{Troy's POV}

(Monday, February 1, 2021-9:25 am)

[Aleppo, Syria; Section M]

Hayden was in a meeting, then he'd be going on a patrol while I sit in the barrack on my bed. I finished breakfast early and came back here to do some much-needed thinking. Hayden told me about Avery kissing him on December 15th, 2020, and now we're in February, fourteen days shy of it being two months since that information was revealed to me. I was still furious with Avery, but I realized that there was nothing I could do except tell her to leave Hayden alone unless he wanted to speak to her. I can't threaten Avery; she's a cop, and my father wouldn't think highly of me if I did something like that. I used the next available time I had with Hayden to tell him I was sorry for getting so upset, and also that he had done nothing wrong. We hugged, and kissed. I thought we were okay, but Hayden's been acting very strange lately, and I can't quite figure out why. I've considered pulling Hayden aside to talk to him, but whenever I try; it seems he's too busy or tired. I didn't understand anymore; I did what guys suggested, but I still felt like Hayden was hurt because of me telling him I wanted to be alone so I could think. I only sent him off so I wouldn't accidentally yell at him in my frustration about Avery kissing my boyfriend when she damn well knew that he was gay, and didn't have any feelings for her, also that Hayden is in a relationship with me. On top of all that the fact Avery had wanted Hayden to keep the information from me. I couldn't believe her, and what bothered me the most is that Hayden said what she did hurt him, and he didn't know if he could forgive Avery a second time. I couldn't say I blamed him.

I needed to talk to mom, or maybe dad about this. Hayden was getting distant, I didn't know why, but I wanted to so I could fix it. I checked my watch; 9:30 A. That meant it was 7:30 am back in Berk; dad would be at work, but I think mom is off today. I grabbed my phone and pulled up Skype, then clicked my mom's name after seeing she was online right now. I waited for it to connect.

{Hi sweetie!}

I smiled. "Hey, Mom. How's your morning going?"

{Much better now that I'm getting to talk to you. Where's Hayden? Is he with you too?}

"No, he's in a meeting right now, then going on an eight-hour patrol. Why is your morning better? Something happen at home?" I inquired.

{Your father is home, sick with a cold, and Cole went and got himself suspended for two days.}

"Oh, boy. What did he do?" I asked.

My mother sighed heavily. {Apparently, he was having a bad day and mouthed off to his teachers. The sarcasm got him a detention, but then he started cursing. The teacher went to take Cole to the office to see the principal and Cole shoved him back into some desks saying not to touch him. All that aside, it earned him two days detention. He returns to school Monday, with a formal apology to his teacher.}

"That's not like Cole, Mom. Something else has to be going on. Did he say why?" I wondered, a bit concerned about my little brother.

{No, just that it was a bad day and he didn't mean to go off.}

"Do you want me to talk to him, see if he'll tell me what's really going on?" I offered.

{If you think he'll talk, please do. Right now, he's downstairs in his room. Anyway, what did you call for, sweetheart? Any word on when you're coming home yet?}

"Not yet," I shook my head. "I wanted to talk to you about something regarding Hayden, and hopefully get some advice on what to do,"

{Well, tell me what's been happening, son?}

I took a breath and began to explain everything to her about the fight, making up, but now Hayden seeming different. After I was done, I sighed again. "And that's everything,"

{It sounds to me that he's still coping, Troy. When Avery kissed him, his grandfather has just passed away days before. Then, getting back to Syria and wanted to talk to you but everything else started making it harder for him to have a moment alone with you had to be weighing on him while trying to mourn the loss of a family member.}

"So you don't think it has to do with the argument we had?" I questioned.

{I didn't say that. It's only been about three months since his grandfather died, so Hayden is probably still trying to deal with that loss. Unfortunately, with his position in the Marines as Lieutenant, and the fact you're deployed doesn't give him much time to mourn correctly as his head needs to be focused on work. The pain gets pushed back so it won't hinder guards, missions, or patrol, even meetings. And when he has time at night; I'm betting he just goes to sleep. As for the fight; Hayden might be feeling that he's responsible for upsetting you with the information about the kiss.}

"But I told him that wasn't his fault, and he did nothing wrong," I said quickly.

{But how do you think if felt for Hayden to have no time where you two could discuss a serious matter? Almost a month before there were a few minutes for you two to talk, and as I said; he's still mourning, but has to focus on work. Everything started to bear down on him, Troy, and he had no way of releasing his emotions. And like now with the tour almost over; Hayden realizes that he'll finally have some free time. But what do you think is going to happen when he doesn't need to worry about missions, meetings, or any of that?}

I understood what she was saying now and sighed. "He'll mourn the loss, and dread running into Avery because of what happened between them,"

{Precisely, son. Hayden knows that probably in the next few weeks; you'll both be home. And that can bring on a lot of emotion within itself. It's likely going to overwhelm Hayden to be home after so long, the mourning, wondering how to deal with the Avery situation. The fight could be bothering Hayden too, even if you've made up already. You have to see it from Hayden's point of view that to him, Avery asked him to keep a secret from you and it was almost a month later when Hayden found a time you two could talk without interruption. To Hayden; he did keep a secret, and that hurts him. On top of all that, there will some adjusting to. Coming home from war might take its toll, any friends you might have lost, trying to cope with being out of a dangerous place. I'm sure your commanding officer will make a warning of watching for signs of PTSD starting. All you can do is keep reminding Hayden that you're there for him.}

"I will, Mom. Thanks," I smiled a little. "Alright, now let me talk to Cole," I told her as she nodded and went to take the phone to my little brother as I began to think of ways I could help Hayden once we got home.

. . .

{Normal POV}

(Saturday, February 13, 2021-5:35 pm)

[Chow Hall; Syria]

Troy got to the bottom of why Cole had such an awful day after speaking to his little brother. Cole found out that morning from his girlfriend that she missed her period and was a few days late. Cole acted out because he was stressed that his girl is pregnant so he wasn't paying attention in class. When the teacher called him out on it, Cole got upset and reacted poorly. Troy told Cole that he needed to tell mom and dad the truth. Cole did so, and of course, Dustin and Rachel were not happy but said they would support whatever Cole and his girlfriend wanted to do. Troy knew for sure now that the girlfriend, Rosanna Falk, is indeed pregnant and five weeks along, going on six. Nothing had been decided on what they were going to do, but Troy offered his support as well. Hayden seemed alright, but Troy felt like there was more going on. Tonight, they were enjoying dinner in the Mess Hall. Everyone appeared to be having a good time.

"ALPHA COMPANY!" Commander Bludvist got their attention. "You're going home on the 19th!" he announced. The Alpha Company uproared in joy. Next Friday they were going home because the tour was over! Finally! None of them could wait.

. . .

(Friday, February 19, 2021-4:40 pm)

[Berk Transportation Center]

Alpha Company was home! Everyone dispersed at the main island to get to their homes. Hayden and Troy finally climbed off the ferry and made their way off the docks and into the station. There was applause from everyone seeing the warriors return home from war. Troy and Hayden reached their families, and there were hugs all around. However, Hayden noticed one person missing. Uncle Gabriel.

"Where's my Godfather?" Hayden asked. Spencer and Vivian gave him a half-smile. Hayden didn't like that.

"We're going to go visit him right now," Spencer said.

"What do you mean to visit him?" Hayden inquired. "I know that Uncle Gabriel wouldn't work through a day like this; he would have taken it off,"

"He's not working, son," Vivian informed. "There was…an accident while you were flying in," Hayden's eyes widened. Troy moved next him, but Hayden already had his bags picked up.

"Take me to him, right now and start explaining," Hayden ordered. Vivian and Spencer sighed, following after Hayden who was heading to the car. Troy sighed a bit, lowering his head.

"I'm sure he's just worried for Gabriel, Troy," Dustin offered. Troy nodded, then the Raseri family exited the center to go home as well.

. . .

(10:20 pm)

[Raseri Household]

Hayden got back to Troy's house after taking a taxi from the hospital. Hayden walked in to see the Raseri family in the living room. Troy got to his feet.

"Hayden?" Troy asked.

"Is Gabriel alright?" Rachel inquired softly. Hayden stayed quiet, but he shook his head no to Rachel's question. Troy watched Hayden's bottom lip start quivering, and tears forming in his eyes. Before Troy could go to comfort his boyfriend; Hayden walked away and went downstairs. Troy didn't know what to do; did he leave Hayden alone or go find out what happened?

"Go, son; I think he needs you right now," Dustin urged. Troy nodded, then followed after Hayden.

. . .

[Troy & Hayden's Room]

Troy walked into the room and saw Hayden's things dropped to the floor near the closet, but Hayden was crying face down on the pillow. Troy closed the door to the room and crouched down by the bed as he put a hand on Hayden's back.

"Babe? Talk to me, please? What's wrong? What happened?" Troy tried. Hayden turned his head to look at Troy, then forced himself to sit up while wiping his eyes and sniffling.

"Un-Uncle Gab…riel was in a bad car wreck, a-and now he's in ICU and a coma," Hayden informed. Troy couldn't believe it, no wonder Hayden was so upset. Troy got up and hugged Hayden tightly, letting his boyfriend cry on his shoulder. "Th-The doctors…don't know if he'll wake up, or even survive…" Hayden sobbed. Troy held Hayden tighter.

"It's going to be okay, Hayden. Gabriel is a tough guy, and he won't let a car accident be the end of him. I'm sure of it; he'll pull through, just have faith," Troy assured confidently. This wasn't fair at all. Hayden goes off to war for eighteen months and in that time frame loses five people in the platoon, never mind that company as a whole. Troy feared that coming back to haunt Hayden in the form of PTSD, but had no idea how bad it could end up being. Some cases were light, and some were severe. Hayden's grandfather passed away just three months ago in November, and now getting home from deployment, which is supposed to be a happy day has turned miserable because now Gabriel is in the hospital, ICU, and a coma where they don't think he'll survive. Hayden didn't need or deserve all this, and Troy was deeply concerned that it was going to push Hayden into his depression. Troy knew that he needed to watch Hayden carefully until he knew for sure how bad it could be or if it blew over.