Mortem ad Wrens

Chapter 20: We Must Search Deep Inside

Summary:

tw: medical anxiety

Akira tries to navigate a night at the Yamazawa house

Notes:

'text' JSL
Text thoughts

"What the hell, kid," Aizawa carefully ushered them inside, steadying them and taking some of their weight. "I'm getting the first aid kit. Where are you injured?"

Biting back a cheeky response, Akira stiffly signed, 'My left leg is covered in burns, mostly second with a few patches of third. I was hit a little over thirty minutes ago so my pant leg will probably have to be cut.'

"And why didn't you ping me when it happened?" Aizawa scolded, carefully cutting their pants around where the dark fabric stuck to their skin. He carefully lowered them to the floor and propped their leg up with some throw pillows.

Akira hissed and signed without thinking, 'Didn't want the League to see you on your off night after a stranger walked into the apartment.'

Aizawa froze. Akira's eyes widened and they rushed to explain as he started wrapping the burns. 'My roommate's an informant for us against the League. I'm supposed to check with him before heading over because being roommates with a U.A. student would be suspicious as hell, but I'd been helping Electric Rat and Raven and was too exhausted to think about that.'

Akira's face contorted in pain as Aizawa gently separated their toes with some bandages, the skin sticking slightly. He started applying Recovery Girl's cream to the sections of their leg that weren't black, and Akira desperately clutched the blanket he'd draped over them while trying not to hyperventilate.

"You're okay, Mori, almost done," Aizawa murmured.

"Shou? I thought you were off- kami!" Akira flinched back, hissing as their leg rubbed against the pillow, as Yamada entered the room in Put Your Hands Up pajamas. He backed up a step, clearly restraining himself as the blonde looked over Akira. "Shou, how can I help?"

"Call Chiyo then leave," Aizawa's gaze softened as he looked between the two.

'N-no, it's alright,' Akira stammered, 'He can stay.'

"Mori, the last thing you need right now is an anxiety attack while you're at risk for shock. Are you sure?" Aizawa stared at them, looking for something in their face.

'He shouldn't have to avoid part of his own house,' Akira signed stubbornly. They didn't want to press their luck with the hero, even if he had been defying all expectations.

Aizawa sighed and gave Yamada a rundown to tell Recovery Girl before asking him to bring lukewarm water and make tea for them. "If you need him to leave the room, tell me. Like I said, I want this to be a safe space for you."

Akira nodded shakily, carefully maneuvering themself forward so the pillow wasn't directly on their burns. Aizawa was quick to help them, carefully supporting their back. 'Sorry.'

"Nothing to be sorry for, kid." A few agonizing minutes later, Aizawa finished applying the cream and sat back on his heels. Yamada set the tea and water on the coffee table within reach of the two before backing up and observing.

After a moment, he brightened a little and asked, "Can I get the guest bed ready or should I wait?"

'The couch is fine, really, you don't need to go through the trouble,' Akira hurriedly signed, starting to sit up but Aizawa gently put a hand over their chest.

Both heroes gave them an exasperated look before Aizawa responded, "You're not sleeping on the couch. We will need to keep you on observation, though, and it'll be easier for you to stay awake there." Akira didn't protest, just tensely watching Aizawa finish wrapping their leg. "There, can I ask you a few questions about what led to this?" Akira nodded. "Why was your roommate meeting with the League at your apartment?"