Third person pov

Apparently being the Number One Hero has it perks. A few hours go by, the press disperses after getting tired of waiting for so long, and soon enough Toshinori finds himself standing cluelessly in his apartment with a child in one arm and a ratty backpack in the other, not super sure how he even got here. There's also a hasty stack of paperwork, files, and other resources that he hardly understand the meaning of clutched so tightly in his hand he knows they'll be wrinkled. He has absolutely no idea what's happening. Just that the sun is setting, he's been healed, and now he apparently has a child. In his home. Their home. 

Izuku is quiet. He sits in the crook of his arm carefully, curled up like a little puppy. Toshinori's heart squeezes every time he dares to glance down at the boy, his throat closing up and his disbelief in himself surging. He did that. He just went and adopted a child. An entire, living, breathing entity. A tiny one. He's counting on him to pull through and give him the life he deserves. The caretakers told him what little they knew about Izuku's past. A loving mother lost tragically when their apartment building caught on fire. Izuku hadn't been there when it occurred. All Might suspects he would've stopped at nothing to save his mother if he had been.

Overall, Izuku seems sweet. He'd looked up at him with tearful eyes when All Might had asked about their adoption process. Toshinori knew immediately what he was asking. He was trying to make sure he was sure he wanted to do this, and honestly, what kind of question was that? There'd be a cold day in hell when he was heartless enough to leave his literal savior behind. One who is so clearly hurt himself and in need of help. He's the Number One Hero for a reason! What sort of man would he be if he couldn't save the one who'd pulled him from the depths of his ill fate? He isn't doing this out of some guilty obligation. He's doing it because this boy deserves it. 

Izuku had refused to let go of him after he made the surety of his decision clear. Since healing him, he'd clung to the hero in an entirely endearing way that had Toshinori melting. He caved quicker than he'd ever dare to admit. Big green eyes, tentative smiles. Lanced straight through his heart. He cradled the kid in one arm and did paperwork with the other. The caretakers found it absolutely adorable, eyes wide as he went through the painstaking process. Throughout the entire thing, Izuku never let go. Stayed nestled against him securely. Toshinori could feel himself become more and more taken with every passing second. Now he's full of teeming anxiety and a fair amount of elation over what's just happened. A little voice in the back of his head traitorously chants 'son, son, son'. He reminds himself that he just met this boy today and to slow down. 

"I looks like it's just you and I, my boy." All Might gave a grin despite how fast his heart was racing. What has he done? He's not qualified to take care of child! Why had they trusted him with this?! They'd practically handed Izuku over with little to no questions asked. He knew he was registered as an emergency foster parent, as most heroes were, but they'd tossed over full custody like it was a steaming pork bun. He knew he had lives in his hands every day, but this was a new sort of responsibility. Toshinori had no idea how to deal with it. He was exhilarated and ready, but scared at the same time. Like being on a rollercoaster with no seatbelt or bar of any kind.

Izuku peered up at All Might in awe. He could feel his nerves from here, fraying at the edges from stress. He felt guilty. He hadn't healed All Might just so he'd feel obligated to take him! Izuku would never want to take advantage of someone like that. He'd just wanted to help was all. He knew he wasn't supposed to. His mom had said so, no matter how much he wanted to at times. It was bad for him. There'd be bad guys after him if they ever found out, she'd once told him in a very hushed tone. The idea is enough to make him shrink in on himself. He doesn't want to cause trouble or draw attention to himself. A selfish part of him tells him he's only here because he can't-- won't let go of the hero. That if he'd detached himself sooner and hadn't clung to All Might like some sort of Spider Monkey, maybe he wouldn't have been driven to take him in.

It's a little too late for that now, he supposes. Izuku never thought he'd be in an apartment again. Let alone All Might's. It's bigger than the one he and his mother shared, slightly cluttered and well-lived in. The couch looks worn, one of All Might's hero suits draped over the back of it like it's nothing more than a dirty towel. The coffee table is covered in paperwork that Izuku forces himself not to look too closely at out of curiosity. The entire place smells like orange blossoms and pomegranates, official All Might merchandise scattered around in vague piles like little troves of treasure. Izuku is half tempted to squirm out of the hero's arms just so he can go awe at it. He knows he wouldn't make it far enough to see.

"Y-You didn't have to." Izuku ended up squeaking out, hoping the pro know he isn't going to be upset if he changes his mind. All Might blinked at him for a moment, smiling soon after and shaking his head. He gave a boisterous laugh that sent strong tremors through Izuku's body with its intensity. It was the type of laugh Izuku saw on TV. The very same one he used to imitate when he was much younger, jumping off the couch and running down the hall in his All Might onesie. Something warm filtered through his chest as the blonde hero grinned at him. Izuku was momentarily floored. He'd just been adopted by All Might. Him. And now they're at his apartment together. His actual, real life home. 

"You truly are selfless in nature, Young Izuku." All Might beamed at him, eyes light and airy. Izuku watched him take a deep breath. He could feel it in the pro heroes lungs, bright, clear, and everything it they supposed to be. His quirk had done exactly what it was supposed to. He was impossibly glad. Just as relieved as he was scared, but he couldn't fight past the lump in his throat and admit it out loud. "You've gone out of your way to help me. I'm not doing this because I feel indebted to you, my boy. I'm doing this because you deserve more than a life in an orphanage. You've done a great deed. I would not have done this had I not entirely wanted to. Trust me, my boy. I have many regrets in life. I can surely say this is not one of them."

Izuku could tell All Might wasn't lying. It caused his heart to flutter and his eyes to become misty for what felt like the millionth time that day. Someone wanted him? The notion was very odd. Since his mother had died, he'd felt aimless. Nothing more than background noise in the orphanage. He was a little too old and a little too quirkless to be adopted. Though his power was technically listed as unknown, he knew people cautioned against it in case it turned out he had been born without a quirk. Izuku didn't mind. He hadn't really wanted to be adopted before now. If he had been, there was a chance that family would've been killed too.

But All Might... All Might was different. He was everything powerful and secure in the world. A force not easily beat. Izuku wonders if the man would've taken him if he hadn't healed him. The man had approached him before, concern clear on his face as he crouched down in front of him. Izuku knew in that moment that healing him wouldn't be a mistake, no matter the treacherous drawback that loomed afterwards. The man who'd given so much of himself to heroics deserved to saved too. It was his turn. Izuku would never take that away from him, no matter how much he knew it would hurt, hurt, hurt. The mere thought caused him to grip the hero tighter, his heart thumping like a jackrabbit. He knows he has to do it. Like ripping a band-aid off. He's just... he's afraid. He doesn't regret it, and he knows its unavoidable. But with an injury as bad as his was... he knows it'll hurt.

Toshinori glanced around the apartment helplessly. He should've planned this better. Well-- he guessed there wasn't much he could've done. It's not like he went into that charity event expecting this to be the outcome. He's healthy now, his injury healed. He has Izuku now as well. He wants to get to know the boy. He'd never met someone so young with that much drive. His deep-seated emotions were absolutely flooring. They were so potent and present that All Might could get a read on them just by looking the child in the eyes. It was amazing, truly. Many things about Izuku were. The way he had so clearly seen through him and so readily healed his ailment. The intelligence uncharacteristic of his age.

"Ah, we'll have to go out and get you some furniture." All Might realized, stepping further into his apartment. He looks around. Yeah, no. This isn't going to be enough for a kid. Nothing about his apartment is ten-year-old ready. He blanches a bit. "And some clothes, I suppose... ah, and school! You have school, don't you? You're old enough for that?" 

Izuku swallows a laugh at the absolutely lost expression on his hero's face. All Might was so confident on the screen. To see him express such open emotions outside his hero persona made him feel warm and trusted. Izuku wondered if he was really up for this. He wasn't going to cause unnecessary problems, of course! But who in the world thought ten years old was too young for school? Izuku wouldn't complain. It was funny, honestly, and he didn't want to cause anymore trouble than he already had. All Might seemed to slouch slightly, carefully moving to set him down. Izuku hesitantly let it happen, wobbling slightly as he was placed on his own two feet. He didn't let go of All Might's hand. The man made no move to make him. Izuku was glad. It meant he had a little longer.

"I'm... not very good at this, my boy. I apologize." He set Izuku's backpack down as well. He gave a grin, still gripping the stack of paperwork hard. "I just realized I never formally introduced myself. My name is Yagi Toshinori."

Izuku lit up. All Might's name! 

"I-It's nice to meet you." Izuku grips his hand a little tighter. He can't do this forever. He's scared, but he has to get it over with sooner rather than later. He knows this. He's been putting it off for a while now. It will all be okay once it's over. He can do this. He doesn't have a choice, but once again, he has no regrets. He'd do it again even knowing how bad it's going to be. "I...U-Um..."

All Might cocked his head a little, giving a small smile. His heart warmed as the boy averted his eyes shyly, seeming almost hesitant. A small bit of concern wormed its way into his stomach at Izuku's fidgeting. He wondered if something was wrong, or if he'd done something. 

"What is it, my boy?" He asked softly. "You don't have to be shy around me. Anything you need, I'm here to get it for you!" 

Izuku bit the inside of his cheek, his grip on All Might's hand tightening. He took a few deep breaths. He wanted his mom. He really, really wanted his mom right now. It would be okay. His quirk wasn't one that killed. He knows that. It isn't going to kill him. He just has to remind himself that. Even if it hurts, he's going to be okay. He just has to get it over with. It won't be long, he's sure. He has to believe that.

"M...My quirk h-has a side effect." Izuku admitted. Toshinori froze, his entire body immediately going stiff with surprise. Izuku backpedaled. "On me! N-Not on you!" 

All Might felt his heart beat its way into his throat, gazing at the child. What kind of side effect? He'd seemed fine until now. He should've known such a powerful quirk would have some sort of adverse reaction. He can see that Izuku is apprehensive and scared. He's beginning to sweat a little, almost like he's trying to mentally prepare himself for something. Those earnest green eyes turn on him, a little apologetic and entirely pleading. All Might's gaze drops to where Izuku is still holding his hand. Something cold settles into the pit of his stomach when he realizes there might be another reason the boy has refused to let go of him so far.

Can he stop it? All Might feels himself start to close up. He can't let this happen. He doesn't know what Izuku is about to go through, but it's enough to scare the boy. He can see that. He knows he should try his best to stay calm, but how can he? A child reaches out and heals him. Him. And now something awful is going to happen to them because of it. He can see it. Izuku's eyes are too open and honest to hide anything but the truth. Toshinori is stunned at how easily he can read him. He can see the raw fear growing stronger and stronger in the boy's gaze. He doesn't want to do this, but he's going to. It's enough to fill Toshinori with dread.

"Izuku," All Might breathed carefully. He swallowed thickly. His voice rings impossibly quiet in the apartment. He can feel some amount of fear trickling down his spine. What is this child about to go through? Because whatever it is, it's his fault. He'd let the kid heal him. He'd... he... "Izuku, what's going to happen when you let go of my hand?" 

Izuku gave a shaky smile, tears spilling over, and All Might's heart plummeted. 

"D-Don't panic." Izuku gave him a squeeze, like he was trying to do the comforting. All Might's chest tightens, panic surging at the determination in those green eyes. "It won't... It won't kill me. I promise. I just have to ride it out. So... S-so don't worry about me, o-okay? And please, d-don't take me to a hospital. You ca-can't." 

No, no, no. This isn't about-- this can't happen! Why hadn't he told him? He should've asked. All Might is going to be sick. He knows it's going to be worse. Worse than worse. He feels sick. Something dark grapples at him, and his quirk gives a panicked little buzz that tells him to get ready. Like a sixth sense that lets him know when there's a general state of wrongness. He can feel it now, so vivid and hurt. Something is about to happen to Izuku. To the very boy who'd saved him-- who'd smiled at him as though nothing was wrong just moments ago.

"My boy-" All Might moves to lift him up again, but it's too late. Izuku is already letting go of him, taking a small step back. White, hot terror grips Toshinori as a choking noise escapes his ward, the solemn expression from before twisting into something full of absolute agony. His heart stops. The files fall from his hand, scattering across his apartment's entryway. He catches the boy just before he can hit the floor, the child's breath coming out in short wheezes that send alarm bells shooting off in Toshinori's mind.

Izuku screams. And not for the first time, Toshinori feels absolutely, utterly useless.

It's a small blessing that his apartment is sound proof, but that's the least of his worries as the child writhes in his grasp, harsh, violent sobs pouring out in-between his shrieks of agony. All Might holds him close, utterly stunned by the abrupt change of events. Panicked comforts spewing out like water from a burst pipe as he hastily stands. His head whips back and forth, and he's at a complete loss as to what to do. He's scared. Izuku has healed him, and now he's in pain and he doesn't know why or how or what's causing it. So much more pain than All Might was before, he can tell. He should've stopped him from using his quirk. He never would've gone near him if he knew this would happen. This is all his fault.

Why hadn't he thought to ask about drawbacks before? Every quirk had some sort of drawback. One as strong and sure as his was had been bound to do something. All Might wished it were a side effect that effected him instead. Not Izuku. The boy who'd gone out of his way to help him, so trusting and earnest, was now in agony. All Might fought back tears of his own, struggling to keep his heart from beating out of his chest in his frenzy. He has to help Izuku. But how? He's supposed to help him-- he'd adopted him to help him, to save him. To get to know him! And now... now he....

Izuku's body is covered in a cold sweat. His skin is clammy, yet he's somehow running a fever at the same time. The words 'don't take me to a hospital' and 'you can't' ring hollowly in the back of Toshinori's mind as he rushes around his apartment, wetting washcloths for his forehead and digging out fresh blankets for the boy. Izuku curls himself up into a tight ball in Toshinori's arms, fingers gripping the tough material of his hero costume desperately as his body trembles. All Might feels sick to his stomach. He's only ten. He's only ten, and he's in pain, and he can't do anything or stop it. He can tell the boy is trying to swallow his screams, eyes that had shone just minutes ago looking dull with misery and distress. Toshinori chokes out a sob.

He doesn't know what to do. Instinct tells him to call Nighteye even with how longs its been, because he always knows what to do. He could look into the boy's future and check to see if he was going to be okay if he were here. He'd be clinical about getting him help. His head wouldn't be spinning the way Toshinori's was, and he'd be able to breathe evenly without losing himself. Toshinori's throat hurts. He wipes at his tears. He doesn't deserve to shed them. He isn't the one in pain. This is his fault! He should be able to help, and he can't, and he just doesn't know what the fuck he's supposed to do. 

He barely knows him. To Izuku, he's the Number One Hero, a man through a screen. To Toshinori, he's a little boy who selflessly stepped up to save him. Toshinori doesn't know his favorite color or food. What shows he likes to watch or if he likes to read, or if he has any friends at school. His hobbies and pet peeves, and his dream pet! He knows nothing, and yet here he is, suffering in his arms. It feels like he's dying despite what the boy said before letting go of him. All Might would never wish this on anyone. He could never. And now a child-- a sweet, innocent kid who'd healed him knowing this would happen-- was shriveling up. Wilting in his arms and fading away, it felt like.

"I am here, my boy. It's okay." All Might breathed out as he settled the boy carefully on the couch, dabbing the sweat off his brow with the washcloth he'd procured. He scooted closer on his knees, blue eyes wide with fear and panic. What does he do? How does he help? Words fly from his mouth before he can stop them, even if he doesn't expect a verbal reply. "Is there a way to help you? Is there a way to stop this? Why have you-- you should've told me, my boy. To do this to yourself... i-it wasn't worth it. I would've been okay." 

Izuku cracked his eyes open to stare at him, gaze clouded. All Might felt a piece of his heart break off and shatter as the boy forced a smile. He doesn't say anything. He doesn't have to. Even now, his eyes convey it all. 

Somehow, Toshinori finds himself calmed slightly. He can imagine Gran Torino whacking him over the head and telling him what an idiot he's being. He's the adult here-- the hero. He's seen the most gruesome and twisted of sights before and managed to keep his cool. Izuku is counting on him. He can tell. He know this was going to happen and had trusted Toshinori anyway. He'd waited until they were here at home to let go, telling him all he had to do was ride it out. All Might would do anything to take the pain on himself, but he knows that isn't an option anymore. It's a cold, harsh truth, but he has to accept it. 

Instead of crying or freaking out, he lets himself trust Izuku back. Trust his words. He lets a smile stretch across his face. It's shaky and unsure, and definitely forced, but Izuku immediately unfurls himself at the sight of it nonetheless. Toshinori's adam's apple bobs. He wraps his much larger hand around Izuku's tiny one, taking a deep breath. Izuku moves his hand so he can grasp his hero's back, his grip weak. He hopes Izuku feels as comforted as Toshinori did when he first met the boy.

Toshinori gives his hand a reassuring squeeze. He owes this much to the boy. He's going to make this up to him tenfold. He's going to give him the world. He deserves it for daring to undertake this. Toshinori is... he's honored. This child knew the pain that was going to come and had healed him. He'd taken his injury away. He doesn't deserve it. He's not a perfect man or hero, but this child had seen him as worthy enough to undertake this massive burden. It's tragic, and All Might will definitely have to scold him for his recklessness. If it's going to hurt this bad, he shouldn't do it. Not for strangers. Not for Toshinori, no matter his standing. 

"It will be okay." Toshinori said, tone sure and clear as the sun rise in the morning. Izuku shifted a little, turning so he could gaze at the blonde man's face. "W...Would you like to hear a story?"

Izuku tightened his grip for a moment. A confirmation. All Might settled, leaning against the couch. He doesn't let go of Izuku's hand.

He talks about his time in America. He lets the sun set, not moving an inch and never looking away from the boy. He tells him about David and their time chasing down muggers in the back alleys of America. About his return to Japan and how he'd almost tripped over an elder's woman's corgi and went flying down an escalator. Even when Izuku squirms and whimpers, he holds strong, rubbing his back when he twists and turns and brushing his hair out of his face. He keeps talking until Izuku passes out, his posture crumbling and relief clawing at him as the boy's expression slackens into something peaceful. He doesn't check the time. He doesn't try to get up. Instead, he sits there and listens to the boy breathe. Finds reassurance in it, trying to calm himself.

At some point, Toshinori finds himself nodding off too. He doesn't let go of Izuku's hand. Instead, he grips it a little tighter. A promise to protect. He hadn't been fooling around when he signed those adoption papers. It was a split-second decision, but not one he was doubtful of. He's going to protect Izuku from here on out. He never wants him to feel pain like this again. He's never going to let him feel pain like this again.

He drifts off half-slouched onto the couch and promises himself that he's going to find out what Izuku's favorite food and color are as soon as he wakes up. It isn't much, but it's a peaceful thought. He thinks, even though he's still afraid and ridden with guilt, that everything will be okay.