The Journey Into Us
Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating: M for Mature
Disclaimer: I do not own anything HTTYD-related.
Chapter 61
=Trayden's POV=
(Saturday, 7/4/2020; 2:30 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Trayden's Apartment)
As if Wednesday night wasn't already crazy with Blake barging into my apartment to catch Hunter and I at the end of having sex on the couch, I never got to tell Hunter I loved him back because after Blake left, we cleaned up and got dressed to make dinner. Unfortunately, Hunter had to leave rather quickly for an unexpected emergency with his adoptive father. The rest of Wednesday was dull, I made something basic for myself since Hunter said he would hit me up later when he knew what was going on. I cleaned up my apartment, and watched TV until 10:30 pm when I finally decided to just go to sleep because I was bored. I hadn't heard back from Hunter when I messaged him to ask if everything was okay, and I think Blake was avoiding me because he felt bad about what he did. It's been three days since then and I've sort of just been at home to do things. I did go out shopping on Thursday, just to pick up a few things I knew I'd need. I managed the show without Hunter on Thursday and Friday. I knew Hunter was busy with helping his parents move, Gregory had been helping too, but he ended up hurting his back and was resting another day or so. I think Hunter was keeping his siblings busy at the new place while his mom and dad moved things and Hunter would engage his brother and sister in unpacking duties by making it a game.
Hunter and I still texted, but he was back and forth between Berk and the city, staying with them for the duration of the move. I thought for sure he'd be free today, it's the fourth of July. This, for us, represented the victory in the Dragon Rebellion, led by Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Second. It was celebrated every year during the fourth day of the seventh moon with a fireworks display. Everyone usually got together for parties and picnics. I had hoped that Hunter was doing something so I could see him. I wanted to talk to him about Wednesday night when he confessed to loving me after we made love and before Blake showed up. I felt like Hunter was a little down because I didn't response right away that night, or maybe because I hadn't brought it up since it happened. His responses to seemed short and like he was let down. I hoped he didn't think I didn't return his feelings, but I didn't think that conversation was for text messages. So today, I'm just sitting around and trying to think of something to do. My friends were working. Blake seemed busy too as he hasn't replied to me since Wednesday. I'm just bored now; I literally had nothing to do.
"Maybe I should go for a run in the park or something?" I considered. The weather was warmer, I had my inhaler if I needed it. I was trying to get back into shape, so yeah, going for a light jog sounded like a good idea right now. By the time I got back, I could figure out dinner, and then need to decide how to spend the rest of my Saturday. I got up from the couch and went to change my clothes into something better for a jog, I made sure I had my things and headed out of the apartment complex.
. . .
(3:45 pm)
(Park)
I decided to walk to the park and after a small, quick stretch, I started along the path in a light jog. My mind wandered about the last three days while I kept my eyes forward. It was summer now, the park was filled with people. Some running, some walking, others playing or having picnics. Everyone still minding the social gathering and distancing rules, of course. It was good to see that things had somewhat returned to normal. After nearly an hour of jogging, I heard my music get interrupted as I lifted my arm where my phone was in a holder, and answered the call, but kept along my moving.
"Hello?" I asked.
"Hi, son," I heard my father reply.
"Hey, Dad. What's up?" I inquired.
"Wondering where you are because you're not here," Dustin chuckled.
I blinked a few times and slowed to a walk. "What do you mean not there?" I wondered.
"At the beach? Where the Fourth of July party is…Like it has been every year, hosted by the mayor?" My father explained, seeming confused that I'd forget about it. I knew there was always a party, but with the pandemic, I figured it counted as an event with too many people. "Did you forget what today was?"
"No. I assumed it was off because of the pandemic and your social gathering limits." I told him.
"Why would you assume that, dear? We've been messaging you since this morning to remind you…" My mother chimed in now.
"I haven't gotten anything from you two since Thursday when you asked what I was up to and I told you sitting around watching TV. No one said anything to me otherwise," I muttered, trying to catch my breath from the jogging.
"Why are you out of breath?" Mom asked.
"Because I was jogging in the park when you called. I'm still in the park…"I informed.
"Oh! Well, hurry up and get here. We're waiting for you, this party started at 3 pm, son." Dad laughed a bit and I heard others laughing in then background. "Everyone else is already here,"
I grumbled something about knowing why they were waiting on me, it was obviously for music. I wasn't really in the mood for a party at the beach. I wanted to see Hunter, but I was always expected at big events like these. The chances of me getting out of it were only if I were sick. I sighed heavily. "Fine." I huffed.
"Why do you sound angry?" Mom questioned.
"Don't worry about it." I replied.
"No, no…Come on. Talk to mom. What's wrong?" Mom tried again.
"Ma, I said don't worry about it." I repeated.
"Okay…How long until you get here?" My mom said in her tone that suggested she didn't believe me, but would let it go for now.
"I get there when I get there," I ended the call and sighed some. I suppose I shouldn't have made it sound like I was getting annoyed, even though I was. How was I supposed to know the event was still on? No one messaged me, or checked that I got their messages. Now, I gotta rush home, shower, change, and get to the place. I picked up in my jog again to reach the spot that would take me along my path to get home.
. . .
(5:00 pm)
(Beach)
It took more time than I thought to leave the park, and then get home. Once there, I grabbed my change of clothes first, and set them on the bed before going to shower. What took some time was that I needed to shave, I didn't realize how scruffy I was until I saw myself in the mirror after getting out of the shower. Once all that was done, I got dressed and gave my phone a little bit to charge more while I took care of my hair and teeth. I grabbed everything I needed and headed to the beach, but there was traffic, so it took a bit longer than I expected it would. Finally, I parked and made my way to where the event was being held.
"Tray's here!" My younger sister, Ava, announced cheerfully.
I really didn't want the attention on me, but whatever. It was already said I arrived and people were looking my way. I suppose I should put on the smile and act happy to be here. I glanced at the people around, most of them were friends of my parents or the boyfriend/girlfriend of one of my siblings. However, what caught my eyes was seeing my friends and Hunter with his parents and siblings present. Had my parents invited them all? I did see Blake among the group, but he appeared to be purposely trying to avoid eye contact. I'd talk to him later. As I reached the area more, my mother was first to wrap her arms around me in a hug.
"There's my eldest!" Mom beamed and kissed my cheek. "We were getting worried,"
"Why? I told you where I was," I replied as she stepped back and dad hugged me next.
"Thought you'd be coming right here after we called you." Dustin chuckled.
"I had to go home first," I informed. "I needed to shower, change clothes, and get my car."
"You didn't have your car at the park?" Dexter asked as I hugged him, then my twin siblings, and lastly Cole.
"I had originally walked to the park," I stated.
"Well, we're glad you're here now," Hunter stepped up to me, smiling. "That's what matters." We shared a kiss and hug, but then he moved to the side a bit so everyone else could come greet me.
With all that taken care of, we made it to our spots on the beach. The set up was to ensure everyone wasn't too close together, but enough that people could talk and mingling with others was allowed, as long as the group standing together didn't exceed twenty people and there was some distance between them. Those were dad's rules despite the Archipelago being Covid-19 free, precautions were still being taken. I certainly didn't mind because I never wanted to get that sick again, it was the worst thing I'd ever had to endure in my entire life. And the hard part to deal with was the breathing struggles, everything else felt like your typical flu, but more intense. Regardless, I'm here now and wondering what happened next. Party like usual, or was I going to be performing. I saw the music stuff here and set up.
"So what now?" I decided to ask.
"Are you…Up to performing with us?" Natalie wondered curiously.
How did I know that was coming? "Please?" Ava hoped.
Giving in, I didn't want anyone hounding me about what was wrong, so I'd just look fine and happy. "Totally up for it," I said.
"Yay!" Natalie and Ava cheered.
"Come on, guys! Let's get ready!" Erik rallied Cole and Dexter before the group of them headed for the make shift wooden stage. It was an old patio to a restaurant that closed down, but it kept the instruments out of the sand and away from the water.
As I was about to follow them, Hunter came up and grabbed my hand gently, then bringing it up to kiss the back of it. "Hi, handsome," Hunter smiled.
"Hi, babe," I returned the smile.
"I feel I have to apologize for the last few days," Hunter told me.
"Why? You haven't done anything wrong, Hunt." I replied softly.
"I left you in a hurry Wednesday night and been so busy, barely able to talk to you," Hunter frowned some.
"You rushed off because Greg got hurt, and you were busy the rest of the days helping your family move," I reminded. "I'm not going to get upset over that. I can't have you all the time," I smiled. "Remember, we talked about having to share," I laughed a little.
Hunter gave a smile again. "I know, but still. I feel bad…" He admitted. "I shouldn't have just left you like that on Wednesday…So I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to apologize for, babe…Greg is your adoptive father, and he got hurt. I'd have feared something was wrong with you if you didn't immediately rush off to be with him." I reassured. "After you left, I just made dinner, watched a little TV and crashed for the night. I guess you wore me right out," I admitted as Hunter hugged me. I felt a little role-reversal going on here, usually Hunter was the one comforting me. It felt strange to have him seem upset and trying to say he was sorry for taking off on Wednesday after we'd made love, he told me he loves me, and then Blake barged in. Or is Hunter acting this way because he knows what he said and I never responded because of the situation? Does Hunter think I'm upset that he confessed to loving me after sex? And we were interrupted by Blake? Then Hunter getting busy to help his family move from Berk to the city. Is Hunter thinking I don't feel the same, or upset with him because I haven't brought the situation up that he said confessed his love for me? "Everything is okay. Come on now, it's a party…Cheer up." I told him.
"I am cheered up just being able to see you tonight. I was worried when you didn't arrive with everyone else. I thought you might be upset with me because of what happened on Wednesday, I realize that the things which took place were…" Hunter paused as I wondered if he was going to bring up the confession. "Revealing and then for me to just take off after our moment was wrong." Hunter looked at me, I saw guilt in his eyes. "I should have asked if you were okay after everything, or wanted to talk…"
"What? No, no. I'm not upset with anybody, Hunter…" I paused. "Okay, maybe that Blake barged in and that my parents didn't confirm with me that the event was still happening. But I'm not upset with you, babe. I'm sure we…Would have talked about things if you hadn't rushed off to get to Gregory. Not that I hold it against you because it was a family emergency. Regardless, everything is fine. I'm not mad at you in any way." I reassured.
"I'm…Happy to hear that, but still. I've felt bad these past few days with us barely being able to talk after the fact I bailed on you as soon as Blake left and we got dressed. Family reason or not, it takes two seconds to check on someone…And I should have made sure you were alright after your older brother figure showed up unannounced to find us the way we were. I knew you were upset with him, and I shouldn't have just taken off the way I did without checking on how you were doing from that." Hunter explained.
Hunter's words took me by surprise. Hunter say anything about his love confession to me. Yes, I was shocked and mad that Blake burst through the door to find Hunter and I naked on my couch after having sex and still very much connected to one another, but…The event that really had me stunned speechless that I figured we'd need to talk about was the fact Hunter told me post sex while coming down from the orgasmic high that he loves me. Does Hunter not realize he said it? Or was he purposely not saying anything about it because he thought I didn't feel the same and didn't want to make things awkward. I wanted him to bring it up, just so I could get some clarification that I wasn't hallucinating and he really did say it! I didn't want to be the one to mention things in case that isn't what was said and I just thought I heard it because of the amazing moment we shared.
What was I supposed to respond with? Everything is fine? No big deal? I mean, I'm not mad at Hunter for not bringing it up. I guess I'm just…I don't even know what to call it. Let down? That seemed appropriate for the current moment. Let down could be used to express that Hunter felt guilty he didn't check on me after Blake showed up rather than mention he told me that he loves me. And it worked to show that maybe he never said it and I just wanted him to. It was a let down in either case, but if it wasn't being brought up…Then I guess I'll just let it go unless something comes up where I should worry about it.
"It's fine, baby. Don't worry about it, you were rushing and while I'm not thrilled Blake came barreling through my apartment door…I'm sure he didn't mean to; he seemed overly excited to tell me something and wasn't thinking to knock first. I don't hold grudges, I'm over it." I shrugged with a smile.
"Okay, now I feel better." Hunter smiled wide. "I felt like I had to bring it up tonight, despite the event, because I heard your mom mention you seemed annoyed or upset. I thought it was due to me taking off a few days ago, and that I should try to fix things right away."
"No, no. The mood my mom picked up on was over them not checking with me about this event. If they sent me messages, but I didn't respond to them…Chances are I didn't see or receive them. And I don't like being rushed either, which is exactly what happened when they called and told me to hurry and get here…" I explained. That was the truth, that is why I was annoyed.
"Thank the Gods," Hunter sighed in relief. "Now that all that is cleared up…Care to enjoy the night with me? Maybe we can continue it beyond the party at mine or your place?" He hoped.
As I was about to answer, Natalie rushed over and grabbed my arm to pull me with her. "Nat!" I said, holding my stance. "What are you doing?"
"Come on, we've got everything set up! Time to perform!" Natalie giggled. I looked to Hunter, who I knew wanted to spend time with me. I didn't want to just abandon my boyfriend after he asked me to be with him tonight.
"Go on," Hunter chuckled.
"But I thought you wanted us to enjoy the night together?" I asked.
"You won't be performing all night, babe. And like you said, have to share," Hunter teased with a smile. "Go on and perform. I think I'll enjoy seeing it again and then we can have moments together in between the shows. Go ahead," He reassured.
"Okay, guess we'll pick up our moment later," I nodded and then gave in, walking with Natalie to the stage to get ready.
After all that, I wasn't really in the mood to do anything anymore. I just wanted to go home, but I was already here and everything thinks I'm okay. I might as well get this night over with.
