Hiro was lost in thought when Aunt Cass arrived to take him home. "Oh, Hiro, you look so peaky!" She exclaimed worriedly.
"I'll be fine, Aunt Cass," Mumbled Hiro, but as he tried to rise, his legs shook from beneath him, and he found himself toppling forward- only for a pair of arms to catch him just in time.
"I'll call a cab to take us home," Aunt Cass decided, leading her nephew into the warm sunshine of San Fransokyo. "Then I'll make you some nice, hot chicken soup. How does that sound?"
Hiro could only nod at her gratefully, and reluctantly allowed his pounding head to keep the silence between him and his aunt the whole ride home to the bakery his aunt ran.
...
Once home, Hiro staggered up the stairs, bumping into the walls so often he was certain his elbows would be tattooed in purples and greens in a few days- and poor Mochi took an accidental kick to the ribs after Hiro stumbled forwards and his foot landed in the wrong place.
"Oh, man..." he groaned. Why had he refused Aunt Cass's help? He could do with it now- big time!
He gasped in pain as he suddenly gave a sharp cough. His chest burned and his lungs felt a bit rattled. "...ow," he mumbled miserably, flopping onto his bed. His lungs screamed with relief as his leaden limbs sunk into the soft mattress.
Thankfully for the prodigy, his tiny admission of pain was picked up by Baymax, and he was activated at once, and looming over Hiro before the teenager could register he had activated the healthcare companion.
"Hello, Hiro," Baymax greeted warmly. "You are home early. What seems to be the problem?"
"Hey, Baymax," Hiro answered, waving weakly at his best friend. "I'm fine- or at least, will be-! He broke off with another violent, bone rattling cough, prompting Baymax to waddle forward.
"I will scan you now."
"Baymax, what have I"-
"Scan complete."
"Never mind," Hiro rasped. No matter how much he cleared his throat, his voice was sounding more blocked. Sounded like he was losing his voice.
Just perfect.
"You are suffering from: fever, violent coughs, dizziness, fever, muscle aches, a sore throat and fatigue. Diagnosis- flu." Baymax finished. "On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your pain?"
"Zero- Baymax, I'll be fine, it's nothing serious," Hiro assured him- but Baymax wouldn't have it.
"On a scale of one to ten, how would you rate your pain?"
Hiro conceded, deciding that resolving a few minor ailments might be enough to ward Baymax and his fuss away from him. "Well, my throat's dry, so...a three?"
Truth was, he felt the pain to be nearer an eight- with heavy limbs, sore head, dry throat... everything was hurting him. But no physical pain could compare to how miserable and lonely he felt inside.
The truth was, he just wanted Tadashi. Dashi knew how to make a torturous sick day less miserable due to his creativity and compassion for his little brother.
"...I do miss Tadashi though," he whispered, and he watched from the corner of his eye as Baymax tilted his head inquisitively. "He knew how to cheer me up on a lousy day like this," he mumbled, burying his face into the cooling comfort of his pillow.
"Hiro."
He felt a balloon-like hand pat his soft, fluffy black hair, but he didn't move. "Hiro. Let me help you heal." Baymax said quietly.
"Don't you get it, Baymax? I'm never going to 100% heal from this- no amount of your caring would change that!" The outburst was quickly replaced by regret when he realised what he had just said. "Baymax, I'm sorry I said it like that- it's just... the little things about Tadashi I realised I would miss until I go through them." He exhaled.
Baymax said nothing- but allowed a video of Tadashi to play- one of him working on Baymax shortly after the successful trial run- for he had needed a couple of last minute tweaks before he showed Hiro.
Hiro recognised his friends- his brother's friends- talking and laughing as they marvelled over Tadashi's new creation.
"It looks so unique!" Breathed Honey Lemon in awe.
"It's less lame than the last invention you made," Added GoGo, with a small smile.
"Um, what does it actually do, Dash?" Asked Wasabi. Tadashi's face lit up into a brilliant and dazzling smile.
"I'm glad you asked, Wasabi! This is a healthcare companion. He will be looking after people who need help, you see. Maybe, if this is successful, I can get these in hospitals and registered with emergency services to help crash victims."
"Let's see it in action!" Said Fred eagerly, pumping his arms in the air.
"Sorry, Fred, not yet," Tadashi replied, smiling mischievously. "I've got other projects to sort out. Besides, I'm kinda hoping to give this guy to Hiro. Y'know, so he can help him with his peanut allergy and things if I can't help him."
"That's so sweet!" Honey Lemon exclaimed. But Tadashi frowned sadly.
"I'm not going to be around forever- none of us are," he said so solemnly that everyone- even Fred- fell silent. "I miss my parents so much, and I get the feeling if something happens to me, there'll only be Aunt Cass- and I can't put her through more than she's already been through. She's a remarkable woman- but losing her little brother and sister in law was more than she could bear. What I'm trying to say is- when it happens to me, the big D, I know my baby bro's got someone at his back," he smiled wearily at them.
Silence fell among the group for a long time- until Fred interrupted. "How about we order pizza, guys?"
"Bro, just what I was thinking!" Tadashi exclaimed, his earlier mood forgotten, and his face lit up once again.
"I'll order!" Fred added.
Hiro smiled- he had never seen that video before, but he was comforted by the fact that Tadashi wanted to give him Baymax, regardless of the circumstances.
"It is okay to cry, Hiro," A voice said gently.
Hiro hadn't realised he was crying until Baymax pointed it out. He gave Baymax a grateful look and sniffed. "Thanks, Baymax." He said- before he ruptured into coughs anew. This time, after he finished, he felt a warmth run up and down his back comfortingly. The teen prodigy snuggled down under the covers, and allowed his eyes to close and his thoughts wander for a while, occasionally sniffling and coughing, until he was fast asleep.