Lightning in the Ashes (Katsuki Bakugou x OC Fem)

Chapter 12: A Fathers Truth

The simulation gym was alive with energy, the hum of quirks and the thudding of feet against the floor filling the air. Valerie, Bakugou, and Izuku were locked in an intense training session, their abilities weaving together as they worked on Valerie's new technique. She darted across the gym, her Thunderstep flashing her from one end to the other in rapid bursts of lightning. Bakugou launched explosions at her from every angle, and Izuku's One for All cracked through the air with tremendous force.

Valerie's goal was clear: to combine her Thunderstep with her shield, creating an impenetrable defence that could simultaneously disable other quirks. But it wasn't easy. Bakugou's relentless taunts and Izuku's calculated moves kept her on her toes, pushing her to her limits.

"Come on, Sparky!" Bakugou shouted, his voice dripping with his signature mockery. "This all you got? I thought you wanted to be a pro!" He sent another explosion her way, the heat brushing past her as she narrowly dodged with a crackling flash of lightning.

Valerie grinned, sparks dancing along her skin as she skidded to a stop. "You're gonna eat those words when I perfect this move, Katsuki!"

Izuku, ever the strategist, wasn't far behind. His brow furrowed as he sent out tendrils of Blackwhip, trying to catch her as she maneuvered through the gym. "She's fast, but we can pin her down if we work together!"

But just as the Blackwhip lashed out, it missed Valerie by inches and instead tangled around Bakugou. For a moment, everything seemed to freeze—except for Bakugou's temper.

Izuku accidentally snagged Katsuki with Blackwhip, Katsuki froze for a second before his face twisted in pure disbelief. "DEKU! Are you out of your damn mind?!" Katsuki barked, flailing to free himself from the tendril. "You're supposed to be catching her, not me, you useless nerd!"

Izuku, eyes wide with panic, scrambled to retract Blackwhip. "I—I'm sorry! I didn't mean to grab you, Kacchan! I was aiming for Valerie, I swear!"

Katsuki's eyebrow twitched as he yanked himself free, his hair frizzing from the sheer rage. "You were aiming for her?! You think that flimsy noodle of a quirk could actually catch her?!" He crossed his arms, glaring with mock disdain. "If you can't even aim right, how the hell are you still in Class 3A?"

Izuku winced, still flustered, but tried to defend himself, "It was a reflex! I didn't see you move that fast!"

Valerie, watching the whole scene unfold, burst into laughter, clutching her sides as both boys turned to her, thoroughly annoyed. "Honestly," she teased, wiping a tear from her eye, "it's like watching a married couple fight over who left the milk out."

Katsuki's face turned an impressive shade of red, his usual scowl deepening. "Married couple?!" he shouted, rounding on Valerie. "The hell are you talking about?!"

Valerie, still laughing, only winked at him. "You know, Kacchan, you're all bark and no bite when you're mad at Deku. It's kinda cute."

His blush deepened to a level that was borderline crimson, and he jabbed a finger in her direction. "C-Cute?! I'll show you cute! How about I blow you and Deku to bits right now, huh?!"

Valerie grinned playfully, completely unfazed by his threat. "Sure, babe. Let me know when you're done pretending to be mad."

Bakugou opened his mouth to retort but found himself at a complete loss for words, flustered beyond reason. He finally let out an exasperated growl and stomped away, muttering, "You're impossible," while Valerie giggled triumphantly.

Izuku, already nervous from being caught in Katsuki's blackwhip tirade, scratched the back of his head awkwardly as Valerie continued to laugh. He blinked a few times, trying to process the whole "married couple" comment.