The Journey Into Us
Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating: M for Mature
Disclaimer:I do not own anything HTTYD-related.
Chapter 31
=Normal POV=
(Tuesday, 1/14/2020; 8:00 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Trayden's Apartment)
The meal Trayden cooked for Hunter and himself to enjoy was marked down as one of Hunter's favorites now. Trayden was bashful about Hunter's compliments regarding the food and told Trayden he should go into cooking because the dish was beyond excellent. Aside Hunter's joy of the dinner, the two talked casually while eating and each enjoying a beer. When the meal was over, Hunter helped Trayden put away leftovers and clean up the kitchen to save Trayden some work so he wouldn't have to leave it overnight and end up tidying things tomorrow. Trayden wasn't sure what would be happening yet as neither were drunk, and they hadn't taken part in any intimate acts together, but now with cleaning, shopping, laundry, and dinner crossed off the list, the two males were free to relax and end up drinking harder. Trayden had been thinking about it before Hunter came over, and at random points through the day on what they could do. It had been discussed the night at the bar they could have some fun, but not chosen on what they would do indefinitely.
The problem Trayden had was figuring out what he wanted to do with Hunter. Rimming was off the table as neither of them were into it, but there was still other options. Trayden continued to bear what Hunter said in mind about what being ready meant, in understand that things had to go at Trayden's pace, knowing what actions would be taking place, and also having full awareness that Trayden was in control. Now, while Trayden felt like he had all that covered, there was still being mentally prepared to go into these things that Trayden hasn't tried. So Trayden's readiness was rested on how he felt in doing something he hadn't before. Trayden knew that he really only had two things to get past in receiving, those were being fingered and being fucked. For giving, Trayden hadn't done anything other than kiss and make out with Hunter. In the consideration, though, Trayden felt it was unfair to Hunter to not be getting anything in return.
Partners were just that, they worked together to achieve the best outcome. Trayden wanted to be able to do things back to Hunter, he just needed to get over the hurdle of nervousness to mess up. While Trayden was going over all this in his head, reality had Hunter and Trayden were sitting on the couch together, watching more of the show from earlier and just about to the end of last episode in the newest season, so the males would have to figure out what would happen next. It was only 8 pm, so they could continue talking or move into something else. Trayden was just almost tempted to let Hunter finger and fuck him tonight, to get it over with. Trayden knew Hunter advised against that, but it was warned before Trayden was told by Hunter about remembering those three factors in readiness. Trayden did feel ready, and he knew Hunter would be slow and cautious with him. Fingering first was to be expected, Hunter mentioned that could be used as prep.
Trayden knew he had condoms and lube in his bedroom, he felt he should keep such things around after this arrangement came about and knew that, at some point, he'd be having sex with Hunter. Also, if Trayden had to take a guess, Hunter probably brought both objects with him as a just in case anything happened between them. Trayden knew that the first time would hurt, even Hunter said that, but as long as Trayden wasn't forcing himself to continue when he wanted to stop, or hadn't been prepared for what would take place, then it wouldn't be awful and ruin him from ever doing it again. The difference in this is that Trayden knew what to expect and how things went for both being fingered and being fucked to someone who never had been before. Trayden felt like this could go very well and wanted to try, maybe with the fingering first and then if that was going okay, venture into the big one.
The final episode came to a close and the credits rolled as Hunter faced Trayden with a smile. "I guess that's it until the next season," Hunter stated.
"Good episodes though, and didn't leave us on a complete cliffhanger, so I can be patient for the next one," Trayden replied with a nod.
"I'm glad I got to watch the rest with you, it's so much more enjoyable with a friend rather than by yourself," Hunter mentioned.
"I will agree with that," Trayden chuckled. Hunter finished his drink off and set the cup down. "You ready for a refill?"
"I suppose so. I keep forgetting I brought an overnight bag with me for the sake of getting too drunk to get home," Hunter laughed a bit. Trayden got up and held out his hand to take the cup from him.
Hunter handed it over as Trayden headed for the bar, where the harder liquor was left out, and ice in an insulated bucket to keep it cold and frozen for a bit. "Should I watch for warning signs of you about to knock out from intoxication?" Trayden joked.
"I'll never be too drunk to pass out, handsome," Hunter chuckled. "Well," He paused, thinking a moment. "Okay, let me rephrase that. I'll never hit the point that I just drop to the floor. I'll get wasted, but for the most part, I know when to stop so that I can still locate the bathroom, and then end up in bed. Or in a case like this of being at someone's place, the couch," Hunter explained. "I typically know when to stop so that I don't wind up sick,"
"I understand. I'm the same way, but it's never been my thing to get smashed anyway. I'm content with drinking enough to be drunk, but not have an unclear head. Too many bad decisions get made that way," Trayden worked at mixing the drinks for them.
"Have you ever been smashed? I know I've had my few regrettable drinking excursions," Hunter laughed some.
"Only once, when I was legal to drink," Trayden grabbed the cups and brought them over, handing Hunter's to him first, then sitting down right beside. "Said I'd never do it again, and have thus far kept it," He added on.
"Good for you. I said after the first time I'd never do it again, but hey…" Hunter shrugged with a smile. "The parties get a little crazy,"
"It happens when you throw a lot of them," Trayden stated gently. "I've never really been big on the party scene, and I used to only go to significant ones. Like my graduation, or a couple of mayor events where family can come,"
"You've come to all mine, unless you were stuck at work," Hunter teased.
"You're a friend I trust won't take advantage of me," Trayden reminded. "I meant parties where I don't know anyone, like where Ethan used to take us. Strange places with even stranger people who get wasted, high, loud, and have no idea what personal space is, nor a boundary. Most times it was just severely out of control and scary, I was probably one of the only people who refused to drink because I didn't trust anyone. I usually would have preferred to leave, but I couldn't abandon the others there with no one watching their back as they were just as messed up," He explained.
"And that makes you an excellent friend, putting up with something you know you hate to protect your friends," Hunter pointed out.
"I'm pretty sure I placed anonymous calls to the police to shut a few down if it started looking dangerous with people trying to drive drunk, or there were drugs other than weed involved," Trayden informed. "I always hated going and I knew I could decline the invites, but again,"
"You didn't trust your friends would be okay," Hunter nodded, understanding.
Trayden shook his head. "No. And it's especially annoying when you're being hit on by everyone and their mother. Figure of speech, of course,"
Hunter laughed some. "I get it. And I agree, those parties are never fun. I admit some of mine can get crazy, but there's never anyone there that I don't know and if its at my house, I won't get wasted. Usually, Greg is on standby to watch too,"
"That's why I prefer just hanging with good, known friends in a controlled setting. Drinking and snacks, sure. Music, absolutely. But more of sitting around and talking, catching up how everyone has been. Maybe group movie night if we can all agree on one movie to watch that we haven't seen yet," Trayden told him.
"I feel you, sometimes those are the best kinds of hangouts," Hunter agreed. "I do have to say that while I enjoy a good party or two, I also enjoy little things like this. Just sitting and talking with a friend who I have so much in common with outside of coworkers and others that we get along well and have fun, but nothing we can really…Talk about," He mentioned. "My school friends, we got along good due to same school, same neighborhood. Hell, even same classes. We were the nerdy geeks who typically always got paired up. We all had something…Different about us individually that others hated, but as a whole, our differences were fine by one another," He explained as Trayden nodded. "And my Wild Fantasies group of friends, our conversations are usually sex or work-related, maybe some about how things have been, but mostly, it's dancing. And yeah, I love dancing, but now and then…I just want something like this. Casual talk, couple drinks, calm atmosphere and not having to really worry about anything. I can actually relax," He laughed a little.
"Because you don't have to worry, as you said. You don't have to purposely keep sobering up to watch the party to ensure nothing goes wrong on your property, and you also don't have to play nice and do what your attendees what to do," Trayden chuckled. "Right now, you're the guest and I'm an extremely laid back person. You can always count on being able to relax here," He added.
"I will bear that in mind next time I need a vacation. I'll just sneak away here and hideout with you," Hunter grinned.
"Totally fine with me. I'm usually only ever at my parents' place, work, when I find a new job, out with friends, or here," Trayden shrugged. "I'll tell you where the spare key is if you need to escape and I'm not home," He laughed some.
"You'd trust me to be in your apartment with you not here?" Hunter blinked.
"You're my friend, aren't you?" Trayden asked with a smile and Hunter nodded. "Then I trust you," He said.
"Just like that? Do the others know where it is?" Hunter wondered.
"The only people who know where the spare key is at is Natalie. The others don't know, and it's not because I don't trust them, but none of them would use the information for an emergency…They'd just come over whenever and let themselves in," Trayden sighed. "This isn't a theory either, they've done it before. I hid one key in a spot and told them where it was, for emergency situations only. However, all they did was start showing up together to hang out when I wouldn't answer my phone, which was usually because I was in the shower, sleeping, or sick. And after they began showing up when I wasn't home, or was about to be, I yelled at them for it and hid the key in a new spot, but they think I just stopped leaving a spare."
"I don't have a key hidden, but Uncle Gregory has a copy for the sake of being allowed to come over whenever he wants after everything he's done for me," Hunter said. "And wow…They really just used the knowledge of the key's location to freely invite themselves over? Even my friends know they have to message me first to ask, and if I don't answer then don't just show up to see if I'm home, or was maybe sleeping."
"Mmhm," Trayden nodded to Hunter's question about the friends just taking advantage of such trust. "The purpose of the spare was if I ever locked my keys in the apartment, obviously, and emergencies. I did tell them they could use it to let themselves in if I wasn't home yet, but would be soon, and we had prior plans to hang out. Or if I was home and in the shower, they could come in and wait for me. But that was ONLY if I gave them permission to do so and they took it as they had the okay all the time," He mumbled. "Natalie doesn't need to give me a heads up, she knows she can come any time as I see her like a little sister. My parents have keys of their own and have only ever used them if I'm sick and bringing me meds or something,"
"Makes sense. And you're good with me knowing where the location is to hide here?" Hunter chuckled.
"I know you'd never take advantage of the information," Trayden smiled.
"You know that for sure?" Hunter teased a bit.
Trayden nodded. "It doesn't seem your style to be hypocritical," He informed. "You're not the kind of guy who takes advantage of his friends, you cherish what you have,"
Hunter beamed at that. "Awe, you do know me,"
"I know that we feel the same way about a lot of things. We have more in common when it comes to likes, dislikes, and whatever else you wanna throw in," Trayden enlightened. "I also know because you've never taken advantage of me. I mean, you're with helping me out of my shell and experiencing intimacy with a man…So I'm trusting you with what I consider is basically my life, and that being the case, I feel like the person with that level of trust can be trusted not to screw me if I tell him where the key to my apartment is," He mentioned.
Hunter smiled still, leaning towards Trayden more. "Well then…I promise to only use the information to access and screw you in other ways," He winked.
"I knew you were going to say that if I used the words screw me," Trayden sighed and shook his head, but smiled regardless because he did enjoy all of Hunter's flirting. It was suggestive, but not pushy or making Trayden uncomfortable in any way.
"It can be taken in many contexts. My response being made sexual is your fault if that's how you made it seem to me," Hunter countered. "I took it as I'm going to tell you where the key to my place is that way you can come over whenever to escape our friends, but really, I'm going to use it as an excuse so I can be here all ready for you when you get home and then we can fuck because I just wanted to see you," Hunter smirked.
"That's such an abuse of power," Trayden remarked playfully.
"A power you're giving me and also," Hunter leaned in more. "I didn't hear you say no to the idea of me telling you I'm coming over to hide from our friends, but it's before you get home, so I have time to sexily sprawl out naked on your bed for when you do get home," He almost giggled.
"I didn't say no because I would likely find it to be quite the scene to come home to after a long day," Trayden grinned.
Hunter stared at Trayden for a few moments, and gave a grin. "I do so love that I've met someone who can match me in comebacks and sarcasm,"
"Would you believe me if I said that I learned how from you?" Trayden smiled.
"Then I'll take that win and say I'm proud!" Hunter beamed as the two both laughed a little. "But you're right, I wouldn't take advantage of you in any sense. I wouldn't use the knowledge to just show up unannounced and be laying on your bed waiting for you to take me," He said after a few moments. "And I'd message you first, so you'd know I was taking refuge at your place," Hunter added. "I'd likely just sit on your couch and watch TV,"
"Appreciated," Trayden nodded. "But wouldn't mind coming home to finding you in my bed," He joked.
"I'm sure you wouldn't, but we both already said that we don't let people in our rooms unless we're dating them or hooking up. Since we're doing neither, it would be inappropriate for me to not only show up unannounced with you not home, but also be in your room," Hunter reminded.
"Well, not to be technical here, but while we're not dating, we are eventually going to be having sex…So that means we are technically hooking up every time we mess around with sexually-related things. I'd say that qualifies you to be in my room if you decide to be waiting in my room to surprise me after work to have some fun," Trayden countered casually, sitting back on the couch and taking a drink from his cup, then setting it down on the end table in his reach.
Hunter was just sitting there, blinking in surprise of Trayden's breakdown that they were technically hooking up for sexually-related things when they made plans to hangout. "That is…So damn true," Hunter finally said as Trayden shrugged with a smile, he was good at making observations and dissecting them to find points for his arguments. "That's impressive and kind of hot,"
"My observation and argumentative dissection is hot to you?" Trayden asked.
"Of course. You're a thinker, you use knowledge in debates. To me, that means you don't talk out of your ass and can have real conversations. This is why I like hanging with you, I enjoy that we can have fun, intelligent talks. It's what made me different from others in school, people hated it because I could always prove someone wrong. I was the straight A know-it-all, and I usually always did it with sarcasm too. I was known as the sarcastic nerd," Hunter chuckled. "Seems like that was your style too,"
"Well, not with the sarcasm…But yeah, I did have a habit of proving people wrong," Trayden replied with a smile.
"And to me, that's hot. I told you before that I like geeks," Hunter stated. Trayden blushed a little as Hunter leaned closer and pecked his lips. "It's a bonus that you happen to be a nerd who is hot as well," He added with a wink. "But you're also adorable when you get all bashful and blushing,"
"I only get this way with you," Trayden admitted.
"I'm sure you've blushed and gotten shy when other guys flirt with you," Hunter informed.
"No, not really," Trayden answered calmly. "Others I've been around, say parties Ethan took us too for example, give off a weird vibe. The kind that tells me to stay away from them because there's only one thing they're after, so being shy and blushing doesn't happen when I know everything being said is to lure me into bed. It doesn't feel like flirting, it's not innocent, harmless, or playful. It's…" He paused.
"Say and do whatever to get what they want?" Hunter offered.
"Mmhm. It's uncomfortable, pushy, and scary," Trayden nodded. "But you don't do that, so the reaction is different. I'm still aware you want to fuck me senseless, but I know that desire doesn't supersede our friendship regardless of the extra activities we may or may not take part in while hanging out as just us or during a party. Your intention is only being my friend first and foremost, the sexual stuff is just a bonus if I want to, like you always tell me," He smiled.
"And that will never change," Hunter reassured. "And I'm taking that win of being the only guy who makes you blush and get all shy," The two laughed together. Trayden was incredibly happy he met Hunter, and that they could have good times like these. The conversations did get deep, but they were enlightening and letting the males get to know one another better, and become closer as friends.
