Darkside (BkDK)

~~** Even baby steps are progress. **~~

The next day it was time for classes to begin again and at 8:30 sharp Class 2A settled into their seats but as the chatter began to settle down they couldn't help but notice the empty chair in their midst and a distinct lack of curly green hair. Mr. Aizawa entered the room just as the bell rang and everyone was taken aback by his lack of larval state. The man actually looked awake and somewhat alert for once. It was... unnerving.

"I'm sure you have all noticed by now but Midoriya will not be joining you in classes for a while yet. Possibly for the remainder of the term but that is undecided as of yet. He is still a member of this class but he will be taking individual lessons with Principle Nezu until he is cleared to return after his ordeal. Same goes for the dorms. It is up to Hound Dog and Midnight when he will return to communal living in Heights Alliance if at all so don't ask. Internships will complete their final month starting next week as usual so this week you will be off Wednesday as a free day. Bakugo, we will talk after class." Though the raven haired man did not say anything about why he wanted to speak to the blonde, there was an implication there. It was possible that All Might's secret successor would NOT be completing his year two internship with his classmates.

While the rest of the Hero course students were sitting in their classrooms getting the rundown for the end of second year, the missing member of the 'Start Class' sat at a small table in the principal's office across from his Idol as well as Flurry and Specter. "I will be receiving regular reports from your therapist in regards to your progress in recovering from the Darkside attack. We understand these are unusual circumstances and that requires a certain level of flexibility. Deku, we would like you to know that when you are ready you will most assuredly have a place in our ranks. Both to complete your internship this year as well as your senior training next year and after graduation. Not solely because All Might himself is recommending you but because we have seen you in action in both ideal and severe conditionals and you embody what the agency stands for. We do not care how long it takes you to feel ready. If you are prepared in two weeks time that would be wonderful. If it takes two years that would be acceptable as well. There is no time limit to your place with us. The offer stands for as long as you wish it."

The now openly sobbing teen was highly moved by the stoic man's words. Specter was not someone to offer flattery, he only spoke the truth as he saw it. He was very much like Sir Night Eye in that way. The fact he still found the emerald-eyed youth as worthy hit the teen hard. It was going to be difficult to do classes effectively on his own until he was ready to rejoin his friends but it was reassuring that there was still hope that this whole situation could be a thing of the past one day. Just like middle school.

At lunchtime the Deku-Squad and Baku-Squad staked out a new location in a recently renovated cafeteria and settled in to enjoy their meals sans their unofficial leaders when Kaminari suddenly began to whistle. Following the yellow-eyed boy's line of sight brought smiles to several faces as they watched their missing greenette walk over carrying a somewhat sparse tray of food. As he approached they all clapped and welcomed him warmly. "Do you guys mind if I sit with you?"

In lieu of answering verbally Uraraka leapt from her seat to embrace her best friend, nearly dislodging his tray in the process. "What kind of silly question is that Deku? Of course you can eat with us! We'd be offended if you didn't!"

A small sea of affirmative nods followed and brought a light pink tint to Midoriya's freckled cheeks. "Thanks guys. Hound Dog said he wants me to start by having lunch with everyone until he thinks I'm ready for more contact. Midnight says I'm still not eating enough and hopes peer pressure will do the trick." The near dead-eyed delivery of the second part of his statement was accompanied by a soft, almost self-deprecating laugh. The reaction he received was both as he expected and feared: looks of pity. "I'm fine guys. Really. The teachers are just being overprotective, that's all. Promise."

"Ok man. Glad to hear it. We missed you! Now get in here and eat!." Kirashima's award-winning toothy grin flashed warmly as he addressed his no-longer love rival.

"Yeah man, Midnight is right. You're like a twig now. I bet even I can beat you like this." The Cheshire cat grin on Denki's face didn't last long as he was struck by a strategic earphone jack. Before the electric quirk user could reply to his girlfriend's attack his shoulders were gripped firmly by two large hands belonging to another new arrival directly behind him.

Tensing up at first, the class Pickachu relaxed as he heard the deep baritone of his boyfriend address the group. "Welcome back Midoriya."

"Thanks Shinso."

"Where's Blasty? I don't see him anywhere?" The tall purple haired male looked around the room for any sign of the feisty blonde only to come up lacking before pulling up an empty chair to plop down next to his own yellow haired companion.

"Mr. Aizawa wanted to speak to him and Bakugo said he had a meeting with Nezu. Something about when we go back to our agencies next week." Sero glanced over to Mina before looking at Izuku. He knew their Broccoli Lord would not be going back to Might Tower, at least not yet, and the raven haired boy didn't want to bring down the mood.

Understanding her friend's dilemma the pinkette jumped in to save the day. "Hey! Mido! What's it like in the teacher dorms? Do Present Mic and Mr Aizawa walk around snogging in the halls all the time or what?"

As the water he was attempting to drink was spewed across the table to coat a rather disgusted looking Iida, Izuku nearly choked as laughter erupted all around him. "WHAT?!?"

"Yeah! What are you talking about Mina? Mr. Hizashi is with Ms. Kurose isn't he?"

"No way, isn't Thirteen with Mr. Power Loader?"

"No he's dating Ectoplasm, right?"

"HOW does anyone date THAT guy?"

Wild unfounded speculations about the interpersonal relationships of the various UA staff were traded for most of the remaining meal time successfully derailing any conversation about the now brightly laughing teen in their midst not resuming his internship next week.

Meanwhile in the principal's office Specter, All Might, Flurry, and Dynamight were sitting somewhat awkwardly around an oversized coffee table until the youngest spoke up in a slightly more subdued tone than would be expected of him. "So this is to tell me that the Nerd definitely won't be going back to work. Yeah?"

"Not yet Blondie, but we're keeping his spot." The smirking female Pro crossed her arms as she evaluated her charge. He was lacking in his usual fire and she was concerned. Was he just having an off day or was there more to it? She would need to keep an eye on him and check in with Hound Dog since she would be getting updates on her Green Bean anyway.

"When Young Midoriya is ready, he will be able to return to the Tower. Specter has offered him a permanent position regardless of how long that takes so do not worry my lad." The reassuring bony hand placed on the slumped teen's shoulder was more comforting than the ruby-eyed youth was able to express so he went with his usual indifference.

The meeting lasted a while longer as they discussed specifics and the mostly silent student's lunch was delivered so he didn't miss out before afternoon classes resumed. Katsuki's arrival and departure was timed excellently so that the 'Wonder Duo' would not actually run into each other by the overly intelligent Mouse sipping his tea and swinging his feet.

The pairing of Hound Dog and Midnight were in complete agreement that the two boys needed to be kept apart as much as possible and definitely not left alone for the time being. The Therapist and his unofficial consultant worried that since both boy's deeper issues seemed to revolve around their impact on others that the intensity of the boy's interpersonal relationship would cause a setback to both their progress. Each would be attending individual sessions with the dog quirk holder on alternating days during lunch break. This would allow All Might's successor to have lunch with his friends twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursday moving forward while NOT encountering the blonde. It seemed a little extreme on the surface, but the Pro's had the boy's best interest at heart.