Chapter Text
Astro fidgeted as he waited in the visiting area of the maximum security prison. Dr O’Shay didn't know he was here. Astro wasn't sure if he would let him go, so he hadn't asked. He'd gone straight to Inspector Tawashi and asked if he could talk to Dr Tenma, the inspector had just given him a visiting pamflett and told him to call the number to arrange a meeting. He nervously tapped his fingers together before fiddling with his visitor badge, pinned to his school clothes. He hoped Dr Tenma would be open to this visit, he also hoped he wouldn't get in much trouble if Dr O’Shay found out.
He jumped as the buzzer announced the arrival of the inmates. Suddenly this didn't seem like a good idea.
But it was too late, Dr Tenma had arrived, his face blank.
“H-hello Dr Tenma.” Astro stuttered.
“Astro, it is good to see you.” Dr Tenma said warmly. “What brought you here?”
“Um-” Astro fiddled with his sleeve, keeping his eyes on it rather than looking at the man in front of him. “Well, um, it's been a week since the whole, uh, thing. So I thought I'd come and see how you were.” He glanced up at Dr Tenma; his face was still blank as ever. Astro clenched his fists under the table. “I wanted to say I meant what I said. In lab 7.”
Dr Tenma seemed to relax slightly. “I'm glad.” He gave Astro a small smile. “It's not too bad here, I must say. Although I am glad I'm only here for a couple of years.”
They lapsed into silence for a few minutes
“Um, Inspector Tawashi said you were, uh, seeing a therapist while you’re here.” Astro broached the next sensitive topic, planning to get it over and done with. “Is it good or-”
“She seemed to be good at her job, and it makes sense to take advantage of this service.” Dr Tenma nodded. “Don't worry, Astro, I'm planning on bettering myself while I'm here.”
“Oh good.” Astro smiled, relieved. “Oh yeah, I brought you something!” He rummaged through his bag as he continued. “Inspector Tawashi said that you could have some pictures, I had to let the guards to check them out but they're fine to give you now.” He placed two photos on the table, one of Tobio and one of him. “I thought you might like to have them.” He glanced up at Dr Tenma, trying to read his expression. “I mean, you don't have to-”
“Thank you, Astro.” Dr Tenma interrupted him, looking sad and happy at the same time. He picked up the pictures and put them carefully in his chest pocket. “That was very thoughtful of you.”
Astro smiled sheepishly. They sat quietly for a moment.
“How is school?” Dr Tenma asked, breaking the quiet.
“It's good. I'm tutoring one of my friends, Abercromby, in maths. And Alejo is helping me with art.” Astro hesitated as he realized he had just told Dr Tenma he was struggling with a class.
But he nodded knowingly. “I struggled with art when I was your age. Drawing plans for robots is very different to creating a piece which is pleasing to the eye.”
Astro smiled, surprisingly glad they had something in common.
“Everyone you have 5 minutes left.” A guard called through the room, making Astro jump.
He must have looked forlorn because Dr Tenma cleared his throat. “Astro I want you to know that whenever you want to visit I will always agree to see you. You are a son to me and I don't want to make the same mistakes I have before.”
Astro grinned. “I'll see you next week ok?”
“Of course.” Dr Tenma looked through the glass into the waiting room. “Did you bring Dr O’Shay with you or-”
“I, uh, came by myself, actually.” Astro rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish smile.
“I can't stop you coming here on your own, however please consider bringing an adult next time.” Dr Tenma told him awkwardly. “I know you can look after yourself, but it concerns me that you're trying to do this alone. A robot child is still a child Astro.”
“I'll think about it.” Astro bit his lip. “I just don't want to have to disobey Dr O’Shay if he tells me I can't see you again.”
“Visiting time is over. Please finish up in the next few seconds. Inmates return to the transfer room for inspection.” The guard from earlier shouted.
Astro looked around in alarm. “Already?”
“Don't worry Astro, I'm sure you'll see me again soon.” Dr Tenma nodded before getting up to leave.
Astro jumped up quickly and wrapped his arms around Dr Tenma. He tensed as the man stilled, but relaxed again as Dr Tenma hugged him back. “Until next time, Astro.” He said as he pulled away from the hug.
“Bye.” Astro replied. He watched Dr Tenma as he left, waving when the man looked over his shoulder before he walked through the door, he got a small wave in return. He couldn't help but feel hopeful as he walked home. The first meeting had seemed to have gone well. And Astro didn't know why, but hugs from Dr Tenma were different to ones from Dr O’Shay. He wasn't sure what it was, but he got a warm feeling in his chest with Dr Tenma that he didn't from Dr O’Shay. Perhaps it was because Dr Tenma was his creator, or maybe it was remnants from his memories of Tobio. Whatever it was, Astro was gonna get to the bottom of it.
When he arrived home, Dr O’Shay was waiting for him.
“Astro, where on earth have you been?” The man crossed his arms. “You know you're supposed to let me know if you're coming to be home late! I was so worried!”
“I was just playing now with my friends professor…” Astro looked at the floor. “I didn't realise the time, I'm sorry.”
Dr O’Shay sighed. “Make sure you remember next time okay? I just need to know you're safe.”
“Yes professor!” Astro grinned, trotting upstairs to his room. He dropped his bag in his room and leant against his door with a sigh of relief. He wasn't good at lying, but he seemed to have fooled Dr O’Shay, although he couldn't really feel good about it. He would have to come clean sooner rather than later, even if it meant that he would have to sneak out to see his… What even was Dr Tenma to him?
Astro sat on his bed and looked out the window. Dr Tenma had made him and said Astro was his son, but it was Dr O’Shay who had raised him like a father would his son. The closest situation he could think of would be like a child having a stepfather and then his real father coming back. If he was honest with himself it was very similar to his situation, only he didn't think of Dr O’Shay as a father at all. The way he treated Astro was more like a close relative rather than a father, although it could just be that Dr O’Shay had a different parenting technique to what was typical.
Astro pulled his legs up on the bed, hugging them to his chest and rested his chin on his knees. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he wanted Dr Tenma to care about him, like he did when he had first been activated, before disagreements had torn them apart. Perhaps now Dr Tenma would be able to accept that Astro had his own opinions, and listen to them. He had asked after Astro’s school life at his visit, and seemed interested in his friends and troubles. His eyes prickled with tears as he realised he really wanted Dr Tenma to be his father again.
It felt like a betrayal to Dr O’Shay, who had done so much for him. Dr O’Shay had even made Astro a sister so he wouldn't be lonely. He couldn't leave Dr O’Shay to live with Dr Tenma, but he wanted to live with Dr Tenma at least as much as he wanted to live with Dr O’Shay. He flopped down on the bed feeling melancholy. It was times like this when feelings were difficult, going against logic and interfering with reasoning, he didn't know what to do.
For now he would continue to hide his visits to Dr Tenma from Dr O’Shay. It would be temporary, he promised himself. He'd come clean as soon as he had worked out what to do.