Detective Tsukauchi slumps back into the metal chair he's seated in, expression full of disbelief. "You're not lying."
Toshinori rests his elbows on the table and drops his face into his hands. "No."
"When… did this happen?"
"A week ago."
"And Midoriya housed you? A stranger housed you?"
"Young Izuku is my successor."
The detective suddenly sat up once more, brows furrowing. "Togata's your successor."
Ah. That explains… a lot.
"No," Toshinori says slowly. "Not in my world."
Tsukauchi, in a move that's completely out of character, blows a raspberry and drops his head onto the table in front of him. "What a mess."
The answer Toshinori gives back is sheepish. "I'm sorry, my friend. But I need your help to get home."
Tsukauchi takes a deep breath before slowly sitting back up in his seat. "I'll do everything I can to help you. Who should I contact with a meeting?"
"Probably me," Toshinori chuckles. "Wouldn't want to accidentally run into myself on the streets. Might cause a scene. We should get a hold of Nighteye, too. And Principle Nedzu. And… Gran Torino. If there's anyone else you think should be there, feel free to invite them."
At the thought of Nighteye, Toshinori can feel old regrets and heartache rise in his chest. He desperately pushes the feeling down and focuses on the detective in front of him.
"Lemillion, this world's OFA successor," Tsukauchi suggests. "And the Hero Blogger: Deku."
Toshinori inhales wrong and ends up choking on his spit."I-I'm sorry, who?"
Tsukauchi raises his eyebrows in surprise when he see's Toshinori's reaction. "The famous Hero Blogger: Deku; the one who does analysis on hero battles and quirks?"
Deku? As in his successor's Hero Name, Deku?
"Heroes contract him when they're dealing with unknown quirks or limited information on villains. He's like an unofficial official hero," Tsukauchi continues to explain. "Do you not have him in your world? He's kind of a big deal! Heroics has changed because of his work; combatant analytics is almost an actual hero field because of him."
"N-no," Toshinori's voice is quiet. "But we do have Deku… That's Young Izuku's— my successor's hero name."
They stare at each other in silence for a moment. Then, they both rise and make their way back to the waiting room. And lucky for them, there's no one else in the room.
Young Izuku is fiddling on his phone when they arrive. When he hears them approaching, he looks up and send them an innocent smile. "Everything go well?"
Toshinori opens his mouth, taking in a large, shaking breath. "Deku."
Young Izuku's face goes blank. He blinks. "Huh?"
Tsukauchi sighs, exasperation evident as he places a hand on Toshinori's shoulder. "What he's trying to say is, 'you're the Hero Blogger: Deku'. Right?"
He's silent for a beat. "A-ah, n-n-no! I'm no—"
"That's a lie."
Young Izuku lets out a squeak. "What?"
"My quirk is called 'Lie Detector'. I can tell when someone is lying."
Toshinori watches as Young Izuku's face pales and panic lights his eyes. "A-ah…"
The retired hero steps forward. "My boy, you're not in trouble, and you won't be put into any danger, either." Toshinori places his hands on the young man's shoulders, giving a reassuring smile. "We just… have an assignment for you."
"B-but how did you know?" Young Izuku stutters, arms and hands moving into the familiar thinking position he takes when he's about to go off on a tangent. "Nobody knows! I've been very careful to keep my identity a secret, and I have all of my notes and documents written in a code that I created. And all of my files are kept in a confidential drive and safe so no one has access. Even the heroes don't know who I am and have to use the case requesting system I set up on my website. Oh, but maybe they were able to hack into the website's cloud? No, Hatsume's too talented for that, there's no one in the world who could hack her encryptions. But how did I go wrong? I obviously slipped up somewhere… Maybe I said something reckless? Oh no, who knows what I could've said, and in public—"
Detective Tsukauchi hesitantly speaks up as Young Izuku continues his downward spiral. "Uh, is he okay?"
"He does this sometimes," Toshinori replies, voice full of amusement and fondness. He shakes Young Izuku a bit to get his attention. "My boy, you did nothing to reveal yourself."
Young Izuku's mouth closes with an audible click.
"I just—… the circumstances surrounding our conclusions are… complicated. But we do need your help in a very important case. Please."
"Can I… ask how you came to your conclusions?"
"Would you mind waiting for the explanation during the meeting? I still need permission to share some confidential information with you."
Like how you're a hero in another world, he thinks. And how you are my successor and take on the responsibility of my quirk.
Young Izuku takes a deep breath and pushes it out. "I… when is the meeting?"
Toshinori turns to Tsukauchi to discuss it. "My friend, would it be possible to round everyone up tomorrow?"
"With what we're working with, I'm sure everyone would agree," Tsukauchi replies. "Might Tower at noon?"
"We'll be there," Toshinori agrees. "Ah, and would you be able to help me pay Young Izuku back for his hospitality? Unfortunately, I've been unable to help him with the bills."
"Oh, no!" Young Izuku speaks up, waving his hands in front of himself. "I don't need any money! Really!"
"Please," Tsukauchi starts, "I would feel bad if you didn't. After all, you were stuck taking care of this knuckle head all week! I can't imagine the headache he's been to care for."
"N-no! He hasn't been a headache at all! In fact, I've… ah… really enjoyed having him. He… Having him stay with me has made me very happy. Happier than I've been while."
Tsukauchi smiles and motions for the both of them to follow him to his office. "Then would you mind keeping him a little longer? I'll provide money and a phone for him, so you won't have to worry about feeding an extra person. And we'll compensate your utilities and other bills as well as a 'thank you'."
"O-of course Toshinori can stay!" Young Izuku looks very excited at the prospect. "But—"
"Here, Toshinori," Tsukauchi cuts the boy off as he opens his desk drawer. "You can use this phone and credit card for your needs."
"Thank you, my friend."
"Just wait a couple hours for them to be activated fully by the treasurer. I'll message the phone when everything is officially activated."
"Sounds perfect," Toshinori smiles. He continues quickly so that Young Izuku won't get any time to speak, "Will you be able to get me permission to speak about that confidential information? OFA?"
"I'll try. It might be a little difficult."
"If I trust you, I'm sure he does as well."
Tsukauchi grins. "Well, then! I have nothing else for you two! Toshinori, take care of those bills!"
"Of course."
"And," Tsukauchi whispers to Toshinori, "I'll station a policeman outside of Midoriya's apartment to keep you safe for tonight, since you don't have OFA anymore."
Toshinori's brow furrows in confusion. Before he can ask why that would be needed, Tsukauchi ushers the two of them out of, first, his office and then the building. "I'll see you two tomorrow at noon at Might Tower!"
And then they are alone.
Toshinori turns to Young Izuku with an impish grin. "You heard the man! Now, let's head home and get those bills squared away!"
"B-but—"
Toshinori's grin only grows. "And do tell me more about your other persona. 'The Hero Blogger: Deku', huh?"
Toshinori can't help but laugh at the audible gulp Young Izuku takes. "I-its—I don't… It started as a hobby?"
They walk back to the station, and Toshinori notices their secret police escort walk out of the station in plain clothes before trailing them at a distance.
Well, that was quick.
"I'm not sure how a whole hero career comes from a hobby," Toshinori chuckles. Then, he frowns. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Young Izuku watches his feet as they walk for a few moments, biting his lip. Green eyes flit up to blue, what Toshi thinks is supposed to be a playful grin on the boy's face. Instead, it looks more like a grimace.
"Well," Young Izuku's voice artificially light and airy, "I've only just met you a week ago, you know."
So that means he doesn't trust Toshinori. Ah, that stings.
The younger man must see the look of hurt on the retired hero's face, because he immediately backtracks. "N-no! I didn't mean—it's not that I don't think you aren't trustworthy, it's just that it can be dangerous! F-for you and me. We could be targeted by villains if word gets out, and I only know basic sel defense! It wouldn't end well to be found out…"
"My boy, it's true that you haven't known me for long; there's no reason to share something so important with me."
Young Izuku purses his lips. "But I didn't…" He sighs.
They're quite for a little while, until they've found their seats in the train. The train just begins to move when Young Izuku speaks again. "I do trust you to keep this secret for me. You're… you're the closest person I've had to a… friend in a long time. It's just… hard for me to share such a big part of my life."
Toshinori's voice is small and gravely. "What happened?"
Heaving a large sigh, Young Izuku hunches over so that his elbows rest on his thighs and the heels of his palms dig into his eyes. "Remember when I told you that I was trying to get into U.A.'s hero course in high school? Well… it wasn't just through the sports festival. I've done hero analysis since I could write, and I'd gotten very good at it by the time high school rolled around… After my third sports festival, I was going to show my analysis to one of the hero teachers, maybe try to impress them. But my classmates found out, and…" His lips twist down into a deep frown. "Well, I'd lost months' worth of analysis. And I'd worked on it so hard, I swore it was my best work yet! I was devastated. So when they said I could never become a hero, well… I got really depressed. Like, really depressed. My mom was so worried she eventually forced me into therapy.
Young Izuku sits up fully, eyes moist and nose leaking a bit. He thumbs the moisture budding beneath his nose away and sniffs. "It took a little while for me to take up analysis again. It was actually Hatsume that got me back into it. She took some of my analysis and posted it on a website without me knowing… the response was astounding. It took off from there, and by the time I got my bachelor's, I'd become the Hero Blogger: Deku."
Toshinori's horrified that kind of attitude was allowed in the halls of U.A. The fact that the students weren't reprimanded for the way they were treating Young Izuku—just because the boy is quirkless—makes his blood boil. He would've thought Principal Nedzu wouldn't allow those kinds of actions… if he knew about them. Knowing Young Izuku, he would have tried his best to blend in and wouldn't make a big scene about getting bullied like that. He'd only really gotten his back bone—and his mother's support—after receiving One for All and the support of All Might himself. His poor boy… He's been hurting by himself for so long.
"Thank you," Toshinori starts slowly, "for telling me. You should be proud of what you've accomplished. You're so resilient and brave and smart. You would have gotten here no matter what."
Toshinori holds eye contact with Young Izuku, forcing his own tears down when he sees those big green eyes filling. He grabs a hold of his boys hand and squeezes gently.
"You may not be the kind of hero you wanted to be," the older man begins again. "But you're a hero all the same. I'm so proud of you, son."
Young Izuku whimpers and bites his lip to keep his tears from falling. He hides his eyes behind his messy fringe and lets his head fall onto Toshinori's shoulder.
"Thank you," he whispers, voice heavy with emotion.
It takes everything in Toshinori to keep from breaking out in tears.
ooo
The time for the meeting comes fairly quickly. The train ride to Might Towers is filled with Young Izuku's nervous mutterings and Toshinori's attempts at calming his boy down. He doesn't sweat it, however, when his efforts don't work; he knows that his boy can't help his excitement at meeting so many famous heroes. At meeting All Might.
Although he doesn't know he's technically already met the man and has been housing him for over a week now.
Toshinori leads Young Izuku to the front reception when they walk into the agency and receive their visitors passes. Well, Young Izuku gets a visitor pass. Toshinori gets a confused look and questions of "how did you get outside" and "didn't you just go up the elevator not too long ago".
The retired hero is glad Tsukauchi makes his appearance then, because he has no idea how to answer the receptionist's question. Instead, the three of them enter an elevator themselves. As they ascend, the two older men worry that Young Izuku might begin hyperventilating from his fanboy-ing.
The three of them are the first ones in the meeting room. Toshinori and Young Izuku take their seats at the side furthest from the entryway while Tsukauchi preps the meeting room. Apparently, this world's All Might, Nighteye, and Lemillion are having a little meeting of their own before they face the mess that Toshinori's brought upon them. This just makes Toshinori more nervous on how things will turn out.
Gran Torino is the next one to enter the room. Of course, the man is just as prickly as ever and instantly begins questioning him on all his failures. "Every time I turn around, something happens. What could it possibly be this time, Toshinori? Why are you like this?"
Toshinori doesn't even dignify him with an answer, simply propping his elbows onto the table and digging the heels of his palms into his eyes. He groans at the dread pooling in his gut. He's not ready for this. Gran harrumphs and sits across from Young Izuku and Toshinori.
Young Izuku's gently rubbing his back to attempt at comforting him when the door swings open and Nedzu strolls into the meeting space.
"Ah, Toshinori! I hope you are well?" The… bear? Rat? Dog?... takes a seat at one end of the table. "Although, I highly doubt things are going well seeing as you've called a meeting with such important faces in the hero world."
Somehow, Toshinori thinks that even Nedzu wouldn't be able to predict the utter pandemonium that is about to bless the meeting once the rest of the participants show.
Nedzu pays no mind to Toshinori's distress and turns to Young Izuku. The boy gulps at the dangerous glint in the Principal's eyes. "And you must be the Hero Blogger: Deku! I do believe you graduated from U.A., did you not?"
"U-uh!" Young Izuku squeaks and sits ram rod straight in his seat, hands clenching into fists in his lap. "Y-yes, sir! I was in general studies!"
Nedzu hums. "It's a shame you slipped under the radar all those years. I would have loved to take you under my wing, what with an analytical mind like yours."
Young Izuku looks like he's about to pass out.
"No matter!" Nedzu continues, taking the tea that Tsukauchi places on the table for each guest. "We can make up for lost time! Would you be free to meet with me sometime this week?"
Toshinori opens his mouth to defend Young Izuku request the conversation be dropped for now when the door opens once more. In step Lemillion, Nighteye, and All Might in his hero form.
Suddenly, everyone freezes. It's so quiet, Toshinori thinks he'd be able to hear a pin drop on the bottom floor of the agency.
It's Gran Torino who breaks the silence.
"Oh god, there's two of them."
And then, there's chaos.
Toshinori can't decipher who's saying what as everyone struggles to make sense of what they're seeing. Not to mention how much it hurts to see Nighteye again, alive and well in this world after the heartache he was put through when his own past sidekick died a horrible death. He swallows down the lump in his throat. It's all he can do to keep his expression from showing his true feelings at seeing Nighteye. But he knows there's nothing he can do for the stress headache to recede. He puts his fingers to his temples to stave off the feeling that's sledgehammering its way through his skull, wishing things weren't so complicated. Just when he thinks that he's going insane, it's Young Izuku who comes to his rescue:
"Would everyone sit down and. Shut. Up!"
And they do.
All Might, Nighteye, and Lemillion take their seats by Gran Torino while Tsukauchi claims his seat at the other end of the table. Young Izuku huffs and—with surprising grace—sits back down in his own chair before addressing the group.
"I—" the boy clears his throat, voice wobbling with nerves. "I don't understand what's caused all of you to panic, but you are all seasoned pro heroes. Please act like it."
Toshinori grins at that, his pride for the boy practically overflowing right then and there. He's so focused on how proud he is of Young Izuku that he barely registers the looks that All Might (how weird is it to refer to his other self by his own hero name) is giving him.
Tsukauchi clears his throat and everyone turns their attention to him. "Right, so let's get this meeting started."
"First of all, how did that," Gran Torino points at Toshinori, "happen?"
Young Izuku promptly becomes offended for Toshinori. With a scowl that absolutely does not look right sitting on his face, he states "isn't that a bit rude of you to say? His health is—"
"Now, let's settle down!" The Detective cuts him off. "Toshinori here will explain how he ended up in this situation."
All eyes in the room swing to him, and Toshinori finds himself gulping with nerves. "Right. Well, it's a long story, and I would like to request there be no interruptions until I'm done."
When they all affirm their cooperation, Toshinori tells them about spending Saturday of last week teaching class 2-A about patrols and how an incident with a villain led to him being dropped into a whole other reality. "I'd never seen that villain before the instant he was coming at me and activating his quirk. But it was obvious that he was targeting me. Probably because he had some sort of vendetta against me, or that he wanted the notoriety that would come with getting rid of the former Number 1. But I need to get home as soon as possible. My successor's only 16 and is a student at U.A.. Who knows who will target him now that I'm out of the picture."
There's a bit of disbelieving silence from the other heroes in the room before Tsukauchi speaks up on Toshinori's behalf. "All of it is true."
"There's a lot to unpack here…" Lemillion says, the chuckle his releases after sounding a bit unhinged.
Nedzu looks calm as ever, sipping his tea. "It's quite the interesting premise! I'm curious about the similarities and differences of both worlds, actually."
"Wait," Young Izuku speaks up, stopping the conversation from moving forward. "I'm kind of confused on a couple of things." The boy's brows furrow as he speaks. "Your successor? What does that mean? And you were the number one hero in your world? I can't believe that would be anyone but All Might, but you? You're not…?"
Toshinori looks across the table and makes eye contact with All Might, practically pleading with his other self to let him give up the secret. All Might thinks for a moment, expression pensive, before sighing and allowing his body to steam up and revert to his civilian form.
Suddenly, there are two Toshinori's in the room.
Young Izuku's chair clatters and he jumps up from the table. "ALL-NORI? T-TOSHI-MIGHT? Uh… huh? Wha…?
Toshinori laughs and stands up himself, morphing into his hero form for a moment. "That's right, Young Izuku! I am All—" his body promptly puffs back into his civilian form once again, coughing blood. "…Might."
That sends Young Izuku into a tizzy, unable to contain his panic at both Toshinori's sudden reveal and the blood coming out of his mouth. The boy stutters his concern as he hands Toshinori a handkerchief that he's been keeping on him since he first found out about Toshinori's bloody coughs.
"I'm quite alright, my boy," Toshinori comforts him. "Now you can see why I've retired!"
"Retired?" This world's Toshinori (should he just continue referring to him as 'All Might'? He is still an active hero, unlike himself) breathes, sounding horrified.
Both Young Izuku and Toshinori sit down before Toshinori replies. "Yes. I—uh, didn't really take care of myself. Ran myself into the ground, thinking I was going to die either way and I didn't want to give up hero work just yet. It took me a long time to find a successor, and with him a will to live longer and care for myself. I was quite self-destructive until I found him, but getting to know my boy… I would do anything to be there to see him become the next number one."
"You… you sound really close," Young Izuku says, his voice soft.
Toshinori smiles. "Yes."
"So… what do you mean by 'successor'?" His boy asks, wide green eyes swinging to Toshinori's other self. "And does To— er, All…Might? D-do you both have a, uh, successor?"
"Before we begin," Nedzu interrupts, "I believe it would be prudent to assign a name to each Toshinori. That way, we won't have any confusion when referring to one or the other."
"We can call one by his first name and the other by his last name?" Tsukauchi says. "But that might get a little confusing for the both of them…"
"Why not just call one All Might and the other Toshinori?" Lemillion asks. "It worked in the beginning."
Nighteye shakes his head. "That may be too dangerous if both of them are in their civilian forms. If someone listens in, things could get complicated. Maybe a nickname?"
"Well, I've always called the idiot 'boy'," Gran Torino grumbles. "Might as well bring it back."
This world's Toshinori voices his objections immediately. "That's pretty cruel, Gran. I don't think either of us would like that."
There's a teasing glint in Gran's eyes as he looks between both Toshinori's. "Well what do you think—"
"Toshi."
All eyes are, once again, on Young Izuku.
The young man flushes a deep red, but keeps his gaze locked on the Toshinori beside him, the one he's been housing for a while. "Why don't we call you Toshi?"
Having received a nickname from his pride and joy (well, this world's counterpart), Toshinori—no, Toshi's heart soars. "My boy, it's perfect."
"All right, Toshi," Gran Torino pipes up, sounding vaguely amused, "as much as I find it funny the way you moon over the boy, what's so special 'bout 'im? It's like you're a proud father or somethin'."
Young Izuku flushes deeper, something Toshi wouldn't have thought possible. The boy stutters to answer Gran Torino's question. "Ah! Well, like he said, I was there to help him when he was dropped here! We've, uh, grown… close?"
Toshi hums and shakes his head. "That's not all." He looks Toshinori in the eye and states proudly, "In my world, Young Izuku is my successor."
Luckily, the reactions are a lot calmer than those at the beginning of the meeting. Well, everyone's except for Young Izuku's.
"WHAT?" The boy exclaims, almost falling back in his chair as his surprise causes him to jerk violently. "H-how is that even possible? I mean, I'm quirkless, there's no way I could— unless I have a quirk in your world? B-but what would—"
Toshi's interjection is bland. "No, you were quirkless."
"Bwah? But how—"
"My boy, I'm going to need you to settle down," Toshi says, voice as soothing as he can make it. "The explanation is a long one, and having such information may put you in danger. You need to be calm and listen carefully. Okay?"
At Young Izuku's jerky nod and an approving gesture from Toshinori, Toshi begins the tale of first One For All, and then of his own battle with All For One and the state it left him in. He also explains that he lost the final dregs of the quirk when he finally defeated All For One in the battle at Kamino Ward. When he finishes, he leans back into his seat and grabs hold of his tea cup.
"Would someone else do the speaking now," Toshi asks, sipping at the now cold beverage. "My mouth is getting dry."
"I have one more question before you rest," Nighteye states, leaning forward on his elbows and pressing his finger tips together. "Why him?"
"Hm, that's another pretty long story."
At the unamused look Nighteye gives him, he sighs and downs his tea in one gulp. When he tells the story, he looks right at Young Izuku to see his reactions. By the end of the tale, his boy has tears in his eyes. So, Toshi grabs hold of his hand and speaks with as much sincerity as he can. "When I saw a small, frightened, quirkless middle schooler take action when even the pro heroes gave up, I was reminded of what a hero truly is. He inspired me to act. So, when I got away from the media, I found him, told him how wrong I was, and offered him my quirk."
He slips his hand away from Young Izuku's and instead rubs the back of his neck. "I've never regretted my decision; he's always surprising me and showing me that he will definitely become a greater hero that I ever could have been. I'd choose him again in a heartbeat. And you, Young Izuku, are just like him. You're so much like him, I just— When you told me your story, I thought— I can't help but be proud of everything you've accomplished so far, and what you undoubtedly will accomplish in the future. You're an amazing hero, even without a quirk."
It breaks Toshi's heart to think that this Young Izuku has never been told that he can be— is a great hero. But it's obvious that he has not heard the words he's always needed, because his boy breaks down into the same sobbing mess that he'd witnessed the first time he'd spoken such reassurances.
As Toshi comforts Young Izuku, he catches Tsukauchi's eyes.
The man takes the hint and clears his throat over Young Izuku's hiccuping sobs. "Let's give those two some time and come up with a basic game plan. I've got expenses and communication with Toshi covered for the duration of his… stay. And I'm getting together some legal documents so that if he's in any trouble, he'll have the paperwork to help him out. All we need to do is find out how to send him back home."
"And we'll need to find out who sent him here, correct?" Nedzu asks, seeming a bit too excited for the task. "I'm sure Deku and I can collaborate to get that task done."
Tsukauchi gives a smile and nod. "That's what I was hoping for, thank you. I was also hoping Nighteye could look into Toshi's future, see if we can get a clue before the two of you get started."
Nighteye nods, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Yes, I wouldn't mind doing that."
"Great! Now, we just need to make sure Toshi and Deku are properly protected. With how Deku will suddenly be a regular guest of U.A. and Principal Nedzu, I'm sure there will be gossip and media coverage if people notice the change. Deku's real identity will be put in danger. Plus, I don't know if Toshi would be able to defend himself if All For One notices he's here."
Toshi tenses when he hears this, his gaze darting abruptly to Toshinori. "Wha— you haven't…?"
Toshinori's gaze is grim as he shakes his head. "I haven't been able to track him down since he first gave me my wound. The Battle at Kamino Ward never happened."
"Ah. That's… unsettling."
" Right."
"So U.A. Was never infiltrated by the League of Villains?"
Nighteye voices his surprise before everyone else in the room can even think to do so. "What do you mean they infiltrated U.A.?"
Toshi sighs, rubbing the back of his neck. "They were able to sneak onto campus using the media as a distraction in my first year of teaching. They stole information on the school trip to the USJ and planned to take me down using a Nomu designed to defeat me. It was actually a close call. If it weren't for the students' help, who knows if things would have gone as… okay as they did. After that, they targeted U.A.'s class A a few more times. I'm sure they'll do it again. After all, All for One's successor already has his eyes set on my Izuku."
"None of that," Toshinori says, voice halting, "has happened. I gave my quirk to Young Togata after he graduated. I still have some of OfA left, but I'm afraid I'll run out very soon."
"Oh," Toshi blinks. "So the League is still out there… and so is All for One. And they all know about my… our weakness."
No one says anything at first, but Toshinori finds it in himself to speak. "I'll get my publicists to focus on keeping Deku off the media and stopping anyone who tries to reveal him in a scandal. As for protection, we might have to rely on more heroes than just us."
Tsukauchi nods. "Who were you thinking of?"
"Class A, the class that is 2 years Young Togata's junior," Toshinori states. "We bonded quite a bit. I can trust them to watch my back, and keep a secret if need be. After all, they, too know about my civilian form after a, uh, accidental reveal."
"My bad," Lemillion pipes up, giving an awkward chuckle. "Got a little carried away with that training demonstration."
Toshi grins at their sheepishness. "Assuming they're the same group as I have, I agree with you wholeheartedly. They're good kids."
Toshinori's answering smile is bright. "Lemillion here can lead them and make sure their shifts are set up properly. I'll make sure to oversee both the publicity group and Lemillion's group to ensure everything's running smoothly."
"I suppose I'll help Tsukauchi plan our next moves," Nighteye says.
Everyone looks to Gran Torino who shrugs. "I'm retired, technically I can't do anything. But, I can stop by once in a while to help watch the kid and Toshi. Give them some sane company to talk to."
"…Right," the detective agrees. "Well, we all have our assignments, we just have to get everything together by the end of the day. Let's all exchange contact information and begin our tasks."
Toshi shares both his and Young Izuku's contact information and address with the rest while his boy pulls himself together. By the time they're all finished sharing contacts, Young Izuku has that determined set to his expression and is pulling out an odd device that looks like an old blackberry phone from the time before quirks.
"In order to help you," Young Izuku says as he starts up the device, "I need to take a few notes. This is an old phone that Hatsume— an acquaintance of mine from U.A.— helped me jail brake and encrypt. On it, I can safely record voice memos and documents written in a code that I designed. Keeps information confidential. You won't have to worry about anything getting stolen with this dinosaur. Plus, I can remotely activate its memory wipe feature if anyone happens to take it from me. So, using this is safe."
Toshi notices the impressed glances everyone gives Young Izuku. He tries not to look so smug as his boy looks up at him with a shy smile. "I'm going to have to ask a lot of questions to really get an idea of who we're looking for. Is that okay?"
Amusement flits across Toshi's face, thinking of the many times Young Izuku's excitement led to a torrent of questions over the past week. "My boy, you and I both know I'm quite used to your questioning by now."
The boy flushes and looks down at the device in his hands with a grin. He opens a document and proceeds with his questions. What did the villain look like? Were there any defining features? What was their skin and hair color and texture? What were they wearing? What did the quirk look like when it was activated? Were there any gestures or phrases that looked to be an indicator that the quirk was being activated? Did it seem the villain was working alone or with a group? Did the villain say anything before they attacked?
As the questions come, Toshi answers them with a patience and fondness that seems to surprise and/or amuse the others in the room. They try not to make it obvious they're listening in (well, everyone but Gran does), but with Young Izuku once more in his mutter mode, the young man doesn't notice the attention his antics are gaining him anyways. Toshi barely suppresses a laugh at the looks on their faces when Young Izuku pulls out a small notebook from his pocket and begins drawing the villain with what information Toshi has given. Toshi points out traits that need to be fixed in the portrait and coaches him through drawings of several facial expressions he'd seen the villain make before his boy deems the job done.
It's quiet and everyone is watching the two of them by the time Young Izuku rises from his muttered thoughts. "Right. I think I have all that I need, for now."
Toshi knows that there's a shit-eating grin on his face as he makes eye contact with everyone in the room one by one. Good, he thinks, they should be impressed. "You can always ask me if you have any more questions, my boy." He raises a brow at everyone else. "Have you all gotten your parts together as well?"
Toshinori nods. "Ah, yes, everything is ready to go."
"My meeting with Class A to debrief the case isn't until tomorrow morning, though," Lemillion says. "So, All Might said he could keep an eye on you tonight."
"I was thinking I could house you in my home for the night," Toshinori says. "It's pretty safe with security, and I wanted to talk to, er, Toshi about All For One."
"That's fine with me," Toshi agrees. He looks to Young Izuku. "Are you alright with that?"
"Oh! Uh… can we… get a couple things first? I have school tomorrow and I can't miss."
Interest sparks in Toshinori's eyes. "You're a student? What are you studying?"
"Q-quirk Analysis PhD and Quirk Detection and Development MD."
An impressed hum rumbles through Toshinori's chest and Young Izuku flushes with pleasure at the attention. Toshi has a feeling Young Izuku's reaction is because of the man's status as All Might. Not that he's jealous. How could he be jealous?
"Well," Toshi stands from his seat, "Let's get going. It will take a little while to get everything done, so we have to move quickly if you want to have a decent night's sleep, my boy."
Young Izuku jumps up from his chair. "R-right! Um, Principal Nedzu, I'll text you my availability later tonight and more on my notes tomorrow."
Nedzu claps his hands. "Perfect! Just send me the details of your notes to my email. Tsukauchi and I are getting permission to use the national quirk databases for this case. I'll get you clearance as well."
"Great! I won't have to hack it, then."
"Young man, that's illegal!" Toshi exclaims.
The boy turns to him, grin wide and a teasing glint in his eyes. "I know. You know by now that that won't stop me."
Toshi shakes his head and chuckles, leading his other self and his boy out of the room. "You know you just incriminated yourself in a room full of heroes and a police detective, right?"
ooo
"AllMight'sinmyapartmentAllMight'sinmyapartmentAllMight'sinmyapartment," Young Izuku mutters, throwing clothes and school supplies into a duffle bag.
The two men share an amused glance beforeToshi turns back to his own light packing. "My boy, I have been in the apartment for a week."
Young Izuku spins around to face him, hands gesticulating wildly. "B-but it— he's All Might!"
His laughter quickly turns into coughing, and his boy is immediately upon him with a handkerchief and a small glass of water. He nods in thanks. "Are you saying that because I've retired, I am less All Might than he is?"
Toshinori awkwardly begins panicking at the position Toshi placed him in, even if it was just in jest. He raises his hands in front of himself and stutters illegibly as Young Izuku bites his lip and shakes his head.
"No," Young Izuku says, rubbing Toshi's back. "I just… I've known you all this time as 'Toshinori' and I feel like I know you as you rather than 'All Might'. W-when I look at you, I see… I just see Toshi. Does that make sense?"
They go back to gathering supplies as Toshi speaks again, "I have no idea how you differentiate us. Other than the different outfits, that is. We look identical otherwise. How can you see us so differently?"
"The way you carry yourself," is his boy's reply. "You're a lot more comfortable around me than All Might is."
"Just call him Toshinori, my boy," Toshi says as he grabs Young Izuku's empty bento box and chopsticks so he can make him lunch for tomorrow.
Young Izuku pauses at picking which home videos to bring. "But it's so weird!" The boy turns to look at Toshinori. "Don't you think this is weird?"
"T-this is the… weirdest thing that's every happened to me, yes," Toshinori stutters in surprise at suddenly being roped into conversation.
"Like," Young Izuku continues, "there's two of you now. And you're both so different, yet you're also the same! You," he points to Toshinori, "are exactly as awkward as he," he points to Toshi, "was when we first met. But you have different experiences and different thoughts and I know one and not the other and—! Ugh, I feel like my head is gonna explode."
Both men laugh—the same exact laugh— and then freeze to stare at each other. In twin voices, they immediately say, "this is really weird."
"Yeah!" Young Izuku exclaims before going back to his tasks. "But the worst part has to be that you were All Might the whole time you were here, Toshi, and you've seen the absolute most embarrassing things. I think I could die."
Toshinori looks both amused and curious when he asks Toshi, "so… what did you see?"
Wide green eyes lock onto Toshi, who looks too excited for Young Izuku's own good. The retired hero's answering grin is large, and the boy can't stop the groan that escapes him. "Please don't tell All Might, Toshi!"
Toshi laughs, "All Might already knows."
Young Izuku whines and flops onto his back, hands hiding his blushing face as Toshi tells Toshinori about every All Might-related conversation they'd had all week. When he's finished, the boy's curled himself into a ball on the floor and both men are laughing so hard their stomachs ache. Toshi adds, "just wait until you see the 'Small Might' home video he has. It's quite the cinematic masterpiece."
"Toshi, no!"
"I'm afraid there's nothing you can do now, my boy; his interest is already piqued. Make sure to pack the tape, alright?"
Young Izuku pouts, grabbing said tape and shoving it into the duffle with the rest of the videos. Toshi responds by rubbing the boy's already messy hair.
When they finish with packing what they need for the next few days, they move to the front entrance. Young Izuku insists on carrying their shared duffle bag full of clothes and toiletries (and Toshi's medication) as well as his school bag and video equipment. Toshi argues that he's not an invalid, but eventually loses the battle when Toshinori offers to help Young Izuku in his stead. When Toshi asks, quite offended, why his boy let the other him help with the bags, the answer both makes him feel warm with love and makes him pout with stubbornness.
"You seem a lot sicklier than All Might, Toshi," Young Izuku says, looking deep into his eyes with concern.
"We look the same!" Toshi argues.
"He hasn't coughed out blood."
"Yet."
"And, apparently, you don't have your quirk anymore to give you that extra strength. I want you to heal a little bit while you're here, so that you're healthier when you go back to your world. If I'm anything like your Izuku, I'm sure his first priority is your health and happiness." Oh, god, he's using the puppy dog eyes. "Please let us do this. I just want to take care of you."
Toshi releases a long sigh. That boy just doesn't play fair. An uncharacteristic pout forms on his face. "Fine. But can I at least do something to help?"
"Yeah! You can take care of the transactions and stuff on the way there."
Toshi harrumphs and leads them outside so he can lock the door. "Fine. You're lucky you're cute."
Young Izuku can't do anything but stutter in response. And then, they're on their way.
ooo
"That train ride was next level," Young Izuku laughs as he helps Toshi with the dishes.
As a thanks for Toshinori's hospitality, Young Izuku wanted to make dinner for them all. Toshi, not wanting to leave the boy to do all the work, pushed his way into the process and forced his boy to let him help. After all, he wasn't very much help on the trip to Toshinori's home. Now, they are cleaning up while Toshinori sets up the living room for his guests.
Toshi laughs heartily, handing the boy a clean dish to dry. "I thought we'd give everyone we passed a conniption."
"They must have been terrified seeing not one, but two completely identical skeletons!" Young Izuku's laughing so hard he's almost crying. "Toshi, it was beautiful!"
Toshi snickers at the boy before taking the plate out of Young Izuku's hands before the boy has a chance to drop it. The young man presses his forehead against the counter as he desperately tries to calm his laughter.
"My boy, I think you're finding this too funny."
Young Izuku's finally gotten his sob-laughs under control, and is deep breathing to calm himself further. "It was just a really good day."
Toshi hums. Maybe the stress and dramatic reveals of the meeting are finally getting to the boy. He finishes up the rest of the dishes and does the drying himself before putting everything away. He leads his boy out of the kitchen and into the living room where Toshinori is.
The coffee table that once stood in front of the couch is pushed to the side of the room. In its place are two futons, blankets, and pillows. Their belongings are stacked on top of the coffee table and the video camera and tapes are neatly placed along the T.V. Stand, ready for use.
"I hope this is comfortable enough for you," Toshinori says, surveying his work. "And sorry I don't have a guest room. I just never thought I'd have overnight guests."
"It looks perfect!" Is Young Izuku's sunny reply.
"I don't think you would have gotten any guests," says Toshi, "if it weren't my inter-dimensional travel."
Toshinori gives a boisterous laugh. "I think you're right! Well, the bath is already set for the two of you to use, if you want it. I'm already done with the bathroom, tonight, so it's all yours."
Toshi smiles and turns to Young Izuku. "My boy, why don't you take the bath first? You're the one who has school tomorrow."
"But you're always up before me, Toshi," Young Izuku says.
"I don't actually go anywhere," Toshi points out. "Bath."
Young Izuku gives him a small, shy smile before nodding. He gathers his pajamas and toiletries before making his way down the hall and into the bathroom. When the door closes, the two men glance at each other before stepping towards the couch and sitting side-by-side.
Toshi can't help but wonder if this would be he life if he didn't meet Young Izuku that day. If he had gone along with what Nighteye had told him from the beginning, if he'd taken care of himself a little more, would he still have a few dregs of One for All? Would he have the opportunity to actually plan out his retirement instead of having it violently wrenched out of his hands?
He knows that it isn't just about how much he's cared for himself and how little he's listened to those around him; the League of Villains had a large hand in depleting his power after he transferred it to his successor. But he feels that if he was at least a little bit more concerned with his own health and did what the doctors tell him to more often, he'd be in a much better state than he is now. Maybe his son would worry about him less and focus on himself more. Maybe he could actually make due on his vow to Inko to always be there to protect his boy. Maybe he wouldn't have been spirited away like this. But, who's to say if he would have ever met Izuku at all if he listened to them? Would that even be worth it?
"I'm sorry I dragged you and everyone else into this mess," Toshi says, breaking the silence. "I just know I can't do this alone."
"It wasn't your fault," is Toshinori's reply. "We'll find a way to get you home."
There's silence for a couple beats before Toshinori speaks up again. "You and Young Midoriya are quite close."
Toshi grins. "It's hard not to love that boy. He's… he's everything good in the world. I can't imagine my life without him."
"Even if he's not actually your Young Midoriya? From your world?"
Toshi shakes his head. "While they are different people with different lives, their core ideals and personality are one and the same. He's still my boy, no matter his age, his life, his quirk or lack thereof. And he's still a hero, even if he had to get there a different way. Only Izuku could do that."
A look of discontent flutters across Toshinori's face. He hunches his shoulders and rests his elbows on his knees, leaning down in what looks like defeat. "I'm actually quite jealous of your relationship," he admits, voice soft and slow. "I was hoping for a bond like yours and Young Midoriya's when I got a successor. But Nighteye is the one who scouted and trained Young Togata before I made him my successor, while I was healing from the fight with All for One. By the time I was healed, Young Togata already had a mentor and didn't really need another.
"Don't get me wrong, I really appreciate what Nighteye did, how much effort he put into helping me find the right hero for my quirk. But sometimes I wish… well, I always thought that finding a successor would be kind of like finding my family. Like finding a son or a daughter to raise and watch grow. And I didn't… I didn't really get that. Not with Young Togata. Didn't think it was that important to me until I met you two."
Toshi digests Toshinori's words, sitting back into the couch with a sigh. He gets where the man is coming from. Of course, he's thought of it that way, and his relationship with Young Izuku only confirms both of their thoughts. It is—was—a chance to find the family that they never allowed themselves to have. After all, if they have a family, they'd only be in danger. But, if they had a successor, that very person would be able to defend themselves once trained. That's the closest they'd get. That's the closest he's gotten. But Toshinori…
Yeah, a life without Young Izuku isn't worth it.
Seeing Toshinori's reaction to the bond he was able to cultivate with this world's Young Izuku only solidifies Toshi's conviction that his promise to stay at his boy's side will not be broken. Toshinori Yagi will take care of his boy, even if he himself isn't there to do so.
"Well," Toshi starts, a bit hesitant, "maybe it isn't too late."
Toshinori's brows crease as he turns to face the other man. "What?"
"It won't necessarily be a mentor-successor relationship," Toshi continues, shrugging, "but I'm sure Young Izuku would still like to stay in contact with you after I've gone."
Toshinori coughs so hard blood comes out.
"Ah," Toshi starts as he pulls his boy's handkerchief from his pocket to give to Toshinori, "I was wondering when you'd do that."
Toshinori sputters as he wipes away the blood. "I can't—How—I don't even know him! And you and I—"
"Are practically the same," Toshi cuts in. "I know you see it in him. He's a hero, through and through, and he's the most amazing individual we've ever met. He's everything we've hoped for in a successor—"
"I have a successor!"
"—And! And in a son."
It's quiet for a moment between them. Toshi allows Toshinori to digest what he's said before continuing the conversation.
"I know," Toshi begins, soft and hesitant, but voice becoming firmer as his certainty grows, "that he can never be your successor. Not now, with One for All already passed down. But he's still everything that we've been looking for in a person worthy of the power and more. You may be… jealous of the relationship between my successor and I, but you have a chance that I'll never have: getting to know the boy—to be in his life—without fear of losing him to All for One or his successor. You can keep him safe and be in his life without the expectations of him becoming a combative hero, another symbol for society." He sighs. "I just want him safe."
Toshinori slowly nods. "He is a good boy," he says lowly. "And I am impressed with everything that I've come to know today. But he obviously adores you. Hero worship and affection for a loved one are two very different things."
"That's why you have to work on it yourself," Toshinori grins. "Don't worry, I think it'll be easy for you. You are All Might. The boy's already got a soft spot for you!"
Young Izuku makes his appearance from the bathroom not a second later, towel over his head and dirty clothes in his arms. "Bathroom's all yours, Toshi!"
ooo
When Toshi comes back from the bathroom, he finds Toshinori and Young Izuku locked in a conversation about the quirks of the students of former class A. His boy has stars in his eyes and he speaks at warp speed, asking questions back to back. Toshinori is obviously very amused, and tries his best to keep up with the young man. Of course, Young Izuku blushes when he realizes the amount of time he's been muttering, but almost immediately goes back to his mutter storms.
After a few minutes of watching this, Toshi walks further into the room with a chuckle. The boy hasn't even finished drying his hair yet.
"Young man," Toshi starts, standing behind the couch so that he can reach the towel draped over Izuku's head, "if you don't dry your hair properly, you'll get sick."
"Ah! Sorry," Young Izuku squeaks while Toshi dries his hair. "I got… kind of excited?"
He laughs. "I wouldn't have expected anything else."
Toshinori grins before turning towards the T.V., where the home videos are stacked. "So, Young Midoriya… why bring these videos?"
Toshi feels Young Izuku tense, and pauses his actions. Slowly, he begins drying again while the boy replies, "I lost my mom recently in a villain fight and I'm still having a hard time with… the changes. Watching them helps me sleep."
Toshinori looks like he wants the ground to swallow him up, shame and worry taking over his expression. "I'm… sorry. For your loss."
"Thank you. I'm," the boy pauses before looking up toToshinori, "I'm going to get better."
Toshi knows that if he could see his boy's face, he'd see the determined set of his face and the glimmer in those green eyes. Toshi smiles, patting Young Izuku's shoulder when he finishes drying his hair. "Why don't you put on a video, my boy."
They've just finished the 'Small Might' tape and are putting in a new one when Toshinori is called to help subdue a villain.
"I'll be back later," he says after he's changed into his costume. He buffs up into his hero form. "There's no need to stay up for me! Good night, you two!"
He jumps from the small balcony that connects to the living room, leaving Toshi chuckling at the starstruck expression on Young Izuku's face. His boy raises his hands to cover his mouth as a high pitch squeal squeezes past his lips.
"He's so cool," Young Izuku breathes, eyes sparkling and cheeks flushed lightly. "I never thought I'd be able to see All Might just jump across a city with my own eyes! I wish I could see him fight, too. Oh! Maybe he'll tell me about his battle when he comes back? And maybe he'll tell me about his other fights as well! But he'll be tired when he comes back, though—"
"Yes, he will be tired," Toshi butts into his boy's tirade. "And you'll be tired at school is you don't go to bed soon."
Young Izuku stutters and rubs the back of his neck, cheeks reddening more than they already are. "Ah, y-yeah. You're right."
Toshi smiles at the pout that's fighting its way onto his boy's lips. "You can always ask him tomorrow. And you know you can ask me about All Might's fights as well, right?"
"R-right!" Young Izuku brightens up. "I'll— uh— go to bed! And, er, ask you s-some questions… later?"
Toshi laughs. "I'm looking forward to it. Now, bed."
The two of them get settle into their futons, camera and tapes pulled as close to them as the cord allows. They watch memories play across the screen until they both fall asleep. Neither wake when Toshinori returns. Neither even stir when he turns off the television and turns off the lamp before heading to bed.
