=Hayden's POV=
(Wednesday, June 12, 2019-5:15 pm)
[Fort Archian]
Two months later and I still can't believe that while sick with food poisoning, feverish, and exhausted; I confessed to Troy that I liked him as more than a friend. For me, I'd been dreaming about telling Troy; it had been when ITB was over, and we were back at his parent's place. I told him I was gay, that I discovered it during Boot Camp, and that I had been crushing on Troy since my birthday. In my dream; Troy liked me back and we ended up together. Such did not happen in real life because Troy ended up confused about his feelings for me, if he had any at all besides friendship. So far, training hasn't been a problem, and the thing between Troy and I isn't distracting to him. I felt terrible if I was giving him a hard time in figuring things out, and this is why I wanted to wait until after ITB to say anything. At least then I could have stayed with Gabriel until Troy got to the bottom of it all. Troy and I have been living together since October 8th, 2018; it's been eight months since then, even though January to June has had a residence here at Fort Archian. Regardless, Troy and I had beds next to one another in the barrack, just like at his parent's house. Well, our beds were across from one another at Raseri's home.
At Dustin and Rachel's home; Troy and I share his bedroom in the basement. Initially, it was supposed to be a temporary arrangement until Dustin cut a new room between Troy's and Cole's. However, Troy and I decided that we didn't mind continuing to share; there was some talk of extending Troy's, though. For now, it didn't matter since we were away training, but that would be over on Friday, the 14th of June. We had graduation practice on Saturday, and then the actual event on Sunday. If all went well, Troy and I would be back at the Raseri's for Monday morning. Anyway, the room at Troy's was set up college dorm style, or at least the best we could arrange it. Walking into the room and looking left, you would see Troy's bed in the corner, a nightstand, then his dresser, and desk. If you glanced right, you would see my dresser, a desk, nightstand, then my bed. The closet was on the opposite wall from the entrance, and in between my bed and Troy's desk. Like I said; it works for us and we're not stepping all over one another to get around the room when we're both in it.
Did I mention that Gabriel messaged me in May to tell me that Dustin cleared my name for everything that my parents blamed on me? I was beyond happy to get the news too.
/Flashback; May 16, 2019/
Another long day of training gone, but I am overjoyed to be in the barrack and laying on my cot. Infantry Training was a lot like Boot Camp, except for the fact we're up at 5 am and in bed for 10 pm, but we only get one hour of Personal Time. So, from 9 to 10 pm was when we could shower and do laundry. A good majority of us males would start a wash cycle, and shower while that took place, then switch the clothes into the dryer for a forty-minute run. Ten to one, the clothing would dry in that time as long as we didn't put more than two uniforms in at a time with shirts, underwear, and socks.
"Hayden, wanna come with for laundry?" Troy inquired as he was standing with Ethan, Harry, and Andrew about to leave the barrack.
"I'm good, guys; I did mine last night," I replied with a smile. Troy nodded and left with the others while I relaxed. I decided to turn my phone on and check in back home since I had a free night due to showering this morning, but I would likely take another before bed because it eased my sore body. As soon as my phone loaded up, a message came through from Uncle Gabriel.
Laddie! Not sure when u'll get this, but Dustin cleared ur name with police & stuck it to ur folks. Hope ur doin well! Luv u{Received 1520; Sat, May 11}
My eyes widened a little. What did Uncle Gabriel mean? I stepped outside the barrack and called him. Three rings in, and there was an answer.
"Hello?" came Gabriel's voice.
"I just got your message from the 11th. What are you talking about?" I asked.
"I told Dustin and Rachel what happened the night you got food poisoning, lad. Dustin decided to look into everything, and got proof that you didn't do any of the things they accused you of," Gabriel informed.
"Wait, really?" I blinked in surprise.
"Yeah! Dustin got all three incidents with police on videos, then showed them to your parents, and former friends since they were there. From what I could see, your folks told them that they had seen you a month before. Either way; Dustin showed Spencer and Vivian that you were dragged into the alleyway and beaten up while cornered. Also that you only got into the accident to avoid a head-on collision, and you were protecting that pregnant girl from her abuser," Gabriel explained.
"Wow. I-I didn't expect him to do all that for me," I said in shock that Dustin went and cleared my name, especially considering that Dustin already enlightened my parents and ex-friends that I was hacked on friendslink, and framed at Barbarian Burger. "How did they take the information?"
"Nothing but guilt, kiddo. I mentioned that they owed you a heartfelt apology, and right now you're on Archia Isle working your butt off. I refused to give your address and number, and left them with one warning; so help them Odin if they hurt you again, then I walked away," Gabriel chuckled.
"You didn't have to do that, Uncle Gabe, but I appreciate it. I don't know if I'll see them again, not for a long while after last time," I closed my eyes with a sigh before opening them again.
"There's no rush, lad. I just wanted to let you know that you're cleared, and they all know it now. You focus on training, and you can decide what you want to do when you get home. I better go since I'm working a night shift. Love you," Gabriel stated.
"Love you too, and thanks for telling me. I'm gonna message Dustin right now to thank him," I pulled the phone down and ended the call just as Troy was returning.
"What are we thanking my dad for?" Troy questioned.
"He…Cleared my name, Troy. Your father went and found proof that I wasn't involved with a gang, or starting fights, and that the accident wasn't my fault. He showed my parents, and ex-friends to stick it to them that they should have listened to and believed me," I admitted. "Gabriel just told me, but I guess it happened a few days ago on the 11th,"
"That's my dad for you," Troy smiled and gave me a one-armed hug. I sent Dustin a text thanking him for what he did, then after getting a response of; Your welcome! Hope you boys are doing well out there, I shut the phone off and returned inside to relax for the night.
/End Flashback/
I'm still in shock about it a month later, but I was grateful. I loved Troy's family; and didn't think I would ever be able to repay them for all they've done since October 2018. At the moment, the Inferno Platoon is preparing for the final test in our training. It would be overnight in the woods making our way from one place to another without instruction from a Drill Sergeant, but they would be with us in case something bad happened. I'd been chosen as Platoon Leader, no clue why, but I guess it had been a random draw of the hat. We had to make it out of the forest by the dusk on the 13th. No pressure or nothing, just the ENTIRE Inferno Platoon relying on me. Gods help me.
. . .
[Fort Archian Woods]
=Troy's POV=
(April 13, 2019-6:30 am)
I've had a lot of time to think about my feelings regarding Hayden, but still hadn't figured out if I liked him or not. Yes, Hayden is my friend, but do I want more than that? I had no idea. Right now; we're on that overnight mission and Hayden is in charge, but Vincent and Ryan are here to observe and take over if necessary. Hayden was doing great so far; following all protocols of being stranded in unknown territory overnight, and having to map our way back and watch for threats. I couldn't stop replaying what my father had said to me on April 5th, when he told me to consider how much I've gone out of my way for Hayden since meeting him. Perhaps he was on to something, but was that enough to say I like him back? Not quite yet. Hayden was a fantastic guy, and I meant all those things I said about him. I just felt like there was something holding me back from putting it all together, and it bothered me that I couldn't determine what it was. Currently, it's early morning and we all just woke up, except for those who had been standing guard around out make-shift campsite.
"What's the plan, Haddock? It's 6:30 am now, and we have until sunset to get out of the woods," Theodore inquired.
"Mind if I finished looking at the map, Meatsen?" Hayden remarked sarcastically as he had literally just pulled the object out.
"Right, sorry," Theodore backed up.
"Fort Archian is due East of us, and the shortest path could get us back in half the time, but it's through the cliffs," I pointed.
"The shortest trail is not always the safest. The longer path would get us back within an hour of dusk," Hayden reminded.
"Your call," Chelsea motioned.
"As everyone is still waking up, and eating…Why don't Raseri and I scout out the mountainside, and we'll radio with a report. Taking too many people on it without knowing the terrain is dangerous, don't leave camp, and watch each other's backs. Andrew's in charge until I get back," Hayden said firmly.
"Understood," Andrew nodded. I got up to leave with Hayden since we were packed up and ready to go as we had been up since 5 am to start the morning and check in with the guards. Twenty minutes later, Hayden and I were traversing the mountain. Not all of it, but up enough to get a good view of everything and see what we were dealing with.
"What are you thinking?" I asked.
"I think it should be fine…" Hayden trailed off.
"And here comes the but," I joked.
"But I feel like it won't. Call it a gut feeling or whatever, but something about this isn't right," Hayden admitted.
"Trust your gut, Hayden. If you don't feel it's safe, then we'll go around the lo-," I stopped fast when I felt the ground give out beneath me and I fell down. I landed a few feet down on a smaller ledge, but there was no way to go anywhere. I took a few deep breaths and looked up to see Hayden leaning over.
"Troy! Are you okay?!" Hayden asked with the utmost concern for me. My heart skipped a beat hearing it, what was that feeling? Not the time to worry about it Troy! I shook my head a little.
"I-I think so. Couple scrapes and might have landed hard enough to tweak my ankle," I called up.
"Don't move; I radio for help," Hayden replied. I heard him calling Vincent, and saying I fell down the mountainside and could be hurt, but I was conscious and on a smaller ledge. Though, I felt more rocks give way, and I realized that if this went; I was going all the way down.
"Ha-Hayden! We've got a problem!" I yelled.
"What is it?" Hayden inquired.
"This ledge is starting to give out and there's nothing else to fall to except for the ground," I informed.
"God…Damn it; they'll never get here in time. It's okay, Troy; I'll get you out of there," Hayden assured, then I saw him go out of sight for a few minutes. More rocks began to fall off and I panicked. Then I saw a rope come down and looked up. Hayden set up a rock-climbing rig and was coming down? Five minutes passed as Hayden made it down to my level, and he hugged me. "Here, loop this under your legs and secure it here. You're gonna have to help me pull us up,"
"I think I can manage that," I nodded as seconds later after securing the line, the rock gave out and we dangled there. It took some time with, but working together; Hayden and I made it up and he got me on the cliff first, then pulled himself up as we both panted heavily. "I owe you…my life,"
"We're…even. You saved me, and now, I've saved you," Hayden replied as we connected hands and he smiled at me. I don't know what happened, but something sparked when we touched, and I realized that I do like Hayden. This whole situation of being scared, and Hayden coming down to help me when he knew the others wouldn't come in time; it's what held me back. It didn't take long before Vincent and Ryan reached our area, with the others too. "Stay back there!" Hayden ordered. "It's not safe to put any more weight on this; we'll come to you,"
"Are you both okay?!" Ryan asked.
"Yeah," Hayden and I responded. Hayden got up and helped me, then while holding on to him, we reached the group. Hayden went back to round up the ropes and pulleys, then returned to us.
"Nice work, Haddock. And I'll expect a full explanation," Vincent informed. "You should never attempt this kind of rescue by yourself,"
"I'll give you whatever you want later, Sergeant Major, but my priority was getting Troy to safety before that ledge he landed on gave out and he fell to his death. Sometimes, sir, you have no choice if it means saving a life or losing one. I wouldn't have done it if I wasn't confident I could." Hayden stated as Vincent blinked a bit. "How's your ankle?" he looked at me.
"I think I'm good. The initial fall hurt, but it's worn off now. I can walk," I told him.
"Alright, everyone down from the mountain and move slowly away from the edges. Stick to the inside, and do not walk as a mass group. It's not safe, so we're taking the long way around," Hayden ordered.
"Aye, sir!" the Platoon replied. Not long after, we were making our way down and back to solid ground. Hayden was leading and I wasn't far behind him; thinking about the conclusion I'd come to after Hayden got us both back up the cliff. Today, I was able to see how much Hayden cared for me and it released whatever hold there had been; I liked Hayden as more than a friend, and as soon as ITB is over; I'm telling him.