Work Text:
Prompt: “ you're not a burden. “
Naomasa was awoken by the ringing of his phone. Someone had a death wish. This was his first full day off in weeks. Not since they had been preparing for a large drug bust. A drug bust that had gone off without a hitch. Now that his paperwork (for that raid) was done he was going to take a few days off. If only to recover before the next mayhem that decided to plant itself into his life.
It took him a few tries to grab at his phone and without checking the number he answered, "Tsukauchi."
A familiar female voice asked, "Detective Tsukauchi Naomasa?"
Naomasa bit back a groan as he said, "This is him. What can I do for you at," Now he glanced at the time it was two in the morning. Someone had better be dying, "Two in the morning?"
The woman sighed tiredly as she said, "Detective you are on my list of emergency foster parents. Specially one that does not have any preference on quirks. Is this true?"
That had Naomasa sitting up sleep and annoyance fading from his mind. It must be bad if they were contacting him. As a police detective he was very low on the list of who they would call. Just above heroes and even then there were heroes they would call over him.
He confirmed as he pushed himself off the bed and headed for his closet, "That is true. What are we looking at? Death in the family, abandonment? Or..."
He really hoped it wasn't abuse. That was one of the most difficult things to work with. Dealing with traumatuzed children was not his strong suit. That was Sansa's but they would never let the man be a foster parent. No matter how much the other wanted to be.
Sansa had a mutation quirk one that was obvious to anyone who saw him. In their world mutant quirks were seen as lesser. That they would resort to crimes because it was in their nature. Naomasa never saw it that way as he accepted the man to be his partner on the force.
The woman said her voice forcefully flat, "I'm sorry to say it was abuse and neglect of a young child. Izuku Midoriya is his name and he is nine years old. Before tonight he was presumed to be quirkless."
Naomasa swallowed. Had the abuse caused a forced quirk manifestation? If so that would be another thing to deal with. Depending on what kind of quirk it was the kid may need more than what he had here. Given that it was two in the morning there wasn't much of a way to get items.
"Listen detective I won't lie to you," she continued, "This quirk isn't like any I've ever seen before. It's touch based not limited to five points of contact. All we really know about it was Inko Midoriya was strangling her son one moment and the next she stood the stove exploded. The resulting fire did not hurt Izuku but his mother was not so lucky. She is currently in the ICU."
Naomasa leaned against the wall as he asked, "How do we know this is a quirk manifestation? It sounds like a string of bad luck."
"They did a blood test," admitted the social worker, "He has an active quirk factor that wasn't there before. Now I need to know. Will you take him? Otherwise I will have to send him to the nearest orphanage. He cannot stay here."
There was no hesitation when he answered, "I'll take him in. Have they healed his injuries?"
"All injuries have been taken care of. We will be there in fifteen minutes. Thank you detective. I really did not want to take him to orphanage."
"See you then."
He hung up the phone. For a moment he just stayed there leaning against the wall. Then he shook his head and grabbed a clean shirt. There was no time to waste if they really would be here in fifteen minutes.
Naomasa's first stop was at the hall closet where he got a fresh towel and toiletries. He placed them on the counter of the bathroom. From there he double checked the guest room. A frown crossed his face. Maybe another couple of blankets it was getting colder out.
Back to the hall closet he went and pulled out his fluffiest blankets and an extra pillow. They were warm and hopefully they would comfort the kid. They went on the bed.
It seemed like only moments had passed before there was a knock on his door. He opened it to find a red haired woman. Standing beside her was a small green haired boy with dulled green eyes. Still in shock from what happened then.
The social worker said, "This is Izuku Midoriya. Izuku this is Tsukauchi Naomasa he will be taking care of you for a little while."
Izuku shook slightly but didn't say a word instead he just stared at Naomasa. He wasn't sure if the boy was really seeing him. Or if he was lost in his own mind.
Naomasa said after a moment of silence, "Thank you for bringing him here. I'll get him settled."
She nodded and turned to leave but paused before she got too far, "Call me if you need anything."
"Of course."
With that she was gone leaving him alone with Izuku. The boy shifted from one leg to another and his head hung low. A part of him wanted to sigh. How to go about this?
"I'm sorry sir," came a soft voice.
Naomasa had to hide his frown, "Sorry for what?"
"For being a burden," mumbled the small child.
Naomasa felt his heart break for the boy, "No Izuku. You're not a burden. I agreed to let you come stay in my home. If I couldn't handle a child in my house I wouldn't have agreed."
Izuku didn't look up at him. Nor did he say anything in response. Everything about him screamed fear.
Naomasa said unsure how to put him at ease, "Follow me."
Reluctantly the boy did as he was asked. Naomasa led him first to Izuku's room then showed him the bathroom. He could see the way Izuku kept glancing at the bathroom.
Naomasa said with a kind smile, "Go ahead. You can shower in the bathroom if you like. Or whatever you're most comfortable with."
Immediately the boy took the out leaving Naomasa alone. Then a thought came to him. He had some children pajamas stowed away in case he was ever called to take a child in. He grabbed them from the back hall closet where he kept them. Then placed them outside of the door.
Then Naomasa moved into the kitchen and began to make hot chocolate. It would be a good treat for the child. Maybe he would relax some.
When he turned back around a few moments later he was startled to find Izuku standing there. The quietness of the kid's footsteps startled him. It was as if he hadn't made a sound at all. The pajamas Naomasa had left out for him hung off his thin frame.
Naomasa didn't say anything just held out the mug. Warily the boy took it before skirting away. Sighing he allowed it. They could work on building trust at a more appropriate hour. For now he would settle for the child getting some rest.