ANNOUNCEMENT:

I know you guys are very excited to start reading, but before you go ahead to this chapter, I want y'all in FFNet to know that I have actually posted Chapter 2 to Archive of Our Own (AO3) since the eve of June 19th, just before Father's Day ended. So why are you only getting this update now? Because FFNet is a fucking ass, that's why.

I had a week of no internet connection, which helped my writing process. When the connection came back on, I hurried to update both AO3 and FFNet. Now, every time I update, FFNet will always make things harder by failing my final edits and the server suddenly blanking on me. You guys just never notice this problem of mine because I always try to update the two sites at the same time—which means fucking waiting for FFNet to get its shit together so I can post on AO3, too. AO3 never fails on me. As I was saying, I hurried to post Chapter 2 on both sides. And what do you know? FFNet keeps failing to post my document. I was in a limited window of time so when it took me twenty fucking minutes of FFNet's server continuously failing, I just fucking had it. I decided to just go with AO3 for now.

I know that's, like, pretty unfair for you guys here at FFNet, but really, I've just had it with this damn site. The only reason I'm still posting here is to share my work and inform fans that better sites are out there.

And I'm really hoping something like this doesn't happen again. Weak internet connection had nothing to do with this, trust me.

TL;DR: Switch to AO3 (I'll post a link there on my profile). Just fucking do it. Not only will you be better updated with the latest chapters, the story formatting is waaaaay better than FFNet (I can fucking post links directly on the damn page, for one). AND I can reply easier to your reviews there than here. Fucking switch to AO3, my friends.

(If you're wondering why my author notes after this sound happy, it's because I was still fucking happy as I typed them up. Thanks for ruining things, FFNet. Anyways, on with the story.)

So how are y'all doing on this fine and lovely day? ∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿

Important Stuff to Note:

1) Just after I posted Chapter 1, Tumblr user harunnn (who I am now christening as First Enabler™ because you know what you did) made fANART FOR THIS FIC LIKE HOLY SHIT LOOK AT THAT COVER IMAGE OF THIS FIC IT'S CANON NOW GRAN TORINO PROBABLY FUCKING TOOK A CANDID PIC OF THEM WHEN THEY VISITED THEIR APARTMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE FIRST CHAPTER AND THAT PICTURE IS JUST BIDDING ITS TIME WAITING FOR IZUKU'S EYES. (I got too happy with the fanart that I immediately used the Toshinko pic as the cover image for this fic, as you can see there in the upper-left. OTL)

2) lmao why do a lot of you guys think Toshinori used a wig? There's an easier, more comfortable, and more believable method of disguise available. XD

3) After the first chapter, I noticed a sudden influx of likes on my Tumblr story post about mistaking Toshi and Izuku as biologically-related, and while I'm glad you're all amused at how I got sucked into Dad Might, I hope y'all haven't forgotten that I'm going to make you cry with this fic. ∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿

4) When I wrote Chapter 1, I had stopped reading at the manga's Ch. 128. After posting Chapter 1, I finally continued the manga and hOLY SHIT GUYS CH. 130. MY HEART IS BREAKING AT THAT HOSPITAL SCENE AND FUCK I'M GONNA HAVE TO ADD THAT ONE CHARACTER IN THERE AND IT'S GONNA BE EVEN MORE HEARTBREAKING. OTL

5) Speaking of reading the latest manga chapters, I made a small edit on the last chapter concerning that. It was just a small detail about Nedzu's offer on U.A.

6) I dedicate this chapter to my sweet corn muffin. I didn't have a gift for you on the 16th so… HERE YOU GO

Replies:

jilnachtaugen: Thanks for the support! There'll be more sweet and sad moments to come!

DragonBox94: Awwwwww yeah. I think so, too.

Qixity: Glad you agree that this is a great idea. :D

Fujoshi desu xD: You're in luck! Here's Chapter 2!

Drakolf: Glad I've catered to someone's exact wants! ;D

Johnny Spectre: DAD MIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT

knobrien21: Here ya go!

BlackBloodyHeart: If FFNet hadn't fucked up, you would've managed to read Ch. 2 in one sitting, as well, but anyways, enjoy the new chapter.

Disclaimer: Again, I don't own Izuku's Hero Academia, but ya know, I do own this AU so uh, welcome to hell, I guess? ಠˬ ಠ

In honor of Father's Day (the day I first posted Ch. 2 on AO3 but FFNet had been a bitch so this update was so fucking late here seriously just switch to AO3 guys), here's some more Dad Might. :D

Your True Name Is

Chapter 2: 2,629,440 minutes in-between

It was nearly four in the afternoon and the sun was still shining brightly. The peaceful silence of the neighborhood was reminiscent of school days long gone, the nostalgia clinging sweetly in the atmosphere. Spring was literally in the air—the cherry blossoms were in full bloom and slowly falling to the sun-warmed pavement.

But kneeling on the ground, Toshinori hardly cared about all of that. His attention was completely ensnared.

After all, his only precious son was in his arms now—after five long years—and he was safe.

He was safe.

All Might made it in time—and managed to save him.

A fleeting memory of park bullies, an aggressive dog, and a shaking Izuku flashed before him and Toshinori tightened his arms around the boy all the more. He's okay. He's fine. There's nothing to be worried about. Inko won't have to kill him. But Toshinori couldn't help carefully carding Izuku's wild locks for any swelling bump, desperately trying to convince himself that his son was really out of danger and was going to be okay.

For a moment back there, he had been afraid that he had mistaken someone else out of longing, but no. It really was his little boy, all grown up and safe—safe and sound, right here in his arms.

Out of nowhere, another memory flitted past his mind's eye—one far more bitter and heartrending and had long since reminded the hero that despite his overwhelming power, he still couldn't always save everyone—and Toshinori had to swallow back the lump that quickly formed in his throat. His carding fingers slowly cupped the side of the sleeping teen's face, and his thumb absentmindedly rubbed Izuku's temple. Five years have passed and yet all they ever did to his son's appearance was adjust it to correct proportions. Under the contrast of the dimness and brightness of the bridge's underpass, Izuku still had his baby face of chubby cheeks, adorable freckles, and a heart-shaped jawline.

And yet, the nine-year-old boy he left behind was a boy no more. Beneath Toshinori's powered-up arms, he weighed heavier now, had bulked up some lean muscle, and was most definitely taller than the last time he saw him. He must be as tall as his mother now, maybe even more. Watching Izuku's peacefully-sleeping expression, the bitter memory came back unbidden and a flash of a young man's bloodied and tear-stained face replaced Izuku's for a sudden moment that Toshinori jolted in fear, tightening his fingers all the more.

He had to blink back tears as he gritted his teeth.

Izuku is fine.

He's fine, goddammit.

"Hang in there, young man! It's going to be alright… because I am here! Just… Just stay awake for me, okay? We're almost there!"

"A-All… ngh… Might…"

"Hang on! I NEED PARAMEDICS HERE!"

"A-A—M-Migh… t-thank…"

"DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES! STAY STRONG!"

"… y-you…"

Toshinori sucked in a gasp.

Breathe, you fool. Breathe!

Lowering his head and clutching his son closer to his chest, Toshinori went through the calming motions of inhaling and exhaling as he willed his heart to stop panicking and his body to stop shaking. This wasn't the same as that time. He had already checked for any injuries. He had reached him in time. He was going to be fine.

He made it in time.

As he inhaled and exhaled, he couldn't help catching a whiff of Izuku's scent. There was that watermelon-scented shampoo that Inko keeps buying for Izuku because he's always liked it—and smelling it again calmed the hero so much that he silently thanked his wife and her consistency. Toshinori almost teared up from the happiness and the relief; Izuku is here and alive and in his arms after so long.

There was also a hint of smoke on the boy—and Toshinori suddenly remembered catching it on him several times before, too.

… Did that Bakugou boy hurt him again? Toshinori grimaced. He knew the other still pushed Izuku around, despite his son having long stopped following him as a friend. Inko would constantly share her worries and fears about the two back when Izuku was in kindergarten, and he had to talk to the boy's parents once to address the issue. But before Toshinori could fully rage on the revelation, another strange scent wafted across his nose and made him frown in confusion. It smelled like… like sewa—

All Might stilled—and slowly turned to the scattered blobs of the sludge villain behind him with a thunderous expression.

… You hurt my little boy.

Without a word, he gently set Izuku's body down on the ground and smoothed back the teenager's hair from his forehead. Then, as majestically calm as a king preparing for war, All Might languidly stood up and turned to walk towards the defeated criminal. He must've been kneeling with Izuku for several minutes, because now the villain was showing signs of consciousness as its amorphous body started shifting and squirming.

One of the sludge's yellow eyes slowly blinked, trying to regain its bearings. W-Where…?

It suddenly felt something heavy pressing it down to the ground, effectively waking it up and making it yelp, and the eye quickly relocated to the top of its small body to investigate. Recognizing the object to be a large shoe, the eye looked up to glare. "Oi!" shouted its mouth a meter away on another blob. "What's the big—"

The frightening image of the number one hero's popular face in the darkness—grin twisted into a snarl and eerie blue lights in his shadowed eyes—greeted the blob.

"You've got some nerve, villain."

The sludge thief shrieked.

There was definitely a rule in heroics about torturing unconscious criminals, but at the moment, Toshinori hardly cared about morals. A strong haze of wrath and raging paternal instincts were currently clouding his judgment, and as All Might glared daggers at the offending villain underneath his sole, he felt a deep satisfaction in making the bastard faint only through sheer willpower.

And perhaps with a smidgen of fright, as well. Lord knows his hero persona's face was intimidating enough with the right lighting. What more if he purposefully looked the part himself?

Toshinori huffed in indignation, placing both hands on his hips and trying to relax his fists as he retracted his foot from the sludge and shook off remaining sticky goo. It was enough that the villain was subdued. There was no need for further threats.

He looked back at the sleeping teenager on the ground and felt his shoulders deflate.

It was enough.

He whipped his gaze back to the blobs of green sludge. Though a little chat in the police station later wouldn't hurt—for him, at least. Surely Tsukauchi-kun wouldn't mind?

"All M—… Midoriya-san, you know I can't keep lying to your wife about your visits here, right? And please put the poor man down."

"He was loitering suspiciously near the playground!"

"Honestly, I wish Izuku-kun knew how much he's got you wrapped around his little finger."

Yes, he surely won't mind. Toshinori frowned, looking around for anything that could trap the villain. God, if something like this is enough to make me want to kill someone, what more if I keep seeing Izuku in danger?

But no, he won't always be in danger. He and Inko made sure their son knew how to protect himself.

So what was this, then? Bad luck? An accident?

It… It happens sometimes. This was normal. He was sure Izuku would've managed to stay safe, or another hero would've managed to save him. But as the image of when All Might first emerged from that manhole replayed in his mind—that image of a body almost engulfed by the villain's amorphous form—his hands couldn't help shaking.

He curled them into fists and vigorously shook his head.

It was over. No use worrying over what didn't happen. What matters now is that Izuku's safe and the villain is apprehended. What matters now is that when Izuku wakes up—

Tensing, Toshinori looked back at his son again—and he suddenly realized with growing dread what a dangerous situation he was actually in right now.

Izuku was probably All Might's biggest fanboy.

Toshinori was All Might.

Toshinori was All Might right now.

"Shit!"

The hero clapped a hand over his mouth in surprise, hoping no one heard. They were lucky enough that no one's come by yet. But the alarm bells in his mind were ringing so loudly, and he couldn't help turning left and right by the tunnel's entrance, peeking if anyone was going their way.

Crap, what do I do?! He couldn't just leave Izuku sleeping like this. He could leave him somewhere safe, but that wasn't how All Might operates with the people he rescues—even if he has the excuse of delivering a criminal to the police. Toshinori winced as his left side hurt, and he realized with another bout of panic that he was already pushing his time limit. He had been too shocked with his unwitting rescue of his son that he had forgotten about his weakened power.

But still, he can't let Izuku see him! If he did, then he'll know that—

All Might paused and blinked, suddenly frowning at the thought. He'll know that… what? The hero looked down at himself… and ran a hand over his face.

He doesn't know you're All Might, you fool! Get a grip!

That last thought sounded vaguely like Gran Torino, to which Toshinori briefly frowned at. He took a deep, bracing breath and steeled himself. Izuku doesn't know. He won't know. If Toshinori hurried, all the boy will see is his greatest idol in front of him—and not the father he hasn't seen in five years.

And besides, even if he did see you, it's not like he'll recognize you.

All Might turned away from both the entrance and the thought, adamantly focused on apprehending the villain he caught.

Fortunately, he had bought two large bottles of soda back at the convenience store and the discarded plastic bag still had them intact and undamaged—save for the carton of eggs he was planning for breakfast tomorrow and some of the other ingredients. The extreme wind pressure must've have ruined them despite his tight hold on the bag. His ramen take-out had a spill, too, but the solid food was mostly fine. It seems the bottles will have to do for now. He can buy soda again for Tsukauchi-kun's visit in a few days, anyway.

As Toshinori emptied them of their contents at a nearby drain pipe, he kept checking on both Izuku and the villain, body tense and ready for any sign of the thief waking up and attacking the boy once again. He was not risking it.

Toshinori really felt like that one Texas Smash wasn't enough.

Imprisoning the sludge villain into the bottles proved to be a disgusting and irksome affair, though. He had managed to separate its body into several small blobs, and it took him almost five minutes in painstakingly cleaning up the whole mess. But finally, the unconscious villain was tightly contained into the two bottles and ready to be handed over to the authorities.

Toshinori looked around and checked the area once more, before spotting the open notebook on the ground. He had been ignoring it for a while as he worked, but now that he thought about it, it must be Izuku's. Before he even picked it up, he could already see what its purpose is, and he felt a small smile form easily on his lips.

It was one of Izuku's "Hero Analysis for the Future" notebooks.

"T-Toshi… Izuku… he's… h-he's…"

Toshinori gently lifted the notebook from the pavement, his hand practically dwarfing the thing in size. Strangely, the pages had faint scorch marks here and there and the whole notebook felt damp.

"… Q-Quirk… less…"

His thumb lightly rubbed one of the neatly-written notes on the drawing on the open page. He didn't recognize the hero Izuku had sketched.

"You know what, Dad? I'm gonna be just like him! He's so cool!"

There was a note that said "Cool like All Might" and studying the drawing closer, Toshinori could see that the design had a few similarities to his hero appearance that were just too obvious once noticed. He chuckled quietly to himself, imagining Izuku's eager yet determined face as he constructed the design on paper. No doubt about it—this was an idea for his hero costume.

"Izuku?"

Already seven years old, his son quizzically turned his head to his bedroom's doorway, where Toshinori was standing. Toshinori held up a notebook with the number 5 on it. Izuku jolted in surprise and strangely paled at the sight.

"You, uh, forgot this in the living room…"

"S-Sorry, Dad!"

Izuku hurried to get the notebook off his hands, but Toshinori gently clapped a hand on the boy's shoulder before he could get away. Izuku stilled and Toshinori dropped to one knee as he looked back between Izuku's darting, guilty gaze and the notebook filled with hero sketches.

"Son…"

He felt the boy tense.

"… Are you sure about this?"

He hadn't been there when the news of Izuku's condition was delivered.

He hadn't been there when Inko told him she was sorry.

He hadn't been there when she found him sobbing quietly in the playground after class the very next day the news broke out to Izuku's school.

When he came back home, Izuku had cried to him but he never brought up the subject between them—and neither did Toshinori, because he really didn't know what to say that wouldn't make him sound pretentious.

But they can't continue on like this.

Which is why Toshinori now poured every bit of concern, love, and acceptance that he could muster into his softly-spoken words. He's already deprived Izuku of so much just to protect him—if he still tried to take this away when he's already made his decision, he might not be able to handle his son's hurting heart.

Izuku gulped, mouth opening and closing wordlessly and fingers curling and uncurling uncertainly. Toshinori expected him to make up excuses or try to defend his notebook—his choice—just like how he did when Inko first discovered the notes.

But instead…

"I…"

He should've known Izuku would inherit his infamous stubbornness.

Izuku looked straight at him—wetness starting to pool in his eyes, but his wide-eyed gaze steady and steely. "I won't know unless I try. A-And I want to try, Dad! I wanna be a hero!"

When Toshinori heard the last words cracking into a sob, he couldn't help sighing quietly. He was a fool to think his own son would give up that easily.

He returned Izuku's gaze, starting to mirror the wetness, as well, as he took the boy in his arms and held him tight.

"Okay," he said softly, caressing Izuku's hair as he started to cry in earnest. "Okay." He looked at the notebook in his hand, entitled "Hero Analysis for the Future." Something moved in the corner of his eye, and he found Inko hovering by the end of the hallway. She flashed him a tremulous smile.

He flashed her a resigned and grim one.

"I understand."

Toshinori stared into the page, gazing past the pencil marks and eraser-rubbed smudges, before he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. A quiet exhale soon followed and the hero opened his eyes to the drawing of Izuku's future costume. Despite the dread and sorrow he was starting to feel, he couldn't help but wonder how his son would look wearing it.

He walked towards Izuku's sleeping form as he flipped the previous pages of the notebook. A sketch of someone named Mt. Lady—most likely the same Mt. Lady Izuku had been gushing about this morning—was on the page before the hero costume. True to the teen's fanboy tendencies, there was already a lot of analysis on her. On the page before Mt. Lady's was Kamui Woods, whom Toshinori remembers as an up-and-coming hero in this city who Izuku had been excited about. He, too, had a lot of notes on him.

Toshinori squatted next to his unconscious son, chuckling as he shook his head. How many of these notebooks had he already filled? He could remember gifting him around ten of the same brand years ago, just after his sixth volume was complete. Flipping to the cover, he saw that it was the brand he had given him, and that the notebook was labelled as the thirteenth volume.

"You're really something else, my boy," he murmured with a smile as he once more shook his head in disbelief. He had already used up seven of the notebooks. He might have to gift him with another set soon. Toshinori felt touched that Izuku would still use his gifts despite their separation. He had to admit to himself that there had always been that lingering fear of his son secretly resenting him for leaving him and his mom behind. He would always sound so happy talking to Toshinori on the phone, but Toshinori was always afraid that Izuku was trying too hard to be okay with their situation—and that over the years, those feelings had coalesced into hatred for him.

But now, there was proof that despite everything, Izuku still truly cared. Toshinori was enormously glad.

The smile faded, though, as he finally realized why the notebook had looked so worn. The cover was dappled with strong burn marks—not from a steady wave of fire that would have consumed the papers, but scattered heat like…

Explosions.

Young Bakugou.

Instantly, Toshinori was rechecking Izuku for any burns he might've somehow overlooked. But the search once again yielded nothing and he breathed a sigh of relief. If Izuku had gotten hurt by Young Bakugou again, there would be hell to pay—first and foremost from Izuku's mother. After that particular scuffle in the playground involving Izuku trying to save another child, Inko had made it abundantly clear years ago that she wouldn't be tolerating any bullying from the cocky little boy—flashy quirk or no flashy quirk.

But they both knew that despite the lack of physical injuries, Izuku was most definitely getting psychological and emotional ones—and they weren't just from Young Bakugou. That was the problem with being Quirkless.

It didn't help that Izuku had never let go of his impossible dream.

They keep trying to shield him from the pain, but there was only so much they could do once he goes out on his own.

Toshinori dusted the notebook's cover with care as he frowned. The burn marks look quite fresh. He was glad it didn't fully destroy the precious notebook, otherwise Izuku would have another wound to his already-fractured heart. But truthfully, Toshinori was more relieved that Izuku wasn't the one burned. No amount of hero notebooks—or anything in this world—would ever replace his only son.

… It was probably time to wake Izuku up, much as he'd like to let the teen rest a little bit longer. Toshinori sighed, and could feel his side's sharp pain again.

I'd best discuss this with Inko, he told himself as he eyed the scorched notebook and put it aside. He couldn't just withhold something important like this from her, and so he tried not to think of how he was going to tell her that he accidentally met Izuku after saving him from a villain. But before he could fully lay the notebook down, an idea popped into his head that made him smile again. He eyed Izuku's bag and grinned.

Carefully turning the teenager to his side, Toshinori cautiously opened the yellow backpack and rummaged inside. A sleepy groan came from Izuku that made Toshinori freeze, but after a beat of silence and unmoving limbs, he continued. He looked at the intersection of roads leading out of the bridge's underpass tunnel, checking for any passers-by, and looked back at the two bottles holding the sludge thief, checking if it was still knocked out.

Finally, he found what he was searching for. He didn't usually bring any writing instrument with him when going out, whether for hero work or not. It would be too bold and presumptuous of him despite his popularity. So pulling out one of Izuku's black markers, he flipped the notebook to the blank two-page spread just after the hero costume sketch.

Izuku already has an autograph from All Might—something Toshinori had to struggle to hand over to the five-year-old boy then as a large crowd had suddenly enveloped him and made a longer conversation with him and his mother impossible. He really shouldn't have just appeared in the city like that all of a sudden. At least Izuku had been over the moon for a year just for the brief contact, and the autograph was reverently framed and hung above his desk.

But he was sure Izuku wouldn't mind another signature from him. After all, true fans of All Might wouldn't limit themselves to just one. Plus, he was sure Izuku would appreciate him signing it on his hero notebook, the very thing that keeps his dream shining.

And Toshinori was sure the burn marks on the cover would be wholly overlooked if his autograph was inside.

Nodding his head in certainty, he uncapped the marker and confidently wrote his hero signature, with the customary All Might doodle. This is for all the years I never got to give you another one after that first time.

Satisfied with his work, he closed the notebook and laid it aside, and recapped the marker and returned it to the bag, turning Izuku to lie on his back again. Toshinori gently brushed back the boy's messy fringe and took a deep breath.

He can do this. He's addressed adoring fans for years now. This was going to be no different. All he has to do is plaster a big smile on his face and laugh his famous laugh. Reassure himself that the kid's okay, say his goodbyes, thank him for his support, and quickly leave.

Easy-peasy.

Though as he retrieved the soda bottles and tied his grocery bag of take-out, broken eggs, and wet snacks into a secure and tighter pouch, he tried not to think of how much his stomach was turning at the seemingly-easy looming prospect.

It's going to be fine. It's going to be fine. It's going to be fine.

Toshinori squatted next to Izuku again and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Izu—ah… Young man," he called out, shaking the shoulder a little. Toshinori cleared his throat, opting for a louder voice and shaking it a little bit harder. "Hey."

Calm down, old boy. Just smile. Just smile!

All Might shook his head as if to rouse himself, and decided to just sound nonchalant and casual. This gentle nature may be a part of him, but it wasn't his main style. Izuku was supposed to be a stranger to him. Besides, he might just waste more time trying to wake the boy up this way.

His hand moved to Izuku's cheek and started patting it repeatedly—not too much, not too much—

"Hey! Hey! He—"

The hero felt himself stand up a bit, too focused on the sudden change happening. The teen's face started scrunching up, and once again, Toshinori got to see those familiar green-black eyes. So if All Might's "Oh, thank goodness!" sounded a little bit too happy and on the verge of tears, then… Hopefully, his son will be too out of it to notice.

Izuku wasn't, exactly—but fortunately, he was too flabbergasted to take note of anything else but the face that greeted him.

Fully standing up, Toshinori watched as Izuku, finally awake, screamed and backed away from him on the ground as if he had seen a ghost. Maybe he was just standing too close to him when he woke him up and inadvertently spooked him? His face can be scary at times. Though five years may have passed, but Toshinori's subconscious still never forgot how much he used to hover by his son's space for hugs and hair-ruffling. If he can't control this now, it might be the death of him.

He's a stranger! Act natural! Be All Might, dammit! It's All Might he's looking at right now!

"I'm glad you're okay, Izu—a-ahem!" he said in his loud voice, forcedly smiling at the unsuspecting teen. Goddammit, you're not supposed to know who he is! He needed to wrap this up quickly. As much as he would like to linger just a little bit longer near Izuku, he had no legitimate reason to do so—and he had decided years ago that being near him as All Might was only going to endanger him more. Plus, he might slip up about him knowing the boy's name. Other than that one time when his son was five, he's never had to feign knowledge while he's All Might in front of Izuku before.

So despite this being probably the only time he might see and talk to the boy this year, he still has to go.

He ramped up the act and continued on, raising an apologetic hand. "Sorry 'bout getting you caught up in my villain fighting." He could feel the façade start to take over as his hands started getting expressive. "I don't usually make mistakes like this—"

At least, not until that fight years ago, and the rehab period months afterwards...

"—but I was in high spirits on my day off in a new place!" And here, he let loose his signature guffaw as he dramatically posed for his one-man audience—praying fiercely that he doesn't start coughing up blood. The words weren't wholly untrue, anyway; he had been in high spirits this morning, after talking to Inko and eating delicious ramen.

But for some reason, he could feel his fingers shaking again, and he had to grip his hair just a bit tighter to rein them in.

He's not going to notice. He's not going to notice.

And Izuku didn't. He was too busy gaping at All Might with a silly, almost crazed smile as he giggled hysterically and tried to process the fact that the number one hero was right in front of him.

"But! You were a big help! Thanks!" Toshinori tried not to think of how Izuku played a part in all of this—only that he was safe now and will no longer be bothered by the heinous villain who tried to attack him. At the thought, he proudly brandished the two soda bottles containing said criminal. "I captured him safely!"

Toshinori really, really felt like that one Texas Smash wasn't enough. Too bad additional attacks on subdued villains were frowned upon. And he had an image to maintain as the Symbol of Peace, to boot.

But to his relief, Izuku was still too dazed by everything, and hadn't reacted negatively to the villain. That was a good thing, at least. If he ever starts showing any sign of trauma, Inko will be sure to address it properly. All Toshinori has to do is warn her.

… He really wasn't looking forward to that conversation later.

As he started securing the bottles inside his cargo pants' large pockets, he couldn't help but be amazed at his progress. Maybe it was because Izuku wasn't his usual self right now that was helping him act the part of a famous hero, but the nerves were starting to go away and he could feel himself steering ahead with a purpose instead of trying to bluff that everything's going according to plan. He still couldn't meet Izuku's eyes, though, and for good reason: they remind him too much of his mother, and Toshinori never could resist those eyes when directed at him.

Finally, Izuku snapped out of his stupor and frantically looked around—and as expected, mumbled fiercely about an autograph. All Might's grin grew wider as the boy spotted his errant notebook on the ground and opened it to a supposedly-blank page.

"HE ALREADY DID!"

Toshinori had to bite back a snort of laughter as Izuku proceeded to shriek and bow profusely and earnestly in gratitude to him, declaring the signed notebook as an heirloom and prized treasure for his future family. The hero really had to look away, though, as he started shaking in laughter at the similar memory of when Izuku first got his framed autograph years ago.

The boy had comically fainted upon meeting him—which had ruined Toshinori's plans because he had been hoping to impress his son up close—and he hadn't been able to thank him in person or personally receive the piece of paper with the precious autograph, but as soon as Izuku woke up and found it, he screamed in utter joy and disbelief, declaring the signature as something he'll pass down to his future child.

Toshinori, having come home that day after escaping his fans, teased his son on whether or not he'd rather keep it to himself as a replacement for his hugging pillow. With flushed cheeks, Izuku refuted the claim—but he did proceed to pray at the framed paper every day as a sort of holy altar for several months, much to Toshinori and Inko's amusement. The boy's grandfather and uncle soon joined in on the teasing after hearing about the story, and Izuku's prized autograph had become a family inside joke over the years.

Toshinori shook his head, forcing himself to sober up. He thought seeing Izuku awake would be awkward for him, but as usual, things are never dull with the boy around. It was good to see him in both great health and great spirits.

I really did manage to save him, didn't I?

With his perpetual smile—but a real one this time—All Might gave the teen an "okay!" and a thumbs-up. "Well, I need to take this guy to the police," he stated. As much as he'd like to stay and maybe comment on Izuku's hero notes… he can't. He turned away from him, ready to leave. "See you again on the other side of the screen!"

The words sounded stupid and didn't really make sense, but they held some truth to Toshinori. Whenever he appeared on talk shows, he always imagines Inko and Izuku curled up on the couch as they watch him. Half of the reason All Might does the interviews is for them.

That, and when he comes home after so long, Izuku excitedly regales him what he watched about All Might while he was gone, and Toshinori feels like everything he did in his life had been worth it.

At least with this encounter, Toshinori now knew how tall his son had grown and will be able to clearly picture him watching another one of those talk shows—something that mere photos wouldn't have been able to convey to him.

All Might started prepping his legs for the super jump he's about to make.

But apparently, the Izuku now—already a young man and trying to forge his dreams—isn't finding his latest autograph and perpetual smile enough of a chance meeting between the two of them either. "Wait… already?" he said in disbelief. Toshinori could tell he had more to say to his idol—more that probably contained that one question Toshinori's always afraid of being asked to him.

Large hands gripped his cargo pants and Toshinori had to grit his teeth to remain calm. This was bad. Little Izuku had avoided that one subject with his father out of fear of rejection, so Toshinori had the relief of not having to think about what was the better option between Izuku's happiness and Izuku's safety. It was a selfish thing, but he just couldn't handle it. But now that Izuku's older and is face-to-face with his idol—his hero—there's nothing stopping him from wanting to get an answer that will determine his path ahead.

You're overreacting. He probably just wants to befriend you, like some fans. It's not every day people meet the Symbol of Peace.

But no, Toshinori could feel it in his non-existent gut. His son would take this perfect opportunity to ask that one question.

Izuku may be shy, but he's also stubborn and determined.

And while Toshinori only wishes the best for his brave little boy, he's not ready to break his heart just yet.

"You can't keep this from him forever, Toshinori. He'll have to know. He'll need to know."

"Pros are constantly fighting enemies and time," answered All Might as neutrally as he could, continuing on with his leg stretches. More so for me, he thought bitterly as the pain at his side spiked up again. There wasn't much time left for him today, much to his chagrin. He would gladly fight villains constantly, but he can no longer afford to do so.

He internally sighed, gripping his grocery bag tighter. Well, he's stalled for as long as he can. Time to go. At least, it was nice hearing Izuku for real for once and not from a phone call. Maybe they'll bump into each other again—and hopefully not because of a villain.

"Well then…"

A deafening sound of a sonic boom clapped from the ground and the cherry blossoms swayed from the sudden fierce whip of the wind.

"I'm counting on your continued support!"

But it only took a moment for All Might—a single moment of confusion and alarm—to realize that while he was already done with the teenager, the teenager wasn't done with him yet.

"H-HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY, HEY!"

Toshinori stared in horror and panic at the image of Izuku clinging to his legs—while he was in mid-air. He knew the boy had his reckless moments despite displaying a calculating aptitude, but he didn't think he would go this far just for more conversation!

He only belatedly realized in his shock that he had accidentally let go of his groceries.

Toshinori tried to pry the boy off him with shaking hands. Izuku can't stay with him! "Let go of me, Izu—ah! Y-Your fanaticism is too much!"

He had had his fair share of rabid fans in the old days—once, just a few years after his debut, an elderly woman managed to hide inside his dressing room at an interview and tried to follow him home. Fortunately, Inko had visited him at the venue and spotted her, preventing his true form from being discovered. That had been a close call.

Another time, someone tried to snatch his underwear. And up to this day, he's still trying to forget that ever happened.

But this? This was on a whole new level. Someone did try catching a ride with All Might as he made his jump before, but no one ever successfully got to him and only made him realize about it until later. Now, he started fearing Izuku more because of it.

Unfortunately, for all his pushing, the boy still wouldn't budge and only tightened his hold onto his pants. Shit! Shit! You can't be here, Izuku! Let go, please! We can't be together! I have a villain with me! You'll be in more danger! And I don't want to hear the words! I'm sorry but I just ca—

"I-IF I—LET G-GO NOW—I-I'LL—I'LL D-D-DIEEEEEE…!" screamed the teen, with his lips flapping against the strong wind.

For a split-second, Toshinori stilled—and then he saw Inko smiling that smile.

A chill ran down his spine, practically freezing him in mid-air.

"Th… That's true," squeaked All Might uncharacteristically, but Izuku was too busy to notice.

"I-I-I—H-HAVE—A L-L-LOT OF THINGS—"

oh my god oh my god I'd almost gotten our son killed again oh shit oh shIT HER BABY ALMOST DIED OH G O D—

"—I W-W-WANT TO ASK YOUUUU DIRECTLYYYYY!"

"O-O-Okay, okay, I get it, so close your eyes and mouth!" instructed Toshinori agitatedly—and to his immense relief, the teenager immediately obeyed, clinging to him in fear. Toshinori gripped the back of Izuku's collar securely—almost desperately—and all of a sudden, he felt nauseous and unnerved as he looked for an isolated place to land on. He's okay, he's fine, there's nothing to be worried about, Inko won't have to kill you…

But he almost ruined that.

Because he was trying to get away from Izuku—trying to get away from what he might say.

He gulped—and abruptly coughed against his fist, the air reverberating against his ribcage. When he tasted iron and felt it fill his mouth, he grimaced in disappointment. He had managed to keep the blood down all morning and now all it had taken to come back was…

… Shit.

They landed on a nearby rooftop. All Might gently deposited the teen on the floor, where he quickly sank to his feet and shivered. "Th-That was scary…" rasped Izuku, looking half-dead. But Toshinori didn't have time to worry about him—He's okay, he's fine, there's nothing to be worried about—

But no. He was worried and he ought to check on him again—I should've been more attentive. I should've been careful. Why did I let that villain get away for so long? Five years pass and I can't even protect my own son anymore?! Why can't I—

No. He can't—He has to—He—

I have to go.

I need to leave.

All Might turned away and put his hands on his hips. "Good grief," he huffed indignantly. "If you talk to the people downstairs, I'm sure they'll let you down." He started walking away. "I seriously am out of time so I really must go."

The pain spiked up again and he felt something tickling at his throat, but he forced himself to keep walking.

Izuku will be fine. He can manage on his own. He's done so ever since he could leave the house. Toshinori was a stranger and so was All Might, so as far as the two were concerned, Midoriya Izuku was just another fanboy. He has more important things—dire things—to worry about than some fanboy.

"He's your son, All Might. To others, he's just another child. But to you, he will always be your son. He will always be yours."

Toshinori felt himself jolt and he had to grit his teeth from the memory.

"… That's no excuse for me to play favorites, though. I can't be unfair to the world."

"Perhaps not. But at the end of the day, he's the one you hold closest to your heart. You yourself decided to let him in, when you could've walked away. So now, he is your Sword of Damocles."

He continued walking.

"Wait!" yelled Izuku. "Um…!"

He could feel his nails digging into his palm. His patience was running thin, so it wasn't hard to sound genuinely annoyed. It's been so long since he last scolded Izuku.

"No! I will not wait!"

"But—!"

He couldn't wait. I have to go. I can't stay anymore.

He had never actually walked out of his family's life that day five years ago. But was this what it was like… if he did? Actually leaving someone behind… because he had no choice?

It was your fault it happened, anyway. This punishment is only fair.

But Toshinori still felt horrible about the distance he was creating—he had always been torn about it.

No. Right now, you're All Might. And right now, you need to leave.

"… I know you see him as a liability to me, Ni—"

"We are all liabilities to you, All Might. But your son… his power over you is far stronger than any of us combined."

"So he's my greatest weakness. I get it. I know. I took the risk and I'm trying to live with it."

He sucked in a breath.

"All Might, I told you. He's your Sword."

"I know—"

"He is your greatest weapon."

He shut his eyes.

"… What? Why would he be—"

"Because you risked the world for him."

As he neared the railing, he felt himself slow down. The silence behind him spoke volumes.

He couldn't bear it. He wanted to look back. But he might not be able to bear it. He knew what Izuku was thinking, was trying to say.

Get a grip! Right now, All Might has no attachments to him, so there's no reason to look back. Just go, before he sees…!

"You knew it wasn't going to be easy, and yet you chose to have him. You held him close even though you knew that someday, everything you had built might collapse because of him. He is your greatest weapon, All Might. He's the one you would move oceans for. He's the one that will keep you going—keep you living. Because he's not just another child—he's yours. And if that's what he is, then I don't really think it's unfair to the world at all."

"Even if I don't have a Quirk, can I be a hero like you?!"

Toshinori stopped and stiffened, gripping the railing as his left side flared in warning. He was too slow.

The words… He shut his eyes tightly, trying to abate the pain. Why did it feel like his heart was twinging, too? Why did it feel like the air had disappeared?

"Can even someone without a Quirk… be like you?!" And Izuku had shouted it desperately now, willing All Might to pass judgment on him.

He said them. Oh, god, he said them.

To me. God, he wants me to answer.

Toshinori slowly opened his eyes and turned his head to see the corner of his gaze. Izuku was trembling, eyes shut and bracing himself for whatever may come out of All Might's lips. Why? Why was he willing to get hurt for this? He's known the answer for years. It had never changed. So what good would ever come out of this?

"Because he's not just another child—he's yours."

"T-Toshi… Izuku… he's… h-he's…"

"I wanna be a hero!"

"You can't keep this from him forever, Toshinori."

All Might half-turned to the boy, and for a moment, he wondered if he had ever asked himself that same question years ago—years before Yagi Toshinori became All Might. He couldn't really remember.

He could remember the struggle to fit in.

He could remember the frustration of being different—of being powerless.

But he couldn't remember asking the same words.

It was more like… "Can I ever make a difference?"

Were they the same thing? Toshinori knew it wasn't. Izuku was yearning for a golden dream that had always looked like dream, while he had been yearning to usher a golden era to bring hope to society.

But why did it suddenly feel like the two questions were one and the same?

As Toshinori gazed at his son, he was reminded once more of the time they've lost together. Just like how he, the healthy father from back then, was now a mere husk of a man, the Izuku of today, too—bigger, brighter, braver—was no longer the nine-year-old boy he had to leave behind.

But if one thing hadn't changed, it was that he was still his son… and that Toshinori still hadn't answered the question.

Izuku stood there, looking like he was awaiting his executioner—Izuku who, for ten long years, had held on to a trampled wish he knew might never ever be granted.

I…

"I wanna be a hero!"

"T-Toshi… Izuku… he's… h-he's…"

"You can't keep this from him forever, Toshinori."

"Because he's not just another child—he's yours."

I can't lie to him.

It was decided.

The hero took a deep breath. "Without a Quirk…?"

But it seemed like fate had other plans.

Toshinori jolted with a distressed grunt, suddenly hunching protectively over his chest. No! N-Not now! But another memory—vexing in all its glory—came to him as he fought to breathe against the tremendous pain of his body.

And Izuku continued talking, unfairly ignorant of his idol's own dilemma.

"Someday, he'll find out. Mark my words, Toshinori, he's going to find out on his own because that kid is smart. And at one point, the world will start working against you because it'll get tired of you running away. It'll make sure you can never escape that boy again. It'll make you see what a fool you've been all these years. And when that happens, you can bet your sorry ass that he'll feel so betrayed by you, that probably the only thing that will save you is my secret photo album!"

Sometimes, he really hated Gran Torino. Because as he mentally cursed the steam coming out of him, he grimly realized that the old fart can be really, really right at times.

Izuku stopped talking and looked happily expectant at him.

The steam was blown away.

Izuku's jaw dropped.

Shit.

To be continued...

A/N:

lol This was actually supposed to be longer considering I wanted to finish all of Ep. 2 here (even though my new writing habit requires me to match the first chapter's word count), but I got too emotional at the end of Ep. 1 (the soundtrack was so on point…) and decided that since you guys are supposed to suffer with me, it's best to cut this here and give a nice, annoying cliffhanger mwahahahahaha. At least with this out of the way, the rest of Ep. 2 will probably be the entirety of Chapter 3.

You can always find me at araminthe-ispwitch at Tumblr if you wanna scream at me or something idk.

Again, I can't guarantee when the next update is, but seeing as how I'm getting way too pumped about this AU, it may be soon.

(I'm fucking serious about AO3, guys. Switch to AO3. The more I look at the lame formatting on this site, the more I cry as my flashbacks are ruined.)