toshinori would laugh harder, but the pain in his abdomen won’t allow him to. He tries to reign in his laughter to ease the pain.

Young Midoriya seems to notice this, and his gaze reflects his worry. “Toshinori, are you in pain?”

The older man sputters, waving his hands in front of him. “Well, I— it’s just! Ah—“

“Toshinori.”

Said man sighs and chews on his lip. After a split-second decision, Toshinori shifts his body so he can lift his shirt and reveal his wound to Young Izuku. When he sees it, the boy gasps.

“I got this wound,” Toshinori begins, voice gravelly, “in a fight with a villain many years ago. I lost my stomach, one of my lungs, and a kidney. My body deteriorated until I became what I am today.” He lets his shirt fall back into place. “It’s still pretty painful, and I take a lot of medications to help with that. Unfortunately, I don’t have anything on me right now to get that medicine, nor get into contact with my doctor… At least, not until I can get ahold of my friend.” He sighs. “I’m basically alone in a new place without any resources or support. Can’t really do much about the pain if I wanted to.”

Young Izuku stares at him for a while before nodding. “Let’s go to the hospital.”

Toshinori sputters. “W-what? How—”

“I’m a medical student and I know a few people from volunteering... I’m sure I can convince someone to help us out.” Young Izuku has that determined glint in his eyes, the exact one that convinced Toshinori to make the boy his successor. “I just don’t want to just watch you in pain when I know that I can help! Please?”

He doesn’t know how he is so lucky to have this boy. A bright smile makes its way onto Toshinori’s face. “Thank you, my boy. You have no idea how grateful I am to have found you.”

••

“I hope you know what you’ve done for me is illegal.”

Young Izuku rolls his eyes. “My colleagues and I all know that. It didn’t stop us from wanting to help.”

They’ve just finished getting Toshinori a check-up and his prescriptions, and are on their way to the nearby mall. Toshinori is hoping to find a couple of extra outfits for cheap, seeing as he really doesn’t want to wear the same clothes every day for who knows how long.

“Well, I just want to let you know how grateful I am for your help,” Toshinori replies. “I don’t know what state I would be in if it weren’t for you.”

“You really don’t need to thank me,” Young Izuku says, rubbing the back of his head in a nervous gesture. “After all, what kind of person would I be if I just left you there?”

“Everyone else who passed me by did just that, my boy.”

Young Izuku purses his lips.

They step into a second hand store as per Toshinori’s request. Young Izuku offered to pay for new clothes for the older man, but Toshinori wouldn’t feel right with that. His boy already paid for so much (and will unfortunately continue to do so). Toshinori could at least pay for his own clothes.

After they finish shopping, they return to the Midoriya apartment, where Young Izuku begins grading undergraduate homework assignments.

“Right now, I’m a Teaching Assistant,” Young Izuku explains, shuffling through a stack of his students’ assignments. “It helps pay the bills while I’m schooling.”

Toshinori’s brows furrow in concern. “Are you sure you’re fine with caring for me? I don’t want to inconvenience you or take money from your wallet that you may need.”

“No, you’re fine! Mom and I saved up a lot of money for emergencies. And, uh, there’s also the... life insurance... money.”

Toshinori hums, hoping he sounds more empathetic than anything. “I’ll pay you back as soon as I can.”

Hopefully I can.

“Oh! You really don’t have to!”

Toshinori just musses the boy’s hair.

While Young Izuku works, Toshinori takes it upon himself to make lunch. He places the sandwiches and water he puts together on the dining table and takes a seat across from Young Izuku. As they eat, the young man shows Toshinori silly answers some of the students wrote. They talk about the frustrations of teaching (when Toshinori accidentally reveals he teaches at a hero school) and embarrassing moments they’ve had while in front of their classes.

“I faceplanted in front of everyone in the first class,” Young Izuku shares, bright red face buried in his hands. “I still don’t know how I got them to respect me after that.”

At that, Toshinori laughs. Hard.

And when Young Izuku goes back to work, Toshinori decides to clean up around the apartment. Of course, he had to wear down the young man first into allowing the retired hero to do such chores. But Toshinori knows just what to say and Young Izuku is just tired enough to let the older man have his way. By the end of the day, the apartment is clean and both men are exhausted from their tasks. Toshinori fixes them dinner and they eat together while having a pleasant conversation.

At bed time, after the both of them have finished their nightly routines, Toshinori joins Young Izuku in the living room to watch home videos. They sit on separate couches, each of them bundled beneath warm comforters Young Izuku drags from the linen closet. They watch videos they didn’t see the night before, and the boy once again starts a running commentary on what he remembers.

Toshinori doesn’t remember when he fell asleep, but when he wakes up in the morning, the T.V. screen is blue and his boy is fast asleep. Once again, there’s a small smile playing on the boy’s lips. And, somehow, Young Izuku looks a bit happier than the day before.

The retired hero gets up as quietly as he can to start on breakfast, Young Izuku joining in to help when he wakes.

••

The pattern continues throughout the week, and the pair grow increasingly comfortable with one another. Of course, Young Izuku has school and has to leave Toshinori to his own devices for most of the day. But Toshinori takes advantage of his boy’s absence to take care of chores and little home projects that Young Izuku’s been meaning to do for a while.

But he always leaves Inko’s room alone. He knows that Young Izuku isn’t ready to tackle that project yet.

Toshinori always has breakfast ready for the boy when he wakes, and a bento set to take to school. And when Young Izuku gets home, there’s always a freshly drawn bath and dinner almost ready on the stove.

Somewhere in between them getting to know one another, little touches of physical affection sprinkle into their interactions. A ruffle of messy curls here, a head resting on a bony shoulder there. Young Izuku takes to placing his feet in Toshinori’s lap when they watch the news together after dinner. And when Young Izuku has a particularly hard time with his grief, Toshinori is always there to envelope him in tight, comforting hugs.

Saturday rolls around once again, and Toshinori notices that Young Izuku’s mood is darker than it has been all week. His boy won’t look him in the eyes, and Toshinori can’t get him to tell him what’s wrong.

Again, Young Izuku accompanies him to Detective Tsukauichi’s precinct. The boy’s been unusually quiet throughout the car ride and Toshinori fears his boy is pulling away from him. Does he think Toshinori is abandoning him? Is his boy sad about potentially parting with Toshinori as well?

When they are in front of the doors to the police department, Toshinori places a hand on Young Izuku’s shoulder. He bends his head and catches his boy’s eyes before speaking.

“My boy, no matter what happens in there, I will not leave you alone.” Toshinori gives Young Izuku a smile full or warmth and love. “I admire what an amazing person you are, how strong and sweet and heroic you’ve been and continue to be. I want to continue being in your life.” Toshinori blushes, taking the hand on the boy’s shoulder and rubbing the back of his own neck with it sheepishly. “That is, if you’ll have me.”

Young Izuku’s responding smile is bright and teary-eyed. Young Izuku catches his hand and squeezes it in response. “I can’t imagine a life without you.”

Toshinori tells himself that he won’t cry as he squeezes his boy’s hand before dropping it. They step inside and walk up to the desk with the same receptionist as before. She looks displeased that they’ve shown again, but she honors her word and pages Tsukauchi about his visitors.

When the detective comes out, he’s weary at first. But when he sees Toshinori, a confused yet pleased smile appears on his face.

“Toshinori! And… friend!” He greets, rounding the receptionist desk to get closer to the pair. “You didn’t tell me that you were coming to see me. Have you met our new receptionist?”

The three of them turn to the woman and she gives a shy, embarrassed smile.

“Yes,” Toshinori replies sending her a reassuring grin. “She’s a great addition to your force.”

“She is!” The detective agrees sunnily. “What can I do for you?”

Toshinori’s expression turns serious. “I must talk to you about this in private. It’s… something that no one would believe. I really need your help.”

Tsukauchi mirrors the retired hero’s expression. “Right. We can talk in one of the open interrogation rooms.” He turns to Young Izuku. “Mister…?”

“Midoriya. Izuku Midoriya,” the boy introduces himself, stepping up to shake Tsukauchi’s hand.

“Mr. Midoriya. My name is Naomasa Tsukauchi. Would you mind waiting out here?”

“Of course! I wouldn’t mind.”

“Perfect. Toshinori, follow me.”

Toshinori tries to calm his racing heart as he follows Tsukauchi towards the hall leading into the back of the station. Before he disappears around the corner, Toshinori looks over his shoulder to send a smile back at his boy. The grin he receives back helps calm his racing thoughts.

Hopefully, Toshinori thinks, things go well and I’ll get help to go back home. To my Young Izuku. And get this world's Young Izuku the support he needs.

The pair enter a room and sit across from each other at the lone table in the center. Toshinori takes a deep breath and begins his tale.

Chapter Text

Detective Tsukauchi slumps back into the metal chair he’s seated in, expression full of disbelief. “You’re not lying.”

Toshinori rests his elbows on the table and drops his face into his hands. “No.”

“When… did this happen?”

“A week ago.”

“And Midoriya housed you? A stranger housed you?”

“Young Izuku is my successor.”

The detective suddenly sat up once more, brows furrowing. “Togata’s your successor.”

Ah. That explains… a lot.

“No,” Toshinori says slowly. “Not in my world.”

Tsukauchi, in a move that’s completely out of character, blows a raspberry and drops his head onto the table in front of him. “What a mess.”

The answer Toshinori gives back is sheepish. “I’m sorry, my friend. But I need your help to get home.”

Tsukauchi takes a deep breath before slowly sitting back up in his seat. “I’ll do everything I can to help you. Who should I contact with a meeting?”

“Probably me,” Toshinori chuckles. “Wouldn’t want to accidentally run into myself on the streets. Might cause a scene. We should get a hold of Nighteye, too. And Principle Nedzu. And… Gran Torino. If there’s anyone else you think should be there, feel free to invite them.”

At the thought of Nighteye, Toshinori can feel old regrets and heartache rise in his chest. He desperately pushes the feeling down and focuses on the detective in front of him.

“Lemillion, this world’s OFA successor,” Tsukauchi suggests. “And the Hero Blogger: Deku.”

Toshinori inhales wrong and ends up choking on his spit.”I-I’m sorry, who?”

Tsukauchi raises his eyebrows in surprise when he see’s Toshinori’s reaction. “The famous Hero Blogger: Deku; the one who does analysis on hero battles and quirks?”

Deku? As in his successor’s Hero Name, Deku?

“Heroes contract him when they’re dealing with unknown quirks or limited information on villains. He’s like an unofficial official hero,” Tsukauchi continues to explain. “Do you not have him in your world? He’s kind of a big deal! Heroics has changed because of his work; combatant analytics is almost an actual hero field because of him.”

“N-no,” Toshinori’s voice is quiet. “But we do have Deku… That’s Young Izuku’s— my successor’s hero name.”

They stare at each other in silence for a moment. Then, they both rise and make their way back to the waiting room. And lucky for them, there’s no one else in the room.

Young Izuku is fiddling on his phone when they arrive. When he hears them approaching, he looks up and send them an innocent smile. “Everything go well?”

Toshinori opens his mouth, taking in a large, shaking breath. “Deku.”

Young Izuku’s face goes blank. He blinks. “Huh?”

Tsukauchi sighs, exasperation evident as he places a hand on Toshinori’s shoulder. “What he’s trying to say is, ‘you’re the Hero Blogger: Deku’. Right?”

He’s silent for a beat. “A-ah, n-n-no! I’m no—“

“That’s a lie.”

Young Izuku lets out a squeak. “What?”

“My quirk is called ‘Lie Detector’. I can tell when someone is lying.”

Toshinori watches as Young Izuku’s face pales and panic lights his eyes. “A-ah…”

The retired hero steps forward. “My boy, you’re not in trouble, and you won’t be put into any danger, either.” Toshinori places his hands on the young man’s shoulders, giving a reassuring smile. “We just… have an assignment for you.”

“B-but how did you know?” Young Izuku stutters, arms and hands moving into the familiar thinking position he takes when he’s about to go off on a tangent. “Nobody knows! I’ve been very careful to keep my identity a secret, and I have all of my notes and documents written in a code that I created. And all of my files are kept in a confidential drive and safe so no one has access. Even the heroes don’t know who I am and have to use the case requesting system I set up on my website. Oh, but maybe they were able to hack into the website’s cloud? No, Hatsume’s too talented for that, there’s no one in the world who could hack her encryptions. But how did I go wrong? I obviously slipped up somewhere… Maybe I said something reckless? Oh no, who knows what I could’ve said, and in public—“

Detective Tsukauchi hesitantly speaks up as Young Izuku continues his downward spiral. “Uh, is he okay?”

“He does this sometimes,” Toshinori replies, voice full of amusement and fondness. He shakes Young Izuku a bit to get his attention. “My boy, you did nothing to reveal yourself.”

Young Izuku’s mouth closes with an audible click.

“I just—… the circumstances surrounding our conclusions are… complicated. But we do need your help in a very important case. Please.”

“Can I… ask how you came to your conclusions?”

“Would you mind waiting for the explanation during the meeting? I still need permission to share some confidential information with you.”

Like how you’re a hero in another world, he thinks. And how you are my successor and take on the responsibility of my quirk.

Young Izuku takes a deep breath and pushes it out. “I… when is the meeting?”

Toshinori turns to Tsukauchi to discuss it. “My friend, would it be possible to round everyone up tomorrow?”

“With what we’re working with, I’m sure everyone would agree,” Tsukauchi replies. “Might Tower at noon?”

“We’ll be there,” Toshinori agrees. “Ah, and would you be able to help me pay Young Izuku back for his hospitality? Unfortunately, I’ve been unable to help him with the bills.”

“Oh, no!” Young Izuku speaks up, waving his hands in front of himself. “I don’t need any money! Really!”

“Please,” Tsukauchi starts, “I would feel bad if you didn’t. After all, you were stuck taking care of this knuckle head all week! I can’t imagine the headache he’s been to care for.”

“N-no! He hasn’t been a headache at all! In fact, I’ve… ah… really enjoyed having him. He… Having him stay with me has made me very happy. Happier than I’ve been while.”

Tsukauchi smiles and motions for the both of them to follow him to his office. “Then would you mind keeping him a little longer? I’ll provide money and a phone for him, so you won’t have to worry about feeding an extra person. And we’ll compensate your utilities and other bills as well as a ‘thank you’.”

“O-of course Toshinori can stay!” Young Izuku looks very excited at the prospect. “But—”

“Here, Toshinori,” Tsukauchi cuts the boy off as he opens his desk drawer. “You can use this phone and credit card for your needs.”

“Thank you, my friend.”

“Just wait a couple hours for them to be activated fully by the treasurer. I’ll message the phone when everything is officially activated.”

“Sounds perfect,” Toshinori smiles. He continues quickly so that Young Izuku won’t get any time to speak, “Will you be able to get me permission to speak about that confidential information? OFA?”

“I’ll try. It might be a little difficult.”

“If I trust you, I’m sure he does as well.”

Tsukauchi grins. “Well, then! I have nothing else for you two! Toshinori, take care of those bills!”

“Of course.”

“And,” Tsukauchi whispers to Toshinori, “I’ll station a policeman outside of Midoriya’s apartment to keep you safe for tonight, since you don’t have OFA anymore.”

Toshinori’s brow furrows in confusion. Before he can ask why that would be needed, Tsukauchi ushers the two of them out of, first, his office and then the building. “I’ll see you two tomorrow at noon at Might Tower!”

And then they are alone.

Toshinori turns to Young Izuku with an impish grin. “You heard the man! Now, let’s head home and get those bills squared away!”

“B-but—“

Toshinori’s grin only grows, though he's careful to keep his voice down. “And do tell me more about your other persona. ‘The Hero Blogger: Deku’, huh?”

Toshinori can’t help but laugh at the audible gulp Young Izuku takes. “I-its—I don’t… It started as a hobby?”

They walk back to the station, and Toshinori notices their secret police escort walk out of the station in plain clothes before trailing them at a distance.

Well, that was quick.

“I’m not sure how a whole hero career comes from a hobby,” Toshinori chuckles. Then, he frowns. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Young Izuku watches his feet as they walk for a few moments, biting his lip. Green eyes flit up to blue, what Toshinori thinks is supposed to be a playful grin on the boy’s face. Instead, it looks more like a grimace.

“Well,” Young Izuku’s voice artificially light and airy, “I’ve only just met you a week ago, you know.”

So that means he doesn’t trust Toshinori. Ah, that stings.

The younger man must see the look of hurt on the retired hero’s face, because he immediately backtracks. “N-no! I didn’t mean—it’s not that I don’t think you aren’t trustworthy, it’s just that it can be dangerous! F-for you and me. We could be targeted by villains if word gets out, and I only know basic self-defense! It wouldn’t end well to be found out…”

“My boy, it’s true that you haven’t known me for long; there’s no reason to share something so important with me.”

Young Izuku purses his lips. “But I didn’t…” He sighs.

They’re quite for a little while, until they’ve found their seats in the train. The train just begins to move when Young Izuku speaks again. “I do trust you to keep this secret for me. You’re… you’re the closest person I’ve had to a… friend in a long time. It’s just… hard for me to share such a big part of my life.”

Toshinori’s voice is small and gravely. “What happened?”

Heaving a large sigh, Young Izuku hunches over so that his elbows rest on his thighs and the heels of his palms dig into his eyes. “Remember when I told you that I was trying to get into U.A.’s hero course in high school? Well… it wasn’t just through the sports festival. I’ve done hero analysis since I could write, and I’d gotten very good at it by the time high school rolled around… After my third sports festival, I was going to show my analysis to one of the hero teachers, maybe try to impress them. But my classmates found out, and…” His lips twist down into a deep frown. “Well, I’d lost months’ worth of analysis. And I’d worked on it so hard, I swore it was my best work yet! I was devastated. So when they said I could never become a hero, well… I got really depressed. Like, really depressed. My mom was so worried she eventually forced me into therapy.

Young Izuku sits up fully, eyes moist and nose leaking a bit. He thumbs the moisture budding beneath his nose away and sniffs. “It took a little while for me to take up analysis again. It was actually Hatsume that got me back into it. She took some of my analysis and posted it on a website without me knowing… the response was astounding. It took off from there, and by the time I got my bachelor’s, I’d become the Hero Blogger: Deku.”

Toshinori’s horrified that kind of attitude was allowed in the halls of U.A. The fact that the students weren’t reprimanded for the way they were treating Young Izuku—just because the boy is quirkless—makes his blood boil. He would’ve thought Principal Nedzu wouldn’t allow those kinds of actions… if he knew about them. Knowing Young Izuku, he would have tried his best to blend in and wouldn’t make a big scene about getting bullied like that. He’d only really gotten his back bone—and his mother’s support—after receiving One for All and the support of All Might himself. His poor boy… He’s been hurting by himself for so long.

“Thank you,” Toshinori starts slowly, “for telling me. You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. You’re so resilient and brave and smart. You would have gotten here no matter what.”

Toshinori holds eye contact with Young Izuku, forcing his own tears down when he sees those big green eyes filling. He grabs a hold of his boys hand and squeezes gently.

“You may not be the kind of hero you wanted to be,” the older man begins again. “But you’re a hero all the same. I’m so proud of you, son.”

Young Izuku whimpers and bites his lip to keep his tears from falling. He hides his eyes behind his messy fringe and lets his head fall onto Toshinori’s shoulder.

“Thank you,” he whispers, voice heavy with emotion.

It takes everything in Toshinori to keep from breaking out in tears.

ooo

The time for the meeting comes fairly quickly. The train ride to Might Towers is filled with Young Izuku’s nervous mutterings and Toshinori’s attempts at calming his boy down. He doesn’t sweat it, however, when his efforts don’t work; he knows that his boy can’t help his excitement at meeting so many famous heroes. At meeting All Might.

Although he doesn’t know he’s technically already met the man and has been housing him for over a week now.

Toshinori leads Young Izuku to the front reception when they walk into the agency and receive their visitors passes. Well, Young Izuku gets a visitor pass. Toshinori gets a confused look and questions of “how did you get outside” and “didn’t you just go up the elevator not too long ago”.

The retired hero is glad Tsukauchi makes his appearance then, because he has no idea how to answer the receptionist’s question. Instead, the three of them enter an elevator themselves. As they ascend, the two older men worry that Young Izuku might begin hyperventilating from his fanboy-ing.

The three of them are the first ones in the meeting room. Toshinori and Young Izuku take their seats at the side furthest from the entryway while Tsukauchi preps the meeting room. Apparently, this world’s All Might, Nighteye, and Lemillion are having a little meeting of their own before they face the mess that Toshinori’s brought upon them. This just makes Toshinori more nervous on how things will turn out.

Gran Torino is the next one to enter the room. Of course, the man is just as prickly as ever and instantly begins questioning him on all his failures. “Every time I turn around, something happens. What could it possibly be this time, Toshinori? Why are you like this?”

Toshinori doesn’t even dignify him with an answer, simply propping his elbows onto the table and digging the heels of his palms into his eyes. He groans at the dread pooling in his gut. He’s not ready for this. Gran harrumphs and sits across from Young Izuku and Toshinori.

Young Izuku’s gently rubbing his back to attempt at comforting him when the door swings open and Nedzu strolls into the meeting space.

“Ah, Toshinori! I hope you are well?” The… bear? Rat? Dog?... takes a seat at one end of the table. “Although, I highly doubt things are going well seeing as you’ve called a meeting with such important faces in the hero world.”

Somehow, Toshinori thinks that even Nedzu wouldn’t be able to predict the utter pandemonium that is about to bless the meeting once the rest of the participants show.

Nedzu pays no mind to Toshinori’s distress and turns to Young Izuku. The boy gulps at the dangerous glint in the Principal’s eyes. “And you must be the Hero Blogger: Deku! I do believe you graduated from U.A., did you not?”

“U-uh!” Young Izuku squeaks and sits ram rod straight in his seat, hands clenching into fists in his lap. “Y-yes, sir! I was in general studies!”

Nedzu hums. “It’s a shame you slipped under the radar all those years. I would have loved to take you under my wing, what with an analytical mind like yours.”

Young Izuku looks like he’s about to pass out.

“No matter!” Nedzu continues, taking the tea that Tsukauchi places on the table for each guest. “We can make up for lost time! Would you be free to meet with me sometime this week?”

Toshinori opens his mouth to defend Young Izuku request the conversation be dropped for now when the door opens once more. In step Lemillion, Nighteye, and All Might in his hero form.

Suddenly, everyone freezes. It’s so quiet, Toshinori thinks he’d be able to hear a pin drop on the bottom floor of the agency.

It’s Gran Torino who breaks the silence.

“Oh god, there’s two of them.”

And then, there’s chaos.

Toshinori can’t decipher who’s saying what as everyone struggles to make sense of what they’re seeing. Not to mention how much it hurts to see Nighteye again, alive and well in this world after the heartache he was put through when his own past sidekick died a horrible death. How he died before he and Toshinori could sit down and resolve the years of ignoring each other after a terrible falling-out. He swallows down the lump in his throat. It’s all he can do to keep his expression from showing his true feelings at seeing Nighteye. But he knows there’s nothing he can do for the stress headache to recede. He puts his fingers to his temples to stave off the feeling that’s sledgehammering its way through his skull, wishing things weren’t so complicated. Just when he thinks that he’s going insane, it’s Young Izuku who comes to his rescue:

“Would everyone sit down and. Shut. Up!”

And they do.

All Might, Nighteye, and Lemillion take their seats by Gran Torino while Tsukauchi claims his seat at the other end of the table. Young Izuku huffs and—with surprising grace—sits back down in his own chair before addressing the group.

“I—“ the boy clears his throat, voice wobbling with nerves. “I don’t understand what’s caused all of you to panic, but you are all seasoned pro heroes. Please act like it.”

Toshinori grins at that, his pride for the boy practically overflowing right then and there. He’s so focused on how proud he is of Young Izuku that he barely registers the looks that All Might (how weird is it to refer to his other self by his own hero name?) is giving him.

Tsukauchi clears his throat and everyone turns their attention to him. “Right, so let’s get this meeting started.”

“First of all, how did that,” Gran Torino points at Toshinori, “happen?”

Young Izuku promptly becomes offended for Toshinori. With a scowl that absolutely does not look right sitting on his face, he states “isn’t that a bit rude of you to say? His health is—“

“Now, let’s settle down!” The Detective cuts him off. “Toshinori here will explain how he ended up in this situation.”

All eyes in the room swing to him, and Toshinori finds himself gulping with nerves. “Right. Well, it’s a long story, and I would like to request there be no interruptions until I’m done.”

When they all affirm their cooperation, Toshinori tells them about spending Saturday of last week teaching class 2-A about patrols and how an incident with a villain led to him being dropped into a whole other reality. “I’d never seen that villain before the instant he was coming at me and activating his quirk. But it was obvious that he was targeting me. Probably because he had some sort of vendetta against me, or that he wanted the notoriety that would come with getting rid of the former Number 1. But I need to get home as soon as possible. My successor’s only 16 and is a student at U.A.. Who knows who will target him now that I’m out of the picture.”

There’s a bit of disbelieving silence from the other heroes in the room before Tsukauchi speaks up on Toshinori’s behalf. “All of it is true.”

“There’s a lot to unpack here…” Lemillion says, the chuckle his releases after sounding a bit unhinged.

Nedzu looks calm as ever, sipping his tea. “It’s quite the interesting premise! I’m curious about the similarities and differences of both worlds, actually.”

“Wait,” Young Izuku speaks up, stopping the conversation from moving forward. “I’m kind of confused on a couple of things.” The boy’s brows furrow as he speaks. “Your successor? What does that mean? And you were the number one hero in your world? I can’t believe that would be anyone but All Might, but you? You’re not…?”

Toshinori looks across the table and makes eye contact with All Might, practically pleading with his other self to let him give up the secret. All Might thinks for a moment, expression pensive, before sighing and allowing his body to steam up and revert to his civilian form.

Suddenly, there are two Toshinori’s in the room.

Young Izuku’s chair clatters and he jumps up from the table. “ALL-NORI? T-TOSHI-MIGHT? Uh… huh? Wha…?

Toshinori laughs and stands up himself, morphing into his hero form for a moment. “That’s right, Young Izuku! I am All—“ his body promptly puffs back into his civilian form once again, coughing blood. “…Might.”

That sends Young Izuku into a tizzy, unable to contain his panic at both Toshinori’s sudden reveal and the blood coming out of his mouth. The boy stutters his concern as he hands Toshinori a handkerchief that he’s been keeping on him since he first found out about Toshinori’s bloody coughs.

“I’m quite alright, my boy,” Toshinori comforts him. “Now you can see why I’ve retired!”

“Retired?” This world’s Toshinori (should he just continue referring to him as ‘All Might’? He is still an active hero, unlike himself) breathes, sounding horrified.

Both Young Izuku and Toshinori sit down before Toshinori replies. “Yes. I—uh, didn’t really take care of myself. Ran myself into the ground, thinking I was going to die either way and I didn’t want to give up hero work just yet. It took me a long time to find a successor, and with him a will to live longer and care for myself. I was quite self-destructive until I found him, but getting to know my boy… I would do anything to be there to see him become the next number one.”

“You… you sound really close,” Young Izuku says, his voice soft.

Toshinori smiles. “Yes.”

“So… what do you mean by ‘successor’?” His boy asks, wide green eyes swinging to Toshinori’s other self. “And does To— er, All…Might? D-do you both have a, uh, successor?”

“Before we begin,” Nedzu interrupts, “I believe it would be prudent to assign a name to each Toshinori. That way, we won’t have any confusion when referring to one or the other.”

“We can call one by his first name and the other by his last name?” Tsukauchi says. “But that might get a little confusing for the both of them…”

“Why not just call one All Might and the other Toshinori?” Lemillion asks. “It worked in the beginning.”

Nighteye shakes his head. “That may be too dangerous if both of them are in their civilian forms. If someone listens in, things could get complicated. Maybe a nickname?”

“Well, I’ve always called the idiot ‘boy’,” Gran Torino grumbles. “Might as well bring it back.”

This world’s Toshinori voices his objections immediately. “That’s pretty cruel, Gran. I don’t think either of us would like that.”

There’s a teasing glint in Gran’s eyes as he looks between both Toshinori’s. “Well what do you think—“

“Toshi.”

All eyes are, once again, on Young Izuku.

The young man flushes a deep red, but keeps his gaze locked on the Toshinori beside him, the one he’s been housing for a while. “Why don’t we call you Toshi?”

Having received a nickname from his pride and joy (well, this world’s counterpart), Toshinori—no, Toshi’s heart soars. “My boy, it’s perfect.”

“All right, Toshi,” Gran Torino pipes up, sounding vaguely amused, “as much as I find it funny the way you moon over the boy, what’s so special ‘bout ‘im? It’s like you’re a proud father or somethin’.”

Young Izuku flushes deeper, something Toshi wouldn’t have thought possible. The boy stutters to answer Gran Torino’s question. “Ah! Well, like he said, I was there to help him when he was dropped here! We’ve, uh, grown… close?”

Toshi hums and shakes his head. “That’s not all.” He looks Toshinori in the eye and states proudly, “In my world, Young Izuku is my successor.”

Luckily, the reactions are a lot calmer than those at the beginning of the meeting. Well, everyone’s except for Young Izuku’s.

“WHAT?” The boy exclaims, almost falling back in his chair as his surprise causes him to jerk violently. “H-how is that even possible? I mean, I’m quirkless, there’s no way I could— unless I have a quirk in your world? B-but what would—“

Toshi’s interjection is bland. “No, you were quirkless.”

“Bwah? But how—“

“My boy, I’m going to need you to settle down,” Toshi says, voice as soothing as he can make it. “The explanation is a long one, and having such information may put you in danger. You need to be calm and listen carefully. Okay?”

At Young Izuku’s jerky nod and an approving gesture from Toshinori, Toshi begins the tale of first One For All, and then of his own battle with All For One and the state it left him in. He also explains that he lost the final dregs of the quirk when he finally defeated All For One in the battle at Kamino Ward. When he finishes, he leans back into his seat and grabs hold of his tea cup.

“Would someone else do the speaking now,” Toshi asks, sipping at the now cold beverage. “My mouth is getting dry.”

“I have one more question before you rest,” Nighteye states, leaning forward on his elbows and pressing his finger tips together. “Why him?”

“Hm, that’s another pretty long story.”

At the unamused look Nighteye gives him, he sighs and downs his tea in one gulp. When he tells the story, he looks right at Young Izuku to see his reactions. By the end of the tale, his boy has tears in his eyes. So, Toshi grabs hold of his hand and speaks with as much sincerity as he can. “When I saw a small, frightened, quirkless middle schooler take action when even the pro heroes gave up, I was reminded of what a hero truly is. He inspired me to act. So, when I got away from the media, I found him, told him how wrong I was, and offered him my quirk.”

He slips his hand away from Young Izuku’s and instead rubs the back of his neck. “I’ve never regretted my decision; he’s always surprising me and showing me that he will definitely become a greater hero that I ever could have been. I’d choose him again in a heartbeat. And you, Young Izuku, are just like him. You’re so much like him, I just— When you told me your story, I thought— I can’t help but be proud of everything you’ve accomplished so far, and what you undoubtedly will accomplish in the future. You’re an amazing hero, even without a quirk.”

It breaks Toshi’s heart to think that this Young Izuku has never been told that he can be— is a great hero. But it’s obvious that he has not heard the words he’s always needed, because his boy breaks down into the same sobbing mess that he’d witnessed the first time he’d spoken such reassurances.

As Toshi comforts Young Izuku, he catches Tsukauchi’s eyes.

The man takes the hint and clears his throat over Young Izuku’s hiccuping sobs. “Let’s give those two some time and come up with a basic game plan. I’ve got expenses and communication with Toshi covered for the duration of his… stay. And I’m getting together some legal documents so that if he’s in any trouble, he’ll have the paperwork to help him out. All we need to do is find out how to send him back home.”

“And we’ll need to find out who sent him here, correct?” Nedzu asks, seeming a bit too excited for the task. “I’m sure Deku and I can collaborate to get that task done.”

Tsukauchi gives a smile and nod. “That’s what I was hoping for, thank you. I was also hoping Nighteye could look into Toshi’s future, see if we can get a clue before the two of you get started.”

Nighteye nods, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Yes, I wouldn’t mind doing that.”

“Great! Now, we just need to make sure Toshi and Deku are properly protected. With how Deku will suddenly be a regular guest of U.A. and Principal Nedzu, I’m sure there will be gossip and media coverage if people notice the change. Deku’s real identity will be put in danger. Plus, I don’t know if Toshi would be able to defend himself if All For One notices he’s here.”

Toshi tenses when he hears this, his gaze darting abruptly to Toshinori. “Wha— you haven’t…?”

Toshinori’s gaze is grim as he shakes his head. “I haven’t been able to track him down since he first gave me my wound. The Battle at Kamino Ward never happened.”

“Ah. That’s… unsettling.”

“ Right.”

“So U.A. Was never infiltrated by the League of Villains?”

Nighteye voices his surprise before everyone else in the room can even think to do so. “What do you mean they infiltrated U.A.?”

Toshi sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. “They were able to sneak onto campus using the media as a distraction in my first year of teaching. They stole information on the school trip to the USJ and planned to take me down using a Nomu designed to defeat me. It was actually a close call. If it weren’t for the students’ help, who knows if things would have gone as… okay as they did. After that, they targeted U.A.’s class A a few more times. I’m sure they’ll do it again. After all, All for One’s successor already has his eyes set on my Izuku.”

“None of that,” Toshinori says, voice halting, “has happened. I gave my quirk to Young Togata after he graduated. I still have some of OfA left, but I’m afraid I’ll run out very soon.”

“Oh,” Toshi blinks. “So the League is still out there… and so is All for One. And they all know about my… our weakness.”

No one says anything at first, but Toshinori finds it in himself to speak. “I’ll get my publicists to focus on keeping Deku off the media and stopping anyone who tries to reveal him in a scandal. As for protection, we might have to rely on more heroes than just us.”

Tsukauchi nods. “Who were you thinking of?”

“A former Class A, the class that is 2 years Young Togata’s junior. From my first year of teaching at U.A.,” Toshinori states. “We bonded quite a bit. I can trust them to watch my back, and keep a secret if need be. After all, they, too know about my civilian form after a, uh, accidental reveal.”

“My bad,” Lemillion pipes up, giving an awkward chuckle. “Got a little carried away with that training demonstration.”

Toshi grins at their sheepishness. “Assuming they’re the same group as I have, I agree with you wholeheartedly. They’re good kids.”

Toshinori’s answering smile is bright. “Lemillion here can lead them and make sure their shifts are set up properly. I’ll make sure to oversee both the publicity group and Lemillion’s group to ensure everything’s running smoothly.”

“I suppose I’ll help Tsukauchi plan our next moves,” Nighteye says.

Everyone looks to Gran Torino who shrugs. “I’m retired, technically I can’t do anything. But, I can stop by once in a while to help watch the kid and Toshi. Give them some sane company to talk to.”

“…Right,” the detective agrees. “Well, we all have our assignments, we just have to get everything together by the end of the day. Let’s all exchange contact information and begin our tasks.”

Toshi shares both his and Young Izuku’s contact information and address with the rest while his boy pulls himself together. By the time they’re all finished sharing contacts, Young Izuku has that determined set to his expression and is pulling out an odd device that looks like an old blackberry phone from the time before quirks.

“In order to help you,” Young Izuku says as he starts up the device, “I need to take a few notes. This is an old phone that Hatsume— an acquaintance of mine from U.A.— helped me jail brake and encrypt. On it, I can safely record voice memos and documents written in a code that I designed. Keeps information confidential. You won’t have to worry about anything getting stolen with this dinosaur. Plus, I can remotely activate its memory wipe feature if anyone happens to take it from me. So, using this is safe.”

Toshi notices the impressed glances everyone gives Young Izuku. He tries not to look so smug as his boy looks up at him with a shy smile. “I’m going to have to ask a lot of questions to really get an idea of who we’re looking for. Is that okay?”

Amusement flits across Toshi’s face, thinking of the many times Young Izuku’s excitement led to a torrent of questions over the past week. “My boy, you and I both know I’m quite used to your questioning by now.”

The boy flushes and looks down at the device in his hands with a grin. He opens a document and proceeds with his questions. What did the villain look like? Were there any defining features? What was their skin and hair color and texture? What were they wearing? What did the quirk look like when it was activated? Were there any gestures or phrases that looked to be an indicator that said quirk was being activated? Did it seem the villain was working alone or with a group? Did the villain say anything before they attacked?

As the questions come, Toshi answers them with a patience and fondness that seems to surprise and/or amuse the others in the room. They try not to make it obvious they’re listening in (well, everyone but Gran does), but with Young Izuku once more in his mutter mode, the young man doesn’t notice the attention his antics are gaining him anyways. Toshi barely suppresses a laugh at the looks on their faces when Young Izuku pulls out a small notebook from his pocket and begins drawing the villain with what information Toshi has given. Toshi points out traits that need to be fixed in the portrait and coaches him through drawings of several facial expressions he’d seen the villain make before his boy deems the job done.

It’s quiet and everyone is watching the two of them by the time Young Izuku rises from his muttered thoughts. “Right. I think I have all that I need, for now.”

Toshi knows that there’s a shit-eating grin on his face as he makes eye contact with everyone in the room one by one. Good, he thinks, they should be impressed. “You can always ask me if you have any more questions, my boy.” He raises a brow at everyone else. “Have you all gotten your parts together as well?”

Toshinori nods. “Ah, yes, everything is ready to go.”

“My meeting with former Class-A to debrief the case isn’t until tomorrow morning, though,” Lemillion says. “So, All Might said he could keep an eye on you tonight.”

“I was thinking I could house you in my home for the night,” Toshinori says. “It’s pretty safe with security, and I wanted to talk to, er, Toshi about All For One.”

“That’s fine with me,” Toshi agrees. He looks to Young Izuku. “Are you alright with that?”

“Oh! Uh… can we… get a couple things first? I have school tomorrow and I can’t miss.”

Interest sparks in Toshinori’s eyes. “You’re a student? What are you studying?”

“Q-quirk Analysis PhD and Quirk Detection and Development MD.”

An impressed hum rumbles through Toshinori’s chest and Young Izuku flushes with pleasure at the attention. Toshi has a feeling Young Izuku’s reaction is because of the man’s status as All Might. Not that he’s jealous. How could he be jealous of himself?

“Well,” Toshi stands from his seat, “Let’s get going. It will take a little while to get everything done, so we have to move quickly if you want to have a decent night’s sleep, my boy.”

Young Izuku jumps up from his chair. “R-right! Um, Principal Nedzu, I’ll text you my availability later tonight and more on my notes tomorrow.”

Nedzu claps his hands. “Perfect! Just send me the details of your notes to my email. Tsukauchi and I are getting permission to use the national quirk databases for this case. I’ll get you clearance as well.”

“Great! I won’t have to hack it, then.”

“Young man, that’s illegal!” Toshi exclaims.

The boy turns to him, grin wide and a teasing glint in his eyes. “I know. You know by now that that won’t stop me.”

Toshi shakes his head and chuckles, leading his other self and his boy out of the room. “You know you just incriminated yourself in a room full of heroes and a police detective, right?”

ooo

“AllMight’sinmyapartmentAllMight’sinmyapartmentAllMight’sinmyapartment,” Young Izuku mutters, throwing clothes and school supplies into a duffle bag.

The two men share an amused glance before Toshi turns back to his own light packing. “My boy, I have been in the apartment for a week.”

Young Izuku spins around to face him, hands gesticulating wildly. “B-but it— he’s All Might!”

His laughter quickly turns into coughing, and his boy is immediately upon him with a handkerchief and a small glass of water. He nods in thanks. “Are you saying that because I’ve retired, I am less All Might than he is?”

Toshinori awkwardly begins panicking at the position Toshi placed him in, even if it was just in jest. He raises his hands in front of himself and stutters illegibly as Young Izuku bites his lip and shakes his head.

“No,” Young Izuku says, rubbing Toshi’s back. “I just… I’ve known you all this time as ‘Toshinori’ and I feel like I know you as you rather than ‘All Might’. W-when I look at you, I see… I just see Toshi. Does that make sense?”

They go back to gathering supplies as Toshi speaks again, “I have no idea how you differentiate us. Other than the different outfits, that is. We look identical otherwise. How can you see us so differently?”

“The way you carry yourself,” is his boy’s reply. “You’re a lot more comfortable around me than All Might is.”

“Just call him Toshinori, my boy,” Toshi says as he grabs Young Izuku’s empty bento box and chopsticks so he can make him lunch for tomorrow.

Young Izuku pauses at picking which home videos to bring. “But it’s so weird!” The boy turns to look at Toshinori. “Don’t you think this is weird?”

“T-this is the… weirdest thing that’s every happened to me, yes,” Toshinori stutters in surprise at suddenly being roped into conversation.

“Like,” Young Izuku continues, “there’s two of you now. And you’re both so different, yet you’re also the same! You,” he points to Toshinori, “are exactly as awkward as he,” he points to Toshi, “was when we first met. But you have different experiences and different thoughts and I know one and not the other and—! Ugh, I feel like my head is gonna explode.”

Both men laugh—the same exact laugh— and then freeze to stare at each other. In twin voices, they immediately say, “this is really weird.”

“Yeah!” Young Izuku exclaims before going back to his tasks. “But the worst part has to be that you were All Might the whole time you were here, Toshi, and you’ve seen the absolute most embarrassing things. I think I could die.”

Toshinori looks both amused and curious when he asks Toshi, “so… what did you see?”

Wide green eyes lock onto Toshi, who looks too excited for Young Izuku’s own good. The retired hero’s answering grin is large, and the boy can’t stop the groan that escapes him. “Please don’t tell All Might, Toshi!”

Toshi laughs, “All Might already knows.”

Young Izuku whines and flops onto his back, hands hiding his blushing face as Toshi tells Toshinori about every All Might-related conversation they’d had all week. When he’s finished, the boy’s curled himself into a ball on the floor and both men are laughing so hard their stomachs ache. Toshi adds, “just wait until you see the ‘Small Might’ home video he has. It’s quite the cinematic masterpiece.”

“Toshi, no!”

“I’m afraid there’s nothing you can do now, my boy; his interest is already piqued. Make sure to pack the tape, alright?”

Young Izuku pouts, grabbing said tape and shoving it into the duffle with the rest of the videos. Toshi responds by rubbing the boy’s already messy hair.

When they finish with packing what they need for the next few days, they move to the front entrance. Young Izuku insists on carrying their shared duffle bag full of clothes and toiletries (and Toshi’s medication) as well as his school bag and video equipment. Toshi argues that he’s not an invalid, but eventually loses the battle when Toshinori offers to help Young Izuku in his stead. When Toshi asks, quite offended, why his boy let the other him help with the bags, the answer both makes him feel warm with love and makes him pout with stubbornness.

“You seem a lot sicklier than All Might, Toshi,” Young Izuku says, looking deep into his eyes with concern.

“We look the same!” Toshi argues.

“He hasn’t coughed out blood.”

“Yet.”

“And, apparently, you don’t have your quirk anymore to give you that extra strength. I want you to heal a little bit while you’re here, so that you’re healthier when you go back to your world. If I’m anything like your Izuku, I’m sure his first priority is your health and happiness.” Oh, god, he’s using the puppy dog eyes. “Please let us do this. I just want to take care of you.”

Toshi releases a long sigh. That boy just doesn’t play fair. An uncharacteristic pout forms on his face. “Fine. But can I at least do something to help?”

“Yeah! You can take care of the transactions and stuff on the way there.”

Toshi harrumphs and leads them outside so he can lock the door. “Fine. You’re lucky you’re cute.”

Young Izuku can’t do anything but stutter in response. And then, they’re on their way.

ooo

“That train ride was next level,” Young Izuku laughs as he helps Toshi with the dishes.

As a thanks for Toshinori’s hospitality, Young Izuku wanted to make dinner for them all. Toshi, not wanting to leave the boy to do all the work, pushed his way into the process and forced his boy to let him help. After all, he wasn’t very much help on the trip to Toshinori’s home. Now, they are cleaning up while Toshinori sets up the living room for his guests.

Toshi laughs heartily, handing the boy a clean dish to dry. “I thought we’d give everyone we passed a conniption.”

“They must have been terrified seeing not one, but two completely identical skeletons!” Young Izuku’s laughing so hard he’s almost crying. “Toshi, it was beautiful!”

Toshi snickers at the boy before taking the plate out of Young Izuku’s hands before the boy has a chance to drop it. The young man presses his forehead against the counter as he desperately tries to calm his laughter.

“My boy, I think you’re finding this too funny.”

Young Izuku’s finally gotten his sob-laughs under control, and is deep breathing to calm himself further. “It was just a really good day.”

Toshi hums. Maybe the stress and dramatic reveals of the meeting are finally getting to the boy. He finishes up the rest of the dishes and does the drying himself before putting everything away. He leads his boy out of the kitchen and into the living room where Toshinori is.

The coffee table that once stood in front of the couch is pushed to the side of the room. In its place are two futons, blankets, and pillows. Their belongings are stacked on top of the coffee table and the video camera and tapes are neatly placed along the T.V. Stand, ready for use.

“I hope this is comfortable enough for you,” Toshinori says, surveying his work. “And sorry I don’t have a guest room. I just never thought I’d have overnight guests.”

“It looks perfect!” Is Young Izuku’s sunny reply.

“I don’t think you would have gotten any guests,” says Toshi, “if it weren’t my inter-dimensional travel.”

Toshinori gives a boisterous laugh. “I think you’re right! Well, the bath is already set for the two of you to use, if you want it. I’m already done with the bathroom, tonight, so it’s all yours.”

Toshi smiles and turns to Young Izuku. “My boy, why don’t you take the bath first? You’re the one who has school tomorrow.”

“But you’re always up before me, Toshi,” Young Izuku says.

“I don’t actually go anywhere,” Toshi points out. “Bath.”

Young Izuku gives him a small, shy smile before nodding. He gathers his pajamas and toiletries before making his way down the hall and into the bathroom. When the door closes, the two men glance at each other before stepping towards the couch and sitting side-by-side.

Toshi can’t help but wonder if this would be he life if he didn’t meet Young Izuku that day. If he had gone along with what Nighteye had told him from the beginning, if he’d taken care of himself a little more, would he still have a few dregs of One for All? Would he have the opportunity to actually plan out his retirement instead of having it violently wrenched out of his hands?

He knows that it isn’t just about how much he’s cared for himself and how little he’s listened to those around him; the League of Villains had a large hand in depleting his power after he transferred it to his successor. But he feels that if he was at least a little bit more concerned with his own health and did what the doctors tell him to more often, he’d be in a much better state than he is now. Maybe his son would worry about him less and focus on himself more. Maybe he could actually make due on his vow to Inko to always be there to protect his boy. Maybe he wouldn’t have been spirited away like this. But, who’s to say if he would have ever met Izuku at all if he listened to them? Would that even be worth it?

“I’m sorry I dragged you and everyone else into this mess,” Toshi says, breaking the silence. “I just know I can’t do this alone.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” is Toshinori’s reply. “We’ll find a way to get you home.”

There’s silence for a couple beats before Toshinori speaks up again. “You and Young Midoriya are quite close.”

Toshi grins. “It’s hard not to love that boy. He’s… he’s everything good in the world. I can’t imagine my life without him.”

“Even if he’s not actually your Young Midoriya? From your world?”

Toshi shakes his head. “While they are different people with different lives, their core ideals and personality are one and the same. He’s still my boy, no matter his age, his life, his quirk or lack thereof. And he’s still a hero, even if he had to get there a different way. Only Izuku could do that.”

A look of discontent flutters across Toshinori’s face. He hunches his shoulders and rests his elbows on his knees, leaning down in what looks like defeat. “I’m actually quite jealous of your relationship,” he admits, voice soft and slow. “I was hoping for a bond like yours and Young Midoriya’s when I got a successor. But Nighteye is the one who scouted and trained Young Togata before I made him my successor, while I was healing from the fight with All for One. By the time I was healed, Young Togata already had a mentor and didn’t really need another.

“Don’t get me wrong, I really appreciate what Nighteye did, how much effort he put into helping me find the right hero for my quirk. But sometimes I wish… well, I always thought that finding a successor would be kind of like finding my family. Like finding a son or a daughter to raise and watch grow. And I didn’t… I didn’t really get that. Not with Young Togata. Didn’t think it was that important to me until I met you two.”

Toshi digests Toshinori’s words, sitting back into the couch with a sigh. He gets where the man is coming from. Of course, he’s thought of it that way, and his relationship with Young Izuku only confirms both of their thoughts. It is—was—a chance to find the family that they never allowed themselves to have. After all, if they have a family, they’d only be in danger. But, if they had a successor, that very person would be able to defend themselves once trained. That’s the closest they’d get. That’s the closest he’s gotten. But Toshinori…

Yeah, a life without Young Izuku isn’t worth it.

Seeing Toshinori’s reaction to the bond he was able to cultivate with this world’s Young Izuku only solidifies Toshi’s conviction that his promise to stay at his boy’s side will not be broken. Toshinori Yagi will take care of his boy, even if he himself isn’t there to do so.

“Well,” Toshi starts, a bit hesitant, “maybe it isn’t too late.”

Toshinori’s brows crease as he turns to face the other man. “What?”

“It won’t necessarily be a mentor-successor relationship,” Toshi continues, shrugging, “but I’m sure Young Izuku would still like to stay in contact with you after I’ve gone.”

Toshinori coughs so hard blood comes out.

“Ah,” Toshi starts as he pulls his boy’s handkerchief from his pocket to give to Toshinori, “I was wondering when you’d do that.”

Toshinori sputters as he wipes away the blood. “I can’t—How—I don’t even know him! And you and I—”

“Are practically the same,” Toshi cuts in. “I know you see it in him. He’s a hero, through and through, and he’s the most amazing individual we’ve ever met. He’s everything we’ve hoped for in a successor—”

“I have a successor!”

“—And! And in a son.”

It’s quiet for a moment between them. Toshi allows Toshinori to digest what he’s said before continuing the conversation.

“I know,” Toshi begins, soft and hesitant, but voice becoming firmer as his certainty grows, “that he can never be your successor. Not now, with One for All already passed down. But he’s still everything that we’ve been looking for in a person worthy of the power and more. You may be… jealous of the relationship between my successor and I, but you have a chance that I’ll never have: getting to know the boy—to be in his life—without fear of losing him to All for One or his successor. You can keep him safe and be in his life without the expectations of him becoming a combative hero, another symbol for society.” He sighs. “I just want him safe.”

Toshinori slowly nods. “He is a good boy,” he says lowly. “And I am impressed with everything that I’ve come to know today. But he obviously adores you. Hero worship and affection for a loved one are two very different things.”

“That’s why you have to work on it yourself,” Toshi grins. “Don’t worry, I think it’ll be easy for you. You are All Might. The boy’s already got a soft spot for you!”

Young Izuku makes his appearance from the bathroom not a second later, towel over his head and dirty clothes in his arms. “Bathroom’s all yours, Toshi!”

ooo

When Toshi comes back from the bathroom, he finds Toshinori and Young Izuku locked in a conversation about the quirks of the students of former class A. His boy has stars in his eyes and he speaks at warp speed, asking questions back to back. Toshinori is obviously very amused, and tries his best to keep up with the young man. Of course, Young Izuku blushes when he realizes the amount of time he’s been muttering, but almost immediately goes back to his mutter storms.

After a few minutes of watching this, Toshi walks further into the room with a chuckle. The boy hasn’t even finished drying his hair yet.

“Young man,” Toshi starts, standing behind the couch so that he can reach the towel draped over Izuku’s head, “if you don’t dry your hair properly, you’ll get sick.”

“Ah! Sorry,” Young Izuku squeaks while Toshi dries his hair. “I got… kind of excited?”

He laughs. “I wouldn’t have expected anything else.”

Toshinori grins before turning towards the T.V., where the home videos are stacked. “So, Young Midoriya… why bring these videos?”

Toshi feels Young Izuku tense, and pauses his actions. Slowly, he begins drying again while the boy replies, “I lost my mom recently in a villain fight and I’m still having a hard time with… the changes. Watching them helps me sleep.”

Toshinori looks like he wants the ground to swallow him up, shame and worry taking over his expression. “I’m… sorry. For your loss.”

“Thank you. I’m,” the boy pauses before looking up toToshinori, “I’m going to get better.”

Toshi knows that if he could see his boy’s face, he’d see the determined set of his face and the glimmer in those green eyes. Toshi smiles, patting Young Izuku’s shoulder when he finishes drying his hair. “Why don’t you put on a video, my boy.”

They’ve just finished the ‘Small Might’ tape and are putting in a new one when Toshinori is called to help subdue a villain.

“I’ll be back later,” he says after he’s changed into his costume. He buffs up into his hero form. “There’s no need to stay up for me! Good night, you two!”

He jumps from the small balcony that connects to the living room, leaving Toshi chuckling at the starstruck expression on Young Izuku’s face. His boy raises his hands to cover his mouth as a high pitch squeal squeezes past his lips.

“He’s so cool,” Young Izuku breathes, eyes sparkling and cheeks flushed lightly. “I never thought I’d be able to see All Might just jump across a city with my own eyes! I wish I could see him fight, too. Oh! Maybe he’ll tell me about his battle when he comes back? And maybe he’ll tell me about his other fights as well! But he’ll be tired when he comes back, though—“

“Yes, he will be tired,” Toshi butts into his boy’s tirade. “And you’ll be tired at school is you don’t go to bed soon.”

Young Izuku stutters and rubs the back of his neck, cheeks reddening more than they already are. “Ah, y-yeah. You’re right.”

Toshi smiles at the pout that’s fighting its way onto his boy’s lips. “You can always ask him tomorrow. And you know you can ask me about All Might’s fights as well, right?”

“R-right!” Young Izuku brightens up. “I’ll— uh— go to bed! And, er, ask you s-some questions… later?”

Toshi laughs. “I’m looking forward to it. Now, bed.”

The two of them get settle into their futons, camera and tapes pulled as close to them as the cord allows. They watch memories play across the screen until they both fall asleep. Neither wake when Toshinori returns. Neither even stir when he turns off the television and turns off the lamp before heading to bed.

Chapter Text

Their morning routine starts earlier than normal, but is otherwise the exact same as if they were still in the Midoriya apartment.

Well, almost.

Now, Young Izuku has two helpers doting over him.

While Toshi fixes up his boy’s breakfast and prepares his bento, Toshinori is making sure Young Izuku has the apartment’s address and an extra key. He’s also making sure the young man doesn’t run off to school without the two older men, seeing as they’re--well, only Toshinori I is—his security detail before the others are briefed.

Both men tag team to get ready and keep an eye on Young Izuku. And when they’re all ready to go, they keep the boy between them as they walk to the train station.

“You really don’t need to worry about me!” Young Izuku says over and again throughout the trip. “You should focus on the mission!”

“We will after we escort you to school,” Toshinori says, trying to be stern in the face of the boy’s pouting. “You should be safe enough relying on your university’s security.”

Toshi laughs under his breath as his boy huffs. “Please humor us, my boy. We just want you safe.”

Young Izuku purses his lips, but doesn’t try to convince them to let him go alone again. When they get to the university, his boy gives them a shy wave coupled with a red-cheeked smile. And then, they’re off to Might Tower.

ooo

They’re the last two to arrive at the briefing.

At the front, Young Togata is standing, already addressing the group with a bare-bones shift schedule for the security detail. Only a few heads turn to glance at the pair when they hear the doors open. But when they process what they saw, those heads swivel to look back at them so quickly Toshi thinks their necks might crack.

That, of course, gets the rest of the group’s attention. Soon, the room is full of confused exclamations and soft murmurs. Toshi and Toshinori look at each other before they make their way to the front of the room and sitting in the seats beside Nighteye and Tsukauchi. They're all so grown up, he thinks to himself as he's takes in the matured faces of his students—no, these heroes. It's incredible to think that my own students will look like this in just a few years.

There’s silence for a beat before Young Bakugou decides he’s had enough.

“So we have to play babysitter for the skeleton’s twin and a professional nerd?”

“That is incredibly disrespectful to say, Dynamight!” Young Iida stands, hand chopping through the air and glasses glinting. But, before he could continue his tirade, Young Togata reigns in the group’s attention.

“While I know this isn’t exactly what you expected for your work as a hero, please know that this assignment is very important!” Togata exclaims. “I was actually waiting for All Might to come and explain his part of the story before I split you into teams. So, if you wouldn’t mind taking the stage, All— er, Toshi?”

Toshi clears his throat and stands from his seat. He turns to face the group and greets them nervously. He gives the group the same story he did in the briefing the day before. And when he finishes, he answers their questions about the parallels of his own world and this one. Of course, he doesn’t speak of his quirk and his successor, but he makes sure to let them know about the classmate that they never had that seemed to bring the already tight-knit group even closer together.

“Actually, that is why I trusted Deku when I saw him,” Toshi answers a final question of theirs. “You are all still students and have just reached your second year in my world. And I'm currently teaching him alongside you all.”

“Right!” Lemillion says, clapping his hands. “Let’s finish up this briefing and get onto the first shifts!”

Lemillion gestures, once again, to the schedule displayed at the front of the room while Toshi takes a seat.

“As you all see here, we have one hero on Toshi, another on Deku, and two on call for back-up if needed.” The shifts on the display are rotating and staggered so that each hero has a few days in between for their normal hours at their agencies and rest. “At no point will you be put on a double shift, since we’ve already spoken to each of your agencies. And by double shift, I mean no one will be on call and be on duty with their agency at one time. The safety of Toshi and Deku are our biggest concern, so make sure you stay on top of your schedule and are ready to be called in at any time if you are the on-call hero.

“When on duty for Toshi and Deku, you will be in civilian clothing,” Togata says. “Nothing too flashy, since we don’t want to attract attention. It’s okay to interact with the targets, just don’t make it obvious that you are guarding them. Actually, when you’re on your first shift guarding Deku, I want you to introduce yourself to him so he knows who he’s working with! On later shifts, it’s your choice whether or not to interact with him. Are there any questions?”

Young Asui raises her hand. “Are you sure it’s a good idea for Bakugou to be on the first shift, ribbit? Wouldn’t that just scare Deku?”

Young Bakugou scoffs. “If he’s so easily scared, then maybe he shouldn’t be in the hero profession.”

Young Togata ignores Bakugou and answers the young woman’s question. “I figured we’d get the worst one out of the way! So that everything runs smoothly after.”

Explosions and laughter ring throughout the conference room, and Toshi can’t keep the grin off his face. What fine heroes my students will become, he thinks. Suddenly, he’s irrationally excited to see how Young Midoriya reacts to meeting all these up-and-coming heroes.

ooo

Toshinori pulls Toshi aside, along with Lemillion and Sir Nighteye as the former Class A goes over their shift schedule and assigned partnerships.

“I believe,” Toshinori groans as they all sit at the far corner of the conference room, “it’s time for us to go over the differences in the timeline.”

Sir Nighteye pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “And I still need to read your future, All— er. Toshi.”

“Right,” Toshi leans his elbows into his thighs. “Which one first?”

Toshinori and Nighteye briefly look at each other before Toshinori states, “timeline first.”

“Well, we all know that the fight with All for One happened,” Toshi grumbles, rubbing his side. “That’s probably where the differences start.”

Nighteye raises an eyebrow. “When All Might woke up after his battle with AFO, he took mine and Gran Torino’s advice to lay low and heal his wounds as much as possible. We told the public he was taking a long-awaited vacation.”

Toshi nods, and swallows the knot in throat. “When I woke up after that battle, Nighteye looked into my future. He saw me die in a villain battle, which he predicted would happen within 7 years of his reading.”

Toshinori goes pale, and he plays with his fingers. Lemillion, for the first time he’s ever witnessed, has lost his smile. Nighteye’s face simply goes blank.

“H-how many years,” Toshinori manages to croak, “has it been?”

The smile on Toshi’s face is grave. “Six.”

When Toshinori nods, Toshi moves on.

“Nighteye told me to give up being a hero; to retire and find a successor. But I wasn’t ready. I couldn’t… I didn’t handle things well. We parted ways. And for a while, I lived in denial.

“After five years, I realized I couldn’t go on like I’d been any longer. I’d gotten so weak, I could only hold my hero form for 3 hours a day, at that point. So, I talked to Principal Nedzu, reconnected with Nighteye. I told them it was time to find a successor. Nedzu encouraged me to become a teacher to find an exceptional student as my successor. Nighteye said he’d found a successor, and was training him for me. My first day in Musutafu, I found Young Izuku.”

Toshinori sighs and leans back into his seat. He looks pensive as he speaks, “I spent the first few months after being injured gaining as much of my health and strength back in the hospital. I recruited more heroes and sidekicks to ensure there were enough heroes to take over as much of my duties as possible. I started with small jobs and meetings with the media. It took a couple years to get back to the bigger villain fights, but by then I had 8 hours a day for my quirk.

“Lemillion, here, was scouted by Mirai when he was in high school with the sole purpose of becoming my successor. I wasn’t ready yet, so I put it off until he graduated and we recruited him as a side kick. Mirai convinced me Young Togata was ready when he became a full-fledged hero, and by then I was down to 4 hours a day. I gave my quirk to Young Togata and have continued to lose time. I’m down to 2 hours, now. So, we’re planning my retirement. Unfortunately, we haven’t found All for One.”

Toshi nods. “And you all know how I’ve already found All for One, but we’re currently battling with his successor.”

The other three nod.

“Would you tell us who the successor is?” Nighteye asks.

“He goes by Tomura Shigaraki,” Toshi says slowly, voice low and serious. “His real name is Tenko Shimura.”

 Toshinori makes a choked sound. He looks about as horrified as Toshi was when All for One told him. Toshi can only nod at the other him. “I learned that straight from All for One, while we were fighting our final battle. Unfortunately, Tsukauchi was able to confirm his claim.”

The air is heavy, and both Toshi and Toshinori wear twin expressions of heartbreak. It’s Nighteye that breaks the heavy silence with a deep sigh.

“Let’s leave the rest of this conversation for another day,” Nighteye states, calm in his conviction. “For now, let’s make sure you get home in the future.”

ooo

Toshi leaves the briefing with Young Kirishima and Young Bakugou in tow. Nighteye said they’d continue their conversation on timeline differences later, and encouraged all the heroes to begin their details. Together with the young heroes, Toshi head towards Young Izuku’s university, where they’ll all be sitting in on his classes and work for the day as special guests. (When Toshi requested to see where his boy works, Young Izuku was flushed with embarrassment, but was obviously pleased with the positive attention and compliments he received over his research. So, Young Izuku promised to have seats ready for them.)

Toshi spends the majority of the trip answering the young heroes’ questions about his world. He answers them readily, and mostly finds himself gushing about his Young Izuku… and also the Young Izuku from this world. Overall, he feels like he’s given the two young men more than enough information on his boy to make them feel like they already know him. He can talk about his son all day, honestly, but what better way to show him off than to actually show him to them?

The trio see Young Izuku waiting for them at the front entrance of the school, wearing a lab coat and backpack, speaking to what looks like another graduate student. His boy looks sheepish, what with the way he’s blushing and rubbing the back of his neck. When the group gets nearer, they can hear the other graduate student commenting on the fact that the lab coats must stay in the lab or else their experiments risk contamination.

“I’m very sorry, senpai,” Young Izuku gives a shallow bow. “I’ll make sure to wash my lab coat and borrow one for today. I was just in a bit of a rush and forgot…”

The graduate student laughs. “You’ve always been pretty forgetful! Just be more careful next time.”

Young Izuku waves goodbye to his senpai before greeting the arriving heroes.

“S-sorry about that!” He stutters, still a bit pink in the cheeks. “I just got excited and rushed out here when you texted me you were near.”

“Not to worry my boy,” Toshi chuckles and pats his boy’s shoulder. “What were you doing before this?”

“Oh! Just, uh, isolating the Quirk Gene in a few genome samples I got my hands on. I’m actually preparing an experiment to see whether it’s possible to induce a quirk mutation in the genome of an animal similar to those of human—like a pig’s—and I just needed another look at the factors that surround the Quirk Gene or if there are any repetitive patterns that indicate—” Young Izuku cuts himself off as he makes eye contact with the two young men behind Toshi. Then, he gasps. “You’re Red Riot and Dynamight!”

Young Kirishima looks as if he was given whiplash, what with the sudden change in topic. He scratches at his hair line with a single finger and grins. “Er, yeah! We got first shift with the hero detail. We were all told to wear civilian clothing, so that’s how you’ll be seeing all of us as the days go by.”

Young Kirishima steps closer to Young Izuku and holds his hand out to shake. “I’m Eijiro Kirishima, Red Riot!”

Young Izuku looks as if he’s vibrating with excitement, and Toshi has to hold in his laughter at his boy’s response.

“I-it’s so nice to meet you! Amazing even!” His boy’s voice is higher pitched than usual, due to his excitement. He shakes the young hero’s hand, but doesn’t let go. “I’ve watched you since your first Sport’s Festival and I always knew your quirk is perfect for hero-ing! I have to ask—can you tell me more about your quirk? I know that your quirk allows you to harden your body, but is it just the outer layer of skin that hardens? Or does it go deeper, like to your muscles and bones? I’ve always thought it was just the outer layer of skin, seeing as your bodily functions still persist, and a lot of soft tissues and organs in your body require the ability to flex and move on their own. Unless they can somehow harden as well and retain their mobility? Or there are microtubules throughout your abdominal cavity that keeps everything in place and protects soft tissues from damage? Either one could be plausible… Oh! How long can you keep your body hardened? Is there a hard time limit? Or can you push past it depending on stamina? And are there any areas that cannot be hardened?”

A hand seemingly comes out of nowhere to slap over Young Izuku’s mouth. The young man stops talking immediately and let’s himself be pushed away from Young Kirishima. Soon, Young Izuku finds himself face to face with Dynamight, the taller man lowering his face to be level with Young Izuku’s. Young Bakugou scowls, though his expression is surprisingly softer than Toshi’s ever seen it.

There’s no recognition in either of the boys’ eyes, so it seems like they’ve never met in this universe. Toshi wonders how that will change their dynamic; after all, while they didn’t have the best relationship when they were children, they’ve grown much closer since they started high school together, and seem to be getting even friendlier as time goes on.

Toshi finds himself choking on spit and blood as Young Bakugou smirks and takes his hand from over Young Izuku’s mouth only to run his thumb across the smaller man’s bottom lip.

“Nerd’s cuter than I thought.”

Young Izuku turns bright red and Toshi can feel himself practically have a heart attack. Young Bakugou’s smirk grows wider at Young Izuku’s blush, and he has the audacity to wink before he turns around and starts walking into the university’s campus.

Young Izuku turns wild eyes towards Toshi, and they stare at each other in stunned silence.

“W-what was that?” Young Izuku squeaks, voice wobbly with… confusion?

Toshi watches Young Izuku look back to the hero and bite his lip.

Oh no.

Young Kirishima is the first to start moving after Young Bakugou, loudly crying out, “What was that, Bakubro?”

This prompts Toshi and Young Izuku to follow after them, each trying to calm themselves for what Toshi believes are very different reasons.

Young Izuku can’t… they aren’t like that, are they? They aren’t in his world—at least he thinks. B-but Young Bakugou? What was that??

Young Izuku puts a hand to his heart as they see the two heroes stop and wait for the duo to catch up. “Toshi, I don’t… Please kill me.”

“My boy, no.”

“I just! I— He’s—Wow.”

Suddenly, Toshi’s scared of what the future holds for the Young Izuku and Young Bakugou of his own universe.

When they’re all together again, Toshi and Young Kirishima try their damndest to pretend they don’t see Young Bakugou aggressively check out Young Izuku's behind as he leads them to the classroom he conducts his lectures in. Toshi tries to block Young Bakugou’s view of Young Izuku while they walk. Somehow, he feels that his efforts are not working.

“I-it’s a pretty small classroom,” Young Izuku says, rubbing one of his arms. “I only lecture discussions and reviews for exams. So it’s a pretty small class compared to the one led by the actual professor. Because of this, it can be pretty easy to distract the students. If you all wouldn’t mind, could you sit in the back? Just so that there’s less distraction. Out of sight, out of mind, you know?”

“It’s no problem, my boy. Let us know if you’d like us to leave at any time.”

The classroom is bright, with big windows letting in the sunlight. Desks are spaced throughout the room, and a high-tech presentation system is set up at the front of the room. Young Izuku sets up a presentation on his laptop while students trickle in. While the trio do receive curious glances, no one actually approaches them or asks Young Izuku who their guests are.

When the time comes, the lecture begins.

Toshi is practically enraptured with the way Young Izuku seems to light up when teaching his students. He’s attentive, and explains things in a way that helps his students understand the material as well as makes them excited to learn more. And by the time Young Izuku passes out the worksheet that is to be completed by the end of the period, even Toshi has a basic understanding of what’s going on in the class.

Maybe he can learn how to be a better teacher from Young Izuku…

Young Izuku claps after he sees that every student has a copy of the worksheet. “Are there any questions before you begin the assignment?”

To Toshi’s horror, Young Bakugou’s hand raises lazily, but the man doesn’t even wait to be acknowledged before calling out, “Yeah, you free tonight?”

Young Izuku blinks. “Huh?”

Young Bakugou lets his hand fall to his side, grinning like the cat who caught the canary. “I wanna see what you can teach me outside of the classroom.”

There are stifled giggles scattered across the room. Young Kirishima slaps Young Bakugou’s arm, but the latter isn’t fazed by the disapproval of the two men sitting beside him.

“Or maybe I can teach you a little something,” Young Bakugou practically sneers at Young Izuku.

It’s stifling in the room, the air awkward and charged while everyone waits for the blank-faced lecturer’s response.

Young Izuku smiles, eyes squinting shut and head tilting slightly to the side. But there’s something unsettling about the look. The smile looks… dangerous.

Oh, Toshi thinks as a shudder runs down his back, he looks terrifying.

“Mr. Bakugou, I will not tolerate such disrespectful actions from anyone, whether they be a student or otherwise. If you cannot act like a mature adult, you will be asked to leave my classroom.”

Toshi hears Young Bakugou’s teeth click as his slack-jawed mouth snaps shut.

Young Izuku turns to look at the others in the room, face returning back to his normal sparkling eyes and warm grin. “Does anyone else have a relevant question?”

Toshi swears he can hear the class gulp collectively.

“Great!” Young Izuku smiles wide. “Feel free to work together. Raise your hand if you need help!”

Young Bakugou slumps back in his seat, huffing out an amused chuckle. “Fuck. I think I’m in love.”

Toshi coughs hard, blood and spittle spewing from his mouth onto his fist. Young Izuku practically materializes beside them and places a handkerchief onto the desk in front of Toshi before continuing his rounds with the students.

When Toshi finally catches his breath, he speaks with a gruff voice. “Why would you say that?”

“Yeah, dude,” Young Kirishima hisses, “what the hell is wrong with you? How could you do that?”

Young Bakugou folds his arms behind his head and tracks Young Izuku around the room with his eyes. “Nerd’s smart. He’s cute. And you can tell he works out behind all those shitty clothes. It’s fuckin’ hot. He looks like the kind who’d cry when you fu—“

“Young Bakugou, please don’t finish that sentence.”

Said man grins, all the teeth in his mouth on display. “But with what we just saw, he ain’t the type to just lie back and take it either. I can fucks with that.”

“Bro, you can’t just say things like that to people!” Young Kirishima admonishes. “It’s so unmanly!”

“That kind of attitude is why you can’t even get a date with Raccoon Eyes,” Young Bakugou retorts. “Don’t take any risks, don’t get any reward.”

“Young man, you should not talk to or about others like that, especially in a professional setting such as this one,” Toshi says, rubbing at his forehead to stop the headache that seems to be festering behind his eyes.

“The nerd can tell me that himself,” Young Bakugou says, eyes still locked on Young Izuku. “In fact, I like it better when he says it.”

Please, Toshi thinks as he stares up the ceiling, someone—anyone—give me patience. I don’t know if I can handle this.

Soon, the discussion period is over.

Thank goodness.

When all the students are gone, Young Izuku packs up his own bag and leads them to his lab’s office, where he introduces the group to the professor he works under. He then takes them to his little workstation and pulls out his laptop to show them the pictures he got during his experiment prep earlier.

“I still need to label and caption the pictures,” he explains as he scrolls through a word document, “but these are the best samples I was able to isolate and code. You can see the start sequence up here and the stop sequence over here. And with each sample, they’re all within the same general area between genes that are linked with the way the physical body is structured and how the body is developed in the womb.”

“So you think it might be the presence of a histone group that determines whether the gene is read instead of the presence of the gene itself?”

All eyes swing to Young Bakugou, who’s standing behind Young Izuku and squinting at the computer screen, one hand propped on the desk and the other settled on Young Izuku’s shoulder.

What?

Young Izuku is looking up at Young Bakugou, eyes wide and… sparkling? He’s looking at the young hero with eyes filled with admiration, and Toshi can’t help but feel a bit of apprehension at the sight. Maybe he’s being overprotective of the boy, but he knows how mean his own world’s Young Bakugou can be, and he doesn’t want Young Izuku to experience any more hurt than he already has.

“Y-yeah,” Young Izuku breathes, looking a bit overwhelmed with emotion. Toshi fights a groan when he notices a blush blooming across freckled cheeks. “H-how did you… Are you interested in epigenetics?”

Young Bakugou scoffs and stands up straight, shifting himself to lean against the desk as close to Young Izuku as possible. He shoves his hands into his pants pockets and shrugs. “‘Just paid attention in class ‘cause I ain’t a fucking slacker.”

“That’s… a little advanced for a normal high school class,” Young Izuku smirks up at Young Bakugou. Smirks!

Young Bakugou smirks right back. “Well, I didn’t go to a normal high school.”

“Something tells me that you went above and beyond what your teachers expected you to do,” Young Izuku leans back in his seat and crosses his arms.

“Plus Ultra,” is all Young Bakugou says in reply.

Young Izuku grins and bites his lip.

Toshi doesn’t know what to do as he watches the two men flirt with each other, Young Bakugou much more aggressive with his pursuit than Young Izuku. Watching this, the retired hero feels like his head is going to explode. Yes, he knows that the people in this universe have had different lives and experiences than their counterparts in his own universe, but he also knows that they’re still essentially the same—what with their personalities and core values aligning with each other. But he’s never seen any hint of Young Izuku and Young Bakugou… liking each other? Well, the boys in his universe are quite obsessed with one another’s strength and hero-ing ability. Maybe the boys, due to their age, are unable to understand their emotions and fixations since they’re still teenagers? And when they grow up and are able to process their feelings, they’ll be like—

Toshi watches Young Bakugou pull at one of Young Izuku’s curls and say something that makes his boy flush.

—Like that. I don’t think I can handle this.

“If you think I’m a nerd, you’re gonna have to take a look in the mirror,” Young Izuku smacks Young Bakugou’s hand away from his hair. “After all, you’re the one who researched more than you actually needed to. In a field that you supposedly aren’t even interested in.”

Young Kirishima butts into the conversation. “He also sleeps at, like, 8 pm because he wants to get enough rest for his shifts! Bakubro has always been extra!”

“HAH?” Young Bakugou turns bright red and sneers at Young Kirishima. “I ain’t fucking extra, Shitty Hair! I actually give a shit about my health, unlike you and all those other idiots!”

“Settle down, young men!” Toshi finally speaks up. “We are in a professional work environment! Please don’t cause a scene.”

The boys quiet down and Young Izuku begins cleaning around his work area.

“I just have one more discussion class to teach and then I’m done for the day,” his boy says, slipping his laptop into his backpack and shouldering the bag. “Most of my work and student interactions happen in the morning. And I already went to my lecture for the day. So, we’re almost done here!”

Young Izuku trips as he leads the group out of the office, but Young Bakugou catches him around the waist, pulling the shorter boy so that their bodies are pressed tightly together.

“Careful, Freckles,” Young Bakugou’s voice is smooth and low. “Wouldn’t want to hurt that pretty face.”

Toshi doesn’t know how long he can handle this.

ooo

By the end of the class, Toshi feels like he’s going to die. He’s never thought about the possible romantic relationships that his successor may encounter in his life. After all, he’s still just a kid! But he does realize that his boy is quite cute, and that there are people out there who find that… attractive. He just never thought he’d have an up close and personal look at what it would look like for his boy to flirt with someone and show romantic interest. Let alone with his childhood bully turned… friend?

Well, Young Bakugou and Young Izuku of this world didn’t know each other when they were children. But it’s still quite disturbing to watch all the same.

While Young Izuku makes sure to stay professional in the presence of his students, Young Bakugou entertains no such suggestion. The explosion hero constantly makes eyes at Young Izuku and finds reasons to touch the other whenever he passes them by. It’s honestly quite embarrassing, since the students are very aware of the attraction Young Bakugou is expressing towards Young Izuku. And Young Bakugou seems to like the fact the students know, because his actions become bolder as time passes, as if to lay claim over the students’ teacher.

Toshi can’t help but thank every higher power there is that the class is finally over with and that they’re headed home. Young Kirishima seems to feel the same, because he lets out a relieved sigh once the last student walks out the door. Then, he turns a vicious glare to the other hero.

“Bro, we’re on a job!” Young Kirishima says, punching Young Bakugou on the shoulder. “And we’re supposed to be under cover! That wasn’t exactly subtle, Katsuki!”

Young Bakugou rolls his eyes. “No need to get your panties in a twist, Shitty Hair. A little flirting ain’t gonna blow the mission.”

“A little?” The red head’s eyebrow twitches. “That wasn’t just a little, dude! That was a lot. And you bothered him while he was working! Don’t you get all pissy when fans bother you while you work?”

“If I was bothering him, he would’ve said something.”

“He did.”

“And it’s different when those extras bother me during a shift.” Young Bakugou makes eye contact with Young Izuku and grins. “If he bothered me after a fight, I wouldn’t mind one bit.”

Young Kirishima looks absolutely flabbergasted. “What the hell is wrong with you, man?”

“Young Bakugou, your attitude is over the line,” Toshi says, sounding tired and worn. “If you continue the way you’ve been, I’ll request that you’re removed from the project completely.”

Said man scowls and pouts as he processes Toshi’s words. Crossing his arms, he grumbles, “fine. No need to be overprotective of the nerd. What are you, his Dad?”

“I like to think of him as my son, so yes. I’m his Dad,” Toshi replies, face blank.

The two young heroes stare at him with wide eyes. “What?”

“I’m all packed up!” Young Izuku walks up to them, oblivious of the previous conversation. “Ready to go?”

Toshi stands up and pats his boy on the shoulder. “Ready, son! It was a pleasure seeing you in your element; I’m very impressed.”

Young Izuku flushes, pleased. “I just really love my work!”

This time, Toshi and Young Izuku are the ones leading them through the halls. They have their own conversation while the heroes behind them whisper back and forth to each other. Toshi can’t hear what exactly they're talking about, but he does hear one of them say, “All Might has some explaining to do.” And at that, Toshi can’t help but feel he’s made a little trouble for the other man.

“Principal Nedzu asked for me to stop by U.A.,” Young Izuku says when they reach the front gates. “We’re gonna go over my notes from yesterday and get my remote access to the government quirk files so I can work from home. And I have to teach him my code, too, or he won’t be able to decipher my messages and other documents.”

“Sounds like it’ll take a while,” Toshi hums.

“Y-yeah. So, I was thinking you could go home without me?” Young Izuku rubs the back of his neck. “I wouldn’t want to bore you…”

“My boy, the best time of my day is when I spend time with you.”

Young Izuku squeaks and turns bright red. “R-right! Well, uh—i-it’s gonna be pretty b-boring, though. A-and I don’t know how long it will take! And didn’t All Might want to talk to you about All for One?”

“I already talked to him about that earlier today,” Toshi sighs. “But I do have to get our stuff from his apartment and bring it back home…”

“Isn’t that a lot to carry by yourself?”

Toshi laughs, loud and deep. “I’m sure Young Bakugou wouldn’t mind helping me out!”

“Hah?” Young Bakugou practically yells. “Who said I’m goin’ with you?”

“Behave yourself,” Toshi’s voice suddenly drops the jovial tone, becoming serious and reprimanding. “I may not be of this world, but I am still All Might.”

There’s surprised silence from the young heroes, and sparkling admiration beaming from Young Izuku.

“Now, then! Here’s where we part ways. Young Kirishima, please look after my boy.” He receives a nod of confirmation.

Toshi texts Toshinori the plan, and then they’re all off.

The walk and train ride are spent in silence while Young Bakugou pouts (if pouting looks like clenching jaws and hard glares). And Toshinori opens the door when they arrive.

“Did the meeting with Young Midoriya go so bad that you had to separate them?” Toshinori asked as he helped Toshi gather the things they’d brought over.

Toshi purses his lips. “It went a little too well. Maybe it isn’t a good idea to have them near each other…”

Toshinori’s brow furrows in confusion. Before he can get his question out, however, Young Bakugou butts into the conversation.

“The hell’s your problem with me, old man? You’re acting like I’m a danger to the nerd or somethin’.”

“Your behavior this afternoon was somehow worse than your counterpart in my world,” Toshi says. “And in my world, you bullied him the majority of your childhood.”

Young Bakugou blinks in surprise. He takes a moment to think, and his surprise fades only to be replaced by grim acceptance. “Yeah, I was an asshole when I was a brat. Anyone without a combatant quirk was just an extra to me. Hell, everyone was an extra! But I’ve grown, and I also never bullied Deku of all people. I just met the twink.”

Toshinori gasps. “Young man, I hope you didn’t talk to Young Midoriya like that.”

Young Bakugou’s eyes widen slightly, and he presses his lips together before looking away.

Toshi scoffs. “He said worse.”

“How could it have been worse?” Toshinori exclaims.

Dramatically, Toshi sighs and falls onto the couch. He drops his face into his palms while Toshinori takes a seat beside him.

“It was horrible,” Toshi groans, voice muffled by his hands. “He wouldn’t stop saying and doing such vulgar things to him! I’d never thought I’d see what it means for Young Bakugou to flirt… well, if it could be called that. It looked more like harassment to me.”

“Hey, fuckin’ Deku liked it and you know it!” The explosion hero growled. “He flirted right back!”

“H-he—“ Toshinori choked on his spit, gasping out, “he flirted back?”

Young Bakugou scowls, fists clenching in anger. “What’s so hard to believe about that? He’s a god damned adult, and you can’t tell him what he can and can’t  do!”

“My boy is innocent and could never even think about what you’re implying, let alone do it!” Toshi exclaims with wide eyes.

“Hah? When you retired, did you suddenly become senile?”

Toshinori stands and places himself between the quarreling men. “Okay, let’s calm down. Toshi, why are you so against this? While Young Bakugou is… explosive at times, his heart is good.”

Toshi groans and slumps into his seat. “I know, I’m sorry, Young Bakugou. I shouldn’t compare. There’s just… a lot of history between you and Young Izuku in my world, and it’s not exactly happy.”

Young Bakugou leans against the wall and crosses his arms. “Explain.”

“Well, my boy doesn’t like to talk about it much,” Toshi says, rubbing the back of his neck. “He gets really sad and quiet whenever I ask. But I do know they started off as friends when they were toddlers. They were very close, saw each other every day. It was when my Izuku didn’t develop his quirk at four that caused their relationship to change.

“Izuku told me that Young Bakugou started calling him a ‘useless Deku’, and hurting him with his explosion quirk. He’d always put him down and tell him he couldn’t be a hero. I think Young Bakugou would hurt him to convince Izuku that he really couldn't be a hero. And I think something happened between them in middle school, something awful. He still won’t tell me what exactly went on. Even so, the animosity Young Bakugou holds for my boy started fading sometime late in their first year of high school, after Izuku finally developed his quirk. Young Bakugou is still rough and a bit cruel, but I can tell their dynamic is changing. I honestly don't understand; Young Bakugou seems so annoyed whenever Young Izuku is anywhere in his vicinity, yet he always seems to be somewhere close to the boy.”

Young Bakugou and Toshinori stand in silence as they digest the words. It’s silent for a few minutes before the explosion hero nods and stands up straight once more. When the young man opens his mouth to speak, Toshi is absolutely gobsmacked by his words:

“Just sounds like a fucking brat with a crush.”

Both older heroes look at Young Bakugou as if he grew another head. “What?”

Young Bakugou rolls his eyes. “That just sounds like a boy who has no clue what feelings are and can’t process them for shit, and he’s taking out his feelings on the other boy who makes him feel fucking confused as fuck.”

The young hero moves towards the windows overlooking He streets below. “And fuckin’ Deku was quirkless, then, right? I bet brat me was just trying to keep the dork from getting himself killed. After all, how the fuck is some quirkless kid gonna protect himself from a god damn super villain? I’d never let the person I love put themselves in that kind of danger, so why the hell wouldn’t brat me do the same?”

“W-well,” Toshi stutters, “it’s not exactly the best way to—“

“Of course, it ain’t!” Young Bakugou cuts him off. “He’s just a fuckin’ kid trying to figure all this shit out. And it ain’t like his fucking hormones are makin’ understanding his feelings any easier. Fuck, if I were him, I’d have gone insane.”

Toshi thinks of the borderline feral sneers that often find their way onto his Young Bakugou’s face. “You know, maybe he is.”

The boy scowls. “Fuck off, old man. Give brat me a fuckin’ break. But whoop his ass first. Gotta get that fucked up attitude outta the way.”

“I’ll… keep that in mind.”

“You better. And keep it in mind that I’m gonna make that nerd mine whether you like it or not.”

Toshi and Toshinori make eye contact, each looking just a distressed as the other. “Someone, please save us.”

ooo

Toshi hears the door to the Midoriya apartment open as they’re setting the table. Toshinori had decided to join their evening after having admitted how nice it was to have Young Izuku and Toshi in his home the night before. And, of course, Young Bakugou would not give up the chance to be in Young Izuku’s presence again. So, all three men worked on making dinner for Young Izuku—and, of course, themselves, but they mainly care about what Young Izuku thinks and needs—when the young man finally got home.

His boy’s greeting is drowned out by the clanging of pans and cutlery (and the loud cursing of an explosive young man), but he does hear Young Izuku comment, “something smells great! Toshi, did you make dinner?”

Toshi smiles as Young Izuku leads Young Kirishima into the dining room. The grin on his boy’s face is contagious, and he finds himself giving the boy a wide smile back.

Before Toshi can respond, Young Bakugou’s loud voice overtakes the whole room.

“Hah? You think that old man can make something edible? Have you fucking looked at him at all?”

“Hey!” Young Izuku is quick to defend Toshi, brows furrowing and lips pouting. “Toshi’s an amazing cook! His food is the best!”

Young Bakugou scoffs. “How can someone who doesn’t even eat make good food? Eat what I made for you, nerd, and you’ll see exactly what good food is.”

“Hmph,” Young Izuku makes his way to Toshi’s side and leans against him. “You don’t have to be so rude. Putting someone else down just to make yourself seem better makes you seem like an asshole and a coward.”

“I ain’t no fuckin’—“

“Then don’t put other people down to build yourself up. Believe in what you can do, and respect the work of those around you. No need to be an ass.”

Young Bakugou clicks his tongue and scoops up a spoonful of the curry he’d made, invading Young Izuku’s space and holding the spoon up to his mouth. “Let’s see if you’re still sayin’ that after you try my food.”

Young Kirishima lets out an “aw, geez” while Toshi and Toshinori watch the flirting boys with horror. Toshi is definitely not ready for the way Young Izuku takes the proffered bite of food, and how Young Bakugou’s gaze turns predatory. By the choking sound he hears coming from Toshinori, he knows that his other self is in the exact same boat.

Toshi channels his inner Izuku and finds himself covering his face with his hands, letting out a strangled whine. “I don’t want to see this, please make it stop.”

Toshinori, however, is able to save them all from the scene. “Young Bakugou, that is inappropriate. Please behave more professionally when you’re on a mission.”

Young Bakugou scowls and pulls away from Young Izuku. He grumbles and puts the spoon in the sink before making his way to Young Kirishima’s side. Young Izuku watches intently as he chews the bite he was fed.

“Now that that’s over,” Toshinori sighs, “let’s eat. Then Young Bakugou and Young Kirishima can finish their shift by scoping out the perimeter.”

Toshi makes Young Izuku sit by him. Partially so Young Bakugou is further away from his boy. But mainly so the reactions to the aggressive flirting the explosion hero is throwing his boy is out of his eye sight. He never wants to see that again. His son is too innocent for that! Young Bakugou is just a bad influence on him!

The rest of dinner goes as smoothly as it can with the strong personalities that are present. There’s quite a bit of yelling, and a whole lot of teasing coming from Young Kirishima. Toshi almost collapses with how relieved he feels when the young heroes finally leave the apartment.

While Young Izuku takes a bath, Toshi and Toshinori take care of the cleaning.

“I, uh,” Toshinori stutters as he wipes down the table, “see what you mean about the flirting. Although, I think it’s about a million times worse for you since you’ve known Young Midoriya much longer than I.”

Toshi sighs. “I must seem like I’m overreacting. But I just can’t help it. Izuku is still a kid in my eyes. And I know this is a different world. I just can’t see him any differently.”

Toshi pauses washing the dishes. He looks up at the ceiling as he reminisces the early days of his relationship with his successor. “Sometimes, I look at my boy and still see him as that scrawny little middle schooler. I think it’s just become a habit at this point.”

“I’m starting to wish I could see that,” Toshinori chuckles, leaning against the counter as Toshi continues the dishes. “He does have a youthful face. It makes me wonder how he was as a child.”

“How did you not take advantage of the home videos? They were right in front of you!”

“Toshi, please don’t show All Might the home videos!”

The two turn to see Young Izuku in the doorway to the kitchen, towel draped over wet curls.

Toshi pouts.

“Well,” Toshinori sighs before Toshi can say anything, “I wouldn’t want to make Young Midoriya uncomfortable looking at his private memories. I’d be happy to wait until you’re more comfortable with me, my boy.”

The answering blush on Young Izuku’s cheeks makes both Symbols of Peace grin with amusement.

“And either way,” Toshinori continues, “it’s about time I head home. Toshi, maybe we can set up another meeting for the rest of our timeline comparisons.”

Toshi blinks. “Ah. Yes, text me a good time for you. I’m not exactly busy, so anything works for me.”

Toshinori grins. “I’ll try to choose a time that Young Midoriya is free. I’m sure he’d like to hear more about your world.”

“Y-you’d really do that for me?” Green eyes sparkle with excitement. “T-thank you! I have afternoon lectures, so morning would work best for me.”

Toshinori nods. He makes his way towards the front door, the other two trailing after. He turns to face them, a longing look in his eyes as he looks between Toshi and Young Izuku.

Toshi can only imagine his counterpart’s feelings when faced with the possibility of finally getting that father-son bond Toshi’s been dangling in front of him. He knows Toshinori wants it more than anything in the world. Toshi remembers just how difficult it was for him to push through every day when life seemed to empty, when there was nothing that made him want to wake up and start the day. Now that he has his successor, he has reason to take care of himself. To live. And he knows without a doubt that if he took anyone else in the world as his successor—whether they were worthy of OfA or not—no one would’ve had the same impact on him as Izuku Midoriya.

Another sigh passes Toshinori’s lips. “I’ll text you the details, Toshi.”

“I’ll make a group chat,” Toshi immediately replies. “It’ll make communication easier. And Young Izuku—“

“Just Izuku, Toshi.”

“—can send you some of the memes he likes to share with me, too. I’m sure we have the same sense of humor after all.”

Toshinori blinks. “Oh. Uh, okay.” He opens the door. “Good night, then.”

“G-good night, All Might!”

A voice from down the hall—probably a neighbor just getting home from work—exclaims, “Woah, is All Might really here?”

Toshinori blushes to the roots of his hair while Toshi guffaws loudly. Yo—Izuku blushes and stutters put a hasty apology which Toshinori waves off before practically sprinting away. He’s out of sight before the door even swings shut.

“Maybe now you’ll stop calling him All Might?” Toshi is finally able to say when his laughter does down.

Izuku buries his face into the palms of his hands. And nods.

Toshi smiles at his boy, heart warming at the sight.

He kind of looks like a strawberry.

Chapter Text

Toshi’s phone pings with another notification as he takes a seat on the train. Izuku has taken to sending all the All Might memes he can get ahold of to the chat between the two of them and Toshinori; he has been doing so practically all morning.

Personally, Toshi is thoroughly amused with Izuku’s antics. He’s actually very surprised that his boy has gotten so bold in the presence of his most beloved hero (though Toshi is always the one to point out that he’s been in the presence of All Might unknowingly this whole time). But he also can’t help but feel satisfied that their relationship is progressing quite nicely. After all, he was able to build his relationship with his own successor through sending All Might memes back and forth—though it didn’t happen for a few months after they’d exchanged numbers. And his Izuku swore up and down that it was an accident after the first meme was sent.

This time, though, Toshi was the one to send the first meme. Izuku had begun to scold Toshi (“You can’t just send All Might memes to All Might—!") when Toshinori responded with an All Might meme of his own. Just as Toshi had with his own Izuku.  He couldn’t keep himself from sending them the famous ‘all according to keikaku’ meme that was, of course, All Might themed.

Toshinori seems to be having fun, either way. He’s been sending short videos taken by Young Togata, where the young hero sneaks up and scares Toshinori at unlikely times. Toshi never thought that his voice could go so high.

Toshi grins as he subtly glances down the train aisle at their security detail. It seems that Young Iida and Young Uraraka are taking their shift. In his universe, he knows that they’re very close friends with his successor. Toshi can’t help but feel a strong wave of sadness that this Izuku was deprived of his close friends for so long. He can only hope that, after all of this is over, Toshi’s plans and not-so-subtle actions will have paved the foundation to have his son in this world surrounded with the love and support he so deserves.

When the pair of heroes make eye contact with them, Toshi waves them over. Toshi can tell Young Iida is having a difficult time deciding whether to approach them or not—Young Iida always takes his assignments seriously, after all—but Young Uraraka makes the engine hero’s decision easy when she pulls the young man towards Toshi.

The heroes take a seat in the row behind Toshi and Izuku, leaning in to have a quiet conversation.

“Mr. Yagi!” Young Uraraka softly exclaims, eyes bright with excitement. “It’s been a while! Well, sorta.”

“It certainly has,” Toshi grins his reply. “You’ve grown since the last time I’ve seen you.”

She giggles at his joke, then turns her attention to his companion. “And who might this be?”

It’s obvious she’s digging for information on the elusive Deku, seeing as she was briefed on her job just the other day. Izuku, who’s been informed of his identity being shared, decides to humor her.

Izuku’s cheeks flush at the sparkly-eyed attention that he receives, obviously not used to it despite his constant mooning over his favorite heroes. “I-I’m Izuku! Izuku M-Midoriya, nice to meet you!”

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Midoriya!”

“Yes, we’ve all been quite interested in meeting you,” Young Iida finally joins the conversation, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “It’s an honor to get to know such an amazing individual.”

Izuku squeaks. “A-amazing?”

Toshi laughs, patting Izuku’s shoulder. “Yes, he’s quite the bright mind! It’s no wonder he’s gotten so much attention, these days.”

“Is that part of your quirk?” Young Uraraka asks.

“A-ah,” Izuku visibly deflates at the question. “No, I, uh, don’t have a quirk.”

Silence. Then, “No way! That’s incredible!”

Your Iida gesticulates vigorously as he speaks, “the fact that your analyses far surpasses those with analytic based quirks is astounding!”

“O-oh, it’s not-… I just… really like quirks?”

“And battle analyses,” Young Uraraka lists as she counts on her fingers, “and hero ranking systems, and hero match ups, and support items!”

“I-I like… heroes?”

Young Uraraka laughs lightly. “Who’s your favorite hero? Do you collect merch?”

Izuku’s eyes flit between Toshi and the young heroes. “My favorite hero of all time is All Might.”

Young Uraraka grins widely at Toshi, amusement sparkling in her eyes.

“And I collect merch of a lot of heroes!”

“But mostly All Might?”

He nods, blushing deep.

“Well, are you excited to meet so many new heroes?” Young Uraraka asks, taking pity on the green haired man.

Izuku perks up. “Y-yeah! I never thought I’d ever get to meet so many heroes, let alone all of my f-favorite ones. Your class is incredible! It was obvious from your first sports festival that you’re all incredibly gifted, and you had great grasps of your quirks already. You really put all the years ahead of you guys to shame with the performances…”

They continue their conversation in this way, basically complimenting each other as much as they could. It’s as if they’re trying to out-do each other, explaining why either the former Class A or Deku is much more ‘amazing’ than the other. Toshi knows that they’re both amazing in their own ways, but he doesn’t try to butt in like Young Iida does. To Toshi, it seems that Young Uraraka and Izuku are doing it for fun’s sake.

Eventually, Young Uraraka takes out her phone and snaps a picture of her and Izuku, faces smushed together. Young Uraraka wears a bright, teasing grin while Izuku is blushing lightly with a much smaller, hesitant smile.

She sends the picture to the group chat, exclaiming the others will be “so jealous!” that she got to meet him so early in the mission. And immediately, she begins getting responses.

She shows Toshi and Izuku the messages as they roll in, squishing through the gap in their seats so that they can see her screen. The first few are tame, merely statements of discontent at not getting to meet Izuku yet. Young Kirishima laments at not thinking of getting a picture with him during his shift yesterday, and Izuku blushes brighter at this.

It’s when Young Todoroki and Young Bakugou enter the chat that things go awry.

It starts innocently enough, sort of. The only thing that Young Todoroki types is, “he’s cute.”

At this, Young Uraraka squeals. Toshi looks to his boy in panic, and cannot keep it from growing when he sees the pleased gleam in Izuku’s eyes and the flush in his cheeks.

The flush only gets deeper when Young Bakugou enters the chat and replies to Young Todoroki, saying “he’s cuter in person.”

“Ohmygosh, what is this?” Young Uraraka exclaims. “Didn’t Bakugou have his shift yesterday?” She gasps. “Do you think he likes you, Midoriya?”

“This is highly inappropriate, Uraraka!” Young Iida says with a stern look on his face. “Please refrain from such gossip about our peers!”

“It’s not gossip if he’s laying it out there for all of us to see!” Young Uraraka pouts. Her phone explodes with pings and she looks back to the screen. Her eyes light up at what she reads. “See?”

They all look at Young Uraraka’s phone to see what’s happening, and Toshi can’t help but drown in his dread. Toshi pulls out his phone to text Toshinori about the new development as he watches the train wreck happen in slow motion.

Young Uraraka scrolls through the multiple keyboard smashes and reaction gifs to get straight to the content she’s looking for: Young Todoroki’s and Young Bakugou’s conversation.

Young Todoroki replies to Young Bakugou’s comment by asking, “I take it you’ve already talked to him?”

“Yeah, my shift was fucking yesterday, Icy Hot,” is Young Bakugou’s reply. “He’s mine, I call him.”

“You can’t just ‘call him’,” Young Todoroki replies. “He can make his own choices.”

“Is that a fucking challenge, Half-n-Half?” Young Bakugou asks. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you saw how he was flirting with me yesterday.”

Young Uraraka looks as if she’s about to explode. “You flirted with him?”

As Izuku stutters out an unintelligible reply, Toshi takes it upon himself to say, “It’s more like Young Bakugou harassed him with inappropriate comments.”

Young Todoroki’s text pings onto Young Uraraka’s phone. “Hm. I don’t believe you. @Uraraka, where are you now?”

Young Uraraka ignored Young Bakugou’s “don’t you fucking dare, dipshit!” and answers, “We’re headed to Might Tower now! You’re on call for security, right? You can meet us there if you’d like!”

Apparently, text messaging doesn’t stop Young Bakugou’s colorful vocabulary—in fact, it’s probably worse this way. The chat is spammed with unique if not odd threats, with a generous sprinkling of curses spat at Young Todoroki and Young Uraraka.

And all Young Todoroki has to say to that?

“Okay.”

ooo

Toshinori is there to meet the group when they arrive at Might Tower. The receptionists are absolutely flabbergasted at the sight of two ‘Mr. Yagis’, so they have to spend a few minutes calming them down and explaining that they’re just twins.

Unfortunately, this gives Young Todoroki enough time to make it to the hero agency to meet Izuku. Toshi leans onto Toshinori as they watch the interaction go down. He’s been hit with so many surprises, so many things he’s never even thought could happen in the past 24 hours. He doesn’t know if his heart can take anymore. He tries to take comfort in Toshinori’s silent, almost equally horrified company. Since there’s nothing either of them can do to stop this.

At least, Toshi thinks, this isn’t as bad as what Young Bakugou did.

Young Todoroki stands in front of Izuku, albeit much closer to him than is typically considered appropriate, with all emotions carefully hidden behind a cool expression. They don’t move; well, Young Todoroki doesn’t move. Izuku is fidgeting, uncomfortable with the silence and the unabashed staring he’s receiving. His cheeks slowly grow redder and redder as more time passes in silence between the two. When Izuku looks like he’s about to burst, Young Todoroki makes his move.

The hero lifts a hand, slowly bringing it up towards Izuku’s curls. When Izuku doesn’t flinch, Young Todoroki slowly, carefully cards a couple fingers into the greenette’s hair. Both Toshi and Toshinori’s jaws drop as Todoroki’s hand moves from Izuku’s hair, down his jaw and to his chin before falling back to his side.

“He’s right,” Young Todorki finally—finally!—breaks the silence. “You are cuter in person.”

Toshi dies.

Well, he doesn’t die, but he certainly feels like he does. And poor Izuku doesn’t look any better than how he feels. However, it’s probably (definitely) for completely different reasons.

Toshinori sighs and gives Toshi a pat on the back. “I’m sorry you had to deal with this alone.”

Toshi buries his face in his hands. “He’s just a kid. He’s just a kid!”

Izuku can’t seem to find any words, so Young Todoroki continues to speak. “Would you mind if I took a photo with you as well? I’m actually a fan of your work. I particularly enjoy the piece you did on the net negative results of Endeavor’s hero career.”

“Wha—? Uh… Y-ye- uh… sure?”

Young Todoroki hands his phone to Young Uraraka, who looks much too pleased with this development. Young Iida stands behind her, apparently doing damage control in their class group chat after that whole bomb was dropped. She ignored Young Iida’s grumbling as she raises the phone and begins her countdown. And at the last second.

Young Todoroki. Kisses. Izuku’s cheek.

Everyone is frozen in their places, yet Young Todoroki calmly walks over to Young Uraraka and takes his phone from her hand. He hums as he looks at the picture, and thanks her for her help before tapping and swiping on his screen for another minute. It’s when he slips his phone into his pocket that the group around him begins moving again.

Toshi is basically sobbing on Toshinori, muttering and questioning why he’s ‘cursed to watch this horror show’ and scolding himself because he ‘should have known that adding Young Bakugou and Young Todoroki to the mix was inviting bad things to happen’.

Izuku—bless his soul—is trying his best to comfort Toshi despite the fact that he obviously needs some comforting himself. His eyes look far away, and he seems dizzy with the confusion of what just happened. And his face is bright red as he rubs his cheek gently where Young Todoroki kissed him. But his other hand lightly pats Toshi’s back, and his brow is creased with concern, and Toshi is once again hit with the fact that his boy—this boy—is, in fact, not a boy but a grown man. And it hurts to think that someday his own Izuku is going to grow up and be wrapped up in romance and will no longer need his idol because he’ll be a pro hero, a symbol of peace! And seeing those two hooligans actually try to court his boy? This isn’t good for his heart!

Young Uraraka and Young iida are hounding Young Todoroki, asking him what he’s going to do with the picture, and what he was thinking, doing that in front of so many people.

“I’m going to send it to Bakugou,” is Young Todoroki’s simple reply.

Just as things seem to be escalating even more, Nighteye appears before them, exasperation evident on his face. “What is going on here?”

Toshinori, obviously distressed, pleads, “we need a break from the young heroes right now. Maybe we can all have our separate conversations for a couple hours?”

Sir Nighteye’s eyes flash with concern, but he leaves the current conversation at that. After all, the trio of former Class A heroes have stopped their bickering to focus on the commands of their higher ups.

Nighteye sighs. “Follow me. We’ll have separate meeting rooms to conduct our business. We can all group up later.”

ooo

Toshi sighs as he, Toshinori, and Izuku leave the conference room together. They were finally all able to go over the differences of their timelines, and come up with a list of where to start looking for this world’s counterpart of the villain that sent Toshi here. They’d even gotten Principal Nedzu on speaker phone to give his two cents and relay what he’d discussed with Izuku in their previous meeting. All in all, without the young heroes there to cause Toshi emotional distress, they were able to have a productive couple of hours.

Toshi visibly tries to steel himself as they make their way towards the room the security detail was placed in. He knows that he’s being dramatic—but he’s always been dramatic, he’s All Might—and he knows that his boy is a grown man with such a big heart full of love; of course he’d have romantic relationships! He would be a great romantic partner to anyone lucky enough for him to fall in love with. He just never thought that he’d maybe choose… the boys who literally cause or have caused the most distress in his own successor’s life. It actually makes him wonder if this means his own Izuku is or will be… interested…? In those two.

Oh god, oh lord, please help me.

“W-we don’t have to interact with the heroes anymore if you don’t want to, Toshi,” Izuku murmurs as he wraps his arm through Toshi’s. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

Toshi would give anything to take his suggestion, but he knows he could never do that to his boy. After all, he knows that Izuku would eventually regret giving up the chance to meet so many heroes, even if he won’t admit it.

“No, my boy,” Toshi says, patting the hands that gently hold onto his arm. “it’s alright. Let’s get you some autographs, shall we?”

When they enter the room where their security detail plus one is, Toshi wishes that he took up Izuku’s offer. Because there, arguing with Young Todoroki and Young Uraraka, is Young Bakugou with a Dynamight hoodie.

Before Toshi can change his mind and drag Izuku from the doorway, Toshinori powers up and speaks to the quarreling group. “What’s going on here?”

The argument stops immediately in the face of All Might, and each hero faces him.

It’s Young Bakugou, of course, who answer first. “I’m here to give something to the nerd.”

All Might frowns disapprovingly. “What did I say about your behavior?”

Young Bakugou scowls at the ground. “Sorry. Got something for Midoriya.”

“And how did you find yourself here, off duty, and heckling the heroes that are currently on their job?”

This time, it’s Young Uraraka who speaks up, pouting as she says, “I told the group chat about Midoriya’s merch collection and asked someone to bring some of my merch. Bakugou said he would but only brought his own.” She throws her hands in the air with exasperation. “I should’ve known he’d do that with all the weird stuff he’s been saying!”

Young Bakugou approaches Izuku, standing a bit closer than would normally be considered polite. He gestures for Izuku to take the hoodie from his hand. He smirks, and says to him in a low voice, “I didn’t sign it, but it’s the limited edition that’ll be released in a couple weeks.”

Delicately, Izuku takes the garment from the explosion hero’s hand, stuttering out a soft “thank you” as he does.

The small, genuine smile that Young Bakugou gives him immediately disappears the second Young Todoroki steps beside Izuku with his phone held out to the green haired man. Izuku gives Young Todoroki an inquisitive look.

“Put your phone number in.”

Toshi makes eye contact with Young Iida, who seems to have completely given up on everything in life. He doesn’t even flail his arms in those wild gesticulations. He just. Stands there. With eyes as dead as Toshi currently feels.

As the young ones would say, Toshi laments, that is a resounding 'mood'.

ooo

The rest of the week passes quickly. Former Class A has taken quite the liking to Izuku, and all gift him with some merchandise from their own lines when they first meet him. And they also add Izuku to their group chat.

Izuku gets starry eyed whenever he’s brought into any conversation in the group chat (which is almost all the time), and he’s so excited whenever he talks about his conversations with the former Class A. Toshi thinks it’s sweet how happy Izuku is to interact with more people his age. It warms his heart that Class A still loves him even though he didn’t get that initial interaction with them in high school.

The group chat between both All Mights and Izuku brings just as much—if not more—joy to Izuku. Toshi works tirelessly to show the other two that they have more in common than they first realize. And because of his efforts, Toshinori spends a lot more time with Izuku and Toshi outside of meetings with Nighteye and Lemillion. Toshi can’t fight the elated feeling he gets when he sees Toshinori get less awkward around the green haired man, and Izuku less shy around his idol. Eventually, it’s mostly Izuku and Toshinori that send most of the messages in their little group chat.

While Izuku goes to school or works with Nedzu, Toshi spends his time with Toshinori, doing behind the scenes hero work or talking about Izuku. It seems that Izuku’s already wiggled his way into Toshinori’s heart; Toshi wouldn’t have it any other way.

Toshi likes to think this would have happened on its own: his boy would have found his way into the lives of former Class A, would have found his way to All Might. And eventually, he would have found his way to Toshinori. That love that Izuku so desperately needs and deserves would have found its way into his life eventually. After all, how can anyone not be drawn in to such a warm light?

No, Izuku would have found this eventually. Toshi just made it happen a little faster.

ooo

In a deserted bar, barely lit by the old lamps scattered around the room, sits the League of Villains. They sit spaced out, as if they don’t want to get to close to one another. Their eyes shift between figures, weary of the actions their comrades may take against them if they aren’t careful. Unfortunately, one must always stay vigilant if they choose to follow the path of a villain. Villains are, after all, very untrustworthy.

Now that the League’s leader, All for One, has healed as much as he possibly could have, it’s time for the group to act. Waiting for Sensei to heal rather than striking while All Might was at his weakest was a risky move, seeing as it gave the hero more time to heal as well as train a successor. But Sensei isn’t stupid. In fact, the man is probably the wisest individual one could happen upon. After all, he has been alive since the dawn of quirks. And if Sensei says that All Might has no more power and his successor’s novice will mean One for All’s downfall… well, Tomura is inclined to believe him.

So, over the past few years, Tomura has been building connections with strong villain groups at the command of his Sensei. He’s gained new recruits he’s dubbed the Vanguard Action Squad, comprised of nine high-class villains including Dabi, Toga Himiko, Mr. Compress, and others.  He’s in charge of a few groups of lesser villains who have the sole purpose to distract the heroes and lead them away from their actual plans and base of operations. Hell, he’s even working together with Overhaul and his yakuza despite his—very vocal—disagreement on the subject! And yet, Sensei is still pushing Tomura to build this final connection before they take any action against the heroes.

He still has to recruit the Hero Killer: Stain.

Apparently, Stain has been making quite the impact on the media nowadays. The serial killer has somehow gotten his ideals videotaped and posted on the internet after some recently graduated heroes failed to arrest the man. And thus, he’s gotten a lot of attention; especially from those who have been losing faith in hero society since the now former number two hero, Endeavor, was revealed as an abusive asshole who tortured his wife and kids all for the sake of surpassing All Might.

Tomura fights the urge to scratch at his neck. He’s trying to give up the habit, but anything that reminds him of All Might makes him antsy and frustrated without fail. Having Stain here ranting about said hero definitely didn’t help things.

So, to move the conversation along, Tomura speaks about the real reason Sensei wants him to recruit Stain.

“What can you tell me about the Hero Blogger: Deku?”

A deep seeded hatred and malice burns into Stain’s eyes. “That fake.”

Tomura keeps his face blank despite the thoughts racing through his head.

Ah. This plan may not be as foolproof as Sensei thought, after all.

For one thing, Sensei is actually very interested in Deku. If he were younger, Tomura may have been jealous over the blatant curiosity Sensei displayed over the internet personality. After all, his Sensei has wondered out loud why he wasn’t able to find such a ‘promising young mind’ earlier. It’s very obvious what Sensei’s intentions are towards the blogger turned unofficial ‘hero’. 

And for another, Tomura can finally see what his Sensei does in Deku. Sure, he stubbornly refused to even think about Deku when they were first becoming famous. But soon enough—and to his chagrin—he was unable to escape the hype. So, just to point out fault in Deku’s everything, Tomura dug into the blogger. He found the early blog that the internet personality used and hacked it so he could download all the information and posts that were on it. The blog was deleted less than thirty minutes after he’d logged out of it, but Tomura didn’t mind; he’d gotten all he needed.

The problem was, Tomura couldn’t find a single thing that would turn Sensei’s fascination away from Deku. Yeah, the early posts are not as well written as the newer ones, and the analysis wasn’t as thorough, but it was obvious that Deku is a self-taught genius who would—with a little instruction—become the greatest tactical mind the world has ever seen. And the more Tomura read, the more he wanted to get his hands on Deku.

So, Tomura talked with Sensei, and they now agree that having Deku would benefit their cause greatly. All that’s left is to find the pieces that will put the plan into action. Unfortunately, Sensei thinks an important piece is Stain.

“The coward hides behind a computer screen, refusing to take action despite obviously having the means to save countless lives,” Stain spits the words out with venom. “They horde their information until the active heroes beg Deku to help them. And Deku is still celebrated despite such greed and cowardice. What a joke. It’s ridiculous how they’re being praised for hiding away in their room so they can’t be judged for their words. A real hero would stand by their words and take action instead of squirreling away and letting others fight their battles for them.”

Well Deku isn’t a real hero, a childish part of Tomura wanted to shoot back. And there are about a million other little, hypocritical things Tomura wants to point out—like the fact that heroes literally hide their identity all the time—but he holds himself back. Sensei really wants Stain on this job, and Tomura can concede that having Stain’s quirk would be very helpful to the mission. He just has to tread carefully; twist the situation in favor of himself.

Tomura leans back in his chair, face carefully masked to keep from alerting the serial killer of his true thoughts. “Then, maybe you’ll be interested in what I have to offer.”

Stain raises an eyebrow at Tomura’s words. Tomura forces his grin down, into something smaller so as not to raise suspicion, and says:

“We are looking to capture Deku. Are you willing to join?”

The answering feral grin is all the response Tomura needs.

Chapter Text

Toshi wakes feeling dread.

He has no basis for this feeling, no reason to be weary of the day. After all, it is a perfectly normal day. He’s waking up at the normal time, on one couch while Izuku is on the other. The T.V.’s screen is, once again, glowing blue since it wasn’t turned off after the last tape ran through. It’s all… normal.

But Toshi’s learned to trust his instincts. And right now, his instincts say there’s danger ahead.

Toshi sits up and stretches out the aches and pains one only gets from sleeping on something that really shouldn’t be slept on. He winces as a particularly sharp pain pulls from his side. He can’t imagine his boy is faring much better than him, especially since Izuku insists on taking the love seat while Toshi sleeps on the full-sized couch. Hopefully Izuku will get back to sleeping in his own bed soon; he has been falling asleep earlier and easier as of late.

Toshi picks his phone up from where it rests charging on an end table. He quickly types out a message to Toshinori to meet with him and discuss the investigations on All for One—because why else would he feel so on edge, honestly?—and quickly receives an affirmative for later in the morning.

The retired hero stands and starts towards the bathroom. He runs his hand gently through Izuku’s curls as he passes, and smiles as his boy snuffles into his (All Might) comforter. Toshi’d taken a picture of a similar scene one morning, and sent it to the group chat with Toshinori and Izuku. He’d gotten quite the admonishing from his boy at that, but with Toshinori’s reaction he couldn’t quite make himself regret it. (But he obviously didn’t do it again.)

After a quick trip to the bathroom to brush his teeth and change his clothes, he goes into the kitchen to start on breakfast and pack Izuku’s bento. By the time the rice is set to cook, Izuku is up as well. He gives Toshi one of his sunshine smiles and a soft ‘good morning’ as he passes, but it does little to settle his nerves.

Over the last few weeks, Izuku’s met all of former Class A. Toshinori’s commented on how introducing Izuku to the group was like putting the last puzzle piece into place. Somehow, the class’ bond seems stronger, they all seem happier, and— most importantly, in Toshi’s humble opinion—Izuku finally has that support that he’s always needed. That tired look in his eyes and the dark bags that hung beneath when he first met the boy have almost completely disappeared.

While his boy still mourns for his mother, his loving heart obviously aching for the person who loved him most in the world, he’s been getting better. He has friends who are genuinely interested in him and care over his well-being. He has a support system that obviously thinks the world of him. All that’s left is for Toshinori and Izuku’s bond to strengthen past admiration to adoration. Then, Toshi’s job will be done.

Although, he doesn’t think it’ll take all that long for that to happen. After all, the interactions between Toshinori and Izuku have become a lot less awkward and a lot warmer. Toshi smiles, thinking back to the last time they all had dinner together. The absolute joy on Toshinori’s face and the utterly bright grin splitting Izuku’s blushing cheeks. No, it won’t be long now.

“You know, you really don’t have to do this for me, Toshi,” Izuku hums as he makes his way into the kitchen, dressed for university.

“You know,” Toshi jokes as he wraps up the bento in a cloth, “you really don’t have to tell me not to care for you. It’s been a month; shouldn’t you be used to this by now?”

Izuku flops into a chair at the table. He shakes his head, grinning. “I can’t believe it’s been a month!” And then, his mouth twists into a frown. “You’ve been gone from home for a long time. I’m sorry the investigation’s taking so long.”

“My boy, there’s no need to feel so guilty while you’re trying your best,” Toshi pats his son on the head and ruffles his curls. Then, he shoots the boy a shit eating grin. “What, are you trying to get rid of me so soon?”

“Wha- n-no! N-never!” Izuku sputters as Toshi laughs. Izuku chuckles and rubs the back of his neck, glancing shyly at Toshi. “In fact, I… I really don’t want you to go. I know it’s selfish, but… I’m really going to miss you.”

The smile that Toshi wears turns bittersweet. “And I’ll miss you, son. But there’s another you out there that saw a villain attack me right in front of him, and I disappeared. He needs me to train him, to support him on his journey to becoming a hero even greater than I ever was.”

Izuku grins sheepishly. “And I’m sure he’s very worried about you, too. Misses you a lot.”

Toshi’s eyes mist up. “I’m sure he does.”

Izuku sniffles and looks down at the table.

They’re quiet for a moment. Then, Toshi chuckles. “It’s barely seven in the morning, and we’re both already crying.” He ruffles Izuku’s curls again and shoots the boy a bright grin. “It’ll all be alright, my boy. Even when I’m gone, I know you’ll be loved and supported. That’s all I could ever hope for.”

Izuku’s answering grin is full of love and light.

“And besides,” Toshi begins as he steps away from Izuku, “don’t think I don’t know how phone chats work. I may be old, but I know it was you who changed Toshinori’s name to ‘DadMight’.”

Izuku turns bright red. “That was you! You stole my phone!”

“But your precious All Might will never believe you!”

As they laugh, Toshi thinks of that feeling of dread, ever present and resting uncomfortable at the bottom of his gut. He can only hope that, with how nicely the day is beginning, he is wrong in thinking there’s danger to come.

ooo

Tomura doesn’t consider himself a lucky man. What with the way his quirk came in and how he subsequently lost his entire family, he doesn’t believe that he ever had even an ounce luck at any point in his life. And, while finding Sensei seemed like luck or fate when he was younger, he knows better now. Sensei has always had his eyes on Tomura because of his… heritage. While it did hurt him when he initially found out that tidbit, he figures that it only makes sense. How else would a seemingly wealthy stranger show up at the perfect time, after he’d lost everything? Why else would he offer a little boy, covered in dirt and blood, a home to stay with no question as to how he became the way he did?

No, that wasn’t luck. That was all calculated; a plot that Sensei has scripted for his own purposes and goals. If anything, Tomura is incredibly unlucky.

And as such, his terrible luck strikes again on his search for the Hero Blogger: Deku. It’s been weeks, but all they’ve been able to figure out is that Deku is a male and is involved in quirk research (no shit). No name, no location, not even a hint of a description! And it’s frustrating. He’s so frustrated, he wants to decay something with his quirk; he wants to destroy something just for the catharsis that he can get from releasing his quirk without any disregard. But he shouldn’t. Because he’d attract unwanted attention. And because he’s a leader, and leaders need to be ‘calm and collected’.

So, with how much he wants to hurt someone or something, he probably shouldn’t be walking down a busy sidewalk in the middle of the day.

But he is. And he’s wandered so far from the base that it’s more of a hassle to make his way back than to just hang out where he is.

Tomura groans, shoulders so tense they’re scrunched up beside his ears. He just wanted to get out of the bar, to calm down that frustration that’s slowly been boiling over since the search for Deku began. Instead, he’s surrounded by idiot civilians on a ridiculously crowded sidewalk while the sun shines so fucking bright his eyes feel like they’re going to melt out their sockets.

Fuck.

Fuck.

Honestly, Tomura regrets everything.

A green haired man, who’s head barely reaches his chin, bumps into him as if the idiot didn’t notice a whole person standing right in front of him. Big green eyes and freckles take up Tomura’s vision.

“I’m so sorry!” The man says, eyes looking disgustingly honest. “Are you okay?”

Tomura scoffs before shuffling down the sidewalk once more, not even bothering to answer. Before he can get far, though, Tomura hears the freckles man make a small noise of surprise before saying, “Principal Nedzu! How are you?”

Curious, Tomura stops in his steps and turns to look at the guy who’d bumped into him. The guy’s plain looking, doesn’t seem to be a hero of any sort. He has no business talking to the principal of U.A., and he doesn’t look like any of the new side kicks or heroes that just stepped into the scene. Why would he be talking to the principal of the most prestigious hero academy in Japan?

So, when the green haired man starts walking away, Tomura decides to follow him.

Tomura takes a cursory glance around to see if anyone noticed him acting suspicious. He doesn’t see anyone watching him, but he does notice another guy tailing Freckles. The guy stays a distance away, wearing baggy clothing and a hat to cover his face. Easy to overlook if you weren’t trying to find them. Tomura’s eyes narrow. That guy either wants to harm Freckles, or that’s undercover security. Either way, Tomura needs to stay out of the tail’s vision as well.

Tomura sticks to the shadows, keeping both Freckles and the tail in his sights. Unfortunately, Tomura’s so far back that he can’t hear Freckle’s conversation on the phone. When Freckles hangs up a couple minutes later, Tomura is forced to move faster as the green haired man decides to fucking book it down the side walk.

Invested, Tomura can do nothing but follow. The chase is given up, however, when Freckles walks—uninterrupted—through U.A.’s front gates.

What the fuck?

And then the tail walks through the gates, too.

What the fuck?

Okay, so the tail doesn’t want to harm Freckles. That’s U.A., anyone who goes there isn’t allowed to hurt a random civilian. And, somehow, both of those guys have unrestricted access to Japan’s top hero school? Maybe the tail really is Freckles’ security. But who would that make Freckles? Who could be so important that they’d need an undercover guard?

Could he… could he be…?

Tomura scoffs, lifting the hand he hadn’t even noticed was scratching his neck and burying it in his hair. He can’t be! That would be way too convenient! But if he is, Tomura can’t take this chance for granted. This is the closest he’s gotten to tracking down Deku; he can’t mess this up.

Tomura waits.

And he waits.

And it’s not until the sky is growing gold and red that the Freckles walks out of the gates. The greed haired man has a wide smile on his face, and he’s accompanied by the man who tailed him earlier. The pair walk right past Tomura, and Freckles makes eye contact with him for a second.

Freckles doesn’t break his stride or betray any recognition as they continue down the side walk. Either the man is just that oblivious—Tomura knows he doesn’t exactly blend in with a crowd when his hood’s not up—or Freckles is just a good actor.

Either way, Freckles is hiding something. And it might just be what Tomura is looking for.

As Tomura pulls his hood up to follow Freckles and his friend, he chuckles in disbelief. Tomura never considered himself a lucky man, but maybe Tomura is luckier than he originally thought.

ooo

It’s nothing new when Toshinori’s phone goes off during their meeting. But when Toshi’s phone chimes at the same exact time, he knows it’s got to be Izuku. Toshi knows that something is afoot. After all, Izuku’s the only one who messages Toshi. But Izuku knows Toshi is with Toshinori, and Toshi knows that Izuku just had a lengthy session with Nedzu; after meeting with Nedzu, Toshi can’t even dream of getting Izuku to pay attention to him because the boy is completely immersed in his notes and theories. Izuku would never message him after a session with Nedzu, not so soon.

So, both symbols pick up their phone and open the group chat they have with their son only to freeze in fear.

‘There’s someone following me.’

Both blonds shoot up from their chairs and start towards the entrance to the meeting room. Toshi immediately rings Izuku, waiting with baited breath for his boy to pick up the phone.

“Toshi! You got my message.”

The boy’s voice is light and friendly. If he didn’t know him so well, Toshi wouldn’t have heard the slight tremor in his words.

“Toshinori and I are on our way. Where are you? Who’s with you?”

“Shouto and I are walking to the café a few blocks from U.A.,” Izuku replies. “We should be fine to wait for you there.”

Toshi purses his lips. The person following them must be too close to say anything more. Sweat drips down Toshi’s back. Toshinori holds the elevator doors open for him, and immediately hits the ‘close door’ button when they’re both in.

“Okay. Don’t approach him, don’t even look at him if you can help it. We’ll be there soon, my boy. Just… please be safe.”

There’s a pause on the other line. And then, Izuku’s soft voice reaches through the receiver. “I will. I’ll see you soon, Dad.”

They hang up.

He called me… Dad…

Toshi’s hero guard today is Young Bakugou. So when he and Toshinori come rushing out of the elevator like bats out of hell, the explosive hero finds no qualms with demanding, “what the fuck’s got your panties in a twist?”

Toshinori, who’s on the phone with Lemillion or possibly even Nighteye, can’t respond. So it’s up to Toshi to answer.

“Izuku’s being followed. We’re meeting him and Young Todoroki, might even be able to find out who’s following him.”

“Where the fuck are they?”

Toshinori grabs both men by the shoulders before they can go any further. “We’re taking the car. I’ll drive while you two get Young Todoroki and Young Midoriya.”

They rush around to the parking garage at the back of the building, Toshinori leading them to an unmarked company vehicle. Toshinori unlocks it with keys he’s gotten from the receptionists, slipping into the driver’s seat. Toshi follows, sitting in the passenger seat while Young Bakugo slips into the back. The ride is tense and quiet while Toshinori navigates the streets.

All Toshi can think about is Izuku. Is he okay? Is he still safe? Or was he kidnapped since they hung up the phone? His boy has no quirk in this world; and while that doesn’t make him completely helpless, it does give him a grave disadvantage when it comes to fighting off potential aggressors. Especially if those aggressors are linked to All for One. Toshi can only hope and pray that his son is okay.

When they pull up to the curb just outside the café, Toshi and Young Bakugo jump out even before the car comes to a complete stop. They burst into the café, looking around quickly to spot the two young men. And when Toshi locks eyes with the green haired man, he can’t stop the sigh of relief that escapes him.

Toshi rushes to Izuku, gathering him in a warm, all-encompassing hug. “My boy! Thank goodness you’re safe.”

“Ah, y-yeah,” Izuku stutters, arms coming up to return the embrace. “I’m fine. We’re fine.”

“Is he still here?” Toshi asks casually as he pulls away from his boy.

“Mm. Back corner.” Toshi can see how Izuku tries his best not to let his eyes stray to the man that’s been following him. From how the boy holds himself, Toshi knows they’d be very lucky that Izuku’s stalker hasn’t noticed that they know he’s watching.

Toshi reluctantly turns his attention away from Izuku to Young Todoroki, who’s sipping on a to-go cup filled with coffee. “Thank you for keeping him safe. We have a car waiting out front that will take us back to the agency. You will sit in the back with Young Bakugo and Izuku. We’ll talk more about this when we’ve gotten him to safety.”

Young Todoroki nods before stepping around Toshi and sidling up to Izuku’s side. Young Bakugo has taken over the freckled-man’s attention, a strong arm wrapped around Izuku’s waist. For some reason, Young Todoroki has taken that move as a challenge, and promptly grabs hold of Izuku’s free hand, intertwining their fingers. Young Bakugo—ever true to his character—sneers at Young Todoroki as he all but drags Izuku towards the door of the café.

“Hands off, Half-n-Half,” the explosive man sneers. “He’s mine.”

Young Todoroki’s face remains impassive, though his eyes give off a glow of amusement. “He isn’t an object and doesn’t belong to anyone. But if he wanted to belong to someone, I’m sure he’d pick me.”

“Hah? You wanna fucking fight, dumbass?”

“I think we can think of better ways to settle who’s the better lover.”

In the middle of the two young heroes, Izuku is red and sputtering, trying to play mediator in a battle that is strangely looking more like flirting with every passing second.

Toshi lets out a deep and suffering sigh as he follows. He subtlety looks towards the back corner of the café for someone suspicious, someone who seems to be following his boy. At first glance, he sees nothing amiss. Just a group of people drinking their ordered beverages or lounging at tables. But at the second pass, he sees him: a man with a black hoodie, hood brought up to cover the majority of his face. But Toshi knows him, has seen that hoodie and the flakey skin that covers a pale neck. He’s seen those cracked lips and that deranged sneer. The person following them, following Izuku—

That’s Tomura Shigaraki.

His veins feel as if they’re filling with ice, and it feels like his gut drops down to the floor beneath his feet. The League is onto Izuku. And it isn’t long until they confirm his identity and find out about Toshi’s situation as well. Toshi knew this was a possibility, but what with their plans going so well, he thought that they wouldn’t have to worry about this predicament, wouldn’t have to put his wonderful boy in danger. Unfortunately, trouble seems to follow Toshi. And whomever Toshi is with, that trouble seems to spill over to.

Toshi is—thankfully—able to leave the café without making eye contact with Shigaraki or alerting the man that he knows that he’s there. Hopefully this extraction doesn’t raise any suspicions with the villain, but Toshi can never be too sure. He’ll just have to prepare for the worst.

The group hop into the vehicle, Izuku pressed in between the Young Bakugo and Young Todoroki, and Toshi back up front with Toshinori. They young heroes bicker among themselves. Their argument seems to devolve into petty teasing and jokes aiming to degrade the other. Toshi notices that the conversation is greatly improving Izuku’s mood. And knowing the two young heroes, Toshi is sure that that was the unspoken goal of their conversation. So, while the whole flirting and generally woo-ing of his boy makes Toshi want to hide Izuku away from those heathens forever, he can’t help but be thankful that Young Bakugo and Young Todoroki care over Izuku’s well-being so much that they’d put aside their own personal feelings to help him.

But, geez, who knew Izuku would be so sought after?

Toshinori drives them around the entire city before he goes back to Might Tower. Just to make sure they weren’t being followed by a car either. And the whole time, Toshi thinks about the League, about All for One. About what they could possibly be planning and how their interest in his son plays into them. His thoughts, however, don’t get very far; not with the immense guilt he feels in dragging Izuku into this mess. When his brain storming over the League doesn’t work, he instead thinks over how to keep his son safe.

Over all things, no matter what, Izuku must be kept safe.

ooo

Fortunately, everyone makes it to the emergency meeting, be it they physically attend or they call in through video calling software. Even Gran Torino called in! No one will need to be filled in; there will be no lag of information between groups and individuals. And anything that the group comes up with can and will be implemented immediately. It’s honestly everything Toshi could ask for, knowing that these people are here to help keep Izuku safe. And keep him safe they shall, if their display of passionate words and protectiveness say anything for them.

“Now that we know the League of Villains has their eyes on Deku, we have to be extra vigilant to ensure his safety,” Lemillion addresses the group. “All Might has decided to give everyone clearance to know about the League of Villains case so that we can properly protect Deku. If you’d give All Might and Toshi your attention, they will go over the previous details of the case and who to expect when handling the League.”

“Don’t you think we’re jumping the gun?” Grape Juice asks. “It’s not like it’s confirmed that they know he’s Deku.”

“We’d rather not take that risk,” Lemillions replies. “If there’s a chance they know he’s Deku, and they’re following him with intent to harm, it’s up to us to keep him safe. It’s only a matter of time they find out the truth.”

Lemillion steps aside as Toshi and Toshinori take their place at the front of the room.

Toshinori is the one who speaks first. “We’ve decided to tell you about the leader of the League first. After, Toshi will tell you about the the underlings that you should look out for.”

A projector lights up the wall behind the two, and a slide show is displayed. The picture there isn’t clear, just a vague outline of an imposing figure in motion, ready to strike… to strike at All Might.

Toshi swings his head to stare wide eyed at Toshinori. That’s from the battle that wounded All Might so terribly.He wonders how they got that picture, seeing as all physical evidence of the man’s existence has been erased from the face of the earth.

Toshinori clears his throat and begins the tale of All for One, and how he came to power. He conveniently leaves out information about One for All as he speaks. He regaled the group with the story of his battle with All for One, and how it left him weak.

Toshi can see the horror in the eyes of the young heroes. While the group had learned of All Might’s civilian form, they were never given the exact details of the fight that lead to his injury, let alone the man who inflicted it. They all look terrified and disbelieving. Toshi doesn’t know what to say to help them process the information. And, by the glance they exchange, neither does Toshinori. All they can do is move on with the meeting and hope for the best. So, that’s what he does.

The projection flickers as the slide changes. Now, on the display is Tomura Shigaraki with a few pictures taken from hidden cameras and CCTVs.

“This,” Toshi says, “is All for One’s successor. His quirk: disintegration. When all five fingers make contact with a surface—organic or no—, the surface flakes into dust as long as he maintains that contact.”

He keeps going on like this, describing the League of Villains’ main group. The more he talks about them—Dabi, Himiko Toga, every last one of them—the young heroes grow more and more weary. Short video clips that Tsukauchi secured are shown to the group, and that only makes the atmosphere grimmer. It seems that former Class A finally realizes that they’re up against a group that is more than capable of killing each one of them.

A group more than capable of spiriting someone away, never to be seen again.

Tsukauchi stands after Toshi’s done explaining everything he knows about the heroes. The detective makes his way to the front as Toshi finishes his disclaimer that all these speculations were made based on the counterparts of the individuals from his own universe. Both skeletal men step back and Tsukauchi takes center stage.

Tsukauchi’s face is grim as he speaks. “We have reason to believe they are targeting Deku. Underground heroes such as Eraserhead have heard talk that Stain has joined the League to find and capture him. We still don’t know why they want him, or what they plan to do with him, but we can only assume that their intentions are dangerous.

“All we can do now is strengthen the security measures around Deku and, by default, Toshi as well. If they’re following Deku around, it’s only a matter of time they find out about another All Might stuck in this universe. Moreover, we can’t afford to split our forces between the two of them. Instead, we have to make some changes.

“Deku and Toshi will be staying in UA in the extra teacher dorm rooms, as will whomever is on guard or on call. When leaving UA campus, Deku and Toshi must be accompanied by both guards, and must stay together if they are both leaving campus. No one strays from the group as long as you are outside of UA’s walls.

“Toshi and Toshinori are not allowed to be seen in the same place at once. We also don’t want them to be seen by the League in two different places at once. All for One knows about All Might’s decline in health, so the League must have an idea of what weaknesses to look for in All Might. And if All for One gets a hint of there being two of them… well, we’d rather not know what happens. Toshi is retired and can no longer use his quirk without severe backlash. We must make sure we can protect him, and that means keeping him out of All for One’s sights.

“Deku will be taking a break from teaching classes and conducting in person research at his university. I’m sorry, Midoriya, it just isn’t safe anymore for you to be coming and going every day. We’ve already spoken to your Professors and have gotten you permission to attend your lectures via online video chat, as well as secued substitutes for your classes. Nedzu probably has a plan for your research; he’ll talk with you after the briefing.

“It’s important that all of you are on your ‘A’ game when you’re on duty, whether you’re the main guard to on call. Please communicate with each other and pay attention to your surroundings. And if you have even just a feeling that something bad is going to happen, speak up. We’d rather be safe than sorry. Any questions?”

Silence. And then:

“Yeah, how are we going to fight against the League of Villains when they have a boss with multiple scary strong quirks that could kill any one of us in a second and can steal our own?”

For a few seconds, there are murmurs all around the room, each person expressing their fears of inadequacy for the job. Some are vocal with their thoughts, others scowl or sit in contemplative silence. But each are pale with fear, and clearly shaken. And it’s only Izuku, his sweet, strong, amazing Izuku that brings everyone back.

His mutters are indecipherable at first, what with all the murmuring of the group. But as his mutter mode goes on, his voice becomes louder and his words capture attention to the point where everyone quiets down to listen.

“—has many quirks he can use, there must be a limit to what he can do. While All Might was wounded in the battle, so was All for One, so he must be feeling the physical repercussions too. We can only assume that the backlash of being injured so much has affected the capability of AfO holding quirks, so he has to find other vessels; maybe that’s what those ‘Nomu’ Toshi was talking about were originally made for? Either way, AfO is limited in what quirks he can use, and what he can do. Which gives us the advantage of having a large range of quirks that can be used to support each other and fill in for any individual weaknesses. As long as we pair the guard advantageously with quirks that naturally support one another, even our smallest 2 person teams can put up a good fight so long as they know how to fight together and use teamwork—ah!”

Izuku looks up, jerking his chin from the hold his thumb and forefinger had on it. His cheeks redden when he looks around the room to see all eyes on him. He’s obviously nervous, but Toshi can see that Izuku knows his words are what will bring the spirits of this group up.

“I-I guess what I’m saying i-is that you g-guys are amazing!” His hand comes up to rub the back of his neck, sheepish. “A-and if there were any group of heroes I think would be best suited to take on the League, it would be you… And maybe I can look over more videos and stuff and help you take them down?”

The room is suddenly filled with cheers and excitement.

“He thinks we’re manly, dude!”

“Did you hear him? We’re the best!”

“I never thought I’d get the chance to work with the Hero Blogger: Deku! Isn’t that, like, a sign of being a top tier hero?”

“We’ve been guarding him for a month now.”

“But that’s totally different from actually working with him!”

Izuku’s face gets even redder with the attention he’s getting from the group, and Toshi can’t help but chuckle. He buries the fright he feels when he thinks about his son getting hurt, being taken by the League of Villains, and clings to that bit of hope Izuku offered.

All they can do for now is follow the new plan.

ooo

“Sensei.”

“Tomura, my boy. I assume you’ve found something, since it’s quite rare for you to insist on a meeting with me.”

Tomura looks down at his feet. “Maybe. I’m not sure yet.”

All for One shifts in his seat, resting his elbows upon his thighs as his fingers intertwine in front of him. “Oh?”

“While I was…out today, I ran into someone who doesn’t have an obvious connection with U.A., yet he has free reign of the school. And I’m pretty sure he had a body guard.”

“Interesting,” Sensei hums. “And what do you plan to do with this information?”

Tomura looks into Sensei’s face, where his eyes would be if All Might hadn’t brutalized him. “I want to send a spy out to gather information. I think he can lead us to Deku.”

“That’s quite a jump, my boy.”

“But it’s the best lead we have. Deku’s never had his identity made public. Any information we found on Deku has been random and by complete chance. Maybe there’s a middle man or two that works with Deku to keep his identity safe.”

“And so you want to follow the middle man back to the source,” Sensei drawls. “Assuming he is a middle man like you think.”

Tomura shrugs. “This is still the best lead we have.”

Sensei sighs and leans back on. His seat, the leather squeaking with us movements. “I do agree there’s been a stand still with your little investigation. Maybe seeking other avenues of information would be helpful.”

There’s a brief silence as Sensei thinks over Tomura’s proposal. The younger man knows that running into Freckles today was completely by chance, and there really is no reason why he’s made the connection between Freckles and Deku. But he just has this feeling; and Sensei has always told him to trust his instincts.

“Alright, Tomura. I’ll trust your thought. Choose a team to help you gather data. And in two weeks, I expect you to report your results.”

“Thank you, Sensei.”

Chapter Text

“I can’t believe we’re doing this again,” Young Izuku says as he fills his bag with clothes and school supplies.

This time, Toshi has his own bag to pack his clothes and personal items. Not that he has very much. But, well, they don’t know how long they’ll be staying at U.A. and Izuku needs to pack accordingly.

Toshinori lounges on the couch alongside Young Jiro and Young Kaminari. They’re going through the home videos for his boy, deciding what should come along and what should be left behind. Honestly, Toshi thinks they’ll all make their way into their luggage; the trio seem too curious about the contents of the videos to even entertain the thought of leaving some behind.

“Im sorry, my boy,” Toshi mutters. “I seem to have brought a lot of havoc into your life.”

“Ah, n-no! I d-didn’t mean to complain or anything,” Izuku waves his hands in front of him to portray his sincerity. “I just never thought I’d be experiencing all,” he gestures broadly, “this!”

Toshi raises an eyebrow.

Izuku blinks. “Right. Ah, how do I explain this. It’s just— I expected to have just a boring kind of… lonely life, I guess. I’m just an ordinary guy with no quirk. But then you came around and turned everything upside down! My life feels like an adventure now; like something out of a comic book! A-and the adventure just seems to keep going. I’m actually really excited to go back to U.A. and live in the dorms again.

The boy chuckles and turns back to his packing. “Honestly, it’s going to be hard going back to my normal routine after all this is over. It’s just never going to live up to all this happening now.”

Toshinori laughs from where he sits. “I doubt things will get much calmer once we get Toshi back home, my boy! The heroes from former Class-A have always been an enthusiastic bunch.”

Izuku blinks. “Ah? I-I just thought… after Toshi’s gone, I won’t really be seeing any of you again? I mean, there really wouldn’t be a reason to…”

“What!” Young Kaminari exclaims, standing suddenly from his seat. “We aren’t just gonna leave you, man! You’re really cool!”

“I’m pretty sure all of us think of you as a good friend at this point,” Young Jiro points out. “When all of this is over, you can count on at least one of us showing up at your door every day.”

Young Izuku looks at the two, emotions overwhelming him so much that his eyes tear up. His freckled cheeks turn red and his eyes crinkle as a smile grows on his lips. He stutters, not quite finding what he wants to say as the young heroes coo at him and wrap him in a group hug.

Toshi smiles. This is exactly what he wanted for his boy when he first learned of his life. Toshi is confident that his boy will be fine when Toshi finds his way back home. And as he watches Toshinori lay his hands on Izuku’s shoulders and tell the boy how much they care for him, the belief is only solidified.

ooo

They’re so close; almost to the school. Toshinori looks at Izuku with fondness as the boy rants about the Symbol’s most recent battle with an A-Class villain. Young Jiro and Young Kaminari trail the trio, snickering with amusement while passers-by do double-takes at seeing Toshi and Toshinori walk down the sidewalk towards U.A.’s main gates. Two more heroes are waiting beside the open gates, visitor passes in hand. Toshi believes they’re Young Mineta and Young Sato, from the massive difference in body-types those two have compared to the rest of their class.

When they draw near enough, Young Sato drapes an arm around Izuku’s shoulders, casually leaning his weight onto the smaller man. “There’s our VIP!”

Young Mineta scoffs. His expression is pulled into an annoyed scowl, brows furrowed in frustration. “I just don’t know why we have to babysit him even though he’s at U.A.! He’ll be surrounded by heroes and hero students.”

“Young Mineta, my boy,” Toshinori reprimands lightly, “a good hero takes every precaution, especially when it comes to situations with stakes as high as these.”

The purple…haired?... boy huffs. “Whatever. It’s not like anyone would know he’s Deku anyway.”

Toshi feels his blood freeze.

He didn’t. Not in public. Not with so many people surrounding them right now.

“Mineta.” Toshinori’s voice is quiet and low, more dangerous than he’s ever sounded in the presence of his students. Young Mineta pales. “You understand your mistake.”

Young Mineta furiously nods his head. Toshi can’t keep the disdain from his expression as he pulls Izuku past the gates.

Toshinori grips Young Mineta’s shoulder tightly enough to make the younger heroes eyes tear up. “Then you must also understand that you’ll be receiving disciplinary actions not only from me, but from the Lead Heroes on the case, since you potentially leaked one of the best kept secrets in Japan. I hope you are ready to face the consequences.”

ooo

He can’t believe it. It was the most improbable lead that he had, and he took it on a hunch, but it worked. Following Freckles around, making sure that the NPCs tailed him closely the second he located Freckles outside of Might Tower, it actually worked!

To think Freckles himself is the Deku and not just some random delivery boy middle-man that was used to keep the real Deku’s identity a secret!

Well, to be honest, Tomura never really believed that Deku would use a middle-man. The blogger seemed too righteous and heroic himself to put anyone else in the line of danger just to keep his own ass safe. A stupid decision, but what did Tomura’s opinion matter? It just made things easier for him.

When the purple ball-headed freak says Freckles is Deku, Tomura almost gives his hiding spot away with how loud his gasp is. However, it seems that the group of heroes don’t even notice him; instead, they are too busy panicking over that small idiot’s blunder to notice Tomura slinking back into the shadows as they speak for everyone in vicinity to hear that there’s an active case surrounding Deku and, as Tomura assumes, the completely identical skeletons that are with the group—because, first of all, who are they? Either way, they’re giving away good information to whomever is smart enough to listen in and Tomura is reaping those benefits.

Talk about idiots.

Tomura snaps a quick photo of the group to show to the others and leaves only when the heroes and Deku disappeared behind the gates. He makes it back to the bar in Kamino in seemingly no time, and goes straight to the room Sensei stays in.

“Ah, Tomura,” Sensei says before he can even know, “you’re back quite early. Please, enter.”

Tomura swings the door open, his movements a lot more erratic with his excitement. He enters the room lit only by two small lamps sitting atop Sensei’s large mahogany desk. Said man lounges behind the desk in a dark leather office chair.

Sensei seems to have healed a bit more since Tomura’s last seen him. He can only guess that the reconstructive surgery with the doctor went well since the bandages that were one over Sensei’s eyes have been removed. As Tomura moves closer, he makes note that his Sensei’s face—although horrifically scarred and painful to look at—actually has the pieces of a face now. Admittedly, the nose is a bit small for the face, but the eyes… the eyes look just as haunting and piercing as they did before Sensei lost them to All Might. Maybe even more so, what with the way the scar tissue covering his face makes everything very hard to look at. Tomura tries not to make eye contact as he makes his way further into the room.

The younger villain takes a seat on the couch placed in front of the desk and gets straight to business. “Sensei. It seems my hunch was correct.”

Sensei smirks. “So it seems. While you got the information quicker than predicted, I cannot be too surprised over this. Heroes were never good at keeping secrets.”

Nodding his head, Tomura doesn’t even attempt to hide his growing smile. “Turns out Freckles is Deku. I snapped a picture of his name on the nameplate outside of his apartment, and copied down his address.”

“Good job, Tomura.”

The decay villain practically beams at the praise, the cracks in his lips pulling and stretching uncomfortably with the movement. He doesn’t mind when his dried lips start bleeding, however, just continues with what he’s found.

“He isn’t going to stay at his apartment for a while, however. He’s being protected by heroes and has been relocated temporarily to the U.A. dorms. I’m not exactly sure why, but there were these two really tall skeleton characters with him, and I’m guessing they may be the reason.”

Sensei leans forward to rest his chin on his hands. “Skeletons?”

Lifting his phone, Tomura swipes into his photo app and taps on the photo of the hero group. He slides the device onto Sensei’s desk to let the older man see.

“There are two tall, very lanky blond men that look to be extremely malnourished,” Tomura explains as Sensei tries to zoom in on the picture. “They look identical in every aspect. They could be twins, but I don’t think that’s it. You don’t look like that just because.”

Sensei hums. “I do believe you’re right, Tomura. They’re not twins.” Sensei looks up from the phone and a pleased smile overtakes his face. “All Might does not have a twin.”

Tomura sputters.

Chuckling, Sensei slides the phone back towards Tomura. The younger man quickly takes a look at the picture once more and focuses on the blond men. “That’s All Might?”

“Oh, my boy, I hoped you were more observational than this,” Sensei sighs as he leans back in his chair once more. “Think about it; both All Might and I suffered a great deal of injuries that affected our quality of life immensely. He gave me a blow to the cranium in which I lost important organs and had lasting damage for many years. And I, in return gave him a hole through his lower abdomen. Which would affect…?”

“T-the,” Tomura shudders, “the stomach and other parts of the digestive system. Maybe even a kidney.”

Sensei nods. “This was a tactical decision on my end. My goal was to end All Might and stop the passing on of One for All. While I did not expect the oaf to survive those injuries, I should have realized how stubborn that man is. But that’s all he did: survive the injuries. He’s been slowly wasting away since he can no longer take in the nutrition he needs to sustain his hero-ing. Not to mention the idiotic habit he has to care more for others than himself; it’s no wonder the man is worse off than I. He’s starving and overworking himself to death! And if he doesn’t stop his hero work soon, he may just die because he’s exhausted his strength fighting a low-level thug who gets in a lucky hit.

“He may have passed that cursed quirk onto another, but I have still led to the downfall of All Might. One of my goals were still met. I can only hope that I’ll find the successor soon and stop things before the quirk settles into the new user. But that’s a pursuit for later. Now, we must find out why there are two All Might’s instead of the one.”

ooo

“We’ve finally found the culprit who sent you here!”

It’s been a week since Toshi and Izuku moved into U.A.’s dorms. Since they settled in, his boy has been working non-stop with Principal Nedzu on the case. More often than not, Sir Nighteye has also been present in their meetings and debates while Toshinori spends time with Toshi talking about All for One and planning a raid on their headquarters in Kamino Ward and the Nomu Factory in the warehouse district. To say the week has been productive is an understatement. So, it’s no surprise to Toshi when Young Izuku bursts into the common room of their dorm building and tackles Toshi with an enthusiastic hug.

Toshi laughs and returns the hug while Nighteye and Nedzu enter at a much calmer pace than the young blogger. When Izuku finally pulls away, he goes straight for Toshinori and wraps him up in a just as enthusiastic hug as a greeting.

Realizing Izuku is a bit too excited to explain coherently, Nighteye takes it upon himself to discuss the next steps with the blond men. “Midoriya already contacted Tsukauchi and let him know the profile number of the individual. Surprisingly, he’s not a villain in this world, just a normal civilian who works as a travel agent. It’s actually quite fitting for his quirk.”

Nighteye places a laptop in front of Toshi and Toshinori with the profile of the civilian named Yuuma Mochizuki and his quirk registration. “The quirk is called Ogygia, an homage to the island in ancient Greek mythology that imprisoned Calypso. In mythology, the island is a paradise with everything someone could every want and need, and it housed the beautiful minor god and nymph Calypso. Apparently, heroes would be sent to the island by the gods and would have to choose between staying in paradise and leaving to fulfill their heroic destiny.”

“It’s actually really interesting!” Izuku exclaims as he places himself between Toshi and Toshinori on the couch they occupy. He pulls the laptop closer to them as he explains their findings. “Apparently, his quirk allows him to see into a person’s deepest desires and send them into another dimension that will fulfill those desires. It’s both temporary and permanent!”

Toshi feels his stomach drop. “Permanent?”

“Yes,” Izuku replies. “But only if you want it to be.”

“B-but, you said it can be both?” Toshinori stutters his confusion. “How can it be both temporary and permanent at the same time?”

Nedzu and Nighteye take a seat on the couch across from the trio as Izuku speaks. “Well, we’d have to talk to Mochizuki to be completely sure... But from my understanding, if someone sent to another dimension becomes attached to something or they want to stay there instead of travel back home, they can just... Stay? The files say that someone can return to their own dimension after about two weeks of interdimensional travel, or stay longer if they choose. So, you should have been able to go home a long time ago, especially if you want to go back.”

“I do want to go back!” Toshi exclaims, his heart palpitating with the information. “What does that mean for me?”

Izuku purses his lips and lays a comforting hand on Toshi’s forearm. “I have a couple theories, but I’d rather we talk to Mochizuki instead of worrying about what it could be.”

Toshi takes a deep breath in an attempt to quell his panic. “When can we speak to him?”

Principal Nedzu decides to take charge of the conversation. “Hopefully within the next few days. Luckily, he’s a Musutafu resident, so he’s quite close by. I’m happy to invite him into U.A. for a tour as a ‘thank you’ for the time he’ll spend with us. The Detective will let us know when he’s available as soon as he makes contact.”

While the others make plan surrounding the visit of Mochizuki, Izuku lowers his voice to speak to Toshi. “Isn’t this great? You’ll be going home soon!”

Toshi can’t help but grin at his son’s excitement. “You’re very optimistic that I can go home despite these hiccups with Mochizuki’s quirk.”

“I’m sure there’s no reason why you can’t go back,” Izuku explains as he laces his fingers with Toshi’s. “Mochizuki’s worked with a whole team of quirk specialists since he was very young. I read that he’s sent people to other dimensions before for his work; something about a kind of therapy, as well as some experiments to understand the limits of his quirk. He sends someone to another dimension, but they take something with them to remind them why they want to return home. And then, after they’ve stayed in that dimension for the appointed time, they come back.”

“Were any of them gone as long as I have been?” Toshi asks.

“Well, no,” Izuku pouts. “B-but others have been gone longer than the two-week allotment! And they all said that they returned as soon as they knew that they were ready!”

Toshi blinks. “’As soon as they knew when they were ready’… what does that mean?”

Izuku rubs the back of his neck with his free hand. “Ah, that’s what I’m confused about. It’s always about a feeling; like an intuition that they’ll be okay if they go home. Do you… not think you’ll be okay if you go home?”

Toshi’s brows furrow as he thinks. He’s never been one to put his own needs over others’, so he doubts that he’s worried that he himself would be fine. However, there is something that worries him if he goes home now. Actually, it’s more like a couple really big things that worries him if he leaves this world prematurely.

“I’ll be fine,” Toshi begins, speaking slowly as he catches up with his thoughts. “But I don’t think you will be. Not yet.”

The retired hero looks at Izuku, watching as bright green eyes widen with surprise and warmth. “You’re staying for me.”

The older man nods. “I’m staying for you.”

“B-but I don’t-! You need to- I don’t want to take you away from the me that really needs you! I-I-“

“Don’t worry, my boy,” Toshi placates as he lays his own hand atop the one Izuku still has on his forearm. “That’s not the only reason. While I do want to ensure you’re taken care of when I’m gone, I also want to make sure that you’re safe from the League of Villains. Plus, All for One is still out there. I think that’s one of the biggest things that worries me.”

Izuku sniffles and nods. “But I can take care of myself. You really don’t have to worry about me.”

Toshi smiles warmly at his boy. “I know you can. I just want to make sure you’re loved by someone as much as I love you.”

Izuku sighs and lays his head on Toshi’s shoulder. His boy cuddles in closer, burying his face into the crook of Toshi’s neck as he speaks. “Then, I’ll just prove to you that I’ll be okay no matter what! And I’ll make sure to help you get All for One behind bars, so you don’t have to worry for us anymore.”

His heart is so warm and full with affection as he holds Izuku close. “Thank you, my boy. There’s no one else in the world more capable of that than you.”

In the corner of his eye, Toshi can see Toshinori watching them with thinly veiled longing.

ooo

Toshi makes his way down to the kitchen, stifling a yawn as he moves. The rest of the day had been full of discussions and drafting out plans to take down All for One and how to get information on Mochizuki’s quirk without putting him or anyone else in danger. Izuku wanted to spy on said man and keep him from every knowing they were researching him at all, but Toshinori believed that that was a breach of privacy, and would rather be up front about their interest in his quirk. They’ll just have to be… careful about what they reveal to the man.

By dinner time, they had solid plans for both All for One and Mochizuki, so they decided to break for the day and return to work tomorrow. Despite the invitation from Izuku, only Toshinori decided to stay for dinner while Nedzu returned to his office and Nighteye went to meet with Young Togata. They had such a swell evening talking and watching a few home videos that they didn’t realize it was so late until one of them suddenly caught sight of the clock. Toshinori decided to stay overnight in one of the unused rooms and they all bid each other a good night before disappearing behind their respective doors.

Toshi smiles at the thought of Izuku finally sleeping normally again. It’s actually a recent development. His boy had decided that he was ready to try sleeping in his own room and without the videos playing in the background. He explained he was comfortable knowing that Toshi’s room was just next door to him if he needed any company.

At first, Toshi was worried, and continuously asked Izuku if he was sure and if he wanted to wait another day or two. However, Izuku just laughed and said he’d be fine. And the next day, when Toshi saw his boy again in the dorm kitchen, his boy greeted him with a sunny smile and a contentment in his face that proved the boy was well-rested. Toshi had never been so proud.

So, as Toshi makes his way down the stairs and to the common room, he finds himself thoroughly concerned at the sound of Izuku’s home videos playing softly, soft light chasing shadows around the walls. Toshi rushes to the bottom step and almost trips on himself when he suddenly stops at the voices speaking softly over the television. He furrows his brow and leans in slightly, hoping to hear more of the conversation without alerting the other two he’s there.

“—‘s okay that you fall back on old habits once in a while,” Toshinori’s voice is soft and compassionate. “No one expects you to be okay again so quickly.”

“But I can’t keep relying on this,” Izuku answers, frustration laden in his voice. “It’s been so long since I first began doing this, and it’s not like it actually worked in the beginning. It’s because of Toshi. Toshi made everything better and he helped me so much! And after all that progress, it’s just-! I ruined it. I’m so pathetic.”

Toshi bites his lip as he peeks around the corner to look at the two. Izuku is slumped on the couch, elbows on his knees as his hands struggle to support his head. His boy is shaking, and upset, and it takes everything in him to stay back—to let Toshinori handle it.

Toshinori, who’s sitting on the couch beside Izuku, slowly shifts closer to the boy. Hesitant, he places his hand across the boy’s back, rubbing softly in comfort. They’re silent, just existing in each other’s company. Toshi can see that his counterpart is out of his depth; after all, Toshi’s knows Izuku, has known him for so long, now. Toshinori is still in that awkward in between stage where Izuku is still a bit star-struck with the idea that All Might is giving him company, that Izuku gets to know the man behind his idol’s hero persona. But Toshi knows that all it will take to push their bond to the next level is a conversation—a real conversation—that opens their hearts to one another and helps them understand each other more than they thought possible.

A conversation… much like this one.

Toshi holds his breath as he watches, hoping Toshinori can make the most of this opportunity. That Toshinori cares for Izuku as much as he does, and that he can trust the other man to care for his boy when he leaves.

“You,” Toshinori’s voice comes out low, as if he’s grumbling more than actually speaking, “are not pathetic, my boy.”

Izuku scoffs, shaking his head and letting his hands fall while his head hangs and his shoulder slump.

“You’re not,” Toshinori reiterates. The older man angles himself so his body is facing more towards Izuku. “In fact, you’re amazing. You’re resourceful and strong and so, so smart. You care so much for others, and it’s like the mere presence of you can brighten anyone’s day.”

Izuku sniffles, and it looks like he doesn’t believe a word that Toshinori is saying. They sit together in silence so long, that Toshi almost steps around the corner to help. But, Toshinori speaks once more, voice soft.

“It’s been 3 months, right?”

Izuku’s head whips up, his wide eyes looking towards Toshinori in surprise. “Y-uh… yeah.”

Toshinori blushes. “Toshi told me. He—uh… he worries.”

It’s Izuku’s turn to blush. His head looks back down to the ground and his hands fiddle in his lap. He whispers, “yeah.”

“It’s barely been three months, and you’ve done so well, gotten by despite…” Toshinori trails off, swallowing against the lump in his throat. “It took me years to heal… I don’t think I actually have yet.”

Intrigued, his boy turns to look at Toshinori again. He sniffles a bit and furrows his eyebrows in concern. “You… lost someone. Toshi mentioned it, once, but…”

Toshinori gave the boy a sad smile, nodding and taking his hand back to fiddle with his fingers. His shoulders hunched, and he looked towards the ground as hurt flashed across his face. A mirror to Izuku.

“She’s like a mother to me. She raised me into the man I am today,” Toshinori sighed and leaned back against the couch cushions. “She trained me into the hero I always dreamed of being. Without her, there would be no All Might.”

Silence. And then, “What happened to her?”

Toshinori sighs. “She fought All for One.”

The way Izuku’s face falls tells him that there need not be more of an explanation than that.

For a few moments, they sit together, grieving for their respective loved ones. One heart aches for a woman long past, the other for someone who’s grave has barely settled. Toshi can see, from where he stands in the shadows hoping not to be noticed, that they feel the most comfortable in each other’s presence than they have felt before. After all, they both understand the pain they each suffer.

“My Mom,” Izuku starts, his voice gravelly and small, “was in her office when a villain fight broke out right in front of her building. It was a villain with a gigantification quirk.”

Toshi presses his knuckles to his mouth. Izuku hasn’t even shared this story with Toshi yet, and he doesn’t know if he should even listen in on this conversation or not. But he can’t seem to get himself to move as he listens to his boy recount the worst day of his life.

“I first saw what was happening on the news,” he continues. “I was about to turn of the T.V. when the story broke. Instead of going to school, I went straight to Mom’s work. I watched the villain fall onto the building; it collapsed.”

Toshinori’s harsh gasp fills the room. He settles a hand on Izuku’s shoulder and the younger man continues. “After they arrested the villain, they were looking for survivors. There weren’t very many floors in the building, just five, and it was the beginning of the work day, so there weren’t very many people… Most everyone got out okay. But they couldn’t find Mom.

“Sh-she… I c-called her. To see if she’d answer, and she did! I told the police that she was on the phone, and she’s somewhere in the building, they have to save her! And th-they t-tried really hard, and I stayed on the phone with her, but she stopped responding and I begged her to say something--!”

Izuku buries his face is his hands, sobbing quietly as he tried to catch his tears in his palms. “They found her a few minutes later. Dead. She… I was so close! I-I know you can’t save everyone, but what kind of—what kind of person am I if I can’t even save someone who’s right in front of me?”

The sobs Izuku releases are heart-wrenching and painful to hear. But Toshinori pulls his boy—no, their boy close and holds him through his heartache. They say nothing, taking comfort in each other’s presence in the blue light of the memories captured on video.

Chapter Text

“I’m Yuuma Mochizuki. It’s nice to meet you!” Said man held his hand out for Toshi to shake as he delivered a tired, albeit polite smile. “I hear my quirk has given you quite a bit of trouble.”

Toshi grins back, catching the proffered hand in a solid grip. “Toshinori Yagi. And that it has.”

Toshi sits as the other man goes around the room introducing himself to the other meeting attendees. Nighteye and Toshinori—in his civilian form, of course—are present for the meeting, as well as Nedzu and Izuku. Out of the entire group, it seems that Izuku is the most excited for this meeting. Toshi smothers his laughter with a light cough as we watches Izuku practically vibrate with the need to ask his quirk analysis questions.

Of course, they’re on a mission, so Izuku must focus on asking questions relevant to getting Toshi home. So the first question out of his mouth is just that.

“Unfortunately, you have to make the decision to go back in order for my quirk to ware off,” Mochizuki states. “The moment you are ready, a light will glow from your chest and you’ll be transported back. That’s why I encourage my clients to have something with them that would remind them of why they’re coming home. Like a locket or an object that holds nostalgic meaning.”

“He’s said that he’s ready to go home—why won’t the quirk ware off?” Nighteye asks, resting elbows on the desk in front of him and resting his chin on folded hands.

Mochizuki grins. “It’s one thing to say it, and another to mean it. He has to be ready, he has to believe that he needs to go home, whether it’s because he’s needed more there or because there is no place here for him.”

Mochizuki’s gaze wanders over to Toshi and Izuku. “If there’s something keeping him here, he’ll just have to fix whatever’s broken before leaving.”

“And you can’t force him to return home?”

“No. He must want to go home himself.”

ooo

It’s been a long week of preparing and sleepless nights, but it will all be worth it. In a few hours, the plans he’s developed—the seeds he’s planted—will grow to bear fruit. He’s gathered his pawns, he’s explained the details, and he’s gained the approval of his master to follow through with this endeavor. Now, all he has left to do is keep his pawns in line while they execute the kidnapping of the Hero Blogger: Deku. And once they have him, they’ll be able to use his analytical skills to find the newest successor of One for All, and maybe even unlock the secret of why there are suddenly two All Mights walking around. It’s easier to say than do, however, and Tomura is learning that first-hand as he deals with the individual who he holds as his wild card.

At the beginning stages of planning, Tomura wanted to use one of Master’s Nomu as the ace up his sleeve. Surely, having such raw power at his fingertips would tip the scales in his favor. However, Master thought differently and refused to provide a Nomu on this particular mission.

“It is, after all, a stealth mission,” Master had said. And, unfortunately, Tomura understood exactly where he was coming from.

So. His wild card.

Unfortunately, that title falls solely on the Hero Killer’s head. Also unfortunately, Stain wants nothing more than to kill Deku rather than capture. Tomura’s made it very clear what the objective of this mission is plenty of times, and has extracted Stain’s “promise” of keeping Deku alive. However, Tomura can tell by the look in Stain’s eye that if given the chance, Stain will go in for the kill rather than following Tomura’s demand.

He’ll need to keep a close eye on Stain, will have to be present wherever that insane man goes. But that was part of the plan, anyway, so Tomura isn’t too put off by the fact.

The young man takes a deep breath, calming his nerves and excitement for a goal almost reached.

This will work. This will work.

So, with determination strengthening his conviction, he steps into the meeting room where his team awaits orders to start the mission.

ooo

Toshi doesn’t have to intervene much anymore. The former members of class A naturally flock to Izuku whenever they’re in the room, and his boy is always the first to be greeted whenever All Might arrives. The relationships that Toshi worked so hard to cultivate between his son and the UA Alumni were finally solid enough for Toshi to comfortably believe Izuku will be taken care of.

He watches Izuku from across the room, laughter lighting up his face. He can remember the moment he met the young man; how heartbroken the boy looked behind his soft smile. He’s so much happier and there’s a light in his eyes that wasn’t there before.

Toshi’s done all he can for his boy—or, at least, this version of his boy. And if he’s being honest, he wouldn’t feel too guilty going back to his own home.

They’d had many meetings up to this point; they’ve spoken with Mochizuki himself about his quirk and what is needed to activate his trip back home. They all understand the mechanics and what to expect when the trip begins—slight shimmering of Toshi’s for before his body slowly fades into nothing—but Toshi was faced time and again with the fact that he needs to be the one to want to go home. To feel ready.

And he thinks… he thinks he might just be ready.

After they found out everything they needed about the quirk, Nedzu, Nighteye, and Izuku changed their prerogative to tracking down and capturing All for One. With Toshi’s help, they were able to confirm where All for One is hiding and where the majority of the Nomu are. Soon, they will act on the plan that the blogger and heroes are working on, and they’ll be able to defeat the centuries-old monster safely.

The former Class A still has their rotation to protectIzuku and Toshi, but the job has become more of two-on-one hang out time with Izuku. Most of the time, rather than making rounds on the already hero-patrolled grounds of the school, they talk quirk theory and Izuku gives them free analysis on their quirks and recent villain fights.

Perhaps, he thinks as he watches his boy smile brighter than the sun, one more talk with Toshinori and I’ll be ready to go home.

He watches as Young Todoroki and Young Bakugo fight over who gets to have Izuku sit beside them until they settle on squishing the poor greenette between them.

Yes, Toshi nods to himself, I need to go home.

ooo

It’s the middle of the night, and Izuku has already gone to sleep. Toshi sits on the common room couch, in deep thought of how he wants to break the news to his boy. He’s just finished the conversation with Toshinori, has made sure that his boy will be taken care of. And he had the added benefit of having 4 of former Class A present for the conversation, who were in the middle of changing their shifts. Young Bakugo and Young Todoroki showed that they would definitely… comfort Izuku when Toshi leaves. Young Tokoyami and Young Asui were already on their phones informing the rest of their former classmates. All that was left was to tell his boy that Toshi is leaving.

Toshi knows that Izuku will be okay. He’s surrounded by people who love him, and he once more has the support of All Might himself. Izuku is doing amazing things, and he will be safe in the hands of the heroes of this world. With the information Toshi was able to give them, there’s no reason for quirkless, sickly Toshi to hang around and add an extra body to guard. If these young heroes can focus their efforts on Izuku and the League, Toshi is sure they’ll be able to fix up these problems soon.

At least, that what he keeps telling himself. Is he really comfortable with leaving? He knows he can’t do anything else for the group, but does he really think he can comfortably go without seeing the seeds come to fruition? Toshi has always been terrible at leaving well enough alone…

Suddenly, a chill runs down Toshi’s spine. Toshi spins to survey the room around him, squinting through the dim lighting and dark shadows. Long moments pass as nothing catches his attention. Just as he begins to relax his tense muscles, he hears it—the faintest creak of floorboards, as if someone is slowly making their way down the hall above him.

Toward’s Izuku’s room.

Toshi sprints, taking the steps 3 at a time to get there faster, fearing the worst. And the worst is what he gets, when he sees Izuku grappling with the Hero Killer. While Izuku looks to be handling himself quite well, giving as much as he got, Stain has knives in both hands and was able to pin the young man down to the floor beside his desk.

Swiftly, Toshi enters the fight, ripping the Hero Killer from Izuku and landing a solid punch on Stain’s cheek. The man goes down heavily, and Toshi wastes no time pinning the man down in a hold and turning to Izuku.

“Give me something to tie him up with!”

Izuku scrambles to find a suitable rope or tie or something as Toshi lifts the Hero Killer’s head from the floor, only to bring it back down so that he can knock the villain out. Before Stain’s head makes contact with the floor, however, a black portal opens beneath them, and the two men fall into the ground.

Toshi finds himself falling into a dark, musty room, lit only by a lamp settled outside the metal bars bisecting the room. The former hero is knocked onto his back, and a sharp pain radiates from his cheek. Suddenly, he can’t move.

He lies there, struggling to get his limbs to obey his commands, as Stain stands above him. The other man stares at Toshi, as if he’s weighing a decision.

“You,” he begins, words slow and dangerous, “are All Might.”

Toshi’s blood runs cold. How…?

“You fight despite your own declining condition to save as many as you possibly can,” Stain continues. “You are truly the greatest hero.”

Another swirling vortex opens up in the room, and out steps Shigaraki, four fingers wrapped around Izuku’s neck while the fifth hovers dangerously over clammy skin.

Terrified green eyes meet Toshi’s as Izuku is man-handled into a metal chair and strapped down by his wrists, ankles, chest, and waist. Toshi can only hear the cell doors open as footsteps approach him. Someone lifts him up and places him on another chair similar to the one Izuku is in. Toshi’s chin rests on his chest, and he is unable to see anything but his lap as they strap him in.

“What did you do to him?” Izuku rasps, voice angry and vindictive.

“Silence yourself, you fake,” Stain hisses back. “Don’t pretend to be heroic when you—“

“That’s enough,” Shigaraki interrupts. “You’ve done well, Hero Killer. You may leave.”

There’s a pause, and then a frustrated growl before the cell door can be heard closing and light footsteps retreating.

“Kurogiri,” Shigaraki speaks up again, “why don’t you bring a drink for our guest, Deku?”

ooo

“Was it the League?” Toshinori asks, voice betraying his panic.

Sir Nighteye sighs, fingers massaging at his temples. “Yes. The two on guard confirmed that they were ambushed by Toga and Twice. There are signs of struggle in Midoriya’s room, so we can guess there was at least one more involved in the kidnapping. Both Toshi and Midoriya are missing.”

Toshinori’s fists clench, brow furrowing in worry and determination. “We have to get them back.”

Nighteye nods. “Luckily, Toshi has given us good intel on the League. Everything that he’s told us has checked out, and we’ve already begun getting heroes together to pull off a heist. We’ll just have to speed up those same plans and complete the mission earlier than we thought.”

“Young Togata and I will fight All for One together,” Toshinori replies. “With both of us using One for All, we might have a chance of defeating him for good.”

ooo

“Just think about it,” Shigaraki says lightly. “All those people who don’t believe in you just because you don’t have a quirk… well, we can show them just how powerful you can be. On our side, you’ll be seen as an equal. Your talents will be celebrated. And we’ll tear down this oppressive ‘Hero’ society brick by brick, change the world with your help.”

Placing the severed hand back on his face, Shigaraki rises from his own seat and exits first the cell, then the room.

Toshi’d finally gotten movement back in his limbs about half-way through Shigaraki’s speech. He tried to twist his hands out of their bindings, but nothing he did got him any looser. All he can do now is sit and hope for the heroes to arrive.

Oh boy, he thought to himself. I never thought I’d find myself in this situation.

Izuku looks to Toshi with wide eyes. “You have to go.”

Toshi coughs, droplets of blood dribbling down his chin. “What?”

“You have to go!” Izuku repeats, looking slightly frantic. “This is the League! The people led by All for One! Toshi, the longer you’re here, the more danger you’re in!”

“I can’t just leave you,” Toshi argues back. “You’re in danger as well; what kind of hero would I be if I just abandoned you?”

“A smart one,” his boy retorts. “Look, the heroes know everything you told them. And there’s no way the League would kidnap me just to kill me afterwards—especially if they want me on their side. I’m safe for now. But you… you need to leave now.”

They’re quiet a moment, determined gazes unwavering as they stare each other down.

“I’m not leaving you.”

ooo

“When the fuck are we going to rescue them?” Young Bakugo demands, hands slamming down on the conference table they’re converged around.

All of the young heroes on the security detail are present, including Nighteye, Young Togata, Nedzu, and Gran. Their faces blatantly display their concern over their new friend. And, surprisingly, it seems that Young Bakugo and Young Todoroki are the most affected.

“We must be patient,” Nighteye explains. “If we move too fast, we can overlook something and put everyone at risk. We need to make sure we have all bases covered before we go in.”

“I thought you said Toshi’s information was correct,” Young Todoroki presses.

Nighteye sighs. “We were able to verify the majority of it. But we still aren’t sure where the main boss is. If he isn’t accounted for and confronted immediately, this will all be for nothing.”

“Nighteye,” All Might speaks up, “I agree with Young Bakugo and Young Todoroki. It’s dangerous to leave them with the League for much longer. After all, who knows what All for One is planning now that he has another All Might in his grasp. We need to move quickly if we’re to save Young Midoriya and Toshi.”

“Are you suggesting we just jump in without regard for the possible repercussions?”

“Of course not!” All Might folds his arms across his chest. “What I’m saying is we’ve been given great information—not only from Toshi, but from Young Midoriya as well. Have you not noticed the, frankly, amazing quirk analysis he’s been doing for all of these young heroes?”

All Might puts a notebook on the table, labeled LOV. “He’s been working closely with Toshi and I to make sure we’re as ready as can be to face these foes. We already have everything that we need to make a quick rescue and ensure everyone’s safety. So, why are you hesitating?”

Pursing his lips, Nighteye refuses to make eye contact with anyone in the room. He steeples his his fingers in front of his face as he takes a deep breath. When All Might sees the barely suppressed fear in Nighteye expression, he feels he understands exactly why Nighteye is so hesitant to make a move.

All Might decides to take over the meeting and switch it into assigning groups for the upcoming raid. Nedzu, in full support of All Might’s decision to begin preparations, chimes in with the plan previously detailed between Nighteye, Young Midoriya, and himself. As All Might reads the analysis out of Young Midoriya’s notebook for the room, Nighteye remains quiet—even as all the other heroes exit the room after a lengthy discussion of the plan and the command for all involved to be ready early that evening.

All Might, Nighteye, and Young Togata are all that remain once the conference room empties. And for a heavy moment, no one speaks.

Taking a sharp breath, Nighteye drops his head into his hands. “I’m sorry; I’m not being very rational with this mission. It’s not like me to not take advantage of the information present; and seeing as there’s so much that has been given to us, it’s the most optimal time for us to make a move against All for One.”

Standing up, All Might makes his way around the table and places a comforting hand on Nighteye’s shoulder. “This is about the prediction. The one Toshi told us about.”

Nighteye cringes at the statement.

“Mirai,” All Might sighs, “you’ve known that this is fight has been inevitable. One for All exists to stop All for One. This is not something you could have ever prevented. Besides we all know that our realities are different; just because one reality dictates something doesn’t mean that it’ll happen in another.”

Young Togata takes this chance to stand up from his chair, fist raised in front of his chest in a pose of determination. “And with both of us wielding OFA, I’m sure we have a better chance of defeating All for One! I wasn’t seen in that prediction, was I?”

Nighteye’s lip twitches. “Well, no, but—"

“But nothing!” Young Togata continues. “Our chances are already better than the other worlds’! We can’t just do nothing because we’re scared of what might happen. We would be very good heroes if that’s how we did things!”

Sighing, Nighteye slumped back in his chair. “You’re right. You’re both right. We’ve been working all these years to make sure One for All was passed down to a successor to continue as the next Symbol of Peace. Lemillion’s been training, and All Might’s been phasing himself out slowly…”

Young Togata nods. “Even if this is All Might’s last battle, I’m ready to take up the mantle. No matter what, we’ll be okay!”

Grinning, All Might nods in agreement.

Letting out a deep breath, Nighteye gives a small smile in return. “Alright. Well then, we have a lot of work to do before the mission begins tonight.”

ooo

Izuku is visited twice more by Shigaraki, each conversation playing out quite similarly to the first. Each time Shigaraki leaves the cell after said conversations, he is that much more irritated by the lack of progress he’s made with Izuku.

And each time they’re alone again, Izuku begs Toshi to leave this universe.

Toshi continues to refuse adamantly, of course. But even he is feeling the rising danger as they wait for them to acknowledge who Toshi is. They’ve got to know about his true form, and there’s a reason they brought him along instead of knocking him out while they abducted Izuku. Toshi feels that leaving him alone for so long is just a tactic to make him anxious and paranoid.

“Please, Toshi,” Izuku begs softly, “I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if you were hurt because of me.”

“My boy, I’m not leaving; we’re getting out together,” Toshi gives Izuku a determined smile. “Now, I know you’re concocting some sort of plan to escape in that head of yours—care to clue me in on it?”

Izuku sighs, pursing his lips. Finally, after a moment of deliberation, he nods and begins scooting his chair as close to Toshi as he can. Realizing that he doesn’t want to be overheard, Toshi does his best to maneuver his own seat so that they are sitting close enough that they’ll be able to whisper and not be overheard.

“They want me on their side,” Izuku begins with the obvious, “and it looks like Shigaraki is getting impatient with the whole ‘persuasion’ thing.”

Toshi scoffs. “I have a feeling the next time he comes in here, he won’t be as amicable as he’s been.”

Nodding, Izuku hums in agreement. “I think that I need to act sympathetic to their cause.”

“Well—” Toshi blinks. “…I guess that’ll work.”

“It’s the easiest way! We know that the heroes are coming. We just have to stall.”

“There’s only so much stalling we can do,” Toshi mumbles, brows furrowing in worry.

“Well, we have a lot of odds stacked against us, Toshi. We’re restrained, we’re surrounded by villains, and we’re quirkless. Unless you know how to get out of these chairs, we can’t even try to break out!”

Toshi looks at his own arms, cuffed to his seat with thick metal clasps. “I can’t see myself breaking out of these without my quirk. And even if I had my quirk, it’s likely that these cuffs are quirk suppressors.”

“So we have to wait and stall. That’s out best plan right now.”

Sighing, Toshi lets his chin fall to his chest. “Okay. We stall for the heroes.”

And that’s what they do. They do their best to reorient their chairs to where they were at before and sit in tense silence while they wait for their captors to return. However, Toshi is anxious over what the next encounter will be like—after all, Shigaraki has always been quite the volatile character when it comes to his ideals and plans.

He finds that he was right to worry, because when Shigaraki enters the room once more, Kurogiri follows right behind him.

“My master,” Shigaraki drawls as he opens the cell door and steps inside, “wants to have a chat with you and your… friend. Kurogiri, here will escort you to him.”

Kurogiri steps forward. “I will retrieve you once your conversation ends.”

Before they can blink, they’re warped into a dark room. Toshi can see that there’s a large wood desk in front of them, and a plush rug beneath their chairs. A dim lamp shines in the corner of the room, barely illuminating anything. The walls are stark white and bare, making the room feel bigger and colder than it really is.

On the large leather chair behind the desk sits All for One himself, appearing relaxed as he reclines in the seat. The mask on his face hisses as it assists his with breathing, and his is more of a jumble of scars and barely healed skin than anything. Toshi can hear Izuku gulp at the sight before them and can’t suppress the urge to do the same.

“Ah, you must be the Hero Blogger: Deku,” All for One starts. Despite the severe disfigurement on his face, All for One has no problem portraying his smugness using his body language and tone alone. Like Izuku has already changed his allegiance to the Leave of Villains. Like he’s already squashed the heroes despite their best efforts. Like he’s already won.

“My Tomura has told me a lot about you,” he continues, smarmy and condescending. “You’re such a talented young man; it’s too bad those talents are wasted on those who don’t respect you as you should be.”

“Of course I’m respected by the heroes,” Izuku defends, sounding slightly offended.

“Oh? They certainly don’t give you the credit you deserve, and they don’t seem to compensate you as much as the heroes who use your hard work. And they don’t even pay for the schooling you do. You struggle to make ends meet and pay off debts that only grew when your poor mother passed. Can you really say they respect you?”

For a moment, Izuku is quiet, furrowing his brows as he stares hard that the bottom of the desk. “I asked them to keep quiet about who I am. I don’t want everyone to know my identity, and I don’t want to just be handed everything.”

All for One Nods, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his desk. “Ah, you’re a humble young man. While they may claim to be doing only as you asked, I want to make you aware that they are… taking advantage of your kindness. You can certainly be compensated a lot more—at least given a bit more credit—since it is your information that ensures success in the missions you’ve been a part of.

“Actually, if we look at the basic trends,” All for One rests his chin in an upturned palm, “a little over 97 percent of the missions you’ve taken part in had a 100 percent successful with no casualties, minimal property damage, and followed your timeline exactly as you’d predicted. The 3 percent that failed were largely in part due to egotistic heroes who refused to follow your advice and made a mess of things.

“Although, you still had back up plans that ultimately got things back on track. You’re truly a gift, Izuku Midoriya. I just wish they’d see that.”

Izuku purses his lips, still scowling. “I do just fine.”

“But you should just be fine. You should thrive. And that’s what we want for you, here at the League.”

No one speaks for a minute. The only sound that fills the room is the sound of the villain’s ventilator mask, and the ticking of a clock somewhere out of sight. Toshi doesn’t know if he should say something—do something—but figures he might make the situation worse if he decides to force himself into a conversation that he really has no part in.

Moreover, Izuku made it very clear that they shouldn’t speak unless spoken to, and to keep their cards close to their chest. Instead, Toshi spends his time sending the fiercest glare he can at the supervillain.

Sighing, All for One leans back in his seat again. “I have a… proposal of sorts for you. Judging from your blog and your studies, I can tell how interested you are in quirks and how they work. I am an avid quirk scholar myself, and I fund a team of researchers to help me learn more of the applications of quirks, their strengths, drawbacks.

“My Doctor seems to be a fan of your work, and has been chomping at the bit to get you into his lab and help his studies. I believe you’d be a great addition to the team. With us, there will be no limitations to what you can do; you won’t have to beg for funding from a school board or fight with other researchers for supplies and tools. I’ll provide for everything you can need and more. All I ask is that you help me with a few small projects, and the rest of your time is yours to do with as you please.”

Izuku peers at the man from beneath his bangs. “And what makes you think that I’ll accept your offer?”

“The world of academics is quite rigid in its processes, is it not? Rules and regulations that keep you from looking into what’s important—what’s needed. You wouldn’t need to worry about that here.”

Izuku hums, tapping his foot lightly.

“Just think about it,” and that smug look is back on All for One’s non-existent face. “And if it means anything, we’ll never leave you in the dark on important matters.”

The foot-tapping stops. “…What does that mean?”

Inexplicably, Toshi’s heart rate rises. He has no clue what All for One is talking about, and it looks like Izuku doesn’t either. It makes him slightly nervous, this unknown that is put forth. Toshi can only hope that it isn’t something disastrous that the hero commission is keeping from them, but when it comes to them, even All Might can’t expect full honestly.

“Why, it means just that, Midoriya. Heroes always keep secrets, always keep important information that mean everything in a situation like this, don’t you think? In fact, the person who’s keeping the biggest secret is sitting right next to you.”

There’s pure confusion on Izuku’s face. “…Next to…?”

“Isn’t that right, All Might?”

Pure disbelief covers both Toshi’s and Izuku’s faces as they turn to stare at each other with wide eyes. They don’t know.

They think Toshi’s been keeping his identity a secret from Izuku. All for One thinks that he has them both in the palm of his hand with the ‘sudden reveal’ of crucial information. It’s this that they’ve been waiting for. This can turn the tides.

It’s in that instant, they they both silently agree to play it up.

“I-Izuku, I—” but Toshi is cut off by Izuku himself with what he thinks it he best performance the young man has made in his life.

His brilliant boy looks at him, with brows pulled together and eyes glinting in a way that Toshi knows means he’s coming up with another plan.

Izuku’s voice is soft and faltering. “All… All Might?”

All for One lets out a dramatic sigh as he stands up from his seat, leaning down to prop himself up on the desk with his hands. “What a disappointment, that you can’t trust those closest to you. Such important information withheld… This is the respect that I was speaking of.”

When no one speaks, the villain continues. “Think over this, Young Deku. We will talk again soon.”

A portal opens and brings them back to their empty cell.

Chapter Text

They milk their advantage as much as they can. They stage little arguments when they know someone is supposed to come, and make a show of Izuku ‘ignoring’ Toshi when the villains are in the room. It’s obvious the League thinks they’re swaying Young Izuku over to their side, because the restraints are put on looser each time their escorted to the bathroom, and their words towards the young man are softer and more sympathetic.

As time goes on, though, there needs to be a natural progression of willingness to speak and work with the League that Young Izuku must portray. But that means possibly separating, and Toshi is very against that idea. However, they may not have any choice, as Izuku constantly points out. Toshi can only get him to promise to play it by ear instead of initiating any separation immediately upon the villains’ visits.

And for a few visits, they get lucky. Izuku just speaks with the villains, asking a few questions on the possible research that All for One was proposing. They even let the Doctor come in, and they have quite the conversation on ethics and scientific study on human and animal subjects.

However, Toshi believes that their luck runs out when Shigaraki and the Doctor enter the room with serious gazes. It puts Toshi on edge, back straightening and body stiffening.

The pair stand before Izuku for a moment. They each adorn expectant smiles as they look at the young man, and Toshi’s breath catches in his throat.

“So,” Shigaraki begins, “you’ve had some time to think about our offer. What do you say?”

Izuku clenches his fists and looks down into his lap. His gaze shifts to Toshi for a second before he whips it away, as if he were greatly upset. Pursing his lips, he nods.

Shigaraki’s eyes light up with his success. “Then let’s get you out of those restraints. The Doctor has been excited to show you the lab since your conversation earlier.”

Toshi and Izuku make eye contact as the villains release Izuku’s restraints. Toshi can’t stop the panic in his eyes at the prospect of Young Izuku out of his site, but his boy offers a small, reassuring smile when the others aren’t looking.

He can only hope his son stays safe, and that All for One stays far away from the both of them for now.

Just as Izuku stands from his seat, a large banging noise is heard from above them. They all look up as yelling and thumping sounds through the ceiling.

“Fuck,” Shigaraki hisses. “Doctor, bring Deku to the lab. I’m needed elsewhere.” And Shigaraki disappears through the door.

After a moment of silence, Young Izuku speaks. “A-ah, what’s going on?”

“It’s more than likely nothing. Some members of the league don’t necessarily get along well,” is the Doctor’s reply. “Don’t you worry, they’ll settle down soon. Make sure to do some light stretches—you were seated for a long time, and that can have negative effects on the body if not handled properly.”

“Oh, right,” Izuku says. “Sure.”

Awkwardly, he does as he’s told while the Doctor checks his phone in his pocket. “As soon as you’re ready, we’ll make our way down to the lab. I’m sure you’ll be impressed with the facilities here; All for One is quite generous with his funds for us.”

The older man turns and makes his way towards the door, talking all the while about his current experiments. Toshi’s heart jumps into his throat, thinking Izuku has no choice but to follow the man out the door. The retired hero watches in despair as Young Izuku gets closer to the exit.

Before the Doctor can even put his hand on the doorknob, however, Izuku quickly chops the side of his hand on the junction between the older man’s jaw and neck, hitting the pressure point so the Doctor falls limp on the ground.

Toshi gapes as he watches his son drag the heavier man back to the chair, heaves his limp body into the seat, and straps him in tightly. Izuku then goes through the Doctor’s pockets for the phone and any other devices or tools that could aid in escape, stuffing them in his own. And when he’s done, he moves quickly to Toshi to release him from his own restraints.

“Wha-! My boy, how did you—”

“I learned it in anatomy class,” is Izuku’s explanation. “My professor is very hands on. Gave the student who volunteered extra credit to participate in the demonstration. But he’ll only be out for a small while. Do you have a sock or glove or something small I can borrow?”

Back cracking as he stands, Toshi groans through his stretches. “Er, yeah.” He pulls off first his shoe, and then his sock. “Here.”

Swiftly, Izuku shoves the sock into the Doctor’s mouth. Toshi sputters and gives the young man an incredulous look.

Izuku shrugs. “The room’s not soundproof. Can’t have him alerting anyone before we’re ready. And I don’t have any socks.”

True to Izuku’s words, the boy doesn’t have socks on, only his indoor slippers that he must have changed into while he was getting ready for bed when they were abducted.

Toshi jerks his head in a nod. “R-right…”

A series of loud thumps on the ceiling let them know that the commotion upstairs is still ongoing.

“S-so,” Izuku begins, “I’m going to guess that this isn’t some sort of in-fighting going on up there.”

Toshi hums in agreement. “I believe you’re right. Something else is going on. Do you think the heroes found us?”

Shrugging, Izuku motions Toshi to follow him to the door. “Not sure, but we shouldn’t stick around here much longer. Let’s find an exit and see if we can get to the police.”

“I’m right behind you.”

ooo

“I am here!”

The catch phrase rings out around the bar as the door is violently swung open by All Might himself. The League is completely unprepared for the appearance of heroes—how would they track them, after all?—and Shigaraki isn’t even aware they’re here. However, with the ruckus the heroes are causing, it’s only a matter of time before the leader of the team shows and can begin the emergency protocol for a hero raid.

All Might pushes his way into the room, and swiftly knocks out Toga, Twice, and Magne. When he goes for Dabi, however, the fire-user is quick to defend himself with his flames. All Might retreats while Young Todoroki moves to intercept the scarred villain with his ice and flames of his own. Young Mineta quickly makes his way to the downed villains and used his sticky balls to secure them together, restraining them quickly. Young Bakugou apparently found the weakness of the Kurogiri, and is able to restrain him while awaiting assistance from Mineta.

Suddenly, Shigaraki bursts in from a door behind the counter. The villain’s eyes widen in surprise, but he quickly moves to free Kurogiri from Young Bakugou. However, Aizawa quickly intercepts, quirk active, and fights to knock him out. Young Uraraka and Young Asui enter the building to provide assistance with removing the downed villains from the area. And as quick as he can, All Might helps incapacitate first Kurogiri, and then Shigaraki.

Overall, the fight lasts barely 10 minutes. All Might can only hope that the group at the Nomu warehouse are having a similar time taking care of things over there. As soon as all villains are knocked out and put into police vans, Young Mirio calls for phase two to commence.

Alongside the police, the heroes make their way deeper into the building, guards raised as they search the building for Young Izuku and Toshi.

ooo

They keep an ear out for anyone as they sneak through the halls. They hope to avoid running into the fight—just in case it is just an in-fight between the villains—and are currently searching for a side or back exit. Toshi assumes that this base isn’t very big because they’re able to hear the fight no matter how long they walk. So, the instant the thumping and shouting stops, he’s on edge.

He shares a nervous glance with Izuku as they make their way down a long, dimly lit hall. Toshi hopes that All for One isn’t near them; he can’t protect Izuku if they run into the man.

However, Toshi learns, All for One isn’t the one he should be worrying about. The Hero Killer rounds the corner and stops dead in his tracks when he spots the pair.

Stain’s face crumples into a disgusted snarl, voice hissing as he speaks, “Deku.”

The villain says Izuku’s pseudonym like it’s a curse, like something rancid leaving his mouth. Young Izuku takes a step back, and Toshi draws his boy near.

“I don’t know what this League sees in you; you’re just as phony as all those fake heroes out there. Hiding behind a computer screen in safety while you rely on others to do your dirty work—it’s disgusting. You don’t deserve the praise they give you.”

Toshi can see Izuku’s hands shake in the face of the Hero Killer’s ire. So, he steps in front of his boy in an effort to protect him as best he can.

Stains gaze is redirected towards Toshi at the movement. “And you, All Might. What do you see in him that makes you believe his is worth saving?”

Toshi opens his mouth without hesitation, set to defend his boy from this deranged lunatic, but Izuku’s soft voice cuts him off before he can.

“I’m quirkless.”

The words take up the empty space for a beat before the young man continues.

“I’m quirkless, and because I’m quirkless, everyone told me I can’t be a hero.” Fists clenching, Young Izuku moves around Toshi to stand in front of him. His face is set in a determined glare, and he stands straight and confident. “And when everyone tells you you can’t be a hero, they make sure to make their statements come true. I’ve been beaten, bullied, discriminated against—and not just by the other kids, but by my teachers too. They sabotaged me throughout my academics, placed blame on me for things I didn’t do, and turned a blind eye when I was suicide-baited.

“But even as an outcast, I still tried. I did everything right—I went to U.A. I trained to win the sports festival. But without support from anyone around me, without anyone there to listen and to mentor me, my dreams became unattainable. So, I did the next best thing with the skills that I have.

“So why do you, someone who knows how it’s like to be cast aside by society and hurt by everyone around you, take your frustrations out on the people who have experienced the same as you?”

For a moment, Stain looks taken aback. However, he tries to gain his own momentum back. “All I hear are excuses—”

Toshi cuts him off: “Isn’t your whole M.O. about being ‘truly heroic’ and ‘for the people’? To eliminate the negatives in society that force people into unjust lives? Because your actions and beliefs here are the exact opposite.” Toshi places a hand on Young Izuku’s shoulder. “Izuku’s heart is the most heroic I’ve ever seen. In my time of need, he took me in with no expectations, no questions asked. And he made sure that I needed everything not just to survive, but to thrive until I could get back onto my feet. He does everything he can to save lives; and while it isn’t in a way that you approve of, he’s doing the best he can with how legalities are set. He’s a true hero. In fact, he is my hero.”

Toshi feels Izuku’s breath hitch, and squeezes his shoulder a little tighter. Meanwhile, Stain looks flabbergasted at Toshi’s words. He wants to take advantage of the opportunity to escape while Stain’s caught off guard, but they hear footsteps quickly approaching from where they’d just come in from.

Cursing, Toshi moves to face the incoming group. He takes a battle stance, and he can feel Young Izuku clumsily do the same as he faces down Stain. The odds are against them, and their rouse is up; so if they’re caught again, they’re absolutely screwed. Toshi doesn’t have high hopes, but he’ll take as many out as he can in the meantime.

Around the corner appears All Might and Lemillion, as well as a couple of policemen.

The relief Toshi feels is astounding as he relaxes his stance. He watches Lemillion disappear and hears him reappear in the hall behind him to begin his fight with Stain. With permeation and One for All, Lemillion ends the fight quickly, and the policemen gather around the pair.

Surprisingly—or maybe not so surprisingly—All Might sweeps Izuku into his arms, squeezing the young man in relief. “Thank goodness you’re safe.”

Izuku’s eyes water as he returns the embrace. And when they let go, they turn to Toshi.

“Are either of you hurt?” All Might asks, gaze serious.

Just as Toshi opens his mouth to reply, he feels sludge bubbling up from his throat. Eyes widening, he turns to Izuku, and can see the black goop bubbling out of his mouth as well. He knows exactly what’s happening.

Toshi turns his gaze to All Might and implores him to follow them, to prepare himself for his next battle with All for One. And then, they’re gone.

ooo

He lands next to Izuku, coughing violently as sludge and blood spew from his mouth. It’s pretty hard for him to breathe, what with the quirk damaging his airways to teleport him, but he forces himself to stand up and survey his surroundings quickly.

They’re at the warehouse where the Nomu are stored. All for One stands before all the heroes, some knocked unconscious while others attempt to hold the line. The members of the League were also teleported here, but some are still stuck together with Mineta’s quirk. Shigaraki and Dabi are awake and unrestrained, however, posing a threat to their escape.

“Ah, Young Deku,” All for One begins, shaking his head, “I’m quite disappointed with your decision. You would have made a great asset to Young Tomura’s League. All this after the generous offer I made!”

All for One takes a leisurely step towards them. “Nevertheless, you’ll make quite the tool for our success whether you cooperate or not.”

It’s then that All Might and Lemillion shoot into the scene. They stand side by side, backs tall and glaring the supervillain down. The other heroes on site back away, regrouping and gathering the wounded.

“Another All Might!” Is what All for One exclaims at their arrival. “While I’m unsure what’s caused this anomaly, I will get to the bottom of that soon. But that will have to wait for now, isn’t that right?”

“All for One,” All Might growls in anger, “your reign ends here. Surrender now.”

“How arrogant,” All for One replies. “It seems I’ll have to show you what real power is like, once again. I hope you and your little successor have come prepared. Tomura, capture Young Deku and the other All Might and leave. I will be right behind you.”

“Yes, Sensei,” Tomura runs towards Toshi and Izuku, followed closely by Dabi.

All at once, the battlefield explodes. The power coming from the blows between All Might, Lemillion, and All for One create gusts of winds that make it difficult for onlookers to keep on their footing. The other heroes are busy trying to get civilians and downed heroes out of the way, while others attempt to get to Toshi and Izuku. The latter make do, dodging attacks, and going on the offensive when they can; while Toshi may be significantly weaker in this form, that doesn’t mean he can’t pack a punch.

Somehow, Shigaraki was able to disintegrate the restraints on the other League members, and the conscious ones join the fight. Soon, the pair are overwhelmed, and Toshi knows it’s only a matter of time that they’re captured.

When he can, Toshi shoots glances towards Izuku. He’s surprisingly holding his own, though he knows that the villains are likely going easy on him because they don’t want to hurt the young man. Izuku’s movements are sloppy and easily predictable, and Toshi wishes that he’d thought to teach the young man self-defense before they were kidnapped.

Although, he didn’t think that they’d actually end up abducted!

More than once, Toshi finds himself drawing the fight away from Izuku. The villains know that the best course of action would be to get Izuku alone and overwhelm him, but they forget that they’re fighting All Might. Toshi, deceptively quick on his feet, decides to take one out of Izuku’s book and knock out the villains he can. He targets Twice first to ensure they aren’t overwhelmed with manpower, flipping said man over his shoulder and aiming a kick to his head, wincing when he uses a bit too much force. And from there, he tries take down whomever gets close enough.

Toshi almost breathes a sigh of relief when Young Bakugou and Young Todoroki show up. Young Tenya is hot on their heels as they careen into the scene, moving immediately towards Toshi and Izuku. Slowly, more and more heroes show up to help Toshi and Izuku, and they’re able to—once again—restrain the villains threatening the pair. Young Shoji sneaks into the battlefield to guide Toshi and Young Izuku to the police line while the others take care of the villains.

When they make it to safety, Toshi still feels wound tight. It’s obvious that Izuku feels the same way, because the first thing that both of them do is turn to the large screens showing live news coverage of the fight between All for One and One for All.

The other heroes are evacuating at this point, the rest of the League of Villains captured and detained. All for One is obviously furious, his attacks stronger and more dangerous with his growing ire. It’s obvious he’s targeting All Might and his weaknesses, but Lemillion is making it close to impossible for All for One to land a good hit to the older hero. Together, they make a strong team, and it looks like All for One will go down soon.

The three stand in the middle of a large crater, with a backdrop of destroyed buildings in their wake. All for One stands between the heroes, and the way he holds himself, Toshi can tell that the supervillain is finally feeling the pressure. Lemillion and All Might tag team All for One, getting in hits where they can. But the masked man doesn’t let his guard down. Toshi swallows down his bile when he sees All for One layer on multiple quirks to form a disgusting amalgamation of an arm, which he uses to swing at the heroes like a club.

While All for One had many years to recover, he is still dealing with injuries that limit him. Toshi can’t be more relieved when he notices the supervillain slowing down, his punches getting weaker, slower. All Might and Lemillion are able to dodge the attacks, and crowd All for One in to look for any weaknesses they can use.

Lemillion—in an act of pure genius—uses permeation to get close enough to rip the tubes from All for One’s mask. The supervillain clutches at his chest and the ventilator, attempting to suddenly regulate his breath on his own, and All Might takes advantage of the opportunity.

The crowd can hear it over the speakers, as All Might calls out his ultimate move, his United States of SMASH.

And then there’s dust. It covers the field and hides the three forms for what feels like hours but could only be a minute or so. Toshi’s heart is in his throat, and he can feel Izuku grab his hand to clutch tight. He squeezes back as hard as he can, eyes unblinking as he stares at the screen.

When the dust settles, All Might and Lemillion stand side by side, staring down an unconscious All for One, with fists raised in victory.

ooo

There are celebrations throughout the hours that follow their rescue. Izuku and Toshi are taken to the hospital for treatment, and they have a constant stream of visitors in their room. And while Izuku seems to appreciate all the attention and love he’s getting from his friends, it’s obvious who he really wants to see.

A few hours after the nurses left them in their room, another bed is brought into the room.

“All Might!” Izuku exclaims, attempting to roll out of bed so he can make his way towards the hero.

“Please don’t get up, young man,” Toshinori says. He’s in his smaller form, bandages peeking out from the collar of his hospital gown. “You need your rest!”

Of course, Izuku doesn’t listen, bare feet pattering on the floor as he steps towards Toshinori’s bed. He waits patiently for the nurses to finish setting Toshinori up before he approaches the bedside. He lifts his hands as if to give the man a hug but hesitates.

“I, um, I’m really glad you’re okay.”

Toshinori smiles and opens his arms. Izuku immediately falls into them and Toshinori buries his face into messy curls. “I’m glad we were able to save you in time.”

It’s at that moment that Tsukauchi pops his head into the room. “Hey, you three. Do you have a minute?”

Toshinori raises one hand off of Izuku’s back to wave the man in. He gives his boy a warm smile when Izuku pulls away slowly, cheeks red in embarrassment.

“I just wanted to let you know know that All for One was successfully captured and imprisoned in Tartarus. And the same is true for the others in the League. We did find the Doctor that works for them tied up in a holding cell beneath the bar—I believe that was your doing?”

Izuku, sitting on the edge of Toshinori’s bed, blushes deep red and stares into his lap. “A-ah, yeah. We heard the commotion the heroes were making, and figured they were distracted enough for us to escape.”

Tsukauchi nods. “I’m glad you were able to find an opportunity to get away. By the way, I wanted to remind you that we need to question you and Toshi about the whole ordeal as soon as you are ready.”

“I’m sure we can do that,” Toshinori butts in, “tomorrow afternoon. We should all be released by then, no?”

Toshi nods. “No expensive injuries or anything. Izuku and I should be released in a couple hours, actually.”

“Well, that works with me.” Tipping his hat, Tsukauchi opens the door to leave the room once more. “I’ll see you both tomorrow, then.”

For a moment, none of them make a sound, sitting in a heavy silence. There’s so much to discuss—like Toshinori’s morbid curiosity over what happened while they were kidnapped, and the fact that the whole reason why Toshi is being kept here is fixed—but no one knows how to bring up such heavy issues after enduring such stressful events so recently.

So, Toshi stands up out of his own bed. He makes his way to Toshinori’s and urges both Izuku and Toshinori to scooch over. He squeezes himself onto the side of the bed, the three of them barely fitting together. Sighing, Izuku does his best to fit between the two without exacerbating Toshinori’s wounds.

And they lay there. In the quiet. They stare at the ceiling, and revel in the fact that they’re all okay; that everything went according to plan.

“I think,” Toshinori starts, voice soft and face content, “I want to retire.”

ooo

When Izuku and Toshi are released, they head back to the dorms. Toshi knows that they would be safe going home to Izuku’s apartment, but he knows that the young man needs friends and love and support, so he assures his son that he’s okay with staying at the dorms overnight and meeting up with his hero friends.

However, Toshi wasn’t banking on Izuku getting this kind of ‘love and support’.

The older man watches with a blank face as Izuku is surrounded by the U.A.’s former class A. They’re laughing and guffawing at the sight before them—Young Bakugou and Young Todoroki squishing his son between them in an overly affectionate embrace. They whisper ‘comforting words’ to the red-faced analyst between them and tell them how much they worried over him as the three squish onto the couch together.

“We’ll protect you,” Young Todoroki promises, his expression somehow more serious than Toshi’s ever seen.

“I guess if you’re gonna keep gettin’ in this kind of trouble, you’ll need both of us to keep an eye on you,” Young Bakugou grouses, grinning as Izuku somehow gets redder. “Bet you’d like that, huh? Me and Icy Hot?”

Young Bakugo finally lets Izuku out of his embrace only to lean back on the couch, sighing as if he’s being put off. Then, that offensive smirk makes its way onto his face. “That’s fine. At least he’s hot.”

Young Kaminari and Young Sero are cackling so loud, Toshi doesn’t know how they’re even still breathing. There’s shouting and squealing throughout the room when Young Todoroki decides it’s a good idea to catch Young Bakugou’s eye and wink.

Izuku basically has steam rising from his face it’s so red, and he buries his face into his hands to hide.

Toshi wishes he could hide.

Toshi wishes he didn’t have to see this.

Still, Toshi is… happy for his son. So, he slips away quietly up to his room to lay on his bed and stare at his ceiling until he forgets everything that he saw.

ooo

“Thank you for this,” Tsukauchi smiles as he turns off his recorder and flips his notebook closed. They’d just went over Toshi’s and Izuku’s accounts of their abduction. “It was scary what you went through; I’m glad that you’re both okay in the end.”

Izuku smiles at the detective, nodding as the man stands up. “It would’ve been harder without Toshi with me.”

“You both were brilliant.”

Tsukauchi dismisses himself from the room moments later, encouraging Toshi to work on getting back home. Jokingly, as he walks through the door, Tsukauchi grins at Toshi as he says, “I better not see you the next time I visit!”

Toshi chuckles at the heckling. Honestly, he agrees with the detective’s words. It’s high time that he makes his way back home and stop overstaying his welcome.

Toshinori, Young Togata, and Nighteye replace the detective’s presence. They all seem to be in high spirits as they join the two. As they enter, they chat about Toshinori’s upcoming retirement from heroics, and Izuku can’t help himself from jumping into the topic.

His boy stands from his chair and circles the table to stand beside Toshinori. “Have you already chosen a date to retire?”

“Ah, not quite yet,” Toshinori says, sitting down and encouraging the young man to sit beside him. “All I know is there will be a press conference next week to address the All for One situation. I want to announce a plan to transition myself out of heroics over the span of a couple months. Just so that the other heroes aren’t hit with a sudden onslaught of work.”

Izuku nods. “That’s a good idea. Wouldn’t want everyone to get overwhelmed, right?”

“Right. But with you helping the heroes, I’m sure they’ll be able to handle things just fine.”

Izuku beams his sunshine smile.

For some reason, Toshi finds himself feeling a bit emotional. Watching the scene in front of him, he definitely understands why the quirk that brought him here did just that. His heart squeezes at the love and care blossoming between Toshinori and Izuku. Some part of him wishes with all his heart that he could have this with his own Izuku—his son safe, without the pressure of having One for All, and the opportunity to retire slowly and efficiently rather than having his identity forced out in the open in an epic battle to the death. He wishes he could have quietly and happily retired with his son by his side to enjoy the rest of his life.

But that isn’t his life. And this isn’t his son.

“I think,” Toshi slowly begins, “that it’s time to go home.”

The happy atmosphere that once filled the room suddenly disappears. Izuku looks to Toshi with wide, sad eyes. His expression shows that he understands exactly what Toshi is thinking.

A small smile makes its way onto Izuku’s lips, and tears begin to gather in his eyes. “I think we’ll be okay now. I’ll be okay.”

Toshi can feel the quirk in his heart—or maybe it’s just the overwhelming love he has for his boy—and it spreads slowly through his chest, then towards the rest of his body. He stands quickly, making his way towards Izuku and Toshinori. He squeezes Toshinori, and notices that both of their eyes are slowly filling with tears as well.

“Please,” Toshi’s voice comes out ragged and small, “take care of him. Please.”

Toshinori opens his mouth to speak, but ultimately closes it and nods. Toshi understands—it feels like his emotions are physically lodged in his throat.

The warmth of the quirk covers his entire body now, and he’s beginning to feel faint. So, without hesitation, he spins on his foot and gathers his boy in a tight hug.

There’s so much he could say, so much he wants to say. How much he’ll miss him, how he’ll never forget him. But all that he can get his mouth to say is, “I love you. So much.”

Izuku buries his face into his shoulder as a sob wracks his body. “I love you, too, Dad.”

And suddenly, Toshi is gone.

ooo

He’s in a familiar conference room when he regains his ability to see. The room is empty, but he can hear people walking down the hall, conversing quietly with their peers. He’s in Might Tower, alone, and likely back in his own world.

Here, as he digests the months that he’s been away, he allows himself to cry. He cries for the life that could’ve been, cries because he had to leave one version of his son for another. He cries in relief because, even though he had to leave, his boy will be okay.

When he feels composed enough, he leaves the room in search of a bathroom. And then, he leaves for the reception.

There’s instant pandemonium when the employees notice he’s there. They start running around, his receptionist starts crying, and he might even have heard some screaming. But soon, Tsukauchi arrives and Nedzu is on the phone with the receptionist, and Toshi is just… overwhelmed.

He answers their questions as best as he can and is able to calm down his employees with big smiles and laughter that his hero persona is so well known for. But he’s getting tired, and agitated, and it must show because Tsukauchi makes an excuse for them to leave to the precinct.

Once they’re in the car and driving, however, Tsukauchi turns to him in worry. “Are you okay? You don’t look so good, Toshinori.”

Toshi huffs and gives a tired smile. “Just a bit overwhelmed. There’s a lot that’s happened. But could we do something first? I just… I need to see my son.”

Tsukauchi jolts the car. “Your son? You have a son?”

Toshi flushes when he realizes the implications of his words in this world specifically. He really didn’t think about it, not after referring to his boy that way for many weeks, now. “M-my successor. Izu—Midoriya.”

Raising an eyebrow, Tsukauchi glances at Toshi’s expression before making a U-turn and driving towards UA. “Where did you go? And what happened?”

“Well, long story short, I met an Izuku that never met All Might. And he just… opened my eyes. I’ve always cared about Izuku, I’ve always been so proud. But I didn’t know how much I love him.”

“That’s… I’m happy for you.”

“I’ll tell you everything later. It’s a lot to go over, but it’s a happy ending, overall.”

“We still haven’t found the villain that hit you with that quirk.”

Toshi grins. “Worry not, my friend. I have all the information we need to close up the case.”

“Why does that sound so menacing?”

Before Toshi can reply, he sees U.A.’s gates coming into view. His heart races with excitement, and he can’t help himself when he opens his car door to fling himself out on the sidewalk even before the car comes to a stop. He ignores Tsukauchi’s shout and sprints through the gates and towards the dorms. It’s afternoon, now, and classes should have been out for around an hour. If his knowledge of his boy’s schedule is right, Izuku should be finishing up his homework and getting ready to do his evening training.

He bursts through the front door, probably looking quite frantic to the students he startled upon his entrance. There’s yelling and excited shouting all around him, but there’s no Izuku. So he ignores everything and takes the stairs two at a time to Izuku’s room. And when he gets there, he bursts through the door like he just did downstairs.

There, absolutely startled and staring wide eyed at Toshi, is his son. His absolutely adorable, chubby cheeked, little boy! And, goodness, how did Toshi forget how he looked at this age, he’s like a baby!

He might have said that aloud because his boy flushes bright red and can’t stop stuttering. But Toshi doesn’t care, all he cares about right now is his boy, and he sweeps him up into his arms and holds him tight to his chest and cries into his fluffy hair.

He feels Izuku wrap his arms around him with equal fervor, burying his face into his chest as the boy begins to cry. His boy whines softly, trying to shift his weight further into the taller man, but Toshi’s basically picked him up, and Izuku can barely reach the floor with the tips of his big toes.

Toshi can hear footsteps make their way to Izuku’s wide open doorway, can hear the happiness in his other students’ voices—as well as the confusion of his actions—but all he can focus on is the feeling of the trembling boy in his arms.

Suddenly, Aizawa and Tsukauchi are here as well, and they push their way through the students and into the dorm where Toshi and his son embrace. There’s a long, withering sigh that fills the room, and Toshi knows it’s definitely come from Aizawa. Said mad places a hand on Toshi’s shoulder and encourages him to let go of Izuku and follow him out of the room. And while Toshi does release Izuku from his hold, he keeps a hand wrapped around the boy’s hand and leads him along the other hero and the detective, stopping only so he can put on proper shoes at the front door.

His boy is adorable, one hand clutching at Toshi's and the other rubbing at his leaky eyes. He sniffles and gives big smiles when Toshi looks down at him. And while Toshi was sobbing not an hour ago, his heart is full now that he’s with his boy.

Toshi assumes that they’re headed to a conference room somewhere on the main campus, where he’ll tell the full story of where he was and what he did. He idly wonders what his boy will think of the potential life he could have had without All Might and One for All. However, when he looks down at his boy and sees teary green eyes gazing shyly back, he wonders more on how their relationship will change now that Toshi isn’t holding himself back any longer.

He tugs at the hand still wrapped in his and slings his arm over small shoulders when his son is close enough. Toshi uses his free hand to gently wipe tears from freckled cheeks and smiles with so much admiration that he can feel the love practically oozing out of his chest.

“Come now, son, there’s no need to cry; I am here.”