TW- Mentions of Panic attack

It had been about four weeks since Valerie and Bakugou's first official date at the arcade, and things had settled into a comfortable rhythm between them. They hadn't made a big announcement about their relationship, but the subtle changes were enough to let the rest of Class 3A catch on.

Valerie and Bakugou shared small moments here and there—walking to class together, Bakugou silently handing her a drink when he thought she looked tired, Valerie sparking a playful bolt of lightning at him to get his attention when he was lost in thought.

Mina and Kirishima had barely kept it together when they saw Bakugou slinging an arm over Valerie's shoulders casually one afternoon after training. Mina had almost burst into a squeal, while Kirishima had to stifle a proud grin. "Our boy's finally growing up!" Mina had whispered dramatically.

Valerie, meanwhile, was still getting used to Bakugou's softer side. He wasn't openly affectionate like some of the other guys, but there were moments—like when he would grip her hand during a stressful moment or when he stood protectively close to her on patrol—that made her heart race. And when they were alone, those moments became even more intimate. He'd kiss her forehead or pull her into his lap when they were sitting in the common room, and for someone as brash as Bakugou, it was the sweetest thing she'd ever experienced.

In quieter moments, like when they studied together or hung out at night, Valerie found herself feeling truly at ease with him. Bakugou's gruff exterior softened in those instances, and he often muttered things like, "You're doin' fine, Sparky," when she got frustrated with her assignments or her training. He'd even begrudgingly allowed her to rest her head on his shoulder when they watched movies late at night, and although he'd act like it was no big deal, Valerie caught the tiny smirk on his face whenever she did it.

But beneath all the peace and quiet, something darker was brewing. The news had been buzzing about a villain known as "Hurricane," who had resurfaced after previously slipping through the cracks by Valerie, Katsukiand Izuku.

His ability to control storms and cause massive destruction had already thrown the city into panic. The last few days had been filled with tension, and everyone in 3A knew it was only a matter of time before they were called to respond.

Valerie had been on edge too. She'd caught herself fidgeting more, her fingers sparking with nervous electricity whenever the topic of Hurricane came up. Bakugou noticed, of course, and one evening while they sat in the dorm common room, he nudged her shoulder and muttered, "Quit worrying, Sparky. We've got this."

Valerie smiled weakly, but the unease never fully left her.

---

The city was in chaos. The villain Hurricane had resurfaced, and this time, his rampage was even more destructive. Buildings crumbled, streets were flooded with debris, and civilians screamed as they ran for cover. Amid the chaos, Valerie stood frozen, her eyes wide with fear. Her hands trembled, sparks of electricity flickering between her fingertips as she struggled to contain the storm brewing inside her.

"Aizawa-sensei!" Midoriya shouted, his voice urgent. "What's happening?"

"Everyone, stay alert!" Aizawa's voice rang out, commanding and authoritative. "There's been a large villain attack downtown. We need to mobilize immediately."

Within moments, the class was on high alert. The students donned their hero costumes, adrenaline pumping as they prepared for what could be a most challenging day against a formidable opponent. The name of the villain they faced today was already sending chills down their spines: Hurricane.

"Remember, we're here to evacuate civilians first. Leave the fighting to us," Aizawa instructed, his eyes serious as he surveyed his students. "Stick together, and don't take unnecessary risks."

As they rushed into action, Bakugou felt Valerie's presence beside him. Her expression was determined but laced with an underlying tension. He could sense her nerves; they were palpable in the air.

"Hey," he said, glancing at her as they ran. "You good?"

Valerie nodded, though her hands trembled slightly. "Yeah, just... nervous."

"Don't be," he replied, giving her a reassuring smirk. "We'll take him down together."

As they reached the downtown area, chaos erupted around them. Citizens were running in every direction, screaming as debris fell from buildings. Hurricane stood tall and cloaked in dark clouds, swirling winds, was creating destruction wherever he moved.

Before she knew it, Valerie and Bakugou were separated. Shielding a family from falling debris, Valerie found Denki and helped him power the machines to move more rubble aside.

"We need to get the pathway cleared for medical services to come through!" Valerie yelled

A sudden vortex of wind pulled Valerie and Denki towards a volume of dark clouds that looked like two tornadoes dancing side by side.

Valerie and Denki stood back-to-back, scanning the shadows for any sign of trouble. They could feel the remnants of adrenaline coursing through their veins as they prepared for another attack.

"Charge Bolt! Over there!" Valerie yelled towards a figure in the shadows.

Suddenly, a gust of wind swept through the alleyway, and Hurricane materialized before them, his menacing grin cutting through the haze of battle. "Ah, look at the little heroes," he mocked, his voice dripping with contempt. "You think you're so brave, don't you? So capable?"

Valerie felt her heart race as she tightened her grip on her power. "What do you want?" she demanded, trying to sound confident despite the tremor in her voice.

"Want? Oh, I don't want anything. I'm just here to remind you of the truth," he said, taking a step closer, eyes glinting with malice. "Did you know that I've been watching you, Valerie? You've grown so strong, but strength comes at a price."

"Shut up!" Denki yelled, stepping forward protectively. "You don't know anything about her!"

Hurricane chuckled darkly. "Oh, but I do. I know exactly what happened, I know she found out that someone wasn't who they said they were, I know that her mother died. She and that husband of her's were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and it was all so easy for me." He leaned in closer, his eyes locking onto Valerie's. "No one saw it coming. Just like you won't."

Valerie's breath caught in her throat as Hurricane's words sank in. "You're lying," she whispered, shaking her head in denial. "You're just trying to mess with me."

"Am I?" he taunted, a chilling smile spreading across his face. "Tell me, do you really think you'll find your biological father? Do you think he'll accept you with open arms? No, he'll shiver at the thought and toss you aside as he did your mother, but such a privilege she had to die. She never deserves to live in a world where you might become a hero."

Valerie shook as her emotions began breaking, Denki was confused, what did Hurricane mean by "biological dad"

"No!" Valerie shouted fists clenched as anger and despair washed over her. She could feel her quirk crackling at her fingertips, threatening to take over his storm and suffocate him in it.

Denki's eyes widened as he moved closer to Valerie. "Don't listen to him, Val! He's just trying to get into your head!"

But Hurricane continued, relishing the chaos he was creating. "You think you're strong, but you're just a little girl playing hero. You don't even know the truth about your past. Where you truly came from, I can show you! I can make you who you were created to be"

There was a flash of electricity. Denki stood charged for another attack on the villain, "You better shut your trap, you know nothing about her! She's going to be an amazing hero! She's already a hero to me!"

Before Valerie could respond, Hurricane lunged forward, a blast of wind knocking Denki off his feet. "Chargebolt!" she cried, but it was too late. The force sent him sprawling away from her, leaving her alone and vulnerable.

Valerie took a step back, her heart pounding as she realized she was now facing Hurricane alone. Fear gripped her, and for a moment, she felt helpless.

"Now, where were we?" Hurricane taunted, advancing on her with a sinister smile. "Ah, yes. The truth about YOU. Don't worry; I'll make sure you join me, I'll be quiet convincing."

Valerie felt a surge of panic rising within her. This couldn't be happening. She had to get out, had to fight back. But her body felt frozen, her mind racing with his words.

"What do you mean what I was created to be!" Valerie's body took control of his storm and she forced her lightning to cage him within his own storm. Her eyes glowing a vicious green as her quirk began loosing control.

Just then, she heard a familiar nickname, "Sparky!" It was Bakugou, rushing toward her with determination in his eyes. "Get away from her!"

Valerie's heart leapt at the sight of him. "Dynamite!" she yelled, relief flooding through her.

"Your friends are becoming thorns in my sides!" Hurricane broke the prison she had engaged him in but he wasn't prepared for what came next.

Together, Bakugou and Valerie charged at Hurricane, and without a second thought, they shouted in unison, "Storm Surge!"

The combination of their powers erupted into a brilliant explosion of light and energy, enveloping the villain in a whirlwind of electric sparks and fiery blasts. The shockwave knocked Hurricane off his feet, catching him completely off guard.

The cover of his hood is thrown off revealing a solid steel mask hiding his true identity.

For a moment, Valerie felt invincible, as if they could take on the world together. But as the light faded, Hurricane managed to recover quickly. "You think you've won? This isn't over!" he sneered before disappearing completely in a formation of dense storm clouds.

Valerie stood there, breathless, the adrenaline still coursing through her. But the exhilaration quickly turned to dread as Hurricane's words echoed in her mind.

The weight of his words crashed down on her like a tidal wave. She sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face as the reality hit her. "No... " she gasped, hands trembling. "It can't be true!" the panic engulfed her mind and her quirk started slipping from her control.

Bakugou knelt beside her, concern etched across his face. "Oi! Sparky, breathe! Focus on me!" He placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to anchor her to the moment.

But all she could see was the darkness that Hurricane had left in her heart. "I can't—I can't do this!" she sobbed, the panic clawing at her chest. "I need to-" Valerie began gasping, it felt as if all the oxygen was stolen from her.

The sudden crackle of lightning rang through the air causing Bakugou's hair to rise, she was losing control. Her eyes glowed an intense green and her hair violently flared around.

Aizawa ran towards his students, as he approached Bakugou raised his hand warning him to stay away. Activating his quirk, Izuku noticed how Aizawa's erasure had no effect on Valerie and this raised even more questions.

"Valerie, look at me!" Bakugou urged, his grip tightening on her shoulder. "You're stronger than this! We'll figure it out together." Lightning ran up his shoulder stinging his arms and causing his sweat glands to overproduce.

"Sensei! Focus your quirk on Kachan!" Izuku ordered as he witnessed the lightning running over Bakugou's body like a veil. It wasn't hurting him, but it was giving him more power.

But as Hurricane's words reverberated in her mind, she felt her control slipping away. The sparks of her quirk crackled erratically, reflecting her inner turmoil. She buried her face in her hands, feeling completely lost.

"I can't lose control," she whispered, shaking with fear and anger. "Not again..."

Bakugou pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in a protective embrace. "You won't," he vowed fiercely. "You have me. I won't let you go through this alone."

At that moment, Valerie realized that she didn't have to face the darkness by herself. As long as she had Bakugou by her side and her friends from 3A, she would fight through the pain, even if it meant confronting the terrifying truth that laid ahead for her to uncover.

Valerie trembled in Bakugou's arms, her breath shaky, eyes glazed over as she tried to process the villain's confession. The chaos in her mind slowly subsided as she focused on the steady rise and fall of Bakugou's chest.

"You're okay," Bakugou muttered, tightening his grip, his voice gruff but gentle. "You're not alone in this."

Valerie's breathing began to slow, her heart still hammering in her chest, but the weight of Bakugou's arms grounded her. For a moment, it was just them, the warmth of his presence pushing away the darkness creeping at the edges of her mind.

But before she could say anything, footsteps echoed across the rubble-strewn street.

"Valerie!" Denki's voice broke through the tension, his eyes wide with worry as he ran over with Izuku at his side. "Are you okay?"

Bakugou stepped back, letting Denki drop to his knees and pull his cousin into a tight embrace. "I'm here, Val," he whispered, holding her close. "I won't let anything happen to you, I swear."

Valerie clutched onto Denki, her fingers curling into the fabric of his jacket. The safety of his arms, the familiarity of a family—it grounded her more than she expected. She hadn't realized how much she needed him until that moment.

"I'm sorry," she murmured into his shoulder, her voice muffled but shaky. "I didn't mean for you to see all of that. I'm just—"

"Hey, it's fine," Denki cut her off, pulling back enough to look her in the eyes. "You've been through enough. Don't apologize for anything."

Izuku knelt beside them, his green eyes full of concern. "Valerie, we're here for you. Whatever you need."

Valerie's hands tightened on Denki's jacket as her gaze flickered between the two boys, and a decision took root in her mind. She couldn't keep it hidden anymore. They deserved to know.

"Todd..." she began, her voice faltering. "He's not my real dad."

Denki's brow furrowed in confusion. "What? What are you talking about?"

She took a shaky breath, forcing the words out. "I found out before the accident. Todd... he raised me, but he's not my biological father. That's one of the reasons I agreed to come to Japan—to find my real father. I don't know anything about him, only that my mom left him before I was born."

There was a heavy pause as her confession sank in. Denki's face was a mixture of shock and sympathy, while Izuku's expression shifted into something more cautious, his mind racing with thoughts.

Bakugou, who had been standing quietly beside them, narrowed his eyes as he noticed the subtle change in Izuku's demeanour. Something was off. He and Izuku exchanged a glance, a silent acknowledgement passing between them. Now wasn't the time to press further, not with Valerie in this state.

Valerie wiped her eyes, composing herself before standing up with Denki's help. "I just... I thought I could handle it, but hearing what Hurricane said, it just..." She trailed off, shaking her head. "I need some time to think."

"We'll take you back to the dorms," Denki offered his arm still around her shoulder for support. "You need to rest."

Bakugou followed them as they made their way back, his thoughts clouded with the growing puzzle pieces Izuku had hinted at. The unease in his chest tightened. Once Valerie was settled, he was going to get answers.

---

Later that evening, once Valerie was safely tucked into her room, Bakugou made his way to the common area, where Izuku sat quietly, lost in thought. Bakugou marched up to him, his patience worn thin.

"Spit it out, nerd," Bakugou growled, arms crossed as he stood over him. "You looked like you knew something back there, and I'm not in the mood for secrets."

Izuku blinked up at him, startled by the sudden confrontation. "I-I wasn't trying to hide anything, I just... I wasn't sure if it was the right time to say anything."

Bakugou's glare deepened. "Say what?"

Izuku took a deep breath, standing up to face Bakugou directly. "It's about Valerie's quirk... and her mom."

"Her mom?" Bakugou raised an eyebrow, but his irritation quickly shifted into curiosity. "What about her?"

"I've been doing some research," Izuku began cautiously. "Her mother, Odette Black, was a famous meteorologist. She started her career in Japan before suddenly moving to South Africa in her third year of University, where she made most of her big discoveries. But before she left Japan, she attended UA. She was part of the engineering department the same year as Aizawa-sensei, Present Mic, and Midnight."

Bakugou's eyes narrowed. "And?"

Izuku hesitated, then pressed on. "Odette was quirkless, but both her parents had powerful lightning and magnetic quirks. But I've been piecing things together—the way Valerie's quirk works, how her shield erases other quirks on impact, it's... it's similar to Aizawa's Erasure. And today, when Aizawa-sensei couldn't erase Valerie's quirk..."

Bakugou's heart skipped a beat as the realization began to sink in. "You're saying..."

"I think Aizawa-sensei might be Valerie's father," Izuku finished, his voice barely above a whisper.

The room went silent as the weight of that statement settled between them. Bakugou's mind raced, connecting the dots—the hair, the eyes, the quirk... It all made sense. Aizawa couldn't erase Valerie's quirk because her quirk was a reflection of his own.

"You've gotta be kidding me," Bakugou muttered, running a hand through his hair. "If you're right, then... she's been looking for him this whole time."

Before they could continue, a sudden presence made both boys freeze.

Aizawa stood in the doorway, his eyes wide with shock, staring at them. He had heard everything.

For a moment, the room was so silent that Bakugou swore he could hear the pounding of his own heart. Aizawa didn't say a word, but the expression on his face told them everything they needed to know.

He had no idea either.

****

DUN DUN DAAAAAAAAAAAAA

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