One week after the attack Callaghan was discharged from the hospital. He was given anxiety medication and instructions to take it easy and stay away from caffeine. It was common sense, honestly, but it was him ignoring that that led him to landing into the hospital anyway.
He idly noticed that he hadn't had the nightmares anymore, and was very thankful for it. He supposed Fred had finally put him at ease.
When he went back to work at the university all of his students threw a small welcome back party for him in the labs. Everyone brought snacks and played music. While touched, he did have to eventually put an end to it after an hour and asked for everyone to get back to work.
The rest of the day passed as usual, with students coming and going to work on their projects or use tools that were there. Eventually by the closing hour the only one left was Tadashi.
"Can we talk?" Tadashi asked, foot thumping.
"What about?" Callaghan asked, frowning. This was never good to hear.
"Its nothing bad, I promise," Tadashi said. "But Fred said I should talk to you about it."
"What's wrong?" Callaghan asked taking Tadashi hands and holding them softly.
"Its just about something Abigail said, and honestly I think I'm," Tadashi stammered. "I'm freaking out over nothing, honestly-"
"If you're getting worked up over something then its important," Callaghan said. "Please tell me what's wrong."
"Okay," Tadashi took in a deep breath. "Is it true that I'm the only person you've dated in fourteen years?" Callaghan froze and Tadashi averted his gaze. "Sorry, you don't have to answer that. That's not fair. I told you I'm worked up over-"
"Yes," Callaghan answered. "Its true." Tadashi nodded slowly, biting his lip.
"There's something about that that's a little scary to me," Tadashi admitted. "I mean after all that time, why me? Why now?"
"Tadashi, even before my wife, my relationships were few and far in-between. I just don't connect like that with many people." Callaghan explained. "Even after her, there was no one else because there was no one else. Tadashi you are so smart, and academically you've been one of my most favorite students in a long time. But even past that you are so kind and thoughtful and you could use your intelligence to do anything you want and all you want to do is help the world."
Tadashi's hands were starting to tremble. Callaghan moved his thumbs in circles in a soothing gesture.
"You're perfect, and you're everything a person could ask for," Callaghan asserted. "I love you. If anyone has to worry about anything, it's me. You could do so much better you really could. I'm so old-"
"Don't say that," Tadashi commanded. "You're wonderful, and I don't care about your age, I just care about you. I love you too" Tadashi threw his arms around Callaghan's neck and kissed him. Callaghan happily complied and kissed back.
"Are we okay now?" Callaghan asked after pulling back.
"I think so," Tadashi responded. "Honestly, I was just scared that I couldn't measure up to your wife."
"Don't do that to yourself," Callaghan chided. "We don't need to do that. What we have is wonderful and we don't need to worry about these kinds of things, okay?"
"Okay," Tadashi nodded. "Do you want to go get dinner tomorrow? We haven't gone out in a while."
"Sounds great," Callaghan responded. "Text me the plans later. You need to go, and I need to do a last sweep."
"Okay," Tadashi said. He gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Bye!"
"Bye Tadashi."
Xxx
During the last weekend of July the group were all together at San Fransyoko Comic Con. Everyone did their own thing on Friday, but Saturday they coordinated and were all in their Street Fighter costumes.
"How much longer are you going to be?" Callaghan asked as he knocked on the bathroom door. He was dressed in the M. Bison costume he and Abigail made. He didn't look half bad if he could say so for himself.
"Just go down and meet everyone in the lobby," Tadashi responded from behind the door. "I'm still messing with the wig and make up."
"Why won't you tell me what you're wearing?" Callaghan asked.
"If you knew who I was going as you wouldn't let me leave this room!" Tadashi said back.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Callaghan asked back.
"Go down to the lobby and you'll find out," Tadashi responded. Callaghan huffed in defeat and turned to leave.
In the lobby of the hotel everyone else was waiting.
"You look great!" Honey cheered, dressed in her Chun Li costume. Fred nodded carefully in agreement, trying not to mess up his carefully sculpted hair. Fred had managed to capture Guile's hair perfectly.
"Thank you," Callaghan said. "You all look great too." Gogo was dressed as Sakura, Wasabi as Sean, and his daughter as Crimson Viper.
"Is Tadashi chickening out?" Hiro asked, dressed as a tiny Ryu.
"You would like that wouldn't you?" Tadashi said from behind Callaghan head. The group hooted and whistled as they saw him. Callaghan sighed. That couldn't be good. He turned around to finally see what his boyfriend decided to dress as.
Tadashi was dressed simply in a hi-cut green leotard with red boots, gloves, and beret. He had a braided blonde wig and his thighs were splattered with body paint.
Cammy. He was dressed as Cammy!
"Do you guys like it?" Tadashi said as he gave the group a slow spin, showing off the back of his costume, and lots of his ass.
"You cannot be serious!" Wasabi said in shock. "Did you lose a bet?"
"Nope," Tadashi said. He looked Callaghan in the eyes as he answered Wasabi. "It was just something I wanted to do." Callaghan face palmed.
"Of course!"
"Well I think we should head out," Gogo said. The rest of the group agreed and walked out together. Callaghan and Tadashi hung towards the back of the group.
"I hope you're not going to make me regret this decision," Callaghan teased. Tadashi smiled and rolled his eyes.
"Just let me know when you have that problem," Tadashi said. "And I'll just walk a little bit faster." To make his point Tadashi sped up to walk next to Honey. Callaghan couldn't help but to stare at Tadashi's ass as he moved. Callaghan could feel himself blush. Their secret wasn't going to last much longer if he kept this up.
Xxx
It was the second week of September. School has been back in session for a three weeks and Tadashi was in his lab space tinkering on the computer.
"What are you working on?" Callaghan asked as he popped in. "It doesn't look like your assignment."
"Oh no," Tadashi said, not looking up. "I finished that. I was researching into some companies that I could sell Baymax to."
"You probably shouldn't sell before your final submissions," Callaghan advised. "But have you found any hits?"
"I think I found a few," Tadashi said. "It wouldn't hurt to schedule some presentations though to pitch him." He paused to clack in the keyboard some. "I'm hoping I can sell him to a company that can make multiple models. A Baymax with all the bells and whistles would be great for hospitals, but cheaper variations could be made to suit the needs of the chronically ill and children."
"Sounds like a plan," Callaghan said as he sipped some green tea. "Good luck with that."
"Thanks," Tadashi nodded. "I wanted him to help a lot of people, so I need to find someone who will help me do that."
"You should have no problems," Callaghan encouraged. "Selling Baymax for a healthy sum shouldn't be a problem either."
"I'm not in it for the money!" Tadashi scoffed. "Well, not that much."
"Tadashi, that scanner you invented was ingenious, its honestly the most valuable part of Baymax," Callaghan inserted. "I'd focus on that on your presentations. That's what is going to sell Baymax."
"Thanks for the help," Tadashi said. Callaghan was about to open his mouth when another girl ran in asking for help on her malfunctioning project. Callaghan left quickly and Tadashi got back to work.
Callaghan had other students to check on. It was all in a days work, honestly.
Xxx
"I think that should be everything," Abigail said as she put a stack of boxes down. "Thanks for the help dad."
"No problem," Callaghan said looking around the room. "I think I like this apartment a lot more than the last one." Abigail finally found another apartment to move into, and with the money she got from Krei-Tech paid it off up front. It was nicer than the one she had before. This one had more space and better amenities.
"Yeah, I like it too," Abigail smiled. "You won't miss me too much now, will ya?" She poked her dad on the arm, laughing.
"Of course I will, I think I'm about to cry now actually, give me a moment!" Callaghan mocked, giving a fake sniffle.
"Ha, you wish," Abigail said. "But we've already been through this shtick before."
"We have," Callaghan agreed. "I'm still proud of you though."
"Of course you are," Abigail responded. She walked over and gave him a hug. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Callaghan said. "I'm going to head out now, you look like you have plenty of unboxing to do."
"Not going to stick around? Fine," Abigail mock pouted. Callaghan laughed and headed for the door. "Take care of yourself!"
"You too!" Callaghan said over his shoulder. "Bye Abby."
"Bye dad!" Callaghan shut the door behind him and headed for his car. He hoped this would be the last time for a while he would have to help move Abigail's things. Abigail wasn't working for Krei-Tech anymore, so hopefully he didn't have to worry too much about her.
He pulled his cellphone out of his pocket to check the time. He had intended to invite Tadashi over, but honestly his back hurt too much from all the heavy lifting. He'd give it a few days.
Xxx
Time continued to march on for Callaghan. The semester continued, going as usual. Abigail celebrated her 27th and Tadashi and Callaghan celebrated their first anniversary a few weeks later.
In the news Alistair Krei declared the investigation into the portal incident was discontinued. They had no leads to work with, and since there had been no further activity after the return of Abigail, they concluded that was the goal and there is nothing else that should be worried about. The parts were now under full security lock down so such incidents could not be repeated.
Callaghan was counting down the days until Tadashi's graduation. He had done a lot of core class credits in high school, allowing him to easily graduate earlier that usual. Tadashi would graduate in the winter, and then they could finally be together without having to sneak around and worry about the school.
The days grew colder, and trees began to shed their leaves, but the change was good. Callaghan couldn't wait for the end of the semester.
By December, their lives together could finally, truly begin.
Xxx
After graduation, Aunt Cass closed Lucky Cat early to throw Tadashi a graduation party. It was just a small gathering, with the family and the Nerd Lab crew invited. Fred brought Abigail along to hang out as well.
"I can't believe you're finally graduated!" Aunt Cass cooed as they ate their cake.
"I can't believe you graduated first!" Wasabi said.
"You couldn't wait another semester to graduate with the rest of us?" Gogo teased.
"Excuse you, I'm only a junior," Fred said, puffing his chest out.
"You're just the mascot, you don't count!" Gogo said as she poked him with her fork.
"Gogo!" Fred gasped, mock offended. "How could you? I thought I meant something to you guys!"
"You really don't" Honey teased. She reached out to pinch his cheek. "No Fred, you know we love you!"
"Do you know where you want to work yet?" Abigail asked. "I could probably help get you a job at Krei Tech if you need it. I don't work there anymore, but a letter of recommendation from me will do nice."
"No thanks," Tadashi responded. "The people I sold Baymax to want to hire me. I think it's a good idea. I get to keep making funded improvements on Baymax and work on other programs as well."
"That sounds awesome!" Fred cheered.
"It was," Hiro said. "How much did you sell Baymax for again? Five million?"
"Oh my gosh," Tadashi groaned. "It was 2.5 million." Wasabi whistled, and few collective 'damn's were heard.
"Every time I hear that it's still a surprise," Wasabi said. Tadashi laughed.
"Don't worry, you guys are working on some pretty great stuff too; find the right buyer and you'll do fine too." The door chime shook them out of their conversation to see the newcomer.
"Sorry I'm late," Callaghan said. "I had to stay behind to close up the labs."
"Its no problem!" Tadashi said, jumping up to greet him. "We still have cake left." Tadashi grabbed onto part of the scarf and unwrapped it from around his neck. Fred watched them carefully from the table.
"I figured you would've saved me a slice anyway," Callaghan said back, hanging up his wool coat and joining the party.
"Hi dad," Abigail greeted coolly.
"Hi Abby," Callaghan greeted back.
"Is that everyone?" Hiro asked Tadashi while tinkering with an iPad.
"Yup!" Tadashi answered.
"Good!" Hiro said, putting the tablet on the table for everyone to see. "Because now we can start the Street Fighter Tournament!"
The room broke out in cheers while Aunt Cass just sighed, 'Oh no not this again!' The group moved up to the living room, Callaghan taking his cake with him.
"First up, Honey and Gogo!" Hiro announced as he set the game console up.
"I promise I won't beat you down too quickly," Gogo taunted lightly. Honey laughed.
"Whatever you say, dear!"
While everyone was busy watching the girls duke it out, Tadashi sat on the couch and slipped his hand into Callaghan's.
"So are we really doing this?" Callaghan whispered. Tadashi nodded.
"I'm ready, are you?" Tadashi whispered back.
"What's going on," Aunt Cass said as she brought in a box pizza. "Pizza finally arrived!" As she put the pizza box down and the game was paused, she noticed Callaghan and Tadashi's hands. "What's going on?" she asked again, this time softly in confusion. Gogo paused the game, and the group turned to look at them. Fred openly grinned ear-to-ear while Hiro watched with a smirk.
"Oh, wow, um," Tadashi laughed nervously.
"I thought you said you were ready," Callaghan teased.
"I was! Just not right this second!" Tadashi corrected.
"Ready for what?" Gogo asked, putting her remote control down.
"Well," Tadashi tightened his grip on Callaghan's hands. "Its just that now that I am graduated, now is the best time for us to come out. " The room fell silent.
"Oh, wow," Aunt Cass said in shock. "Well I guess that explains why you haven't brought a girl home in over a year."
"We actually celebrated one year in October," Callaghan interjected.
"Congratulations!" Honey cheered, clapping her hands.
"Thank you," Tadashi said. "But yeah, I'm a graduated student now, so we didn't want to hide anymore. I know this is comes as a shock to you all, but you're my friends, and family, and you deserve to know."
Hiro got up to get a slice of pizza, causing everyone to stare at him instead.
"What? I'm not gonna let the pizza go cold while you guy's need to process their drama bomb," Hiro said. Taking the slice back to his seat.
"How are you not freaking out?" Wasabi asked, reaching out to grab a slice too.
"Oh, I knew already," Hiro shrugged before taking a slice.
"You knew!" Aunt Cass gaped out Hiro.
"Hey Fred knew too!" Hiro pointed out.
"Haha, I'm going to get some pizza now!" Fred said nervously.
"Fred, you traitor!" Honey mock scolded.
"Its bad form to out someone," Fred said while chewing his pizza. Gogo shrugged and grabbed a slice for her and Honey. Aunt Cass sighed, joining Tadashi on the sofa after grabbing her own slice of pizza.
"Who started it?" She asked seriously, looking at the couple.
"I did," Tadashi said. "Robert noticed my behavior since I stopped being subtle after awhile about my crush, and confronted me about it."
"You were so obvious!" Callaghan interjected. "You had to be stopped. So I tried to but-"
"But you accidently let it slip you liked me too!" Tadashi laughed. "After that it was all over him. Well I told him that if he wanted to pass me up, I would go back to being as professional as possible, but if he wanted to give it a go-"
"And here we are over a year later," Callaghan finished.
"Tada!" Tadashi added, gesturing with jazz hands.
"Okay," Aunt Cass exhaled. "I think I can live with that." She folded up the rest of the pizza and stuffed it into her mouth. When she finally swallowed she continued. "I mean what am I going to do about it anyways. Not that I should do anything about it I mean… I'm… I'm just glad that you felt you could finally tell us."
"I could raise a glass to that," Gogo said, holding up her slice of pizza. Abby raised up hers, followed by everyone else. "To Tadashi and Callaghan, may they now not be unethical in all that they do."
"Oh my God," Tadashi sighed. Callaghan pinched the bridge of his nose.
"To Tadashi and Callaghan!" the group responded, followed by a bite from their food.
"Well, now that that's settled," Abigail said, finishing off her slice. "I think I'm up next for the tournament."
"And I get to fight you," Hiro said getting up.
"Wash your hands off you two," Tadashi scolded. "You're going to get the controllers greasy."
"Ugh, fine," Hiro said dramatically rolling his eyes.
"Yes mom!" Abigail said, going even more over the top than Hiro.
"Nice," he responded, giving her a fist bump. "Follow me to the bathroom."
Tadashi and Callaghan finally got their pizza and the night went on. Wasabi ended up beating Hiro and claiming championship for the night, and steadily the guests left as the hours grew later and later.
Fred finally left at 1:00 am, if only because Aunt Cass said it was Hiro's bedtime. After she had shown him out and she made Hiro go upstairs, she went looking for Tadashi and Callaghan. She didn't have to look far though as they were sleeping on the sofa.
Callaghan was sitting up against the side, with an arm slouched over. Tadashi was tucked under his other arm, with his own wrapped around his waist. Aunt Cass silent watched them for a few moments.
She was still a little uncomfortable with the relationship. It was the age difference, and the fact that the older member was responsible for his schooling that bothered her. However, she could think of at least ten other things that would've been way, way worse for him to do behind her back. If their relationship was happy and healthy, then she had no place to step in.
She picked up a blanket from the basket underneath the coffee table and draped it over them, and proceeded to head for the stairs. She turned to give them one last look. A small grin grew on her face.
"Congratulations," she said, and she headed upstairs for the night.
Callaghan and Tadashi slept on until the morning. Despite being on the couch, it was probably the best sleep they ever had together. They woke up in peace, knowing their days of hiding were over. Things would only get better from here.