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

23; Something Is Wrong

Hayden was going to dread this entire day, the entire mission for the next five days until it was over. He honestly wanted to go home, but not because of this. It had shocked everyone what he'd done after getting his orders that he had to go back to Berk with the Strike One to not just inform the family of Steven Ritka about his passing but also handle the service and funeral to follow. He wasn't looking forward to it at all. Hayden and his team were up at 4am to leave for 5am, they only packed their backpacks of what they needed and of course their guns had become a standard part of them now where ever they went. The time was 4:45am as the casket was being being carried onto the floor of the plane they'd be taking seven hours back to Berk. It would be around noon when they landed but given the time change it would actually be around 9am and him being the commanding officer of the unit had to be the one to go to the families door and inform them of what happened. Hayden told anyone he'd be back in Berk, he didn't want to have to explain everything right now.

"Lieutenant...?" Came Jasmine's voice bringing Hayden from his thoughts, he glanced towards her. "Can I come too?"

"Why would you want to? This isn't a pleasure trip, Flinvor..." Hayden said in an almost blank tone but it was still soft.

"Ritka was always good at making me laugh when I was worried or scared, he reminded me a lot of my brother and now...I feel like I'm losing Oivind all over again. I just want to be able to be there...to say goodbye formally with the rest of you. I'll understand if you say no." Jasmine said lowering her head a bit.

Hayden was quiet looking at her, "You haven ten minutes to pack and get back here." Hayden said finally. She nodded and rushed to the barrack to pack her bag up, and returned in exactly nine minutes as they were boarding the plane back to Berk.

"You know the protocols for this, Lieutenant. The body is not to be brought to the home, right to the funeral home and inform them that we've taken care of everything. The funeral will be Thursday at the Military Angels Cemetery at 11am. You are leading that from words to flag folding, taps, salute, and the three-volley gun salute. You tell the family anything and everything they want to know. Even that he originally had been left behind, make it as easy as you can. And we'll see you back on Saturday, plane will grab you from Fort Dreki." The Major said.

"I understand sir." Hayden nodded as he saluted and walked on the plane after Toothless had. The hatch closed as the plane took off into the sky. Hayden sat down, his eyes never left the casket the entire seven hour ride home to Berk. His unit didn't say anything to him or ask questions, they knew he wanted to think in peace for the ride. They knew from the story that he'd seen everything, he was the last person to talk to Ritka and see him alive. And by guess they knew it was eating at him that when he left that building, he left Ritka alive. Hayden looked at the dog tags in his hands, he'd cleaned the blood off of them now and just stared at them.

(Seven Hours Later; 9am-Berk)

The plane landed in Berk, specifically to Fort Dreki. The soldiers there were careful in moving the casket holding Ritka's body to the vehicle that would take it to the funeral home. Since Fort Dreki to inner Berk where they'd be going was an hour drive. The Strike One unit stepped off the plane as Hayden's old Drill Sergeant waltzed up and offered a handshake. "I'd say I'm glad to see ya lad but these situations are never joyful..." DS Ramirez said calmly. "How are you holding up?"

"Not exactly sure how to feel right now...I just...want to get this over with. Do you have the information that Major Huntington sent over?" Hayden asked.

"Right in my office, I'll bring it to ya. Why don't you and the others rest up before traveling to Berk to give the notification?" DS Ramirez offered.

"No it's alright. Every family of a fallen soldier has the right to immediate notification." Hayden replied.

"Well I got the Humvee ready in case ya said something like that. It'll hold the six of ya, I assume you are driving?" DS Ramirez asked, Hayden nodded. He'd earned his license while stationed in Visithug, not only could he drive a car but almost all vehicles that were military related, including tanks. "Well alright then, I'll get that paper for ya. And lad, if ya need someone to talk to. I am here."

"I'll keep that in mind...Load up, Strike One." Hayden commanded to them. On the plane, the small decision had been made that Jasmine would join Strike One. Hayden's way of still protecting her like he'd promised too. No one wanted to replace Ritka and Jasmine tried to deny the spot offered to her but even if no one wanted to replace Ritka's spot...Strike One still needed six people total and with Ritka gone, they were down a soldier. So Jasmine took the spot and was now the sixth soldier on Strike One. Ten minutes later, DS Ramirez returned with the letter. Main information on what happened, helpful words he could say to the family, and information on the funeral and service. Gods he hated this so very much. Hayden got in the drivers side the Humvee and started it up as they headed out of Fort Dreki and towards inner Berk.

"Where...are we going first?" Theo asked.

"The hotel to drop off our bags, then to Ritka's fiancee...and daughter." Hayden replied quietly.

"Are you...seeing your family?" Jasmine asked.

"I'm not home to see them. This is a mission and I'm not involving them, if they find out on their own then fine." Hayden stated while still driving and keeping his eyes on the road.

(An Hour Later)

Hayden kept asking himself how this day could get worse, and it kept getting worse. He failed to check the address on the paper: his neighborhood. Ritka's fiancee and daughter had moved to Berk just after the deployment to Iraq and it was in the neighborhood he lived in. Only about five houses down from his Dad's house, this would just be perfect if he was spotted. Hayden parked the Humvee outside Ritka's home and closed his eyes a minute before getting out of the vehicle with the rest of the unit and moving down the cement walk way. His unit stood behind him as he raised a hand and knocked on the door three times then stepped back, he'd seen the car in the driveway so he knew someone had to be home. Finally after a moment, the door opened revealing a woman with long strawberry blond hair and honey brown eyes. A three year old in her arms: she looked just like Ritka down to hair and eyes.

"Can I help you?" The woman asked.

"Miss. Simmons?" Hayden asked softly.

"Yes, that's me." she replied before Hayden could continue she quickly covered her mouth as tears formed in her eyes. "No...No...I know you aren't here to tell me that he died. He always said he'd...trick me to surprise me with his homecoming...Alright Steven, you can come out now...You're caught." The woman laughed a little. Hayden felt his chest tighten again and tried to hold firm.

"Miss. Simmons...I regret to inform that Specialist Steven Ritka was killed in action three days ago." Hayden said to her, and he watched her smile fade as she put her head down and cried lightly before backing up.

"Please...come inside. Tell me what happened..." She asked now, Hayden nodded once as he walked towards the door.

"You five stay out here..." Hayden told them, they nodded as he walked in and the door was shut. For the next half hour, Hayden was inside telling Ritka's fiancee about his death and though he hated it, he told her that he'd originally been a POW until he went and recovered his body to bring home for the ceremony-which he gave the details about as well. The woman told Hayden she'd inform the rest of the family and thanked him for coming in person with Ritka's closest friends from the military. Hayden finally exited the house as he saw Seth, Rachel, TJ, Ethan, Heather, and Dylan walking along the sidewalk.

"Oh shit, it's Hayden! Hey, cuz!" Seth called out to him. Hayden closed his eyes and continued walking towards the Humvee. Seth rushed over to the window of it and smiled. "What gives, can't say hi to some old friends?"

"Not right now, Seth. I'm not home on leave, and right now I have to go." Hayden said quietly, Seth looked at his friends in the Humvee as they just looked back sadly. Seth backed up nodding, "I'll see you later." Hayden mentioned before starting the Humvee and driving off. Seth looked at Rachel and TJ.

"Rach, call Cami or Avery and tell them we just say Hayden. And tell them something is wrong with him..." Seth told her, she pulled out her phone and called Camille.

"Hey...We just saw Hayden in the neighborhood, he's here with five others. They just left someone's house down the street from you." Rachel said.

"What? He's home and didn't come right here?..." Camille asked softly.

Seth took the phone now, "He said he isn't home on leave and had to go. He didn't say hi either, he looks miserable and his tone isn't much better either. Something is wrong with him, Cami..."

"I'll call him and find out what happened, he mentioned yesterday when he called that he'd been shot in the arm during a mission..." Camille said then she disconnected the call.

"I hope he's okay..." Heather mentioned.

(With Hayden)

He was driving silently, eyes on the road when his phone rang and he sighed. He knew it had to be one of his friends, Dad, sister, or Avery since Seth had seen him and probably told them he was back now. Lifting his phone he saw it to be Camille, he answered it. "Yes?"

"Well is that anyway to greet your sister who you haven't seen in six months?...Seth said he saw you in the neighborhood. Why didn't...you tell us you were home?" Camille asked.

"I'm not home on leave, Camille. I'm home on a mission, and I've only got five days before I have to go back." Hayden said.

"Hayden...what's going on? Why would you...be here for a mission?" Avery's voice came through now. Hayden paused as he saw his unit looking at him.

"I'm here for a funeral. I'm driving, I have to go." Hayden hung up and put his phone down.

(Haddock Residence)

Camille looked sadly to her father and Avery as she put the phone on the table. "He's home for a funeral..." Avery asked now.

"That's what he said." Camille confirmed softly. "I think he lost a friend on the mission, he was very...snappy on the phone yesterday mentioning that he had enough going on already and that he couldn't forget what happened and wished he could."

"Should we go find him?" Avery asked.

"Give him his space lasses. If he lost a man in battle, he's not going to want to talk about it." Gerald sighed.

(Two Days Later)

It was Thursday and Hayden hadn't seen any of his family or friends. He hadn't called, or told them anything although with Camille's theory, it seemed logical that Hayden was mourning while still doing his duty and wanted to be left alone. Today was the funeral but it wasn't just as simple as a service and funeral...No, the military arranged a small parade to honor him. A walk from the church to cemetery, which was just about two miles long and had to be done in full dress. This was open to the public to watch the parade and the funeral as long as no one was disruptive during the ceremony. Hayden being unit leader had to give a few words, talking about Ritka and he honestly didn't know if he could hold himself together to face Ritka's entire family, and any outsiders who came in that knew Ritka. The service was starting in ten minutes, he'd be standing and talking after the preacher. He was fine until he saw Avery, Camille, his dad, Seth, and the others come into the church and sit in the very back. It just had to be open to the public, didn't it.

The casket was on the cart just a few feet from him and he couldn't take his eyes off it while the service began and the preacher was talking. After fifteen minutes, he called for Hayden. "I will now step aside and give the floor to Steven Ritka's Lieutenant, Hayden Haddock who was asked by request to preform the ceremony you will witness soon." Hayden walked from his position to the podium. Gods give him strength to get through this.

What did he even say, they didn't train him for this. He knew he was supposed to talk about Ritka but what did he say for it? He left Ritka behind then went back the next day and killed twenty more enemy soldiers to get his body to bring home? He took to breath. "I don't know how many of you know me and you might be wondering who this person is standing before you who knows Steven. Well, I'm Hayden Haddock. I'm from Berk and no one has really seen me in the last few years because I joined the military at sixteen. Went from ten weeks of Basic, right to Afghanistan on immediate deployment. And when I got there, that's when I met Specialist Steven Ritka. And I learned pretty quick from the others who arrived before my Company did that Steven was a straight up trouble maker who never followed orders." Hayden said, he heard a few people chuckle now.

"But he was a good soldier and friend to everyone around him. He was cocky, and sarcastic, rude, hilarious, and could make anyone's day better. Even on missions when we were patrolling, he found subtle ways to make it easier on us. I was Steven's Sergeant at the time, leader of the six man unit known as Strike One. Steven used to give me hell because I was promoted at Basic from Private to Sergeant for reasons I've been told and still don't understand. But shockingly I found out that when I became leader of Strike One for 1st Alpha Fire squadron, Steven didn't give me any trouble. He always followed orders, stayed focused and always had my back. Outside of missions, even when we were horribly exhausted from never ending guard shifts: twelve, even sometime twenty hour shifts...We never went to sleep when we should have. Ritka kept up us with his jokes. Every missions, every free time, it was never dull with Steven around. I remember the first time I ever got shot in the arm after getting the unit out of enemy fire...As soon as I woke up, Ritka slapped my bad arm on purpose calling me an idiot for not saying something sooner."

More people laughed and Hayden found a small smile. "I can't say I'm not devastated he's gone. I know every soldier is known for being a hard-ass who shows just about no emotion but losing Ritka...I know for me and the unit standing just over there, it will never be the same. The mission that took him, it was hard and nothing we had expected. And it went from going calm to chaos in a matter of twenty minutes, I was one of the last people to see Ritka alive...And I will never forget what he did for me, and the entire platoon. He gave his life saving ours." Hayden paused as he saw Lexi, Ritka's fiancee nod to him to continue. "I won't give much detail, but Miss. Simmons has given me permission to speak of it to inform everyone here that Specialist Steven Ritka died saved the lives of forty-seven men, myself included." Hayden saw his family in the back frowning sadly.

"We'd been on the mission for four hours, it was late and everyone was tired. We were checking and securing a twenty-four sector area. Each unit of the platoon had three sectors to clear except mine which took on six. And then things went chaotic. Two units in different locations were under fire, needing backup. I sent other teams to the sector they were closest too. We got one out then regrouped, I'd gotten shot in the arm covering Steven. He said he was going higher to cover from a building. The extraction team arrived and I sent the others to get to it. I went to get Ritka...and an RPG hit the building. Ritka radioed me that he'd jumped before it hit and was stuck under rubble with enemies closing in. I went to save him but with the one arm...I couldn't get him free and he told me to run so he could cover me since I'd always done it for him. I told him I wouldn't leave him, that's not what we do but he handed me his tags and told me to get clear. I was going to call for backup to help me but he refused, said if I brought the others back then everyone on the platoon was dead and we'd lose the extraction window. He grabbed his gun and started shooting enemies so I could get out. I didn't...get more than ten feet before another RPG hit the building and I knew he was gone. I escaped with the platoon. As soon as we got back to base...I hit the ground and yelled as loud as I could before blacking out. I woke up two days later..." Hayden paused.

"Wait...if you left him there then...Is that casket empty?" Someone asked.

"No. Because not even an hour after waking up, I grabbed my dragon and flew back out to the location. Fought off twenty enemy soldiers alone, and found him. My soldiers and I live by a vow. No man left behind, he gave his life to save mine and the others. So I wasn't leaving his body in enemy territory. I went out to bring him home, like he made me promise too. He asked before I left if I'd take his tags home since he couldn't. And I brought him home. Every soldier, whether killed in action or on deployment deserves to come home. Ritka was one of my best friends and without a doubt, he died a true hero. I will never forget Steven Ritka or any of the things we went through whether in battle or lounging around in the barracks. Now I get asked a lot how when we lose a brother or sister in battle, we get up and keep fighting knowing the risk of it. Well, Steven Ritka gave us the answer. It's courage. He courageously stayed back to save the lives of others. So even though we lost him in battle, it won't stop us from going back there and winning that war in his name and the names of every other fallen soldier. My unit and I ship back out on Saturday and as soon as we get back...We will grab our guns, get on our gear, and keep fighting because that's what we do. Not because we have to, but because we want to." Hayden said firmly.

He saw Lexi wipe her eyes and nod to him as she stood up and started clapping then others did the same. Hayden faced the casket, "So long my friend. This isn't goodbye, it's just so long until we meet again." Hayden whispered then he walked down the two steps towards Lexi as she'd motioned for him to come down, he stood before her and she hugged him tightly.

"Thank you, Lieutenant for your kind words." She said.

"My pleasure, I only spoke the truth. Steven was a good man, and a great soldier. I was both blessed and lucky to of gotten to know him." Hayden replied to her. Now it came to the hard part. The church filed out as Hayden faced his unit. "Strike One! Prepare to carry!" Hayden commanded. His men and him moved to the casket and with three on each side they lifted it it up to their shoulders and walked it out. "Forward...MARCH!" Hayden ordered next. Once lined properly they began their march. A long two miles to the cemetery.

(Cemetery)

After the march, the others had arrived ahead of them but when they arrived they carefully set the casket down over the plot. It was marked with a headstone with Ritka's name and the engraving of the boots, gun, and helmet just like when Hayden assembled it for Oivind. A few more words were said by the preacher before it was time to fold the flag. He stood while Lennox and Tarelto folding it, all in a salute. It was handed to Hayden who walked it formally to Lennox before kneelings. "On behalf of the Barbaric Archipelago Army, and unit. We present you with this flag as memorial for Steven's service to these islands." She cried of course as Hayden stood before her. "Honor guard, hand...salute!" He commanded as his men saluted her and Ritka's family.

Hayden opened the crate with their guns in them. M14 rifles for the gun salute. He stood in line with the rest of his unit as the stood at parade rest, one hand behind the back with the butt of the gun on the ground. He took a breath. "Honor guard! Attention!" He called out. They stood at attention, "Hand, Salute!" and then, "Present Arms!" They all raised their gun, "Right, face!" then, "Port arms, chamber round!" He commanded. They brought their guns up and locked and loaded the chambers. "Firing position!" They took their stance, "Aim..." He moved his himself to prepared to fire. "FIRE!" He ordered. The guns were fired, then these commands from preparing the chamber to firing were repeated two more times. "Honor guard, parade rest."

The ceremony concluded afterwards. The family was walking around, thanking them for what they did. It cleared out some time later as Hayden stayed watched the casket be lowered with his unit. After it was buried, Hayden stood there. He knew his friends, father, sister, and girlfriend were still there and he just didn't care for once. "Lieutenant..." Theo asked.

"I'll meet you at the Humvee." Hayden said quietly, it had been driven over by one of the Privates from Fort Dreki.

"What are you going to do?" Jasmine asked softly.

"There's something I gotta do before we go." Hayden remarked as he reached for his neck and pulled off a set of dog tags, Ritka's of course. Hayden fell to a crouch before the headstone as he placed them on a hook along the front side of the stone then put his hand on the top and lowered his head. "I never should of left you. I should of stayed or tried hard and you might still be here calling me an idiot for taking a bullet for you, or stealing my snacks...We were supposed to stay together through all this. You weren't supposed to give your life for me, for anyone. I was leader...That was...my sacrifice to make." His family looked at one another sadly, so did his troops. "But I kept my promise...You might of died in enemy lines, but I wasn't leavin you there...I know, call me stupid for going back there and taking enemies on by myself...I didn't care. I don't leave anyone behind...Who is gonna crack jokes on missions now? Guess it'll have to be Matthews or Tarelto. But know that you will never be forgotten or replaced in our hearts. I brought you home...So welcome home, Soldier and may you rest in peace knowing that when we get back...we're giving those bastards hell in your name. I'm gonna miss you, Ritka. But I know you'll be with us for every battle. So long until we meet again..." Hayden closed his eyes as a tear fell before he stood up.

"Hayden...Are you okay?" Avery asked. In the straightest face he could muster at the moment he he stared them all in the eyes.

"No. And I'd very much appreciate being left alone right now." Was all he said before raising his hands to cup his mouth and let out his Night Fury call, Toothless flew over and landed beside him as he got on his back. "Strike One. Return to the hotel, round up the guns. I'll be back later..." Hayden ordered.

"Yes, Lieutenant Haddock." They replied with a nod. Toothless took off into the sky as his unit sighed out beginning to collect the guns.

"Is he...going to be okay?" Camille asked.

"I don't know. He was the last person to see Ritka alive and talk to him. I don't know what was said, none of us do. Haddock has barely said two words since the Major sent us back here to do this ceremony. He didn't talk on the plane, or the last few days in the hotel. He's just stayed quiet, standing, and staring out the window whole holding the dog tags. I think he blames himself and if he is then its a battle he has to fight himself because its inside, something we can't see unless he let's us which he won't. For now, I think it just be wise that you don't engage him at all. I know you want see him but right now, like he said: he wants to be alone." Matthews sighed.

"Should he be alone right now?" Gerald asked.

"Probably not but Haddock is strong and he won't do anything. Just give him his space." Lennox added. Not wanting to, they nodded anyway. They were worried, all of them were but they knew Hayden's mood was delicate and pushing him would only make it worse. For now they had to leave him be, and hope he'd be okay and come to them when he was ready. Meanwhile with Hayden, he just laid on Toothless's back while his dragon flew silently. Hayden was crying, he wouldn't do it on the ground but up in the sky he could cry and no one would see him.

"I'm sorry..." Hayden whispered through the tears. "I'm so sorry."