Toshinori knew what he was signing up for when he decided to venture into the Midoriya household to grab his pupils' belongings.

He knew about his popularity as the Number One Hero and he knew how much of a fan Izuku is, one would have to be blind and or deaf to not see that, so he was prepared. He stood outside the teens bedroom door smiling softly at the simple All Might sign that displayed the boy's name, any nerves he might have had were very minimal because he knew what was to come. He was fine.

Because he knew what to expect.

He hoped this would be the last time he underestimated his opponent.

Still slightly tickled by the sign, Toshinori chuckled softly as he opened the door and stepped inside-

-Only to stop cold with his foot barely passing the doorway, sunken eyes widening to an almost comical degree, and his low chortles were quickly replaced with blood which he prevented from spilling from his mouth by the skin of his teeth. Though he probably preferred this to screaming from...Shock? Awe? Horror? Honestly, Toshinori couldn't pinpoint the exact emotion he was feeling at the moment but he surmised it as being, and no offense to his student, 'creeped out.'

Sure, he was well aware of the many products and merchandise made around him so he was expecting quite a bit of both from his fanboy protégé.

He was wholly unprepared to see his face plastered on every square inch of the moderately sized bedroom.

Wow...and I thought Nighteye was bad. Was the only thought that ran through Toshinori's head as he remained completely dumbstruck at, well, himself. After what felt like an eternity of standing, shell shocked he swallowed the blood in his throat and gave his head a rough shake, and stepped forward on shaky legs into the unofficial All Might museum. His sunken eyes zeroed in on his target, the dresser. Doing his utmost best to not even glance at the figures lined up on the desk, the All Might themed bedsheet and literally anything else that had his overly bright, charming-in your face you'll never be the hero you once were again-thousand watt smile.

I'm the only one here and it feels crowded.

The sardonic joke did nothing to lessen his anxiety and if he was being honest, he wasn't expecting it to. Nothing short of him leaving this room and erasing his memory was going to help him right now. He was just so...uncomfortable. And not from the general weirdness that comes with seeing a shrine in your honor by one's young, semi consciousness protégé room. No, this feeling was something different but not unfamiliar. It was a sensation he experienced from his youth and has not forgotten even under all his bravado and flippant personality.

He was being judged. Sized up by the persona he created, telling him that he was unworthy to be held on such a pedestal, let alone by the very boy who was lying injured in his car due to his negligence and ego. In an effort to distract himself, Toshinori's eyes darted around the room, trying to find something mundane in the sea of offending merchandise. His salvation was found in a series of notebooks that were huddled together in, what he assumes to be, chronological order on the boy's desk. Even though all he could see was the frayed bindings, he had an inkling on what secrets resided inside them.

This did little to stop him from extending a long bony arm out to grab one of the notebooks. After all, if he was right about the contents he's already taken a gander. His suspicions were confirmed when he was greeted with Hero Analysis For The Future and judging from the crude but excited scribbles this was the boy's first ones. Toshinori smiled slightly, some of the amusement he had before he entered the room returning, at the simple explanations and childish drawings. Along with a spark of pride at how far his protégé came along with his analytical skills.

Such dedication, He thought in awe even as he stared at the well meaning but poorly drawn portrait of him. This goes beyond being a fanboy. It's almost like an obsession. Toshinori looked at the long row of notebooks, each more detailed and polished than the last. The spark from before burst into a flame.

Fanboy tendencies aside, his admiration for heroes at its core is pure. He must of held onto this dream for a long time-

"Is it possible to become a hero even if you don't have a Quirk?!"
A wave of guilt washed over him, dousing the fire and filling his heart until it sunk to the bottom of his stomach. His long fingers lost their grip on the notebook and fell softly to the floor. That's...right. He forgo-well, he didn't forget. But he hadn't given their encounter on the rooftop a whole lot of thought. A boulder of shame once again landed on his shoulders, nearly toppling him over as he replayed the first, genuine conversation he had with his successor.

Now that he thought about it, the kid had confided in him about quite a bit. His experience being Quirkless, his ideals, and last but least how much he revered the Symbol of Peace and what he stood for.

And Toshinori-

"So no, I honestly don't think you can become a hero without a Quirk."

-Had crushed whatever hope he had desperately clung to. He had thought he could do no damage in this weak form yet with this emaciated body and a few bitter words he managed to almost obliterate a young boy's dreams. That very same boy ended up risking his life to save a fellow classmate when other heroes, including himself, stood by helpless. Two young boys nearly died because of him that day. Yet...after everything, Izuku had accepted his offer ethusicatically. Thanking him up and down, crying his out and gazing at him with utter devotion as if he hadn't-
"I'm a normal kid without any powers. Could I ever hope to be someone like you?!"
A pain more crippling than Torinos training settled in his chest, he gulped hoping to swallow it. Someone like him? Blood filled his lungs, preventing him from taking a single breath. His thin frail body barely supported him as he gripped the edge of the desk. Toshinori was suddenly more attuned to every tremor, ache, and inadequacy of his feeble frame as the millions of copies of shell leered down at him. He can feel the walls closing in on him.

He...shouldn't be here. He can't be here. Someone like him didn't deserve to-

Crinkle~

Toshinori gasped slightly, a faint rustle brought him back to reality. Without even thinking he glanced down and noticed he had stepped on a corner of the notebook, which was sprawled open. Toshinori swore under his breath and with more panic than necessary he picked up the book and gently smoothed out the creases. He had enough to feel guilty about without his student's prized notebooks on his conscience as well. Just as he was about to close the journal he noticed that it had opened on his page, and fate really does hate him doesn't it? He almost groaned out loud at the cosmic torment when his sunken eyes caught sight of a few words scribbled in the corner his foot had rudely introduced itself. Toshinori had to strain his eyes to make out the words, he also thinks he might have smudged them a bit. His eyes hurt and his head pounded from the effort but he managed to make out:

Coolest...the...universe. Always...smile!

"That smile made me feel like I could do anything, and I'll treasure it always, no matter what form you take."
Toshinori blinked once, twice, yet the words or what he could make out anyway, did not change. He reread the adoring scrawls over and over and-huh. There was no profound meaning, or mind boggling effect from these words, and it certainly didn't lessen or worsen his anxiety on his predicament. But the more he read the same words, the easier it got to breathe and the pain in his chest and side dulled ever so slightly and he received just enough clarity to tell him to get what he came here for and go take care of Izuku.

Because, regardless of his feelings towards himself, he had a student who clearly still thought the world of him and needed him right now. Whether he liked it or not, he was a mentor now and he had to be that before anything else. Everything else...he'll have to figure it out later.

Toshinori took a few deep breaths to steady himself and carefully put the book back where he found it. He gave a short swipe of the room, he still didn't feel comfortable under the gaze of all the posters but they didn't feel as mocking anymore at least.

Now, where to start?

Probably the necessities: clothes, toothbrush, bookbag… As Toshinroi rattled of the ingredients for a 3 day stay in his head, he made his way to the dresser and opened up the top drawer-

And promptly slammed it shut.

...Yep Toshinori thought, his body trembling from shock and amusement. Not for the first time regretting all of his life choices. I should have seen that coming.

As Toshinori ruffled through his successor's things, he desperately hoped that the next 3 days won't be this emotionally draining.

Izuku was starting to wonder if he should be worried about how comfortable he was with waking up to vast darkness. For the third time today, Izuku and consciousness were reacquainted. It was off to a terrible start; his eyelids fluttered open, only to snap shut when a sliver of light assaulted his corneas, drawing out a small hiss of pain. That small action broke the dam and Izuku was immediately flooded with agony from every nerve in his body. Sore from head to toe, his body felt it was replaced with liquid fire, bones turned into lead and was pretty sure every strand of hair ached as well.

Gh...what happened-? Did I fall asleep again? What time is-augh! If his eyes hadn't been closed, he would have been blinded by the pain that exploded at the back of his skull. Along with the colorful affliction, memories of today flashed in his brain. He was at the beach as usual. All Might had left him, not so usual...he was climbing a mountain of trash-

...Oh. Right.

A muffled groan leaked from his teeth and he forgot about figuring out where he was for a second, focusing on not dying. He spilled his brains all over the sand after snowballing down the trash pile and All Might found him in all his bruised and bloody glory. After witnessing such a pathetic and useless sight, his hero took enough pity on him to treat his wounds and sent him home.

Perfect.

With a healthy dose of humiliation to go with the pain, Izuku attempted to curl in on himself. A ripple of discomfort in his stomach prevented that, unfortunately. A pressure behind his eyes warned him of a tidal wave of tears that he wouldn't be able to stop. Not when both his arms seemed to miraculously gain a hundred pounds. He was more sore than he thought, even his bed didn't feel comfortable anymore-

Wait, this isn't my bed.

The sudden knowledge pried his eyes open for him and numbed the pain just enough to where he could move his head, albeit slowly. It took far longer than he wanted, though he was working with fewer brain cells than before but he managed to deduce he was in a truck. A few more seconds later he realized it was All Might's truck. Neither of these revelations were a shock, of course.

Him being all alone certainly counts as one, though

Allowing his head to loll against the window, Izuku noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. Looking up, he saw All Might exiting one of the many doors of this suspiciously familiar complex. The man treaded down the stairs, bag in hand. Izuku absently watched on as All Might approached and opened the driver's side door, sat down, and placed the bag behind them in the back. In his drowsy state, he forgot to say anything. Still, All Might smiled his way, just happy to see him conscious.

Izuku liked to think he smiled back, but he wasn't sure. In his daze, he looked back out the window. All Might was asking him something, but for once he ignored him; he'll have to grovel later. Right now, his brain was hyper focused on figuring out what the heck was going on. All Might temporarily suspended his training, didn't he? So why wasn't he at home resting, like his mentor ordered him to? There's no way All Might changed his mind. Not after he...after he-

"Do you want to stay at my place?"

The entire conversation from the beach popped into his head. Like a switch had been flipped, Izuku went from writhing in agony to emitting tiny vibrations. With all sense thrown to the side, Izuku all but face planted the window in excitement. Ignoring his idol once again, sins be damned, he eagerly drank in the sights of his humbled heroes abode. His analytical brain takes in every detail; every crack in the ground and building, every single step of the stairs, every identical looking door...

Huh, All Might's place looks a lot like mine-

"Young Midoriya!"

A large bony hand gently but firmly removed Izuku from the window. He jumped slightly but for once his happiness didn't dampen. He bounced in his seat ignoring the rolling waves of pain.

"Please be careful! You barely avoided a concussion the first time around, don't push your luck-" All Might's lecture was cut off by his protege gripping his sleeve for dear life, his eyes beating their own record of brightness. The boy's usual high speed muttering tumbled from his trembling lips as he desperately pointed at his apartment. The skeletal hero stared down at the squealing teen in confusion, sunken eyes going back and forth from the plain building to the boy.
Finally, after picking up on the kids chirping, his frazzled brain put two and two together. Letting out a tired sigh, smiling slightly, he placed a hand on his successor's shoulder.

"Young Midoriya, we're not there yet."

Almost as if he cut the right wire, those six words defused the bomb that was his student's elation. Izuku went completely still, his face frozen in a smile. For what seemed like an eternity, silence was the only sound around them. As his brain digested his mentor's words, his wide grin slowly melted off his face.

"...Oh."

Izuku's face was a perfect mixture of disappointment and embarrassment, the latter becoming more apparent when he realized he was holding on to his hero's arm like a child. In a flash he withdrew the offending appendage, flushing brightly. Unable to look his idol in the eye, Izuku kept his gaze firmly outside the window. His shame compounded as he realized the complex really was his apartment. In an effort to distract himself, he took a glance in the rearview mirror and saw the bag All Might was carrying. Right, of course, he was going to be staying a few nights. Makes sense he would need a few necessities. All Might got curious and glanced back as well, unintentionally catching the teens eye. Panicking slightly, he cut his eyes back to his home. He didn't notice the contemplative look on the Number One Heroes face.

Well, his joy had been taken down a notch or ten but he wasn't completely disheartened. After all, he was still going to see All Might's place. Nothing was going to ruin this for him-

"So, uh, that's quite a collection you got."

The silence made a second visit and it stayed far longer than either one of them would have liked.

Izuku sat as still as a statue, pupils shrinking to the size of dots. The joy, disappointment and anxiety had been replaced with a blank slate and his face mirrored it. Without moving his body, Izuku's head nearly rotated a full 180 degrees. His wonton eyes blinked owlishly at his mentor as he mulled over the words. Izuku snapped his head to the bag in the backseat, then back to his apartment. Then to the bag, then to the apartment, then to All Might, then to the apartment, then to the bag. Wait.

Wait.

WAIT-!

Izuku whipped his head so fast he was surprised his neck didn't snap. He stared at his idol in helpless horror, face paling, sweat running out of orifice in his body. This is a nightmare. Yeah, just a bad dream. There's absolutely not a snowball chance in hell that All Might saw his...his-
All Might was now the one avoiding his gaze. The pure awkwardness on his hero's face was all the confirmation he needed. His blood turned to molten lava, illuminating a crimson glow from head to toe. He had skipped straight past humiliated and catapulted into pure mortification. He opened and closed his mouth endlessly, trying to find the words to defend his dignity. Nothing would come to mind and for once his motormouth failed him. Izuku ripped his eyes away from his idol, body trembling under the weight of his shame. His emerald orbs landed on the dusty dashboard in front of him, taunting his very existence. Inviting him to end it all right here and now.

Needless to say-

SLAM!

"Y-Young Midoriya!"

Message, well received.

"There...there are no words to describe how honored I feel right now." Izuku blubbered, the medication making his words slur ever so slightly. Bright, watery orbs stared at the object ahead with as much joy and wonder as one would with a rare artifact. "To be given a privilege like this, to be just within arms reach of something so amazing is unbelievable!

Izuku all but trembled with pure ecstasy as he loudly proclaimed, "This is the greatest moment of my life!"

"Young Midoriya...it's just a door."

"IT'S NOT JUST A DOOR!" Izuku's shock and outrage was a stark contrast from the pure exasperation on his mentor's face. "This is the door to the Number One Hero's home!" His protégé declared, flailing indignantly. His fury was quickly replaced with adoration once again as he gestured wildly to the large piece of wood. "It's an absolute treasure that needs to be in a museum for several generations! I mean, just look at it!"

Toshinori cut his eyes to the "absolute treasure." It was as plain as the student who was singing praises to it. It was the same off white, if Toshinori looked closer he could see some of the paint chipping off, as did the million other doors in the complex. With the only thing to differentiate his from everyone else's, was the number. The older man considered voicing his thoughts, but one look at those passion filled eyes told him it would be useless.

"I'm so happy to be alive right now!" Izuku crooned, rivers of tears trailing down his cheeks, on his knees, practically worshipping the door.

"That's not what you were saying before." Toshinori muttered to himself. After Izuku's latest injury, the elder hero had no choice but to take him to the emergency room. What was already a time consuming procedure, became even more tedious when Izuku decided to be uncooperative out of embarrassment. Perhaps Toshinori shouldn't have brought it up but in his defense, the kid would have figured out he had been in his room eventually. So, it would be weirder to not say anything. He also didn't think the teen would try and commit suicide via head banging.

Then again, when has his student done anything less than surprise him?

A dreamy sigh pulled Toshinori out of his musings. He looked down and noticed Izuku had his face pressed against the wood, arms stretched out as if he was attempting to envelope the door with a hug.

Oh, dear.

Rolling his eyes fondly, All Might used the emergency stop button. He filed the feeling of the soft curls in his hand at the back of mind. "I'm glad you're excited, but remember this isn't a field trip. You're here so I can keep an eye on you and to recover." All Might stepped forward, the indistinct mutterings picking up right where they left off. He took out his key and was about to unlock the door when he felt a familiar disturbance behind him.

"Young Midoriya, please put away your notebook."

A strangled squeak slipped out. All Might allowed a small smile on his face, he didn't need to turn around to see the boy's face was flushed red.

The door creaked open and Toshinori stepped inside, cool air and darkness greeted him like always.

"Well, make yourself at-"

A bright green blur rushed by him, leaving behind a trail of smoke. Toshinori blinked slowly, his rattled brain unable to comprehend anything until he heard cackling coming from the dark.

"-home."

Still in a daze, Toshinori shut the door and flipped on the light. The sudden brightness and Izuku's gleeful shriek caused him to wince.

"Oh my gosh! Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! I can't believe this is happening!" Izuku squealed, bouncing up and down. Green eyes illuminating a thousand stars as he scanned every inch of the apartment, his face flushed with happiness. "I'm in the home of the greatest hero of all time!" The teen giggled as he gave an energetic twirl.

Toshinori cringed slightly, both the volume and praise filled him with embarrassment. "Young Midoriya-"

"I know!" Izuku exclaimed, interrupting his mentor. Toshinori quickly shushed him. "I-I know!" He whispered, shyness creeping in, though it did not mask his excitement. "I know you don't want me to make a big deal but I just can't help it! You have no idea how amazing this is!"

Oh, Toshinori knew all right. He just didn't think he was worth all the fuss. "My boy, it's just a simple apartment. It's nothing special."

"No,no,no! It's so much more than an apartment!" Izuku rebutted, arms wide open as he gestured wildly. "This is the home of a legend! Everything in here is you!"

Exactly my point. Toshinori thought, feeling even more self conscious. He didn't say anything else on the matter, though. Too sore and mentally exhausted to argue with a passionate, intoxicated teenager.

Izuku, satisfied he had 'won' the debate, turned on his heel. Practically skipping down the hall, chanting "Number One's home!" under his breath. Toshinori let out a huff, despite the fact Izuku was the one who was just injured, the senior hero felt a headache coming on. Picking up the boy's bag and following his springy student. When he reached the end of the hall, Izuku was zooming around the den, examining every little thing he could find. High pitch squeals bouncing off the walls.

"The living room of the Number One Hero! The bookshelf of the Number One Hero! The lamp of the Number One Hero!"

Gosh, with the help of painkillers, his pupil was more energetic than usual.

...And bolder too. Without a word, Izuku promptly jumped into a nearby arm chair and practically melted. "The chair of the Number One Hero!"

"Hmm," Toshinori grunted. Easing himself onto the couch, more or less resigning himself to his fate. Izuku lounged in the chair, feet kicking out, giggling softly to himself.

Toshinori wondered if he was even aware of his actions right now, and how embarrassed he'll be when he comes down from his high. He smirked at the thought of his student's flustering wailing. His amusement was cut short by a scream emitting from his right. Toshinori sat up straight but he was too late. The teen had vanished from his line of sight.

"Young Midoriya-?!"

"The kitchen of the Number One hero!" The squeaky voice announced a mere 3ft away from him. After restarting his heart, Toshinori sighed and leaned back on the couch. He could easily envision the kid scurrying around the dining room, with the zeal of a kitten chasing a red dot. Perhaps he should go in there and watch him but his body just couldn't muster up the energy to do so.

Besides, Izuku was providing enough commentary for him to know what was happening.

"The fridge of the Number One Hero!" The table of the Number One Hero! The counter of the Number One Hero! The unwashed dishes of the Number One hero!"

Okay, on second thought, I'm done. Toshinori slowly stood up, bones cracking in protest at having to work. "Alright kid, that's enough. You need to get your rest. Let me show you the bathroom so you can clean up-"

"The bathroom of the Number One Hero!" Not even a second later. Izuku sprints out of the kitchen and tries to slide to his hero.

Emphasis on tried.

It all happened too fast for Toshinori to see what Izuku tripped on, though knowing his student it was probably nothing. One second he was barreling towards the older hero with a manic expression, then next he laid face down on the floor. Thankfully, he landed on the carpet side but Toshinori felt his heart rate skyrocket anyway.

"Young Midoriya! Are you okay?!" Toshinori knelt down, swallowing a mouthful of blood. He hoped and prayed the light fall didn;t aggravate the injury.

"Hmmfm!" A muffled voice rose from the body sprawled on the ground. Toshinori cocked his head in confusion.

"I-I'm sorry my boy, I didn't quite catch that."

"...The floor of the Number One Hero." Izuku turned his head to the side, a single hand rubbed the plush carpeting. A blissful smile stretching ear to ear, as silent tears ran down his cheeks.

"..." Toshinori bore the scene with a stoic look. All sense of concern was thrown out the window and replaced with several feelings he couldn't name. Heaving a sigh for the umpteenth time today, The skeletal man patted Izuku's shoulder. "Time for bed."

Izuku gasped and propped himself up on his hands, eyes brighter than the sun. "The guest room of the Number One-!"

"Uh-huh. Yeah." Toshinori didn't give the teen a chance to spew any more nonsense. Simply, firmly but gently, lifting him off the ground by his arms, he set Izuku on his feet. Izuku staggered ever so slightly, before settling in place by Toshinoris side. Where he proceeded to drag his loopy protege to the spare bedroom. Thankfully, Izuku said no more about the decor of his home. Perhaps that fall knocked a little of his sense back in. Once inside the room, Izuku slipped out of his grip and flopped onto the bed. Without so much as a single mutter, much to Toshinori's shock.

While he was mostly relieved, it also worried him a that tumble take more out of him than he thought?

He certainly didn't look hurt. Nor did he seem bothered by the fall. Then again he's on quite a few painkillers, so of course he probably didn't even feel it. Maybe I should check and make sure nothing really wrong-

"Hehehehe…"

Toshinori's troubles were quelled by the snickers erupting from the covers. Izuku was doing his best to fuse his face with one of the pillows, sounding a little pleased with himself. Toshinori grumbled but found the corners of his lips twitching. Toshinori leaned against the wall, content with watching the silent freakout, until Izuku moved no longer. He wanted to remind him to clean up for the night but the kid was practically sinking into the mattress. So, Toshinori walked over and pulled the covers over the teen, gave the green curls a ruffle. A small, genuine small on his face.

"...Night, kid."

Once the lights were out and the door was shut, Toshinori realized it was safe to slump against the wall, groaning quietly. His feeble body sagged as if it was lifted from an invisible weight. Then, as he finally processed today's events, he began to laugh.

And laugh. And laugh.

He made sure to keep it contained where Izuku couldn't hear it. The hero's thin frame wracked under the intensity of the chortles. Tears of mirth leaked from the corners of his eyes and he struggled to get a breath in. Finally, spending his lifetime supply of laughter, he stood up. Knees wobbly from the exertion and his guffaws. The exhaustion he felt was indescribable, yet it was a good kind of tired. Like the kind he got after saving civilians or taking down a villian only amplified by a thousand. How does one string bean fanboy bring him so much inexplicable joy and fear, in that order?

How is he going to handle this for three days?

Well, I better figure something out. I already promised him I'd let him stay. So, Toshinori headed to his room, eager and apprehensive on what his little entertainer would do tomorrow.