Hector had barely said a word since announcing the deployment orders that they were going back to Iraq for an unknown amount of time. The only time he talked was while he was calling the other unit leaders and informing them of their orders-telling them when to be at the airport and make sure they had everything they were taking plus what was required to go too. The crates with the guns, and other gear were being prepared at Fort Striker. Hector didn't bother eating breakfast, and would have skipped lunch too if it weren't for Tallon asking him to very nicely-reluctantly-Hector agreed. Their bags were packed and ready by 1pm-sitting by the door of the house. Their ACU's were set on top so they could grab them when they came upstairs for their shower at 3am-then they'd get to the airport for 4:30am or so. It was similar to when they got called back early and had to be at the airport before boarding at 5am-he already knew his family would be seeing him off and he assumed his...new friends?
Hector didn't know what to call them really. Had they proved they wanted to be his friends? Yes. Had they earned his trust? For the most part. What shocked him though was finding out earlier that they stuck up for him when they found out what Astrid was doing and told her she was wrong-to leave him so he wouldn't be hurt. He was hurt regardless but thankful that Tallon had been there for him-he knew it had to of been hard for Tallon to run all that way on the mere hope alone that Hector believed him but Hector knew Tallon would never come all that way on foot if it were nothing-if it weren't to try and protect him. Hector could call Drew, and the others friends now but not best friends of course. Hector would never trust Astrid again-not after this. She hurt him twice in the same way: by faking her feelings, being with Jessie behind his back, lying to him and last night she wanted sleep with him even though she told Jessie she wouldn't. Hector didn't know what sounded worse to know.
That he was played by Astrid or that he and Jessie got played by a girl who wanted both of them because of different personalities mixed together that she liked. Astrid like qualities in him and in Jessie but neither one of them had all of what she wanted. What was worse in all this was that Hector still loved her and it would take a while before that ever stopped, that's why he told her to leave him alone. She was the first girl he ever formed a crush on, first girlfriend he ever had-shared kisses with too. That was something that you didn't just forget on day one of being single after nine months of dating-five of which were him being cheated on and lied to. Thaxter, Viktor, and Ryan had returned but Evan was home spending time with his son and Mia before the deployment. Hector just sat on the couch quietly now-eyes closed and not saying a word but then again no one really expected him to say anything. He did just get his heart broken for the second time by the same girl and they were getting deployed for an unknown amount of time that Hector said he was grateful to be going so he could get out of Berk for a while.
"Are you...all packed to go boys?" Val asked carefully.
"Yes." was Hector's very short and simple answer without opening his eyes. "This is irritatingly silent," he stated as he got up then moved into the basement-he left the door opened and not more than five minute later they heard his playing his guitar. They sighed heavily-they knew he was hurting and likely wanted to be alone until they left for deployment. The sound of truck pulling up was heard-then a two doors opening, finally they shut and a minute later there was a knock on the front door-Spencer got up to answer it, when he opened the door it was revealed to be Jessie and Astrid behind him with her head down.
"Can I help you two?" Spencer asked.
"Hi, Mr. Haddock...umm, Astrid...left her phone here, we were hoping to get it and also...she wanted to give Hector back the sweater he'd let her borrow a while back..." Jessie said calmly.
"Hector, I am sure, doesn't want to see her face to face. Just give us the sweater and we'll give it back to him," Tallon said as he walked over holding Astrid's phone-they'd found it when Hector was making calls and didn't tell him knowing he might not like to hear she'd be back for it.
"Please..." Astrid asked, "Let me see him, Tallon...I have to see him in person to give it back,"
Tallon was about to say something when Spencer put a hand on his shoulder, "It's alright son. I know you all want to protect him but he is a man and he can fight for himself," Tallon nodded stepping back with Thaxter and the Grimborn brothers, "He's downstairs in his room," he added now.
"Thank you," Astrid said as she held the sweater against her chest and moved to the basement door-taking a deep breath, she prepared to walk down the stairs.
"You know he's gonna flip out when he sees her down there and then get mad at us for allowing it, right?" Trent sighed.
"I know that," Spencer sighed heavily now as he closed the door after Jessie stepped inside, "She knew we could have given it to him and that it'd be a lot easier if we did. But she knows how much she hurt him, and she knows he's leaving on another tour. She may not love him, but she still cares about him. She went down there to tell him that and wish him the best and safety while he's away. And I think he needs to hear that right now,"
"Or he's gonna snap in a fit of anger and we're all gonna be at the mercy of said anger," Viktor mumbled some.
(Hector's Room)
Astrid made her way to the bottom and saw Hector standing at his microphone with his guitar resting against his front but he was playing soft notes on it with his eyes closed-some music and beats coming from his laptop beside him on the stool. "What do you want?" Hector asked quietly.
"I just...wanted to give you back your sweater, Hector. The one you let me use...when it was really cold and I'd left mine in the car while...we were walking together," Astrid forced out to him.
"You could have given it to one of the others. Why come down here when you know I don't want to see you anymore?" Hector asked again.
"Because I had to see you before you left," she replied Hector glared a little as he took the sweater from her and set it on his bed-then he grabbed her wrist carefully and pulled her up the stairs behind him. Once upstairs-which took the others by surprise-he let her go and shut the door to the basement. He crossed his arms over his chest-forgetting his guitar was still there.
"What for, suddenly worried about me? Well don't. I don't need your worry, pity, or your concern, Astrid." Hector retorted coldly now.
"Please Hector, I'm so sorry about what happened. I know what I did was wrong and I should have just told you the truth from the beginning. It's true I don't love you but I still care about you!" Astrid cried to him now as Hector's eyes softened slightly but stayed narrowed nonetheless. She still cared about him? "I still care about you-you have a place in my heart that not even Jessie can fill and he knows that too. You were amazing to me and I was horrible to you by lying and cheating. I won't...ask for your forgiveness...I just...want you to know that I do care. I know you're...going back to Iraq tomorrow morning and I want you to know that I'm sorry for everything. I want...you to be safe over there...I couldn't bear the thought of hearing you were killed, Hector..."
Hector was a little surprised to hear the words and maybe they would have meant something to him if she'd said them before lying and cheating or if she'd waited until after he got over her but hearing now just made it all the worse and only brought forth more anger. "Well, I'm glad you still care, Astrid. Really-I'm touched that you do..." Hector began calmly before his eyes narrowed to a dark glare, "Unfortunately for you-I no longer care about you," Astrid's eyes widened as the tears slipped down more, "I don't care what you do, I don't care where you go, I don't care about you. I don't need your prayers of safety while I'm deployed in Iraq. I'm a soldier, I was trained to fight in wars and if I should die-then so be it. Your I'm Sorry doesn't mean a fucking thing to me and neither do you. I told you to stay away from me-all you've done by coming here is further piss me off," Hector almost growled out.
"Please...please don't hate me," she asked.
"I don't," he stated as she looked at him shocked, "I don't hate you. I don't hate anyone-not even when I was bullied, ignored, neglected, picked on, teased. Never once...did I hate anyone and I still don't. I guess that's just what makes me, well, me. I can't hate-what benefits me from hating people who have hurt me? Nothing. It just spreads more meaningless hate and fighting-that's why we have wars right now. People who hate us for our ways of life so they fight but it would make us no better to fight just to get even, to hate just because. We only fight to protect our own-that's what they do too. Fight to protect their own. All these wars are, are people fighting one another to protect their own because of disagreements on ways of life. It's stupid but regardless-people want to hurt us so we will stand and fight back to protect people here at home. And if we die in order to protect-then that's just the way it is. I don't need you to care about me-I got an entire platoon of people who already do that and what a shocker that none of them have ever hurt me as much as you have,"
"If you don't hate me then why are you being so mean to me?" Astrid cried now.
"I'm not being mean to you. I'm giving you a reality check that your little games actually hurt people. It may come off as a shocker to you but all you see right now is pain. I don't think you quite understand just how much you hurt me-the pain I felt because of what you did hit me harder and stung more than any wound I've ever gotten from being shot or stabbed in battle. I was up at 2am dealing with ungodly chest pains and having trouble breathing because of what happened. And although he might not be showing it-you hurt Jessie too. You might have lied to me and cheated on me with him-but you also lied to him. You told him you wouldn't sleep with me and you tried last night-that bothers him. The whole thing bothered him-as much as you cheated on me with him...you cheated on him with me. I can tell without him saying it-it's in his eyes the betrayal he feels from that. He knows know the feeling of being lied to, being betrayed, and played," Hector stated. "That's why he isn't giving me shit right now because he knows how I feel,"
"Please...forgive me," she asked lightly in between the tears.
"I can't this time, Astrid. I forgave you once for what you and the others did four years ago. My forgiving you was giving you another chance and agreeing to be with you. But you did it again. You hurt me again and far worse than last time-I can't overlook it and forgive you again. But you know something-I'm glad you're here. You can hear the new song I just finished since it's dedicated to you. Might be a little harsh but I think it might be the only way to get it through your thick skull that you just can't fix this no matter what do. Stay there," he moved downstairs and got his laptop then returned a minute later as he set it down on the table and got the music going as he positioned his hands on the guitar and started the notes-playing along to the beat on the computer. A series of guitars, and drums along side his own.
"We started off incredible. Connection undeniable-I swear I thought you were the one forever. But your love was like a loaded gun. You shot me down like everyone. 'Cause everyone's replaceable, when you're just so incapable-of getting past skin deep!" the music picked up more as he took a breath.
"Wa-oooh! Guess what, another game over. I got burned, but you're the real loser. I don't know why I've wasted my time with you...Wa-ooh! You're bad news, a history repeater-you can't trust a serial cheater. You're good at hooking up but you suck at love. You suck at love," Tallon and the guys couldn't help but chuckle a bit just watching-only Hector would do something like this.
"You played me like an amateur-then stabbed me like a murderer. I'm left for dead, another one of your victims. It's not like you're unpredictable-but your act is so believable! I know it's nothing personal, it's just business as usual. You're good at what you do!..." he held the note a few seconds while still playing.
"Wa-oooh! Guess what, another game over. I got burned, but you're the real loser. I don't know why I've wasted my time with you...Wa-ooh! You're bad news, a history repeater-you can't trust a serial cheater. You're good at hooking up but you suck at love. You suck at love," the music softened a bit now as he saw her eyes-filled with tears that were falling down cheeks.
"Now I kinda feel bad for you. You're never gonna know what it's like to have someone to turn to. Another day, another bed-it's just a game inside your head!" the music picked more as he held it longer. "Wa-ooh! Guess what, another game over. I got burned, but you're the real loser. I don't know why I've wasted my time with you! Wa-ooh! You're bad news, a history repeater-you can't trust a serial cheater! You're good at hooking up but you suck at love. Guess what, another game over. I got burned, but you're the real loser. I don't know why I've wasted my time with you. You're bad news, a history repeater-you can't trust a serial cheater! You're good at hooking up but you suck at love! You suck at love," he finished as the music on the computer stopped as he looked at her now.
"That's how I feel about you, Astrid. I'm done playing your game, it's over. Now take your pitiful apologies, worry, fear, concern, and get the hell out of my life-and as I said before: Stay. The. Fuck. Out." he stated to her. Astrid backed up and quickly rushed out the door-Jessie sighed as he moved to follow her. "Hey," Hector said making him stop and look over, "I know you feel what I do right now, Jessie. If nothing else-take some advice: old habits die hard. She hurt me once four years ago and did it again. She hurt you once already too, she can do it again. You don't have to stay with her. Just know that-you don't have to subject yourself to it. You can get out, just like I did. Watch yourself, okay?"
"Yeah, I will. Thanks, Hector." Jessie offered a smile before leaving and shutting the door slowly behind him. Hector took a deep breath as he put his stuff away downstairs then returned and sat on the couch.
"Are you...okay?" Thaxter asked.
"Actually, I am. I feel a lot better than I did after that," Hector smiled a bit.
"That's...good to hear son. We were getting worried for you," Val stated lightly.
"You always worry for me. I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself ya know," Hector informed as he closed his eyes and took another deep breath before releasing it. From that moment-they all seemed to just chat lightly about whatever came up but of course no one mentioning Astrid to him. Cody, Drake, and Alex ended up leaving because they had things to take care of before the deployment tomorrow. Hector ended up explaining why he said what he said to Jessie though-so it kind of fell on the subject of her even though he didn't want to discuss it. The others wanted to know why he said it to him if he didn't like Jessie and Hector explained that Jessie's eyes told him all he needed to know-about being hurt by what Astrid did when she said she wouldn't sleep with Hector but was willing to and would have if it weren't for Tallon showing up and stopping Hector when he did. That hurt Jessie to know because the problem laid with the fact if she was with both of them-meaning Jessie and Hector then she was cheating on one as much as she was the other and when Jessie realized that, it hurt him. So Hector told him that he didn't have to put up with it and he could leave her. Hector made sure to tell Jessie that if Astrid hurt him once even without realizing it right away, it means she was very capable of doing it again. Hector felt as someone who'd been played twice himself-for Jessie to be aware that it could happen to him too.
Call it something from the bro code or whatever-defend other guys who are with a girl who is known for hurting them. Hector didn't care, he made it clear he didn't hate anyone and put a really good explanation on it too by using the wars as an example. Around 5:30pm: Thaxter, Viktor, and Ryan went home since their families were home from work and they wanted to spend time with them. At 6:15pm the others left too so the Haddock's and Tallon could eat their dinner. Tallon ended up calling Tori to let her know he was leaving tomorrow morning and hoped he could still call and talk to Jade or see on Skype-she said he could but to let her download it first and then they'd exchanged information. The night remained calm, everyone just sitting around quietly-not wanting to say anything to upset Hector. They knew his mood was calm but could change in a heartbeat if triggered. When 9:30pm, Hector went to bed and then Tallon not far behind him at 9:50pm-but by the time Tallon got down there, Hector was already asleep in his bed so Tallon didn't disturb him. They were about to have a long flight ahead of them in just six hours.
(Next Morning; 3:15am)
Hector was up before Tallon to take his shower then get dressed in his ACU, putting everything in place. Tallon was up at 3:45am and was done and dressed by 4am. Cody couldn't get them this time because he was needed to help with other things so Spencer was going to drive Hector's truck with him and Tallon, their bags too while Val, Heather, and Darius took Val's car to follow behind in. They got to the airport around 4:30am and first helped load things up and wait for the rest to arrive-which they did at 4:50am. The goodbyes were tearful and with good reason too: they didn't know how long this tour would be this time and that was concerning and scary to wonder about how long their soldiers would be stuck in that place before they could come home for leave, or come home period. Just five minutes later-they were all loading up and Hector was saying goodbye to his parents and siblings.
"Stay safe, son," Spencer told him with a hug.
"Call as much as you can," Heather said during their hug.
"Gonna miss ya, bro," Darius and Hector hugged lightly.
"First update you get on your time there-let us know. I'm going to miss you baby, be safe and know that we all love you so much, Hector," Val hugged him tightly trying to control her tears.
"Love you guys too. See ya next time I see ya," Hector stated while he walked towards the plane behind Tallon and stepped in before they were out of sight. The plane closed after they were all seated and buckled in-then not more more than fifteen minutes later, it was lift off and they were headed back to Iraq.
(Hours Later in Iraq)
Just like before, few layovers and time changes before they reached Iraq and set down at Baghdad Airfield. Couple of flatbeds took the Nightwave company to their spot from before and they settled into their barracks. What luck that they were staying at the Dreki base again-seemed like that was their permanent base for when stationed in Iraq. Cody, Alex, Asher, Raymond, and Drake all went off to do their thing-Hector could have stayed outside the barrack with the other officers but he elected to remain with his guys, felt more homey to home honestly to be among Evan, Thax, Viktor, Ryan, and Tallon. They got their things put away, kept their gear at the ready for in case of attacks before they all sat on their beds just wondering how long they'd be here this time. The time for them was 7pm-Iraq time after landing, getting to base, then unpacking. Of course with it being June-the weather was terrible being it was eighty-five degrees at this hour. Hector was exhausted and trying to sleep but couldn't. Tallon noticed the frustration and got off the top bunk to get to the bottom one where Hector was laying down.
"Hector?" he asked.
"What's up, Tal?" Hector replied now.
"I know you said you were okay back in Berk but I don't feel like you are now. Talk to me," Tallon offered.
"Really-I'm alright...just tired and can't sleep," Hector shrugged some.
"Hector, it's okay to be hurt by what she did to you. We were all there-we all know," Evan said now.
"I know that-I just don't care anymore. It's done and over with...she's out of my life and I'm far away from her," Hector mumbled.
"For Odin's sake," Tallon sighed as he grabbed Hector's arms a little firmly and made him look at him now, "Stop being a stubborn jackass, Hector. You can lie to your parents, your siblings, your other friends back in Berk, you can lie to the officers and other people in this platoon but you cannot lie to me! I'm your best friend, I know when you're bullshitting me. I know how much you're hurting right now. You dated her for nine months, and she lied and cheated for five of them! You held back your full trust in her up until two nights ago when you were going to make love to her until I showed up and stopped you! You don't have to pretend like it doesn't hurt you-like this isn't tearing you apart from the inside out. To know it happened again-just like four years ago only this one hurt a lot more. You can say until you are blue in the face that you are fine but I won't believe you. Tell me a million times that you don't care-but I won't believe you. Hide it from everyone else but you can't from me,"
Hector stared at him a good ten seconds before Tallon saw it in his green eyes, tears resting there and threatening to fall down. "It hurts..." he finally said but his voice was cracking, "I gave her everything-did anything for her and she...hurt me so Gods damn much, Tallon...but I...still care and I...still love her..." finally, Hector's body began to shake-his head lowered as the tears fell from his eyes.
"Come here," Tallon told him as he pulled him against him and Hector just let go. He cried against Tallon and didn't care who heard or who saw. Hector held on to Tallon while he cried, Astrid really hurt him and now that he was out of Berk and away from everything-he just couldn't hold it in anymore. He told himself he didn't care, but he did. Feeling everything he felt for her just wasn't something that would go away so easily. Thaxter, Evan, Ryan, and Viktor moved off their beds and towards the two. They put their hands on Hector's shoulders or back trying to soothe him but it had little effect to helping him. "It's alright, Hector. We're here for you, and it's going to be okay. It will-I promise you that," Tallon told him gently as he held Hector tighter. No one else had any idea what was going on-not even the officers when they came in but Thaxter went over to explain to them quietly that right now just wasn't a good time to need Hector's attention. Understanding-they left and said if he needed anything to let them know. All Thaxter replied with was that he needed time.
