Tadashi Returns - A Big Hero 6 Fanfiction

Chapter Eight: Smart but Stupid

Carter began to describe the crazy personalities behind the Stimson name. "First of all, my dad thinks he's super cool when really he's super not. But he's my best friend. Dad works a lot as an engineer but he will still try to make it home for dinner most of the time. Joan is older mentally than your average 14 year old. Well, most of the time. She has this odd habit of coming down from her room in a new style every few weeks. She'll be preppy, goth, geeky chic, and everything else at different points of the month. Twice a year, during swim and track season she'll dress up exclusively as a jock." Carter shook his head fondly, "She doesn't know who she is yet but I don't think a 14 year old should. Claire is the youngest and boy is she a diva in the making. Comes down sporting a feather boa and her prettiest dress. Sometimes she breaks into mom's vanity drawer and smears eyeshadow or lipstick on. Clair has a sweet tooth just as bad as mine, but she can be indulged as opposed to me who can't have that kind of stuff. Mom's a nurse and I've yet to meet a harder worker than my mom." Carter went on to explain in further detail more about her, "When Mom isn't home to make dinner, then it's every man or woman for themselves. Usually ends up with a pizza order or two."

One thing Carter didn't talk about was that his mother worried too much about his health. It was taxing on him. That cursed condition that had affected him for most of his life along with the pigmentation problems. He looked like the mixed child he was. Carter's mother was white and his dad was African American and yet Carter didn't inherit the creamy chocolate skin his sisters had. Vitiligo resulted in stark light patches on his skin. The pigmentation had sapped most of his confidence for years but that wasn't his real problem. The major issue was often too hard to dwell on and yet it had lodged itself firmly in the front of Carter's mind. In Carter's silence he heard something. Or rather nothing. Tadashi had drifted off to sleep while Carter had been talking. Their discussion of happy things soothed Tadashi's heart enough that he could fall asleep.

Tadashi woke up when he felt a gentle hand hold his. He opened his eyes and smiled seeing his family's faces. A breath of relief escaped his lips and he squeezed her hand, "Hi, Aunt Cass. Hi, Hir-" Tadashi paused when he saw Hiro start fiddling with his prosthetic. "Hiro, what are you doing?" Hiro stopped, "Um, nothing."

"You're obviously doing something, Hiro. You look guilty." Hiro looked down at the small attachment in his hand, "I'm just testing something I made."

"How do you know how my prosthetic works?" Tadashi raised his eyebrow in skepticism. Hiro looked at his aunt who nodded and Hiro looked back at his brother, "I made your prosthetic." A proverbial bomb had been dropped on Tadashi. Creating something like this was a substantial accomplishment for anyone, much less for Hiro was only 14. "You made this? How? When? How did it pass testing at the facility so quickly?" Hiro didn't necessarily know how to tell him, "It's still in testing. Testing all the capabilities and such."

"It's what?"

"You're the test subject, Tadashi. The only way to have the best technology and best care available was if I made it myself." Tadashi couldn't help but feel uneasy about being the test subject, yet he knew he should feel grateful, "Thank you, Hiro." He sent a small smile. Hiro was uncomforted, "No, you're not." He accused Tadashi. "Hiro!" Aunt Cass reprimanded but Hiro simply huffed, "Your anxiety is written plain on your face. I thought it'd tie us together. Apparently I was wrong." Tadashi was too tired for this but still he had to set Hiro straight. "Aunt Cass, can you give us a moment?" After she left Tadashi looked at Hiro who wore a defiant look, "Sit down, Hiro."

"But I-"

"Sit down." Tadashi commanded, "Now listen to me. I am grateful for your work. Really. You've just gotta cut me some slack. I've been awake for only a few days and everything is overwhelming. So please don't take it personally." Tadashi didn't want any of Hiro's back talk so he took a deep breath and continued, "It isn't your fault, Hiro. I guess I'm on edge from no sleep." Hiro asked quietly, frankly afraid to set him off again, "Why didn't you sleep?"

"Nightmare. It isn't something for you to worry about, Hiro."

"But I will think about it. This is the worst thing to happen to you."

"No, Hiro. Losing Mom and Dad was the biggest tragedy. Even worse than this. You don't remember much, you were only three, but that was the worst thing to happen to me." Tadashi said quietly and could feel his chest get tight again, "I woke up at two o'clock this morning. Couldn't get back to sleep at all. I'm sorry I snapped at you, I'm just really tired."

A brief silence passed over then and Tadashi said finally, "You can bring Aunt Cass in now." Hiro nodded and went to the door but paused, "You don't have to apologize. It's a big deal to have you back in my life, Dashi. I'll have to adjust too." Then Hiro went to get Aunt Cass. Aunt Cass and Hiro came back inside and chatted along with Tadashi. Aunt Cass went on promising that once Tadashi came home, he could have anything his heart desired to eat or drink. "I am so excited for you to come home to us." Tadashi chuckled, "I am looking forward to your marvelous cooking. I've been missing home a lot." That earned a kiss on the forehead from his aunt. Aunt Cass began to notice that Tadashi was wearing out and started packing up to leave. "Hiro, wait." Tadashi stopped Hiro from walking out, "You were right. This thing does tie us together. I am proud of you." He motioned to the prosthetic. That commendation was all Hiro needed to smile, "Thanks, Dashi. That means the world to me." Then he left.

"You couldn't sleep either?" Carter asked. "No, did you?"

"Hate to say this but I am getting used to the noise of a hospital. It's nice your family comes to visit so much."

Tadashi leaned back, "Yeah. Hiro's my responsibility and I promised that I wouldn't leave him alone. Look at what happened to that promise." Bitterness was a terrible taste in Tadashi's mouth and right at that moment he felt resentment and malice towards himself for everything. "Don't beat yourself up, Tadashi. It's more hurtful to never forgive yourself, who knows what troubles it could further cause." Tadashi knew Carter was right, "I guess so."

"You said your parents died?" Carter inquired. "Mhm, about ten years ago they were in a car accident. Ever since we've been my Aunt Cass' wards. I legally am on my own but Hiro is still under Aunt Cass' guardianship. Hiro was three when they left us and I was about ten, but I think Hiro's turned out okay. Mostly." Tadashi added that lighthearted piece at the end. Carter laughed, "Exactly what an older brother would say." The sound of laughter made Tadashi chuckle to himself, helping to loosen the knot in his chest. "I think you and your brother are really close, closer than you let on. Much like Joan and I."
"Before the fire accident we were very close. Besides the time I was at school, we were always together. I was always able to bring him out of his social shell. He's extremely bright but occasionally stupid."
"You realize that you're digging your own hole deeper, right? Because you're very smart but you run into a burning building to save someone. Prime smart but stupid example right there."

"Oh be quiet, Carter. You've had those moments I am sure." Tadashi teased. "I guess so but those moments are so far and few in between. I am too smart to be stupid." Tadashi just snickered at Carter's statement. The two young men laughed together and before long Tadashi's knot of distress was almost completely unraveled.