How To Heal A Broken Spirit

Pairing; Hayden X Ashley(Hiccup X Astrid)

Rated; M for Mature

Disclaimer; I do not own HTTYD or any songs I might use.

Job

{Hayden's POV}

There were no words to describe how happy I was that Ashley was starting to recall things from her past before she was sold to Virgil. I spent that entire day telling her about our lives growing up, school and hanging out memories that I had about us. I knew there was more to uncover for her because she still didn't remember that her dad passed away, or that her mother gave her away to cover debts. I felt like those were locked away because of how traumatic they were. I remember when Ashley lost her dad, she was a mess, and I did all I could to comfort her. At the time that happened, I never could have imagined losing one of my parents. I never wanted to feel that pain, but alas, I've lost my parents, and I can't express how much it hurts to know they're gone. I knew that Ashley might feel that pain all over again as if it's just happening when she remembers. Also, imagine how much it will hurt her when she remembers what her mother did to her. I knew that might take some time for her to recover from, but at least for now, she was healing slowly and remembering her life. Ashley didn't remember it all, but it was a good feeling to see her know our friends by their pictures and little memories that we shared from school.

It was the month of July now; students were out for the summer. This meant that Seth and Ford were off too because Ford was a World History teacher at Berkian Academy, a private school, and Seth taught Physical Education for Berk High. Eli and Alicia were two of my employees at Archia Burger, and Devon was a Physical Fitness Trainer at the local gym. Hailey worked at the animal shelter and rehabilitation center, and I volunteered in the rehab department but worked from home when not working for Archia Burger. Travis and Roxanne were owners of Thorston Designs, interior, and exterior; they were really good at that, and the business was booming too. All my friends had dragons as well, except Ashley. Seth had Hookfang, and Alicia had Graythorn. Ford had Meatlug and Hailey had Windshear. Devon had Sleuther, Eli had Skullcrusher, and the twins had a set of sibling dragons, Barf and Belch. I had Toothless, Thornado, and Cloudjumper. Of course, temporarily, I had Stormfly too, the name I picked for the dragon I was trying to get ready for adoption. However, this dragon was a bit harder then the others had been, but she started warming up to coming out when Ashley arrived, and it had me wondering if maybe Stormfly sensed Ashley was hurting and afraid to get hurt like she was.

Ashley still got her nightmares, but they weren't as bad anymore. Also, Ashley was still obedient as ever, afraid to get hurt as I mentioned before. Ashley might be remembering things, but she still knew what she'd been punished to learn. I knew it would take a while to break her out of that and have her understand that she has own will, and freedom now. I was making her stay with me because I figured it was the best way to help her, and I assumed that she didn't have anywhere else to go. Hailey and Ford were living together and engaged to be married in the Fall this year. The two have been dating since Senior Year, at the prom. Roxanne is dating Eli, and Travis is with Alicia. The poor guy got the warning of a lifetime when Seth threatened him not to hurt his little sister. Devon was dating a girl named Skye Ostberg, someone he met at the gym he worked for. I believe Seth isn't with anyone, but he's been on a couple of dates with a girl named Caitlyn Boggs. As far as I remember, she was a girl we went to school with that Seth ran into back in May, and they decided to go for coffee. I'm pretty sure he's hesitating because Caitlyn has a two-year-old son named Brandon who she and the biological father shared custody. I think Seth said that the father gets every other weekend with Brandon.

All things considered, my friends are doing well in their lives; I wish I were. Sure, I had a good job and had found Ashley. But what else did I have going for me? I didn't have a relationship because the girl I was in love with currently believed I was her owner who is kind and friendly, but she didn't see me as her friend, and I know I'm still earning her trust while trying to break through that mindset. Also, I didn't have my parents, and I was still coping with that as it only happened six months ago. My friends tried to set me up on so many dates, but I just couldn't bring myself to agree to go on them because my heart belongs to Ashley, even if she doesn't know that. I can't tell her how I feel because she won't understand until I bring back the Ashley she used to be. I'm still trying to get her to understand that she doesn't have to do anything sexual to me because we had another incident where she tried two weeks ago. Ashley had a nightmare, and I did the thing where I hold her, and fall asleep with her in my arms for comfort. However, I was awakened by Ashley pulling my pants down, and trying to ride me. Literally, she stripped herself down because she had woken up and found me hard, so she took it as a sign that I wanted her to fuck me.

It had been the most awkward thing I ever had to deal with because there were times I wanted her, to make love to Ashley. The only reason I didn't was that I knew she didn't want me because she loved me. For Ashley, it was she thinks I'm her master and has to please me. I didn't want to have sex with her when she believed it was because she had to, and I wanted my Ashley back; the girl I grew up with. Sadly, Hailey told me that Ashley might never be how she was because of what she endured, and I think that bothered me the most. Ashley could remember everything, she could heal, and learn that she is her own person, but she might never be the girl we knew. Hailey explained it in the sense that these people broke Ashley's seemingly unbreakable spirit and made her a mindless slave to them for their own need. Whether that be sex or money. Ashley might always feel the heartbreak and betrayal of knowing her mother sold her, that is when she remembered what happened, of course. Ashley would always know the punishments she got and recalling what they did to break her, and that would always return as PTSD, like how military people remembered wars; there were some things that could never be forgotten. I hated knowing that, but I knew it was possible, and would likely be the case.

However, I wasn't giving up. I knew Ashley might never forget what she went through, but if I couldn't help her forget it, maybe I give her new things to think about? I guess it could be viewed as if she remembered the torture, perhaps she could think of something else in place of it, a happier memory. This is why I'm determined to help her remember her life before all that because it could help her live a normal life again. And as long as it takes, I will continue that mission. Currently, it's 5 am, and my alarm just sounded to make sure I'm up for work at 6 am. I forced myself out of bed, and then went to use the bathroom, shower, and shave. Of course, as soon as I opened the bathroom door, I saw Ashley exiting her room.

"Morning, Hayden," Ashley greeted.

"Good morning, Ashley," I smiled. "How are you feeling today?"

"I'm okay. Is there anything you'd like for me to do?" Ashley asked. Yes, this was an all the time thing now; her asking if she could help me in some way.

"Uh, why don't you head to the kitchen and pull out what you want for breakfast?" I suggested.

"Yes, Hayden," Ashley nodded, then she headed to the kitchen. I shook my head before going to my room to get dressed. I threw on my work clothes, then got my shoes on. Afterward, I left the room after gathering my phone, and wallet into my pockets. I reached downstairs to see that Ashley pulled out bread, cinnamon, and eggs.

"French Toast today?" I asked as she smiled with a nod. I chuckled and got to work making it for her, and then a bagel with butter for myself. I was never a big breakfast guy, and I knew I'd eat at work later. I finished her food, then mine. After that, we both sat down to eat. "So what do you plan to do today?" I questioned.

"I was…wondering if I could…maybe look for a job?" Ashley said as I nearly choked on my orange juice. "Sorry,"

"What, no, you're not in trouble. I was just surprised by the question," I said quickly. "Why do you want a job? I've told you that you don't have to pay anything to be here, and also, that you don't have to make money to make me happy,"

"It's something to do and gets me out for a while. I love it here, but every day?" Ashley shrugged. Huh, I suppose I couldn't argue with that logic. Being in the same place all the time likely got boring, and that's why I enjoyed getting out to go to work every day.

"What kind of job did you want?" I asked.

"I don't know. Something easy, three or four days a week?" Ashley responded.

"Well, you don't have a license, so you can't drive, and I would prefer you don't take public transportation because there are a bunch of weirdos on the bus. Not to mention you would need a few documents to prove identity, and I can take you for those on my next day off," I mentioned as she looked down, clearly disheartened. "But, why…don't you come with me to work today if you want to get out for a bit? Who knows, maybe you'll like it and want to work there? We're hiring," I offered as I saw her face light up.

"Oh, thank you, Hayden!" Ashley said happily as she quickly finished her food. I laughed a little as she rushed upstairs to change clothes, then meet me at the door.

"Ready?" I asked her, and she nodded to me. I opened the door, and let her out first, then I closed the door, and made sure it was locked up. Ashley and I reached the car, then got in, buckled up, and we were off. I was glad that Ashley said what she did because it proved to me that Ashley was beginning to understand she could ask me things about what she wanted to do in her life and knew that sitting around the house could be boring. I also loved hearing that she wanted to work, make money, be independent, but loved living with me; I think that's the best thing I could have ever heard her say.

(Archia Burger)

I pulled into a spot along the side of the building, already seeing two other cars there, and knowing they were my openers. Eli and Maria. I got out of the car, then Ashley stood next to me.

"Morning, boss," Maria greeted.

"What's Ashley doing here?" Eli questioned.

"Well, she was bored at home and wanted to come out. I suggested coming to work with me, and she might want to work here," I informed.

"Well, that will be fun," Maria smiled.

"Well, let's get inside to open up. Wait, where's Theo?" I asked.

"Haven't seen him yet, maybe he's running a little late?" Eli shrugged.

"I'll give him fifteen minutes; then I gotta call him and find out what's going on," I mumbled a bit while opening the door with the key and letting the other three in first before myself. Once in, I flipped the lights on and turned the alarm system off.

"Should I just…find a spot to sit?" Ashley inquired.

"Uh, if you want something to do so you're not bored, you can help with open. See if you might like working here?" I suggested.

"What can I do to help?" Ashley questioned.

"Would you like to wipe down the tables, give the floor a sweep, then vacuum the rug? If you get all that done and need something else; you could lay out the mats and stock the straws, maybe check the condiment stand. Everything you need to stock that is in these cabinets," I told her. Ashley nodded with a smile as she got to work. I moved to the back to start other things. "Eli, open up the grill. Maria, take salads. Until Theo gets here, I'll start the line. I just got a message from him saying he's on his way and had to get gas first,"

"Aye, sir!" the two employees saluted, then got to work. Seven minutes later, another male knocked on the window as Ashley let him in, then that guy got to work. At 7:30 am, I unlocked the doors for the public, and stood next to Ashley who had helped with more than getting the dining room ready. Ashley finished all that stuff fast, and then I had her come in the back and do sauce bottles, and stocking drive-thru, as well the front-end. Doing all that took some strain off the employees who came in at 7:30 am to work. I made sure everyone was in position, and I finished my opening paperwork.

"So, what do you think, Ashley? Like the work here?" I asked her.

"It's easy, and kind of fun. I like it," Ashley responded.

"Do you want to work here? You can do opens with me, and send you back to the house with Eli or Alicia since they don't work past 2 pm. Up for it?" I inquired.

"I do want to work here, Hayden. Um, should I apply?" Ashley asked.

"Ash, I'm the General Manager here. I don't need an application from you because I know your information already. I put everything in, and then we'll get all the legal documents taken care of on my next day off. As far as I'm concerned, my friend, you're hired," I smiled. I saw Ashley beam with joy that she now had a job.