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just-absolutely-super · 11 months

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A Special Gift

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BEST BOYS!

Summary: It's Lan's birthday and he eagerly awaits for his father to come home early from work. What he doesn't know is he'll be getting a special gift from his father...

Timeline: MMBN gameverse pre-canon

Rating: G

Read it on FF.net /// AO3

“Happy birthday, Hub!”

MegaMan smiles almost sadly at the words. For the last few years since he gained consciousness, he’s only heard that phrase coming from his father. Considering his father and a select few SciLab employees are the only individuals who interact with him, he doesn’t see a reason to expect anything more on this day.

But his feelings on the matter aren’t important because this birthday is meant to be a very special one. And not just for him…but for his brother too.

“Ready for your present?” Yuichiro asks in a slightly giddy way most fathers do on their child’s day of birth.

MegaMan raises an eyebrow, his smile wry, “Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to ask if I’m ready to be a present?”

His father chuckles in response, “True, but I feel this is as much of a present to you as it is to Lan. After all, you two are finally going to be reunited for good.”

The blue Navi feels something inside his being warm up at the words. While Lan comes to visit SciLab and watches Yuichiro work with programs, MegaMan is not always conscious to truly get to know him—having to be put in sleep mode as his father works on him. He’s also been in a base form too, the details of what he will end up looking like still a mystery to many. To his brother, he’s just a special “custom” Navi that his father is working on, and maybe one day he would be operated by Lan.

One day is now today, June 10th, or the day Hub and Lan Hikari were born. And currently, Lan is at home with their mother, probably impatiently waiting for his father to come home. What he doesn’t know is that Papa would be giving him a very special birthday present—a brand new NetNavi.

“So, are you ready?” Yuichiro asks MegaMan again, as if he’s afraid the answer would be a no.

MegaMan smiles to reassure any doubts his father has. “Yes, I’m ready!”

Papa smiles in satisfaction but then it lowers considerably as he looks off to something on his desk, “I’m going to warn you, I’ll have to put you in a box. It’ll be dark and may feel cramped… Maybe I should put you in sleep mode until Lan opens it?”

MegaMan shrugs, no preference in his mind. “I don’t mind, Papa. It’ll be nice to wake up to Lan’s excited face.”

That seems to bring a sparkle into his Papa's eyes, “Oh yes, I think that would be a nice sentiment! Alright, we’ll do it. Have a good nap, Hub!”

“I’ll see you when I wake up, Papa.” And with that, the PET goes into sleep mode, the screen darkening, giving no indication if the Navi is truly there or not.

Despite the anticipation he feels, there’s a small sense of sadness in Yuichiro’s heart. How he wishes things to be different… Instead of putting his first born in a box to be opened up by the second born, he should be celebrating the day with both of them alive and together.

But fate had other plans, and there is nothing more he can do about it. With a sigh, he puts together the package, carefully placing MegaMan’s PET inside the box before lovingly wrapping it up in dark blue paper; a large red ribbon tied into a neat bow as the final touch. If his wife were here, she would laugh at how careful and precise he had performed the task, and he would have protested in response. This isn’t something you could throw together haphazardly, after all!

Once he’s finished, Yuichiro clocks out and says his goodbyes to his colleagues, making excited steps toward his car to make the drive back to ACDC Town. As he gently places the giftwrapped PET in the passenger seat, he starts the car, thinking of Lan and hoping his son isn’t driving his mother too mad with the impatience of his father’s arrival.

-----------

A little boy, now the age of 8 as of today, crawls onto the couch in his living room to get a better look out of the window. He cranes his head left and right, biting his lip in worry when he doesn’t see a familiar car.

“Lan Hikari, get down from there!” his mother chides him from her place in the kitchen. Her hands are on her hip and there’s a displeased frown on her beautiful face.

“But Mama, Papa’s still not here! Where is he?” little Lan asks as he continues to stare out the window.

“Even though he made arrangements to leave work early, he still has to work regardless. Give him some time. He’ll be here,” Haruka soothed. She won’t let it show, but she has been antsy all morning. She and Yuichiro had discussed this day many times and her husband had told her earlier in the week that all his preparations are finished—Hub, or rather MegaMan, would be coming home today.

She hopes his words still remain true. She wants this “reunion” as much as him. She makes a silent prayer that the upcoming meeting between her boys does indeed happen and it goes smoothly…

“Besides,” she continues, keeping her tone light, “your party guests will be here any second. I’ll need you to entertain them while I finish preparing the snacks and your cake. You can’t be a good host if you’re constantly looking out that window.”

As soon as she says this, the doorbell rings and Haruka gasps. “That’s them! Lan, be a dear and greet them, I’ve still got much to do!”

“Okay…” Lan says and jumps off the couch to make his way to the front door. Opening it, he’s greeted by a handful of his classmates, Mayl Sakurai at the forefront as she beams at him and holds out a present wrapped in light blue paper.

“Happy birthday, Lan!” Mayl and the rest of the guests yell in unison. Lan gives them all a toothy grin as he waves them in. One by one they pass him, each giving him their own form of greeting.

Little Yai Ayanokoji struts pass him, the gift in her hands larger than her body as she politely acknowledges that he has a very nice home. Behind her comes Dex Oyama, who sticks his tongue out at his fellow 8-year-old. Lan reciprocates the action. He and Dex have known each other for forever, and while Lan considers him a friend, there are moments when Dex acts like a jerk. His ego only got worse when his father gave him a custom NetNavi named GustMan a few months ago. Since then, Dex has been insufferable and Lan has been waiting for the day he could finally show him who’s boss!

Speaking of NetNavis…

Once all the children are through the door, Lan steps out to look each way down the street. Nope… No Papa yet…

“Lan! Come back inside and entertain your guests!”

The child jumps, rushing back inside his house, “Coming Mama!”

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Lan fidgets in his seat at the head of the table his mother set up during the time he and the rest of the children had been preoccupied with games in his backyard. At the time, he had hope that all the running around would take away all his anxious energy but, sadly, it hasn’t done any good. His father still hasn’t come home yet and he’s becoming increasingly restless. And while the snacks his mother made for the special occasion did help to distract him—his mother’s cooking always being excellent—now that his plate is empty, he’s aware of the pit that rests in his stomach.

Where is Papa?

He promised…

To his left is Mayl, who catches his eyes and gives him a concerned look. He responds to her with a half-smile, trying to give the impression he’s fine. It doesn’t really work, much to the boy’s dismay.

“What’s the matter?” she whispers, trying to be discreet. Thankfully, none of the other children notice them as they’re too consumed with the snacks and their own conversations.

“Nothing…” Lan initially lies, but then thinks better of it and confesses, “It’s just…Papa was supposed to be here by now.”

Mayl frowns. Trying to encourage her best friend, she says, “He’ll be here! He’s probably just late. Like you are when you come to school.”

Lan rolls his eyes at her minor jab at his punctuality (or lack thereof), but then reconsiders the possibility. His father always works a lot, even admitting at some points that he gets so sidetracked with one task, he forgets about another and needs to stay later than he initially planned. It wouldn’t be too farfetched to think something came up at work and it has caused him to be tardy…

It makes sense, but he wishes his Papa would just be here right now! It’s his birthday! He wants to spend it with everyone he loves…

Everyone…

Subconsciously, Lan raises a hand and rubs his chest. Mayl sees the action. “Are you alright?”

“Huh?” he asks, not realizing what he had done. Once he sees where his hand is placed, he lowers it, “Yeah…I do that sometimes. Mama calls it a nervous habit.”

He’s not sure why he does it, it just happens whenever he feels upset or lonely. There were even times that the action happens when he wasn’t feeling anything in particular. It’s almost like his heart is crying out for somebody…but for who he can’t say. His Papa he assumes, but he feels like there’s someone else… Like maybe there should be someone else who is supposed to—

“What are you two whispering about?” a voice interrupts his thoughts.

Lan and Mayl jump and turn their heads to see Dex eyeing them in suspicion on the other side of Lan at the table. Lan grimaces and takes his hand away from his chest. “Nothing, Dex!”

“Hey, that’s no way to talk to your party guest!”

“Lan was just saying he hopes his Papa comes home before it’s time for cake,” Mayl smoothly fibs, not just to keep Lan from embarrassment, but so a fight doesn’t break out between the two young rivals. Lan shoots her an appreciative glance before he decides to turn his head and view said cake.

“Oh yeah, that cake sure does look delicious!” Dex says, also turning his attention away from everyone to eye the sweet treat. “Lan’s Mama makes the best cakes!”

Lan nods, his mouth watering at the sight of the strawberry sponge cake. If there’s one thing he and Dex could agree on, it’s that nothing is better than Mama’s sponge cake! “She does!”

Suddenly, everyone hears the sound of the front door opening and footsteps walking through the threshold.

“I’m home!”

“Papa!” Lan screams, jumping from his chair and running to his father, his party guests forgotten in the midst of his excitement. “Papa’s home!”

Yuichiro laughs as his 8-year-old son practically slams into him. With a giftbox in one hand, he uses the other to carefully scoop the boy up. Lan giggles at the action and happily wraps his little arms around his father’s neck. Yuichiro happily returns the embrace.

As this happens, Haruka smiles, “Welcome home, Honey.”

“Hi, Dear!” the scientist greets his wife. To Lan he says, “And hello, Lan! Happy birthday, son!”

“Thanks, Papa!” Lan says. It’s then he spots the present in his father’s hand and starts to practically vibrate in excitement. “A present! You got me a present? Can I open it now? Please, please, please?”

Yuichiro laughs harder at the show of boundless energy, “Well aren’t you excited? I don’t see why not. Do you, Mama?”

Haruka sighs and puts her hands on her hips, “You know the rules, Lan. Cake first, then presents.”

Lan juts his bottom lip out, his demeanor deflating considerably, “Aww, but Mama!”

Her face goes stern for a quick second, ready to chastise her son, but then her eyes lock with her husband’s. For a very brief moment, they share what appears to be a silent conversation. Lan doesn’t quite pick up on it, though, as he’s surprised when he hears what his father says next.

“I think we can make an exception this one time, Haruka,” he says patiently. He then indicates the present to her, “After all, this gift is very special, wouldn’t you say?”

Still with his son in one arm, Yuichiro hands Haruka the present with the other. A small but soft smile forms on her face as she gazes at it. To Lan’s confusion, his Mama runs her fingers over it, almost lovingly. That’s weird… Why would she—?

Haruka sighs again, but this time in a wistful way, and then hands the gift to her son. Lan receives the package, not quite understanding what just happened. Has his Mama changed her mind? And why does it suddenly look like she might cry…?

“Your Papa is right,” she declares, any unshed tears she had now gone. “You should open this one first since it’s special. We can have the cake afterwards, and then you can open the rest of the gifts. Does that sound fair?”

The strange moment forgotten, Lan absolutely beams at his mother and goes to reach over to hug her, practically falling from his father’s arms in his haste. The parents laugh at his antics and work together to keep their son upright with a group embrace. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Haha, you’re welcome,” Mama says. “But you should open it at the table. You’ve kept your friends waiting long enough.”

Lan nods, “Okay!”

He rushes back to his chair, ignoring his classmates’ curious stares. They, too, are also excited to see what this “special” present could be. Lan’s so giddy to open a present his Papa got him, he doesn’t take the time to appreciate the wrapping. He instantly rips the bow and paper apart to get to the box. Setting it on the table, he places his hands on the lid and lifts it up; Mayl, Dex, Yai, and the rest of the children present watching in anticipation on what the contents of the box will be…

The birthday boy stares in awe at what he sees. A shiny new PET gleams back at him. With gentle hands he picks it up by the handle, taking all the details in as he runs his fingers over the covered screen, which he decides to open up. Gazing at the contents, he presses the button he knows will turn the PET on. He holds his breath as he waits, watching the screen come to life as the homepage features begin to set up.

It’s then that a small light appears, and after it dims, Lan is met by a figure in blue. His appearance seems to be older than Lan, but still childlike (maybe 11 or 12?). His jumpsuit is dark blue with cyan lines down the sides and yellow shoulder pads; the emblem in the middle of his chest adorning the Hikari family crest on it. On his hands and feet are gloves and boots in a lighter blue than the jumpsuit. On his head is a blue helmet with cyan ridges and yellow squares in the middle; the sides of the helmet being the same emblem as what’s on his chest.

His eyes open up and a bright green meets Lan’s brown ones. If he pays attention, the boy can see some kind of emotion swirling through them…but what emotion it is, he can’t say for sure. The Navi gives the child a soft smile before he speaks in a calm but confidant voice.

“Hello, my name is A.I. Navigation Program MegaMan.EXE. I’ll be your NetNavi. It’s nice to finally meet you, Lan! Happy birthday!”

There’s a small beat of silence as Lan takes it all in before he lets out an ecstatic squeal. His classmates and parents watch in amusement as the boy once again takes himself out of his chair and begins jumping around, holding the PET close to his chest. He feels an abundance of happiness right now, so much so, that the strange feeling in his chest he felt beforehand seems to have disappeared now that he has his new friend MegaMan!

“I knew it! I knew it!” he repeats, “I just knew Papa would get me a Navi. And look at you! You’re so cool!”

A blush appears on MegaMan’s face as he puts a hand behind his head in embarrassment. “Oh please, you flatter me…”

It’s then that the other children in the house get out of their chairs to gather around the birthday boy. They marvel at the PET, trying to get a glimpse at the Navi inside, all the while making their own comments:

“Oh, wow, he looks so cool!”

“He’s kind of small though, don’t you think?”

“But he’s cute!”

“Can I hold your PET, Lan?”

“If Lan’s Papa made him, maybe he’s super strong!”

MegaMan’s blush intensifies at the extra attention, suddenly feeling awkward. He had honestly expected to wake up just to his twin, not what seems to be the entire neighborhood—he isn’t prepared for such compliments and comments.

“What’s the big deal?” comes the sour remark from Dex. “He’s just a scrawny thing. There’s no way he could stand up to my GutsMan!”

Lan bristles, an intense feeling of offense taking over. No one talks about his new friend that way!

“You’re wrong!” he challenges, “MegaMan is going to be the strongest Navi ever! He’s gonna be way better than GutsMan!”

MegaMan, in shock by the boy’s action, holds up his arms in a form of placation, “W-Wait a minute now—”

“Oh yeah?” Dex retaliates, “We’ll see about that! You and me, Lan, we’re gonna NetBattle just to see who’s number one!”

“Bring it!” Lan says, his cocky attitude showing out.

“Lan, hold on, we don’t even have BattleChips!” MegaMan protests in vain. Of all the things to expect today, his new operator challenging the first person he saw isn’t on his list…

“Boys, calm down!” Haruka calls out, much to the blue Navi’s relief. “I don’t want any fighting in my house, especially not today. Now, everyone, get back into your seats! It’s time for cake!”

At the mention of cake, all the children cheer and rush back to their seats. Lan and Dex nod in understanding, their rivalry momentarily put on hold in favor of their appetites. “Yes ma’am!”

Once Lan is comfortable at his spot again, he carefully places MegaMan next to him where everyone could get a good look at his newly acquired NetNavi. He giggles as he watches MegaMan stare at all the faces before him in awe. “What do you think?”

The blue Navi jumps slightly and turns back to his operator, “W-Well, it’s kind of strange. All this is…different.” He’s not lying by saying that. He’s spent the last 7 years of his life confined in a lab with hardly anyone but his father for company (and before this life, it was confined to a hospital…). Seeing all the friendly faces around…it’s overwhelming, but not unwelcome at all.

He likes it.

Lan nods his head, “I think I get it. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it! After all, we’re gonna be together for a long time, right?”

MegaMan blinks and his body relaxes, a genuine smile gracing his features. Yes, this is what he’s wanted for so long, to finally be able to be by his brother’s side. He’ll cherish it for as long as he’s able to.

This gift is just as much his as it is Lan's...

Almost on instinct, he presses a palm to the PET’s screen. “Of course, Lan. Together forever.”

Lan returns his smile and places his own hand on the screen, his boyish mirth practically palpable.

Their attention is suddenly brought to Mama, who comes back to the table with the anticipated birthday cake.

“Alright everyone!” Yuichiro says, his voice showing his delight at the events of the day, “Let’s sing to the birthday boy!”

Everyone around the table begins to sing as Haruka places the strawberry cake in front of her son. Lan grins toothily at the attention as MegaMan watches almost nostalgically. He turns his gaze over to the many faces once more, taking in their voices as they sing. Engrossed by the moment, he thinks that if he concentrates hard enough, he could pretend that everyone is singing happy birthday to the both of them…

But sadly, no one except his parents know that today is his birthday too…

Lan can’t even know… Not yet at least…

But maybe someday…

Not wanting to dwell on these feelings anymore, he schools his face into one of content and happiness. Meeting his twin’s gaze, MegaMan gives Lan a brilliant smile. “Happy birthday, Lan!”

Lan’s smile is just as bright as he replies, “Thanks, MegaMan! This is the best birthday ever!”

MegaMan can't help but agree.

“Happy birthday to you!”

#megaman battle network #lan hikari #megaman.exe #yuichiro hikari #haruka hikari #my writing #fanfiction

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