The lost continent

Chapter 8

Kirishima calls her in, one night, when Bakugou’s skin goes deathly cold, and his heartbeat shallows. Sero comes, too.

Mina lies next to him, sobbing, her ear pressed over his fading heartbeat. Kirishima sits by her head, smoothing down her wild hair as she cries, tears in his own eyes. Sero sits in the desk chair by his bed, frowning hard. His mind whirs, he can’t believe that Bakugou isn’t recovering, but doesn’t want to ignore the signs.

Kirishima feels a panic rise at the thought Bakugou just… not being there. He feels it swell in the bottom of his throat and take his breath away. He curls into himself to press it down into his stomach, and be strong for the crew, who’s known their Captain much longer than he has. He forces a breath deep into his lungs, and looks at Bakugou’s pale, thin face, no vigor left in his features. Seeing him like this is harrowing to his heart.
In the morning, Kirishima is afraid to open his eyes. He can feel that Mina is still half lying on him, half on Bakugou. Slowly, he opens his eyes. Sero isn’t in the room anymore.

Bakugou isn’t lying down anymore.

Bakugou isn’t lying down anymore.

“Bakugou!” Kirishima says, immediately shaking Mina awake.

“ Captain Bakugou.” Bakugou croaks out.

“Bakugou!” Mina screams, throwing her arms around him. He hisses and she pulls back, and punches him hard in the arm. “You almost died!”

“Please, I’m fine.” Bakugou says, coughing around his words. Kirishima gets out of bed and grabs his water bag. Out of habit he tilts it to Bakugou’s lips. The estranged glare Bakugou sends his way puts Kirishima’s heart at ease. He gives Bakugou the water bag with a small smile.

Mina is crying again, smothering Bakugou in her embrace. She even goes so far as to kiss all over his face, which makes him push her away, colour finally in his cheeks.

“Mina.” Kirishima laughs. “He’s still injured, remember.”

“Ah! Right, right!” she says, getting up. Her eyes are puffy from all her tears, but her smile is bright. Kirishima missed that, too.

Kirishima knows he should let the crew know, but he’s afraid that their clamouring might force Bakugou out of bed too soon.

“How are you feeling?” Mina asks, jumping on the balls of her feet.

“Hungry.” Bakugou says. “I feel like I haven’t eaten in weeks.”

Kirishima and Mina share a glance.

“Well, you kind of haven’t.” Mina says gently. “You’ve been out for a while, Captain.”

“Then get me some food.” Bakugou says.

“Right, I’ll do that. You speak to your nurse now, I’m sure you have a couple words to say.” Mina says, practically skipping out of the room.

“Nurse?” Bakugou lifts an eyebrow. His usual intimidation is slowly coming back, and it makes Kirishima grin.

“Mina unofficially appointed me.” Kirishima rubs the back of his neck.

Bakugou frowns. “You didn’t cut anything off.”

“You don’t have to.” Kirishima says. “At least, that’s my opinion.”

“So you used your opinion to treat me, against common medical procedure.”

“Well, yes.” Kirishima says. “And I think it saved your life.”

Bakugou snorts. “I’m not scolding you.”