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

14; A Lot Happened

Hayden had never been happier when May 10th, 3:00pm hit. When he saw the army transport plane land, he had to contain his excitement. Ten hours from now-maybe eleven or twelve depending on layovers-and he'd be back in the Archipelago. He wouldn't be in Berk but at least he'd be in the Archipelago. He remembered that as soon as he found out, he took the first chance he could to call home and tell Camille. He smiled recalling the conversation after texting them and making sure they'd all be together when he called.

/Flashback/

He was still standing in front of the sheet that said he and the Alpha Fire squadron would be leaving Afghanistan and arriving at Fort Titanwing on Visithug Isle around 3pm on May 10th which was the next day. "God damn it, Haddock. Where are we going, you been gone for fifteen minutes!" came Anderson's voice over the radio which brought Hayden out of his thoughts that he was going home finally after eighteen long months of being in the war zone.

"On my way back now, Anderson!" he replied then turned from Major White's office and rushed back to the A and B barracks, where they were all waiting outside to find out where they were going next.

"Well, where are we going?" Theo asked.

"Delta Fire is going to Berserk and stationed at Fort Drakeheart. Alpha Fire is going to Visithug and based at Fort Titanwing." Hayden replied quickly, they leaned forward more wondering the rest. "Fine, we leave tomorrow at 1500!" Hayden announced and the whole squadron cheered. "We all fly together until first lay over, then split off. Delta to Berserk, and Alpha to Visithug."

"YES!" they cheered more.

"So let's get packing!" Anderson added so the squads split up again and rushed into their barracks to start packing their bags so they were ready to go. Hayden checked the time: he knew Camille was probably in class but it was almost lunch time for her and his friends. He'd call them and announce that his deployment was officially over-he knew she might not like that he wouldn't be stationed in Berk but at least he was out of Afghanistan. When he knew it was around noon in Berk, he pulled his phone out and instantly called her. He didn't bother using Skype, he pressed her contact name and put it to his ear while still packing his things in his long green bag but she never ended up answering which was strange. Hanging up he called Avery knowing she would. After three rings, she answered it.

"Hey Hiccup!" Avery greeted happily.

"Hey, Sky Eyes! Where's my sister?" Hayden asked her with a smile.

"She went to the bathroom, she'll be back in a sec. What's up?" Avery asked curiously.

"Not much, tried to call Cami and she didn't answer." Hayden answered.

"Well she just got back, I'll give her the phone." Avery chuckled.

"Just put me on speaker," Hayden said, "Am I on?"

"Yep, sorry about all the noise though. Hi bro!" Camille said now.

"Hey sis. What's up?" Hayden asked gently.

"Enjoying lunch, what about you?" Camille giggled some.

"Packing," Hayden grinned and heard them go quiet.

"Why are you...? Oh my Gods! Are you done?! Is your tour over, Hayden!" Camille screamed out happily.

"It is, just got the news an hour ago. We're leaving Afghanistan tomorrow at 3pm, so around 11:30am for you guys. I'll call when I land," Hayden chuckled.

"Oh Gods I'm so happy to hear you're coming home, Hayden!" Camille said trying not to cry. And here is where she wasn't going to like it.

"Let's not...get crazy. I'm leaving Afghanistan...I'm not...coming back to Berk. My squadron is going to Visithug, based at Fort Titanwing. Those orders might change but right now that's where I'll be headed," Hayden informed them all.

"So we can't see you when you get back?" Avery asked.

"I'm gonna try to get some leave time but no promises," Hayden offered honestly.

"That's...better than you being over there...I'll take Visithug over Afghanistan any day...I'm so glad you're alright and leaving tomorrow," Camille sobbed a bit.

"Tell Dad for me, I gotta go for now. Debriefing and shit before we go, call ya later kay?" Hayden smiled: he couldn't wait for tomorrow.

"Okay Hayden. I love you and I can't wait for you to be away from that place. I'm glad you'll be back in the Archipelago soon." Camille said in response. Hayden hung up and sighed out loud: he was finally going home. It didn't matter if it wasn't Berk. The whole of the Archipelago was home for him.

/End Flashback/

Hayden watched as Toothless was loaded on the plane and laid down while the Dragonfire platoon made their way on through the back hatch, Hayden was last of course to get on and then it shut and took off. He sat down against Toothless, closing his eyes with a sigh of contentment. In hopefully ten to twelve hours, he'd be back in the Archipelago. He could hardly wait, now he just had to just endure the always-long plane ride.

(Visithug Isle; Fort Titanwing)

Hayden learned pretty quick that every base in the Archipelago islands had a landing strip for small planes carrying soldiers from larger airports to bases like Titanwing. Toothless was with them too and there was only twenty-four of them. There would have been twenty-five but Anderson got sent with Delta Fire to Berserk and Hayden was the new Lieutenant of the Alpha Fire squadron-which he'd yet to tell his family and friends about but he would as soon as he had a chance to call. When the plane landed, everyone got off then Hayden and Toothless last. It was currently about 9:30pm at night too, given they were now back in the Archipelago and the times were the same again. In Afghanistan it'd be about 2am right now. They were instantly met by a woman standing there as the plane shut off and it became a little easier to hear.

"Alpha Fire squadron, fresh off tour in Afghanistan? Where's your Lieutenant?" she asked.

"Right here, ma'am. Lieutenant Hayden Haddock," Hayden stated.

"I'm Corporal Bree Milstead. I was asked to take you to your barrack, if you wouldn't mind following me and we already have a stable set up for your dragon," she said.

"Lead the way, Corporal," Hayden invited her with a smile: she nodded with a salute and led them to a barrack with an A on it. Go figure.

"Here you are, sir. Also the Major would like to see you as soon as possible," Milstead stated gently.

"You men unpack and get settled, I'll go see the Major," Hayden informed them as he followed Bree out and to the Major's office: upon arriving, Bree knocked twice then stepped back when a voice said come in so she allowed Hayden in first. The Major stood and shook his hand.

"Welcome to Titanwing, Lieutenant Haddock. I'm Major Keith Masons. Pleasure to meet you, heard a lot about you when you were deployed," the Major said, Hayden let go of his hand nodding.

"That's what I keep hearing." Hayden mumbled, feeling he really hadn't done anything that noteworthy.

"You're only eighteen and you've done things that not even I could do at your age when I joined up," Masons chuckled.

"I told myself I couldn't fail, so I didn't," Hayden responded.

"Now, with your rank and all...I'd like for you to take over training some incoming recruits. They are coming in two days: you'll be their DS. I know ya ain't a Sergeant no more but you get the picture," Masons said.

"Orders understood, sir," Hayden stated.

"Wonderful then. So, how is everyone holding up after the flight? Anyone need medical attention, food?" Masons asked.

"We're all fine sir. Just tired and ready to enjoy not being at war," Hayden replied.

"Good, good. If ya need anything at all, let me know," Masons said, Hayden looked at him with a slight idea forming in his idea.

"Am I...needed for anything in the twenty-four hours?" Hayden said curiously.

"Nope, figured you and your boys would just relax. Why?" Masons answered.

"I slept on the plane...Can I be granted a twenty-four hour pass? I'd like to see my family, haven't since September 2017 when my two week leave got cut short..." Hayden asked.

"For you son, granted. Stay in your green and blacks or BDU. Either is fine and be back by Friday before 9pm. It can start at 9am tomorrow morning. Get some sleep, that time change will catch up with ya." Masons nodded making a note on his desk then handing him a piece of paper with the date, and date to return to base on it. Hayden offered a salute then left the office returning to his barrack where the others were sitting around relaxing and talking: some were on their phones. Hayden packed a two day backpack then put it by his bed.

"Where you goin?" Matthews asked.

"Twenty-four hour pass to Berk. I'll be back by 9pm on Friday for the new recruits coming in for BCT. I'm leaving at ten. Should only take about two hours to get to Berk from here on Toothless." Hayden stated kicking off his boots and changing into his sleepwear then climbing into bed. Finally he'd be able to sleep without worrying about a war horn going off. He could sleep peacefully for once-only he couldn't because in his mind he was still at war and he knew it'd take some time to adjust to that.

(The Next Morning; 9:45am)

He had slept much longer than he anticipated but now that it was fifteen minutes of 10am and he thankfully had his bag ready to go so it was a matter of saddling Toothless and heading towards Berk. His squad was outside saying goodbye to him, "Say hi to the family for us," Theo smiled as Hayden was in his BDU, sporting the Lieutenant badge now sewn on to his left sleeve beside the Sergeant and Private badge: he liked having them all there-it showed him and anyone else who saw them how far he'd come in such little time. Hayden climbed on Toothless's back and rubbed his neck, getting a croon.

"I will guys, behave while I'm gone," Hayden chuckled, "Let's go bud, back to Berk!" he called out as Toothless crouched and launched, beating his wings heading South towards Berk. He had a long two hour flight ahead of him but he didn't care as Cami would love seeing him show up out of the blue.

(Two Hours Later; Berk)

Hayden landed outside the school and let Toothless relax on the side field with a small bucket of fish. Hayden rubbed his head then made it into the school. Alvin Trechdon, of course, had no problem with Hayden being there and thanked him for his service. Hayden knew Camille was in lunch so he turned from the main office and saw the cafeteria ahead of him: he put his hand on the door handle and opened it walking in. Instantly the room saw him and started clapping and cheering. Camille turned around to see Hayden there as she instantly got up and weaved through the tables to leap at him, her arms around his neck, legs around his waist just like the first time he surprised her. He hugged her back, smiling.

"Hey sis," Hayden replied after Camille pulled back and smiled more widely.

"I thought you couldn't get leave!" Avery said getting up to hug him next.

"I'm not on leave. Just a twenty-four hour pass, I gotta get back to base by 9pm tomorrow night," Hayden explained.

"And your tour is...officially over, like you're not gonna get called back in a week?" Seth asked.

"Nah, mandatory two months off but still have to stay on base. They wanna give us time to relax and get out of the war mindset," Hayden stated. Camille hugged him again, just happy he was there.

"How ya holdin up from all that?" TJ asked.

"Fine, just getting used to not laying away for hours waiting for the inevitable horn to go off or the constant gunfire," Hayden chuckled, "Feels good to be back..." Hayden relaxed some.

"I'm glad you're here, even if it is for just a little while," Avery stated. Hayden smiled at her and she blushed a bit so he let go of Camille and stared into Avery's eyes.

"Hey...I owe you for last year..." he said. She blinked, not knowing what he meant and then he leaned in and kissed her lips softly. She melted into it as his hand moved around her waist then he pulled back and winked at her as she took a minute to process what the hell had just happened. Hayden had kissed her and nothing little either!

"I-I do believe...I only kissed...your cheek, Hayden," Avery stammered now.

"Wait, when the hell did you kiss him, Avery!?" Camille asked quickly.

"Um...last...October before he got on the plane..." Avery blushed a bit.

"Why?" Rachel tilted her head.

"Because I like him a lot..." Avery replied.

"And I like her too. So Avery, since our last conversation on the subject had to end abruptly...what do you want to do?" Hayden asked as the two sat down.

"You wanna talk about this now?" Avery stuttered quickly.

"I'm only here for a day, ain't gonna see one another again for a while. I know I'm about to take more training, and training a bunch of new recruits for Basic when I get back tomorrow. I know I like you and I want to see where it goes but I'm concerned about the distance...I don't mind it, it's you I worry about in it. Can you handle something like that? I'm leaving this entirely your choice," Hayden said calmly.

"I-I want...to be with you, Hayden. I can handle the distance...You're only a few hours away from us...We can talk, text, and Skype," Avery responded, Hayden looked at her seriously now. He didn't want to bring it up but he knew he had too.

"And if I get deployed again? Can you handle it then?" Hayden asked. Avery bit her lip, knowing he could go back worried her. Could she handle that kind of distance between them? Knowing he was on the front lines risking his life every day, never knowing when he would be coming back, or the long wait times to hear from him again? Avery knew she could, she knew it would be hard but she could do it. She liked him a lot, and maybe even loved him but still too early to tell.

"I can handle it. We'll find a way to make it work, Hayden. I know we can," Avery said with a soft smile.

"Alright then, Avery...I guess the only thing left to ask is if you'll be my girlfriend?" Hayden smiled at her.

"I will," Avery smiled even more widely as Hayden leaned over and kissed her again and she returned it-then they broke it and she leaned on his shoulder happily. Suddenly his phone rang and he lifted it checking the caller ID.

"Really guys...I've only been gone two hours," Hayden mumbled as he answered it, "Lieutenant Haddock here, go ahead Lennox."

"Did ya get her yet?" Lennox asked and Hayden face-palmed.

"Have you really all been waiting around to call to find out if I asked her to be my girlfriend?" Hayden sighed as Avery blushed deeply.

"Fuck yeah, you been talking about it since the plane out of Afghanistan," Lennox chuckled.

"Oh Gods..." Hayden rolled his eyes, "I said it depended on what she wanted to do after we talked."

"So you two talk yet?" Holgerson was heard now.

"Yes and I already asked too. We're a couple so can ya stop harassing me so I can enjoy my twenty-four hour pass?" Hayden remarked.

"Ooh, you mean you want some alone time with her. Got ya, go get her Haddock!" Ritka said as Hayden heard them start cheering.

"Oh my Gods, that is not what I was talking about you god damn perverts!" Hayden yelled now, completely embarrassed.

"Fifteen bucks says Haddock comes back no longer a virgin!"

"Hah, I say twenty to that my friend!"

Hayden couldn't believe what he was hearing. They were taking bets on him having sex with Avery! "That does it. Matthews, turn the camera on!" Hayden ordered. As he did so, Hayden could see them all laughing it up and still taking bets on him losing his virginity. "Squad, Aten-HUT!" he commanded in a firm tone. Instantly at the order, the boys lined up in formation and staying quiet. "Just because I am your friend does not mean you can disrespect me as your commanding officer. I made it clear that what you're assuming will happen that it wasn't my intention in the slightest. Since you have so much free time, then you can spend it doing some work. Drop and give me twenty-five, now."

"You can't do that, you're not here right now," Ritka said.

"Actually he can...he's our Lieutenant and if he given an order, no matter where he is at the time we have to follow it," Holgerson said softly.

"I'm waiting, boys," Hayden said in an irritated voice. Avery and Camille peeked over his shoulders to see the men drop to the floor and start.

"One sir. Two sir. Three sir..." And it continued until they hit twenty-five.

"Now maybe we can leave the Lieutenant alone so that way when he gets back he doesn't assign three hours of PT," Hayden stated.

"Yes Lieutenant Haddock. We're sorry sir," Came Tarelto's voice now.

"Don't let it happen again. I will see you Friday at 8pm and unless it's an emergency...don't bother me." Hayden hung up and put his phone down.

"Are you okay?" Avery asked.

"Yeah...I'm fine." he mumbled as she leaned her head on his shoulder again.

"So...um...Lieutenant? Thought you were a Sergeant, cuz?" Seth asked.

"I got promoted the day before I left Afghanistan. Lieutenant Hayden Haddock; leader of the First Alpha Fire Squadron from the 33rd Fury Fighters Division based in Afghanistan at your service," Hayden stated.

"That's great for you, Hayden. I'm proud of you!" Camille beamed happily hugging him.

"So what does Lieutenant mean you get to do?" Heather, Dylan's sister asked curiously from the other table.

"It means I can command an entire platoon, a squadron, a unit, act as Drill Sergeant in Basic Combat Training, and man a small dragon aerial team of ten people not including myself." Hayden answered her.

"Isn't it really hard?" she questioned.

"Not when you pay attention and take it seriously. The military is not a joke although some people think it's all about wearing a uniform and shooting down your enemies. It's so much more and it's not a game. It's serious work and incredibly dangerous: one wrong move can land yourself or someone else dead. It's not for everyone but those who do it are ones who have dreams of making sure everyone else can live their dreams and have better futures. Soldiers are the ones who make the future possible. I for one am very proud and happy to be a part of it," Hayden said calmly.

"How dangerous?" Ethan asked now as Hayden's eyes glanced his way. "Like what kinds of things happen, what do you get to see and do?" Hayden went quiet as he closed his eyes thinking back on the last eighteen months he'd spent in Afghanistan. He saw flashes of Oivind saying goodbye to him, then killing that enemy who was a kid, he saw Richards get killed, then he saw himself killing more people.

"Hayden?" Camille asked putting her hand on his shoulder, Hayden's eyes opened after seeing all the times he'd been shot which was a total of three now after hearing the school bell which was actually a loud horn. Hearing it his eyes widened and he panted a few times shaking his head to focus again. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" Camille said. Hayden stood up as he hugged his sister, then kissed Avery's cheek lightly and went to leave.

"I need to leave. I'll see you later after school." Hayden said as he went to leave.

"Hey, you never answered my question!" Ethan said, Hayden stopped as the lunch room was a bit quiet now with everyone wanting to know too. Hayden glanced back calmly with void eyes.

"A lot of things happen, Ethan. And there is no way to describe all that is done or seen when on the front lines: just know there is no way to unsee or undo any of it no matter how badly you want to." Hayden closed his eyes and left the lunchroom, returning outside to Toothless and got on his back as the two took off into the sky. Hayden needed to get away, he needed to forget but he knew he'd never be able to forget the horrors of being in Afghanistan.