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In contrast to popular belief, Todoroki Shoto was not the first person who thought that All Might was his father. But Izuku could credit him for his secret love child theory.
He wishes that he was though. It's not that he didn't like his father. No, Izuku loved him, but as dads go, he was rarely present in his life. And as a son and an only child, he craved for the attention of a parental figure. Even when he was a kid whenever he pictured his father, an image of All Might would appear in his head where his father should be. All Might was the one who cheered him up when he had a bad day, he was the one who inspired him throughout his quirkless life, he was the one who was there. But he guesses, if All Might were his father, it would come with it's own difficulties too.
All Might was that one person who believed in him when he was practically a talking fishbone. Still, technically, All Might is one himself. And that makes it hard to associhesitated his beefy hero form.
"Are you that kid who's cleaning the beach with his dad?" The question came out of the blue suddenly that it took Izuku off guard one day when he was training at that faithful beach.
"Oh no sir, he's not my father. He's my mentor. I'm kind of training a bit." Izuku admitted with a shy smile.
"Oh like for an athletic meet or somethin'? The Olympics are around the corner."
Izuju nodded at the old man. "Something like that."
The man was satisfied with his answer and fairly impressed, nodded. "Well for athletes, both of you are doing good. You have a good head over your shoulders. Keep up the good work!"
And just like that, the old man was the first one. Though when he mentioned it to All Might, he didn't know how to interpret his blood squirts.
How much blood does he lose each day? --- It was one of the many concerns Izuku has for the man. But who could blame him though.
Ever since he was being trained by All Might, he would often see himself having lunch with the man. So he didn't pay much mind when he occasionally slipped in at lunch to see how he was doing and if he ate as much as he could.
Izuku's classmates did notice him sneaking to the hero during his spare time or him personally called in by All Might, but didn't comment about it. At first, he thought it was somewhat of a fanboy habit of his and that All Might was too nice to tell him off. Also, they were not even sure if the No. 1 hero was the person he visited when he snuck off. For all they knew he might be scribbling his notes under a tree somewhere.
But ever since USJ and Tsuyu's blunt comment, they could not help themselves but think of the obvious similarities and transparent bond between the two that transcends beyond a normal teacher and student bond.
"All Might here, I have a handkerchief." Izuku casually hands his hanky to All Might when he was dusting off chalk residue from his hand in class before dismissal one day.
"Sorry for the troubling you my boy."
"It's fine All might. I have a spare in my bag anyway."
"Thank you my boy. See you tomorrow." There were no classes the next day.
There definitely was something, but they can't put their finger on it. All Might affectionately calls the class as his children, but, when he calls Midoriya's name, it somehow has a more sentimental feel to it that it mad the class doubt his birth certificate.
It was so suspicious that it even made Todoroki think about it.
"Are you All Might's secret love child?"
Growing up in the hero world, Todoroki knew that it was also full of lies and occasional scandals. Quirk Marriages were still a thing (he had his father to thank for that info), so a hero with a one night stand would definitely not be uncommon. But to be the love child of All Might of all people? The chances were low, but not zero. Not even a rumor was ever heard about anything pertaining to the Symbol of peace's love life.
Although Izuku did not look like All Might, he did act like him. A lot. Maybe it was due to the fact that he idolized the hero since his childhood. Or maybe, just maybe, he really was All Might's secret love child. Their reactions are very similar, their passion, their hero drive, their quirks were very similar. Even the way they think.
For example.
Being in the hero course meant that they had to have a lot of training exercises. And most of them were facilitated by the man himself.
Deku is widely known for having a knack in analytics. But not All Might. He wasn't mumbling, he wasn't doing invisible notes, but he was breaking down their moves as if he was dissecting them.
"Todoroki-shounen, it's good to see you put an effort in teamwork now. I see that you are a great team-mate and you follow exactly what your leader says with no question. But you also have to have the confidence to suggest something. I saw that you seemed to have thought of an alternate solution. It's true that Iida-shounen's idea of having individual roles were a nice idea, but after you accidentally used your defence as an offence, breaking the formation a little, you clearly had an idea but hesitated, then the other team decided to take advantage of that hesitation. Sometimes, in battle, you just have to decide quickly, not just your moves. You might have been on to something."
Don't take it differently. All Might is clearly some kind of a genius. But he is not one for lengthy monolouges or open discussion compared to their resident broccoli head.
What truly opened their eyes though, was the day that they had a parent's orientation at UA about the premises of their additional hero work for their final year at UA.
It was unfortunate that Midoriya's mother could not come due to a flu. The seasons were indeed getting colder and it was flu season. So it came no surprise to anyone when the lanky All Might wore a scarf on him all the time, like their homeroom teacher, Aizawa-sensei did. By that time, All might is effectively living in retirement, the rest of his life dedicated to enjoying it the way he was not able to during his time of being the symbol of peace.
What came as a surprise though, was the sight of him filling his name in attendance as Izuku's stand-in guardian, wearing a hand-knitted scarf personally made by the said boy.
Then came the time when Izuku slowly removed the figurines and posters in his room and replaced it with pictures he accumulated through the years. A good portion of them had All Might in them, but it was All might as Toshinori Yagi.
However, there was a reason that he filled his room with All might merchandise in the first place. It was a rather sad reason, and a reason which he shared to the class when he was ready.
"So, did you finally get tired of staring at your dad's face from all the corners of your room?"
Izuku blushed a heavy shade of red, his arms flailing in exaggeration and denial. "I told you he's not my dad."
"We aren't sure about that though Midoriya. I mean you never told us about your father. A little suspicious since you never shut up about your mom." Sero teased him, leaning his back against the common room's sofa where the two, including the whole Deku squad and baku squad minus the explosive boy himself were lounging.
"Haha. That's true. Hey, Kirishima-kun, where is kacchan?" Izuku pointed his absence, trying to steer away the conversation.
"Nuh-uh are you running away from this conversation Deku." Uraraka chimed giddily.
"But guys! I told you he's not! I swear. Kacchan can proove it since he actually saw my dad."
Kirishima seemed to accept his statement but Uraraka wasn't buying it. "Tsuyu-chan, Todoroki-kun! Back me up!"
"What? Why do you need back-up? I just really idolize All might. I barely see my father since I was a kid, and All might was the one who I saw that was there for me when I needed the most, even if it were only from afar. I told you guys it's a really stupid reason---"
"No. It's not stupid my boy."
"All Might?! When did you get here?" He was supposed to take Izuku's old figurines and bring it to his mother's house. He was overdue a visit to the class anyways.
"Since the start of your conversation. Sorry for eavesdropping."
"Oh it's fine All Might."
"Then we can say that it's ALL RIGHT!" Yagi yelled entering his buff form ever so briefly.
"Did All might just…?!"
"OH MY GOD HE DID?!"
Meanwhile, Izuku was internally screaming on how this was missing from his life.
It was inspiring to see how much trust All Might has with Izuku and vice versa. It is nothing short of touching. The trust transcended from a master to student relationship to something you would be feeling for your own kin, sometimes, a bond that ascended even the bond of family.
In the Brink of death and desperation, a person's true form and strength of will surfaces. In a scenario like that, men or women, hero or not, they can't hide their true feelings. Fear, doubt, anger and sadness could come poring out. But it is also these desperate times, that love and trust surfaces.
Inside a small and dark room (probably a metal cabinet from the coldness of the surface was), tied with a series of chains and cloth around his eyes which Izuku removed a while ago, All Might smiled at his prodigy. His smile was different from the smiles he gave when he was still an active pro hero. But it was still a reassuring smile nonetheless. Izuku had his face scrunched up in horror and worry. But it was quickly turned into determination in the blink of an eye. He smiled to match the determination of his mentor.
The battle had just begun.
"I'm here now. I promise I will save you All Might, all of you. Please believe in me."
"I would never doubt you my boy. Never again. Once was enough."
That day, they came home from being held hostage, beat the villains and saved a dozen of children who were forced to fight for entertainment.
That was the start of the rookie hero Deku's rise to being one of the best heroes the world has ever seen. But his debut didn’t come with its own hardships. Well for one. Since All Might’s true figure had been shown to the world, there were some people who decided to keep track of his daily activities from time to time. And on some occasions, he was caught being on Dagobah beach, mostly by himself. But a green haired man was beside him from time to time. And sometimes, if you were lucky enough, you would see a glimpse of All Might’s personal relationships.
Thus began the rumor of All Might’s secret love child. Theorists have come about this topic, searching around the internet and in real life for clues. But aside from All Might’s good deeds, everything was as vague as they could be. Suspiciously, Class A has been quiet for the most part.
But, that did not stop All Might and Izuku meeting at that faithful beach from time to time.
It was two weeks after All Might’s rescue and Deku’s debut. The blond noticed his student avoid him. Other than his short visits in the hospital, would only meet him when necessary. Now that would not have been a problem since the boy is already a hero and his schedule should be packed. But he started to suspect it when Izuku did not show up on a saturday night, the day they usually hang out.
Around his third year of highschool, the two had been occasionally hanging out, sometimes at the Hero’s apartment or at Izuku’s home, indulging in Inko’s cooking. But all he saw that day were a few meat buns and a thermos of chicken soup.
It was a saturday night, and All Might was alone at Dagobah beach. People were probably worried about him. He left his phone and didn’t tell anyone where he was going. He just wanted some space.
He knew he was so close to dying that day, like every other time he did his hero work, but this time, it was different. This time, he was prepared to die. If it was not for Izuku being there, he would not have held on.
“All Might!!” He heard someone shout from the distance. As he was about to wave back at the person who shouted, he saw Izuku running towards him, tears streaming from his eyes.
“My boy what---?”
“I am so glad you’re okay. There was a fire in your apartment and you weren’t there and Tsukaichi san called me and asked me if I was with you and that he can't contact you and your house was burning and we didn’t know where you were and… and… and...” At this moment, the newly debuted hero broke down in sobs. He clung to all might in relief and sadness.
“And I was worried that someone might have took you away again. And that I would have to see you like that again. I can’t… I can’t...”
“I’m sorry my boy. I should have told you---”
“No All Might. What I meant was, I didn’t want to see you… your eyes were just… you said that you trusted me, right?”
“Yeah, of course I did. And I will always do.”
“You gave up that day.” Izuku said. It was a statement, not a question. He knew. And All Might was guilty that he did. Because yes. He was about to give up.
“I’m Sorry my boy. Yes. I almost did. But, But you were there again. You saved me from myself again. And I’m glad you did. But I’m just an old man Izuku, I’m meant to die at some point.”
“But the point is that you aren’t. You are not dying at the moment. You always had your hero work. You never enjoyed your life. Just because your career as All Might has stopped, doesn’t mean that your real life should stop too. You own that to yourself. All Might. And if I need to be there to remind you everyday that you are worth it, that Toshinori Yagi is as great, if not better than All Might, I will be there. Because All Might may be a hero, but Toshinori Yagi is the man who made me into who I am today, he is my mentor, my friend, and a father figure. Please, don’t give up on yourself, like you never gave up on me.”
For the first time in years, All Might sunk down to his knees and started crying.
And for All Might, it had been very rewarding to see the child who he helped to raise make waves wherever he went. That kid definitely has the heart of a hero. And he couldn't be more proud.
He was getting old and more fragile. And he was genuinely surprised that he was even alive to see the day his boy become a pro. After passing on One for All and the responsibility of being the next symbol the world needed, he had been slowly deteriorating, fading from the world.
But if the kid didn't give up on him, he shouldn't give up on himself either.
A few years down the road, All Might picked up the habit of gardening. It was almost just as rewarding raising plants as raising heroes. He particularly loved raising flowering plants. He even had Inko Midoriya, who loved raising succulents, as his garden buddy. It was fortunate that their apartment allowed a few plants for them to raise in the small backside veranda and a few inside the apartment itself.
And as he grew old, he exchanged his once spacious apartment to a smaller one in the apartment complex the Midoriy's were in. In fact, they insisted (mostly Inko, surprisingly) that he move there when he brought it up to the family. Inko said that it was so she could take care of him when needed. He had been reluctant at first, but eventually caved in as having someone he could talk to that couldn't be bothered with him being All Might near his house. Plus, the apartment was easier to clean than his previous one, even though his old students insisted on helping him from time to time.
"Sorry for intruding All Might. I know that you can’t eat too much but I brought something for you. I’l just cook dinner for the both of us later. Something lightbfor your stomach.." Isuku greeted as he entered the man’s apartment, a bag of hot meat buns in his hands.
"Nonsense! Izuku my boy! It's always nice to see you! Thank you for always making sure to visit and take care of this old man."
"You're not… Actually, you are kind of old now All might."
"I guess I'm Old might now hahaha."
"Still on with your dad jokes huh?"
"I'll have you know I have been practicing."
"Huh? Practicing what?"
"This… Uh… Aww… I was going to tell you a fighting joke… but I forgot the punch line.
"Oh my God. That was so dumb Dad."
Neither of them noticed the short slip of the tongue. That night was dedicated to American movies and the both of them.
All Might would say it, time and time again. He is proud of his successor, whether he be the top hero or not, in his eyes, he would always be his symbol of hope. So when he did officially become the Symbol of victory, words could not describe how proud he was… of his son. He could not deny it anymore. His son… defeated what he could not and saved those who needed saving… with a smile. Not Nana’s smile, not All Might’s smile, it was Deku’s smile.
At that moment though, he let the smile fade as he cried again.
“It wasn’t your fault you know.”
“Yes! Of course I know! It’s just that, I also messed up. Like really messed up. Everyone is saved, the league is no more. But.. But did they really have to die? I couldn’t, I couldn’t save him. He didn’t have to die! And this wasn’t the first time I messed up and someone had to die! I was there! But it wasn’t all right! At all!”
Shigaraki Tomura, Shimura Tenko, his mentor’s grandson, died for the sake of peace. Yes, it was not necessary, but it was not Izuku’s fault.
“If anything my boy, it was supposed to be my fault he ended that way. I wasn’t able to save him. And I know I messed up too.We are heroes. But we are also human. Doing things differently would not have meant that things would also be different. But as heroes, it is our duty, that it doesn’t happen again. We cry for the fallen, but we will never cry for what we should have done. Because we still have a future to look after.”
“Yeah… yeah I think your right. No All might. please no Dad jokes.”
“I would never. This is a private moment between you and I.”
He was his son. But it didn’t mean that he wouldn’t be flustered when confronted about it.
“Is hero Deku your secret love child?” He retired years ago. Why did he even agree on attending this interview.
“Huh, of course not. I never had any biological children.”
“Not to disrespect All Might, but I would like to… uhhhmm…. Show a few picture if you don’t mind?”
“Pictures of what?”
They were all pictures of him and Deku, some at Dagobah, some at the grocery store and some at the mall.
“He isn’t my biological son. But yes. He is mine.”
And thus, the internet was broken.
All Might was the hero that everyone needed. And Deku was the hero that they never knew they needed until he came to. In the hearts of many, All Might would be the greatest hero, there was no arguing about it. And Deku thought so too.
“Technically sir, this would be named after you, since you are the sole heir to all of Toshinori Yagi’s belongings.”
“Ughh… I know what he’s done. Instead of directly stating that he would like his pension to be donated to whoever needs it, he named it after me so that it would seem that it would seem I was the one donating it. Oh my God dad, why? I love you but why? you knew this would eventually what would happen.”
“So, uhhmm… Deku-san? What is your decision?”
Izuku took a silent moment then sighed. “Well, okay, this foundation would be managed by me, butm there is a specific name I would like to give the foundation.”
“Let’s call it the Dad’s Might Foundation.”
Looks like the suit would be needed to be taken out of the closet again.