Darkside (BkDK)

~~** As subtle as a sledgehammer. **~~

As the lighthearted Pro entered the lift with her giggling captive she braced for the conversation ahead. Releasing her little Green Bean from her hold, the tall bluette switched to a more serious demeanor that broke the relaxed atmosphere almost instantly. "I don't want to burst your bubble kid, and I definitely don't want to panic you, but you two are not nearly as subtle as you think you are. If you plan to try and hide your relationship from the public you're gonna need to get him a way tighter and far shorter leash."

As the elevator reached its destination all sounds around him suddenly seemed to stop as Deku felt like he was going to throw up. Noticing the pale complexion on the freckled teen's face, Flurry quickly dragged him by the elbow towards the first floor restrooms. Leading the way inside she pulled her clearly panicking ward in behind her. After checking that there were no other occupants she locked the door before directing Midoriya to the sinks and instructing him to splash water on his face. "I know he's always been all up in your business but the looks he gives you lately are a dead give away. And the way he glares at anyone who goes near you? You might as well hold up a bright neon banner that reads 'I'm with Stupid' with an arrow pointing to Dynamight. You aren't much better with how you look at him, by the way. Even when you two are fighting and bickering like an old married couple, it's obvious to anybody paying any real attention that there is more to you two than just being partners or friends."

Afraid to look his mentor in the eye, and unsure why her discovering his relationship had him so scared, the greenette kept his gaze fixed on his now wet hands as he gathered his thoughts. The ice cold panic that had washed over him moments ago was lifting but it still made him feel like abandoning breakfast more than any portal ever had. Denial was pointless and he knew it. Exactly WHY the revelation that his relationship was not the secret they wanted it to be was so wholly devastating was a mystery he would evaluate another time. For now, he needs to do damage control. "Does anybody else know?"

"I doubt anyone else in this office spares you knuckleheads enough time to notice, although Specter is a maybe. That dude is freaky observant. But you know that already." Patting the now sighing boy firmly on the back she waited until he looked up and locked eyes with her in the mirror before speaking again. "I need you to hear me when I tell you that as long as it doesn't impact your Hero work: I do not care. Not even a little. Guy, girl, nobody at all - whatever floats your boat kid. It's your bed, not mine. If you're happy and he's happy then mazel tov." Turning the smaller youth by the shoulders so she could look at him directly, the impressive woman explained the real reason she decided it was time to show her cards to the boy.

"BUT- I have seen the choice to mix work relationships and personal ones take down some of the best Pros I've ever personally known. So be careful. Being gay or bi or whatever label you two do or do not want to apply to yourselves won't be a big deal to hardly anyone these days. Dating your partner, on the other hand, is a whole different thing. Hell dating ANY other Pro can be messy. Personal ties are weaknesses that can be exploited, that's why most of us keep our personal lives hush hush." A familiar smirk lifted the left side of the attractive and kind woman's small mouth as she decided fair is fair. She knew one of the boy's secrets, it was only logical he knew one of hers, right?

"Bet you, in all your notebook nerdiness, didn't know I'm married with two little ones. Did you?"

"WHAT?!" Slapping both still wet hands over his mouth to cover his rather loud outburst, Midoriya's eyes nearly doubled in size.

"Yup, gonna be eight years this winter. You didn't know because I work hard to keep them safe. If some big bad decided to get at me through them, we'd all be done. So I protect them by keeping them secret. You catch my drift kid? I have zero intention to out the two of you. Might tease blondie a little, not gonna lie about that. Can't let such a golden opportunity pass me up. Pretty sure that's some kind of law somewhere. But if you plan to keep this on the down low you BOTH need to be more careful. Yeah?"

A weak but honest smile grew over the successor of One for All as he felt a bit of relief at her words. "Thanks Flurry."

"Any time Chibi. Now let's go so you can make those elementary schoolers lose their tiny minds!" A huge warm smile split her face making her blue eyes almost glow. She really was a very caring person. Who also enjoyed antagonizing her ruby-eyed intern a bit more than maybe was fair.

Nobody's perfect.

After a few more moments to dry off and collect himself, Deku nodded to signal he was ready. After unlocking the door the pair started making their way across town. Meanwhile, several stories above the now vacated lavatory a remarkably patient raven haired Pro explained for the third time why referring to civilians in any kind of press interview as 'Extras' would not be viewed favorably. It was going to be an exceptionally long day.

It was very early September so the notorious daytime heat had somewhat lessened, making the almost thirty minute walk from Might Tower to the local elementary school bearable for Flurry and Deku. When their honored guest of the day arrived it seemed the whole student body was at the various windows of the long two-story building with their little faces pressed up against the glass cheering him. Izuku nearly cried at the joy he heard in all their voices as they welcomed him back but a sharp slap to his left shoulder quickly reminded him that he was not standing on the sidewalk alone.

"You got this, right kid? I'll be at that grand opening a few blocks over for at least the next three hours. Specs gave you the address right?"

"Yes ma'am!"

"Ok. Never call me that again." Shuddering, the tall Pro made a face as if she had just tasted a mouth full of something unpleasant. "Makes me sound so old! You should only be here an hour, but I'm betting from that reception you might be longer than that. Try to not stay longer than two hours tops then head over to me. You are my escape card if it turns into a snooze fest, you got it? By the time I'm done you should be there waiting. Then we can trade off with Mallo and Nails to complete patrol in sector six. Maybe we'll even run into a Villain while we're out! Then we can rub it in Dynamight's face later when we get back." The grin she flashed at her intern was far more reminiscent of the missing youth she was aiming to antagonize than the beautiful Pro the public knew. People can be so versatile sometimes.

Bobbing green locks were the only reply she received before turning to head to her own assignment and leaving her ward to his. Taking a deep fortifying breath the shorter future Pro began the intimidating walk up to the school's main doors to be greeted by a rather exuberant and smiling principle.

Very nearly two hours later he was back at those same doors with an arm full of hand drawn pictures and thank you notes from the students as he shook hands with the grateful man once more. "Thank you again for coming today Mr. Deku. The students really appreciate it. It's such a valuable opportunity for them to be able to meet not just Heros but also those training to become Pros. We want them to see that it's not an overnight process but rather one that takes years of hard work. It's good for them to have a taste of how the real world works and how even though it's not as easy as they would like it to be, it's still very much worth the effort."

With a final bow from both parties Izuku waved up at the little faces in the windows and hugged his gifts as he left the school and headed off to meet up with his partner for the day.

A few minutes into his short walk he began to feel like someone was watching him but when he carefully checked his surroundings he found nothing suspicious. Just average citizens traversing the city in their busy everyday lives. Knowing better than to disregard his instincts he kept his guard up as he walked.

Unfortunately, with his head turning in all directions he failed to notice a person walking towards him. Soon he had bumped right into her causing the papers in his arms to drop to the ground.

"I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking, please forgive me!" Immediately folding into a deep bow the embarrassed youth stared at the papers now littering the concrete and missed the smirk on the other citizen's face as she looked down at his bent form.