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! :)

52; With His Life

Everyone was scared, Tallon was on the brink of tears in fear that Hector was dead. No one understood what the hell had happened! The team of three doctors and two nurses rushed in to start working on him. They opened his top gown to see the blood coming through the wrappings over the wound-they kept grabbed a few things and kept pressure on it.

"Stitches broken, wound reopening rapidly." said on nurse.

"Unresponsive to light and sound. No pulse, breathing, or heartbeat..." said the doctor. They were trying to bring him back with chest compression but it wasn't working.

"Bring in the defibrillator!" called the doctor on the opposite side of the bed who was holding a mask over Hector's mouth and trying pressing on the bag in hopes of getting him to breathe again. The machine was turned on and charged up by rubbing the two paddles together.

"Clear!" the doctor stated as it seemed that the nurses and other doctor moved back while the paddles were places to Hector's chest and his body jolted from the shock. The monitors remained the same, "Charging..." a pause as they rubbed them together again, "Clear!" another jolt but nothing. The doctors looked at one another-they'd been working on him for about four minutes and no response to anything they'd done.

"Alright, I'm calling it..." the lead doctor said with his eyes closed.

"He's not gone! I know he isn't! Hector...come on, wake up! Please wake up...now's...not the time for you to play your pranks on everyone! We all know you're the master of them! Wake up...please wake up..." Tallon cried now as he got out of Ryan and Thaxter's grip and held Hector's hand tightly. "You can't leave me...you can't...please wake up...please...I'm begging you..." he put his head down on Hector's arm. "Cody! You son of a bitch, you bring him back right now! You hear me. He's needed here! I need him...don't you take him away...please...please don't take him from me...I love him,"

Tallon buried his head against Hector's midsection still whispering silent pleas for him to wake up. "Tal...Tal, come on...you gotta let him go..." Viktor said trying to pull him back. Tallon refused to let go, the doctor was about to turn off the monitors when it went from a long beep to a break in it-then another, and another. It wasn't...just a long beep anymore, it was...beeping. That meant Hector's heart was beating! The whole room froze as Tallon lifted his head and looked at Hector's face-his eyes were still closed but the slow rising chest was all he needed to see.

"I've got a pulse!" the nurse said in shock with he fingers on Hector's neck.

"And he's breathing again," another exclaimed quickly.

Tallon was off his knees and closer to Hector now when his eyes began to twitch and flutter a bit-he was trying to open them. "That's it...that's it baby...come back to me...I'm right here, right with you..." Tallon said holding his hand still, Hector squeezed it with little force and Tallon smiled a bit. Hector's eyes opened as he breathed heavily now and cringed a bit.

"By...the way, Cody...doesn't appreciate you calling...him...a son...of a bitch..." Hector wheezed out slightly.

"Get that mask back on him, we gotta close that wound!" the doctor ordered. The nurse instantly put a clean rag over the chest wound, while another went to put the mask on but Hector swatted it away slowly.

"Don't worry...I'm not...going anywhere...for awhile, baby..." Hector smiled as Tallon got closer and kissed him deeply, Hector returned it as his eyes closed-still having trouble breathing.

"Alright...I believe you...now please...put the mask back on and let the doctors help you..." Tallon asked, Hector nodded as the doctor put the mask back over Hector's mouth and nose-the breathing began to even out after a few deep breaths.

"Let's get him to OR on the double," the lead doctor stated as they started unhooking the monitors and only leaving in the IV and oxygen, then taking the brakes off the bed and wheeling it out of the room once Tallon let go of his hand. Tallon was seated in the room chair that had been closest to the bed as he put his head in his hands to take a few deep breaths.

"He was legally dead for five minutes...and came back to life after you yelled at Cody to bring him back..." Skylar said still in shock.

"I don't even care...He's alive...and that's all that matters to me..." Tallon said with a sigh. Now all they could do was wait for Hector to get out of surgery, again, to close the chest wound. That had been the scariest, most confusing thing anyone of them had ever seen. Hector was dead, officially...but Tallon yelled at Cody to bring him back, and then Hector came back...he even said that Cody didn't appreciate being called a son of a bitch...did that mean, Tallon was right? Was Cody trying to take Hector away or was Hector just so stressed from everyone that his heart gave out, Cody came to take him but then heard that Hector was still needed? It didn't make any sense, but Tallon was right. Hector was alive and that was all that mattered.

(An Hour & Thirty Minutes Later)

Hector was wheeled back in-although still knocked out from anesthetic and hooked back up to the machines, everyone waited on an update for how surgery went. "He made it through fine. The cause of the small heart failure was some bullet debris that lodged in his heart. However...what has us baffled was that this debris...wasn't the same as the bullet we took out of him yesterday. Looked older, was he ever shot in the chest before?" the doctor asked.

"Yeah. Few years back in July 2017 on our first tour. Bullet missed everything vital but broke two ribs. You're telling me that bullet debris reached his heart?" Thaxter explained.

"Appears that way-whoever handled that surgery, didn't go a good job. It seems logical to assume that when he was shot this time, the force moved the previous debris and that caused the problems. We got it all out and double checked a second time before closing him up. He should be fine now, but we're still gonna keep him on oxygen for the day and likely through the night to make sure he can breathe alright. His recovery time is still on the fence-we're saying three weeks before he can leave here. Want to make sure the wound doesn't open again. He's still critical for the next twenty four hours-if he's alright after that then we'll move him to another room to recover. We'll be checking on-he will wake up in the next half or so," the doctor smiled.

"He's a very lucky young man. Hasn't happened in about fifty years where a patient was dead for over two minutes and then came back to life. Someone up there must really be looking out for 'im," the nurse beamed.

"Oh, he does alright...a lot of people looking out for him," Tallon smiled in relief as the two left the room and he held Hector's hand gently, "Thank Thor..." he sighed out relaxing a little now. Hector was okay, he was alive, and doing a lot better now.

(Thirty Minutes Later)

They were all just sitting around, relaxing. Tallon near the bed holding Hector's hand, the guys and Gobber were near the window leaning against it, the Haddock's grouped up around the bed-all of them waiting for Hector to wake up which according to the doctor should be anytime now. A few grunting sounds had them lift their heads up to see Hector's eyes starting to open.

"Hec?" Tallon asked lightly.

"Hi babe," Hector replied in a raspy voice.

"Get him some water..." Val suggested as Darius poured some into one of the little cups that had a straw in it, he handed it to Tallon who moved the mask a bit so Hector could get a drink. The man relaxed some after that and Tallon put it on the table that was at the foot of Hector's bed.

"How do you feel?" Heather asked lightly.

"Better than before-chest doesn't hurt as much," Hector told her lightly.

"That's good. I'm so glad you're okay...you don't know how scared I was when you flat lined earlier..." Tallon held his hand tightly trying not to cry again. Hector put his hand on Tallon's head and stroked him cheek lightly.

"Hey...I won't leave you like that. I'll go out of old age with you by my side...bullet isn't enough to kill me," Hector told him softly.

"But you did die...you were dead for five minutes..." Darius told him.

"I was coming back, he told me that it wasn't my time to leave this world yet-not for a good long while...Sorry baby, but you're stuck with me," Hector laughed a little. "He said he was sorry for scaring you and stop calling him names," Hector held Tallon's hand as Tallon got closer and kissed Hector's forehead.

"Sorry, Cody...I was afraid you'd take him away from me..." Tallon whispered, "I don't mind being stuck with you," he added with a smile. The door opened now as they looked to see who it was, shockingly, they found it to be Astrid with her new boyfriend or so they assumed that's what he was.

"What are you doing here?" Tallon said standing up firmly.

"I just...wanted to see if he was okay..." Astrid said softly. Hector put a hand on Tallon's arm and he looked at him concerned but Hector just smiled and shook his head.

"She's okay-it's fine," Hector told him as Tallon nodded and sat back down in the chair.

"I'm glad you're alright, Hector...everyone at the event was worried for you," Astrid told him.

"Like I said: pretty sure unless I get shot in the heart or the head, I'm gonna live." Hector stated to her.

"Six inches from your heart is too close for comfort, Hector..." Heather sighed.

"Six inches ey? Huh, I can deal with that. So, you just came to see if I was alright? Doesn't seem like your...boyfriend is happy about it," Hector pointed out.

"I saw no reason to come see your ex-boyfriend in the hospital, Astrid. Didn't you say he never wanted to see you again?" the man asked her.

"I had to know if he was okay...I know the way things were left when all that happened but it doesn't mean I care any less about the life of someone who meant a lot to me," Astrid sighed. "This is, Dustin Ruger. We've been together about two months after Jessie broke up with me. He helped me get through a really hard time," Astrid introduced.

"Well, I'm happy for you, Astrid. You can see that I'm alright, surrounded by family, friends, and my boyfriend," Hector stated gently.

"You and...Tallon ended getting together? That's...really great for you. I kind of had a feeling about it from that first leave you were home on. All the sexual remarks and what not, everyone was waiting for it. Who made the first move?" Astrid asked.

"Not that it's any of your business-but I did. I kissed him and told him we needed to talk, about twenty minutes later we started dating. Been together for five months now," Hector replied.

"I'm happy for you. How...is Jessie?" she asked.

"Fine as far as I know but...you can always ask him yourself," Hector said motioning for her to turn around as Jessie re-entered the room and saw her.

"What are you doing here, you have no right to be here after what you did to him and me..." Jessie said firmly with his arms crossed over his chest.

"I said the same thing, but Hector said it was okay so I didn't fight him on it," Tallon shrugged a bit.

"Don't be sore that you lost her," Dustin remarked now.

"She's the one who lost us. We left her, ain't no skin off my back if you wanna date a lying cheater." Jessie responded coldly.

"Maybe you two just can't make her happy," Dustin grinned some.

"Alright, that's enough!" Hector said loudly making them be quiet. "We are not having this discussion in here or at all while I'm here. I made my stance perfectly clear when it happened. I am over it, and over her. I'm happy as I've ever been with Tallon in my life as my best friend and lover. You two wanna have it out, take it outside the room. I really don't feel like going into cardiac arrest and dying temporarily again. Weirdest fuckin' shit I've ever had to go through. You said you came by to check on me and now you have...so take your boyfriend and leave. I've forgiven you for what you did to me, but I will never forget what happened. There is no room for us to be anything more than people who used to date. We can't be friends. I meant what I said that day before my second tour started: get out of my life, and stay out please."

"I thought you said you couldn't forgive me," Astrid asked.

"I was hurt when I said that-once I got over you, I let everything go. I can forgive the two heartbreaks, the lying, and cheating on me. But I can never trust you again, or forget what happened. Looking at you is just a constant reminder that it was never real, and though the wounds have healed, and the pain is gone-the scars will never fade. So please, just go..." Hector asked. Astrid closed her eyes and left the room with Dustin following her silently as Hector sighed lying his head back on the pillow.

"Are you okay?" Tallon asked him.

"Yeah, I'm fine... Wasn't trying to yell at you, Jessie-I just wanted her to leave before that conversation began," Hector told Jessie while looking over to him.

"I know, it's cool. How ya feelin'?" Jessie questioned.

"Tired, and hungry-not sure what I want more though," Hector chuckled some.

"Well, we can get you something to eat and then you can rest more son," Spencer offered as he and Val left the room to find a nurse or doctor and see if they could get Hector something to eat.

"So, babe, I had a question for you?" Tallon said gently.

"Ask away," Hector replied.

"Last night the doctor said that if anything happened to you-the one on your emergency form would be contacted. Heather said it was likely her, your mom, brother, and dad because they were family but the doctor said...it was me, listed as your fiance and I guess I'm wondering...why, when?" Tallon asked.

"I changed it right after Dad disowned me. I figured you'd always be the one around me since we're dating and what not, and if anything happened to me-you'd be notified. And I...listed you as my fiance that way the doctors couldn't withhold information from you. I know if I was ever hurt this bad, they'd contact my family first and since all that was going on at the time, I would've rather have you know than them...because I know you care, and...you've never hurt me, never been fake with me, always had my back...so I listed you as my emergency contact because I knew you'd coming running to make sure I was okay. I wanted you to know anything going on with me medically wise. You also have power of attorney over me, you can make medical choices for me if I'm unable to." Hector explained.

"You trust me that much?" Tallon asked in surprise.

"No matter what has happened since we met-you're the one who comes running when I'm in trouble. You're the one who can break through any depressing moods I'm in. You've held me when I've cried, made me laugh, always been by my side as a friend and lover-can't deny that either. You've had the hots for me since Basic-but all that aside. If it ever comes down to me in a situation like this-or if I'm comatose, unconscious, need life saving surgery that you have to decide on, I trust you to make those choices. And I always wanted you to know what was going on so I listed you as something they couldn't refuse information to. I trust you with my life, Tallon. " Hector told him. Tallon looked like he was going to cry again, he carefully hugged Hector and then Hector moved his mask off his face while he and Tallon shared a deep kiss, tongue included.

"I do believe I said the mask had to stay on for a while," came the doctor's voice as Tallon broke the kiss and backed up a bit after putting Hector's mask back in place.

"Won't disagree with you. My boyfriend's kisses just take my breath away," Hector blushed a little as the doctor set down a tray on the rolling table and pushed it up towards him, then slowly adjusted the bed so Hector was sitting up more and could eat without spilling it everywhere.

"Well, I brought you something to eat. Grilled cheese, bowl of clam chowder with crackers, piece of apple pie, and chocolate milk. Eat slowly, and if you start having trouble breathing or any chest pains that last longer than two minutes-mask back on and use your call button," the doctor explained.

"Got it, doc." Hector nodded to him as he then left when Val and Spencer returned.

"I've heard hospital food sucks," Darius chuckled some.

"The food in the Iraq hospitals do. Never had Berkian General food before so we'll see," Hector shrugged some as took a bite of the sandwich. "Wow, it's really not that bad at all," he said after swallowing the bite. Hector was happy right now, he was alive, had his family and friends, Tallon too. Surprisingly, he wasn't in a lot of pain for basically just being out of surgery two hours ago. He'd dealt with Astrid, and now he could just recover for a few weeks and then get back to normal life with the people he cared about. While Hector ate, they all just talked among themselves about different things going on in everyone's lives.

Fifteen minutes into eating and Hector had to stop because his chest began to hurt a little-it didn't last long, only a minute. Hector kept the mask on to keep his breathing under control-he hated that he needed it but it was to be expected with the fact he had a hole in his chest because of a gunshot wound, though it was closed and stitched up, given the fact his lung was hit slightly, he had trouble breathing occasionally. After ten minutes of that where everyone got a little worried, Hector was able to finish eating comfortably. The nurse came back in to clear the tray, check his vitals and help him to the bathroom-that had been a process because it hurt for Hector to move a lot, Tallon had to help the nurse because she couldn't hold Hector's weight on her own. When that was over, Hector was back in the bed in its almost flat position. They kept it slightly elevated at Hector's request. It didn't take long for Hector to end up falling back asleep. It had been a pretty long day, scary too.

With Hector asleep, a lot of the visitors in the room had left and asked Tallon to keep them posted. The only ones left were just Gobber, Val, Spencer, Darius, and Heather, Tallon as well but that was to be expected. Tallon didn't plan on leaving until he absolutely had too after visiting hours were over with at 10pm. Right now it was only just going on 12:30, and to think they had gotten there at 9am. So much in only three and a half hours-but Hector was healing, and alive. That's all they could ask for. For Tallon especially knowing what he did now, that Hector listed him as fiance so he'd always be in the loop about him, and that Hector gave him power of attorney. All because Hector trusted him with his very life.