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
19; I'm Begging You
The students of Berk High School couldn't believe what just took place in their gymnasium. It started off like any normal school day, but then the juniors were summoned to the gymnasium for an unknown reason that became clear when a male-who later became known as Jeremy, was holding a gun to their principal. The rest of the school was evacuated, police were called and the juniors were trapped there until their old classmate, Hayden Haddock, a Lieutenant in the army showed up to negotiate. As soon as he was let in and checked for weapons he was shot in the leg. His sister and girlfriend freaked out with worry but Hayden never faltered from the task at hand. He kept his men back while he talked to Jeremy to get him to stop his attack. Everything had been fine too until the idiots who actually bullied Jeremy's little brother stepped forward. Jeremy retracted handing Hayden the gun and went to shoot the two responsible for making his little brother commit suicide, but Hayden tackled him and they wrestled for the gun. Hayden got it away and Jeremy revealed he was wearing the bomb. Before anyone had time to react, Hayden took his position and shot Jeremy in the head, killing him instantly.
They were shocked, scared, but over all happy due to being safe. Hayden was rushed to the hospital and Camille rode with him. Avery called the Haddock twin's father to tell him what happened. Given how scary everything was, the students were given the rest of the day off while the school did a full sweep to check for anything else. Most parents had to pick up their kids, the ones who didn't drive on their own at least. Rachel, Ethan, TJ, Seth, Heather, Avery, and Felix were all sitting at the park closes to the hospital, Camille said she'd message when Hayden woke up since went in for surgery.
"Avery...I'm sure he's fine. Not sure if you're aware of this but you got one tough boyfriend." Rachel rubbed Avery's back since she was crying silently.
"Yeah, he'll be alright." Seth added now trying to comfort her.
"He could of died...He could have been killed right there in front of me..." Avery whimpered softly.
"But he didn't. He's a soldier, Avery...He knows what he's doing...Felix tried. Avery's phone rang as she quickly answered it.
"How is he?!" She asked right away.
"He's okay. Just got out of surgery five minutes ago and in recovery. The doctor said it didn't hit anything vital, and he'll be good as new in a few days. Might walk with a limp for about two weeks but otherwise, he's perfectly fine and should be up in about thirty minutes when the anesthetic wares off." Came Gerald's voice on the other side and Avery just sighed out in relief.
"I'm so glad...Thank Thor..." Avery tried to control her crying now.
"He's tough, Avery...There's very little that can take Hayden down for long since he joined the military..." Gerald answered.
"I know that sir but...I can't help but...worry especially after...today." Avery responded.
"I know, it was scary for everyone. Me too because I had no idea..." Gerald sighed. "His team already said they have to report back to base as soon as Hayden is discharged." Avery's hopes crashed of being able to spend time with him and make sure he was alright. Why did he have to go back right away?! He'd been shot in the leg, he should be allowed at least a week to recover. Avery know tho that even if it weren't the military, Hayden would probably still get up and do things.
"Can we come by to see him for when he wakes up?" Avery asked.
"Of course you can, I think he'd like that." Camille said now.
"We'll be there in fifteen minutes." Avery nodded as she hung up afterwards. "He's out of surgery, doctor said he should up and walking in a few days." Avery informed her friends as she got up to start headed towards the hospital. They just got up and followed her there, fifteen minutes later they arrived and Gerald met them so he could take them to Hayden's room. When they got there, Hayden was laying in the hospital bed under the covers while his hands were at his sides and one arm had an IV in it. His soldier friends were leaning on the windows.
"You're a tough lil shit, Haddock..." Ritka scoffed.
"What do you mean?" Avery asked.
"Every patrol, every mission, every anything...He pushes himself the hardest because he can't stand failure. He told us that he loved the military because there's never any disappointment there and no matter what everyone is equal since we all look the same, feel the same..." Theo added.
"And damn if he hasn't been through some shit too..." Lennox smacked Tarelto in the chest and shook his head.
"Like killing and stuff?" Dylan asked.
"Kind'a. Not sure how much he's told you but...One time he left to handle a dragon situation and he left his journal open when we'd just gotten back from Afghanistan and he had come back from his twenty-four hour pass and what he wrote just...I don't know. It was deep." Lennox sighed.
"What did he write?" Camille asked.
"I can still taste the powder, from the barrel of my gun. I can hear my Sergeant screamin, 'Run, Soldier, run'. I can feel the backpack on my shoulders, God, it weighed a ton. And I see death in every single thought. They taught me how to put that uniform on, I just can't get it off." Ritka stated.
"And then under that he wrote: God there's no end in sight. Cuz even though I'm home now...I'm still fighting for my life. All soldiers are required to have psych evals done when returning from deployment, and even after missions. Hayden's...came back perfectly normal. As in nothing ever happened, nothing traumatic. But I don't know...that journal entry makes it seem like there's a lot more going on in that head of his." Matthews stated as they all looked at Hayden who was still unconscious.
"There is." Came Gobber's voice as he came in now and all eyes were on him, "But don't you worry. The lad will be fine."
"What do you know, Craig?" Gerald asked.
"I ain't sayin nothin. It's the lad's business," Gobber said looking at Hayden now, they all did. "Funny thing about war...The things seen, heard, and done...and never be unseen, unheard, or undone no matter how much you want to change it."
"And when you become a part of the military, it becomes a part of you. Right, Uncle Gobber?" Hayden's voice broke them from looking at Gobber to Hayden who was awake now, sitting up and smiling.
"You got it, laddie. How ya feeling?" Gobber rubbed his head.
"Eh. I been shot before." Hayden shrugged. "So...what is everyone doing in here?"
"We were checking on you, stupid! How could you come in that gym with no gear at all!" Camille whacked his arm.
"Because I said I wouldn't?" Hayden reminded.
"You got shot as soon as he made sure you were unarmed!" Avery joined on on the scolding now.
"He wanted to make sure I wouldn't stop him. Seen it before, nothing I'm not used too. He just didn't expect I'd still get up to keep fighting." Hayden remarked.
"Major Masons wants us back as soon as you're discharged. And you gotta deal with the police for shooting a civilian..." Theo told him.
"Figures..." Hayden rolled his eyes.
"Hang on, you mean he's in trouble for what he did?" Dylan asked curiously.
"Doesn't matter that he saved the junior class, he still shot a civilian in the head with pin point accuracy as if he were on the battle field still. It's standard procedure. He won't go to prison or nothing but there's a lot that goes into it. He's fine, done worry." Lennox nodded.
"I just have to give a statement, and probably go through another psych eval. It's because I've been deployed before and they know some if not most all soldiers have trouble adjusting to civilian life again because they think they are still at war and perceive a lot of things as a threat and it takes them back." Hayden closed his eyes now.
"Hayden...?" Avery asked.
"Hm?" He replied.
"What...did you see over there?" Hayden flinched a bit but kept his eyes closed.
"Nothing you need to worry about." Was all he replied.
"Come on, Haddock..." Ritka started.
"Enough. And that's an order." Hayden said coldly. "I swear you guys always ask if I'm alright and I keep telling you I am. What is it gonna take for you to believe me, I think I've more than proven I'm reliable, loyal, and trustworthy."
"It's just...We've all been on the same missions since deployment and we've..." Hayden put a hand up to stop his friend.
"And everyone deals with it differently. Me, I just don't care. When we were over there, it didn't matter what happened. We did what we had to do because we're soldiers and that's what we do." Hayden stated. They didn't ask him about it again, none of them did. Hayden had a bad temper and they'd all seen that in arguments with his father. Pushing him wasn't wise in the slightest. After ten minutes the doctor came in to check in, Hayden said he didn't feel any pain so the doctor had him walk around then said if he didn't feel pain and could walk fine then he could be discharged.
"We brought ya a spare set of your BDU, they were in your bag that was at the gym still." Theo said holding it up to him. Hayden grabbed it and headed into the bathroom of the hospital room to change. He came out thirty seconds later in full dress and Lennox handed him the radio.
"Masons is waitin to hear if you're all good."
Hayden rolled his eyes and switched the radio on, "Alpha Fire to Titanwing base. This is Lieutenant Haddock. Do you read me, over." Hayden said.
"HADDOCK! There ya are. I was worried." Masons practically yelled.
"Yeah it's me. Just got discharged." Hayden replied.
"Good, glad to hear it. Not much keeps ya down, lad. Anyways, I need you and the boys to get back straight away to deal with all this right now. And your dragon is getting antsy without you. Over." Masons chuckled.
"Orders understood, Major. Tell Toothless 'I'm on my way bud'. Have the chopper ready outside the hospital in five minutes. We should be back in two and a half hours. Over." Hayden replied.
"You got it. Sending chopper from Fort Dreki to Berk General. ETA: five minutes. See ya soon boys! Masons over out." Major Masons said. Hayden tucked the radio back in his backpack pocket then he looked at his men just as the doctor came in for him to sign his discharge paperwork. He did so then motioned for the men to follow, the rest did after they walked out and left the hospital main entrance. While walking through the halls, doctors and nurses kept thanking them for their service. Once outside, Hayden looked up hearing the chopper coming then it hovered after one guy in the back dropped the rope ladder.
"Alright boys. Let's move." Hayden commanded.
"Yes sir!" They saluted then began going up one at a time. Hayden looked to his family, friends, and girlfriend again.
"Do you really have to go so soon?" Avery asked.
"I was only sent here to handle the school situation. I'll call after all this stuff is taken care of and...hopefully I'll be able to come back for more time soon. Until then, I gotta go." Hayden kissed her lightly, then hugged Camille, and shook everyone's hands. Even Dylan, Heather, and Ethan got one. Hayden stepped onto the ladder and began to climb it until he was inside. "See ya soon!" He called he gave the command for the chopper to go, and sure enough it did.
"And there he goes again..." Camille sighed sadly. With nothing left to do, all of them ended up leaving and going home.
(One Month Later; January 2019)
Another Christmas he'd missed with them, this would make three total. Hayden hated it but what could he do, orders had to be followed. After getting back to the Titanwing base on Visithug, Hayden dealt with a good two weeks alone of giving statements and doing evaluations. Of course it all worked out and he was off the hook from shooting Jeremy, no matter how it looked with shooting a civilian, Hayden had still saved the entire junior class while on a shot leg. But now it was January of the new year. 2019. Hayden had requested some leave time and Major Masons said he would let him know by the end of the week and that was today.
"Lieutenant Haddock. Can you come to my office please? Over." Came Major Masons voice on the radio while Hayden and the group were all sitting around in the barrack.
"On my way. Over." Hayden replied as he slipped on his boots, tied them, and then got his outer coat on and headed out to Major Masons's office. Hayden hoped this was the news about his requested leave time so he'd be able to go home at least somewhat closer to his and his sister's birthday in February. Reaching the office, Hayden knocked and waited for the response of come in before entering and giving a respectful salute. But he saw the Major's firm face, the look of sadness almost resting in his eyes and Hayden instantly got worried. The Major was looking at a piece of paper, was it his leave time request he'd put in? Was he being denied?
"Thank you for coming, Lieutenant Haddock." Major Masons began slowly.
"Of course, what did you call me here for?" Hayden asked instantly, Masons sighed and closed his eyes handing him the piece of paper that had been in his hand. "What's this?" Hayden asked as he began to read it over and his eyes widened slowly with each word. There hadn't been many on the paper at all but it was all to familiar.
17th Dragons Den Division requesting the immediate deployment of the Titanwing Company and 1st Alpha-Fire squadron to Baghdad, Iraq. -Lieutenant General Richard Evans; Division Leader.
They were...being deployed again and this time it was to Iraq. Hayden felt his heart drop into his stomach, how was he going to tell everyone in the company, his squadron? How was he going to tell his father, Camille, Avery, and his friends that he was being deployed a second time after only nine months of the last tour ending. He forced himself to swallow the fact that his leave was obviously denied given the circumstances had just changed with station orders. Hayden looked to Major Masons now, "When do we leave?" Hayden asked firmly.
"As soon as possible. I'm sorry, Hayden. I was going to grant your leave until that was brought to my desk an hour ago. The plane will be ready tomorrow, it's picking up soldiers in Murderous too. I would...take Toothless first thing tomorrow morning and go say goodbye to your family if you want to see them before you go." Masons told him. "The plane is going to be there picking up a squadron from Berk too." I handed the paper back as I forced a nod and left the office with my head down. Nine months out of war after being in for eighteen and who knew how long this one would be. Hayden took a deep breath as he he made his way back to the barracks slowly. The company was small this time: only one hundred soldiers remained at Fort Titanwing. And Hayden's squad, Alpha Fire didn't count as part of the company because they were their own squadron that wouldn't be broken up. Standing outside the four barracks that held his squad, and the company, he took a deep breath.
"Company, Squad! Fall in!" Hayden called out, in moments everyone filed out and stood together.
"What's up, Lieutenant?" Jasmine asked slowly standing with Samantha and beside a few others from the Alpha-Fire squadron.
"Pack your bags, with everything. Clothes, boots, personals you don't want to leave behind..." Hayden began, they all looked at him worried. "Tomorrow afternoon...We're being deployed to Baghdad, Iraq."
"No...no. Say we're not, please?" said one Private, Trish Rogers.
"I wish we weren't but Major Masons just showed me the letter. We're being deployed to join the 17th Dragons Den Division." Hayden said calmer.
"Baghdad is worse than Afghanistan! We're only privates!" Shouted one of of the newer privates from the Titanwing Company.
"I was sixteen when I got deployed immediately after graduating BCT so I don't want to hear it. Now these are the orders we are given to follow. Fall out." Hayden stated firmly walking past them and into the barrack to pack his bag. Deployed again, starting his second tour tomorrow in Iraq. Odin help him survive it.
(The Next Afternoon; Berk)
It was about 1pm when Hayden reached Berk on Toothless. The plane would be coming in about twenty minutes so he had to do this quickly. He was in uniform as always, and he left his bag with Theo to get on the plane for him. Hayden reached the school and waited before going in, he'd messaged his father to meet him there because he was there to see them all but had very limited time. When his father arrived ten minutes later, it left him with ten to say goodbye to them.
"Good to see you son, home on leave?" Gerald asked.
"Something like that..." Hayden mumbled as he walked into the school, "Wait here..." He instructed his father. Hayden signed in then went right to Camille's classroom knowing the others were in there too. Hayden took a deep breath as he opened the door and walked in. "Camille, Avery, Seth, Rachel, TJ, Felix...Can you come out here a minute?" I asked.
"Hayden!" Avery and Camille got out from their desks and went to hug him tightly, Camille first and then Avery. "Did you finally get leave?" Avery asked softly after their short kiss. Camille looked at Hayden seeing the distant, sad look in his eyes. All of them stepped out of the classroom to see him in full dress. Hayden made a motion for them to follow him outside the school and the principal had already said it was okay. Camille noticed her father there first and became worried.
"Hayden...Why is dad here? What's wrong?..." Camille asked and then she noticed his gun strapped to his back, he wasn't just in uniform. He was in uniform as in gun, vest, belt, holsters, helmet too. Hayden closed his eyes now as Camille backed up with tears forming in her eyes. "No..." She whispered. "Oh Gods no, Hayden..."
"Yes." Hayden replied.
"NO! NO, no, no, no, no! Hayden, for God's sake no please!" Camille practically screamed.
"I don't...understand, what's going on?" Avery asked slowly becoming a little afraid.
"I'm...being deployed again." Hayden said.
"WHAT!?" They shouted.
"I just got told last night..." Hayden sighed.
"And you didn't call!?" Avery asked.
"I couldn't! I had to tell the Company, and my squadron to pack immediately. I'm already supposed to be on that plane...But I didn't want to leave without coming here to tell you in person." Hayden said quickly and then he heard the plane as he looked to see it landing in the field.
"Haddock, we gotta move!" Lennox called to him.
"I'm coming, keep your shorts on!" Hayden yelled back looking to them all.
"Where are you going, back to Afghanistan?" Avery asked. Hayden shook his head to them and they become more worried. "Oh Hayden...no...Gods no, please don't tell us you're going...there." Hayden only nodded once.
"Yes...I'm being deployed to Iraq. And that's my plane..." Hayden told her as he kissed her deeply and wrapped her in his arms, then he hugged Camille, he even hugged his father this time. "I gotta go. I'll call, write, text, and Skype as much as I can...I love you. All of you and hopefully this one won't be as long..." Hayden said backing up. Camille and Avery were in tears as Toothless darted off to get on the plane and Hayden began to follow him.
"HAYDEN PLEASE! For the love of the Gods...Please don't go! I'M BEGGING YOU!" Camille and Avery cried after having collapsed to their knees on the ground. Hayden turned his head and saw the state they were in as well as the faces of shock and fear on my friend's and father's faces.
"I'm sorry...but I have to," Hayden said as he rushed off and jumped in the plane, he looked back at them as the hatch began to close.
"HAYDEN!" Both girls screamed out. Hayden forced himself to close his eyes and look away as the doors shut completely and the plane used large field across the street from the school to take off and get in the air.
(In The Air)
"Lieutenant?" Theo asked, Hayden didn't make a sound or look at him. "Are you alright?"
"No. For once, I am not alright and I just want to be left alone until we land if you wouldn't mind..." Hayden said quietly. Theo nodded and backed up leaving Hayden alone. That was so far the hardest thing for him to have to watch or do. Saying goodbye to them with such little time and watching their faces turn to horror and fear when he said he was leaving. And to see Avery and Camille break down on the ground begging him not to go. He never wanted to see that again, he never wanted to hear it again. Right now, he just wanted to start this tour so it could be over.
