The Mind That Never Sleeps//Katsuki Bakugou

4. miserable routine that keeps me alive

Now
-katsuki

The days were often the same without her in them.

After Kota eats, I always usher him into his room and smile as he jumps up onto his race car bed, giggling at the way it still squeaks when it meets his weight.

I slip his shoes onto his tiny feet because he still hasn't figured out his left from right yet, but the kid is a genius in every other area so I tell him not to worry about it when it makes him sad. He also still likes me to help him put on his jacket, he says it feels warmer if I've zipped it up for him.

My phone vibrates endlessly in my pocket, another constant in our morning routine. I slipped it out and answered the call. "Izuku." I grumbled, seeing his face on my phone.

I never liked this FaceTime function.

"Where's my nephew?" His voice had that excited tone that was to much for so early. Kota jumped up and down, tugging on my shirt until I handed him the phone.

"Morning Uncle Izu!" Kota cheered, running back into the living room with my phone in tow.

A soft chuckle left my lips. Izuku made it a point to call and check in everyday. He was often working, searching for her endlessly along with saving every day people. The man never slept, and I admired that he made such a point to remind my son that he has an abundance of people who love him.

I just wish he didn't feel like he had to make up for her absence.

"Come on, kid." I grumbled, reaching for my phone as I entered the living room. "Tell him bye, it's time to get to school."

"Bye! Love you." He grinned, waving as he handed me back the phone.

"Want me to take him tomorrow, Kacchan?" He asked with that same worried gaze he and his mother both had whenever they visited.

"Nope. Bye." I hung up the phone, unapologetically, knowing I'd see him later anyways.

"I want to see Uncle Izu." Kota says as I walk him out to the car.

"You will soon."

"You just told him no."

I looked down at that kid, looking so much like her like always. "I was kidding." He especially looked like her when he looked up at me with those pouty lips and disapproving eyes.

"I want to see Nana too, and Grandma and Grandpa." He hummed, counting on his fingers as he listed off the family members he missed.

"I'll let them know." I chuckled, opening the door and letting him climb into his car seat.

He didn't need my help anymore, he's almost five now. I wonder what you would think of that, Y/n, he's almost five.

With a sigh, I closed the door and made my way to my own, silently sliding into the drivers seat. Kota still takes longer than necessary to buckle all the straps, fumbling with the bottom one because whoever designed it made it way to damn difficult.

He was small for his age, a bit premature when he was born. He still hasn't upgraded car seats to the big kid ones like he says.

I always tell him to be a big kid you've gotta get to the driver seat.

He does not like it when I respond with that.

He's an opinionated little thing but I couldn't have asked for a better kid. I love and hate how independent he is, I crave the days where all he wanted was me to hold him, letting me hear his heart beat in that beautiful steady rhythm.

I get scared sometimes, that if I don't hold on tight enough then he'll disappear too.

I start driving down the road, smiling when we hit a red light. I like it when the drive to school takes a while, just gives me more time with that boy I adore. I don't even like sending him to school. I tried not to, but then my mother screamed at me. Don't be a brat and socialize your damn kid!