=Troy's POV=
(Thursday, July 16, 2020-11 am)
[Raseri Household]
Of all days Hayden had to end up not feeling well; it would be on our one-year anniversary of being in a relationship together. However, I wasn't mad because I understood that sometimes; it couldn't be helped. My family and Hayden have ruled out food poisoning, but nothing else as it started around 8:45 am this morning. At the moment; it's 11 am, and Hayden is sleeping in his bed while I lay on mine mulling over the conversation I had with Hayden's parents and former friends on Sunday the 12th when Hayden and I had just gotten home from Syria. I still could not believe that his parents started not even an hour after seeing him. I swear that it was a repeat of April 2019 all over again when Hayden did have food poisoning and got grabbed by Spencer in an attempt to make Hayden tell him why Hayden had the gun in October 2018. Well, that truth was out now because Hayden got so overwhelmed and upset about being hounded that he revealed the detail about taking the weapon to end his life at The Cove in Raven Point Park on October 7, 2018. After that, Hayden grabbed his things and hurried to my house; I assume because he knows to come to me if he feels his depression taking over him. I was scared when Gabriel called to say Hayden ran out but relieved that Hayden showed up moments later at the front door.
As soon as I knew Hayden was okay; I went to Gabriel's to give his parents a piece of my mind. I wasn't upset with the former friends because it didn't seem like they had done anything wrong this time, just had to bear witness to what did happen. Nope, I laid into his parents about how much they hurt him, and unfortunately, the ex-friends got it too because they all had a role to play in why Hayden wanted to commit suicide. The last thing I did was inform them that Hayden was not only gay but dating me as well. I believe that came up as the most significant shocker to all of them, except for Gabriel since he already knew. I didn't stick around to find out what they spoke about regarding everything; I just wanted to get home and make sure Hayden was doing okay. When I did reach my house, Hayden was downstairs gaming with Cole, and then I took over to keep my boyfriend company while telling him everything said at Gabriel's. Hayden hadn't been surprised but wanted to know if they were accepting of him being gay. I suppose we wouldn't know until we saw everyone again, but Hayden confided in me that he wasn't ready to face them yet. Which was fine with me, I certainly didn't mind waiting for the next inevitable meeting.
"Ugh," I heard Hayden moan. Looking over, I saw Hayden shifting around and beginning to awaken. I got off my bed and moved closer to his.
"Hey, how are you feeling, babe?" I asked softly in case he still had a headache. Hayden finally opened his eyes and looked at me as I smiled a little.
"Better than before, just slow on the wake up I guess," Hayden replied as I watched him blink a few more times and then sit up while rubbing his eyes and stretching his arms, then twisting his back and neck until they cracked.
"Maybe you just didn't get enough sleep last night?" I offered.
"Possibly, but my stomach is still kind of…Off, I guess is the word I'd use. I don't feel like throwing up, but I'm still nauseous," Hayden admitted. I checked his forehead, thankfully, no fever.
"Well, we'll just have to lay off the heavier foods then. How about something light? Like a sandwich?" I suggested.
"I'll hold off for a bit. Thank you, though," Hayden smiled. "I'm sorry I ended up sick on our anniversary," he looked down.
"I'm not worried about it, Hayden. Come on; we can go out any of the days we have left on leave," I chuckled some.
"I know, but still," Hayden mumbled.
"Hayden, it's only 11 am; we can still go out and do something if you're feeling up to it. Would you like that?" I smiled as Hayden nodded. "Alright, what would you like to do?"
"Well, the annual Berk Viking Festival is being held this week until Sunday…I kind of really wanted to go; I'm big on Vikings," Hayden admitted softly.
"Haha, alright; then that's where we'll go," I nodded. Hayden got very excited as he got up and hugged me tightly. "Is it something we have to dress for?" I asked when I saw Hayden grab something from one of his dresser drawers.
"You don't have to, but I enjoy it," Hayden giggled as he left the room and went to the bathroom to change. Minutes later, I watched him come out wearing dark brown boots and pants, then his shirt was a long sleeve, pale red color. There were two brown arm guards, and Hayden wore a brown vest over the shirt.
"You look good," I complimented. "I might be able to throw something together," I added while rummaging through my drawers to locate some clothes. I grabbed what I found, then went to change. I came out five minutes later wearing black pants, boots, then a gray short sleeve with a brown belt around the shirt. It wasn't much, but I was trying for Hayden because I could see it meant a lot to him to take part in this.
"Not bad for thrown together last minute," Hayden giggled. I shook my head and kissed him, then we grabbed our things and headed upstairs to leave for the festival.
. . .
[Berkian Viking Festival]
=Normal POV=
By the time Troy and Hayden reached the location and found parking to the event; it was going on 11:40 am. Hayden paid for them to get in, and then the fun began. Troy took a look a look around, enjoying what he could see. People were dressed normal or like Vikings with shields, swords, and helmets as accessories. There were a few rides for kids, stands to buy trinkets to take home, and food stands. The festivals had shows, skits, story-telling about long ago tales of the days there were Vikings living, and referencing to landmarks on Berk, legends that came to pass. There were games to win prizes and even an area with dancing with old Viking-day music.
"Wow, this looks like a blast," Troy admitted.
"I try to come every year and embrace my inner Viking," Hayden chuckled a little. "Don't laugh at me for that, it's part of my heritage," he added.
"I assumed as much. You've been on Berk all your life. Naturally, you would enjoy an event that celebrates where you derive from," Troy held Hayden's hand as they walked in more and enjoyed the sights around them, just wandering and peeking into stands. "How are you feeling?" he asked after a few moments.
"I'm actually feeling really okay right now," Hayden informed.
"I'm happy to hear that," Troy kissed Hayden's cheek. "So which Tribe were your ancestors in?"
"I believe Berk was home to the Hairy Hooligans, and Uncle Gabriel used to tell me stories as a kid what my ancestors specifically were leaders of the tribe for generations dating all the way back to the times of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the First. Legend says that he ended the first Dragon War and became king of the Barbaric Archipelago," Hayden explained.
"And Haddock is your last name, so I guess means you have royal blood," Troy offered a bow.
"Oh, stop you," Hayden giggled a little as Troy laughed. "In all seriousness, though, the Haddock family dates back thousands of years. Hiccup the First lived a thousand years before Hiccup the Third, and that man, the third one, ended the second Dragon War by befriending a Night Fury, naming it Toothless, and becoming a dragon rider. Or so legend says anyway,"
"I believe it," Troy said.
"My uncle comes from a long line of blacksmiths. Apparently, his ancestors have been longtime family friends with the Haddocks since the time of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third. Hiccup's father, Stoick the Vast Haddock, was best friends with Gobber the Belch Forger. According to research, the Haddock's were in power for a long time until the Viking age died out in the middle of the 11th Century. Not sure what happened after that," Hayden shrugged.
"That's pretty cool," Troy confessed. "No idea where my family comes from," he said.
"Well, your last name means Fury in Norwegian. And Eyja Nott means Island of Night, which was rumored to be an island full of Night Furies. Maybe you are the human descendant of a Night Fury?" Hayden suggested.
"I suppose anything is possible," Troy agreed.
"And if that's the case, then no wonder we get along so well," Hayden hugged him while they were walking as Troy put his arm around Hayden's shoulder.
"No matter the case of what it was back then; I'm just glad I have you now as my best friend and my boyfriend," Troy stopped walking and turned his head to plant a kiss on Hayden's lips not giving a care in the world who saw it happen. Hayden returned the action as both of their eyes were closed and enjoying the moment. Afterward, Troy linked his fingers to Hayden's. "Now, what do you say we enjoy this anniversary?" Hayden nodded as they continued to explore the grounds and all the festival had to offer.
. . .
[Much Later On]
(2:20 pm)
Troy and Hayden were having a grand time at the Viking Festival. The two bought a couple things, played some games, and were now sitting on the grass and watching the dancing take place while enjoying having something to eat. Hayden enjoyed something light because he didn't want to upset his stomach with anything heavier than a sandwich and water.
"This has been nice," Hayden said out of the blue.
"I couldn't agree more. Do you want to keep roaming, or do something else for the remainder of the day?" Troy asked.
"I don't know. I think we've seen just about everything we can here. What else could we do?" Hayden inquired.
"Whatever you want, babe. We can go for a walk in the park, see a movie at the cinema, go home and game. It's our day, and I'm down for anything as long as I get to spend it with you," Troy informed. Hayden blushed a little as Troy cupped Hayden's cheek and leaned in to kiss him deeply. Meanwhile, walking down the road past the dance area was the seven friends, as well Spencer and Vivian too.
"Hah, there he is. I told you Hayden wouldn't miss this if he didn't have to," Shane remarked pointing to Hayden with Troy.
"And they look like they are a little busy, so maybe we shouldn't-," Fisher started as he saw everyone moving towards Hayden. "Bother him," the male sighed. When Hayden felt a shadow over him, he opened his eyes and saw his parents, then cousin and ex-friends. Troy noticed Hayden stopped kissing back, so he broke the action.
"What's the matter?" Troy asked.
"Unwanted audience," Hayden muttered as Troy arched a brow then looked behind him to see the others.
"Unwanted presence indeed," Troy stood up and helped Hayden to his feet, but kept Hayden slightly behind him. "I thought I saw four days ago to leave us alone, today especially,"
"Hey, this is an island event; we're allowed to be here," Tyler reminded.
"And I don't disagree with you, but you didn't need to come over here where we were and then hover," Troy rolled his eyes.
"Tyler, shut up," Hailey sighed. "We just wanted to make sure you were okay, Hayden,"
"I'm fine," Hayden said.
"There, now you know he is," Troy remarked as he looked at Hayden. "You want to stay a bit longer or head out and do something else. Your call, babe,"
"I don't care that they are here; it is a public place," Hayden shrugged. "But I still don't want to be near them right now, so let's bail. Besides, I'm starting to feel sick again," he looked away. Troy could feel Hayden's mood starting to decline, and they had been having such a great time too. Troy remembered that Hayden said he'd wanted to dance, and the moment, they were in an area that played more modern songs. As if the timing couldn't be better, a familiar tune Troy knew well began to play, and he knew it was the perfect opportunity.
"How about one dance before we leave?" Troy turned to face Hayden, as he blinked a little seeing Troy's hand out to him. "What? You said you wanted to. Them being here doesn't change that today is for you and me; you said you wanted to dance at least once, and I'm not about to deny you that request before we go," Hayden put his hand in Troy's as the man pulled Hayden close to him.
Hayden's arms went around Troy's neck while Troy's hands locked themselves to Hayden's waist. Troy smiled as he took the lead on them dancing together. It was just a simple sway and turn in a circle while they did that. Hayden's head was on Troy's shoulder, and his eyes were closed, totally content and happy as shown by the smile gracing Hayden's lips. Towards the end of the song, Troy lifted his head off Hayden's as the two stared into one another's eyes before Troy leaned in and kissed Hayden's lips, Troy deepened it after a moment as both their eyes were closed and enjoying it. The music stopped as Troy broke the kiss and embraced Hayden tightly.
"I love you, Hayden," Troy said as Hayden's eyes widened a little.
"You've never said that to me before," Hayden said surprised as the others weren't sure what Hayden meant. Troy never said I love you to Hayden before and they'd been together for a year? "I thought we were still in the liking one another stage,"
"Do you not feel us on a love level?" Troy asked.
"No, I feel-I mean, yes! Yes, I do, Troy. I just…We'd never talked about if things ran farther than where we started, and I've felt stronger feelings for you than like, but I didn't want to say anything in case you didn't feel the same, or perhaps it was rushed," Hayden explained. Troy chuckled and kissed Hayden lightly, then pulled back.
"First off; you're rambling and doing that thing with your hands and shoulder because you're nervous. So relax a little. Okay. Secondly, it's been a year, babe. We said what we did because we didn't know how things were going to go with being in the Marines; same company, platoon, even squad together. And then we got deployed, but we've made it through all of that, and we're here now. I know that you and I will always be together as friends if nothing else, but my feelings for you as far as being lovers goes are genuinely much deeper than like, Hayden. And it feels right to say it without being rushed since we have time in, so I love you," Troy confessed.
Hayden smiled as he hugged Troy tightly. "I love you too,"
"Now, I think we should get out of here and enjoy the rest of our day," Troy kissed Hayden's forehead as he nodded. Troy grabbed the bag that had Hayden and his small purchased items in, then the two linked their hands. "See ya around," Troy stated to the others then he and Hayden walked away to continue their anniversary, which was turning out to be absolutely perfect now that they had admitted to loving one another.