A/N: Hey, everyone! I have returned! I mean, sure, I was only gone a couple days, but it felt like a lifetime. I had to reread what I've already posted because I completely forgot where I'd left off. Luckily I have a million notes already written down to help me keep track of this story's progress. P.S.— Thank you all for sticking with this story! I honestly can't believe how many of you are reading it! I read every review, and deeply appreciate those of you who follow and favorite my story. And even those who don't, I appreciate you, too!

Disclaimer: I don't, never have, and never will own HTTYD. ~sigh~

VALKA'S POV

Toothless and I ended up going outside to check on Hiccup. It had been ten minutes and he still hadn't returned from showing Cloudjumper his new sword. Knowing my son, he was probably talking the Stormcutter's ear off. When he gets excited about something, he tends to ramble on about it for a while. He's the most passionate person I've ever known, even at his young age.

As expected, when we made it out of the tunnel, Hiccup was lying on his stomach on top of Cloud's head. His hands were gesturing all over the place as he told my dragon how he was going to help on missions and that he was going to be the best sword fighter the world has ever seen. Cloudjumper's eyes were closed, and I wondered if he was sleeping.

Toothless ran over to them, placing his front paws on Cloudjumper's neck so he could reach Hiccup, who had stopped talking once he noticed our approach. Cloud's chest rumbled with a sigh, and his eyes blinked open so he could look at Toothless. The Night Fury ignored him, instead nosing at Hiccup's arm with a whine. I rolled my eyes, walking over to pet Cloudjumper.

"Guess what, Cloud? I can hear thought-speak now!" I told him excitedly, which immediately made him perk up in surprise. Hiccup yelped as the dragon's head rose up, trying to reestablish his balance so he didn't fall. Toothless snapped warningly in the general direction of Cloud's face, unhappy with his carelessness. The Stormcutter growled in return. I stepped in between them quickly. "Hey! None of that!" I scolded. Dragons could break into petty fights as easily as vikings sometimes. Best to calm things down before they get out of hand. Hiccup crawled onto Toothless' back, which finally allowed the Night Fury to take a few steps away and relax.

Cloud nudged my shoulder, his eyes round and curious. *You can hear me now?* he asked. His voice was similar to Toothless' in that it wasn't like a human's, but it was still unique.

I grinned, scratching his cheek. "Yes! Oh my gods, this is so amazing! I feel like I'm meeting you all over again!" I gushed. A thought suddenly occurred to me, and I gasped lightly, glancing between him and Toothless. "Wait a second...I gave you guys names! I didn't even ask if you already had one!" I realized, my cheeks turning red with embarrassment.

Hiccup laughed and shook his head. "Dragons don't have names, Mama," He told me.

*I like my name, Valka.* Cloudjumper reassured me. *It's one of the better human practices, I think.* He added.

I bit my lip, turning my attention to Toothless, whose name wasn't exactly the aptest description. "And...you?" I wondered hesitantly. He gave me his signature gummy smile, and I let out a relieved sigh.

The Alpha suddenly let out a thundering roar that the entire nest could hear. It signaled that he was heading out for the final meal of the day, and any dragons that were hungry needed to follow. This time, though, I heard more than just the roar.

*Eat now. Fly together. Calm. Protect.* I jumped at the volume of the unfamiliar voice, and spun around to look at the giant Bewilderbeast, who was already diving into the water.

"Was that...?" I trailed off, going slack-jawed.

"Alpha? Yep!" Hiccup answered, a knowing smile on his face. He'd clearly been waiting for that little revelation.

The Alpha's voice seemed to leave an echo in my mind that I couldn't explain. He didn't just speak, he projected feelings. It was a powerful sensation, and I was just a human. It must be ten times stronger for the dragons. I can't believe I've been deaf to it all these years. He was so loud.

*Can we go now? I'm starving!* Toothless complained, shifting around impatiently. I broke out of my stupor and nodded, quickly climbing onto Cloudjumper's back. We took flight and fell in with the rest of the flock, exiting through the main tunnel to the nest. Toothless and Hiccup zipped through the crowd of dragons, performing their usual round of tricks.

I glanced down at Cloudjumper, a question coming to mind that I'd been wanting to ask him for the last five years. "Why did you take us, Cloud?" I asked gently, resting my hand on his neck. This might not be the best time for this conversation, but I needed to know.

He lowered his head, angling it slightly to the side to meet my gaze. *I'm sorry...* He apologized, whimpering quietly. *I just...saw something special in you. I didn't think you belonged there.* He admitted. I was silent, considering his response. Was it really that obvious how much I didn't fit in? *You had the sword, Valka. But you didn't swing it.* He continued carefully. *Why didn't you swing it?*

I frowned, looking away. "I...I don't know...It seemed wrong. You hadn't hurt Hiccup. I didn't want to kill you just because it was 'the viking way,'" I stated, bitterness seeping into my tone.

Cloudjumper purred soothingly. *You have a good heart. That's one of the reasons I love you.* He declared proudly.

I scratched his scales affectionately. "I love you, too, Cloud. You've given me a great life. And Hiccup," I added with a chuckle, looking over at my son and his dragon as they twirled around a grumpy Monstrous Nightmare.

*I only ever wanted you and Hiccup to be happy.* Cloudjumper murmured.

I leaned over and hugged him tightly. "We are." I promised genuinely.

Nothing else was said the rest of the way to the feeding grounds. Alpha was already there when we arrived, and there was only a short waiting period before he launched a mouthful of fish into the air. The flock dove in a coordinated manner, not a single dragon crashing into another. Cloudjumper and Toothless both ate their fill and then some, and the general attitude of the flock seemed to improve as all the dragons filled their bellies. Cloud offered me some, but I told him I was cooking dinner for me and Hiccup when we returned.

After everyone was full, we started the flight back home. I shielded my eyes from the glaring sun. The sunset was much more enjoyable when we weren't flying directly into it. I seriously need something for my face to block out this light, I thought briefly.

When we made it back to the nest, the dragons all flew to their respective resting places, and Cloudjumper landed in front of the cavern entrance with Toothless following close behind. I slid down his wing, then turned to caress his jaw. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay? Bright and early." He warbled in agreement, giving me a farewell nuzzle.

*Bye, Cloudjumper!* Hiccup called in thought-speak as the Stormcutter took off to his own sleeping spot. Then he looked at me. "So, what's for dinner, Mama?" He asked, licking his lips.

"Your favorite," I said innocently, walking past him. "Rat stew!" I finished, hiding my laughter.

"What?!" he screeched.

Hiccup was lying in the curve of Toothless' stomach, his eyes drooping a bit now that he'd eaten—I'd graciously cooked us up a juicy rabbit instead, much to his relief. The crackling fire was a comforting noise, but my mind was too busy to sleep. I could hear dragons now, and my curiosity was raging.

"Hey, Toothless," I spoke up, breaking the calm silence. He raised his head and flipped his ears up. "The day that your mother left—" I paused to see his reaction, but he just tilted his head and blinked expectantly—"You had a conversation on the beach...What did she say?" I wondered.

He ruffled his wings and licked the top of Hiccup's head absentmindedly. Hiccup tiredly reached up to pet Toothless' snout. *She said that she was leaving, and that she wanted me to go with her.* he answered simply.

My eyebrows furrowed. Why would she want to take him if she'd never cared to have him around in the nest? "You didn't want to go?" I asked, not surprised with his decision but feeling the urge to hear his side of the story.

He growled lightly, not at me, but at the memory. *I would never leave Hiccup. Not for anything.* he said resolutely. Had his devotion to my son really been so strong after knowing him for such a short period of time? Toothless read my expression easily, and his eyes narrowed a bit. *Hiccup is my other half. He always has been, and always will be. I could tell from the first time I saw him that he had the soul of a dragon.* He stated with pride, nuzzling Hiccup's cheek. Hiccup was struggling to stay awake at this point, but he still managed to smile at his dragon.

I bit my lip, looking away. It amazed me how in touch dragons were with their emotions. How could anyone ever think of them as mindless beasts? I'd readily argue they were more intelligent than most vikings—most humans, in general. I felt lucky to be accepted among them.

"I'm glad he has you, Toothless," I murmured sincerely. The Night Fury purred, resting his head next to Hiccup's. It didn't take long before they were both fast asleep, and I decided to go to my room to get some sleep myself. It had been a long day, but a good one.

I woke with a start when I felt a sharp nudge on my shoulder, and I sat up quickly. When I glanced to my right, Hiccup was sitting on his knees next to me, biting his lip with concern.

"Hiccup?" I mumbled in confusion. It was still dark—what was he doing here?

He lifted a hand to my face. "I heard you crying, Mama," he told me, and I suddenly realized my eyes were watery. I hurriedly wiped at my eyes, and he slowly retracted his hand. "Who's Stoick?" He pressed, and I froze. Oh...I must've been dreaming again...that explained the tears.

I sniffed and readjusted so I was facing him. "Stoick is your father, darling," I answered honestly, brushing a stray piece of hair out of his face. Hiccup already knew he had a father on Berk, but he'd never thought much about it. In the nest, mothers raised the hatchlings and the males weren't really involved in that part. He probably thought humans were the same way, and that it was normal that his father wasn't around.

"Oh...You kept saying his name. And that you were sorry. What are you sorry about, Mama?" He asked, and I held back a wince. I'd been having the same dream since we left Berk. In the dream, I would reunite with Stoick. At first, he'd be so happy to see me. For a few moments, everything was blissful. He would say he loved me, and that he had missed me, and he would kiss me. I would tell him how sorry I was for leaving. But then the scene would morph, and he would be standing over me with his sword raised.

"How could you take my son from me? You're a monster, just like them!"

And with that, he would bring down the sword. It was a motion I'd seen plenty of times in the past when he was out in the village killing the dragons that dared to cross his path. It was now my nightmare.

I gulped, struggling to come up with any sort of response. "I...I just miss him, honey. That's all." I replied vaguely.

"Is it because he was your Alpha? I know I would miss Alpha if I had to leave him," he said, tapping his chin in thought.

I breathed out a soft chuckle. "Yeah, that's it, buddy." I agreed. "Look, um...I'm glad you came to check on me, but you should go back to sleep. You don't want Toothless to wake up without you there, do you?" I persuaded, and his eyes widened.

"You're right, Mama! I gotta go!" he exclaimed, hopping to his feet. He turned to run back to the cavern, then stopped and suddenly bent down to wrap me in a hug. "I bet Stoick misses you, too, Mama. You're pretty great," he whispered. My heart constricted and I squeezed him tightly.

"Thanks, buddy." I replied softly, blinking away more tears. This boy deserved all the love in the world. Hiccup pulled away, waved goodbye, then hastily retreated back towards the cavern.

I thought over his words for a long time after he left, eventually lying back down to try and get some more sleep.

Do you miss me, Stoick? Do you miss me as much as I miss you?