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
37; Haddock's Rage
Peace and quiet was something no one was used to in Afghanistan, but for once-after that large attack when Avery was almost killed, it was quiet. There had been no further attacks since Hayden went out and handled it himself after Anderson took Avery to the barrack to keep her safe from the fire fight. He'd actually gone out with no protective coat or helmet-he'd given those to Avery then got on Toothless and handled a two hundred enemy soldier assault alone. Although in all that, no one was surprised. Hayden got pissed when Avery was nearly killed, and when Hayden was mad, the man was almost invincible on his Night Fury. They had all watched him yell at Avery but while he yelled at her and called her names, he was crying in fear of her life, he kept kissing her and asking her why she did it. Apparently, they ended up making up and getting back together after he confessed that he never stopped loving her and she said she didn't want to live her life if he wasn't in it.
Anderson had arranged for Avery to go home in two days on the mail plane, her dragon too. Stormfly didn't escape the fight unscathed: she had sprained her wing on landing so she wouldn't be flying for at least six weeks according to Hayden-resident all around dragon guy from training to fact knower. Hayden even wrapped it himself and now she was recovering in Toothless's stable with him there to keep her company. The Alpha Fire squadron had been shocked though when Hayden pinned Avery to the wall and began making out with her and then Anderson proceeded to make them all leave to give the two some alone time since he knew they were going to do a lot more than just kiss after the last two months of being apart. At first Hayden had said ten minutes but when he saw his girl whimper for more, he changed it to no one coming back until after thirty minutes. Normally Anderson wouldn't allow it and the other officers hadn't allowed it but Anderson actually dared them to try and stop Haddock with how he was feeling right now.
Nearly losing his girl after they'd been broken up for two months, then getting back together, and she was here for two days until Thursday afternoon? Nope. Anderson dared them to try and tell Hayden no fun while Avery was there. They'd already made him in charge of keeping her safe and Hayden, as good a soldier he was, was still a man who loved Avery to death and wasn't going to miss a chance to show her how much he loved her so in that, the other officers backed off. When the squad returned to the barrack, Avery was in one of Hayden's shirts wearing her black leggings and laying on Hayden's shirtless body: he had warned them not to say a word and to just go to sleep-so without argument, that's what they all did. They'd gone to sleep around 4:30am and slept a while, although Hayden's internal clock had him up around 7:30am-earning him only four hours of sleep but he didn't care. He was trained to run on a little sleep.
When he got up he carefully moved away from Avery but she woke up tiredly. "Mm, where are you going...It's so early," she mumbled.
Hayden chuckled a bit. "For starters, going to the bathroom. Secondly...I'm always up this early, so is most of the barrack. Breakfast is at 8am. If you're still tired you can go back to sleep, babe." Hayden kissed her forehead as he got up and cracked his back.
"Yeah that," she yawned, "sounds like a good idea." With that, her head was back down and she knocked out in two minutes. Hayden smiled and moved himself to the bathroom to relieve himself and shower. He was out after fifteen minutes and saw her still asleep as the guys went to the bathroom, then moved aside to let the girls shower first since there were only five of them: Heather, Summer, Trish, Bree, and Jasmine. While he was watching Avery sleep with a smile on his face, his phone vibrated since it was on the charger: it had died the night before while in the middle of the guard shift. He got up to check it and saw a call from Camille trying to come through, Hayden blinked. It was only 2am on Berk. He answered it: "Camille, it's two fucking am over there. Why are you still awake?"
"It's...Avery. She came to the house, begging for...information on you. When we didn't...tell her she said she'd find out herself...Please...call her before she does something reckless!" Camille cried pleadingly.
"Relax. She's fine, I got her here with me." Hayden said.
"Wait...You're back on Berk?" Camille asked.
"No stupid...Avery did something reckless. She flew on Stormfly to Afghanistan to check on me, she nearly got blown out of the sky and almost fell to her death too. Don't worry, I saved her and now she's sleeping in the barrack on a cot next to me. She'll be back on Berk Thursday," Hayden informed her.
"She flew...to Afghanistan!?" Camille screeched with worry.
"For Thor's sake, Camille...Just go to sleep. She's fine, I got her...She's safe. I'm personally seeing to it. Oh and we're back together, we made up," Hayden said gently, "I'll call ya later. She is okay, I promise." Hayden sighed now.
"Okay...Sorry, we were really worried about her. Rachel, Seth, TJ, and Felix all slept over at Dad's. We're in the living room...Dad is here too and is thankful. We'll tell her parents...Night bro," Camille said more slowly and more relieved now.
"Night, sis." Hayden hung up and shook his head then he looked to his sleeping girlfriend. "Damn idiot, a lot of people care about you besides just me..." Hayden murmured as Theo came beside him.
"How's your arm?" he asked.
"Good, told you: it grazed me. I'll be okay," Hayden replied.
"You good from yesterday? I mean...you like nearly lost your shit..." Ethan asked.
"You tell me you wouldn't flip out if you saw Rachel flying into a war zone on the back of a dragon?" Hayden remarked with his arms crossed over his chest, brow arched.
"Good point," Ethan conceded.
"Is Camille okay?" Dylan asked curiously.
"She's fine, they were worried about Avery and haven't slept yet. Why do you care?" Hayden asked.
"Because I like her..." Dylan stated, Hayden's eyes narrowed slightly. "And I'll take that as the sign to stay away from her..."
"I don't care if you like her, that's fine with me. Everyone is entitled to have love in their life...just know if you ever hurt her...Remember what I said at the graduation. I never miss and neither does Toothless..." Hayden warned coldly.
"Oh Hayden relax..." Avery mumbled suddenly. "Those two have made out countless times while you were in Iraq..." Hayden's eyes widened, then turned to a glare.
"Thanks Avery, now he will kill me..." Dylan backed up a bit.
"I will if you hurt her." Hayden warned again: Dylan gulped and nodded while Hayden moved towards the cot to his clearly over-tired girlfriend. "I still say you're beautiful but you look terrible right now, Sky Eyes...What's up?" He asked.
"I don't...feel so good." Avery looked like she was about to throw up, and was trying hard not to. Then she put a hand to her mouth as Hayden helped her up and took her into the bathroom where she proceeded to throw up. Hayden moved her hair out of the way and rubbed her back while crouched down beside her. When the puking ceased for the moment, he put his hand on her forehead.
"You're burning up..." Hayden stated, then she started throwing up again, he pulled his radio from his belt. "Haddock to Anderson. You read me?" Hayden said.
"Anderson to Haddock, I read ya. What's up?" Anderson replied after about ten seconds.
"Can you do me a favor and find the medic, bring her to A barrack?" Hayden asked.
"Sure can, medic tent is like five steps from my office. What's up, someone hurt?" Anderson asked.
"Avery just woke up sick to her stomach and throwing up a lot in case ya couldn't hear it for yourself..." Hayden said softly.
"I'll get Brendan and bring her to you, Haddock. See ya soon." With that the radio cut and Hayden went back to rubbing her back.
"That...wasn't necessary...I'm sure it's nothing..." Avery panted a bit groaning.
"I won't take chances with you-so you better just deal with it," Hayden stated as she leaned against him, holding her stomach and whimpering a bit. After ten minutes-and Avery throwing up three more times, Hayden heard the barrack door open and assumed it was Anderson with the medic.
"Where is he?" Hayden heard Anderson ask the squad.
"In the bathroom with her..." Ethan answered. Not more than a moment later, the bathroom door opened and Anderson walked in with the female medic who everyone just called Brendan because it was easier. Hayden just stayed crouched beside Avery while the medic looked over her: checking her temperature, blood pressure, eyes, ears, feeling her stomach.
"Has this happened a lot? Her getting sick without warning?" Brendan asked.
"I don't know. I've been here for two months, and stationed at Fort Dreki before that. I've barely seen her...hold on. Ethan, Dylan, Heather...Get in here for a sec!" Hayden called to them. After a moment, the three came in. "You were with Avery a lot back in school before joining the military. This ever happen before? Sick at random?" Hayden asked.
"I was in a lot of her classes, after you two got together she started getting spouts of being sick. Camille always took her to the nurse. Sometimes she came back, other times she was sent home," Heather answered.
"Which is why we thought she was pregnant..." Ethan added.
"Could she be, Captain Haddock?" Brendan asked.
"I don't see how when we've never had sex. Never goes farther than foreplay," Hayden remarked with a huff. Brendan sighed heavily nodding as she looked back over Avery.
"Forgive my boldness, Captain but during foreplay..." the medic began.
"No. She's never touched herself after I've cum. I told you, it's not possible she's pregnant. I'm way too careful about it," Hayden stated firmly.
"Then I don't know what is going on. It's not a virus, not a bug, and it's not food poisoning however, she's showing a lot of signs of pregnancy. Morning sickness, fatigue, swollen belly, swollen breasts, and earlier question she answered to not having her period," Brendan said shrugging.
"But they were broken up..." Dylan pointed out.
"Are you saying she slept around to get over me?" Hayden growled.
"Just a suggestion...I mean if you didn't knock her up but she's showing signs of it then maybe...?" Dylan offered.
Hayden wouldn't believe that, Avery wouldn't have slept around but why would she show signs of being pregnant? He sighed, "Avery...I won't be mad if you did but...you didn't...sleep with anyone while we were broken up, right?"
"N-No...I'd never, Hayden..." Avery whimpered slightly.
"I only have one theory then...It's a psychological thing. Her body believes its pregnant, shows signs of it, but she's not actually pregnant. It's a mental thing: when a woman feels an intense desire to get pregnant, which may be because of infertility, repeated miscarriages, impending menopause, or a desire to get married, her body may produce some pregnancy signs such as a swollen belly, enlarged breasts, and even the sensation of fetal movement. The woman's brain then misinterprets those signals as pregnancy, and triggers the release of hormones: such as estrogen and prolactin, that lead to actual pregnancy symptoms. It's technically called: False pregnancy, clinically termed Pseudocyesis, is the belief that you are expecting a baby when you are not really carrying a child," Brendan stated.
"That actually makes a lot of sense. After you two started dating, Avery couldn't stop talking about a future with you. Getting married, having a family..." Heather mentioned now.
"So the only way she gets better is...?" Hayden asked.
"Generally, she has to remind herself that she isn't pregnant. She has to get her mind off things related to it, including marriage. Being with you again, it re-sparked the feelings that you two will have a future together and while of course you may-her body needs to understand that it's not a right now thing. It's completely psychological, Captain," Brendan informed him. Hayden sighed, why did it have to be that of all things?
"Can you give us a minute please?" Hayden asked, Anderson nodded and led the others out as Hayden helped Avery sit up more. "Babe...I know how badly you want to get married to me, and have babies...And I know that when we broke up you felt like all that chance was gone. Now that we're back together, you know it's possible again and you're so happy about that-that your body is tricking itself. And you're the only one who can stop it. I will marry you one day, we will have a family one day but not right now. It's too hectic..." Hayden told her softly.
"I understand I just...last night was so amazing with you, laying in your arms after all that and...being here with you. I just...got ahead of myself thinking that I'm here with you while you're doing the military thing..." Avery said with her head down.
"I know but remind yourself that this right now-Afghanistan is not the place to be married or have a family. Okay? Once you do that, you'll probably start feeling better," Hayden smiled lightly to her. "And I'm sorry for asking if you slept around, but it helped narrowing down what was wrong with you. I know you'd never do that." Hayden said.
"I forgive you...Now can you help me up, I'm kinda hungry from all the throwing up..." Avery asked, Hayden got up and then pulled her up with him. She brushed her teeth first and rinsed out her mouth before they exited and saw everyone out there.
"She's fine, time for breakfast. Alpha Fire, move out," Hayden commanded. The group cheered as they all made their way out to the mess hall and the two lovers followed behind with Hayden's arm around her waist while they walked. Reaching the hall, Hayden actually made her something to eat: he wasn't subjecting her to MRE's. He hated them and it was definitely an acquired taste for him after four years. He made her eggs, and home fries and toast. He suffered the MRE for her sake.
"So what are we doing today since your mission is to keep me safe?" Avery asked.
"Whatever you wanna do as long as it doesn't get you hurt, Sky Eyes," Hayden chuckled kissing her cheek.
"Honestly then, I just wanna lay on the cot in your arms. And go see Stormfly...it's my fault she got hurt," Avery sighed.
"She'll be okay. Don't beat yourself up." Hayden reminded, Avery nodded. They ate breakfast then returned to the barrack to relax-just as she wanted to and they cuddled on the two cots pushed together for a while. Then they went to visit their dragons and sit with them as the day continued through until it got later. Camille and the others did call back to scold Avery for what she did, nearly getting herself killed to see Hayden-but Hayden defended her and said that in all fairness, he was worried about her and never stopped wondering if she was alright or had moved on. Hayden assured them she was safe and fine, would be returning on Thursday. The plane was taking her and Stormfly out of Afghanistan around 1pm. Meaning she should be back on Berk by 7 or 8pm.
Currently, they were back to cuddling on the cots, Hayden had managed to fall asleep again while Avery was awake and watching over him. "My brave soldier..." she said softly.
"He really is too. He saved all us countless times without worrying about himself," Dylan mentioned.
"He took a bullet in the side for me, that happened two days before he called and broke up with you," Ethan said.
"He never worries about himself..." Theo smiled.
"Just because I'm asleep doesn't mean I can't hear you." Hayden mumbled with his eyes closed. Suddenly it went quiet around the area before, "AMBUSH!" was yelled out. Hayden quickly sat up in bed looking at the others. "Gear and guns, now!" he ordered firmly. They quickly got themselves ready and headed outside while Hayden was pulling on his boots, uniform, and gear. "Stay in here." He told Avery then rushed out as well. Avery nodded to him then just sat there...what else could she do?
Hayden made it outside and figured out what had happened: enemies ambushed them and we actually in base camp. Why of all things did that have to happen right now when Avery was here?! "Haddock! What are you doing out here?" Anderson asked after whacking an enemy in the face with his gun.
"Don't worry, my girl is safe in the barrack!" Hayden replied as he took the guys closest to him out by punching him in the face. "Let's do this!" Hayden called out. For the next hour-the fight ensued with guns and hand to hand combat to push back the enemy soldiers. Avery only stayed below the window but peeked up every now and then to check on Hayden who was staying close to the barrack to protect her. Hayden ducked down and used his gun to block a machete coming down on him. Hayden cringed, his arm was still weak-he panted as he whipped the gun to the side, kicked the guy back then shot him in the leg to keep him down. He knew he could have killed him but he knew Avery was watching and he didn't want Avery to see him killing anyone. Avery watched in horror as Hayden got slammed into the barrack hard making him cough out.
Hayden glared as he used his M16 to block another gun, then grabbed his pistol and shot the guy in the head-Hayden panted hard as he saw Avery looking at him: he had an almost apologetic look in his eyes before getting back to the fight. Avery had seen it with her own eyes- Hayden actually killed someone but he did it to protect himself: she was beginning to see why he suffered a lot while on deployment. It had to be hard for any soldier to kill another human being, but what choice did they have if they wanted to survive? Hayden got shoved to the ground, his head shaking slightly to re-focus on his target but he'd hit hard and couldn't. In fear, Avery cried out: "HAYDEN!" Avery forced herself out of the barrack, she grabbed Hayden's pistol from its holster while on her knees and aimed it for the enemy who was about to stab Hayden. She closed her eyes tightly and the gun fired.
Hayden had just recovered when he saw the blond hair, he gasped realizing it was Avery: kneeling in front of him, her back to his face. Past her was the enemy, and had just fallen back dead from a bullet to the head. Hayden scrambled to his feet and saw Avery holding his gun up with two hands. His eyes widened: had she shot the guy who was about to kill him? Before he could ask he saw the gun fall from her hands to the ground as she coughed a little before starting to fall, Hayden caught her as his eyes scanned her body and saw a small dagger in her right side. She got...hurt protecting...him? "Stupid! Why did you do that!" Hayden yelled at her.
"You're...always protecting me...aren't you?" Avery tried to smile but cringed, Hayden laid her down as he pulled the dagger out threw it to the ground.
"MEDIC!" he yelled out at the top of his lungs. Anderson had been close and he rushed over thinking Hayden had been hurt but when he got there, he saw Hayden holding Avery who had been stabbed.
"What the hell happened!?" Anderson asked quickly.
"She fuckin' ran out to save me, she got stabbed and shot the guy who was trying to kill me!" Hayden exclaimed.
"We need to get her out of the line of fire." Anderson told him, Hayden picked Avery up and put her back in the barrack on the cot. After laying her down, Anderson called for medic to A barrack-then five minutes later, Avery was being taken care of. Hayden's eyes narrowed darkly as he stood up.
"Stay with her." he said coldly.
"What are you going to…?" Anderson started but Hayden walked out without a word, Anderson followed and looked out the window as Hayden got on Toothless. "Oh no..." He grabbed his radio, "ALL UNITS RETREAT! On the DOUBLE!" Confused, other soldiers began to get clear as Hayden clenched his fist.
"Do it, Toothless," Hayden ordered as his dragon took his place ahead of everyone else on the ground. Toothless's back spines split apart and then took on a blue glow, as did the top of his head, nostrils, and throat. The dragon's fangs were bared and he let out a massive roar. Every dragon in camp-with the exception of Stormfly, took to the air and hovered over the enemies. The enemies stopped and began to move back seeing the Night Fury glowing. "Zipplebacks, firewall!" Hayden commanded then about ten Hideous Zipplebacks released their gas in a circle formation around the enemies, then sparked it for an explosion. "Nadders, spine shot!" Hayden used his hand to signal them-while five Nadders released a barrage of spines into the enemy group. "Toothless. Plasma blast..." Toothless took to the sky and fired a blast inside the ring of fire. Whoever hadn't died, ran for it and fast too.
Hayden panted as Toothless landed and the glow faded off while Hayden ignored everyone and reached the barrack as the medic was wrapping Avery's wound. "She'll...be alright, Captain. It didn't hit anything vital...couple days at best and she might not even get a scar..." Brenden said. Hayden didn't reply, he just gave a nod and sad beside his girlfriend who was now sleeping.
"Never seen you get like that before, you realize that attack probably killed more than half that group...There was only fifty of them..." Anderson asked.
"I really don't give a shit. You fuck with the people I love and you'll see a side you don't like, Anderson...I'm not waiting on that plane, I'm taking her home myself on Toothless. Send Stormfly on the plane..." Hayden stated firmly. Anderson wouldn't argue, he saw Hayden mad before but this-tonight wasn't mad. Tonight was pure rage and he didn't hold back. Hayden looked over Avery again, she got hurt because of him. She put herself in danger to protect him, she shot someone in the head...for him. "I'm taking her now," Hayden stated as he grabbed his gun. "Be lucky I was able to stop myself, Anderson, or you might have had to shoot me to stop me..." He picked Avery up in his arms carefully and walked outside as the others watched him get on Toothless and carefully keep Avery in his arms. "I'll be back. Let's go Toothless." Hayden ordered, his dragon roared and took off to the sky. Everyone just watched as he disappeared from sight, one thing was for sure: no one ever wanted to be on the wrong side of Haddock's rage.
