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! :)

51; He Couldn't Be

Tallon impatiently waited until the clock hit 8:45am so he could get to the hospital. He did clean up the apartment, and make himself some breakfast to pass the time. As soon as he could, he got in the truck and went right to the hospital.

(Hospital)

Tallon arrived first and right behind him was Thaxter, Evan, Ryan, and Viktor. No one else seemed to come yet or were maybe running behind but it didn't matter because the doctor made it clear no more than ten were allowed in the ICU room at a time. Right now, there were only five so they would be allowed without a problem. Just as they were entering the hospital doors, Val, Heather, Darius, Skylar, and Gobber arrived-and that made ten right there. Tallon was first in to the receptionist desk.

"Good morning, sir. Who are we here to see today?" the woman asked.

"Hector Haddock the Third-he was...brought in last night, the doctor told me he'd be in ICU..." Tallon said softly trying to keep himself relaxed or they wouldn't let him see Hector.

"ICU is located in the emergency department. I'll buzz you in and let the nurse there know who you're going to see. Are you all...family?" she asked.

"I'm his...fiance, the rest are friends and family, yes." Tallon responded. The nurse nodded with a smile as she pressed a button on her desk and a buzzer was heard from the doors directly behind them, "Thank you," Tallon turned and headed towards the doors and pushed it open while they walked in slowly-a nurse just got off the phone and walked over to them.

"Fiance, family, and friends of Hector Haddock?" she asked, Tallon nodded to her as she motioned for them to follow her. "Few rules to follow. Stay out of the nurses and doctors ways. Don't stress him out. Try not to let him move a lot or his bust his stitches. He is not permitted to remove his mask unless a doctor or nurse is present," she informed them.

"How...is his condition?" Val asked.

"Still critical I'm afraid. We had a few issues last night when he woke up and didn't know where he was. Started yelling medic, that he was shot and needed help. He had a lot of trouble breathing, even with the oxygen machine. Poor thing looked terrified to have been alone when we got inside. We had to sedate him to calm him down, it's going to be touch and go for a while until he can breathe on his own. When he can do that-they'll let him recover in a normal room. Be lucky he didn't fall comatose-that makes his chances even better. He's still quite tired so if he falls asleep-let him be. Understand?" the nurse replied.

"Of course we do-we want him to be okay as much as anyone else." Thaxter nodded.

The nurse led them to the room where Hector was recovering, she opened the door and Tallon was the first one in to see Hector laying motionless on the bed. It broke Tallon's heart to see how many things he was hooked up to. The blood pressure, the heart monitor, the oxygen, the fact he wasn't really allowed to move at all-not without help at least and at that, Tallon guessed it was very limited movement to avoid opening the wound again. "We'll be watching his vitals from the desk," the nurse closed the door once everyone was inside. All of them were just looking at Hector laying there, he looked like he was sleeping.

"My baby boy..." Val whimpered as the tears began to fall. Tallon washed his hands, then sanitized them before moving to Hector's bedside and lightly holding his hand.

"How's your father?" Evan asked Darius and Heather.

"Tallon's words really got to him last night-when we got home from here, Dad was sitting on the couch with his face buried in his hands, crying about how foolish he'd been and if Hector died he would never forgive himself," Heather replied.

"Good. He needed to hear it-I wasn't trying to be an asshole but what he did really hurt Hector and I don't like seeing him like that. Hector spent the first two weeks crying every night in the shower after Spencer disowned him. All he ever wanted was for Spencer to accept and support him-wanted him to be proud and instead Spencer was the exact opposite. Made Hector feel like nothing he ever did would be good enough and with Cody gone-he really was fatherless," Tallon remarked as his eyes never left Hector's form.

"Not disagreeing with you. He needed an eye opener," Gobber stated.

"But not like this, not where Hector almost died to save his life...not where Hector is still critical and no one knows if he'll survive this. Every time Hector has been shot-it never hit anything vital, never got close to his heart...but this time...his lung was hit and missed the heart by only six inches. That was six inches that would have killed Hector instantly..." Viktor sighed.

Tallon wanted to cry but he wouldn't-Hector was alive and right before him, he knew Hector would be okay, he always was. It was silent for about twenty minutes-the nurse had said not to wake Hector up for anything because he needed his rest. Everyone was just sitting around hoping Hector would wake up before others arrived to visit him-they had agreed to take turns being in there so they wouldn't upset the ten person limit but Tallon, Val, Heather, and Darius refused to leave and with obvious reason too. In the silence, one sound directed their attention to Hector. His slight shifting and increased breathing. Tallon felt Hector's hand grip his a bit.

"Babe?" Tallon asked.

Hector's eyes opened slowly-blinking to focus as he heard Tallon talking, he looked over to see him sitting beside him. "Tal...where...am I? What happened? D-did I...get shot on the mission?" Hector asked.

"Hec...we're...not in Iraq right now. We're...in Berk. Y-you did get shot but not on a mission. Do you...remember anything from last night?" Tallon asked slowly.

"I was...playing my guitar and...I felt like...something was wrong..." he stopped trying to remember now.

"It's okay, don't force it...it'll come to you. How are you feeling?" Evan asked him.

"I-I don't really know. I can't feel much right now..." Hector replied slowly.

"Must be the pain meds," Thaxter stated.

"Where's...Cody?" Hector asked making them all look at him worried now. "He...said...that he would be with me...when I woke up-but it...wasn't time to go yet." this made them very worried, Cody had been dead for two months and Hector is saying that he saw him? Did that mean Hector...died briefly and Cody was there to tell him it wasn't his time yet? The doctor last night did say they almost lost him twice. They didn't know what to say, did they tell Hector the truth that Cody was gone? Or would that make the situation worse because it would upset him to know? Right now he believed Cody was alive and would be in the room waiting for him when he woke up, and when he'd woken up he thought he was still in Iraq. Was he...even aware of where he was?

Hector seemed to close his eyes looking frustrated, why couldn't he remember what had happened to him? Hector's grip tightened on Tallon's hand as the flashes began to spring forward in his mind. "Hec?" Tallon asked with concern. Hector's breathing began to quickly, his eyes were moving but the lids were closed-they knew he was remembering something but what that was, they didn't know in the slightest.

"I-I nearly died last night, didn't I? I got shot...protecting Spencer when that...shooter made him...admit to disowning me...I saw...Cody last night...he told me...that it wasn't my time and he'd...be with me when I woke up, that he'd always be with me..." Hector cried a bit.

"Hey, ssh...it's okay. At least...you remembered on your own what happened. Scared us...the doctor said you nearly died on the operating table, and in the ambulance ride to here...but you're okay now. You'll heal up just like always," Tallon said with a comforting smile.

"Everything hurts..." Hector sniffled a bit as Darius got him a tissue to wipe his eyes with.

"It likely will for a while, Hector. Bullet missed your heart by six inches, lodged in your lung. It probably hurts to breathe more than it does to move," Ryan told him. Hector relaxed a bit now-he knew from being shot in the chest the first time that recovery time had him in the hospital at least two weeks and that was if he healed properly. His eyes glanced around the room and saw his friends, Gobber, Mom, siblings, and Tallon-but where was Spencer? Even getting shot for him wasn't enough to make him care?

"Where is he?" Hector looked to his mother.

"Where is who, sweetheart?" she asked him with a soft smile.

"Don't...play stupid with me, please...You know who. Where is he?" Hector asked again.

"He's at the house bro. After you got taken by ambulance from Berk Hall, Tallon reamed him a new asshole and told him to stay away from you because every time he's around you, you get hurt." Darius replied with a sigh.

"I appreciate that, babe," Hector said softly now, "Call him." he said next as they all blinked in confusion at him.

"Call him? Wh-what for?" Heather asked quickly.

"Call him and tell him to come down here to the hospital. Don't tell him I told you to call him," Hector replied.

"Hector, I don't think this is a good idea..." Tallon said holding his hand. Hector motioned for him to come closer as Tallon did so, Hector leaned forward a bit and moved his mask off to kiss Tallon's cheek before putting it back on and relaxing.

"Trust me," Hector smiled some. "Call him and tell him to come down," They had no idea what he was planning but they were just as curious to find out so Val pulled out her cell phone and stepped out of the room knowing cell phones were prohibited inside an ICU room-she returned ten minutes later saying that Spencer would be there in fifteen. "Good then. Wake me up when he gets here," Hector yawned closing his eyes and drifting back to sleep a moment later.

"What do you think he plans to do?" Evan asked now.

"It's Hector. No one knows what he's planning until he does it...I guess we'll just have to wait and see," Thaxter shrugged. They stayed quiet the entire time watching Hector sleep-though Tallon and the Inferno guys noticed Hector's eyes moving a lot while he slept. They knew what it was too: R.E.M or Restless Eye Movement. A case in which the patient was recalling different things rapidly, like flashbacks. Others who arrived were Drew, Jessie, Trent, Freddie, Reina, Carmen, Mandy, and Danielle. It was way over the limit but Hector had woken up when the got there and told the nurse he said it was fine and she didn't argue with him as long as he didn't get stressed out and rested when he felt tired. The room was pretty big and everyone fit comfortably. After the nurse left, Hector went back to sleep. Val checked her phone after twenty minutes and saw that Spencer replied to her saying he was there.

"He's here," Val said as she sent Darius out to bring him in. Not more than five minutes later, the door opened as Darius walked in with Spencer following behind. Tallon glared instantly as he then tapped Hector's arm a bit.

"Babe...hey, babe...time to wake up," Tallon said softly. Hector opened his eyes and they instantly fell on Spencer.

"So you came. Honestly a little shocked," Hector stated calmly.

"I was...asked to come though I don't know why when your...boyfriend made it clear to stay away from you," Spencer said-clearly confused himself.

"None of them asked for you to come," Hector said as Spencer's eyes widened, "I did. I wanted to talk to you. Are you willing to talk or will it just become another argument and I've wasted my time and energy on a senseless subject that will never change? If you choose to talk, I expect full honesty."

"I'm willing..." Spencer replied to him with a nod.

"Did you know that the eyes are the gateway to the soul? I can see the eyes of everyone in this room and know how they feel right now. Anger, worry, fear, confusing, lack of sleep. You have sad eyes, ones filled with regret, self-hate. I can tell you haven't slept, and you have been crying over what happened last night. Is this incorrect?" Hector asked him.

"No, it's not." Spencer answered truthfully.

"Tell me why your eyes would hold such emotions for someone that you made clear you didn't care for?" Hector inquired.

"Because I was wrong," Spencer said taking everyone by surprise, "I was wrong to do the things I did, to say what I did to you that day. I was...wrong for everything. And last night, seeing what happened to you because of me...I realized what a fool I've been,"

"It's sad that I knew that would be your answer. I knew it would be before you got here, when Darius told me you were at home after Tallon yelled at you. Let me ask you this," Hector said adjusting himself slightly and cringing at the pain in his chest-panting heavily a few times, "Do you regret what happened? Are you mad at yourself for what happened? Did it bother you to know I could have died last night? Were you scared I wouldn't make it?"

"Yes, to all of them." Spencer said.

"How long have you regretted it for?" Hector asked.

"Since the day it happened, from the moment you walked out the door and said what you said to me about doing more for the family than I ever have and will. That the job you have is the reason I have the job I do. That the freedom and peace of Berk is because you and the other soldiers fight for it..." Spencer sighed looking down.

"If you regretted it that long...why didn't you just come talk to me? Why didn't you come do exactly what we're doing right now?" Hector asked.

"I was afraid you wouldn't want to see me. I thought you hated me, Hector...Everyone...keeps telling me to stay away from you," Spencer admitted.

"I never hated you," Hector said firmly as Spencer looked at him now, "I hated what you did to me. I hated knowing that my cousins got treated better than me. I hated that you didn't have time for me. I hated that you never listened..." Hector shook slightly, "And I think what I hated the most..." the tears showed in his eyes now, "was knowing that no matter what I did, it was never enough for you to just once...show me that you cared, that you loved me. You told me that day, I was no son of yours because of my choices...and I told you 'since when was I ever your son when I didn't exist to you'. And you can't deny that knowing all you do now, can you? Have you ever seen me as your son or have you always seen me as an embarrassing disappointment?"

Spencer didn't say anything as Hector closed his eyes, "So I was right to say what I did. Do you know why I did what I did last night?"

"I don't. You...could have been killed, Hector. Then what would I do if you were gone! Do you know how much it scared me when I found out you were in the military? Knowing when you were on a tour, worrying if the next phone call I got would be the one telling me my son was dead? I don't know what I'd do, Hector!" Spencer lowered his head. Hector stared at him a few seconds, this was a new side of his father that he'd never seen but always wished that he had. The caring side, the fatherly side.

"You need to take it easy," Tallon told him softly while stroke his hand.

"Why...why did you take that bullet for me, Hector? Why would you risk your life like that for me after all I've done to you?!" Spencer cried now.

"I did what I did because it's my job to keep the people I care about safe!" the room seemed to freeze when he yelled that and Spencer stared at him in shock. "I know it hurts you to know I called Cody my dad. Yes, I saw Cody as my father-he was there for me when you weren't. When he died, it killed me and I nearly slipped back into depression because of it. But thank Odin I have good friends and my boyfriend who refused to let me fall. But that day when we argued, and you told me I wasn't your son...especially since it was the day Cody died. You have no idea how much that hurt to have to lose not one but two fathers that day. Bury one, and the other hated me because I joined the military to give myself a better life, because I fell in love with another man...All I've wanted for you to do is come find me, and tell me you were sorry, that you didn't mean what you said to me, that I was your son, that you accepted me, that you loved me. But last night when I saw that you could have died...I realized something,"

"What...what did you realize?" Spencer asked trying to move closer now.

"Something the military taught me: we don't just have families at home, we have a family in the military too. And in that family, we are all family because we all fight for the same thing. The freedom, peace, and safety of the people back home. As a soldier, we're willing to give our lives to uphold the things we fight for. We always have each others backs-even if we piss each other off sometimes...Look at Skylar and me, or even...Jessie, Drew, and Trent. They were my bullies for years-but when they joined the military-they became family and when they were in danger...I did all I could to keep them safe. That is what families do, no matter what." Hector explained as tears were falling from Spencer's eyes now.

"But you could have died, son...I could have lost you, forever. I don't care what I have to do in order to get your forgiveness...I'll do anything. You don't know how scared I was last night knowing you could have died right in front of me, that you took that bullet for me...I just don't understand why you'd risk your life for me..." Spencer cried while getting on his knees at Hector's hospital bed.

"I did what I did because I didn't want to lose another, Dad. I realized that if I didn't do something in that moment, I really would have been fatherless. Cody might have been like a father to me-but you...you are my Dad. You...gave me...life and even though you've hurt me, and pissed me off more times...than I can keep track of...you are still...my Dad...and I will always love you no matter what." Hector told him then gripped his chest panting hard.

"Hector!?" Spencer got to his feet and took his hand. "It's okay...it's alright...we can talk about this after you've healed...rest now please, son...please...I can't lose you..." Hector cringed as Tallon got up now pushed Spencer back some, he moved Hector's mask off his face and kissed him deeply. The beeping from Hector's monitors began to slow down as Hector relaxed and his hand lowered from his chest. Tallon pulled back and smiled a bit before putting the mask back on his nose and mouth as Hector was as red as a tomato, "How did...you know that would work?"

"Aside from being lovers, we're best friends. I know everything there is to know about him, I know certain kisses can calm him down when he's stressed out." Tallon replied.

"Thank you," Spencer said calmly.

"Dad," Hector said after composing himself from Tallon's kiss, Spencer looked at him with soft eyes. "You want my forgiveness?"

"Yes...anything, I'll do anything to have my son back..." Spencer said.

"Will you start being my Dad? Will you support my choices? Will you accept me for who I am? Will you just...be happy that I'm happy? Will you accept mine and Tallon's relationship?..." Hector asked.

"I will do all of those things and more, Hector...I swear it," Spencer nodded quickly with pleading eyes.

"Then I forgive you-but if you ever pull this shit again...I really will be dead to you, permanently." Hector stated to him.

"Oh thank you...thank you so much, son!" Spencer cried some.

"Alright, knock off the tears, would ya...Geeze. Just give me a hug and we can have the seriousness be over," Hector smiled a bit. Spencer carefully hugged his son. Things finally felt right again, Hector had his family back and with new hope that his father would accept him, and respect his choices, that he would actually be his father. When the hug was over, Spencer looked to Tallon apologetically.

"And I've also very sorry to you as well, Tallon. You've been a wonderful friend to Hector, and an amazing lover to him. I never should have said the things I said about you not really loving him. I hope one day you can forgive me as well," Spencer said gently.

"Don't ever hurt him again, that's all I ask. You do that and we're cool," Tallon said.

"Consider it done," Spencer put his hand out as he and Tallon shook hands. Hector relaxed in the bed now with a sigh of contentment.

"You look exhausted, Love. Get some rest," Tallon told him.

"No...I just...feel really weak, dizzy and my...vision is going in and out...it...hurts" Hector grunted with a hand on his chest-he pulled it away and saw blood, "That...can't be good..." after that he blacked out.

"Get the nurse!" Tallon ordered. "Hector! Hector...come on...answer me babe, please..." the beeping on the machines got slower and slower, then it held a long beep. The sound alone made everyone freeze-it was the sound of a flat line happening-meaning Hector wasn't breathing anymore, that his heart wasn't beating anymore. Everyone backed up when a team of nurses and doctors rushed in, Thaxter and Ryan had to pull Tallon back from Hector so the medical staff could get in. Everything...was fine. Hector was calm, everyone was happy. Why would he...suddenly black out and flat line?! Everyone was scared and worried. Hector couldn't be dead-he just...couldn't.