The Journey Into Us

Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating:
M for Mature

Disclaimer: I do not own anything HTTYD-related.

Chapter 48

=Normal POV=
(Saturday, 2/29/2020; 3:30 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Hunter's House)

As of yesterday, Hunter and Trayden had been together as a couple for one month and both of them were loving being in a relationship. The two spent it off from work, it began with breakfast at Trayden's, then a light jogging to a walk around from 9 to 11 am. The two went back to Trayden's, both showered together to save time and got dressed to go to lunch for noon. From there, the happy couple went to the mall to walk around, do a little shopping and returned to Hunter's at 4:30 pm to make dinner for 5:15 and enjoy the meal. After dinner was eaten and cleaned up, the males cuddled on the couch with background music to chat, then it turned into watching a movie, which went into making out and having sex. The movie was finished this morning, during breakfast. Today was the 29th, Hunter and Trayden's twenty-fourth birthday. So that was how they began their morning, laying together naked in Hunter's bed, wishing one another a good morning and happy birthday before actually getting the day started.

Hunter and Trayden went for another jog in the park around 10 am, and returned home to get the house cleaned up for their joint party starting in the next half hour. When everything was cleaned, the males both showered and had been relaxing on the couch since until their friends arrived, which should be any time now. The food for the party already came, Trayden and Hunter went half and half on getting the even catered. They grabbed chips, dip, and drinks while leaving the park at the nearest store on the way to Hunter's house.

"I think we should tell our friends we're dating tonight," Trayden suddenly said in their quiet TV watching and cuddling.

Hunter shifted some to look down at Trayden laying against him and being held. "Yeah?"

Trayden nodded. "After what happened that night at work with Jason and Eli wanting to know why I only let you touch and kiss me, I sort of feel like we need to," Trayden admitted. "It could prevent any more questions being raised, or possibly stop any assumptions being made. I know Jay and Eli were on me that night about how you don't try to sleep with them anymore, that I have all your focus and interest," He relaxed against him. "And with it being a party, you know they're probably gonna try to hook up with you because it's your birthday, claim it to be a special gift," Trayden laughed a little.

"You are totally spot on with that guess," Hunter said. "When do you want to tell them? Before it starts?" He asked.

"That's likely best. If we wait until the end, everyone is gonna be drunk and not take it seriously. You know how we get," Trayden reminded.

"That's a good point," Hunter nodded. "Alright. We'll say something when everyone arrives. Are we telling them we had sex before dating?"

"I don't think they need to know about that. Or even that we have sex now. If they guess it, fine, but I don't feel we need to announce it," Trayden shrugged. "It's none of their business, nor place to ask if anything was going on before, or now,"

"You are right," Hunter replied. "Should we mention we've been dating for a month?"

Trayden nodded and soon there was a knock at the door. "That will be people starting to arrive," Trayden looked up at Hunter now, the man kissed him lightly and added some passion to it before they broke the action and shifted to get out of their comfortable position. "You get the door, I'll start the music?"

"Sounds like a plan," Hunter said, stealing one more kiss. It would be better that they told everyone, no more having to hide their displays of affection. Trayden didn't care anymore, he wasn't ashamed that he and Hunter have known one another for two months, and became friends a month before beginning to date for the last month. Hunter went to the door and Trayden worked to get the music set up and going. As the lovely tune of something party-related started to play, Trayden turned in enough time to see coming into Hunter's living room. Hunter hadn't minded the Raseri's coming to the party, since it was only every four years for it actually landed on the 29th for their birthday.

It appeared everyone arrived around the same general time. By 4 pm, all had come who were invited, except Gregory, who told Hunter her was tied up with something and it needed to be handled right away, Hunter wasn't worried and said he would see him when he did. The rest missing were Trayden's family, who were also going to be a bit late. Natalie was there with Lyla and Dexter. Blake, obviously, was one of the first time show. The rest was Trayden's parents and younger siblings. Hunter and Trayden had been exchanging glances as people showed up, they just needed the moment to tell everyone that he and Trayden were dating. Finally, at 4:30 pm, knocks on the door revealed the rest of the Raseri's and also Gregory.

"The rest of the party has arrived," Hunter chuckled, leading Trayden's parents, younger siblings and Gregory in.

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart," Rachel instantly went to hug Trayden and kiss his cheek.

"Thanks, Mom," Trayden hugged her back. He got a hug from his dad, then siblings, and a handshake from Gregory.

"Happy birthday, laddie," Gregory squeezed Hunter tightly.

"Thanks, Dad," Hunter smiled. It warmed Trayden's heart to see him happy. He knew from past talks with Hunter that birthdays were usually pretty quiet for him. Hunter would just go out to dinner with Greg, do a little something easy with his friends. This was the first time he was doing a bigger celebration because he was reunited with the friends he grew up with and also something for Trayden too. Hunter's birthdays were quiet because it usually just reminded him that ten years ago, his parents kicked him out for being gay. Trayden was about to ask Hunter if we should make the announcement about dating when Trayden saw the hug broke and there was a serious look on his face. Trayden couldn't hear what was being said. "I don't care. I'll deal with it," Hunter said to him, then he stepped away from Gregory and rejoined everything with a smile.

"Everything okay?" Trayden asked gently.

"Mmhm. I'll tell you later." Hunter replied. "Everyone is here, ready to tell them that we're dating?" Trayden blushed a little, but nodded. "Want me to say it?" Trayden nodded again. He was all for singing to crowds, but he hated announcing things. "Well now…Since everyone is here, I'd like to start the night off by saying a few quick things," Hunter began once the music was lowered some so the guests could hear him. To make it more of a surprise, Trayden had stood with the group of friends and family while Hunter started. "First off, I'd like to thank all of you for coming out to my birthday party, which I decided to share with a good friend after learning we have the same birthday, down to the hour and minute. The only difference is that we were born to different parents and in different places. So aside celebrating my lovely twenty-four years of life, we also celebrate Trayden's." Hunter smiled.

After a small laugh and short pause, Hunter began once again. "You know, to be honest, I haven't celebrated my birthday in ten years. I normally take everyone's birthday messages, and give thanks to them. But I usually just go out with Gregory, my Godfather, unofficial uncle, and adoptive father since I was fifteen. Most, if not all of you know by now that my parents kicked me out on my fifteenth birthday for being gay. Long story short, my uncle came to collect me. He took me in, adopted me and I'm proud and happy to carry his name," Hunter smiled. "It showed me that family isn't always there for you just because you share the same blood. It allowed me to see that family are the people you choose to have in your life. I learned that lesson ten years ago, and it remains true. If my parents hadn't kicked me out, I wouldn't have fallen down to my lowest point in life, work my butt off to have this house. I wouldn't have worked for Wild Fantasies, made the friends I do. So…In a way…I'm grateful I went through all that." Hunter stopped now and looked at Trayden, who stood with his family and also the school friends.

"I also believe that everything happens for a reason, even it such things aren't clear, at first. When my parents kicked me out, I didn't have time to contact my three cousins, Fisher Ingerman, Shane and Addilyn Jorgenson. I didn't have time to contact friends I grew up with. I was given ten minutes to pack what I wanted, and get out. I had to leave my phone behind. So these past ten years, I haven't seen some of my family or best friends. Not until, at least, I met the man I happen to share my birthday with," Hunter chuckled. "I met Trayden Raseri because he found my wallet at the park, went out of his way to take it to my house, and then forward to my job to see it went from his hands to mine. And through that, I was reunited with the friends and family I had to leave behind ten years ago because as fate would have it, these people were friends with Trayden and they protectively and curiously followed their friend to my house to make sure he wasn't going to end up raped or killed by me, the guy they caught him having dinner with as a thank you for returning that wallet from a week prior,"

Trayden blushed, and the rest laughed. "And yet, here we all are now to enjoy a birthday party. I have my dad," Hunter motioned to Gregory. "The new friends I made at eighteen or nineteen. And a new friend I made just in December, who linked me to people I had to leave behind with no word to what happened or where I was. So, to celebrate my birthday tonight is a big deal. Not only is it a leap year where I can celebrate on the 29th, I get to do it with all of you. The people who have ended up in my life, or returned to it for whatever cosmic even to that took place. Old and new friends, family of those friends. To me, this is just one big family, more than I had before and I'm forever grateful for it," Hunter paused. "So thank you,"

"Be grateful we love you because you're a pain in the butt sometimes!" Thaxter shouted, teasingly, and there was more laughter.

"It's only a pain because you refused to let me show you that it could be a pleasure," Hunter winked.

"Hey, hey…Some of us do know that it can be a pleasure!" Jason grinned.

"Hope you're ready for your present from us!" Eli added. Most of Hunter's friends facepalmed or snickered, Trayden was among the group that did both of those actions. "You've been neglecting us," He chuckled.

Hunter smiled, but shook his head. "Ah, that is true, and I'm so glad you brought this up because it brings me to my next announcement," Hunter paused now as everyone was quiet. "Among my friends, you've recently been wondering why I've been so distracted, uninterested in usual…Well, the filtered version, is activities. I must confess, I've been keeping something from you the past month and this something is actually a someone. Tonight, I'd like to come clean and inform you that my lack of activity or desire for some is because as of last month…I went off the single market," Eyes widened as Hunter explained this.

"Dude! You have a boyfriend, and you didn't say anything?" Devon blinked.

Hunter nodded. "I do, indeed I do. And I've invited him here tonight for you to meet," Trayden readied himself, leave it to Hunter to make their relationship status a big deal. Hunter put his hand out, but not in Trayden's direction. "Come forward, babe. Time for everyone to see the man who snatched me off the market," Trayden stepped away from the group, setting his hand in Hunter's and turned to face the others. "It's a bonus that he's been among you the entire time. Trayden and I are dating, have been for the last month,"

"I'd like to say I'm shocked…" Blake chuckled. "But I already knew."

"Aye, so did I," Gregory nodded.

"We did too," Rachel and Dustin put their fingers up.

"How come they knew before us? Why didn't you just say something at work, or post it publicly?" Alyssa asked.

"Just wanted to enjoy it before you started asking questions that I will request you don't ask this evening," Hunter informed. No one could really argue that, so they wouldn't push and save it for another time.

"Makes sense why Trayden turned us down," Jason laughed a bit.

"I turned you down because I was actually not interested. It had nothing to do with the fact that I am also in a relationship with Hunter," Trayden commented calmly, not wanting to stir the pot during the party. "So…Since everyone knows now…Can we start our party?"

"Anything you desire," Hunter kissed the back of Trayden's hand, making the black-haired male blush. "Alright, let's get this going!" Hunter called out. Everyone cheered, the music got turned up, and it was the start of a good night.

. . .

(7:30 pm)

Three and a half hours into the dual birthday celebration for Hunter and Trayden; everything was going wonderfully. Music was enjoyable, food delicious, and for some, strong drinks. Conversations were light, the laughing seemed to be on-going. No one was having more fun than Trayden and Hunter, though. While everyone was mingling, and keeping it at least PG-13 despite that the oldest children present were the Raseri twins, Erik and Ava, then young Cole. So the only changes to this party from a wild one were that there was no suggestive dancing, over the top drinking, crazy borderline sex on the wall, and of course, the stripper pole was put away. Honestly, Trayden kind of liked parties like these, it wasn't out of control and he was having a good time with his boyfriend. Trayden was even dancing with Hunter, but it wasn't anything like Trayden had admitted previously to Hunter that he couldn't do, this was basic movements and somewhat gentle.

Now, Hunter had wandered into the kitchen to grab a water bottle from the fridge, then lean against the counter space to watch everything happening and happy over it. Blake made his way over to stand beside him. "I officially believe Trayden when he mentioned last month that you know how to throw a party," Blake chuckled.

"This is a diluted party because some of the attendees are under drinking age and also that while my guardian doesn't care how crazy we get, I don't want to scare my boyfriend's parents off with how…Provocative it can be." Hunter replied.

"Ah. Trayden did tell me all about the New Year's celebration. I heard that was the first time I got brought up," Blake stated.

"Well, not by name. He just said he had a very old and good friend who taught him how to actually see music for it's true meaning. More than just sound and lyrics. He never told us your name, and it was before you returned as alive, so he only said you were busy with work. We didn't know you were dead, well…Assumed dead." Hunter remarked calmly.

Blake nodded, understanding. "His way of not revealing the believed truth because it hurt him that I was gone and he wasn't ready to talk about it."

"The others didn't know until the night of his mom's birthday party. I knew the day before when his siblings were trying to get him to take part in the practice. I saw that he kept deflecting from the idea, but wouldn't say what it was. I asked him if he wanted to talk, and we did later on when everyone left. The rest only know what was upsetting Tray since the party because I told them, for the sake of them not harassing Tray to reveal it himself," Hunter informed.

"Trying to make sure no one bothered Trayden to come clean about things while it was still upsetting?" Blake questioned.

Hunter nodded to him. "That doesn't help someone get through pain, or help them, by forcing them to talk before they are ready. That's been something I've been drilling into Trayden's head since we met almost three months ago now. Everyone mourns their own way, just like they move at their own pace. It wouldn't help Trayden heal to have to keep pushing through just for everyone to know," Hunter explained. "His friends from school tried to do that with male intimacy, and I told him he would regret it. He chose to trust my word over theirs."

"Trayden did tell me all that," Blake replied. "You've helped him a lot, through many things. Including male intimacy," He chuckled.

"I figured he would tell you about that. You two don't strike me as the kind who keep secrets," Hunter commented.

"Not really," Blake agreed. "He's always been able to tell me anything. He mentioned that we're somewhat alike in that sense, also with being fairly carefree, forward, and open,"

"He told me the same," Hunter said.

"Then us being somewhat of the same nature, I'm sure you already know why I ventured over here?" Blake smiled.

"Warning me not to hurt your little brother or you'll kill me?" Hunter wondered.

"Bingo," Blake answered. "And I feel I should apologize for last month when I investigated you the way I did. At the time, I was unaware of how big an impact you played in him coming out of his shell into the gay community. I didn't know he was fully gay as well."

"No harm. You were looking out for your little brother, not going to knock you for that. I'd have done the same if I were that familial close to anyone. I suppose it would be to Fisher, Shane, and Addilyn as my cousins. More to Addilyn, she sees me like an older brother," Hunter shrugged. "And like you said, you didn't know Trayden was all gay, so you had to worry about the guy who saw had a crush on him. You saw me kiss him, comfort him, make sure he was alright. I don't blame you,"

"Well, I don't see you hurting him, which means we won't have issues between us," Blake stating. "I'm sure you didn't need the warning, but all the girls Trayden has ever been with end up hurting him. The only mutual break up was when he moved to Berk and the long distance wasn't working,"

"Hey, I get it. Don't worry. I have no intention of hurting him, and with what you just told me…He more than deserves to be happy. And I think that will come easier now that he's not struggling with his sexuality. That can play a role in how previous relationships went, and I know all about the one that triggered him realizing he was gay. I know that bothers him, so we don't talk about it other than what he's mentioned of his own decision." Hunter stated.

"Still. I am glad he met you, and I'm glad he's happy. I just want him to stay that. So perhaps with both of us, family, and friends…We can keep it that way," Blake offered his hand.

"I completely agree," Hunter responded, shaking Blake's hand. The two took a sip from their drinks and then went back out to join in the party. It was a great night, and sure to continue being that way.