Toshinori looks up from his phone. “I uh...better get going.” He said. Inko was already prying Ako’s chubby little fist off of Toshi’s finger.

“Of course.”

The thunder overhead clapped in the distance. She hummed in concern, taking Ako into her arms while Toshi made his way to Izuku’s room. There on the floor was the box in question and a series of notebooks halfway spilling out. Izuku mentioned it would have been the first entry in the 9th notebook, with some skimming he found what he’d come here for.

“I was hoping the storm would skip over us.” Inko murmured to herself, bouncing Ako on her hip. She was grateful that Izuku was in the dorms.

Toshinori stepped out of the room, notebook in hand. Ako giggled in delight, chubby arms waving at him. He gave them both a big grin.

“Did you find it?”

Toshi nodded, holding up the notebook. “Your son has the potential to be the greatest tactician.”

Inko smiled gently. “He has a good mentor to teach him.”

Toshi feels the blush reddening his cheeks. Something about her praise, the way she smiled at him, made him feel as if he’d earned something he previously wasn’t aware of. Thinking about his earlier white lie made the pleasant feeling sour into shame.

“I’ll be going now.” He says. Inko’s surprised. Concern grips her as she eyes the darkness surrounding them outside. Toshi follows her line of sight and is startled at the immediate change in weather. The temperature has dropped, the wind is blowing a little harder. To top it off, bolts of lightning could be seen rolling in the distance.

“Um...I think I can make it before the rain falls.”

“Are you parked far?” She asks.

Toshi shuffled back and forth. “I walked.”

Inko protested. “You can’t possibly make it back to campus before the storm hits!” Ako looked between them, making noises as if to agree.

Toshi however insists. “I’ll be fine, I’m sure.”

Despite her gentle protests, Toshinori was determined to leave. He leaned down to say goodbye to Ako. That would turn out to be a mistake. Baby Ako took the opportunity to leap halfway out of Inko’s arms and grab both of Toshi’s bangs. Inko gaped in horror. Ako’s sticky grip was iron, determined not to let her new playmate go.

“Ow, ow, bad baby!” Toshi wailed. “Don’t do that! Inko...help!” He begged.

Inko wasn’t fairing much better. “I can’t...your hair Toshi, she’s got a tighter grip…”

Pulling them off proved harder. Ako seemed determined to hold onto him, sticking her fist full of Toshi’s hair straight into her mouth. She yanked poor Toshi’s head in doing so, nearly knocking him into Inko’s chest. He couldn’t help but blush. Juggling Ako while trying to help Toshinori was too difficult. Moving to the couch was the easiest thing to do. A boom of thunder so loud it shook the windows signaled the start of the storm. The downpour was heavy like someone had released a waterfall directly on top of them.

“Oh my goodness,” Inko whispered.

“Uh, Inko, could you please?”

“Right!”

Inko didn’t want to risk pulling on Toshi’s hair out of Ako’s grip lest it gets pulled out. Cutting it wouldn’t do either. She thought for a moment when an idea occurred to her. It seemed like a long shot, but it might work. Setting Ako down on Toshi’s lap she started tickling her sides. Ako squealed, her laughter filling up the apartment. She pulled on Toshi’s bangs a little more, making him wince. Eventually, her little hands released his bangs, unable to concentrate to keep her hold.

Toshi rubbed his aching scalp. “That was genius.”

“You're sweet to say that.” Inko sighed. Ako was still giggling as she settled in Inko’s lap. Looking right up into his face, nearly making eye contact with him, Ako gave him a large, gummy grin. Toshi couldn’t stay mad at a face like that. He gently chucked her under her chin.

“You are a real trouble maker, you know that?”

Inko smiled at him. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a man with as much patience for babies like you. Not even Hisashi.”

It was the first time he’d ever heard the name spoken aloud that he can recall. Izuku was surprisingly tight-lipped about the subject. He didn’t dare ask, certain he’d be pinching a nerve. All he knew about Hisashi Midoriya was he worked overseas, sent generous alimony to Inko to provide for Izuku and he can breathe fire. That was about it. Hearing him acting like a father seemed surreal. Any man who prefers to live in another country away from his family didn’t seem the kind of man that acted paternally. Inko hazard a guess at what he was thinking.

“Hisashi was very attentive at the beginning. He does love Izuku. He just wasn’t a patient sort of man. He threw his whole life into his work, at the cost of everything else.”

“That’s something I can relate with,” Toshi admits. His tone sounds sad and regretful. Inko looks at him with sympathy.

“You threw yourself into saving lives every single day. You inspired a generation. I don’t think any of us appreciates what you’ve given up for the rest of us to live in peace.”

Neither of them speaks. It surprises him to realize how easily she can read him, see into him. It’s kind of unnerving. He wonders if it's a motherly thing. Ako watches this with fading interest, moving her arms to gain attention. The rain outside pours down above, lightning flashing at the windows. Above them, they hear tapping, like marbles dropped onto the ground.

“Is that, hail ?” Inko wonders.

“Sounds like it,” Toshi says. “On second thought, maybe this little one did me a favor.”

He’s foolish to have thought he’d be able to make it back to school before the storm hit. In his frail condition, with the cold wind and rain, he’d give himself pneumonia. Then he’d truly be useless to his students and especially Izuku. How often do I forget that I am not the man I once was? A cold wouldn’t have affected me back then but now…

“Oh Ako!” Inko laughed. “You silly thing!” She was crawling up the couch, waving her chubby arm to get Toshi’s attention. He smiled at the child, innocent as she was mischievous. He caught a glimpse of Inko’s face. Round cheeks flushed pink, laugh lines around her eyes and mouth, topped off with a very pretty smile. Then she turned her eyes upwards to look at him. Her eyes were the loveliest shade of green.

He’d always thought Inko Midoriya was a very pretty woman. Then he felt a fluttering in his chest, warmth spreading to his cheeks. She’s a very beautiful woman. He thinks. Maybe not in the traditional sense but still. A very beautiful woman.

“Toshinori? Is something wrong?”

He blinks out of his reverie. “Uh, sorry, got lost in thought.”

Dangerous thoughts, he reminds himself. He puts all his focus on baby Ako, picking her up and gently tossing her above his head. She squeals with joy, even as Inko watches with concern. She relaxes when Toshinori gives her that huge grin of his.

Playtime with Ako proves to be oddly relaxing for both of them. Inko laughed more than she has in some time, watching Ako and Toshinori play. Eventually, it's time for a diaper change which Inko takes over, much to his relief.

“I think I have more experience with this than you do.” She says with a cheeky grin.

“I leave this to the professionals.” He says.

After her diaper change, Ako yawns. Putting Ako down for her second nap, Inko was almost ready to take one of her own. She was not the young mother she once was. Izuku was also an easy baby compared to Ako. He didn’t leap through the air of climb walls. It didn’t surprise her when she saw Toshinori laying across the couch, snoring away. He’d already had an eventful day. She laid a blanket across him, letting him rest. He deserved it.

The hail had stopped but the rain continued pounding down. Inko feared the potential damage some of her neighbors may have to deal with. It won’t be letting up anytime soon. She thinks with unease.

Thunder shoots off, this time so close it shakes the apartment. From the baby monitor, she hears Ako crying. She rushed into her bedroom, picking her up and whispered soothing words to her.

“Shhh...shhh…” Inko whispers. “You're safe, you're alright.”

In the living room, Toshi is still lying on the couch, legs twitching. Toshi startles himself awake, wet coughs erupting from his mouth. He awakes in a blind panic, not sure where he is. He thought he heard a baby crying and...and...

Inko. That’s right. I’m here at her house...because of the rain. He recalls. She’s taking care of a baby. I wonder where...

Lightning flashed across the window, making him jump. Bad dreams. Focus. Breath. Let it go.

He swore he heard Inko’s voice but could only make out Ako’s crying. He followed her cries down the hall where Inko sat on the bed, Ako wrapped up in her arms. She was humming a lullaby to Ako while gently swaying her back and forth in her arms.

“I know, it's so scary out there. Don’t worry, you're safe.” Inko promised in a soothing voice.

Toshinori, like so many other men, forgot to appreciate the quiet strengths in regular people like Inko. Patience. Kindness. Devotion. How mothers since time immemorial had thrown themselves into raising not just their offspring but sometimes others that were not their own. He thought about Nana, all of her struggles and personal sacrifices that must have cut so deep but she never showed her pain. He thought of Inko raising a son all alone, a quirkless boy in a society that valued quirks above everything else. Yet he never knew a day without love. Or kindness. Or the devotion his mother showered on him. Izuku often mentioned how lucky he was to have Inko for a mother, how he wished he could do more than make her worry.

“She’s the best mom any kid could have. I regret always scaring her.” He confided in him.

Ako finally quieted, going right back to sleep in Inko’s arms, little head lying against her chest. Inko was still swaying Ako when she looked up to see Toshi watching her from the doorway.

“Sorry, did we wake you?”

“No, the thunder did.” He assured her.

“Poor little Ako got spooked,” Inko whispered. “She’s almost back to sleep now.”

“Looks like she’s out of it to me.”

“Babies are very sensitive. They’ll wake up immediately after they’ve been put back in their cradle.”

Toshi smiled at her, admiring her ability to understand what her little charge needed.

It was just so lovely as he was watching a dream. In his youth Toshi once considered settling down and marrying, starting a family. But he was the symbol of peace and with it came several costs. He had a whole world to take care of and enemies so dangerous that even allowing himself to love someone seemed too...selfish. Before he knew it his youth was gone, so too was his chance at having a family. It was worth the sacrifice, knowing that children like Izuku and Ako could grow up in a better world.

“Ako reminds me a little of Izuku. He was always getting into shenanigans as a baby. Even without a quirk, he could be a handful.”

“I can’t picture Izuku causing as much fuss as this little one.” He says, watching her.

“There was that time he crawled out of his stroller and got stuck in a rabbit hole.” Inko giggled. “I nearly died of a heart attack!”

Toshi laughed, covering his mouth, trying not to wake Ako. “Good lord, he did that?”

“I was a new mom and exhausted. He had so much energy, even then.”

“He still does!” Toshi said, making Inko laugh.

Their whispered conversations carried on through the day. Ako slept through it, to Toshi’s relief. Inko finally laid her down to sleep when the storm cleared up, as quickly as it came. Toshi grabbed the notebook, bidding Inko a farewell, and thank-you.

“I am sorry you got caught up in Ako’s shenanigans.” She apologized.

Toshi grinned down at her. “It’s quite alright. I got to spend the day in good company.”

On pure impulse, he leaned down and hugged her. It took her by surprise but it was not unpleasant. Or unwelcome. She returned the hug, taking in his musky scent, the lithe muscle underneath the clothes, the gentle strength in which he held her. It was over in a moment, her cheeks red as apples, a tiny blush on Toshi’s gaunt face.

“I will be on my way. Thank you again, Ms. Midoriya.”

“Please be safe. You can call me Inko if you like.”

Toshi returned to the dorms, amazed at how lighthearted he felt. He delivered the notebook, the student thanking him profusely. Checking in on his students in the infirmary, he found Izuku sitting up in bed, working on another notebook.

“You know my boy, it’s recommended to get some rest after an injury.”

“All Might!” The boy exclaimed. “Did you find a notebook?”

“Found and delivered.” He said, taking a seat by his protege. “How are you Izuku?”

“Better. A little exhausted, though that’s nothing compared to what Katchan’s going through right now.”

“Nothing he didn’t deserve,” Toshi said. Izuku had to agree.

Biting his lower lip, he looked up to ask his teacher about his mother. Toshi held up a hand. “I didn’t mention the incident. Though I do ask that you not keep things from her. It’ll only worry her more in the long term.”

“I know. She’s been put through a lot recently and I don't want to involve her if it means she’d get hurt.” He says.

All too familiar words that struck a nerve with him. Toshi considered his protege for a moment. “It’s good you're thinking about her safety. But a word of advice: keeping the people who care about you at a distance doesn’t protect them or you, it only makes it harder. I’ve made that mistake and I don’t want you to do the same.”

Izuku stared at him like he just dropped some profound wisdom. Toshi ruffled his hair, laughing at the boy's eagerness.

Inko handed the energetic babe to her grandmother’s arms.

“Thank-you again Inko. I can’t tell you what a help you’ve been.”

“I was happy to! She’s certainly a crafty little thing. Launch and Sticky Fingers make for a unique quirk combo.”

Her grandmother startled. “What?

Inko explained Ako’s rambunctiousness without going into too much detail. The warning was much appreciated by grandmother, who’d forward the information to Ako’s parents. Once her guests were gone, Inko was alone in her apartment that felt too large and too small all at once. She went about putting up the dishes, straightening up the couch, and just generally puttering away. She collapsed down on her bed, thinking about the day.

That hug was as unexpected as it was welcomed and she did enjoy it. All Might was famous for his hugs. She’d liked to hope he’d do it again.