It had been a week since Aubree was fully discharged from the Berk Military, and them finally being home after the eighteen month tour in Afghanistan. Hanson had been a little shocked to discover that Grant, Eli, and Franklin were not resigning their contracts for service come June when they would be up. As far as he knew, though, Dustin, Heather, Raelyn, Sawyer, Sylvia and Taylor were remaining. In truth, Hanson didn't even know if he was going to stay longer, his contract was up in October and Hanson was ready to retire early, collect his retirement money, then enjoy the rest of his days being a father to Caleb and Hazelm hopefully spend that life with Aubree too but no rush on that. Hanson had seen so many deaths and injuries in his eleven years and he wasn't sure if he was ready to see four more years of it.

Hanson loved the military, it brought him so much joy and equally as much sadness and pain. It brought him Caylee, Caleb, and Hazel. It gave him amazing friends, courage, strength and taught him a lot too. Now being a single father, Hanson had to worry about his kids who were getting older. Caleb was eleven and Hazel turned eight, both of them celebrated their birthdays in February 2020, Hanson also turned twenty-six during that time. Had he honestly been in the military since he was fourteen years old? It was unreal to think so much time had passed. It would be twelve years in the army in October 2020. Gods, how fast the time flew. Maybe it was time to retire and just live his life, Hanson needed to think on it more.

For other things, Hanson had yet to talk to his kids about dating Aubree and that was because right now, Aubree was dealing with her PTSD and Hanson felt it would be better if they started a relationship when she was in a better state of mind. Hanson knew that Aubree was looking for a psychiatry office to start dealing with everything she saw in eighteen months, so far, no luck. Hanson spent every day with his kids after the got home from school and the weekends they would spend going mini golfing, the playground, picnics in the park, etc. Hanson enjoyed every moment with them because in a week he would have to return to Fort Riddari to work his regular shifts and this is why he felt like maybe retiring was a good idea.

Gobber would likely take over Fort Riddari if Hanson left being that Gobber was a Major and had the ability. There was a lot to think about and only five months in which to decide something that would change his life completely. Today while the kids were at school, Hanson was going over to Aubree's to check on her and make sure she was okay since honestly, he hadn't heard from her in three days and was beginning to worry if she was all right.

"Have a good day at school kids!" Hanson called as he watched his children get on the bus and head down the road for more pickups.

"What is your plan today son?" Steven asked Hanson while finishing up his coffee and folding the paper up when Hanson returned inside the house.

"Going to see Aubree, she's been mute lately, and I'm kind of worried," Hanson replied.

"Yer fond of the lass, aren't you?" Steven chuckled as Hanson blushed a bit.

"Well, yeah Dad. You knew I had a crush on Aubree back in middle school," Hanson answered.

"I know, I remember. Used to come home raving about the blond with blue eyes which made your heart speed up and beat hard," Steven smiled at him. "You want to be with her?"

"I do, just waiting for her to work through a few things," Hanson told him truthfully.

"And are you still working through things, Hanson? Are you ready to move on and be with someone else?" his father inquired. Hanson looked off to the side a bit, seeing a picture of Caylee, Caleb, Hazel, and himself there.

"You know I'll always love Caylee, Dad. Nothing can erase her place in my heart, but I know she would want me to be happy and Aubree does that so yeah, I'm ready to move on," Hanson said confidently.

"I'm proud of you son. Go on then, I'm sure she'll be happy to see you," Steven shooed him away, Hanson grabbed his wallet and phone before heading outside to get on Toothless, a moment later, they were in the sky heading to Aubree's house.

(Aubree's House)

Toothless landed outside Aubree's and then rushed once Hanson was off him, he rushed to the back to see Stormfly. Hanson laughed as he made it to the door and knocked but no answer. Odd, Hanson knew she was home since Stormfly was here and he knew Aubree didn't drive. Also, her father was at work by now so where was she?

"Aubs?" Hanson called. Nothing again. Okay, now he was getting worried. "Aubree!" he tried again, pounding on the door louder. With no answer again, Hanson pulled his wallet and got a key from one of the slots as he opened the door and walked in. "Aubree?" he said then heard crying and screaming. "Aubree!?" he shut the door and hurried up the stairs where he knew her room was, Hanson opened the door and saw Aubree sitting on the floor while holding her head and screaming in tears for it to stop. Hanson moved beside her and crouched down in front of her, he put his hands on hers to take them off her ears. "Aubree, hey, it's okay. Look at me,"

Aubree froze as she locked eyes with him, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Ha-Hanson?" she asked.

"Yes, it's me. It's Hanson," Hanson replied, Aubree just threw her arms around him and continued to cry. Hanson held her tightly and rubbed her back, kissing her forehead and closing his eyes. "Ssh, I'm here now. It's all right, you need to calm down and take a few breaths before you make yourself sick," he insisted.

"Why won't it stop? I can't sleep, I barely eat. No matter what I do, I'm not here on Berk...I'm still there seeing it all," Aubree sobbed hard clutching his shirt tightly.

"Aubs, it takes time to be out of war. That's why we get two weeks off to settle again, and you were told to find someone to talk to about all this," Hanson sighed as he pulled her off him and looked in her eyes.

"When I got discharged, I lost my insurance, and I'm unemployed right now. I don't have money for it, and I can't find anyone," Aubree whimpered trying to wipe her eyes.

"For the love of Odin, Aubree. There are hundreds of psychiatry offices in Berk and if you need money, tell me," Hanson told her.

"No, I'm not going to make you pay for me," Aubree shook her head.

"You aren't making me do anything. Aubree, listen to me. You need the help to get past all this PTSD, I know you like talking to me but I'm not a doctor and I can't provide the help you need. If you need money to see a professional, I will pay it. I want you to get help because you do something stupid in one of these attacks," Hanson demanded. Aubree looked at him silently for a minute before laying against him again and trying not to cry.

"It's not your job to take care of me," she whispered.

"But it is my pleasure and desire to, dummy. You're my friend, Aubree, and Thor knows how much I love you. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you because you needed help and didn't have access to it over money. Now damnit, you pick yourself up, go take a hot shower, then get online and start looking. That's an order," Hanson told her firmly.

"You're not...my CO anymore," Aubree muttered wiping her eyes.

"I don't care. You won't tell me no, I was out of your life for eight years, Aubree and I swore I would never leave again so I won't. But tell me what good is my promise to you if you break yours to me? You promised you'd always stay with me, and back in Afghanistan, you wanted to kill yourself over this PTSD. I don't want to lose you, Aubree! For God's sake, I just got you back," Hanson yelled at her. Aubree's eyes widened a little as Hanson cupped her cheeks in his hands before leaning in and kissing her deeply, then pulled back staring into her eyes. "I love you, idiot,"

"Okay, you win. I'll do as you say," Aubree replied finally finding her words. "And I love you too, even though you're a jerk at times,"

"Good. Now go take a shower to calm down, I'll be right here waiting," Hanson informed. Aubree nodded as she grabbed a towel from the hall closet then entered the bathroom while Hanson just sat on her bad with a heavy sigh, he honestly forgot how stubborn she was sometimes.

(Twenty Minutes Later)

Aubree returned to her bedroom to see Hanson looking at the pictures on her shelves and computer desk, Hanson had spotted them while waiting for her to finish her shower and decided to take a look. All the past memories from after they met in second grade and Aubree always had a disposal camera on her, she loved taking pictures of everything, including them together.

"Seems like so long ago, doesn't it?" Aubree asked as Hanson turned to face her now.

"Yeah, it does. I forgot how much you loved to take pictures, that could be something you do now that you're out of the military. Be a photographer, you can take a course at the community college or just grab a camera and go for it," Hanson suggested.

"Maybe," Aubree replied gently.

"How do you feel after the shower?" Hanson inquired.

"Better. I'm sorry for freaking out on you earlier," Aubree sat on her bed, and Hanson walked over to her and sat down.

"Don't worry about it. Aubree, you have me. No matter what. Whatever that means, whatever you want it to mean," Hanson held her hand, "I am with you. There will always be a Hanson and Aubree, always. I promise,"

"You mean that?" Aubree asked as their eyes met.

"Every word. You can call me anytime, and I will come, you don't have to take on this PTSD by yourself. I suffer a mild case of it myself," Hanson informed.

"You do?" Aubree asked a little surprised.

"Yes and the reason I handle it so well is because I don't hide it from my friends and others who care about me. Even my kids know I fall into flashbacks my last eleven years, and they know to just keep their distance and remind me where I am. When I first started, I freaked out like you did, but over time it became easier and it will for you too. You have to let people in," Hanson said lightly.

"I won't shut anyone out. It just comes on so quickly, and I can't control it," Aubree sighed.

"It's still new. I saw a counselor for a while too right after Hazel was born because I had the two back to back tours and it was a lot to cope with. That's why I said you needed a counselor, Aubs. It will help and I'm more than happy to help you out, but you have to talk and listen to the psychiatrist. Now, let's find you a professional to talk to," Hanson smiled.

"All right," Aubree nodded as she got up to turn on her desktop computer, "Um, what you said before about...being with me, what did you mean?" she inquired curiously.

"It means that no matter what, Aubree, you have me and I am with you. In whatever sense you want it to be like, that's how it'll be," Hanson explained.

"So you mean it could be interpreted that we're...a couple?" Aubree blushed a little.

"I suppose it could, but I still have to talk to my kids, and you need to get your PTSD under control. Make that your primary focus and everything else will fall into place for us, okay?" Hanson kissed her cheek.

"Okay. Thank you," Aubree smiled at him as the two got to work on looking for someone that Aubree could talk to and get help for her PTSD. Hanson had felt like something was wrong today, a main reason he decided to come to Aubree's to check on her. As usual, he had been right to assume she wasn't okay and he was grateful he held onto the key to her house. Aubree gave it to him back in the sixth grade, and he kept it close to him for situations just like these. Hanson said what he said to her because he meant it, no matter what, he would always be with Aubree in whatever sense she wanted him to be with her. With Aubree out of the military, there was nothing holding them back from being in a relationship anymore and it meant they were getting a lot closer to making things official between them.