All Too Familiar

Tadashi's Promise

(Author's note: Hey guys! I recently watched Big Hero 6 not too long ago, and the movie has morphed into something that caught my interest to a full on obsession. I absolutely love the brotherly relationship between Tadashi and Hiro, and who could ever not love Baymax? This is my first attempt at fanfiction, so feel free to leave some constructive criticism. Enjoy!)

.......................................................................................................................................................................

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero" -Marc Brown

  "Hey Hiro, look at that! Aren't those your favourite comic superheroes?"

  Ten year-old Tadashi Hamada pointed at the foggy, mist covered window of the small, cramped car he was seated in. His long finger landed on a life-sizer poster on one of the tall glass buildings, where a superhero in a extravagant costume was shown frozen in a heroic pose, amidst loud japanese lettering. Little three and a half- year old Hiro Hamada gave a quick glance towards the direction in which Tadashi pointed, staring out at the brightly coloured lights of San Fransokyo. For a moment, his wide, chocolate brown eyes shone with glee as he smiled widely, showing the adorable gap between his two front teeth. Then, as if remembering he wasn't supposed to show any form of delight, he slumped back down against the worn leather of the car seat, burying his tiny face in the belt strap and turning away from his older brother, curling in a fetus position.

  "Yeah." He mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper above the roaring city life. He closed his eyes, clutching the faded blue stuffed teddy he'd had for as long as he could remember (which hadn't been that long) to his chest. Tadashi sighed in defeat and pressed his nose to the cold glass pane, staring out listlessly at the neon, brightly coloured lights that adorned the streets and listening to the lively chatter of the people. The two brothers were on their way to the Lucky Cat Cafe, where their Aunt Cass resided. Their parents had been killed in an airplane crash while aboard a business trip a week ago, leaving the boys all alone with no one else to look after them. Their will had stated that they should be taken in by their mother's sister, Cassidy (or Cass for short), should anything happen to them.

  So here they were, on an awfully long road trip from the San Fransokyo airport, where they had flew in from Arizona, their previous hometown. Despite Aunt Cass's warm attempts and cheerful banter to make the boys feel at home, Hiro felt shy, scared, and very uncomfortable towards their new guardian. The brothers had only met her a few times at yearly family gatherings, where she would come to visit, and weren't exactly user to her overly hyper active personality. When she came to pick them up at the airport, she had brought freshly baked chocolate chip cookies as a nice gesture to welcome them, but Hiro had clutched Tadashi's blazer tightly as he hid behind his older brother, while Tadashi, who was always the poilte and mild-mannered one, greeted aunt cass warmly and accepted a big hug (and the cookies).      

Throughout the whole journey, little Hiro had been tired and cranky, and apart from eating the meals provided on board or sleeping, he never did anything else except sulk or cry silently, clearly unable to handle the loss of his parents (and who could blame him, when he was only 3?) Although he made an effort to avoid as much social connection and conversation as possible, he would always turn to Tadashi, who he sought comfort in, and who knew what to do to cheer him up (but not for long, at this point in time.) No one could tell, but Tadashi too, was devastated over the loss of his parents, except that he hid it away from everyone else, especially Hiro. He'd made a solemn promise to stay strong for Hiro's sake, and would always will himself not to cry when he noticed Hiro sobbing once again. The brothers had always been impeccably close growing up, and had even created their own set of 'Hamada Brothers' Rules' (usually consisting of childish whims involving flying rocket cats). Thus, Tadashi had took it upon himself to guide Hiro onto the right path and look out for his little brother.