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
40; Take Some Time
Hayden's mood after the day he helped Avery seemed to be very different and Anderson was worried, so were the other officers, and his squadron too. Hayden returned to the barrack that day and just went to sleep, he didn't talk to no one, he didn't even put his phone on the charger: just went to the bathroom, took off his boots and outer coat leaving him in his tan short sleeve, and went to bed without a single word to anyone. At first they thought maybe he and Avery got into a fight over what he'd said about never forcing the squad to leave the barrack the night she was there, but Anderson came by an hour later to check on him and just say he's dealing with his own battles and give him time. So they did: only problem was that it had been an entire month since that night and Hayden's mood didn't change at all so now they were still worried. Because this is what happened to Tarelto, something happened, never said a word, and then one day...he just ended it all.
As like the last three months, there were barely any attacks at all. Missions and guard shifts were easy, and if there were any attacks, the minute they saw Toothless and Hayden in the sky or on ground they'd quickly retreat back to their own base and leave the Archipelago soldiers alone. Hayden still called home but they were short conversations with him just saying he was tired or the newest, he didn't feel good and honestly it had been more believable because Hayden had in fact for the last week been sick to his stomach: coughing hard, throwing up, fever, headaches, chills, no appetite, couldn't barely sleep at all, and all around no energy. He'd been to the medic, twice and told both times that it was just a stomach bug-which he might of believed it he'd felt better after three days but it'd been going on six now. Currently he was sleeping, or trying too when Anderson came into the barrack.
"Major Anderson, what a nice surprise? Coming to check on, Haddock?" Theo asked.
"Yeah, how is he?" Harry asked looking to Hayden who was rolled over on his right and covered up.
"Been sleeping mostly, threw up about an hour ago." Ethan informed.
"Well time to wake him up, I got good news." Harry smiled, slightly curious Jasmine went over to Hayden and shook him slightly.
"Captain...Hey, wake up. Major Anderson has news for us..." Jasmine tried, Hayden groaned.
"Swear to God, I'll kill one of you assholes for waking me up when I just got to sleep...This news better be incredibly life changing..." Hayden mumbled as he forced himself to sit up and look over at Anderson now.
"Oh it's life changing. Hayden...what you did four months ago-you ended it. It's over." Harry said with a smile.
"The fuck you talking about I did?" Hayden asked now rubbing his eyes and arching a brow at his friend.
"When you raged out? Toothless did the whole...glow blue thing and you commanded every dragon in the base into the sky?...That whole thing! Hayden, the tour is over. Everyone is going home next week!" Harry exclaimed, Hayden's head shot up now-ignoring the massive headache he had from being sick as he jumped down off the bed before Harry now.
"We're going home, Alpha Fire is?" Ethan asked.
"No...EVERYONE is going home. Hayden's little rage stunt, scared them. They gave up, they are done. It's over, Hayden you crazy mother fucker...you ended the war! The god damn WAR!" Harry exclaimed holding Hayden's shoulders now and shaking him. "We all get to go home, because of you! The Afghans won't fight anymore. The division leader is with the Afghan army leader right now, signing a treaty...We go home, a week from today-and we all get three weeks leave before being stationed to our own home island base!" Suddenly, Harry just hugged Hayden tightly as he stood there in shock while the whole barrack began to cheer, even outside the announcement had just been made that the war with Afghanistan was over and everyone was going home with their families for not one, or two-but THREE weeks before being stationed to their own home island military base. That meant that Hayden would be at Fort Dreki. He had...ended a war for raging out when Avery was stabbed? For killing thirty-five people, he ended a war because they were afraid of him and Toothless? What the actual fuck?...
Before Hayden could say a word about any of what he'd just been woken up and told, Lieutenant General Michael Andrews walked in with a wide smile and put his hand out to Hayden to shake it. "Congratulations, Captain Haddock. Never thought I'd say this about a soldier but you almost losing it completely saved everyone's asses. You ended this war and I am both amazed, proud, and honored to of gotten to fight alongside you. We're all in your debt." Hayden didn't know what to say, he just stood there shocked and shook the Lieutenant General's hand who was...thanking him for what he did. He didn't know what to think or do, his head was pounding as he began to just see faces everywhere-smiling and cheering for him, happy to go home, patting his back and thanking him. The room began to spin as he cringed, gripping his head before completely blacking out-thankfully Anderson caught him though.
"Hayden." Anderson shook him little, "Hayden!" Still nothing, "Someone radio the medic!" Sure enough, the Lt. General did so and Hayden was placed down to be looked over. No one knew what the hell had happened, why would he just black out? He wasn't that sick, was he? After two hours, the medic just said he was exhausted and his blood pressure was really high, so was the heart rate so it was her assumption that he was way stressed out or overwhelmed. His fever was still pretty high and he looked pale so they placed him back in bed to rest up.
"That was weird? Why did he look so freaked out?" Heather asked softly sitting with Dylan on her bottom bunk.
"I think maybe he wasn't expecting to be the one congratulated for ending the war and responsible for us all getting to leave this place and go home..." Theo offered, "I just hope he's okay. I mean he's been sick for six days now...and his mood aside from being sick, has been awful. Anderson, what happened last month? Avery mentioned his mood was fine until he was in the office with you."
"Avery was pretty upset about shooting that soldier to save Hayden, and he managed to get her to calm down and see it a different way but he mentioned that this whole war was pointless because each side is only fighting and dying to defend what they believe in. That we're just like them, and we're all the same because we're all human beings-that no matter how we look at it, it's humans killing humans for having different beliefs and in that, there will never be peace. That there can't be peace as long as we're fighting and only when it stops will there be peace for everyone. He walked out after that." Harry shrugged a bit.
"Maybe be feels that he shouldn't be congratulated because all he did was just about lose his shit and scare the hell out of all the enemies into submission pretty much." Dylan stated.
"Possibly, Hayden is a great guy but he never likes to take the pride of knowing he did a good thing. He never owns up to the fact he's such a damn good soldier. I mean come on, he ended the war!" Sanchez added.
"But maybe he's not proud of how it happened. He did that when Avery was nearly killed, it just about pushed the limits of his sanity..." Theo stated.
"Think you might be right." Harry said as he began to remember that day a month ago. "Something Hayden said while talking to Avery: I didn't kill those people because I had too. I knew I could scare them off but I didn't. I had Zipplebacks trap them in a ring of fire, had Nadders shoot their spines in-then had Toothless plasma blast the inside of the circle and killed thirty-five people because only one of them hurt you. If anyone is a murderer here, it's me. Because I didn't kill to protect three months ago, I killed because I was pissed off and completely enraged, all I saw was red when I did it and I'll be honest...I didn't feel a single ounce of remorse. All because you got hurt, you didn't die. But I killed thirty-five others because you had been stabbed saving me..." Harry repeated.
"So he feels like a cold-blooded killer for what he did, and he doesn't feel good about ending the way in such a way. Because it didn't end due to both sides wanting peace. It ended because Hayden practically went nuts, killed senselessly, and scared the soldiers who didn't die into not fighting anymore and probably when they told their boss about the attack on them...they gave up. Hayden ended the war because he scared them into giving up." Jasmine sighed softly.
"Maybe once he gets home and spends some time with Avery and his family, he'll be okay again. We've been here for six months after all, I think we all need the time off to relax and be thankful to be alive." Harry stated as he glanced over to the still blacked out Hayden.
(Week Later; Berk)
It was 2:30pm when they landed at Fort Dreki, first thing Hayden did was got right back to sleep in the barrack he and Alpha Fire were assigned too. Thankfully, all of Alpha Fire and Anderson were residents of Berk so this is For Dreki is where they would stay. Hayden didn't want to be sick when he saw Avery and his army buds understand that so for now they weren't announcing they were back. Also, it hadn't been announced that the war in Afghanistan was over. The leaders of the Fury Fighters Division and lower groups would have to bring it to the attention of the President of the Archipelago first.
(The Next Day)
Finally he'd woken up feeling a shit ton better than he had in days, he woke up with more energy and didn't throw up right away. He managed to keep his breakfast down, and take a hot shower before preparing Toothless for travel. It was a Tuesday, and around 10am. It would take him an hour or maybe less to get to Berk on Toothless. "Alright guys, see ya in a few weeks." Hayden smiled to them, it was good for them to see the smile again.
"We'll be joining you too once we get settled here." Ethan called to him, Hayden nodded as he patted Toothless's neck and they took to the blue sky above heading towards inner Berk: his first stop was the community college to see Avery and Camille. About forty-five minutes later, he landed outside the school and hid Toothless while he checked in to the main office and found where Avery and Camille would be. They would be outside on the dragon training field for their class which was working with a Whispering Death, perfect for him. Hayden made his way to the field while the teacher was going on about asking if anyone knew what a Whispering Death could do every one hundred years. Hayden chuckled as the teacher saw him and he put a finger to his lips as she went on while Hayden snuck to Avery's chair row and put his hands in his pockets.
"Psst. A Titanwing Whispering Death-known as a Screaming Death is born. Big white dragon with red eyes and red end of the tail." Hayden whispered. Avery's head whipped around as she saw him standing there. "Hey Sky Eyes, miss me?" Hayden chuckled.
"HAYDEN!" She squealed as she rushed out of her chair-nearly tripping and jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and trying not to cry. "You're," she kissed him quickly, "here!" Another kiss as he nodded. "You finally got leave?"
"Yep. Three weeks of it too so lets not waist anytime. I'm kidnapping all of you for the day because the news I got is fuckin amazing...I already called the others, they on their way here." Hayden said as Camille had come over to hug him now. "Hey sis."
"Oh Thank Thor you're okay...Been worried about you." Camille wiped her eyes.
"I'm good, I was sick for a week-that's why I didn't call a lot." He shrugged.
"Hayden, good to see ya back man!" Came Seth's voice as he rushed up with TJ, Rachel, and Felix.
"Where's Ethan?" Rachel panted.
"They'll be here later, don't worry. So you ready for this?" Hayden asked. They all nodded quickly as he stepped back trying to control his smile.
"Damn it, Hayden, tell us!" Camille scolded.
"It's over." He smiled wide.
"Over? The tour, your tour is over?!" Avery screeched happily, he shoot his head.
"No, Avery," He held her hands, staring into her eyes. "The WAR is over..." He emphasized the word 'war' for her. They all gasped in shock and disbelief. "The war with Afghanistan is over...I'll never have to go back there on deployment again. Ended a week ago, peace treaty signed and everything...And everyone is back home, stationed at their own home island base. I'm stationed in Berk with Alpha Fire, and we all get not one, or two-but three weeks leave." Hayden told her, she wrapped her arms around his neck jumping up and down.
"OH MY GODS! Hayden, that's incredible! It's over, like really over!?" Camille yelled happily.
"Better believe it, Camille." Came Dylan's voice as he, Theo, Jasmine, Ethan, Heather, and Anderson arrived walking over now.
"Uh...what are they here for?" Hayden asked motioning to Lt. General Andrews, Colonel Jacobson, Colonel Mooreson, Lt. Colonel Grayson walked up calmly, still uniform too.
"They are here for you, Captain Hayden. Because they felt that your family and friends should get to see and hear this." Harry beamed.
"Captain Hayden Haddock, leader of the Dragonfire platoon-Alpha Fire squadron, and Strike One unit. In all this man's and woman's military, we've never met someone quite like you. Joining the military at a mere sixteen, bonding with a Night Fury, graduating top of your BCT, AIT, and Dragon Training courses-while being promoted from Private to Sergeant, then to Lieutenant, to Captain...You are fearless, loyal, kind, caring, courageous, brave, heroic, selfless, committed, and respectful. You have risked your life many a times to save your unit, your squad, even the entire forty-eight man platoon." Said Lt. General Andrews.
"It was...nothing, sir. Just doing my job..." Hayden said, oh he didn't want to do this again. He did not want to be recognized again for all he'd done because he felt like he didn't deserve it: he wasn't a hero, he was a killer!
"Oh Captain Haddock, please take a little pride in your accomplishments. You've done much more than what was mentioned, you haven't told them yet, have you?" Lt. Colonel Grayson chuckled.
"No because I didn't...do anything." Hayden remarked.
"Did he get shot saving someone again?" Camille asked, fearing the answer.
"He did bigger than that little lady." Harry smiled wide.
"Captain Hayden Haddock is the one who ended the war with the Afghans." Hayden inwardly groaned. They just had to say it, didn't they?! His friend's eyes widened in shock looking at him. "His heroic actions are to be commended with the Distinguished Winged Cross, the Exemplary Good Conduct medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Berkian Defense Service Medal, Archipelago Defense Cross, The Black, and Red Star Medals for all of his heroism, gallantry in action, and over all service to the Barbaric Archipelago Army." Hayden's eyes widened as the list of medal was given, each one named was pinned to his BDU, later then would be placed on his formal dress suit. He...really earned all these for what he did? For scaring the enemy, now former enemy into submission? What the fuck?
"And now, it gives us great honor to promote you to Major Hayden Haddock of the Barbaric Archipelago Army." Said Lt. General Andrews pinning the badge of Major to his arm next to the Captain one. "Congratulations, Major Haddock and well done." Hayden could only shake the man's hand, all of them actually.
"I'd fight beside you any day to defend our home." Said Colonel Mooreson. He was a damn Major now!? Did he not...just get promoted to Captain after the Iraq tour?! Oh this was just way to much, he didn't...do anything to deserve all this! He killed people! He killed so many people in the last four years and they were...honoring him for it?! Once he finished shaking all their hands, he just stood there in shock and disbelief: he had zero words for what to say or feel at the moment. They really just did it again, recognized him in front of his army buds, family, girlfriend, and regular friends.
"Oh my Gods, babe! Congratulations! You must be so proud!" Avery hugged him now.
"How in the name of Odin did you win the war!?" TJ and Seth asked.
"The night Avery got stabbed saving his life and he lost his shit...We hadn't been attacked in a month and anytime we did, if Hayden showed up with Toothless, they retreated. They gave up a week ago, signed the treaty and we all got to come home because of Cap-Sorry, Major Haddock." Heather smiled wide.
"You mean when he los-," Seth began, Hayden almost glared.
"ENOUGH," Hayden roared almost making them back up quickly at the sudden anger, "My Gods, just stop talking about it please!" He backed up realizing he was scaring them a little, "I can't...deal with this right now. I gotta go, TOOTHLESS!" Hayden yelled out, his dragon flew over as Hayden jumped on his back and they took off leaving all of them, including the higher up officers in shock.
"HAYDEN...COME BACK!" Avery and Camille yelled.
"Did I...say something to make him mad?" Seth asked.
"Not intentionally you didn't...Hayden has been...really on edge since that whole thing, he doesn't think he deserves it because he...killed those soldiers, he scared them into giving up because he almost lost his mind when Avery got hurt..." Harry sighed. "I'll go talk to him." Anderson gave a whistle as his Nightmare, Firewing came over he got on going after Hayden's direction.
(Elsewhere)
Hayden sat on one of Berk's high points leaning against Toothless's chest, he'd taken off his army coat, he couldn't stand looking at the medals again. He didn't deserve them, not after what he did. He closed his eyes trying to relax but he couldn't. Harry landed beside him and got off Firewing as he moved next to Hayden. "You come to tell me I'm such a good soldier too?" Hayden asked.
"No, I came to ask if you're alright..." Harry said sitting beside him.
"I killed those soldiers, Anderson. Not because I had too, not because trapped in grief like with Ritka-but because I wanted too because I was so sick of losing people, and almost losing Avery...I just lost it. I should be locked in an asylum for what I did. Instead, I got rewarded and promoted again. For Thor's sake, I'm the rank my mother was when she became a POW...And I've only been in the military for four years, I'm only twenty one years old and I'm a rank now that it takes like twenty years to reach, and I reached it because...what? I snapped? I've lost four people that I was best friends with? I'm mentally unstable in every sense of the word? I don't deserve it, Anderson. I don't..." Hayden sighed out.
"Hayden, you're missing the point. You were rewarded for killing them...It's because your actions-whether in a rage or not, got the Afghans to stop fighting, you stopped the war, and now both countries have peace because of it. You said you wanted peace and now we have it with them. It's one less enemy, one less war we have to fight and lose more lives in. You've said it yourself...the cost of peace and freedom can be extremely high. Lives were lost on both sides, Hayden, you can't be doing this to yourself." Harry put a hand on his shoulder.
"If what I did was right, then why does it feel so wrong. Thirty-five, Anderson...Thirty-five soldier died in that attack because I almost lost my mind and if I hadn't stopped...then you or one of the others would have had to kill me to stop me. How is that something to be recognized for?" Hayden looked out to the water.
"Listen to me kid. You're a good soldier, a good man. I know you killed thirty-five people in that attack...I heard all about it from Major White after the body count. But that's not what it's about, lives were lost yes...but look how many were saved on both sides because the war ended. I know you don't see it that way, but that is the truth of it. A war ended, it doesn't matter how. It's lives saved over more dying for such a pointless battle, isn't that what you said. There will never be peace as long as we're fighting? Well we aren't fighting anymore, not that war because you ended it. So take a little pride in knowin that. We've all made kills we ain't proud of but we did what we had to do. No matter how you look at it, you ended a war because you'd had enough. That's why you snapped: sick of battle, sick of fighting, sick of injuries and death on people you cared about so you stepped in and you did something." Harry said as Hayden looked at him.
"I didn't step in...I almost lost my mind..." Hayden mumbled.
"Hayden. You've been on three tours now in the course of four years, one war is over, one you ended. But all that aside: take some time off. You've got three weeks before you have to go back to Fort Dreki. Take your friends, your girl, your family...just go on and get outta here for a week or so. Don't worry about the base, the ongoing war in Iraq...Just forget military for a week or two. Go be a civilian for a while, you'll feel better. Take some time off, enjoy the three weeks. There's a camp island, just outside the Archipelago walls called Dragons Edge. It'll be worth it, I'm taking the wife and kids so maybe I catch ya there. Take some time brother. You're home and there is no battle to be won here. Lay back for a while, relax." Harry said.
"I don't know how you do it, Anderson-but you always manage to make me feel better," Hayden offered a small smile.
"Come on, Haddock, you know I got your back." Harry chuckled, "Seriously, take some time off. You've earned that much at least after all you've been through."
Hayden nodded, "I will. Yeah...A very much needed vacation is in order..." he said as Harry and him did a fist bump-then hugged. "I'm glad you got my back, thanks brother." Hayden said.
"You're welcome little brother." Harry said as the two just sat there a while longer before getting on their dragons and headed back to the community college and landing in the field.
"Hayden...You're back, are you okay?" Avery asked rushing into his arms.
"Pack your bags for a week, and camping gear." Hayden said with a smile.
"Come again?" Camille asked.
"We are all going on vacation. Theo, Heather, Ethan, Dylan, Felix, TJ, Rachel, Seth, Jasmine, and you two also," He motioned to Avery and Camille, "We're all going on vacation to Dragons Edge campground/amusement park and we leave in three hours. I took care of all your jobs, and school work so lets move." He smiled.
"Well won't argue with that! Meeting where?" Seth said.
"My house in three hours." Hayden said. They all cheered and rushed off to get what they'd need. Hayden took a breath as he mounted Toothless again. Yes, this is what he needed-Harry was right, he needed time off to enjoy being something other than a soldier in war. He needed to be Hayden again, not Captain Haddock, or rather now it was Major Haddock. He needed this time off, he needed this vacation and everything would be just fine.
