Work Text:
'Signing'
"Talking"
...
Naomasa felt terrible about what was happening. He should have seen this coming. After all, he was simply a foster for the young child. He had not adopted the boy and he had been up for so for those with good intentions.
While Izuku was at school Naomasa had gotten a call from his social worker. She had found a possible adopter and they wanted to send Izuku over. Naomasa couldn't even argue against the meeting. He was only supposed to be a temporary spot for the child. Izuku's stay had been longer than most emergency foster stays.
Naomasa knew that talking to Izuku about leaving was not going to go well. They had fallen into an easy routine. There were even short times where he heard the child speak. Never directed towards him but towards the kitten. To make matters worse Izuku would not be allowed to take his kitten with him.
Reluctantly Naomasa had to pack a bag for Izuku. He put the boy's clothes and hero merchandise that he bought for him. Then he paused and put on the blanket he noticed Izuku preferred. With that, he placed the bag by the door.
How was he going to tell Izuku that he had to leave? To stay with a man he never met before? Naomasa knew this wouldn't end well. Izuku would likely revert back to his old ways. Going completely mute again. There was nothing he could do, however. Izuku had to go to his new home even if Naomasa would rather his stay be permanent.
When Izuku got home that afternoon he first went to Kira and gave her a pet. Then he greeted Naomasa with a shy smile. A smile that fell when he saw the serious and unhappy look.
'What's wrong?' He signed with a frown.
Naomasa said looking down as he couldn't look into the bright green eyes, "Izuku your social worker called after you went to school. She found you a permanent home."
Confusion was the first emotion to cross his face. It was swiftly followed by disbelief and fear. Finally settled on broken heartedness.
'You don't want me anymore?'
Oh, kid...
Naomasa tried to explain, "Izuku of course I want you. But it's not up to me any longer. There is someone who wants to give you a permanent."
'I DON'T WANT TO GO! I WANT TO STAY HERE!' Izuku practically yelled at him through sign.
"Izuku..."
He didn't get the chance to say anything else as the boy stormed away. Tears shimmered in the green eyes but did not fall. That made him feel all the worse knowing he was the cause of it. He slammed the door to his room causing Naomasa to wince.
No amount of talking through the door would get the boy to come out. So he placed Izuku's usual snack outside the door and left him be. Then all he could do was wait for the social worker to get there.
When she arrived she had a bright smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Izuku had come out with an unreadable expression on his face. The social worker seemed to be eager to leave but gave him a few minutes to say goodbye.
Tsukauchi said softly as he bent to a knee so that he was eye-level, "This isn't goodbye Izuku. You will always have a place here if you need it."
Izuku signed tearfully, 'I don't want to go. I want to stay here with you.'
Tsukauchi smiled sadly, "Don't be sad Izuku. This is a new life for you. Give them a chance. Please."
Slowly he reached out and pulled the child into a hug. He dropped one of his business cards in the kid's pocket. On it had his cellphone number and the number for Eraserhead. Just in case things got bad and he needed help. Then all he could do was watch Izuku leave with the social worker. Watch as twice Izuku turned twice to look at him as if it was a terrible joke. It wasn't until they were out of sight that he let his own tears fall.