Through The Ups & Downs
Couple; HarrisonXAddilyn
Rating; Mature
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD or any songs I might use! Also, from this point in the story and in future chapters, I do not own the character; Ella(Eira) Solveig. She belongs to my good friend, ShadowSpirit020.
16) Flight To Their Feelings
{Normal POV}
[Friday, August 7, 2015]
Harrison and the rest of the Wind Rider Platoon had been in Kuwait for three and half months; it was now the beginning of August 2015. Harrison couldn't believe so much time had passed since they had arrived here in April. In October they would get to leave Kuwait, but not go home as they had to return to the US again for reasons still unknown. Harrison was spending all his free time either teaching the Americans basic dragon knowledge, sleeping, relaxing, or calling home. Harrison ended up missing the graduation of his friends Addilyn, Frankie, Regina, and TJ from High School.
Harrison did call each on Skype and congratulate them for finishing High School, Syrus had joined him for that call too. Harrison knew Addilyn was extra quiet because she wanted to know if Harrison returned her feelings or not. In truth, Harrison could say with almost 85% certainty that he didn't return Addy's feelings and that was because he felt something for Briana, the friend he made in April when he started teaching her about the dragons. Harrison could say that he liked Briana a lot because she gave him butterflies and her smile made his day. When Harrison thought back to being in Addilyn's presence, he didn't get those feelings with her, so that was all the proof he needed to know that he didn't reciprocate Addy's feelings.
Over that last three months, a lot had happened but nothing tragic except for one person in the platoon getting killed. Cody Hart, twenty-one and had been bonded to a male Gronckle called Crusher. Cody was shot twice in the chest, the second one pierced his heart, and he died within seconds of being hit. Cody's bonded Gronckle sought comfort with Blake Garrett, Cody's battle buddy and those two ended up bonding too. Harrison and Briana were spending a lot of time together, talking like besties almost. Texting, Skyping, taking long walks and enjoying meals together. Trevor, Syrus, and Dexter constantly teased Harrison about his apparent crush on the platinum blond girl with violet eyes, yet, Harrison didn't deny it one bit, but he wasn't making any moves on her because Harrison didn't know if Briana like him the way he liked her.
Also, Harrison was secretly teaching Briana more about the dragons than anyone else learned. Harrison informed Briana on the laws of ownership and training; he even talked about how the bonding process could go if she ever got the chance to do so. Briana admitted that when she got back home, she was going to sign up for the dragon training program to try and bond with a dragon. Harrison hoped she would get to because it was an amazing feeling to have a forever friend who might have been a different species but understood you like no other did. Harrison wanted to go on leave to see his family and friends, but at the same time, he didn't because he wouldn't get to see Bri(Pronounced as 'Bree'), his nickname for her. As Nate did, Briana also called Harrison, Harry.
Tonight, Briana and Harrison were going to enjoy eating dinner together in the mess hall since Harrison had a 4 am to 4 pm guard shift, and Briana did an all night patrol from 6 pm to 4 am last night into the morning. Briana got some sleep while Harrison was on his guard, and Harrison would sleep early tonight, but for the time being over dinner, he was spending his time with Briana.
"So, Harry. I've known you since April, and I don't think I know anything about your life before the army," Briana smiled at him.
"Eh, I'm nothing special," Harrison shrugged casually.
"Oh, come on," Briana shoved him playfully with a laugh.
"I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours?" Harrison offered.
"Deal. You first," Briana invited.
"Well, I was born February 29th, 1996," Harrison began. "I was a premature baby; my mother had been due to having me in April of '96. I was born at Berkville Memorial Hospital on Arc Isle at 5:20 am on a Thursday. I've lived in Berkville all my life and made good friends in the fifth grade. Uh, Addilyn, Frankie, Regina, TJ, and Syrus even. Regina and TJ are identical twins, and the two of them are a riot to be around,"
"Sounds like it," Briana took a bite of her mashed potatoes.
"My Mom, Viviana, is the principal of the Berkville Academy and Dad, Spencer, is the Chief of Police. My little brother Nathaniel or Nate as he prefers to be called wants to grow up to be like me, but I told him he has plenty of time to decide what he intends to do with his life and not to rush growing up," Harrison chuckled a little.
"He sounds like a cutie," Briana giggled as Harrison got out his phone to show her a picture of Nate, then his parents and friends, pointing out each person by their picture. "They look like a lovely group of people, Harrison," she added.
"I hope you can meet them one day. My folks have already said that if I'm in the US too long, they'll fly out to see me," Harrison laughed, the sad thing was that it was entirely accurate and his parents would do it; especially if he was going to miss Thanksgiving and Christmas. "My younger years were simple if it can be said that way. Just focused on school and playing a sport or two in the summer. Reaching High School, I stuck with Basketball because I love it. I always considered the guy who had everything he could ever want so no one understood why in the name of Thor I would drop out of school, and join the army,"
"I suppose I'm wondering the same thing," Briana inquired with a tilt of her head.
"The easiest answer I can give you is that I want to protect everything I have. You know? I've got great parents, a little brother, awesome friends. I adore my home island and all the people residing there in the city or different towns. Sure, I had it made because my parents make great money, we have a big house, all four of us have dragons. Well, Nate is just taking care of my Terrible Terror, Sharpshot, but you get the idea. Everyone is right, I have a perfect life but what good is it to have all that if it's not safe because of these wars?" Harrison explained.
"I understand, Harrison and that's a wonderful reason to have joined the military. I admire it," Briana admitted. Harrison fought the desire to let a blush creep onto his cheeks after she said that. "I assume you don't ride Toothless everywhere, so do you have another means of transportation?"
"Well, I have my truck," Harrison smiled.
"Ooh, I like trucks! Details?" Briana's face practically lit up with excitement. Harrison couldn't help but laugh a bit at how happy she looked.
"It's a 2014 Chevy Silverado. Lifted, black outside, gray inside. I might have some pictures of it," Harrison informed as he started scrolling through his phone and found some shots of the outside and inside.
"That is a sexy truck, Harrison," Briana giggled.
"Hey, you ever come visit me on Arc Isle, I'll take ya off roading in it," Harrison offered. "Grab some friends, have a bonfire out in the woods. Thinking it'll be a fun time, Country Girl," he winked.
"I'd like that," Briana said, now the two were smiling and staring at one another.
"Um, so what about you? What's your story, Milady?" Harrison asked as Briana arched a brow. "Sorry, that's just...kind'a my thing I say to cute girls I know,"
"You think I'm good looking?" Briana arched became bashful now.
Harrison froze a moment, not sure how to respond. However, as he saw it; this was a chance to flirt. Harrison shook his head. "No, you aren't cute at all," he paused with a soft smile, "I think you're beautiful," Briana's blush grew.
"Well, I believe that you're pretty handsome yourself there, Harrison Haddock," Briana replied after she found her voice. "That's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me, so thank you for making my day, well, evening now," she added gently.
"You're welcome, Bri. Do I get the pleasure of knowing more about you?" Harrison wondered.
"Oh, I suppose I could tell you a little about boring me," Briana teased.
"I find you fascinating," Harrison urged.
"If you insist," she said, and the two laughed then relaxed a little. "Alright, uh, I was born on April 14th, 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia at 1:47 am on a Friday. I have two younger siblings; Jasmine who just turned thirteen this past March, and then my brother, Alexander, seventeen but turning eighteen in December. My parents are Carter and Mia Grayson. Mom is in the US Marines, the rank of Staff Sergeant and works as Emergency Room Nurse. And Dad is a Drill Sergeant at Fort Jackson. My siblings usually look after one another while Mom and Dad are working," Briana began.
"Must be crazy having both parents and you in the military," Harrison pointed out.
"It was at first, but the military made it, so Mom and Dad never went on deployments at the same time, so they were never worried about having to find sitters for my siblings or me," Briana enlightened.
"Ah, that's good then. So, how was school years for you?" Harrison asked.
"Decent. I maintained a B and C average through Middle and High School. I graduated and then was sworn into the Army on July 7th, 2014. I think I started Basic on August 8th. After AIT had ended November 8th, we learned about the deployment here as our stationing orders. We left December 6th," Briana shrugged a little while finishing her water bottle off.
"I never graduated, hell, I joined the Army almost two months after my eighteenth birthday in April 2014," Harrison smiled.
"How did you swing not graduating High School? Are the laws for joining the military different on your island?" Brana wondered curiously.
"A little. See, when we start school is different from yours. I think in the US, you all start school when you're five-years-old, right?" Harrison asked, and Briana nodded.
"Yeah, as long as we're five by the time the school year starts, we enter Kindergarten," Briana confirmed. "But I started at six, no clue why, though," she added.
"Well for Arc Isle residents, we start Kindergarten at seven-years-old. Weird, I know. So, we graduate around eighteen or nineteen depending on birthday. I never made it to Senior year. I turned eighteen four months before the end of Junior. So, due to being an adult, I was allowed to join. You don't need a diploma or GED to do so, just have to be eighteen or older and pass the necessary subjects test they issue. It's like a mini GED, something to make sure we know the things we need to," Harrison explained.
"Oh, I see now!" Briana nodded understanding.
"On my timeline then, you joined the Army when I started Basic," Harrison chuckled.
"And you had BCT, AIT, and DT, right?" Briana inquired.
"That's right. All my training finished October 21st, 2014. And we stationed in the US on the 29th of December, so I guess we just missed seeing you all before you left," Harrison pointed out.
"Well, we met here," Briana reminded.
"And boy am I glad we did. I enjoy the time we spend together," Harrison admitted.
"Me too. So, where do we go from here, Harry?" Briana asked.
"What do you mean?" Harrison wondered, unsure of how to take her words.
Briana giggled. "We finished our food, more people are coming, and it's getting louder. Do you want to go maybe walk around and talk more?"
Harrison thought about what Briana said; taking a walk did sound nice, but he knew something that would be much better. "How about a fly before it gets dark?" Harrison inquired as Briana quirked her brow in curiosity.
"I, uh, don't have a dragon, Harrison, but that would be amazing if I could be up there," Briana replied with a smile. Harrison got up and cleared hers and his trays of food, then offered his hand to bring her to her feet.
"Follow me," Harrison instructed as Briana nodded and walked with Harrison out of the mess hall then towards the stables. Upon arriving, Toothless began jumping around excitedly. "Ssh, bud," Harrison eased him to relax. Harrison got Toothless saddled and led him out, then got on his back before offering his hand to Briana. "Do you trust me, Bri?"
"I-I do, but...what are we doing?" Briana puzzled.
"Going flying. What does it look like? Come on," Harrison invited.
"Are we allowed to do this?" Briana asked nervously.
"No one said we couldn't. Get on; I wanna show you something I get to see every night," Harrison smiled. Briana grabbed his hand and got on Toothless's back, then wrapped her arms around Harrison's waist. "Sky, Toothless," the Night Fury wasted no time taking to the air. Harrison was going to show her the sunset from on the back of a dragon, it was a sight to see, and he wanted to share it with her. Getting into the sky at the right level, Toothless hovered and faced the direction of the sunset on the horizon.
"Oh. My. God. It's...breathtaking," Briana breathed out as she laid her chin on Harrison's shoulder, taking it all in around her.
"I know right?" Harrison smiled. After it was over, Harrison prepared to take them back to the ground.
"Harrison, wait a moment before we land," Briana stopped him as Harrison blinked a few times. "Look. I know you like me, it wasn't hard to miss your apparent flirting earlier," she started, and Harrison stiffened a little. "I think you should know that I like you too," Harrison turned to face her carefully so she wouldn't fall off Toothless, his eyes wide with shock. Briana knew that he liked her and she returned the feelings. "So, before we go back to the ground, I wanted to know where we take this?"
"Well, I mean, it's my understanding that if two people feel the same way, then they typically start dating. I-Is that...something you would want to do, Briana?" Harrison asked gently.
"It is, Harrison. I just worry if it would work out while we're here and all?" Briana replied.
"The military on both sides isn't opposed to relationships as long as there's nothing intimate going on. I believe such acts are saved for off the clock and in one's home," Harrison responded. "I think we'd be okay as long as we're still doing our work and nothing too...distracting," Harrison stated.
"So, stay professional in public, focused during work, and keep it simple?" Briana questioned.
"Exactly. And after the tour ends, we'll figure something out. For now, let's just enjoy what we got," Harrison smiled at her, and she returned it.
"I'm down with that. Are we together now?" Briana inquired with a hand on Harrison's shoulder.
"I'd say we are," Harrison nodded. In agreement of their newly established relationship as a couple; holding the titles of boyfriend and girlfriend to one another, Harrison faced Briana enough to kiss her softly. When the kiss ended, both blushed and returned to ground level just before their friends arrived. Harrison quickly got Toothless putaway, promising a longer flight in the morning as Harrison and Briana acted like nothing was different. For the time being, they weren't going to make their relationship public and just see how it went to start.
Briana and Harrison decided to retire to their barracks for the night, Briana's was one over from Harrison's, she was on the first level and on the side that faced the stables too. As they were clear of the others, they shared another small kiss before saying good night because it really had been an incredible one. All it took was one flight for their feelings to be admitted and them to start a relationship together. As Harrison and Briana labeled the end of their night; it was a flight to their feelings.