Chapter Text
Hiro paced back and forth across the superhero themed carpet that covered the entirety of Fred's bedroom. He had an amazing idea in his head, but needed his team to help complete it.
It started at the end of November, when the cool winter winds took away the last of the orange and yellow leaves. Hiro sat in a booth with his friends, hardly listening to the chatter and laughter coming from the 18-year-olds. He was staring off into space, lost in thought, when a quiet voice from behind him snapped him out of his stupor.
“I just do know what I'm going to do.” The voice that belonged to a young woman said with worry, “I was just told that we don't have enough money in the budget to get the kids Christmas presents.”
“You're kidding!” Another female voice hissed with disbelief. “That's terrible! Most of the kids there were recently orphaned. If I had the money, I would get those kids whatever their hearts desired. They need it.”
“I know, but the taxes. And the doctor bills, and everything else. We just don't have enough. I wish there was something we could do.”
Once again, Hiro lost himself in thought, but he was not thinking about his thermodynamics project or new armor for Baymax. He was thinking about how to get the kids what they wanted. It took him a few moments to snap back into reality, only his friends banter had stopped. They were all looking at him, concern painted across each face.
“Hiro,” Honey Lemon broke the silence, “Are you alright? Is something bothering you?”
“Yeah,” Hiro said, rubbing his eyes. “I'm fine.”
“You sure, little dude?” Fred asked as he raised an eyebrow, “'Cause it looked like you were crying.”
“Yeah. Sorry. I'm okay, though. Sometimes when I zone out, I don't blink. So, that’s probably why.” He rubbed his eyes some more, trying to relieve the burning over his pupils.
The group looked at each other questioningly, but accepted his answer and returned to their conversation. And in that moment, Hiro knew what needed to be done.
He managed to catch up with that lady, and get a list of the gifts that the orphans wanted. Hiro spent the next 30 days saving his allowance and working at the Lucky Cat as much as he could. By the 21st of December, he had worked up enough money to not only buy every toy that the children wanted,but he had enough leftover to pay for wrapping paper and some Christmas books.
It took him some time to wrap every gift, taking a break every time that Baymax happened to notice a new paper cut. Soon, Christmas Eve rolled around, and Hiro was finishing up on wrapping. Not without a paper cut or two.
“All wounds must be treated to avoid infection.” Baymax stated as he gingerly cleaned Hiro’s paper cut.
“I'm fine, Baymax.” Hiro said, eyeing the last of the gifts with determination. “I have to get these done. Those kids are counting on me.”
“You are living up to your name.” Baymax said, cleaning up the garbage from the most recent band-aid.
“What?”
“'Hiro.’ A traditional Japanese unisex name meaning: ‘tolerant, prosperous, and generous.’ You are living up to your name by being generous.”
Hiro smiled, thinking over his plan once again. “Thanks, Baymax.”
Just then, his phone buzzed, signaling a text. He looked at it, eyes widening with surprise.
“That was the lady from the orphanage. She said that one of the kids said something about Big Hero 6 visiting them tonight. Even though it's not true, the rumor spread, and now all of the kids want to see them. I mean us. I mean, our alter egos.”
“You are stressed.”
“The team doesn't know about this!” Hiro cried, grabbing fistfuls of his hair, “This was something I wanted to do myself! I want to make them happy, but how would the team react if I were to tell them this. And, who knows, they could be with their families for the holiday! I don't want to let the kids down, but I also don't want to tick off my friends.”
“Hiro,” Baymax said, gently placing his big, squishy hand on the teen’s shoulder, “I am sure that the team would understand. You are doing a good deed. I am sure that they will support you and help you.”
“Thanks,” Hiro said, before pulling out his phone and calling the group.
“Hey guys,” He said through the speaker, “If you aren't too busy right now, I would like to meet all of you at Fred house. I have something that I would like to share.”
Now here he is. Standing in front of the group, who looked at him with curiosity.
“Alright genius,” GoGo said, “Spill it. Why did you bring us here?”
Hiro went through the entire story. From when he heard the lady’s worries, to working his butt off in the cafe, to wrapping the presents, and the last minute text.
“I was worried that I would upset you guys. I mean, this means a lot to me. If life didn't play out they way it did, I would most likely be one of those kids.”
The group was silent, all looking at him with an almost unreadable expression. Hiro's expression fell.
“I'm not making you do this if you don't want to! I just wanted to…” he trailed off, feeling as though he messed up.
“Hiro.” Wasabi said, “What you are trying to do is amazing! Seriously, you worked for almost a month and then you used what you earned to give to others. Tadashi would be proud, little man!”
Hiro smiled, not knowing what to say next.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” GoGo asked, “Let's suit up and make some kids happy!”
The group stood outside of the city orphanage, wearing not only their armor, but some winter accessories as well. They were all wearing scarves, while Baymax and Fred also donned Santa hats. Baymax held onto a box containing a fake tree, Fred and Wasabi we're carrying large assortments of brightly colored boxes, Hiro carried books and ornaments, and the girls each had a plate of Christmas cookies.
Moving the items into the crook of his arm, Hiro knocked on the door, waiting for response.
A young lady opened the door. Her red hair tied back in a ponytail, which complemented the green sweater she was wearing.
“Oh my gosh.” She muttered, placing her hands over her mouth.
“Hi.” Hiro said, “May we come in?”
“Oh, where are my manners! Certainly! Please come in!” She stepped to the side, allowing the group to enter. Immediately, a chorus of tiny squeaks and squeals rose from the many rooms.
“Oh my gawd!” One little girl screamed, “It's Big Hero 6!”
If it weren't for the adults, the group would have been swarmed by children, tall and small. Their laughter and joy warmed the hearts of the human members of the team, while all Baymax saw was the amazing sight of happy children.
“Alright, alright,” the lady said, “Let them get through the door.”
The kids backed off, except for a few toddlers, who were intrigued by the presents. The older children pulled them away.
“Wasabi, Fredzilla, Baymax. Can you three set up the tree. I'll bring the ornaments.” Hiro said.
“Sure thing!” Wasabi said as the three walked into a different room, the two young men setting down the presents as Baymax began to remove the tree from it’s box.
“Honey, GoGo. Can you two put the cookies in the kitchen?” Hiro asked as he handed the bag of ornaments to Fred.
“I'll show you where it is.” The lady said, guiding the girls to the kitchen.
“Alright.” Hiro said, a little overwhelmed, “Who wants me to read some Christmas stories!”
A group of kids cheered as they followed Hiro into the living area.
”The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!” Hiro exclaimed as the children giggled.
'How The Grinch Stole Christmas’ was his favorite holiday book. He could get into it very well.
“Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason. It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. But I think that the most likely reason of all, may have been that his heart was two sizes too small.”
Some children sat and listened to the story, some decorated the tree, the rest sat in the kitchen, nibbling on sugar cookies.
One little boy held the star, trying to reach the top on his tiptoes. Seeing that the child needed a little help, Baymax gently picked him up, allowing the child to place the star in the top of the tree.
The night was calming down, and the rest of the children joined Hiro in the living area to hear the end of the story.
“And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice cold in the snow stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?” He said with excitement. “‘It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags!’ And he puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. 'What if Christmas,’ he thought, 'doesn't come from a store? What if Christmas perhaps, means a little bit more?”
At about 8:30, the kids opened their gifts, happy with the toys they were given. The lady came up to the group.
“Thank you all so much for coming!” She said, beaming. “You didn't have to do this.”
“It's no problem,” Hiro stated, “We love to help the community.”
“Anyway,” GoGo said, “We should get going. But we had fun.”
“Again,” the lady said with utmost sincerity, “I thank you so much. I was so afraid that the kids wouldn't get to celebrate Christmas this year. You all are amazing people!”
“Thank you, ma’am.” Honey said sweetly.
With that they said their goodbyes, hugging the kids and taking a few photos before leaving.
When Hiro returned home, he found few notifications. The group had had blown up.
From: Wasabi:
We so need to do this again next year!
From: GoGo:
Agreed. That was the most fun I've had in awhile!
From: Honey Lemon:
I can't wait to start planning for next year!
From: Fred:
Next year the gifts are on me!!! ;P
Hiro smiled, happy that his friends loved the idea. His phone still said that there was one unread message.
From: Diane Finnik
Hiro, thank you so much for the gifts! I can't believe that you know the members of Big Hero 6! Well, all I have to say is that they really made the kids’ year! Again, thank you for your generosity!
~Diane Finnik
Attached to the message was a photo of the team and the kids at the orphanage. Hiro smiled brightly and said…
“Baymax, remind me to buy a picture frame.”