Archive of Our Own

Inko felt the usual flutter of her heart when she heard a knock on her door.  Not of excitement, but instead the dread and anxiety that came with knowing she wouldn’t be sleeping if she opened it.  But, given the choice between not sleeping and not not eating, she usually opened the door.  She took a deep breath and reminded herself that all those things were over now.  She had escaped that life that she had been trapped in for so long, she was finally going to get to live her dream of moving away and settling down and just being normal for once.  She held her robe close to her chest as she peeked through the peephole.

A small gasp escaped her lips as she recognized the tall shadow on the other side.  Normally seeing him gave her some peace of mind, knowing that she wouldn't be put through a rough night and wake up feeling like trash in the morning.  Now, seeing him filled her with dread.

Before she realized what she was doing, she had unlocked the door and was facing him.  "What are you doing here?" She hissed, clutching the opening of her robe tighter.

"I couldn't stop thinking about you." He answered, leaning against the doorframe and completely towering over her.  He used that low voice, the one he used to calm her down when she was panicking.  The one that always got her through the night, no matter how difficult she found it to continue.

A furious blush rose from Inko's chest, all the way up her face.  "No.  I told you- I can't anymore.  N-not with you.  I'm getting married in two days!"

He didn't flinch, just continued to hold her trapped under his red eyes.  She was used to seeing his face only half lit- she preferred to keep the lights out.  It was easier that way.  Still, she knew that he was handsome.  In other circumstances, she might have fantasized about meeting a man like him- strong, wealthy, someone to love and protect her.  But that wasn't their relationship.  He was the customer and she was the product.  That was how it had always been.

"You're looking at me like that again." He said, nudging closer to the door, but still not entering.  "Don't be so hard on yourself, love.  You're strong and beautiful, and you're about to get the life you've always dreamed of."

"Then why are you here?" Inko shrank back, hoping the darkness would hide her red face.

"I told you- I want you.  I want you and I don't want to share you."

Inko's pounding heart stopped beating for a moment.  She reached for her phone, remembering too late that it was charging on her nightstand.  She was in trouble.  He was so much stronger than she was, she would never be able to fight back.  She should have taken up Hisashi's offer to move out sooner.  Even if she screamed, no one would come to help her.  All of the neighbors knew what kind of work she did and there were never any heroes in this neighborhood.

"One night." He cut off her racing thoughts.  "Just give me one more night and I swear, I'll never think of you again.  Never come looking for you.  Never bother you or your husband."

Inko hesitated.  "And if I say no?" She asked in a small voice, barely audible.

"Then I'll keep thinking about you." It didn't seem like a threat, but he knew what it was that she truly wanted.  A life away from this city, a fresh start, a quiet life with a devoted husband.  She wouldn't be able to enjoy that peace if she knew that there was someone from her old life who was thinking about her at night.

Seeing her hesitation, he softened his voice and added.  "All I want is for you to have the happy life you've always wanted."

"I just want to forget about you." Inko whimpered.

"Are you worried that if you spend another night with me, you won't be able to forget me?" He teased.

Inko looked up at him with a small glare in her watering green eyes.  She moved to close the door on him and he scrambled to correct himself.

"Wait, I didn't mean it like that.  That wasn't fair of me, I'm sorry.  You're- shit." He cursed under his breath and pushed back.  "Two hundred years and I can't even talk to a woman."

"Wh-what?" Inko stuttered.

He raised his eyes to meet hers again.  "I'm sorry.  You know how I feel about you.  I can let that go, I know I can, if I can just have you for one more night.   Otherwise- I don't trust myself to keep away from you."

"If you were in love with me before, why didn't you say anything?  Why didn't you do anything?"

"I'm no hero." He gave her a strange smile.  "You would never have been happy with me."

"Well you missed your chance." She started to close the door again.

"One night." He stopped her.  "I swear.  Just tonight and then you'll be free of me forever."

Inko stood quiet for a moment.  "You promise?" She repeated softly.

A smile tugged at his mouth again.  He reached out a large hand and tipped her face up to meet his eyes.  "Of course, my love.  Consider it my wedding present, since I don't think it would be appropriate for me to attend the ceremony."

"You aren't invited." Inko replied firmly, opening the door to let him in.

He grinned and laughed as he stepped inside and swept her up in his arms.  "Maybe I should have snatched you up when I had the chance." He pushed the door closed behind them as he brought his lips down to meet hers.  "But I won't let this chance slide by."

***

Hisashi opened the door to Inko's apartment and made sure to lock it behind him.  He was so proud of his fiancee for having her own place, as strong and independent as she was, but he didn't care for the neighborhood.  He couldn't wait to take her away from this place.

"Honey?  Are you here?" He pulled off his coat, relieved to see that her shoes and jacket were still here.  She must still be in bed.  He opened the fridge and started making breakfast, expecting her to come out and join him like she usually did.

Strangely, Inko still wasn't up by the time he was finished.  Hisashi knocked softly and listened.  "Inko? Darling, are you there?"

He heard a sob on the other side of the door and quickly opened it.  "Inko?"

She was sitting on the far end of the bed, facing away from him.  Her robe was hanging loose over her shaking shoulders.  As he got closer, he could see that her skin was marked with small bruises, some darker than others but all clearly from the same source.  Her hair was a mess, more than her regular bedhead.

She had her head down, looking at her lap.  He came around her slowly.  "Baby? What's wrong?"

Inko looked up at him, her face streaked with tears.  He still thought that she looked beautiful, no matter what.  Even with that broken, desperate look on her face.  “Hisashi… I’m so sorry.  What am I going to do?  I- I don’t want this.”

In her hands was a thick wad of cash.  Lots of cash.  Hisashi had finally convinced her to open an account and move her savings into a bank, rather than keeping the bills carefully rolled in jars hidden behind her spices.  This was new money, and more than she had ever been able to save up at once before.  Her hands were shaking like the rest of her.

Hisashi carefully put an arm around her as he sat down on the bed.  In a sincere and gentle voice, he said, “I told you love, you don’t have to keep doing this.”

“I’m sorry.” Inko cried again, fresh tears flowing down her cheeks.  “I just- he said that if I did, he would go away and never come back and I- I just want things to work out with us.  Please, don’t leave me.”

“I’m not going to leave you.” Hisashi pulled some of the green strands of hair out of her face and kissed her forehead.  “I told you from the start, I don’t care about where you came from or what you’ve done.  I’ll still love you, Inko, no matter what.”

Her face screwed up tightly, her lip trembling with the effort to keep from bawling.  He didn’t mind when she cried.  He thought it was so cute, how her emotions stayed so close to her skin.  Hisashi hugged her as she broke down, letting the money fall to the floor as she hugged him back.  “I promise,” He told her softly, “I promise you’ll never have to worry about food or money or anything else like that again.  I’m going to take good care of you, I’ll get  you out of this place.”

“You’ll still marry me?” Inko stuttered through her heavy sobs.

Hisashi smiled and gave her a small kiss.  “Nothing would make me happier.”

***

Inko didn't recognize the man at first.  She wasn't paying much attention until she realized that he had been staring at her for several minutes.  She glared back and the man smiled, walking over to her now that he'd been spotted.

"Can I help you?" She asked, gripping her grocery basket tightly.

"I didn't mean to be rude, I just wasn't sure it was you." The man replied in a pleasant voice.

Inko narrowed her eyes.  His voice did sound familiar, but she couldn’t place him. “Do I know you, sir?”

“Inko.” He said her name softly, almost tenderly. “And here I thought I had finally forgotten about you like I promised.”

Inko paled as the recognition dawned on her at last.  “Y-You- Why are you here?”

He switched back to a playful, friendly voice.  “Same reason you are, my love.” He held up his own grocery basket.

“I’m not your love.” She did her best to recover and regain her composure.

“Yes, I missed my chance for that I suppose, didn’t I?” He mused, the smirk never once leaving his face.  “It’s good to see you again, though.  You look just as breathtaking as you did when I left you in bed that morning.  One of my few regrets, I might add.”

Inko’s cheeks burned with embarrassment and shame.  “Please don’t talk about that.”

“I take it then that you haven’t thought of me at all, even if thoughts of you have kept me up for weeks at a time.” He chuckled.  “Your husband must keep you satisfied if you haven’t had time for those kinds of things.  I never thought I would be jealous of such a plain and boring man.”

Inko pursed her lips, holding back her reply.  She was clearly uncomfortable.  She was spared a reply when a little boy, about eight years old, ran up to her holding a large radish.  His large green eyes were dancing with excitement, his green curls bounding along with the rest of his body.

“Look how big this one is!” He said excitedly, trying to put it in Inko’s basket.  “What else is on the list?  Lemme see, lemme see Mom!”

Inko shook herself and quickly put on a smile for the boy.  “You make my shopping so easy!  Could you go get some cereal next?”

“Can I get Mighty-Os?”

“Izuku baby, you know there’s too much sugar in those.”

Izuku pouted.  “B-but they have All Might on them!”

Inko sighed.  “All right, honey.  Just one box.”

Izuku nodded and scampered off.  There was an awkward pause between the two adults.

“He looks just like you.” The man said at last.

Inko kept her eyes away from him.  “Yes, I get told that a lot.”

“No wonder you’re so busy.”

“Is there anything else?” Inko’s voice was a little strained.

“I just wanted to say hello.  And you don’t need to worry, love, I’ll keep my promise still.”

Inko nodded and turned to leave.  She only took a few steps before Izuku crashed into her again, cereal clutched to his chest.  The little boy was crying, small shoulders shaking.  “M-Mommy!”

“What’s wrong?” Inko placed a hand on his head.

“K-Kachan is here!  I tried to say hi, but he pushed me again!”

Inko sighed and tugged the box of Might-Os away from her son.  “I’m sorry, baby.  Are you hurt?”

Izuku shook his head, wiping his eyes.  “H-He called me Deku again.  I don’t like that name.”

“Let’s finish shopping and go home, okay baby?  Mommy also had to see someone she doesn’t like.” Inko didn’t look at the man, even though he was still standing next to her.  “You can help me make dinner.”

“He says I can’t be a hero because I don’t have a Quirk.  Everyone says that, but they’re wrong.  I’m g-going to be the best hero ever!” Izuku continued rubbing his eyes, leaning into his mother’s leg.  “Just like All Might.  Y-You’ll see.”

“I know, honey.  Come on, if little Katsuki is here then so is his mother.  You deserve an apology.” Inko offered her hand and Izuku took it.  He glanced over at the man with a curious expression.

“It was nice to see you again, Inko.” He said as she walked off with her son.

Inko didn’t look back.

“Mommy, who is that?” Izuku asked, looking over his shoulder at the tall, smiling man.

“No one, baby.  Why don’t we get some ice cream too?  I could use a cheat day on my diet.”

***

Izuku struggled against the ropes binding him to the chair.  He was tied at his ankles, waist, and shoulders.  His arms were twisted around his body in a straight jacket, and his mouth had been gagged for good measure.  His Quirk wasn't listening to him at all, there had to be a Quirk dampening device nearby.  He was still breathing heavily, the effects of his initial panic waking to the situation still lingering.  He didn't remember much, just a lot of noise and scattered images.  They had been coming to save Kacchan- and they had succeeded.  That was when he had shown up.  All for One.

Even though he knew that he should have stayed hidden, Izuku hadn't been able to stop himself from rushing to All Might's aide.  Some desperate thought had said that he had saved Kacchan, so he could save All Might too.

Of the fragmented images, he could still clearly see the look on All Might's face when he had gotten in the way.  The old hero had been terrified- not of All for One, but from seeing Izuku in danger.  It was haunting, and short lived.

Izuku's Quirk had done something strange.  It hadn't felt like One for All, it was something else inside of him.  It had tried to pull at everyone around him, acting like it was trying to take something away from them.  Then All for One had looked directly at him and everything went dark.  When he'd opened his eyes, he'd found himself in the dark room, restrained, and alone.

Izuku twisted again, trying to wiggle free.  He told himself over and over to take deep breaths, but the anxiety was making it difficult to focus.  There was too much he didn't know, too much he couldn't see, too much he was afraid of.

Izuku's head jerked up at a sound he recognized.  The one that had let Shigaraki into USJ, the one that had taken Kacchan away, the one that had brought chaos to Kamino.  A portal of black mist.  A light clicked on directly overhead, making him duck at the pain it caused his unprepared eyes.  As he blinked and squinted at the floor, he saw a pair of dress shoes.  Large shoes.

His heart stopped.  Mustering every ounce of bravery he had, Izuku lifted his head up and up and up until his neck hurt.  Sure enough, towering over him was the one thing he feared more than anything else in the world.  Suit, mask, tubes and wires- it was him.

All for One was much taller than he had looked before.  Taller than All Might.  If nightmares could walk and talk, this is what they would look like.   He stood over Izuku and silently watched him for a long time.  At last, he lifted a large hand towards Izuku's face.

Izuku screamed and ducked, resuming his efforts to free himself.  All for One's hand paused for only a moment before his massive fingers cupped the side of Izuku's head.  Izuku tried to twist away again, but the villain's second hand caught the other side of his head, fingers working in between his curls and holding him firmly in place.

They sat frozen, Izuku too frightened to move.  All for One wasn't doing anything, wasn't saying anything.  He was just standing over him, holding his head in place.  Izuku's heart was pounding erratically in his chest, tears building in his eyes.  How much longer was this going to go on for?

"Izuku." All for One's voice rapped through his mask at last.  Izuku's breath hitched and he tried to pull back.  All for One knew his name.

The hand in his hair started moving, fingers making slow circles into his scalp.  A small whine escaped Izuku's throat.  If it weren't for the gag, he may have thrown up.  He felt absolutely sick.  Nauseous, anxious, terrified.  All for One hadn't said anything else, he was just staring at him while he massaged his head.

"You're not hurt, are you?" All for One said at last.

Izuku blinked.  What kind of question was that?  He couldn't be expecting an answer.  Izuku pulled away, trying to turn his head in defiance.

All for One chuckled.  "It's all right now, little one.  No need to be stubborn."

Izuku shot him a glare.  He was still shaking head to toe, but he was a hero.  He wasn't going to let All for One get the better of him, no matter how helpless he was.

"Do you have something to say to me?  Let me take this off for you." The hands moved behind Izuku's head.  "Hold still, darling."

Izuku didn't hold still.  He squirmed and jerked against his restraints.  Something was wrong.  He didn't like this.  All for One was being kind.  If he knew his name, then he knew who he was.  He knew that he had One for All.  He wanted to take it, just like he had tried to take it from all the past holders.

The gag was pulled away, but before Izuku had a chance to speak, All for One was cupping his cheeks again.  His neck ached as he was forced to look up and see his reflection in the villain's mask.

"Is that better, little one?"

"Wh-what-?" Izuku's tongue fought over which question to ask first.  "Why- how-?"

All for One chuckled again.  "Ah, that's right.  You fainted after that Quirk came out.  Everything is under control now."

Izuku bit his lip and slowly tried to pull back.  He kept touching him.  Why was he touching him?  Why wasn’t he hurting him yet?  Was this all a part of the torture?  Oh no, he was going to be tortured.  All for One was going to hurt him until he gave One for All away, but he wasn’t going to do that.  He couldn’t.  He had to keep All Might’s Quirk safe.  If he gave it to the villain, then everything would be over for the heroes and the rest of the world.

“It’s all right.” All for One said again, rubbing his thumbs into Izuku’s cheeks.  “Don’t be scared, little one.”

“Don’t be scared?” Izuku repeated with a shaky laugh.  “I know what you want a-and I’m not going to give it to you!”

All for One paused.  “Ah yes, your Quirk.  I was so excited about everything that I forgot you still had it.  Yes, I’ll be needing to take that back from you.  For your safety, of course.  We can’t have any more broken bones now, can we?”

“No!  Let me go!” Izuku successfully managed to jerk his head free of the large, dangerous hands.  You aren’t going to win!  A-All Might is going to beat you for good this time!”

“All Might?” All for One laughed.  “With what power?  You’re the one with One for All, my dear, and you’re going to give it to me.”

“I’d r-rather die!” Izuku screamed, jerking back again as the hands came towards him.

“Let’s not say things like that, hm?  Your mother would be so upset if she heard you.”

Izuku’s breath hitched.  Mom.  Dad.  He remembered what All for One had done to Nana’s family to hurt her.  For some reason he’d always thought that his family would be safe.  He was just a student, and he had All Might looking after him.  What was All for One going to do to them?  Would he kill them?  Torture them?  Would he make Izuku watch?

All for One was touching him again, stroking a finger down his face.  “What’s wrong, child?  You look very frightened all of the sudden.”

“P-Please don’t hurt them.” Izuku stuttered, fighting back tears.  “L-Leave my mom and dad out of this.”

“I see, you’re worried about your mother.” All for One nodded.  “Don’t worry, I promised her a long time ago that I would leave her alone.  And I always keep my promises.”

“Y-You know mom?” Izuku couldn’t imagine his mother ever talking with a villain.  He had to be bluffing.  All for One had never let anything come between him and his goals before, especially from getting his hands on One for All.

“Yes.  You see, a long time ago, before you were born, I was in love with her.  But she chose that man instead and I promised to respect her decision.”

“Th-that isn’t even funny.” Izuku tried to glare.  “Don’t talk about my mom like that.”

“You’re right.  It’s rather tragic, really.” All for One agreed.  He lifted his hands and began to release his mask.  “Perhaps things would have played out differently if I had a sweet wife waiting for me at home, I may not have allowed All Might to do this much to me.”

Izuku swallowed down a scream as the mask was lifted away to reveal the villain’s face.  There wasn’t much face left, mostly burned and wrinkled skin.  Just a mouth and the indication of where ears and nose had once been.  Wires and tubes were hooked up to his neck and face, disappearing into his shirt and suit.  The helmet was tossed aside and the hands started reaching towards him again.

“I don’t think your mother has had any regrets, but as for me… well, let’s say things changed when you came into the picture.  After all, things may have been different between your mother and I if I’d known about you.”

“D-Don’t touch me!” Izuku stammered, note sure if he was more afraid of that face or the hands that belonged to them.  “You’re crazy!”

“Everything is all right now.” All for One bent down and grabbed Izuku’s head.  He pressed his lips firmly against Izuku’s forehead.  “We’re together now.  I’m going to take the best care of you, son.”

***

Izuku stiffened in the chair.  “Wh-What?”

“Ah, so you didn’t know.” All for One smiled.  I nearly missed it myself.  I would never have given up on your mother so easily if I had realized it sooner.  But now you’re here and I’ll set everything right.  Just give me One for All, and then we can start going back to normal.”

“You aren’t my dad.” Izuku winced under his touch.  “Y-You’re a villain.”

All for One smiled.  “Does being a villain mean I can’t have children?  Hurry up now, sweetheart.”

Izuku shook his head, his panic starting to return as the initial shock wore off.  “No!”

All for One couldn’t resist gathering a fistfull of Izuku’s hair to run between his fingers again.  He wished he could see more than what Search had to offer, thank goodness he’d picked it up a few days ago.  He remembered meeting Izuku years ago, back when he’d been much smaller.  If only he had known then… Izuku had been so cute as a child.  How well had he grown?  Did he still have those wide, green eyes?  Was his hair still the lovely shade as his mother?  Had his little freckles faded away?  He was fifteen now, that meant he had spent fifteen years without realizing who his true father was.

Despite his promise to Inko, All for One had been preparing himself to deal with her son as soon as he found out that Izuku was All Might’s successor.  Unlike the past holders, he had settled with the compromise that he wouldn’t kill Izuku unless it was completely necessary.  If Izuku resisted giving back One for All, then he would have to hurt him of course.  But Izuku was the youngest One for All holder he’d encountered so far, so he didn’t think too much torture would be necessary to get him to give up his brother’s Quirk.  Those plans had changed, however, as soon as Izuku had gotten between him and All Might the night before.

As All Might had desperately shouted for Izuku to run away, All for One had entertained the idea of torturing him right there while the cameras were broadcasting.  It was petty revenge, and a practical tactic.  Then he had felt a strange tug inside of him as the power inside of Izuku burst out of his control.  But it wasn’t One for All that he sensed so strongly coming from the boy.  No.  It was something even more familiar than that.  His own Quirk, All for One.  Inside of Izuku.  No matter how many theories the doctor and about Quirk evolution, there was only one way that Izuk could have that Quirk.

Of course, as soon as he’d realized it, he’d whisked Izuku away and locked him up until he was able to confirm his suspicions.  The DNA test was nearly finished, but he was confident the results would show that Izuku was in fact his son.  Izuku had started struggling to free himself again.  The poor thing must be terrified.  He wished he could take the bindings away and cuddle Izuku close, assure him that everything was going to be okay, but there was the matter of his Quirk first.

"I can't welcome you home properly until you return One for All, Izuku."

"No!" Izuku shouted, fighting against his restraints.  "I won't give it to you!"

"You forget what position you're in, little one." All for One said with a short sigh.  "You know I don't want to hurt you, but you're about to make this very difficult for me."

"I won't, I won't, I won't!"

"I know you're frightened, child.  You don't have to put on such a brave face." All for One leaned in closer.  Izuku whimpered and squirmed back.  The villain chuckled at his reaction.  "It's a good thing you take after your mother, isn't it?  You wouldn't be able to be much of a hero with a face like this."

Izuku's breath started picking up again.  He squirmed back into the chair, sucking in short gasps of air.

All for One placed both hands on the chair over his shoulders and leaned in, boxing Izuku in.  "I'm sure All Might has told you about me, the things I'm capable of?  If you don't give me that Quirk, there are so many awful things I might have to do to you." Izuku gasped and shivered underneath him.  He stopped squirming, holding still and quiet.  "I don't want to hurt you, baby.  I don't want to torture you or experiment on you, take you apart and rebuild you into something else.  I don't want to make you suffer watching your friends be killed.  I don't want to break you like-."

All for One was cut off by a loud sob.  He froze, realizing that he had gone too far.  Izuku was already afraid of him and now the boy was crying.  He hasn't meant to terrorize him.  He'd expected that Izuku, as All Might's successor, had been trained for these kinds of situations.  Yet here he was, crying openly in front of his enemy.  He was only 15 years old, just an infant compared to his father's lifespan.

"Forgive me, I'm… not used to children." All for One sighed, stroking Izuku's face with one of his knuckles.  "But I'll take good care of you, little one, I promise."

Izuku sobbed and tried to twist his head away.  "D-Don't touch me!"

"Who would have thought that I had a son." All for One mused.

"I'm not!" Izuku screamed between his sobs.  "I'm not your son!"

"Hush now, Izuku, don't get yourself so worked up." All for One took his face in both hands.  "Those heroes already have put you through enough today, haven't they?  I'll make sure they never bother you again."

"N-no!"

"Even though you haven't given up All for One yet, I suppose I can make an exception for you tonight." All for One decided.  He released the ropes and lifted the sobbing and screaming child out of the chair and cradled him in his arms.  "You're so small, baby… how did your mother think it was safe to let you out of the house?"

Izuku screamed in reply, trying to twist himself free of the straight jacket and arms enclosing him.  All for One just chuckled at his cute tantrum and opened a warp gate.  Knowing what he did of Izuku, he knew it wasn't wise to show him any more of the base's layout than necessary.  His son was clever and resourceful, he would certainly try to escape.

They stepped into a small room, bare except for a single bed.  Unlike the other cells, it had a new mattress and clean sheets, a soft comforter already pulled down and ready.  All for One tucked the squirming, wailing boy in and sat next to him on the mattress.

"Remember, darling, this is just for tonight.  I can't keep being nice to you if you don't give up One for All." The villain told him, reaching out to brush his hair out of his face.

Izuku screamed and thrashed back and forth, letting out a tumble of "Nogetawaydon'ttouchmeletgogetawaygetawaygetawaynononostopstopstop." As he fought to distance himself from the villain.

"Everything will be better once you wake up, I promise.  Villain or not, I'm a man of my word.  Get some rest, baby, you'll need it." He held Izuku down so that he could plant another kiss on his face.  Izuku screamed and sobbed even after he pulled away.

All for One stood, then hesitated.  With the way Izuku was rolling around, there was a good chance that he would fall out of bed and hurt himself.  He pulled out one of his creation Quirks and made a set of bars to stop him from rolling off.  "There, nice and safe.  Call for me if you need anything.  I'll see you in the morning, son."

"I'm not your son!" Izuku screamed after him, then suddenly found himself alone and in the dark.

***

Trying to reign back his tears, Izuku struggled against the straight jacket.  After several long minutes, he collapsed back to the mattress.  His body still ached with the effort of recovering from his fight with Muscular only a day ago.  His head hurt from screaming and crying.  How did things go so wrong so fast?  He worried about what things were like in U.A.- first the attack on the summer camp resulting in the kidnapping of one of their students, followed by a failed rescue that ended with a different kidnapping.  And All Might.  Izuku felt sick at the thought of it.

With great difficulty, he rolled onto his side and curled up against the wall.  His sobs were quiet now as he went back over the battle in his mind.  All Might had told him about All for One, about the monster that he was.  And seeing the man in person- his murderous aura was ten times larger than Stain.  But the fear Izuku had been subjected to then was much better than what he was being forced through now.  All for One pretending to care for him, pretending that they were family, he hated that even more.

At the thought of family, Izuku suddenly remembered his mother.  A louder sob escaped his lips.  Was she okay?  Had she been watching the news, seen him get snatched on live television?  Did she think he was dead?  What about his father?  He lived so far away… Izuku curled in on himself, crying harder.  He didn’t believe that All for One wouldn’t try to hurt them if he didn’t give One for All away.

His head hurt even more now.  He was tired.  All for One had promised to leave him alone until morning.  He should be finding a way to escape with the time he was given.  He started to sit up, but his pounding head quickly had him back on the pillow, sobbing in pain and fear.  He was in no condition to escape.  Perhaps, instead of running away, he should do as All for One suggested and rest.  He would need both his wtts and strength to get away, neither of which were at full capacity.

After spending a long time going back and forth with himself, Izuku decided that sleep was what he needed most.  Even just an hour or two would do him wonders.  Still snivelling, he snuggled down into the warm bed and closed his throbbing eyes.  He silently prayed that both his parents and All Might were okay, and that they would find him soon.  With that small glimmer of hope, he fell into a dark, restless slumber 

***

All for One carefully monitored Izuku with Search throughout the night.  It took him a long time to fall asleep and even once he did, he tossed and turned.  He'd been put through a lot in just a few days, it was to be expected.  When morning came, he let Izuku sleep as long as he needed.  He was grateful that Izuku had slept for so long.  Not only had he clearly needed it, but it gave All for One time to finish his errands.

When Izuku's eyes finally fluttered open that afternoon, All for One was sitting beside him, watching.  He watched Izuku's sleepy eyes travel around the room, clearly confused.  He started to sit up a little, then winced and whimpered in pain.

"What's wrong, Izuku?" 

Izuku startled at the voice, sitting up and scrambling back.  All for One had taken him out of the straight jacket when he'd come to sit with him and wait for him to wake.  Izuku had looked so uncomfortable and slept so much better once he'd taken it off.

"W-Who-?" He sputtered, clearly not remembering.  All for One wasn't surprised.  It had been years since Izuku had seen this face.

"I thought you would be more comfortable with this face." All for One replied.  He watched with amusement as Izuku processed his words.  It took him a moment before his face drained.

"You- How?" He sputtered, pressing his back against the wall.

"Quirks, of course.  They've evolved into something marvelous, haven't they?" All for One could see that, under his fear, Izuku was also very curious.  He smiled and slid closer.  Izuku gave a small squeak and slid into the corner.

"It's a Quirk that can rewind the time of living creatures.  I've been keeping an eye on its development for some time now."

"Y-you stole it then." Even as frightened as he was, All for One saw a small flash of righteous anger in his son’s face.

His grin grew wider.  “I wouldn’t call it stealing.  She was happy to give it to me, the poor little thing.  Her family was abusing her because of it, she was so miserable.  She gave it to me gladly, and in return I gave her a new, gentle Quirk and a loving family.”

“Are you going to turn her into a villain too, like you did with Tomura?”

“No, of course not.  She’s moving overseas, away from her abusers, to live with a family who will take good care of her.  They won’t be able to hurt her anymore.”

Izuku narrowed his eyes.  With his trembling voice, he replied.  “You’re such a hero.”

All for One laughed out loud. “I’m no hero, little one.  No use pretending.  But I could be a savior to those who need me.  Like Tomura, or little Eri-chan, or even you, Izuku.” He reached towards his son and Izuku activated his Quirk, his look of defiance immediately changing to one of fear and panic.

“Now, Izuku, don’t be difficult.  I told you that I would take care of you and protect you from now on, even if it means I have to protect you from yourself.  That Quirk is too powerful for you.”

“It’s mine!” Izuku hissed back, looking like a feral creature trapped in the corner.

“Give it here, Izuku.” All for One turned his hand so that it was palm out, as if quietly expecting Izuku to drop the Quirk in his hands.

Izuku’s eyes flickered from the man’s hand to his restored face.  He took a few quick breaths, trying to ground himself, perhaps looking for the right words.  In the end, he bit his lip and shook his head.

“I told you, honey, I don’t want to hurt you.” All for One kept his voice calm and patient, like a parent waiting for their toddler to give them something they weren’t supposed to have.

“Liar.” Izuku spat before the man had a chance to continue.  The energy pulsing around his body flared with his emotions, his embarrassment and anger, his pride, his fear.  Suddenly, All for One realized exactly who Izuku reminded him of.

“You’re just like him.” He muttered softly, not quite catching the flicker of fear and confusion in Izuku’s eyes.  Shaking himself back to the task at hand, he addressed Izuku again.  “Haven’t I explained before that I’m a man of my word?”

“I know you want to kill me, just like you’ve killed all the others before me.” Izuku growled back.

“Perhaps before I may have been all right with hurting you, but I’ve never wanted to kill you.  You were always Inko’s son, and I promised myself that I would spare you.  Now that I’ve found out you’re my son as well… I couldn’t ever hurt you.  You should be grateful that fate has done you such a kind favor.  I certainly am.”

“Stop trying to trick me.  You honestly think I would believe that you were my father?  Do I look that stupid?”

“You aren’t stupid at all, little one.  In fact, you placed very high in your last exam.  I’m proud of you- even I didn’t do that well when I was in high school.” All for One slowly lowered his hand back to the mattress, watching Izuku with keen interest in his red eyes.  “Certainly a large improvement compared to your grades in Jr High.”

Izuku flinched back, looking shocked.  “Y-You don’t know anything about me!”

“Oh Izuku.” All for One sighed, sliding closer to him.  Izuku quickly raised his arms up as a shield and tried to push himself back again.  “I wish I could have just patiently waited for you to trust me enough to tell me all about your life, but I’m afraid our situation doesn’t grant us that luxury.  I had to look into your past.”

Izuku’s eyes narrowed again, his teeth grinding together.  “So what?  I don’t have anything to hide.”

What a brave face he was putting on.  All for One could see that his heartbeat was rising under his facade of anger.  “I’m not surprised that they thought you were Quirkless.  My Quirk didn’t manifest until I was older than you were.  I was in college the first time it happened… I’m surprised yours revealed itself so soon.”

“Wh-What are you talking about?” Izuku stuttered.

“There’s no use pretending.” The villain tsked lightly.  “I know that your test results came back negative when you were four, your mother told me herself the last time we-.”

“No.” Izuku stopped him.  “What Quirk?  I-I only have One for All.”

All for One blinked.  It only took a quick survey of his little son’s face to realize and a large smile broke out across his face.  “You haven't realized it yet, have you?  Izu, baby, how do you think I realized that you were my son, hm?”

“I’m not.” Izuku replied quickly, but All for One could see his heartbeat rising once more.  He was already starting to figure it out.  “You aren’t my dad.  You can’t be.”

"And why not?  Because I'm a villain?  Because you have One for All?  Because we were destined to be enemies?  Things like that don’t change your blood, Izuku.  And it doesn't change the fact that you were born with my Quirk.”

Izuku went still.  "You… you're lying."

"What a coincidence that All Might chose you, the very person to inherit my Quirk, to inherit his?" All for One moved a little closer.  "Or perhaps it was fate… if he hadn't,  I never would have found you.  Never would have realized that you were mine."

"I'm not yours." Izuku growled.  "I'm going to be a hero.  It d-doesn't matter where I came from."

"Tell that to the other heroes." All for One chuckled.  "Enough talk.  You must be starving.  Let's get you some breakfast, then we can continue this delightful conversation."

"How much longer do you plan on keeping me here?" Izuku demanded.

All for One just smiled and held out a hand.  "Come along, son.  Let me take care of you."

***

"I'm not giving it to you." Izuku said as soon as his father stepped into the room again.  It had been a week since All for One had brought his son home and he hadn't gotten Izuku to drop his guard or hand over his Quirk.

All for One paused to smile.  His son was so feral, it was honestly adorable.  "Izuku, love, if you don't give me your Quirk then I won't be able to help you."

"I don't need your help." Izuku snarled back.  "Just try and take it from me!"

"But if I did that, it would hurt you very badly." All for One explained, moving towards him slowly.  "It might even kill you, and that's the last thing I want."

"You're such a liar!"

The villain sighed.  "I've already shown you the DNA test, son.  There's no need for us to continue like this."

"Like I would believe that." Izuku scowled.  "Why do you keep pretending like this?  What are you getting out of it?"

"It's not as complicated as you're making it, love."

"Don't come any closer!" Izuku screamed when the man took a larger step towards him, raising a hand to touch him.

All for One saw Izuku’s reaction and pulled back.  “I’m not trying to frighten you, Izuku.  I’m just trying to help you adjust.  I don’t plan on letting you go, ever, so you had best get used to me.  The sooner you do, the less you’ll have to suffer.  I’m only trying to help you.”

“What good would I do you without One for All?”

All for One smiled.  “You’re missing the entire point, my child.  I want you as much as I want your Quirk.  I take good care of my family, whether they appreciate my efforts or not.”

"I don't believe you." Izuku edged away again.

"You don't even know me, Izuku."

"I know what you did to your brother." Izuku replied softly, avoiding his eyes.  "And I know that you hurt people.  You killed All Might's teacher.  You've killed lots of people… so why wouldn't you kill me too?"

"You're talking about things you don't understand." All for One reached towards him again.

"You're right." Izuku flinched back and glared at the offending hand.  "I don't understand why you would kill them.  I don't understand why you hurt people.  I don't understand why you would use your Quirk for something like that when you could help so many people instead."

"Come here, Izuku." All for One took another step.  "Let me show you all the good my work has done."

"I said stay away from me!" Izuku screamed.  "I don't want to see!  I don't want to listen to your lies anymore!  Let me go home!"

"You are home."

Izuku just screamed in reply, signaling that the conversation was finished.  All for One refrained from forcing his company onto the boy.  So far, that had proved ineffective.  Soon enough Izuku would settle down.  He would understand.  He would stop trying to escape, stop fighting against his father, stop acting like… like his Uncle.  No, All for One wouldn't let the past repeat itself.  He wouldn't be losing Izuku, or One for All.  They were both his.

***

It was the middle of the night.  All for One had been carefully watching over Izuku with Search, hoping he would settle down.  His escape attempts had become desperate and dangerous.  He had screamed most of the night, trying to break himself out of his room.  Now he had stopped breaking things and was curled up on his bed, sobbing.  He had been crying for over an hour and didn't show signs of stopping soon.

Izuku didn't look up when All for One entered the room.  He didn't react when his father sat on the bed next to him.  It wasn't until All for One placed a hand on his back that he screamed.  "Get away from me!"

"Izuku-."

"No! Get away!  Goawaygoawaygoawaygoawaygoawaygoawaygoaway!  Leave me alone!"

"Izuku." All for One repeated his name, more firm this time.

"Don't touch me!"

"Darling, you're exhausted.  You haven't slept in days.  It's time for you to go to sleep."

"No, no!" Izuku half sat up, weakly pushing All for One's large hands away.  "No… no!"

"You're overtired." All for One placed his hand on Izuku's head again.

"No!" Izuku sobbed again.  "Don't touch me, don't touch, please."

"You need to sleep."

"Not until I go home!"

"Shhh… stop fighting me, Izuku.  You're only hurting yourself." He wrestled Izuku into his arms and held him tight while he squirmed.

"No no nononononono." Izuku cried over and over.  "Stop it, let go!  Please please please.   Mommy, make him stop!  Mom m-mom." His cries faded into calls for his mother.  He stopped struggling and curled in on himself, softly sobbing his mother's name.

"Izuku, what's wrong?" All for One asked.  He hadn't seen Izuku do anything like this before.

"I want my mom." Izuku cried.  "I want mom.  I want to go home.  Please.  Please."

"Shhh…" All for One rocked him, but Izuku still cried and begged for his mother.  "You need to go to sleep, honey.  If you don't go to sleep, you can't see your mother."

"I don't believe you." Izuku covered his face.  "You liar.  You're a liar."

"If I let you talk with your mother, will you go to sleep?"

Izuku peeked up through his hands.  "Liar." He whispered again.  "I hate you."

All for One checked on Inko with Search.  She was awake, of course.  Izuku was set on a path of self destruction that he was helpless to stop.  The boy wouldn't listen to him, but perhaps he would listen to Inko.  All for One pulled out his phone and dialed Inko's number, stolen out of Izuku's contacts.  He had, of course, let Inko know about their new custody arrangements, sending her the DNA test as proof.  She hadn't been pleased, but he hadn't been up for negotiations.

Izuku stilled as he watched, looking confused.  The phone rang a few times, and when his Quirk saw that she was about to answer, he put the phone up to Izuku's ear.

"What do you want?" Inko said, her voice bitter.

"M-mom?" Izuku perked up at the sound of her voice.

"Izuku?  Baby, is that you?" Inko gasped.

"Mom!" Izuku held the phone with both hands.  "Mom, mom, don't go!  Don't hang up!"

"I'm right here, I won't hang up.  Izuku, honey, where are you?  Are you hurt?  Why are you crying?"

"I m-miss you." Izuku cried.  "Mom, I miss you so much."

All for One could feel Izuku starting to relax in his arms.  Inko was telling him that she missed him too, filling him in on how hard the heroes were looking to find him.  He asked about his classmates and seemed relieved to hear that none of them had lasting injuries.  Even All Might was recovering well.

Izuku had dried his eyes and there was even a faint smile creeping onto his face.  After a while, he finally asked.  "Mom?  Is it true?"

Inko was quiet and with Search, All for One could sense her reaching out to hold someone's hand. "Baby, I… I don't know what to tell you.  Before I married your father there were other men, but I didn't know- I would never have-!"

"It's okay." Izuku stopped her.  "You're still my mom.  I love you."

Inko choked on a small sob.  "I know, baby.  I don't know if it's true or not.  I saw the tests, but that doesn't change anything.  You're ours, not his."

"Is Dad there?" Izuku sniffled.

"Hold on, baby."

A moment later, a male voice came on the phone.

"Dad?" Izuku sounded both excited and relieved.  "Y-yeah, I'm okay.  I- hey!" He cut himself off with a yelp as All for One snatched the phone from his hands.

"Give the phone back to Inko." He snarled in a murderous voice.

In an instant Inko was back, pleading.  "Don't hurt him!"

"Try something like that again and I'll be forced to take away Izuku's privilege to talk with you."

"Don't talk to her like that!" Izuku's voice turned angry for a moment.  He tried to take the phone back, even activating One for All.

All for One chuckled and rubbed the top of his head.  Cute.   "As long as you behave, I'll give the phone back to Izuku."

"Okay, all right." Inko readily agreed.  "It won't happen again.  Just don't take him away again."

All for One gave Izuku back his phone.  The boy snatched it back and pressed it to his ear again.  "Mom?"

"I'm here, baby, it's okay." She told him.  "Don't cry, honey.  I'm not going to let him hurt you."

"I want to come home." Izuku cried.  "Why haven't the heroes found me yet?"

"They're looking, everyone is looking." Inko's voice warbled a little.  "You'll be home soon, honey."

Izuku let out another sob.  "I miss you.  And Dad.  I- I can't sleep.  I keep trying to escape but I can't and then he locks me up again and- and- !" The rest of his words turned into incomprehensible sobs.

Inko calmed him back down, until he was able to talk again.

"M-Mom, he keeps touching me.  He won't stop and I hate it." Izuku whimpered, pulling away from All for One's hand that had started rubbing his back and hair again when he had started crying.

Inko was quiet for a moment.  "Izuku, baby, give the phone back to that man."

"N-no!" Izuku gripped the phone tighter.  "Mom, don't go!  Don't leave me!"

"Trust me, baby.

After a few more coaxing words from his mother, Izuku shakily held the phone back to All for One.  "She wants to talk to you."

All for One took the phone back and kissed his forehead before he walked out of the room.  Izuku pulled his knees up to his chest and slid back against the wall.  He stared at his feet until All for One returned and held the phone back up to his ear.

"Izuku?"

Izuku sniffled and took the phone again.  "I'm here, Mom.  Is Dad there still, can I talk to him?"

"He's here, honey… but he can't talk to you."

"Why not?  It's not fair!" Izuku shot a pained glare at All for One.

"I know, baby, I know.  But he can hear you, and I can tell you what he says.  We can get through this together, honey."

"Don't go." He begged again.

"We won't.  We're here.  We love you."

"I l-love you too." Izuku started crying again.  They stayed on the phone with him until his head sagged and the phone slipped out of his fingers.

All for One picked the phone up and tucked it next to his ear as he tucked Izuku in.

"Izuku?" He heard Inko ask in his ear.

"He's asleep." All for One told her.  He kissed Izuku's forehead and stroked his head for a moment.  "And I think that you and I need to talk, my love."

***

"You didn't have to get so dressed up to see me, my love." All for One smiled as he held the door open.

"It wasn't for you." Inko replied coldly as her heels cracked past him.  She didn't bother thanking him for holding her door, or even glance at the tea and cookies on the table. She sat on the edge of the chair, back straight, purse on her knees.  She kept her head high and prayed he couldn't see her shaking.

"Would you like some tea?" He offered.

"No." Inko answered shortly.  "I want my son back."

All for One settled in the chair across from her, leaning back and comfortably crossing his legs.  "The problem with that request is that he isn't your son, my love.  He is our son."

"So you claim." Inko narrowed her eyes.

"I sent you the DNA test results.  They were sealed, that should be proof enough."

"It isn't.  I want to have them redone by the Hero Commission.  For you, me, Izuku, and Hisashi." Inko replied firmly.  "And, should they for some reason come back positive, we can take this custody battle to court.  But Izuku is staying with me until then."

All for One nodded slowly.  He bent forward and picked up a flower shaped cookie, crunching into it.  After he swallowed the bite, he replied.  "I didn't invite you here to make demands, my love.  Izuku has been missing you and it isn't right to keep a child away from one of their parents."

Inko twitched, clearly holding back as she answered.  "So I am not allowed to make demands to ensure my child's safety, but you can take him away from me, force me to meet with you alone, and not even let me see my Izuku?"

"Izuku is perfectly safe with me, safer than he's ever been before." All for One waved dismissively, crunching on his cookie again.  "You're concerned about the results?  Why would I fake something like that?"

"Izuku has been singled out by villains in the past." Inko replied.

"I had nothing to do with that.  I was doing my best to avoid Izuku, since he was connected to you."

"Then perhaps it's because Izuku has something you want." Inko's next words made him pause.  "All Might told me about One for All."

All for One smiled.  "Did he now?  And did he also tell you about how the Quirk that he forced into our son is also killing him?"

Inko blinked, caught off guard for the first time. "What?"

"My brother's Quirk is one that grows stronger with each passing holder.  If placed in a vessel that is too weak, it will shatter them from the inside.  You may have noticed broken bones, torn muscles.  If Izuku doesn't give One for All away soon, it will completely consume him."

All for One watched as the truth settled in.  Inko's lip was trembling, so were her fingers and knees.  He knew that she was thinking about all of Izuku's hospital trips since he had joined U.A. and what the doctors had told her about Izuku's destructive Quirk.

"Let's make a deal." All for One sat forward.  "I'll agree to split custody, take your tests, play your court game, anything you ask, if you can convince Izuku to give One for All to someone else.  He can go home with you today if he does."

Inko glanced up and met his eye for the first time.  Beneath her mask of makeup and confidence, her eyes gave away the truth.  Sleepless nights, worry, fear, regret, and the desperation to do anything she had to to get her son back.

"What's to stop me from hiding Izuku from you?" She asked.

"Because you know that if I have to take him by force, I won't give him back." All for One grinned and offered her a hand.  "Do we have a deal, my love?"

Inko stared at the hand.  "And if he doesn't agree?"

"Then, for his and your safety, he stays with me."

Inko swallowed.  She wished she had Hisashi here with her, or All Might.  They had wanted to come, but the fear of what might happen to Izuku if she didn't come alone like he'd asked had prompted her to leave them at home.  This was all for Izuku.  She was going to protect him, just like he had done his best to protect everyone else.

With her hand still shaking, she reached out and took his.  All for One smiled wider.  "Thank you, my love.  I'm sure he'll listen to you."

***

Izuku winced at the sound of the door opening.  He felt One for All crackle with displeasure, sensing his fear and ready to activate.  He pushed it back down, not wanting a straight jacket or Quirk cancelling device, or some other awful punishment, to come to him again.  The door closed, softer than the villain usually made an effort to.  Izuku didn't look up from where he was seated on the edge of the bed.  He didn't want to do this again.

The sound of heels crossing the room came towards him, slow and cautious.  Heels?  Why would All for One be wearing heels?  His very existence screamed biased heterosexual male.   Izuku couldn't imagine him bending an inch in any direction on that matter.  Unable to resist, Izuku glanced up.

"Hi there, baby." Inko smiled through her wet eyes.

"M-mom?" Izuku's voice broke.  He froze, not sure he could believe it.  A trick?  A trap from All for One?  A hallucination from finally losing his mind?

She softly hugged him.  He could feel her trembling, smell her laundry soap.  His arms moved on their own to latch onto her and he burst into tears.

"Mom!  Mom, you're here!  I m-missed you so much!  I was scared!  I thought I would never get to see you again!"

"It's okay, baby, it's okay." Inko soothed.

Izuku didn't bother trying to figure out how long he stayed in his mother's arms.  Long enough for his tears and trembling to stop, long enough for him to forget what had kept them apart for so long.  He was safe at last.  After an eternity- not nearly long enough- Inko pulled back and dried both of their eyes.

"How are you eating?  Have you been sleeping all right?  What about your injuries?"

Izuku just shook his head.  Nothing was right with him, nothing in his life was going well.

Inko pursued her lips and nodded.  "Okay, it's okay, baby." She hugged him again.  "I'm going to fix this."

"How?" Izuku asked weakly.  "He's too strong.  And he's crazy- he's not ever going to let me go!"

"Trust me, sweetie.  I'm going to be the hero this time and save you.  No matter what."

Izuku didn't bother arguing.  He wanted that more than anything, so he didn't let himself try and think about the logistics of his mother's claim.  He closed his eyes and soaked up her presence once more.

"All Might told me about your Quirk." Inko said softly after they had sat in silence for a long time.  Izuku sat up and pulled back.

"He did?" He looked down at his hands. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier.  I wanted to keep you safe and I didn't want you to worry but… I guess I did a really bad job of that."

Inko reached over and took his hand.  "I understand, baby.  I'm not angry with you, I'm just worried about you.  This Quirk, it's too strong for you, isn't it?"

"Did All Might tell you that too?  Or is it still too obvious?"

Inko hesitated.  "It wasn't All Might who told me that One for All was killing you."

Izuku twitched and nodded.  "What else did he tell you?"

"He said you're going to die young, like everyone else who had the Quirk before you." Inko gave his hand a squeeze.  "Izuku, baby, I don't want to lose you."

"You aren't going to lose me." Izuku turned towards her.  "I'm always going to be here for you, I promise.  But… I can't give away One for All."

"Izuku, honey, I know how much having a Quirk means to you." Inko placed her other hand on his cheek.  "But something like this… I'm still your mother.  I'm trying to protect you."

"I know, mom." Izuku closed his eyes and leaned into his hand.  "But there's more that he didn't tell you.  He's been hunting this Quirk for hundreds of years.  It belonged to his brother, and he wants it back.  It keeps getting stronger and stronger, but most of the other users died young because he killed them trying to get it back.  He would have killed me by now too if he hadn't realized that… decided that…'' Izuku trailed off, unable to finish.  He couldn't say it out loud still.

"Is that true?" Inko paled a little.

"Mom, I can't give it to him.  If I do, he'll be too strong for anyone to stop.  I was the one who was supposed to stop him, when I was old enough and strong enough.  Please, I can't give this to him."

"To someone else then.  He can give you a different Quirk and someone else can have this one." Inko's eyes began to fill with tears again.

"A Quirk he stole from someone else." Izuku shook his head.  "All Might gave me One for All, he trusted me with it.  I can't just- it's my Quirk now.  Even without All for One, this one is- this one is mine." Izuku started crying again as well.  "Please mom, don't let him take my Quirk away.  If I don't have One for All, how can I be a hero?"

Inko pulled Izuku into her chest.  "All right, baby.  It's going to be okay."

"I want to be a hero, mom.  I want to save people!" Izuku cried.  "Can't I still be a hero?  I don't want to stay here, I want to be like All Might, like my friends.  He'll never let me, he'll lock me up the same way he did with his brother.  He's never going to let me see dad again, or go outside, or go to school.  He's not going to let me go."

"That's not true." Inko hugged him closer.  "He's not going to keep you here like this, he has no right.  I'm not going to let him.  No matter what it takes, I'm going to bring you home and get you back to school."

"Wh-what about my Quirk?" Izuku rubbed his face into her shoulder.  "He wanted you to get it didn't he?  Did he say he would let me go if I agreed to give it to him?"

"You can't be a hero without your Quirk, can you?  We'll figure something else out."

"I can wait." Izuku squoze her back.  "I trust you and dad and All Might."

"You're my brave little hero." Inko whispered.  "I love you."

Izuku shuddered, holding back another song.  "I love you too, mom."

***

All for One opened the door.  Izuku was sitting on the edge of his bed, staring down at his hands.  His eyes were wet and he was making soft sniffling sounds.  All for One closed the door behind him as he approached his son.  Izuku turned away when he sat beside him, using his sleeve to dry his cheeks.

"You could have left with her, if you wanted." He said softly.

Izuku gave a small snort.  "On what conditions?  You just want my Quirk."

"Your Quirk is All for One, my child."

"No, my Quirk is One for All." Izuku crossed his arms over his chest, but it seemed more an act of self comfort than defiance.  "And I'm not yours.   I'm never going to be yours."

"Your mother is worried about you."

"That's your fault.  All of this is your fault." Izuku scooted away, voice dropping to a mumble.  "No wonder mom didn't want to be with you."

All for One let out a long sigh and rubbed his eyes.  "Izuku, that's much more complicated than you think.  I never even properly asked her out."

"So you were just playing around with her?" Izuku looked disgusted.  "That sounds about right for a villain like you."

"Nothing I say is ever going to make me like you, is it?"

"Are you going to start hurting me if I say no?" Izuku's eyes drifted back to him, looking anxious.

"I told you, son, I'm not going to hurt you."

"Isn’t that what you do?  Hurt people?” Izuku challenged, then looked away again.  “Leave me alone.  I don’t want to talk to you.”

"Are you going to keep sulking forever?"

"Yes.  No.  Just go away."

"Aren't you going to yell and scream at me again?" All for One chuckled, reaching out to ruffle his hair.  "Or are you actually starting to adjust?"

Izuku jerked away and glared.  "You aren't worth the effort." He slid further away, knees hitting the wall as he ran out of space.

Seeing his opportunity, All for One slid down as well, trapping Izuku against the wall.  "You're talkative today.  Chat with me for a bit longer, then I'll leave."

"I said I don't want to." Izuku growled as he squirmed under his father's arm that was trying to drag him closer.

"What's your favorite treat?  Color?  Song?" All for One squoze him to his side.  "What kind of toothpaste do you use?  How should we decorate your room?"

"You don't get to know!" Izuku pushed back.  "Don't touch me!  Get off!"

"Talk to me and I'll let you send a letter to anyone you like."

Izuku didn't bother considering it.  "You're such a liar.  Don't you ever get tired of lying?"

"I don't lie, Izuku."

Izuku looked up and met his eyes.  All for One blinked in surprise.  Izuku hadn't ever done that before, not unless he was throwing a fit.  But those times Izuku's eyes were always clouded with rage.  Right now, Izuku's eyes were clear and calculating.  Izuku had been known for being smart and analytical, but up until now he'd been too afraid to let that talent out.  But, seeing the way that his little one was scanning him and picking him apart for weaknesses, All for One felt a chill run up his spine and a smile instantly cover his face.

Izuku's eyes flickered to the smile, then narrowed as they returned to his.  "Are you ever going to let me leave this place?"

"Of course, someday I will.  When it's safe for you."

Izuku smirked.  "Like I said, you're nothing but a liar."

"Perhaps from your perspective.  But someday you'll give up One for All and when that day comes, you'll have much more freedom."

"I don't believe you.  No matter what I do, you'll always be trying to control me.  Even if I give away my Quirk, even if I do everything you ask, you'll always want more."

"And what makes you so sure of that, little one?"

Izuku couldn't hold back a small, sad smile.  "Because you're a villain.  You'll never be satisfied.  You could conquer the world, get everything you ever wanted, and still wish for more.  If you were going to change, you would have done it a long time ago."

 "I changed for you." All for One pointed out.

"Yeah, thanks so much for deciding not to brutally murder me just because we're blood related." Izuku grumbled.  "Not that it stopped you from doing that to First-."

"What happened with my brother," All for One cut him off sharply, "was not what you think it was.  Whatever fragmented memories he showed you, I loved him more than anyone in the world."

"Then why did you hurt him?" Izuku looked back up at his father.  "Why was he so scared of you?"

"I would rather not talk with you about this, son." All for One tried to change the topic.

"I'm not your son." Izuku said.  "You aren't my dad.  I don't care what the stupid test says.  You don't act like a dad.  You act like a villain."

"And what would you like me to do?"

"I just want-!" Izuku stopped himself. "Never mind.  You don't listen anyways."

"Tell me what you were going to say." All for One gave Izuku a squeeze as he tried to push away.

"I'm done talking." Izuku pushed back.  "Leave me alone!"

"I'm trying to help you." All for One pulled Izuku onto his lap. "Talk to me."

Izuku squirmed.  "Stop it, I don't want to talk.  Please don't touch me anymore."

"Tell me what's on your mind."

"Put me down." Izuku shook his head.  "I'll tell mom."

All for One chuckled.  "You think I'm afraid of your mother?"

Izuku glared at him.  "You should be."

"Well then, I guess that gives me something to look forward to." All for One ran a hand through Izuku's hair.  "Is that really all you have to say to me?"

Izuku thought about it for a moment before looking up to meet his eyes again.  "You aren't going to win.  The villains never do."

"Is that so?" All for One's smile widened.  "I'll keep that in mind, little one."

Izuku pushed again and the villain allowed him to push himself off his lap and out of his arms.  He quickly put distance between them, making sure that he was out of reach.  He watched All for One like a wary animal.

All for One stood and held his hand out, as if expecting Izuku to return to his side.  "You can't avoid me forever, son.  The sooner you accept that, the better."

Izuku took a step back.  "No.  I won't.  I won't ever accept you.  Mom and the heroes are going to stop you."

"And if they can't?  You're mine, little one.  My son.  They have no right to take you away from me."

Izuku tightened his fists.  "Then I will.  As the ninth holder of One for All, I will stop you once and for all."

"How sweet.  I’ll look forward to that.” All for One couldn’t hide the fondness from his expression.  It really felt as though Izuku was starting to open up to him.  He was willing to play along with Izuku’s hero complex if it meant that they could get closer.  After all, there was no way someone as small and sweet as his son could actually stop him, even with such a powerful Quirk.

Izuku took another step back, clearly disturbed by All for One’s expression.  The wary and nervous look on his face was so like his little brother.  All for One wanted him back in his arms again to kiss and cuddle and protect.  Izuku backed away again until his back hit the wall.  His father's shadow fell over him, his affectionate expression causing the boy to slide down the wall until he hit the floor.

"Stop, please." Izuku begged.  "Leave me alone.  Y-you promised."

"Just a few more minutes, Izuku." All for One promised, scooping him up once more.  He kissed Izuku's cheeks and forehead, earning a small sob.  "Let Daddy enjoy his time alone with you."

"I hate you." Izuku's tough front cracked at last.  "I'll never love you."

"You will, baby, you will." All for One promised, nuzzling their heads together.  He settled back on Izuku's bed and gave him a loving squeeze.  "Daddy will keep loving you until you do."

***

Hisashi didn't understand how All Might could appear so calm.  His heart was racing, and when he wasn't pacing, his foot was nervously tapping the ground.  Inko had been gone for too long.  He couldn't believe he'd allowed his wife to walk into a supervillain's lair alone and unarmed.  A villian who had slept with his wife many times in the past before they met.  He felt sick worrying about her safety, not to mention the crushing anxiety he'd been experiencing since his son had been kidnapped.

All Might, for his part, stayed leaned against the wall, his eyes fixed on an old stain.  Hisashi knew that he hadn't slept in weeks, not since Izuku's kidnapping.  He knew how much the aging hero blamed himself, especially when he revealed how close his relationship with Izuku actually was.  But after learning the truth, Hisashi had actually felt better about the entire situation.  He knew that he didn't have the best relationship with his son due to the distance work forced him to stay at.  He did his best, but he couldn't always be there when Izuku needed him.  Knowing that his son had found a father figure who cared about him as much as All Might did made him happy.

A dark misty portal opened and both men jumped.  It was the same that had taken Inko away so many hours before.  A villian stepped out, Kurogiri.  His hand stayed in the portal, emerging a moment later to help Inko step safely through.  He gave her a polite bow, then vanished with the mist.

"Inko!" Hisashi rushed to embrace her.  She hugged him tightly, her knees giving out beneath her.

All Might and Hisashi helped her sit down on the couch.  All Might ran to get her some water while Hisashi knelt by her side, squeezing her hand.

"I'm fine, thank you." Inko accepted the water.

"What did he want?" Hisashi asked.

"To discuss custody arrangements." Inko replied bitterly.

"Did he let you see Izuku?" All Might asked.

"Yes.  He's… okay.  His injuries are all healed, but he wants to leave.  I've never seen him so depressed before." Inko's voice caught and she covered her mouth, tears forming in her eyes.  "I couldn't bring him home.  Hisashi, I'm so sorry."

Hisashi quickly moved to sit on the couch beside her, letting her turn into him and cry on his shoulder.  "It's okay, love.  We're so proud of you.  You were so brave."

"He's all alone." Inko cried.  "He's so scared, Hashi.  I'm scared.  What if we never get him back?  What if that monster keeps him forever."

"That won't happen." All Might promised.

Inko cried for several more minutes before she pulled back and started wiping her eyes.  "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come back like this."

"It's okay." Hisashi kissed her head and gave her another squeeze.

Inko took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.  All Might offered her a handkerchief that she accepted.  "Thank you." She took a deep breath.  "I'm okay, really.  Just frustrated.  Seeing him like that.  Not being able to help.  Knowing that I left him in that awful situation."

Both men waited for Inko to catch her breath enough to continue.  Inko finished dabbing her eyes and shook her head.  "I'm not leaving him there again." She looked up at All Might and locked his eyes with a fiery and determined expression.  "Tell me everything- your Quirk, that villian, his brother, Izuku.  I need to know what we're up against."

All Might hesitated.

"I know you're afraid." Inko reached out and took his hand.  "Izuku told me what happened to your mother and her family."

"How did he know about that?" All Might paled.  "I never told him."

"He said that he dreamt about it.  I know you're trying to keep us safe, but Izuku is in danger.  We'll keep your secret, but we need to know.  For Izuku."

All Might let out a long sigh, easing himself into the seat across from them.  "Yes, you're right.  It's doing you more harm at this point to keep it from you."

"We're going to get him back." Inko said firmly, holding Hisashi's hand tightly.  "No matter what.  I won't ever give up."