Ch 4.

I sat back down at my desk and looked back up at him. This was the first time we ever had a normal conversation before aside from basic formalities. It was interesting to say the least, I wasn't complaining though, I think the only other person I've ever seen him talk to was Deku. Possibly a few others from his time at UA. I only knew that information because I had seen them visit him over the years at the hospital.

He stood there awkwardly, crossing his arms as if to give himself something to do, "Anyway, I also want to say I truly did mean it out there, you are a hero just like me. There is no doubt about it, so you shouldn't let what other losers say about you get to your head." He leaned against the edge of the desk, "Hell, if I listened to all the people telling me I couldn't cut it 'cause of my personality, I wouldn't have even made it to the hero course at UA."

The laughter burst out before I could try to smother it, "You are right! Your personality doesn't always mesh with the whole hero image." I wiped away a stray tear before it could fall. I could see the tips of his ears were slightly pink, making me reel in any other giggles that threatened to escape. I bit my lip and then smiled, trying to ease any embarrassment I may have caused. "Sorry, I didn't mean to laugh."

Bakugo uncrossed his arms and shrugged, "If that really bothered me, I wouldn't really be a pro."

I nodded and leaned back again in my chair, "I'm going to continue to do my best, both out of combat and in, if I ever get invited again." I winced at the thought of never being able to go out like today and being able to complete my dream. "I should be happy that I did get the chance to do it at least one time right?" The smile on my face was bittersweet.

Bakugo's lighthearted expression dropped, and he started to frown, I felt bad for making him lose that moment. He was like a grumpy Pomeranian, although to make that comparison out loud would result in angry insults hurled my way. "Don't talk like that, it'll never happen again if you keep that attitude up." He spoke in a softer tone than normal, still a little rough of course.

"The truth hurts, but I'll try not to be so down about it. I'm a damn good doctor, no matter where I am." It felt like he was trying to cheer me up, in his own roundabout way, "Careful now, if you're too nice to me I might fall for you." I teased and thoroughly enjoyed watching him turn red, a very frazzled expression on his face. I smiled at him brightly before leaning forward in my seat slightly. "We could always just be friends though, if that is alright for your greatness." I pretended to bow down to him, "I humbly offer my companionship to the great King Explosion Murder Dynamite."

"Cut it out!" The frazzled expression was gone as quickly as it came and again, I somehow made him smile. "It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if we were friends, but don't get too comfortable around me!" The tips of his ears turning pink again, "And definitely no more of that crap you pulled at the hospital." His words were quiet, and I almost didn't catch them.

"At the hospital?" I blinked in surprise, "What did I do at the hospital?"

"You forgot?" His ears turned a little bit redder, and he scowled at me, his eyes burning a little brighter at me. Bakugo was starting to get a little angry. "So, you treat all your patients the same way then."

A confused expression crossed my face as I racked my brain to figure out what he was referring to. "I don't always use my quirk to heal patients if that's what you're referring to." My brows knit in confusion. "Whatever I did to offend you, I apologize." I felt like it was better to apologize than let him be mad at me.

"You couldn't offend me if you tried, but no that's not what I was talking about." He let out a heavy sigh and his ears were starting to return to their normal color. "If you don't know what I'm talking about than forget it." He leaned over my desk and once again a cocky grin appeared on his face, "For a doctor you aren't that quick."

It was my turn to have my ears turn pink, "If you keep this up, I'm going to consider us friends." I stood up and got into his space, "If you're done insulting my intelligence, kindly leave." I tried to turn him around, but actually could not. It was like a brick wall and I was not making any head way. My attempts to move him made him laugh, I could feel the deep rumbles from his laughter. "Just go!" I said through gritted teeth as I struggled to move him a few inches. I knew he was letting me move him, it was painfully obvious in the fact that every time he took a step forward, I almost fell with the movement because I was pushing him so hard. It also took every ounce to not laugh at how ridiculous this all was.

Bakugo let himself get pushed to the door, he made no effort to hide his laughter as I struggled behind him. "Since you managed to get me all the way to the door, I'll get out of your hair." He looked back at me from over his shoulder. "But I'll be back to see you another time." He walked away from my tent in no hurry, making me feel kind of annoyed at him because now I was wide awake.

I used the newfound energy to finish all my charting, the work took longer on the laptop the agency provided. It was better than nothing, but it was so slow to save my notes. I made sure to save everything and shut it down. The rest of the time I was there I was packing my things before I got ready to leave. All the patient information was locked up or shredded in the designated bins the agency would haul back to the main building. I picked up the bag that I brought with me and made sure I had everything I brought with me before leaving the tent for the last time.

The town car was waiting to take me back to my agency, it was parked in the lot adjacent to my tent. I waved to the driver and was about to get in the car when I felt eyes on me. I turned around to scan the area. The compound was still nothing that seemed to be out of the ordinary. I shook off the feeling and got into the car, I was exhausted, and my mind was playing tricks on me. The rest of the car ride was uneventful, just making small talk with the driver before I put my earbuds in. I struggled not to doze off, I could hear Bakugo's voice in the back of my mind yelling at me for falling asleep in such open places.

It was late when I finally crashed into my bed. I was too exhausted to even put my phone on the charger. That would be a mistake that the future me would have to deal with later. Right now, I am only worried about my head meeting the pillow. The clock on the stove I looked at for a brief second read two thirty-six and my shift started at seven. It didn't even feel like two seconds when the alarm went off and I open my eyes. I lifted the pillow over my face and groaned loudly into it. I threw the pillow off the bed and hauled myself up and hurried over to my phone to turn off the alarm. I groaned again when I realized that my phone only has thirty percent to get through the whole day. I didn't have time to worry about it, I got dressed, a pair of gray slacks, black sweater and large gold hammered earrings, and hoofed it to work. Estelle wouldn't be on today, it was her day off so I decided to walk. I looked back down at the slim watch on my wrist and started to run.

I barely made it into the hospital on time, I didn't miss shift change and there wasn't any time for me to rest for a minute. It was a sprint as soon as I walked onto the floor I was assigned to. I was around with the patients as their breakfast trays came in the door. It was difficult to smell the food and not have my stomach growl, and by the time I finished up I was starving. I was walking into the nurse's station to sit for the first time since I got to work when my pager buzzed.

It took herculean strength to restrain the sight that wanted to escape my lips. I dug the offending black electronic out of my coat pocket and flipped through the old messages to read the new one.

'Meet me for breakfast and coffee? My treat. -Nota'

I smiled and took a seat at an available desktop and logged into the charting software and opened the electronic paging service. I typed a quick meet you in ten in the cafeteria back to Nota and typed up a few notes as well putting in a few diet orders before saving the charts to hurry to the elevator.

I could smell the sausage and croissants already; I could almost taste the coffee as I entered the metal box. I smash the button for the first floor and tap my foot impatiently for the numbers to count down. As soon as the doors opened, I walked into the cafeteria and began scanning the room for my friend.

"Marigold!" He gently called from behind me, I was startled and jumped away from him. He reached out to catch me as I stumbled. "Sorry didn't mean to scare you!" He said while laughing. He let me go and I placed a hand on my chest to show my surprise.

"I think you owe me lunch now too!" I joked back with him. He laughed at me, and we headed in to look at the selection. "What is your caseload this week?" I asked, picking out some hardboiled eggs and some sausage patties. I piled some eggs on the plate and then waited for him to fill his plate before walking over to the pastries. I plucked a chocolate filled croissant from the plethora of baked goods.

"I have eight cases this week. I will have no time till next month, I've booked all my available slots until then." He said, he didn't grab any baked goods which made me feel like I should not have grabbed one. However, I did need to fuel my body so I could care for my patients, I countered to myself with a small scowl. "I wanted to see you before things got too crazy."

He paid for both of our meals with his badge, we headed to the coffee bar and made our drinks before we sat down by the window overlooking the central courtyard. "I heard Dynamite went to visit to after debrief yesterday." He looked up quickly from his food, and his questioning gaze made me blush.

"Nothing happened!" I was quick to reply, "He only came to have his wounds checked." I used my most professional tone, "He also may have offered to give me some personal training." I said non-chalantly, hoping that Nota would just let it go.

"He offered to train you?" Nota raised one eyebrow, "So he was just being thoughtful? The Dynamite that never wants to stay in the hospital long enough to actually be discharged properly?" His tone was somewhat a cross between annoyed and amused.

I felt a bead of sweat start to form and run down the back of my neck, "I haven't told Estelle yet, so you need to keep your mouth shut."

"The only oath I swore was to do no harm." His face was a mask of indifference, letting me know he would most certainly tell Estelle.

Well fuck.

Thank you all so much for reading and following my story!

TTFN~

Ta ta for now~

xoxo

Marina Rose