Stray Kenma

part 26

"You sucking that thumb mr?" Lev asked, pulling back from the hug. Kenma shyly shook his head but still kept his finger in his mouth. Lev grabbed kenmas wet training pants and carried kenma to the washing machine, explaining to the boy how they cleaned his wet pants. Kenma sucked his thumb and watched closely, clapping his hands when the water started to spin. Lev chuckled and took kenma, stopping in the lounge room. "Now what is that?" Lev asked curiously, putting kenma down. Kenma got excited to show Lev, stimming his hands and squealing. "Hmm what's it for?" Lev questioned, getting down on his knees to be more at kenmas height. Kenma babbled lots of nonsense as he stimmed, sitting on the potty to show lev. "Oh a seat?" Lev asked. Kenma stimmed his hands by flapping them, getting off the potty and pointing in it. "What goes in it?" Lev asked. Kenma squealed again, too excited to get words out. "Wee?" Lev asked. Kenma clapped and put his thumb in his mouth. "Wees" Kenma lisped out. Kuroo came to the lounge room to see kenma excited to show his new potty. "Say hinata and Sugawara were very kind and let kenma have the potty." Kuroo explained. Kenma was bouncing on the spot, squealing and so excited. "Does he need that though?" Lev asked, they never used one with kenma. Kuroo didn't want kenma to hear the next conversation. He got kenmas ipad and head phones, helping the boy pull down his training pants and sitting him down. Kenma sat and put the ipad in his lap, watching kuroo put on potty stories and songs. Kenma was now engrossed in the screen time, rocking some as he watched and listened. Lev sat on the couch and watched kuroo. "Kenmas fear of the toilet has gotten worse since he fell in.. he didn't use the toilet once at Sugawaras house.." kuroo explained. Lev couldn't believe that. "Oh jeez not even once?" He asked. Kuroo shook his head. "Not once.. kenma even went behind the couch and had an accident.. like a full on accident.." he tried to word nicely. Lev understood what kuroo was trying to say. "Oh boy-" Lev answered. Kuroo nodded. "Hes really fascinated with the potty though, he loves it so I'm hoping that we can encourage him enough until he's really to transition to the toilet. We need to remember he was never really transitioned properly before." Kuroo explained. Lev looked over at kenma happily just sitting on the potty watching his ipad with no tears or shaking with fear. "You're right, we can give this a go." Lev decided this would be the perfect chance to really help kenma take the right steps into being fully toilet trained. Kenma yawned and rubbed his eyes, closing his eyes as he listened to the potty songs. Kuroo smiled at kenma. "Hes falling asleep." He pointed out, deciding they should transfer him to bed. "I'll make sure his bed in made." Lev said, getting up to make sure the water proof cover and sheet were on as well as a blanket and pillow for kenmas nap. Kuroo decided to leave kenma in just a shirt and training undies for his nap, kenma needed to get used to the wet sensation if he was to wet in his sleep. Kuroo took the ipad off kenmas lap and took the headphones off, slowly standing kenma up and pulling his training undies on properly before picking him up. Kenma fussed, closing his eyes tighter and clinging to kuroo as he was carried to the room for his late midday nap. Kuroo felt the boy gently playing with his hair at the back as he carried him, it was moments like this that made everything feel rewarding in  sense. Kuroo put kenma on the bed, watching the boy roll onto his tummy and curl his legs up under himself. Kuroo pulled the blanket over kenma and gave him a soft kiss on the back of the head, backing out the room and leaving the door slightly open. Lev watched with awh, it was so cute watching kuroo be all soft for this child. Kuroo playfully rolled his eyes and went back out to the lounge room. They both sat on the couch, looking down at the floor. "So a potty" Lev asked. Kuroo nodded, both of them still staring at the toilet potty on the floor in front of them. "Is he going to take it to daycare? What happens when we go out to the shops and he needs to go to the bathroom?" Lev was asking all the difficult questions. Kuroo hadn't thought of any of that. "Its too- bulky to take anywhere.. I guess he should be okay at daycare without it, the toilets are small and bray is willing to help out.. going out I'm not too sure- maybe an on the go kids toilet seat?" Kuroo suggested. Lev shrugged and nodded, kuroo seemed to have it covered.  "For now- the potty is our friend." Kuroo said. Lev chuckled and nodded, leaning back into the couch to relax after his long day at work. Kuroo fell asleep on the couch, not waking since Lev wasn't going to make him get up again. Kenma woke up extremely late from his nap, it was 4pm meaning he has at least a three hour nap. Kenma yawned and got up off the bed, his training pants were dry but he was too distracted to even think about that type of thing right now. Kenma took his pacifer out his mouth and sucked his thumb, getting off the bed and doing a bit of a tired potty dance. Kenma tiredly fussed, looking around the room for meow. Kenma couldnt find it, walking out the room to go get some help. Kenma came to the lounge room, unable to stand still as he held onto the front of his training pants and sucking his thumb while he glanced around the room. Lev noticed kenma was awake, he'd actually forgot to get kenma up from his nap since he'd been distracted from the tv. "Oh kenma, you're doing the potty dance." Lev pointed out, getting off the couch and grabbing hold of kenmas hand. Kenma looked down and noticed Lev was right, his tummy was sore and he was all squirmy. Lev took kenma over to the potty, helping him pull down his pants and sitting him down. Kenma hesitated since he was still a little sleepy, looking down and noticing he was going to the potty. Lev clapped. "Hey kuroo! Look" he said, kicking kuroo in the leg. Kuroo shot awake, looking down and seeing kenma on the potty. Kenma shyly sucked his thumb and stimmed his other hand, he knew he was going to the toilet in the right place. "Oh kenma! Good boy!" Kuroo was thrilled, it was kenmas first time using the potty properly. Kenma finished up and stood up, letting Lev help pull his training pants back up. "Pee! You did pee in your potty!" Kuroo again praised. Kenma squealed and clapped, so excited to show everyone that he picked up the potty. Kenma spilt it everywhere, all over the carpet. "Uh oh-" Lev said, looking down at the pee now all on the floor and not in the potty. Kenma put his thumb back in his mouth, very sheepishly swaying on the spot. "Its okay.. let's just not pick up potty anymore.." kuroo said. "Okay kenma?" Kuroo asked. "Mh wee Uh oh." Kenma expressed, nodding his head because he didn't want to put more pee on the floor anymore. Lev took the potty to go clean it up while kuroo cleaned the carpet. Kenma took his fingers out his mouth and felt his training pants, making sure they were still dry. Kuroo glanced over to kenma and sighed, he didn't know how to stop getting kenma to touch at the front of his pants like that and hoped it was normal for his age. "You want dinner kiddo?" Kuroo asked. Kenma nodded, pointing to the kitchen. Kuroo noticed kenma had gone word shy again, kenma was saying lots of words and sometimes sentences a few days ago and now he'll let out one word if they were lucky. "Kenma you say, dinner please." Kuroo tried to encourage. Kenma stared blankly at kuroo, his mouth slightly open but no words coming out. "Kenma, you need to use your words. Dinner please." Kuroo tried again. Kenma choked up some on his breath, eyes becoming teary. Lev came out and saw kenma was upset now. "What happened buddy?" Lev asked calmly. "He won't tell you. Won't say a thing lately. I just want him to say dinner and he's acting like he's never spoken before." Kuroo expressed his frustration. Lev went over and picked kenma up, giving him a cuddle and rubbing his back. "Kuroo. You need to remember he's autistic, do some more research please before you take it out on him." Lev said. Kenma cuddled Lev and played with the back of his own hair shyly. Kuroo was now the one who didn't know how to get words out. "neurodivergent people can be selective and non selective when it comes to talking. It's called mute. These can last any amount of time where the person has trouble getting words out, to the point where it's draining to them. I don't know if his is selective but we need to understand that his way of coping, from what I've seen it can happen after overstimulation. Kenma was away at Sugawaras, that must of been tough on him and now he's just coping with returning home." Lev lectured kuroo so he wouldn't get upset if kenma wasn't to speak when told to. Kuroo felt really bad, he had no idea about any of that type of thing. "I'm sorry.. I just thought he was ignoring me.." kuroo admitted. "Sorry kenma." Kuroo whispered. Kenma glanced to kuroo, not sure why he was saying sorry exactly. Kenma had barely listened to the conversation, he was looking towards the kitchen for dinner. "Okay.. let's get kenma some yummy food for his tummy." Lev said, taking kenma into the kitchen. Kuroo stayed in the lounge room a little longer, frowning some as he placed the potty slightly closer to the bathroom. His goal was slowly to transfer it until it ended up in the bathroom. Lev decided to spend some time with kenma, he didn't have work tomorrow and wanted to catch up his time with kenma. Lev looked in the cupboard, giving a hum as he decided what kenma should have. Kenma rubbed his fingers against his lips, looking into the cupboard before pointing to a veggie squeeze pouch. "Oh yeah? Let's heat it up then." Lev said, grabbing one from the cupboard and squeezing it out into a bowl. Kenma watched, dipping his finger in it and licking. The boy was thrilled, wiggling happily as he watched Lev put it in the microwave. Kuroo went to kenmas room, taking his wet clothes from kenmas bag and washing them. He felt bad kenma had the accidents but Sugawara seemed helpful to keeping kenmas dignity in contact. Kuroo went back to kenmas room, setting the boys pajamas up for tonight. Kuroo looked between the pull up and training pants, sighing and leaving the pull up out and some undies to go over the top. Kenma sat down at the table stimming his hands and rocking some, watching Lev come over with a spoon and his sippy cup. Kenma went all in, eating quickly off the spoon and making a mess. Lev smiled, wiping the side of kenmas mouth. "Slow kiddo, take your time." Lev spoke calmly. Kenma slowed down some, still making a mess down himself. Lev didn't stop him, a much needed bath was next. Kenma ate the bowl full of veggie blend before licking the bowl out and picking up his sippy up. Lev chuckled, petting kenma on the head. "Good boy, all done." Lev said, standing up and holding his arms out. Kenma quickly sipped what he could out of his sippy, babbling quietly as Lev carried him. Kenma felt nervous as they went to the bathroom, whimpering and trying to wipe the food off his face and shirt. "Hey.. its okay, ducky is here and bubbles." Lev spoke calmly, putting kenma beside the tub. Kenma sucked his thumb and clung to Levs shirt as he stood beside the tub while the water started to run. Lev handed kenma the duck, petting the boy on the head. "Fuck!" Kenma called out, hugging the duck close. Levs face went blank. "Yeah- duck-" Lev said, kuroo had told him about kenmas struggle to pronounce the word correctly. Kenma knew he got it wrong, shyly looking up as Lev and holding the duck up nodding. Lev smiled again, putting bubbles in the bath. Kuroo did didn't for himself, looking into the sink with a frown seeing kenmas bowl. Kuroo struggled to share kenma, he had missed him so much today but Lev was already on to everything and didn't need assistance. Kenma started to babble and wander the bathroom, hesitant to go anywhere near the toilet though. Lev was glad kenma was feeling more confident in the bathroom right now. "Okay kenma, in the bath." Lev said, bending down and waiting for the boy to come over. Kenma babbled his way over, holding his arms up excitedly. Lev took kenmas top off before helping with his pants. Kenma leaned over the edge of the bath touching the bubbles and giggling. Lev chuckled, picking kenma up and putting him in the water. Kenma splashed, a lot. The boy was very excited about the bubbles and duck today, normally by bath time he was tired but not today. "Woah woah- kenma bud, water stays in the tub." Lev said, holding his hands up to stop the water splashing him. Kenma went to stand up to jump and make bigger splashes. "Ah ah! Sit down-" Lev stressed, grabbing kenma by the wrist and lowering back down. Kenma was confused and sat back down, looking down and kicking his feet some instead. Lev sighed, the bathroom was already flooded with water on the floor and going down the drain near the tub. Lev started to wash over kenma, the boy had been in need of it after his accidents today. Kenma picked up some bubbles and licked them off his hands. "Oh bud- we can get you a botbot soon" Lev said, wiping kenmas mouth. Kenma nodded, standing up again only to be stopped by Lev. "After bath." Lev insisted, continuing to clean kenma up. Kenma was now bored of it, kicking his feet and shaking his head. "Ah!" Kenma let out, wanting his bottle now. Lev cleaned kenma through the struggle, helping kenma out and wrapping the towel around him. Kenma stood in the towel, looking to the door before running out. Lev bent down to empty the bath, not noticing kenma was gone until he stood back up. Kenma ran to the kitchen, towel still hugged around his body. Kuroo heard heard pitter patter of kenmas feet, looking down when kenma came running in. "Oh- hey kiddo, you need clothes." Kuroo told the child. Kenma started to stomp his feet, fussing as he wanted what he wanted right now. Lev came running out, seeing kenma upset in the kitchen. "Botbot- he's after it." Lev let kuroo know, he couldn't both dress kenma and make a bottle. Kuroo nodded, grabbing kenmas bottle out to start to make. Kenma squealed and ran off again, going to play in the lounge room. Lev panted some, taking a deep breath and chasing after kenma so he could guide the boy to the bedroom to put some clothes on. Kuroo gave a soft smile, it was always good to know kenma liked him to make his bottles more than Lev. Kenma was babbling and holding the towel around himself, picking up meow and his toy phone to play. "Clothes first kenma." Lev insisted. Kenma looked up at Lev and shook his head, running off to hide in bed. Lev barely had a chance to catch his breath, going to the room and seeing kenma had dropped the phone and meow and was picking through what kuroo had put out for bed time. Kenma threw the pull up on the floor as well as the pants, picking up his undies and sweat shirt to give them to Lev. "Oh- but kenma, you need it all on bud.." Lev said, kenma couldn't go to bed with a bottle and no pull up or he was sure to wet the bed. Kenma fussed, throwing the undies and sweater at Lev. "Okay okay- just until bed." Lev said, bending down and assisting kenma to get changed. Kenma was happy now, picking up meow and his phone to go out to the lounge room. Lev sighed, he didn't think kenma looked tired at all. Kuroo came to the lounge room and saw kenma babbling on the phone and spinning in circles with meow to his chest. Kuroo raised an eyebrow and sat down, bed time was soon and he was half dressed and not yawning one bit. Lev came in and sat down finally. "Hes- I don't think he's tired." Lev admitted. Kuroo shrugged, he was sure he could change that. "Kenma, botbot." Kuroo said. Kenma stopped spinning and stumbled to kuroo, dropping the phone and giving grabby hands. Kuroo smiled and picked kenma up, laying him down and giving him his bottle. Kenma suckled quick and fast, letting kuroo hold the bottle. Kuroo rocked softly, trying to make kenma sleepy. Kenmas eyes were darting around the room, he ignored the rocking and happily kicked his ankles. "Wheres his pants?" Kuroo asked. Lev sat up and watched kenma not really settle for a bottle. "Didn't want them or pull up." Lev told the truth. Kuroo nodded, they could be put on last minute. Kenma didn't take long to finish his bottle, pushing it away from his mouth and sitting up to look around. "Bub, bed time." Kuroo let him know. Kenma ignored it, slipping off kenmas lap and sitting on the ground to play with his toy phone. "Huh.. when did he wake up from his nap?" Kuroo asked. Lev gave kuroo a blank look. "4:30pm.." he spoke honestly. Kuroo checked the time, 6:15pm.. "Oh dear.." kuroo spoke softly to himself. Kenma stood up and jumped up and down, he didn't know what he wanted to do. "What do we do?" Kuroo asked, he hadn't had this problem before. Lev shrugged. "Tire him out.." he suggested, they couldn't sleep until kenma was asleep. Kenma grabbed the tv remote, picking it up and pointing it at the tv while pressing every button. "I don't think tv will be enough to make him tired.." kuroo mentioned, raising an eyebrow as kenma managed to turn the tv on. Kenma let out an evil laugh, holding the remote up high as if he was praising it like a God sent tool. Lev and kuroos face went blank, they'd never heard such a cheeky laugh come out of kenma. Kenma stopped laughing, putting the remote back down and looking at the buttons before licking the remote. "What did you feed him-" kuroo asked, kenma was acting very odd- well more than usual. "Veggies all vegetables. It was a squeeze pouch." Lev took the question seriously. "Kenma bubba, don't lick the remote." Kuroo called out. Kenma squn around to look at them, his tongue still on the remote. "Ta bud." Kuroo said, holding his hand out. Kenma was still, acting like he couldn't hear kuroo. Lev stood up to grab the remote, leaning down and holding his hand out. Kenma gave Levs flat hand a high five and ran off giggling and screaming. Lev stood up properly and looked at kuroo. "So he can high five??" Lev asked, kenma was on another level. Kuroo raised an eyebrow, he didn't think that was the point of it right now. Kenma babbled running back through the lounge room to go the other way. "Chase him." Kuroo said, kenma running was good. Lev scoffed, crossing his arms over. "Does it look like he needs chasing? He's bouncing off the walls." Lev pointed out. Kuroo shrugged, eyes tracing as kenma ran back into the lounge room to stand and watch the TV. Lev finally got the remote but kenma didn't mind, eyes locked on the tv and the kids show that was on. Kuroo sighed, he didn't care if kenma just sat and watched tv now, anything as long as it made kenma sleepy. Kenma started to stim and rock on his feet, letting out a couple of verbal stims. "He should really be in a pull up in case he falls asleep." Kuroo mentioned. Lev shook his head. "He made it very clear he wanted his underwear on and if he falls asleep we will deal with it then." Lev had to remind the other. Kuroo nodded, he had a bad habit of trying to make everything perfect and avoid accidents even when they were completely normal and were going to be apart of supporting kenma with the potty training. Kenma sucked his thumb for a moment, pointing to the screen when the show ended. "Okay, come here kenma. We can put on a barbie movie." Lev offered, putting on Netflix to see what they had. Kenma gasped, running right out of the lounge room. Kuroo watched, not sure if he should go after kenma. After a moment kenma came back in with an armful of things, his pony toy, phone, blanky, pacifer, meow and dragging his blanket from off his bed. Kuroo chuckled, sitting up and offering to take some things out of kenmas hands. Kuroo popped the pacifer in kenmas mouth, picking the boy up and sitting in between him and Lev. Kuroo put the blanket over kenmas lap and tucked him in, watching kenma lay out his phone and pony before hugging meow and blanky to his chest. "Cutie" Lev said, petting the boy on the head and picking a classic barbie movie. Kenma yawned, his pacifier falling out his mouth. Kuroo picked it back up and popped it back in, watching kenma snuggle into the side of his arm. Kuroos heart melted, he didn't mind staying up for moments like this. Lev was quiet as the movie started, crossing his arms over and trying not to look too invested in the plot. Kuroo focused mostly on kenma, the boys eyes finally looking tired after the first 15 minutes. Kenmas head dropped, jolting the poor boy awake and making him fuss while he rubbed at his eyes. "Lev- lev-" kuroo said, trying to get his attention. It took Lev a moment to listen, eyes peeling off the screen. "Ya?" He asked. Kuroo just glanced at kenma, it was time to transition him to his room to sleep. Lev paused the movie, sitting on the edge of the couch as he grabbed all kenmas toys and comfort items. Kenma understood, a soft sob coming from his mouth as he gave kuroo grabby hands. "I know.. night night time.." kuroo whispered to the boy, picking him up and cuddling the boy to his chest. Kenma fussed but settled, resting his head on kuroos chest as the male rubbed his back. Kuroo let Lev tale everything back to kenmas room and make sure it was all set up for bed time. Lev came back in and gave a thumbs up to let them know they were good to go. Kuroo kept kenma close, the boy clinging more as they got closer to the room. Kuroo leaned down and tried to lay kenma on the bed, the boy gripped on tighter to him and started to kick his legs. "Oh bud.." kuroo said, turning to Lev for help. "Do I put him in bed or-" kuroo asked not too sure. Lev grabbed a pull up for kenma and shrugged, it was up to kuroo. "Okay.. come sleep with Dada tonight.." kuroo whispered, making sure kenma had meow and blanky. Kenma clung and sucked his pacifer, he didn't want to be alone in his room tonight so he was happy kuroo was taking him to his room where it was safe. Kenma really appreciated how Lev and kuroo made everything feel safe, he could go potty when he wanted, he didn't get locked in a room by himself and he could speak only when his body and mind were ready. Kuroo took kenma into his room and sat the boy on the bed, kenma settled grabbing the back of his pacifier and looking to Lev. Lev came over to the bed and held up the pull up. Kenma was suddenly shy again, making grumpy noises for kuroo to leave the room. "Oh- we are back to that." Kuroo said, leaving the room at kenmas request. Kenma got off the bed and tiredly let Lev put on his pull up and put the training pants back over the top. Kenma touched just to make sure it was all safe and secure, crawling back on the bed and laying down with meow and blanky. Lev kissed kenma on the forehead, whispering a goodnight before leaving the room. "Hes all yours." Lev said, going out the room to kuroo. Kuroo furrowed his eyebrows as he looked at Lev. "When is your next day off?" Kuroo asked. Lev stopped and crossed his arms. "I work tonight but not tomorrow or the following night." Lev mentioned. Kuroo nodded. "I work tomorrow but not the following day.. kenmas got to go to daycare but we can all do something the day after? I was thinking to take him to the park or something like that." Kuroo explained. Lev shrugged. "Maybe, how about a movie.. or just to the mall?" Lev suggested. Kuroo nodded "we will think of something, I just want to take him out and see how he goes.." kuroo said, he wanted kenma to have experiences and feel comfortable going to new places. Lev gave a weak smile. "Alright, I'll see you when tomorrow afternoon." Lev said. He finished work tomorrow at 10am and kuroo finished at 2pm so they wouldn't see each other for awhile which got hard at times but they both needed their jobs. "Okay, have a good shift." Kuroo said, he didn't know how Lev managed to work so many hours and not get exhausted. Kuroo went into the room to see kenma had spat the pacifier and got out of bed, now standing out the door with his thumb in his mouth. "Kenma.. bed time bub" kuroo said, picking kenma up and carrying him to bed. Kenma gave another sad sob and laid down when kuroo tucked him in, opening his mouth as kuroo handed him back the pacifier. Kuroo got into bed and laid down, patting kenma on the back to help him fall asleep. Kuroo hated sending kenma to daycare and it was going to be a long day staying from 7:00am to 3pm. Kenma fell asleep soundly, the pacifier falling out his mouth as he breathed softly. Kuroo closed his eyes, hearing as Lev left the house. Kuroo woke early at 5:30am the next morning, sitting up to turn his alarm off. He glanced over to see kenma still asleep, he left the boy to sleep so he could get ready for work. Kuroo got dressed and did his hair, packed his bag and then went on to get kenma ready. Kuroo packed kenmas bag for school, making sure there was lots of spare clothes and he had his sippy cup, sheets, milk sippy and hat. Kuroo prepared plain toast for breakfast and a juice sippy, a little reward because he knew daycare was tough for kenma. Kuroo went to the room to see kenma hadn't moved, going over to the bed and rubbing his back. "Kenma.. time to wake up.." kuroo whispered. Kenma fussed and smacked his hand at kuroo, it was too early.  Kuroo frowned, pulling the blanket off kenma and picking him up. Kenma cuddled into kuroo and yawned. Kuroo grabbed blanky and meow, taking them to kenmas bag and putting them in so he didn't forget them. "Okay- potty time." Kuroo said, taking kenma to the lounge room and putting kenma down. Kenma got nervous in his tired state, shaking his head and holding onto his training pants that were over his pull up. "You wet buddy?" Kuroo asked, he couldn't tell with the padded training pants over kenmas pull up. Kenma walked off quickly, going to hide behind kuroos room door. Kuroo sighed, standing up and going after him. Kenma had hidden to do his morning potty time in his pull up, staying hidden until done. Kuroo gently pulled the door away from the wall so it wasn't a hiding spot anymore. "Youre wet bud, let's go change." Kuroo said, holding his hand out. Kenma shyly held kuroos hand and walked with him to his room to change out his yucky wet pull up from last night and this morning. Kuroo looked in kenmas cupboard and was in awe, pulling out a pair of overalls and a shirt to go under. "So cute, with these shoes and socks." Kuroo went on, grabbing out those as well. Kenma stood awkwardly, waiting for help to change. Kuroo bent down and helped kenma out his wet pull up, changing him into the cute overalls he picked out for daycare. While very cute and stylish, it wasn't daycare appropriate for a child learning to potty train at all. Kuroo changed kenma, the thought of kenma trying to toilet train with overalls at daycare not even crossing his mind.