As much as Tadashi tried to tell himself he was making the right choice and everyone would understand, he was having a hard time telling them he made this decision. Every time he went to talk to them about it, he'd chicken out at the last second. How could he keep telling himself he made the right choice though if he couldn't bring himself to tell everyone he made that choice? If he didn't tell them soon, they would find out when classes started and he wasn't there.
Before he knew it Tadashi was cleaning out his lab after finishing his last final. Thankfully at the end of each semester everyone was expected to clear out their lab so no one questioned him taking everything out of his lab. Once everything was packed, Tadashi collapsed into the rolling chair, feeling empty. He hated to admit it, but the thought of never coming back hurt a lot. He didn't blame Hiro, he could never blame him, but his heart clenched painfully in his chest when he realized he probably was giving up on all of his dreams.
Tadashi closed his eyes and thought about Hiro, his big smile, how he loved to build things all the time. Yes he was giving up his dream school, but Hiro was completely worth it. Yes, it still hurt but he had his brother and that's what mattered. Fred knocked on the door and stepped inside asking,
"Hey you ready to go?"
Tadashi forced himself to smile and stood up saying, "Yea definitely."
Fred frowned and walked over to Tadashi saying, "You don't look okay…"
"I'm fine," Tadashi assured, Fred saw right through him though.
"You can tell me anything you know," Fred assured, grabbing Tadashi's hands and squeezing them. "I promise I'll still love you no matter what."
"I know…" Tadashi assured. "It's just….this isn't easy to say…"
"What do you mean?" Fred asked, concerned. "You don't want to…break up do you?"
"No, no! Definitely not!" Tadashi exclaimed. "I'm…worried you'll be angry though…"
"So what?" Fred asked. "I won't dump you because I'm angry." Though Tadashi knew this, deep down he was afraid. Tadashi shoved the dark thoughts out of his mind. Fred wouldn't treat him differently because of this, Fred was better than that. Tadashi smiled at Fred and said,
"I know….but I really don't want to explain a million times so can we meet up with everyone then I'll explain?"
"Okay," Fred said. "Let's go."
After picking Hiro up from school Fred invited the others to meet them at the mansion. They all sat in Fred's room to have some privacy, Tadashi, Wasabi and Fred where all on Fred's bad, Tadashi in-between the other two while Honey Lemon and Gogo where sitting in some beanbags while Hiro sat on the floor. Tadashi's stomach was in knots as the others chatted about how their finals went and their schedules for the following semester. Tadashi wanted to join them, but he was frozen in his seat, heart pounding in his chest, partly wishing they would finish so he could just get this over with, part of him wishing it would never end so he wouldn't have to tell them.
He knew Fred and Hiro would treat him the same, he was terrified that Gogo, Honey Lemon, and Wasabi wouldn't want to be his friend because of this. He didn't know what he'd do if they stopped talking to him. He knew Fred would still want to hang out with them, how would he handle when they hung out at Fred's house? Hide in his room? The waiting was killing him.
"Tadashi, you okay?" Wasabi asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Tadashi wanted to tell them he was fine and just not tell them he wasn't going back next semester and let them find out. But that would be so wrong. "No…" Tadashi admitted.
"What's going on?" Gogo asked, looking genuinely concerned.
Tadashi took a deep breath and smiled gratefully at Wasabi when he gave Tadashi's shoulder an encouraging squeeze and when he felt Fred's hand taking one of his. "This has not been an easy decision to make…and I really, really wish I didn't have to make it but…I-I need to do what's best for Hiro…"
"What are you saying?" Honey Lemon asked, looking frightened.
"I won't be going back to school in the spring." Tadashi admitted, shutting his eyes, bracing himself for the onslaught.
"Wait you're dropping out of college?" Gogo exclaimed.
"You only have three semesters left!" Wasabi added removing his hand from Tadashi's shoulder. Tadashi didn't want to admit it, but he felt so much more vulnerable without the contact.
"How will you get a good job?" Honey Lemon asked.
"I probably won't," Tadashi admitted, looking up at them.
"But this was your dream," Gogo said.
"Hiro's more important," Tadashi declared.
"I thought you were doing okay with school and work?" Honey Lemon asked, looking confused.
"At the expense of spending any time with Hiro," Tadashi said. "When I did have a free moment I usually fell asleep."
"Getting an education is important though," Wasabi countered.
"Dashi…?" A small voice mumbled but it was overshadowed by Gogo saying,
"Tadashi you shouldn't rush into a decision like this!"
"Dashi-"
"You are throwing everything away!"
"Guys!" Fred snapped, silencing everyone. "This is Tadashi's decision and we need to respect that." Fred turned to face Tadashi and said, "Listen…I don't agree with it but I respect your decision and will completely support you okay?"
"Thanks…" Tadashi said, smiling gratefully at him.
"Tadashi I'm sorry…" Honey Lemon sighed. "I just want you to be happy."
"I will be," Tadashi assured.
"Can I-?"
"Are you sure about this?" Gogo asked.
"Yes," Tadashi firmly said.
"Then we should be supporting you…and I do," Wasabi said, wrapping an arm around Tadashi.
"Me to," Honey Lemon added.
"Same," Gogo said.
"Dashi!" Hiro snapped, finally catching everyone's attention.
"Yea buddy?" Tadashi asked, tearing his gaze away from Fred to look down at his little brother. Hiro stood up in front of Tadashi and asked,
"Are you dropping out of school 'cuz of me?"
"No, no it's for you," Tadashi assured picking Hiro up and setting him in his lap.
"That sounds like the same thing…" Hiro guiltily mumbled.
"It's not!" Tadashi argued.
"How?" Hiro demanded. Tadashi scrambled for an answer but he couldn't come up with one so he said,
"Look Hiro, I'm not just your brother anymore I'm your guardian so I need to be here more for you."
"I thought you said nothing would change if you became my guardian?" Hiro asked.
"Our relationship wouldn't," Tadashi corrected. "My dropping out of college doesn't change you being my little brother."
"I don't want you to hate me though!" Hiro exclaimed, tears streaking down his face.
"Wait no Hiro why would you think I'd hate you?" Tadashi asked, gently whipping away Hiro's tears.
"You're giving up everything for me…" Hiro whimpered.
"I'm not giving up everything," Tadashi assured.
"You had to get a job and you have to give up college so you could keep me!" Hiro exclaimed.
"You're worth it," Tadashi assured. "And to keep you I have to give up things."
"That's not fair though!" Hiro cried.
"I know but…life isn't always fair…" Tadashi sighed.
"Did Mr. Bubbles say you had to leave school so you could keep me?" Hiro asked.
"No…" Tadashi admitted.
"Then don't!" Hiro brightly declared.
"Hiro it doesn't work like that," Tadashi groaned.
"Why not?" Hiro asked.
"I hardly spent any time with you and in the future I'll probably miss a lot of important things-" Tadashi explained.
"Mom and dad missed a lot and they didn't care," Hiro said.
"Well that was wrong," Tadashi informed him.
"'Sides we get to hang out on weekends and over the summer," Hiro argued.
"Yes but-"
"I don't mind not seeing you as much if you can stay in school." Hiro said, "I know how important it is for you."
"That's not fair to you though."
"I thought you said life isn't always fair?" Hiro asked, smirking.
"Yes but it's not your job to give things up for me," Tadashi countered. "I'm the adult. I need to be the one to give up things for you."
"But brothers are supposed to do things for each other and we're still brothers!" Hiro declared. "Please don't give up your dream."
"I'm not giving up my dream I'm just leaving college," Tadashi countered, feeling his resolve wavering.
"How can you fulfill it if you don't finish college?" Hiro asked. "Mom and dad always said the only way you could do what you wanted is if you went to your school." Tadashi mentally cursed at this. Why did they have to fill a five year olds head with the importance of college? Tadashi couldn't deny the truth in his words however.
"Hiro listen to me, I know you feel strongly about this, but I don't want you to start to resent me for spending time at college that I could be spending with you," Tadashi said.
"But I don't want you mad at me for making you leave school," Hiro countered, pouting. Damn it Tadashi thought. This kid was too smart for his own good.
"Dang the kids good," Gogo commented with a smirk of her own. Tadashi pressed his forehead against Hiro's, letting out a heavy sigh.
"You're not going to quit are you?" Tadashi asked after a minute.
"Nope!" Hiro happily declared. Tadashi really should not be encouraging his brother being so stubborn, but Hiro caring so much about Tadashi being happy was making his chest feel warm and head feel light. He was sure he would start floating.
"All right," Tadashi finally said. "You win."
"Are you going back to school?" Honey Lemon asked, eyes brightening.
"I guess so," Tadashi laughed before kissing Hiro's forehead. Honey Lemon cheered and clumsily got to her feet before tightly hugging Tadashi. Fred and Wasabi excitedly followed suit and Tadashi was sure Gogo was somewhere in the mix. In the center Tadashi heard Hiro voicing him complaints about being squished but Tadashi could tell he was happy as well.
Tadashi knew that there would be more ups and downs and that there would be fights and moments of regret, but for right now everything was fine. And that's all that mattered.
In a secret room that only a very select few people knew about Mr. Lee sat in a chair, staring off into the distance, a look on intense concentration on his face. He was still wearing his super suit after an intense fight earlier that day. Evil didn't stop just because the Holidays where near. This fight had almost gotten really bad, far worse than any fight he'd been in a long time. He'd barely made it out with his life.
The experience made him think about his son and what would happen to him should he die while fighting. How would Heathcliff explain his death to Fredrick? How would he feel finding out his father was a super hero after dying? It was a thought that did not sit well with Mr. Lee.
"Ah Master Stan so good to see you home," Heathcliff said as he walked into the room. Mr. Lee didn't immediately say anything, too lost in thought. After a minute of silence he finally said,
"I think it's time." Heathcliff stared at Mr. Lee for a moment before asking,
"You wish to tell Master Fredrick?"
"And Mr. Hamada." Mr. Lee added.
"Mr. Hamada?" Heathcliff curiously asked.
"Yes…I think he could help…" Mr. Lee admitted.
"Is that why you brought him?" Heathcliff asked.
"No, but…after doing a bit of research I think he can." Mr. Lee admitted.
"Shall I go fetch them?"
"No," Mr. Lee said. "Not yet. But soon…very soon."
End Notes
Hey guys this has been one wild ride but a ride I hope everyone enjoyed! Anyways if people are actually interested in the sequel I hope to have it finished in the next couple of weeks so I can start posting! Either way I hope you guys enjoyed it and thanks for all the wonderful reviews!