A Purpose Found

Pairing; TroyXHayden(ToothlessXHiccup)

Rating; M for Mature

Disclaimer; I do not own anything HTTYD related! Or any songs I may or may not use!

Twenty-Nine:

=Normal POV=

(Friday, November 6, 2020-7:40 pm)

[Section Myrkur; M1 Barrack- Syria]

Four months had passed since Hayden was called back from his two-week leave a week early because Lieutenant Kristopher Hunters, leader of the Inferno Platoon, passed away after an RPG strike. With him that day, the Alpha Company also lost Privates Tucker Wayver and Sydney Ostberg. Hayden was ordered to return to Syria at the rank of Second Lieutenant to take over command of the platoon. However, in a shocking turn of events, Troy, now promoted to Staff Sergeant and Hayden's second in command, also went back to Syria even though he wasn't ordered to do so. Troy gave up his final week of leave to return with Hayden so he wouldn't be alone. Hayden still couldn't believe Troy did that for him; Troy indeed was the best friend and boyfriend Hayden could have hoped to have. Hayden missed his family and friends and was over the mood to be able to say he had his friends back and was on good terms with them and his parents before having to get back to Syria. Hayden missed the Raseri's and Gabriel too. Hayden made a conscious effort to stay in contact as much as he could, but that was difficult with the number of missions, guards, and patrols he took part in. Aside from that, Hayden in the officer ranks means he had to attend meetings too. Also, Hayden was supposed to be staying in the officer barrack, but he elected to remain with his platoon. Commander Bludvist didn't seem to mind, and the biggest reason was likely because Hayden didn't want to be away from Troy.

Hayden and Troy still got to enjoy their one or two dates a week, and it was more comfortable with the platoon knowing about them being in a relationship because now, the two didn't have to play sick or exhausted to get left alone. The dates typically involved dinner, and making out, sometimes cuddling together on the cot. There was even once or twice they both fell asleep there when the males returned. No one minded, thank the Gods for that. Hayden and Troy both couldn't wait until February; it was only three months away now, and then the first tour would be over! The last few months since returning had been hectic, but Hayden and Troy tried to call home and stay in contact as much as they could between everything going on. Sometimes the conversations were literally a minute or two long, and others were longer, but then there were times that Hayden and Troy weren't able to make contact for days, or couldn't get through due to a storm or bad signal. It wasn't the greatest, but everyone made due the best they were able.

At the moment, Hayden was laying on his cot after a meeting. Some of the platoon was at dinner, and the rest were on guard for another twenty or so minutes. Honestly, Hayden was beginning to fall asleep in the silence; that was until he heard the Skype alert go off. Hayden reached over and looked at the message from his parents' joint account.

SV_Haddock1999[Mom&Dad], 7:43 PM-11/6/2020; Son, something has happened. Please, as soon as you get this and are able, call us.

Hayden checked the time. If it's 7:43 now, it's 5:43 back on Berk. Hayden didn't like the way the message looked. What could have happened that he needed to call home? Well, he had time right now, so Hayden might as well find out. Hayden sat up on the cot, then pressed the call icon; waiting for it to connect. After a few moments, and some severe lag; Hayden was able to see his father and mother laying her head on his chest, crying.

{Hi, son.}

"What's going on, Dad?" Hayden asked. "Why…Is mom crying?"

{Is there any way you might be able to come home?}

"Not unless it's a family emergency. Dad, tell me what has happened?!" Hayden demanded, becoming more worried.

{This is one, Hayden. Your Grandfather Wilson suffered a stroke this morning; he's alive, but doctors don't think he has very long left.}

Hayden's eyes widened. Grandfather Wilson was the last grandparent he had, and he'd always been close to his mother's father.

{There is no definite, son, but it's not looking good.}

"I'll make arrangements to come home. Where is Grandpa Wilson now?" Hayden asked.

{At the hospital in ICU. We're here too with Gabriel, so are your friends. You know how much they love him; he was always kind to all of you when you had playdates.}

Hayden didn't even notice Troy, the platoon, and Commander Bludvist coming in. "How long does he have? I'll get home as fast as I can,"

{ The doctors say that he might even make it through the night, son. Do you think your CO will let you come home for a few days, maybe even a week for everything? We don't know…if you'll make it back before he passes.}

Troy got through the others and went right to Hayden's side, sitting on the edge of the bed and wrapping an arm around Hayden's shoulder. Hayden looked at Commander Bludvist, who nodded as if already approving the time off. "I'll be there as quick as I can. It depends on flights going out tonight or tomorrow. In case I don't…Will you let me see him now? Take the phone to him, so I can…say goodbye?" Hayden asked while trying not to cry.

{Hayden, that's the other thing…The stroke has caused him not to recognize anyone. Not even your mother.}

Yeah, that hurt to hear. "I still know who he is to me," Hayden demanded. Spencer nodded as the background changed to the hospital room, and he was able to see everyone. Vivian went to her father and touched his hand, sniffling.

{Daddy? Hayden is on the phone. He's overseas right now, but wants to talk to you.}

Hayden felt a stab in his heart seeing his grandfather laying so weak in that bad. "Poppy? H-Hi. Do you remember me?" he asked. The man looked at him, but there were no signs of him recognizing his grandson. "I-I miss you," he forced while trying not make sure the tears in his eyes didn't start slipping.

{I heard there was a secret chord that David played, and it pleased the Lord…}

Hayden's eyes widened a bit. He knew that song; his grandfather taught him how to sing it! {He's been singing that song since he woke up after the stroke.} Hayden heard Gabriel say. Hayden closed his eyes, taking a deep breath.

"But you don't really care for music, do ya? It goes like this the fourth, the fifth; the minor fall and the major lift. The baffled king composing Hallelujah…" Hayden sang.

{Hallelujah…Halle-,}

"-lujah. Hallelujah…" Hayden sang with his grandfather. Troy was…surprised; he never knew Hayden could sing, and something like this. "Well, your faith was strong, but you needed proof. You saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty in the moonlight, overthrew you. She tied you to her kitchen chair; she broke your throne, and she cut your hair! Then from your lips, she drew the Hallelujah! Hallelujah…Hallelujah,"

{Hallelujah…Hallelujah. I did my best; it wasn't much. I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch. I've told the truth-,}

"I didn't come to fool you. And even though it all went wrong; I pray before the Lord of Song with nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah…"

{Well, baby; I've been here before. I've seen this room and walked these floors.}

"You know I used to live alone before I knew you. And I've seen your flag on the marble arch! But love is not a victory march! It's a cold, and it's a broken Hallelujah! Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah," Hayden continued as his grandfather seemed to stare at the phone, a smile coming to his lips as Hayden felt the tears start slipping.

{Hallelujah. Well, there was a time when you let me know what was going on down below. But now you never show that to me do ya?}

"And remember when I moved in you, and the holy dove was moving too! And every breath we drew was Hallelujah! Hallelujah. Hallelujah." Hayden and his grandfather were singing at the same time, and it sounded beautiful to Troy. Though he was still in shock to hear Hayden singing such a tune, and his voice never faltered even being that Hayden was crying.

{Hallelujah. Hallelujah…}

"Maybe there is a God above, but all I've ever learned from love is how to shoot somebody who outdrew you. And it's not a cry that you hear at night,"

{It's not someone who has seen the light! It's a cold, and it's a broken Hallelujah. Hallelujah…Hallelujah.}

"Hallelujah. Hallelujah," Hayden took a breath. "Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah,"

{Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah,}

"Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah,"

"Hallelujah…" Hayden and his grandfather finished together.

{Oh, my dear grandson Hayden. Thank you for reminding me who I am. You haven't an idea in the world of how happy it makes me to hear you sing that.}

There was a round of gasps from the hospital room, even Hayden's eyes widened. Wilson remembered him?! "Y-You taught it to me when I was younger; I've never forgotten. We sang it every Sunday when I came over to visit," Hayden replied. The man laughed a little, panting to catch his breath.

{You're a good lad. I'm glad I got…to see you one more time and can say goodbye to you all.}

Hayden tensed a bit, trying to remain strong. "What do you mean, Poppy? You're okay; you'll bounce right back," Hayden tried.

The man smiled. {I'm afraid…your grandmother is calling for me to join her. You know she doesn't like…to be kept waiting.}

Hayden shook his head. "N-No. You can't…go yet. Tell Nan she can take it up with me. I'll be there soon. Please…Wait for me?" he asked.

{I-I'll try, but I'm just so…tired.}

Hayden's heart clenched tightly, Troy could feel how visibly upset Hayden was becoming. So much to the point, he didn't care who saw it. "I'm on my way, Poppy. Just hang on a bit longer?" The man nodded weakly. "I love you,"

{I love you too, lad.} Wilson replied, then closed his eyes.The phone moved.

{When should we expect you, son?} Spencer inquired.

Hayden wiped his eyes and sniffled a bit, then cleared his throat. "Sometime tomorrow; I'll let you know as soon as I have the details. Keep me posted,"

{We will, son.} Hayden ended the call as he let the phone drop from his hand, then lowered his head, closing his eyes. Troy rubbed his back; knowing that Hayden was upset. It had to be difficult to get such news over the phone, and now be hoping and praying he made it back before his grandfather passed away.

"Lieutenant Haddock," Donovan got Hayden's attention. "That calls makes this a family emergency, so pack a bag in the next twenty minutes. I believe there is a military aircraft taking a company back to the main island, and they have just enough room for one more passenger," Hayden's eyes widened a bit. "I will make arrangements. You will be home in six to six and a half hours at best as there is only one stop for fuel halfway from here to Archia Isle. And I'll have a chopper personally deliver you to the hospital on Berk. You get five days from when you leave here. You will be expected to return on the fifth day before midnight,"

"Yes, sir. Thank you," Hayden nodded.

"And my deepest condolences to you and your family," Donovan put a hand on his shoulder, then exited the barrack to make a call to the company leader that was departing the Archian Outpost in Syria. The rest of the platoon offered their apologies, then left Hayden with Troy.

"I wish I could come with you, Hayden," Troy sighed as he held him tightly after Hayden packed his backpack with essentials, but he'd be able to get some civilian clothes from the Raseri Home.

"I know, but I-I'll be okay," Hayden tried to assure.

"If you need to talk, you let me know, and I will find time to make a call," Troy reminded. Hayden nodded as Troy kissed his lips passionately. Hayden returned it entirely. "I love you,"

"I love you too," Hayden said as Donovan returned.

"Let's move, Haddock. There's a Jeep out here to take you to the airfield, and the plane leaves in half an hour. Once you land at Fort Archian; a chopper will be on the pad to take you to Berkian Memorial," Donovan informed. Troy kissed Hayden again.

"Let me know when you land," Troy said. Hayden nodded, as there was one more hug and kiss, then Hayden hurried out to get in Jeep as it started through the base to reach the airfield in fifteen minutes. Hayden used his phone to text his father.

. . .

(November 6, 2020-6:25 pm)

[Berk; Hospital]

Everyone was sitting around the hospital room with special permission from staff to be there in case Wilson went overnight, which is what the doctors believed to be the case. Nobody knew for sure, but they hoped the man would hold long enough for Hayden to get home. In the silence with Wilson sleeping, Spencer's phone went off. Checking the message, it was from Hayden.

On way home. Unreachable til layover; will check in then. C u in bout 7 hrs. {Received; 6:27 pm}

"Hayden's on his way; he'll be here in about seven hours according to him," Spencer enlightened everyone in the room. Now, they just hoped Hayden would make it before his grandfather passed away.