"Tadashi this has been the fourth night in a row that you've gone home at 2 A. M. Because you were 'taking a walk' outside. Fourth night, mister!"
"I-I'm sorry, Aunt Cass. I-It's just that school has been really stressful and I've found peace with the morning breeze-?"
Even his own reasons barely made sense to Tadashi as he tried to lay his way out again.
Once he got home from a long, silent walk with a healthcare companion and a sleeping boy on his back, there was his angry aunt waiting for him. As soon as he entered the door, he was surprised to see Aunt Cass waiting in the hallway with her arms crossed and her foot tapping. He could've sworn she was about to shout at him if it weren't for Hiro on his back. He was allowed to tuck him in before she gave him a piece of her mind.
Oh how he wished to be in Hiro's situation at that moment in time- but he immediately took it back. Hiro's situation wasn't to make light of.
"Tadashi, for all I know you've been running off with a woman!" she blurted out, making the college ravenette to turn flush red.
"Aunt Cass, you know I wouldn't do such a thing!"
She stared at him for a while, eyeing him from head to toe, before she sighed and fell back on a chair, "You're right. You won't even go on a date with Honey Lemon."
"E-Excuse me?!"
The older woman stood up and stretched her limbs, ignoring his nephews flustered statements, as she got a piece of doughnut from the fridge before returning to her seat, "Anyway, I'm surprised to see that boy with you again. Did he go bot fighting again? Did you even call his parents about it?"
That sudden question got Tadashi tight lipped. He should have expected that question to come up, but he didn't - or the proper phrase to use was 'he didn't want it to come up.' After everything he had learned about Hiro, he just wanted to give it a rest and let the younger boy enjoy everything and anything. To think that he was forced to the point that even he himself doesn't consider his own as a human. Tadashi didn't even like the sound of it, even the thought of it!
Unaware that he was starting to look angry, Aunt Cass got worried. "Tadashi, what's wrong?"
The college student sat down, put his arms on the table and brushed his hair back frustratingly. "T-today we learned that he doesn't know who his parents were. He said he was alone ever since he was three." He answered, not a dread visiting him for not lying. He felt relieved to have said the truth at the same time not giving away Hiro's true identity.
A gasp escaped from the older woman, "P-poor boy."
Oh if you only knew, Aunt Cass, he wanted to say, but he was trying his best not to.
"Y-you better keep him company then, Tadashi. We'll talk about this tomorrow."
Tadashi was thankful he was dismissed that easily again, but he didn't like the reason at all.
When he got to his room, he was surprised that Hiro wasn't asleep at all, but instead was staring out the open window with Baymax standing right beside him.
"Can't sleep?" the older one asked.
Hiro just hummed, confirming what he said.
The college student approached the younger boy and sat beside him, causing the bed to sink due to the additional weight. Hiro invisibly flinched, but didn't turn to look at him nonetheless.
"We can talk about it, you know." Tadashi said, a little nervous. He knew that he and his friend agreed not to push him anymore, but he figured that their long silent walk was long enough of a break to start another talking session.
Hiro was silent, before he sighed and shifted to look at Tadashi. That time he had an expression of confusion, worry and irritation. "Why do you people want to know so badly? Doesn't know that I'm practically a robot inside a human's body enough?"
The older ravenette felt the sting of the younger one's words, causing his bravery to waver a little bit, just a little bit, "N-no, it's not. It's keeping you up and it's giving you nightmares. Hiro, I'm worried."
Hiro just snapped his head away and turned back to the window while he clicked his tongue. That phrase, that phrase 'I'm worried', always got to him.
"Can't it wait tomorrow?" Was all he could say to delay the inevitable.
Tadashi sighed and slumped his shoulders. He knew it was a flag that meant there would be no talking about it that night- or morning. "How will you sleep then? And don't you dare tell me to leave you alone because I can't sleep knowing that there's something bugging you."
"You have school tomorrow, Tadashi."
"You're coming with me, too."
"Go to sleep."
"Not until you do, nerd."
Hiro turned to him annoyed yet -relieved? The young ravenette has experienced many sleepless nights and no one has ever worried about his wellbeing before. Tadashi was the first. Tadashi was his first in so many things. He was the first to carry him on his back, the first to bring him to a school, the first to introduce him to friends, and the first to save him when he actually needed him the most. Who does that to a boy they just met? He wondered if Tadashi was actually smart, or maybe he was just too nice.
Either way, whatever it was, it made Hiro wants to leave just to protect him, but stay just to experience it even more.
The two ravenettes glared at each other, having a silent argument about the sleeping thing, and, as soon as Hiro sighed, Tadashi claimed victory.
"How about you tell me some things about you guys." Hiro said, leaning on the window pane. Tadashi was surprised by the sudden request. "You guys keep going on about me, me and me, when I don't even know a thing about you except for your names, majors, height, weight, BMI, health history, medications and that you guys are crime-fighting nerds."
The college student was at awe. "How did you-?"
Hiro turned to him again with a raised brow, "Really?"
"Oh wait. I think I know now."
"Do you now, Tadashi? Say it with me then. 1, 2, 3."
"BAYMAX." They stated in unison, that time putting a small smile on both of their faces.
"See? This is why I put a password in my files." Hiro said cockily. Tadashi only laughed a little and shook his head.
"Remind me to put a security code on you buddy."
"Noted, Tadashi." The healthcare companion answered obediently.
After such a hilarious moment, everything went to the awkward, heavy atmosphere. Tadashi wished one of his friends was there. He'd even settle for the cold-yet-meaning well- Gogo Tomago. Even if she just teased him, it would make everything lighter at least.
"So, what do you want to know?" He coughed.
Hiro turned back to the window and thought, "How about how you guys became super heroes. That's a start."
"Oh," Tadashi didn't seem happy to get the question, "Well, they did it for me."
The young ravenette turned to him surprised, "You?"
"Uh yeah. I needed help to get a guy in jail." He just shrugged it off.
Hiro finally turned to him and gave him a slight glare. 'And I thought I was secretive.'
XxxxX
It was safe to say that no sleeping was done that night. They stayed up all night talking about the gang.
Hiro learned that Gogo was an illegal speed racer in her free time, which he wasn't so surprised about. He even brought up the bot fighting thing again, but Tadashi just shot it down, much to his disappointment. What he was surprised about though was that Tadashi and Wasabi were black belters in Karate! And that Wasabi was one dan higher than him! He also learned that Tadashi was taller than Honey Lemon, which he didn't dare to believe until Tadashi showed him a picture of him and Honey without her heels. Hiro was caught jaw dropping.
"How about Fred? Any other surprising facts about him?" The young ravenette asked, a little excited.
Tadashi just scratched the back of his head, "Actually no. I only realized how much I didn't know Fred when we went to his house last night. I never would have thought that he lived in a mansion!"
Their laughter and enjoyment were disturbed by the alarm clock ringing for six AM. Ultimately, both boys were surprised that it was already sunrise.
"What time's your first class?" Hiro asked, and then a yawn just erupted from him.
Tadashi was easily infected, "Ten."
"Great. At least we have time to- sleep." The young ravenette fell back on the bed and almost balled up for comfort.
A smile couldn't help but appear on Tadashi's lips as he watched the small boy drift to sleep. A few seconds of silence later, he lay down next to him and slumber took him too.
XxxxX
"Honestly, you two."
Tadashi's eyes fluttered open only to see Wasabi looking down on them. He shot up, shocked and disorganized.
"What-? Why-? How-?"
"I came here to buy a doughnut for breakfast. Your Aunt told me you were still asleep, and I knew you had a ten o'clock class so I asked if I could wake you up. It's nine thirty. Go take a bath now."
The older ravenette took only seconds before he could let everything sink in. He just immediately sprung up, grabbed a towel and his usual clothes and quickly started to take a shower. The bigger guy could only look at his friends trails and shake his head.
A yawn easily caught Wasabi's attention as he turned to the young ravenette sitting up and stretching his limbs.
"Good morning, little guy."
"G 'morning, Wasabi." He slurred, which made the bigger guy laugh.
"The reason why we chose this place for you to stay at is so you two could have one bed each. Why were you two sleeping in the same bed?" he asked, chuckling.
Hiro was still a little out of it, obviously as it seemed that he couldn't keep himself up, "We talked a-all night. We just fell asleep here or something- something."
"Well, I can see why you're so tired now." Wasabi said, putting both hands on his waist, a sign of amusement.
To add to it, Hiro denied it with half-awake eyes. "I'm not tired. I'm-" a yawn came once more, "I'm perfectly- fine."
"Uh-huh." The bigger guy swore he had never seen something so amusing and adorable in his life.
"Hiro!" To make things even more laughable, Tadashi shot out of the bathroom, poorly dressed, disorganized and hair still damp.
Due to his shout, the young ravenette shot up awake and looked alarmed yet tired all the same, "What? What?"
"Take a bath now."
"But I don't want to."
"Come one, mister. We're going to be late!"
"Ugh fine."
Hiro sluggishly grabbed a towel and walked towards bathroom door, while Tadashi just dumped stuff in his messenger bag in a hurry.
Even though it was comic, Wasabi could feel an itch behind his neck because everything was just so messy.
XxxxX
"Why do I have to wear this?!"
They were in the house's garage, getting ready to go.
Hiro was outraged to find himself in a yellow cardigan, a white undershirt and brown jeans. It was too different from his usual attire and it made him itch.
Tadashi just rolled his eyes. "Oh, suck it up. At least you're not wearing your dirty hoodie."
"But did it have to be your hand-me-downs? I feel the nerd cooties in my skin." The young ravenette faked a scratch on his arm.
The older ravenette could only groan at his immaturity.
"Wasabi, could you give us a ride?" Tadashi asked holding his forehead.
"Wait! How about Baymax? I don't think he can fit in there." But Hiro had something to say again.
The older ravenette was about to argue about shutting him down again, but the memory of last night flashed in his mind. He kept his lips shut as he tried to think of a solution of their current predicament without hurting the younger one's feelings.
"Why don't we shut him off for a while?" Wasabi suddenly asked, making the young ravenette lose his color.
"Uhm, his station is broken." He made an excuse to wash out the statement.
Wasabi found it strange to hear that. He knew that it wasn't. Tadashi always bragged about how he memorized the coding and the circuitry to the point that it'll only take him one tap of his magic screwdriver to fix.
The older ravenette gave him a look that said he'd explain it later.
Hiro saw how troubled he was. It made him feel a little guilty, having him go to so much thought.
"I can always stay here, you know. I won't go out. Baymax will keep me busy." He reassured, but much to his disappointment, Tadashi didn't budge.
"No can do, Hiro." He carefully answered, making sure not to give out the reason why. He believed Hiro wasn't dangerous and could be left alone, he just wanted to be there when something happens- or at least somewhere near.
It was yet another heavy atmosphere so early in the morning and it was making each of them uncomfortable. Luckily, Wasabi remembered something helpful.
"Oh wait, I think Honey is coming by to buy breakfast too." He said, "We could ask her to pick him up and Baymax. She takes the bus to SFIT so she wouldn't mind."
"Really?" Tadashi's face just lit up.
Wasabi was quickly texting on his phone, and after a ting was heard, he grinned. "Just informed her." Another ting came, and his smile just grew bigger, "and she said 'yes.'"
"Oh, that's great." Tadashi's voice carried relief but hurry as well. "Are you going to be okay here buddy?" He turned to Hiro, worried.
Despite being nervous himself, the young ravenette nodded while he fanned him away, "I'll be fine. Go already."
He finally checked his watch and alarm was evident in his face, giving him no more strength to deny, "Okay, okay. Use Baymax to contact me if something happens."
He quickly got into the car with Wasabi following.
Before they left, Tadashi rolled down the car window and placed something on Hiro's head, much to the younger one's surprise.
It was Tadashi's The Ninja hats.
Hiro held onto it and then stared at the older one, confused.
"A good luck charm. My Dad gave it to me. Take care now, buddy."
They drove off, leaving Hiro to watch as they slowly disappear farther into the street.
He held onto the so-called lucky charm as he felt something heavy in his chest.
He just realized something.
It's the first time Tadashi left him - other than the whole Fujita and Yokai incident - ever since they met.
XxxxX
Hiro entered the Lucky Cat Cafe with the hat on, tipping it to cover his face. He was feeling really out of it and his mind was just somewhere else.
"Hey, Tadashi, I thought you left!"
He heard a brown haired woman say, but he ignored it and continued onto the back and into Tadashi's room, planning to have a chat with Baymax while he waited for Honey's arrival.
Meanwhile, Aunt Cass was confused. She thought she saw Tadashi in his old clothes -which was odd because she could have sworn he out grew them already- but she was busy taking a customer's so she just called out to him, but when she turned back he was gone. She shrugged it off thinking that it was just her imagination.
XxxxX
"Honey Lemon sent a message," Baymax informed the kid who was sitting in between his legs - easily his favorite spot. "She said she has arrived."
Finally, was all Hiro could think. He never thought waiting for thirty minutes could last a lifetime. There was just nothing to do. Despite Baymax and him having a conversation, he still found it really boring. He was more than happy to have Honey pick him up.
"Great!" He said jumping up, "Let's go down now."
Meantime, in the bottom floor, Honey and Aunt Cass were conversing, until one customer asked to be served again.
"I'll be back, okay, Honey?" The older woman said before she left. Honey just gave her a warm smile and waved. Just as she left, Hiro came down the stairs with Baymax slowly following behind him.
"There you are, little guy," she called out standing up.
He hummed and approached her. "Ready to go?"
Honey nodded, grabbed the paper bag with her breakfast in it.
"Aunt Cass, we're going!" She bid farewell before leaving with Hiro and Baymax.
The working woman turned to wave goodbye, but she was surprised by what she saw. Standing in between Honey and Baymax was the child Tadashi has been bringing home, but she saw it differently.
A boy with the same brown eyes in those familiar clothes.
She was only able to breathe out words when the three of them left.
"It can't be. Is it really him?"
XxxxX
"Aww, you're so adorable, Hiro!" Honey cooed, "You're like a little Tadashi."
They were already sitting in a bus to SFIT, and Hiro was feeling awfully awkward. He was used t attention, believe him, he spent his days with scientist sprawling around him. He just wasn't used to that kind of attention. He doesn't know how to react to compliments, if she was complimenting him. Was she complimenting him? He didn't know.
"Hiro seems to be uncomfortable." Baymax suddenly announced, making the young boy flinch in surprise.
Traitor, was all he could think.
"Oh, why?" the female blonde seemed sad, then she grinned a teasing smile, "Not used to compliments, are you?"
Flush red spread through Hiro's cheek. "I-I'm not! I-I mean, I am! Wait- I dunno."
He sunk into his sit and tilted the cap to cover his face, making Honey Lemon coo over him even more.
"Talking helps." The robot again stated, making Hiro wonder whose side he's actually on. Of course he couldn't say that out loud, all he could do was glare at Baymax.
"Oh, what do you want to talk about then?" Honey easily agreed.
Honestly, the young ravenette just wanted silence, but he was never the one to tell someone to shut up, especially if that person was a girl. He looked out the window, trying to find a topic, anything at all.
But then they passed the police station and something just passed through his mind.
Hiro turned to Honey Lemon with all seriousness he could conceive and asked, "Can you tell me how you guys became a superhero team?"
XxxxX
Originally, I plan on focusing this on Hiro and his technopathic powers, but then a lot of people are really asking about how Tadashi and the gang became superheroes and I'm like "Hmmm, maybe I could use that information for something." And somehow I figured out how. From being an irrelevant piece of info, it's now one of the most important things in this fic right now ;3 Thank you kind readers.
Reply to Reviews:
Iron Rose Writer: Maybe I could throw in a panda Baymax somewhere there. I'll see ;3
GuitarGeek: Aww Thank you so much for understanding and the support QwQ I will never stop updating this until it's complete, no matter how long I take.
IHaveNoName and IDC: Shhshh we're the same, bro. Though I'm like a hybrid of a Sadist and a Masochist welp. Please murder them Writer's Block for me.
DestinyWing: (I saw that and asked my mom to buy it and she said no because she said it's just a book with pictures and that it won't help me with anything /sobs/)You people are so kind /cries/ WHY DO YOU KNOW EVERY COOL THING I KNOW OMG KAGOME KAGOME IS LIKE MY LULLABY. HOW AMAZING ARE YOU? And about the Elfen Lied reference, ;3 He might. Hahaha, haven't planned that far ahead. QwQ Oh I'm sorry for making you cry, I didn't mean to- maybe I did, a little.
PikaNerd6: It's okay, bro. I know you're always there, reading. Wow that sounded so strange, but anyhoo- Callaghan is never good news.
Nobodyknows2245: Oh you. Thanks a lot.
Yurithefurry: Hopefully I'm not killing you guys with questions xD I'm trying my best to answer them or give out clues in each chapter. Oh, and thank you so much for the support QwQ
RazzlePazzleDooDot: OhIknowYouknowWhereheWas and You can ask as many questions as you want and I won't even budge. I love it when you guys get confused /grins/ ImsorrynoILY. Thank you so much for the luck! I need it QwQ