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!

Fifty-Two:

{Hayden's POV}

(Thursday, December 15, 2022-5:10 pm)

[Barbarki Base; KPA-Combat Support Hospital]

I couldn't take my eyes off the OR doors, and I couldn't shake the scene from my head when Troy yelled for me to watch out, then I was pushed out of the way. Troy got hurt, severely, saving my life. Where I had been; a hit with that force could have killed me instantly. Troy didn't take the full thing as he got struck on the side, which spun him and then Troy lost consciousness from pain. I wanted to cry, but I wouldn't here. I knew Troy would be okay; I felt that in my gut, and it's never let me down before. I just needed to calm down, and stay relaxed until the doctor came to get me. Troy went into surgery at 5 pm, and I assumed that with injuries like these; he would be in there a while. I sat back in the chair, taking a deep breath and close my eyes.

. . .

(Few Hours Later)

[CSH O.R. Waiting Area]

"Lieutenant Haddock-Raseri?" came a voice. I quickly looked over to see a male doctor standing by the OR doors, a clipboard in hand. I got to my feet and approached him.

"Th-That's me. How's my husband, Staff Sergeant Raseri?" I asked instantly, the concern showing vividly.

"Still under anesthetic, but should be waking up in the next half an hour or so. I'm Asher Ogglebert, the one who performed your husband's surgery," he offered his hand to me.

"I, uh, Lieutenant Hayden Haddock-Raseri; Alpha Company, Marines," I introduced. "Can you tell me how everything is with my husband? I-I have to report it back to Commander Bludvist," I continued.

"Of course. The surgery went fine; there were no complications. Your husband sustained minor cuts and bruises, but the severest of the injuries were to his left leg," Asher informed as I tensed a bit. "Mr. Raseri a Compound Fracture of the Femur, Tibia, and Fibula that required surgery to insert pins that will hold them together and External Fixation, but there is a chance that even with that; they may never heal fully," he went on as I flinched a bit.

"A-And what does that mean? A-Are you saying that Troy may…never walk again?" I forced myself to ask.

"That is still unknown, son. Right now, your husband will need extended time in the hospital where he can be monitored that everything is healing correctly, and there is still risk that it may require more surgery. After all that, if it goes well, Troy will begin extensive rehabilitation to see if we can get him to walk again," Asher explained. "That is the overall hope in all this, but for now, we can't be sure, and that is why we must observe,"

"And if the goal is reached; Troy will be okay?" I inquired.

"Unfortunately, the nature of the break is one that even with the correct healing; it will take months to for him to be able to walk again. And there is also the fact he may not walk normally again; the leg will always be a bit weaker, and he'll move with a limp. We'll know more as the injury heals," Asher stated. "You should call your CO, lad; I'm sure he'll want that update, and he'll need to arrange for your husband to be transported back home," my eyes widened.

"Wh-What?" I questioned.

"Troy will not be able to stay here, Lieutenant. He has a leg broken in three places, and we're in a war zone. Your husband needs to be taken back to his home island to heal in their hospital. Mr. Raseri is looking at two or three months hospitalization for the recovery and rehab, and that's IF everything heals right without the need for another surgery. This is only a Combat Support Hospital, Hayden; we're able to treat patients in an emergency situation and stabilize them for transport home to continue their recovery," Asher enlightened.

"Can you take me to see him? Am I allowed to?" I looked at Asher now.

"I will bring you to his room," Asher nodded. I tried to relax while following Asher to Recover, which was just off to the right of the OR. I decided to call Donovan before getting to the room Troy was in, and Bludvist said he'd be right over to get the information from me.

. . .

[Temporary OR Recovering Room #5]

"I'll bring your CO in when he arrives," Asher said then exited the room. I stood there looking at my husband, who was still unconscious from the anesthetic, or perhaps it was from the hut and run. Troy had been knocked out cold from that upon entering surgery a few hours ago. I suppose it didn't matter; Troy was alive, and I knew he'd make it through a broken leg. Troy was a fighter, and it was one of the many things I admired about my husband. Four years on and Troy was still saving my life; I don't think I'd ever be able to repay him for it all. I'm also very sure that Troy would be telling me that my friendship and love is all he needs as payment. I moved towards the edge of Troy's hospital bed, removing my heavier field gear and setting it aside. Troy's face was just a little scratched up, and I'm sure there would be some bruises in a few days, but the only injury to stick out was the leg and external fixators. I gently put my hand on Troy's, trying to smile and not cry.

"Hi, babe," I started, not sure what else to say. Troy was out, but I knew he could hear me. "I can't believe you pushed me out of the way and stood in my place. What the fuck is wrong with you?! You could have been killed, and where would I be, huh?!" I felt the tears slip down my cheeks. "You idiot!" I scolded him quietly, sniffling a bit. "When you wake up and healed fully; I'm kicking your fucking ass, Troy. I swear to Odin I will…" Troy and I were pretty evenly matched in sparring, so perhaps threatening to fight him wasn't the best idea. I tried to wipe my eyes, but it wasn't working.

"I love you, baby; it's you and me forever, remember? Soulmates…What would I do if you were gone? I'd…Be a complete mess. I need you in my life, Troy. I can't imagine a world without you in it…" I laid my forehead on Troy's arm, holding his hand while crying lightly. Suddenly, I felt Troy's hand move and slightly tighten on mine. My head snapped up as I saw Troy start opening his eyes. "Tr-Troy?" I asked, standing a bit so he would be able to see me without having to move his head much.

"Hey, handsome," Troy managed with a small smile. "Tears don't suit you," Troy slowly raised his other hand to wipe them away.

"Oh, I'm so glad you're alright," I said quietly. "H-How do you feel?"

"Headache, little nauseated, ringing in my ears, dizzy," Troy yawned. "Tired," he said sleepily.

"You probably have a concussion from whacking your head on the ground after the hit and run," I sighed. "Why did you do that, Troy? Why did you take my place?..."

"Promised…to protect you," Troy replied gently. "You safe, that's…all I care 'bout. I be okay. Can't be bad,"

"Troy, you broke your leg in three places and have a concussion. You knocked out at the scene, and you were in surgery for three and a half hours getting pins to hold your bones in place. Look at your leg; it's externally fixated that way while you he-," Troy put his finger to my lips and shook his head, smiling lightly.

"Hey, relax, Love. I'll be okay, don't give yourself a panic attack over this; it's just a broken leg. I'll heal and be fine in a couple of months," Troy assured.

"It's not the simple, baby. You might still need another surgery…A-And the doctor says it will take months in the hospital to heal and go through rehab. Hell, they're even saying you might not even be able to-," I tried again.

"What? That this whole thing might make it so I can't walk again just because the leg will be weak?" Troy rolled his eyes as I nodded.

"Until we know how that leg will heal, Sergeant Raseri; that's exactly what doctors are saying. You're in for months of recovery and rehabilitation, and possibly longer if you require surgery," the door opening revealed Asher and Donovan. I looked down as Troy held my hand tighter and I glanced his way once more.

"No offense, Commander, but I was not speaking to you. Hayden, listen to me, alright? Don't listen to all the grim and grave shit these quacks are feeding you." I saw Asher arch an unamused brow, and Donovan did the same. "It's just three places in my leg that got broken. So, I spend a couple of months in a hospital bed where I get painkillers, and whatever I want at the push of a button. Come on, does that really sound so bad?" Troy said with a smile as I shook my head at him. "The doctors get paid more to tell people the worst possible outcome; I know me better than they do. It's only a broken leg, Love. Don't let all this pins, screw, plates, and external fix-whatever it was, scare you. I will heal and walk again as if nothing ever happened,"

"Really?" I asked.

"Who you gonna believe? The doctor who only performed a three-hour surgery, or me, who you've known for the last four years, best friends, and married to?" Troy chuckled. I smiled a little now.

"You," I replied.

"Then know I will be perfectly fine in two or so months, silly," Troy stroked my cheek, then drew me in for a kiss. I blushed a bit. "Now, I assume you've come to tell me what happened from here," Troy broke the kiss to direct that at Donovan.

"As you know. Sergeant Raseri; this hospital is only a support one, and your required healing time will need to be completed back home in the Archipelago," Donovan informed.

"I figured as much. Am I discharged?" Troy inquired.

"That cannot be determined until your recovery is over. At such time, you'll be put through a series of physical tests and training to see if your leg can hold up after the injury and healing in the active duty lifestyle. So, if you recover as you say you will and the doctor clears you to return to normal activity; we'll revisit this conversation," Donovan explained.

"So, medical leave for a few months? I can do that. Well, just tell me when we're going home," Troy stated, putting his head on the pillow and relaxing.

"We're?" Donovan questioned.

"Yeah. We're as in We Are. Meaning Hayden and me," Troy reiterated.

"Staff Sergeant Raseri…You will be going home. Not Lieutenant Haddock-Raseri," Donovan said firmly. Troy's eyes shot open as he looked sternly at the Commander. I had a bad feeling this would be the case when Asher said it before in the waiting area.

"Hayden is my husband, Commander Bludvist. I'm not…going home without him and if he can't leave, then I will stay here," Troy stated.

Donovan sighed. "Raseri; it doesn't work like that. This hospital is not equipped to handle a full recovery, and it's an active war zone. This place is really just for emergencies and stabilizing a patient to travel home where they can receive proper care. Hayden is the leader of the Inferno Platoon, and I need him here to command his troops. It's medical leave for you because, at this time, you're unable to perform your duties as an Infantry Marine. Lieutenant Haddock-Raseri still can, so he is not authorized to leave this base until the tour is over,"

I could see that Troy was getting upset at the information, that he had to go home and spend months in a hospital, but I wouldn't be able to be with him for a bit. I knew there was no working around this order; it had to be this way. "Troy…Commander Bludvist is right…" I finally said as Troy looked at me, shocked that I agreed with Donovan about staying behind while Troy returned to Berk.

"Hayden? I-I can't leave you here. We're…a team; we do everything together. I can't…go back to Berk without you," Troy protested,

"I-I know, baby…B-But it's only for a little while. It's…December now, the tour ends next month. I'll be home with you then," I tried to reason with my husband. I didn't like this; Troy was going to have to go home while I stayed here? That…Wasn't fair. My husband needed me to get through this. Troy and I have never been apart in the last four years! Gods, I could see that me agreeing with Donovan was crushing him.

"But Hayden…" Troy began.

"It's a direct order, Troy," I said firmly, seeing his eyes widen. "I have to stay here to lead Inferno…And you have to go home, where it's safe, to finish recovering. We can't disobey orders; you know that. It's grounds for disobedience and misconduct, or whatever it is. The bottom line is we can get into a lot of trouble, and I don't want that for us…The tour is almost over, and then I'll be home. I promise everything will be okay. What could go wrong in a month? That's all it is, and we'll be together again,"

Troy sighed heavily. "You promise to call every chance you get?" he asked.

"On my life, baby," I nodded with a smile.

"Fine. I don't like this. I really don't, but as I have no frigging choice…I guess I'll make it easier for you and go quietly," Troy closed his eyes.

"I'll make arrangements to get you home before next week," Donovan said, then prepared to leave with Asher.

"Hayden stays with me," Troy remarked as Donovan stopped, about to argue that we just went over this. "Until I have to leave…My husband stays with me. Will you at least agree to that request?" Troy finished.

"Granted," Donovan nodded his head, then left with Doctor Ogglebert.

"Are you mad at me for not fighting the order?" I asked.

"No, Love; I'm not. I figured it wouldn't happen; just thought I'd try anyway. But hey, I get you until I leave. Have you eaten anything since I got here?" Troy inquired.

I nodded. "Yeah, there a snack area with pre-made sandwiches, drinks, and stuff near the nurse's station, so I grabbed something from there around 6:30 pm,"

"Good. Now, come on over here and lay with me," Troy smiled. I blushed a bit and carefully crawled into the bed on the right side, laying beside my husband with my head on his shoulder and his arm around me. "And Hayden?" he said as I shifted a bit to look up at him. When that Jeep was headed for you; I saw that if you got hit at the position you were in, you would have been killed. I pushed you and made sure I'd get hit at an angle that wouldn't kill me," Troy admitted as I felt a few tears forming at his confession. "I'd rather be hurt and heal after saving you than live unharmed without you in my life." the tears began to slip again. Troy kissed my forehead. "I can't imagine a world without you in it either," I couldn't believe that Troy heard me say that. I thought for sure he was knocked out when I did. "I love you, babe,"

"I love you too, baby," I replied as we kissed for a few seconds, then I relaxed on my husband with a yawn, and not long after; I drifted off to sleep.