"Son?" His father called, as he entered the house. It was early morning, but still he doubted his son was still asleep. He heard small footsteps upstairs, then his sons head peek out his bedroom door. It was sad that Stoick knew the kid was expecting some yelling or disappointed grumbling. "C'mon down here"
Hiccup silently pattered down the stairs. He kept a wary eye on the chief, confusion and wondering clear in his eyes. His father noticed though, they were duller than usual. Before they gleamed with curiosity and determination, just like his mothers.
Perhaps Gobber was right? Was there something wrong with his son?
The boy sat down on a basket across from Stoick, who was sitting on his big chair. The fire sat between them, the flames crackling and snapping all the while.
"We need to talk" Stoick announced, trying to soften his voice. Which was hard, from his lifetime of barking orders and screaming at blasted dragons.
"About what?" Hiccup asked, looking almost expecting. His clever gaze focused on his father, but never made eye contact. Stoick usually presumed a man a coward if he couldn't meet eyes with his foe. But slowly he picked up on Hiccups tactic. He was making himself unreadable.
Ok. So he was more crafty than he thought.
"You. Uh, well, people have been noticing that you've been more…to yer self." Hiccup furrowed his brows.
"….did you notice…?" He muttered. Stoick leaned in a bit.
"What was that?" Stoick asked. He saw his son tense a bit, and shrink a bit. Oh no. What did he do? Gods, he was never good with the emotional part of parenting. Really, he wasn't all that good at parenting itself…although he never admitted it.
"Anyways…I brought ye down here to ask what's wrong?" Stoick continued. He saw Hiccup scoff and cross his arms, eyes darting everywhere but his dad.
"Why do you care so much now?" Hiccup spat. He didn't mean for it to come out like that, but it just slid out.
"Don't give me attitude boy." Stoick defended. Hiccup curled in more on himself. "I just-"
He heard Hiccup laugh a little, then it turned to a small snicker. Stoick swore he could hear gears whirring in his son's head, until they clicked with realization.
"Dad?" Hiccup finally met his father's eyes. Stoick was taken aback by the heaviness of them, the rings beneath the eyes showing his slowly crippling spirit.
"Y-yes son?" Now Stoick had fought dragons, been in plenty of wars, had many life threatening experiences. He had never been afraid. But now, this simple look his son gave him was threatening.
"Gobber told you to talk to me didn't he?" Hiccup said dully. Stoick gulped.
"Son, listen, just-uh-"
"So you didn't come on your own consent huh?" His son continued, grim realization settling over him. Stoick, regrettably, nodded.
"Dad…" The boys voice cracked. His eyes became watery, but the chief could tell that he was struggling to keep the floodgates of his eyes closed.
"Yes son?"
"…Is it true? You know, that you think I'm a…a you know…pe-burden to you?" Hiccup knew he had just dived into stormy waters without looking, but the question had been biting at him all day and night.
Stoick was silent. Oh Thor. He had heard. How? When? He was such a fool! His son was suffering, from Odin knows what, and he just had to make it worse. Was he the cause of this?
Instead of nodding, or answering, Stoick scowled and rose from his chair. He had to cool down. This was too much. Who knew your child's pain could affect you so much?
"Hey! You can't just leave!" Hiccup protested.
"Hiccup, I need some time"
Hiccup grabbed his dads arm. Stoick shook him off, and marched to the door. "Dad!" Hiccup yelled.
Stoick paused at the door. This was disastrous. His son was on the verge of insanity, it seemed. It couldn't be his fault, right?
"Why can't you just sit and listen for once? For more than five minutes?" Hiccup asked. Stoick sighed.
"I need to do something in the village. Make new pens for the yaks. Paperwork" His dad excused.
"What about me? Can I not come first?" Hiccup tested, his hands fisting defiantly.
"Stop it Hiccup!" Stoick shouted. "You don't know what I have to go through-"
Hiccup laughed. Stoick turned to face his son. It was a emotionless laugh, not one of joy.
"You don't know what I'm going through!" Hiccup said.
Stoick thought for a moment. He looked outside to the peaceful, normal life of the village. Then to the growing storm that was his son. The great chief looked to the ground. Then, without another thought, he walked outside and closed the door behind him.
He had no idea what he had just done.
O-o-O
Hiccup stood for a while in place. His hands were still fisted, and he was quivering. Not in fury, but in shock. His dad just slammed the door in his face. Literally. He slowly backed up, until he was near the fire. The heat warmed his back and legs, and helped him snap out of his trance.
He turned around and angrily ran towards the back of the house, and swung open the back door. He took off, the back door hanging open still. He charged into the woods, ignoring the slaps of branches and tripping over roots and rocks. He just kept running, not daring to stop.
Eventually he had to stop. Slowing down, he leaned against a large oak tree. Sliding down the rough bark, he curled up into a small ball and shivered.
When did his life take such a painful turn? What was wrong with him? Why was his dad so blunt and blind?
Why didn't anyone care?
It was all overwhelming, depressing, and frustrating. Most of all terrifying. Some of the thoughts he had at night sent chills up his spine. Why would anyone his age even think of those things?
He snuffled and let the warm, salty tears trail down his cheeks. He couldn't help it. He felt helpless. Close to giving up. His dad officially didn't care, or refused to acknowledge it. He already pushed away those that would've cared.
His body un-tensed, and he flopped down on his back. His dull green eyes stared at the leaves and soft sunlight above, back grounded by light blue. Birds twittered somewhere above. The rustling of singing leaves in the wind reached Hiccups ears. He closed his eyes, just letting his stress disappear for a while.
If nobody else cared, neither would he. One last sniff, and he let himself go limp. He would stay here for a bit. Nobody would notice. It was nice here. Quiet, peaceful. The trees were nice. The birds sung beautifully.
He wasn't a pest here at least. No more glares. No more disappointed looks. No more insults. Just serene silence…
O-o-O
You don't know how much it pains me to write a depressed Hiccup. Don't worry though, he'll get his fire back soon.
Yah…Stoicks a bit of a clueless, cruel jerk in this fic. F- for parenting skills Stoick.
And thank you guys for the awesome reviews :3 you all rock! I hope this chapter met your expectations :)
See you next chapter? =)