The Journey Into Us

Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating:
M for Mature

Disclaimer: I do not own anything HTTYD-related.

Chapter 49

=Normal POV=
(Thursday, 3/4/2020; 8:30 am)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Park)

Trayden had been awake since 7:45 am, he already showered and made himself breakfast. He had work later at 3 pm, so for now, this was just a chance to relax. There was no cleaning or shopping to do, maybe he should go for a run? Trayden was trying to get back into better shape. That wasn't to say he wasn't healthy now, but he'd probably be less tired if he got up and moved a bit. Trayden decided that is what he would do, so he went to the room to change into something jog-worthy and then grabbed his things and exited his apartment. Trayden decided to walk to the park, it was a nice day out and not too cold. And the walk would be a good exercise starter before a light jog. Trayden had remembered to bring a water bottle, and ensure that his wallet, phone, and keys were secured to his person. Once he reached the park, he checked his laces to his sneakers and stretched a little bit before starting at 8:50 am down the path in a light jog.

Somewhere around twenty minutes Trayden went into a walk to take a drink and check his phone to see if anyone had messaged him. There had been a message from Blake about enjoying his run and hit him up after. There was the usual chatting with Hunter, who also knew Trayden was going for a jog. Everyone else was likely working, so Trayden slipped the device away and went to start again. Trayden noticed others on the path, but everyone was minding their own business and had headphones in, like Trayden did. It was easier to block out distractions. As Trayden was about to press play, he was approached by a couple. The man was large, tall with red hair and green eyes. The woman was tall, slender, green eyes and light auburn hair. For a moment, Trayden saw Hunter in them both and it gave him a weird feeling.

"Hello," The man greeted.

"Hi." Trayden replied.

"We're so sorry to bother you, young man, but do you think you could point us towards Smithy Drive? We're looking for an old friend, and we haven't been into the city in a long time. It seems our GPS keeps leading us here to the park," The woman smiled.

"Happens to a lot of people who don't know the way by heart," Trayden responded. "If you use your GPS and haven't updated it in a while it can malfunction and send you to here as a center point of the city," He explained. "Do you know the way to the casino?" The couple nodded. "Okay, head towards there without the GPS, and once you are on the street that takes you to the main entrance of the casino. At the light, go right onto Hooligan, at the second stop sign, take a left onto Smithy. It's a dead-end street, so you should be able to find the place you're looking for once on the road." He said calmly.

"Oh, thank you," The man bowed his head, and offered his hand. Trayden shook it. "My wife and I appreciate the help,"

"You're welcome," Trayden answered. "My parents raised me to help everyone who needs and wants it,"

"Your parents raised a very good man then. My compliments to their parenting," The woman informed.

"I'll pass the message along next time I see them," Trayden reassured.

"Thank you again for the directions," The man beamed.

Just as Trayden was about to reply, he saw Hunter walking up the path towards him. "You mentioned you were going for a jog, I decided I probably should too and double to get to see you," Hunter chuckled, walking by the people and giving Trayden a hug.

"Hi," Trayden smiled. "And yeah, just about to start again. I was giving directions to this couple right here," Trayden smiled as Hunter turned, standing beside Trayden and looking at the people Trayden spoke of. Trayden saw it immediately, Hunter's face dropped to be cold and possibly mad. At that moment, Trayden felt like he should have stayed home and never went out to run into these people. Hunter's reaction said exactly what Trayden's gut feeling told him at the first look. These people were Hunter's parents.

"Hunter…" The man and woman said in shock.

"Wow…It's been ten years since you last saw me. I'm surprised you even recognize me or remember my name." Hunter responded in a voice that made Trayden nervous. "I will not have this out with you here. If you want to attempt to show me you give a damn by finding me on your own…Maybe I'll grace you with a chance to talk to me. And only maybe." Hunter looked at Trayden now. "I'll message you later, Tray. Sorry…My mood to do much of anything just disappeared."

"Don't worry about it, Hunter. Go on." Trayden tried to give him a smile, but he knew Hunter was not only pissed, but possibly upset too. Hunter shot his parents a glare and walked off.

"Hunter!" The man called, preparing to go after him.

Trayden folded his arms over one another and gave a cold look, stepping into Mr. And Mrs. Haddock's ways of going after Hunter. "I would not advise you chase him," Trayden remarked. "You were told how to possibly obtain a chance to talk with him, and I assume, that it's because he needs time to calm down and prepare for such a discussion," He reminded, then slipped his hands in his pockets and turned away to leave. "Maybe you should adhere to the suggestion or he will never respond to you." Trayden walked away, he'd done enough exercise for today, and he still had to walk home.

. . .

(10:15 am)
(Trayden's Apartment)

Getting back to his apartment, Trayden set his items on the new space next to the door and kicked off his shoes. Trayden took some time to shower from the run, more of a rinse, then relax on the couch and see a message from Hunter on his screen, which he had assumed he'd get at some point after earlier. Opening the phone, then his texts, Trayden began to read.

Hunter's Cell, 10:00 am
I'm sorry you had to see and hear me get so cold.

Trayden frowned, but tapped the box to reply and then sent it off.

~Babe, it was understandable. To be honest, I wasn't sure if they were your parents or not, but as soon as they approached me, I thought of you.~

Hunter's Cell, 10:17 am
I shouldn't have left you there to deal with them, handsome. Did they…Say anything after I left?

~Other than wanting to chase after you, which I stopped them from doing…Nothing at all.~

The next thing Trayden knew after he saw the message go from delivered to read, was a call coming through from Hunter. Trayden slid the icon to answer and set it to his ear. "Wanted to hear my voice?" Trayden joked, hoping to lighten the mood of his boyfriend.

"I…Actually want to see you and I'm in the neighborhood. Do you mind if I come over?" Hunter asked.

"Of course I don't mind, Hunt. And you know you don't have to ask, I told you where the spare key is. You're my boyfriend, I trust you. Yes, come right over, baby," Trayden invited.

"Thanks, babe. I'll be there in about five," Hunter replied lightly.

"I'll be here waiting for you. I'll have the door unlocked, so come right in," Trayden replied. "See you soon," He added, and after hearing Hunter say him too and bye, the call ended. Trayden tidied up a bit, and soon, as Trayden was coming out of the bathroom and walking down the hall, he saw Hunter walking through the door. "Hi, babe."

Hunter turned and smiled some, then turned and went to hug Trayden once his shoes were on the mat. "Hey. Thanks for letting me come over. I didn't want to be out in the open or at my house. I know my Godfather, will at some point, send them over to my home. Obviously, they can't talk to me if I'm not there…" Hunter admitted.

"Hey, I told you that you are free to come over whenever you like. Even if I'm not here, use the key. Make a snack, relax…I don't mind. Mi-casa, su-casa…Or however it's said," Trayden chuckled some. "More importantly, are you okay?" He asked, pulling back a bit to look at his boyfriend.

"I think I'm more angry than anything. Or was. I'm calmer now, but I know it's lingering for what is to come," Hunter explained with a sigh. Trayden nodded, leading Hunter to sit down on the couch, then he grabbed two sodas for them and sat as well. "Can I…Ask what address they were asking directions to earlier?"

"Smithy Drive. GPS kept rerouting them to the park," Trayden stated, not wanting to lie to his boyfriend.

"Yeah, they were looking to get to Greg's. That's where his apartment has been for years now and I assume it's why he never left when I got my house and offered him to move in. As a just in case my parents ever decided to seek him out to ask about me," Hunter mumbled. "I should have seen it coming the night of our birthday."

"You never did tell me about that situation Gregory whispered to you," Trayden pointed out.

"My parents reached out to him by cell call. Asking if Greg knew where I was, to which he honestly answered that he did and that was all they would get from him over the phone," Hunter informed. "I said I'd deal with it if they showed up, I suppose that time has come." He closed his eyes. "Greg told me that he dared them, if they had the balls to face him about what happened, then maybe he would grace them with seeing me. Greg knows that if he thinks they are here to hurt me again, he'll never reveal where I am,"

"So the idea is that Gregory is the test? If your parents make him believe that they are seeking you out for anything other than an explanation and heartfelt apology, he won't tell them where to find out," Trayden asked.

"And Gregory won't even send them to me until I hear what happened with him. Unless I say okay, it's fine to send tell them where I am or settle on having the meeting at Wild Fantasies, then he won't say a word to them about my location." Hunter nodded.

"Well, now you can hide out here too," Trayden smiled.

"You're the best," Hunter leaned in and kissed him. "I'm sure that you're the only boyfriend I've ever had who offers comfort and makes me feel better. Others in the past just didn't know what to say and leave me to sort it out on my own."

"That's not what being a partner is about. It's there for each other, no matter what the situation may be. Always having each other's backs. That's…What I felt like I did earlier when your parents went to chase you in the park," Trayden shrugged some, blushing, and glancing down.

"What did you say?" Hunter inquired.

"When they went to go after you, I stepped in your father's way and advised that if they pursued now, it would be anger. But they were told how to potentially get a chance to talk to you and should heed that suggestion." Trayden said as Hunter stared at him with surprise.

"Thank you," Hunter hugged Trayden. "No one has ever stood up for me before, except Greg."

"I'm sure they would have, if given the chance to stand up to your parents," Trayden mentioned calmly.

"They believe in fighting your own battles. One of the many differences between them and you," Hunter reminded. "Why we're so good together. You understand that you never leave your significant other on their own unless requested. At least, that's how I feel on it."

"I believe in that," Trayden nodded.

"But how did my parents respond?" Hunter asked.

"Don't know. Didn't stay to find out," Trayden replied as Hunter arched a brow. "I said what I did and walked away."

"My father didn't yell at you?" Hunter stated in surprise as Trayden shook his head. "Well, no one would yell at you anyway, Mr. Mayor's son," He smiled.

"He didn't know my name. I never introduced myself. I was just some random jogger and assumed friend to you," Trayden chuckled. "I told you that I just don't go around announcing who I am," He added. "If you talk to them and don't want to do it at work or your place, you're welcome to hold it here. Or have everyone present. From your story, they lied to your cousins about what happened. Moral support," He offered.

"I'd like that, babe. And thank you. I appreciate that, really," Hunter smiled. "I'll let you know how things go once Gregory has his piece with them, that determines if I grant them the chance to see and talk to me,"

"Noted," Trayden said lightly. "What now? Relax until work?"

Hunter checked his watch, it was about 10:45 am. "Yeah, we can do that," Trayden beamed, and then Hunter kissed him deeply. Trayden giggled a little and returned the action, somehow Trayden felt like their relaxation would be after a quickie, and then lunch. Time to chill before work but still enjoy their moment together.

. . .

(4:00 pm)
(Wild Fantasies)

The relaxation definitely turned into sex before 11:15 am and it was done with Trayden fucking Hunter. They enjoyed lunch together, which was grilled cheese with tomato soup. After a little TV time, it turned into making out and then sex again with Hunter doing Trayden this round. The two cuddled on the couch, enjoying the post-orgasm feeling and then at 3:00 pm, they decided to shower together to save time, get dried and dressed, then make a quick dinner break meal and finally head to work in separate cars for 3:45 pm. Now, parked in the lot and in the building, they clocked in and prepared to get started. However, Gregory summoned Hunter over to the back office, and Hunter instantly held Trayden's hand. Trayden gave a smile, and didn't let go.

"I'm right here with you," Trayden reassured, moving with Hunter to the office.

"You summoned me, Uncle Greg?" Hunter inquired.

"Okay for Tray to know? It's about your…Well, you know," Gregory arched a brow.

"Trayden knows everything, and he's met them, unofficial. I'll explain later…What are you going to tell me?" Hunter looked at him.

Gregory sighed and closed the door. "Your folks stopped by asking where you were," Gregory started.

"Figured as much, they had found Trayden and asked him as a stranger, if they knew were Smithy Drive was…I knew they had to be looking for you to find me." Hunter nodded. "So, aside seeing me…What did they want?"

"To see and talk to you, laddie. I explained that it wouldn't be easy, after the scolding of a lifetime about what they did ten years ago," Gregory stated. "They understand it would be difficult, but I was their only hope to see you. So far, they believe you live with me as you do still have that room in my apartment. I never said anything about you living on your own, having a boyfriend, or that you work here. I gave them nothing other than I would talk to you when you got home to see if you wanted to talk to them," Gregory explained.

Hunter sighed. "Did they give you a reason as to why they need to see and speak with me, now, after ten years? Why it took them ten years to care? If that's even what it is? Anything? I need something Greg, or there's no point even considering," He looked to his adoptive father.

Gregory sighed a bit. "Oh…There's a reason, but it's probably gonna piss you right off…"

"Does it have to do with me being gay and them kicking me out?" Hunter wondered.

"Yes and no," Gregory shrugged as Hunter shot him an unamused glare. "Okay, okay…Let's just say you aren't an only child anymore," He added. Instantly, Hunter's stance fell, and his eyes widened, unable to find any words.

"H-How?" Hunter finally managed to get out. "They…Were told they couldn't have more kids without it risking mom's health…"

"I guess the story goes that after trying, and even with IVF, it was determined that aside from you being the miracle…Your mother just cannot sustain the pregnancy, so they had a surrogate carry the child." Gregory leaned on his desk. "Also…You have two siblings. Twins. Girl and a boy. Made it to thirty-seven weeks, girl was born first, boy about five minutes later. Your parents told me their names were Nathan and Hollie Haddock," Gregory informed. "They were born October 29th...2013, son,"

At that moment, Trayden felt Hunter slightly wobble and he got help from Greg to let Hunter sit down to process what he'd been told. "S-So these kids are only...What? Seven?" Hunter forced out as Gregory nodded to him. Hunter couldn't believe this. His parents were seeking him out, to tell him he had two younger siblings? "I just…Don't even know how to take this right now, and I can't think about it because I have a show to put on…" Hunter sighed heavily. "Don't say anything to them…I'll let you know when I decide…Rather…If I decide to see them." Hunter got up and left the office.

"I knew this would happen, but I couldn't keep it from or lie to Hunter either…" Gregory mumbled.

"I'm sure Hunter appreciates the honestly, Greg. I think he just needs some time to sit with it all. He hasn't seen his parents in ten years, and they were prepared to drop the bombshell on him about having siblings, maybe to soften the blow of the fact they have only decided to seek him out because of this or something else happened and they were given no choice," Trayden said.

"You're right, Tray. Let's just get through tonight and see what happens from here now that Hunter has the information," Gregory agreed. Trayden nodded, exiting the office to go help Hunter prepare for the show tonight.