Thank goodness they were nearly done.
Tadashi didn't think he'd had this many outfits at any previous point in his entire existence. He had tried to limit it by being much pickier than he actually was, turning down anything that wasn't soft enough or if the color was off, but it was useless. Once Honey Lemon set her sights on a particular store, there was no leaving until he picked something. Honey Lemon took it as a personal challenge if he claimed nothing caught his eye, but thankfully didn't try to insist on getting him something he turned down.
Despite that, he didn't remember agreeing to a particular bumblebee hoodie, but he couldn't be too sure; the outfits and stores were beginning to blend together in his mind. Tadashi had severely underestimated the number of shops that sold clothing in this place. His previous self's observational skills must have been sorely lacking, unless more had opened up in the time he'd been… gone.
Considering how many pictures Honey Lemon had taken, Tadashi had to wonder if she'd purchased some sort of super memory card for her camera. It made sense to take pictures of the outfits, but he would catch her snapping a few here and there as he went through clothes on a rack, or when some well-meaning lady came up and asked if he needed help reaching something.
If he really wanted something, he would just ask Honey Lemon. He'd rather not have a repeat of earlier, when jumping for a particular item had resulted in an unstable clothing rack, and every single shirt hung on it, falling on top of him. He hadn't been injured, thankfully, but the huge mess it made was embarrassing enough without Honey Lemon (after worriedly making sure he was okay) bursting into giggles and taking a quick series of photos. Once the shock and initial embarrassment wore off, Tadashi himself started laughing. He could just imagine how ridiculous he looked.
Thankfully, that fiasco hadn't ended with them being booted out of the store. According to Honey Lemon, Tadashi had used his "utter adorableness" to get out of trouble, but Tadashi didn't know what she was talking about. All he did was apologize and offer to help put the clothes back when the semi-angry cashier came to fix the mess. He hadn't done anything in particular to cause the anger to flee her expression, and he certainly hadn't been expecting the pat on the head nor the insistence that he not worry about it.
Even all of that had been less embarrassing than what he went through at another store across the way. Everything had been fine until they approached the register, where the teenager running it had complimented Honey on her 'cute son'. Honey Lemon had laughed it off and amiably corrected the cashier, but Tadashi had been completely thrown for a loop. After leaving, since he didn't want to embarrass the cashier more, Tadashi protested the assumption to a highly amused Honey Lemon.
"We don't even look alike!"
"Adoption is pretty popular now-a-days," Honey Lemon tried to reason.
"But still!"
When Tadashi was certain he would be unable to walk any further, and was seriously considering just sitting down and waiting for Honey Lemon to notice that he was no longer trailing behind her, she had graciously announced that they were stopping for lunch. Though he wasn't a huge fan of traditional fast food, "You don't even know what's in most of that stuff," he wouldn't have turned down anything the food court had to offer at that point.
Honey Lemon had struggled to deposit all of the bags she had been carrying, which led to yet another offer by Tadashi to carry a couple for her. Once again, the offer was turned down, since Honey Lemon thought it went against some moral code to make a five year old carry his own clothes when shopping. Tadashi's insistence that it didn't matter if said boy offered, and was realistically 24, went ignored as their order was announced as ready, and Honey Lemon went to pick it up.
After they finished eating and Tadashi had gotten the phone company's information from Hiro, Honey Lemon finally agreed that they were probably done clothes shopping for the day. (As long as nothing 'caught her eye,' that is.) They made a quick stop to get Tadashi's new phone, which Tadashi happily paid for with the contents of Hiro's wallet, and were on their way out when they noticed a familiar shock of black and purple hair in the hardware section of a department store.
"Hey, Gogo," Tadashi greeted. "Whatcha looking at?"
Gogo pulled a set of different sized wrenches off of the wall before turning to the pair, looking highly amused at the sight of an overburdened Honey Lemon and a small Tadashi who was still in the far too large shirt.
"Just grabbing some new wrenches. I seem to have misplaced a few."
"You really shouldn't throw them when they don't work miracles the way you want them to." Tadashi grinned, remembering the issues that particular reaction had caused in the past. He wondered if the students who'd had to completely recalibrate their machine in the middle of finals week had forgiven her yet.
"Meh, they're cheap. Wasabi and I were doing some early gift shopping anyway. I'd rather not fight the last-second shoppers come 'official' holiday season." Gogo popped her gum and pulled another set off of the wall, comparing the two. "He's over there in the gardening section getting some mulch. Do you think he realizes he's just buying bags of dirt?"
"This isn't just dirt," Wasabi had picked that moment to wander over, brushing particles off of his sweater with one hand while the other held the basket containing a couple bags of mulch. "There are nutrients in this that are essential to the proper growth of plants without relying on weed killers or pesticides."
Gogo, having decided between the two wrench sets, turned and headed towards the checkout area. "Okay, now that Wasabi's got his special dirt, where were you guys headed next?"
"It's not—" Wasabi was summarily ignored.
Honey Lemon smiled apologetically back at Wasabi. "Well, I need to drop off these bags in the car if we are planning on doing anything more. My arms are killing me."
"If you would just let me carry some—" Tadashi tried again.
"So, if he could hang with you for a bit, I'll be right back. Wasabi, I'll take your stuff too. Take plenty of pictures!" Honey Lemon had barely received an affirmative nod from Wasabi before shoving the camera into Gogo's hands and disappearing to deposit the clothes and mulch in their vehicle.
"Well, that happened." Gogo slipped her new wrenches and the camera into her backpack before grabbing Tadashi's hand and practically dragging him back to the main portion of the mall. "There's a toy store around here somewhere, and don't even try to say you don't want to go."
Tadashi turned slightly worried eyes to Wasabi, who very helpfully shrugged and trailed along behind them as Gogo led them to what had to be the biggest emporium of toys Tadashi had ever seen.
"I definitely don't remember this being here."
Honey Lemon arrived back after having texted Gogo for their whereabouts to find the group raiding the Lego section of the store, some more gleefully than others. As Tadashi was trying to balance another 5000-piece spaceship set in the basket, Gogo was already calling him over to look at another one. Wasabi had stopped commenting on the choking hazard when Tadashi reminded him of the sheer number of robots and parts Hiro left lying around on a regular basis and assured him that he had felt no urge to attempt to shove them in his mouth. Wishing she had her proper camera on hand for the candid shot, Honey Lemon snapped a picture with her phone instead.
"I see you guys have been keeping busy." Honey Lemon then received her camera from Gogo, frowning slightly when she found no new ones within. She should've handed it off to Wasabi…
Unaware of Honey Lemon's disappointment, Gogo decided Tadashi had a sufficient amount of Legos, and moved on to the wheels section.
"Okay, what size shoes do you wear now? We need to get you some roller blades." Gogo paused for a second, "And maybe a bike. Though I'd rather just make you one myself."
Tadashi looked mildly terrified at the prospect of using a Gogo-made bike, but another issue was more prevalent in his mind as he offered one of his shoes to Gogo, having failed to locate a size on them.
"I- I don't think I know how."
"Nonsense, you never forget how to ride a bike."
"Well, maybe," Tadashi conceded, shifting from one foot to the other. "But that wasn't what I meant. I don't know how to rollerblade…"
"Not a big deal, I'll teach you." Gogo held the bottom of the shoe to the sizing ruler, moving towards the skates themselves once she had a size. "Heck, Wasabi's not that great at it, and he doesn't have your excuse."
Wasabi rolled his eyes, muttering about liking to have his feet firmly on the ground. It made Tadashi feel marginally better, which was her intention all along.
Finally picking out some red and white inline skates, since standard skates were too slow and unwieldy according to Gogo, they decided to call it a day. They were on their way to the register when Honey Lemon reappeared, startling Tadashi, who hadn't noticed her slip away in the first place, holding a medium sized white plush bear.
"Here, hold this!" Passing it over to Tadashi, she took a quick picture of him holding it. "I saw it, and I had to grab it for you."
Tadashi didn't mind, it was the perfect size to wrap his arms around, and though it wasn't as nice as Baymax, he could carry it around wherever he liked. No one would look down too much on a five year old with a stuffed animal, and it was a nice physical comfort he wasn't used to having around.
Burying his face in the stuffed animal, he muttered a thank you to Honey Lemon, and they continued to the register. Passing Hiro's wallet to Wasabi to pay, Tadashi quickly explained how he had come in possession of it, causing Gogo and Wasabi to laugh briefly.
As they were walking out towards the parking lot, Gogo exclaimed in exasperation.
"Seriously? It's not even the week before Thanksgiving yet, and they already have Christmas stuff up. I mean, Christmas is fine, but really, people?" Gogo poked the inflatable Santa as they passed by. "This is ridiculous."
"Wal-Mart had Christmas stuff the day after Halloween," Honey Lemon reminded her, shrugging. "They're just trying to increase sales."
"Yeah, but I bet if I went in there and tried to wish them a Merry Christmas, they'd correct me… or at least pull a face when they think I'm not looking." Gogo slowed her steps, as if seriously considering trying just that.
"At least Christmas is mainstream. You should see the looks I get when I offer someone a 'Joyous Kwanzaa'." Wasabi grinned ruefully, shaking his head. "Some people get so defensive when you're just wishing them well. If they don't celebrate my particular holiday, which… they probably don't, I'm cool with them just responding with the holiday they do celebrate, or the generic 'Happy Holidays'. No need to be like that."
Wasabi had obviously mulled over this before, but Tadashi had to wonder how many times it had actually been an issue.
"I'm just glad you observe Christmas gift-giving too, so I can get a present out of you," Gogo teased, having caught back up to the group, popping gum that Tadashi didn't recall her having a couple of moments ago.
"Is that all our friendship is worth to you?" Wasabi's exaggerated look of mock offense had Tadashi stifling giggles, Honey Lemon joining him soon after. Gogo managed to keep a straight face long enough to respond.
"Ah!" Gogo smacked her hand to her own forehead, "I wasn't supposed to tell you until after the holidays. Just forget everything I said."
"Nope, it's too late. Our friendship is beyond repair." Wasabi reached out and pulled Tadashi close, acting as if he was going to walk off with him. "Looks like it's just you and me, Tadashi. Women just can't be trusted with our fragile emotions."
Tadashi patted his arm in a sympathetic manner. "There, there. It'll be all right." The comforting image was incomplete, however, since Tadashi had been unable to reign in his laughter.
Gogo rolled her eyes at the display, barely concealing a grin at Wasabi's antics. "Oh, woman up!"
Having taken their separate vehicles back to the café, the group encountered a harried-looking Hiro attempting to stop a particular coffee machine from spraying everywhere while simultaneously trying to contain the mess it was making as he tried to fix it. Thankfully, the café was empty at the moment.
"Just turn off, you piece of— Oh, hey guys." Hiro had one hand full of wadded up napkins, the other tapping the touch screen rapidly in vain.
Wasabi quickly made his way over after placing the bags he was carrying in the doorway, and an extra pair of hands allowed the problem to be sorted out much quicker. That, and the plug could then be reached without making too much of a mess when the machine was pulled away from the wall.
"Thanks. I swear that thing is possessed or something." Hiro finally took notice of the numerous shopping bags as he tossed the soaked napkins into the trash. "So, what'd you end up getting?"
Honey Lemon rambled on about the outfits she and Tadashi had picked out, showing pictures to Hiro while Gogo and Wasabi helped carry the bags up the stairs to the living area. They stacked the Lego boxes in a corner, and helped Tadashi put away his clothes. Rather, Gogo would throw some in a drawer and Wasabi would come behind her and fold them, muttering to himself about wrinkles while Tadashi sat on the bed holding his new bear. They clearly did not want or need his help at the moment, especially since his side of the room was so cramped anyway.
Once everything was put away, Gogo grabbed the rollerblades and the three of them headed back downstairs. They would have to wait, however, before doing anything, as Hiro was busy dealing with the afternoon crowd by the time they arrived. Wishing them a quick goodbye, Honey Lemon rushed out the door, having to leave in order to take care of the supplies that had arrived from England for her lab. Wasabi followed quickly after, needing to hurry if he was going to make it to his afternoon class that had just informed him that it was not in fact, canceled.
Now alone with the young Tadashi, Gogo waited somewhat impatiently for a lull in the activity, finally grabbing her chance and addressing Hiro behind the counter.
"Hey, I'm gonna take Tadashi to go roller skating."
Hiro was busy putting together someone's order, but paused to look up at her, wondering about the intelligence of that suggestion.
"Take Baymax with you," he said warily. This spelled trouble, but he couldn't exactly go with them, nor dissuade Gogo now that she'd set her heart on it. The two were already halfway out the door, Baymax's case in hand, when he suddenly remembered an item of vast importance. "And for goodness sakes take a helmet!"
Gogo simply saluted and shut the door behind them.
"This couldn't end badly at all." Hiro muttered sarcastically to himself, shaking his head. He had half a mind to ignore the café and go out after them.
…no, they'd be fine.
"Okay, so just concentrate on keeping your feet straight and underneath you," Gogo instructed, confident in her teaching strategy.
Tadashi was decidedly less sure. "I don't think this is such a good idea. Shouldn't we start somewhere, I dunno, flatter?"
After tugging on his skates, lacing them up tightly, and then making sure his helmet was on properly, Tadashi had taken a seat just outside the café, looking at the concrete incline that led to the end of the street. It flattened out in plenty of time to stop before reaching the intersecting street, and Gogo was insisting they start at the top in order to give him a chance to figure out his balance without having to propel himself as well.
"You know why not," Gogo chided. "Now woman up, and don't let go until I tell you."
Tadashi took hold of a light post just outside, glancing at the Baymax station and wondering if it would be better to activate him immediately or to perhaps place him at the bottom of the hill where he would be closer to the inevitable injury. If he made it that far.
Gogo positioned herself at the end of the hill, ready to catch him, just to make sure he didn't accidentally go flying into the street.
"Okay, you can let go now," she called up to him.
"Um, maybe we can try again later?"
"Tadashi." Gogo had one hand on her hip, and was making it very clear that she was not moving until he let go.
Tadashi took a steadying breath, and angled his feet properly, or at least what he hoped was properly. He let go, and the incline was enough to get him moving. And then he started to pick up speed.
"This is a really bad idea!" Tadashi pin wheeled his arms in an attempt to stay upright.
He had almost made it to Gogo when his right foot caught an indent in the pavement, coming out from underneath him. Gogo leapt forward and caught him, but not before he gashed open the knee that had collapsed.
"Ow!" Tadashi cried out and curled up in a seated position as he heard Baymax activate, his head bowed over his injured knee.
He'd been so close! All of this was getting aggravating; it seemed that no matter what he tried, there was something else that he couldn't do anymore. One part of his mind knew he would get it eventually, but the prevalent part was hurting and five years old and just didn't want to be in pain anymore. He started to tear up as Gogo bent down to examine his knee.
"Ugh, Hiro's going to kill me." Gogo looked into Tadashi's face, doing a double take when she saw that they were filled with tears, and were suddenly bright orange. "Woah, hey. Um, don't cry. It's just a scrape."
He squeezed his eyes shut, but it was too late. Tears had already spilled over, travelling down the bridge of his nose and onto his wounded knee.
"I heard a sound of: Distress. I will now scan for injuries." Baymax looked down at Tadashi. "Scan complete. You are uninjured, but you remain distressed. Do not panic, and take deep breaths."
"Baymax, I think you need to get your scanner checked. He's clearly injured, don't you see the blood?" Gogo pointed to the knee, but took a second look herself, before reaching down to wipe away the blood.
"Hey!" Tadashi felt the pressure, but not the pain he was expecting. He opened his eyes to see closed and smooth skin through the tear in his jeans. "But- what?"
"My scanners are fully functional. Tadashi is uninjured."
*A.N.: So Tadashi's powers are beginning to show :)*