Change Of Heart
Pairing; Hector & Briana(Hiccup X OC)
Rating; M for Mature
Disclaimer; I do not own HTTYD or the songs I might use.
54. To Be Happy
{Briana's POV}
=December 25, 2017=
Growing up, Christmas was supposed to be the best day of the year. For me, it always had been. Losing my mother at thirteen to cancer, then my father to suicide a year later; I didn't have an easy time during the holidays either, but I ended up smiling because I knew they were with me somehow. I never cried, or looked at old photos because I knew it would hurt me more. As the time has passed; things are more comfortable for me, but I can't deny how much it hurts to watch the man I love suffer this way. I knew because of Thanksgiving that Hector might be a bit down today, after seeing this mornings display; I could tell it was worse than I anticipated. Hector had gone to bed early, and I was behind him a few hours later. The Drakes and I shut everything down before we went to sleep. I saw Hector awake, and we ended up making love for an hour, then went to sleep by 11:30 pm. It seemed that Hector woke up around midnight, unable to sleep and went upstairs. Hector saw that things weren't the way he knew they'd always been, and set the scene for it to be a regular Christmas with his parents. Honestly, it was heartbreaking to learn about, and worse to see Hector realize that no matter what he did; it wouldn't ever be the way he remembered again. I wanted to call it full acceptance and finally letting all that pain he'd been trying to hold back since the start of this month out.
However, what shocked me the most after Hector's little breakdown; was learning that all the gifts under the tree were for his friends, Godfather, and I. Hector ended up leaving by 7:45 am to go to the cemetery. I wanted to go with him, but I got the feeling Hector wished to go alone, or at least with Toothless. Currently, it was about 10:15 am as The Drakes and I were sitting in the living room, wondering when Hector might come back. It didn't feel right to start Christmas without him. Mainly since it was his house, and we didn't want to ruin any of the traditions he was aiming to try and make happen in the absence of his parents. We heard a car pull into the driveway, and it raised our hopes, but it ended up being Glenn.
"Merry Christmas," Glenn announced. "Now, where's that Godson of mine?" he asked with a broad smile.
I gave the man a half-smile. "He's not here, Glenn," I informed.
"Cemetery?" Glenn inquired.
"We believe so. It…wasn't an easy morning," Dimitri enlightened.
"I didn't expect it would be. What happened?" Glenn wondered. The gang and I began to explain everything, and by the end of it, there was another knock on the side door to the house. Glenn sighed as he went to answer it; finding the school friends there. Glenn let them in, of course, and it became apparent quickly that Hector wasn't present. Thankfully, the teenager group had figured out that Hector needed some time alone, and that's why he left so early. I ended up retelling the events of this morning to them, and Glenn was just looking through the album.
"Yep, every year without fail," Glenn mentioned as I managed to peek at the pictures to see the same shot taken over the years from the time Hector was about six or so where his parents would find him fast asleep on the couch. "Hector grew out of things when he was thirteen, after the accident. Something tells me he knew the truth long before that, but played along for his parent's sake. Even last year, Hector put on the smile and went with it. Wrote the note, crashed on the couch. Hector still woke up with energy, excitement, acting like a little kid again asking when he could open presents, and he did it all for them to see how happy they were,"
"We found him this morning with that album in his lap, and he told us the same thing. Hector said that he did it for them and wanted to pretend for one day that they were still here, and nothing changed," I sighed.
"What's with all the stuff under the tree?" TJ questioned.
"All for us," Derek said.
"Hector put it out last night and right before he left this morning, he mentioned it was for us," I enlightened. "I said we would wait until he got back to open anything,"
"We came over because we figured he could use some friendly faces," Alyssa informed.
"We're not due back to our homes until the food portion starts around 3 or 4 pm," Shane added in.
"We don't know how long until Hector returns," Sawyer said.
"Don't you worry; he won't be long," Glenn assured.
"Glenn, he's been gone since 7:45 am; it's almost 11 now," Kayne sighed.
"And he's probably on his way back," Glenn smiled some as he got his phone out called Hector's cell, then he put it on speaker. "Merry Christmas, laddie,"
"Thanks, Uncle Gobber. Same to you. I take it you're at my house?"
"Don't I spend every Christmas with you and your folks? Have since you were a wee thing," Glenn reminded.
"Still small and you…only get me this year," it was easy to tell how upset Hector was.
"And that's all I need, son. Yer all I got left for family, so it's enough for me. I know you're hurting, Hector, but you should know by now that being alone to try and deal with it only makes it worse. You need to be around the people who love and care. Sitting at that cemetery isn't going to help you today. So come back home to me, your girlfriend, your friends. Besides, what has your old man always told you?" Glenn asked.
"You celebrate the people who can't be with there with you," Hector responded.
"That's right. Now, get your butt back here or we're coming to you," Glenn told him.
"I don't think the groundskeeper will approve, so I'm on my way," Hector stated.
"Good lad. See ya soon," Glenn remarked, then the call ended.
{Normal POV}
Ten minutes later, Hector's truck pulled up and he wanted into the house. Hector saw that everyone was over and typically seeing everyone would make him happy, but it was hard to smile when he couldn't see his parent's faces. Glenn walked up to him with a smile, and then he hugged Hector. It didn't take Hector long to return the gesture. Glenn pulled away and looked at Hector now. "Listen, it's going to be okay. Nothing has changed, Hector. Your parents are still here with you, even if you can't see them. And I'm gonna prove that to you," he said.
"How?" Hector asked.
"Come with me," Glenn led him to the sliding glass door then stopped Hector in front of the tree. "Sit down on the floor in front of the tree like you used when you were a kid," Not in the mood to argue, Hector did what he was told. "Close your eyes and remember Christmas mornings in the past when you were younger. Tell me what you see," Hector sighed.
"The sun would just be coming up when mom and dad would find me sleeping on the couch. I always got up at the same time; 7 am and see them smiling at me. Mom would kiss my cheek and tell me Merry Christmas, and Dad would ruffle my hair and kiss my forehead, saying the same thing. I'd see all the presents, notice the cocoa and cookies gone. My note would be flipped over and I could read what Santa wrote back. I'd always want to tear into the gifts, but Mom and Dad made me wait until they've had their first cup of coffee. After that…they would both come sit on either side of me and tell me to go ahead. When it was over, they'd hug me tightly to repeat Merry Christmas," Hector informed then he smiled a bit. "Then you'd show up with a ton more gifts as Mom and Dad would tell you that they said to stop going to crazy because I wouldn't have room for it all. You'd say that Santa stopped at your house for me too since I'd been such a good boy all year long,"
While Hector had been talking about all that, Glenn stepped away from him. Hector felt something every time he said what his parents would do. Hector could feel what felt like the kiss on his cheek and forehead, the hair ruffle from his father. Hector knew he felt a warm breeze wrap around and embrace him as if his parents had been hugging him. For just a moment, Hector felt like they were right there with him and his eyes snapped open to look around. His mother and father weren't there, so why did he fell so much comfort right now? Hector looked back to see Glenn standing away from him; it wasn't Glenn and the others weren't near him either. Glenn was smiling.
"W-Was that…you hugging me?" Hector questioned. Glenn shook his head. "Then…Who-,"
"I told you, kiddo," Glenn knelt next to him. "Your parents are always with you, even if you can't see them. You carry their love for you in here," he motioned to Hector's heart. "All you gotta do is remember the feeling in here," Glenn poked his forehead, "and you'll feel it every time," Yeah, that was pretty touching to everyone who got to witness it. Hector wanted to cry, and the tears were there, but instead, he smiled broadly and hugged his Godfather tightly as Glenn laughed a little. "Now there's the Christmas morning Hector I remember. Smiling, happy, and way too much energy."
"Thank you," Hector told him.
"You're welcome. And just for old times sake," Glenn pulled away and went outside for a second, then returned with a laundry bag of presents. "Santa must have thought you were good this year because he left these at my house. And lucky for you; I've had my coffee already, so have at it, boy," Glenn winked.
"Not yet. I got something for all of them, and you too," Hector started pulling things out from under the tree and passing them to who they were for. "Well, go on," he invited. Everyone opened their gift finding it to be the same thing. A perfect shot of everyone together over Thanksgiving. The Drakes had a bonus; there was a second and third photo. One was the original Hell Drakes after Hector joined in November 2015. The other was a picture of the gang with their new members. "For you, Glenn, I got my drive back to pick up an old hobby. I wrote a new military song, since I know you love them. It's not Marines, but it's for soldiers,"
"I demand to hear it, now!" Glenn beamed. Hector chuckled as he docked his phone and put the song on for him. (A/N; Song is We Are Soldiers by Otherwise in case you were curious!) The song was fantastic and Glenn adored it. "I want a copy!"
"Why don't you open that gift then?" Hector motioned to the other one that Glenn was handed. Glenn tore the paper to see a CD case with the island flag in on it and Glenn standing center with a salute; his old team with him too. "Every military song I've ever done on that for you,"
"I love it!" Glenn exclaimed.
"For you, Milady," Hector handed Briana another gift. Briana smiled and opened the present to find a small box within. Briana took off the cover to find a set of car keys inside as her eyes widened. "Since I have my bike, and dad's truck; I really don't need the third vehicle. And you need a car, so I'm giving you my mother's," Briana gasped.
"Hector, no. I-I can't take-," Briana protested quickly.
"Already been signed over in your name and registered to you. Like I said, I don't need the extra, and I feel better you having that knowing I restored it, and it's safe. I want you to have it, babe," Hector smiled. Briana hugged him tightly as he kissed her.
"Thank you, baby," Briana said.
"There is…one more thing. It's not…really a gift, but you should all know that I'm not going to be around after the New Year," Hector announced.
"Why?" Briana asked quickly.
"Going to be away for job training," Hector said.
"You got a job?" Glenn blinked. Hector nodded. "Doing what that requires you to be away for training? How long?"
"About three months," Hector said quietly as it went silent. "I-I'm only gonna be in the city, and I'll keep in contact as much as I can,"
"Wait for a second," Glenn put his hand up before anyone else could say anything. "Job training, city, three months?" Glenn questioned as Hector nodded to him. Glenn's eyes suddenly widened in shock. "Y-You went through with it? You're actually going to!?" Hector nodded again. "Haha!" Glenn hugged him tightly.
"What's…going on?" Alyssa inquired now.
Glenn let go of Hector as he stared at the others with a smile. "I joined the military,"
Everyone's mouths dropped open with wide eyes. "WHAT!?"
"I joined the Marines," Hector said again. "I'm leaving January 8th, 2018 for Reception Week, then onto Boot Camp for three months," he informed.
"You go active, lad?" Glenn wondered.
Hector shook his head. "Unfortunately, I can't because of my leg. However, I can go Marine Island Guard, which I'm sure you know-,"
"Means you stay local and take care of island situations with a platoon. Also, required to attend a two-week Annual Training every year, and Weekend Warrior Training," Glenn stated.
"That's right. Last weekend of every month," Hector nodded.
"Wait. Hang on, you said you couldn't join at all because of-Well, that other thing you mentioned before," Briana hinted.
"What other thing?" Glenn arched a brow.
"Glenn; I wasn't entirely truthful with you last month when I said I hadn't done anything illegal. And my boys had nothing to do with it either. After my parents died; I couldn't deal with it, and I went back to drugs," Hector closed his eyes. Glenn's eyes widened now as he stepped back.
"Oh, Hector…Why didn't you tell me, lad?" Glenn asked.
"I was going to until you said that my parents would be every bit of proud as you are of me. I didn't want to disappoint you," Hector admitted.
"It's…okay. We'll get you clean again, but you know that they're gonna kick you out when it comes up on the drug tests," Glenn sighed.
"Actually, they won't," Hector informed. Glenn stared at him quickly, confused.
"Hector, as soon as it shows up you're doing drugs then they'll rip up anything you signed. You might even get arrested again because it's on your record already," Glenn reminded.
"Uncle Gobber, shut up and listen to me. I took care of it. The military knows, and it's been cleared by the judge, the DA, and the police chief that I'm clean," Hector told him as all their eyes widened. "And it was because of what you told me that day about having become the man my parents always knew I could. The problem was that I hadn't, and I wanted to be. I quit cold turkey December 1st,"
"But that's when you got sick with that bug and flu," Glenn pointed out. I shook my head to him.
"I was never sick with either; I was going through withdrawal," the shock washed over their faces at the reveal. "I still smoke cigarettes, but no more than two a day," Hector enlightened. "The drugs will still show in a hair follicle test well through until April. But for urine, blood, or saliva, it's no longer detectable. I got the judge, DA, and police chief to sign off that I got clean because of the daily tests at the treatment center in Berk. I got bonus points for doing it without the detox this time. I suffered two weeks withdrawing so I would be able to follow my dream of joining the military, even if it's just Marine Island Guard. Fact is, my parents wouldn't have been proud of my a month ago because I wasn't even proud of me,"
"Hector," Glenn said in the surprise of Hector's words.
"Though they aren't here, physically; I hope I've made them proud now. I hope my parents know that regardless of what I've done; the boy they raised well and to do the right thing is still here. And now they get to watch me become the man they always knew I could be," Hector finished.
Glenn didn't say anything; the man only smiled and hugged Hector tightly. "Just when I thought I couldn't get any prouder, you prove me wrong,"
"Yeah, well, I'm still in the gang, Glenn. I'll always be a Hell Drake; I owe those guys my life and I cherish them as a family. As I do you, and my other friends. I'm almost nineteen; gotta grow up and be a man with a job who can support his girl, who he really hopes will be his wife someday and can have a family with her," Briana blushed at that comment. "My parents wanted me to be happy, and doing all this, having all this does just that,"
"And I'll support that decision entirely," Glenn said.
"I think we can all support that," Dimitri nodded with a smile. "You'll always have us,"
"Us too," the teenage friends agreed.
"And me," Briana stood up to hug him tightly. "We're all proud of you for what you've done, Hector,"
"Thank you," Hector replied. "Now, I think we should all get back to Christmas," he added. With no objections, it started again. Hector opened his few things from Glenn, and one from Briana. The hours ticked away until about 3:30 pm when the neighborhood friends were preparing to leave for their family dinners. Briana and Hector were sitting on the couch together.
"Hector?" Briana looked at him.
"What's up?" Hector replied
"What made you decide to turn your life around; I know what you said, but I feel like there's more to it," Briana shrugged.
The room fell silent, all eyes on him. Hector smiled now. "I guess you could say that I believed I had to be a certain way to get what I wanted; to be happy. And then I realized that I was wrong because I stopped being what made me, well, me. To put it just, Milady; I had a change of heart," And Hector's words were every bit of the truth in how he felt. A change of heart was all he needed to be this happy.
~Author's Note; And so ends another story! I didn't expect it to end up being 54 chapters, but hey; guess I got that into writing it. I hope you all enjoyed it, and I'm working on a new idea right now. Should be up soon, so be on the lookout for a new story alert e-mail! Thank you for the continued support! -Nightstar.~
