Unintentional Hero

Author: Nightstar Fury of Nightstar Productions

Rated: M for a variety of things that will happen

Pairing: Hiccup/Astrid

Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD

10; Temporary

It might have been the the longest flight of his life. Well, at ten hours back and forth to Berk, it was always long but they had to stop two times between Berk and Afghanistan for other pick ups and each layover was two hours or over at that. Officially now he'd been awake for hours now- a lot of them-and he was exhausted. He'd gone to sleep after not one but two arguments with his father and sister both practically begging him not to go back because they couldn't bear it if the next time he was coming home was in a flag-draped coffin. But Hayden was firm and ended up sleeping outside with Toothless. Hayden had packed his bags before the fights, he went to sleep at 1am, got up at 5am and flew Toothless to the airport while his family and friends had followed in their cars. When the two other members to his unit showed up, Hayden pulled them together for a prayer before boarding and by the time the plane took off it was 7am.

The total time he'd been awake was horrid to think about. Hayden had gone to sleep at 1am after the argument with his father then woken at 5am to get ready to go to the airport for 7am when the plane would board. Once on, they flew two hours, stopped for a two hour layover, then boarded again for a five and a half hour flight, stopped for four hour layover before flying the final two and a half hours and hovering over the Fury Fighters Division base. Plus a total of ten hours on an actual plane, and the lay-overs put him arriving with his men in Afghanistan around 11:30pm Berk time but since Afghanistan was four hours and thirty minutes ahead of Berk then it was actually four in the morning when he arrived. So yes, he'd been up for twenty-three hours and was definitely ready to catch some sleep.

Just like the first time a year ago, the plane didn't have room or time to land so the soldiers on it had to jump from the platform hatch on to the ground and hustle out of the way. This plane was carrying the entire Dragonfire platoon and Toothless-that was forty-eight men and a very large dragon stuck on a plane for two and a half hours in the army transport plane together. Hayden landed last then Toothless jumped with it was clear for him to land and not hurt anyone. All of them were tired but still held firm as Hayden gave a wave and the plane closed its hatch and went to land in a bigger field just outside the base. "Sergeant Haddock!" Col. Jacobson called, rushing over.

"Dragonfire platoon ready for orders, sir," Hayden stated holding his gun at the ready across his chest.

"Good man, it's quiet for now until the next wave. They've been comin' one after the other and everyone is beat. How was the flight?" he asked.

"Let's just not even talk about it...Way more stops than necessary and we'll leave it at that," Hayden mumbled.

"Fair enough. Alright, I'll give ya a run down of the last wave we had. Lieutenant Masons from Infernowing went with Sergeant Anderson and Sergeant Frankford to medical. You're in charge of the Dragonfire platoon being you are the only other Sergeant in the platoon who isn't injured right now," Col. Jacobson stated.

"What happened to Frankford and Anderson?" Hayden asked quickly. Then he froze, realizing what Col. Jacobson had said. That Hayden was the only sergeant not harmed, did that mean...Vazquez was hurt too?!

"Frankford got caught in Humvee explosion, suffering serious burns. Anderson got shot in the leg, then stabbed in the stomach. Masons went with them and will keep me posted," Col. Jacobson asked.

"What happened to Lieutenant Vazquez, Colonel?" Hayden asked slowly. The Colonel put his head down slowly and shook it, Hayden knew what that meant. He was dead.

"Lieutenant Vazquez...was killed in the Humvee explosion," Col. Jacobson said looking at Hayden with firm but somewhat soft eyes.

Hayden nodded to him, "I understand the look, sir...I'll tell the platoon, Colonel Jacobson. Orders for now?"

"Take the platoon to the barracks to put their bags down, try to rest while you can. We don't know when the next wave is. I'll radio you," Col. Jacobson said.

"Orders confirmed. Keep me posted on Anderson and Frankford...Dragonfire platoon! Return to barracks!" Hayden ordered.

"Yes, Sergeant Haddock!" the platoon replied and then they headed for A and B barracks.

"I'll let you know on Frankford and Anderson as soon as I hear. They were air-lifted about an hour and a half ago, I haven't been updated since they arrived at the hospital," Col. Jacobson told Hayden. They shared a nod before Hayden followed the platoon to the barracks. Just as before, they separated off and Hayden entered A. Once in, the guys stripped off their bags and guns putting it all away and making sure things were ready if they had to rush out for any reason at all.

"I can't believe Anderson and Frankford both got hurt...I hope they are okay," Theo said softly sitting on his bed.

Hayden was staring out the window with his arms over his chest: he was worried about Anderson. They were good friends since the day Hayden had gotten deployed to Afghanistan, Anderson didn't even think twice about naming Hayden a unit leader for Strike-One. Now the two Squadron leaders, Anderson, for Alpha Fire and Frankford, for Delta Fire were hurt and there had been no word yet. And Vazquez was dead. "I'm checking on Delta Fire, no one leaves the barrack," Hayden ordered then stepped outside walking over to the B barrack and knocking once: one of the soldiers let him in.

"Any word on Frankford?" asked the one who opened the door and stepped back to let Hayden in.

"Nothing yet. As soon as I hear something, I'll let you know guys know what I hear. For now...I need the twenty-four of you to come with me to A barrack...I have an announcement to make," Hayden said calmly.

"Yes sir." they replied grabbing their guns and following Hayden out to A barrack: he let them all in then himself last as the door shut.

"Listen up, Dragonfire platoon, on orders from Colonel Jacobson...Right now I am the platoon leader. Sergeants Frankford and Anderson have no update yet," Hayden began.

"Where's Vazquez? He go with Anderson and Frankford?" asked Lennox.

"Lieutenant Vazquez...was killed in the same Humvee explosion that Frankford was hurt in. I was only just informed myself but I wanted you to all be aware of it. Until news on Frankford and Anderson is known...I'm leading the Dragonfire Platoon. I know it's hard and a lot to take in right now but we're soldiers and we'll band together like always to make it through these hard times of loss. It's about 0500, so I want everyone to get to their beds and get some sleep and I promise that as soon as I know something...I will let you all know." Hayden informed them.

"Yes, Sergeant Haddock," the two squads replied, Delta Fire returned to B barrack while Alpha Fire stayed put in A barrack. When they were all laying down, Hayden left the barrack again and stood outside. Looking up at the sky, it was about 0500 now after all the unpacking and talking with Col. Jacobson. Hayden had been be up for a full twenty-four hours and yet as tired as he was, he couldn't sleep knowing Anderson was hurt. Hayden just stood there looking up: he closed his eyes, sighing as he thought about the fight with Camille, and his father.

/Flashback/

"Hayden, you said two weeks! YOU TOLD ME TWO WEEKS!" Camille cried at him.

"What the hell do you want me to do, Cami? I know what I said, but it changes with the situation. At least you got one week! Can't you be happy with that!?" Hayden yelled back.

"If it's that bad that you're being called back, then you could be hurt!" Camille sobbed still.

"It's my job! Whether you like it or not, it's my job and I'm not going to just stop because you're worried for me. It's the military, Camille. I know what I was getting into when I signed up, I know the risks, I know the danger but it doesn't scare me because I know if I die then I do it protecting the islands of the Archipelago. Protecting YOU!" Hayden fired back. Camille just cried harder as Hayden took a breath.

"You're my...only brother, Hayden...You've been gone almost a year until a week ago...and now, you have to go back to that awful place again..." Camille whispered. Hayden inwardly groaned as he pulled her into his arms and she buried her face in his chest. Hayden knew she was worried about him but that wasn't going to stop him from leaving tomorrow morning at 7am with his team. "Please...please don't go..."

"I'm sorry, Camille. I have to. I know you're scared but have a little faith in me, I'll be alright and I'll come back." Hayden said gently. As she whimpered more against him, he saw their father just standing there shaking his head. "I don't need it from you too," Hayden remarked.

"Well, you're getting it from me too. Look at what your choice has done to this family! You've got your sister in tears, and you're just gonna go running back to that place!" Gerald stated firmly.

Hayden rolled his eyes now, "My choice has done to this family?! You didn't give Mom shit when she joined, you didn't try to stop her when she was deployed. Why is it only me you have against being in the military!?" Hayden yelled now as he let got of Camille and faced his father.

"You're mother was military when I met her, I couldn't stop her," Gerald said.

"And you can't stop me either!" Hayden yelled back.

"I begged your mother not to go on deployment! She never listened either and look where that got her, shot out of the sky and dead. Her body was never found and nor was Cloud Jumper's," Gerald yelled angrily.

"Stop comparing me to Mom! For the love of God, stop comparing me to anyone at all, including you! I am not Gerald Haddock. I'm Hayden Haddock, I'm me! My own damn person! When the hell are you going to let me live my own life?" Hayden tightened his fists now.

"When you live it right! You don't belong in the military, Hayden! It's not for you-everyone has their own place in the world," Gerald fumed.

"How the hell would you know where I belong!?" Hayden growled.

"You just picked military to get back at me for wanting you to become a lawyer! The military life isn't for everyone, it's certainly not for you just like it wasn't for your friend who got killed four months in! I don't want to be the next parent who gets his kid sent home in a flag-draped coffin! I already had to deal with that with your mother and I didn't even get her body in that box! I WON'T DO IT AGAIN, HAYDEN!" Gerald argued.

Hayden froze after his father said what he had. He was...talking about Oivind. Suddenly, Hayden's eyes narrowed and they forced out a very dark glare. "Shut up. My Gods, just shut up already! Do you hear yourself, Dad? You really had to go and bring my friend, my dead friend into this!? You're Gods damned unbelievable!" Hayden yelled out making his father step back now.

"Hayden...I didn't mean..." Gerald started.

"ENOUGH! I have heard...more than enough! Oivind was one of my best friends in Basic and I will not stand here and let you run his sacrifice through the mud. Oivind died saving fifteen other people, one life given by sacrifice to save the lives of so many more. Lives who belonged to families and had children of their own. I'm sick of having the same argument with you over and over again! I'm never gonna be good enough for you and honestly I gave up trying when I got deployed," Hayden said.

"I am sorry for talking about your friend, son. I know it's a sensitive subject for you...I just don't want to lose you too," Gerald forced out.

"Sorry to disappoint you once again, Dad but no. It's not about having a place, it's about making a place with what you want to do with your life. And I want to defend people, I want to be out there in uniform holding my gun and defending the people I care about! Defending my home! And for the life of me, I can't figure out why you can't be proud of me! For Odin's sake, I'm out there on the front lines, defending the Archipelago. You, Camille, my friends, and everyone else..." Hayden stated to him.

"Hayden...please understand my side of this..." Gerald began but Hayden shook his head.

"No. For once in your life, understand MY side of this. It's now one in the morning, and whether you want me to or not, Dad. Come 7am tomorrow, I'm getting on that plane and going back to Afghanistan. And let me tell you what I'm going to do when I get there...Okay. Before I go, just hear my side and understand why I'm doing what I'm doing over there. I'm going to stand there with my fellow soldiers while we all stand up and fight for one thing: peace and freedom. So that people like you and others here on Berk, Berserk, Outcast, any of the surrounding islands can have freedom and peace. We do what we do so you can do what you do. Your hopes, your dreams, and wants all come from the fact people like me and the other soldiers stand up to fight enemies that want to take that away from you. Nothing in this life comes easy or free, Dad. And in order for you to have all you do is because soldiers like me fight for you to have all you do. I don't care if you are mad I'm leaving again. I don't care if you are never proud of me or things I do and choose to do. All you have...is because of what the soldiers of the Barbaric Archipelago Army do every day. Risk our lives. Your freedom comes with a price, and sometimes that price is death. I fight for you to continue living the life you have even if it means I lose my own. Don't you dare fucking stand there and tell me that I shouldn't stand up for what is right!" Hayden scolded them before he walked out of the house, completely infuriated by the entire argument. He went right to Toothless and laid against him, and that is where he spent the night too until 5am when he woke up to get ready for the long flight back to Afghanistan.

/End Flashback/

Hayden felt Toothless come and sit beside him and Hayden rubbed his head, earning a croon: he knew his rider and friend wasn't having an easy time with everything. "I'm alright, Toothless..." Hayden sighed closing his eyes. "If you're up there, Mom...I just hope you're proud of me, I know you'd understand."

"Sergeant Haddock, this is Col. Jacobson. Do you copy? Over."

Hayden lifted the radio slowly and pressed the button on the side once it was closer to his mouth, "I copy, Colonel. Over." His voice was low but still respectful.

"I need you to report to Major White's office please. I will be there waiting. Over."

"On my way. Haddock over and out," Hayden replied calmly as he got up and hooked the radio to his pocket and heading towards the Company leader's office. "Stay here, Toothless," Hayden ordered: his dragon gave a nod and sat back on his hind legs while Hayden walked further away. Reaching Major White's office in fifteen minutes, he knocked on the door.

"Come in, Sergeant Haddock and have a seat," came Lieutenant Colonel Grayson's voice. Hayden opened the door and walked in slowly. His eyes looked around, seeing Major White, Lieutenant Colonel Grayson, Colonel Jacobson and even Colonel Mooreson in the room.

"All due respect, sirs...I've been sitting for hours between sleeping on the ground against Toothless the night before getting to the airport, ten hours on a plane, and a total of six and a half hours between two layovers on the way here...I think I'll stand for a bit if it's all the same to you." Hayden responded calmly.

"Sleeping on the ground the night before you left Berk, Sergeant?" Colonel Mooreson asked.

"It's a long story," Hayden answered.

"If you need someone to talk to, I'm sure one of us can lend an ear if not all of us together?" Major White said now.

"I'd rather not talk about it," Hayden responded.

"Are you sure?" Colonel Jacobson arched a brow.

"It's personal and right now is hardly the time to be worrying about it. You requested I come here and judging by the fact the leaders of the Brigade, Regiment, Battalion, and Company of the Fury Fighters Division are all in one place I'm assuming this has something to do with Sergeant Frankford and or Sergeant Anderson. No disrespect to any of you but I've been up for just about twenty-four hours, I'm running on maybe four hours of sleep...Just tell me what I need to be told so I can do whatever it is I have to do," Hayden stated flatly.

"Sergeant Frankford didn't survive surgery, and we have no update on Sergeant Anderson yet," said Mooreson.

"Sergeant Frankford was a good man, although I only spoke with him a few times in the last ten months of being here. Am I to assume you want me to inform Delta Fire squadron then?" Hayden asked.

"Yes and also, Haddock. For the time being you will be acting Lieutenant of the Dragonfire Platoon. I know you're just a Sergeant but...you led a full Company in Basic Combat Training according to your Drill Sergeant during the graduation. You've done that so you can manage a forty-eight man platoon. If Anderson survives, he will take over as Lieutenant and you will become the lead sergeant to Alpha Fire. And we will bring in another sergeant to become leader of Delta Fire. Are you understanding this, Sergeant Haddock?" Colonel Mooreson asked.

"What if Anderson doesn't make it?" Hayden asked although he didn't want the answer.

"You won't remain the Lieutenant since it's not a rank you've achieved yet. You have the skills to be one, but you haven't made that rank and likely won't for a while. Not saying you can't become one in time, but it tends to take years. You are acting Lieutenant until we know the status of Anderson and or find a replacement. But for the time being, you are Lieutenant of the Dragonfire Platoon. But they still call you by your title of Sergeant," Lt. Col. Grayson stated.

"I understand. I will go inform Delta Fire of Frankford's passing. They already know I'm in charge of the platoon for now. I told them about forty-five minutes ago before being called here," Hayden answered.

"Ahead of the game-your DS said you were good at that. We'll let you know on Anderson when we hear, Haddock. Dismissed for now," Col. Jacobson said. Hayden offered a salute before leaving the office and making his way back to Delta Fire, he knocked twice.

"Come in and you don't gotta knock, Sergeant..." said one of the soldiers in there.

"Are all of you awake still?" Hayden asked as the light came on overhead and he saw them laying awake or sitting up.

"Any news on...Sergeant Frankford?" asked someone from the far left.

"Yes...I was just told that Sergeant Frankford didn't make it through surgery," Hayden slowly put his head down: this was the third time now he had to give an announcement about someone close to them dying. First Oivind, then Vazquez, and now Frankford. If Anderson died, Hayden felt he might actually break down.

"And Anderson?"

"Still unknown," Hayden replied.

"Are you...still in charge of the platoon?"

"Yes, temporarily. You don't have to call me Lieutenant either...It's late...well, early so all of you get some sleep. If anyone needs me, I'll be in A barrack," Hayden said. They nodded as he walked out and returned to his own barrack. Once more, he told them about Frankford being dead, and still not knowing how Anderson was. They knew he was platoon leader already and didn't mind one bit. Hayden climbed into bed with a heavy sigh: it didn't take long at all for his eyes to close and sleep to take him. It had been far too long a day and night for him and all he prayed for was that Anderson survived.