=Normal POV=
[Saturday, 6/27/2015-7:30 pm]
[Berserker Island; Apartment]
Tomorrow was the big day for the soldiers of Alpha Company based in Berserker Island; they were going to Syria for one year to serve their first tour of duty. There had been training day in and day out, even nights. Hiccup did keep to his word and make a new e-mail address to give to his parents and Gobber; reminding them not to be surprised if he was unable to answer right away, or even for a few days. Hiccup called Adelaide a couple weeks ago to congratulate her on graduating high school, and he talked to her and Snotlout for a few minutes each; telling them he was in the army and about to deploy for a year. Hiccup said that they could tell their parents, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut…But not Astrid. Thankfully, his cousins agreed to his terms and hoped he would be safe and that they could see him soon. Hiccup spent the last week making sure everything he needed for the tour was packed up, Dagur, and all the others did the same. And tonight; they were together for one last hoorah party to enjoy semi-simple life before going to war. Of course, there was alcohol involved, but it wouldn't be crazy because the four males needed to be at the Berserker Base Airfield for 4:00 am, and they'd be leaving for 5 am.
Heather made dinner for the five of them to enjoy, and now all of them were sitting around the living room to relax and chat about whatever. Hiccup already talked to his parents before dinner, letting them know he'd be eating, showering, and probably getting to sleep for the flight tomorrow. Hiccup still didn't tell them where he was going; it hadn't been allowed to reveal that location. Hiccup said he loved them all and would call as soon as he got the chance once he arrived at his destination. However, tonight; the friends noticed how quiet Hiccup was, and they weren't sure why when he'd been happy and active all day.
"Alright," Dagur sat up now, looking over at Hiccup. "What gives?"
"Huh?" Hiccup asked.
"You. What's up with you tonight?" Dagur clarified.
"Nothing, just relaxing with all of you," Hiccup replied.
"Nah. Nah fam…Something is bothering you," Dagur remarked.
"Come on, bro," Thuggory stated.
"Talk to us," Eret offered.
"Are you nervous about the next year?" Heather wondered.
"Not really," Hiccup shook his head.
"Then what gives, Hic?" Dagur pushed. "Does it have to do with that something leaving you mentioned back in November before the stationing here on Berserker?" he inquired. Hiccup didn't respond right away, but he sighed after a moment.
"Yes," Hiccup admitted.
"What happened, man?" Thuggory questioned.
"You were right back in November, Thug…That whole situation was in regard to an ex," Hiccup confirmed. "We were together for three years; after graduation I asked her to marry me and she said no,"
"Oh, my Gods…Did she say why?!" Heather inquired quickly.
Hiccup shook his head. "No. In fact; she said no and just ran off to her bedroom, locking the door. I felt like the answer was made clear, so I just left. Got in my car and went home. Haven't seen or spoken to her since. That was last June, on the 15th,"
"But then…We met you on the mainland, on the 30th; you just up and left Berk in fifteen days?" Eret asked.
"You made a life changing choice to join the army in fifteen days?" Thuggory blinked.
"No," Hiccup stated. "I'd always wanted to join the military when I was younger. But then I fell in love with my ex when I was fifteen, and we started dating. By the middle of my senior year; I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and decided that if I was going to settle down early; joining the army didn't make much sense. Plus, she wasn't overly fond of the idea…She supports the military, would have supported me if we'd stayed together and I'd joined…But I guess at the time; I preferred the plan to stay on Berk and live my life with her," he explained.
"But when she rejected your proposal; you decided to go ahead and join?" Dagur inquired.
Hiccup nodded to him. "I wanted to get away from Berk…From her,"
"That…Makes sense, but Hiccup…Why didn't you ever talk to her? Get a reason?" Heather wondered.
"Because I was hurt," Hiccup stated.
"Yeah, but-," Eret tried.
"Let me give you the history I have with this girl," Hiccup sighed. "I'd always been bullied for my small figure. I was always called; the talking fishbone, Hiccup the Useless, runt even…But one day in Kindergarten; she came to sit with me because she wanted to. When I was along on the playground; she'd come play with me. Sometimes we just sat on the swings and talked. We became the best of friends. Gods…We were always competing with one another; it was fun. I met my other friends through her, and soon it just became our group of six. Well, one of the friends is actually my younger cousin; he's like…Ten months younger than me. Anyway…" he took a breath.
"That friendship held for YEARS until freshman year; I just looked at her one day and it hit me that I was in love with her. Took me the entire school year to find the courage to ask her to the end of year dance, and then tell her how I felt. By the end of that night; she was my girlfriend. Our relationship was great; we never fought, kept the friendship through the dating. Always cracking jokes and having a good time. We could always talk to one another, always had trust, communication, mutual feelings…No secrets. The middle of our final year; I wanted more than dating. I wanted her forever, so I bought a ring and waited until after graduation. Which, shockingly, ended up being our three-year anniversary…I found it to be no better time when it was just us in her parents' house…"
"So you asked her and she said no, running off, and leaving you nothing at all except rejection and hurt," Thuggory frowned some.
"Yeah," Hiccup nodded, keeping his eyes down.
"Maybe it just…Surprised her, and you took it the wrong way?" Heather offered.
"Heather, I stood in the living room for five minutes, praying that was the case. Praying that she'd come back out and tell me she panicked or something," Hiccup closed his eyes. "But she didn't. I decided to just leave; I got in my car and left. I got home; went to my room and then took the next two days to decide what I was going to do. In all that; she never messaged, called, or even came to see me," Hiccup informed. "So, cleaning my room up a bit on the second day; I found all my military packets and made my choice that since she and I were over, I was going to move on with my life and join the army. It gave me the chance to have the job I wanted, and to leave Berk. I figured it would be best; get some distance between us,"
"And…To this day, she still hasn't inquired about you?" Dagur wondered.
"She has, and my parents told her I moved on…So she should too," Hiccup stated. "She knows I have a job that keeps me busy and moves around a lot, but she doesn't know it's the army. I made it clear I don't want her knowing. She'll just get worried and hang on more. It's better this way…" he added.
"Is it, though, Hiccup?" Heather looked into his eyes softly. "Have you moved on, or just distanced yourself? There's still pain in your eyes because it still bothers you…" Hiccup didn't reply. "You still love her…Don't you?"
Hiccup finished the beer and stood up. "One day, I might feel better and move on with someone else…But it doesn't mean I'd stop loving her," he tossed his beer bottle away. "She was my first, and I wanted her to be my only. Things didn't exactly go that way…But she'll always have a special place in my heart and my life. No matter where I go, what I do, who I might be with, or how many years might pass; until the day I take my last breath; part of me will always love Astrid Hofferson. I'm gonna get some sleep; see you in the morning, guys," he headed off to his room.
"Damn…" Eret said.
"Poor guy," Thuggory nodded, agreeing.
"It still hurts him, even a year later," Heather frowned.
"Don't blame him for still being bothered by it; he'll actually move on when he's ready. Distancing himself was just the first part…" Dagur informed. "We'll get him through it. Maybe after the tour is up we can get him to start going on dates again or something. I don't know; I just don't wanna see my little brother upset. We should probably turn in as well," he added.
"Yeah, early and long day tomorrow," Eret stated.
"You two crashing on the couch here?" Heather asked. "I'm taking Hiccup and Dagur to the base tomorrow morning; I can take you too?"
"Cool with you, Dag?" Thuggory inquired.
"Yeah, that's fine. I'll grab a couple blankets and pillows for ya. We can go for 3:30 am; give you two time to grab your stuff from your dorm room and then we can meet up with the rest of the company on the airstrip," Dagur stated.
"Got it," Thuggory and Eret nodded. Dagur got up, going into the closet and grabbing two spare pillows and light blankets. Heather was using the bathroom and brushing her teeth. Thuggory and Eret got set on the couches they were using for the night as Dagur used the bathroom when Heather came out.
"Night, guys," Heather called before entering her room.
"Night, Heather!" Thuggory and Eret replied together as she closed her door. Dagur came out and headed for his room.
"See ya in about seven hours," Dagur waved.
"Yep, and about nine until we get on that plane," Eret stated. Dagur got in his room and Thuggory flipped off the couch-side table lamp. The apartment was quiet and dark with all five residents falling fast asleep and knowing that tomorrow started a one year deployment.
. . .
[Sunday, 6/28/2015-4:30 am]
[Berserker Island; Berserk Base Airfield]
As agreed upon; at 3:30 am, the four soldier were driven by Heather to the Berserker Military Base, and that is where they had to say goodbye. It was hugs from Heather to all of them, Dagur and Hiccup getting the strongest, longest, and most tear-filled ones. Heather left with tears in her eyes as the four males reached their company and checked in with Viggo. There wasn't much else to do except wait around or offer to help with last-minute, final things. Now, they were just sitting around and waiting to get on the plane; it was going by platoon, so there's wasn't up yet.
All of them were on their phones to pass the time until they were called to board. "Heather just texted me," Dagur informed.
"Yeah, what she say?" Hiccup wondered.
"I got back safe, love and miss you already. The apartment is so lonely and quiet…Be safe and can't wait to see you again with a heart," Dagur repeated the message.
"Tell her we love and miss her already too," Hiccup said while looking at his own phone.
"Are…You alright?" Thuggory asked.
"Hm? Yeah, I'm okay," Hiccup nodded.
"So…Why the long face?" Eret decided to push.
"Tired, I suppose," Hiccup remarked.
"I'm sure we'll have time to sleep on the plane; it's a five and a half hour flight to Aleppo," Dagur mentioned, finishing his text to Heather.
"Good…Planes make me nervous…First time I flew was in senior year for the trip to Archi Flags on the mainland…" Hiccup looked off to the side for a bit. "Astrid kept me distracted for take off and landing…And the second time I ever flew was alone to for getting reception week," he added. "Had my headphones for that,"
"Hey, it's alright, Hiccup. We got your back," Eret reminded.
"You are permitted to wear your headphones for the flight, Private Haddock. We'll let you know when it's time to take them out," Viggo strolled up with Ryker.
"Appreciated, Lieutenant Grimborn…" Hiccup nodded to him. "Are we boarding?" he wondered.
"Not yet, but I am coming to get you for something," Viggo stated as Hiccup stood up.
"What do you need me for, sir?" Hiccup inquired. Viggo and Ryker stepped aside to reveal Stoick, Valka, Gobber, Snotlout, and Adelaide standing there. "Oh, my Gods!" he said in shock.
"Go on; you got five minutes," Viggo nodded his head towards Hiccup's family. "You can thank Captain Bludvist later; he allowed it," he mentioned.
"Will do!" Hiccup took off his rifle and set it down on his bag before walking up to his family members.
"Hiccup!" Valka was first to pulled her son into a tight hug, freely crying as she did. "Oh, my boy…" she sighed out sadly. "I've missed you so much,"
"I've missed you too, Mom…" Hiccup hugged her back, closing his eyes.
"Alright, don't hog him, Val…" Gobber rolled his eyes, pulling Valka back a bit.
"Gobber Forger, I have not seen my son in a year and I'm about to not see him for another one; you back off or I will drop you!" Valka said firmly as Stoick laughed and Gobber backed up with his hands up defensively. Even some of the other soldiers and commanding officers did the same.
"Gobber, you know better than to mess with Valka when she's in Mama Bear Mode…" Stoick sighed some, but smiled.
"I know…Don't mess with her baby boy," Gobber chuckled. Hiccup facepalmed hard, already know he would never live this down because he already heard some of his friends snickering.
"Aw, Hiccup. You're her baby boy?" Eret and Thuggory laughed a bit.
"Shut the hell up before I come over there and knock the both of you out for the entire flight…" Hiccup mumbled. "I'm an only child…"
"As if you could," Thuggory huffed.
"Try me…" Hiccup narrowed his eyes as Thuggory and Eret gulped.
"Don't test him, guys. Hiccup's one of the top fighters in this company," Dagur added.
"Thank you," Hiccup said to him.
"I got your back, bud," Dagur nodded. Valka took a deep breath, kissing Hiccup's cheek on both sides before stepping back and Stoick went in next.
"Not that I'm not thrilled to see you all…But what are you doing here?" Hiccup inquired as Stoick kissed his forehead.
"We had to see you before you shipped out, so your father made some calls and made it so we could come see you before you leave in a few minutes," Gobber explained.
"I just talked you last night…When did you fly in?" Hiccup inquired.
"Yesterday, son…When you called to say goodbye to us," Stoick informed.
"We were already on Berserker Island, staying in a hotel until it was time to come here. We would have come right to where you're living, but you never gave us the address," Valka added.
"Won't do ya much good now," Hiccup shrugged.
"Good to see you, cuz," Snotlout shook his hand and they did a quick hug.
"You too, Snot," Hiccup smiled as Adelaide grabbed her hug next, trying not to cry. "I am happy to see you all,"
"Will you be coming to Berk when you get leave?" Adelaide wondered.
"Likely, decision is pending based on certain information I get when I decide to take it…" Hiccup informed.
"You mean pertaining to Astrid being around?" Snotlout inquired. "She's still living at home, going to school, and working as a CNA,"
"Figured," Hiccup replied quietly.
"Are you sure we can't tell her?..." Valka questioned.
"Yes, I'm sure," Hiccup refused, shaking his head. "Don't give her nothing about me. Don't even tell her when I make contact. Telling her is only gonna make her worry and hold on more…It's time to let go. She made her choice…And I made mine, so that's how it's gonna be. If she wanted me…She would have said yes, no hesitation, and things would be different…But that's not how it went, and I accepted what is,"
"We understand, son," Stoick stated as Gobber put his hand on Hiccup's shoulder.
"You do you, kiddo. Above all else, you gotta do what makes you happy," Gobber informed.
"Exactly," Valka nodded.
"Dragon Platoon!" Viggo called as Hiccup looked at him with the others who were already up and gathering their things. "Time to move," he added.
"Guess that's my ride," Hiccup tried to laugh a little.
"We love you, Hiccup!" Adelaide said quickly.
"We'll see you soon," Snotlout added. Gobber hugged Hiccup after Snotlout did.
"Piece of advice for when you're over there, lad; expect the unexpected. If it's too quiet and easy; then it's gonna be hell. Always trust your instinct; it won't let you down. Shoot with both eyes open, keep your guard up, and have each other's backs. And always remember that you're not alone," Gobber gave him a light punch on the chin with a smile.
"Got it," Hiccup nodded as he hugged him again. Hiccup hugged his father tightly.
"I love you, son…And I mighty proud of all you've done and will do," Stoick smiled, kissing the top of Hiccup's head, then his forehead before letting go.
"I want you to take this with you," Valka placed a necklace around his neck as Hiccup saw it to be a silver chain with a pendant dangling; the design was that of a Night Fury, which was rumored to me the most elusive, rarest, and powerful dragon of it's time. Also, it was an Alpha of the dragons. A king. "You've had it since you were a baby; your father and I had Gobber make it for you when you born early and we worried you wouldn't make it. Your father assured me you'd be the strongest of them all and pull through, just like a Night Fury. It was meant to be a graduation present, but since you…were busy, distant, and all that last year…" Valka sniffled a bit. "Heart of a Chief, Soul of a Dragon…Never forget who you are, Hiccup, or where you come from. Your father and I are always with you,"
"Thanks, Mom," Hiccup tucked it inside his uniform with his dog tags. Valka tried not to get hysterical, but it wasn't working.
"Private Haddock!" Viggo called.
"Coming," Hiccup replied.
"I-I'm going to-," Valka started.
Hiccup sighed and hugged her. "I'm going to miss you too, Mom. I'm gonna miss all of you, and knowing I'm overseas fighting for your safety and freedom is what's gonna get me through the next year. I love you, guys…" Hiccup said.
"I love you too, son," Valka cried, holding onto him tighter. "B-Be careful…Come home, please, Hiccup…"
Hiccup hugged tighter, kissing her cheek. "I can only promise to try," Hiccup replied as she hugged him tighter.
"Haddock!" Viggo yelled again.
"I gotta go, Mom…" Hiccup tried to pull away, but Valka wouldn't let him go. "Dad…" Hiccup looked at him as Stoick and Gobber pulled Valka off Hiccup; he stepped back and grabbed his bag and gun. "See you, hopefully, soon," he headed for the plane with Thuggory, Eret, and Dagur. As he was about to get inside; he looked back to see his mom sobbing.
"Val, stop…Don't break down in front of him…" Stoick tried to tell her. Hiccup stepped into to back of the plane; grabbing a seat next to Dagur on the end and giving a two-fingered salute to his family with a half-smile. Valka lost it; she cried out and hit her knees. It killed Hiccup to see; he forced himself to turn his head as the plane doors began to shut and then the aircraft make it's way on the runway and then shoot down and take off.
"Are you alright, Private Haddock?" inquired Lieutenant Johann Traytor while walking by.
"F-Fine…" Hiccup replied. Gods; he hated planes.
"I don't think he meant your nervousness of planes," Viggo remarked. "You looked away from your family before the doors shut…"
Hiccup laid his head back and looked up at them. "While I'm grateful…I had my reasons for not wanting to see them when it was offered for us to go home for a couple days before the tour. I knew what would happen, and I didn't want to have to see it in person like that. Harder for them, harder for me," he said.
"Understood," Drago nodded his head. "I had told your folks I wanted to check with you first, and your father begged me not to; wanting it to be a surprise,"
"I get it, Captain Bludvist. And thank you, but seeing them for a few brief moments makes it all the harder to walk away to get on a plane and go to war. Just…Don't do it again, please?" Hiccup asked.
"I copy those orders, Private Haddock. All of you, try to get some rest; it's going to be a bit crazy when we get there and work to get settled," Drago called out to the soldiers before walking away. Hiccup closed his eyes and sighed.
"A million thoughts in my head, should I let my heart keep listening? I know it's time to say goodbye, so hard to let go…" Hiccup sang quietly. The line was a small song from Disney's Descendants because I saw early released leaks on YouTube. I knew the scene was for the main girl saying goodbye to the guy she loved and knowing she had to let him go. It was just a thing for him, it felt right; he missed Astrid like crazy, especially knowing he was going to war for the next year. Hopefully, as more time passed; it wouldn't hurt so much and Hiccup would actually be able to move on.
"Hic?" Dagur asked.
"I'm fine, Dag," Hiccup replied to him as he put my headphones in and just hit play, letting whatever came on go. In five and a half hours; we'd be in Syria and starting our first tour of duty.
