They loved being in a relationship, since getting together three months ago-neither of them had been happier. It was June now, officially two years that they'd been deployed to Iraq and were ready to go home, even Hector. In about a week and a half it would be the end of June. They'd received no word on going home yet-things were in Iraq were quiet. No major attacks, no deaths for Nightwave and thank Thor for that too-but also the missions were successful, everything was going great, so why couldn't they rotate out and go home-even if just for leave. Hector actually missed it-that plus he and Tallon could only do so much while deployed as far as their relationship went. That wasn't to say they wanted to have sex or anything, but they couldn't make out, or show anything outside of their own barrack. It sucked. It was just like before between them only now they were saying I love you. The sexual jokes, playful behavior was still there-nothing really changed other than that. Something else they figured out, there was no dominant or submissive between them-it was all equal. No one was better, smarter, or stronger than the other. But Hector still fell week to Tallon's kisses on his lips or neck-the guys got a kick out of it too seeing Hector blush as red as a tomato.

In the barrack walls they could do anything they wanted as long as it wasn't sexual or bothering anyone else. This was easy since no one minded them being together and found it cute. Just as they expected it to be for their job though, they still did what they had to do. Missions, guards, attacks-it didn't matter. Both Tallon and Hector were on top of things as they always had been. Their relationship didn't changed anything about that, how could it after all? One wrong move and someone could be hurt or killed, Hector didn't want that to happen. But the concern showed vividly when Tallon got shot in the side saving Hector. It wasn't a bad wound but it did require a medevac to a hospital for treatment and stitches. Tallon was in for a week-Hector visited him as much as Drake and Alex would allow. They were aware of the relationship, didn't mind since the two weren't breaking any laws. Tallon getting wounded happened in May-just a month ago. They were on a search and attack mission, everything was going fine until they got ambushed-that didn't affect them though, they handled it how it was supposed to be done.

What ended up happening was that enemies got real close and it turned into hand to hand fighting, gunfire at close range. Hector got slammed down hard and about to be shot when Tallon rushed over and knocked the enemy away from Hector, when Hector was up-Tallon pushed him out of the way because another enemy tried to shook Hector in the back, the bullet hit Tallon's side, grazing him enough to make him bleed and hit the ground in pain. Hector didn't panic but the worry was evident on his face as he pulled Tallon out of heavy fire to treat the wound the best he could with Evan's help, then call for medevac and extraction. Hector went in the medevac chopper with Tallon and reported back to base after Tallon was in a recovery room. Hector was allowed to stay one night with him-then had to go back to base himself but they kept in contact because when Inferno came to pick up Hector, they brought Tallon his cell phone and charger. So the two of them texted for the remaining six days he was in the hospital. When Tallon got released, Hector almost tackled him down but thankfully Tallon could take the force of his boyfriend jumping at him and was okay.

Right now, they were fresh off a sixteen hour guard and dragging their feet to the barrack to take off the gear and sleep the next eight to ten hours. As they arrived at their barrack though-they saw Drake standing there with Alex, instantly they worried about being sent out for a mission. It happened often, coming off a mission and having to guard or vice versa-they prayed it wasn't the case this time. "Welcome back boys and girls, I know you're tired so we'll make it quick. Some news for ya regarding the tour," Alex began as they all snapped their heads up waiting for it.

"You're going home next week!" Drake announced as the soldiers of Dragon platoon cheered with wide smiles. It was over? They were going home finally after two fucking years!? Oh thank the Gods was all Hector thought about. "Got another group coming in to replace ya. Others of Nightwave will be going too, but for now it's just Dragon platoon." he added. Hector didn't even care, Dragon platoon was going home! He was going home, with Tallon. They basically lived together as Hector's parent's house. They were going home in a week-none of them wanted to wait, it seemed so far away after being there as long as they had been. Well, original Dragon platoon members. The newer ones hadn't been there even a year yet, but who cared! Everyone was cheering, laughing, hugging, high-fiving and suddenly wide awake at the news. The soldiers made their way to their barracks to get the gear off and just relax. It was only 9:30pm-still early, they didn't care they were exhausted-they were going home!

(A Week Later)

Those six days could not have possibly gone any slower! But it didn't matter anymore, they were all boarded on the plane and ready to leave. Inferno as always sat with one another talking about how great it was to be going home finally. Darius, Tallon, and Hector couldn't wait to get back-the two brothers were planning to surprise Heather and their mother and of course, Tallon was coming because he lived at the Haddock house too. They all relaxed as the plane took off and they were headed back to Berk. They'd be there in hopefully eight to nine hours. It was only 9am right now, and there would be a one hour layover in Germany like every other flight they'd taken between Iraq and Berk.

"I can't believe we're going home!" Trent exclaimed.

"What are you bitching for? You were only in Iraq from September 2019 to now...That's like... what nine months? We were there for two years, minus the three months off to train you guys," Thaxter huffed slightly.

"Not to mention the other year and two month tour we did before this one-we've served way more than you have," Viktor nodded in agreement.

"Hey, a tour is a tour guys. Lay off 'em. They had to ship immediately to Iraq after AIT, we had two weeks to prepare on our first tour. Some tours are longer than others. They did nine months, we did twenty one months. No difference-we all served our home well," Hector mumbled a bit. He was happy to be going home but he had a massive headache with his guys arguing with the others over who had longer tour times.

"You okay babe?" Tallon asked him softly.

"Yeah, just a headache. Didn't sleep well last night," Hector offered a smile as Tallon put his arm around Hector's shoulders and pulled him over so he'd be leaning on him.

"Sleep it off, I'll wake you when we land in Germany, kay?" Tallon kissed his forehead gently.

"Yeah..." Hector nodded with a yawn and closing his eyes, "That sounds...like a good...idea," he snuggled against Tallon and relaxed there-he loved how comfortable Tallon was to lay against. They did it a few times in the barrack-cuddling up that is. Tallon would lay on the bottom bunk with Hector until he fell asleep before he got off the bed and went to his own on top. They stayed quiet for about fifteen minutes until they knew Hector was asleep and they knew that because his arm that had been across Tallon's chest and holding his shoulder just dropped and draped over Tallon's stomach now.

"Is he alright?" Thaxter asked.

"Said he didn't sleep well and had a headache," Tallon replied.

"Come on, we know Hector better than that. If he says he didn't sleep good and has a headache after mumbling for us to stop arguing-when we weren't in the first place-then he's sick or getting there slowly," Ryan pointed out. Tallon glanced down to his sleeping boyfriend and knew they were right. Hector must not of been feeling well in order to be this tired because he didn't sleep well the night before. Tallon carefully put his hand on Hector's forehead and cheek-trying to check his temperature without waking him.

"Yeah, he's got a fever. Hopefully getting some sleep will help," Tallon sighed a bit as he closed his eyes. Somethings about Hector would never change-like him admitting to not feeling well. Tallon smiled afterwards, that was okay. He loved Hector just as he was. Tallon relaxed now, maybe he could get some sleep too. They did have four three hours and forty minutes to Germany after all.

(Germany;11:30am)

With the time change of an hour behind Iraq, they landed at 11:30am in German and as promised-Tallon woke Hector up so they could get off the plane and stretch a bit. They were only going to be there an hour or so, time to use the bathroom and get something to eat.

"Hec...hey, babe, we've landed..." Tallon shook him a bit. Hector groaned a bit as he opened his eyes to look around while others were standing up and getting off the plane to enjoy Germany Airport. It was a nice place, big and had a lot of shops and places to eat at. Tallon and the others in Inferno could see it-how miserable he looked right now, how sick he looked. Pale, dark circles under the eyes, he still had a fever according to Tallon who checked him after it was announced by the pilots that they'd be landing in fifteen minutes. Hector sat up slowly holding his head while looking around.

"We're...back in Berk?" he asked.

"No, we're in Germany for an hour. How do you feel?" Tallon asked him lightly.

"I need an energy drink or coffee," Hector tried to smile. The others laughed a bit at him.

"Well, lets get off the plane and go find you one." Ryan replied. With that said, they all filed off the plane-through the gate and into Germany Airport. First thing most of them did was get told by Hector to meet back at the gate for 12:20pm so he could make sure everyone was there, then they all split off to use the bathrooms or get something to eat. Hector ended up getting a coffee but had barely touched it other than a few small sips.

"You sure you're not hungry, we got another four and a half hours to go before we get to Berk," Darius asked him.

"I'm good," Hector smiled a bit as he got to his feet and stretched slightly. "I'm going to the bathroom," with that he walked off with his hands in his pockets.

"Something is up with him," Drew said.

"He's sick and won't admit it." Viktor sighed.

"No, aside that. Something is on his mind. We all just went to the bathroom fifteen minutes ago, no way he has to go again. What do you think, Tallon?" Drew looked to him now.

"Not sure. It does seem like something is bothering him though-he's to...mellow for the fact we're on our way home after two years. Darius, you two called home last night, didn't you?" Tallon asked.

"We did. We didn't tell them we were coming home though. Dad and Hector got into it a little bit-then Hec hung up," Darius shrugged some lifting his arms a bit.

"What was the argument about?" Thaxter questioned.

"Usual shit. Why don't we call a lot, when are we coming home, never should have joined, we're tearing the family apart because of our choices...That's about it." Darius informed.

"Maybe he's not looking forward to see your guys' father because of all the fighting?" Skylar offered.

"Possibly. Let's just give him some space for now, he won't like us all over him." Tallon stated. The time ticked away as they sat there between the two tables-but Hector never returned from the bathroom. As the time hit 12:15pm, they were starting to get worried about him. "I'm gonna go check on him. You head for the gate and meet up with the others," he ordered.

"Yes, Lieutenant." they replied-Tallon was Hector's second in command for Dragon platoon and he was permitted to give the orders when Hector wasn't present. Tallon made his way towards the bathroom that Hector would of gone to because of the closeness and walked in. "Hector?" he asked, no response. "Babe, it's me. Are you okay?" he tried again. Hector groaned a bit from behind the stalls-there were only three of them as the door latch flipped to unlocked and Tallon opened it to see Hector sitting on the floor leaning over the toilet bowl, he looked worse than when he left the table. "I still think you're hot but you look awful right now,"

"Ugh..." was all he responded with a hand over his stomach.

"What's going on, Hec? I know you're sick-you have been since we left Iraq, or is something else bothering you?" Tallon asked as he crouched down in front of Hector with a hand on his shoulder.

"I don't...know where it came from. I felt...fine yesterday..." Hector replied as he appeared to look like he was going to throw up but kept it down.

"Are you gonna be alright to fly back? You've been in here for about twenty minutes," Tallon asked softly while Hector tried to stand up but heaved a few times in an attempt not to throw up.

"I'll be..." he didn't even get to finish before throwing up again, coughing hard as Tallon rubbed his back a bit until he stopped two minutes later.

"I think we should skip the flight and take you to a doctor babe," Tallon suggested.

"Really...I'll be okay baby..." Hector said as he grabbed the bar on the wall and forced himself to his feet then wobbled a bit and Tallon wrapped and arm around him to help him stay balanced, "Let's get back to the others," he cringed a bit. Tallon sighed, he did hate how stubborn Hector was. He wasn't okay, he could barely stand on his own. Tallon helped him back to the group of others.

"Thor almighty, you look like shit," Drew pointed out.

"Tal, can you handle roll call for me?" Hector asked slowly as Tallon placed him down in one of the chairs by the gate they'd go through in order to board the plane in ten minutes.

"Of course," Tallon nodded as he kissed Hector's forehead, he was burning up-Tallon didn't like it at all. He sighed and began doing roll call to make sure everyone was there, his eyes glanced a few times to his boyfriend to see that he was trying to keep from throwing up again. They boarded the plane once more, took off down the runway and into the air to get back to Berk. One thing was for sure, Tallon was going to make Hector see a doctor if he didn't feel better by tomorrow. While flying, half an hour in-Hector was back to sleep against him.

"He's really sick, isn't he?" Darius asked gently with concern for his little brother.

"He was throwing up in the bathroom when I found him, he could barely stand up on his own, and he's burning up. I told him we'd skip the flight and go to a doctor but he insists he's fine," Tallon sighed.

"Hector is stubborn, always has been." Darius smiled a bit.

"Well, if he ain't better by tomorrow then I'm making him go to a doctor." Tallon said firmly and the others nodded to him agreeing. The rest of the flight was pretty quiet, Hector slept through the entire thing again until they reached Berk four hours and thirty minutes later when the time hit 3pm as they landed at Berk Airport.

(Berk)

As like before, Hector woke up slow and still feeling miserable. Tallon and Darius helped him off the plane and into the airport main area where families were all waiting for their soldiers. Tears and hugs ensued for all. Originally, Darius and Hector weren't going to tell the family they were coming home but right before leaving Germany-Darius called them to let them know when they'd be landing and would likely need a ride. The three of them were last off the plane and through the gate after the guys of Inferno and also Drew, Skylar, and Trent.

"Darius! Hector! You boys are home!" their mother, Val cried with overjoy as she rushed over to them but stopped seeing that they were both keep Hector up. "What happened? Is he hurt!?" she asked quickly.

"No, he's sick and needs to rest is all." Tallon informed calmly.

"Where's Dad?" Hector asked noticing that Spencer wasn't there-only Val, Heather, Simon, and May.

"Your...father...just had to run a few-" she began but was cut off by Hector's sigh.

"He's busy working. Don't worry, you don't gotta spare me the lie. Hasn't seen one of his son's in nine months, and the other in two years-but that's not enough for him to leave work early to see us. I don't care, I just wanna go home." Hector stated as he let go of Tallon and Darius, now standing on his own two feet. He cringed a bit taking his bag from Darius while giving his mother a hug, then Heather, followed by his aunt and uncle before headed for the exit.

"I tried to get your father to come, he said he was just too busy..." Val sighed.

"It's not your fault, Mom. Hector has been sick since we left Iraq at 9am their time. It got worse in Germany, he just needs some sleep. I'm sure Dad will come around now that we're back..." Darius tried comfort her. Tallon greeted everyone, he got a hug from Val and Heather while shaking hands with May and Simon. It was long after that they were heading for the exit with Skylar too.

"Tal, let us know how he is, okay?" Evan asked as he was holding Aiden and Mia close to him.

"Will do guys. See ya soon," Tallon waved to them while walking out the sliding doors with Hector's family towards the two cars. Darius, Heather, Hector, Tallon and Val took one car. Skylar went home with his parents. Heather was also living back at the Haddock house again because Carmen lost her job and the two of them had to give up their apartment since Heather couldn't hold it up herself. The drive home was quiet, Tallon was watching Hector to make sure he didn't throw up in the car. Reaching the Haddock house, Hector went to the bathroom and threw up five more times before getting downstairs and going right to bed. They knew he was sick and tired so they let him be and prayed to Odin when Spencer came home he didn't pick a fight with Hector. Tallon stayed down there with him to keep an eye on him-which he was grateful he chose to stay down there because Hector got sick again, throwing up around 8pm. This time, Tallon had a bucket down there and ready in case Hector didn't made it up the stairs in time.

"I'm...sorry you have to...see me like this," Hector panted when there was a break in vomiting.

"Ssh babe, don't worry about it. Everyone gets sick and I'm sure if it were me then you'd do the same. Just relax, Hec, I got you." Tallon smiled as he kissed Hector's forehead and continued to rub his back while he was leaning over the bed trying not to throw up again. The nausea passed after ten minutes, Tallon got him some ginger-ale and crackers so he'd be able to keep something down and in his stomach given he hadn't eaten all day due to the throwing up. Hector was back to sleeping peacefully at 8:30pm. Tallon sighed some as he took the bucket upstairs to dump it and clean it out. Tallon said goodnight to the others after telling them Hector was able to keep down the ginger-ale and cracker, that he was back to sleep too. Tallon returned to the basement and laid down behind Hector and checking his fever, thankfully it wasn't as bad as earlier. Tallon wrapped his arm around Hector's mid-section then closed his eyes allowing sleep to take him next. It had been a long day and he hoped for a better tomorrow.