Mortem ad Wrens

Chapter 18: Their Voices Will Roar Like the Sea

Summary:

tw: burns, abuse, flashback involving old pronouns, torture, being called pet/good girl by abusers, grooming, child trafficking, child abuse

"Sounds like a match made in hell. Let's do it."

Notes:

'text' JSL
Text thoughts

A couple days later, June rolled around, bringing warmer weather and summer uniforms. Akira was signing with Shinso before homeroom when they got an alert on their phone. Confused, Akira glanced down and dropped their head to the desk.

"Endeavor levels half of warehouse district 13... Akira, you good?" Shinso read through their hair.

Akira shook their head, barely lifting it as they signed, 'That's where I live. Heroes never go there unless they're in a long villain chase.' Going to their locator app, they selected Family and Safe before pinging their location. 'I'll keep an eye on it. Hopefully, it was contained to the warehouses.'

"Are your belongings safe?" Tokoyami asked, Akira giving a shushing motion as the rest of the class started to notice.

'Yeah, I keep them with me for pretty much this reason. As long as everyone else is safe, the only thing I have to worry about is finding a new place.'

'Sleepy Cat's offer is still on the table,' Shinso signed.

Akira shrugged it off as Bakugo stalked over. "Hey extras, what's wrong with you?"

'Not in the mood, Murder God. Piss off,' Akira signed. They gestured to Aizawa entering the room as the rest of class rushed back to their seats. For the rest of the morning, the remaining Blue Fang members checked in, getting away with only one supply cache and the corner store as casualties along with a couple low-income housing units and the warehouses fit for sleeping in. Not good, but manageable.

At lunch, Uraraka stopped Akira as they were about to trail after Mad Banquet. "I heard what happened to district thirteen and... I know what housing is like there. If you need help, I don't have much, but-"

Akira waved her off, 'I appreciate it, but I have a few options and wouldn't want to put the extra strain on your family.' After a moment, they continued to the group's tree and forced themself to focus on the conversation instead of where they should go.

Mortis was greeted by an oppressive somberness as they entered base that night. They checked in on Ayaka and Azumi, who already had a place lined up with their fosters, the throuple assuring Mortis that they had what they needed. Mortis gradually made their way around the room, checking on everyone before doubling back to Dabi at the bar.

'What brings you here tonight, Wildfire? If you're looking to take a kid in, all of them are set for the moment,' Mortis signed, hopping onto a stool a couple seats over.

"Nah, too jumpy to have kids running around the place. I was thinking more of a roommate," Dabi side-eyed them.

'Really?' Mortis' eyebrows shot up. 'Most people are already paired up, but I can keep an eye out for stragglers coming in.'

"Where will you go? I heard your usual haunts got caught up in the bastard's fight."

'I'll stay here a night and see what's being slotted for gentrification on the news. There are usually one or two that just get condemned since companies can't be bothered.'

Dabi pushed his phone over, and Mortis swore at the headline. "Not this time, Mortis. I came to offer you the couch at my place again. We pay for our own groceries, and I take care of rent. We both plan on taking down powerful heroes, and our families would hunt us down if we're discovered, so we're not adding risk to the other."