All I Can Be

Pairing; Hunter(Hiccup)/Treyden(Toothless)

Rating; M for Mature

Author; Nightstar Fury

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

Party Time

Hunter's entire two weeks home was fabulous. One of the best nights of his life was the date on Saturday after Elizabeth's funeral, and that wasn't just because Audrey and he got to have sex after ten long months without it. The day itself had been perfect. Hunter felt a lot better with his father knowing that he and Audrey were sexually active, Hunter didn't like keeping secrets from his father and even if he tried to hide something, Hunter would feel guilty. Salvatore and Hunter had a strong father/son relationship; there were no secrets. No, the whole day with Audrey was fantastic. The fair, walking in the park, a movie, then dinner, finally ending the night by getting to make love for four hours and the bonus was Hunter getting to spend the night there with her. Everything had just been perfect.

When Sunday came around, Hunter and Audrey woke up and got bold in deciding to take a shower together where they had sex again, and Hunter admitted that wearing a condom in the shower was weird. After that was over, and they were dressed, Hunter made them breakfast, and the two returned to the Haddock residence together around 1 pm when their friends were already there. No one questioned why Hunter and Audrey had arrived together when Salvatore mentioned before they showed up that Hunter spent the night with Treyden at his house. The rest of that day was them hanging out. Through the week was school but Hunter did see them at lunch hour.

Audrey and Hunter got together as much as they could to relax; of course, they did end up making love most of those times. Just like before with it being two or three times a week. The two of them wouldn't get to do it again until Hunter's tour was over so might as well cash in on the opportunities while they could. Two weeks went by fast, and now it was Friday the 6th of October in the year 2017. Tomorrow, Hunter would be back on a plane with Striker One to return to Iraq for the remainder of his deployment. Today was the going away party for him, Salvatore invited all of Striker One and their families, plus Hunter's friends, and even Gregory.

The time currently was 2 pm, the party being held in a rentable hall to fit everyone. Not all who were invited showed up, but it was still a big group. Sal, Viola, Caitlyn, Hunter, Audrey, Treyden, Theo, Andrew, Danielle, Amanda, Conner, Nikolas, Zander, Amber, Renee, Travis, Fisher, Heather, Shane, Uncle Greg, Uncle Shawn, and Aunt Mikayla. Also, much to Hunter's disliking, Eddie and Drew were there as well. For food, there was pizza, soda, chips, dip, hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, some baked goods, and treats. Hunter had music going, and everyone was having a decent time. Today was going to be a good day, Hunter's last one home for the next eight months.

The only thing Hunter hadn't done yet, was take his father's advice to try and talk to his mother and patch things up before he left again. Sadly, Hunter didn't know if he would have time to speak to his mom before tomorrow morning came and Hunter got on the plane at 4 am. As it was, when Hunter got home tonight after the party, he was probably going to get a shower and go to sleep. Perhaps he could spare a little extra time to sit down with his mother and talk about the whole not supporting him issue. Right now, Hunter wasn't worried about it. He was surrounded by family and friends while enjoying his final day of leave.

"I can't believe you have to leave tomorrow," Audrey frowned.

"I know, two weeks went by too fast," Hunter nodded as he held her close, his arms wrapped around her waist and standing from behind her. "Don't worry; it'll be okay. We'll talk as much as we can," he assured.

"I hope so. You missed all the big holidays, and my birthday," Audrey sighed.

"Hey, I managed to get a call in for Christmas and your birthday. Plus, I sent you a gift," Hunter reminded as he kissed her cheek. It was true that he had. Audrey's birthday was May 10th, 2000 and Hunter managed to get a quick five-minute call in to wish her a happy birthday that morning before she went to school. However, later on, when Audrey got home, she found a package from Hunter on her doorstep with a dozen red roses sitting on the box. Inside the package was a small heart-shaped box of chocolates, a birthday card, and a little stuffed bear wearing an army uniform. Audrey had never been more surprised in her life; she sent Hunter an e-mail right away to thank him for the gifts.

Hunter also missed Caitlyn's birthday; she was fifteen now; her birthday had been in June on the 2nd. Hunter never got to call her due to the bad reception. And Hunter would miss his parent's birthdays this year. However, Hunter made sure to get them gifts but wanted to give each in person, so he brought them with him. Hunter left Audrey's side to move to his backpack and pull out a few boxes; then he handed them to their respected person.

"What are these?" Salvatore asked curiously.

"Presents for your birthdays, I didn't have time to wrap them. I know Mom's and yours haven't come yet, but since I won't be home for them and I don't have a guarantee of being able to call, I thought to give them early. And I missed Cait's birthday too. Also, for you and Mom in the second boxes are your mother's and father's day gifts," Hunter explained. Caitlyn was first to open hers, sitting inside her box was a necklace and charm bracelet. The necklace was one of those types where one person wore one side and the second person wore the other half. The two parts of this chain were a dog tag with a heart shape cut out and then the second piece was the heart with some words on it that made Caitlyn tear up a little.

"What does it say, sweetheart?" Viola asked.

"Side by side or miles apart, we'll always be siblings connected by the heart," Caitlyn read off as she hugged Hunter tightly. "You're the best big brother in the known universe," she told him as Hunter hugged her back.

"I do my best," Hunter replied as Caitlyn let go of him and put on the heart piece around her neck, then Hunter took the dog tag part and put it around his neck and under his shirt with his other tags. After that, Hunter went outside and brought in a large but thin wrapped gift. But first, Hunter handed him a card from his backpack. Sal opened the envelope, then the card.

"A Father means so many things. An understanding heart, a source of strength and support right from the very start. A constant readiness to help, in a kind and thoughtful way. With encouragement and forgiveness, no matter what comes your way. A special generosity and always affection too. A Father means so many things when he's a man like you," there was a pause as Sal continued to read on, "You're always the one I'll look up to no matter how old I get or how tall I've grown. Happy birthday, Dad. I hope this gift will remind that even though I wear my own now, it was you who taught me to walk in them with yours back then. With love always, your son, Hunter,"

"Awe!" Renee, Heather, Caitlyn, and Audrey said in adoration.

Salvatore didn't even need the gift, the card alone almost brought him to tears. Sal placed the card down and opened the gift, finding it to be a framed picture. The border was filled with photos from the day Hunter was born and being held by his father to the day Hunter was sworn into the army. Each picture showed them side by side, each year of Hunter's life and his most memorable moments with his Dad. In the center was a pair of boot prints labeled Salvatore Haddock, then a smaller set of the big ones with the name Hunter Haddock.

Under the two sets of boot prints was something written by Hunter and Sal choked up a bit reading it. "When I was little, people used to ask me who my favorite superhero was. Who was the person I wanted to be like when I grew up? I always told them the same thing; that I would grow up to walk in my hero's boots. My hero doesn't have super powers; he has a gun. My hero doesn't wear a skin tight suit or a cape; he wears a uniform and dog tags. My hero doesn't wear a mask; he wears a helmet. My hero doesn't need to hide his identity to protect himself because he's too busy protecting everyone else. Who is my hero? He's soldier, and I call him my Dad,"

Salvatore looked over at Hunter, shocked and surprised and then without warning, Sal just hugged him tightly, and Hunter returned it. "Didn't mean to make ya cry, old man," Hunter laughed a little.

"Thank you, son. It's an incredible gift, and I love it," Sal told him after the hug ended.

"You're welcome, but you still have one more to open," Hunter reminded.

"Well, let's let your mother go first. Birthday gifts then the mother's and father's day ones," Salvatore smiled, and Hunter nodded while both looked at Viola now, but she never made a move to open hers. "Vi?"

"I've been a horrible mother to you, Hunter. I don't deserve anything," Viola murmured looking down. Of course, it was easy to tell why she said that, because of the situation where she said she wouldn't support him anymore. Hunter sighed because he knew something like this would happen. This was the event of the day that was going to take it from good to problem. Apparently, this was going to be the talk they needed to have.

"That doesn't matter to me," Hunter said as Viola looked at him and Sal stepped back and had the others take a seat for now. "Yeah, you haven't been the greatest to me, but you're still my mom, and I'm not so heartless to not get you something for your birthday or mother's day,"

"Because your father likely told you to do it," Viola closed her eyes.

"Dad had nothing to do with this. It was my choice as is everything else I do. You've been moping about for three weeks since I've been home and it's starting to aggravate me. This is my last day in town for another eight months, and I do not desire to spend it fighting with you on a trivial matter," Hunter stated sternly.

"You said you didn't want to bother with me since I don't give a damn," Viola argued.

"I said you wouldn't hear from me until I get my leave time and even then, it might not be worth my time see someone who doesn't give a damn. I've decided that it's worth my time to see my mother, regardless if she has been unsupportive of my decisions since middle school and thus far still believes she has a say in it anymore," Hunter reiterated.

"Yes, I know. You keep reminding me that I have no say in what you do and that I can't stop you because you and your father decided to go behind my back with all of it," Viola mentioned. "You've made it vividly clear who you prefer in your life,"

"Oh my Gods, are you really going to start this? Is that what you want to do right now? Because if you start this fight with me, you're going to lose." Hunter warned.

"It's the truth, Hunter. I might be your mother, but you don't seem to care because you have your father to go to when you want anything at all and Odin knows that he never tells you no," Viola huffed. Yep, this was starting.

Hunter's eyes narrowed at her. "I gave you the warning to stop while you were ahead but since you want to have this out, then I'm not holding back. It's not that I prefer to have Dad in my life over you, over anyone for that matter. It's that I prefer to go to Dad because he listened to me! Everything I have ever asked you about or for, you say no without hearing what I have to say first. Dad never tells me yes unless I can prove to him he won't regret his decision to allow it. All other matters aside, your biggest problem is that I'm in the army,"

"That is not true. My problem is that you don't come to me, you go to your Dad and then do things behind my back! How is that supposed to make me feel? That you love him more than me?" Viola countered.

"And how the fuck do you think it makes me feel that you don't support a single thing I want to do?! That you give Caitlyn whatever she wants, you listen to her, help Cait with her problems...that you seem to love my sister more than me?" Hunter questioned in a louder tone.

"I love both of my children equally," Viola stated quickly.

"That is a bullshit lie, and you know it. Don't even go there with me; the army has taught me a lot more than how to fight. It's also taught me to know when someone is lying to my face. You and Caitlyn have the same strong relationship that Dad and I do. Cait doesn't go to Dad when she needs help; she goes to you. Just like I go to Dad instead of you. That's just how it is. How dare you try and give me shit over something you do as well! You're such a hypocrite!" Hunter glared.

Viola didn't say anything that time. "Still want to tell me you love your kids equally? I've been offered to skip grades since elementary school; you always said no. Caitlyn does good in 7th grade, gets the chance to jump to 9th and guess who was all over allowing it? You. I wanted a puppy; you said no because I wouldn't take care of it. Caitlyn wanted a kitten, and two days later we suddenly had a cat in the house, and I got stuck on making sure the bowls were filled and the litter box cleaned. I used to ask you for rides to hang out with my friends back when Dad was still in the army; you told me you were too busy. Cait will ask you while you're working in your office at home if you'll take her to a friends house and you drop everything to take her, even if it's 8:30 at night. Have I made my point or should I keep going?" Hunter asked.

"Those are small examples, Hunter, and your father was always on board with it," Viola sighed.

"LIKE YOU GAVE HIM THE CHOICE TO SAY NO!" Hunter yelled as Viola flinched a bit. No one liked when Hunter got mad, and it took a lot to get him to start screaming. Not even Drew and Eddie wanted to test him. "You would tell Caitlyn that you'll talk to Dad, but you didn't talk. You said what you were going to do and it happened. There was no discussion. You waited until Dad would get home, exhausted from working all day, then lay it on him and he was too tired to argue with you. You went just as much behind his back as he does yours!"

"You went to your father about getting your GED and joining the army, and he said it was all right!" Viola got to her feet now.

"Wrong. I talked to Dad about giving me a chance to get my GED, and we made a deal. If I passed the practice tests with nothing lower than a seventy-five, he would let me take the GED and then if I passed that, he would let me join the army with his full support and help. If I had failed, the situation would have been different. I didn't ask Dad to let me take the GED, I asked him to give me a chance," Hunter retorted angrily.

"It still ended up with you in the army at sixteen-years-old and lying to everyone about where you were all summer," Viola replied gently.

"Because I'm not a fucking idiot which you apparently think I am. So what if I got my GED at sixteen, Mom. It means that I'm smarter than most kids my age and have the knowledge level required to be considered a high school graduate. I think that should make you happy, but that's not the case. I did not technically lie about where I was. I said I was going to camp to learn how to be a soldier, and that's what I did. I just didn't tell you that it was boot camp," Hunter crossed his arms over his chest.

"Watch your tone and language, Hunter. I'm still your mother, and you will respect me," Viola warned.

"And what are you gonna do if I don't? Hm? Disown me? Throw me out? Are you going to ground me until I turn eighteen?" Hunter asked with a grin. "Oh! Oh, wait a second! You can't because I'm legally considered an adult to Archi Island, and that means that I'm in charge of my life, not you," Viola bit back some and that response made Salvatore blink in shock. "It's no longer your responsibility to take care of me, and you can't tell me what to do. I don't have to respect you if I don't want to,"

"Then why do you respect your father? You don't give him any trouble when he asks you to do something," Viola mumbled.

"Would you like the honest answer to that question?" Hunter inquired, and Viola nodded. "Because Dad gives me the same respect I give him. It's a two-way street, just like many other aspects between two people. If you want respect, you have to give respect. If you want friends, you have to be friendly. If you want someone to be kind to you, then you have to be nice to them. If you want to be accepted for who you are, then you have to accept others as they are,"

"When I come to Dad with a problem or need to talk to him, he stops what he's doing to listen to me. Dad won't talk or cut me off; he'll wait until I'm done, and then he'll ask questions to make sure he understands what I'm coming to him about. Though, sometimes he takes it way out of context and makes it awkward like when I went to him about the possible GED thing," Hunter stated.

"Hey, in fairness, you started the conversation with it being a personal issue, and you didn't want your mother knowing," Salvatore mentioned instantly. "What else was I supposed to think besides you and-" Hunter facepalmed and sighed. "Sorry,"

"Relax, Dad. I know. That was my fault for not assuring you of the commonly assumed problems," Hunter told him.

"Why, what did you think Hunter was having a problem with, Dad?" Caitlyn asked.

"Not that it has a bearing on this conversation, but Dad assumed Audrey and I were going to start having sex so all he told me was to make sure I had condoms and she was on birth control. Oh, and to not tell Mom because she would kill him," Hunter responded.

"I most certainly would. You're too young, Hunter," Viola stated quickly then turned her attention to Sal. "And I better not find out you bought him condoms, Salvatore. He's only a teenager,"

"Mother, please. I assure you I don't need Dad to buy me condoms. I have a license, truck, and excellent paying job, I can buy them myself. Not to mention, I don't feel that someone who wants to have sex should be having someone else buy condoms for them because it would be a clear indication that they are nowhere near ready to engage in intercourse. And for the record, half of the Freshman class when I was still attending that school were having sex at fifteen," Hunter informed with an eye roll.

"You best not have been one of them," Viola warned.

"Give me a little credit, would you? I didn't have sex at fifteen," Hunter remarked, and Viola breathed out a sigh of relief as Hunter's eyes caught Audrey's and she was telling him just to tell the truth, and there was no point hiding anymore. "I had sex at sixteen," he added calmly as the room was silent, everyone staring at him and then to Audrey except for Sal who just sat back relaxing.

"You. Did. What?!" Viola screeched out.

"Do I have to say it in another language for you? I know Spanish, French, Italian, and Arabic. Audrey and I started having sex when I got home from AIT last September. We still do it twice a week and before you ask; yes, Dad knew about it. Of course, he only found out two weeks ago," Hunter shrugged.

"You put it in his head with you assumption he was going to do it!" Viola yelled at Salvatore.

"I did not. Hunter told me that Audrey and he weren't taking their relationship that far when I made the assumption! Hunter and his girlfriend had sex the first when he took her on that all day date and stayed at her place until 9ish. Been doing it ever since. Two weeks ago on Saturday they were doing it, I told him to spend the night with her and informed the rest of you that he was staying at Treyden's. The boy is safe about it, Vi, come on. Hunter is almost eighteen and then Audrey right behind him," Sal said quickly.

Viola went to start again, but Hunter was going to put his foot down. "THAT IS ENOUGH!" Silence fell over the room again. "Yes, Audrey and I have sex. It's not unheard of for a couple to do that. And we are certainly not discussing it right now as we're on another topic. I only told you to prove further that I don't care what you say or do, I'm still going to do what I want to do. I'm sick of having this argument with you, Mom. It's going to stop here and now or you're not going to hear from me again. I will contact everyone else, except you and when my tour ends in May, I'll move out, and you won't see me either. Is that what you want?"

"No..." Viola whispered.

"Then sit down and pay attention because this is the last time I'm going to put up with it. If it happens again, there will be no warnings," Hunter said firmly as Viola sat down.

"I've kept my mouth shut about every instance where you loved Caitlyn more than me. I just accepted it and kept going because it was easier than fighting with you. Bottom line, Mom. I meant what I said in Iraq; I'm through putting my hopes on you supporting me and my choices. I get you don't like it and worry about me, but it's my choice to be there. Well, in the army, not so much the overseas thing. It was my choice to join, and whether it was when I was sixteen or graduated from High School, it was going to happen," Hunter told her.

"I will not ask you to change how you are. I have accepted that and chose to leave it be. I will not ask you to support me being in the army. The only thing I will ask is that you fake it convincingly by keeping your remarks to yourself as I have done in the past when you do something that I don't like. I always put on the smile for you, made you think I was cool with things you chose to do and now I ask you to return the favor by accepting that you can't change me or who I am. Okay? I fight enemies while deployed; I don't want to have to come home to family and keep fighting. All right? Will you do that for me, please? If nothing else you've ever given me, just give me this,"

With a softened look in her eye, Viola sighed. "Very well, Hunter. If that's what you want from me,"

"Thank you. Now, open your gift," Hunter said.

"Y-You still want me to have it?" Viola asked, having not expected that Hunter wanted her to keep the gifts he got her. "I've been horrible to you,"

Hunter uncrossed his arms and stared at her with calm eyes. "But you're still my mother," Hunter said as she looked at him quickly. "You might be unfair to me and a royal pain in my ass sometimes but you're my mom nevertheless, and I still love you no matter what," he smiled afterward. Viola didn't have a response to his words. Instead, she got up and hugged him tightly. Hunter hugged her back, "You know, the crying and hugging is supposed to come after you open the gift,"

"I don't need gifts, having you is one of the greatest I've ever received," Viola whispered to him before she pulled back and kissed his forehead.

"Yeah well, I got you something anyway so open it, and we can get back to having fun?" Hunter told her. Viola sat down as she got the box marked for birthday and opened the sides to see what was in there. Viola pulled out a silver charm bracelet. "You can add charms to it too. I took the liberty of getting a one to represent me. It's the charm that says; Mother Of A Soldier," he added.

"Oh, son. It's beautiful, thank you," Viola hugged him again.

"Not yet, you still have your mother's day gift to open," Hunter smiled, and Viola grabbed the second box, a little smaller than the first. Opening it, Viola pulled out a heart-shaped necklace that had three colors on it. "Each color represents someone, and all placed on the heart for you to wear, so you always know we're with you. Dad's birthstone, mine, and Caitlyn's. Along with the engraving; Forever With You," he explained as he took it out of the box and placed it around her neck and hooked it in place. "And on the the back it has our names and birthdays," he added.

"I'll never take it off. Thank you, Hunter. I promise to...try and be less of a pain in your ass from now on," Viola told him.

"I'll take what I can get," Hunter replied, and they hugged again. "Now, let's get back to having fun, and I'm gonna kick it off with Dad's father's day gift. Don't worry, old man, I didn't get you jewelry," Hunter stated as Salvatore blinked. "It's party time,"