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!
24: Lucky
=Trayden's POV=
[August 2017; Archia Isle Supreme Court-9:00 am]
The arraignment was held two weeks ago, and as I expected, my father pleaded Not Guilty to the accused charges, and that meant we had to go to trial. I hadn't wanted this because I knew how long it would take to get through everything before a verdict was reached by the jury. I only prayed things went well. Right after learning that there would be a trial, Harvey and I got ourselves a lawyer; Ford's mother, Teresa Ingerman who happened to be married to the Chief of Archia Isle Police Department, Austin Ingerman. Harvey and I were still living at his parent's place, and I was seeing my psychiatrist. My emotions were all out of whack after what my father did, and I was taking the anti-depressants because I needed the mood lifter to get through all this trial crap. Today was the first day of court; it was starting in half an hour, and I was very nervous. Everyone had turned out for this. The Edge staff, my mother, in-laws, our friends too. I was praying to the Gods that everything would work out smoothly and that I would never have worry about my father again.
=Normal POV=
"All rise for the honorable Judge Harry Anderson," the bailiff called out as everyone in the room rose to their feet while the judge walked in, and took his seat at the front. Harry slammed the gavel down, and the room was silenced.
"This court is in session for the case of Berk versus Drake Nyght," Harry stated. "You may be seated. Counsel may introduce themselves at this time,"
"Teresa Ingerman for the prosecution, your honor," Teresa spoke gently.
"Drake Nyght," Drake said. Harry arched a brow while looking at him.
"Where is your lawyer, Mr. Nyght?" Harry inquired.
"I have elected to represent myself, your honor," Drake stated.
"If that is your desire," Harry nodded while marking it down. After a few moments, Harry placed his pen down and folded his hands on the stand as he looked at everyone. "At this time, I will allow opening statements," he informed, then motioned for Drake to go first; the man stood with a smug grin on his face.
[An Hour Later]
Both Teresa and Drake had spoken thirty minutes each to get out their opening remarks about the case. Things had just moved into Teresa talking about the fire; that accelerants were used, and that the sliding glass door had been barricaded. Teresa used direct quotes from the fire investigator reports that blaze was confirmed to be arson. Teresa was calm and made reference that Drake was caught on camera arriving at the location, disappearing, then returning to set the business; The Edge, on fire. When she was finished, Harry looked over the room.
"I will hear the testimonies now," Harry invited. Once again, Drake was allowed to begin first; telling nothing but lies about where he was the night of the blaze. Teresa didn't call for objection or anything, she let him speak. Drake was trying to weasel his way out of this, but he wouldn't get away with it. There was too much evidence to prove everything he said wrong. Drake finished twenty minutes later, then Harry turned his attention to the prosecution table. "Now, I should have asked this before, but why are there two of you sitting at that table?"
"Your honor, may I introduce Mr. Harvey Haddock and his husband, Trayden Haddock; owners of The Edge Bar & Nightclub, and residents in the apartment during The Edge fire," Teresa spoke.
"If both were present during the incident, then I only need one testimony. Which of you will be giving such?" Harry inquired.
"I'll do it," Harvey offered.
"No, let me," Trayden said.
"If you go up there, then Drake has the right to cross-examine, Love," Harvey reminded.
"I know, but I'll be okay. I have you with me," Trayden reminded with a soft smile. "I'm not afraid of him anymore," he added. Harvey smiled and nodded to him. "I'll provide the testimony, your honor," he said as Harry nodded, and then Trayden made his way out from behind the table. Trayden walked to the stand as Drake continued to glare at him, but Trayden looked at Harvey, then smiled a bit.
"Place your right hand over your heart," the bailiff instructed. Trayden did so. "Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but?" he asked.
"I swear," Trayden replied.
The man walked away with a nod to Harry, then Trayden sat down. Teresa approached with a smile. "Can you tell us what happened on the morning of June 22nd, 2017?" she inquired.
"I can. My husband and I were in our home residence which is the apartment above The Edge Bar & Nightclub, we were sleeping when an explosion occurred. My lover went to find out the source of the noise and burned his hand on the door handle leading out of our bedroom. After that, he kicked it open to reveal an out of control fire throughout the home. My husband and I tried to exit down the stairs that led into the business, but we found it to be on fire also. Harvey Haddock and I tried the sliding glass door, which leads to the outside patio on the side of the building, and we couldn't open it. My partner revealed after we moved back into the bedroom to wait for the firemen to arrive that there was a wooden board placed on the door track, and he made the assumption that we had been purposely trapped in our home," Trayden explained.
"I see. Now, I have here the police report which was filed later on that morning once your husband had been discharged from the hospital. It says that you and your lover named the culprit as the defendant, Drake Nyght right away. Was there a reason for this when you stated moments ago that Harvey Haddock only assumed the cause of the fire was arson?" Teresa questioned.
"Yes, ma'am. While my husband was unconscious after escaping the fire, I viewed the security cameras from my phone and was able to see the defendant starting the blaze in the business known as The Edge Bar & Nightclub. You will find those screenshots in the police file as I gave my phone to the authorities an officer Jason Lennox and his partner, officer Steven Matthews," Trayden said. Teresa pulled the photos out to show the jury.
"I present exhibits A through E; photos of one Drake Nyght present at The Edge Bar & Nightclub. Time stamps prove that the defendant arrived at 4:50 am on the 22nd of June in the year 2017. And leaving at 5:15 am after setting fire to the building," Teresa informed as people began to murmur about Drake's testimony.
"Mr. Nyght, you testified under oath," Harry scolded harshly.
"Your honor, I will admit that I was under the influence at the time this occurred. However, those photos cannot prove that I trapped Mr. Haddock and…Mr. Haddock in their apartment. Therefore, I will ask that they are removed from the attempted murder charges," Drake stated.
"Very well," Harry said as Trayden felt his heart sink into his chest. "As the photos and video that I have already viewed do not show the defendant in the apartment, I am deeming them inadmissible for the attempted murder charges. Carry on Mrs. Ingerman," Harry urged.
"I have no further questions at this time," Teresa walked away.
"Mr. Nyght," Harry said as Drake rose from his seat, and made his way over to Trayden, who tried to stay firm.
"Hello there, Mr. Haddock. Is it true that you had a troubled past growing up due to being homeless?" Drake asked.
"Yes, but-," Tray began.
"Yes was sufficient. Now, is it also true that you suffer from severe depression?" Drake inquired.
"No, I don't anymore," Trayden replied.
"But you did at one time, yes?" Drake pushed as Trayden nodded. "A time when you felt like your life wasn't worth living anymore, and you ran away until found by your lover three days later when he discovered that you attempted to kill yourself, then he had no choice but to admit you to the psychiatric hospital for two weeks? Yes or no will do,"
"Yes," Trayden muttered.
"And is it also true that for the last almost year you've been seeing a psychiatrist and taking anti-depressants," Drake continued as Trayden was beginning to shake a bit.
"Teresa, do something," Harvey pleaded.
"That doesn't have anything to do with this," Trayden said.
"Your honor, please have the witness answer the question," Drake asked.
"Mr. Haddock," Harry said.
"Yes, to both," Trayden replied.
"Members of the jury; while I admit to drunkenly setting fire to The Edge Bar & Nightclub, is it fair that I am held accountable for not one but two attempts at murder. I have no desire to harm these two young men; they are family after all," Drake smiled.
"You lying, slimy, son of a-," Harvey started.
"Mr. Haddock, if you finish that sentence, I will hold you in contempt of court," Harry warned as Harvey shut his mouth and sat back with a grumble. "Mr. Nyght, I will ask that you explain your last statement,"
"Of course, your honor. Trayden is my son, and Harvey, my son-in-law," Drake informed. Trayden couldn't believe that his father would use the family card to get himself off the hook! No. No, he wouldn't allow this.
"I am anything but your son! You might have helped create me, but you were never my father!" Trayden glared.
"Son, please calm down. I know it's been hard with your mother taking you away from me, but I love you. Don't worry, when this is over, I'll get you all the help you need," Drake insisted.
"You stay away! Leave me alone! I hate you!" Trayden covered his head while shaking now.
"Tray…" Harvey whispered.
"I'll never forgive you for what you did to me! Never! You set The Edge and the apartment on fire to kill Harvey and me because you hate us for loving one another! Leave me alone! Make it stop…please make it stop!" Trayden pleaded while keeping his head down and in his hands. Harvey moved from the table and reached Trayden to comfort him.
"I will have order in this court! Mr. Haddock, return to your seat," Harry ordered.
"I will ask that you retract that statement, your honor. I am Trayden's psychiatrist, and I can assure you this is necessary to calm Trayden down," came Dr. O'Conner's voice from the back of the room. "Trayden's history with depression stems directly from the past involving an abusive father, and Mr. Nyght is using that to trigger a PTSD attack,"
"I desire to hear more about this afterward. For now, I will call a fifteen-minute recess, and your husband best be settled down by then," Harry told Harvey as the gavel hit the pad. Harvey put his hand of Trayden's to soothe him.
"Tray, baby, it's alright. Look at me," Harvey said softly. Trayden looked up at Harvey, tears coming down his eyes. "Ssh now, it's okay. He's gone, and it's just you and me. Deep breaths, and don't think about the things he said. You heard the judge; we'll get our chance to reveal the type of man Drake really is. It's almost over, beloved. You're not alone, I'm right here with you, and I always will be, remember?" Trayden was able to feel Harvey's wedding band, and he began to calm down a little, sniffling. "There we go, it's alright. Come on, let's go get some water and take a break outside," he suggested. Trayden nodded slowly as Harvey helped him down and led him out with an arm around his shoulders.
[Two Weeks Later]
Since Trayden's episode in the courtroom, the last few sessions of the trial had been Trayden having to explain in detail Drake's motive in wanting Harvey and Trayden dead. This opened the door for Harry to learn about the incident in June of 2017 when Drake showed up to The Edge and started beating Trayden up in front of many witnesses, and it was caught on the recording. Trayden also had to reveal that it was his father who caused him to run away and break down to stop the vandalism on the business. However at the end of the last session, Judge Harry had asked something big of Trayden, and that was for Tray to talk about what he'd been through growing up since there had been mention of Trayden being homeless for a period. That was what today was for, another day Harvey had to see his husband struggle to deal with everything.
The hearing began usual with an opening, and then Trayden was asked to take the stand and speak about his time growing up. And for the first time ever, everyone who knew Trayden after he came into Harvey's life would get to learn how much he suffered.
"Alright, Mr. Haddock. Are you ready to begin?" Harry asked.
"Not really since I'm going to therapy to put this behind me, and now I have to talk about it more," Trayden responded truthfully.
"I appreciate the honesty, lad. Is there…anything that would make it easier to get through?" Harry inquired.
"C-Can Harvey sit with me?" Trayden tried.
"Is your husband a form of comfort to you?" Harry wondered as Trayden nodded. "Dr. O'Conner? Is this true?"
"Yes, your honor. Harvey has been an active part of Trayden's therapy session, and as you saw two weeks ago, one of the only people who can relax him while talking about tougher situations," Dr. O'Conner revealed.
"I see. Very well, I will allow this. However, Mr. Haddock needs to remain quiet," Harry informed.
"Can do," Harvey said as he moved over to the stand and stood next to his husband, holding his hand. "You can do this, Tray. Think of it as just us, when you told me everything," Harvey suggested. Trayden nodded to him as he took a deep breath.
"My father started abusing me when as early as seven-years-old. Small mistakes were punished by a belt or wooden spoon. As I got older; it turned into being hit with his hands, and him always putting me down. I discovered myself to be bisexual when I was fourteen. My old man didn't like that because he believes it's wrong, and that's when the sexual abuse started," Trayden explained.
"Go on," Harry insisted gently.
"My dad would…sneak into my room at night start touching me; I would cry, and he would tell me to stop, or he'd beat me. Also, that I shouldn't be upset since I like males anyway. Drake Nyght would," Trayden squeezed Harvey's hand tighter. "stroke and finger me, telling me that I should get used to it because this would be what I deal with as a homophobe, pleasure guys. I'd beg him to stop, but he wouldn't until he came. When I turned sixteen, he kicked me out of the house. And he did that because I was stronger than him; he was unable to hold me down anymore so I could fight back. Drake realized that he couldn't use me, so he got rid of me. I was homeless for four years, until Harvey found me, and helped me get a job, gave me a place to live,"
"And you two have been married for three years?" Harry wondered.
"Yes. I don't know where I'd be without him," Trayden smiled a bit. "Drake Nyght has mentioned in front of plenty of witnesses that Harvey and I would regret what happened last year in June when Drake showed up to beat me up when I refused to leave with him. After that, the vandalism started. I tried to forgive him over Christmas, and he took the first chance he had to hurt me. Stating that he didn't need to beat me when the cuts on my arms were enough to know he hurt me and that they'd always be my reminder that I wanted to die to get away from him," Trayden informed.
"Come now, son, I just wanted you to come home," Drake tried. "I'm sorry about The Edge, I'll pay for the damages. You know me when I drink a little too much. I hope they catch the person who started the fire in your apartment; I'm glad you are alright,"
Harvey wanted to kill him, but Trayden put a hand on Harvey's to relax him, then got an idea. "Yeah. I wouldn't be if it weren't for Harvey opening the attic entrance and let me escape," Trayden remarked.
"Oh, is that how you got out? I must have missed that when blocking exits," Drake muttered, temporarily forgetting where he was, and quickly clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Thank you for just admitting that you were the one to trap Trayden and Harvey in the burning apartment to kill them," Harry gave a firm look. "Remove him until sentencing," Drake glared as he realized that Trayden tricked him into admitting what he did. Harvey and Trayden were smiling, and coming out from behind the stand. Drake saw the gun on the officer's hip, then grabbed it while pushing the officer away and aiming for Trayden.
"He's got a gun!" Rebecca warned. Harvey saw Drake load the chamber.
"NO!" Harvey yelled as he pushed Trayden to the side, which made him fall to the ground, and then Harvey tackled Drake down; the gun fired once as a hushed silence fell over the room. Harvey had Drake's wrist as the two wrestled for the weapon, and then it went off a second time. Harvey was shoved off of Drake as he got to his feet, and then Harvey did the same.
"Awe, how sweet; you're willing to die for him," Drake taunted as Harvey glared while panting.
"I said I would protect him with my life," Harvey managed. Drake put the gun to Harvey's head and prepared to fire it.
"Say goodbye to your husband, Trayden," Drake snickered. However, Harvey took his chance to duck down and throw his wrist out to hold Drake's wrist again to keep it pointed up towards the ceiling before Harvey punched Drake in the gut. Harvey turned, so his back was to Drake's front, then elbowed him in the throat; Drake fell to a knee. Drake lifted the gun and shot Harvey on the right side shoulder.
Harvey stumbled to stay standing while holding his arm as he panted hard before hitting the ground and ending up against the stand. "Harvey!" his friends, family, and Trayden called in fear. Harvey ignored the pain as Drake was getting to his feet laughing. The officers arrived, and forced Drake down from behind and removed the gun. Trayden scurried over with worry, kneeling beside his husband.
"Why did you do that! What were you thinking! Oh, Gods!" Trayden cried as he took off his suit coat and put it on the wound. Harvey cupped Trayden's cheek.
"I-I promised to never let him hurt you…again," Harvey forced out. "I love you,"
"I love you too, stupid. Now…just be quiet and try not to move. Help is coming," Trayden told him. Harvey leaned up a bit to kiss him, then he fell back panting with his eyes closed. As the paramedics rushed in, Harvey lost consciousness. "Harvey?" No response. "Harvey!?" he said in fear.
"He'll be alright, son. I suspect he lost consciousness from pain, but he will live," the female EMT informed Trayden, who nodded afterward. The paramedics got Harvey's wound wrapped up, then hooked up an IV and breathing mask before loading him onto the gurney. "Are you riding with him?" Trayden nodded as he followed the paramedics out into the ambulance. All Trayden could think about was that Harvey could have died today trying to protect him, and one thing was for sure; Harvey was very lucky.