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!
25: A New Chapter
=Trayden's POV=
[Archia Hospital-Noon]
I had never been more scared in my entire life than when I saw Harvey push me out of the way and tackled my gun-wielding father to the ground to get the weapon away from him. Harvey hadn't cared one bit about the fact he could be killed because wanted to protect me. I had never seen Harvey fight that way before, but it didn't matter in the end. Harvey got shot in the right shoulder and passed out moments later. I rode with Harvey to the hospital, and he was taken to surgery upon arrival. I sat in the waiting room, and forty-five minutes later, the emergency room doctor emerged from the operating section to tell me that Harvey would be okay, and make a full recovery. The bullet didn't hit any of the joints or muscles, but Harvey was still looking at a week in the hospital, and then a couple of months to make a full recovery. Currently, I was sitting in Harvey's room while he was still unconscious, and the doctor confirmed that to be because of the anesthetic he was put under for the surgery.
I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket as I reached for it, then checked the caller ID; it was Sullivan. I assume then that they wanted an update on Harvey because the judge had asked them to stay for my father's sentencing, which I wanted to know more about. My phone had been off during the trial, and still off until I had heard about Harvey's condition. Once I turned it on there were a bunch of incoming messages from the others asking how Harvey made out but I had only replied he was still in surgery and I didn't know. I sighed as I answered the call, and put it to my ear.
"Hi, Sullivan," I greeted.
"How is Harvey, son?" Sullivan inquired as calmly as he could manage. I couldn't blame them for worrying; they all watched Harvey risk his life to stop my father from shooting me.
"Just out of surgery five minutes ago; I'm in the recovery room with him," I informed. "Where are you?"
"We're here at the hospital. Can you come out to tell us what the doctor said regarding Harvey?" I heard Victoria ask. I looked at Harvey; the doctor said he would be out for another hour at least, so I suppose I could head out to the waiting room to update them.
"I'll be right out," I said before ending the call, then exiting the room and going through the doors to see the large group present in the waiting room. "The bullet didn't hit any joints, muscles, or anything vital. The doctor said that Harvey will spend a week here to make sure the wound doesn't get infected and is on the right track to healing. Right now he's on painkillers and anti-inflammatories, also looking at a total of two months to recover. The doctor mentioned that Harvey will work with a Physio-Therapist at home to strengthen the muscles and retain range of movement,"
"Thank Odin," a lot of them sighed in relief.
"What happened to Drake?" I asked.
"Judge Harry sentenced him to ten years for every count of attempted murder, and then five each for the two counts of arson. Drake is going to prison for fifty years, no option for parole. I guess that he will probably die in there given he's already forty-seven-years-old," Garrett informed. "So, is the lad awake?"
"No, still out from anesthetic for another hour according to the doctor," I said. "I should get back in there. The limit for visitors in the room is four at a time; they'll move him once he wakes up, and after that, he can up to twelve people at once. You don't all have to wait here," I sighed some. I hated knowing that Harvey was laying in that bed, hurt because he was protecting me.
"Aye, we'll come sit with you, son," Rebecca offered motioning to herself, Victoria, and Sullivan. I nodded as they went to follow me through the door.
"Let us know when he wakes up, Tray!" Ashley asked.
"I will," I replied before walking through the door with my mom, and Harvey's parents. This was going to be one long recover, but it would be worth it because Harvey would heal, and then we had the reopening of The Edge to look forward to.
[October 1st, 2017; The Edge Bar & Nightclub]
After three months since the rebuild began, and now I stood next to my husband, Harvey, as we're about to reopen our popular business; The Edge. However, today would just be for family, friends, and staff. The official reopening would take place when Harvey's recovery was complete at the end of October on the 24th, since he'd been shot August 24th in the courtroom. My father was rotting away in prison for the next fifty years, and would likely die there too. Harvey was let out of the hospital on the 31st of August and began Physio-Therapy about three weeks after that. I was still going to my psychiatry appointments, but I already made the call that I was stopping them before the new year started. I was undecided about the anti-depressants; they helped a lot, but I didn't want to rely on them to level out my mood. With my father in prison, I felt like I didn't have anything to worry about except my life with Harvey, our friends, and family.
Harvey's and mine's apartment was finished too, and we'd already furnished it. Everything was done, and all that was left to do was enjoy it. Harvey smiled at me as he handed me the keys to unlock the entry door to The Edge, I slid the key into the lock, then turned it left as a click was heard. Our friends, family, and the staff waited with anticipation. I set the key back upright, then pulled it out as I put my hand on the handle, and pushed it open. Harvey and I walked inside with the others following us. Harvey placed his hands on the light switches.
"Welcome to The Edge," he said while giving a wave of his arm upward to reveal everything in the lights; we looked around in amazement of the sight. Sure, Harvey and I saw all this last night, but seeing it like this had an entirely different feeling to it. Everything was set up as it was before the fire, but there were some changes and upgrades.
=Normal POV=
"Holy shit! Harv, you still have Logan's picture up?!" Andrew exclaimed. Harvey chuckled a little and nodded. "It…had been destroyed in the fire!"
"As I said, I had copies of everything stored away as a just in case something bad happened," Harvey explained.
"This place looks…Gods, I don't have the words!" Storm squealed as she, Morgan, Winter, and Calista almost cried.
"I told you it would be worth it," Harvey smiled. "I even added a few new pictures," he said motioning to his additions. "The Memory of Dragon's Cove," he showed a small section of the wall where a big photo hung of the original DC staff. Andrew, Trayden, Sean, Storm, Morgan, Kevin, Logan, and Harvey all standing together behind the bar; it had been taken before Logan passed away, and just after Trayden joined the team. Initially, Kevin had left to find another job, but he came back saying that if all of us were staying to save Dragon's Cove, then so was he whether it fell or not. Positioned that picture was a bunch more of different moments in the Dragon's Cove history from the start to the end when Harvey took over as owner and converted it into The Edge.
"Where did you get all these shots?" Kevin wondered.
"Here and there when no one was paying attention, plus I found some old articles about when Dragon's Cove opened, and it's earlier days online and in newspaper clippings. I just edited them a bit so they wouldn't look old," Harvey looked at Andrew, he looked like he was about to cry. "I promised you, Andy, that I would not let the memory of Dragon's Cove disappear. It came a bit late, but I saw that promise through,"
"You really are something, Harvey. Thank you," Andrew told him as the two hugged carefully so Andrew wouldn't hurt Harvey's arm, which was still a little sore.
"What's with the sheet still up?" Travis wondered curiously.
"Another little project I've been working on. This is the Dragon's Cove Memory, which loves on inside of The Hearts of The Edge," Harvey said as he tore the sheet down revealing a lot more photographs, including one of The Edge staff. Harvey, Trayden, Garth, Storm, Winter, Morgan, Brett, Brady, Andrew, Calista, Hank, Kevin, Vinny, Robert, Nicole, Fayth, Sebastian, Eli, and CJ. Even the kitchen workers Brandon, Scott, Harris, and Paul were present. And around that photo was plenty more of moments since The Edge opened in December 2013. "This represents that Dragon's Cove is gone, but the memory lives on in all of us while we continue to make more memorable moments like these," he informed. "Now, who wants to party?"
"Harv, can we do a reopening shot to celebrate?" Morgan asked.
"Oh, I suppose so," Harvey smiled while getting behind the bar to break out the shot glasses. "You all in?" he asked his friends and family.
"If it's cool with you," Zack replied.
"You gave me your support; I think I can give ya a shot on the house," Harvey chuckled.
"Dealer's choice on alcohol type!" Robert called.
"Then I suppose it only fits I use the favorite of the only person not here in body, but in spirit," Harvey got the bottle of Captain Morgan; Logan's choice drink. Harvey lined up the shot glasses, which there were thirty-five of them in total. Harvey tipped the bottle and just filled each glass quickly without making a huge mess. Harvey capped the Captain Morgan, then put down as he motioned for each person to take one; then he went last. " Alright, here's to everything we've encountered. Family and friends; both gained and lost. The memory of one place, the birth of another, and the grand reopening of The Edge Bar & Nightclub!" Harvey lifted his glass.
"Here's to it all!" the group shouted raising theirs as well. A moment later, they all drank them back before putting the glasses down and laughing. Harvey began to clear them into the sink carefully to wash afterward, then he came out from behind the bar and hugged Trayden, kissing him deeply.
"So, do we get to spend tonight in our new place?" Trayden inquired.
"I had a feeling you might want to so I brought our things from my parent's house; they're in the trunk of the car," Harvey chuckled.
"I want to see the apartment!" Trayden exclaimed. "You wouldn't let me see it all! I want to see how it looks! Please?"
"Oh, alright," Harvey said he took Trayden's hand, then led him to the door that would lead them upstairs to the apartment. Harvey hadn't let Trayden see it because he had been working on a surprise that Trayden didn't know about. When Harvey was having their home remodeled, he added a few things that Tray was sure to love.
"Can we see too?" Ashley wondered.
"Yeah, come on," Harvey replied as the followed. Reaching the top, Harvey opened the door and blindfolded Trayden's eyes. Harvey put a finger to his lips, signaling the others not to say anything about what they saw. Harvey led Trayden inside the apartment, and the rest filed in behind them. The last person in shut the door as Harvey had them flip on the lights. "Ready, babe?"
"Yes!" Trayden giggled with excitement. Harvey removed the cover from his husband's eyes to let him look around. Trayden's eyes widened in shock and joy as he saw the living room and open kitchen concept that he loved so much with the table sitting between the two places. The living room was set up exactly as before, so was the kitchen with extra counter and cabinet space this time. Harvey turned Trayden around to see the master bedroom where it had been, then the bathroom, and laundry room. However, he got confused when he saw another door next to the bathroom, then another one next to the master. "What are those doors for?"
"What do doors usually lead to, Love?" Harvey asked.
"Other…rooms?" Trayden replied.
"So why don't you open them and find out where they lead?" Harvey suggested. Trayden opened the door next to the bathroom and along the entryway wall; he saw it to be the laundry area. Trayden arched a brow. If this was the laundry room, then what were the other two? Trayden glanced at his husband before moving to the door between the restroom and master, which is where the laundry used to be. Tray turned the knob, then pushed the door open as Trayden just saw an empty room. Trayden then checked the door on the right of the master and saw it to be an office.
"So, an office and walk-in closet?" Trayden questioned.
"I made the apartment bigger and added two extra bedrooms; one of them just happens to be an office right now," Harvey told him.
"Why two other bedrooms? It's only us," Trayden blinked.
"It won't be when we start our family," Harvey mentioned. "Isn't that what we talked about on our anniversary this year?" he asked as Trayden's eyes widened a bit.
"Y-You remembered?" Trayden asked.
"What kind of husband do you think I am to not remember that the love of my life wanted to have a family of our own? And I promised that when all of this was done, and your son of a bitch father was locked away that we'd start our family. I'm a man of my word," Harvey smiled.
"B-But what did all of this cost?" Trayden inquired, surprised at everything in the apartment.
Harvey pulled his husband close to his body and kissed him deeply. "The cost doesn't matter because there is no price too high or that I wouldn't pay for your happiness, Tray," Harvey told him as Trayden nearly cried. "We'll sit down and talk more about what direction to go in after I get this stupid sling off and the Edge is officially reopened to the public, okay?"
"You're the best," Trayden smiled broadly.
"I try my best to give you everything you want, Love," Harvey replied as they kissed again. "Oh, I almost forgot to show you the addition to our bedroom," he said quickly as he opened the master room door and led Trayden in.
Trayden set his eyes on the initial setup as before, but then there was something new by the window, and his eyes widened. "Oh, my Gods! Harvey! You had a Jacuzzi put in!?"
"Yep. I know you loved the one in our hotel room when we went on our honeymoon, so I took the chance during the remodel to bring some of that fantastic week home with us. King-sized bed, two nightstands, sliding closet, eight-drawer dresser, sixty-five inch flat-screen TV on a full range moving wall mouth, and a Jacuzzi under the window that is perfect view outside, but tinted so no one can see inside. Wine cooler, and mini-fridge on the side tables," Harvey explained as Trayden was in awe. "Do you like it?"
"I LOVE IT!" Trayden said with delight as he tackled Harvey down to the bed.
"OW!" Harvey yelped in pain, then Trayden got off quickly.
"I'm sorry!" Trayden bit his lower lip.
"I'm okay, don't worry. I'm basically healed, just sore now," Harvey told him. "I'm glad you love it so much," he added.
"It's…I don't have the words, Harvey, except that you're the best husband in the world, and I'm…so lucky to have you. Thank you, for everything you've done for me since we met in 2012. My New Years resolution that year was to pick myself up, find a job, and never let anything bring me down. It's because of you that all of it happened," Trayden said.
"All I did was save you from a couple of punks, then helped you get a job. The rest was all you, my love," Harvey cupped his cheek while smiling gently. "I just gave you the courage to keep pushing forward, but you did all the work. And in the end, it was you who tricked your father into admitting his guilt because you stood up to him; refusing to let him control your life. All I did was stand beside you as I always have, and always will,"
That did it. Trayden hugged Harvey tightly, hiding his face into Harvey's shoulder and crying. "We'll give you two a minute. See ya downstairs," Andrew ushered the others out of the room, then the apartment. Trayden lifted his head up as Harvey wiped his eyes.
"Why did they say they were giving us a minute?" Trayden wondered.
"So I could do this," Harvey leaned in and kissed his husband deeply; Trayden melted into the passion as Harvey backed him against the bed, then laid on top of him. Trayden moaned out a little as the kissing continued.
[An Hour Later]
Harvey and Trayden got downstairs to see that Andrew had the music going, and people were having fun. Harvey spent the last hour making love to his husband in their new apartment, and truthfully, everyone figured that out pretty quickly.
"There you are," Victoria smiled.
"Come on, you knew what we were doing," Harvey chuckled.
"Didn't think it would take so long," Travis laughed with a few others.
"Could have gone longer," Harvey remarked. "But now that we're down here; party on!" he announced. And from there, the fun continued. Everyone was talking and enjoying the provided drinks; nothing from the bar, but they had gotten some beer, punch, and water from the store to have. Hours ticked by as Harvey noticed Trayden sitting on the stage while writing on a piece of paper, so he went over to see what he was doing. "What are you doing?"
"Working on something," Trayden replied. Harvey looked at the paper, seeing the title on top as; Set It All Free.
"You're writing a song?" Harvey asked.
"I started working on it after the trial began. A little something for me to say I made it through everything because I stopped being afraid Drake," Trayden shrugged.
"I'd love to hear it," Harvey smiled.
"Lucky for you, I just finished. Will you play the guitar parts for me, and get the others to do the rest. I have all the notes they need?" Trayden looked at Harvey while handing him the sheet for guitar.
"Eli, Winter, Brett or Brady. Come up here; Trayden just finished writing a song he wants to test out," Harvey called for his band members. Winter, Eli, and Brady got on stage as Trayden handed over the music pieces they would need. "Whenever you're ready, Love,"
"I'm ready," Trayden smiled as he took his spot at the microphone while Harvey and Brady grabbed their guitars, Eli went to drums and Winter to the second mic. Trayden looked back at Eli and nodded for him to start. "I followed my heart into the fire; got burned, got broken down by desire. I tried and tried, but the smoke in my eyes left me blurry. Blurry and blind." On that queue, Brady and Harvey started playing. "I picked all the pieces up off the ground. I got dirt on my fingers, but that's gone now. I got the glue in my hands; I'm sticking to the plan. The plan that says I can," the music gradually began to rise. "do anything, at all. I can do anything at all!"
Everything picked up at once. "This is my kiss goodbye! You can stand alone and watch me fly. 'Cuz nothing is keeping me down; gonna let it all out. Come on and say it right now. Right now. Right now! This is my big hello! 'Cuz I'm here and never letting go. I can finally see; it's not just a dream when you set it all free. All free. All free! You set it all free!"
The band members began to sing out for the brief pause in lyrics. Trayden took the mic in his hand now while standing next to Harvey who was still playing with a smile. "I was the guy caught under your thumb, but my star's gonna shine brighter than your sun. And I will reach so high, shoot so far. Gonna hit. Gonna hit-hit every target. Make it count this time. I will make it count this time!" Trayden sang as the group on the open dance floor was cheering for the performance.
"This is my kiss goodbye! You can stand alone and watch me fly. 'Cuz nothing is keeping me down; gonna let it all out. Come on and say it right now. Right now. Right now! This is my big hello! 'Cuz I'm here and never letting go. I can finally see; it's not just a dream when you set it all free. All free. All free! You set it all free!" Trayden continued as the others were singing back up. "You set it all free. You set it all free!" After that, Harvey took off the guitar and gave it to Trayden who rocked out a fantastic solo. When it was over, the music calmed a little.
"This is my kiss goodbye. You can stand alone and watch me fly. 'Cuz nothing is keeping me down; gonna let it all out. Come on and say it right now. Right now. Right now!" the music peaked once more. "This is my big hello! 'Cuz I'm here and never letting go. I can finally see; it's not just a dream when you set it all free. All free. All free! You set it all free! You set it all free. You set it all free. You set it all free. You set it all free!" Trayden finished as he smiled wide taking a few deep breaths.
"You've come a long way, my love, and I am very proud of you," Harvey said smiling.
"And it's officially a new chapter in our lives," Trayden replied as Harvey hooked his finger under Trayden's chin, then drew him close and kissed him passionately. Trayden's words have never been truer; apartment, business, family, and friends. It was a whole new chapter for them.