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

57; Emotional

(Berk)

After a long flight of almost silence, the plane landed and everyone went back to their houses. Camille explained to her mother that she was living with Seth, Samuel, and Melody because of the last time Hayden and Gerald fought. Suffice to say, Valora was none too pleased with her husband and didn't mind Camille staying there: she in fact planned to join them after she spoke with Gerald-which is what she was doing now since it just just them. "I cannot believe how you behaved tonight, Gerald. What I heard about with Hayden while we were imprisoned, and when we were at the base...how could you say such things to him?" Valora asked firmly.

"I didn't mean to say the things I did. I just...couldn't believe he was more worried about his dragon's life than his own..." Gerald admitted while sitting on the couch.

"That's because you don't understand the bond as Hayden said. If you bonded with a dragon, you'd understand the connection a rider and dragon have. It's a forever thing, Gerald. An ally, a friend, a protector...The only reason I'm still alive is because Cloud Jumper wrapped me in his wings when we fell from the sky. He broke his wing and we couldn't get to safety and in the gunfire I was shot in the leg. We were captured, and kept alive, separated for ten years at the prison base. And then Hayden came and set us free, he planned the entire escape himself, he had it planned before he even knew who I was..." Valora stated firmly.

"He could have died if the bullet hit deeper, Val. And he put himself in danger to save me!" Gerald argued.

"Because he loves you. Soldiers fight to protect their loved ones, regardless of the risk of death. Hayden knew the risk and he was happy to take it. That doesn't mean he's suicidal and I cannot believe you out right told him to kill himself! What the hell happened while I was gone for ten years? Because from what I heard, Hayden left out a few things: like how you've been treating him for years before he joined and even after he did. Camille told me a lot of it on the flight home and I'm just...appalled you'd say and do the things you did to him," Valora insisted.

"Nothing was right after they said you were dead. I didn't make the best choices and I always tried to force Hayden to be like me, to get good grades so he could be a lawyer and then when he was five months from turning seventeen, he came home and said he joined the military and would be leaving for Basic in two days. We argued all weekend, argued while he was there...He was deployed right to Afghanistan an hour after graduating...he was there for eighteen months. Then home for nine months stationed at Fort Titanwing on Visithug Island. Then he was sent to Iraq, lost three members of his unit, he got to come home after sixteen months, stationed at Berk...he went back to Afghanistan for about a year, and now he's back in Iraq. It's only been five years, Val, can you blame me for worrying about him?" Gerald said.

"I know all of that. He told me, I want to know what happened between you and him," Valora said. Gerald sighed, beginning to tell her everything about all of their fights: it took a while to get through but Valora didn't budge until she heard everything. She learned about Hayden's friends dying, that he had to head the ceremony for Ritka and also the memorial for Oivind. Valora got to hear the story behind Hayden's comment with Avery taking a pregnancy test, and after all of that was done it was close 9:30pm.

"I know I messed up...I just...couldn't bear to lose him like I'd lost you, and when he jumped in front of me...I almost watched him die, Val...I am proud of him...but I can't bear the thought of losing him. He's always in risky situations, putting himself in danger to save others and he's been lucky but that won't always work..." Gerald sighed looking down.

"Are you sorry for the things you've said to him?" Gerald nodded, "Then I suggest you find a way to get his forgiveness by proving to him you're sorry. He might not have shown it, but he was hurting. It's late for him now. I think you should give him some space and then try to talk to him. It won't be easy, but Hayden isn't someone who holds a grudge: he never has been. But he will need time to recover and calm down. Now I'm going to go to Sam and Melody's to make sure Camille is alright. You should think about what I said and I will see you tomorrow. I'm finally home, and I want my family together," Valora said, "I understand your worry and fear, but there are other ways to express it besides showing anger and not understanding," she added and lightly stroked his cheek before grabbing her bag with a few clothes in it then leaving the house to walk down the street to where Camille was staying. Gerald lowered his head with closed eyes.

"I really messed this up..." he mumbled.

(Iraq; Two Months Later)

It was now February in Iraq, Hayden was twenty-two years old as of a week ago. He'd spoken to his friends, Avery, Camille, and mother but still refused to talk to his father-and with good reason too. Anderson tried to talk to Hayden about the whole thing after it had happened: however, Hayden just wanted to forget about it and for once he didn't want to talk. But he did assure Anderson he was fine as far as mental state went just that he couldn't believe his father would say the things he had. After a week of resting, his wounds were cleared to be healing okay and he could resume normal work such as guard and meetings but no missions for another week. Anderson ended up going on leave for two weeks during Hayden's birthday so he was pretty lonely for that but apparently Anderson was coming back today or tomorrow so that might lighten his mood a little. Alpha Fire, mainly Strike One kept him distracted like how it used to be where they could hang out and joke around. It felt good to Hayden to have things being what was considered normal again.

Tonight, Alpha Fire had a guard patrol for eight hours and hopefully they'd be done around midnight or so since it started 4pm: early dinner night and a few mugs of coffee and water to stay awake and hydrated. That shift started in an hour so in the meantime he figured he'd call home and check in on everyone. He hadn't talked to them since his birthday, he entered his office and sat laid down on his cot as Toothless laid beside him and he pulled out his phone to call his mother who finally had a cell phone and was learning how to use it with help from Camille and Seth. Everything with his mother had been fixed, the Archipelago knew she was alive, rescued by Hayden who had been a POW himself at the time, her death certificate was shredded and headstone in the cemetery removed or broken up, Hayden couldn't remember which. But they knew she was alive and back so that was all that mattered. After three rings, it connected.

"Hello son, how are you?" Valora answered brightly.

"Hey, Mom. I'm alright just relaxing until guard shift tonight...Wanted to check in with everyone," Hayden replied.

"Everyone is good. Avery is over with Camille, they are doing their homework. Your father is working and I'm working on dinner-don't worry, Avery and Melody have been teaching me how to cook..." Valora chuckled a little.

"That's...good to hear, Mom. I'm glad you're settling in okay, any luck finding a job?" Hayden asked.

"Had an interview this morning at 8:30am, hoping to hear back soon. It was for an receptionist job," she giggled.

"I hope you get it. So Camille is living at the house again?" Hayden inquired.

"We both are now, hoping you get to come home for a visit soon. Maybe have a nice...family dinner? You been there, what, four months now?"

"Just about...and I don't know if I'm ready to...be in the same room as Dad..." Hayden remarked quietly.

"I know you're upset with him but he is trying dear..." Valora reminded.

"Well he's got ten years of making up to do...And even then, I don't know if I can fully forgive him after what he said when he was here. You were there, you heard it..." Hayden sighed.

"I know sweetheart. I was there and I'm not happy with him either, finally being free as a prisoner and hearing how downhill the family went-it breaks my heart. Try talking to him...please? When you get home I don't want there to be tension, or arguing...That's not what families do," Valora insisted softly.

"I never started it, he did. I'm not going to talk to him: if he wants to prove he's sorry, then he's gonna have to try with me. I don't trust a word he says in a letter, or a text, or a phone call. I was lied to once and I don't want to deal with it again...I don't want to fight about this, Mom...I need a clear head for tonight...I'll see what I can do about coming home for a week or so...No promises," Hayden replied.

"I appreciate that. Want to talk to your sister or Avery?" his mother asked gently.

"Sure," Hayden shrugged, he heard footsteps then a knock as a door opened.

"Hayden's on the phone," Valora said as the phone was passed off. "Hey bro."

"Hey baby."

"Hey Cami, hey babe. What's up?" Hayden asked.

"Not a lot. Working on homework, stuck a few dragon related questions," Camille replied.

"Well you know you can ask me right?" Hayden reminded softly.

"Well it's our homework, thought we should try it ourselves before calling the dragon expert for help." Avery giggled. Hayden chuckled shaking his head.

"Well if you're stuck then clearly you need help so come on, ask away." Hayden told them both.

"Whispering Death weakness, it's not listed anywhere and no one has gotten close enough to try and find out. Even instructor isn't sure." Avery said.

"How can they expect you to figure it out if they aren't even sure," He sighed, "It's sunlight. And Screaming Death's are attracted to it but it can be used as a weakness too. At least challenge me, ladies," he chuckled.

"The one type of dragon that eats eels? I don't think there is one. All dragons hate eels, it makes them sick, doesn't it?" Camille asked curiously.

"All dragons except the Typhoomerangs. And yes, the dragons will get sick because of eels. It causes eel pox in them where as for humans, eels will cure eel pox. Also the blue oleander, its lethal to dragons and the cure for that is the venom from a Scauldron-which can kill a human in twenty-four hours if not removed, and the Scauldron is the only dragon that can eat the blue oleander, hence why it's venom is the cure for it in dragons," Hayden stated calmly.

"Ooh, next one is actually on eel pox. What's the cure for it in humans?" Avery asked next.

"Wild Daga plant, handful of Goat Weed, twelve Rock Blossoms, one Buckthorn Root-lightly roasted, and one Bloodvein Eel," Hayden yawned.

"Happen to know how to cure the Scourge of Odin? Not sure why it's on here, it doesn't have anything to do with dragons..." Camille stated.

"Green solution from a Buffalord dragon. Also if ya want to add more on that, the green solution is it's saliva when it eats a certain type of medicinal grass." Hayden stated, "That everything you were stumped on? I gotta get to briefing for tonight's guard..." he asked.

"What are distinct facts about each class of dragon? Specifically: Deadly Nadder, Monstrous Nightmare, Hideous Zippleback, and Gronckle." Avery asked. Hayden got up from the cot and prepared to get his things on to get to Bogg's office where Evans and Greenhalgh would be as well. Hayden grabbed his gun and helmet while heading outside of the tent.

"Distinct facts? Like secrets?" Hayden asked.

"I guess, it just says distinct..." Camille replied.

"Well...Deadly Nadders can shoot a single spine shot by hitting back of their neck just under the crown. Nightmares have a powerful wing blast that can blow away smoke and downed trees. Zipplebacks...for males the head on the left breaths gas, the one on the right sparks it, for females it's the opposite. And Gronckles...with a certain formula of rocks they create a really strong and light metal. The formula is: three parts limestone, two parts sandstone, one part iron ore, and one giant spoon of hardened Gronckle lava," Hayden stated reaching Bogg's tent and walking in.

"You're the best babe. Love you, call us tomorrow?" Avery smiled: he could hear it in her voice.

"Love you both too and I'll try. Talk to ya soon!" Hayden said as he lowered the phone and hung up, looking ahead he saw Anderson there and smiled wider. "Hey! Welcome back, Anderson. Enjoy leave did ya?"

"Always, especially when the kids were asleep," Anderson chuckled.

"OKAY! Don't need to know that much!" Hayden said quickly slipping his phone into his pocket now and shaking his head in defeat.

"So what was with all the dragon facts?" Greenhalgh asked curiously.

"Sister and girlfriend had trouble with some of their homework. I swear those professors assign shit they don't even know the answers to. They gave a question about the Whispering Death's weakness and admitted to not knowing the answer and asking what the cure for the Scourge of Odin is-that hasn't been around for centuries and what the hell does it have to do with dragon health? How are the students supposed to know these things is the instructors don't?" Hayden rolled his eyes.

"Because they know that you do. You ride a Night Fury, Hayden-better get used to a lot of people coming to you for answers about dragons. On a curious note though, what is the cure for the Scourge of Odin?" Boggs asked as Hayden smacked himself in the forehead sighing.

"First off, let's not be throwing around Scourge of Odin because it ripped through the Archipelago centuries ago killing whole Viking villages. There hasn't been a case since the last outbreak where most of the Buffalord dragons were hunted down for the cure. Buffalord saliva mixed with the medicinal herbs it eats making the saliva green is the only cure, it's rumored that those dragons were hunted to extinction," Hayden said, closing his eyes in frustration. "Can we get back on topic about the guard tonight?..."

"Right, of course. It's pretty simple guard like all the others. Front lines, sky patrols, watch for enemies or anything that doesn't look right. Call it in and we'll go from there," Evans said.

"And I had to be debriefed about this because?..." Hayden asked arching a brow.

"Just making sure," Said Greenhalgh, Hayden crossed his arms over his chest.

"Okay fine, we were worried about you because you've been pretty miserable for two months...your friends, as well all of us are worried and we'll grant you leave time if you need it," Evans said.

Hayden sighed, "I appreciate the concern but I'm fine, really. I'll take leave when I'm ready to but honestly...I really don't feel like going home right now. If that is all, I have a squadron to prepare. Afternoon, Gentleman," he said with a smile as he offered a salute and walked out shaking his head with another sigh, he really wished people would stop worrying about him, he was fine. Just mad at his father, but what was new there? Hayden reached E barrack to get Alpha Fire ready for the guard shift. After twenty minutes they all made their way to the front lines, took up their positions and the shift began.

(Two Months Later)

Now in April, towards the middle of it at least, things were pretty quiet in Iraq: more and more people taking leave or entire squadrons going out but not Hayden's company except a select few who had personal things to deal with. Hayden had been the only one who actually had a choice in when he took leave but he wouldn't take it: he didn't want to go home and face his father-who Hayden was absolutely sure was just going to get on his knees and beg forgiveness from him. Hayden didn't want begging, he wanted proof that his father was actually sorry. So far, Hayden was either relaxing with the guys in E barrack or chilling in his office with Strike One as there wasn't much else do it they weren't on guard or doing area check missions. At the moment, Hayden was relaxing on his cot and just about to fall asleep when someone rushed in panting: thinking it was an attack, Hayden grabbed his gun but only saw Anderson there smiling like he'd won the lottery or something.

"Thor almighty, Anderson...I could have killed you..." Hayden mumbled putting the gun down.

"Oh never mind! Guess what?!" Anderson grabbed his shoulders firmly still smiling.

"War is over, everyone gets to go home?" Hayden asked now.

"I wish but this news is just as good! Maria is pregnant!" Anderson cheered, Hayden's eyes widened a bit: Anderson's wife was pregnant again? "She just sent me the sonogram picture! She's already like eleven weeks pregnant, look!" Anderson brought up the picture on his phone as Hayden looked over it and felt his chest tighten slightly. Avery...had the miscarriage when she was ten weeks pregnant and the only sonogram he ever had was when the baby was at six weeks.

"That's...great, Anderson. Congrats to you man-I'm happy for you, send Maria my congratulations too," Hayden said softly with a smile to Anderson. He knew that it'd almost been a year since the miscarriage but it still bothered him, made him afraid to have sex with Avery in case she got pregnant again and it ended in another miscarriage. He didn't want to deal with that pain again so he was shying away from the entire situation but he couldn't be upset in front of Anderson, the man was practically glowing at the news of his wife's pregnancy.

"And we already talked about it, if it's a boy...we're naming him Hayden Fury Anderson after you and Toothless, and we want you to not only be uncle-but Godfather too." Hayden's eyes widened even more: Anderson...wanted to name the baby-if it was a boy, after him and Toothless?

"Oh...I don't...know about that, Anderson...I'm just some...sarcastic kid you met in Afghanistan," Hayden said, unsure of how to feel about it.

"Nonsense!" Anderson paused, "Well, you are a sarcastic kid but damn it, you're my brother and we want our next son to be named after you. You'll always be part of our family, Hayden. Don't forget that." Anderson hugged him and Hayden slowly hugged him back, completely beside himself at the news. Harry was of course over the moon about it. "Maria says she can tell it's gonna be a boy and she's never been wrong about either of our kids. Hell she even, took a whack as saying Avery was going to have a girl last year," Anderson chuckled as Hayden flinched closing his eyes and he realized what he'd said. "Hayden...I'm sorry. I wasn't...think-,"

"It's...alright, Anderson. I understand. It slipped, I know you wouldn't say it on purpose. I'm okay with all of that now, it's been almost a year after all," Hayden smiled at him, waving it off, "Don't even worry about it and I'm honored you want to name your son after Toothless and I. Seriously, tell Maria congrats from me. I...gotta see Evans real quick, he told me to come see him at 1500 for something. I'll catch up with you later, kay?" With that Hayden headed out of the tent leaving Anderson very confused and feeling really bad for letting Avery's pregnancy reminder slip in his excitement. Hayden did in fact go right to Evan's office and knocked twice.

"Come in," Hayden heard, he walked in and stood before Evans and Boggs-who happened to be in there as well. "Major Haddock, what a surprise. What can I do for you?"

"That offer you gave me two months ago to take leave, is it still on the table?" Hayden asked.

"Of course, two weeks leave like everyone else is getting." Boggs said now.

"Good. I'm taking it and I'm leaving in an hour. I'll be back in two weeks," Hayden said firmly.

"Something wrong back home, you seem...very rushed to get back all of a sudden?" Evans asked. Hayden stopped himself from leaving.

"No. Nothing at all, just miss my family, friends, and girl. I'm taking Toothless with me. Thanks," he gave a smile them walked out. Getting back to the barrack, he grabbed his backpack and started throwing things in it.

"Uh...where ya going, mission or something?" Theo asked curiously.

"Two weeks leave, finally decided to take it. You're in charge of Strike One while I'm gone," Hayden said. They just stared at him now, why would he suddenly take leave out of nowhere? He could of taken it when they had and all gone home together but he said he didn't care about going home and just tell his family he was sick and didn't want to travel in such a state but now he was just going without warning to anyone. Hayden finished packing what he'd need and whistled for Toothless, he walked out and jumped on his back just as Anderson was coming over after getting the news Hayden was taking immediate leave from Evans. "Let's go bud..." Hayden told his friend, Toothless gave a snort of confirmation as the two took to the sky overhead.

"Well I guess we'll see him in two weeks then..." Jasmine sighed, "Wonder why he just took off immediately though, he said he didn't care about leave."

"It's my fault...I brought up the miscarriage by accident while talking about my wife's pregnancy, how she always knew if it'd be girl or boy before we found out, and she'd always be right. She called Avery's pregnancy a year ago being a girl, then Hayden just rushed out, told Evans he was taking leave for two weeks and now...there he goes." Anderson sighed heavily.

"He'll be okay, that still hits him pretty hard. He'll be okay when he gets back." Theo said calmly.

"I hope you're right, Theo." Anderson said looking to the sky as Hayden and Toothless went out of sight.