I hadn't spoken to Katsuki Bakugo in weeks, and I was loathe to admit that I missed him. I had actively changed shifts and worked overtime totally not to avoid seeing him. Estelle said that he had waited outside for a few days after what I guess you could call our fight. I guess he got the hint and stopped showing up.

I didn't cave for the first few days after he stopped showing up, although I really couldn't quite smother all the hurt that he did give up. It was my own fault. But damn if I didn't miss him. Nota and Estelle kept me company at the hospital, taking turns for lunches to keep me from wallowing in my own self-pity. It was hard to get my emotions on the same page as my head.

I poked at my food on my plate, usually when the cafeteria served veggie lasagna, I ate my whole plate. I pushed it away and frowned, I could feel Nota's concerned stare and I honestly wish this would all stop. "Stop looking at me like that Nota, I know I'm being ridiculous." I groaned and placed my head in my hands, "I mean I haven't known him all that long, and by no means were we anything more than friends." I lifted my head and looked at my friend through my mussed-up bangs. "Maybe I should stick to my tv dramas?" I tried to joke with him, attempting to ease the mood.

"Marigold, I think you need a distraction." He reached over and pushed my plate back towards me, "And a balanced diet. You can't survive off coffee and whatever snacks are in a break room." He gave me a pointed look, and I pursed my lips. That comment was about the time he caught me stuffing two bagels in my pockets on the cardiac floor.

"Watch me." I hissed at him, "And you are not a Nutritionist, so I am not going to listen to you." I stuck my tongue out at him. I burgeoningly ate the rest of my lunch, damn the veggie lasagna really was bomb. "I hate that you are almost always right." I sighed, "Did you want to go to the gym with me today? Give Estelle a break?" I popped the tab of my sparkling water, "She says she can't keep up with me anymore."

Nota gave me a look of confusion, "You seriously outpaced Estelle? The most exercise you ever did in med school was eat and sleep." His tone was skeptical, because yet again, he was right. I really did nothing but push through med school. A blur of textbooks, long hours following my attending and sleep is all I can remember from those days.

"Well, at least I can help lift patients now." I pushed my sleeve up and showed off my bicep, flexing slightly. "I'm quite proud of my guns." I posed a few times and made him chuckle.

"I think I'll have to see what you're made of then." He shook his head, "I have membership to the gym down the road. I'll add your name as a visitor and I'll meet you there after work, I have two cases today if you want to meet me at six?" He took his phone out and typed in something before standing up and throwing his trash away. "I've got to go check on my patient's pre-op but I'll see you tonight." He patted my shoulder and left me by myself.

I sighed and pulled myself up and took my tray up. At least I was moving forward with normal, I could function like before I knew Katsuki Bakugo as anything other than a Hero I admired. I am a strong and intelligent woman that doesn't need a man to make her feel worthy of time or affection.

I pumped myself up and went to my office to work on emails and charts and was pleasantly surprised by another bouquet of flowers. They were mood boosters. I was in a much better mood throughout the day, I was able to discharge a fair bit of my patients and get a whole bunch of work done in prep for a meeting we had later in the month for the co-op.

I would have to see him then, but that was a bridge I would have to cross another time. I grabbed my gym bag; I was ready to go hours ago and the time finally came to meet Nota. I looked around carefully on my way to my car, something that all these weeks of training with Bakugo had instilled in me. It was something I would thank him for later.

I drove over to the gym, Nota had sent me address after lunch, and of course there was no parking anywhere near the front. I groaned a little as I pulled into the parking spot across the lot. My legs were going to murder me later because of course today is leg day. I walked in and headed up to the front desk, returned it the smile the person at the front sent my way. "Hi, I'm here as Nota Oshino's guest, Marigold Honda."

"Yes, we have you on the guest list! The locker rooms are this way and around the corner. Everything on the counters is available for you to use. Let us know if you need any help or have any questions!" The attendant pointed to the right of the counter, where I could see the sign indicating the way to the locker room, I thanked them again and went to get changed.

This gym was way more up-class than the one Bakugo and I use. My eyes wandered around the pieces of artwork and the high-end equipment. This was up Nota's alley, and I was feeling out of place. I hurried along and put my bag in an open locker after changing into my workout clothes. I put my hair up into a high ponytail and stepped out onto the gym floor, looking around for Nota. I felt someone come up behind me and I turned to face them before they could get any closer.

"Whoa! It's just me!" Nota threw both hands up, taking a step back. "I didn't realize I would startle you." He gave me one of his famous half smiles.

I was almost charmed, almost, but I knew him too well to fall for it. "Next time don't do it then." I crossed my arms, "Where are you starting? It's my leg day and I am not skipping it." I put my hand on my hip and leaned my weight on one leg.

Nota nodded his head. "We can do legs tonight." He gave me another signature grin, "I'll try to stay at your pace."

I scoffed at him and walked away towards the mats. I started stretching and Nota followed suit, once we were warmed up and ready to go, I started on the treadmill. Nota got on the one beside me and kept pace for a while, at mile five he was starting to lose steam and I could see it. I lowered the pace back down to walking, let myself cool down and catch my breath. Once I felt good, I headed over to the leg press and worked through my routine. Nota and I traded quips at each other, He added more weight to some exercises where I was doing more reps. This kept going for the rest of the time we were there.

"I'd say we were pretty even huh?" I asked as he took a long pull from his water bottle, I knew that he was surprised that I did keep up with him, "I told you I was proud of my progress." I grinned as he leaned back on both of his hands. His chest was rising and falling with each breath that he labored through, "Looks like you need to get out here more often." I tease him.

"Shut. Up." He panted and threw the sweaty towel at me. I made a face of disgust and laughed at him. I was laughing as I left him to return to the locker room. I threw on my sweater and grabbed my bag out of the locker. I sent Nota a quick message that I would be heading home, I would just take a shower at home and go to bed. I left the building and walked down the parking lot and made it to the car. I forgot that I had put my keys in the bag and sighed before putting the bag down on the ground. I unzipped the bag and began digging for my keys, it took a moment before I found them. I smiled and zipped the bag back up and picked it up. I pressed the button to unlock the doors when I heard a sound behind me.

There was splashing of cold liquid on my hair, soaking the back of my jacket and shirt. I whipped around to see what had gotten all over me to come face to face with a man completely dressed in black, his face covered in a mask. My heart stopped and then began to race as the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. The man threw more liquid on me, I saw the bottle in his hands and felt my chest tightened. It was lighter fluid and the smell made me sick. I swiveled quickly and raised my leg to meet the junction of his legs. I put all my weight behind the kick to his balls, causing the man to double over. I opened the car door and dived inside, locking the door behind me.

I breathed heavy and had but a second before he was on the door and slamming at the window. After a few hits, he walked to the front of my car and started to cover the hood with lighter fluid. I started the engine, and realized there was a car behind me. There was only one way out and there was only a split second before he would light me on fire. I didn't think but hit the gas; felt the thud his body hitting the hood and then slipping underneath of the car as I peeled out of the parking lot.

My body was on auto pilot as I drove to the agency and parked in front of the doors. I had the presence of mind to put my four-ways on and ran into the lobby. The receptionist smiled at me and greeted me like usual until I was closer, and she came from behind the desk. I could vaguely hear her call for help from passing heroes. She kneeled on the floor from where I had sat down. My knees had given way, and I couldn't feel them anymore.

The smell of the lighter fluid was starting to overload my senses. I hastily pulled my arms out of my sleeves and ripped off the offensive smelling clothing. My shirt went right after it when I felt the wetness on my back. I shivered with the cool air on my skin, sitting on the cold marble floor in only my leggings and sports bra, but I couldn't care less who saw me at this point.

I just wanted the smell to go away.

The receptionist threw her arm over my shoulder, I could hear her speaking again to me, presumably asking me questions but her voice was lost to the thudding of my own heartbeat in my ears. I tried to gather my thoughts, but they were like water and slipped through whatever control I had on them. Rationalize, think clinically. I was most likely in shock, adrenaline was pumping and overloading my normal reaction to things. Shit.

I felt the heavy footfalls come closer and the smell of soap and the warm spicy smell of Bakugo's cologne.

There were hands gently cupping my face and making me look up, my gray met his red. He didn't ask what happened, just gently stroked my cheek and said three words.

"I got you."

AN:

Thank you so much for your patience guys! I have been super busy the last few weeks but please enjoy this update!

TTFN~

Ta ta for now~

xoxo

Marina Rose