Icy? Or hot? ~TodoBaku~

Chapter 35: buckle up, fuckos!

TW // oh jeez, uhhh....mentions of blood, talks of serious medical procedures, mentions of child abuse, mentions of suicide, as well as lots and lots of PANIC, and self-deprecation. Good luck guys! 👍

Shoto Todoroki

"W-what's happened? KAT?"

"Sir, please stay sat down. HEY, WE GOTTA GET THERE QUICK, WE GOT A PIERCED ARTERY HERE! INTERNAL BLEEDING!" the paramedic shouted to the driver, and I felt the ambulance speed up. I was crying by this point, clutching Kat's right hand like it was about to fall off.

The paramedic had fitted an oxygen mask, and had made some sort of makeshift tourniquet, but I wasn't convinced that would have much effect on internal bleeding, I thought that was just for external injuries. Nevertheless, I didn't question it, this guy didn't seem like a barber surgeon, so I trusted him.

We promptly arrived at the hospital, and as Kat was wheeled away for a quick check over, a nurse came over to comfort me. I was probably embarrassing myself right now, snot-nosed and feeling sick from crying, but I didn't care. I just wanted Kat to be ok. This is my fault after all.

And that was the sick truth of it. If I hadn't freaked out over that first storm the other day, Kat wouldn't have rushed home last night to comfort me, wouldn't have endured the pain while I SLEPT LIKE A FUCKING WORTHLESS IDIOT.

These thoughts only made my tears flow quicker, and the nurse beside me patted my back gently, before another came over, and wanted my attention.

"Excuse me sir, you're with Katsuki Bakugo, yes?"

"Y-yeah, I'm his boyfriend. How is he? Is he-"

"He's ok, but that's what I'm here to talk to you about.."

"O-ok, what is it?" I said through shaky breaths, fearing the worst.

"Well...his elbow is broken, and on the ambulance ride here it jolted, and a bone pierced an artery in his arm, causing lots of internal bleeding. Unfortunately...the blood in his arm has begun to clot, and we're left with a very difficult scenario.. so we need to talk to a close relative. Do you happen to have his father's contact info?"

"N-no, I've never met the guy, I just know he lives around an hour away.."

"...I'm afraid we don't have an hour. Your word will have to do, sir."

And then, she presented me with the most difficult ultimatum of my life.

"We need to amputate his arm. If not, he's much less likely to make it."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My head was spinning, and the only recognisable thought I had was "this is your fault, you did this to him." My tears had begun falling again, and the nurse waited patiently for an answer.

"I...I need a minute-"

"Sir, I'm afraid we don't have a minute, every second counts now. I need an answer, or we can't do the surgery."

I mean, what outcome was better? Not just for me, for him. A guarantee of survival, but a permanent reminder of what I did to him, or a chance of recovering in full, but a likely death. My head felt like it was about to split open, and I barely heard myself croak out the words "ok, do it." before the nurse ran off, and the other one caught me as I nearly collapsed to the ground, distraught at how selfish I'd been. My wails filled the hallway, and the lady ushered me into an empty room, collecting a box of tissues on the way.

"I'll just fetch you some water sir. He'll be ok, trust me." She said with a sorrowed smile, before dashing out. Yeah, he might be ok, but he'll hate me for what I did.