This one takes a turn toward the unexpected ;)
Enjoy!
Ch 22
The Berkians have come back, and something strange happened.
No, my dad wasn't "cool" with what I did. He was really angry, and I've been grounded until the ice sets in (not as long as I thought, but fall does usually last a couple months). No, the strange thing happened later.
It was after dinner, during which I had gotten another lecture, and I was feeling absolutely awful. And, something in me just broke.
Before I even knew what I was doing, I was yelling about how unfair everything was, and how mean everyone was being, and basically everything else I was spilling in the last entry. Then, I ran upstairs, and it wasn't until a few minutes after I'd collapsed into bed that I realized what I'd done. And I was absolutely horrified.
I heard footsteps starting up the stairs, and I was preparing for another talking to about my outburst, only for my dad to quietly walk into the room. No yelling. In fact, no words at all. So, I turned to look at him, and his face was solemn. We stared at each other for a moment, before he cleared his throat, seemingly having trouble speaking. When he finally got the words out, they were the last thing I would have expected.
"Hiccup… I thank the gods every day that you're still alive. Remember that." Then, even though it looked like there was more he wanted to say, he just sighed and went back downstairs.
I didn't even realize I'd said anything about that when I was talking. But what he said… it really got to me. Even with all that's happened in the last couple years, somewhere inside, he still cares for me. It's gotten a little buried under everything, not just on his side, mine as well, but he still cares. And… I care too. It's just hard to remember that with how strained our relationship has gotten. But it's true. To hear that my father is… is thankful to have me, despite all my shortcomings… it's really all I need.
Remember that mantra I mentioned earlier, about how Vikings don't cry? Even with how weak and unvikingly I've always been, that's something that I've never struggled with. I haven't actually shed some real tears since I was six. But tonight, as I'm writing this and going over it all in my mind… it's the closest I've felt in a long time…
Until next time…
-H