This OS is the prize for – for her 1st place in my Seasons contest! Congrats! I hope you'll like it even if it is a little different.

He got up at the break of down and went for a run, as always.

Maybe he wasn't the number one hero anymore, maybe he wasn't the Symbol of Peace. But he used to be. In every layer of his self, from his first cry in this world, before One for All.

So there was no reason to stop being himself after One for All.

He was alive, his quirk was alive in young Midoriya, the best successor he could ask for. He was there to guide him.

It could have (should have?) go much worse.

And maybe it was exactly that subtle sense of guilt that crawled below his skin and pushed him to get up every morning, slide into oversized gym clothes and run. A vague and unacceptable sense of guilt, an omen of what was going to be.

A thin rain came to cool down his thoughts.

He had run farther than usual without realizing it, outside the campus in one of the outer streets. But his legs did not bring him to a random place.

There was a slight destination in his head every night, punctual, before he went to bed. Every morning, punctual, he decided to ignore it.

Yet, there he was, just for a moment of distraction.

The rain was dense but soft on the sleeping neighbourhood.

All Might (Yagi, now, Yagi Toshinori) shouldn't have been there.

If it wasn't for that damn gala, and "it would be really good for you to show up with a date, and maybe someone of a certain prestige, you know, all the heroes will", etcetera, etcetera...

His gaunt lips were tugged into a smirk.

Principal Nezu surely wouldn't approve. Nobody would, actually. It was a poor idea. The more he thought about it, the more reasons he could find why that was a horrible idea. Instead, he took a couple of steps to reach the door in front of him and rang the bell.

No answer.

Of course, idiot, it's six in the morning.

He knew it was the right address, he had Tsukauchi-kun confirm it with a random excuse.

Toshinori Yagi waited for an entire minute in front of the complex, his long hair now soaked and mind empty.

When a man walked out, he took his chance and slid inside without giving it too much thought. Too much thought had already been given anyway.

«Third floor... apartment four.» he mumbled, stopping in front of an old door.

The name on the tag was deleted with an angry marker but that was the place.

He knocked.

After a few seconds, his trained ears caught some movements from the other side. He leaned to the door.

«L/n-san?»

Another few moments.

«All Might? Is that you?»

The voice came muffled from behind the thick wood.

Without waiting for a reply, the door burst open and you stepped in front of him with a confused expression.

"I see you're doing well."

That's what he was going to say. In that moment, though, the words died on his lips.

You weren't doing well.

You lost too much weight in such a short time. Your lips (oh, how he remembered your lips) were livid and cracked, your hair messy. And your eyes, once so bright and lively, were now sunken and tired.

You were only wearing shorts and a big T-shirt that fell below your shoulder, revealing the wounded skin. There was a red cut on your jaw too. And then...

«L/n-san.»

Yagi hinted to the gun in your hand, now forgotten against your thigh.

«Oh.»

You blinked and shook your head.

«Sorry, I don't normally answer the door with a gun in my hand. It's just so early, and I wasn't expecting visitors.»

You abandoned the weapon on a piece of furniture nearby.

«What are you doing here? Something happened at school?»

A small glimpse of anxiety spread on your tormented face.

«Nothing happened, I just came by to see how you're doing.»

«You did?»

The shadow of your crooked smile tugged at your lips and the realization of how much he missed it tugged at his guts.

«Tell me, don't you think I look great?»

The irony in your voice made his stomach churn.

How did they manage to lose you? How did they manage to leave you alone to fend for yourself in those dark times?

«I... did I wake you up?» he asked, scratching his nape.

«Well, yeah. But I got back from work a hour ago anyway.» you stepped aside and turned to the kitchen «Come, I'll prepare some coffee.»

When he walked past you, Toshinori felt the soft touch of your hand on his arm.

«I'm happy to see you, Yagi-san. Sorry for the weird welcome.»

«No, I should be sorry for coming by so early without asking!» he immediately replied, turning to you.

Shit.

Seeing your eyes looking up at him, he mentally slapped himself.

You were younger than him by what? Twenty years?

You're an idiot, Toshinori.

His gaze caught a glimpse of the gun resting in the hall.

Too many wrong things. More than he was prepared to.

«All Might?»

«Hum, yes?»

«Are you sure everything is fine?»

Yagi vigorously nodded his head.

«Of course! No emergency, no attack, everyone is okay.»

You slightly pouted.

«What about you?»

«Me?»

«Yeah, are you alright?»

«Well...»

He offered you a fatalistic smile and shrugged.

«I'm still here, aren't I?»

You smiled too.

«Come.»

He followed you to the small kitchen trying not to let his gaze wander around too much. He felt like and intruder in the privacy of a person he didn't know that well after all. He arrived without warnings, full of doubts, dropping in your evidently already complicated life. Filled with problems that nor him nor U.A. was able to face a few months before.

You had killed three villains during the war, apparently in cold blood. When the chaos had settled and the victims were counted, someone in the police called you out for it. The investigation that followed shed some light on your strange upbringing abroad and your alleged ties with Stain. As a result, you were put on forced sabbatical from your hero activity and then you left U.A. – which left you much less protected from villain retaliations.

You had him sit at the small table and started tinkering with boiler and cups.

«Sorry, this place isn't much. It's a temporary solution.»

You clumsily pushed the smaller cups away and filled the boiler with water. Maybe you remembered All Might couldn't drink coffee.

«Are you still working with the police?» he asked.

«Yes.»

«And is it... dangerous?»

You glanced at him over your shoulder and he tapped his fingers on his sharp jaw, gesturing to the cut on your face.

«Oh.» you instinctively touched the wound «No, nothing worse than regular hero routine.»

«I thought you were only assisting in some interrogation, since your quirk would help.»

«Yeah...» you turned back to the stoves «Sorry, All Might, I can't really talk about it.»

What the hell were they asking of you?

He watched you preparing the tea in silence for a while.

«You know,» you started while preparing coffee for yourself «I wanted to contact you. I was a little worried, after all the shit with All for One... I'm sorry I didn't.»

«Don't be, I could say the same. Are you still in touch with someone from U.A.?»

You shrugged.

«Mic was texting, at first. It was difficult for me though, especially at the beginning... I felt like I needed distance from U.A., so I hardly replied. Even if it hurt.»

You were talking so openly, Yagi felt the guilt biting at him fiercer than ever.

He didn't fight enough when you said you would leave U.A. and collaborate with the police. None of them did.

And yet they knew you would have never chosen to go if you could. But it was a dark time for U.A., between Shigaraki and the social panicking, and yes, you made mistakes too.

There was a meeting. All Might spoke against your resignation. Who Else? Eraser Head, Present Mic, Snipe. Nezu stayed quiet for a while before deciding, then he accepted it. He said U.A.'s door would always be open for you, blah blah blah. Nobody protested anymore.

You put the cup in front of him, breaking into his memories.

«What kind of tea you want? I've only got this two.»

Mint and black vanilla. He smiled.

«Black vanilla for me.»

You sat in front of him with your coffee.

«How are the students? Tell me about them.»

All Might did.

He told you about Izuku's progresses, of how Bakugo remained a difficult character despite still being on his way to recovery, of how Todoroki seemed more and more open to his friends and family. He told you about how Tokoyami and Amajiki were both distinguishing themselves at school and on the field, since he knew they used to follow a special training with you.

You had a nostalgic smile as you sipped your coffee. You chuckled, asked some questions but never too detailed.

«All Might, why are you here?» you suddenly asked.

Toshinori gulped, taken aback.

«Sorry, maybe it's the sleep deprivation talking,» you added, rubbing your eyes «but it has been four months.»

Here we go, then. Cards down.

«I was worried about you, L/n-san.»

«Y/n.» you corrected him «And you don't have to be worried. I'm a pro hero like any other. Well, former pro hero. Do you stress over all your colleagues?»

All Might tilted his head to the side.

«Former colleagues. And actually, yes.»

You chuckled.

«Fair enough. You should have more faith in us though.»

«Maybe you're right. Anyway, I don't like how things went.»

«Neither do I, but that's on me. I made mistakes and now I'm doing what I can to remedy.»

Your hands were fiddling with the empty cup.

«Your mistakes--»

«Sorry.» you interrupted, eyes glued to the table «I don't want to talk about it.»

He mentally cursed.

He was there to do more, do better.

All Might sighed and nodded.

«Have you heard about the gala?»

«I've read about it, yes.» your face suddenly turned malicious and he let out a silent breath of relief «I guess the hatchlings are all over the place, huh? And you teachers too. I've heard everyone should bring a date.»

Toshinori felt slightly relieved. He was tempted to let the conversation flow towards lighter details, like how Midnight would come with her current toyboy or nobody would guess the gender of Present Mic's date in advance.

But he wasn't there for that.

«Yes. I too was strongly encouraged to go with a lady. I've already received some invitations...»

«Of course. How many celebrities stepped forward?» you asked with a malicious smirk.

«Some, yeah.» he ran his hand through his hair.

Come oooon. Get to the point, you useless geezer.

«Y/n.»

You were about to say something but his voice stopped you instantly.

«Would you like to be my date for the gala?»

For a few, long seconds, your face did not betray any emotion. Then, suddenly, your eyebrows jolted so high on your forehead they formed two perfect semicircles.

«What?»

Toshinori swallowed.

«Would you... be my date for the night?»

More silence.

«All Might...»

Your eyebrows finally relaxed a little but your lip twitched.

«All Might. Just saying your name makes it surreal. Are you okay?»

His guts churned.

Suddenly he was very self-conscious about the oversized gym suit, his hair still humid from the rain, his flesh tugged over the sharp cheekbones.

«You're worried about me and I thank you for that.» you continued in an awkward rambling «But this is an absurd solution! The whole school will be there, other pros, the press! You're All Might, you can't go to the ball with someone like me!»

Toshinori frowned in confusion.

He was used to be put on a pedestal. In the past. And here he was, just a few months without One for All, already feeling like a too skinny man with little skill for teaching.

Of course, Nezu insisted for him to come with a "good match", he was still All Might in the eyes of Japan. But he didn't expect you to see it that way.

Somehow, despite the age difference, you bonded at U.A., to the point you often claimed to prefer his true form to the Symbol of Peace. Toshinori to All Might.

Did that change as well?

«I think I have the right to choose whom I want to go with.» he murmured.

«Yes, but you're not choosing. You asked because you're worried and you think it's a good idea to bring me back to U.A., let me see the teachers, the students....»

You fell back on the chairs massaging your temples.

«I appreciate the thought, really, but I don't want to be assaulted by the press because of an act of mercy.»

Toshinori's eyes widened.

«Wha...? No, wait! You misunderstood, this is not my intention!»

«Yagi-san, I'm an underground hero with a shady past and a plain look. They expect to see you with a beautiful celebrity or a famous pro. How could I hold up in front of them? The principal doesn't even know that you're here, does he?»

He sighed.

«No. But Nezu can't choose for me.»

You groaned and leaned against the table. You looked really agitated now, the lack of sleep didn't help.

«Maybe he should! How could you think I'm a good idea?»

All Might observed you. Suddenly you seemed extremely young.

His chest clenched when he thought about you, putting your days one on top of the other, alone, trying to build something worthy out of all the crap life gave you.

People like you were the ones who hurt the most. Nor heroes or society were able to help.

"Sometimes life gets messy and there's nothing you can do about it, except trying to stay strong."

You told him that when you still didn't know each other well and you came to know about his condition.

All Might had always been strong. He had never felt that helplessness. Then everything changed.

But there were some people living their whole life knowing those feelings.

«Y/n.»

His voice was firm now and you raised your gaze on him.

«I haven't asked you because I'm worried. I'm just a man inviting a woman to a ball. I'll understand if you don't want to. But I'm here because there is no other person I would like to go with.»

Your eyes widened and you stared at him in shock.

He returned your stare for a while, then took a breath and stood.

«How selfish of me, bothering such a younger woman. I'm sorry, I'll leave you alone.»

Toshinori bowed and headed to the door. You couldn't move for another couple of seconds but eventually jolted on your feet and chased him to the hallway.

«All Might, wait!»

The tall, skinny man stopped by the door but didn't turn. His heart was racing in his chest in a way he hardly ever experienced, even in all those decades of fighting. He could hear your fast breathing behind him, he could feel your big eyes on his back.

«I'm sorry I doubted you.» you blurted.

Finally, he turned.

«I shouldn't have. I trust you. It's just... it's been a little hard lately.»

Your bitter smile wrapped tightly around his chest. His fingers, once so powerful, weakly clung to the jamb.

«Y/n.» his sunken eyes stared right into yours «As a Symbol of Peace, I failed. All Might couldn't protect you.»

He took a few steps towards you and rested his large hand on your head. His touch was warm and gentle.

«Let me try again as Toshinori.»

Your teeth nibbled at your trembling lip. After a couple of deep breaths, you raised your humid eyes to him.

«Fine.» you smiled «I'll go with you, Toshinori.»

*

I wrote this years ago in Italian as part of a bigger story. It's from All Might's POV, something I usually don't do with reader inserts, but I thought it would be interesting to try.

Finding it, I realized I was able to write in Italian... now I can't put together anything half-decent and it just feels weird. ^^" RIP my mother tongue.