more love

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The next day, Eret watched Hiccup a lot more carefully than usual. He found it strange that Astrid and Hiccup seemed to be working to avoid eachother.

Frowning to himself, he finally took time around noon to approach Fishlegs, one of the few intelligent and observant Vikings on Berk. "Ey! Fishlegs!"

The blonde turned from his job of feeding Meatlug and smiled at the former trapper. "Oh, Eret! Nice day, isn't it?"

Eret smiled. He did love Fishlegs' company. "I was actually hoping to ask you something,"

"Oh yeah?"

Eret gestured to Hiccup who was in the process of showing a Terrible Terror to a couple of interested kids. "I was wondering if you noticed anything odd about Hiccup and Astrid,"

"Oh...That..." Fishlegs looked about to be sure they weren't overheard and Eret stepped closer to catched the hushed words. "Word is...Hiccup told Astrid that he didn't want her staying the night at his hut anymore,"

Eret felt his blood quicken. "Oh? Do you know why?"

"I don't have the heart to ask Hiccup about it...But um...Valka might've..."

Eret nodded in understanding. Sparing a glance at Hiccup, who was now laughing with some kids over two Terrible Terrors wrestling, he went off in search for Valka.

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"No, I didn't ask Hiccup why he had Astrid leave," Valka replied, getting some food ready for when her son came home.

"You don't know anything about it either, then?" Eret frowned. What a waste of a trip...However, he was able to sit in a place that held Hiccup's scent in the air...

"Now I didn't say that," Valka said knowingly. She sat across from Eret, knowing she had the former trapper's full attention. She might not be good at interacting with people, but she knew how to read them. And how to evesdrop. "I overheard a little last night...It had been late when Hiccup got back and Astrid was here. She started asking him where he'd been and Hiccup just said they needed to talk. I was in my room and they thought I was asleep..."

Eret leaned forward, almost twitching with anticipation. "What did he say?"

"He said...that he was tired of Astrid feeling like she had to lie to him. He said he knew she didn't love him and that being with him like that didn't make her happy. And that...he wasn't happy either," Valka sighed. "She didn't deny it. Just asked what he'd do about an heir. Hiccup said something about Snotlout being the successor again and...eventually she left,"

Eret went wide-eyed. He stood, giving a shallow bow. "Thank you, Valka. I should go," He moved to leave, his hand on the door.

"Eret," When he stopped and turned to address her, Valka was approaching him with a soft smile. "Eret...I don't like the person you were. The enemy...The dragon trapper...The aid to Drago...The coward...But...I really like the person you are now,"

Eret smiled. "Thank you, Valka," He turned again, opening the door when he was stopped.

"And I'm glad you love my son,"

He froze, his face turning red. He snapped to look at Valka who was now laughing at the look on his face. Not willing to embarrass himself further, Eret left.

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