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[ He quiets after a moment, the sobs draining away into a shaky gasp. ]

We have to stay here forever now. We can't go back without him.

Of course not. I told you, remember? Where you are, that's where I'll be.

... Hiro, when your mother and father died, I-- no, even before that. I promised them that if anything happened, I'll be there for you and Tadashi. That I'll watch you and make sure you're happy. [Is clinging to Tadashi the right thing to do? Will they be able to bring him up? Will staying here forever so they can be the correct thing? She doesn't know. She doesn't know, but--]

I don't know if there's anything I can do for you, but I promise. No matter what, I'll always be on your side.

[ That hurts too, though it's a different kind of ache. He never knew their parents - sometimes even forgets that Aunt Cass isn't his mom - but mentioning them strikes a chord all the same. He nods after a moment. ]

When ... when they died - [ When Tadashi died-- ] how did you keep going?

[At that, she pulls back just enough so she can put her hands on either of Hiro's cheeks and tilt his head back so she can look him in the eyes.]

I had you, of course. Even if things get hard, as long as I have you, I can keep going. I have to -- I'm your parent.

[ He stares up at her, his breath still a bit ragged. His next response comes out hushed. ]

That's enough?

Of course it's enough! [Her smile just grows a bit wider, more strong and confident in her sincerity.] It's more than enough. You mean the world to me, Hiro Hamada.

[ Well now he's just going to cry again. He tries to stifle it by burying his face against her, leaning in for another tight hug. ]

Y-you too. I don't know - if you weren't here I couldn't --

[ The thought of enduring this alone is too terrible to contemplate. ]

I know. Me too. I'm glad you're here, Hiro.

And I'm here. I will be. We'll be together, okay?

[ He nods a little, believing her this time. ]

Yeah. I'm - I'm not going anywhere.

[ Except to hide in his comm for most of the next few weeks, but you better believe part of that includes letting his aunt know exactly where he is the whole time. ]

As long as I know where you are, you know where to find me. You don't have to come in to the café unless you want to. [Which she figured he already knew, but it doesn't hurt to tell him again. Hiro has so many friends who'll stay by his side -- she still remembers them from the day they filed into her living room to dive into his mind. She trusts them.]

But stay with me today.

[ It's always good to have it spelled out in no uncertain terms. He relaxes a bit and nods yet again. ]

I can do that much.

Okay.

[She squeezes him in her arms.]

Let's go sit down. You're not cold, right?

No. I'm okay for now.

Okay. Then let's stay here. [But not standing. Cass is still tall enough -- rather, Hiro is still just short enough -- that she can lead him to an armchair and sink down in it, tugging him along and holding him close to her.]

Just worry about yourself.

[ One day, not too long from now, he will be taller than her. But not yet. He's glad enough for now just to be close to her, to let his parent make everything better for a while. Before long, he's buried his face against her shoulder. ]

C-can't I worry about both of us?

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