Through The Ups & Downs
Couple; HarrisonXBriana
Rating; Mature
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD or any songs I might use! Also, from this point in the story and in future chapters, I do not own the character; Ella(Eira) Solveig. She belongs to my good friend, ShadowSpirit020.
25) Healed Wounds
Harrison's family and his friends were shocked yet exciting too. Initially, they didn't know if they'd ever get to meet the famous Briana who stole Harrison's heart back in August before he came home on his week long leave. Harrison informed Frankie, Regina, TJ, his little brother and parents that Briana was from the USA and lived close to Fort Benning so the group wondered if they would get to meet this woman and here she was, with Harrison on Arc Isle. Sure, there were tons of questions, but they could wait until later after they left the airport. Nate decided to step forward first with a broad smile.
"Hi! I'm Nathaniel Haddock, Harrison's kid brother and everyone calls me Nate," he introduced as he took Briana's hand and kissed the back of it.
"Oh, he's so sweet. Harrison has told me so much about you," Briana greeted. "It's a pleasure," she added as Harrison ruffled Nate's hair a little.
"Good work, buddy," Harrison told him as Nate stayed beside his elder brother and looked at his parents, saying for them silently to be friendly because they didn't want to upset Harrison by not taking to his girlfriend.
"The pleasure is all ours, Briana. I'm Spencer Haddock, Harrison's father and this is my wife, Viviana. We're so pleased to finally met you," Spencer smiled as he shook Briana's hand, then Vivian carefully hugged her.
"Babe, over here are my friends that I've had since middle school. Frankie Ingerman, Regina and TJ Thorston," Harrison paused as he reached Addilyn, not sure what to call her. Addy turned out to welcome him and the others home, and she spoke to him as well, so what harm would be in introducing her to Briana. "And this is Addilyn Hofferson," he finished.
"I'm so happy to meet all of you. Harrison has told me so many stories of your friendship," Briana informed gently.
"Sounds like Harrison, always bragging about his amazing friends," TJ chuckled, and Harrison laughed too.
"Well," Viviana clapped her hands together. "Think this is as good a time as any for us grab bags and head home. Is Briana staying with us for the week, Harrison?" she inquired.
"Yeah, if that's cool with both of you? We're only here until Sunday of next week; I think it's the 25th. And you said your parents are away right now, right babe? Harrison asked.
"Yeah, Dad is at Fort Benning because he transferred there for work and Mom had to go to some convention for the hospital. I think my brother Alexander is watching himself and Jasmine for the week with the watchful eye of our next door neighbor," Briana replied. "They'll be back on Friday the 23rd though, right before we arrive," she added.
"Where will she sleep, son?" Spencer wondered. "Hailey has the guest room, and Dexter has the old office," he reminded.
"Harrison, don't worry about that. Remember what said over the layover? I'm getting an apartment for Hailey and me; she's gonna take care of it while we're in the US and I'm gonna send her the money for rent and some of the bills," Dexter smiled.
"Yeah, and we're going tonight. I packed all my stuff earlier, and there should be a moving truck at your parent's house when we get there. Dexter put all our stuff from the old apartment into storage, and we got a couple of old pals helping us move everything in. Briana can take the guest room after I leave it," Hailey interjected with a nod.
"I suppose that takes care of that then," Viviana said. "Are we ready to head home then?" she inquired.
"Not just yet, Mrs. Haddock," came Aaron's voice as he approached with a smile. "I apologize for holding you up. You must be Harrison's parents. I'm Major Aaron Hagebak, leader of the Sky Striker Company. This is Lieutenant Glenn Belmore, heading the Wind Rider Platoon," he introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you, sir," Spencer shook his hand. "Why aren't we able to leave?" he inquired.
"Ah, yes! I stopped you because your son here is getting promoted and I thought you being his family and friends might like to bear witness to it," Aaron smiled.
"Oh, of course! Let me get my camera," Viviana exclaimed, and Nate only got his phone out. When Vivian had the camera from her purse, they stepped back a little as Harrison faced Aaron and Glenn while standing at 'Parade Rest.' The Wind Rider Platoon had not yet left either, all of them wanted to stay and watch this moment.
"Now, Mr. Haddock here is to be promoted to his next rank for his courageous actions performed overseas two weeks ago. On September the 12th, a soldier went MIA or Missing In Action from the American group we worked closely with. This soldier was separated from their unit on a mission, and through many searches, they could not be found until two weeks ago when Harrison Haddock trusted and followed his instincts. His actions found, rescued, and saved the life of that soldier," Aaron informed.
"What happened? Unless we aren't allowed to know?" Frankie wondered.
"I felt it might be better coming from the hero himself," Aaron mentioned while moving back a little.
"Major, I'm not a hero. I did what anyone would do," Harrison sighed. "And I'll tell them later. Kind'a tired right now and wanna get home,"
"But no one else did what you did, lad," Glenn smiled.
"What? Defy orders on a whim?" Harrison arched a brow. "That's what Dunbar said anyway,"
Glenn smacked him upside the head hard, and Harrison rubbed the spot. "Don't you listen to that ungrateful fool,"
"What Lieutenant Belmore is saying, Harrison is that if you hadn't acted when you did to see more than what we did. That soldier might not have survived, and a family now would be mourning that loss. We call you a hero, and so does that soldier," Aaron stated firmly. "Either way, I won't keep ya long. So without further ado," he paused a moment while pulling something out of his pocket.
"Harrison Haddock, it is my esteemed pleasure to promote you to the rank of Specialist for your outstanding dragon training abilities, leadership, and heroism overseas. Congratulations," Aaron announced as he took off the patch on Harrison's ACU coat sleeve and put in its place the rank badge for 'Sergeant.'
"Thank you, Major Hagebak," Harrison said. Aaron saluted him, and Harrison returned it before shaking his and Glenn's hands, then faced his family and friends. "Let's go home," Harrison said as they went over to the bag carousel and he got his and Briana's bags, then they all exited the airport terminal and waited for their dragons. Toothless and Nightstar were laying together, her head on Toothless's paws and his head on her neck. "Come on boy," Toothless stood up with a yawn after Nightstar moved.
"Woah! Another Night Fury!?" the group gasped.
"Yes, and she's bonded to Briana. Call her to follow us, babe," Harrison instructed.
"Let's go, girl," Briana said to Nightstar who followed obediently. When they were all in the parking lot, Harrison put his and Briana's bags into his mother's van and then he got on Toothless as Dexter and Syrus helped Briana into Harrison's arms.
"I'll fly Toothless home and have Nightstar follow us. Meet you there," Harrison called as Toothless bolted into the sky and Nightstar copied the action.
[Haddock Residence-4:15 pm]
Everyone was over, except for Syrus since he went home with his family. Harrison and Briana reached the house first by 3:25 pm, then the others arrived after having been stuck in traffic much longer than they wanted to be. As everyone came inside before all the celebrations started, Harrison helped Dexter and Hailey move her things to the truck waiting outside to go to the new apartment along with their dragons; Strikebolt, Dexter's Skrill and Windshead, Hailey's dragon.
Harrison learned that his friends all bonded with dragons too. It happened during just before they graduated High School and he didn't hear about it until all the paperwork was completed during the summer before he came home for leave. Harrison did get to meet the dragons before the big fight happened. Hailey bonded to a female Razorwhip that she called Windshear. Regina and TJ were sharing a male Zippleback and had each named a head. Regina went with Barf for the right side, and TJ took the left head and called it Belch. Frankie bonded with a female Gronckle called Meatlug, and finally, Addilyn and a Deadly Nadder were the best of friends after bonding, and the dragon's name was Stormfly. All of them now had their training and flier licenses too.
Harrison knew what needed to happen before the rest of this week continued. Harrison needed to apologize to his friends and family in person for the way he behaved the last time he was home. Now that Dexter and Hailey had left to set up their new apartment, Harrison knew it was time.
"Well, I'm going to start dinner," Viviana announced happily. "I'll make your favorite, Harrison," she added. This was Harrison's chance while everyone was all in the same room.
"Thanks, Mom, but can you hold off on it for like five minutes? I got something I want to say to everyone while we're all together," Harrison stated.
"Alright, go ahead, son. We're all ears," Spencer invited. Harrison took a deep breath and moved, so he was facing everyone.
"I wanted to apologize for the way I acted two months ago." Harrison began. "When I had started dating Briana; we didn't know if our commanding officers were going to let it continue since we only got together a week before I came back. I didn't want to say anything until I knew we weren't going to have to break it off. I've never been in a relationship before, it was new to me, and I acted immaturely and rudely to all of you when you wanted to spend time with me, and I was always on my phone," he paused a moment.
"See, over the first three months there, one of the platoon members was shot twice and killed. It hit our group hard, especially those of us who had to watch it happen, but we ended up closer than before after some time passed. It's...why I was on my phone so much and checking in with everyone. I got scared and reacted badly because I was torn about wanting to be with all of you and them too. I know it's not an excuse but you wanted to know what had me so distracted and that's one of the reasons besides being in a new relationship and all. I was stupid and immature about things. I just wanted to say I'm sorry, and I hope you can forgive me," Harrison finished.
Briana smiled softly from the couch and reached forward to hold Harrison's hand. The room was silent, all of them looking at Harrison after he said what he did. It was a genuine apology, and he told them things he probably couldn't before to explain why he was always on his phone; that it was him talking to Briana and his friends, afraid to find out when he got back that someone else passed away. True, it wasn't an excuse, but it was a better explanation than what they got the first time when it looked like he just didn't want to be with them at all. Now, it made sense.
"I forgive him," Nate said as he got up and hugged Harrison tightly.
"We forgave you already, son," Viviana informed as she went over and kissed his cheek, then hugged him. Spencer patted his back with a smile.
"And we're sorry for what we said to you that day. It wasn't fair of us to assume you didn't care just because you were being a good friend and checking in with your fellow soldiers," Frankie said.
"Yeah, we should have been more understanding that you can't tell us everything and what you do with your personal life and relationships is no business of ours," Regina said lightly.
"We just don't want you to forget about us. We want to be in your life too, man," TJ smiled. Addilyn was the only one who hadn't said something yet. "Addy? Didn't you have something to say to Harrison too?"
"I'm sorry for slapping you that day. No matter how upset I was, I had no right to do that," Addilyn began.
"Alright, I can forgive it. A heated moment, I don't think any of us were thinking that day," Harrison admitted.
"Also, I'll forgive you for what happened two months ago, Harrison, but I'm not ready to...be around you just yet. Yeah, you gave your reasons, and I'll accept them. I can't imagine what it'd be like to lose a good friend in war, then be away from the rest and worrying if they'll be okay. However, when you came home in August, you could have told me that you didn't feel the same for me as I did for you. I would have understood, but you didn't say anything to me, so I continued to hope that you did return my feelings. I felt led on and hurt because you said when you figured it out, you would tell me," Addilyn said softly. "Anyway. I still need some time, but ya know, after all this...passes, maybe we can be friends again?" Addilyn added.
"Yeah, sure," Harrison replied.
"Well, um, welcome home. I'm glad you're back safe, Harrison, and maybe I'll catch you before you leave again," Addilyn said.
"It's a small town; I'm sure will and thanks," Harrison replied. Addilyn and Harrison shook hands; then she waved to everyone with a smile before exiting the house and getting on Stormfly to go home. Harrison closed the door and faced the others.
"Don't take it personally, Harrison. Addy still has feelings for you, and she knows you're with Briana now, so she's backing off to get over you," Regina informed.
"I know. I expected such, at least she doesn't hate me," Harrison replied. Harrison felt good about what he'd done; apologizing to everyone formally made him feel better. It wasn't easy to talk about Cody dying and the fear he felt for losing someone else, but he'd done it, and now everyone had forgiven him.
"Well, I think it's time for dinner. Harrison, perhaps you and Nate can help Briana get settled upstairs while your father and I cook," Viviana said.
"We'll help too," Frankie offered. Harrison nodded as he picked Briana up in his arms while Nate grabbed her bag, then got help from TJ to carry it. Harrison was happy, sure, he lost Addilyn for a bit, but it was understandable why. At the moment, things were alright because Briana's wounds were healing and Harrison finally healed the wounds he created with his friends and family. Now, everything was going to be okay.