The Edge

Pairing; Toothless X Hiccup

Setting; Modern AU

Rating; M for Mature

Disclaimer; I do not own the HTTYD or any of the music that is used. Everything belongs to its original creator/artist!

8: Adult Life

=Ashley's POV=

[May 2012-Dreki Soul Café; Berk]

I couldn't believe it was May already! Five months into the New Year and everything was going perfectly for me. Zack Holt and I were dating; I've officially met his parents, and he's met mine. I was happy with him, and he apologized for the night we'd gone on a date, and he tried to pressure me into having sex with him. I forgave him and admitted that I wasn't a virgin, though I didn't tell him who I lost it to or that at one point I had a friend with benefits. I felt that it would complicate things or cause problems, so it was better not to bring it up at all. I'm still attending Arc State University for my teaching degree, Zack is too. Heather is almost will be done in June; poor thing was so stressed out with finals, thankfully, Ford was helping her out. The Thorston twins and Seth were still working their jobs, and all our lives were going amazingly right now. However, there was one friend we hadn't heard from since the New Year began:

Harvey.

Honestly, the last time I saw him was the day I broke our sexual arrangement to be with Zack in a relationship. The others hadn't heard from him since that night at the bar when we heard him perform on stage to control a rowdy crowd. It shocked all of us, including his parents; we never knew that Harvey could sing. Right now, my friends and I were sitting at Dreki Soul Café for our Sunday lunch day. We were making it appoint to try and hang out at least once a week.

"Have any of you heard from Harvey lately?" Seth decided to bring up the topic.

"Not since that night at the bar," Roslyn shrugged.

"I'm sorry, who is Harvey?" my boyfriend, Zack, asked. That's right, I never mentioned Harvey being our friend because well, Harvey wasn't making contact with us for a reason we didn't know.

"Harvey is an old friend of ours. We've been best friends since Kindergarten," Ford stated.

"I'm actually his cousin," Seth pointed out. "Uncle Sully and Aunt Vicky haven't heard from him in two months. I only know that because Aunt Victoria asked if we'd heard from him," he added afterward.

"And what's all this about a bar?" Zack inquired next. I sighed, I hadn't told him a lot of stuff yet because we're taking the relationship slowly.

"It's Dragon's Cove bar that is ten minutes from the University. Harvey has been working there since September 2010, he even lives in the apartment right above it. We go for the snacks and virgin drinks that Harvey makes for us," I told him gently.

"Oh! So, what's up with him?" Zack wondered.

"We haven't heard from him since New Years, we went to the bar to see him because he ended up having to work. That's the last time we saw him in person, so we're wondering if he's okay," Heather enlightened.

"Well, why don't you just go to the bar and see him?" Zack suggested casually. "No one has work or school tonight; let's just go there?"

"I suppose we could," Travis replied while looking at the others to see what they thought about the idea.

"Yeah, that's an excellent idea," Seth nodded in agreement.

"I'm down for it," Roslyn said.

"Same," Ford mentioned with a nod from Heather. "I guess the question is what time do we go?"

"Uh, I think earlier would be decent. We don't want to go when Harvey is busy," Heather reminded.

"Well, from what I remember, Harvey starts work at 4 pm, so maybe we should go around 5 or 6?" I offered. After everyone agreed on the time of 5:30 pm, we continued our lunch at the café and said our goodbyes until we met up again at the bar later.

=Normal POV=

[Dragon's Cove-5:30 pm-5/20/2012]

The time had come; the group of friends plus Zack, and Harvey's parents reached Dragon's Cove. Stepping inside the establishment, they saw that it wasn't terribly busy, but it appeared something was happening because there was staff there that they hadn't seen before.

"Harvey, your group just came in," Andrew mentioned. Harvey nodded as he stepped away from the stage where he had been setting up equipment, and then moved to his group.

"Hey, guys," Harvey greeted.

"Hi, son," Sullivan replied with a smile.

"Care to explain why we haven't heard from you in two months?" Victoria wondered.

"Not right now," Harvey stated softly, and then walked away from them, leaving them rather surprised at the fact he didn't look happy at all. The group slowly made their way to the back booths and filed in together while looking around to figure out what was going on. A lot of people were either bar staff or Marines.

"Is…it just me or does it seem like there's a sadness looming throughout the room?" Ashley asked looking at her friends, boyfriend, and Harvey's parents.

"It's not just you," Heather stated.

"Andy! All set up over here," Harvey called to Andrew.

"Thanks, Harvey!" Andrew replied as he made his way over the stage and Harvey handed him the microphone, then stepped down. "Alright, can I get everyone's attention up here for a second," he started as the music went quieter and everyone glanced at the stage. "First off, I want to apologize to all our loyal customers that we weren't open yesterday. We found out on Wednesday that one of our own is no longer with us; you might know him as Logan Bryant. Now, Logan was one of our bartenders who started working here when he was nineteen, started out as a server. Logan was an amazing friend to everyone who knew him, there wasn't anyone who didn't like him. However, among working here and being an excellent friend, he was also a son, nephew, grandson, husband, father of two, and a US Marine," Andrew continued.

The others in the bar seemed to look down, some started sniffling and crying or leaning their heads on someone else for comfort. "Logan was killed in action on Wednesday while serving overseas in Syria. Logan got deployed in January, right after the New Year and it was only supposed to be six months. We closed yesterday for the memorial and funeral. Logan is home now and laid to rest. However, this bar will not forget our fallen hero," Andrew finished as Kevin and Harvey brought over a covered picture, and together they hung it on a wall by the bar under a plaque that said In Loving Memory. The sheet came off as they were able to see a male who had a shaved head, but dark brown eyes standing in uniform in the picture with a small label that said; Specialist Logan Bryant. Following the next line down was; United States Marine Corps.

The group of friends now understood what was going on and why there was a profound sense of sadness permeating the building. The staff of the bar and what appeared to be fellow soldiers were holding a memorial for their fallen friend. Harvey was standing by the stage with Andrew as everyone was gathered around it.

"Here, here. Well said, Andy!" Kevin announced. "And all of us here who knew Logan know damn straight he wouldn't want us to mourn him. So, I say we all get a drink and have it for him,"

"Hell yeah!" a few of the soldiers cheered together.

"Yes, the soldiers and the bar staff will have one drink together for Logan. However, one thing needs to happen first," Andrew smiled as he handed the microphone to Harvey, who blinked in surprise. "You promised Logan you'd sing his favorite when he came home," Andy reminded while offering his hand to Harvey to bring him up on stage. Harvey took it as he was pulled up and Andy gave Harvey the microphone again.

"Alright, uh, Logan asked me before he left if I'd make something to represent the soldiers. Over the last five months, I've been working on something. I promised that it'd be ready when he came home, and…now that he is, well, I'm a man of my word. So, this is for you, Logan, and all the other brave men and women overseas fighting to keep us safe," Harvey said as the soldiers cheered with smiles. Harvey put the microphone down as he rushed upstairs to his apartment, grabbed what he needed, then returned and placed it in the Karaoke machine, which doubled as a CD player. (A/N; I do not own this song, the original artist is Otherwise. The song is called "We Are Soldiers.)

The music began with a guitar, then drums. Harvey stepped closer to the microphone. "It's time to strap our boots on, this is the perfect day to die. Wipe the blood out of our eyes," there was a pause for Harvey to take a breath and open his eyes. "In this life, there's no surrender, and there's nothing left for us to do. Find the strength to see this through," the soldiers were smiling wide as Andrew, and other members of the staff were passing out a double shot of Logan's favorite alcohol; Captain Morgan. "We are the ones who will never be broken. With our final breath, we'll fight to the death. We are soldiers. We are soldiers," Harvey sang.

"Woah. Woah. Woah. Woah. We are soldiers!" the music kicked up fast as the soldiers were having a great time, throwing their fists in the air. Harvey pulled the microphone off the stand, then jumped down in front of them. "I stand here right beside you. Tonight we're fighting for our lives. Let me hear your battle cry," he continued as the soldiers yelled out. "Your Battle Cry!" he smiled

"We are the ones who will never be broken. With our final breath, we'll fight to the death. We are soldiers. We are soldiers. We are the ones who will not go unspoken(not go unspoken). No, we will not sleep. We are not sheep. We are soldiers. We are soldiers. Yeah!" Harvey sang as a guitar solo kicked in, then things slowed down a bit as he got back on stage.

"We stand shoulder to shoulder. We stand shoulder to shoulder," Harvey continued as the soldiers began linking their shoulder together and swaying side to side. Even the staff of the bar did it. "We stand shoulder to shoulder. You can't erase us, you'll just have to face us," Harvey's voice got incredibly deep while those enjoying the song for the tribute to Logan were smiling.

"Everybody now!" Harvey called out. "We stand shoulder to shoulder. We stand shoulder to shoulder. We stand shoulder. You can't erase us, you'll just have to face us!" the crowd sang out with him, then there was a pause.

"We are the ones who will never be broken(never be broken). With our final breath, we'll fight to the death. We are soldiers. We are soldiers! We are the ones who will not go unspoken(not go unspoken). No, we will not sleep, we are not sheep. We are soldiers. We are soldiers. Yeah!" Harvey sang out with the others singing along with him.

"Woah! Woah! Woah! Woah. We are soldiers!" Harvey and the others held the note and then took a breath to keep going. "Woah! Woah! Woah! Woah. We are soldiers!" the music lessened as everyone was smiling wide and trying to catch their breath, but Harvey wasn't. "Woah! Woah! Woah. Woah. We are soldiers," the music cut as everyone erupted into applause for the performance. Harvey took a few deep breaths as Andrew smiled and came on stage, handing Harvey a shot.

"What's Andrew doing? Harvey's not twenty-one!" Victoria screeched. "Sullivan, do something," she shook him.

"I am, Vick. I'm letting Harvey have one drink in honor of his friend. It's not like a shot will hurt him. Andrew didn't give him a double like everyone else, Harvey only has half. It's fine, Vick. Let the boy be, I'm sure that like the rest of the staff, and these soldiers; Harvey's upset about the loss," Sullivan stated.

"Always our friend, forever a hero; to Logan!" Andrew called out.

"Always our friend, forever a hero. To Logan!" the rest replied raising their glasses, then downed the shot. Everyone smiled and laughed.

"Alright, we still got a bar to run! Places Dragonites! Logan will haunt us from beyond the grave if we don't keep it going as if he's still here!" Andrew called out.

"Yes, sir!" the staff called together as they started pulling their shirts on, tucking them in, then tying their aprons around their waist. Not long after, the music was going, and things were running like an average night only with people talking about good times they remembered with Logan. The morning crew went home leaving only Kevin, Morgan, Andrew, and Harvey. However, there was also another male bartender too, but the gang didn't know who he was until Daniel mentioned that being Sean Wilde, a good friend of his. By 6:05 pm, Harvey finally made his way over to the booths where his friends and family were.

"Hey, Mom, Dad, and gang. And uh, not familiar with you, sorry," Harvey said looking at Zack, of course, he did know who he was, but to keep down the suspicion that something was going on between Harvey and Ashely, he would act like he didn't know him.

"Oh! Harvey, this is Zack, my boyfriend," Ashley stated quickly. "Babe, this is Harvey Haddock; one of my best friends," she introduces.

"Pleasure to meet you," Zack offered his hand. Harvey shook Zack's and then pulled out his pad, using the tray as a hard surface to write on.

"That was a lovely tribute to your friend, Harvey," Victoria informed.

"Thanks, Mom. Logan had asked me when he found out about his deployment if I would come up with something for the soldiers when he got back; you know, just a tribute to what they stand for. Logan said he'd bring his platoon here for drinks, and that he wanted to see the finished product. I thought it was only fitting that I perform it tonight. Logan never asked for a song, I just came up with that on my own," Harvey replied.

"Harvey!" Andrew called.

"What's up?" Harvey replied.

"Can you call Tray and see if he's willing to work for a few hours tonight? We're getting slammed, and I need a spare server, so you and Storm don't kill yourselves with the rush," Andy asked.

"Sure thing, bossman!" Harvey nodded as he grabbed his phone from his pocket, scrolled a few times, then pressed Trayden's name before putting it to his ear. "Tray. It's Harv, sorry about the noise. The bar is full. Andy wants to know if you'll come down and work for a few hours?" a brief pause. "Thanks, we appreciate it. See you in fifteen, bud?" Harvey said. "Yeah, you can crash at my place if it gets too late. When you get here, just take the middle section. Storm is on left, I'm on right and back booths," Harvey smiled. "I get more tables because I'm awesome at my job, you'll get there with more practice. Just get here," he laughed. "Bye," Harvey shook his head and put his phone away.

"Tray comin'?" Andrew inquired.

"Yeah, he's on his way now. He said he'll stay as long as you need him," Harvey informed.

"Excellent!" Andrew beamed, then got back to work. Harvey sighed a bit but kept the smile. Trayden and Harvey were great friends for only knowing one another since January; the two hung out at least three times a week with chips and soda, it was a fun time.

"So, what brings you all by tonight?" Harvey asked curiously.

"Well, to be honest, son; we were worried about you," Sullivan stated as Harvey arched a brow.

"Me?" Harvey questioned.

"Well, we haven't heard from you in a while. Since the New year party here in January actually," Ford informed. Harvey closed his eyes, so that's what they came to see him about? Harvey stopped talking to them because of things regarding the bar.

"I'm sorry about ghosting on everyone; things here have kept me pretty busy," Harvey admitted.

"Well, it might not be my place here, but perhaps you need to change jobs if they are interfering with home life and friends," Zack stated. Okay, that comment ticked Harvey off a little.

"I'll excuse that remark because you're dating one of my best friends. However, in the future, if you know it's not your place; keep your mouth shut regarding aspects of my life, which you know nothing about," Harvey retorted a little coldly, and that took the group by surprise.

"Harvey!" Ashley said in shock that Harvey said something like that.

"What? It's true, Ash. So what if I'm busy, it's not like we're kids anymore who just hang out whenever. You all have school and work too. My job has me working forty-plus hours, with one day off a week. I get out of here between two or three in the morning. I don't get to sleep until almost 4 am, I get up at 7 am to do the truck twice a week. I've got the apartment to keep clean, go shopping, and every morning I'm down here helping them open for 10 am," Harvey informed.

"Harvey?" came Trayden's voice. Harvey looked over to see his friend there. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"I'm all right, Tray. Go on and start working, my friends and family were just leaving," Harvey said.

"B-But we just got here," Roslyn frowned.

"And now you're leaving. I know you wanna check on me and all, there are phones for that. You can't just show up here when you wanna see me. If I don't answer, I'm too busy trying to save this place with the others. The bar has had some ups and downs, and we're all chipping in where we can to keep it going. Now, if you don't mind, I got work to do," Harvey informed. "If you didn't come here to drink and have fun, then you shouldn't have come. This is my job, not my apartment. I'll talk to you next time I can," he added before walking away with Trayden beside him.

"Wow, he's kind of being a jerk," Zack mumbled.

"I think he's just stressing out with everything going on. Harvey is a hard worker and does a lot of shifts. It makes sense why he hasn't made contact now. Perhaps it's best if we leave; he's right. We can't just come here to check on him," Sullivan stated. Saying nothing more, the group got up and began to leave; all casting glances at Harvey who was working his section as he always did. The friends and two parents left, deciding to leave him alone for tonight.

[2:30 am-May 21st, 2012-Harvey's Apartment]

Trayden and Harvey just made it upstairs to Harvey's place after a long night of work. Honestly, the two were pretty close with one another. Harvey had been spending the last few months helping Trayden cope with things from his past, and he was doing a lot better now. Harvey enjoyed their time together, it kept him distracted from the fact Ashley was gone. Truthfully, Harvey did miss her. Harvey discovered that maybe he did have feelings for Ashley still when they had the pregnancy scare, but now she'd ended their arrangement to pursue a relationship. However, his feelings for her began to fade the more time he spent with Tray. Of course, Harvey had sat down to figure this all out, he came to the conclusion that he had developed a small crush on his new friend. Harvey was bisexual, though, no one but his parents and Gobber knew about that.

"You sure you're okay, Harv?" Trayden asked.

"Yeah. My family and friends just like to show up to see me. I had to remind them that they can't do that, plus, Ashley's new boyfriend ticked me off with his comment about how I should change jobs if they are interfering with my home life and friends. The guy doesn't know me, so he doesn't have the right to tell me how I should live my life," Harvey stated.

"True that. Well, it's late. We should get some sleep," Tray smiled.

"I will second that, and thanks for coming in to help tonight, Tray. Oh, and being such a good friend to me," Harvey told him.

"After all you've done for me, Harvey, it's the least I can do. I'll see you tomorrow morning? Maybe we can go out, grab some breakfast?" Trayden asked.

"You know, that sounds like a fantastic idea. It's a date then," Harvey chuckled a bit, so did Trayden. "You know what I mean," he added.

"Of course. Goodnight, Harvey," Trayden told him gently.

"Night, Trayden," Harvey replied as Trayden laid down on the couch bed while Harvey went to his bedroom to get some sleep. As soon as Harvey's head hit the pillow, he was fast asleep. Trayden laid awake a bit longer, thinking about Harvey. Trayden had developed a crush on Harvey when they went out to celebrate Harvey's twentieth birthday because as luck would have it, that was Trayden's birthday too. The two of them laughed about how interesting it was that they had the same birthday and were spending it together since Trayden had been disowned by his parents and Harvey's were busy since the 29th of February happened to fall on a Wednesday. Either way, it had been a fun time and what started them hanging out more because they had so much in common. Trayden wanted to tell Harvey that he liked them, but with things regarding the bar possibly going down, it wasn't the right time as they had other things to focus on; such was the adult life.