All Might had not realized how badly he needed the break until he took it.
Being around Reinhard quieted the constant noise in his head. The worries, the calculations, the fear of being too late, all of it dulled when the boy was nearby. For a few hours, he could simply exist.
He never said it out loud, not even in his thoughts, but the feeling lingered.
He thought of Reinhard as a son.
After finishing his patrol and hearing nothing urgent over the comms, All Might made a decision.
"Reinhard," he said, crouching slightly so they were eye level, "how would you feel about going somewhere fun today?"
Reinhard looked up from his book, blinking once. "Fun?"
"Yes," All Might said with a grin. "Very fun. An amusement park."
Reinhard considered this carefully, as if weighing a serious tactical decision. Then he nodded. "I would like that."
Ten minutes later, Reinhard stood silently in the hallway while All Might struggled with a baseball cap.
"This is necessary," All Might muttered, tugging the brim down. "If I go out as myself, we will not make it five steps before someone screams."
"You are very recognizable," Reinhard said politely.
"I know," All Might replied. "It is both a blessing and a curse."
He added sunglasses. Then a hoodie. Then paused, looked at his reflection, and frowned.
"Do I look suspicious?"
Reinhard tilted his head. "You look like someone pretending not to be himself."
All Might sighed. "Good enough."
The amusement park was overwhelming in the best way possible. Lights flashed everywhere, music played from hidden speakers, and the air smelled like sugar and fried food.
Reinhard stayed close at first, fingers lightly gripping the edge of All Might's sleeve. All Might noticed but did not comment.
They started small. A carousel.
Reinhard watched the painted horses rise and fall with quiet fascination.
"They do not move very fast," he observed.
"That is intentional," All Might said. "For beginners."
Reinhard nodded solemnly, as if acknowledging a lesson.
The train ride came next. Reinhard sat straight-backed the entire time, eyes scanning the scenery like he was on patrol.
"You can relax," All Might said gently.
"I am relaxed," Reinhard replied.
All Might smiled. "Of course you are."
The roller coaster was another matter entirely.
Reinhard stiffened the moment the restraints clicked into place.
"You can still back out," All Might said.
Reinhard shook his head. "I will endure."
The ride ended seconds later.
Reinhard exited slowly, hair slightly mussed.
"I did not enjoy that," he said.
All Might burst out laughing. "Fair enough."
Food came next.
Reinhard examined each item carefully. Corn dogs confused him. Soda startled him. Cotton candy left him deeply unsettled.
"It vanished," Reinhard said, staring at his fingers. "Where did it go?"
"It is sugar," All Might explained. "Very temporary sugar."
Reinhard accepted this answer still eyeing the candy.
At a game booth, All Might missed three shots in a row.
Reinhard watched in silence.
"...Would you like me to try?" he asked.
"No," All Might said quickly. "Absolutely not. That would be cheating."
Reinhard smiled, small and unguarded, when All Might finally won a prize and handed it to him.
Then All Might's phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
Reinhard noticed the change immediately.
All Might's smile tightened. His shoulders stiffened for just a second before he straightened.
"Looks like we will need to head home a bit early," All Might said lightly. "Work stuff."
"I see," Reinhard replied.
He did not ask questions. He did not press.
They walked toward the exit. The noise of the park faded behind them.
All Might kept talking, filling the space with casual conversation, but his steps were quicker now. Purposeful.
Reinhard watched quietly.
That night, Reinhard sat on the edge of his bed, hands resting on his knees.
He did not feel sad.
He felt aware.
All Might had given him a good day. A real one.
And now, All Might carried something heavy.
Reinhard dressed quietly, movements careful and practiced. The Dragon Sword Reid rested at his side, sealed and silent.
At the door, he paused.
All Might sat at the table, files spread out before him, his expression dark and focused.
Reinhard did not feel like a burden.
He felt responsible.
"I will just make sure you are safe," he whispered, more promise than apology.
Not because he doubted All Might.
But because this time, he wanted to help.
"I am done being a burden"
...
Reinhard watched as All Might left the house he made his decision. He would follow him and ensure his safety.
He had lost his grandmother Theresia and he couldn't afford to lose All Might too.
Reinhard saw the look on All Mights face, it was the same look he had seen on the faces of soldiers who would get sent to war.
The uncertainty in their eyes. And so he followed All Might from a distance.
He moved silently through the streets. His small frame slipped between shadows and alleyways. The Divine Protection of Stealth wrapped around him like a second skin. Even All Might would not sense him here. Reinhard kept his distance.
All Might was fast. Reinhard noticed the tension in his shoulders, the faint creases between his brows, and the tight set of his jaw. He had seen this look before. It was the look of a soldier about to be deployed for war. Now it was on All Might.
"I can't let him face this alone," Reinhard whispered.
The streets were quiet. Night had dulled the usual bustle. Reinhard stayed hidden.
His hands clenched. If he was going to protect someone, he would do it without excuses. He would not be a burden this time.
A shadow flickered to his side. A cat darted across an alley. Reinhard ignored it. His eyes remained on All Might. He adjusted his stride to keep the right distance, close enough to help but far enough to stay unseen.
"Everything will be fine," Reinhard whispered. "I'll make sure of it. I'll protect him."
Ahead, All Might slowed. He glanced at his phone. Reinhard saw the change immediately. His eyes darkened for the briefest moment. His shoulders stiffened. Reinhard did not know what the message was, but he knew it was serious.
He had no words to say. He did not need to. He only needed to follow and be ready.
He said quietly. "I won't interfere."
He tightened his grip on the Dragon Sword Reid, but he did not draw it. Not yet. He would not reveal himself unless absolutely necessary.
The night stretched on. Reinhard's mind was clear. He was not thinking of what he had lost or what he had failed to do. He was thinking of what he could do now.
He had made his choice. He would protect All Might.