The Journey Into Us

Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating:
M for Mature

Disclaimer:I do not own anything HTTYD-related.

Chapter 66

=Trayden's POV=
(Sunday, 8/30/2020; 5:30 am)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Trayden's Apartment)

I severely disliked being awake before the sun rose, even more so when I had a long night and couldn't sleep well. I had work last night from 4 pm to 11:30 pm. I only did my usual stuff of monitoring the show. I was originally going to be at Hunter's place, but around 3:15 pm, I'd developed a bad headache and told Hunter I was going to stay home. If I had gone, it would have been loud, and I'd have suffered more. Staying at my house allowed me to watch everything in silence, but I did keep the sound on and low, for the sake of listening to potential issues with the music that the dancers were using. I was able to keep my lights dimmed, and stay relaxed on the couch. The hard part of last night was after work when I tried to sleep. I just couldn't get comfortable to fall asleep, or I'd end up waking if I had managed to fall asleep. I hated nights like these, rather, early mornings. It's 5:30 am now and I've about given up on going to sleep again because the sun would come up in about an hour. What sucked more was that I still had a headache. I've taken meds for it, but it just dulls the pain for a little while. I'm already prepared to deal with the fact today is going to blow with me running on a little sleep and unable to get rid of this headache.

I'm currently just sitting on the couch, upright and with a blanket over my lap. I had the TV on, watching the news for weather and other updates regarding the Archipelago. Sometimes there was stuff about the rest of the world, like the Coronavirus pandemic, as one example. It was still a thing, but most countries had it under control now. I've seen that the USA isn't doing so great. For us, we're doing alright. My father's measures are holding steady and ensuring that we don't get overrun by this virus again. Still wearing masks, certain amount of people in stores at a time, social gathering was set based at the type of event, and we still had required testing for those coming into the Archipelago. Those positive were sent right to isolation, and those who could have been exposed into quarantine. So despite the virus free thing we had a few months ago, it didn't stay that way for too long. We got a quick handle on it, so hopefully, we could keep it contained. I certainly never wanted to have it again, and I've heard stories where people have caught COVID-19 a second time, and the results have varied, but most say it's worse.

Everything with my family and friends is good. Hunter and I are doing great, and seem stronger since that 4th of July party where I told Hunter that I love him in response to three days before when he said it to me after we made love. I still can't believe we've been together for seven months as of two days ago on the 28th. To me, it still feels like a little time has gone by. Hunter and I definitely enjoy our dates, and the one or two times a week we have sex. We were doing it three times a week, but things got a little busy when my dad switched the reopening phase we were in. Mostly everything is open again, except places that can hold a lot of people. Wild Fantasies, unfortunately, fell in that category. I believe Gregory is trying to work with my father about opening the building again, but if it can meet the current guidelines for health and safety amidst the pandemic. I'm just glad that things are working out and wondered what my day would be like today. I'm sure I'd hear from Hunter when he woke up to ask if I was alright from last night. Our last messages were right before I went to bed, and had told him he headache was getting worse.

I guess I'd just have to wait and see how my day would go.

. . .

(9:45 am)

My morning, so far, has been boring. I stayed on the couch until about 6:35 am before I decided to get up and make coffee. After the first cup, I went to shower, and then made breakfast with another cup of coffee. By the time all this was done, it was probably 8:00 am. I had already cleaned everything up, tidied the apartment, and currently had a small load of laundry drying. It would finished by 10:15 am, and once I got it folded then put away; I had no idea what I'd do. I haven't heard from anyone yet, so I assume that they might be working, for those who did days shifts. I'm surprised I haven't heard from Hunter yet either, he was usually one of the first people to message me in the morning. The part that sucks for me right now is that I'm tired, but can't sleep. I did try after putting the clothes in the dryer, but nothing. I sighed heavily, closing my eyes, and laying my head back so it was facing the ceiling. Maybe I should find something to do with my day? Anything had to be better than sitting around, tired, but unable to sleep. I'd wait until laundry was done, then maybe I'd go out and stroll around the city within range of my apartment complex.

. . .

(1:15 pm)
(Park)

My wandering around has ended up with me in the park. I'd been walking since 11:00 am when I had finished laundry and decided to head out. I had my phone, wallet, and keys. I also made sure to have my inhaler and a water bottle. I didn't have a destination, just wanted to get out of the apartment where fatigue was trying to put me to sleep even though I wouldn't knock out. Around noon, I grabbed lunch for myself; just a cheeseburger and side of fries. I sat outside of the place to enjoy the food and then went back to walking when done. Somehow, I've reached the park and figured I'd keep along the walker's path. After this, I'd likely go home. Maybe I'd walked enough to get a nap in before dinner and relieve some of this tiredness. I still had a headache too. I haven't heard from anyone either, and I found that strange. Guess everyone was working or busy. I sighed and continued along the path.

Soon it was 2:05 pm, and I figured it was time to head home. I wanted to try napping again. I yawned as I walked by a group of guys who were standing around and smoking. One of them whistled at me to get my attention, I ignored it.

"Hey. Hey, don't walk off," One said, moving in front of me to block my path. "We just wanna talk," He smiled.

"That's nice and all, but I have somewhere to be." I replied calmly. I didn't, but I was getting bad vibes and where I currently was in the park was a place that was a bit hidden and not often used. Most came through just to walk on the path, but never stayed.

"Aw, come on. Surely you can spare a few minutes?" The guy tried.

"Sorry, but I'm already running behind. Can you please step aside?" I asked.

"Sure, but for a price," The male chuckled. I rolled my eyes. "Just a small kiss, right here," He pointed to his lips.

"Gonna have to pass. I don't kiss strangers," I revealed. Though, I did kiss Hunter the night of our thank you date. "And I have a boyfriend,"

"He doesn't have to know," The male wiggled his eyebrows at me.

"Bet we could make you happier," Another suggested, I glanced to see that another one of the group had moved behind me. A third was next to him, also behind me.

"I doubt this." I remarked.

"You haven't even seen or felt what we can do, so how can you doubt?" The first male inquired.

"Because I'm not interested. Kay? Now, will you move?" I stated.

"Come on, why don't you give us a chance?" I felt one of the males behind me set a hand on my hip, then the second male back there ran his hand from my lower back over my butt. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, then let it out before I stepped forward slightly and shifted to the left to get away from the guy in front of me.

"Second time…I'm not interested. I'm not into guys who think they can have whatever they want, nor keep their hands to themselves after I've said I'm not interested and also taken." I retorted as I started walking again. Not more than a moment later, I felt the back of my light jacket get grabbed and I was yanked backwards. I lost my footing and ended up on my backside with a grunt.

"We didn't say we were done with you!" An angry male voice remarked. I looked to see the five males around me, two held my arms and dragged me off the path. I struggled and tried to get free, but it was hard to fight two people who had my arms.

"Let go!" I demanded. "Do you have any idea who I am!?" It wasn't often I pulled my son of the mayor card, but it usually worked if I was being harassed by people.

"We don't care." One said. Once I was dragged to wherever they wanted me, the two holding my arms kept them pinned down on the ground.

"Teach him a lesson," The guy who had cut me off my path grinned. One male shoved a rolled up bandana in my mouth and then two laid into me. Mainly going for my sides or stomach, there were a few hits to my face. After ten minutes, it stopped and all I really felt was pain. "Now…We can have a little fun," I saw him crouch down, running his hand up my leg. My eyes widened and I tried to struggle again, but the others were holding. The guy's hand stopped at my crotch and giving it a squeeze before he used both hands to work my belt unlatched, and then the button of my pants. The male dragged the zipper down and went to slide his hand down into my pants. I felt tears in my eyes as he touched me. "Aw, don't cry…It won't hurt for long," He smirked, leaning over to kiss me. Only briefly moving the bandana to do it. I bit his tongue when I felt it enter my mouth. The guys shifted back, glaring. "Still feisty? You won't be after this! Turn him over,"

I quickly shook my head and continued struggling; they managed to roll me on my front and the guy started to pull my pants down. I felt my pants moving slightly; I cried hearing the males snicker and egg their friend on to fuck me good. I was going to end up raped, and probably by all of them. As I felt my underwear begin to shift, a baseball hit the ground and rolled towards me. "I'll get it!" I heard a child's voice call.

"Shit…" One guy cursed. "We need to bail, now!" And just like that, they quickly let go and darted off. Tears were still falling from my eyes as I laid there, but managed to curl into myself, and shook with fear of what almost happened to me. I couldn't think. As I laid there, the child searching for their ball came into view.

"Tray?" I managed to look at who said my name. It was a child, male, and none other than Hunter's little brother, Nathan. "Why are you laying on the ground?" He asked. "Are you okay?" I still shook. "I'll get you help,"

"Did you find the ball, son?" That was Salvatore's voice.

"Dad! Mom!" Nathan waved to get their attention. "Someone is hurt!" I wasn't really paying attention, I just laid there, still trying to process what happened. Not more than a few moments later, I saw Hollie rush forward to her brother. Next was Salvatore and Valarie to arrive; they recognized me right away.

"Oh my Odin!" Valarie gasped. "Trayden, dear…What happened?" She dropped to her knees to try and touch me, I flinched back. "It's okay…Ssh, I'm not going to hurt you…" She tried again. I was still shaking, but I think she was trying to look over me. After a few moments, Valarie tensed a little and looked to her husband, motioning for him to come over.

"What's wrong?" Salvatore inquired. Valarie whispered something to him and he moved back in shock, looking at me, then back at her. "I'll call the police. And then we should call Hunter to get a number for Rachel or Dustin…"

"Kids, you stay right there," Valarie told them. "I'll call Hunter, you call the authorities…" She stated in reply to Salvatore. "Everything will be alright, sweetheart…You're safe now," She soothed to me, I just cried silently, shaking. Valarie set her phone to her ear, waiting a few seconds. "Hunter…I need Rachel or Dustin's number, now, please?" She asked, sighing and looking down slightly. "Because I need to call them for Trayden…He got attacked at the park, your father is calling the police," There was a slight pause. "Son, I don't know what happened. But right now, I need to get ahold of his parents and let them know." She closed her eyes. "We're in the hidden spot along the walking path. Again, I don't know what happened to Trayden; we found him lying on the ground, holding himself and shaking. He looks pretty beat up, and scared…Your brother is the one who found him while fetching a baseball, and called for us to come over…" Valarie glanced over at me. "Hurry then, and do not forget to call his parents. I love you, bye,"

"He's rushing here, isn't he?" Salvatore wondered. Valarie nodded softly. "The cops our on their way too," He informed.

"Come on, dear…Let's sit up," Valarie suggested to me, trying to coax me up, but not too hard. I gave in and slowly moved to sit upright, she sat beside me and had her arm around my shoulder. I still shook and held myself with my knees to my chest.

I hadn't kept track of how long went by before I spotted officers coming towards us, there were four and it appeared two paramedics right behind them. The EMT's came towards me, it appeared to be a male and female. The cops were all males. When they all came too close, I hid myself more, shaking harder. "Easy now…Slow down when you approach him. He flinched away when my wife got too close at first," Salvatore stated.

"Understood. Are you the one who called for help after finding him?" One officer asked.

"My son found him. He recognized Trayden right away," Salvatore replied.

"You know him?" A different officer inquired.

"Yes, of course. He's our older son's boyfriend…His name is Trayden Raseri," Valarie said.

"The Mayor's son?" The cop questioned.

"That's right. His parents should be on their way too, we had our oldest call them, and he is also coming." Salvatore mentioned.

"Alright, I'm going to need you both to tell me exactly how you came into this scene…And we'll need to talk to your son who found him too. Please? Just a few small questions for the report,"

"We'll give you whatever we can…But I believe Trayden is the only one who knows what happened," Salvatore enlightened.

"These officers will be talking to Trayden," The man motioned to the ones on his right, and they nodded, going closer to me. I tensed up and ended up moving into Valarie's arms more.

"Ssh…You're okay, Trayden…These people just want to help find who did this, and make sure you're okay…" Valarie comforted.

"Mom! Dad!" A voice yelled, I peeked to see Hunter running up. An officer blocked him off. "Hey, let me through…"

"He's okay!" Valarie reassured. "He's our older son, and Trayden's boyfriend…Where are Dustin and Rachel?"

The cop let Hunter through as I instantly sat up a bit more, wanting him to hold me. "On their way now, but coming from across the city, so it's gonna take them a bit. They just said to let them know if Trayden goes to the hospital or back home so they know where to see him at," Hunter told them as he moved closer to me. "Here, watch out, Mom," He said gently as his mother moved and Hunter took her place. As soon as his arms were around me, I started crying more with my face in his chest.

"We need to know what happened here," An officer stated.

"Just…Step back for a few minutes and let me calm him down. Believe me…I want to know what happened too, but he's not gonna talk all worked up like this," Hunter informed. The officers and paramedics nodded, and stepped away to give me some space.

I clutched Hunter's shirt tightly and sobbed lightly, I felt him rubbing my shoulders and trying to calm me. Hunter just kept soothing me, letting me know he was there and everything would be okay. I still couldn't believed what happened, what would have if that baseball hadn't rolled in and Nathan called that he was going to get it. I was beside myself, scared, and still shaking. I didn't want to talk about it, but I felt like it would be insisted that I did. I didn't want those guys to get away. I'd have to talk, but right now, I just wanted Hunter to hold me and hoped that I could calm down.