I really wanted to make justice to the first part of this chapter, so it took me quite some time, but I really hope you like it!


All Might's eyes opened groggily, there was a very dim light coming from the blinds. Probably around 6:00 AM? He considered as it dawned on him that he wasn't in his room. It took him a while to remember where he was until he heard the familiar beeping of the vital signs monitor and felt the warmth of his own breath against the oxygen mask.

Ah, back in a hospital room… pneumonia this time… right. He mentally grimaced. Even though he had spent so much time in hospitals since his mortal wound, to the point that the smells and noises were as familiar as the white noise of the fridge at his apartment, he hated them, or rather, precisely because of that, he hated them even more. No wonder my back and legs are killing me, these hospital beds are always too small… and my bones are getting too old for this.

He closed his eyes to assess his own body's state. His lungs, or rather, the remainder of them, felt like somebody had danced on them, yet, it felt like he could take deeper breathes now. Good, for a moment there I thought I'd choke. He removed the mask with his left hand and put it aside taking a deep breath, his chest slowly rising with a familiar wheezing noise until a sharp pain made him flinch and stop. All right, maybe not that deep. Rubbing the sleepiness out of his eyes, he lifted his hand to look at it, it was filled with little scars and callouses here and there. Been through worse, no reason to stop smiling, right, master? He smiled and carelessly dropped his arm back to his side where it met with something soft and strangely familiar. He looked down at his side. Young Midoriya's unruly hair met him, the boy's face hidden under his arms, peacefully sleeping.

Did he spend the whole night here? Midoriya, my boy, you didn't have to…

Despite himself, his smile grew more natural as his own big, but tired heart swelled for the boy that had become so much more than a simple student or successor. There's really no use in denying that much, All Might. He carefully pushed himself into a sitting position and reached out to ruffle the boy's hair gently to avoid waking him up. Izuku stirred and turned his face to the side revealing the remaining signs of tears. The emaciated hero let out a soft affectionate chuckle. "You really are a crybaby!"

If All Might looked back, he had never met someone with such a pure and transparent heart. Ever since the boy had run to save young Bakugou, he had been able to see just how strong his desire to help people was, but even worse, leaving the fanboy jokes aside, he could see how genuinely the boy cared for him, and it physically hurt. To think such earnestness was tossed aside by an absent parent, bullies at school, and denial of your dream for so long… No wonder you were such a timid kid when I met you. He couldn't lie though, it was scary, to say the least, to feel the full power of that earnestness directed at himself. Honestly, my boy, I don't think anyone could deserve such pure devotion. Least of all me. But still…

Sure, at first, it had been easy to tell himself that Midoriya had other stronger motors to push forward in the extreme ways that he did, but after all this time, it would be foolish to deny the boy was emulating him. That he was fighting with all his might to earn his approval. A silly smirk invaded his features at his own quip.

"You already have my approval, my boy, since the day we met," he whispered with a fond lopsided smile. And you have only managed to grow on me more and more to the point that I… He stopped his thoughts with a sudden lump in his throat, his eyes shadowed as he lowered his head. Was he allowed to wish for those happy days to never end? He just felt compelled, no, he wanted to correspond to that earnestness of his with all his being. To be a good mentor, to, at least, be there to support him all the way until...

A small cough at the door brought him back to the present. He directed his eyes at the origin of the noise to find Recovery Girl at the doorstep. She stepped inside and closed the door with an expression that was trying too hard to stay tough.

"Recovery girl… good morning," he greeted remorsefully, still remembering how she had stormed out the day before.

Her eyes softened at the hero and then switched focus to young Izuku. All Might followed her gaze until he realized his hand was still resting naturally on the boy's head. He felt his cheeks catch some warmth and self-consciously removed his hand back to his lap.

"I'm sorry, I might have overstepped a little yesterday..." She started with a kind tone, the years of experience in building patience and understanding for her patients showing.

"No, I earned that myself," he shook his head. "You are right, a good mentor shouldn't make his apprentice worry like this," he said looking back at Izuku.

Recovery Girl heaved a sigh "You are a good mentor. Foolish, yes, but anyone could see how much you care for the boy, All Might."

"Well, of course I care… he's my… successor," he muttered turning his gaze to the window to avoid looking at her expected disapproving glare.

Because he's your successor, sure. "You have always been such a stubborn man…" sighed the tiny woman suddenly feeling the urge to use her cane for something else than walking.

"Am I getting another hit on the head?" smiled the hero without a glint of mirth. A vacant smile that sent a chill of worry to Recovery Girl's spine.

The veteran healer frowned deeply "I know you're not that dense. You do understand, don't you? How much you mean to him …and your own feelings."

All Might felt the strain in his lungs grow. He held the oxygen mask to his face and pressed his eyes shut while considering his answer carefully. For a good number of minutes, the only noise that could be heard in the room was the vitals monitor and the oxygen being pumped to the mask the hero was holding. Recovery Girl noticed his other hand closing in a fist, so tense that his knuckles turned white. Then, he finally lowered the mask and answered in a hoarse voice, "Yes…, of course I do…" He let a shaking sigh leave his chest.

The healer faltered at his strong reaction. Originally, she had only intended to tease him as a little payback for the fright she had had at seeing him unconscious in the floor, but this reaction was something else. She shortened their distance and stood at the opposite side of the bed from Midoriya's. "Toshinori, dear, do you mind looking at me?"

The pro hero hesitated before looking back at her, the blue in his eyes reflecting deep wavering pools, like if there was an internal fight going on inside of him.

"Are you all right?" She asked with a gentle voice, concern showing in her eyes. Dread invaded his gut, he hated to see people worried because of him. "You were all smiles a few minutes ago while you were petting your protégé's head, and now, you look like the end of the world is coming. What's wrong, dear?"

Ah. What's wrong with me? First with Midoriya, and now with Recovery Girl? "Sorry, I don't know what came over me. Must be the lack of oxygen," he tried to brush the nagging feeling in his chest forcing the best smile he could, a smile that hardly managed to reach his eyes.

Recovery Girl crossed her arms and locked him in a disapproving glare.

The number one hero pinched the bridge of his nose. No way of laughing this one off, huh? "I understand. It's just… with this path I chose to walk…" he instinctively clenched his old injury, "You know the consequences… I'll probably won't be able to…" his voice wavered as his throat closed tightly. Why? This consequences, I've always been able to take them at face value rather easily…

Recovery Girl sensed where he was going and felt a pang of sadness for the emaciated man. Do you really have to carry such a big burden on your own, Toshinori?

The eyes of the eighth wielder of One for All suddenly reflected a crystal clear tone of blue, so clear and hesitant, that Recovery Girl felt like she was looking straight at his soul, so exhausted, but always fierce and noble, and yet, right now, so troubled and lost. "Still, in spite of that, I just want to protect him at all costs. I want to see him grow, and look proudly at the great things I know he will accomplish," he said with a cracking voice. A powerful surge of emotion gritted his heart making him uncomfortably aware of the change in his mindset. His guts twisted in a new sort of fear. I want to keep walking by his side.

With a deeply furrowed brow and a thin line in her lips, the veteran heroine gestured the bravest of heroes to lower his head to her reach. All Might obeyed absentmindedly still lost in his thoughts, and as soon as she could reach him, she cupped his gaunt face in her small, warm hands tenderly, his eyes widening in surprise as she stroked the creased skin under his eyes. "Look at you, child," she said with the gentlest of voices showing him the traces of tears in her thumbs.

Ah. Oh my… He hadn't realized there were tears running down his face. It seems like I wasn't entirely aware of the extent of my feelings at all... Holly shit…, this… could this possibly be how a parent feels?

"Seems like the boy is rubbing off on you, dear," Recovery Girl said giving his left cheek a couple of taps with a teasing smile as she noticed with relief the look of realization in the pro hero's face, the fierceness in his eyes coming back with a glint of something long forgotten. Good.

All Might's cheeks acquired a red hue as he felt his lips curve into a sheepish smile. He gave a grateful squeeze to one of Recovery Girl's hands and lifted his head holding back his usual bark of a laughter to avoid waking his boy up. Yes, my boy. "Apparently, you're right…, and that's fine with me," his smile widened into a high-spirited beam, "but don't tell the boy I said that."

"Now, that smile is much better, you maudlin symbol of peace!" Now, live, Toshinori, live and take good care of yourself for his sake.

"Thank you, I-" started All Might right before the door opened wide causing him to jump and spurt a bolt of blood that escaped through the hollows in his firmly closed teeth.

"What on Earth is Midoriya doing here?" Aizawa's apathetic voice, highlighted with a sharp tone, made the number one hero wince.

For a moment everyone remained silent, the eraser hero looking expectantly at All Might.

"Uh… well… you see…" Started the symbol of peace suddenly reminding Recovery Girl of a rabbit being cornered by a fox.

"Would you move already and let us in?" All Might recognized Midnight's voice at the back of Aizawa before she pushed him out of the way and joined them along with Present Mic.

That was close! Grinned the blue-eyed hero with relief and pleasantly surprised to see his peers from UA.

"You know, All Might?" Started his supposed distractor with a mischievous smirk. "If I hadn't seen you countless of times blushing and stuttering like a four-year-old when any of your female fans, or to that effect, anyone, says anything remotely flattering to you, I'd really start wondering if Midoriya isn't secretly your son!" she laughed.

"And if you didn't lack a lot in the personal life department," added Present Mic matter-of-factly.

"Or if you weren't a complete disaster when it comes to dealing with every day's life," deadpanned Aizawa.

To all this, the number one hero's face flushed furiously and his lungs decided to collapse into a fit of coughs that ended up staining most of his sheets. Thank goodness Midoriya is still asleep! He didn't know what was more embarrassing, to be so obvious about his fondness for the boy, the implications of him having a secret child, or to know that, apparently, all the teachers at UA had considered that possibility.

His face got even redder, if possible, and his eyes became comically big and helpless. He tugged at his bangs pulling his head low, wanting to hide under his hospital blanket and disappear. Everyone snickered trying to hold their laughter. All Might could be the No. 1 hero, but that had never stopped him from being a complete manchild when it came to dealing with anything that wasn't symbol-of-peace related, and if they were honest, they all found that quality of his endearing – Aizawa didn't - and worth teasing as often as possible – Aizawa did.

After that, the heavy atmosphere that had just transpired a few minutes ago seemed to have vanished completely, Recovery Girl noted while observing All Might being his normal cheery self while talking with Present Mic and Midnight. Toshinori, you are so strong, that sometimes I forget all the burdens you chose to carry by yourself…

"Aizawa…?" called All Might as Midnight and Present Mic got engrossed in talking about some fashion related thing that the hero couldn't quite follow. He fidgeted with the blanket, "I appreciate you coming, but… it's not like you to visit. Is everything all right at the school?" he said smiling bashfully. He knew the eraser hero was farther from being a fan of his, after all.

The man in question seemed unaffected by All Might's words, but his eyes actually revealed the slightest bit of poignant disbelief. "Everything's alright, director Nedzu sent me to check on you. These two tagged along when I told them where I was going," he said neutrally.

Present Mic interrupted, "Director Nedzu? Tsk, you should have seen Shouta yesterday, he had this serious eye twitch going on. I'm sure it was his idea to co-" but abruptly closed his mouth when Aizawa shot him a killing glare.

"Whoever called Recovery Girl was so shocked, that she thought you were in your deathbed," he continued still looking at Present Mic menacingly.

All Might's faint color drained from his face as he clenched the rough sheets in his hands slightly looking at Izuku, a movement Eraserhead didn't miss.

"I am sorry to have made everybody worry… I'm all right. I'll just need a few days to recover." The pro hero tried to sound unaffected and failing spectacularly. Especially because his statement was followed by an outburst of coughs, and him pressing the oxygen mask back to a furrowed face that was slowly gathering sweat.

"Rather, a few weeks," muttered class 1-A's homeroom teacher irritated. "You are only human, All Might, just like everybody else."

Was he trying to be supportive or to admonish him? If he was honest, the eighth wielder of One for All had no idea. He actually liked Aizawa, he was surprisingly kind and a softie with the kids at UA, but he never had the slightest idea of what was going on in his mind whenever they interacted. Trust me, I am painfully aware of that.

"Yes, you're right…" he agreed with an uncharacteristic somber air.

"Such a low-spirited tone, he really must be feeling bad," said Aizawa looking back to Recovery Girl.

"Told you so."

Despite all the noises, it was only until that moment that Izuku woke up. He lifted his arms and yawned right before he noticed Aizawa looking right at him.

"A-Aizawa-sensei… Present Mic, Midnight!" he stuttered. Only Recovery Girl and Director Nedzu knew about his connection with All Might at UA, how would he explain his presence there?

"Midoriya… you finally decided to join us," said his homeroom teacher with an edgy tone. "I'm sure there must be a perfectly good reason to you being here" he continued slowly, not looking at him at all, but at his master.

All Might knew exactly what he was thinking, and he was right. It was too dangerous to let the kids in into his secret. Just being in UA already made things more dangerous for everyone, frankly speaking. And he did try to keep them all at a safe distance, with the exception of Izuku of course. I'm sorry, Aizawa, I cannot tell you why Midoriya is different, but I can promise I'll take care of him with my life.

Recovery girl cleared her throat loudly and gave the erasing hero a significant look.

"…But I feel generous today, I'll let the inquiry for another time." He looked at All Might. Still pale as hell, wheezing for air, a slight tremor in his hands, idiotic forced smile to hide exhaustion. Damn fool, always making everybody worry with his thoughtless self-sacrifice. "Shall I assume you'll be staying here for the day?" He asked interchanging a quick look with Recovery Girl.

Izuku opened his eyes wide and looked back at his mentor with a timid glow in his eyes. "…If it's okay with All Might!…" he squealed beaming with the simple idea of staying by his mentor's side while he needed support.

The pro hero's eyes shone with a particular bright glow before a realization hit him, substituting said glow with a conscientious-teacher-look "Young Midoriya, that's really not necessary. You shouldn't be missing classes, besides, I'm not entirely hopeless, I can still move to get some stuff" he said as he stretched to grab a bottle of pills that the medical staff had left at the bedtable, only managing to stumble and make the bottle fall as a spell of dizziness invaded him.

"I think we got our answer." Grumbled Aizawa.

All Might didn't want to hinder Izuku's learning, but he suddenly felt too tired to argue. Besides, having him for company didn't sound bad at all. "All right, but promise me you'll catch up on your classes later."

"Yes!" Izuku exclaimed unable to hide his excitement, "I promise I'll study while you sleep. Besides…, we have fewer classes during Friday, so I won't be missing too much!"

All Might nodded with a warm glint on his eyes, it hadn't escaped him that Izuku had avoided saying they would be missing another class with him. "Would that be okay, Recovery Girl?"

She nodded at the hero and then turned to the boy "As long as you keep a safe distance from this human blood sprinkler and wash your hands often, you should be okay. I'll let the hospital staff know," she said unable to hide a slight smile as a pair of matching grins appeared in mentor and student.

"With that settled, we should be returning to UA," said Aizawa after realizing that All Might looked noticeably more tired than when they had arrived.

Present Mic took out an MP3 player and a pair of earphones and handed them to All Might, "In case you get bored!"

"And here are some chocolates for you," said Midnight pulling a little box from a paper bag "I kinda ate half of them… sorry" she smiled bashfully.

All Might laughed good-naturedly and took the box. "Thank you, Present Mic, Midnight, you're both so kind!"

Aizawa stared at the number one hero silently, "What, do you expected a gift from me too?" he said burning a hole through All Might.

"Wha? No! I didn't even expect you guys to come here, I know how busy you are!"

Aizawa sighed annoyed. "You better take it easy and rest, problem teacher…" he mumbled.

"Yes, sir!" said All Might saluting with a cheeky grin.

Izuku's homeroom teacher rolled his eyes and looked at the boy, "Make sure he keeps out of trouble."

"I will!" exclaimed Izuki, half surprised, half amused.

Recovery Girl took the chance to get closer and speak to the emaciated hero while the rest of the party was busy "Well, I'll come to see you later, dear," she said resting her small hand in his and added in a whisper, "Don't fret too much over things, you deserve happiness too, you know?"

"I'll try," he gave her a thankful smile.


As they walked back to the academy, Aizawa heaved a groan as he considered what could be the best thing to say. "Guess I'll just say Midoriya had a family emergency."

"You could say that again, they might not be related by blood, but everyone can see All Might's favoritism towards Midoriya" chuckled Midnight good-naturedly. "He totally dads him."


A few author's notes:

Whew, so sorry for all the angsty content here... I think writing this has been kinda therapeutic for me, but I promise there will be happy light-hearted content in the next chapter!

As you can see, I love the canon All Might that is a total dork with no time to think about romance, sorry for the ones that follow a ship... but hey, what's better than DadMight!? Besides, I must say I adore the fact that he is shown to be a gentleman rather than a complete doofus about things like Goku is. I mean, he's innocent, not an ingenue, and that makes him the best ever.

The human sprinkler remark... that was a genius post from Tumblr, I can't remember who said it, but it cracked me up, pure gold.

Sorry about the silly ending for this chapter, I get the impression that I always get too tired by the end and end up making a rushed conclusion :S

I think that's all for now. Thank you SO much to the ones that are following my fanfic and for the ones that just joined in the ride, please leave me a note if you feel like it, I love reading your thoughts!