No rest for the wicked
Hiro and Baymax had finally managed to leave the Lucky cafe at 8:00, that morning.
Not without Aunt Cass's usual fussing, if Hiro was warm enough, had enough to eat or drink and of course the customary last hug. But They managed to escape her and out of the door with a hour to spare until classes started.
With the bright, cool, crisp morning air and the colours of orange, yellow and red everywhere, it was clear that Winter was well on its way. With Baymax still fascinated with the leaves, Hiro had decided upon himself to take a different route to SFIT that morning and through the park. Plus it was the long way round and it ment more time alone with Baymax.
As Hiro knew as soon as he got through those doors, well until he at least got home, he wouldn't have time for himself, let alone Baymax.
"Hiro are you cold?"
"Huh?"
"I said are you cold? I could give you my coat?"
"Nah I'm fine buddy."
Aunt Cass, bless her, not knowing much about robotics and thinking he would be cold out there insisted of wrapping Baymax in one of Tadashi's old coats.
That particular day, he must had been going out to meet Honey Lemon somewhere, as whenever he did he always splashed on too much after shave, which always reeked. With this particular coat that Baymax was wearing smelled of him. With that Hiro leaned closer and closed his eyes, remembering his big brother Tadashi and smiling with contentment. Baymax put his arm over Hiro and he snuggled up closer to the bot, as they strolled through the park.
"Mummy what's that boy doing?"
"I don't know Tilly? But don't look at them."
Hiro quickly whipped around in time, to see a ginger haired girl, with pigtails, wearing a blue school uniform and holding her mothers hand, passing by them and scowling at them.
"Mmmeh", Hiro poking his tounge out at the young girl.
"Hiro, that wasn't very mature of you." Baymax piped up.
"So, she should had been minding her own business." "I can see the university in the distance, come on lets go, I'll race you, last one there is a rotten egg."
" I fail to see how you or I can become rotten or of the poultry variety?"
"Expressions Baymax, expressions." Hiro smiled.
"I am not fast."
"Yeah no kidding, come on."
They finally arrived at the university with 30 mins to spare.
Walking in through the doors of the Tadashi Hamada building, it looked very empty, considering classes were about to start soon.
"Good morning Hiro, hi Baymax, it's nice to see you back." A couple of girls chimed, as they passed them by in the hallway.
Baymax, he within himself had become a bit of a celebrity around the campus. Everyone knew about about him and that Hiro's brother Tadashi had invented him, so it was common site to see him walking around the halls, usually traipsing after Hiro in a hurry with his lunch or book he may had forgotten.
But often or not, people always tried to stop him, so they could talk to him. Some asked him quick, personal medical concerns they may have had, some just wanted to hug the adorable marshmallow and snap a quick photo with him and some people simply hi fived him while passing by.
He was a big hit with the school and everyone just loved him. But what they didn't know is that Baymax is in fact a super hero and had been lost in a portal for a little while.
They had now finally had reached the robotics part of the college, where they spend most of there days and where Hiro's laboratory is, after being given his older brothers one.
But What he didn't know his friends had arrived sometime earlier in the day and had been discussing about the other night, at Hiro's party.
" I hope Hiro is okay?" Honey lemon said concerned.
"I'm sure little man is fine." Wasabi reassured.
"Hey Go Go, hi Fred." Who both gave Honey lemon and Wasabi a worried look
"What's up Go Go?" Honey lemon soothed.
"You remember the other night at the party when Fred fell over and accidentally popped Baymax with that cake knife?"
"Yeah, what about that?" Wasabi said now raising a eyebrow.
"Well didn't you see how irrational and over the top Hiro was? I mean, He totally overreacted."
"Go Go, Baymax means a lot to Hiro and besides he had only just got him back that day. So no, I wasn't really wasn't that surprised he reacted the way he did."
"Yeah little man worked hard on Baymax, so yeah cut him a break."
"But thats not even the half of it."
"What do you mean Go Go? " Honey lemon and Wasabi said together.
"Urm, well Fred and I were really kind of worried about Him, so we may of followed him up to his room, but then the door was shut, so we both crouched down and was kind of watching him through the keyhole."
"So you were basically spying on him?"
"Oh Go Go, how could you." Honey lemon said now furying her brows.
"yeah, that's so not cool, haven't you heard of a little thing called privacy?" Wasabi agreeing.
"Guys! I get it, it was wrong, but still, you didn't see what we saw?"
"Okay, go on Go Go, what did you see?"
"They we're making out." Fred unhelpfully interrupted.
"Phahaha, what? No way, for real?, no go on be serious, that's the funniest thing I've ever heard all day."
"Wasabi! Fred is being serious, I saw them too with my own eyes."
"Okay, guys if you are serious then, so what? If little man and Baymax were making out, I mean he's a growing boy with obvious needs and if Baymax fulfils those, then who are we to judge?"
"That's right Wasabi, I happen to think it's sweet and I'm just so happy for them both."
"But guys, don't you think it's a little weird? I mean Baymax isn't a real person, hes not even alive, he's a machine. He doesn't have feelings, blood, bones, organs, I mean he doesn't even have a brain or even a heart. It's all just code and wires, plus they will never be able to get married or ever have Children, when Hiro is older."
"Excuse me, why not?" "I mean, I know Baymax doesn't have reproductive organs, so they couldn't have children naturally, but they could easily find a surrogate or maybe even adopt one day." Wasabi said helpfully.
"Wasabi's right and who is to say they won't be able to get married one day?"
"I mean the law may change one day and humans and non living beings maybe be able to officially get married. With technology changing so fast and with the more robots and synths getting produced out there, some out there look very human And Who is to say Hiro is the only person who has fallen for a non living being? I'm sure there are many more people out there." Honey lemon helpfully added.
"Yeah I know, I just feel personally it's a bit of a waste, I mean Hiro falling for something that isn't real, that can't really reciprocate or begin to truly understand the concept or process feelings and emotions like we do."
"So I feel like in some way his love is like being wasted on a artificial being."
"And what about that one day? You know the day? I mean Hiro isn't getting any younger and Baymax will never get sick and will never age, what will happen to him when Hiro is 30? 50? 80? and eventually passes over. Baymax will be still be active, then what?"
"Go Go, we don't know what will happen, no one does, but still that is not your descion to make, that is Hiro's descion and Hiro's alone to make in the future, when he's older."
"Honey Lemon's right there." Wasabi agreeed.
"Yeah babe, Im afraid I have to agree there, sorry, I mean it will be one heck of a sad day, but it's between them, remember what I said to you, love is love. It doesn't matter if it's between two humans or a human and a artificial being. If Hiro loves Baymax, then Hiro loves Baymax, just like I love you." Fred purred.
"Wait what? Um, hold the phone, what's this Freddy boy?" Wasabi smirked
"Oh my, are you two?" Honey lemon gasped and Go Go winked at her.
"Omg! Squee! Your both so adorable, Go Go come here." Honey Lemon shrieked, grabbing Go Go and squeezing her in one of her death grip hugs.
"I never thought you had in you, but congrats to you both." Wasabi said, playfully punching Fred.
"Yes congratulations."
"Thanks Baymax."
"Baymax?"
"Hey guys." Hiro popped out behind Baymax.
"Hiro, Baymax, nice to see you back little dude."
"Thanks Fred and aww congrats, Man." Hiro playfully smirked.
unbeknown to the now excitable teenagers, Principle Kelly, upon hearing of Hiro's return back to the university, had decided to make a rare appearance.
She had causually strolled into the robotics lab and now had spotted the loud, excitable teens.
She not wanting to spoil there celebration had stood there silently watching them. But upon realising she had important matters to discuss with the young Hamada, had cleared her throat.
"Ah hem."
Upon hearing the loud, firm tone. The teens quickly disabanded and Hiro quickly whipped round to come face to face with the principle of the university.
"Principle Kelly, how nice it is to see you." Hiro now meeting his principles gaze.
"Mr Hamada, news had been spreading fast of your return, I trust you have everything in order on your first day back?"
Hiro nodded
"Good, I would like to see you in my office for a moment and Bring that thing with you too."
"He's not a thing! He has a name." Hiro thought angrily to himself. As he started to follow the principle.
Upon hearing her harsh tone, it seemed that everyone had quickly stopped what they were doing and now had turned around and we're staring at Hiro and Baymax as they followed the principle back to her office.
Upon reaching her office, they quickly followed her inside and closed the door.
"Please take a seat Mr Hamada."
Hiro having the sudden feeling like he was back in school again and was being sent to the principles office. Gingerly took a seat in front of the Principles desk and Baymax stood protectively behind him.
"Okay I called you in here today, as I know you have recently taken some extra time off to rebuild that thing."
Hiro winced once again, upon hearing Baymax being referred to as a thing again.
"But I take all is functioning with it now?"
Hiro nodded and the Principles face softened.
"Good, I called you in here today, as you see our medic, mrs Goodwin, has unexpected fallen unwell and has had to be sent home, unfortunately now we haven't got anyone to cover her."
"So I was wondering, as your Brother made this robot to care for sick and injured, if you would like to show us what his robot can do and cover for mrs Goodwin? Just at least until she hopefully returns, which is next week I hope?"
"Hmmm,"
Hiro who had been angrily listening to her, since she referred to Baymax as a thing, was thinking of a response.
"I mean, it will only be while your in college and then you will be free to take him home after classes have finished for the day."
"Plus I feel doing this will honour Tadashi's memory and give Baymax the medical experience and the somewhat vision of what Tadashi had in mind for him."
Hiro sat up at the mention of his brother.
"You see, your brother and I were very close, there had been many of times when he had just come into this office and we had plenty of deep conversations about his future and about his different robotics projects together."
"Funny he had never mentioned you." Hiro thought to himself.
"He was a great asset to this institution, why else would I name this building after him. You doing this, would be doing him a great service."
Hiro squirmed a little in his seat upon hearing his brothers name being mentioned again and Baymax, feeling the emotional distress in his patient, put a protective hand on Hiro's shoulder.
"I am also to understand your a little behind in your course work, if you agree to this, you can take as much time as you need to, to complete your coursework."
"Hmm, I'm okay with this." Even though he was clearly lying inside.
"I mean I think Baymax will be okay doing this too, but would you be able to give me a minute to let me ask him first okay?"
Principle Kelly who was obviously taken a little bit back of that response, giving artificial beings a choice was never heard of.
She raised a eyebrow and gave a little snort and walked out of the room and gently closed the door behind her, while she waited outside.
Hiro who had been fighting to keep his emotions in check the whole time, turned around in his chair to face Baymax.
"Baymax." Hiro sniffed and Baymax's arms were circling around him and bringing him closer to the bot.
Hiro looked up into those big black eyes and expressionless face.
"What do you say buddy? Is this something you would like to do?"
"Hmm, If it's okay with you, but I would like to talk to the Principle first, as I have some concerns."
"Sure buddy."
With that Hiro cleared his throat, "principle Kelly, we have both made a descion."
principle Kelly confidently came strolling in and once more took her seat composing herself.
"Yes what is your answer?"
"Firstly Baymax has some concerns himself and would like to talk to you personally Principle to bot."
Principle Kelly raised another eyebrow at this unconventional idea, but she decided it would be in the best interest to hear what the robot had to say.
"Proceed."
"If I may say Principle Kelly, I have some concerns, indeed I was created to help the sick and injured, but I was also created to help and assist with Mr Hamada's personal care and with anything he may need and I feel if I'm not with him, then I'm not fulfilling all of my needs." Baymax calmly stated.
Principle Kelly who had seemed taken back by all of this, calmly managed to respond.
"Mr Robot? I mean Baymax, Although I do sympathise with you and your situation, I'm sure Mr Hamada will be fine without you for a few hours. He will be perfectly safe in class, plus he's a big boy now and fully able to take care of himself and if he should need your assistance he's only up the hall from the infirmary, where you will be and at the end of the day he will be back in your care for you to take him home."
"Plus doing this, you will gaining a real wealth of experience and you will be able to put your medical knowledge to the test for real with lots of patients instead of just the one."
Baymax nodded and Principle Kelly smiled.
Now turning around to face Hiro.
"Hiro, would be satisfied, if I was to remain with you? Or would you be okay if I was to temporarily treat other patients in your absence?"
"Baymax, I will be fine, as the principle said, Im a big boy now and will be in class most of the time, plus I have my friends to help with anything I may need and I will pop in during lunch to see how your doing if your not busy and be back at the end of the day to pick you up, so you can then walk me home and if anything does happen to me, I know where you will be if I need you to treat me."
Hiro turned around in his chair to face the Principle.
"Principle Kelly we will be happy to do this, when can he start."
Hiro said, reaching his arm across to handshake with the principle.
"Right away and thank you mr Hamada for doing this, I can imagine your brother being very proud of you, especially as you doing this, will definitely honour his memory."
"Here's your keys and it's room 8."
Hiro took the keys, quickly leaving the office and they began to make there way to room 8, on the way there Hiro kept his head down and held his hands in a fists.
"Your not happy about this are you?"
"What do you mean Baymax?" Hiro said coming to a halt, turning around to face the gentle giant.
"I mean, I felt your neurotransmitters steadily drop during the interview and drop a little more when she mentioned Tadashi."
Hiro who had been furious at Principle Kelly, balled up his fists even more and bashed them against against a locker.
"I..I mean how dare she! She Guilt tripped me to doing what she wanted by blackmailing me and using Tadashi's memory and his honour."
His hands dropped back to his sides and his head drooped lower.
Baymax sensing his patients distress, pulled Hiro into a tight hug.
Hiro leaning into Baymax's hug cried.
"She knows absolutely nothing about Tadashi and she even had the cheek, to act like they were best friends, if I remember, he did mention her once to me and he told me he hated her, he even used to call her the dragon of SFIT."
"Also I'm not happy about us being apart, as you have always been by my side, well apart from that one time you you know?"
Baymax nodded and Hiro tightened his grip around him.
"I guess what I'm saying, I'm afraid of loosing you again, I mean what if someone comes in and needs you more than I do?"
"Will you go and live with them instead? I mean I'm being now silly arnt i? Just I lost Tadashi, then you for a short while and now I'm frightened of loosing you again."
"Hiro, you know I would never leave your side, I ment what I said I will always be with you and I'm yours, I'm not going anywhere, even if someone did need me more, I won't leave you. I love you, you are stuck with me forever."
"I love you too, I guess I am stuck with you forever, arn't. I'm not going to let a little break get between us, I think in fact it maybe even good for us, yeah."
"yeah," Baymax nodded.
Hiro smiled, letting go,
"fist bump. Balalala."
They carried on walking down the hall until they found room 8 and Hiro unlocked the door and turned on the lights. It was a small converted box room, from what Hiro could see, with no windows, cupboards on one side and a examination bed on the other for examining patients and a desk and computer at the end of the room, with all of the staff and students information on its files.
There were plasters, bandages and other small medical equipment that were scattered on top of the work surface.
Hiro sat at the computer, getting it ready for whatever staff or student, that will come through that door.
Baymax was doing a stock check and organising the equipment he maybe using.
Hiro was curious, so typed in Hamada in the student search, Hiro Hamada it read in black and then he noticed Tadashi Hamada in grey underneath his name.
He clicked on his first, Hiro Hamada it read and a nervous looking photo of him on smiling back at him popped up. Age 14, Height 5ft 2, weight 7st.
Observations, Although Mr Hamada seems to be in perfect health, but slightly short and underweight for someone his age. Physiologically, although he seems to be happy with his friends and seems to be excelling at his studies, he still seems to be grieving a little for the loss of his brother and seems prone to stress, sleep deprivation and mental Health, i.e. depression and maybe self harming. I noticed some bruises when performing a body check.
Additional notes, keep under observation.
Then he clicked on Tadashi's, Tadashi Hamada it read and a big photo of Tadashi appeared, him grinning like a idiot of course, but a younger looking Tadashi, none the less.
Age 16, Height 5ft 8, weight 10st 5. Observations, Mr Hamada seems a very happy, cheeky, confident young man. He's in perfect health, although seems a little sleep deprived, stressed and overwhelmed. Additional notes, He mentioned he lives with his Aunt and younger brother and his parents passed away when he was young and his younger brother can be difficult to handle at times.
I've offered to listen to anything he may wish to confide with me.
Hiro smiled until he read the words deceased at the bottom and he felt small tear escape him and he felt balloon arms wrap around him.
Turning around in his chair and held Baymax close to him.
"Thanks buddy, I love you." Hiro sniffed.
"I love you too." Baymax smiled.
"Knock, knock anyone in there?"
"Nurse Goodwin? i cut my thumb and the teacher has sent me to your office to check it out, I think I may need a plaster."
"Just a minute." Hiro called.
"Looks like your up buddy, good luck."
Hiro said letting go of Baymax and unlocking the door and was greeted by a tall man, clutching his thumb in a bloodied tissue.
"Hi Hiro."
"Hello Jeremy."
"Is nurse Goodwin free to see me now?"
"Actually nurse Goodwin is off sick. But I've lent Baymax to be her replacement for the time being."
"Baymax? Oh sweet, I've never been treated by a robot before."
"Okay, Bye Baymax see you later."
"Bye Hiro" Baymax said now closing the door.
"Hello Jeremy, How may I help you today."
Hiro walked back up to the robotics lab, and tried not to to turn around, feeling a little uneasy now. All he wanted to run back and drag Baymax home right now and snuggle under a duvet together.
But logical sense kicked in.
"no I can't be selfish, the principle is right, people need him and I know I'm not Tadashi."
"Tadashi, was perfect and selfless, maybe Ive been enough hoarding Baymax for too long, maybe I should learn to stand on my own two feet, this is where he belongs? Maybe, just Maybe?"
It hurt so much inside, to think that, but he knew was doing the right thing, he pulled himself together and walked up to the robotics lab.