The Journey Into Us

Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating:
M for Mature

Disclaimer: I do not own anything HTTYD-related.

Chapter 56

=Normal POV=
(Tuesday, 5/12/2020; 11:00 am)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Hunter's House)

It was the middle of May, and the world was still facing the global pandemic. Hunter and Trayden still resided together in Hunter's home, spending their days doing whatever to pass the time and then working at night with the virtual strip show. The two males worked just about every night, some nights were shorter and the only ones they took off were on the 28th of the month, which was their dating anniversary. As of April 28th, Hunter and Trayden had been together for three months. In two or so weeks, they'd hit four. Hunter and Trayden would eat their meals at the dining room table or breakfast bar, they shared the housework, and took turns on who would go shopping every week. There was a system in place to control the amount of people leaving their homes and going to the stores, a schedule to ensure no crowding. Hunter and Trayden's shop days were Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. That meant on any of those three days, Hunter or Trayden were allowed to head out and get what they needed for their house, but the two of them usually only took one of the three available to shop for the week. And Trayden's turn had just been on Saturday, the 9th to get the things they needed.

Trayden and Hunter obviously kept in contact with their family members and all friends. It was usually texting most days, and then every few days, a video call on Skype. It was just check-ins to see how everyone was holding up during the pandemic. Despite hoping the lockdown would only last two or three weeks, it had been extended because were still trying to go out when they shouldn't. It forced Dustin to take stricter measures to ensure those on isolation from testing positive, and those who had been exposed and were on quarantine to monitor for symptoms were staying home. Hunter and Trayden weren't affected by the lockdown because they could still do everything they had before the decision was put into effect. The males could still see one another, do little innovated dates, have sex, and work. It was just all done from one place, Hunter's house. Dustin had recently been considering to end the lockdown in June, but a slow reopening of the Archipelago, but keeping up all the things needed to ensure there wasn't an outbreak of cases.

These measures included limited numbers for social gatherings, events such as weddings, showers, and funerals. Temperature checks. Smaller capacity limits for restaurants, bars, and stores. Social distancing while in these places as well. There would need to be contact tracing and mask wearing. There would be forced two-week quarantining for anyone coming into the Archipelago to visit, or returning to their own home as travel had been shut down in many parts of the world. There would also be consequences if rules weren't followed. It may not be ideal for a lot of people, but it was what had to happen to ensure the safety of the residents. Today, Hunter was already awake at 7:00 am and Trayden appeared to still be sleeping as he hadn't come out of his room yet. Hunter was sitting on the couch, laptop on his lap and voice chatting with friends, but just messaging with family.

"So where is Trayden this morning?" Shane asked.

"Still sleeping," Hunter informed.

"Really? It's 11 am," Devon remarked.

"Is he okay?" Addilyn wondered.

"I don't know. I haven't seen him since last night after the show ended. We shut things down and were going to watch a movie or something, but he admitted he was feeling tired and wanted to get some sleep. So we went to our rooms and fell asleep," Hunter explained.

"Are you going to check on him?" Blake inquired.

"I'm gonna give it a bit longer, but yes, I will." Hunter nodded.

"Good, keeps us posted." Alyssa stated.

The friends kept talking in low tones because they knew Hunter's spare room where Trayden was currently sleeping wasn't sound proof, so it was highly likely that too much sound would get through and wake him. Hunter planned to check on his boyfriend at 11:30 am, that would mark twelve hours since the two had gone off to sleep and anything beyond that made Hunter wonder if Trayden was okay. Hunter understood being tired, but sleeping this long seemed off. At 11:15 rolled around, Hunter's attention turned away from the screen at the sound of a door opening and he saw Trayden walk into sight.

"Good morning, babe," Hunter greeted with a smile.

"Morning…" Trayden mumbled, still sounding tired and clearly not awake fully.

"I was just going to come check on you," Hunter said. "Want me to make you some coffee?"

Trayden shook his head slowly. "No thanks."

Hunter was a little concerned, Trayden didn't seem okay. "Alright…How about early lunch?" He offered.

"I'm good…" Trayden replied.

"Hi, Tray!" The friends called out. Hunter saw Trayden close his eyes and wince at the noise.

"Hi…" Trayden finally responded after reopening his eyes. Hunter noticed that Trayden still looked tired, and it was clear that he wasn't in a good mood to give such a dull reply to their friends. Maybe he had a headache? Or was still trying to wake up? The group of friends picked up on Trayden's tone, they began bombarding him with questions about why he wasn't happy to hear from them. Trayden just sighed, groaned, and turned from where he was to get to the bathroom and close the door.

"Oh, what?" Tyler started.

"He's not gonna answer us now?" Rylee finished her brother's sentence.

"He's in the bathroom." Hunter rolled his eyes.

"Why's he so pissy?" Eli asked.

"Probably hasn't been laid in a while," Jason snickered.

"Fuck you. We had sex on Saturday morning," Hunter remarked.

"Enough, guys…" Blake sighed. "It's none of your business and I'd also like to remind you what happened last time you continued." The man added as the others got quiet a moment. "Hunter. Serious note, is he okay? I can't see him, but he doesn't sound it."

"I don't know. This is the first I'm seeing him since last night and I admit that I'm kind'a worried. He usually wakes up much more cheerful, and on that, normally doesn't sleep this long either." Hunter informed. "I'm gonna try and talk to him. Be right back." Hunter muted the sound and turned off his camera before setting the laptop down on the center table and then going towards the bathroom door as he heard the toilet flushing and Trayden about to come out. As Trayden opened the door, he saw Hunter standing there. "Are you alright, babe?"

"Still tired, headache…" Trayden mumbled.

Hunter didn't know if he liked that Trayden was still tired. "You slept almost twelve hours. Why are you still tired?" Hunter asked.

"I dunno…I just am. Maybe too much sleep? I was knocked out all night," Trayden replied, shrugging.

"Possibly. You should probably stay up, reverse the effects? Still take it easy. Did you take something for your headache?" Hunter wondered.

"I did…" Trayden said. Hunter didn't know what else could be going on. "I usually only feel like this if I'm sick or about to be,"

Hunter really didn't like that. "Are you? Or…Do you feel sick?" Hunter inquired.

"Right now it's just the headache and fatigue…So maybe beginning phase of getting sick?" Trayden answered.

"Do you want to eat anything?" Hunter questioned.

Trayden shook his head again. "Not hungry," He confessed, which also didn't sit well with Hunter.

"That would count as a symptom, baby…Headache, fatigue, and no appetite. It's starting to look like you may be sick," Hunter stated with concern. "Do you want to go back to bed?" He wondered softly. "Maybe relax on the couch?"

"The sounds okay," Trayden responded. Hunter nodded, giving a small smile and leading Trayden over to the couch. Trayden sat down and leaned back a bit as Hunter went to get him a water bottle. "Thanks," Trayden opened it and took a few small sips. "Are you talking to everyone still?" He looked at Hunter afterward.

"Yeah, but camera off and muted. They can wait for me to get back, my priority is you at the moment," Hunter replied as Trayden smiled some. Hunter was so good to him. Hunter went to pull the laptop back into his lap, but noticed everyone had left the group call. He blinked a few times, but saw a message from Blake in their private chat.

Blake S: You muted your sound, but not your mic. We heard Trayden up to him saying he was tired and had a headache, so we decided to get off for now. I figured you'd want to take care of him. When you get this, let me know how he is, please?

"Oh. Guess they all logged off when I disappeared to check on you," Hunter stated.

"I'm sorry…I should have gone back to my room…" Trayden looked down.

"No, no. Never mind. We weren't talking about anything majorly important, just catching up." Hunter reassured. "I was going to get off with them once you woke up anyway to spend time with you." He said. Trayden sighed. "And we can spend time together right here on the couch with the TV or watching a movie until work later." Hunter informed.

"Hopefully I feel better by then," Trayden mumbled.

"Your health comes first. Don't worry about work. You just take it easy today, alright? I'm here if you need anything." Hunter put his hand on Trayden's with a reassuring smile and light squeeze of his hand.

"Okay…" Trayden nodded.

"Good. Now, how about a movie or TV?" Hunter asked.

"All for it." Trayden answered. Hunter smiled and reached for the remote to start finding something to watch.

. . .

(5:30 pm)

Despite the idea to watch TV or a movie, by the time Hunter found something they'd enjoy together, Trayden was fast asleep on the couch again. Hunter only turned down the TV, grabbed a blanket to cover Trayden, and then he went to make himself something for lunch. Hunter also replied to Blake about Trayden feeling he might be sick or getting sick. Blake had the same worry that Hunter did to keep monitoring for symptoms because the possibility of it being the virus was there. Hunter promised he would keep Blake in the loop, but for now, they wouldn't tell anyone else their suspicions. Unfortunately, Trayden slept through lunch and woke up around 2:30 to use the bathroom and refresh on meds. Trayden reported that he felt the same as when he woke up that morning and returned to the couch, it didn't take him long to end up falling asleep again.

Now, it was 5:30 pm and Hunter was deciding what he should do for dinner. He was talking back and forth with friends when he noticed Trayden starting to wake up. Trayden finally opened his eyes and looked around as Hunter set his phone down.

"Hey again," Hunter greeted.

"Hi…" Trayden replied softly, slowly sitting up. "What time is it?"

"5:30. How do you feel, babe?" Hunter asked.

"Like I'm being weighed down…Still tired, headache…" Trayden admitted as Hunter frowned.

"How about hungry?" Hunter hoped. Trayden closed his eyes and shook his head. Hunter set his hand to Trayden's forehead, then his cheek. "And you're feeling warm." He added before moving his hand away. "Want me to get you more meds?"

"No…Just took more at 2:30…" Trayden replied, wincing a bit.

"Are you okay?" Hunter inquired.

"Body hurts," Trayden said. "Not a lot, kind'a like from sitting or standing too long."

"That's likely due to your body being mostly stationary all day and last night, handsome." Hunter offered. "You went from your bed almost twelve hours, then up to use the bathroom, and back to laying down on the couch."

"Probably. I should move a bit…" Trayden sighed.

"Just don't overdo it, babe," Hunter smiled. "I know you're not hungry, but do you want to help me make dinner?"

Trayden looked down a bit. "I don't know…I was thinking about taking a shower or bath, hoping to wake up a bit."

"That's a good idea. Go do that, babe. Maybe you'll feel a bit better too?" Hunter really hoped for that to be the case.

"Can I help you cook aft-" Trayden stopped, realizing it was 5:45, and his eyes widened. "Wait…Why aren't you working?"

"I decided tonight was going to be one of my off nights so I could be available to help you," Hunter chuckled.

"No…No. You don't need to do that, baby…" Trayden said quickly, feeling bad that Hunter was giving up work over him.

"Hey, I told you before…You are my priority right now. The only thing I'm missing is the dancing, I still get paid as show manager and I'm keeping an eye on things throughout the night." Hunter reminded. "And yes, you can help me cook after if you want," He kissed Trayden's cheek, making the male blush a bit. "Go on and shower or take a hot bath, might help with the sore-cramped up feeling."

"Okay," Trayden nodded as he got up and moved to the bathroom. Hunter laughed a little, shaking his head at Trayden's small worries. Hunter relaxed on the couch, he had the work setup going to monitor things and be there if the group needed any help. He didn't mind not dancing, it freed up his night to be available for Trayden. Hunter was worried about Trayden, the things he was experiencing didn't seem bad, but at the same time could just be the beginning and that's why Hunter wanted Trayden to take it easy. Hunter checked over his phone and saw a message from Blake pop up.

Blake's Cell, 5:45 pm
How's my little brother doing?

~Just woke up, taking a shower now. Symptoms same as this morning, except add slight fever.~ What else could Hunter say? That was the truth.

Hunter heard the shower turn on and then he felt his phone vibrating from a call, and saw that Blake was calling him. Hunter slid the icon to answer and put it to his ear. "Hey," Hunter said.

"Hey…I'm sorry I'm being a pest, but with only us knowing that Tray isn't feeling one hundred percent and him resting so not answering his phone…" Blake started.

"I get it, Blake. Don't worry. I'm just as worried as you are." Hunter replied.

"I appreciate you not holding it against me to be concerned for my little brother. So…Symptoms-wise, what are we looking at so far? I'm leaving room that it could get worse…" Blake stated.

Hunter got up to move into the kitchen and look at what he could make for dinner. "Well…This morning, Tray said that he just felt tired and had a headache. He hadn't wanted breakfast, so I'm assuming no appetite would count. He fell asleep once relaxing on the couch and slept through lunch, got up around 2:30 for the bathroom and knocked out again til 5:30." Hunter explained.

"You mentioned saying he felt warm waking up about fifteen minutes ago?" Blake inquired.

"Yeah. He woke up and I asked how he felt. Tray responded that it was all the same as this morning, including no appetite. The only new thing he mentioned was feeling like his body was sore, but we said it could just be from him not moving much since last night. He slept almost twelve hours, then crashed on the couch most of the day. Him feeling warm came from me checking fever." Hunter informed.

"I guess the soreness could be from being immobile, but it could also be a symptom. What was his temp?" Blake wondered.

"I don't know. I didn't use a thermometer, just my hand on his forehead and cheek. That's everything so far," Hunter said.

Blake sighed. "Do you think it could be the virus?"

"Hard to tell right now. I'm just watching symptoms. It could be Covid, but it could also be a cold, stomach bug, and though late in the season, possibly flu. I want to say without a doubt that he's sick and this is just the early stages. I have to assume he could develop other things later on tonight or tomorrow," Hunter replied. "I know it isn't what you want to hear, but there's no telling if it's the virus without a test or more severe symptoms. And I don't want to scare him, he worried about catching it because of his asthma," He added.

"That's precisely why I'm worried. I know a majority of people experience mild symptoms, but statistics show it's worse for those with underlying conditions. This is a respiratory virus…And for Tray's asthma, it wouldn't be good." Blake reminded. "Timeline-wise…What are we looking at? When is the last time Tray went out in public?"

"Saturday morning after breakfast. It was probably 9:30 am, and he got back around 11 am," Hunter answered.

"So that means he could have been exposed to it while at the store. Despite Dustin's measures, some people don't care and it's why we're still on lockdown. People aren't staying six-feet apart, following the one-way traffic in store isles…People have been caught going out sick, not wearing their masks…If Dustin catches wind that Trayden might have gotten sick because his rules weren't followed, he'll crack down harder…" Blake enlightened.

"I know. That's why I figured it should stay between us until we know for sure. I'll keep monitoring Trayden, and see how he feels tomorrow. If he's worse…I'll bring up that possibility of it being Covid, and he should get tested." Hunter sighed, not wanting to thinking Trayden could have contracted the virus that was sweeping the globe.

"Just be careful, you're in direct contact with Tray…You could end up catching it too." Blake warned.

"I'm not worried about me, I'll be fine. I'm in peak health with no underlying conditions…I can handle it." Hunter remarked calmly. He heard the shower turn off. "Tray's about to come out of the shower, so I'll let you go and keep you posted."

"Alright. Thanks, Hunter. Bye." Blake said.

"Bye," Hunter replied, and then the call ended right before Trayden came out. "Hi, babe. How do you feel after the shower?" Hunter inquired.

"Half the same, half maybe a bit better?" Trayden responded softly.

"Half better is still better than nothing or worse, so I'll take it," Hunter smiled. "Still want to help me cook?" Trayden nodded to him. "Come on then. I was thinking spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread?"

"Sounds good. What do you want me to do?" Trayden questioned.

"Would you make your sauce? It always comes out better than mine," Hunter asked.

"I can do that. We use the same base and spices, though," Trayden went to get the can of sauce, then a pot with its fitted lid.

"Mine comes out a little to acidy, yours seems mellow or sweet, but no matter the amounts I change up with herbs and spices, I can't get it right," Hunter chuckled a bit, shrugging.

"What do you put in it?" Trayden inquired.

"Salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder," Hunter answered.

"No sugar?" Trayden looked at him as Hunter arched a brow.

"Sugar?" Hunter repeated.

Trayden nodded. "That's the sweet factor you get in my sauce. The sauce base is acidy alone, then you add other things in that jack up the flavor and spice level. I use a little sugar to keep the flavor, but knock down the spice," Trayden explained.

"Huh…I never would have thought of that being how you did it," Hunter blinked in surprise as he watched Trayden get the sauce into the pot, then start adding seasonings. "Did you learn that from your mom or dad?"

Trayden smiled a little. "No, actually. My grandmother when I lived with her. I used to eat spaghetti and meatballs with no sauce because it would give me heartburn. When I lived with my Grandma, I asked her to keep the sauce off mine one time and she asked why, so I told her the reason. She only laughed a bit and promised I'd like hers. Sure enough, I did and asked why hers was different and she told me that her secret ingredient was sugar among the spices. Not a lot, just to dull the acidity of the base and then spices that naturally add a little kick." Trayden informed. "The next time we had anything with sauce involved, she taught me how she did it,"

"That's sweet," Hunter stated gently. "Well, I thank you for sharing the recipe with me. And I'm really glad you're here, that we can spend all this time together." He slipped in so he could hug Trayden and kiss his cheek.

Trayden hugged him back. "I feel the same way," Trayden replied. The two stared into each other's eyes for a moment, keeping their smiles light, before getting back to work on cooking dinner together.