The Journey Into Us

Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating:
M for Mature

Disclaimer: I do not own anything HTTYD-related.

Chapter 58

=Trayden's POV=
(Saturday, 5/16/2020; 4:30 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Hunter's House)

I hated this. I hated being sick when it was just something like a cold, but this entirely sucked not knowing if I had the Coronavirus or not. It's been five days since I started to feel tired, and over that time period, I just got worse with an array of other symptoms that could either be the virus or just the flu. I refuse to believe that after this long, it could be anything other than those two illnesses. Hunter has been taking care of me the best he's able to, but I mostly spend my days sleeping or trying not to puke. I do try to eat at least once a day, even if its just crackers. I ended up getting a Covid-19 test two days ago, Hunter received a call from my doctor to tell him my slot was scheduled for 2:30 pm that day, and what instructions to follow when arriving at the test site. Also, Hunter got a fax with the information he'd need to give the person performing the test. We were done and heading back home by 3:00 pm after grabbing the medication my doctor prescribed to see if it would help keep my symptoms down. Once at Hunter's place, I went to my room to rest. We're currently still waiting on results to come through, and I'm not feeling any better.

The ginger tea that Hunter gave me on Thursday helped a little in keeping the nausea down enough so that I wouldn't throw up, and it worked to lessen the pain from the wicked headache I'd been suffering from. The meds my doctor prescribed assisted very little with other symptoms, he'd also suggested that I do one breathing treatment for my asthma at night in case I developed the shortness of breath and didn't want to wake up in or because of an asthma attack. I guess it sort of helped my sleep a bit. Hunter told me that he told my parents about me being sick too, and that we didn't know if it was the virus or not. I wasn't upset with him, but didn't want anyone else knowing. Our friends not knowing, though, was causing them to blow up my phone and by the end of Thursday night when I went off to bed, I'd officially just turned off my cell phone. I told Hunter why I did it, and he understood, but we decided together that if our friends started harassing him as to why I wasn't answering, we still wouldn't tell them what's going on until we knew for sure.

I know that Blake already knew something was up without Hunter having to tell me that Blake was in the loop too. Right now, I'm in the living room and trying to help Hunter set up for tonight's show. Hunter told me I didn't have to, but I felt like I should do something useful. I'm not feeling better, but thankfully and hopefully, it wouldn't get any worse. So, I was working on making sure the playlists and schedule was set. I was also checking for new members, and some other stuff. It was little, but I promised Hunter we'd do this together and I meant it.

"How are you holding up, babe?" Hunter asked me, coming over to lightly set his hands on my shoulders and rubbing them a bit.

I yawned. "Same as I have the last two days, just not as strong I guess would be the word,"

"Are the medications your doctor prescribed helping then?" Hunter hoped.

"I'd like to say it's a combination of the meds and tea," I admitted, lifting the mug of ginger tea that Hunter made for me when I woke up.

"Hey, whatever helps," Hunter smiled. "We should be getting your test results soon, hopefully," He added.

"Depends how backed up they are," I replied. "It's kind of like the flu, but assumingly, lasts longer before recovering."

"Good to see you're so optimistic about it," Hunter kissed my cheek. "I wish we could do something more to get that fever down more,"

"We can be lucky it's below 103, baby…And the nausea isn't so bad that I'm throwing up." I reminded.

"I suppose that's true. I'll take the blessing where we can get it…" Hunter nodded in agreement.

"My blessing is that you haven't gotten sick," I told him.

"See, that whole idea just leaves me surprised and confused," Hunter chuckled some. "I was born two months early, and it took until I was about three months old before my parents could take me home from the hospital. All my life has been weak immune system, and a twig because I struggle to put on weight. If someone got sick, I always caught it and got it the worst." He explained to me. "I guess I'm just shocked I haven't caught whatever you have and we're always so close together."

"I hope it stays where you don't get sick…I'd feel terrible," I looked down.

"Don't you worry about me, babe," Hunter hugged him lightly around the shoulders. "How's everything looking for tonight?"

"Same as always, as it should be," I reported. "I'm just checking the usual things that get a little messed up at times,"

"Always on top of things," Hunter relaxed. I closed my eyes and laid against his chest, I was so lucky to have him in my life. I think I did love him, but that was just it. I think I do, I'm not sure if that's what it is or if Hunter felt the same. I felt it would be inappropriate to reveal things in the current predicament of us being locked down together. I wouldn't want to make it awkward for him, so I'm just gonna keep quiet until I sort things out. "Oh, I forgot to call your parents back…" Hunter suddenly remembered.

"They called earlier?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Yeah, when you were taking a nap. It was just them checking in and seeing how you're doing. You had been asleep, so I wasn't sure how you felt." Hunter informed as he stood up and got his phone from his pocket to pull up the Raseri household number.

"I'm sorry they're now harassing you," I mumbled.

"I'll explain why you turned off your phone to them," Hunter reassured, preparing to press the call button when a call coming in stopped him. "Don't recognize that number," He said softly, then answered the call and set it to his ear. "Hello?" I ended up rising from the chair I was in while Hunter was on the phone, he eyed me curiously and I just pointed to the bathroom. He smiled and nodded as I walked off. I was only gone about five minutes, I'd used the bathroom and been preparing to leave when I felt the nausea kick up, so I stayed back to make sure I wouldn't throw up if I kept moving around. It happened once when I was getting out of bed that I didn't make it to the bathroom before I threw up in the bedside trash. Hunter was the one to clean everything up by the time I got back to the room. I came out of the bathroom just and didn't see Hunter. He must have gone off into his room to take the call, maybe it was his parents?

I didn't know, but the show was starting in half-hour, so Hunter would be out for that. I felt a little winded, but drank some of my water bottle, then I went ahead and got on the call with the other dancers and Gregory. Although, it didn't take me long to notice that all of the friends were in this call. I wondered why, the non-employees to Wild Fantasies knew that they didn't need to be here for these quick check-ins.

"Hi, Trayden!" I cringed when they all yelled, having seen me on camera instead of Hunter. Normally, when the show started, I'd take off to my room ever since getting sick. When the music started, it was just too loud for me. With things a bit more managed now symptom wise, I might be able to make it through the show. I didn't like that my chest was hurting, I feared it might be the start of that shortness of breath symptom I'd avoided the past five days. I'd mention it to Hunter when he got back, or later after the show ended.

"Hi, guys and girls," I replied calmly. I hoped I didn't look as sick as I felt.

"Where the hell have you been?"

"How the hell have you been?"

I really didn't want to say anything. It would only cause confusion and worry, the dancers didn't need that before a show. Especially on one of our busiest nights. "I've been here, obviously. I just keep quiet to stay focused and manage everything…" I fibbed.

"Outside of work?"

"Yeah, we've tried to message and call you, but you never answer."

"Sorry. Not always in the mood to talk and when it's a group message, hard to get a message in among the rest." I stated. I saw Hunter come into sight now and smiled, standing up. "Hi, baby. I got the others all here for show check-in…And our other friends have popped in as well," I relayed to him. "Who did it end up being that called you?" I asked. Hunter looked at me gently and I suddenly felt nervous and nauseous again.

"Hey, Hunt." The friends greeted.

"Hi. Be right back." Hunter gave a half smile, then put up a finger to have them wait a second before he muted his microphone and turned off the camera.

"What's up?" I wondered curiously.

"That call I got…It was the department of health with your results," Hunter said.

Somehow, without Hunter even saying it, I knew. "I-I have it, the Coronavirus, don't I?" I forced myself to ask, the tightness in my chest getting worse and causing my breathing to become heavier, but shallow.

"Babe?" Hunter said slowly, he had to of noticed my breathing. I heard him, and I don't know why it shocked and scared me so much to have it be confirmed that I do have Covid-19. I know Hunter never answered my question, but his facial expressions were all I needed. That and the tone of his voice. "Tray?" Hunter asked, his voice becoming filled with concern. I felt my legs go weak and began to drop as my knees gave out.

=Normal POV=

Hunter watched Trayden's breathing change as the new became painfully clear to him that the call Hunter received was the department of health informing that Trayden tested positive for the virus. Hunter didn't like how it sounded and fear took over him when he saw Trayden stagger, his hand grabbing the first thing he could in order to stay steady on his feet, which happened to the desk setup for work. "Woah, woah…Babe," Hunter carefully helped ease Trayden into the desk chair and watched him struggle to catch his breath. "Easy, Tray…Easy…" Hunter tried to calm him down.

"What is going on?"

"Is Tray okay?" Hunter heard voices and looked over quick to see that Trayden must have hit the laptop and ended up unmuting their side of things, and also turned the camera on. Hunter was going to turn it off when he heard Trayden start coughing hard.

"Hunter, talk to us."

"Son?" Why were his parents in the chat?

"Hunter! Is my baby okay!?" Why were Trayden's parents in the chat?! Hunter did not need this right now.

"Okay, I need everyone to shut the hell up now!" Hunter glared. "I'm trying to figure things out and I can't with everyone-," However, his attention was pulled back to Trayden when he heard him start gasping for air. The familiar sound from that night Hunter first learned of Trayden's asthma of his being unable to breathe. "Shit…" Hunter left Trayden's side and went to Trayden's room, grabbing his inhaler from the nightstand and rushing back to Trayden while shaking it for use along the way. Getting to Trayden, Hunter assisted his boyfriend in holding the inhaler. "Here, babe. Here, I got it for you," Finally, with Hunter's help, Trayden was able to get that first shot in. Hunter watched Trayden try to work at regaining control of his breathing. "That's it…Nice and easy now…" Hunter coached. "…It's alright, babe," He lightly caressed Trayden's arms and face. Trayden's breathing was starting to correct, slowly, but he was still panting pretty hard, though.

Everyone on the Skype call was still there, but staying quiet with cameras on. Hunter saw it, but he didn't care right now. Trayden was his priority. Trayden ended up taking another shot from the inhaler to stop the attack fully when his breathing was still out of whack from the first one and it bordered happening again. Now, his breathing was light panting and he was clearly tired. "Thank you…" Trayden managed to get out.

"Are you okay?" Hunter inquired in a soft tone, lightly rubbing his thumb on Trayden's right cheek and looking in his eyes with worry still present.

"Really…"Trayden yawned, looking sleepy. "Tired…" He mumbled some.

"You need to get some rest," Hunter told him in a light tone. "I know the meds from the inhaler make you tired and you took two off it in a five-minute period…" Trayden's head dropped a bit and he leaned forward into Hunter, who held him carefully and rubbed his back. "Come on, let's get you into bed,"

Trayden didn't move right away. "Hunter…" Trayden got out in a nervous voice.

"What's wrong?" Hunter asked, his question was answered when Trayden jerked a bit and he panted a little. Hunter knew what that meant; Trayden was about to throw up. Hunter carefully stood up, helping Trayden with him and leading him to the bathroom. Once inside, Trayden hit his knees on the bathroom floor and puked, then again. Hunter just knelt beside him, rubbing his back a bit. After throwing up a third time about a minute after the first two, Trayden leaned back against the tub, trying to keep his breathing under control. Hunter got him a cup of water to sip slowly. "How do you feel?" He decided to question.

"Worse…" Trayden admitted.

"I assumed, but I meant do you feel like you're going to throw up again?" Hunter wondered.

"I don't know…It sneaks up on me," Trayden replied. "But I was okay before the attack, so maybe it kicked up because of that?"

"Possibly. I think it would be best for you just head to bed, handsome," Hunter suggested.

"Okay…Will you come lay with me?" Trayden asked, looking down.

"Let me handle those guys out there first. Your parents are among them and since we know officially now…I think we should tell them what's going on. So you go get comfortable in bed, I'll give them a rundown, and I'll come join you until you fall asleep. Alright?" Hunter told him. Trayden nodded as Hunter helped him up, then made sure the toilet was flushed as Trayden brushed his teeth. Hunter went to get Trayden's bed ready for him, and when Trayden finally laid down, Hunter kissed him on the cheek and covered him up. "I won't be long," He reassured. Trayden yawned, but nodded as Hunter headed out and closed the door slightly. He wanted to be able to hear if Trayden called him for anything.

Hunter sat down in the desk chair and looked at the screen to see everyone still there, which he sadly, hadn't expected anything less. "Hunter…Is my little brother alright?" Blake was the first to ask.

"Right now, yes. He's resting in bed," Hunter answered gently.

"What happened to him?" Hailey inquired, frowning.

"Random asthma attack," Hunter informed.

"I thought he outgrew those?" Dexter remarked.

"According to Trayden, they are rare…But he can still get them in extenuating circumstances," Hunter explained. "I only just learned about these back in March before the lockdown was announced. I found out after he went into an attack because I tickled him," He added.

"And…What happened tonight?" Rachel questioned. "We saw the attack happen after you came back, and you rushed him away."

Hunter sighed. "I helped him get to the bathroom before he threw up." He responded.

"He's still sick?" Blake sounded shocked.

Hunter nodded. "I think the attack triggered because he was left in shock after I told him who called."

"Hunter…What happened?" Dustin pleaded now.

When Hunter heard Trayden start coughing, he got concerned. Now, Hunter was looking at the screen while he stood up. "I don't have time to explain everything…" Hunter paused. "The call I got was from the department of health with his test results; he's positive for it. Trayden has the Coronavirus." Almost everyone gasped, eyes widened, and facial expressions showed shock and worry. Rachel had started crying and Dustin held her close. Hunter heard Trayden throw up twice and was whimpering in pain. "I gotta go," He said, preparing to leave.

"Hunter!" Gregory stopped him quickly. "If he has it, you stay back. I don't need to remind you that you, despite having better health as an adult, are still immune compromised. It's already bad enough when you get sick with a bug or the flu, and needed to go to the hospital." Gregory added. "There is no vaccine or cure for this virus, and if you catch it…"

"Uncle Greg…I normally go with you on everything, but not this time. I know if I catch it, I'm high risk and it could kill me. It probably would kill me…" Hunter stopped. "And I'm grateful for everything you've done for me…But this isn't your call to make. It's mine. And I choose to take the risk to help Trayden because it could kill him too. I can't just stay away from him while he's suffering and needs help." Hunter stared at the screen. "Every cough, every time he throws up, the congestion…It risks sending him into an asthma attack and as you saw…He can't do it by himself. Had I not been here, he had no way of getting his inhaler out of his room. Calling for help. Anything."

"But Hunter-," Gregory tried.

"I don't wanna hear it," Hunter cut him off. "I've been around Trayden since this started a week ago, and I feel fine. He's the one suffering, and I'm not leaving him to deal with this alone. I told him the same thing I'll tell you…Nothing in my life before Trayden came into it made sense. I just lived because it's all I had going for me. But things have changed…And I spend my days living my life because I found something that makes it different, makes sense. That something is a someone, and that someone is Trayden. He's the difference in my life that took me from just live to living every day." Hunter enlightened. "Now, I don't have time to sit here and keep arguing this with you or anyone else. I'm going to log off and go help him, in any way I can…Because I won't lose Trayden. I refuse to." Without another word, Hunter ended the call and shut the laptop. Hunter took a deep breath, then went to Trayden's room with the mindset that he was prepared to do whatever he could to help his boyfriend get through this.