Summer is finished, and so I finally had time to write a long chapter of this fic :D

Sorry for the wait, and I hope you'll enjoy!

CHAPTER 9 – Baby steps

Toshinori slammed the door a little more forcefully than he intended, but he could not control his actions at the moment. It shook on its hinges with a loud banging noise, stating clearly to everyone about a mile around that he wanted to be alone. He felt overwhelmed by the situation, and his careless reaction, albeit out of self-preservation, did not help. He slumped on the sofa of the small rest room next to his desk, and took his head in his hands miserably.

He wanted to stop thinking about what Philae had just revealed to him. He knew he had to stop thinking about it, if only to be able to be more detached and take a rational decision later. But he could not. How could he, when the information she had given him was so consequent? When he had been so useless and wrong in the way he took it all? When he felt he had messed up terribly?

Some time after, Aizawa showed up in the door frame, silently coming into the room and surveying him as though waiting the right moment to speak. The blonde spotted him, but did not talk to him. He did not want to talk to anyone, especially his all too perceptive colleague. He did not need to be scolded for his cowardice.

Unfortunately, Eraserhead was not ready to let him be.

"I'd never guess you'd be one to sulk in a corner," he deadpanned, "though I agree it's almost an occasion for such drama."

The blonde did not answer. It seemed the other knew at least part of the truth, and had come to his own conclusions. So he let him continue.

"I'll tell you more or less the same thing I told Philae. I can't judge you too much for this. I can see why you fled, even if I don't approve, and I intend to leave you alone soon enough. But just bear in mind that you cannot run forever. You can't expect others to always clean after you. You'll have to face her sooner than later, unless you come back on your word. And when you do, you'll have to find the right thing to say."

Toshinori's shoulders slumped even more. He knew this and he dreaded that moment.

"I managed a temporary fix, but what she needs is your acceptance. She doesn't hope for your forgiveness, she doesn't even dare hope you'll be willing to talk to her anymore, but she still needs you. You didn't see it, and I doubt she ever knows herself, but you're slowly taking more space into her life everyday, faster than her classmates could, and she looks up to you. Not like Midoriya does, but you get the point. You're the first who reached out to her, and she trusts you enough to take your hand and follow you wherever you want to lead her. Now the question is, will you take her all as she is, and give her a chance? Can you even?"

With that, Aizawa left Toshinori to ponder, although he was sure he could have bet money on the answer. He knew the blonde too well. However, he needed him to come to that alone. He had done his part of the job.

Toshinori made sense of what his colleague told him. Eraserhead's words rang true and had a soothing effect on his internal turmoil. His mind cleared a little eventually, and his thoughts became more logical, though part of him still needed time to digest everything. He leant down sighing, his long legs stretching completely and relaxing for the first time since he had stormed into the room.

Aizawa's questions swam around in his head, nagging faintly at him. Could he give Philae a chance? Theoretically, of course he could. Everyone deserved a second chance – except All for One, who had gone far beyond the point of redemption a long time ago. However, whether he would actually give it in time was another matter. He had faced many situations like this one, but indirectly, with the interference of telephones or television screens. Never had he been so close to someone in need of his support for something like this, and it felt even worse to think that the closeness he spoke about was with a girl he had known for a handful of days at most. That sounded pathetic.

A knock on the door startled him. Who could be wanting to see him, even after he so resoundingly expressed his wish for loneliness? He stared.

"All Might?," the voice of Midoriya came from the other side of the door.

Toshinori sighed. Of course it was young Midoriya. Only he could go search for him at all times, even the worst. How he guessed it was his mentor who had shut himself off in here was a mystery, though Eraserhead could have done something sneaky like that just to force him out. Knowing the teen would be worried forever if he kept quiet, the blonde called tiredly, "Come in."

Unruly green curls peeped in, soon followed by the tensed figure of One for All's heir. Izuku entered nervously, wringing his fingers. Frankly, he did not know if this was a good idea. He had run here on impulse when he heard All Might was upset, but could he help, or would his coming here make things worse?

Toshinori followed his train of thoughts and was quick to placate him.

"It's okay, my boy, you can talk freely. I'm sorry if I look... unlike myself, right now. But I'm always listening to you. So?"

"Uh, I... It's...," the poor boy stuttered, shuffling his feet, then, "Are you alright, All Might?"

It felt like it was not what Izuku wanted to ask, and the blonde smiled wryly. He hated this question, as he never knew how to reply to it without feeling like a liar.

"I'm... okay, I guess. Just needed some time for myself. I have a lot on my mind, lately."

That was not a lie, technically speaking. He felt guilty and stupid, but also calmer than before, and he would try to make up for everything hurtful he might have done today. The problem was when, and how he would do that. But his young apprentice did not need to know that piece of information.

"Oh. Well, okay then...," the younger hesitated, "er, I'm sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to tell you that... uh, that-"

"Go on," he prompted patiently, though he felt the slightest bit irritated at his apprentice's stuttering. He did want to have some time to himself, for once.

"It's not... It'snotyourfaultsodon'tblameyourself."

"What?"

"Uh, I mean, it's not your fault," Izuku repeated more slowly, "so don't blame yourself for what happened."

"Hold on," Toshinori was puzzled now, "what are you talking about?"

"Oh? Uh, well, everyone heard about Phi's accident with her Quirk. Professor Aizawa told us what happened in class – he gave no details, just the main events. I promise I told nothing more than he did, and neither did Kacchan. We were so worried, and Recovery Girl didn't let us visit, but she told us you were with her. I thought you felt responsible and..."

"Oh, I see. Don't worry, it's not because of this. Well, not anymore, at least."

"Oh." Izuku let out a brief sigh of relief, before he fully understood what he had just been told and his face scrunched up in worry again. "So what... uh, no, it's none of my business, sorry. But if I can do something, anything, to help..."

"It's generous of you to offer, my boy, but don't worry. It has nothing to do with you. It's me."

"You always think it's you," the teen suddenly said with a spurt of boldness he surprised himself with – seeing his favourite hero blaming himself seemed to have triggered his overbearing caring attitude. "I'm sure it's not. You always want to carry the weigh of the world on your own shoulders, All Might. You hurt yourself when you try to. Don't blame yourself when you can't. Please, don't blame yourself. I'm sure whatever you feel guilty for will get better eventually. You always make things better!"

Toshinori wanted to laugh bitterly. So much faith should be forbidden. It could not be healthy. The teen did not know the full story, and yet he tried to console him at best he could. What deity blessed him so, to have such a treasure boy as his heir?

He wanted to tell him, but he knew he could not. He would not. It was Philae's choice to tell her story, not his, and he would keep her secret until then. This was indeed his burden alone to carry. Nevertheless, he needed to change the subject a bit.

"You shouldn't be worrying over old me, my boy. I'm okay. I'm more worried about young Philae's condition, and to be honest, I fear she might resent me for my carelessness."

He tried his best to tell as much truth as possible. That way, he did not feel embarrassed to hide things from Midoriya, and he could pour the tiniest bit of his concerns into the conversation. The teen was sharp and caught up immediately with what he meant.

"You're not old, All Might. And I'm sure she wouldn't. She's nice, and she likes you. She would never resent you."

The blonde's eyes widened slightly. Izuku wondered why for a second, then he got the double meaning of his sentence and turned bright red.

"Uh, no, uh, I mean, she likes you as a teacher and a person. She doesn't like you like, like you! Like everyone in our class, she just, er-"

"Likes me, I get it," he cracked a sincere smile, this time, amused by his student's antics. He was really surprised to be the only one not to see Philae really appreciated his company. He thought she only saw him as an old bone bag with some usefulness, and maybe someone trustful enough to confide to. Which reinforced his wish to make up to her.

"Thanks for telling me this, my boy, but I fear it's more complicated than this. I'm sorry I cannot tell you."

"I understand," Izuku replied softly, "I gathered as much. Nevertheless, I think you see a bigger problem than there is. I-I won't ask what's the matter with Phi, but I believe she would greatly prefer forgiving you, rather than alienating you forever. She... she's not that kind of girl."

Toshinori hummed, sighing.

"I believe you. You're a lot sharper than I here. But I yet have to find a means to make amends."

The pair remained silent for a moment, thinking. Then, Izuku got an idea and looked up.

"Why not take her out to a café? Or a park?"

"Out?"

"Yeah, you could take her somewhere nice, away from the school. I don't know if the... problem, is because of something related to your being a teacher and training her as such, or to you as a person, but a change of scenery could only do good," he explained hastily. "Plus, if she accepts your invitation, it'll be a first sign that she's willing to hear you out. If she doesn't, which I doubt, you'll figure out something else in due time."

The retired hero thought about it. It was a simple, but good idea, in fact. In a more relaxed atmosphere, it would be easier to open dialogue and talk freely, without any fellow student or teacher around to hear them. He would gladly welcome the change himself, as he felt more and more cramped at U.A., where he could do nothing but mope around while the others did their heroic jobs.

Where to go, though? As All Might, he had had very little time to go out and enjoy a nice meal or evening out, apart from the occasional beer drinking at a bar with Tsukauchi. He could hardly remember the last time he had eaten cake in a café in town, much less watched a film in a cinema or been anywhere with a member of the other sex. What kind of things did Philae like, anyway? Did she prefer cream-puffs served on pink plates, or trendy mocha lattes with a rock background music?

Am I able to do this?, he wondered. I've no idea what young people like these days. Maybe it'd be overestimating myself to try this.

He looked at Izuku, who offered him a smile.

Maybe...

"Say, my boy," he began, "where would you recommend, personally?"

"Uh, me? Er, well, it depends on your and Phi's tastes," he mumbled, suddenly deep in thoughts, "somewhere close to the school would be preferable, but at the same time not too crowded. Mmmmh, if you like cake, there's a tea house down-town where they make very good pastries, my Mum goes there very often with her friends. Yeah, she told me they select top quality tea leaves and brew the traditional way. If you want something more western, American-like, maybe the coffee shop next to my neighbourhood is the best choice? I like their shakes, and they have a daily selection of dishes and cakes. Or I think there's a karaoke two streets down, or the cinema complex could have..."

"Slow down, Midoriya," Toshinori interrupted, mildly amused, "I think that's enough already. What would Philae prefer, in your opinion?"

"Errrr... I don't know, exactly. We haven't had the time to do much together since she arrived," Izuku apologetically answered, "but I may have a way!"

"You truly are an angel, my boy."

"N-not at all!," he flushed. "O-oh, it's time already! I have to go."

The elder glanced at the clock and nodded.

"Indeed. Nighteye demands punctuality. Off you go, then."

He waved his disciple off, and Izuku quickly stood up and left, promising he would tell him how it went. The blonde prayed for him to get his placement at Nighteye's agency. The man was a tough boss, he heard. And he did not approve the retired hero's choice of heir for One for All. Oh, well. He would know soon enough.

Toshinori stood up himself, stretched awkwardly, and went to the door. He had nothing to do, this week. He would make a list of places and visit them to narrow down the choices. And he had to change his training programme. And he had to think of a way to apologise.

His spirits lifted a little. A hero always found his way out of a pinch.

Two days later

Philae spent long hours sleeping on pills and worries. No one was allowed to visit her, except Professor Aizawa, who took time to check on her state of mind and reiterated his comforting words – or at least she thought they were comforting, in his grumpy intone of voice –.

No sign of All Might. It was as if he had disappeared from existence, as neither Recovery Girl or Aizawa spoke of him. Izuku was not around to marvel about his idol, and she dared not ask about him. He had asked for time to think, so it was only natural he did not come for a while.

It did not prevent her from hurting at the thought that this was because of her.

On the third day after her 'incident', as she put it, the nurse decided she could go. Thanks to a mindful use of the healing Quirk, and a good deal of rest, her body was alright. Her mind was another matter, but it would not help to remain in the infirmary. She had had enough time to gather her courage and go back to the others, anyway. They did not know what happened after the accident with her Quirk, and both Izuku and Bakugou had promised the teachers they would not tell a soul. She felt uncomfortable with hiding them the truth, but she also felt relieved to be given the time she needed to tell them.

Because she would tell them eventually, if they proved to be the friends she thought they could become to her. She hated lying, especially about herself. Only time would tell, though. So for now, she had to focus on going back to her class and integrating it.

She went to her dorms and got greeted in the common living room by a loud gasp and happy barking. The next moment, she got squeezed in a tight embrace, and a wet muzzle rubbed against her leg.

"Oh my God, you're really out! We were so worried!"

Ochako released her shortly to watch her, face split in half with the hugest smile she had ever seen. The gravity girl could not hide her glee as she bounced to the sofa, where Momo was sipping on a tall glass of water and had stopped to wave at her smiling. Tsuyu came to Philae much more calmly, never losing her cool, but with relief painted all over her face.

"We were informed you'd be allowed to go today, but we didn't expect you so soon, ribbit. We're pleasantly surprised."

Mina, who was putting snacks haphazardly in a bowl, came to them and nodded excitedly.

"Yeah, that way we can begin sooner! Yay!"

Although she felt elated by the warm greeting, Philae found herself confused.

"Begin what?," she asked puzzled.

Mina gasped and hid her mouth with her free hand.

"Oh, oops."

"Mina! It was supposed to be a surprise."

"He he, sorry."

"We wanted to have a sleepover," Tsuyu helpfully explained, "to celebrate your being better and out, ribbit ribbit. Just the five of us, among girls. The others were busy or did not want to participate."

"Boys are jerks," Mina interjected petulantly, "and the others don't know what they miss."

"Sleepover?"

"Yeah, you don't like it?," Ochako suddenly worried, "We can leave you in peace, if you..."

"Oh, no! That's alright," Philae quickly countered, "I'm just... I'm touched, actually. I've not been around that long."

"That's why a sleepover is compulsory!," the gravity girl supported. "It's the ideal way to get to know each other even better."

"Without everyone grouping up around you," Momo added.

"And without silly boys to spoil the party!," Mina finished. "They're nice and all, but they are as tactful as a herd of elephants."

"So you're a boy," Tsuyu playfully concluded, which earned her an outraged gasp.

"Am not!"

Philae chuckled. Those girls were easy to go around, and she was glad to know them.

She slipped away just so that she could get into her pyjamas, then the small group sat down on a sea of cushions in front of a large television screen. Bowls of snacks and bottles of soft drinks where gathered in a corner, Anubis curled up against Philae, and the other girls began bickering about the film they would be watching that evening.

"A romance is best for girls' nights!," Mina exclaimed loudly.

"An action movie has more positive energy!," Ochako argued.

"No need to get all hyped up by fights and explosions," Momo countered easily, "though I'm not against a good romance once in a while."

"See," the alien girl proudly said to her friend, "Momo agrees with me."

"But I love action movies," the other pouted slightly, "they convey so many good vibes and encourage our fighting spirit."

"Maybe we could keep the action movie when the boys are around," Tsuyu suggested, "so that everyone can agree on a film that's not too girly for them."

"Why not an adventure movie?," Momo offered, "not too much fluff, a good plot with mysteries, suspense, and of course a bit of action."

"If you know one with a cute couple, I'm in."

"Me too."

"What about you, Phi?"

Philae nodded eagerly.

"Fine by me."

"So that's settled."

The movie was, in fact, not bad at all. The main actor was quite attractive and self-assured, even if he could be a real airhead worth a good slap in the face. The girls watched it while exchanging snacks and drinks, and once the credits rolled down, the group chatted away about all kinds of subjects.

Momo liked to share her recent readings. Ochako visited all the gyms available on campus, and could not resist going to the small restaurant around the corner – "The best rice cakes in town!," she exclaimed. Tsuyu just liked to chill and browse the web for good news and series. As for Mina...

"So!," she interrupted gleefully. "Since we're only amongst girls, why don't we talk about the best subject ever?"

"Which is?," Momo raised an eyebrow.

"Boys, of course!"

The others stared. Tsuyu replied evenly, "I thought you said boys were silly, ribbit?"

"They still are, but it doesn't mean we can't be interested in them," the alien girl countered smiling. "Say, Tsuyu, anyone you fancy?"

"Not yet, ribbit. I don't think I'm ready for this right now."

"Pah, not funny," Mina grumbled. "What about you, Uraraka?"

At that, Ochako turned bright red and gasped. All eyes were suddenly on her.

"Oho, looks like someone caught your eyes ~," Momo teased her. "Would you like to tell us more about him?"

"Ah, er... I... uh...," the poor girl blabbered.

"Is it Bakugou?," Mina suggested. "He's always insulting everyone, but you're around him and Deku a lot, so maybe you found something in him that we don't see."

"A-absolutely not!," she flushed.

"Maybe it's Izuku, ribbit, although I think it's Ochako's choice whether she wants to confirm or not."

"I-I-I, I don't..."

"Relax, Uraraka," Philae flew to her rescue, smiling, "I don't think you should answer if you don't want to. Izuku is nice, but he's so shy it's almost pathological at this point. And who would like to bear with Bakugou as a boyfriend, really?"

"His looks are not bad, ribbit," Tsuyu pondered, "though his bad mouth takes out all the credits he gets with them."

"Maybe if he schooled himself...," Momo tried.

"And if he stopped sending nasty glares each time someone goes into a ten-meter radius from around him," Philae finished, "he'd be decent, yes. I get the point, but still. I still have goosebumps from the last time he stalked me in the corridor."

"Next time he does," Ochako offered frowning, "I'll give him a good whack. He's being ridiculous."

"I agree. Speaking of you, what about you, Phi?," Mina went on. "What's your kind of guy?"

Good question. Philae liked to think she did not have any. Men in general were a hassle, or at least those in Orion's company were. Always dissecting her or flirting thoughtlessly, although they avoided doing it too obviously in front of her stepfather, for they were assured to get an express flight from the roof with a good kick of his if he ever caught them.

In any case, she mostly ignored men she did not have connections to. It was not that she did not look at attractive people on the street, or that she was traumatised by the Doctor's treatment so as not to approach men, but... well, it just never occurred to her that she could attract them, or be attracted to them.

Nevertheless, her general lack of interest on the matter did not deter Orion's blue-eyed protégé, Ryuushin Ame, who shadowed her every single time they were together in the same room. The man was handsome and frightening at the same time, with his icy glares and sharp tongue. His fashion was strange, too, for he dressed mostly in long-sleeved black and white shirts and trousers and boots, even in summer, and he chose them fitting enoug to hug his lanky figure while hiding it. Maybe he had scars under them.

He was a genius in evertyhing related to electronics, physics and astrophysics, and his management skills had been proved a long time ago, but his brilliant mind could not help his atrophied sensitivity. A wall could have been warmer. He did not talk to her much, but he was always there, watchful, careful. Her stepfather let him, arguing he was at least a good repellent of any male threat to Philae, and he never went very far in his attentions. He courted her in a most unorthodox way, if it could be called courting at all.

When he did talk, it was to talk business or to try and befriend her, or so she guessed. He was apparently as socially awkward as a boy raised by a pack of wolves, and even if he could be nice, in his own personal way, he was foreign to the concept of relationships between men and women. Last time he attempted at reaching out to her, he ended threatening a poor waiter to have his entire family sacked on the spot for having spilled a few drops of tea on Philae's shirt. So much for friendliness.

Her money was on his wish to marry her in order to get the company, then dump her once she was not useful to him anymore. Kai had bet on his seeing her as his only chance to get a girl at all, since he was so sensitive to those things that any other would have run away screaming bloody murder. Or maybe he was interested in what secrets she could hide from him. Ryuushin spent so much time at Crawford Hall, and he was so intuitive sometimes, that he must have felt there was something about them...

"Hello? Earth to Phi?," Ochako's voice snapped her out of her memories.

"Sorry, what?"

"You spaced out," Momo provided, "we were worried you got lost into a fantasy."

"Oh." She blushed. "No, it's fine. I was just thinking."

"Right." Mina looked unconvinced. "So? What's your kind of guys? Must be handsome, for you to drool like that."

"I'm not drooling," she protested, "and I don't have any. Not that I know, anyway."

"I don't either, ribbit. I don't really care about appearance."

"Aww, no fun at all, girls. Too bad for you. Personally, I like them self-confident and adventurous! And if they are dark-haired, it's even better!"

"Why dark-haired?"

"Dunno, I like it like that!"

"Mh."

"If you go that way," Philae said, "I guess I like tall men. It's silly, but my brother's taller than I, and so are all men I'm feeling safest around. So, I think I'd like a tall boyfriend."

"Muscled, too?"

"Uh, no. I mean, I don't care, but I won't look for a buffed up guy just because I want muscles. He could be thin, and still charm me. It's a question of character."

"Thin like, Professor Aizawa thin, or thin like, All Might thin, ribbit?," Tsuyu asked curiously. "Because I think there is a slight difference. Much like a reed and a twig. Not that I criticize or judge."

Philae thought about the former hero, and felt a pang in her chest at the memories of what had happened a few days before. She wanted to know if he was okay, but could not ask out of the blue. Maybe the girls thought he was still talking to her.

She shook the hurt from her mind and concentrated on the man himself. He was, indeed, all bones. How tall was he, too? Not far from two meters, maybe, which was quite impressive for someone so frail. But his looks aside, he had strength in him, and a golden heart. He was trustworthy, dedicated, faithful, and so hero-like.

Philae smiled despite her guilt and self-depreciatory thoughts. She would not mind a man like him, not at all. She could trust him. Lean on him whenever she needed. Much like her brother, yet in another way. But she could not hope to find someone like him, not after what she had done. Mina huffed loudly and interrupted her train of thoughts.

"Tsuyu, they are adults! They're far too old, and I don't want to think about them that way!"

"I, too, would prefer we don't talk about this, specifically," Momo stopped them, not liking where the conversation was going, "it's disrespectful of our teachers."

So they broached a safer subject. Philae, however, could not chase her scrawny teacher away from her mind. Curiously, she was mildly worried to imagine that he would actually turn his back to her. It bothered her not to know.

It bothered her so much, that she still thought about it when they eventually called it a night and went to their rooms. She found it hard to fall asleep.

The next day

Philae wished her classmates good luck, as they went to the agencies they had internships in. Everyone had found one, even Izuku, who could not stop talking about the amazing tutor he had managed to convince to take him. If All Might was, in his eyes, a God in flesh, then Nighteye was His apostle. In other words, the boy was overjoyed.

As for her, Philae found herself alone with Anubis. She did not mind too much. A little, but not too much. She just hoped the teachers would find something for her to do soon. In the meantime, she decided she would run laps and stretch. She did not want to use her Quirk again just yet, but exercising her body back to health sounded good. And she needed to spend some time out in the sun.

She ran peacefully, her furry friend galloping around her and chasing birds. Around half her third lap, Anubis suddenly sprinted forward, and she noticed a form in the distance. Someone else was running in front of her, at a much slower pace, and she got intrigued. She sped up a notch to catch up with them.

To her surprise, it was All Might, puffing and wheezing and red as a tomato. He was sweating and looked ready to spit blood any second. Worried, but also somewhat pleased to see him, Philae moved slightly to offer her help.

She could not utter a word, though. The former hero riveted her with a sharp gaze, one which had her stop her course on the spot, and he stopped right next to her. Anubis greeted him, but he got ignored, and eventually sat next to his mistress. The blonde was so focused on his student that he did not even notice the dog's presence near him. He faced her completely and caught his breath with some difficulty, but his gaze remained unwavering. Mesmerising. Philae was transfixed by their intensity.

When he was better, All Might raised a hand tentatively and said, "Hi. I was hoping to see you here."

Huh? Me...? Oh. Of course, me. Who else do you see around campus, silly.

The fact that he had sought for her made her happy, but also very, very uncomfortable. Was he going to tell her he was finished with her? That she had disappointed him?

Seeing her hesitation, Toshinori gathered his own courage and spoke up.

"I thought a lot, and I think I'd like to talk to you, somewhere else than here. I... er, I'd like to get some fresh air, and I thought you'd like it, too. You can't go outside without supervision, not when you're still recovering, and I'm available, and there are things we have to discuss, so... I mean, if you want, that is."

He slapped himself mentally for his awkwardness. He was terrible at this. He was lucky enough not to blush scarlet, thanks to his conditioning a long moment before he set foot on the running track, but still. He had not tried to invite a woman out for, like, ten decades? He could not remember. He did know, however, that he was totally helpless.

"So, uh, I thought about a café, or something like that, to get some fresh air and, well, talk?," he finished lamely.

Philae did not know how to respond to that. Her brain failed to register that 1) All Might was talking to her; 2) All Might wanted to discuss things with her, without being mad at her and getting rid of her on the spot; 3) All Might wanted to ask her out – in a platonic way –.

She could not help it. Her cheeks burnt with fifty shades of embarrassment and joy and relief. All at the same time.

"I... yes, okay," she managed to get out.

Toshinori stopped his internal rant to make sure he had heard correctly. Yes? Simple as that?

"Yes?"

Philae forced herself to snap out of her stupor, and nodded more firmly, a small, tentative smile on her lips.

"Yes."