Secrets of a Shadowed Past (KrBk)

CH 2: I think I just threw in my mouth a little.

FLASHBACK -

It was early evening one day after classes when Kirishima sat next to Midoriya in the dorm commons. The greenette was debating the evolutionary purpose of status development with Todoroki and Uraraka while the redhead to his left listened. Eijiro was doing his best to follow the conversation knowing they had an exam about this very topic in just a week's time but every second that went by his head hurt a little more. Maybe his squad leader was right, and his brain just wasn't built for book learning.

"I mean, the release of that chromosome degrading fungus from the melting permafrost would explain why females started becoming less fertile and more rare back then. Evolutionarily speaking, humans could have died out if not for the mutation that led to the precursor of scent glands. If status glands developed as a result of favorable selection then the evolution of Omegas and Alphas makes sense. But I agree with you Ura, it's not something that's biologically necessary these days. It would explain why Betas have become so much more prevalent compared to the early days after glands were universal. Though I don't think deselecting the trait is in the cards. Beta numbers may be higher simply because it's easier for them to find their Mates. Mated pairs have a higher compatibility. Their fertility rate is statistically double that of un-bonded couples, even Omegas, isn't it?"

Smiling at her best friend, the bubbly brunette's thoughts wondered from her current conversation. Any time she heard talk of Mates or Bonds or Claims her thoughts drifted to the youth next to her. It was no secret amongst the girls that Ochocco had a crush on her best friend but it was equally accepted that her feelings would never go beyond herself.

Her curiosity regarding the greenette's connections to the class's most unpredictable member began to outweigh her resolve to not pry as the conversation began to scratch at barely healed wounds.

After a few awkward moments of staring into emerald expectant pools she decided to finally ask about the freckled boy's true ties with Bakugo directly in lieu of continuing their debate.

It was nearing the end of third term already and as far as she was aware no one had ever questioned the pair about their relationship since they all met on their first day at UA. It was widely assumed the odd pair were a couple based on how they acted towards one another, but nobody had mustered the bravery needed to ask. After all, it wouldn't be unheard of for a couple to date in secret and keep their relationship private until after they presented these days. With Mate Marks, no one wanted to admit they gave their heart to the wrong person. Right? A few of her classmates had even heard stories of people rejecting their fated pair after finding out they'd invested their feelings in someone else.

If Uravity was going to continue to suppress her crush on her freckled bestie and be only a friend then she wanted to know a little more about him. It just might help her come to terms with what she could never have if she knew for certain the option was off the table. Even so, she couldn't bring herself to out right ask so she tried a slightly different tactic. "True. So do you think that it has any effect on you and Blasty's relationship at all?"

"Huh? What would our statuses have to do with anything?" The confusion on the curly haired teen's face was evident as he stared at his chocolate eyed companion.

Before the rosy-cheeked female was able to clarify, the previously quiet redhead on the other side of Midoriya interrupted. "You know Mido-bro, I've been curious for a while now but I've never asked. How long HAVE you and Baku-bro been together? I know some Omega Alpha couples can form young, even before getting their quirks if they're fated. Not sure how their parents feel about that though. It's super common these days to have couples before presentation too, even if almost nobody admits to it. Did you two get together in middle school like Ojiro and Hagakure or was it before then?" Eijiro's voice was soft as he spoke, almost as if he weren't sure he actually wanted the other youth to answer.