Notes: This is being uploaded from my tablet, so I hope the formatting is okay.

I don't speak Finnish, so please forgive any translation mistakes.

This chapter contains about three tissue boxes worth of feels.

Enjoy.

Once the call with Hiccup ended Stoick was on again to Gobber, "They'll be here in a little over an hour, so get working on Nora!"

Gobber drove the mile out to the Fury house and rang the doorbell. That was the secret signal to Nathan to ready his best arguments. He let his friend in with a grin and closed the door behind him and they walked into the warm spicy smelling kitchen. "Mom, Gobber's here and wants to take us to see the Yule decorations."

Nora wiped her hands on her apron, "Well that's nice of you Gobber, but wouldn't you rather stay here where it's warm and have some gingersnaps? They're still hot."

"Oh, thank you Nora, maybe we could take some with us on the drive? Some folks around town have really put their hearts into decorating this year and I thought you'd like to see them."

Nora thought before removing her apron. "Well I suppose we could go for a little while. That storm won't get here for another couple of hours."

On the main road, Gobber turned towards the residential part of Berk and began slowly making his way closer to Stoick's. Nora became suspicious when two streets with particularly nice decorations were passed without even a glance. She looked over at the driver and raised her voice accusingly, "Gobber Bealcan, where exactly are you going with this car? This had better not be another of Stoick Haddock's weak attempts at earning my forgiveness."

Gobber avoided her piercing glare but kept driving. "Well... Yes and no. He does want ye to be his friend again but this is mostly a surprise homecoming party for Hiccup. Stoick wanted ye both to be there."

Nora crossed her arms and glowered out the front window, "That man has got a shit load of making up to do."

Turning into the Haddock driveway Nora's eyes widened and her mouth dropped open. Gobber chuckled as he waved to Stoick who was sweeping snow off the front steps, "Does that count towards the pile?"

"Oh, my, gods."

As they hung up their coats, Nora narrowed her eyes calculatingly at Stoick. "Is that little decoration of yours for real?"

Nathan shot his mother a cheeky grin, "It better be, that thing was hard to find."

Nora gave him an 'I'll let that go for now' look and continued. "Is there anything else you'd like to say before your son gets here, Mr. Haddock." Stoick nodded, "There is. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the pain I caused to my son and my closest friends and I hope ye can all forgive me."

Nora smiled and softened her tone, "That was very well said, Stoick, I think you finally found that light at the end of the tunnel."

Jack followed Hiccup's directions through Berk as the brunet watched out the side window, not really wanting to face this day any sooner than necessary. Jack pulled into the driveway and sat motionless for a few seconds before nudging Hiccup's arm. "Uh, Hiccup? You might want to look at this."

Hiccup turned to reply with some sarcastic remark but was instantly floored by the sight in front of him. The entire front of his house, of Stoick Haddock's house, was covered by the biggest, brightest, rainbow flag Hiccup had ever seen. Stoick came onto the porch followed by Nathan, Gobber, and Nora, and made his way to the car. Opening the passenger door, Stoick again kneeled down to look his son in the eye. "Is it alright Hiccup?"

Tears were flowing down the boy's face and he shook his head slowly, "Alright? Dad, it's perfect."

Jack grabbed Hiccup's crutches while Stoick carried his son into the house and set him down next to Toothless. "I missed you bud."

The black haired boy hugged his friend tight then put an arm around him for support. "I missed you too Hiccup. You'll never believe all the stuff that's happened in the last two weeks!"

After introducing Jack to Gobber and Nora, the three boys soon fell into their familiar mode of conversation and left the older adults to talk amongst themselves. By seven o'clock Stoick had all but given up on Markko arriving on time so he was startled when at a loud ping came from his computer. Nora looked around trying to identify the sound, "What was that?"

"Oh, just waiting on a last minute Yule present."

Gobber drained the last of his eggnog and eyed the bottom of the mug accusingly. "It's a bit late for that, isn't it?"

"I certainly hope not. Excuse me a minute."

Finding the boys gathered around the table playing a board game, Stoick tapped Nathan's shoulder and spoke low, "The present finally arrived in Burgess, but the weather is so bad I don't think we can get it here in time."

Toothless stood and leaned casually on the counter as he began dialing his phone, "Leave it to me."

Aster dove for his phone and instantly brightened at the name on the screen, "Nathan! What are you doing mate?"

"Having a little welcome home party for Hiccup."

"Lucky you! I'm bored out of my brains here. North is out doing his charity Santa Clause thing, Sandy's asleep, and Tooth has started her hour long teeth cleaning for the night, so that leaves me with nothing to do."

"Well I have something for you. Do you think the snow's too deep to pick something up and bring it here tonight?"

"Are you kidding? I could find my way through a rabbit tunnel with my eyes closed. Just tell me what you want and I'll get it there."

Nathan ckecked Markko's last email then stepped outside so Gobber wouldn't overhear and told Aster what he needed to know. Back inside Nathan wrote a quick message to Markko describing Aster so he'd recognise him and clicked send. "You're all set, Stoick. When you want something done right, call the Easter Bunny."

Jack and Hiccup started laughing as Stoick scrunched his face in confusion. "Er, aren't ye on the wrong holiday?"

Aster popped his head into the bathroom where Tooth was flossing for the third time that night. "Can I borrow your car for the night? Nathan needs me to pick someone up at the airport and take him to Berk."

The girl nodded and slurred through a mouthful of fingers, "Thure Bunny, th' keyth are on my dethk."

"Thanks."

Aster found the keys and put on his coat and scarf before stepping out into the blizzard. "Augh, it's freezing!"

Getting behind the wheel proved a tight squeeze until the boy remembered how short the usual driver was and moved the seat back. Getting to Burgess International Airport usually took fifteen minutes, but with the bad weather only increasing Aster arrived in a little over thirty. Having no idea what the guy he was supposed to find looked like, Aster made his way through the crowded maze until he found the information desk. "Excuse me, which gate is for the flight from New York?"

The bored looking attendant vaguely waved to his left, "Depends which one you want, but they're all over there."

"Ya mean there was more than one?!"

"Three actually."

Aster ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "Well thanks mate."

The gates in question were situated at three different points in the terminal and Aster had no way of knowing which was the right one. Looking around he spotted a large bronze statue in the center of the area and an idea formed in his head. Once he reached it he looked up and sighed. "Oh well, here goes nothing."

Glad he didn't have to climb far to see over the crowds, Aster scanned for anyone who seemed to be standing still; a group of nuns, an older couple who had just come from someplace hot if their sunburned faces were any indication, a woman trying to keep track of four rambunctious children, and a quiet middle aged man with a small suitcase. The last seemed the most likely candidate so Aster climbed down with shaky knees and made his way once more through the crowd. "Markko Seppänen?"

The man smiled and shook the boy's hand excitedly, "Yes! You must be Ethan. Your friend described you very well."

Aster blushed a little but remained focused. "Ya got any more luggage?"

"No, I am travelling very light. I find I have all I need in here."

He tapped the area over his heart and smiled. Aster smiled back in agreement and picked up the suitcase, "Right mate. Let's get ya to Berk."

On reaching the car Aster groaned and started rummaging in the trunk. "You'd think she'd at least keep a bloody ice scraper in here."

A quiet cough interrupted him and he looked up to see Markko holding out a bottle of amber tinted liquid. "Thanks mate, but I need clear the window or we aren't going anywhere."

The man shook his head. "Do you have a piece of cloth?"

Aster was confused but fished a paint splattered rag from his pocket and handed it to Markko. "This alright?"

"Perfect." Aster watched in amazment as ice slowly disappeared from the windshield with each swipe of the alcohol soaked rag. "Where did ya learn to do that?"

Markko screwed the cap back onto the bottle and carefully stowed it in his suitcase. "A mechanic friend of mine taught me that a long time ago."

Hiccup was begining to get tired, slowly he got up and stretched, leaning on his crutches. Jack stood to follow him but was stopped by Hiccup pressing a gentle kiss on his lips. "It's ok, I just want to talk to my dad for a minute."

Stoick was laughing at some story of Gobber's when he felt a small hand on his shoulder. "Can we talk?"

Stoick excused himself and followed Hiccup to the study where they sat in worn leather chairs. The big man silently waited for his son to speak. A hint of the old nervousness returned and Hiccup began fiddling with his shirt hem. "I wanted to thank you for the flag, that was... really a surprise. I'm still not sure where we are since last time, but, I hope we can start over. I've really hated not talking to you." "I know son, so have I. I want ye to know that I love ye and will support ye in anything ye want to do with yer life."

"Can I ask what changed your mind?"

"Many long talks with old friends. They weren't about to let me ruin my son's life, and I owe them so much for that." Stoick had a faraway look in his eyes for a second before coming back to himself and smiling. "So, how long have ye and Jack been together?"

Hiccup blinked at the sudden shift in the conversation but managed to keep up. "Oh, uh, about four years. He was, and still is, my first boyfriend, and I can't imagine being with anyone else."

"I'm happy for ye. He seems like a good lad and I look foward to getting to know him better."

Hiccup was about to reply when a rapid knock sounded on the door, and Nathaniel burst in. "Gobber wants to leave!"

Stoick helped Hiccup to stand and the boys followed quickly to the living room where Nora and Gobber stood waiting with their coats on. "Come on lad, I want to get ye and yer mother home before this storm gets any worse."

Nathaniel looked helplessly to his mother for support but the woman was in no mood for arguments. "I know you're glad to see Hiccup, but it's late, it's cold, and I'm tired, so we're going. You can come back tomorrow after a good nights sleep."

The boy pulled a frustrated face and was about to argue when his phone started ringing. Nora frowned deeply, "You can talk to Ethan when you get home, now let's go!"

Nathan raised his eyebrows in what he hoped was an 'I'm trying to tell you something here!' look and answered the call. "Nathaniel Fury! I don't speak eyebrow and if you don't turn off that phone right now you may lose it!"

Nathan walked into the kitchen with a finger stuck in his ear to hear Aster over the noise, and Stoick stepped in before Nora could lose her temper any further. "Nora, please, I need ye to stay a little longer."

"Give me one good reason why!" Gobber watched in confusion as Stoick pushed her towards the study and closed the door. Once inside, Nora spun around to face him. "Stoick Haddock, give me one reason why I shouldn't-"

"I found Markko."

Nora's breath caught sharply and she sank into a chair. "You... You know about Markko?"

"Gobber told me last year and I've been trying to find him since then. He'll be here in a few minutes."

"You did all that for Gobber?"

"I told ye I was trying to make up for things. Besides, I know what it is to lose someone I love. If there was even a thread of a chance that Markko was alive, I had to find out."

A few minutes later Gobber saw his friends come out of the study again and Nora hung up her coat.

"We're staying."

"Why? I thought ye were tired."

"I changed my mind."

Gobber ran a hand down his face in exasperation. "Nora, it's twenty degrees outside and it's only getting worse."

"I said we're staying and that's final!"

"Why are ye getting so worked up about this?!"

Nathan was looking out the window still trying to talk to Aster over the shouting, while Jack and Hiccup stood with Stoick on the far side of the living room, when the front door suddenly opened with a rush of cold air and snow. Two white covered figures entered and Nathan hurried to help the taller of the two close the door against the storm. "Oh my gods, you did it!"

"Were you honestly doubting me, mate?"

"Never!"

The room fell silent and Gobber looked around at the sea of expectant faces that seemed to be focused in his direction. Even the stranger seemed to be waiting for something... No, not waiting, watching. Watching every move like he wanted to never forget what he was seeing. Watching everything with sapphire blue eyes. Gobber shook his head roughly as if to clear it,

"Can't be..."

Tears began running down the stranger's cheeks as he unwound the scarf that still obscured most of his face.

"En ole koskaan unohtanut teitä." [I have never forgotten you.]

Stoick had only seen his friend break down on two other occasions, but neither would ever compare to this. A strangled sob rent the air as Markko found himself being crushed by the one person he thought he'd never see again.

"Luulin he tappoivat sinun!" [I thought they killed you!]

"Miksi et tule löytää minut?" [Why didn't you come find me?]

"Minä en voinut, ei kukaan kerro minulle mitään!" [I couldn't, no one would tell me anything!]

Nora tactfully shepherded the others into the kitchen and busied herself by filling the table with food. The boys were still slightly confused by everything that was going on and Jack asked, "Who was that exactly?"

Nora thought quietly for a minute before answering. "I don't think Gobber will mind if I break my promise now... He's from Finland. His name is Markko Seppänen and he was Gobber's partner. Markko was going to come to America with Gobber, but a week before they planned to leave some people attacked them, and they got separated. By the time Gobber was released from the hospital, his visa had run out and he had no idea where Markko was or what had happened to him. That was thirty years ago and Gobber made me promise not to tell anyone."

The four boys sat stunned and Hiccup shook his head, "I can't imagine living that long without Jack, let alone never knowing if he was dead or alive. I don't know how he's done it."

The kitchen was silent until Aster decided to lighten the mood. "Come on ya sad sacks, the story didn't end there. Gobber and Markko have a whole new chapter to write, and this time they'll do it together. How did he get here anyway? I mean, who found him?"

Nathan snagged a gingersnap before his mother could protest and crunched thoughtfully. "Stoick hired a detective to look for him and I scaned some old photographs into an email, which I guess helped."

Hiccup gaped at his father open mouthed, "You did it?"

Stoick crossed his massive arms and growled. "Why is everyone so surprised that I can act like a human being?!"

"Maybe because ye were acting like a stubborn Viking before!"

All eyes turned to see Gobber and Markko in the doorway wearing the happiest faces humanly possible. Gobber let go of Markko long enough to face his best friend. "Thank you, Stoick. I don't know what else to say, except... thank you."

The next few hours were the happiest any of them had ever known, surrounded by family and friends and love. Gobber laughed when Markko brought out the bottle from his suitcase and noticed the empty space at the top. "Akvaviiti! I haven't had that since I was in Finland. Ha ha! Looks like ye couldn't wait to try it."

Aster spoke up, "Oh, that went on the car window to stop the wipers icing up."

Gobber stared at Markko in amazement. "Of all the- Ye remembered that?! I taught him that trick with his first car! That old thing had the worst wipers ever, those things froze up if it even looked like snowing."

Everyone tried some of the drink, (even Aster and Nathaniel) but the only one besides Markko and Gobber who didn't feel as though they'd swallowed a hot coal, was Hiccup.

"It's good if you don't let it hit your tongue."

Jack raised his eyebrows appreciatively at the deep voice coming from his usually tenor boyfriend. "Wow, you should drink that stuff more often. Talk about sexy baritone!"

"Oh gods! You just had to say that didn't you?"

Jack turned to Aster. "See, what did I tell you?"

"I don't know, mate. Nathan's a tenor and I think it's adorable."

Toothless fluttered his eyelashes and grinned, "Not as adorable as an Australian talking about ankle biters."

Gobber downed another shot of akvaviiti and coughed. "I've always preferred a Finnish baritone myself."

Stoick groaned and pretended to look mournfully at Nora. "We're the only straight people in this room." The woman proped her chin up on her hand and yawned. "Speak for yourself. I had a girlfriend in high school."

By the time midnight rolled around everyone was exhausted but happy and decided it was time to go home. Hugs were exchanged as well as promises to visit again after the holidays were over. When the front door was opened all eyes stared in wonder at the scene in front of them. The storm was long gone and the air was completely calm with large snowflakes floating gently down to cover the ground in a velvet blanket of white. Nora sighed and her breath crystalized into the night air, "Well boys... this is the one we'll remember."

A unanimous decision had been made to ignore the mess until a much later time, and Jack helped Hiccup get ready for bed before falling exhausted into his own. Just as sleep was about to overtake him he was woken by a light tap on his door and he groggily stumbled up to answer it. "Oh, hey Stoick. What's up?"

As tired as he was, Jack instantly became alert by the man's next words. "Nothing much. I only wanted to tell ye that I gave ye the guest room on the off chance that ye weren't already sleeping with my son. If ye are, ye can stay in Hiccup's room if ye want. Goodnight Jack."

The hall light clicked off leaving Jack to stare wide eyed into the darkness. "Oh. My. Gods."

Notes: Thank you for staying with this until the end. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I hope it reminds you that there will always be people who will love you for who you are.

Love and Hygge,

Snowflakesandangels