The Journey Into Us
Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating: M for Mature
Disclaimer: I do not own anything HTTYD-related.
Chapter 47
=Trayden's POV=
(Thursday, 2/20/2020; 2:00 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Casino, Wild Fantasies)
It had been eight days short of a full month since Hunter and I got together in a relationship. My family knew, and so did Blake, but that was obvious I'd tell them. Hunter told Gregory, but swore him to secrecy. I made Blake promise to stay quiet too, and I knew he would. I loved being with Hunter, it hadn't changed from when we were friends. We still messaged every day, and hung out with free time. I also got to see Hunter at work, and one of the few perks to dating Hunter now was that we wouldn't just text, but call one another too. Usually in the morning to check in, see how the night went. Or right before bed to chat some as a wind down period. We still had sex, or twice a week as it was agreed on that since we'd already done it a few times as friends, it wasn't unfamiliar territory to play in and okay as long as it wasn't constant. Obviously, sex isn't what made our relationship, though it was a fun, and enjoyable bonus. Outside the relationship, I love working at Wild Fantasies.
I didn't always work in the show segment, nor in bartending and serving. I actually switched between both spots throughout the night, and worked about five days a week. I've done six, but only because I'm trying to put money back into my account to stock up again if any other financial struggles could pop up. Blake found his own apartment, he was actually in Dreki Housing Authority, but in a one bedroom, second floor, next to the elevator, that was in another one of the buildings on the property. Our friends helped with the move since Blake had put his things from his place with Cody on Eyja Nott in storage. Blake was officially moved into his new spot two weeks after Hunter and I got together. Our friends do know I work at Wild Fantasies, that was fairly hard to keep a secret since a good portion of Hunter's friends were employees of the place and saw me there more than what a normal customer would be.
Hunter and I told them that after not having much luck with finding a job that would work for me to not be overwhelmed like before, Hunter offered me a job working at Fantasies, where I could bartend, serve, and continue to help with musical aspects of the show. No one thought anything of it, or ever caught Hunter and me stealing kisses, or having make out sessions between shows. Hunter knew I watched him strip when he went on, but he would always ask me if I was okay seeing him take his clothes off for strangers, or taking part in the hot seats. I admitted that it sort of sucked to see strangers touching him, but he reassured me that it was only work and the only person who riled him up was me, which was why he stole kisses and made out with me before his sets. Because I'm the one who got him hard and he could hold onto it thinking about me. After that, how could I not enjoy seeing him work knowing I was the reason he was getting so much attention.
It was funny that Hunter and I would hit a month together on the 28th, but we turned twenty-four the next day since the 29th of February actually came this year. We were thinking about having a joint party and letting our friends know that we're dating. I got myself a new car, rather, a temporary vehicle to get from point A to B. Hunter pulled some strings with the old mechanic he worked with in the past just to get me something to drive in. It was a 2014 Ford Taurus, black, and Hunter did the tune up, oil chance, air in the tires, and a little scale detailing on the hood, sides, and trunk. I told him he didn't have to do all that for me, but he said he wasn't gonna leave me without a car and he didn't pay a dime for it. I know he didn't because it was a car just sitting at the shop that someone signed over to the building to do whatever with. I got the thing registered and insured, it worked good and would suffice until I could afford newer.
I've just arrived at work, Hunter said there were some costume things to handle, so I offered to come in and handle the music checks so he wouldn't have to bust his butt during it all by himself until I got there at 4:45 pm. Sitting in the parking lot now and car off, I feel drained and tired. I knew it meant I could be getting sick again and didn't like that. I just got this job, I don't want to be needing time off already. I shook it off and exited the car, locking it up, and heading for the entrance. I waved at the bouncer and he let me right in. I greeted those I walked by with a smile, and made it to the back, finding Hunter working on trying to fix something and getting frustrated that it wasn't fixing. I moved closer and found the issue.
"Needs a new snap or remove the old and sew in velcro, baby," I offered.
"Odin above! You scared the hell out of me," Hunter put a hand on his chest, trying to catch his breath. I giggled a bit and he pecked a kiss to my cheek. I blushed and hugged him from behind.
"Sorry. I couldn't resist the chance to scare you for once," I informed.
"Fair enough," Hunter shrugged a bit. "Thanks for coming in, you didn't have to, though."
"I believe my job title is your assistant before anything else, so I'm not about to leave you to do everything in the next two and a half hours," I said lightly and saw the pile of things he was working on.
"Such a thoughtful boyfriend I have," Hunter smiled. "And thank you for the helpful advice for this thing," He shook the outfit in his hands.
"I'll go take care of the music checklist," I told him, and a yawn slipped.
"We haven't opened yet and you're yawning already?" Hunter teased.
"Didn't sleep well last night, so a little tired," I admitted.
"I'm not working you too hard, right?" Hunter hoped with that hint of concern in his eyes.
"No, never." I replied gently. "I just couldn't get comfortable. I finally crashed around 5 am on the couch of all places and was in and out until 11 am when I said screw it. I showered, shaved, had early lunch and been up until I got your message about the swamped with costume fixes and figured that I may end up falling asleep and missing work, so just come in now," I explained softly.
"Well, if you want, babe…Do the music check and head back home. I can stay on stuff once it's done, I just can't do it all in this time by myself," Hunter offered.
"I'm okay, Hunt. Really. Maybe working will help in tiring me more so I can just crash when I get home tonight," I reassured.
"Alright, but if I see that you're too tired, I'm sending you home early. Working when you're already tired leads to poor health and I won't let that happen to you. As an employee here or my boyfriend," Hunter remarked lightly. I nodded and kissed his cheek, then moved to the music stuff and sat down to look over tonight's set and make sure it was ready to go in order, then I could do the check for wires, lights, and other equipment.
. . .
(5:45 pm)
I wasn't getting better. I knew I had to be getting sick, or was and it was just early stages. When everyone showed for 4:30, I was ready to leave, but stuff came up and I didn't want to leave Hunter hanging. Right now, the dancers were out doing a group routine, males and female. I was monitoring the music and everything for the set. I wanted to sleep. I hated the thought of bailing, but if I kept forcing it, I could be in danger of knocking out while I drive and I didn't need that. As the number ended, everyone came back and I had things switched to just random music to play until the next bit began. I zoned out, and was brought back by Jason next to me and a hand on my shoulder.
"Hey…You okay?" Jason inquired. "You seem really out of it,"
"Just tired. Where's Hunter?" I wondered, not seeing him in the back with the others.
"He had to talk to his Godfather," Eli mentioned, coming over to Jason and me now. I didn't say anything further, just sat there and waited for Hunter to get back. "How have you been?" Eli asked.
"I've been great," I answered. "Can't complain at all, I love where my life is right now," I added.
"That's good. You've come out of your shell a lot since we met in December," Jason smiled.
"You're an easy crowd to be around, I don't have to be afraid or shy with friends." I said. I felt Jason's hand rubbing my shoulder, down my arm and then back up again. "Can you please not do that?"
"Sorry," Jason stopped. "Does it make you uncomfortable?"
"A little, yes," I replied truthfully.
"Well, out of curiosity…" Eli hesitated a moment. "How come Hunter is allowed to do it?" I flinched a bit. "He touches you all the time. Even flirts and gets suggestive, you never ask him to stop,"
I didn't really have a reason to give unless I revealed Hunter was my boyfriend, or that he didn't make me uncomfortable, but would that cause problems? "There's just…Something different about when he does it. His touch is playful, tease-like, but never suggestive to get me into something." I finally came up with. It still sounded pretty biased. I guess Hunter was right, hiding our relationship wasn't going to stay easy.
"I think it's more you're into him," Jason stated. "You don't let anyone touch you, except him. And everything he does is flirting and suggestive to get you into bed with him,"
"He doesn't even try with us anymore. You've got his full attention," Eli added.
"I don't know what you want me to say. I don't control what Hunter does, so why don't you take it up with him. I'm just being me," I responded. I wasn't in the mood for this.
"Why don't you give us a chance?" Eli hung on my shoulders and kissed my cheek. I felt Jason's hands on my shoulders too, trying to rub them. "Two has to be more fun than one, right?" Eli questioned.
Oh, I was not doing this. I shrugged them both off and stood up. "I asked that you don't keep touching or hanging on me, and you keep doing it," I remarked. "I'm not giving it a chance because I'm not interested. You're great friends, and I'm sure your two on one thing is great…For someone else. I'm just not into it. I'm not into either of you together or separated. I see you as friends, that's it. Now, second time…Will you please stop touching on and pushing me to do something I don't want to do." I moved away from the spot I was in and meandered my way to the bathroom, thankful that the employees had their own male and female section off the break room. There were also two showers each. I sighed out and leaned against the wall, eyes closed.
The door opened and I quickly set myself upright and looking to see who came in. I was surprised to see Hunter peering around the door until he saw me, then closed the door and walked over. "I don't know what happened, but as I was coming backstage, I saw you walking away here. I know something went down because Bryan made a comment to Jason and Eli that they were gonna hear it again…" Hunter paused as I glanced down a bit. "What did they do?"
I took a breath. "It was harmless when Jason came over, just asking if I was alright because I had zoned out. Then Eli joined, mentioning you were talking to Greg when I asked where you were. Casual conversation turned into me telling them that I wasn't interested…" I revealed.
"Like before, at the New Year's party?" Hunter arched a brow, but there was clear seriousness in his green eyes.
"Jason had his hand on my shoulder originally when asking if I was okay, after Eli came over and all that, they mentioned I've come out of my shell since December, and the touch turned into rubbing up and down. I asked him not to do it, he said sorry and removed his hand," I went on to continue telling Hunter what happened up until I walked away.
Hunter sighed. "Babe, I'm sorry they pushed it again. But if it's any consolation…Perhaps hearing it from you directly will do the trick,"
"I almost just blurted out that the reason you kiss and touch me is because you're my boyfriend, but I didn't want to start any trouble at work…" I admitted.
"I will speak with them again, about behavior at work with the touching and especially the kiss to the cheek. They know better to push after being told no." Hunter informed. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, just…Figured I'd come take a breather," I said softly. He stroked my cheek.
"You look exhausted," Hunter noted. "Why don't you head home, baby, try to get a little sleep?"
"It's only 6 pm," I reminded.
"I know, but you look more tired than when you did at 2 pm…Go rest, and I'll even come by and see you around 8:30 pm. I'm not working until close tonight, maybe we can do a late date or something. Movie and hot chocolate? Popcorn? Snuggle up, and perhaps it helps you sleep better. I'll stay over if you want? I always keep a spare bag of clothes in the car for emergency stay over's at a place that isn't mine," Hunter offered.
"You sure? I don't want to leave you hanging to handle it all…" I looked at him.
"Hey, I'll be okay. With you doing the checks and sets ups, we never have any issues. But you look beat, babe. Go on, I'll come by after work to see you and we can have a mini date. Sound good?" Hunter smiled. I nodded and Hunter kissed my forehead, then we hugged. "Come on, I'll walk you to your car," He said. I grabbed my coat and made sure I had everything as we headed out to backstage, then moving outside to the parking lot. Reaching my car, I unlocked it and opened the door to slide inside and buckle up. Hunter bent a bit, and gave me a loving kiss, then drew back. "I'll message you when I'm leaving here and heading to your place,"
"Okay," I replied lightly. "Just use the spare key to get in if I'm in the bathroom or don't answer messages or calls,"
"Got it," Hunter nodded and kissed me again, I returned it, and then he stepped back and closed the door for me. I turned the key, started the car, shifted the gear to drive, and headed for home.
. . .
(9:15 pm)
(Trayden's Apartment)
When I reached my apartment, I grabbed a small bite to eat due to not having a big appetite, then used the bathroom and laid on the couch with the TV on. I did managed to fall asleep there and remained such until now, I woke up and rubbed my eyes. I checked my phone, and saw a message from Hunter that he'd be there soon, and just running a bit behind. I decided to get up and go to the bathroom then grab a shower, it could help wake me up more. I didn't want to sleep the entire time Hunter was over. I felt a little better after the almost three hour power nap. Fifteen minutes later, I came exited the shower to dry off and slip on my sleep pants and a long sleeve shirt. I slipped on my socks and left the towel on the rack to dry since I found it silly to instantly call it dirty after one use. It could dry and be used for the next shower. I headed down the hall after leaving the bathroom and found Hunter walking through the door and kicking off his shoes on the matt, then hang his coat on the hook next to mine. Hunter turned and saw me, he was smiling and I couldn't help but do the same.
"Oh, there you are!" Hunter chuckled a bit. "I walked and didn't see you, was about to call," He added.
"I just woke up from a nap and showered to wake up more," I admitted.
"Ah, so perfect timing then," Hunter mentioned as he went to hug me, and I returned it. I loved his arms around me. "How are you feeling after a nap?"
"Little better, now, hopefully it didn't fuck me up for sleeping tonight. I'm not one to take naps past a certain hour," I laughed a little.
"Well, if it hits a time where we should go to bed and you're not quite ready to sleep, I know some fun couple activities that will tire you out," Hunter grinned with his offer.
"I will bear that in mind," I told him as we shared a kiss. "Hungry at all? I made an easy dinner earlier when I got home. Spaghetti and meatballs?" I asked.
"Definitely hungry when it comes to your cooking, baby," Hunter nodded as I blushed. This man praised my cooking all the time. "Are you going to eat too?" He questioned curiously.
"Yeah, I can eat. I had a little earlier, but wasn't all that hungry due to being tired. I set it in the microwave and crashed on the couch," I stated.
"Then let's eat together? After we can watch a movie or something," Hunter suggested.
"Sounds good to me," I responded. After that, we headed to the kitchen and I plated us up dinner and sent them both through the microwave for a reheat. Hunter and I sat down at the breakfast bar of my kitchen counter and enjoyed eating the meal with a soda each for the drink. I loved moments like these and maybe it was too soon, but I think I might actually just be falling in love with Hunter. I suppose only time would tell, but for tonight; I planned to just enjoy the time we were spending together now.
