Dark-To-Redeemed AU Hiro isn't thrilled, here.

[wasonceahiro]

[The sixteen year old, older and somewhat wiser (also four inches taller) superhero stays quiet for a moment, before facepalming, realizing his mun is really going through with this.]

To start off, that's an awful username. Nothing says 'dark AU' like puns, huh? Y'know, that's not the reason I quit going by that name but it's definitely a perk to it I'm really appreciating more and more with time.

I'm not sure what you want from me, here. I got a good thing going, this superhero gig, the inventions. I'm finally helping people. I'm not ever going to be able to make up for what I did, but I can damn well try, and I'm going to keep trying. I get it, there might be some good I can do around here, or at a game. But that's all I signed up for. I'm not jumping for joy about who I might run into here or the explanations they'll want.

It's too late for that anyway. I can't change what happened. I can just try to be a better person, someone Tadashi could have... [been proud of? Maybe before, but not now. He chooses a different word, carefully.] ...tolerated.

Oh, and don't call me Hiro again. That's not me anymore.

Comments

[quicktoflame]

If your name isn't you anymore, what's the mun meant to call you, Tech? [Oh hey, Not!Hiro, meet one of the original Disney superheroes with a chip on his shoulder]

[wasonceahiro]

I've been going by Akiyuki for almost two years. Although I kinda like 'Tech' as a nickname. [The little bit of old Hiro in him takes some pride even still in what he makes.]

[quicktoflame]

[Good, 'cause he pretty much never uses anyone's real name.] So what's made you do the dark and brooding, looking for redemption shtick?

[wasonceahiro]

[That's blunt, and he flinches slightly, but he holds the other guy's gaze steadily.] Because I made a mistake, but I won't let that be who I am. I'm not going to be a villain or someone who's a hero in name only.

I decide who I want to be. And I want to be a good guy.

[In a lighter, kind of annoyed tone of voice,] And I don't brood. Brood is a terrible word anyway, like 'moist'.

[quicktoflame]

Because the world was formed on everyone getting everything right all the time. [Dammit, Warren, stop with the snark] So to be a 'good guy', you turn your back on the name your family - who, I assume, loved you - knew you by. [Warren just gives a level look. Saying nothing else on that matter]

Right, right, you don't 'brood'. So all that with the mun was just pleasant conversation?

[wasonceahiro]

They're good people. They don't need to be associated with someone who did what I did. And the law is after Hiro Hamada, but they don't have anything on Akiyuki Kinoshita.

It was me telling him his puns aren't funny and him putting me here sucks. That's kinda what everybody here does, last I checked.

[wantstohelp]

Hiro.

[He's so surprised to see his little brother like this, but somehow... he manages a little smile, and a casual shrug of his shoulders. There so much to say, and so many questions to ask... but he doesn't get to them just yet.]

You got taller. Always knew you'd catch up to me eventually.

[wasonceahiro]

[At first he freezes, horror and joy battling it out for dominance. He's so happy to see Tadashi, just to hear his voice again. Some part of him immediately wants it all to go back to how it used to be. And then there's the part of him that knows he screwed up and that's going to have to be dealt with.

But in the end he can't help but smile back. Tadashi always did know the right buttons to push.]

Hey, in my revamped armor I am taller than you by an inch and a half.

[wantstohelp]

[This is the first older version of his little brother he's seen here. But it's not that alone that worries. Something about Hiro is different now.

Still, he chuckles quietly at Hiro's comments, shaking his head.]

Wow. I'm sure you are.

[But then his expression softens a little as he scrutinizes his brother.]

You look a lot like Mom, you know. I can tell more, now that you're older. It's mostly in the eyes, I think.

[wasonceahiro]

If you say so. I don't really remember her. [He's seen a few family pictures, but even so, he doesn't really recall either of his parents. To him, family was always Tadashi and Aunt Cass. And things were good, that way.

But while they're on the subject:] Are you calling me girly? Because there's more fanart out there of you as a girl than me.

[He can snark but it's so forced. This used to be so natural, the flow of words between them. They used to be so close this was how it went.

Things have changed. He looks away, uncomfortable.]

[trickonometry]

If you think ditchin' your old name'll separate you from the crappy things you've done . . . you're wrong.

[Amadeus, you did the same exact thing, except it was to sever ties with people who manipulated you, don't even start]

[wasonceahiro]

I know. But I don't feel like that person anymore. I'm not sure I ever will again.

[He straightens up, though, and adds with resolve:] Not until I become a better superhero, anyway. A better person. Which I will be.

[trickonometry]

[he cants his head to the side, shrugging] Ya got the attitude! Which is good, 'cause. Gonna be a hay-uva hell ride. I almost took out an entire military group with a self-replicating virus, and even after I let 'em go, they still tried to kill me. And I didn't actually do much. One or two helicarriers--psh. I coulda wiped 'em out.

[there's a note of pride there, like he's impressed by himself and thinks he's hot shit. but layered over that is regret. he nearly made a HUGE mistake]

Still kinda wish I rerouted Iron Man's waste tubes into his air vents, though . . . [he shakes his head, at least half joking]

[wasonceahiro]

Nothing worth doing is ever easy. But it's worth it. Although I, uh, didn't do anything quite that... drastic. [The geek part of him wants to know all about the self-replicating virus. The hero part of him is unnerved.]

Sounds like you had a rougher ride than me. Tough luck, man.

[trickonometry]

Nah, it wasn't luck. I got played. And I was angry about a lotta crap 'cause of it. [he shrugs a shoulder. his dead family, his crippled puppy, how he couldn't do a thing about any of it--you name it] I still think S.H.I.E.L.D.'s dangerous, but they do a lotta good, too. Somebody's gotta fix it from the inside. And that guy's so not me.

[Cho throws up an easy smile] So what'd you do?

[antihiro]

Oh good, it's not just me suffering the puns with the 'dark' story.

....Tadashi will definitely tolerate you. At least some. Already had one get all emotional on me.

/squee

[wasonceahiro]

Yeah, the puns were actually worse before he toned it down.

I've had one say hi. Which is good, I think. Did you see Aunt Cass is here too, now?

Dark Hiros unite! Except probably not as he's more...Punisher type. Crazytown was calling.

[antihiro]

I probably got lucky the first one she tried worked.

It's...certainly something.

Yeah. Yeah, I saw her. Mun sent the 'regular' Hiro, but I'm really not ready to talk to her yet.

I would've played that kind of dark Hiro if I thought I could possibly do it justice. Well done.

[wasonceahiro]

Mine tried yours. Demented minds think alike, I guess. See, this is why I chose a new name that wouldn't turn into a punomenon any time anyone heard it.

I'm not ready to talk to her either, but that just encourages my mun.

It is a fun way to go. Just constant building of self lies and mental hoops.

[antihiro]

There does seem to be a lot of that happening. It just makes things worse.

Good call on the name though.

Ah, nothing like dealing with contradictory beings in control of your actions.

[differentangles]

[ wooow there's a lot about this that worries him, but he'll just start off with - ]

Dunno. Still look like a Hiro to me. Trick of the light, I guess?

[wasonceahiro]

Ta-tadashi! [He moves forward like he's going to hug him, then pauses as a realization hits him.] Yes! I am finally as tall as you. Maybe this mun's good for something after all, huh? [Jokes. Because this is not awkward, nope, not at all. Totally fine. Really.]

I, uh, I kinda have a different name I've been going by for a while. Less puns that way, y'know? [...crap this is awkward.]

[differentangles]

No, that's definitely a trick of the light. There's no way my bratty little brother could ever be as tall as I am. That's just physically impossible.

[ Yep, awkward, and Tadashi is unsettled as hell. And worried, too. That won't stop him from reaching out to try to pull him into a hug, anyway. ]

[wasonceahiro]

Hey, I got four inches from this AU thing... and puberty but I don't want to go over that. Baymax covered it enough for, like, ten lifetimes.

[It's an awkward hug but it does prove he's taller, as well as giving him a closer look at the new and improved armor, complete with full metal leg casings and thrusters. The armor can't hide that he's still as thin as ever, since depression, Hiro and eating aren't on speaking terms.

But it's good to see him anyway, awkwardness be damned.] So. Um, how're things? With the mun and all that.

[differentangles]

They're... you know.

[ He lifts one hand, gesturing sort of vaguely, though it's clear he's sweeping his eyes over Hiro and trying to get a better read on him. ]

I come out every now and then. Better than nothing. So - what are you going by these days, huh?