By now ye surely realise... I've abandoned almost all semblance of an update schedule.

As to reviewers... Thank you! And the questions of Astrid will be answered swiftly.

A Simple Cup - I assume you were referring to 'Masterpiece' as being mostly smut, but that was my test run for if I could make Unrelated!Valcup work. Since it went fantastically, now I'm doing it properly.

-HTTYD-

Finishing the tail she was painting with a flourish, Valka stepped back from the finished dragon.

"There we go."

"That's awesome! Thanks mom!"

Exhausted but still fairly happy - she did so love to paint - Valka looked around at their handiwork. The 'background' still needed doing, but that could be done in a weekend when Tyr started going to his dads for their split custody.

"Look Loki, it's you!"

Naturally, a big portrait of her sons favourite dragon toy - purple and red with some possibly disproportionate wings for flying - took pride of place opposite the window and his bed, so it would be the first thing he saw when waking up.

"Alright, lets let this dry and get some dinner."

Window and door open to air the room and encourage it to dry - at least it was still warm enough with Augusts summer nights that it would help. Tyr was as exhausted as her, he and Loki snuggling into her bed that night while his room continued to dry. Thankfully it was dry the next day, and so his bedroom was soon in perfect working order for him to start settling in to.

"Hiccup! Hiccup!"

Tyr had obviously heard movement in next doors garden, and before Valka could chide her son for pestering their neighbour, a beaming face appeared over the fence.

"Hey big guy. What's happening?"

"My dragons are finished!"

"So now you have the coolest room ever?"

"Yep! Do you want to come see?"

Hiccup glanced over to the back door, where Valka was watching the two.

"Only if it's ok with your mom."

Big green eyes magnified by his glasses turned to plead with Valka to let him show off his room to his new friend. Valka knew she couldn't deny his request.

"Alright. But remember Ty, Hiccup might have other things to do."

Tyr pouted slightly, but turned to Hiccup and grinned as Hiccup said he would be right round. At this rate, they might as well do away with the fence altogether. An excitable Tyr hurried to open the door when he heard Hiccup's door close to indicate he'd left his home.

"Come and see!"

She expected some reluctance, maybe a sort of indulgence but Hiccup looked genuinely excited alongside her little boy as they headed upstairs. Valka didn't miss his stiff gait, but he was still smiling when Ty pointed to the door with his name on.

"Wow. Did you paint all these in one day?"

"Mom did most of it, but I helped."

Hiccup turned, eyebrow quirked at Valka.

"You paint?"

"I'm an art teacher."

His eyes lit up in interest. Valka wasn't sure why.

"That's amazing."

She wasn't sure how to respond either. Something about this man made her brain stutter slightly.

"Thank you. I like it."

"Well big guy, you and Loki have a really cool room. I brought you a housewarming gift."

Tyr took the gift from Hiccup with wide eyes, turning the little egg over in his hands.

"It's a dragon egg!"

"It's also a paperweight. For if you want to do homework with a window open."

"Where did you get it? It's cool!"

"I made it. I like making stuff."

Valka would have confessed herself surprised, but then she realised his job was creative in its own way, and he clearly appreciated her work.

"Will you teach me?"

"Absolutely. Not right now, because I gotta go get ready for work now, but I will teach you."

Hiccup left with a smile at them both, leaving Tyr beaming in his wake as he admired the paperweight in his hand.

"Hiccup's so cool!"

Valka wasn't sure her sons immediate fixation with their neighbour was ideal, but he hadn't once stated missing their old home since he met Hiccup, too excited about all things dragon and all things next door. And Hiccup seemed happy enough to indulge the pre-teen.

Sorting all of Tyr's clothes out took a while, as the boy had a system. With his father helping them pack, the system hadn't transferred to the boxes and so it had to be correctly reinstated now he had furniture again. Dragon t-shirts alone had their own drawer. His shoes had an order Valka had memorised but only Tyr understood.

All tuckered out by his sorting, Tyr retired to the sofa with his game boy while Valka sighed into her coffee, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she contemplated all the things that still needed doing before she returned to work. Her actual back-to-work things were more or less sorted, but she was in no way emotionally prepared to be back in a room full of teenagers resenting the end of their school holidays. Even if art was the 'easy' subject.

Her phone ringing was a jolting shock, and Valka realised she had forgotten that Ty was supposed to call his dad half an hour ago. Sven wanted to be sure he was still in their boys life, and Valka respected that, but dealing with her ex wasn't the most fun in her day, even less so when she was tired and overwrought.

"Mom?"

"Yes Ty?"

"Dad wants to know if I can go stay with him for a couple of night before we have to get ready to go back to school."

She hesitated; she wanted Ty to adjust to their new home. But he also probably missed his dad and soon would only see him two days a week, and Valka would probably get more done without needing to keep an eye on her son harassing the neighbours. So she agreed.

"Mom said it's ok. You talk to dad, me and Loki will go pack."

Valka took the phone, watching Ty scamper off.

"Is he still talking to that toy?"

"He's adjusting to a massive change in his life. He just needs the familiarity."

Sven was a little less forgiving of their sons quirks, though he loved his son fiercely. He had probably just hoped for a little more of himself, but Tyr was pretty much all Valka. The boy adored his dad though, and the two did have their own little ways of getting along. Sven just wished his son wouldn't carry around a dragon toy, and occasionally climbed a tree rather than read a book.

Hiccup was returning from work as Sven came to collect Tyr, and the two men definitely sized each other up a little. In his greasy work overalls and with his naturally messy hair, Hiccup probably looked a little disheveled to Sven in his smart shirt and smart trousers, blonde hair tightly combed to cover where it was thinning.

"Off on an adventure Tyr?"

"I'm going to see my dad for a bit, but I'll be back soon!"

"Ok big guy, have fun."

"Hiccup! Thank gods you're home, I broke the thing again!"

The pretty blonde at the door in her casual t-shirt and shorts definitely seemed to reassure Sven that Hiccup really did live with his girlfriend, and after offering the leaving ones a wave and Valka a smile, he headed in to save Astrid from whatever she had broken again. Valka watched her ex and son driving off, then headed in.

For a moment, she was desperately lonely with this new house and her sons energy gone. Then Valka shook herself off, then got on with setting up her own room. Loose t-shirts and blouses went at one end of her wardrobe, ready to be selected for work. Her files and folders that needed to go with her to the actual school was stacked on the desk she had set up all by herself. It was a little wobbly on the one side, but it was standing so far.

Finally done for the evening, and with no worries for Tyr, Valka settled herself in the garden on an old deckchair she didn't remember packing, with a large glass of wine and some chocolate. She wasn't really a drinker, but the occasional treat didn't do her any harm. The wine had been a gift for hers and Sven's anniversary, only a month before they agreed to begin divorce proceedings.

It seemed fitting she use it to drown her sorrows on the first of what would be many nights all by herself. Gods, she missed her son. In a way, she missed her marriage. Not the rows or silence or the plain old unhappiness. But having somebody at home... and they had had some happy times. They had their wonderful boy. Valka had wanted a second child, but Sven wanted a son. They had one.

Now she was too old to think about a second child, and too single to really have any way to have one regardless. Taking a long gulp of wine, Valka sighed audibly. Then promptly almost leapt out of her skin when Hiccup's face appeared over the fence.

"Everything alright? That was a very loud sigh."

"Hiccup! You frightened the life out of me."

"I do apologise. Aside from life-frightening, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. Just missing Ty."

"He's a great kid. Reminds me a lot of little me. If you're lonely, you are welcome to come get drunk in my garden. Astrid's gone to stay at Heather's but I have a cute dog and more alcohol."

The prospect of being reminded how much older she was than her neighbour wasn't highly appealing, but since Ty already liked him Valka supposed she could take the time to get to know the man herself.

Plus... she was lonely.

"I can't say no to a cute dog."

"I'll leave the door unlocked. Just come on through... if you're attached to that wine you can pass it over to me."

Valka looked at the half glass, then downed it in one and stifled a terribly unladylike belch.

"Or you could do that. See you in a few."

Hiccup's front door was indeed unlocked, and though it felt almost... intimate to just let herself in to his home. There were dragon statuettes dotted around, little ones on the boarded up fireplace and big ones in a cabinet in the corner. A sketchbook and some charcoal sticks rested on the table, but Valka knew art was often personal, private. She wouldn't pry.

Spotting the array of photos in multi-frames on the wall, Valka found herself looking closer. Saw pictures of Hiccup as a little boy, then a couple of him in a wheelchair around early teens. He really had been quite small... no wonder Tyr reminded him of himself. A scowling blonde appeared around the time Hiccup was visibly out of his chair. Seemed Hiccup and Astrid were childhood sweethearts...

"Are you enjoying the peek into my life?"

Hiccup was leant against the door frame, wearing t-shirt and shorts. The wheelchair, his stiff gait on stairs, his favouring one side over the other... it all made sudden sense when she saw the metallic limb replacing his lower right leg.

"I didn't mean to pry."

"I know. I invited you in, I can hardly bar you from looking at photos on open display. It's ok if you stare by the way. Most people do."

That made Valka resolve not to look much at his leg. Of course, that left her staring at his intense green eyes and half-smirking mouth. That wasn't much better. A big furry distraction appeared the form of Hiccup's dog, bowling around their legs to sniff at Valka eagerly.

"This is Toothless. His bark is much worse than his bite... literally. I got him as a rescue when he was a couple of years old. His owners dumped him cus he had dental problems. But drooling aside, he is the best dog on the planet."

Valka couldn't resist the big bundle of fluff, kneeling down to meet the animal properly. Toothless licked her face, nuzzled her and huffed happily as she carded her hands through his shaggy fur.

"What breed is he?"

"Uh... Shetland sheepdog. They normally have more distinct markings, but he just wanted to show off. Toothless, outside."

The dog padded off outside obediently, leaving Hiccup alone with Valka as she wiped doggy drool off her cheek.

"You coming?"

She followed him silently, doing a bit of a double take when she saw the inflatable hot tub just sitting there.

"It's not what it looks like. Well, it is. But Astrid bought it since we host the others a lot for hanging out, and the hot water is great on my leg. Grab a seat."

Hiccup slung himself into a rather sturdy looking chair with a leg rest, leaving Valka to choose from the four other seats Toothless hadn't occupied.

"So what does Astrid do?"

Valka couldn't help asking; it seemed like a rather frivolous purchase, but then she didn't know how much disposable income the couple had. Hiccup sat up, handing Valka a bottle of cider plus a bottle opener.

"She's a model, and a personal trainer. Works for a fancy gym, Dagur too. Heather's a chef. I think Eret's a mountain instructor. And me? I'm a mechanic."

Valka took a mouthful of her drink, surprised at the crisp, fresh taste. Hiccup did the same, then turned slightly to look at her.

"So, my turn art teacher. Divorce?"

"Mhmm. We tried to stick it out for Tyr, but we just weren't happy" why was Valka telling this to him so easily? She hadn't drank that much "and it wasn't good for Ty."

"That's a very mature decision. Ok. You can ask me a question now if you want."

She couldn't help herself.

"How did you lose your leg?"

"Car accident. Wasn't a fun time, but then I guess neither was your divorce and I asked. My turn. Less morbid. Do you like your job?"

Valka wasn't sure when she agreed to this quiz, but hadn't she come over to get to know him?

"I love it. What do you do for fun?"

"Walk Toothless. Draw. Make stuff. I'm really very routine and boring. Tyr makes me feel like a superhero by comparison with how much he tells me I'm cool."

"Does that make me routine and boring?"

"Not at all. You're a mom. By definition, that makes you not boring. Plus, you teach art. You spend your time bringing out other people's creativity. That's just... amazing."

There he went with those deep green eyes... Valka definitely shouldn't drink any more. They traded a few more questions before Hiccup stifled a yawn in his hand, but years of a child who insisted he 'wasn't tired!' meant she spotted it in a heartbeat.

"I should be going anyway. I have things I really ought to sort out before Ty comes back."

"Hey, speaking of the little dragon, do you think my leg will bother him?"

Hiccup looked genuinely concerned, glancing down at his prosthetic. Valka wasn't sure, because it wasn't really something she had ever addressed with her son. Still, she couldn't see much deterring the boy from his new friend.

"I shouldn't think so. But I'll tell him about it first... if that's alright with you?"

"Definitely. I don't wanna scare him. Come on, I gotta walk you out to lock up."

He was surprisingly easy company, and Valka admitted to herself it was nice to talk to another adult. Even if said adult was eighteen years her junior. He might share interests with her ten year old son, but Hiccup wasn't immature in any way. And they shared a love for art too. Valka didn't know many people willing to talk about watercolour versus acrylic paint quite so readily or happily.

Her head was a little sore the next day, but Valka hadn't drank that much. She just stupidly forgot to take water to bed. Rectifying that after she crawled out of bed, Valka got on with making her house resemble a home. Then treated herself to a long bath, just because she could. Valka soaked in the bubbly water, luxuriating in her little indulgence before hard work returned.

Some walls needed re-painting and Valka needed to buy new storage units to finish moving books and dvds and some of her art supplies and where did she end up with so many trinkets... but the bones were there and the house was functional. And she was completely exhausted. And ravenous. She could cook, or she could go out and search for some places to eat. Of course, the most logical choice was to go and do a proper food shopping trip, since she would need supplies to make school lunches soon.

Reluctant to go and join the end of summer rush, Valka hauled herself outside and got on with it. After getting back, there was really only one thing for her to do to unwind for the day. She got out her paints and headed out back to get some sunshine and art in her system. It was exactly what she needed, and Valka welcomed her sons return the next day with a light heart and happy smile.

"Mom! Missed you!"

"I missed you too my boy. Did you have fun with your father?"

"Yep! We went to get ice cream and visited grandma. She asked if you were feeding me enough."

Valka hugged her son to help hide her rolling eyes. Her mother-in-law was an interfering old witch, but she adored Tyr and Tyr loved her too. So she tolerated.

"Sounds good. Do you want to pick him up from school or here on fridays?"

Sven ruffled his short moustache as he pondered, then shrugged.

"Here works."

"Alright. I'll see you next Friday."

Tyr thankfully waited for his dad to leave until he brought up their neighbour, looking hopefully to next door.

"Is Hiccup home? I wanted to show him the new jumper grandma got me. It has a dragon!"

"I think he's at work, lets get you unpacked and make sure your back to school stuff is ready. You can show him later."

Sulking, Tyr trotted inside and did as Valka asked. He was mischievous, but rarely naughty or disobedient. Of course, that could all change when puberty came around, but still. She would enjoy it for now.

-HTTYD-

Won't all be Valka POV, haven't decided if it'll be mostly her or more even though. I just go with who matches the chapter plan best.