Lightning in the Ashes (Katsuki Bakugou x OC Fem)

Chapter 5: Lightning Strikes

Valerie adjusted her hero suit, tugging the sleek black leather jacket into place, the silver utility belt glinting under the lights of the meeting room. Blue highlights weaved through the seams of the suit, strategically placed to help conduct lightning when her quirk activated. It fit perfectly—a balance of practicality and style, exuding power without sacrificing elegance.

She caught Bakugou watching her from across the room. His eyes were narrowed, but there was something more—a flicker of intrigue. His gaze lingered on the way her suit hugged her figure, especially on the electric blue accents that pulsed faintly as she flexed her fingers, testing her quirk.

For a moment, their eyes met, and Valerie raised an eyebrow. Bakugou's expression immediately hardened, and he crossed his arms over his chest as if daring her to say something.

Kirishima, always observant, smirked and nudged Bakugou with his elbow. "Oi, bro, you were totally staring at her ass just now."

Bakugou's face flushed, and he shot Kirishima a deadly glare. "Shut the hell up, shitty hair!"

Kirishima burst out laughing, slapping Bakugou on the back. "Come on, man. You don't have to hide it! She's got that whole 'badass lightning queen' vibe going on, and you're into it."

"Piss off," Bakugou growled, though the tips of his ears were bright red. His hands sparked faintly as if he were seconds away from blowing something up out of sheer embarrassment.

Valerie, hearing the exchange, couldn't help but giggle.

He froze at her soft giggles, biting back a snarky response as he scowled and glanced away, clearly caught off guard. "Tch. Like I'd waste my time looking at you."

Kirishima chuckled, patting Bakugou's back again. "Whatever you say, man. But if you keep staring like that, it's only a matter of time before she shocks you again." Kirishima whispered loudly.

Bakugou shot him another glare but said nothing, his attention already flicking back to Valerie as she turned and walked toward the exit, her suit shimmering faintly as her quirk pulsed through it.

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The streets of Musutafu were alive with activity. The lights of the city twinkled below as Hawks and Fatgum led a small group of UA students on patrol. Valerie walked alongside Kirishima, Izuku, and Bakugou, her eyes scanning the horizon. Despite the calm night, something felt off in the air—like the calm before a storm.

"Oi, stay sharp," Bakugou growled, walking slightly ahead of the group. He hadn't spoken much to Valerie, but there was an undercurrent in his tone now. A softness that hadn't been there before.

Valerie shot him a sidelong glance but said nothing. Her quirk hummed beneath her skin. She could feel Bakugou's eyes flicking toward her every now and then, his usual scowl deepening, but she ignored it.

"I wonder why we got picked for this mission," Kirishima said, breaking the silence. "It's usually a pretty quiet area."

Fatgum, towering ahead of them, laughed merrily. "Don't sweat it! Hawks and I had the last pick and funny enough it was the four of you"

The group were surprised that their team-up was a lottery but Valerie was grateful to get out of the Dorms.

It's been a few weeks since her arrival and since then she has settled in great! Bakugou bites at her in the odd cause but he's kept his distance since the day in the gym, unknowing to her Kirishima had shared the knowledge of her parent's accident. Denki had forced him to apologise but Bakugou has yet to find the words to do so.

For some reason, he was attracted to her more... He wanted to push her more and test the true limits of her quirk but with Aizawa constantly watching her and training her with Todoroki he never could get a moment.