Chapter 27

Hiccup's fingers ran through Toothless's thick black fur as he sat on the mat next to his limp body. The effects of the anesthesia still coursing through his veins. Hiccup carefully avoided the IV that was still in attached to his shaved front limb as he moved his hand across his back and lower toward his now mismatched legs. Sadly he looked at the wrapped stump that was now Toothless's back left leg and couldn't help but feel overwhelming amounts of guilt.

"Oh Bud," he whispered, "I'll get you back up and flying with me in no time. I promise." He leaned down and gave the Wolf a nuzzle and a quick kiss to his forehead. Letting out a deep sigh, Hiccup pulled back and got up from the mat that he had been sitting at for the last half hour. Stretching his stiff limbs, his body starting ache miserably after being up for a solid twenty four hours now.

Giving Toothless one more glance, Hiccup made his way from the back of the Veterinary office, waving to the front desk staff and veterinarian, who were enjoying the donuts and coffee he brought in as thank you for all their hard work saving his best friend.

Once in his car Hiccup let out yet another large sigh, before rotating his neck, earning him a few cracks from his spine. He knew he should be go home and rest, Astrid would be there after all. The idea of getting a few hours of sleep while holding his pregnant wife was unbelievably tempting but he needed to check on his Mom and Dad one last time before he called it a day. Decision made he turned the key, starting his Jeep before backing out of the parking space and heading to the hospital.

. . . . .

Hiccup arrived at his Mother's room just in time for morning shift change. The unfortunate nurse who got assigned his Mother was currently being given the fifth degree by his Father. The young woman being asked to disclose everything about her other than maybe her social security number.

"Dad. Let poor," he turned to look at the board where she wrote her name, "Donna go. She doesn't need you asking her a thousand questions this early in the morning." Begrudgingly his Father grunted in agreement and the girl practically ran out of the room. Not before throwing Hiccup a grateful smile.

"Has there been any changes?" He asked once they were alone, walking up to his Father's side next to his Mother's bed. His poor Mother looked so fragile and small lying in the bed with all the tubes and lines running off of her. Monitors keeping pace of her vitals beeping rhythmically in the background. The top of her head wrapped completely in gauze. Reaching down Hiccup gingerly laced his fingers around her limp hand. Exercising the same caution around her IV as he just had to with Toothless.

"No. Still unconscious. The doctor doesn't think she'll be out much longer but…well there's really no telling." Hiccup nodded remembering everything that the doctors had told them hours ago about her head injury. How unpredictable and unknown the side effects would be of it.

"Well I guess all we can do is wait then." He said as he sat down in yet another incredibly uncomfortable chair. Is that like a requirement or something for hospitals? All chairs must be terribly uncomfortable? He thought as he shifted around.

While trying to make himself comfortable Hiccup failed to notice his Father taking a seat at the end of his Mother's bed facing him. A small amused smile on his face as he watched him. Finally finding a semi-comfortable spot Hiccup turned back and was surprised to find his Father staring at him.

"What's up Dad? You look like you got something to say?" Stoick smile dropped as his brow furrowed. Hiccup immediately became concerned. "Okay now I know you have something to say."

"You're right Son. I do." He hesitated briefly and looked out the window before turning back. "I've been thinking. Your Mother will need a lot of help when she finally gets out of this place. How much I don't even know but it's a given that her road to recovery is going to be a long one."

Hiccup nodded along not yet understanding where his Father was going with this.

"So being that I'm her husband I plan to be there beside her, helping her every step of the way." He shifted his aged green eyes from Hiccup and to his Mother, his Father's face growing soft as he did. "You're Mother has given up so much for me over the years. Stood beside me, even when I was wrong." He turned back to Hiccup, both of them knowing exactly what he was referring to.

He let out a sigh, "What I'm trying to tell you Son is that I plan on dropping out of the Mayors race. I can't properly run for re-election and also devote the amount of time your Mother needs to help her heal."

Hiccup felt his whole world tilt at his Father's words. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think his Father would willing step down from his spot as Mayor. Obviously he would some day not be Mayor but Hiccup assumed the only thing that would force the mountain of a man out of his job would be death it's self. He loves Berk and its residents far to much to let just anyone take over.

But in reality he loves his wife more. Hiccup thought.

The thought was heart warming and he loved to see that after all these years his parents were still very much so in love. It was something that he could only pray he and Astrid could replicate in their own marriage. The only problem with his Father's display of love and devotion was the man who was currently running against him.

Viggo.

"D-Dad, that's–uh–wow." Hiccup ran his fatigued hands through his hair, he really was far to exhausted to have this conversation. "I understand why you need to do this but Dad if–if you don't run…"

"Then Viggo will be Mayor. Yes I know." He let out a weary sigh and looked back at his Wife, "I plan on speaking to the town council to see if any of them would throw their hat in. If not, I'll discreetly get the word out and see if anyone else in town would run against him." Hiccup sagged in his seat hearing his Father's plan, it was good. Thoroughly thought out. It was truly amazing that even with all the stress of his Mother's injury and lack of sleep, his Father had still found time to make such a life changing decision and work out any kinks in his plan.

Which is exactly why he was the Mayor.

"But what if you can't find anyone Dad? Viggo cannot be Mayor!" Hiccup stood up and moved his hands around in a wild fashion–as he was prone to do. Just to emphasize his point.

"I know Son. I shudder to think of what Viggo Grimborn would do to our town but your Mom needs me more than Berk. We'll just have to pray someone–anyone steps up." He chuckled, "you know it's no coincidence that I've run uncontested for so long, no one in their right mind wanted this…Son? Why do you have that look on your face?" Stoick asked interrupting himself.

Someone–anyone steps up. Hiccup kept running the words over and over in his mind. Not paying attention to anything else his Father had said afterwards.

Anyone truly would be better for Berk, anyone like...

"I'll do it."

"What did you say Son?"

Hiccup looked his Father directly in the eye, "I said, I'll run for Mayor." In all twenty two years of his life, Hiccup, had never seen a more shocked look on his Father's face. Even when he surprised him with a secret daughter-in-law, it was nothing compare to what those six words did to him. Hiccup could practically see every tooth in his Father's mouth and his eyes looked like they'd fall out of his head at any moment. If it wasn't such a serious conversation he would have laughed at the almost cartoonish look. Maybe in private he would enjoy the memory.

After a few minutes of the same look though Hiccup was starting to worry that he caused his Dad some kind of physical damage.

"Uh Dad?" He waved his had in front of the older man's face. "You still in there?"

The words seemed to shock him back to the present, blinking several times before locking his eyes on Hiccup. "S-Son…did–you…you said…"

"That I would run for Mayor, yeah–definitely said that." He gave his Dad a small smile. "I know it sounds kinda crazy…no really crazy but–but Dad, Viggo being the Mayor would be terrible. Worse than terrible, it might be the end of Berk. He would destroy this place and I can't let that happen." Hiccup moved away from his Father and towards the window. Staring out the hospital window Hiccup watched people filter in and out of the hospital. Doctors, nurses, visitors–which no doubt were more than the normal amount due to the events of last night. Looking slightly farther out from their elevated position on the fifth floor, he could see downtown and all the busy movement there. Businesses opening for the day, people walking dogs and going on their morning runs. He could also see the remnants of The Great Hall. Fire trucks and police still at the location. Still trying to figure out the cause of the horrible fire that had injured so many, his Mother and Toothless the worst, but by some miracle had not killed anyone.

Looking farther he could see the massive woods surrounding the exterior of Berks downtown, the same woods he had grown up in and sought refuge in so many times. This place–Berk–it was home.

And he needed to protect it.

"When I was gone," he said still looking out the window. "Even though I didn't show it, I missed you guys like crazy. There were so many major events that happened in my life that I would have given anything to have you, Mom and the rest of them at. But…that's not what happened." He paused, "there was only one other thing that I missed during that time, almost as much you–Dad and that was Berk." He turned and looked at his Father, who now had an incredibly proud look on his face. His green eyes misting with emotion.

"I'm not going to let Viggo or anyone destroy this place. This is my Home and I don't want to loose it. I want to raise my child here. I want to watch them grow up here and play in the same woods that I did. I want to grow old here and someday be buried next to my Son here."

A tear ran down his cheek that he unabashedly let fall to the floor. "This is my home Dad, let me fight for it."

Unable to speak, his Father gave him a single nod, before standing up and engulfing him in a tight hug. "It's good to have you home Son." Hiccup nodded against his chest.

Its good to be home.

. . . . .

His wife's warm body shifted beside him waking him up from their cocooned location under the thick comforter. Her arm slung across his chest pulling her closer to him until her upper half mostly rested on him. Exchanging her pillow for his chest.

Slowly blinking the sleep from his eyes Hiccup stretched his body, careful not to disturb his still slumbering wife. He had gotten home around seven thirty that morning from the hospital and much to his dismay he found his wife still very awake. Cleaning, doing laundry, pretty much anything other than sleeping–which he sent her home several hours prior to do. After chastising her, she explained that she tried sleeping and just couldn't and since his Mother was going to be out commission for a while she decided to start taking over her tasks. Apparently right then.

While it was very appreciated, he did not like the idea of his pregnant wife over exerting herself so he put his foot down and ordered her to bed–with him of course. Only due to the exhaustion that seemed to be creeping up on her, did she not fight him 'putting his foot down' and quietly let him lead her to bed.

He shifted his vision to the clock on the wall that read one In the afternoon, groaning he turned his head and closed his eyes again. Still feeling just as exhausted, even with the six or so hours of sleep in him.

"Wha' time s'it?" Hiccup heard and felt Astrid's muffled question from his chest.

"One. We should probably get up. Don't want to screw up our sleep schedule to much." He received a muffled groan that vibrates against his chest, causing a small chuckle to escape him.

"I know Milady," lifting her head up Astrid rested her chin on his chest and glared at him.

"No. No you don't dragon boy. This pregnancy has me feeling uselessly tired most of the time. No other symptoms other than turning me into a giant sloth like creature." The mental image of Astrid as a sloth immediately ran through his mind and this time he couldn't help the snorting laughter that came out. Which only intensified her glare.

A sharp pinch to his bare rib cage had him quickly shutting up and throwing up his hands in defeat. "Okay Okay, I'm sorry!" He gently he brought his arms down and laced them around her. "I was wondering how you hid all those symptoms–sounds like there was just nothing to hide. Which is weird, since you were so sick with Ryder."

Astrid shrugged, "Hey I'm not complaining about that part but I guess it was one of the reasons it took me so long to figure out and then accept I was pregnant again." She let out a yawn, "though this exhaustion is making up for the lack of other symptoms."

Hiccup smiled and nuzzled his face into the crown of her head, "aww my wittle Astrid sloth." He let out a body shaking laugh as Astrid shot him a glare with a grumpy pout.

"You better watch yourself Haddock, Astrid sloth can still beat up your butt, pregnant and tired." A memory of watching Astrid during some of her Krav Maga classes vividly flashed in his mind. Sobering him up instantly.

"I'm absolutely sure you could." He told her seriously. "But hey, serious now, I want to talk to you about something." Her glare dropped when she heard his tone, "when I was at the hospital earlier my Dad told me that he plans on taking care of my Mom when she gets back home." Astrid nodded along.

"Which means he's not going to have a lot of time for much else, in-including running for mayor." At this Astrid's eye brows shot into her hair line.

"He's going to drop out of the race?" Hiccup nodded once, "so who is going to run in his place? There's no way we can just let Viggo win." She told him in the fierce way that he loved.

"We won't let Viggo win, which is why I'm going to take his place…" he trailed off as he carefully watched his wife's face as she took in and digested the information. Her eyes trailed from his and down to his bare chest. She ran her fingers over the skin tenderly in contemplation, probably not realizing the effects that those gentle touches were doing to him. Finally after a few torturous seconds she stopped and looked up at him. Her blue eyes hard as they stared at him.

"You promise you'll beat him?" A huge grin split on Hiccup's face as he brought Astrid's face close to his own.

"This is why I love you." He said before sealing her lips with his own showing her exactly how much he loved her.

. . . . .

Hiccup exited the elevator on his Mother's floor, a large duffle bag of his Father's clothes and toiletries in hand. Intent on going to his Mother's room only to be stopped by his Father and Finn Fergus standing outside the door talking.

"Hey Dad, Mr. Fergus," he nodded to both men before turning his attention back on his Dad. "How's Mom?"

"Good Son, she woke up a briefly but was still pretty out of it and fell back to sleep shortly after." Hiccup nodded, feeling slightly discouraged by the information.

"Where's that daughter of mine?" Stoick turned back to Finn, "you have to meet Astrid, she's amazing. She's growing me and Val's grand baby as we speak." He said excitedly a broad grin on his face.

"Dad! You know that's not exactly public knowledge yet." Hiccup palmed his forehead.

"Oh hush Son, Finn is practically family." His Father said while waving him off.

"Well I guess congratulations are in order for your impending little one." He said in a quiet voice and then cleared his throat loudly before looking at Stoick with a forced smile. "I can see you being quiet the doting Grandfather, Stoick. You'll have to make sure you share with the other set of grandparents." Suddenly Hiccup and his Father grew quiet looking at each other somberly for a moment.

"Unfortunately Astrid's parents died several years ago…" Hiccup trailed off.

"–But I can assure you that Val and I will spoil that little one enough for four grandparents." Stoick finished firmly while giving Hiccup a small smile.

When Hiccup and his Father unlocked their brief gaze and looked back at the other man they were shocked to find an ashen looking Finn Fergus with a glazed over look on his face. His mouth parted and his breath audibly harsh.

With a worried look on his face, Stoick laid a gentle hand on the man's shoulder, "Finn? You alright friend?"

Snapping out of his daze. "Uh–I-I should be–be going." He shakily stepped away from them. "I-I'll c-call you later Stoick..." Finn hastily moved away, stumbling over his feet, as he headed toward the set of elevators, specifically the one on the right. Pressing the buttons several times He all but threw himself in the metal box the second it opened. Pressing the internal button just as quickly to get it to shut.

Once closed, Hiccup looked worriedly at his Father, who's pensive gaze hadn't left the closed elevator door yet. "What was that about?" Stoick only shook his head in response. Just as dumbfounded.

Before either could think over the strange behavior anymore the elevator on the left dinged and Astrid's smiling face greeted them. Her arms filled with a cup carrier, with three large coffee cups in it.

"Hey guys, I got coffee for you–and decaf for me." She grimaced as Hiccup smiled at her and took the cup carrier away from her with his free hand. She immediately passed him and gave Stoick a comforting hug before lacing her arm with his and leading the two into his Mom's room. Hiccup following right behind the pair. All previous thoughts about Finn Fergus's strange behavior now gone.

Hiccup for Mayor!

Finn Fergus, what are you hiding? Well...more like why are you hiding?

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