He was never one for crowds. Even when he had presented at the showcase, Hiro had only a small lapse of confidence, which dwindled over time. There wasn't a crowd in front of him, but the various sets of eyes staring at him made him internally cringe. He couldn't read everyone's expressions, finding them difficult to decipher. Wanda was closest to him, but she only smiled with an encouraging tug of her lips. She, too, knew how it felt to face judgment through stares. Hiro laughed nervously, lowering his hand from the air as his eyes trailed over each face. Steve Rogers, the massive man that he was, stared at what Hiro assumed was right through him. Blue eyes seemed to hold concern and slight irritation. Great, he probably thinks this is a joke, Hiro thought. Sam's eyes were squinted, as if trying to see if Hiro had anything promising about him. Scott reached out a hand, resting it on Hiro's shoulder and guided him forward.

Hiro's legs felt numb as he stumbled, somehow feeling as if he was shrinking beneath Steve's shadow. It wasn't that the man was intimidating in the worst sense, but he was an icon to most and a hero to many. Despite working alongside Hank and Scott with training, he had never been in the presence of someone like Steve Rogers, the one man who held the power to turn him away or send him home. There were so many things he wanted to say, so many questions he had; thoughts of Bucky swirled up into his mind and he almost blurted out the entire story. Each question, statement and solitary word clogged in his throat and he felt a lump forming. He was nervous, and it was beginning to show with the way he simply stared. Scott's hand nudged him forward one last time and Hiro suddenly found that Steve was tall.

He took a deep breath and tried to settle his nerves. Breathe, Tadashi would say. One, two, and a third breath for good measure before he straightened up and mustered up all the confidence he had left in him, standing in the man's shadow.
"H-Hi, Captain America- Steve. Sir."
Nailed it.
"I mean, not that you're old or anything," Hiro said, "I mean, maybe kind of, but, you know- you look great for someone your age-."
"How old are you?"

The question was quick and cut right through his nervous stammers. Hiro was slightly grateful for the interjection, knowing he would have continued to endure the train wreck falling from his mouth, but the way he asked sounded judgmental. Hiro glanced back at Scott and lifted a brow in a silent question. The man waved his hand, motioning for him to continue talking to Steve. Brown eyes slowly dragged back towards the blonde and he frowned, shoulders slumping.
"Seventeen."
"He's seventeen."
"So? Wanda isn't exactly an adult either," Clint commented, arms crossing. Hiro was mildly surprised to hear the man defending him, but his intelligent mind reminded him that he was just another body for their team. "We could use his help, Cap."
"He's a child."
"Isn't everyone a child compared to you?"

All eyes flicked towards Hiro, a few shocked, a few amused, but most of them surprised to hear the sarcasm from the boy when he was all nerves moments ago. Even Hiro caught himself, blinking as he tried to find a way to excuse himself. Perhaps it was because he was so used to being around people like Scott, his Aunt and Tadashi- they were people who knew him and understood his bland humor. Calling Steve old was not something he thought the man would appreciate and he had only thought of that once the words fell from his lips. Steve, who had spent years encased in ice and forced to age in a time he should have never made it to, being called old. Hiro was sure the joke was already made numerous times, but he didn't want to offend the other- that was the last thing he wanted. He offered a nervous smile, shrugging his shoulders sheepishly.
"Sorry," he said softly, looking off to the side. Steve sighed and looked behind himself, staring at someone further back, hidden behind the odd vehicle selection of a get-away car.
"You never told me he was so young."

There was a gravity to the soldier's voice that made Hiro frown. Similar to exhaustion, his voice held a weight to it, pushing down on the current situation. Genius or not, Hiro was still human and his initial reaction to a heavy voice was to back down from the offensive game, even if there was no offense to begin with. He lifted a hand, scratching his hair and sighing, shoulders heaving as Steve turned his back to him. The last thing he wanted to do was inconvenience a team of heroes well beyond his reach; they were a real team, made up of the strongest heroes that defended the planet. Saving San Fransokyo from Yokai was one thing, but saving the world was another and he knew that they knew he'd never done so before. All of a sudden, Hiro felt small and shifted a step back, retreating towards the comfort of the vehicle they had arrived in. He was out of his league here and he knew it.
"Uh, listen, I can get back in the van-."
"Hiro."

The voice was deep, not deeper than Steve's, and a little softer spoken; the voice was of a man who had seen better days and had a long way to go to find a decent one. Foot paused halfway back, heel hovering awkwardly above the ground, he leaned to the right. Peering around Steve Rogers (a challenge in and of itself, as the man was massive in muscle), he finally spotted him. He looked almost the same as he'd remembered him, though more worn down and isolated. The smile that greeted him was wide and beaming, a look of utter relief flashing across Hiro's face.
"Bucky!"
Awkwardness set aside, Hiro quickly moved forward with brisk steps, both excited and relieved to see a familiar face- one he knew on a more personal level. He slowed as he got closer, ignoring the lingering form of Steve somewhere behind him. He laughed a little, hand lifting to run through his hair, the other motioning towards Bucky.
"Man, I can't believe you're here!"

"He's the reason you're here," Steve said, voice lighter than it had been, "Buck said you helped him out back when he was running."
"That's an understatement," Hiro said, turning to look at the taller man, "This guy? Lemme tell you, when we met, he practically blew us both up."
"You were the one who entered the fight, kid."
Hiro laughed and looked away from the unreadable expression on Steve's face. The man wore his emotions so clearly, yet could hide them in an instant. Hiro had yet to fully understand the group around him, but he knew of them, and that was a start. Everyone else seemed to fade to background noise as the faint sound of someone calling Steve's name was heard; Hiro chose not to listen to anyone else, focusing his full attention on Bucky.

"So, how's your memory doing," he asked, tucking his hands into his pockets. It was almost like catching up with an old friend, someone he hadn't seen in years, though he never knew that feeling before. Bucky shrugged his metal shoulder, eyes averting before landing back onto him.
"Everything's a mess, but I'm starting to piece it together," he replied honestly, "Not sure how long it'll last."
Hiro frowned, brows knitting in concern. Bucky wasn't exactly his closest friend, but he was no stranger. Even though they lacked the extent of history that he and Steve had, Bucky was Hiro's friend and his heroic heart refused to lose faith in him. He shrugged his shoulders, tilting his head and looking over Bucky's shoulder, staring into the vast emptiness of the carport.
"Just keep at it, Bucky. I'm sure you'll figure it out. That's why we're here, right? To help you live a real, good life. It's what you deserve."
"Maybe."
Maybe. Hiro sighed in defeat, shaking his head as he let the word introduce silence. Two years ago, Hiro had been talkative and willing to learn more about Bucky. Now, however, he knew more truth that weighed in on his brother, his brother's professor, and the project beyond that. Knowing that an organization like HYDRA was after Bucky still, despite his resistance, made his body tense. Bucky hadn't chosen his fate- he never volunteered to become what he had. The truth still stood, however, that he killed many people. It wasn't his fault, but how could they convince the world of that? People were foolishly stubborn, and Hiro knew that firsthand.

"It's true," Hiro said firmly, yet quietly. He was attempting to reassure the fallen solider that life would give him the desired peace he craved. He found himself wishing Baymax were there- he was always better at easing people's worries. A cold hand settled on his shoulder and brown eyes panned upwards. Bucky was looking down at him, metal fingers curling into his shoulder in a gentle squeeze.
"It's good to see you again, kid. Where's the robot- Bay... something?"
"Baymax? Oh, he's- I left him at home with my Aunt. I figured she'd need the protection in case something- you know- happened. He can take care of her."

Guilt flooded him as he thought of Cass sitting at the table, talking to Baymax and wondering where her nephew was. Hiro hadn't called her, as it was too dangerous, and he hadn't gone back to visit her since he'd left. Now, he wasn't sure if he'd ever see her again. Getting involved with this feud between Avengers- it was almost too much. Still, if Bucky had asked for him to be there- even suggested it- he decided he would be.
"I'm sorry you're being dragged into this."
Hiro glanced up and, before he could help it, outright laughed.
"Dude, don't worry about it. I'm here to help you, yeah? Someone has to help."
"Yeah. That's what you said before."
The silence carried between them once more, both pairs of eyes focusing on the expanse of the airport's runway.

Hiro tried to imagine what it would be like to have to fight his friends, group breaking apart and tempers flying. There was a great amount of trust put into each person on his team and he, someone who had little to no friends so far, valued them strongly. True, he inherited them from his brother, but they had grown close over the years. To imagine a fallout between them? It was almost too much to take. For someone like Bucky, the fight must have been a little less emotional, as he only knew Steve in a close manner. Hiro dragged his eyes away from the airport's vacant roadway, seeking a distraction from the morbid thoughts. Sight landed on Scott, watching as the man talked nervously between Sam and Wanda. He supposed Scott had it easy, too, aside from having to be away from his daughter. He wasn't personal friends with anyone here, not even Sam (who he seemed to know) and lacked any real connection to the fight. They were just numbers added to the fight- security to back up the real manpower. Still, Hiro found that Bucky was a solid reason to fight; to keep his friend safe and help save the world? That was a beneficial fight anyone could get behind. The sound of an announcement over the speakers caught his attention and he broke away from his thoughts, turning to look up at the carport roof.

"They're evacuating the airport," Bucky informed.
"Stark?"
"Probably."
"Wait, Stark?"
Hiro winced. Scott had agreed, before they left, to keep the suit away from the Starks- no matter who they were. Everyone knew of Tony Stark- Hiro admired the man for his genius efforts and his giving nature towards growing students. True, he was no longer in school, but that wasn't really a factor in his liking. Regardless of how he felt, he had to remember that Tony was on the opposite side and, therefore, was the enemy.
"All right, listen up," Steve said, motioning for the team to step closer. Hiro inched in between Scott and Sam, nudging with his shoulder to get a better spot. "They're not gonna pull their punches and neither should we. Sam, Bucky. You guys take the left upper level. Wanda, Clint- you guys take the right. Scott, you know where you'll be. Now, if you've got one, it's time to-."
"Hey, what about me?"

Steve paused, looking back to Hiro. "You'll be back here."
"What?"
"I believe Scott and Bucky, but I'm not going to drag a child into a fight. What would your parents say if they knew you were here?"
"Gee, I'd ask them, but they've been dead for fourteen years," Hiro replied dryly. The atmosphere changed in an instant, though it was more of an awkward settlement. Sam whispered something to Scott, the man trying not to laugh. Hiro's brows knit together as he stood straight, staring up at Steve with a stubborn, unwavering expression.
"I'm sorry, Hiro. I only meant that your family is-."
"Gone. My parents are dead, I can't see my Aunt because someone might be watching, and my brother died trying to save a man who was working for HYDRA under the table. So, all due respect, but your arguments aren't going to make me change my mind. I didn't come all this way to get tossed into the background. I'm here to help. Let me help."
"Steve," Hiro heard Bucky say, "He can do this."
"He's a kid."
"So were we. I've seen him fight. He can handle this."

Stunning blue eyes met brown, Hiro's expression hardening. Fingers curled tightly into fists, jaw tightening. He didn't leave the safety of Old San Francisco and come halfway across the world to just sit in a parked car while fighting happened around him. He was grateful for Bucky's defense, but he could defend himself, even if it meant arguing with Steve Rogers. Their gazes leveled and, as much as he felt intimidated, he refused to back down. There was a long, uncomfortable silence, before Steve let out a long sigh. Reaching out a hand, he gently pressed it to Hiro's shoulder.
"If you come with us, Hiro... your life will never be the same."
"I know," Hiro replied, nodding his head, "To be honest, it's already so different. What's a few more changes?" Offering Steve a small smile, he nodded once more to be reassuring. Although the Captain seemed less than enthusiastic, he yielded.

"All right. If everyone's got the plan, then grab your gear. It's time to suit up."