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Of Times Past
Chapter 2
Walking Past
"Good morning Hiro." Aunt Cass said, much to chipper for Hiro's liking. "I've got breakfast."
The cafe smelt of warm rolls, heavy and dense with its body wafting off through the café, Hiro was stepping into shop from just upstairs, shrugged her off as he made for the door. "No thanks Aunt Cass. I gotta get going or I'll be late."
A lie, yet one easily believed.
"Oh no you don't, you will eat." She said, no room for discussion.
Her hand was on her hip, the other pointing towards the stack of pancakes she had sitting on the counter. Hiro mentally groaned, she never did give up.
"How about I take it with me? Eat it on the run?" He surmised.
Aunt Cass mused over this, a low droll emanating from her. Hiro knew what her answer was going to be, he always did. Nodding, she wrapped up the food in a plastic paper like material, easy enough for Hiro to munch on as he took the transit to the school.
"Fair enough. Have a good day sweetie. Ugh- my little college man!"
Her arms latched out, Hiro's breath escaped him, the bone crushing hug winding his lungs.
"O-okay Aunt Cass. Ca-can't breathe!"
"Oh-! Sorry." She apologized, smiling as she rubbed the boy's cheek.
"Last hug!" She called, wrapping him again in her arms, albeit a bit more gently. Hiro chuckled, hugging his aunt right back before stepping backwards, hand outstretched for the handle of the door.
"Be safe!" She called, watching Hiro walk out.
"I will."
The somewhat fresh air of San-Fransokyo pelted Hiro's lungs as he stepped outside, the early morning orange lit sky arching overhead. Puffs of clouds rolled over head in small movements, and people cheerfully went about their day through the city. Hiro went down the street, passing the corner before throwing the breakfast his aunt had made in the nearest dumpster, such as he did most every morning.
What she doesn't know won't hurt her. He thought.
But it's hurting you.
…So?
The transit was just pulling up ahead, and Hiro gracefully jumped on, taking his spot by the railing as he did most mornings. The city went by in a small blur, people and shapes off all color meshing by, and Hiro lost himself in his thoughts, either robotics, or a more...self-destructive idea.
Soon he was automatically stepping off the moving cart, the University of San-Fransokyo Tech. standing tall in front of him. The school was a grand thing, powerful and big, and anyone could tell by looking at the place it was an area of importance. The grounds were lush green, and the buildings shined with a futuristic cleanliness no one could seem to replicate. Off to the right The old exhibit hall was rebuilt and finished, names after the one and only Tadashi Hamada, having been done just a few weeks ago, however Hiro hadn't entered, he couldn't even look at it, and so he didn't even spare it a glance as he made his way to the testing center, the state of the exhibit center like ice on his back.
What he had told Aunt Cass before he left was in fact the complete opposite of the Truth, Hiro wouldn't be late, Hiro was early. He always was. There were a few early risers in the lab, yet none of the team was there, and Hiro quietly made his way down the hall, stopping outside Tadashi-...his door.
Stepping in he let the sight great him as always, barren and empty, the starch greys and whites seemingly foreign to the warm colors washed from the circular window in the back of the room; he sighed.
The whole room always was Tadashi, never Hiro.
But, he willed the strength to push that thought from him, and he soon threw himself into his work, after all, the magnetic bearings of his new project weren't going to install themselves.
"He seems more active than usual." The doctor standing next to Tadashi said. His hand was tracing over the 3d brain in front of him, small flashes of white light striking throughout. "This is very unusual…for some reason his neural activity is increasing, I can't say why though..."
Tadashi didn't say a word, only looking from the representation of Hiro's brain, to the actual Hiro himself. The doctor continued to ramble on about something he needn't pay attention to, he practically knew it already, and if he didn't, Baymax would. Truth be told, he'd trust Baymax more with Hiro than he would the doctors, yet regulations and laws wouldn't allow him to do so, so Tadashi was unfortunately left at the hands of the Hospital, or rather his brother was.
Tadashi sighed, rubbing his fingers through his brothers black locks again as he did.
What's going on in that head of yours bonehead...?
"Ah, Instantaneous velocity is always tangential to the curve right...then why isn't this- gah!"
Hiro grabbed his hair in frustration, groaning as he slid backwards in his chair. Why did science have to be so frustrating sometimes!?
A knock was heard at the door, and Hiro stood up to answer, his body protesting as usual. The door slid open, and a short, yet taller than Hiro, purple hair streaked girl stood, a bubble of pink gum in her mouth popping with a loud snap.
"Hey Gogo, what's up?" Hiro asked.
Her hand was at rest on her hip, her head cocked to the side, and her eyes were narrowed slightly, but then again when were they not? Gogo always seemed to have an air of the "bad girl" around her, at least Hiro always thought so.
"I need an Inductive sensor, you wouldn't happen to have the part would you?"
"Ummmm...I might. Let me check." He turned and shut the door, Gogo stepping back and leaning against the wall adjacent to it.
By now, the entire team was used to Hiro not wanting anyone in his lab. At first most, especially Gogo, seemed irritated and put off, yet they eventually figured it out.
It was Tadashi's lab, it always was. Hiro wanted to preserve that, and they understood.
The boy genius appeared a couple seconds later, a small silver like object resting in his hands.
"Here you go."
"Thanks." She said, taking the metal object.
A low rumble hit her ears, and Hiro instantly looked down sleepily. She eyed him down, her eyes resting on the fact he laid his hands over his stomach.
"Why don't you take a break, go get some lunch? Today's one of your free days right?"
Hiro waved her off. "I've got too much work to do with my latest project, besides I have to finish the latest coding on Baymax."
"You've gotta eat genius." She stated matter-o-factly.
"I'll get something at my Aunt's café when I head home. Don't worry."
Gogo shrugged, already heading down the corridor. "Whatever. See ya' later Hiro."
But Hiro wouldn't eat. He hadn't in a while.
The day came, the day left; it was all very much mundane. Hiro awoke the next morning, fresh sets of self-inflicted wounds on his arms and legs, as well as a hallow shell in his stomach, and soon he was beginning his day.
Yesterday was one of the days Hiro had no classes, but he always decided to spend it at the labs, tinkering away on his projects. He lost himself that way; it was easier to get through life. However today he had to endure yet another long day of being in class. It wasn't that the course material was hard, no Hiro could do most of it in his sleep; it was the people that bothered him that were hard. Most of the people there left him be, yet there were a few stragglers such as the girls there who cued over his size, and some of the guys who found they had a particular score to settle with Hiro, despite no reason.
It was that, that Hiro found himself again being pulled around a corner, shoved against a wall and beaten. His hair was pulled, his body bruised and worn, and for what? These guys hated Hiro for some reason he could never think of. He was different. People didn't like different. He assumed it had to do with him always telling them off for their comments on how he probably wasn't that smart, how he probably just used his brother to get in-
That was what always set him off, and what usually landed him in this situation. No one talked about Tadashi, no one.
Hiro staggered into the bathroom, turning on the faucet and washing the dried specks of blood on his cheek. He didn't think they'd bruise, only be a little bit sore. For that, he was at least thankful. He wouldn't have to come up with some half assed excuse as to why he had it. He was so tired of lying...
The outside world was laced with molten regret, a span of deep red across the setting sky. Hiro had his hands in his pockets, his bag slung over his shoulders, and he was walking down the streets of the city. For some reason, today was hitting him more than usual. What was different, wasn't today like any other?
Yet, his bruises hurt more, his cuts burning more than usual, and the empty ache in his stomach growling just a tad bit more louder. Did anything else happen to him today? No, no everything was pretty much the same. Then why was his heart aching more than usual? The cloud of depression was weighing heavier today than most, and almost naturally Hiro began to belittle himself within his mind. He was weak; of course it would hurt more. His "tough" exterior was finally being broken and the true runt on the inside was taking the full blow. In truth, Hiro was just tired, physically yes, but emotionally as well. He was tired of lying, tired of getting up each day, tired of being hated for who he was, tired of living each day alone...tired of living.
Nothing seemed important anymore, no value and no worth, without anything to live for, then why continue living? Aunt Cass would be fine, sad, but fine and his "friends"? They'd skirt over his death quicker than Tadashi's. He barely knew them. He surmised the only reason they even remotely tried to know him was the fact he was Tadashi's younger brother. If it wasn't for that, they'd never spare him a second glance, most like the rest of the world.
He soon came to the steps of the Café, not even realizing he'd been walking this whole time. Night had started to fall, and the neon glow of the city started to stretch outwards towards the sky, blocking the view of the stars.
Hiro stepped in, and quietly shut the door behind him, turning and ready to head upstairs.
Aunt Cass was in the kitchen, smells of boiling pasta wafting into his nose. His stomach instantaneously growled, and he sharply held his stomach, he can't eat, he can't eat.
"Hiro? Is that you Honey?"
Crap. No use in sneaking upstairs now.
"U-uh yeah! Hey Aunt Cass."
Hiro stood at the top of the steps, leaning against the rail as his eyes darted back and forth from his bedroom upstairs to his Aunt.
"How was your day?" Aunt Cass asked, scourging around in some of the upper cupboards for some odd spice.
"Great! I-it was great!" Hiro slowly made to move to the stairs. The mere notion of being around food had started to swim in his mind, his body started to sweat, and a small dosage of anxiety building up within him.
"That's good, ugh; you would not believe what happened today at the café. A woman complained for 30 minutes straight because her food wasn't heated 'properly.' I mean, I understand but really? It wasn't 'heated properly'; I mean are you kidding me? She held up sales for 15 minutes because she didn't want to pay for 'undercooked food', even though it was cooked, and everyone started getting mad at that! Ugh! I'll tell you...but now I'm just rambling, dinner will be ready in just a-"
She had turned around, greeted with the ever so lovely presence of nothing.
"-Minute..."
Hiro had already escaped to his room minutes ago, and Aunt Cass stood blankly at the spot he was just at seconds before. Mochi purred softly to her left, a gentle meow coming from the cat. Aunt Cass smiled a bit as she looked towards the cat.
"Well, you understand right Mochi?"
She only meowed in response.
You can't eat.
You can't eat.
You can't eat.
Hiro gripped the sides of his howling stomach, feeling as if the insides of his belly were caving in on themselves. He lay on his bed, hair tousled and brows furred; he needed something to distract himself.
The hunger in him was reaching new escapades, and Hiro couldn't eat, he wouldn't eat. And so, he got up from his spot on the bed, planting himself in his office chair and rolling up to his computer.
The first thing he noticed was the article about Big Hiro 6 on the front page of his screen. The search engine he used usually had current events listing throughout the bottom, and the indistinctive suits of the team and himself shone brightly against the starch yellow web page were easily recognizable.
He shouldn't have clicked on it.
As with everything trending in Popular Culture, there were lovers, and there were haters.
While the comments about the recent fiasco were mostly good, the bad most always outweighed the good, despite how many "good" there seemed to be.
How someone could let kids do that! They're so young!
Dorks, superheroes are lame.
Who would be proud of a bunch of nerds in costumes? I bet their families are disappointed.
No one could love these freaks. What, do they think they're gods or something?
Callahan was a genius; these idiots shouldn't have gotten in his way. Down with Krei Tech!
I hope they die; the world doesn't need people like them.
Hiro quickly closed the tab, an all too familiar plummet hitting him blunt in the chest. They were right...they were all right.
He brought his knees to his chest, hugging himself in some small attempt at comfort.
He knew he shouldn't believe them. He knew they were wrong. He didn't even know these people! But, depression had a stronger voice than his own, and so he only heard what his mind wanted him to hear.
Tadashi wouldn't be proud of you.
Look at what you're doing, you're so stupid!
Tadashi died trying to save people and now you're doing the same!
Did his death mean nothing to you?!
You're worthless, you're pathetic, fat, lazy, unworthy, your brother deserves to be alive more than you.
He wanted to cry...he wanted to so badly, but, there simply weren't any tears left. To have the feeling to cry, to want and need to, yet unable to have the ability to do so, it was conflicting. No matter even if he pushed himself to tears, beat and slapped, no tears would come out.
Just to match his stomach and the hole in his heart, Hiro couldn't cry tears, because he simply was just empty.
Nothing left, a hallow shell; he just wanted so badly to wither away, but he knew he couldn't.
He had to live for Aunt Cass, he had too. She already lost one boy...she couldn't lose another.
But as the days grow longer, and the hours stretch on, Hiro feared that one day... he might not think of his family when he stares at the knife.
Okay
Um
Wow.
Like seriously
14 reviews
59 followers
43 Favorites
710! views
I'm blown away. I'm seriously...I'm at a lost for words. IT'S ONLY BEEN UP FOR 4 DAYS PEOPLE.
Can I just say, I COMPLETELY did not expect this story to blow up like this. I mean...holy...crap. You guys are AMAZING. I've never gotten this much love and critique for any of my stories this fast.
seems-pretty-legit: Don't worry, nobody will die, at least...not how you think. :)
Myo Haneul: I might even be seeing the movie a 3rd time!...That's not a problem...I don't have a problem.
lambtastic: Interesting Idea, however not the route I'm planning on taking. I'm sorry to say, but this is a dark fic, and how Hiro is going to wake up, well, it isn't going to pretty. :( Don't worry though, I'm making sure Tadashi is there to give Hiro all the love and support his Otouto needs. :)
All Things Animated : YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE WHO NOTICED THAT! SO MUCH KUDOS TO YOU! *High Fives and bro fists* Balalalala.
Thunderwolf2456: I don't know where I got it from. ._. To be honest, I was just going though a Depressive Relapse...still am...and just started to write down this fiction of Hiro being distraught about his brother. Then out of no where I was like...well...I've read multiple fics on where Tadashi is the one in a Coma...why not Hiro? Then it just all sort of fell into place. Big Hero 6 being dreamt up in Hiro's mind, and Tadashi actually being alive, it seemed to me, a more realistic approach since Superhero's are really a comic/fantasy thing...but don't worry, I may *hint hint wink wink* include Big Hero 6 in the "real world". I still have plans for Callahan and what he did to get back at Krei. Not everything Hiro dreamt up is fake. :)
Snowflake: Don't worry, that will be explained later! I sort of assumed many people would realize it, my bad, but it was the fire. I'll explain what happened soon, but basically Hiro ran after his brother and ended up getting really hurt, thus putting him into a coma.
DamonFan1300 : Hiro WILL wake up! Don't worry. :) It just may take some time getting there...
AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE ELSE WHO REVIEWED! But not just the reviews, I love all my followers, my favorite..ers? My viewers, all of you! I'm so blown a way by all the the love I've gotten for this fic so far. Seeing people that actually like it, well it makes my dark days happy. All my "angsty" stories come from very personal places. Most of all what you read I've experienced in some form. So to see people like what I'm writing, to see people connect to it, it just fills my heart. I really do appreciate every single one of you. I hope you know that. :)
As Always,
R&R