As the weeks went by, we sort of developed a routine. On our days off we would go for runs in the mornings, go to the gym and then get lunch. On workdays after my shifts, he started to show up. Once a week at first and slowly reaching the point where he was waiting for me after every shift by the front entrance.

The initial few times after work, Estelle walked out with me, the teasing from her at home after was merciless. It was difficult to keep her off my back, after there were only so many good clips of Hawks out there to distract her. She did ease up after she could see it was starting to make me uncomfortable.

I had to keep reminding myself as we practiced self-defense that we were only colleges, at best maybe even friends and nothing more. A fact that I was aware of as he threw me onto the mat for the fourth time. I groaned and rolled onto my stomach, my muscles sore from the very intense training session that I knew was Bakugo's signature style. It was factually proven and confirmed by not only my account but also by the few of his old classmates that also frequented the same gym.

"Respite." I groaned, "I need five minutes." I laid my cheek against the cool mat and savored the chill on my sweaty skin.

Bakugo stood up straight and walked over to me, I could feel him stand over me. "You won't have five minutes in combat. Now get up and show me what we practiced." His tone was firm and left no argument.

I left out a guttural sound that was most definitely not lady-like and pushed myself up. The positive from all the tough training that he put me through was that I could start to see the results in the last week. My arms were becoming toned, I had shed a few pounds and put on some muscle instead. All in all, I was in the best shape of my life, but that didn't stop me from getting my butt slammed into the mat.

I resumed my defensive stance and put my hands back up in the guarding position he taught me. Bakugo mirrored the stance and then rushed me quickly. Now this song and dance we had done many times before; he would always start my left side and then hammer the right side once he had made an opening.

I grit my teeth and he immediately started on my left side, and this time I grabbed his wrist. I pulled his arm forward and hooked my leg around his knee, using his momentum to flip him over my shoulder. I looked down at Bakugo panting on the mat in shock, my mouth slightly open. I could see his eyes narrow and before he could judo death grip my leg; I sat down on his chest and rested my forearm against his throat. "Yield." I said breathlessly.

His red eyes were intense, looking at me with a cocktail of emotions that I couldn't place at all. I relaxed for a moment and the next he had expertly flipped positions so that he was now straddled across my hips. "Never let your guard down." He was breathing heavily, and the tension was palpable as we kept eye contact. I pushed him off with little resistance, taking the moment of space and time to calm myself down.

Now was not the time to make doe eyes that could potentially ruin this hard-earned friendship. I knew from these past weeks that Bakugo was not the one to deal with silly feelings. I had seen him deflect fan girls at the gym and then we switched to a new gym or a different time we went so that he didn't have to deal with them. I had truly come to enjoy the time we spent together, and I didn't want to ruin this friendship.

I stood, avoiding eye contact by readjusting my tank top and sports bra strap, and then turned to go get my water bottle at the other end of the mat. "Maybe one day I'll be good enough to take you down and keep you there." I gave my best laugh before taking a big swig of my water.

I could hear him walk over, careful to stay a distance away, "You aren't the total weakling you were when we first started." He said, I could hear the squeak of the mat as he shifted his weight from foot to foot.

I slowly turned to face him, a happy smile curving my lips, "If I really didn't know any better I would say that you just complimented me." I teased him, "It might rain tomorrow."

His face instantly turned into a scowl, and the tips of his ears turned pink. "You haven't earned a compliment yet!" his protests fell on deaf ears as I walked closer. He took a step back as I got closer. "What are you doing?" He grumbled, starting to look nervous.

"Nothing." I could feel my smile grow bigger, I reached out and poked his shoulder. "That was very close to a compliment, Bakugo." I tested my limit and poked him again. "Would it hurt to admit it?"

Before I could poke him again, he grabbed my hand, "Do not poke me again."

I bit my lip, "Oh but I really want to, and the intrusive thoughts are winning." My free hand came up and poked him in the ribs, causing him to jump away from me. My eyes widened, "Katsuki Bakugo, are you ticklish?"

"Don't you mother fucking touch me again like that or I will blow you up." He leveled me with a glare so deadly that I almost kept my mouth shut.

Almost.

"But I gotta!" I waved my hand around menacingly, reveling in the fact that he was actively evading me. He kept the wrist he grabbed earlier tight, there was no way that I would get free. Giggles bubbled over as I continued to try to get at his ribs again. It was quickly over as I grew out of breath. "Bakugo! One more time, please!" I asked breathlessly.

"Don't." He turns deadpan, grabbing my other wrist. The expression on his face made the laughter die in my throat.

"Don't call me Bakugo." His expression didn't change, "Call me Katsuki." He gave me a small smirk, "You earned that at least, now go hit the showers you reek."

He let my wrists go and walked away, leaving me stand there with my jaw hanging open. I shook my head and hurried up behind him, knowing that if I wasn't done quickly, he in fact would leave my ass here.

I rushed out of the showers and into the front waiting room of the gym before him. I did look out the window to make sure his car was still there, just in case… I was leaned against the ledge and looked through my missed messages. A few from Estelle asking about dinner, and one from the secretary from the agency. I typed a quick reply to Estelle that she should eat without me and opened the image that was attached to the other message.

It was another beautiful arrangement of flowers, making me smile slightly. I was engrossed in writing my response that I didn't see Katsuki come out and stand next to me.

"What's got you smiling like an idiot?" He grumbled, he was also freshly showered and in clean clothes, his own gym bag slung over his shoulder.

I jumped, and almost dropped my phone. "I did not see you come out." I put my phone away in my pocket and took my bag off the floor.

"You really need to work on that, you can't keep getting snuck up on." He frowned at me and looked like he wanted to say more but he sighed instead. "Come on, let's go get something to eat. And you're buying."

I raised my hand in salute, "Sir, yes sir." He chuckled and we left, choosing to go to the nearest ramen shop. We sat across from each other going over the menu. He ordered some spicy pork ramen, and I ordered some chicken ramen. I had also ordered some spicy snacks on the side that I knew he liked.

I was pouring us both some water from the pitcher that was on the table, flipping over two metal cups that rested on the tray next to it. He waited for me to finish pouring the cups before asking me, "So what were you smiling about earlier?"

I blinked in surprise, "Oh, on my phone?" I reached into my pocket and pulled out the phone, quickly opening the message and picture. "Someone sent me some flowers again today. The agency secretary sent me a picture, see?" I turned the phone towards him so he could see look at it.

He immediately frowned and glanced at the phone for a moment before looking back at me. "You have no idea who sent that to you?"

I felt myself frown as well. "No, I don't. Why does it matter?" I could feel the annoyance that pinched my brows together, "What is wrong with having a secret admirer?" I could feel the apprehension creep up my spine.

"You shouldn't be happy some random person sent you a few flowers." Katsuki turned his head away, watching the TV bolted to the roof of the restaurant. There was something so dismissive in his tone that made my hackles rise.

"A few flowers?" I repeated, "It's a very thoughtful gesture." I bit my tongue as our noodles arrived at the table. I thanked the server and waited for them to get of ear shot before speaking again. "It's nice to feel appreciated and cared about. I can't tell you how much just those flowers made my day." I knew that I was maybe getting over emotional, but my feelings were hurt that he thought so little that someone could be interested in me. "Is there something wrong with me that I can't flowers from someone?"

His gaze slid back to mine, the crimson eyes looked and me for a second until he put both hands over his face, "Marigold. I didn't mean it like that."

"It's fine Bakugo. You can box this up, I'm leaving." I pulled cash out of my wallet and sat it down on the table. "It was nice to actually feel wanted." My voice broke a little as I turned to leave the table, I heard the chair scrape against the floor, and he was in front of me a second.

"I said don't call me that." He filled the small pathway between the tables, making it impossible to pass him. "I only meant how do you know if the person who sent you flowers is a weirdo or not?" His stare was hot on my face, I had to clench my jaw for a moment.

"Are you saying that I could only attract weirdos?" I gave my best shot at a glare, "Honestly, I just want to have someone to love me, to be honest with their feelings," I could see his Adam apple move, "But since I have no other prospects, I am going to take it where I can get it. If you don't like it, then stay out of it." I grabbed his wrist and pulled him forward to make enough space for me to leave. I kept going and thanked whatever gods were out there as a cab pulled up. I hopped in and gave the driver my address, watching Bakugo stand on the curb as we drove away.

I felt the burn as the tears started to fill my eyes. I swiped at them with the sleeve of my jacket. I sent a text to let Estelle know I would be home, and I turned my phone. I shouldn't have said what I did, but it was too late, and it wasn't a lie either. I had no other love prospects and that he wasn't involved in my love life.

Is that why it hurt?

Complicated feelings we're having huh?

TTFN~ Ta ta for now~

Xoxo

Marina Rose