teddy bear
Megabot sits gathering dust on the edge of his desk, untouched since the day it broke apart in his hands and forced him to activate Baymax. Hiro feels a pang of guilt, because that had been… It honestly feels like a lifetime ago. If it wasn’t for Megabot, Hiro wouldn’t have invented the Microbots and Tadashi would still be alive.
If it wasn’t for Megabot, Hiro would have never befriended Baymax or discovered what Callaghan was doing.
Most kids had teddy bears, but as soon as he was able to build him, Megabot became his version of a plush toy. How many nights had he fallen asleep with Megabot clutched to his chest? Held him close when he was frightened on reflex, knowing his bot could keep him safe. All those years with not a single friend to his name save for his brother, Megabot stayed by his side, always getting upgraded and being improved. Reminding Hiro that he had found his passion in life and had the skills to go far with it - something most people can never do.
Baymax is almost done being rebuilt, and in the meantime Hiro is left alone in his room save for the occasional visit from Mochi. There isn’t any more work he can do on Baymax at home, and even a superhero has a curfew…
But he does have an old friend who could use some upgrades.
"Hey there, little bud. Long time no see, huh?"
Hiro is careful to clean Megabot so it’s free of any dust, and the obsidian surface is gleaming as it should. It’s a familiar, comforting weight in his hand, flopping with a rotation of his wrist like a rag doll with weighted limbs. He smiles, remembering how much he’s always liked carrying Megabot around with him.
"You’re not gonna fall apart on me again, are you?"
It’s surprising that it hasn’t fallen apart yet, actually. Hiro had assumed that the time all those months ago was caused by a part malfunction or damage from a bot fight that he didn’t notice before.
However… The more Hiro thinks about it, the less surprised he is. After all, Megabot has always been there for him. Maybe it’s true that when you put your heart and soul into something it gains a bit of soul all its own.
"We’ll have to get you all fixed up to meet Baymax when he’s done," he declares, voice surprisingly soft. "After all, you reunited us the first time. It’s only fair you get to meet the big marshmallow yourself. Maybe teach him how a real bot fights."
Hiro spends the next few hours before bed slowly patching up his old friend, not in any rush to get it done. Megabot deserves as much time and care as he’s putting into rebuilding Baymax. He doesn’t want to make any mistakes.
He considers making a new design for a neurocranial transmitter coded solely to Megabot when he finds himself dozing off. Deciding that getting a good rest is a better choice than staying up late and risking possible errors, Hiro crawls under the covers; haphazardly tucks himself in. Mochi is already at his pillow, purring up a storm by the time he’s snuggled acceptably into his blankets and pressing his head against his cat’s fat, furry belly.
Megabot is held close to his chest - just like old times - as he falls asleep.
"…Thanks, little guy."