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

62; Birth, Funeral, Awards

He'd only been home an hour and he was sitting in a hospital room with Maria-who was in labor while his family and Anderson's kids sat in the waiting room for news. Maria was given the epidural when she hit six centimeters so her pain had lessened now but contractions still coming every seven minutes now-doctor said about another two hours until she was ready to push. Hayden sat in the chair staring out the window, he'd never been in this situation before-sitting with a woman about to give birth. He would of if it had been Avery but that never happened so he was kind of in this blind and trying to be helpful but staying out of the way too. The door had a knock on it as the nurse poked her head in with a soft smile at them. "Your family in the waiting area is asking if they can come in since you still have a while to go?"

"Of course they can come in," Maria nodded, the nurse shut the door as Maria looked at Hayden now-she could see how miserable he looked, also that he was deep in thought, "Hayden?" he turned his head to face her and got up to walk next to her bed.

"Are you okay, any pain? I can get the doctor..." Hayden replied to her, Maria touched his cheek with a soft smile.

"I'm alright, are you okay?" she asked him.

"Yeah, I'm okay." Hayden nodded, "Really, it's hard but-you know your husband...nothing would of stopped him."

"That is very true, he lived and breathed the army. He always wanted to protect and I knew he'd give his life to abide that vow...I know how close you two were," Maria said as the door opened while Gerald, Valora, Avery, Camille, Seth, Theo, Jasmine, Gobber, Liam and Brenna came in. The others had gone home and just asked to be updated when the baby was born.

"Mama..." Brenna and Liam moved to her bed as Hayden picked them up to hug their mother so she wouldn't have to move much or bend.

"Hi babies, are you being good for Uncle Hayden's family?" Maria asked them.

"They've been angels," Valora smiled to her.

"That's my good kids," Maria smiled lightly laying her head back.

"Can I get you anything, water or the ice chips?" Hayden asked her.

"I'm alright for right now, thank you dear." Maria said to him, "Did my husband say anything before he went?"

"Only what I said before in the airport. He asked me to tell you that he loves you and has since the day you two met, that he loves his kids and will always be with all of you," he paused, "and to take care of the kids."

"Sounds like Harry alright...did he go peacefully?" Maria inquired.

"Of course he did. He told me all that then was taken to medical but by the time the attack was over, he was already gone. They did...everything they could for him," his family and friends looked at one another, that's not what Theo had said to them. Hayden lost it when Anderson died but they could see that he was trying to make it better for Maria-especially since she was in labor right now and the kids were right there next to the bed.

"He was lucky to have a friend like you," Maria smiled to Hayden, "you two always had each others backs."

"That's what brothers are for," Hayden tried to smile. It was pretty quiet after that, Hayden just sat in the chair near the window-clearly deep in thought with a calm expression on his face. After another hour and twenty minutes, the nurse came in to check Maria and she had sped right along with being ready to push. Hayden's family, and friends were asked to leave with the kids but of course Hayden stayed with Maria and helped her through the breathing and pushing. After two pushes she was in tears wanting Harry there so she could hit him, Hayden offered himself as a hitting post-but then Maria just said she couldn't do it without him so Hayden let her hold the the dog tags and told her that Anderson was still with her always, it seemed to help as three more pushes later: the baby had been born, a boy just as Maria had said it would be.

"Name for the baby?" the nurse asked while the baby was in Maria's arms after it had been cleaned off, weighed and measured.

"Hayden Fury Anderson," Maria said softly as Hayden's eyes widened a bit, she was using that name still? The one Anderson had picked? Oh that just made him feel worse. Anderson wouldn't of died if Hayden had been paying attention on the battlefield, it was his fault that Anderson was dead now. "The name my husband picked, to name our son after his brother..." Maria looked to Hayden now. Hayden stood there while Maria fed the baby the bottle and burped him, then she offered the newborn to Hayden to hold, shocking him farther. Hayden adjusted his arms and carefully held the child in his arms, he wanted to cry honestly. The baby yawned stretching his arms and hands-Hayden used his finger to move some of the blanket out of the way and the baby's finger grasped his tightly before falling back to sleep in his arms.

"He's so small..." Hayden whispered.

"Go introduce him to everyone, I'm just going to take a little nap..." Maria smiled at him.

"A-are you sure?" he asked a little surprised, she nodded and closed her eyes as Hayden made sure he had the baby secure in his arms as he opened the door to the hospital room and walked down the hall towards the waiting area. "Brenna, Liam...I have someone I'd like you to meet," Hayden smiled softly as he crouched down a bit to their level so they could see the baby. "This is your new brother, Hayden Fury Anderson..."

"Daddy said he was naming the baby after you if it was a boy, he's so little..." Brenna smiled.

"How's Maria?" Gerald asked.

"Good, she's sleeping right now. Told me to let the kids meet their brother..." Hayden said as he moved to sit in the chair against the wall as the others moved in to see better.

"He's so precious," Camille said lightly as Hayden just couldn't take his eyes off the newborn in his arms, the baby that Anderson had named after him and Toothless.

"This will be you next, Theo," Hayden chuckled to his friend who would also be becoming a father very soon, Hayden knew he wasn't this little guy's father but he was an uncle which was always like a second father in some families.

"Don't remind me, I'm nervous enough as it is...Olivia gives birth in a month," Theo paled slightly.

"You'll be fine." Hayden told him gently. For a while, Hayden just held the baby in his arms until the nurse came around to take the baby for it's hearing and eye test-then would be taken back to the room. Hayden took them all out to eat since everyone was hungry, including himself then he sent Brenna, Jasmine, and Liam home with his parents for the night as he was going to spend the night in the hospital in case Maria needed at help with the baby. What else could he do, he'd said he'd do anything to make it easier for her and had promised Anderson he would take care of his kids. That is a vow he wouldn't break-he couldn't allow himself to.

(Three Weeks Later)

Maria was released from the hospital two days after giving birth to Hayden Fury Anderson-and of course Hayden took her home by her car after taking Toothless to the airport to get Maria's car. With her back home, he stayed a few nights on the couch to make sure she was alright and healing well from giving birth, he helped her with night feedings, changing, and getting Brenna and Liam ready for school. After that Hayden stayed back at his parent's house: he made sure Maria knew to call him if she needed anything at all. Hayden was kept up to date on all the funeral arrangements and although he'd hated to tell Maria-he told her the truth about Anderson's death, and he explained he was sorry for not telling her before but she was in active labor and Hayden hadn't wanted to risk any complications. Maria thankfully understood why Hayden didn't tell her everything.

Hayden told Maria that Anderson was shot first-saving him, and then pushing him out of the way of being blown up by a grenade-getting hit himself. Hayden told her that he lost it in a rage and that is why the war was over but there was no body of Anderson to return home, she had said that Hayden brought home his tags and belongings: that it was enough. Maria was the only one to know the truth and she promised she wouldn't tell anyone since Hayden said he was getting the help he needed to cope with it-not that he really was, no one could help him after this death, not after Anderson's death-this was one death he would never get over. Now three weeks later, it was time for the funeral for Anderson and Hayden dreaded it: it would be kept small to family and friends so all of Alpha Fire, Anderson's wife and kids, then Hayden's family and friends too. Hayden like with Ritka's funeral was sitting in full dress with the rest of Alpha Fire but Hayden was the only one who was sitting up with Maria in the front row with the kids.

Strike One sat behind him, Alpha Fire was on the left side of the church, then Hayden's family and friends were behind Strike One. Hayden Fury was in his mother's arms while Liam and Brenna sat between Hayden and Maria. Maria leaned over towards Hayden now, "Hayden dear...will you say a few words about Harry after the pastor finishes?"

"What do you want me to say about him," Hayden inquired softly to her.

"Anything at all you like, you have...a better way with words than I do and I don't...want to break down up there." Maria sighed softly. Hayden understood of course but how could he go up there when he wanted to break down too. Anderson was more than just a friend to him. If it would help Maria through this difficult time-then of course he'd oblige her, he gave a nod to her as the ceremony began with the pastor speaking about Anderson, offering prayers to Odin to help the grieving family get through this time of sadness: at some point Brenna leaned against Hayden whimpering softly, Liam moved to Hayden's other side and just stared quietly ahead at the memorial picture collage-one with family outside the military and another with him and his military buds. Hayden put his arms around both children and hugged them close. What else could he do? They'd lost their father almost two months ago and were just now finding out about it and having to witness the funeral.

"At this time, I open the floor to anyone who'd like to say a few words about Lieutenant Colonel Harry Anderson," the pastor asked as Maria looked to Hayden now as he stood up carefully and the kids moved by their mother while Hayden moved from behind the pew and to the stand.

"I'm sure everyone here knows me and if you don't...I'm Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Haddock. I only knew Harry Anderson for six years but they were years I'll never forget and never regret. I joined the military when I was sixteen years old and immediately after graduating Basic Combat Training, I was promoted from Private to Sergeant, then deployed with one hundred and forty-nine others directly to Afghanistan. When we arrived, we were all split up to different areas of the base. Six of us, myself included, were sent to join the First Alpha Fire squadron of the Dragonfire platoon. I remember getting in there, being announced as a sixteen year old Sergeant-stirred up a lot of confusion and maybe even jealousy but one man...he didn't care, he was beyond thrilled and welcomed me aboard with open arms and a wide smile. That man was Harry Anderson," Hayden began calmly.

"Right away after hearing I was a Sergeant, he said 'What's your name kid' and I guess that became my official nickname from him-kid or Haddock. At the time, Harry was a Sergeant just like me even though he'd been in the military four years before myself. He instantly named me leader of the Strike One unit which consisted of Theo Holgerson, Steven Ritka, Eli Matthews, Daryl Lennox, and Jason Tarelto. Theo and Eli, I had met them in Basic...and there are a few others here today who were in Basic with me too. Anderson was the best damn leader I'd ever had the pleasure of working under and our ranks always followed one another; if he got promoted...I was never far behind him. Bless that man's soul..." Hayden said softly looking down a bit. Harry Anderson always had my back in fights, anytime I was hurt-he'd stay with me until he knew I was okay." Hayden sighed.

"I remember after my first tour in Iraq ended and I was training the Night Terror squad, Anderson showed up on Fort Dreki to make sure I was alright. The tour in Iraq was harder than in Afghanistan: I lost three members of Strike One all in the course of those long sixteen months there. I'll be the first to admit that I was a complete mess but didn't tell anyone-I thought I could handle it alone, until Harry showed up and I guess he saw right through me. He knew I wasn't okay, he helped me through all that and I'd never been more grateful to the man. He always saw me as a little brother, protected me like one too. Harry wasn't just my commanding officer, he was my friend, my brother. And he was so many more things to other people too. A loving husband to his wife, a wonderful father to his children. He even told his kids to call me Uncle and I never knew about it until after the second Afghanistan tour was over. One of the last things he did for me before the fight-was promote me from Major to Lieutenant Colonel, he even used his pin to give to me and told me I'd earned it. He was always there for me, I don't think I'll ever be able to thank him for all he did for me. Harry Anderson was a true hero and will never be forgotten. I know I never will...but he will live on in the hearts of the people who love him forever more." Hayden said.

Theo smiled softly as he got up now with a long blue case and placed it down, "I was asked by Maria Anderson a few nights ago to play something in memory of her husband. It took me a while to think of something but then I remembered something Harry told me and I thought of the one thing I could do. So, I hope you'll all enjoy it as much as I think Harry would," Hayden stated as he moved out from behind the stand and knelt down to open the case, they didn't see what he was doing until he stood up straight with a strap around his neck-then a saxophone clipped to the hook. "Mind you, I haven't played this thing since I was maybe thirteen so bear with me..."

Maria nodded as the rest just look confused as Hayden took a deep breath as Jasmine pressed the button on the CD player and the tune began with what sounded like a recorder and then Hayden began to play the saxophone-the tune he performed was My Heart Will Go On from Titanic. Maria was practically in tears the whole thing but she smiled nevertheless.(A/N: By the way if you actually look up the sax instrumental to My Heart Will Go On, you can get a good idea of how it sounded when Hayden played it in the story. Just check Youtube. That's how I found it.) At the end, Hayden let the instrument rest against his mid-section as the small group in the church began to stand and clap for him. Hayden took the sax apart as he put it away. Maria hugged him tightly, thanking him for what he did. The rest of the ceremony continued through with going to the cemetery, Hayden commanding the three gun salute, then finally it was over.

"That was beautiful, what you said for Harry..." Maria said softly.

"Harry told me that it was your favorite movie, and you always danced with him listening to that song. I thought it was fitting," Hayden admitted.

"Very much so." Maria nodded, "Stop by soon, Hayden Fury misses his uncle..." Hayden nodded to her as she left with the other two kids to return home. Hayden was ready for bed-he had no appetite right now, he was just tired. After everything cleared out, he left with his family and Avery back to the Haddock house where he did instantly go right to sleep. His family was worried for him but they knew to just leave him for now.

(A Month Later)

Two months home now since there was no dragon training to be done, Hayden and Theo shared a duplex together, since now Theo was a new father and living with Olivia and their baby who ended up being a little girl that they named Alyssa Holgerson: the left side of the duplex belonged to Theo and Olivia-a two bedroom while the right side was Hayden's and Jasmine's since-she refused to live with her parents anymore since all they did was give her grief. Hayden and Jasmine had a three bedroom, no particular reason why, it just worked out that way and the duplex was partly paid for by the military. The duplex itself was stationed about thirty-five minutes to Fort Dreki, about twenty from his family and friends, and fifteen minutes to Avery and Camille's place. Today was a big day, the soldiers from the Iraq tour who earned medals, pins, and awards for their acts overseas were being recognized and of course it was the Berk ceremony so Hayden had to go even though he really didn't want to.

It was taking place in the park, all soldiers had to be there in full formal dress and it was going to be a long day since there was a lot to get through. Once it started a lot of soldiers were recognize but he became surprised when he was mentioned specifically to come up to be recognized-he didn't want this again. His family was here, he didn't do anything except lose his shit after Anderson died! That was nothing worth recognizing. "Well I'll be the first to say that this is not the first time Hayden Haddock has been brought forth to be recognized. One of the youngest soldiers to make such a high rank in only six years time of Lieutenant Colonel. He was promoted by Lieutenant Colonel Harry Anderson just before his passing in Iraq three months ago."

Hayden inwardly groaned, the guy had to say it, didn't he? Regardless, Hayden stayed in position and silent. "Today Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Haddock will be receiving six awards for his acts of heroism while serving active duty in both Afghanistan and Iraq. His awards are as follows: Good Conduct, Wings Aerial, Meritorious Service, the Iraq Campaign, and the Prisoner of War medals." As each was listed off by the commanding officer, another officer was pinning them on. "Before the POW medal is pinned, I'd like to inform everyone why he is being awarded such even though he is not a POW," Hayden almost sighed. "When serving his second tour in Iraq, just one month in, at the time he was Major Haddock. During a routine sky patrol and hearing a dragon in distress, he was captured by Iraqi soldiers along with his dragon, and the one in distress. Major Haddock sent his unit back to base to keep them safe while he allowed himself to stay captive. He was gone for fifteen hours and returned alive, and unharmed with not just himself and his dragon-but also his mother and her dragon who had been assumed dead as POW's themselves for ten long years and that is why he is receiving this medal now." the medal was pinned in place on his uniform.

However, now Hayden was confused-the officer had said that he was earning six medals, yet only five had been placed. A black box was brought to the officer before him as it was opened. "The final medal this young soldier is to receive is one only give to the bravest of the brave with courage, loyalty, willing to give his or her life to save civilians or fellow soldiers, a soldier who distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while serving against armed enemies of the Archipelago. The Archipelago's highest medal awarded for valor in combat. Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Haddock-you are being awarded this medal for all your acts of selfless service, loyalty, courage, bravery since you have joined the military. Not only have you risked your life to save comrades, but also to save civilians, and your own family. A top all that; you are the soldier responsible for ending the war with Afghanistan, and the one with Iraq. For all this, we award you the Medal of Honor. Wear it proudly-you have earned it. You're a hero to the Barbaric Archipelago, son," the officer said as it was pinned above all the other medals he had received over the last six years.

He couldn't believe it. Honestly he could not. He was the only soldier in the room who was awarded the Medal of Honor. The people in the room all stood and applauded him, his family cheering for him. Why though-he didn't do anything. Why were they saying he did all those things, he just...acted on instinct-half of those heroism's were him putting his life on the line so he wouldn't lose anyone else. Hayden didn't end those wars himself, everyone fought! Oh this was too much for him-he just wanted to get to the duplex and escape all this. He wasn't...a hero. He wasn't. He was a soldier who lost six of his best friends, his brothers because he wasn't strong enough. All of their deaths were on his hands and would be for the rest of his life-it was all his fault

He just stood there-hiding the fact he was actually miserable as ever being recognized and awarded for only stopping the war because he nearly lost Avery, and he did lose Anderson-both times he went into an almost unstoppable rage and forced his enemies into submission be fear alone. For Hayden, this was nothing to feel proud about. 'I'm no hero, just a bad tempered murderer. I've earned nothing...'