Tallon was grateful that Hector stayed asleep all night and didn't wake up throwing up again-he slept until Hector started shifting around at 7:30am and that's when Tallon got up too. "Hey...how are you feeling?" Tallon asked gently as he sat up when he saw Hector lean over the side of the bed a bit and grew concerned that he might start throwing up again. Tallon put his hand on Hector's back and rubbed it a bit. "Still sick?"

"No...I feel a lot better than yesterday. Just waiting for my body to catch up with me," Hector turned his head and looked back at his boyfriend with a small smile.

"I'm glad to hear that. It must have been been a twenty four hour thing if you're feeling better now. Need some help getting up?" Tallon asked as he sat climbed off the bed and crouched in front of Hector, kissing his forehead. Sure enough, the fever was gone now-Tallon breathed a sigh of relief knowing this but also suspected Hector would want to take it easy for a few more hours to make sure the sickness didn't return for any reason at all.

"Yeah, my legs feel like jell-o," Hector said as Tallon pulled Hector to his feet slow and helped him stay balanced there so he could get the feeling back. "Thanks, did you...sleep beside me all night?" Tallon nodded to him.

"I know we weren't allowed to in the barracks-not that the beds were really big enough to do so anyway-but last night I felt like if you woke up and saw me there it would make you feel better knowing I didn't abandon ya in your time of need," Tallon smiled to him.

"I did wake up a few times and felt better seeing you there, felt nice to be held all night too." Hector replied gently.

"I can hold you every night if you prefer me to?" Tallon offered.

"I like that. Everyone upstairs I assume?" Hector asked.

"Likely. It is Saturday today. I heard your brother go upstairs about twenty minutes ago. And I heard when your Dad came home last night. Your mom and him argued about why you were in bed so early, so on and so forth. That stopped around 10:30-then I went back to sleep after she told him to let you rest," Tallon informed him lightly.

"Of course he argued with her," Hector sighed closing his eyes "and $20 says he'll argue with me and Darius when we get up there..."

"You up for that?" Tallon asked him lightly as they hugged.

"Not really but it's gonna happen eventually so might as well get it over with," Hector mumbled as grabbed some clothes and changed into them-he'd fallen asleep in his ACU pants, and undershirt originally. Hector took a deep breath after Tallon was dressed before headed up the stairs. They exited the basement, shut the door and headed into the kitchen where everyone was seated for breakfast. The usual set up: Dad reading his paper, Mom cooking over the stove, Heather and Darius in their spots and then two open ones for where Hector and Tallon would be sitting.

"Hector, you're awake." Heather said as soon as she saw him. "How do you feel?"

"Better, still gonna take it easy for a few hours though." Hector replied calmly to her.

"I'll make you some toast and get you a glass of orange juice, son," Val offered as she came over and hugged him lightly-checking his forehead. "I'm glad that fever dropped, you were really warm last night."

"Must of been the fever reducers I took before bed," Hector answered. His eyes fell on his father who had yet to look up from his paper or sipping his coffee. Heather tried to clear her throat to get his attention but Hector just closed his eyes and shook his head at her, as if to say: don't worry about it. Hector now just sat down and Tallon beside him-they weren't announcing them being together just yet, and Darius knew that so he wouldn't say anything either. It wasn't that they were ashamed but for now until they were settled in and recovered from the time change and being out of war again-they just wanted to focus on readjusting to normal life. Two years in a war took it's toll on the soldier. In total thus far, Hector's platoon alone had lost fifty people in the last four years, some of those deaths, he would never unsee.

Val brought over the breakfast spread for everyone, then the separate plate of toast-lightly buttered with a glass of orange juice for Hector. "Thank you, Mrs. Haddock. It looks delicious as always and I must say I've missed your cooking while away," Tallon thanked her with a slight head bow.

"Why thank you, Tallon." Val beamed brightly, "I am glad you three boys are home safely. We've missed you dearly, and please, call me Val." she added.

"Missed you too, Mom," Hector and Darius said together with a smile. This time, Val smacked her husband's arm to get his attention.

"Hm. Oh. Right, welcome home. I trust your flight was safe?" Spencer said placing her paper down now and folding it so it would be out of the way.

"Of course. The military takes good care of their soldiers," Darius stated firmly.

"I bet they do," Spencer replied as Heather and Val sighed heavily.

"Absolutely. Nothing beats having a family who stands beside you, watches your back, and supports you in everything you choose to do," Hector said coldly as he ate the few pieces of toast silently-the next ten minutes of breakfast were quiet while they ate their food.

"Are you home for good or is this just leave again?" Heather asked.

"The tour ended so for right now, yes we're home for a while sis," Darius smiled to her.

"I'm glad, I've missed you both so much," she smiled brightly. Hector hated this so much-his father wouldn't even acknowledge him right now. Hector finished his toast and juice before sighing and closing his eyes before standing up.

"What's the matter, son?" Val asked lightly.

"Nothing, Mom...Thanks for breakfast. I'm just gonna go lay down for a bit longer-still not feeling well," Hector walked away from the table and not more than two seconds later they heard the door leading to the basement stairs open then shut tightly.

"Really, Dad?" Heather huffed.

"What did I do?" Spencer asked drinking his coffee slowly.

"He's been gone for two years! You couldn't be a little more, I don't know, happy to see him? You seriously just ignored him all of breakfast." Darius chimed in now agreeing with his sister.

"Well clearly the military means more to him than we do since he's always off doing that instead of being home, or even calling for that matter." Spencer replied calmly.

"Dad!" Heather said quickly.

"Spencer!" Val yelled as well.

"Do you even know how busy we get over there?" Darius asked.

"No and I don't care. My job is way harder, you made your choices to join. I don't have to like or accept them, as Hector said. You aren't children anymore," Spencer remarked. "I'll never understand why you did it, him especially. He had everything: good home, good family, perfect career set up to follow in my footsteps and he threw it all away to join the military and play with guns all day." he added calmly. "I've had enough of this conversation. There is a meeting at Berk Hall that I have to attend and the family is required to come. Be ready in an hour-him too." this was of course a reference to Tallon and Hector coming. Spencer got up from the table and walked away.

"I'll go check on Hector," Tallon said as he excused himself and headed downstairs to see Hector sitting on his bed, legs out and leaning against the wall just staring off into nothing. "Are you okay?"

"I honestly don't know anymore, Tal. I really don't. I heard what he said, something we have to get ready to accompany him to?" Hector asked.

"Yeah, meeting at Berk Hall and all of us have to go..." Tallon sat beside him and took his hand, kissing his knuckles lightly. "The guys messaged me this morning, asked if we wanted to get together for dinner tonight. Let's get this over with and go hang with them-we don't have to be here," he offered.

"Yeah, maybe-I'll see how I feel," Hector sighed some as Tallon leaned in and kissed him deeply, Hector relaxed and kissed him back. With them off tour-they could kiss the way they wanted to, no limits on how deep or passionate it got, not even on length. They could actually make out now and just as they were getting into it with Hector's anger fading, Darius came downstairs as they broke the kiss slowly. "Yeah?"

"Dad said to bring your music stuff. He wants you to perform at the meeting or whatever," Darius shrugged.

"So glad that he can just decide when I perform. Fine," and just like that, his mood was back to being upset and mad.

"We going in uniform?" Darius asked.

"Formal event at Berk Hall? Definitely. Likely to have news crews and reporters everywhere and most of the people Dad works with. We'll go in the ACU, he might be mayor of Berk but we're soldiers of the Archipelago. Why not give the old man a better image by showing that two of his son's are soldiers fresh of tour?" Hector stated, Darius nodded as he moved to his room and Hector got up to start getting ready. Tallon did the same and within half an hour they were ready to go. Hector spent extra time getting his laptop and guitar ready for transport to another location. His Dad wanted him to perform? Oh Hector would give him a show indeed. When it was time to go, the three soldier loaded in Hector's truck and followed behind his father's car which held his mother and sister as well.

(Berk Hall)

"Alright now, best behaviors and we're all a happy family. Hector, you'll be playing something for the other mayors and the president of the Archipelago," Spencer said after everyone parked and got out.

"Uh huh, sure, Dad. Whatever you say," Hector retorted coldly holding his bag with his laptop and guitar in it.

"Lose the attitude," Spencer warned.

"Lose the illusion that this is a happy family-we haven't been that way in a long time and it's because of you. This family is as dead as the friends I lost on the battlefield," Hector didn't bother looking at him, "Don't worry, Dad. I'm not heartless. I won't ruin your image as the perfect mayor, father, and husband to all your colleagues. However, if you don't want me to say exactly how I feel about you right now-the I suggest you stay far away from me and not trigger me. I will go off and I will show everyone how broken the Haddock family really is," he stated firmly while starting to walk towards the entrance. Tallon and Darius following him right behind, Val and Heather only shook their heads at Spencer as they walked next-the old man sighed heavily and followed them. The doors opened as Spencer was at front with his wife beside him holding on to his arm, Heather aside her mother and then Hector, Tallon, and Darius on Spencer's other side. The room clapped and cheered for the family-cameras rolling, pictures being taken. Hector just wanted it to be over.

"Welcome, Mayor Haddock!" greeted a few people.

"Thank you, thank you. It's good to be among you all again. I always look forward to this yearly get together to see my friends and their families," Spencer replied with a smile. Hector hated how fake it all was, it made him sick to see everyone acting so happy in this family when they were miserable.

"HECTOR!" a group of people shouted as Hector's eyes snapped to the location it was coming from. Dead ahead of him, he saw the entire Dragon platoon all in their ACU's as well. Hector didn't know what they were doing there but he was damn glad for it.

"Oh, seems they know your son, Mayor Haddock. We're glad he was able to come too. I invited them since they all just returned from the two year tour." the president of the Archipelago; Jasper Morgan smiled wide as he moved in front of Hector now and offered his hand. "Thank you for your service, son,"

Hector grasped it firmly and shook it in response, "Thank you for your support, President Morgan."

"Now I must ask, how do all of you know the mayor's son?" Jasper asked looking to the group of soldiers standing together.

"Hector Haddock is our commanding officer, sir," Thaxter replied respectfully.

"Is he now. You left that out, Spencer. Your son commands the entire group?" Jasper laughed a bit.

"Ah well, you know. We're just so proud of both our sons that we didn't want to throw them in the spotlight," Spencer stated with a smile. Hector fought the urge to call him out on his bullshit-it was hard to hold back too.

"And who is this young man beside your son? I didn't know you had a third son," Jasper asked.

"He isn't...our son. He is one of Hector's friends-" Spencer started. Hector saw an opening and he was taking it.

"He's my boyfriend, Mr. President." Hector cut his father off quickly. Spencer looked as if he'd seen a ghost as he looked over at Hector now, even his mother and Heather did. Hector almost smirked-his eyes testing his father to go right ahead and blow up in anger, to destroy his own image over the information. Spencer controlled himself.

"I'm happy for you, son. I'm so glad...you two finally got together," Spencer smiled wide. Tallon was just as shocked, but if Hector just outed them as dating then nothing held him back from acting like a boyfriend now. Tallon wrapped his arm around Hector's waist and pulled him close to kiss his cheek.

"Ah, young love. Everyone deserves it in my eyes. So I'm very curious, Hector. These soldiers behind me, they are yours?" Jasper inquired.

"Yes sir. They are my platoon, also known as Dragon from Nightwave Company-three other platoons are still stationed in Iraq and will be returning soon," Hector informed him.

"And you're so young. What is your rank, if you don't mind me asking?" said Jasper now.

"Captain Hector Haddock, leader of Dragon platoon. And my boyfriend here is Second Lieutenant Tallon Furysen, my second in command for Dragon," Hector introduced.

"Pleasure to meet both of you formally. We were all shocked to find out that Mayor Haddock's youngest son joined the military. And now both have, is your brother in your platoon as well?" Jasper questioned.

"Yes sir." Hector confirmed.

"Well now, why don't you go stand with your troops. I'd like to get a picture with all of you-the soldiers who defend us, if that's alright with you?" Jasper asked.

"I don't mind at all. It's an honor to stand with our great leader," Hector replied calmly. Jasper seemed to beam as Hector, Tallon, and Darius moved to the group as Hector set his stuff down on the side. "Soldiers! Parade rest, tallest to smallest formation!" Hector commanded them.

"Yes, Captain!" they replied together and formed up exactly as he'd ordered them to. It didn't take more than two minutes for them to all be in a group, tallest to shortest.

"Mr. President, if you'll come with me?" Hector invited as he led the man to the front row and they knelt down-hands locked in a handshake as their picture was taken.

"Thank you, lad. Now, it's come to my attention that you're quite the talented singer who keeps his troops inspired with his music. I was hoping you you could share some with us?" Jasper asked with a hopeful look in his eyes. Hector's eyes fell on Inferno who were trying to look innocent-so it was them who were gossiping about Hector's being able to play and sing songs. Why would his father just ask him to play unless he was asked by someone else for Hector to play? Made sense now.

"It'd be my honor to play for you, President Morgan." Hector nodded his head.

"Wonderful! You set up and let us know when you're ready," he headed off now as everyone began to get a seat at the tables.

"You are so dead, all of you!" Hector grumbled heavily as he started getting his things set up. "Go to my truck and get the speakers?" he told Viktor and Ryan-they nodded and rushed out. Five minutes later they returned with two square speakers that Hector began to wire into his laptop. After another fifteen minutes and he was ready to go.

"All set, son?" Spencer asked with a smile.

"I'm not doing this for you. Remember my warning, Dad: don't trigger me right now," Hector warned as Spencer nodded and backed away slowly. Hector put his guitar across his stomach as the strap rested on his shoulder and sighed as Tallon approached him now and kissed his forehead.

"You don't have to do this babe," Tallon told him lightly.

"Yes I do. No matter how much I may dislike him sometimes-he's still my Dad, and I won't embarrass him in front of all these people who think he's amazing and perfect. It won't just hurt him, it'll hurt the whole family-and I can't do that to Mom, Heather, or Darius. I'd disgrace them and everything a soldier stands for. Family. So I won't destroy him by showing him just how much he hurt me this morning when he said what he said, when he ignored my existence-just like he always did before I joined," Hector looked down.

"You're a good man, Hector. I love you," Tallon smiled.

"I love you too," Tallon leaned in now and pressed his lips to Hector's in a short kiss-then pulled back as he went to sit with the other soldiers. Hector meant what he said to Tallon: he wouldn't destroy his father right now because it would destroy the family as a whole. Hector wasn't fond of his father right now and he'd admit that but he wouldn't ruin the image that everyone saw painted before them. As soon as this was over-he was giving his father a piece of his mind and he wouldn't care but right now-it mattered that he just be the good soldier son. Hector closed his eyes and took a deep breath-now all he needed to do was figure out what to sing for these people. Inspirations songs for his troops? He had a lot of those given he came from a past of depression and pain: a place where every song he came up with was something to keep him holding on and not letting go because it would get better. He had to compose himself right now, he felt sick again. He hated crowds-with his friends he was okay but this wasn't just his friends so it made him nervous.

'You can do this, Hector...It's just you and your platoon-no one else is here...' he thought getting himself together to do this. He could do it, he knew he could. What bothered him about what he was doing right now was that all this was just an act-that's all anyone was looking at right now. Perfect life, family: nothing more than an act.