The lost continent

Chapter 5

The docks in Ka are different than any Kirishima has ever seen. They start far from the land, and team inwards like wooden spider’s legs. They web between the islands, connecting them together, right up to the largest landmass. Huts and shacks sit high above the water, away from the tides, making streets and alleys of the sea.

“Wear this.” Bakugou says, holding out a black bandana to him.

Kirishima takes it, wondering if it’s another gift.

“Your hair dumbass.” Bakugou sighs, exasperated. “You really think you’ll walk into Ka, with the crew’s habit of calling you Kiri , with your shit-ass red fucking Kirishima Hair ?”

“Oh.” Kirishima says. He thinks about the violent stories he’s heard of Ka- the commodore that rules the waters and the government there, the merciless torture in their prisons. “Um. I can stay on the ship?”

“No, I need you to read the verses to Mitsuki.” Bakugou says. “The old hag won’t shut the fuck up if I’m talking to her- she always thinks I’ve been fooled into information.”

“To be fair, Bakugou, you have been before.” Mina says in passing, using the dropping gangplank as a quick escape from Bakugou’s scowl. She winks at Kirishima, who averts his gaze, still highly embarrassed, and Sero gives him a mock salute.

Bakugou clicks his tongue and looks back to Kirishima.

" You’re risking taking the notes off the ship?” Kirishima asks.

“It’d be idiocy to leave them here.” Bakugou says, and Kirishima guesses he’s right. There’s no true safe place.

Kirishima nods, and runs his fingers through his hair. He braids it, tight to his head, and ties it off with the ribbon Bakugou gave him. He tucks the braid up into itself and secures the bandana around his head.

Bakugou stares at him as he does so, and Kirishima half hopes it’s because he looks good, and not like a complete idiot.

“You can do whatever, but when the sun starts to set, find the Aeternum and ask for me.” Bakugou says, as he makes his way down the gangplank to where Mina and Sero are waiting for him.

“What’s that?” Kirishima asks.

“The old hag’s ship.” Bakugou says. “She got a new one after she went to the fountain. It’s gaudy as hell.”

Kirishima catches up behind him, Bakugou already reaching land. It’s always a sudden struggle, the way his feet suddenly work so steadily on the ground. Kirishima pays extra attention to where he’s walking. “What’s the fountain?”

" Of youth, idiot.” Bakugou sighs. “Some pirate you are.”

H is words make Kirishima halt for a moment. Firstly, fountain of youth? That existed? Was it’s magic as real as the tales told? Secondly, pirate?

“What, don’t like it, love?” Bakugou says, looking over his shoulder. “It’s true now, whether you’re going to accept it or not.”

Kirishima is still as Bakugou fixes the bandana on his head, making sure his hair is tucked beneath it properly. His rough fingers press against Kirishima’s skin as he situates everything, and Kirishima tries not to stare into his eyes.

Bakugou grins, and drops his hands. “Pirate.”

K irishima watches him leave.

He takes in the pink-white sand and the swaying palms, beautiful against the griminess of the sea-stained port. The water, blue out in the ocean, is matted with black-flecked sea foam near the wharves. The sand near the docks is almost completely black. It almost looks like a layer of ash covers both his surroundings, and the people. He’s heard rumours about Ka, how it holds the gates to hell, and how there’s a fire beneath the island that never dies… By nightfall, he’s sure the ash will have added a filmy layer to his skin.