(1/2) "All Might!" The first year successor grinned as he jogged over to his idol, to the man who believed in him more than anyone else ever had, who believed in him even when he gave up on himself. All Might had done more for him in the past year than Izuku ever thought imaginable, and he wanted to make sure to show it. "Happy Valentine's Day!!" In a small tin, wrapped up with an All Might themed Ribbon, was homemade chocolate that Inko had helped him make over the weekend - since the boy
he should be concentrating on the boy’s words, the gift he reverently takes into his hands ( his grin, already fond, grows at the sight of the all might themed bow ), the meaning of it all, & he is — but he’s more so focused on the boy’s smile, & he finds himself wondering: had he been the same way when nana first met him ? were his shoulders just as small ? did his head barely reach the top of nana’s chest ? the boy was growing now, of course, was far more built than he was before; but still, he was so young. the last time toshinori had properly celebrated valentine’s had been at his age, with nana.
he knows izuku won’t let him down. it’s why he chose him, after all. it’s a scary thing, though, because he knows that outside of the very protective barriers ua has created, the rest of the world still awaits him. the world can be a cruel place. it can tear you down, then build you back up only to tear you down all over again. izuku already knows that well enough, just as he probably already knows that sometimes, heroes can’t save you from the realities known as life. there are just some things you have to face on your own. as much as he hates to admit it, toshinori wouldn’t be the man he is today if he didn’t go through some of the tragedy that he did.
izuku is going to have to go through tragedy eventually, too. again, he already has, & toshinori has been able to help him thus far, but he won’t always be around to do so. his own death won’t be easy on the boy, but he knows he’s going to make his debut, telling the world i am here ! & he knows he can do it all with or without him at his side. because he’s his boy. because toshinori made it, even after he lost nana. & izuku is going to be even better than him.
here’s a secret: izuku really hasn’t needed him for a while now.
the kid might not agree with him, but, he remembers apologizing time & time again that he wasn’t there to save him. & izuku always told him ‘ it’s okay. ’ though he may have said that merely to save toshinori’s feelings, it was true. it was all right. because izuku could always save himself. on the beach, after the kamino ward incident, he thanked the kid for saving himself. but it wasn’t the first time he had. every time he found himself in danger, he found his way out of it. he has a will to live & to make change like no other.
“ i know you won’t, ” toshinori pops the tin open & peaks inside curiously, fishing out one of the homemade delicacies; sets the rest aside, & kneels down to match their heights, “ midoriya my boy, you needn’t thank me, though i appreciate it. if anything, you know, i should be thanking you. i was a fallen hero when you met me. the press... still covered my every move, but there was little left of the man that everyone knew me as. i was dying. sir nighteye’s prediction had taken it’s toll on my heart, & my willpower had dropped to near nothing. i did what i could as the symbol of peace, but as toshinori yagi, i was weak, ” he pops one chocolate into his mouth with a crooked grin,
“ & then, i met you. you, my boy, were a child who’s hero had told you to give up. i broke your heart & your dreams, but you still rushed in to save young bakugo, like nothing in the world could stop you. at that moment, you turned my world upside down. after i met you, the old all might was revived. raising you, training you, & bettering you… this past year i’ve spent with you has been the best of my life. being your mentor, & in some ways — ” he hesitates, suddenly, but charges on the only way all might knows how, “ — maybe… something akin to family, has changed me for the better, ” in a motion that’s becoming more & more familiar, he brings the boy into a firm hug, ruffling his haphazard curls,
“ so. thank you. not just for the sweets, though they are absolutely scrumptious, but for everything. happy valentine’s day, son, ” a beat, “ ah, & thank your mom for me, as well ! ”
