{Normal POV}
(Thursday, April 27, 2023)
[Isle of Berk; Troy & Hayden's Apartment]
Two long weeks had passed since Hayden's homecoming to Berk. Troy was grateful every day to wake up next to his husband; hurt or not, the feeling was irreplaceable. The day Cody returned Hayden was one of tears and smiles, but everyone knew that Hayden had more recovering to do given the shape he was in upon arriving. It seemed only Troy knew the extent of the injuries and didn't want to discuss it. Likewise, Hayden didn't want to talk about what he'd been through. Troy hadn't pushed it thus far, but Hayden's PTSD was a great deal worse than coming home from Syria. Nightmares, waking up in the middle of the night; screaming, sweating, and needing a lot more than the light to realize where he was. Hayden would struggle and lash out if Troy tried to touch him at all. Troy had even been punched and kicked the first few times until he understood that Hayden probably felt like he was being restrained or about to be hurt. That broke Troy's heart, but Troy learned that if he flipped the light on just sang a bit of their wedding song; Hayden would settle down while taking deep breaths to focus on his surroundings. After that, Hayden would bury his face in Troy's chest, allowing Troy to hold and console him.
Nobody had come over, but they called and texted Troy for updates. I guess they understood that Hayden went through hell and needed time to recover and get back to civilian life. Spencer and Vivian made trips over to see Hayden, but he didn't talk much or would be sleeping. Troy mentioned that the painkillers made him pretty tired, but he knew that Hayden just didn't want to see anyone, or rather; he didn't want anyone seeing him in such a beat-up state. Most of Hayden's have healed to barely anything at all. Hayden's wrist still had another three-four weeks, and his ribs had two-three weeks. The gunshot wound was just about set, but Hayden still had physical therapy twice a week to re-strengthen the muscles and retain a range of motion. Thankfully, Hayden didn't develop any infections. However, Troy began to notice that Hayden was more conservative. As in not wanting to be seen at all; Hayden wouldn't let Troy take care of any injuries and always said he could do it. Troy didn't push anything, but he wanted to know why Hayden was so…Shy. Troy, unfortunately had to attend drill weekend tomorrow, so he thought it might be a good idea to make sure Hayden was going to be alright if he went away for three days.
"Babe?" Troy said. The time was about 1:45 pm.
"Yeah, baby?" Hayden replied quietly.
"I was wondering what you're planning for this weekend are?" Troy wondered.
"Don't you have drill?" Hayden glanced at him.
"That's why I'm curious as to what you're going to be doing, Love," Troy smiled a bit. Hayden shrugged.
"Probably just gonna sit around here. Can't do much with my wrist and ribs situation," Hayden responded.
"Are you going to be okay by yourself?" Troy inquired. Hayden didn't say anything right away. "Hayden?"
"I don't know," Hayden mumbled a little. Troy wasn't entirely sure he liked that answer.
"Do you feel like you might lose control or break down if you go into one of your PTSD attacks?" Troy questioned. "Be honest,"
"I broke down during an evaluation after being captured for five weeks and got myself discharged from the Marines because they think I'm mentally unstable. What does that tell you?" Hayden remarked. Troy sighed. This happened often; Hayden getting defensive about the discharge. Troy had a sneaking suspicion that Hayden might actually be okay, and only broke down because it was twice in a matter of twenty-four hours that he had to talk about everything when he said he didn't want anything more than to come home. Troy knew that Hayden just wanted comfort, to be around the people he loved and cared for.
"It tells me that they made a choice based on what happened not even twenty-four hours after you returned to the outpost after being a prisoner for a month. Anyone would have flipped out and demanded it to stop; you needed a break to settle with things before talking about it, but I understand they pushed you and it was too much in such a small timeframe. I don't care what they say, babe; I'm asking if you think you're unstable, Hayden," Troy asked.
"I don't know, Troy. Okay? I don't. I was a mess upon getting back. I was wounded, tired, hungry, thirsty…For Odin's sake; I passed out as soon as I told them who I was, then I wake up five hours later in a hospital and instantly got hounded for an explanation. I just wanted to come home and be out of that place. I needed that, and they wouldn't grant it until I talked. I'm here now, and I fall into the attacks at random. You're always with me, so I don't know how it'd be if you weren't…I don't know if I'm unstable; I-I'm okay when you're around, or partially at best,"
Troy understood where Hayden was coming from, so how did he work this? "What if we tried it?" Troy offered.
"Try it?" Hayden looked at him.
"Yeah. I'll leave tomorrow morning as planned, and if at any time you feel you can't do it; you let me know and I'll come home," Troy suggested.
"Bludvist would never let you leave on my account," Hayden reminded.
"Yes, he would. And if he doesn't then, I don't care. I'll leave anyway," Troy stated.
"Troy, you could get in serious trouble for that…" Hayden closed his eyes.
"So what? Do you think that bothers me, babe? If I get in trouble, or even discharged for disobeying a direct order; then whatever. Maybe the military life isn't for me after all if they can't understand family emergencies. Especially when it involves someone who was once one of them," Troy explained.
"No, Troy…I can't let you give up what you wanted to do since I met you in 2018. No, I won't be the cause of you losing your career," Hayden shook his head.
"Hayden, stop and listen to me okay?" Troy hooked his finger on Hayden's chin. "Before we met, yes; joining the Marines is all I wanted to do. It's adventurous, exciting at times…However, that was back when I didn't really have anything else going for me. Sure, I had my family, but what else? I didn't have another job, no friends since most of them lost contact when I moved from Eyja Nott. I didn't have a future planned before you, so I figured just join because it looked like it a right place to be for my situation. I mean, come on; look at my family. Mom is a paramedic. Dad is Director of Archipelago Law Enforcement. Cole is a firefighter. We all do something to help our home out. When we met; I thought I had only made a friend. I never imagined that you would become my future, Hayden."
Hayden's eyes widened a little. "W-What?"
"Do you remember what I told you; that we met for a reason?" Troy asked as Hayden nodded. "Could either of us have known that meeting four years ago would land us where we are now? Best friends, lovers, married even? No. We couldn't have known such a thing, but it happened, right? And it's always worked out for us, Hayden. We rely on one another. You need me like I need you," Troy smiled a bit. "What I'm saying, Hayden; is that I thought the Marines was going to be my future. The day I met you was the one I'd been at the recruiter office, and I figured to take one more stroll through Berk before signing everything. Then I met you, and everything changed. Sure, I still wanted the Marines, but I wanted to be here for you too as your only friend at the time. That's why I figured we'd join together, so you never had to lose me,"
Hayden felt tears prick his eyes. "Y-You mean that?"
"I would never lie to you, Love. You changed everything for me, Hayden. I did my time in the service, well, active duty at least. But now I'm married and want to settle down. My point, babe, is that once again; everything has happened for a reason. We met, and I think that's the moment when I realized my future wasn't in the Marines; it's right here with you," Troy cupped Hayden's cheek, stroking it softly. Hayden let a few tears slip as he carefully moved to bury his face in Troy's chest, and Troy held him close. "Nothing will ever mean more to me than family and friends. And you Hayden, are both to me. My best friend, and my husband,"
"I love you," Hayden whimpered.
"I love you too," Troy replied, then lifted Hayden's face up, kissing him lightly. "Now, tell me if you think you're going to be okay with me gone for a few days. If not; I'll call Bludvist right now and make it known. Or do you wanna give it a try and if you can't handle it; call me, and I'll come home?"
"I-I believe I want to try," Hayden said.
"Okay then. We'll give it a shot, and go from there," Troy nodded as he held Hayden again. After a little more of this, Hayden wiped his eyes and sniffled a few times. "I didn't mean to make you cry,"
"It's…Alright. At least they are tears of joy," Hayden shrugged a bit.
"True that," Troy agreed.
"I guess I should try to find work again," Hayden said.
"Wait until you're healed," Troy advised.
"I planned on it; just figuring out what I could do," Hayden replied.
"What about you're an old job? Barbarian Burger?" Troy offered.
"Eh, I was hoping to avoid it, but it's something I know how to do without needed training," Hayden muttered.
"And they owe you your job back anyway from the unlawful termination four years ago," Troy pointed out. "Didn't they say all you had to do was call?"
"Yeah. I have to call corporate, and they'll fix everything. I was promised my job back if I wanted it," Hayden nodded.
"You could do that again, babe. I doubt anyone there will give you trouble," Troy chuckled. "And if they do; you can always call me to come kick someone's ass,"
Hayden forced a laugh; he desperately didn't like to giggle, laugh, chuckle or anything because it hurt his ribs. "I don't think that's necessary,"
"The offer is there if you change your mind," Troy assured.
"Appreciated. Likely won't make that call until mid-May or whatever. Need my wrist and ribs to be healed, and I don't think physical therapy will be a problem," Hayden said confidently.
"You do good with that arm for being shot, and everything else healed nicely…Well, from what I've seen," Troy smiled.
"Just a lot of scars," Hayden mumbled. "So, marrying me didn't settle you down enough?" Hayden asked.
"Well, is it not everyone's basic dream to meet the love of their life, get married and have a family? I've met who I'm mean to be with, and married him," Troy said as Hayden blushed a little. "I'd like us to have a family. Get a house, adopt a kid or two…And while I love the Marines, I'd want to be home more for my family. No worry of tours and having bad reception to call home. I believe that when contract signing comes up in December, this year…I'm going to transfer to Berk Island Guard,"
"Really?" Hayden blinked a bit.
"I want to be home for you and the family we start, babe," Troy smiled. Hayden leaned his head on Troy's shoulder. "You know, when you're ready, of course,"
"That sounds nice. And yeah, perhaps with a little more time to heal, get situated with a job…I'd totally be down for starting a family with you," Hayden looked at him. Troy kissed Hayden's softly, then they went back to watching TV. Hayden was smiling, and content; he seemed happy right now. That made Troy feel good because he knew Hayden was suffering, but it was moments like these he could use to remind his husband that he's there for him. Troy knew things would be okay with time, and he would be with Hayden every step of the recovery; physical and mental.