This is the first story I've written for the BNHA fandom! Aaaand the first story I've written in years... So please go easy on me! Updates are going to be once or twice a month, since I don't have too much time on my hands. Please comment and let me know if y'all like! And tell me if there's anything you want to see? I have the basic outline written and a couple chapters written and waiting for editing. But I'm open to suggestions!
Cross Posted on AO3 under PaintingReality.
Chapter 1: Familiar Yet Unfamiliar
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 instead. 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 student's! 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. And he'd be able to get into contact with Principal Nedzu as well so they can analyze the quirk and find the best way to proceed from here!
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. Toshi 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 Toshi 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 Toshi, 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."
"I 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 one 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 second one.
"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 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 made 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." 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," 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.
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.