The Journey Into Us

Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating:
M for Mature

Disclaimer:I do not own anything HTTYD-related.

Chapter 54

=Trayden's POV=
(Sunday, 3/15/2020; 8:30 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Hunter's House)

I didn't even realize that I'd dozed off while laying against Hunter. I guess I was tired, but then again, it was hard not to get comfortable while cuddling with boyfriend. I'm sure Hunter would have let me sleep more, but he saw that my mom texted me and that must have raised some concern to wake me so we could find out what was up. And behold the news revealing my father announcing on live TV that he was issuing an immediate lockdown. Something must have happened in the last few days for dad to make the call now when I originally believed it would be said tomorrow morning during dad's address to Archipelago about this virus. Dad's time on TV wasn't long, he said he wanted everyone, except essential workers, who weren't at their home residence to get home before midnight and that he would be announcing the full measures of the lockdown tomorrow. My father also reassured that this was no joke and there would be national guard and police patrolling to ensure no one was out when they shouldn't be.

The room was quiet, I think everyone was trying to process what they heard. "So wait…" Rylee broke the silence. "Did your dad just give everyone a curfew to get home by midnight or deal with authorities?"

"It was an Archipelago-wide order to go home and anyone who doesn't comply will face some level of punishment or fine," I remarked.

"I don't understand why he's doing this? That virus has been around since like January…Why now does he decide to lock us down?" Hailey wondered.

"Isn't this, like, against our freedom? He's basically taking it away?" Shane asked.

"What about our jobs if we're not essential workers?" Fisher inquired softly.

"How are we supposed to pay our bills?" Chelsea looked around at the others with worry.

That headache I thought I got rid of was suddenly back. I closed my eyes with a sigh and rubbed my temples. I felt Hunter's hands on my shoulders and him leaning to be more beside me. "Are you okay?" He asked.

"Peachy, just trying to keep the headache from coming back while our friends bicker," I mumbled.

"Alright, that's enough!" Hunter spoke up firmly to make the others quiet. "You can continue to ask all these questions about things and be confused…Or you can wait until tomorrow when Mayor Raseri said he'd be laying out how things would work," He told them. "It may not be an ideal situation, but he obviously felt that this was the best option to control the situation. This is a global pandemic, which means its all around the globe and every country is doing their best to stop the spread. If Mayor Raseri is calling a lockdown to keep us safe, then we need to do our part and do what he says," Hunter informed.

"He's right," Blake suddenly agreed. "This virus is everywhere, there is no cure or vaccine. And this thing doesn't care who it kills either," He reminded as everyone calmed down and sighed. "If Dustin is calling for a lockdown, then he must be trying to stop the spread here. We know there are cases, but if everyone is home except essential workers, then those who are sick or might have been exposed are home and it can't be spread to others." Blake enlightened.

"And don't forget that people could be carrying this and not have symptoms, so you could have been exposed and don't even know it yet as there is a fourteen-day incubation period," I chimed in. "My dad is only doing what he thinks is best to stop this," I added lightly.

"It's best everyone heads home now, we all heard that military and police will be out patrolling." Hunter said. "I'm sure Dustin will relay all the information we need to know tomorrow as everyone probably has the same questions about how things will work during this lockdown."

"Alright, let's all head home. We can keep in contact through texts or skype," Devon stated. As everyone started to prepare to leave, they noticed that I wasn't getting ready with them.

"Uh, T…" Tyler started. "Aren't you gonna get your sleepover stuff and leave too? I mean it is your dad's lockdown order,"

Hunter looked at me, as if to say he wouldn't say anything. I guess I couldn't hide it and they were all stubborn, so they weren't leaving without a reason. I sighed some. "I, uh, I'm not…Going home for the lockdown," I told them. "I'm…Staying here with Hunter for it's duration,"

"Your dad said everyone go home if you're currently at a place that you don't reside at," Alyssa reminded.

"My dad already knows that I'm temporarily living at Hunter's until this is over. And the housing office knows too, so my rent and bills are paused there until I go back," I informed.

"But…Why are you staying here with Hunter?" Shane pushed.

"Because I asked him to." Hunter cut in when he saw me stall to answer with not wanting to be alone.

"Wait…How could you have asked him to stay with you for the lockdown if it just got announced less than fifteen minutes ago?" Addilyn questioned.

I sighed. "Because I've known about the possibility of lockdown since Friday…"

"What?" Our friends stared.

"He didn't stutter," Hunter folded his arms over one another. "Trayden has known about there being a possible lockdown since Friday, so have I because he told me about the text he got from his dad to him and his brother Dexter. The text was to warn them to get to the store and get what they needed that could last for a bit before the stores are gang-rushed for supplies,"

"I've…Actually known too. Dustin texted me on Friday as well. I spent the last few days getting my apartment ready with things that can last a while," Blake mentioned.

"That doesn't explain why you're staying with Hunter, Tray," Ethan remarked.

"When all non-essential businesses close, Wild Fantasies will be one of them. With some ideas from Trayden, we figured out a way to potentially make money by doing shows here at the house. I have all the music stuff, a green screen, and the stripper pole…I was thinking of doing live shows and since Trayden came up with the idea…And he's my assistant at Fantasies, I asked if he'd want to lockdown here with me and help out. He agreed, so we spent the last few days getting everything ready. Trayden will be staying in the spare room on the left of the hallway."

"I'm sure we're just being told that," Jason leaned towards Eli.

"Yeah, he's probably sharing Hunter's room," Eli nodded. They might have whispered, but I heard it.

"Bet you they were messing around earlier, that's why they were both in the room when we showed up," Jason chuckled.

"I told you, they're fucking, Jase. It's why Hunter wasn't doing anything with us since Tray entered his life back in December," Eli responded.

I really wanted to say something, and I think I just might. "What Hunter and I do as a couple is no concern to either of you," I folded my arms with an annoyed look in my eyes. "I heard what you said, and I don't think it's your place to be making remarks like that when you don't know what's actually going on,"

"You saying something only proves we're right, so how about not denying it?" Jason countered.

"I never denied it. In fact, I only said with plenty of witnesses that it's not your concern what Hunter and I do as a couple," I mentioned. "And added that I don't think its your place to make remarks when you don't actually know. You only theorized, and therefore, you should have kept it to yourselves. Even if I didn't deny the accusation, it's not something you should be talking about freely in a sarcastic manner just because you're mopey that he's with me,"

"You two have had sex?" Thaxter blinked.

"Many, many times since January," I replied and saw Hunter looked surprised that I revealed it.

"January…That was before you got together?" Fisher pointed out.

"And what's your point? Everyone know, or should by now, that if I'm not in a relationship…I have sex with my friends. Yes, Trayden and I have fucked before we started dating," Hunter jumped in.

"I thought you said you weren't doing anything with him, Tray," Shane reminded.

"Oh, for the love of-Hunter and I have been messing around since Christmas," I groaned.

"That means you lied to us," Alyssa stated. "You told us before the New Year's party that you two hadn't done anything,"

"Lay off, Alyssa," Hunter rolled his eyes. "It was none of your business,"

"So Hunter did seduce you then? Before him, you were not open to the idea of having sex with a stranger," Ethan reminded.

"Hunter wasn't a stranger and he didn't seduce me," I told them. "It's what I wanted, and since he said the offer was there, I took it. Why are you making it a big deal? This is exactly why I didn't say anything."

"It's a big deal because you changed after the breakup with Rosanna," Shane said. I blinked a few times at what just came out of his mouth.

"You were all depressed and shit, said you were done with girls and didn't want another relationship when we tried to hook you up with girls. That's what all those parties were for," Tyler shrugged.

"My depression wasn't because of the breakup, it was losing Blake, who was assumed dead from an IED blast in May last year. And I said I was done with girls because I realized I was gay, not bisexual. I didn't want a relationship because I had a lot going on between working, mourning Blake, and figuring out I was gay," I retorted.

"Hold up," Alyssa put her hands up, trying to think. "You told us you were done with girls because you realized you were gay just now, but you said you were done with girls immediately after the breakup with Rosanna…" I tensed a little. "You didn't come out as gay to us and your parents until last October…So does that you mean you realized you were gay after Rosanna? Or…" Her eyes widened a little. "Did you realize it while you were with her and that's what caused the fight for you two breakup?"

"And that is still none of your business," Hunter remarked.

I wasn't getting out of this, and deflecting would only keep them on it to learn the truth. I sighed. "Being bisexual was basically a transition phase for me and the transition ended while I was with Rosanna…That's what caused the fight for us to break up. I didn't leave her, she left me when she figured out I wasn't bisexual." I revealed.

"But-" Hailey started.

"How did she find out?" Rylee asked.

"Isn't that obvious?" Shane looked at the girls, who were confused. "He said Rosanna found out he wasn't bisexual, and we know he's gay. Transition ended when he was with her and it started a fight?"

"Rosanna figured out he wasn't bisexual because Trayden didn't have any attraction to her due to being gay," Ethan informed.

"Not following," Addilyn tilted her head.

"Ugh," Shane, Tyler, and Ethan groaned.

"Oh, I get it," Eli put a finger up. "No attraction means no arousal. She found out he was gay because he couldn't get hard!"

"And just like that, it's fucking Christmas all over again," I walked away from the group and got to my temporary room. "Good night." Then I closed the door.

=Normal POV=

"What did he mean by that?" Blake looked at Hunter.

"Dexter forced Tray to tell him, his parents, and siblings what happened with his ex-girlfriend last Christmas. Dexter wouldn't let it go after he saw me texting Trayden, being playful and flirty, and backed Tray into a corner into revealing to his parents he was gay and what happened with Rosanna to cause the breakup," Hunter informed.

"He hadn't been ready to tell them, but Dexter forced it out by theorizing the situation and leaving Trayden no choice?" Blake asked. Hunter nodded. "And not being ready, but forced anyway left him being the one who ended up hurt?"

"Enough to leave his parents' place, go home, and cry himself to sleep for a few hours. When he woke up and got in contact with me again, he asked if he could come over because he didn't want to be alone," Hunter stated. "Would you go check on him, please?"

"Your house, figured you'd want that job," Blake mentioned.

"My house, I have to deal with seeing guests out. And Trayden is your little brother, so family before lover," Hunter replied.

"Touché," Blake chuckled. "I'll go check on him,"

"I'll be right behind you in a few moments," Hunter nodded as Blake trailed after Trayden's path. It only took a second or two for Blake to knock on the door and then go inside, closing it once more. Hunter's eyes turned to annoyance and anger. "You couldn't leave it alone, could you?"

"We just wanted to know what happened…" Alyssa glanced down.

"That doesn't mean you push someone until you get what you want. Regardless…It's his business. He told you they fought and broke up, why wasn't that enough?" Hunter remarked. "You pushed him, just like Dexter did on Christmas. All this, just because you found out he was staying here through the lockdown? And that we had sex before we started dating? Come on, guys and girls? Really?" He asked. "I have never, ever pushed Trayden into anything he didn't want or wasn't ready for. As a matter of fact, it's the very thing I've drilled into his head since I met him and he told me that this little group right here, from Berk, insisted he jump right into being gay and get it over with in having sex for the first time. Never. Ever. Under any circumstances just jump into that and especially not with a stranger who could give a care less in the world if he's never done anything like that before and wasn't ready to. You could have landed him ruined for future experiences or worse, hurt."

The school friends looked down. "And you two have been warned many times to watch your comments around Tray." Hunter looked at Jason and Eli. "He's right, what we do is none of your business and it's not your place," He stated. "I'm trying not to assume here, but it's really starting to look like you two are jealous I'm with him."

"Merely trying to understand why before you two started dating, you stopped doing stuff with us, but not him?" Jason inquired.

"Then why not ask me instead of making remarks?" Hunter countered. "I didn't do anything with you two or anyone else because since that thank you dinner that turned into hanging out, I've liked him. My interests changed. But I knew he was new to being gay and recently out of a relationship that ended badly, and wanted to just be his friend until he was more comfortable with things and himself. You both should know you can't rush that phase. It's all I've told Trayden. Your pace. Always move at your pace and never do anything you aren't ready to. And you shouldn't have pushed him about what happened with his ex-girlfriend. That's his business, not yours. He told you big fight and breakup, that should have been good enough."

"You said you two have been messing around since Christmas, but that was the night his brother hurt him. You had just met Trayden a few weeks before, so how is it you two ended up having sex that night if you claim he was new and not ready?" Bryan wondered.

"We didn't have sex that night. All that happened was none of your business, as it hasn't been this whole time." Hunter informed. "I've only done what he wants to do and waited for the moment to tell him that I like him," He paused. "I did that and he clearly felt the same. That's why we're together, but just because you know we're dating doesn't mean that as our friends you get to know what goes on between me and him. As he said, perhaps you know or has suspicions, but you should keep them to yourself and then shit like this would happen. Now, as it's been dragged out long enough, and those of you guilty for upsetting my boyfriend could use some time to figure out how to apologize to him…Go home." Hunter ordered calmly. "I'll not have the military or police storming my house to remove people,"

"We are sorry," The group said softly.

"It's not me you owe an apology too. It's Trayden, but I believe that quite enough has been said tonight," Hunter informed. "You heard the mayor, effectively immediately, everyone who is not at home and essential workers are to get home,"

"Okay…We'll hit you up later?" Fisher asked.

"No promises on responding, I need to make sure my boyfriend is okay," Hunter stated. With no further putting it off, the group of friends began to file out and leave Hunter's house. When the last car left the driveway, Hunter moved to get to Trayden's room, but stopped as Blake was exiting the room. "How is he?"

"More annoyed than hurt. I guess the intention had been to tell them, but they kept pushing for more information and obviously, he didn't want what happened with his ex to come out," Blake said. "He's in the bathroom right now, said he was going to take a shower to calm down," The man added.

"But he's okay?" Hunter hoped.

"Yeah, he wasn't crying or anything when I got into the room. Just sitting on the bed, grumbling to himself," Blake nodded. "I told him I'd head home after he got out of the shower, if that's okay with you?"

"Perfectly fine. I'm sure he'd want to say goodbye before you leave," Hunter replied. "I just can't believe they were on him like that and all over learning he was staying with me?"

"I don't understand why that would trigger what happened considering they're all sharing places too," Blake mentioned as Hunter arched a brow. "All of them who are in relationships, at least. And this was decided before the lockdown was announced. I want to say is was foresight that they saw other places around the world having lockdowns, so they knew the possibility of it happening here was real and set plans as just in case,"

"Well, knowing that now aggravates me that they gave Trayden grief over it, and turned into all this," Hunter mumbled.

"Don't get all upset over it. And the rest will get over it after the way you talked to them and they now see that what they did was wrong," Blake reassured. "Once they apologize to Tray, he'll forgive them and let it go. He's not one to hold grudges," He added calmly.

"I know, one of the many things I love about him," Hunter replied with a small smile. The two males sat down on the couch to keep talking, and by 9:00 pm, Trayden was out of the shower, and dressed for bed as he made his way out to Hunter and Blake. "Hi, babe,"

"Hi…" Trayden greeted softly.

"Feel a little better, bro?" Blake wondered.

"Yeah, just tired now and want to relax before bed," Trayden admitted.

"Well, I think your boyfriend can handle that with a movie and couch cuddling," Blake chuckled. "I'm going to head out to get home. I'll message you when I get there,"

"Okay, drive safe," Trayden smiled some and hugged his older brother figure.

"Will do. You stay safe and keep in contact, got it?" Blake stated and Trayden nodded. Hunter got up to shake Blake's hand, and they brought it in for a small hug. "Take care of him," Blake whispered.

"You have my word," Hunter replied quiet. The two disconnected and Blake left the house. Hunter locked up and returned to the couch, finding Trayden to already be sitting there. Hunter sat down next to Trayden, who instantly snuggled up against him, then Hunter adjusted his arm to hold his boyfriend. "Movie?"

"Sounds good," Trayden agreed. Hunter grabbed the remote and started surfing the movie channels for something to watch, and once they found something to enjoy, the two males just relaxed together. It was the perfect way to wind down after a busy weekend and the situation that just took place with their friends over. Regardless, the truth was out and hopefully their friends would leave it alone, On other notes, the lockdown had been announced and officially set in place. Trayden didn't know what was going to happen, but he was happy to be locked down with Hunter and believed everything was going to be alright.