Vodka Coke

Chapter 3: Apple Cider

Chapter Warnings: Implied/Mentioned alcoholism. This chapter also talks in-depth and gives descriptions of postnatal depression, miscarriage and psychosis. The start and end are marked with ***

"As I'm sure you are aware, your mother is an alcoholic, which means that she drinks excessive alcohol-" Shinomiya started, but Izuku cut her off.

"I know what an alcoholic is, I lived with one for nine years," he snapped. He didn't want to be rude, but something about the woman across from him just annoyed him.

"Right. Well, unfortunately, social services cannot allow you to stay with your mother at the moment, not until she is sober again and has undergone treatment for her addiction. Seeing as you cannot stay with your mother, we will be reaching out to any family that you may have who can look after you whilst your mother is getting better." Shinomiya explained in that awfully high-pitched voice of hers.

"Wait, why can't he just stay here? I've known Inko since I was fifteen, I've looked after Izuku before." Mitsuki said.

"Whilst it would be nice to place Izuku with you, we first have a duty to place Izuku with a family member. After that, provided we cannot find a suitable family member, Izuku will be placed into the care of the local authority." Shinomiya explained.

"You mean foster care..." Izuku whispered brokenly.

Izuku didn't have a problem with foster care itself, it was very admirable that people gave up their homes so that children had temporary safe environments. Places where they would be nurtured and where they could grow. But Izuku didn't want to go into foster care, he was fine living with the Bakugos for however long it took for his mum to get better. Izuku wasn't good at meeting new people, it always caused him to panic. Anxiety would well up in his chest and he'd always be on the verge of a panic attack, even the smallest thing could tip him over.

"Don't worry, we have a duty to place you with a family member first. There's no certainty that you'll end up in foster care." Shinomiya tried to reassure, but again, her reassurances fell flat.

"I... I don't have any more family. It's just me and my mum," Izuku's throat was closing up and tears had started to leak from his eyes and onto the clenched fists in his lap.

"Well, as far as we're aware, your father is still alive so we will try and contact him. And your father did have a brother who may be able to look after you," Shinomiya explained patiently.

"My dad moved to the United States with his new wife and my uncle was murdered a year ago." Izuku sobbed.

"Grandparents?" Shinomiya sounded slightly desperate now. Izuku couldn't help but think that she should already know all of this information.

"Inko's parents died when she was seventeen, she lived with me and my parents during that time. Hisashi's parents are both in a nursing home, they wouldn't be able to look after Izuku." Mitsuki explained on Izuku's behalf. The boy's entire body was shaking as he tried to hold back his tears.

"Is there really no way that Izuku could be placed with us? He's very anxious around new people, he hasn't been formally diagnosed but we think he might have anxiety. Staying with us is what's best for his mental health." Masaru said.

"I'm sorry, but Izuku will be placed into the care of the local authority. We'll most likely find a foster carer within a few days," Shinomiya said. She didn't seem very sorry to Izuku.

"Don't I get a say in this? I'm nearly fourteen years old, I'm perfectly capable of thinking for myself," Izuku hiccuped, "I don't want to go and live with some stranger, I want to stay here."