Cass watched her nephew run out the door of the café, "Oh, Hiro," was all she could muster. Hiro had been going through some trouble these past months. It had first begun to appear after her sister and brother-in-law had died, but as long as Tadashi was around Hiro could stay solid. After the fateful night three months ago, she had watched as Hiro slowly retracted into himself, holding back secrets that used to be ready information. She leaned back against the chair and put a hand over her eyes, exhausted. Not just from the past busy days of the café but also from the very draining task of caring for Tadashi. Her days were filled with constant running to appointments, keeping Tadashi's spirits up, and unending doctor bills. It was beginning to tax on her sleep.

What would her sister do? How would she have comforted the two boys and brought them back together again? She missed her sister terribly. Cass wished that her sister could have given her some advice but that wish was unfounded. Cass was on her own and so were the boys. Their argument was not what she needed right now. "Why now, you two? Just when I need you two to stick together." She whispered to herself. Cass took another breath before standing to resume her cleaning which lay abandoned while she attempted to comfort her distressed nephew.

Tadashi had resumed the television show he had been watching before his little clash with Hiro. Right now he wanted to occupy his mind with anything else than where that little punk of a brother had gone. Destroyed Baymax? The original Baymax? It baffled Tadashi why Hiro would have to do that. If Hiro respected Tadashi as much as he said he did, how could just go and...eradicate the robot? Completely wreck Tadashi's masterpiece! With every thought about it he was growing even more annoyed with his brother. Just a few minutes later Aunt Cass came in the door, "Tadashi?" He looked up at her and sighed, "Hey, Aunt Cass."

She came over and dragged the office chair beside his bed, "I heard about your argument with Hiro." Tadashi looked away and focused his eyes on the television screen, "Yeah? And?"

"Tadashi, is it really so big that it will tear you guys apart? I need you two to stick together right now." She took his hand, "I need both of you to be more patient and forgiving than you ever had to be."

Her nephew glanced over at her. Why now? He had always been extra forgiving and he had always been patient with that pigheaded brother of his. "But, Aunt Cass, I always do that. I'm always sticking my neck out for him. Why can't I be angry just this once?"

Aunt Cass paused for a minute, reaching for the remote, and switched off the TV so that she had his full attention. While silently hoping that she would be able to say the right things she started, "This isn't like all those times. You both were little and forgiving meant something else. Now, because you both are older, forgiveness comes from a different place. Why did you forgive Hiro back then?"

"It was the right thing to do."

"Exactly. Back when you were 11 or 12 it was the right thing to do. That part didn't change but there is more involved with forgiveness. It should come from a deep love for the person. Not just because I told you to say 'sorry' or because it's what needs to happen. It should happen because you love Hiro. You probably never realized the times I was angry at your mother. But I began to realize that if I stayed angry and didn't get over it, there could be bigger consequences in the future."

Tadashi knew in his head that what Aunt Cass was saying was right. He should forgive Hiro but for the right motive. He didn't say anything in response and instead fussed with the blanket. "Tadashi, even if you're not the one to blame, don't leave the stone between you two for long. You guys are two of the closest siblings I have ever seen." Although by and large they got along, they were still siblings.

Tadashi pulled Hiro around his hoodie, "Come on you miscreant."

"A mis-what?" Hiro questioned the unfamiliar vocabulary. He was fine going with Tadashi wherever he needed to go but being dragged? And being called something that Hiro was pretty sure was negative was a completely different matter. "A miscreant! Meaning, kinda like a punk, in your simple terms." Tadashi clarified, his voice taking on a tone of self-importance. "I don't know why you can't just use normal words. I'm only 10." Hiro whined. Fourteen year old Tadashi rolled his eyes, "My dear brother, I am older than you. Hence, I need to sound older."

"You just sound arrogant." Arrogant was one of the new 'intellectual' words Hiro had just learned. He used it a tad too frequently in regards to Tadashi. "I'm taking you to the bowling alley aren't I? Better be grateful." Tadashi teased. Hiro shut his mouth and thought about that days outing. The two would have a splendid time, drinking root beer until it came out of their ears, eating pizza the whole time. Tadashi did spoil Hiro when they went out, and usually received a stern talking to from Aunt Cass when they got home, but what were brothers for? Indulging, that's what.

When the boys were younger they did most things together. Tadashi felt responsible for Hiro whenever the younger boy accompanied him. Those two were like peas in a pod, or in more mechanized terms, they were like hard drive discs. Discs whirling around each other at high speeds that didn't collide, but when they did things ground to a halt. Tadashi loved Hiro so much but he felt like the kindness sometimes wasn't returned. All the other times they disagreed, the issues were small, easy to forgive. Now, he felt that this was unforgivable. How Hiro could ruin Baymax was beyond Tadashi.
Aunt Cass smiled softly, "Don't let one argument ruin all those years of good times." With that last word of advice she kissed his head and went upstairs to do some housekeeping chores.

Tadashi was left alone to think and that's exactly what Tadashi did. Think. He thought for a good while until an unexpected visitor stood with Aunt Cass at the door. "Carter?" Tadashi was surprised that the old hospital roommate actually remembered him, "What are you doing here?" Carter grinned, glad the surprise visit was welcomed warmly, "I came to see you, Tadashi." He stepped down the short flight of stairs to sit next to his friend. "How are you holding up?" Carter inquired. Tadashi decided to not share about the dramatic scene that had ensued between him and his brother so he focused on the more physical affliction he had, "Fair."

"Just fair?" Carter asked. He took a brief moment to look around the make-shift room. The bed sat in the middle of a long wall that stretched between two distinct areas, the storage side and what Carter figured was the robotics side. There was a TV on the table opposite the bed but it seemed to be shoved there like an afterthought. Overall, the room was a mess. Tadashi shrugged and began to talk about his physical therapy sessions, "I am having a hard time with the idea of having someone teach me how to use a fork, to walk, to even just do normal things in life. It's..."

"Annoying? Awkward? Irritating?" Carter sighed, pulling on his own experience to empathize with Tadashi. "Yeah, all of those." Tadashi frowned, "I understand why I have therapy, but I still feel like I am being taught like a baby." He couldn't stand it. Tadashi hated being spoon-fed anything. Even as a young child he had a certain independent streak. Having simple concepts dumbed down offended his ego and wounded his pride. Carter nodded, "I see. I'm sorry you feel that way." Turning the conversation away from himself, Tadashi flipped back, "How are you doing?"

"Today is one of my better days," Carter admitted, "Yesterday wasn't awesome but we take each day at a time." Soon Carter emboldened himself to talk about one particular reason he was there to visit, "I am glad I got to stop, Tadashi. I do have a favor to ask." Carter took a deep breath, "You have connections at the institute right?" Tadashi nodded though with some gnawing doubt in the back of his mind that he had any connections to anyone or anywhere now. Especially at the institute. What could Carter possibly want with the institute?"

"Joan's always wanted to go to school to build gadgets and things to help field scientists study the planet. She's very bright. Even though Joanie hasn't graduated I was hoping you could help us get her admitted part time." Carter's voice grew bashful, feeling the true bulk of the weighty request. Being in Tadashi's room revealed to Carter that the appeal was premature. Joan hadn't even agreed to taking such steps. But Carter loved his sister and the idea had been seeded in his mind at the hospital when he first made Tadashi's acquaintance. The plan was fertilized while watching Joan at home, but the growth towards completion was stalled in the bleak and spiritless air of Tadashi's room. Tadashi's warm smile was like the sun on a gray day. "I'll do whatever I can to help out. But, honestly I'm not sure how much pull I have anymore." Tadashi's face clouded when the doubt blew over again. Carter added hastily, "whatever you can do is a big help."

Tadashi smiled to himself, "No problem. Can you tell me a little bit about your sister?" Carter bit the inside of his cheek, a bad habit that happened while thinking hard. He wanted to formulate an inspiring picture of his beloved sister. "She's determined, smart, and hard working. In some of her classes at school she had created mapping software and tracking software that can locate and follow different kinds of animals. I just love her so much and I want her to get the best opportunities she can have with people who share her passions." Carter's face clearly showed the honest desire on Joan's behalf. Tadashi smiled at the endearing final sentence. That wish mirrored what Tadashi had always wanted for Hiro. "Does she have a portfolio?" Tadashi inquired, "College admission will want to see if she's as bright as you say she is. Favoritism and all that."

Carter nodded in understanding, "That's fair. I can have her put something together. Could you help us with the application process?" Tadashi nodded and smiled, "Of course, I'd love to help. When do you want to come back and start on it?"

"I'll have to get back to you."
Tadashi added teasingly, "I'm always here." He gestured to the crowded room around him. Carter then asked a question which caused Tadashi's mouth to return to a frown, "Where is Hiro? I was hoping to finally meet him."

"He's not home right now."
Carter felt like he hit a tender nerve, "He okay?"

"Yep."

Carter decided it was best to just let it go, "Well, I should probably get going. I don't want to take up your afternoon." He stood but Tadashi stopped him by sitting up farther and crossed over his body, reaching out with his good arm. Tadashi knew he should be using the other arm but it hardly ever came out from under the covers. He was too embarrassed. "You're welcome to stay even for dinner. You're not imposing. Hiro won't even be home."

Carter looked unsure but he could tell that just in two hours he was there, Tadashi was more bright-eyed and positive. He was excited to tell Joan about Tadashi's offer and he didn't want to be a burden by overstaying his welcome, but he could sense that Tadashi needed a friend. Even just some hope. Carter needed it just as bad. "My Aunt makes awesome fried rice and dumplings." Tadashi wiggled his eyebrows, hoping to entice his friend into staying. "Very tempting." Carter chuckled. He pulled his cell phone from his black sweatshirt pocket and texted his mother, "Staying here for dinner. Be home later." Then Carter looked up and said happily, "I'll accept."