The Journey Into Us

Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating:
M for Mature

Disclaimer:I do not own anything HTTYD-related.

Chapter 52

=Normal POV=
(Friday, 3/13/2020; 12:45 am)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Wild Fantasies)

Another long, but successful night of work was done. Everything was cleaned up and everyone was heading out to their vehicles to leave. Hunter and Trayden walked to Hunter's truck and climbed inside since Hunter was giving Trayden a ride home while Trayden's car was getting worked on. The car only needed minimal work, but with Hunter and Trayden being so busy with their job, it was easier to send the car to the shop for repairs.

"I appreciate the ride, babe," Trayden told Hunter once they were in and buckled.

"It's no trouble, handsome. I was sleeping over your place tonight anyway, right?" Hunter smiled.

Trayden nodded. It was something they decided to do a few times a week, just spend the night at one of their places to get time together that wasn't with friends or work-related. It was more private and for them as a couple. Both males would admit that their friends were over them a lot lately and always wanting to hang out, so it didn't leave Trayden and Hunter time to be just them. While Trayden was happy to be spending time with Hunter tonight, his mind was in other places and Hunter had noticed how distracted his boyfriend looked.

"Is everything okay, babe?" Hunter wondered after a few moments while they were at a red light.

"Hm?" Trayden snapped out of his thoughts and looked to Hunter with a smile. "Of course. Why do you think otherwise?"

"You just seem very deep in thought and distracted is all. Wondered if there was something on your mind that you wanted to talk about?" Hunter said.

Trayden sighed some. "I'm just thinking about the text I got from dad earlier at work,"

"Has something happened to your mom, dad, or siblings who still live there?" Hunter inquired, checking the light, seeing it turn green and start driving again.

"Dad was sent out a warning/advisory text to Dexter and me that we should get our places ready for a possible lock down," Trayden admitted.

"Because of the virus?" Hunter asked softly.

Trayden nodded to him. "We've got confirmed cases here, he didn't say how many though. Dad's plan, with guidance from all the major players in this thing, is to lock down for a month. Shut down the borders, except for delivery stuff which will be thoroughly checked before going to shelves, only going out for essentials…" Trayden informed. "When the lockdown is set in place, he doesn't want anyone going anywhere. Everyone stays where they are. Schedules for people to go shopping, etc. It's very extensive, but he said it was coming soon and this is the best way to contain it,"

"I have to agree with him," Hunter replied. "The best way to stop a wide spread here is to contain everything. Put those who tested positive in isolation, and their families on quarantine until everyone in the house checks out. Allow for food deliveries to those on isolation and quarantine. No one allowed to come here unless they can show proof they tested negative first," He went on.

"That's the idea," Trayden nodded. "Dad will call for a freeze on all rents, mortgages, and bills to anyone who will end up not being able to work if their job closes. Unemployment will be available for people to get groceries and stuff. Schools will go to distance learning. The only reason this isn't in effect right now is because he wants to make sure everything is covered before announcing it to avoid people bombarding with questions," He sighed.

"Why do you seem upset about it?" Hunter inquired.

"It'll suck not to see friends, family, you…" Trayden muttered.

"We'll have video calls, and texting, handsome," Hunter reminded.

"Doesn't fix the physical interactions," Trayden countered.

"True, and isolation has been proven to affect mental health. More commonly known as cabin fever," Hunter agreed. "Everything will be okay, and if containment goes well then the lock down will be over in just a few weeks," He reassured his boyfriend.

"I suppose," Trayden replied lightly. Soon, Hunter pulled into an empty space near Trayden's apartment building and parked, then turned the car off.

"Come on, handsome. Let's get inside and relax?" Hunter suggested. Trayden nodded as he and Hunter unbuckled, and moved to get out of the truck.

. . .

(1:15 am)
(Trayden's Apartment)

After getting inside, both males took a quick wash in the shower, together, and got out, then dressed in their pajamas. Hunter and Trayden made sandwiches to eat as a post work snack and then shut everything down to go right to the bedroom and relax. Trayden did invest in a TV for his bedroom, it was on his dresser top, but it only got used for nights like these where he and Hunter were relaxing in the room instead of out on the couch. Especially if they got into making out or more, it was easier to already be in the room of Trayden or if at Hunter's house, his room.

"If your dad locks down Archian Isle, does that mean all non-essential businesses will close?" Hunter suddenly asked while they were cuddling in Trayden's bed and watching another Netflix series they both enjoyed.

"I believe so. He considers essentials to be medical, grocery and general stores, utilities such as electricity, gas, plumbing, etc., emergency services, and department of motor vehicles, court, and so on," Trayden replied. "Worried about Fantasies?" He questioned knowing that a strip bar was not going to be considered essential.

"Not really. There's unemployment and your dad said he was going to freeze things with payments except groceries?" Hunter wondered.

"I assume so," Trayden answered. "Dad said he'll announce details during a press conference. But wants Dex and I to be ready to get the things we need before the announcement because he suspects everyone will flock to the stores and risk hoarding,"

"Seems like the smart idea. I may join in on it," Hunter joked some. He knew Trayden was worried things and wasn't looking forward to the idea of a lock down. "I'm not worried about Wild Fantasies closing down for a bit. I'll set up a green screen and use the background of the bar to put on live performances from my house. I do have the stripper pole there, and all the music we use. I'll just do my solo routines or come up with new stuff. It'd be like nothing changed from the safety and security of my own house."

"That's brilliant," Trayden chuckled. "I'll tune in, I like watching you perform," He giggled.

"Or you could help me like you do at the club?" Hunter suggested as Trayden arched a brow questioningly. "I was thinking, as a possible solution…" He started again after some moment of quiet and Trayden looked at him. "You and I could always lock down together?"

"What do you mean?" Trayden questioned.

"Well, you don't want to end up locked down alone and I know I'll have cuddle withdrawals from you," Hunter laughed a bit. "What if, when you dad announces the event, you and I stay together through it. Your place, or mine. We already see each other all the time whether it's a date, hanging out, or work. And we've spending the night at each other's places too. So how about for the lock down, we just inhabit the same space?" He suggested.

"You mean like, temporarily live together for the lock down?" Trayden blinked some.

"Yeah. What do you think?" Hunter wondered curiously with a smile. Trayden thought about it, the idea wasn't a bad one and he really did spend most of his time with Hunter. Locked down together didn't seem like it would be bad for them.

"I guess we're going to your house then mister green screen performances. I'll run music," Trayden chuckled.

"Yay!" Hunter beamed and hugged Trayden. "Now, neither of us will be along for the upcoming lock down and we'll get to have a fun time with all the performances,"

Trayden snuggled into Hunter. "You will perform, and I can do music and help with your outfits," Trayden corrected.

"Awe, you don't want to be my lap dance model?" Hunter batted his eyes at Trayden playfully.

"I-I've never had one. I know I've seen you do them before, but I don't know about being the person getting one. With you, I'd get all sorts of turned on then be hot and bothered," Trayden blushed, but he couldn't lie that he would likely get aroused and didn't want to end up hard on a live stream.

"I guess that means during intermissions, I'll just have to give you your fix," Hunter winked and Trayden's cheeks got redder. "But you know that it's up to you, handsome. I know I'm everyone's favorite dancer, and I know what acts are most profitable if I see this idea through to do live performances during the time the entire casino will likely be closed," He added. "Come to think of it, I should talk to Greg about this…And see if the others would be on board…" Hunter tapped his chin with his pointer finger now. "Maybe there's a way to make it seem like we're all performing together, even though we're not…"

"Sure you can," Trayden nodded. "People do it all the time, the biggest thing is timing," He informed. "See?" He snatched his phone of the nightstand and brought up a video to show his boyfriend as an example. It was just an acapella group, but it was the general idea of what could work.

"It would take perfect timing, good internet, and possible change ups in routine moves since we can't physical touch one another…But yeah, it could totally work," Hunter replied with a smile. "Wow, that's super helpful, babe," He tilted his neck down to be able to kiss Trayden's lips.

"Well, I'm not your assistant for nothing, baby. It's my job to make your job easier," Trayden giggled some after the kiss.

"You being in my life makes my life easier and better," Hunter winked and Trayden blushed.

"Oh…Come on. I don't make that much of a difference…" Trayden paused. "Do I?" He wondered, now angling his head to be looking up at Hunter, who was only smiling.

Hunter chuckled a little and stroked Trayden's cheek. "Of course you do, Tray," Hunter began. "You're different, as you always have been. You were my one different friend that I looked forward to seeing and talking with because I knew there would be something new to learn or do. And as my boyfriend, you're different from all the others I've dated. That makes a huge impact in my life. It's different from what I've come to accept as the normal. So don't take it the wrong way, but you're the not normal factor in my life that I adore and don't want to lose." He added gently. "I hope I never do,"

"I don't leave anyone's life unless they want me to, and I don't end relationships unless the other person cheated, lied, or was abusive," Trayden leaned into Hunter. "So I don't think you have to worry about losing me," He relaxed. "And you already know I don't mind that you're a stripper and have had sex with your friends while single," He glanced up at Hunter again.

"How'd I get so lucky to find you?" Hunter placed a soft kiss on Trayden's lips.

"You carelessly dropped your wallet in the park, some jerk ran into me and I dropped my phone next to the wallet. Thirty minutes later, we met at Wild Fantasies so I could give you the wallet back," Trayden reminded. "So technically, I find you because I found your wallet,"

"Yeah, yeah. You and your technicalities," Hunter joked, shifting to tickle Trayden's sides, making the man squirm and laugh.

"No! No! Stop!" Trayden tried to get away from him, his laughter getting louder and his breathing fast-paced and heavier. "Bahahaha, stop! Please!" He pleaded. Hunter grinned and adjusted now to push Trayden down on the bed and climb over his flailing legs and straddle his hips to continue tickling his boyfriend. "Pl-Please stop! Ca-Can't," Hunter heard Trayden start gasping for air. "Can't…Breathe…" Trayden managed to get out, coughing and it sounded like he was choking. Hunter immediately stopped, backing off with concern.

"Babe?" Hunter asked. Trayden worked to sit up some and Hunter got off his legs, seeing that it was causing Trayden to be unable to get in the position he wanted to be in. "Tray? Are you okay? What's wrong?" Hunter asked quickly. Trayden turned on his side and reached into his nightstand drawer to grab what Hunter saw was an inhaler. Hunter watched Trayden sit up on the edge of the bed and shake the inhaler a few times and finally set it to his mouth and press down to take in the medicine. Trayden gave it a moment, trying to catch his breath still, then took another shot off the inhaler before his breathing somewhat returned to normal, but he was still panting a little. Seeing all this, Hunter realized what happened and felt awful. Trayden put the inhaler back in the drawer, then fixed himself to be able to look at Hunter. "Why didn't you tell me you had asthma?"

Trayden took a few breaths. "Because it's rare that I even fall into attacks," Trayden said softly. "It was…Much worse when I was a kid. Like, everything seemed to trigger it. Around thirteen or so, it improved to more identifiable causes." He explained. "Probably at sixteen, we switched off daily treatments when there was improvement of not as many triggers," He continued after a moment, finally having caught his breath and reaching for his water bottle to unscrew the cap. "From sixteen to maybe twenty, there weren't any major issues that required meds or an inhaler. It usually just took watching myself and drinking water if I found myself out of breath," Hunter nodded, listening intently. This wasn't information he wanted to miss or forget.

Trayden took a drink and then lowered the water bottle, uncapped, into his lap and looking down a bit. "But after I moved into the city, started working more, going for runs; I noticed that water was almost not enough. It took another jogger on the path coming my way, she immediately stopped to check on me and I wasn't able to get the breathing under control, so she happened to have a rescue inhaler on her that she carried for her son's asthma. She did wipe off with first and reassured me it was safe before letting me take two shots off it and that was what stopped the attack. I made an appointment to see my doctor and explained thing, went through a series of tests to determine that I may not be an active asthmatic, but certain things would trigger attacks." Trayden paused to take another drink.

"If I avoided those things, or knew when to stop when I felt the slip of no longer being able to control my breathing, I was okay. If not…Well, as you saw, I have the inhaler. The doctor ordered for me to have a rescue one for emergencies. I actually have three of them and this is where I keep one. There's another in the kitchen junk drawer, and another in the car. If I go jogging in the park, I'll take it out and move it to my pocket. I get one new one if one start running low on puffs remaining. Say about fifteen left, all I do is call the office and let them know, they'll send another in the mail. So while the attacks are rare, I will always have a rescue in grabbing distance and I'll never have to worry about running out," Trayden explained gently, his eyes looking back to Hunter's now.

"And…What was it that triggered it just now? The tickling, just so I know not to do it again?" Hunter wondered.

"It's just the general being out of breath, it's hard to breathe with you're being tickled. The slip into need the inhaler was being flat on my back and you leaning forward on me," Trayden revealed softly.

"I'm so sorry, babe. I-I didn't know…" Hunter frowned, very guilty.

"It's not your fault, Hunter…You didn't know. I should have told you, but the attacks are literally so rare that sometimes I forget I have it," Trayden informed. "Please don't feet bad?" He shifted to lean in closer to his boyfriend. Trayden knew that what happened probably scared Hunter because he didn't know what was happening, and likely felt worse to know that the tickling caused it. "It's okay. I'm okay," He tried to cheer Hunter up.

"I know, but still," Hunter sighed and held Trayden. "I'm glad you're alright…" He kissed Trayden's forehead. "How come, and this is purely out of curiosity, your asthma doesn't act up when we have sex?"

"Probably because I'm never laying flat with weight on my chest," Trayden shrugged a bit. "I'm always reclined on the pillows or on my side if I'm in any kind of laying position. I can control my breathing easier in sex than I can if I'm being tickled relentlessly," He teased a bit, smiling.

"I won't tickle you again," Hunter reassured. "No sex tonight, I don't want to risk throwing you into an attack after you just got out of one,"

"I was gonna suggest we hold off til tomorrow or something," Trayden nodded in agreement. "Just cuddle up and watch more of the show then?"

"Sounds like a great idea to me, handsome," Hunter replied as the two readjusted on the bed and this time, got under the covers as they would probably fall asleep during the show. Both made sure their alarms were sit for morning, and then phones were set face down on the chargers, then they cuddled up and resumed the show they were watching.