Take A Chance

Author; Nightstar Fury

Rated; M for Mature

Pairing; TallonXHector(ToothlessXHiccup)

Disclaimer; I do not own any of the HTTYD movies, or Dreamworks Dragons television series. I also don't own any of the songs I use. Everything belongs to it's original creator and artist! Enjoy the story! :)

36; I'm Over It

Tallon must have held Hector in his arms while the man cried for close to forty-five minutes. Hector only cried for audibly about twenty minutes but the rest of the time he just kept his head down while sniffling and shaking a bit. No one else really knew what happened except the officers and the Inferno guys but they could tell that Hector was clearly going through some stuff and needed time to get through it. His friends stayed him him-taking turns and telling him it would be okay with their hands on his back or shoulders, trying to offer any form of comfort to their friend who just had his heart broken by the girl he loved for the second time. The guys knew about the first time because Hector had talked about what Astrid did to him back in freshman year of high school-where it was played off that Jessie left her and Hector would come in and be the one to comfort her and then she would slowly fall for him, seeing him as the better guy and be with him. One of the most popular girls in school being with a kid everyone thought was a loser? That was trouble waiting to happen but Hector still played into it and they got together in a brief, one week long relationship that ended with Hector becoming the laughing stock of the cafeteria at his school because it came out that he never had a chance with her period.

That had hurt Hector then and that was four years ago-he admitted to Tallon that even when all that happened, he still loved this girl even if he would never have a chance with her. But he seemed to of make peace with that and said that if someone came into his life that he developed a crush on or feelings for then he'd pursue such a thing whether be male or female since he was in fact bisexual and proud of it too-he didn't care about his sexuality, it's just how he was so why not be who he was. Joining the military gave him such confidence in things he did and in himself. He wasn't afraid anymore but things changed when Astrid came back into his life and everyone learned where Hector disappeared to for eleven months. Leaving at the beginning of March 2016 for Reception Week and not returning to anyone's lives until February 2017. Of course they all found out early where Hector had been thanks to an unapproved news report where they watched Hector commanding four units on his own, get shot, and then scold the reported for being at a mission site when she wasn't supposed to be there at all. If she hadn't been there-they never would've known he was one, in the military, or two, where he was. But then it comes out with Hector's new confidence right before returning to Iraq from what was supposed to be his two week leave that Astrid liked him.

This itself opened a door of emotions that gave Hector hell to figure out but after talking to her and thinking some more, he agreed to be with her in a relationship. And things were great for Hector-for nine entire months. But it came to the surface that five of those great months were actually spent with Astrid cheating on him with Jessie who apparently didn't mind as long as Astrid didn't have sex with Hector. Tallon was the one to discover the truth and tell Hector-even though it was one of the hardest things Tallon would ever do in his life: to tell Hector that his beloved girlfriend-now ex girlfriend, was cheating on him with her ex and now current boyfriend. The two of them were having sex and hooking up everything Hector was working or away at drill. This had been going on since January and Hector never even suspected a thing which is why it hurt more-because it happened before. Where he thought he had a chance with her and it ended up with him being hurt only this time-no one was laughing at him. What also made it worse is that with the new information that Trent, Freddie, and Drew had over heard too and told Astrid to break up with Hector that night but instead she almost ended up sleeping with him.

The one thing Jessie told her not to do, she almost did with Hector two nights ago. And they would of gone all the way if it weren't for Tallon having run twenty minutes to her house to tell him the truth about her cheating and lying to him. Then it comes out the next day in front of everyone that Hector outed her as cheating on Jessie too-with him. She was cheating on both of them. Cheating on Hector with Jessie, and on Jessie with Hector. Jessie hadn't looked to happy to find out that Astrid would have had sex with Hector if it weren't for Tallon showing up. Hector for almost a full twenty four hours kept saying he didn't care and it didn't matter to him-even put in a song that he sang to Astrid right before they left but now that he was out of Berk and away from her-he couldn't hold it in. He cared very much about her and that he was hurt again in almost the same fashion as before. He also still loved her and he didn't want to let go but he couldn't forgive this, not a second time. Hector's body finally began to stop shaking when he heard the barrack door open and a not so subtle question from Cody was asked: "How's he doing?"

Hector lifted his head from off his hands and wiped his eyes-sniffling a bit as Tallon looked at him with soft, concerned eyes, "You just tell me what you want me to do. I can talk to them for you, I can stand next to you, send them away. What can I do for you that will help-even if just a little?" Tallon asked him now-his hands still on Hector's shoulders. Hector shook his head some.

"You already helped me my friend. Thank you for the last...forty-five minutes. That...goes for all you guys, thanks..." Hector said looked at them. His eyes were puffy and red from the crying as Tallon nodded and stood up as Hector got to his feet now and faced Cody with as firm a stance he could muster right now, "I'm...okay. Not great-but okay, Cody..."

"That's to be expected after what happened lad. You said yer piece and now the time apart will heal the wounds. No rush on it and take it one day at a time," Cody offered.

"Yeah, trying to do that but the last two have sucked so..." Hector shrugged.

"It'll get better with time-always does. Now-I've spoken to Bludvist. Due to the fact you all just got here, he's allowing two days off so you can settle in, get adjusted to the time change again, and get your minds together before we start sendin' ya out for guards and missions," Cody informed.

"Tell him we appreciate it," Thaxter said as the others nodded in agreement to that statement.

"I will. And Hector," Cody said as Hector glanced up at him slightly-still looking miserable but that was to be expected for a while while he recovered from what Astrid did to him again, "Ya need anything-let us know okay? We were there for most of it-listening outside the door and debating whether to interrupt or not since it seemed pretty serious-but all that aside. You're one of us and we all have your back so don't be afraid to lean on us if you can't stand some days,"

"I'll remember that, Cody, thanks." Hector offered a small smile. Was it weird to say he was already feeling a little bit better now that he was away from Berk where he didn't have to worry about running into Astrid on the streets? Where he was surrounded by his friends who would never abandon or lie to him? Hector knew he wasn't okay right now but he would be in time. He knew his friends wouldn't let him fall-they'd never let him fall. Cody smiled back before exiting the barrack and Hector looked at his friends, they were all looking at him with concern but still trying to smile. "I'll be okay...eventually. Maybe not today, or tomorrow-but eventually...I'll be okay again. Thanks for having my back," Hector told them.

"We always will, Haddock-that's a promise." Tallon told him while the rest nodded, it wasn't just the guys of Inferno though-the whole barrack had nodded to him. They barely knew that was going on but they would still stand with him and that felt really good to know.

(Three Months Later)

The month was September 2018 now and thankfully the temperature in Iraq was beginning to drop. Not significantly but at least it wasn't super hot anymore-still in the high seventies during the day from about 11am to 8pm but 9pm to 10am it was decently around the sixties. These past few months weren't easy and that was pertaining to the war and Hector's recovery of getting over what happened with Astrid. The war was indeed, out of control and required a lot of missions of all types also a lot of long guard shifts. There was still no word on their tour end time but they knew it wouldn't be before six months served-that was just how it worked for rotations. No soldier would serve less than six months but the stay time however past that could go as long as two years last time Hector checked. He was lucky his first tour ended after only fourteen months but this one was unknown still but that didn't bother him any, he didn't mind being in Iraq-the distance made it easier to forget about Astrid.

In truth: he didn't think he could ever really forget her. Could he face her again when he went back to Berk if they passed one another? Maybe but it would still be awkward for them to ever talk normally after what happened. Could he forgive her now that some time had passed with him being away from her? Maybe. Would he ever trust her again? Fuck no. He did that once already and it landed him hurt again. Did the pain still get to him? Of course. Did he still love her? Not as much as before but there were still lingering feelings that tugged at his heartstrings. He supposed that even with three months away from her-he still wasn't over her. He was over what happened, he accepted that but it didn't make the pain any less...painful. It didn't hurt as much but it was still there. Hector didn't keep in a lot of contact with everyone back home-he called maybe twice a week at best and sometimes only once a week, he explained he was incredibly busy. But the truth of that is that he really just didn't feel like talking to them. There were a lot of harbored feelings from the pain they all put him through over the years.

Yes it was true he'd given Drew, Mandy, Trent, Danielle, Carmen, and Freddie another chance and so far-he hadn't been disappointed in that decision. Jessie was still iffy. The guy hadn't given him any trouble lately and genuinely looked apologetic the last time he and Hector were in the same room together which was the day before Hector left and told Jessie that he didn't have to stay with Astrid-that he could get out before he got hurt again. That might have been the only non-hateful words the two ever exchanged that didn't involve sarcasm, yelling, glaring, or teasing. Last Hector heard-Jessie was still with her but things were different between them according to Drew, he said the two looked miserable or at least Jessie did but Astrid on the other hand was always holding his hand and had a smile on her face. That bugged Hector a bit-did she not even feel a sliver of remorse for the pain she inflicted on him? This is what made getting over everything involving her: the fact she didn't seem bothered by it at all, like she never cared in the first place. But that a month ago in August-Hector was in the process of just letting it go slowly.

They were getting ready to hit middle of the month and things were getting easier for him. In the beginning after the night he cried for forty-five minutes on Tallon-Hector could barely sleep at all and the sadness and pain was overwhelming but now in September or middle of at least-he didn't cry anymore. He stopped crying over her by the middle of July-after that it was just kind of a longing look in his eyes while he was always in deep thought. Then there was more anger regarding what happened through end of July to August. But now it was just mellow: it still hurt him but not to a point like before. He was finally feeling better as he'd said he would the first day. It wouldn't be instantly but eventually he'd be alright again and that was slowly coming to pass as the time away from Berk passed. He'd gotten back a lot of his desire to do the things he loved to do like crack jokes with his friends, smile, laugh, write his songs with the help of his laptop for music since he didn't have his instruments with him, he could sleep again, eat normally since his appetite hadn't been big after the break up. He wasn't starving himself but he didn't eat a lot either-sandwich or smaller helpings but things were returning to normal again.

He could finally say that he was getting over her-it was coming easier as time passed. He was beginning to feel like himself again and it was all thanks to his friends standing with him-giving him someone and a bunch of people to talk to. Even the officers were there for him-Hector loved the support he felt from the military or at least the people associated with the Nightwave company but more so from the Dragon platoon-his platoon along with Cody, Alex, Drake, Asher, and Raymond. He was blessed as fuck to have what he did. For things pertaining to the war-thank the Gods no one had been killed or seriously injured. That always bothered Hector when something like that happened, he hated losing people whether they were close to him or not. Just three weeks ago-Tallon got hit in the arm and had to spend a week in the medical tent, Hector always kept him company though. Now with Tallon back in the barrack, things were back to being good. It was weird, Hector never felt right with Tallon not around. The guy wasn't just his best friend but also seemed to be the only one who could break through him and know when something was wrong even if Hector said he was fine.

Tonight, all the guys and girls of Nightwave were in the chow tent for dinner-the officers were there too. It was pretty laid back and relaxed while everyone talked and ate their food. Hector was pretty quiet-it was one of the nights where the pain was stronger because last September is when he'd asked Astrid to be his girlfriend. A whole year since then already-nine of which he was her boyfriend but five of them where her heart belonged to someone else. Of course it wasn't going to be an easy night for him. "You give it to him," whispered one of the girls.

"No way, it was your idea..." said another. Hector sighed as he glanced over to them now.

"Alright ladies-what's the issue?" Hector asked calmly.

"Oh well, um...w-we got you something. We had it...special ordered for you and it's finally done and got arrived here...we just couldn't decide who should give it to you," stated Stacy Wilde.

"For the love of Thor girls, just give him the gift..." Melanie Young sighed heavily.

"Gift? For...what? My birthday isn't until February and Christmas is still three months away," Hector chuckled a bit.

"Well it was supposed to be your birthday gift last year but it wasn't done in time," Carly Delgado giggled a bit.

Without much more argument-three of the girls reached under the table and pulled out a long box, it was pretty big too. What the hell had they gotten him? "This is for you, Hector. For being awesome and the best friend ever to all of us. It's a gift from the whole platoon-the guys too," Langston Crawford smiled wide. They all got this for him? "Go on, open it!" the guys cleared a spot on table as he placed it down and pulled the cover off the box-his eyes widened seeing what was laying inside. It was a red and black bass guitar, black strap. His initials were monogrammed on the neck in silver but sitting on the red portion was written: For the fearless, brave, strong leader who always stands by us-we'll forever stand by you, no matter what... -The Soldiers of Dragon Platoon(Est. March 2016). Hector couldn't believe it. They...got him a special made guitar?

"I—I don't...have the words for this," Hector said still in shock.

"Then don't talk-sing," Casey giggled.

"I don't have my laptop on me, that's how I do all my music..." Hector said as Tallon grinned and pulled it out from the bag by his feet.

"No excuse now, Haddock." Thaxter laughed as the others joined in.

"Come on, one song!" a few of the girls and other guys said together smiling wide.

"You get ONE," Hector stated, "So you better choose it together," he added. The Dragon platoon instantly grouped up the best they could to find something in his music files for him to sing.

"Hey Hector," came Suzie Armstrong's voice curiously as he glanced over at her, "What's this one? It's called 'That's When You Know It's Over' but says reserved on next to it," Hector closed his eyes and sighed a bit now.

"Wrote it a few months ago but haven't actually sang it yet. It's reserved for the day I'm finally over...her," Hector said quietly.

"What do you mean?" Tallon asked.

"Just something I wrote for the day I'm over Astrid-ya know? I wrote that song for the day I'm completely over her-when it doesn't hurt anymore to think about her, talk about her," Hector shrugged.

"How will you know when that day comes?" Olivia Dunn questioned tilting her head.

"When the lyrics become true-I'm over her. The lyrics to the song are just...a bunch of things of when I can do this and something else doesn't happen like it would if I wasn't over her. Like a...action and reaction type thing I guess. I wrote it a random when I asked myself when I'd be over her, over what she did to me...but even though I don't hurt...a lot anymore-I just don't know if I can get through that song. I wrote it specifically for if I could sing it while looking at her picture and not get upset or mad...like a test to myself. If that makes any sense," he explained.

"I think what Olivia is saying, bro, is how will you know if that day is today or any day at all if you don't try. It's been three months and I honestly think singing this song-whatever it is, might help. Try and if you can't do it, we'll do exactly what the guitar says: we'll stand by you as you've stood by us and we won't let you fall down," Evan told him now.

"So you think I should just...wing the song and see if I can do it without getting upset or mad?" Hector asked as they nodded. He supposed they were right, how would he know if he was over her if he didn't try to be? There would always be harder days-like today where it marked one year since he asked her out but also marked one year of utter bullshit and lies that she told him. Thinking about her didn't make him upset or mad right now-it just...made him feel numb in a way. Not bad though-just kind of like a don't care so much mood. Did that mean he was over her? Could he finally...sing the song?

"Just try, Hector. We're here for you," Ryan smiled.

"We all are," a few others said together. Hector sighed as he pulled out his wallet and took out the one picture he still had of himself and Astrid when they were together. It was taken on his nineteenth birthday-when the cheating and lying was going on. He kept this picture for the sake of singing this song-because the picture was the lie and if he could get through the song without crying or getting mad about the entire situation, he knew he was over her and he could tear the picture without it hurting him to destroy the one remaining memory of them. Hector pulled up the song in the media player as he placed the picture against his cup on the table while taking a breath. This was it-the test to see if he was finally over her, Hector pressed the enter button as the song began but there was no music at first, it just sounded like a long beep and a heartbeat that picked up slowly.

Finally, he stepped back and positioned his fingers on the guitar and began the opening notes-really soft ones that followed a pattern. The music on the laptop changed as more and the tent was beginning to settle now as he heard the officers and some of his squadron quieting down the rest of the company. "What's he doing?" Cody asked.

"Testing himself-he's gotta do this so just let him be right now," Tallon smiled lightly as Hector took a breath.

"When you can look at her picture and not wanna kiss her no more. When you don't feel like you've been hit by a train at the sound of someone saying her name anymore. When you can drive down the road and not be afraid of what's playing on the radio..." he paused now while it picked up.

"That's when you'll know it's over! That's when you've made it-over to the other side, ready for another ride. That's when you'll know it's over!" he sang out-his eyes never left the picture though. It wasn't making him upset to look at it and while he sang the lyrics-he thought about their meaning. Looking at the picture of them, he didn't feel a desire to want to kiss her. Thinking of her didn't make him feel hurt or mad. He couldn't quite compare the radio part since there was hardly a radio with songs in Iraq but when he listened to his music on his phone-he wasn't terrified to hear a song that he and Astrid used to listen to together. But it was far from knowing if he was over her just yet.

"When that time of the year don't stir up any tears anymore. When it don't feel like the past is a gun and there's nowhere to run anymore. When it don't take every bone to not dial her number just leave her alone!..." Hector held the note a moment before it picked up again for the chorus.

"That's when you know it's over! That's when you know you've made it-over to the other side, ready for another ride! That's when you know it's over!" oddly enough he found himself forming a small smile now. Today marked where the lyrics said time of the year don't stir up the tears anymore, and he didn't feel like crying when he thought about how happy he'd been the day she agreed to be his girlfriend. He didn't feel like he was trapped anymore-as if he couldn't get away from the pain of what she did. And he didn't feel the urge to call her at all. Singing this was...making him feel better.

"When you wouldn't go back, even if you could...When hearing she's happy, finally feels good..." he paused a moment as the music slowed now. He was over her-completely. He knew he was. He'd wished so many times to go back and change things. He'd heard how happy she was with Jessie and it...didn't bother him anymore. Not a single bit in fact-his smile grew, "That's when you know it's over! That's when you know you've made it-over to the other side! Ready for another ride! That's when you know it's over! That's when you'll know it's over," he hummed a bit and finished the chords as it stayed quiet and he took the picture between his fingers and stared at it a minute before smiling and tearing it in half-then again before throwing it in the garbage. He took a deep breath and the smile remained as Tallon walked over to him. "I'm over it,"

"I'm so proud of you," Tallon said as Hector and him connected hands and the other clapped and cheered-mainly just Dragon platoon and the officers though. They'd all known what he went through but they were all proud that he pushed through and now he stood there smiling and completely over his ex girlfriend. Finally-it didn't hurt anymore, it didn't make him mad or upset. He actually just...didn't care anymore. It happened and he was out of a situation where he was being lied to and cheated on-what reason did he have to not be happy about that? It took three long months to do but he was over her and it never felt better to know that for sure now. He didn't have a crush on her, he didn't like her, and he certainly didn't love her. He could forgive her but he would never trust her again and it was likely that they could never be friends because Hector would still never forget what happened between them and there would always be an extreme dislike on the situation but as far as feelings went-he felt nothing for her. He went from hurt to healed and he'd never been happier to know that Astrid Hofferson was out of his life forever and could never hurt him again.