The Journey Into Us
Pairing: Hiccup X Toothless
Rating: M for Mature
Disclaimer:I do not own anything HTTYD-related.
Chapter 73
=Normal POV=
(Friday, 12/02/2022; 4:45 pm)
(Barbarchi City, Archipelago)
(Wild Fantasies)
Ten months had gone by since the night Hunter proposed to Trayden on their join birthday and thirteen months of dating one another. It felt like the days and months had dragged on to reach today, but it was finally here; the wedding of Hunter Forger and Trayden Raseri. At the moment, both males were getting ready in their separate spaces for the ceremony, then reception to follow. All guests had arrived and were just moving around to talk to one another, and also helping to make sure the last minute set up items were getting done. Gregory was in charge of everything, Hunter and Trayden hadn't trusted anyone else with the task, plus is was Gregory's room anyway. Yes, Hunter and Trayden had chosen to get married at Wild Fantasies, so Gregory had closed it to the public and made sure an announcement went out to customers that it was for Alpha Fury's wedding. That was the only way customers would understand why the business was closed on a Friday night. Planning this event had been fairly easy for Hunter and Trayden, they weren't guys who needed much to be happy and if they had wanted to, the whole wedding could have been planned in a day. The only reason it wasn't is because the males knew that their parents wanted to be part of things, and their friends too.
After the joint party for them, and then Hunter and Trayden enjoyed the rest of their night in private; the boys got started on a plan to live together. Trayden, obviously, moved into Hunter's house and it took just a few weeks to make the transfer of residences. Trayden started with letting the complex's housing office know that he was giving his thirty day notice to them about moving out of the apartment he was in. Over the course of a week, it was decided what would make the trip over to Hunter's house, and what would stay. Trayden figured to do the same thing that had been done for him in letting the next tenant of the apartment have whatever he left behind. Then the two weeks following is when Hunter, Trayden, and friends helped with the moving part. The final week of March 2021 involved doing an address change for Trayden's license, insurances, and other things. As of April 1st, 2021, Trayden was officially and legally living at Hunter's house.
Once the move was completed, Hunter and Trayden focused on working still and also planning their wedding. The first the males picked was the date, place, and time that it would happen; those were easy choices too. The place, Wild Fantasies, where they first met when Trayden returned Hunter's wallet to him. The time, 5:00 pm, as that was a good time to start for many weddings. And the date, December 2nd, 2022, which was today for the sake of commemorating the moment that Hunter and Trayden met one another for the first time. Everything else planned were basics; guest list, food, cake, music for special dances, what to wear, invitations, honeymoon, best men, flower girl and ring bearer. A lot of those were easy choices too, but for the sake of letting their mothers enjoy the whole process, Hunter and Trayden played along in having choices among different things, doing cake and wine testing, etc. Hunter would be wearing a black suit, while Trayden's was a mix of black pants and a dark gray jacket over an ivory shirt.
It took a lot of begging from his mom, but Trayden agreed to do the something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. So, the blue was Trayden's tie. The new was his pants, ivory shirt, and shoes. The borrowed was the jacket because it belonged to his father. The old was a gold tie clip that Trayden got from his grandfather, who had died years ago, but always wanted Trayden to have the clip to wear. And that was something Trayden told Hunter when the items he'd be using were discussed, Trayden had always used the tie clip with any suit he wore because it had been a gift from his grandfather when he was younger and first wore a suit. Hunter thought it was perfect and had a lot of meaning. Trayden chose Blake as his best man, but everyone saw that coming. For Trayden's groomsmen, he chose Dexter, Erik, and Cole. Hunter's best man was Gregory, and that was something everyone had seen coming too.
The man had taken Hunter in off the streets, and adopted him. Greg went above and beyond his original positions of Godfather and unofficial uncle. For groomsmen, Hunter picked Devon, Shane, and Fisher. Devon had always been like an older brother to Hunter, then Shane and Fisher were obviously Hunter's cousins. The ring bearer was Hunter's little brother, Nathan. The flower girl was Hunter's little sister, Hollie. Food chosen had been Hunter's request to have his special that Trayden made for him the first time Hunter stayed over at Trayden's old apartment and Trayden had made dinner for them, so Trayden wrote everything down and gave the recipe to the cooks of Wild Fantasies staff to make. And the cake was wasn't anything extravagant; a big, one layer, rainbow decorated cake with Congratulations Hunter and Trayden Forger written on it. Guest list was among the planning that took a couple days, but it was kept to family and friends. For the special dances, Trayden and Hunter would dance with each other, and then also with their mothers and sisters. Though Trayden would be dancing with Ava, and also, Natalie.
Hunter and Trayden would be going to Dragon Island for their honeymoon; it was a tourist hotspot due to it being a campground, resort, and amusement park. But for tonight after the reception, Hunter and Trayden were spending their first night as newlyweds at Archian Palace in the honeymoon suite. Hunter and Trayden would be honeymooning for two weeks, home just in time to settle and enjoy Christmas with their family and friends. When all the plans for today had been made, the rest was little things like seating chart, table centerpieces, colors, and final fittings in the last two months. However, the day had come, and it was just about time to start. Hunter was out first and already in his spot with Gregory, Devon, Shane, and Fisher.
"Ready, lad?" Gregory asked.
"I am," Hunter replied with a smile. "Is everything else set?"
"Yes, son…I got it taken care of," Gregory nodded, making sure Hunter's jacket and tie were straightened out. "You think I'd let anything go wrong to mess up your wedding day?" Hunter chuckled and shook his head. "I've never let you down before, I won't start now just because you're getting married and won't need me anymore," Gregory joked.
Hunter stared at his adoptive father for a moment, looking confused. "Why do you think I won't need you?" Hunter asked.
"You're all grown up now, laddie. Own a house, full-time job, getting married…And that marks you, in my eyes, officially grown up. I did my part by raising you, and this is the day I let you go so you can have your own life," Gregory informed.
"Greg…Just because I'm getting married doesn't mean you have to let me go. I might be all grown up, but it doesn't change that you're still the one who took care of me all these years and I'll never forget all the things you've done for me either." Hunter told him.
"I only took care of you after what your parents did," Gregory corrected.
Hunter shook his head. "No." Gregory looked at him, the old man showing sadness in his blue eyes. "Yes, you took me in at fifteen…But you've always been part of my life, Gregory. Remember, my legal Godfather, and unofficial Uncle Gobber?" Hunter smiled softly. "You've always taken care of me, even before my parents kicked me out at fifteen. They were always working, so I'd really only see them first thing in the morning and maybe an hour before I went to bed. I saw you and my friends more than my parents, and you were the one taking care of me," He stated. "You, who would babysit me when my parents worked. You, who picked me up from school for appointments. You, who was always waiting to get me off the bus and take me to your apartment. You, who took me to hang with friends, or playdates. You, who I basically lived with in the summer or on the weekends. You, who took me shopping for school supplies…And you did all that as my Godfather and unofficial uncle,"
Hunter paused as he saw tears in Gregory's eyes. "And when my parents did kick me out, you're who I called. I didn't message or call anyone else. You didn't ask any questions when you found me at the cove, just a simple I'm here now. Come on, laddie. Everything is going to be okay. You didn't take me back to my parents' house to make them reconsider, you didn't even call to scold them. You got me in your car, and we went to the city. Without a second thought, you took me in. You got me clothes, a phone, gave up your office…You got me the help I needed when you found out how depressed I was over what happened. You got me the job at the auto shop, and gave me the one here…You helped me find a place to live, buy, and fix it up. You're the one who helped me get my truck and car. You had my back when my parents showed up in my life again…" Hunter saw Gregory let the tears that had formed start slipping.
"You're even the one who called me over to the bar when Tray showed up to return my wallet when you could have just told him I was busy and you were my father and would give it to me…" Hunter managed a small laugh. "So you could say that you're the reason Trayden and I got to meet face to face on this day two years ago. You saw my interest spark when I met Trayden, you even teased me for getting distracted by him showing up. Okay? You didn't just raise me from fifteen, you've raised me all my life. I am who I am because of you. The man I am today is because of you. Everything and everyone in my life is because of you." Hunter felt like he might cry too. "Because you've always taken care of and been there for me. Loving and supporting me. I'd be dead without you, Greg. Just like Trayden, you're someone I can't lose and I refuse to…"
Hunter held Gregory's hands now. "This is not the day that you let me go because I don't want you to. I've always needed you and you've always been part of my life…Me getting married today does not change that. Nothing will ever change it because you're my father." Hunter promised.
"I'm just your Godfather and uncle, laddie…Your father is right over there, and he's in your life," Gregory motioned to Salvatore.
"No, Greg…That man over there is just the guy who helped create me. Blood-relation only, he's my father. And him, along with my mother, in my life is only for the sake of my brother and sister, to keep the peace. I haven't forgiven what they did. I sure as hell haven't forgotten either. It's not something I can let go, but I will push it back and play nice for my siblings, who don't deserve to get caught up in something they had no part of and weren't even here for. That's not fair to Hollie and Nathan. Regardless…You can't expect me to call him my father when he didn't act like one, and he lost the right to be my father when he kicked me out. When they both did. And who was there for me like always? You. It was you. It is still you. And it will always be you…" Hunter said firmly, Gregory was still crying.
"Until I turned fifteen, it was only out of respect that I called you my uncle, but you were the one I saw as my father. After I turned fifteen, you only made something I already saw you as official," Hunter paused. "When you took me in and legally adopted me as your son. When I became Hunter Forger, son of Gregory Forger." Hunter reminded. "And that's who I'm getting married as. Not Hunter Haddock, Hunter Forger. And Trayden is taking that name too, though he will legally be Raseri-Forger. So as I said…As my father, you will always be in and part of my life because I will always need you." He vowed.
Gregory wrapped his arms around Hunter and hugged him tightly, and Hunter returned the action. "I love you, son,"
"I love you too, Dad," Hunter replied. The two had their moment, and then let it end. Gregory wiped his eyes and composed himself quickly.
"How dare you get me all emotional!" Gregory remarked.
"Hey, it's a wedding and last I checked…Parents are always emotional and crying when they see their kids get married," Hunter chuckled.
"Hush you…" Gregory muttered, but smiled. "I'm proud of you, Hunter…Of everything you've done, and the man you've become…"
"I told you that it's thanks to you," Hunter smiled.
"Let's look alive people! One minute!" Gregory called out as he noticed the time was 4:59 pm.
Everyone quickly shuffled to their places as the clock struck 5:00 pm and an anxious silence fell over the room. Things began calmly with Hollie coming forward as flower girl, next were all Trayden's brothers, and then Blake. Last, it was Trayden, with his mother and father. Dustin was on Trayden's right, an arm over his son's shoulders and Rachel was on the left, her arm linked on Trayden's. The two Raseri parents led Trayden down the aisle to Hunter, Rachel lightly kissed Trayden's cheek, trying not to cry, and Dustin removed his arm after giving Trayden hug with a kiss on his forehead. Dustin and Rachel connected Hunter's and Trayden's hands before the two of them nodded as their blessing to giving their eldest son to Hunter to marry and care for. Dustin and Rachel went to sit down as Hunter and Trayden kept their hands together, staring into each other's eyes with nothing but love and happiness in them.
"Uh…Where's the officiant?" Devon decided to ask.
It was now that people realized that everyone was in place and ready to go, but the person marrying them was not standing in their position to do the ceremony. Hunter looked over to Greg. "Relax, son…I'll see what's going on. I promise that one way or another, you and Trayden will get married before today is over," Gregory reassured. Hunter nodded, trusting his word. Gregory stepped away from his position, getting his phone and dialing a number while he moved out of earshot to make the call.
"Since I haven't said it yet, you look amazing," Hunter complimented. Trayden blushed.
"You do too…First time I've ever seen you in a full suit," Trayden giggled. "It's either casual or nothing at all,"
"Oh, it'll be nothing later on…" Hunter grinned.
"I knew you were gonna say that," Trayden sighed, but kept his smile.
Everyone just kept to light talking as Gregory returned fifteen minutes later while sliding his phone away into his pocket. "So the officiant, was unfortunately, double-booked and never told. He's at another wedding that also started at 5 pm and they don't have anyone else who can do it," He informed. Hunter felt Trayden grip his hands a little tighter with worry that them getting married wasn't happening tonight. Hunter couldn't let Trayden down; they had to get married tonight. "I'm…Sorry, son…" Gregory looked down, feeling awful because he promised he'd find a way to make sure the wedding happened tonight, and right now, the only thing they needed was the person who could marry Hunter and Trayden.
"There's literally no one that can do it last minute?" Shane inquired. "Did you try other places?"
"I called everyone I could, but either there's no one available, or the offices are closed…" Gregory sighed some, then he suddenly got a look of deep thought on his face.
"What is it, Dad?" Hunter questioned.
"it's just that…I know in other parts of the world, mayors are permitted to marry people," Gregory stated. "I guess I was just wondering if maybe Dustin could do it, if he has that power as mayor of the Archipelago?" He added. Hunter and Trayden blinked a few times as they turned and looked at Dustin.
"Hey, Dad…" Trayden got his father's attention.
"Yes, son?" Dustin replied.
"Gregory said that in some parts of the world, mayors can legally perform a wedding…" Trayden started.
"We wondered if that's something…You can do?" Hunter finished the sentence Trayden had begun.
Dustin thought a moment, and rubbed his chin. "I actually have no idea, suppose I could make a few calls and find out," He finally said as he got his phone and stepped away from the gathering a bit.
Hunter could feel Trayden's nervousness and Hunter squeezed his hands. "Don't panic, love…All hope is not lost," Hunter reassured. Trayden smiled a little and nodded, believing Hunter's words.
Dustin returned about ten minutes later, but the look on his face didn't appear promising. However, Dustin ended up smiling at Hunter and Trayden. "I say we get you hitched because I've got the legal standing to perform a wedding," Dustin informed. Hunter and Trayden both let out the breath they'd been holding, Hunter smiled as Trayden also gave a smile, but looked like he was about to cry from joy. "It would be my pleasure and honor to marry you to one another," He added.
"Thank you, Dustin," Hunter bowed his head gratefully.
"You are welcome…Now, let's get this show on the road or we'll never get to celebrate!" Dustin laughed some as he took his place between Hunter and Trayden. "I admit, I've never done this…"
"It doesn't need to be formal, Dustin," Gregory enlightened. "As long as its them taking vows and exchanging rings in front of everyone, then your announcing it officially, it's legal," He added.
Dustin nodded to what Gregory said as Hunter and Trayden reset themselves to facing one another and still holding hands. "Welcome, family and friends, to the marital union of Hunter Forger and Trayden Raseri. Love is the reason we are here. Today, before all of you, these two will join their lives together as one and in this action, bring together two families." Dustin paused. "If anyone objects to this marriage…Well, keep your opinion to yourself and deal with it." The man shrugged with a smile.
"Father!" Trayden whispered harshly in shock.
"What, son? Do you really think anyone would dare stop this knowing my eldest is getting married?" Dustin inquired.
"It's fine, love…" Hunter chuckled gently. "If he hadn't said it, I would have,"
"Me too, actually," Blake put a finger up.
"Same," Dexter nodded.
"Agreed," Devon and Shane said in unison.
"I'd beat someone's ass," Rachel stated calmly.
"Mother!" Trayden paled.
"Trayden, it's a known fact, you don't mess with a mother's children," Rachel giggled. "I will stomp someone into their grave for even daring to think of ruining my children's happiness,"
Trayden really wanted to face-palm as Hunter moved in and pecked his cheek. "Calm down, handsome…Take it no one is against us being together, and everyone here will fight those who wish to interfere,"
"I suppose that's comforting," Trayden smiled now. "Carry on, Dad…" He invited his father.
"We'll start with vows, and I will make them quick," Dustin promised. "Trayden, do you swear by the Gods that you will always love and support Hunter through anything and everything until death do you part?"
"I do," Trayden vowed.
"Hunter, do you swear by the Gods that you will always love and support Trayden through anything and everything until death do you part?" Dustin asked.
"I do," Hunter swore.
"Then we'll move on to rings!" Dustin beamed. Nathan happily walked towards Hunter and Trayden, but Blake and Devon were the ones to untie the rings on the pillow and hold onto them. "Trayden, you first," Blake handed Trayden the ring for Hunter as Trayden held Hunter's left hand.
"Hunter, I give you this ring as a token of my love and a symbol of commitment to you. I promise to support, cherish, honor, stand beside, and love you forevermore." Trayden slid the ring onto Hunter's finger.
"Now, you, Hunter," Dustin instructed.
Hunter got the ring from Devon, and setting it to be pushed onto Trayden's finger, but Hunter's eyes never left Trayden's. "Trayden, I give you this ring as a token of my love and a symbol of commitment to you. I promise to support, cherish, honor, stand beside, and love you forevermore." He put the ring where it belonged, and also put the engagement ring back in place.
"Honored guests, you've all witnessed the promises made, and exchange of rings by these two lovers. Needing nothing more than our blessings for a happy marriage as we send them off to begin their journey as a wedded couple, it is my pleasure with the power granted to perform this ceremony as the mayor of the Barbaric Archipelago Islands, to announce Hunter and Trayden officially and legally married," Dustin smiled broadly. "I pronounce you husband and husband…"
Hunter and Trayden both looked at him, waiting. "Dustin, stop dawdling and teasing them!" Rachel demanded.
"I did my part!" Dustin defended.
"Oh, for the love of-," Gregory face-palmed.
"Tell them they can kiss!" The crowd shouted at Dustin.
"Oh! Oh…That part," Dustin realized. "I kind'a figured Hunter was just gonna do it before I said anything, so I didn't bother," Dustin shrugged.
"Since I have your permission," Hunter grinned as he moved one hand to Trayden's hip, and the other going up and around the back of the man's neck; he pulled Trayden in with their bodies pressed together and set his lips against Trayden's in a deep, loving kiss. Trayden obviously returned it with his arms going around Hunter's back while they enjoyed a little make-out session.
Everyone was cheering and clapping around them, but Hunter and Trayden were caught up in one another. It felt like the past ten months had dragged on, but they made it to today, and got married. Now, the rest of the night was sure to be a blast as the celebrated their marriage with family and friends.
