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

78; Day To Be Alive

It was the beginning of July now-specifically the third on Berk. Beyond The Clouds was getting set up, things being put in place finally with Hayden leading it all to his vision as instructed by his commanding officers. Avery seemed to get better after a few days after she and Hayden returned from their honeymoon early so they chalked it up to her just having a stomach bug since she was much better now with no fever, could keep her food down with fully energy back up to normal. Hayden promised he would take her back to Isle of Night as soon as things with Beyond The Clouds settled down since in in about four weeks at the start of August-first classes would be beginning. In a turn of events-the families of his former friends had donated their son's dragon's to Beyond The Clouds for Hayden to use for examples for his classes. This mean Hayden now had Ashspark-who had been Daryl's Monstrous Nightmare, Sunflare-who was Eli's Deadly Nadder, Jason's Gronckle, Stomp, and Steven's Gronckle, Rocky living at Beyond The Clouds. Maria was going to keep Anderson's Nightmare because the kids didn't want to lose him-which Hayden understood completely.

Everything was going great and Hayden felt better than ever between working with dragons all the time, therapy, and having friends and family to help him-he really was doing a lot better than when he'd come home from Iraq the second time after Anderson's death. Of course it still bothered him but he accepted that there was nothing he could of done except maybe pay more attention and Anderson wouldn't of had to save his ass but Anderson would have done the same for anyone. Hayden tried to make a visit to the cemetery once or twice a month-he'd go alone but he wouldn't drink or hurt himself, he'd just sit there and relax although sometimes he'd go with Theo so it could be all of them together. It worked out since today Avery had a doctors appointment-the woman doctor do to a pap smear or something-Hayden couldn't remember what it was for but he knew he didn't have to be there for it. Hayden was actually busy at Beyond The Clouds-Berk Location making sure everything was ready and he was going to applicants for students.

The pile was taller than him and he was a good six foot one inch while standing-there was a lot to go through. He had Jasmine helping him since she was his secretary-the rest of his staff and friends were getting the office and classrooms ready. They'd be opening in August, one month away-it was time to crack down and get everything ready for first classes. Avery would be back later on-she'd said after her appointment she might go home to take a nap since she was feeling a little tired and hadn't slept well-Hayden didn't mind as long as she checked in with him when she got back home so he knew she was alright and if she needed him to let him know so he could come home and take care of her. She insisted she was just fine and for him to focus on his work, Hayden didn't disagree with her-he did have a lot to do and in so little time, There were two classes: a beginners who would be starting from scratch with no dragon, then an advanced for anyone who already had a bonded dragon. It had been a suggestion from Avery actually.

Some people bonded to dragons without trying-it just happens like how Hayden bonded with Toothless, or Camille with Rain, and Avery with Stormfly. Hayden incorporated that suggestion almost immediately too since it had been a fantastic idea. Right now it was about 2:40pm and Hayden hadn't heard from Avery yet-off because he appointment had been at 2:15pm, she said these appointment didn't take long to complete. He had texted her a few times but no reply and on the screen it said delivered but not read so she hadn't checked them yet. "Still nothing from Avery yet?" Jasmine asked seeing Hayden's concerned face.

"No, she normally always answers within fifteen minutes," Hayden replied as he grabbed another application to look over. The way it worked was he'd look it over and see if possible students would meet the age requirements, and if they had a dragon already or not. There would be ten classes per semester. Five beginners, five advanced. One of Hayden's deciding factors were if any of the students took previous dragon knowledge based classes in the their high school or college years. It helped him with placement between the two levels of classes and also each class would have fifteen students so not to overwhelm the trainers-working in big groups made it complicated.

"I'm sure she's okay-maybe she's already home and sleeping, you mentioned she was tired. She probably forgot is all," Jasmine offered.

"I tried callin her too-she always answers calls," he mumbled but guessed that Avery could have fallen asleep and forgotten to let him know how the appointment went.

"Hey boss, we got a situation down here near the stables and lake," came Theo's voice on the radio sitting on Hayden's desk now-he lifted it.

"How bad?" Hayden asked while getting up.

"The dragons are...well, I'm not sure-we've never seen it before. It's like their rabid," Theo stated now.

"I'm on my way-stay clear of them for now." Hayden stated clipping the radio to his belt and heading to the window-see the main building was about ten stories twelve stories high. First floor was main entrance with reception, the 12th floor was Hayden's office. Everything in between was either classrooms or other offices pertaining to the school-payroll, meetings, design, etc. Hayden's window on top floor had a small standing balcony that way when he whistled for situations like these-he could jump on Toothless's back and head right off without needing the elevator. Toothless flew up beside the balcony and Hayden got on as they headed towards the stables. From above-he could see the problem.

"Any ideas?" Ethan asked.

"Yep-only thing that turn a dragon like that is a Grimora leech. Were the dragons swimming in the lake?" Hayden asked.

"Yeah since it's kind'a hot today-thought it'd be a nice way to cool them off after training, what the hell is a Grimora?" Dylan asked.

"A leech that lives in fresh water lagoons and lakes, they latch onto the dragons and the dragon sort of lose control. Need salt to repel the leeches. Come on Toothless-give the order," Hayden patted his friend's neck as Toothless glowed blue and roared out-the dragon fought it. Toothless's eyes turned to slits and the dragons remained calm and followed him towards the beach were after touching the salt water-the leeches seemed to scurry away into bushes and the dragon relaxed as Toothless's glow faded and he gave a gummy smile to his rider who smiled back. "Keep the dragons out of the fresh water and they'll be fine," Hayden smiled.

"Thanks for that-never seen them like that before, was scary." Heather put a hand over her heart now. Hayden nodded as he got off Toothless and took in a deep breath-now he had to get back to doing applications. He had Jasmine bring them outside since there was no wind and he wanted to enjoy sitting with his dragon.

(An Hour Later; 3:45pm)

"HAYDEN!" Avery's voice shouted, he turned quickly to see her rushing over in a slow jog-the widest smile on her face.

"Don't yell like that-you'll give me a heart attack, Avery, jeeze...what's up? I've been calling and texting you for like an hour..." Hayden hugged her lightly and kissed her once.

"Sorry-something came up at the appointment and I didn't have time to reply," she informed him as he arched a brow.

"What do you mean something came up? Are you okay, is everything alright?" Hayden asked quickly as she was handed a water bottle by Jasmine to help calm her down a bit since she was panting.

"I'm...amazing! It wasn't anything bad!" Avery smiled to him as he looked at her curiously.

"Damn it, Avery-what happened, you know I hate being dragged around the bush..." Hayden sighed as Avery reached into her purse and pulled out a sonogram picture, "Is that the picture from the child we lost?" he asked now.

"What the?..." Avery turned it and looked at it now-fuck she'd grabbed the wrong one! "Yes but...it's not what I was trying to show you-hold on!" she checked her purse again and pulled out another one with a bright smile on her face-gleam in her blue eyes.

"Babe, this is the same picture...it's still a sonogram..." Hayden chuckled a bit.

"No you dummy-this is from today! This was taken thirty minutes ago!" Hayden's eyes widened as he took it from her and looked more closely at it: July 3rd, 2022-3:15pm-Avery Haddock at Family Beginnings. The side notes even said pregnancy confirmed-and he could see the baby right there in the picture, bigger than the six week picture baby that they'd lost originally. This was from today! Avery was...pregnant!? He was completely beside himself at the news-happy but still shocked as fuck to find out she was.

"I don't...understand how you're pregnant. I mean I know how it works and all but...you've been getting your period every month babe-how is this...possible?" Hayden asked.

"This is why I was gone so long and didn't answer because it happened so fast. That's what they found-a baby. The doctor was checking my stomach and said it felt hard, she asked if I was pregnant and I said no. She ran an office test and it came up positive-she sent me for blood work which was rushed and that came back positive too. Then I was sent for ultrasound! Hayden, I'm pregnant!" Avery cried happily as Hayden could only wrap his arms around her and hug her tightly-but not too tightly.

"This is...Oh my Gods! This is amazing!" Hayden kissed her deeply now and span her around once before pulling her down. "When is your next appointment? How far along are you- month or so? You haven't had any symptoms-and you were getting your period, I'm so confused but beyond happy too!" Hayden exclaimed-he was thrilled. He'd said if she got pregnant now then he was totally fine with it.

"That's the other news I have for you, ready for this?" Avery asked as Hayden nodded, "I'm eleven weeks along," Hayden's mouth dropped open.

"What? How can...you be...eleven weeks? There's no way-you'd be showing by now," Hayden said in disbelief.

"The doctor said I'm not showing because right now it's kind of more centered towards my back but as the baby grows-it will move forward for more room. And she said every pregnancy is different, some women have all symptoms and some have none at all. I've been wicked tired lately and moody," Avery giggled.

"Well yeah but I thought it was your period or ovulation because you do it both times," Hayden stated.

"I should punch you for that comment but I won't because I'm way to happy right now. The period thing-it was just spotting, I kept mentioned my period was shorter and lighter. Doctor said it's totally normal for that to happen. Hayden look at the picture- the baby is much bigger and more defined. I'm eleven weeks-I conceived right before the wedding at the beginning of May on the 2nd. I implanted the day of our wedding, on the 11th. And I'm due January 22nd. It's all right there-and in these papers. I'm pregnant Hayden and one week from being three months pregnant. The doctor says everything is just fine and after I hit week thirteen-I should be in the safe zone from miscarriages. Heartbeat is strong, everything in place, perfect measurements..." Avery was crying due to being so happy about it all.

"Holy...shit this is amazing! You're pregnant! What's hilarious is before the wedding we were using condoms-I stopped using them the night of the wedding because I said I didn't mind one bit and I still don't. I'm so unbelievably happy right now! Yes! We're going to have a baby-I'm gonna be a father!" Hayden hugged her again.

"Congrats man!" Theo put a hand on his back then shook his hand.

"Yeah, seriously. That's awesome!" Rachel smiled as the girls all hugged him and Avery-the guys hugged Avery but high fived or shook hands with Hayden. This was officially one of the best day of his life, nothing could make it better.

"We gotta tell everyone!" Hayden announced happily as Avery handed him a copy of the picture, "This is going right on my desk in the office-and you, no more dragon riding. I swear to God, Avery...You tell me the very second something feels off and you're not 100% positive of what it is...I'm both happy and terrified right now," Hayden admitted to her.

"I know, I am too but we'll be okay. Everything will be okay this time-they are watching me more carefully because of last time. Appointments every three weeks, sonograms once a month but right now everything is just as it should be the woman said. I even got the ultrasound appointment on DVD for you since you missed it. I was so shocked that I left the phone in the car-that's why I didn't answer and I came right here after it was over. We're going to have baby in six months!" Avery hugged him again-both of them were so happy. This was their chance-this was their time. It had been just like Anderson said-when the time was right it would happen again and now it was. Hayden held her tightly in his arms-he actually cried a bit. He was going to be a father-and he couldn't wait.

Given the day was just about over-they all headed home-but to Hayden's apartment where he'd called over his parents, Gobber, and Avery's parents for dinner so they could tell them the good news of Avery being pregnant. They all came over for 6pm where Hayden had ordered pizza which would be coming in twenty minutes or so. Everyone arrived and greeted one another-then sat down, Hayden and Avery in front of their parents-turned out that Avery invited Maria and the kids over too. When everyone was relaxed and sitting-Miya, Avery's mother spoke first. "So what is all this about, random family dinner night with friends too?"

"Well, sort of," Avery began as Hayden held her hand-the two smiled at one another now, "You tell them,"

"Avery had her yearly appointment today with her doctor and something...unexpected came up during the exam," Hayden started.

"Boy-out with it," Gobber commanded him with a bonk to the top of his head.

"Fuck it-Avery's eleven weeks pregnant!" he announced. His parents, her parents, Maria's, and Gobber's mouths just hung open in shock, "Doctor said her stomach felt hard-gave her a office test, then rushed blood test to confirm pregnancy, finally she was taken to ultrasound and got this," Hayden said handing them the sonogram to look at. "She conceived right before the wedding took place, implanted the day of the wedding-hasn't shown any symptoms at all. She's pregnant! We're gonna have a baby." he tried to control his excitement.

"That's wonderful!" Valora said as she hustled over to hug Hayden and Avery now-followed by his father, then her parents, and Gobber. Maria was last as she had pulled something out of her purse and handed it to Hayden-however it was folded so he didn't know what it was.

"I was asked in a letter to make sure you got this back when the time came," Maria said softly to Hayden who was confused-he unfolded it as he gasped with wide eyes that instantly had tears forming.

"How did-I gave this to..." Hayden couldn't find his words.

"Harry brought it to me when he came home on leave right before he passed away-he said that he was going to hold onto it until next time but wanted it in a safe place. He said in that in the event Avery fell pregnant again and he wasn't home to give it back to you-I was to do it. I had a feeling when she called it might be the case-so I brought it back." Maria put a hand on his cheek.

"What...is it, Hayden? Why are you crying?" Avery asked quickly as Hayden turned the article of clothing so she could see it now-a black onsie with the words: I might be small but I look like my mommy, but I got my daddy's personality. Beware my fury. Avery put a hand over her mouth now. "When...did you get that?"

"I'd...gotten this right before I went back to Fort Dreki when your appointments...were over after we found out about your first pregnancy-the baby we lost. I'd gotten this for that child but...when we lost it-Harry took this and the sonogram picture from me so I could recover from the loss without it being a reminder, he said he'd hold on to them until next time...and that son of bitch kept his word too," Hayden lifted his head towards the ceiling with a heavy sigh.

"What...had he said to you?" Theo asked, "Come on now-you promised you wouldn't do this anymore, keeping it to yourself,"

"I know, Theo-just...I'd honestly forgotten about this until now. I thought Harry got rid of it-I'm glad he didn't but damn, it just hits kind'a hard-ya know? Right after I got off the phone with Maria that night in the barrack-you guys were there, you should know but for you babe since you don't know, Harry had said: Why don't you let me hold on to these for now? Until the next time comes around, looking at it now is only going to hurt you more...I know it might not want to hear it my friend but I feel that maybe this was just a sign that it wasn't time to happen. But it will be eventually, take it as a second chance that now you can wait until you're both ready." Hayden repeated.

Avery leaned her head on his shoulder now and held his hand, "Harry-like you, Hayden was a man of his word. I've kept that in the top drawer of mine and Harry's room since he gave it to me. Now that it's happened again-it's time that you get it back just as Harry promised." Maria told him, Hayden hugged her now.

"Thank you, Maria-you don't know what this means to me," Hayden said as a few tears slipped from his eyes. After pulling away he placed it on Avery's stomach, "My first gift to you little one," he said softly kissing her belly-you could actually see a small bump there now. Avery could have cried as she and Hayden shared a passionate kiss. "I love you, Avery."

"I love you too, Hayden," Avery replied. Now it was officially the a day he couldn't possibly assume could get better. His wife was pregnant with their first child-technically second since the first never made it to term and he'd gotten back a precious gift from a friend. Nothing could make it better-surrounded by family and friends to share the news of the fact he and Avery would be parents in six months time. And he could feel the presence of all the friends he'd lost with him too-what a day to be alive as all he could think about was how fucking happy he was to not be dead right now. If he'd killed himself-he wouldn't have all this right now-this is what made his life worth living. His wife, unborn child, friends, and family around him.