Chapter 12
"Mmmm coffee." A blurry eyed man said as he took a sip from his mug and stared at the bright light of his laptop in the early morning hour.
"Rental terms, monthly payment, yadda yadda yadda. Pretty sure this looks good but Jeff will probably have to get the company lawyers to look it over." He took another sip of coffee, "but that will probably take another week or so, ugh." Hiccup pushed his laptop aside to lay his head on the kitchen table and close his eyes, frustration starting to set in.
A light chuckle came from behind him while a hand gently began rubbing his back. "What on earth has you so strung out this morning, son?"
"Oh nothing, just going through the rental agreement that Heather sent over for the building I want. It looks good but I know Jeff will need the lawyers to look it over and knowing how slow that goes it will probably be another week of two before we can sign." Hiccup let out a large sigh before raising his head to look at his Mom.
"Is it lame that I just really want to get back to work? Like what 22 year old gets upset because he can't do his job?"
Valka laughed again and sat in the chair next to him. "One that has the genes of your Father. You and he are so much alike that neither of you can even see." She began laughing again.
Hiccup gave his mother a playful glare at her words. "I've got to much on my plate at the moment to start down that rabbit hole of issues Mom." It was true, just the idea of even trying to tackle any of the problems that he and his Dad had, left him exhausted.
"Alright alright, how about this I know a way for you to speed the process up to get that building of yours." Cocking an eyebrow up at his mother was the only response he gave to her admission.
'How would she know to help me? Legal jargon isn't exactly her strong suit that's more Dad—`
Both of his eyebrows shot up in realization of where this conversation was going. A direction that led to strained confrontations and more than likely a good share of yelling.
"No no no. Not happening Mom! There is no way I'm asking for his help. Y-you know how it will end. Him implying that I'm still a child and me stomping off like said child. It's a viscous merry-go-round and personally I don't feel like taking a ride today." He slammed his hands down on the table in emphasis.
"Henry Haddock!" His mother yelled dwarfing the noise he had just made instantly.
'Uh oh she used my actual name.'
"You need to grow a pair Son and go ask your Father for help!"
'Did she just…'
Completely shocked by his Mothers outburst Hiccup couldn't stop his jaw from dropping or his eyes from going wide. "Mom…did you…did you just tell me to grow a pair?"
Very few times in Hiccup's life had he ever been so shocked. His sweet saintly Mother had just raised her voice to him and told him to grow a pair! Clearly these past four years didn't only just change him.
With her head raised high, Valka looked down her nose at him. "Yes, Son, I did. I also told the same thing to your Father. What I am most interested in is to see who's the bigger man and will listen to me."
Averting his eyes and staring down into his almost empty coffee mug Hiccup mulled over her words. The fierceness of her statements showed definitively how much she wished for the two most important men in her life to get along. To get past this massive roadblock that for most of his life they have not been able to achieve. Would this time be different; to be honest he wasn't sure…but he wouldn't know unless he tried. Stop the damn carousel once and for all. With a renewed determination and a healthy dose of fear of his Mother he looked up and met her eyes.
"O-ok I'll ask for his help and I'll try to get along." Holding up two fingers, "scouts honor."
His mother cracked a smile and reached across the table to grab his hands, "honey you were only in the Boy Scouts for a few weeks, remember? You tried to make a fire and almost ended up burning down the entire camp site."
Hiccup playfully glared at his mother, "still, I was sort of a Boy Scout…it counts."
Patting his hands in a pitying way before letting them go. "Of course dear, now, where is my morning coffee drinking buddy? She's usually up by now."
A smile spread across Hiccups face remembering the state he left his wife in this morning. "Last time I saw her she was still asleep cuddling up with Toothless." Both of them letting out a laugh at the mental image.
"Oh goodness those two. Well I hope it's not your fault thats she's so tired this morning. You didn't keep her up to late last night did you?" Hiccup's face instantly reddened at his Mother's implication and sly grin.
"Al-alright yeah nope, no, I-I did not just hear my MOM make a sex joke." Hiccup slammed his laptop closed and stood quickly heading out of the kitchen. "Sorry Mom but-but I am just soooo not there yet. Like give me, uh, 50 years or so before we can joke like that. Ok?"
His mothers laughter was her only response as Hiccup headed quickly towards his Father's study, oddly glad for the impending awkward conversation that he knew was coming.
'Maybe that was her plan all along?'
The large oak door of his Father's study stood in front of him, the task of knocking suddenly seeming absolutely daunting. All his previous courage completely gone. Memories from the last time he had entered this room came rushing back. The night that he ran away from his parents, home, life, everything. Would another entrance into this room end the same way?
Hiccup readjusted his laptop into one hand as he ran the other down his face as if he was trying to wipe off the unease and insecurities. Taking a deep breathe Hiccup squared his shoulders and finally raised his hand to give the blasted door a firm confident knock.
Knock
Knock
After only a moment a loud imposing, "come in," came from inside the room, Hiccup pulled the handle and strode as confidently as possible inside. His Father's large frame sat before him at his equally large wooden desk a newspaper spread out in front of him.
For as many Saturdays as Hiccup could remember his Father would always sit at his desk first thing in the morning and read the news paper. Cup of coffee in hand he would slowly thumb through the pages, reading every word precisely, not missing a thing. Even now when his Father could easily get his news faster online he still chose print, a ritual Hiccup was sure he would continue until he was physically not able to anymore.
The only slight difference on this Saturday, than the many Hiccup had witnessed before was the small addition of a tiny yorkie perched on a pillow on the right of the desk. Quietly snoozing away, clearly as accustomed to this routine as Hiccup was.
"Uh hey-hey Dad," Hiccup cleared his throat and continued. "How's it, uh, going?" Deciding that small talk was in order first before jumping into the proverbial deep end and asking for a favor.
Stoick paused to stare at Hiccup for a few moments before snapping out of his gaze and finally answering his question. "Oh, Son, um good, good. Scullcrusher and I are just enjoying the paper." Gesturing to the knocked out Yorkie with the paper currently clasped a little too hard in his hands.
Taking his answer as an invitation of sorts, Hiccup sat down at the chair opposite of his Father and laid his laptop onto the desk. "I wouldn't expect any less Dad. Though, uh, Scullcrusher is a-a new addition of sorts." Hiccup reached over to give the dog a gentle rub on his back, immediately making the small canine roll over exposing his belly for all to see. Giving him a slight chuckle Hiccup then started scratching his belly.
"He likes you." Hiccup looked up at his Father, "Scullcrusher doesn't like many people." He looked back down at the yorkie.
"Well when I found Toothless I kind of realized I had a way with our canine friends. No one else could even get close to him but then I showed up and all that changed. I found that you just have to earn their trust…aaannnd learn a few tricks to make them happy and voila they will be putty in your hands." He stopped the petting and looked back to his Father feeling somewhat more comfortable than when he walked in.
His Father gave a small chuckle before putting the news paper down and folding his hands together. Giving Hiccup his completely undivided attention, which wasn't something Hiccup was very used to."So um why did you bring your laptop in here?"
Shaking off the shock, "OH! Yeah I uh, wanted to, um, ask if you could help me with s-something…" his Father's eyebrows lifted at the question. "It's of a legal matter so I kind of sorta figured—." He finished tapping his fingers on top of his computer.
"Legal you say?" Stroking his lengthy beard also seeming to get more comfortable with the conversation.
"Yup, the rental contracts for the building I found for my work. I figured you might be able to help me out. Sooooo will you?"
Stoick reached over and opened up Hiccup's laptop which had a picture of Hiccup, Astrid and Toothless sitting on the beach as it's background. "Well let's get started Son."
Hiccup stretched his stiff muscles as he left his Father's study. The two of them had spent a several hours looking over the rental agreement, marking any changes that needed to be made or discussed. Then because it was still very early West coast time, Hiccup wrote an email to Jeff explaining everything.
Surprisingly through the whole ordeal neither of the Haddock men fought and even more surprising both seemed to enjoy their time together. Considering what his Mother had told him about how similar the two men were maybe it wasn't such a strange thing for them to bond over work.
'We sure as Hell didn't over anything else when I was younger.'
Hiccup tried to think of a time when the two of them had spent that long together without so much as a put down but sadly he couldn't. Hopefully this could be the step in the right direction both men needed. To be able to sort through their differences and for his Father to finally acknowledge Hiccup's accomplishments as just that, accomplishments, and not failures to live up to his expectations.
'Hmm fat chance…but a guy can dream'
Walking steadily into the kitchen Hiccup went straight for the fridge, hoping to do a little raiding since all he had consumed today was coffee. Unfortunately for him when he looked inside he was met with rather empty shelves. Groaning Hiccup turned around only then did he notice a note laying on the counter.
Boys,
We're low on food.
Astrid and I went to the store.
Should be home in a few hours.
Love, your girls
Despite still being starving Hiccup couldn't help cracking a smile at the simple note.
'Your girls'
Life seemed to be starting to line up for Hiccup even better than he thought could be possible.
Turning his sights on the pantry now Hiccup pulled out the first thing he could find, a box of fancy gluten free crackers. Giving a quick shrug he decided to take the chance, his hunger winning over his instincts screaming that he won't like them. Magically as the inner bag began crinkle Toothless appeared sitting expectedly at his feet waiting for his share.
"Do you have a food sonar or something Bud? The second I touch food an alarm goes off and you come running. Is that is boy?" He reached down to give him a good scratch between the ears.
Grasping two crackers in his hand he raised them to his mouth when before he could eat them his phone started to ring. "Oh come on…"
Putting the crackers down he reached in to his back pocket and took out his phone and looked at the screen, "Fishlegs huh?" Pressing the green button Hiccup brought the phone up to his ear.
"Hello?" He reached back down for his discarded crackers.
"Oh hey Hiccup it's Fishlegs." The timid voice of his large friend filled the speaker.
"Hey Fishlegs, how can I help you today?" Thinking he had a moment to at least eat the two crackers, Hiccup quickly shoved both in his mouth. Instantly he realized his mistake. The "crackers" tasted like pieces of cardboard with some fancy seasonings on them. No way were they an actual edible item. Trying to hold his gags Hiccup rushed to the sink.
"Well I was wondering if you and Astrid wanted to come to the bar tonight, you know, The Mead Hall?"
Hiccup barely listening shoved his face towards the sink faucet quickly turning it on trying to wash the taste of gluten free death out of his mouth.
"Umm Hello…Hiccup are-are you there?"
"Fish (cough) sorry I (cough) just ate the worlds (cough) most disgusting crackers. (Cough cough). So yeah The Mead Hall what time?" Hiccup rubbed his throat willing the remaining bits it stop slicing his esophagus as they slid down to his stomach.
"Oh geez, ok um I would say 8. The whole gang will be there!"
"Ok yeah we'll be there. Thanks for the invite Fishlegs I'll see you later." He said trying to get off the phone as quickly as possible.
"Bye Hiccup." He ended the phone call and went back to the faucet guzzling down another few cups of water. Finally feeling like he was no longer going to choke to death, Hiccup turned back to the offending box of crackers and with a growl tossed them forcibly into the trash.
"Gluten free crackers my ass. More like wood shavings pressed together."
Toothless gave him a cocked head glance clearly questioning his owners mental state and why he didn't get some of the "crackers". "Trust me Bud you did not want one of those."
It was just then that he realized what exactly he had agreed to tonight. Everyone at a bar...together…with alcohol.
'Well this should be interesting.'
Hey everyone! Sorry this took me longer than normal to get out I was way distracted because….I got a new puppy! :D He's a Great Dane puppy named Fenrir, or just Fen for short. We already have another Great Dane named Loki so Fenrir was the obvious choice for this little guys name.
So yeah he's adorable and I can't stop squishing on him. Sorry.
Anyways hope you liked the chapter, next up everybody at the bar and maybe a flashback, we will see! Oh and I'm not knocking all gluten free foods they serve an important purpose but let's be honest some are pretty terrible. We can all laugh at that.
As always thank you for all the reviews they are amazing, the best, spectacular and so on! Muah!
