Hector must have cried for thirty minutes before just laying against Tallon's chest in his comforting arms. He couldn't believe the day he'd had already and it was only 11am at best guess. Hector originally got up at 7:30am, spent about fifteen minutes eating breakfast, then forty-five minutes later-ready to go to Berk Hall with everyone. This made it close to 9am, then introductions brought the time to 9:20am. Biggest time jump was the hour and thirty minute wait for Hector to find out Cody didn't survive surgery, all in all, it brought them to about 11am or so. Not even past lunch time and Hector had been disowned by his now ex father, and living in a one bedroom like apartment motel room because Spencer couldn't accept Hector was dating a man. There was so much going on and all Hector could do was just cry because it wasn't fair all this was happening. Was it payback for him joining the military four years ago and not tell anyone? Had he done something wrong to have these things happening to him? He just didn't understand.
"It's gonna be alright, Hector. It will," Tallon soothed him by rubbing his arms and back slightly. Gods, Hector was glad to have Tallon with him. After he calmed down, he took a shower and went out to to get some food for the room since they'd be there for a little while until another solution was made. After he left, Tallon pulled out his phone and texted the guys of Inferno to update them.
{We're in room: A1 at Dreamers Paradise Motel, come by. Lot to tell you. ~Tallon}
The reply came through almost immediately of 'On our way', Tallon decided to take a quick shower himself, redressed in the clothes he was wearing. This only took ten minutes before there was a knock at the door and Tallon opened it to see their friends standing there.
"We got here as fast as we could," Evan said right away. Tallon invited them in and began to tell them everything about what happened after leaving Berk hall, this time including that Spencer hit Hector. The guys were stunned to hear of it, Evan was the one to end up asking where Hector was and if he was okay after all that happening.
"Shopping-we're gonna be here for a while until we figure something else out. Not like it's bad, cozy little one bedroom. It's got a bathroom, kitchen, living room, bedroom...it works and it's only $300 every two weeks," Tallon shrugged.
"Any word on things in Iraq, like if Nightwave is coming home?" Ryan inquired.
"Hector would be the one to know, he talked to Holgerson but...his phone is broken now. I guess that means Holgerson would likely call me," Tallon leaned against the wall. "My assumption is that because of the attack, Nightwave is returning as planned with the bodies of the fallen soldiers they could locate. Bludvist and Greysen will be among them,"
"So safe to say, we'll be going to a large scale funeral soon," Thaxter sighed some. "I don't understand why Hector wouldn't press charges on his father for hitting him. Not to open old wounds here but when your father did what he did, well, he's rotting in prison for it,"
"Because I won't let what he says about me be true," came Hector's voice from the door as they all faced him quickly to see him standing there with about twenty bags on his arms. "He keeps saying that I'll embarrass the family and make him look bad-if I press charges, it will only make what he said true. I set out four years ago to make sure that nothing bad anyone said about me became true and thus far...I've proved every single one of them wrong." he set the bags down on the counter. It was now they could see the cut where the split lip was, and his bruised cheek.
"Hector, he hit you..." Evan said slowly.
"I don't care. He probably would've done it long ago if I'd actually talked back to him when I was a kid. Today, I just stopped caring-I told him twice to stop and he didn't so I snapped at him and he didn't like it, just like I said he wouldn't on the second warning. It doesn't matter-if he doesn't want to consider me his son anymore because I'm in the military or because I'm dating Tallon, then whatever. It's not like I ever saw him as my father. The only father I've ever known...was Cody, and he's gone now...everything is just...back to the way it used to be. Where I just don't exist in their lives," after that he started taking things out of bags and setting them down according to dry or cold foods.
"Babe, let me put it away...just take a break, please?" Tallon offered lightly.
"I don't need a break...I need a distraction and this is working as one...I can't just sit around right now, Tal...I can't because I'll lose it...or fall back into a place I don't want to be in..." Hector said slowly with a slight glance over to his boyfriend. They knew what he meant, that if he didn't have something to distract him right now he'd start falling back into depression because of everything going on.
"At least let me help?" Tallon said as he put his hand on Hector's, he nodded to him as Tallon kissed his cheek. "We won't let you fall, remember that babe," Hector put both hands on the counter with his head down as Tallon lifted his chin to see the unshed tears in his eyes, and Tallon just pulled him against his figure. "It's okay. It's alright...just let it out. You don't have to be so strong all the time and pretend it doesn't hurt. I've told you this a million times if not more. I promise it will be okay because you're not alone anymore, and you have us, you have me and I will never leave you. None of us will," Hector buried his face in Tallon's shirt and started crying lightly. It was hard to watch, Hector didn't seem to be able to catch a break lately between losing people in Iraq, now being disowned. They just wanted him to be able to smile again but felt that was a far way off.
After fifteen minutes of crying, he calmed himself down and then he began to put the groceries away with Tallon's help. Sure enough, a call came through from Alex to Tallon after he couldn't reach Hector. Tallon explained what happened about Hector breaking his phone, then Alex informed them that the funerals would be done as a group. All caskets would be sent directly to the cemetery and prepared for burial in three days. He also told Hector to get another phone because he needed to be able to reach him for emergencies. Nightwave would be returning tomorrow, since the replacement company had arrived just a few hours before. After that conversation, the guys just relaxed and kept on eye on Hector who was being pretty silent and staring out the window. They knew it was going to take a while for him to be okay again but for now he was grieving in his own way, as long as he wasn't hurting himself then the guys didn't mind how he did it.
(Three Days Later)
Nightwave was home now-they landed at 2pm Berk time two days ago. It was Thursday now, Tallon and Hector were getting dressed in their Class A uniforms for the ceremony. Hector did get another phone and only updated the number with the military and Nightwave company members. He did give it to Darius and Skylar under the strict instructions not to give it to Spencer. If Val and Heather wanted to reach him, they would do so by Skype. Hector wanted nothing to do with Spencer anymore-but would occasionally have to put up with it in order to continue the image of a perfect family. Hector wouldn't be the one to ruin it, it wouldn't fall on him to have been the one to destroy it. Today was going to be hard as it was because the ceremony was public-anyone could come. The president was coming, as was the mayor with his family to show support to the fallen soldiers who died protecting their home. It made Hector sick to know Spencer didn't support shit but was going to act like he did. Or maybe he did support the military, just not with Hector being a part of it. That made it worse to think about.
"Are you going to be okay with him being there?" Tallon asked while buttoning his outer coat of his class A.
"It doesn't matter, I'm not going for him." Hector stated while tying the tie in place.
"Thought of what you're going to say yet?" Tallon questioned. It had been asked of him by Alex after they'd returned from Iraq, if Hector would say a few words for the fallen members of Nightwave, for Drake Bludvist, and Cody Greysen. Hector was the next highest rank in the company being Captain. Raymond and Asher were only Lieutenants like Tallon was. Alex had to say a few words and then asked Hector if he'd so the same. Of course he didn't want to but he would anyway.
"Not really. It'll come to be when it's time though, always does..." Hector sighed closing his eyes. Tallon moved closer to him and kissed him deeply, Hector returned it as the two continued to get ready after breaking the kiss.
(An Hour Later)
Both of them loaded in the truck after locking their apartment door and headed to the cemetery where they'd be meeting with the others from Nightwave. Parking up front in a spot that the guys saved for them, Hector shut off the truck and sighed heavily-directly to the left of them were the caskets holding the bodies of his friends. "Take a few breaths," Tallon rubbed his back.
"I just want to get this over with," Hector put his keys in his pocket, flipped his phone to the silent setting and then finally opened the truck door and stepped out. He walked right over to Alex who was talking to the priest as Tallon sighed when he got out and Inferno was waiting for him.
"How's he holding up?" Ryan asked.
"Holding, not sure how much longer though. His mood has stayed pretty stable the last few days, today is going to be the hardest," Tallon sighed as he spotted Spencer, Val, and Heather approaching the group. "I thought I made myself clear to stay away from him,"
"Please, Tallon...I know today will be hard for him...we just want to be there for him," Val pleaded softly.
"You upset him once...and you're going to be dealing with me personally. Do we understand each other?" Tallon warned coldly.
"Perfectly." Spencer said. Tallon walked away after that-then Thaxter, Evan, Ryan, and Viktor too. The ceremony began not more than twenty minutes later as the rest of Nightwave had arrived. All of them were seated in the main seats behind immediately family members. Alex and Hector were seated on the outside seats since they'd be going up after the priest was done. He only talked about fifteen minutes-trying to offer comforting words to the grieving families. When he was done, Alex went up next to try and do the same. Now an hour into the ceremony, it was Hector's turn and honestly-he had no idea what he could say that was any different than what the priest and Alex had said.
"We have one more speaker for you today. A young man who has come a very long way and has been there since the beginning when Nightwave formed. He's the youngest soldier to ever reach the rank of Captain in only four years so I'm going to bring him before you this morning. Please welcome, Captain Hector Haddock!" Alex introduced as Hector took a deep breath and stood up, making his way to the podium through the light clapping.
"Thank you, Major Holgerson." Hector offered a bow of his head before facing the crowd, still have zero idea of what he could say. "I've lived on Berk all my life. I've met a lot of people, seen a lot of faces. I thought living here, I'd seen all there was to see, that it would always be the same no matter where I went or looked. One thing about me growing up, is that I never had any friends. It was like that for as long as I can remember. But one day...it changed when I met Cody Greysen-who was sitting by the main office at Berkian Academy, recruiting people for the military. His first words to me were, 'Military life interest you, son?' I said I'd never given it much thought before. He handed me a pamphlet and his card, told me to call him if it did. So that night, I looked over everything and I got very interested. There was...so much the military could offer me as far as opportunities went but the biggest thing it could do...was change my life into something that most people only dream about. Next day, I called him and set up an appointment. The man helped me get my GED, helped me sign up. Took me to MEPS-stayed all day too to watch me get sworn in, then he took me to the bus station when I left for Reception Week. He did so much for me and it hurts to know he's gone and I'll never be able to repay him all the kindness he support he showed me," Hector stopped a moment as his eyes fell on where Cody's casket was.
"When I met Nightwave at Fort Striker...Gods, what a crazy day that was. So much confusion and yelling...I'll never forget the first thing we had to do as a team was separate our bags. It was the first exercise the taught us in having to work as a team to get it done. The platoon who had all their bags to their rightful owners first got a nice, hot, home cooked meal for dinner. The Dragon platoon were the winners of that. All that aside, joining the military did something for me that I'll always be grateful for: it allowed me to make friends and have a second family. We worked together, trained together, and I had the pleasure of doing all that with some of the very soldiers that we're here to say goodbye to today. Major Holgerson is right, I've been with this group here since the start and I treasure each and every one of them as a brother or sister. Talk about a big family, right?" Hector tried to laugh a little.
"We've all come so far since meeting. I still can't believe it's been four years already-time flies indeed. When Nightwave started out, there were one hundred and forty four of us. And over these last few years, a lot of the original members have passed as well. All buried here and about to be joined by more comrades. Their lives being lost so young is a very sad thing to know, but as a soldier before you now who has served two tours in the last four years...we all know the sacrifice of fighting the battles we do. I know it's not easy to hear and I'm sorry I can't offer more words of comfort like Major Holgerson and priest did. I just know that when I go out there and fight, I know any day out there could be my last and if that happens, I can die in peace knowing that I went out of this world protecting my home. That's what soldiers do, we stand up and fight the battles, we fight for equality, peace, freedom...that's what we do when we fight. It's hard to say goodbye, so I won't. I know that someday...I'll see them again. No matter where you go or what you do, the soldiers we've lost will always walk beside us-continuing to give us the strength and courage to keep going. They never gave up so neither should we. They died so we could keep living, keep living free, safe and happy. Instead of mourning the loss, celebrate them. It's never truly goodbye when you never walk alone. So I won't say goodbye today, instead I'll just say: so long until we meet again in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave shall live forever."
It was silent almost, then clapping was heard. Hector looked up as he saw Tallon standing and clapping his hands together. Thaxter, Evan, Viktor, and Ryan did the same. Then the rest of Dragon, and Nightwave. Hector couldn't believe he was being...applauded for what he'd said. Nobody seemed to be crying anymore, they were smiling and clapping. Alex and the priest didn't get applauded for what they said, so why was he?
"Well said lad. And as I said before-ya made one man's last moments very happy with what you said to him on the phone," Alex patted his back some. Oh, that hurt more to hear. The remaining portions of the ceremony were simple-the names of the fallen were announced, and each one named got a gun salute in their honor. The only people shooting were Hector, Alex, Asher, and Raymond. And each shot fired made Hector flinch a little but he held firm, thank the Gods he was so far from his friends because when it came to Cody being announced as a fallen officer, Hector let tears fall from his eyes silently. When it concluded, families came through thank Hector for his comforting words and Hector spoke to a few of Nightwave, then just leaned against his truck with his eyes closed waiting for Tallon to return.
"That was...very nice what you said for your friends," came Heather's voice, Hector glanced slightly see his mother, sister, brother, and Spencer.
"I only spoke the truth," Hector replied calmly after closing his eyes again. The caskets were in the process of being lowered slowly-people were allowed to stay and watch if they wanted to. Hector's brow twitched some when he heard that Cody was about to be lowered next. Hector pushed himself off his truck and walked over now, "Would you give me a minute with him, Major?"
"Of course," Alex nodded as he backed up and left Hector standing there in front of the casket his father figure was laying in. Hector didn't know what he should do right now, the only thing running through his mind was the last conversation they ever had a few days ago when Cody called him his son. Hector reached his hand out and placed it on the cold metal of the casket.
"Tal," Thaxter said pointing behind Tallon as he turned to see where Hector was. Tallon sighed as he moved beside his boyfriend now and put his arm over his shoulders to draw him in closer against him.
"It's alright to cry, everyone else is while talking about the good times." Tallon leaned his head on Hector's a little.
"I know but...he wouldn't want me to cry over him, so I'm not going to. He'd want me to celebrate his life, they all would. So just like with all the others we've lost, I'm gonna grab a six pack of beer and celebrate those good times," Hector smiled a bit.
"Now there's my Hector," Tallon smiled as he kissed him lightly.
"Sorry about the last few days of me being miserable-lot to deal with and accept," Hector told him as he put his arm around Tallon's waist with a small smile.
"We understand man," Evan replied walking over now with the others.
"So what's all this about grabbing some beer and celebrating?" Ryan grinned a bit.
"Well, I say we hit the liquor store and go relax at mine and Tallon's place for a while," Hector said calmly.
"That's an idea I can get behind," Thaxter nodded. Alex came over now as he pulled Hector aside and held out a blue envelope to him.
"After he got off the phone with you, he asked me to give you this in the event he didn't make it to give it to you himself," Alex gave a smile to him.
"What is it babe?" Tallon asked softly.
Hector opened it it and saw a birthday card that showed a cartoon drawn father and son in military clothes, both smiling wide. "Hey kiddo. Look at you! Finally turned twenty one, now I can take ya to the bar with me-but before we do that, there's something I want you to know: Of all the gifts I've ever been given, having you as my son is the greatest..." Hector read slowly as the others fell quiet. Heather, Darius, Val, and Spencer weren't that far and began to listen quietly as well. Hector slowly opened the card as a $100 bill rested there. Hector moved it as he read the words written there, "Sorry, I could keep my promise to take you out for your twenty first. So go have a few rounds at the bar for both of us, on me! I meant what I said on the phone, and I hope you know I'm forever grateful for all the joy you've brought to my life these last four years-made me feel like my little boy was still here, only older and incredibly sarcastic. Gave me the feeling of seeing him grow up and become a man. You've made me a very happy man to get to be a father again, a father to you. Thank you for that. I'm very proud of all you've done and all you will do. And remember, even if I'm not there...I'm always gonna be looking out for you. I love you, son. Happy Birthday! -Always, Cody."
Hector looked at the casket again as the tears he thought he couldn't cry anymore slipped from his eyes, "I love...you too, Dad.." Tallon instantly wrapped his arms around Hector so he wouldn't fall to his knees.
"It's okay...it's alright. Sssh..." Tallon soothed him as the other guys nodded trying to do the same. Hector was doing fine, he was ready to drink, relax, and have a good time. Until he got that card from Cody and it was easy to see that it meant the world to him to get but it also hurt him-another reminder that the only father he ever really had was gone now. Hector only cried for a few minutes, just silent tears falling down his cheeks before he stopped and sighed heavily. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah...why don't...you and the guys head to the apartment. I'll meet you there in a little while," Hector said as he gave Tallon the keys to the truck.
"Where are you gonna go and how are gonna get back without the truck?" Tallon asked.
"I just...need a little while alone. I'm alright, I promise, just need a little time is all. Don't worry, I can walk or I'll call you to come get me," Hector smiled to them.
"Alright. We'll be waitin' for you, Hec. Be safe, alright?" Tallon kissed him lightly, Hector returned it with a nod as he put the card in his class A coat, money in his pocket, then walked off out of the cemetery grounds.
"He'll be okay-he just needs to clear his head. It wasn't an easy day for him, and now with that car. Cody knew he wasn't going to survive, so he asked me to give that to Hector after they got off the phone a few days ago. Head on home now-he won't be long," Alex smiled to them. Tallon got into the truck with Viktor and Ryan-the other two were driving Thaxter's car to the apartment, they were gone ten minutes later.
(With Hector)
Hector must have walked a good twenty minutes until he reached the place he wanted to go. He looked up at the glowing sign: Dragon's Lair. He walked inside and took off his officer hat while grabbing a seat on one of the bar stools, the time was only 4pm-the ceremonies had been set up in the afternoon originally and Hector was grateful for that. It meant he didn't have to feel bad since he decided to go drinking. He purposely let Tallon take the truck that way if he got drunk, Tallon could come get him. Hector liked this place a lot-there was a small sheet to fill out on the bar: something for name, age, and emergency contact in case the person drinking got too drunk to drive or get home on their own.
"A service member always gets one drink on the house in my bar. What'll it be for ya?" the bartender smiled coming in front of Hector now.
"Dragon's Breath," Hector offered a smile, the bartender nodded and began getting it ready-he placed it down in front of Hector who stared at it a minute before lifting it. "This one's for you," he took a long drink from the mug and relaxed. His father told him to drink for both so he was going to sit there and have a drink for his father-then one for himself. After that he'd go back home with Tallon and his friends-but for now. This had been a request from Cody, and there was no way Hector could've said no. Of course Cody wouldn't break his promise to him, the guy still found a way to fulfill it and now Hector would fulfill Cody's one request. Hector sighed out staring at a picture of him and Cody from the BCT graduation four years ago. It really did look like they were father and son, and it was now that Hector noticed the picture-he pulled out the card that Cody gave him and looked over it.
The picture on the card was the same one he was holding only cartoon drawn. Hector's eyes widened a bit, Cody took the picture and had it cartoon drawn, then added all the words on it. It was...a handmade card! The picture on the front was them, from Basic graduation. "You son of bitch..." Hector laughed a little as he stared at both and took another long drink, "Really gonna miss you...Rest in peace, Dad," he whispered as tear slipped from his eye.
