Burning love |Dabi ff

Chapter 18

The lab was eerily quiet after the others had left. I stood there for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts. The doctor watched me with curiosity, his glasses gleaming under the cold fluorescent lights.

"So, Katsu, what is it?" he repeated, his tone both amused and patient. He knew I was here for more than just small talk.

I took a deep breath, trying to push down the nerves bubbling up inside me. "I need your help, Doctor," I said, stepping closer to him.

His eyebrow raised slightly. "Oh? And what kind of help are we talking about? Healing is your quirk, yes? A useful one, but I'm guessing you want something more."

I nodded, feeling a bit more confident. "Yes. Healing is all I've ever known. But it's not enough anymore. I want to be able to fight. To be stronger, to not just rely on others protecting me," I said, my voice firm. "I've been hiding my true self for too long, Doctor. My brother... Katsuki... when the time comes, I need to face him. And I can't do that with just healing."

The doctor adjusted his glasses, a slow grin spreading across his face. "Ah, I see. You want to go beyond your limits, hm? To modify your quirk, perhaps? It's ambitious. Risky, even."

I didn't flinch. "I'm ready for it. I need it."

He chuckled, clearly entertained by my determination. "Well, modifying quirks is not a simple task, my dear. But... for someone so driven, I might have something in mind. We could enhance your healing ability, make it more versatile—perhaps even offensive. Or... we could awaken something dormant inside of you. Every quirk has potential, after all."

His words made my heart race. "Awaken something dormant? What do you mean?"

The doctor turned, walking toward a large machine at the far end of the lab. "Every quirk is tied to the user's emotions, their desires. Sometimes, those desires can trigger changes in the quirk itself. With the right push... and a little help from me, of course... we could unlock new abilities. But this will come with a cost, Katsu. You'll be putting yourself at risk."

"I don't care about the risks," I replied quickly. "I just need to be ready. I can't run from this anymore."

The doctor smiled, nodding approvingly. "Very well. We'll start the process. It won't happen overnight, but I can promise you, by the time you face your brother, you'll be more than just a healer. You'll be a force."

I felt a surge of adrenaline. This was it—the beginning of the power I needed. The path to facing Katsuki, and to finally revealing who I really was.

"Thank you, Doctor," I said, my voice filled with determination.

The doctor waved a hand dismissively. "Don't thank me yet, child. This journey is just beginning. I hope you're ready for what's to come."

"Yes, I am ready do what you have to do."

He then gave me a communication device. "I'll get a few things ready and contact you again. Then we'll start." He said, and I nodded. He held up a snall nomu, and suddenly the gray liquid came out again, and I was back with the lov. "What were you walking about?" Dabi asked as he was quickly by my side. The other's looked at me curious, but I took Dabi's hand and pulled him after me.

"In the next battle...Katsuki is going to be there. It's been some time now, and I think I'm ready to face him. I want to reveal the truth, and then I want to fight him. I want to fight and win against him. But you know my quirk... I made a deal with that doctor. He'll help me."

Dabi's eyes narrowed as he processed what I had just said. His grip on my hand tightened slightly, but his expression remained unreadable. "You made a deal with the doctor?" His voice was low, a hint of suspicion lacing his words.

I nodded, meeting his gaze. "Yes. I need more power, Dabi. My healing quirk alone won't be enough if I'm going to face Katsuki." I paused for a moment, feeling the weight of my decision settle in. "I can't keep hiding behind you, or anyone else. This is something I have to do for myself."

Dabi's expression softened just a bit, but there was still that flicker of concern behind his sharp blue eyes. "So, you're really going to go up against your brother? And you think a deal with that crazy old doctor is the way to win?"

"I know it's risky," I admitted, "but I trust myself to handle it. I'm not just doing this for power—I'm doing this to finally put everything on the line. I can't keep running from my past."

He sighed, pulling me a bit closer, his fingers brushing against my arm. "You're playing with fire. And you know that means something when I'm the one saying it." There was a hint of a smirk at the corner of his lips, but his concern was clear.

"I know." I squeezed his hand. "But I have to be strong enough to face him. To show him who I really am. And to win."

Dabi stared at me for a long moment, his eyes searching mine. Then, with a resigned chuckle, he leaned in, pressing his forehead against mine for just a second. "Just don't forget what you already are, Katsu. You've got nothing to prove to anyone but yourself."

I smiled at that, feeling a little lighter despite the weight of the decision I had made. "Thank you."