The Journey Into Us
Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating: M for Mature
Disclaimer: I do not own anything HTTYD-related.
Chapter 44
=Normal POV=
(Sunday, 1/25/2020; 9:45 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Meade Hall)
The party was a blast once Trayden came back and announced that they were going to have the best come back for Furies Roar. Trayden kept his word, the rest of the performances were amazing and Trayden was definitely in a better mood with Blake there. Now, the birthday of Rachel Raseri was coming to an end being it was nearly 10 pm and a few of the children that were there had school tomorrow. Everything was cleaned up and people were saying their goodbyes to each other before leaving the hotel to get home. The last remaining were the Raseri's, Blake, Blake's old army unit, and Trayden's friends.
"Need help with anything else, Tray?" Addilyn inquired. The group had stayed to help with some of the cleanup.
"No, I think that's everything. The staff said they'd do the rest," Trayden smiled. "We just had to make sure we had our items we brought from home, like the instruments and whatnot,"
"Well, that wraps things up then," Rachel beamed.
"Thank you all for staying to help," Dustin told Trayden's friends. "I think we can all head out now,"
Slowly, everyone left the room and got outside to reach their vehicles. "Am I riding with you, Tray, or having Cody drop me off?" Blake wondered.
"If you have your stuff, then you can come with me," Trayden replied.
"I'll go get my bag out of Cody's car!" Blake chuckled, walking off with Blake to do what he said he would. The others began to wave and leave, soon it was just Trayden and Hunter standing together.
"Hope tonight was somewhat fun. I know it's not like your parties, but I appreciate and am glad you came," Trayden told Hunter lightly.
"I had a blast, and learned another thing about you that we have in common. We're both singers," Hunter laughed a bit. "It can be a new conversation topic next time we hang out." He added.
"Can't wait. When is that? The next time we hang out?" Trayden questioned.
"Whenever you like, handsome. I'm free almost all the time, and remember, I can make time for you since I pick my own hours," Hunter replied. Trayden blushed a bit. "Could also get more time with me if you work with me. Now that I know you can co all this," He paused, referring to the singing, announcing, and music things. "You'd be perfect at Fantasies. I could still turn you into a dancer…We could have private lessons," He winked.
"You're terrible," Trayden rolled his eyes.
"And you adore me," Hunter countered.
"Aye, that can't be argued," Trayden nodded with a smile. "You're pushing this work with you thing hard, I'm starting to think you want me to take over your job to sing and dance so you can sit behind stage and secretly enjoy looking at me with nothing on outside of one of our places…" He joked.
"Maybe. Maybe not. I guess you'll just have to find out, won't you?" Hunter grinned, and we both laughed some. "I am teasing, though. I wouldn't make you do anything you were uncomfortable or that you didn't want. But seriously, I know you need to find work and by the sounds of our last conversation when we hung out, you're not having much luck with that. I'm just trying to help ya out, like I would for any of my friends." He reminded, calming down a bit. "Working at Fantasies gives you a lot of what you want to do for work,"
"I'll think about it, or maybe we can sit down next time we get together and you can tell me more about it to entice me to agree," Trayden said gently.
"I'm fine with this!" Hunter beamed. "I know you're going to be spending some days with Blake, so just let me know when you're free," He added.
"I will. I know that Blake mentioned moving here to the city since Cody is getting married and buying a house, so he needs a new place and job with being out of the military now," Trayden stated. "I told him earlier tonight he could stay with me for now. I've got a pull-out couch. I'll still message you, though. I enjoy our conversations," He smiled.
"Great. I'll get heading home, then. Message you when I get there, so you know I'm there safe," Hunter informed.
"And I'll do the same for you," Trayden nodded.
"Am I still allowed to kiss you whenever?" Hunter arched a brow, but was smiling. Trayden nodded as Hunter stepped closer, giving Trayden a quick peck on the lips, then hugged him. Trayden returned both actions, then they separated when Hunter and Trayden saw that Blake had come back. "Talk to you later, Tray! It was a great night! Thanks for inviting me and the others." Hunter broke away from Trayden and got to his truck, then started it up and was gone moments later.
"I hope you know that I saw that," Blake grinned to Trayden, causing the male to blush intensely. "You can tell me more at your apartment," He added as Trayden only nodded, moving to his car with Blake, getting in, and heading for his place at Dreki Housing Authority.
. . .
(10:30 pm)
(Trayden's Apartment)
Arriving at Trayden's place, the two males got out and headed inside the building Trayden was in. During all this, Trayden had checked his phone see the message from Hunter saying he was home. Trayden replied back that he was as well now. Getting into the apartment, the first thing the males did was get Blake's sleeping area set up. Trayden did have a trundle bed, meaning, he had a twin-sized bed that could roll out from under his full-sized bed. The rolling piece it was on lifted up and sat at a normal height. The bed had a fitted sheet on already, and just needed a top blanket, which Trayden had spares of in his bedroom closet for when he changed out his bed stuff for every two week washing. Trayden also provided two spare pillows for Blake to use. The males were relaxing in the room now, sitting on Trayden's bed to catch up and talk over hot chocolate, which was an old favorite pastime of theirs as kids.
"Alright, like old times when we'd do sleepovers and talk about cute boys, for me, and girls, for you…At least, until you became bisexual," Blake chuckled. "You and that Hunter guy a thing and keeping it from everyone? And don't tell me it's nothing, or just friends because I saw you two kiss and hug!" He remarked quickly before Trayden could say anything to deny the allegation.
"We're not a thing," Trayden rolled his eyes.
"I told you not to tell me that," Blake sighed, shaking his head with a laugh.
"It's the truth," Trayden informed. "Hunter and I are good friends who met back at the beginning of December. I found his wallet and returned it to him at his job," He added.
"Yeah, yeah. He took you on a friendly, thank you date and ended up at his house to get your car fixed and stayed for a party," Blake grinned as Trayden blinked. "His friends told me before you came back from the bathroom," The man stated as it made more sense to Trayden now. "So what, you two just kiss for the fuck of it?"
"Well, yeah, kind'a," Trayden replied. Blake quirked his eyebrows, Trayden's signal to start spilling the details. Taking a breath, Trayden explained to Blake that he and Hunter have hung out a lot since meeting because they get along great and have more in common. Trayden also went into little information that Hunter was gay and had been kicked out at fifteen, adopted by his Godfather and unofficial uncle, Gregory. Trayden told Blake that they shared a New Year's kiss and had given Hunter permission to kiss him whenever since they were both single and didn't give a shit.
"Okay, fine…But I feel like it's more than that. New friends for a month and kissing?" Blake mentioned.
Groaning, Trayden sighed. "Hunter is gay and extremely open about it. He flirts with all his friends, just not the girls or any of the guys who aren't comfortable with it. I told him I didn't really care if he did or didn't with me since I should probably get used to guys doing that as I'm gay,"
"Wait! Hold the fuck up!" Blake put his hands up quickly, reprocessing what Trayden just said, then looking at him again. "Did you just say you are gay?"
Trayden nodded to him. "I am,"
"When did you figure that out? You were still bi before I died," Blake pointed out.
"That's when I realized it, after I thought you were dead…In October, last year..." Trayden glanced down a bit. "You remember I told you that Rosanna and I broke up over a big fight…" Blake nodded. Trayden explained to him what actually happened, seeing the shock on his face to learn the truth. "You were really busy during all that, so I never got the chance to explain everything and I was just all over the place after it went down," He finished. "My friends started dragging me out to parties and a Halloween one made me see that I have zero attraction to females and I've been calling myself gay since," He fiddled with his fingers a bit.
"Huh, imagine that…I was right!" Blake suddenly beamed. "Alright, so again…Hunter is just your super gay friend who flirts with and kisses you when in one another's presence?" Trayden tensed slightly. He didn't have secrets from Blake, so he could tell him that Hunter and he hooked up, right? Blake wouldn't tell anyone. Blake shoved him, smirking. "Come on…Tell me!" He pushed, jokingly.
"Fine! Fine…But don't tell anyone else. Don't even mention it…" Trayden muttered.
"Dude, come on…Best friend and brother. You know anything you tell me stays between us," Blake reassured calmly and seriously, which only set Trayden at ease.
"So Hunter's big thing that he tells all his friends…Is that he's totally fine with…Having sex with his friends. As long as they want it," Trayden revealed. "Mostly drunken hookup quickies at parties, mind you. Or just bored and horny," He added. "He, obviously, only does it when single,"
"Tray…Have you had sex with him?" Blake inquired outright. Fiddling with his fingers more, Trayden blushed and looked down, finally nodding his head a few times. "When?"
"Couple weeks ago, night after I got fired," Trayden admitted.
"Only the once?" Blake questioned.
Trayden shook his head. "No, we did it Saturday morning after everyone went to bed for the night around 2 am,"
"And…What brought all this on? He didn't coax you into anything, did he? Cause I'll pound him if he pressured you into it…" Blake warned, straightening up and staring firmly.
"Settle down, big brother…" Trayden rolled his eyes. "Hunter would never do anything to me, or anyone else unless it's what they wanted and were ready. He's clear about that. Like…Strict almost," He informed. "I'll tell you, just relax," He added as Blake took some of his drink and nodded. Trayden began to tell him how the sexual things came to pass, starting from that first night when Hunter fixed Trayden's car for free and the kiss. Trayden let Blake know everything up until the last time they had sex, which was yesterday morning. "So…Yeah. That's everything without immense detail, but I know you get the picture,"
"Indeed I do," Blake nodded to Trayden. "So you two just hook up at random? Friends with benefits?"
"Well, that's half and half. When we hang, it's not always a guaranteed we're going to sleep together thing. That just happens if we feel like doing it, but's not really we call each other to set up hookups," Trayden explained.
"So more of hangout as friends and if you feel like fucking, you go for it?" Blake asked to confirm.
"Yeah," Trayden responded.
Blake tilted his head a bit, smiling softly. "Are you…Sure that's all it is?" The older male wondered curiously.
Trayden's eyes widened some. "What do you mean?"
"Tray, come on…I can see it in your eyes, in your reactions. Even in your tone…" Blake stated. "You like him,"
"What? No. Don't be ridiculous," Trayden denied, taking a drink of his hot cocoa.
Blake chuckled some. "Is it ridiculous, though?" Trayden glanced to him somewhat. "Seems like you two get along better than some of the friends he's known since grade school. Long messages between one another. Hanging out more often. Deep conversations. You asked him to help you get used to being with a guy, Tray. Someone you had known for what, two weeks?" Blake inquired. Trayden looked down a little. "You know if I were back, I would have done that for you, but still…You've known me all our lives. And I don't see you talking about this guy like he's just a friend…You're talking like someone with a serious crush…" Trayden sighed. "So…Do you like him?"
Trayden grumbled, finally throwing his head back and looking at Blake. "Okay, yes…I do. I like him,"
"I knew you did, bro," Blake smiled. "I saw how you were with him before I revealed myself," Trayden's eyes widened in shock, stammering to find words. "He came outside to look for you. I was hiding in the hallway and saw him come out of the room to look for you. He didn't go to the bathroom, he exited the room and headed straight down the hall to the side door, saying to himself that you said you went out for air, so you'd be somewhere that no one would see you if they walked by," Trayden continued to stare, listening. "I heard what he said to you. I saw how you were with him. It's not hard to see a crush, Tray. I'm sure he sees it too," Blake said. "Why haven't you told him?"
"I don't know how he feels about me. I don't want to kill what we have as friends by just…Insta-liking him," Trayden mumbled. "We've only known each other for three months on February 2nd. Well, brief meeting. First hangout and becoming friends was the 8th." He enlightened.
"I don't think it will ruin anything, Trayden. I think he likes you too," Blake offered as Trayden arched a brow.
"Pray tell your findings?" Trayden inquired.
"Aside from the fact he kissed you earlier outside the hotel to comfort you? When you were in the bathroom splashing your face, he was the only one of your friends to ask if you were okay after I revealed myself to be alive," Trayden's eyes opened a bit more, surprised at what Blake just said.
"H-He did?" Trayden asked.
Blake nodded to him. "I even pointed it out to him that he seemed concerned and he covered it with always being like that for all his friends if he knew they were upset about something. I feel like he knows he was caught, though. I leaned closer and told him I believed it was more than that since he was the only one to ask if you were okay," Blake shrugged as Trayden looked shocked, and in disbelief. "We sort of stared one another down, inspecting kind of way, and then introduced myself just before you came back," He added, smiling.
"You weren't really inspecting him as my friend, were you?" Trayden questioned, arching a brow. The last thing Trayden wanted was Hunter to feel like he should back off in worry that he wouldn't be accepted by Blake.
"I was inspecting him as a person interested in my little brother since I saw him hug, comfort, and kiss you all in a matter of five minutes, added that to the concern that I came into that room without you and he asked if you were alright," Blake enlightened. "And with all you've told me about him, and your encounters…It's really hard to deny that he may like you as a crush, Tray," Blake looked at Trayden. "Is there anything you can think of in your hangouts or talks with him that would maybe make you think he likes you as more than just a friend?" He wondered.
Trayden gave everything in the last two months another quick run through to see. There were some things, but Trayden wasn't sure they counted. "I mean, maybe…" Trayden shrugged, unsure.
"Tell me about them, I can help. Come on, I've always helped you when it comes to relationships…And I'm sure that these past eight months with me gone, you've had moments where you wished I was there to help you," Blake reminded.
"I know…I'm pretty sure I said it tonight at some point before you revealed herself," Trayden replied calmly. "Okay, I'll tell you," Trayden gave in, taking a breath and began to tell Blake everything about his encounters with Hunter, and then also, referring to text conversations. Everything since the two met. Blake would nod of ask questions about some things, but mostly paid attention to what Trayden was telling him. Finally, it reached up to this evening when Hunter comforted him and also their goodbye before going home. By the time all that got done, it was about 11:15 pm. "And that's everything."
"Well, it's a lot…But to be completely honest with you, little bro…" Blake paused as Trayden looked at him, waiting for the rest of the words. "I really think that he likes you, and he's clearly attracted to you with some of the things I saw. He genuinely cares about your wellbeing, that's why he's so cautious with you and the sex thing. And honestly…It doesn't seem like quicks fucks with you out of random, drunk, horniness. You two have actively done this, sober. He admitted to you that you alone is enough to make him want you, that the others don't do that…" Blake waited a moment. "Trayden, he likes you. I think he's feeling the same way you are, that it would ruin what you already have as friends. Or maybe he thinks you're not ready for a relationship as you told him that you trust him as your friend to help you out coming into the gay community. Maybe he thinks you only see him as a friend. The friend helping you prepare for things you'd do in a relationship."
"So what do I do? Tell him I like him?" Trayden glanced at him softly, slightly nervous of doing something like this.
"I believe that you should, but, and it's out of Hunter's words here…You have to want it and be ready to take that step. Relationships, as you know already, are a lot different than average friendship and it's definitely not all about the physical aspects," Blake informed.
Trayden nodded. "It's not really about the physical now between Hunter and I. That's just a bonus, and also…Nobody knows but you…About any of this. The sex, the crush…Nobody but you," He said softly.
"I'm not going to tell anyone, Tray. But seriously…Think about telling Hunter. It would save you the trouble of pussy-footing around it to wonder if he feels the same, but then end up possibly missing your chance because he chooses someone else over thinking you don't like him like that. He's flirting with you, super hard. People looking to have quick fucks don't do what Hunter is with you. He's trying to get your attention to see if you're interested in him without actually just throwing it on you," Blake suggested.
"I'll…Think about it. I'm not sure I'm ready for a relationship right this very moment. But I'm sure…Hunter would understand that if I told him I liked him, but didn't want to be a couple right yet," Trayden said. Blake nodded.
"I just want to see ya happy, bro. You deserve to be, but know that he will get the warning not to hurt you and I will be on him like sand to a wet body at the beach if he hurts you," Blake grinned.
"I know," Trayden nodded. "Okay I'll consider telling him," He finally agreed.
"Good. Now…What else has been happening? What is this whole fired situation?" He demanded to know as Trayden laughed a bit and started to tell Blake about what happened with his old job.
