=Normal POV=

{Friday, April 8, 2022- 3:00 pm}

(Archia Isle; Hospital-Recovery Room #2022)

Hiccup was glad he sent everyone away on Thursday night; it gave him time to think about things and try to recover some of the last six months. However, it failed. Hiccup had now chosen to take the nurse up on her idea of speaking with family and friends to see if they could fill him in and it would trigger things to come forward. In psychiatry appointments with Dr. Dayvn Lund; he informed Hiccup that it's possible his memories are only pushed back to keep Hiccup from feeling more pain about the situations they relate to. Hiccup didn't quite understand what that meant, but Dr. Lund said talking with family and friends would help too, so Hiccup was willing to give things a try. Hiccup knew his leg was gone; it was hard to miss when he got help out of bed to use the bathroom or wash up a bit. Hiccup noticed, though, that overnight it seemed; he relived the shock of seeing it gone each time he woke up. Hiccup had a hard time processing that it was gone, and all the thinking ended up making him tired, so he'd get some sleep.

Hiccup woke up around 7:30 am, ate breakfast, got washed up and returned to his bed to relax a bit and collect his thoughts until lunch. At 12:15 pm; Hiccup received lunch and continued to relax a bit while debating how to tackle everything because there was a lot of confusion from the day he woke up. An example was seeing Astrid, Eret, Ragna, Camicazi, Thuggory, and Nadia present in the room. The six claimed to be Hiccup's friends, but Hiccup felt something like that would never happen. However, Hiccup felt that maybe something happened in the six months he lost that changed things, and as such; he felt that he should hear their side of things, and perhaps one of his parents or other friends could confirm if it was the truth or not. Hiccup would worry about that later; first, though, he needed to see his daughter. Among the things from when Hiccup rushed into surgery was his cell phone, which survived whatever he'd been through. Taking a deep breath sent a group message to certain people; inviting them to come to the hospital and see him.

New Group Message
To;
Mom's Cell, Dad's Cell,

There was a pause as he went looking for Astrid's number. Her number didn't come up under the contact of Astrid's Cell; it came up as Asty's Cell. Hiccup stared at it a few moments. Asty was something he called Astrid back when they were friends before she met the others. That was Hiccup's nickname for Astrid; Asty and hers for Hiccup was Hic. Slightly confused, but wanting to know more; he added her name to the group message before typing something short into the text box.

You[3:02 pm]
U can visit but only you 3. And bring Runa, plz?

Hiccup set his phone down and relaxed a bit. Ten minutes went by as he heard the device vibrating on the bedside table. Lifting it up, he saw a response in the group message he had started.

Dad's Cell[3:10 pm]
I have a meeting to attend but will send Gobber in my place for now and hope I can come by to see you later, son. I love you.

Hiccup shrugged it off for a moment to see Astrid's reply underneath his father's.

Asty's Cell[3:11 pm]
I be there. Dagur dropping me off.

Hiccup was about to reply to both Astrid and his father when his mother responded.

Mom's Cell[3:13 pm]
I will be there with Runa in 15 mins. Love you!(heart)

Well, at least now he could reply to all three of them in one shot. Tapping the text box and seeing the curser; Hiccup started typing.

You[3:15 pm]
Dad; Ok & u can come after ur meeting. Luv u 2. Astrid; No prob. Mom; C u soon. Luv u more.

After pressing Send and seeing that the message came up Delivered and who had read it so far, Hiccup set the phone down to lay back and close his eyes. Hiccup knew he might as well rest before his mother, unofficial uncle, and Astrid arrived, and Hiccup would be taking in the last six months of whatever he had forgotten.

. . .

{3:35 pm}

About twenty minutes later, Valka arrived with Runa in her arms, her purse, and the diaper bag over her shoulder. Gobber was right beside her as they came up to the door to see Astrid sitting in a chair outside the room. Hiccup had been moved to a recovery room as he was awake and healing well, so he didn't need ICU anymore

"Has he…Changed his mind on visitors?" Gobber asked.

"No, I was in there when I got here ten minutes ago. Hiccup was sleeping, but then he woke up and said he was going to use the restroom. I came out here to get a snack and drink, but by then; the nurse had gone in to check him over or something and asked me to sit outside until she was done," Astrid explained.

The door to the room opened after Astrid finished and the nurse came out with a smile. "I only asked you to come out here because Hiccup is having some…self-esteem issue about anyone seeing his left leg. Well, the nub at least. He'll get past that with time, but for now, don't draw attention to it," she informed.

"We understand," Valka nodded. The nurse headed off to the next room as Gobber opened the door and poked his head in. Hiccup was laying down with his head back, but glanced over and gave a soft smile.

"Hey, laddie…Stand-in father has arrived," Gobber joked as he walked in, then behind him was Valka holding Runa, and lastly, Astrid, who closed the door once she was inside.

"Hi, Gobber…" Hiccup gave a weak wave. "Hey, Mom and Astrid," he greeted.

"Dada! Up! Uppy!" Runa leaned away from Valka to get to her father. Hiccup sat up a bit and smiled as he extended his arms to take his daughter.

"There's my girl," Hiccup lit up with joy. Runa snuggled into her father right away as he rubbed his nose to hers, then kissed her cheeks and forehead. "I've missed you so much…" he breathed out. Runa instantly laid her head on his chest and relaxed instantly. "Well, this makes me feel so much better already," he added, then directed his attention to Gobber, his mother, and Astrid standing in the room near him.

"We're glad you said we could visit," Valka kissed his forehead now. "How are you feeling?"

"Just recovering I guess…Not sure how long until I can get out of here and maybe do the rest at home," Hiccup shrugged.

"I can talk with the doctor about it, lad," Gobber offered.

"Please?" Hiccup asked. Gobber nodded as he headed out of the room quickly. "So…I bet you're wondering why I asked for just a few people to come…"

"A little bit, yes," Valka replied.

"I know I should let things come back on their own, but I thought if maybe you told me some stuff; I might get trigged and recall it…" Hiccup looked at them.

"What do you want us to tell you?" Astrid wondered.

"Anything in the last six months…I know I'm missing a lot of vital stuff. And from you, Astrid; I was hoping you could tell me how and why we are friends. Meaning me, you, and the other five. I didn't see Gruffnut among them," Hiccup stated.

"Gruffnut left the group; he dropped out and moved away. Only his parents seem to have contact with him," Astrid informed truthfully.

"Ah," Hiccup nodded, not fully understanding, but he was sure he would later on. "So…Who wants to start?" he asked curiously.

"I can, son," Valka said, then took a breath. "Are you sure you're ready for it?"

"I can only assume that a lot of it will be hard to take, but that's why I've been taking a few days to prepare myself for it. So, just lay it on me," Hiccup looked at her. Valka and Astrid nodded and began. Valka told Hiccup everything from the night he'd woken up thinking it was October 30th, 2021 to current events. Astrid jumped in a bit too, so Valka could have a break from talking. At some point around the events of January; Gobber returned and helped a bit with some things. Finally, almost forty-five minutes later; the story ended with Gobber's telling of Hiccup taking his friends to Dragon Island and taking on Red Death. Also, that Astrid rushed him to the hospital after he was found in Toothless's wings.

"And that's…Everything, Hiccup," Astrid said while Gobber was taking a drink of water. Hiccup hadn't said much; he wanted to hear everything and only spoke up if he needed to confirm something that got said.

"Okay, just to clarify everything in a short summary…" Hiccup paused as the three adults looked at him while he was burping Runa. "Olivia passed away five to ten minutes after we got married at her hospital bedside. Your parents, Astrid, passed away in a house fire and something with the wills messed up to leave you homeless, carless, and without the other six from your former popularity group,"

"Right," Astrid nodded.

"I got you a job at Archia Burger towards the end of December 2021, then found you homeless on the streets during a snowstorm. Now, you're living at Haddock Manor in the room across from my parents'. Somewhere in all this; the populars realized that their way of life is awful and came to apologize to you and me; then I forgave them. Shortly after this; I discovered Red Death…And here we are now about a week later with me in a hospital, my left leg gone, and recovering?"

"You got it, laddie," Gobber confirmed.

"Wow," Hiccup stated.

"And are you okay?" Valka inquired.

"Well, it's a lot to take in, but as you mentioned some of the bigger things; I started recalling them. So it's not as difficult to process knowing it did happen and I'm able to remember some things,"Hiccup responded truthfully.

"What specific things do you remember?" Dr. Matheson's voice came as Hiccup saw him standing in the doorway.

"Olivia passing, but I've seen that since I woke up…Bits and pieces. After Mom said what day it happened on; I recall it all. Uh…I remember Astrid's parents passing, and her slowly losing everything until I gave her a job and found her. I made her return to my house and said she was staying until she got on her feet. I slightly remember my dad becoming the new Mayor; that's still fragments," Hiccup admitted.

"Do you…Remember us becoming friends again, a-and the others?" Astrid hoped.

"I mean; kinda. It's not all there, but I see some of it. I remember us making up, and a lot of the shit they gave you…I recall when you asked me to talk to them, then some sleepover we had that same night," Hiccup stated.

"Yeah, that's when I got into the car accident with your Jeep. You invited Eret, Cami, Nadia, Thug, and Ragna over so they could finish saying sorry. After that you forgave them, and we all had a sleepover," Astrid assured.

"Yeah, that's coming through more now," Hiccup nodded.

"Now, Hiccup…I wanted to ask you something, but I'm not sure if even you know…" Eirik moved closer to the bed.

"And that would be?" Hiccup wondered.

"You were found wrapped in your Night Fury's wings after the explosion, and your leg was already gone…Do you know what happened?" Eirik questioned. The room was a bit quiet, but eyes on Hiccup to see if he would know. Hiccup looked deep in thought; his eyes closed.

"It's…fuzzy; the battle that is," Hiccup admitted.

"That's alright. I just want to know if you remember anything from the start of the explosion to the last moment you remember," Eirik tried.

Hiccup tried to focus on it, but nothing came forward. Hiccup sighed finally. "I'm sorry; I don't remember much of that. Like I said; it's fuzzy, so maybe with more time, but right now…Nothing," Hiccup said.

"No problem. We can try again in a few days, or you can let me know if anything comes up," Eirik smiled.

"About that…Do I have to stay here?" Hiccup asked as Eirik blinked a bit.

"Beg your pardon?" Eirik questioned.

"I'm awake and recovering my memories just fine…Can't I go home for the rest and still come back for checkups or whatever?" Hiccup asked again.

"Well, I…Don't see why not? But at home you might not have all the help you get-," Eirik began.

"There is a full staff at home of people I trust and see daily who can help me, Doctor Matheson. I'm a single father, and still have school to get through. I won't allow such a small thing as this to hold me back. I have to take care of my little girl, and attend classes…I can do all that while waiting for this," he lifted his left nub a bit. "To heal enough for physical therapy and prosthetics in three or so weeks," Hiccup stated firmly.

"How do you propose to get around? Hiccup, son; you've lost your-," Eirik started.

This time, Hiccup's eyes narrowed a bit. Gobber, Valka, and Astrid bit back a little knowing that was a look Hiccup gave when he was beginning to get ticked off. The door opened revealing Stoick now. "A limb lost doesn't stop a person from living. Members of the Armed Forces do it every day after fighting in wars where they are injured. My son lost his limb the same way those brave men and women have lost theirs; he protected his home from an enemy. Hiccup lost his leg, not his will to continue living his life every day. You can release him, Doctor. Hiccup will be just fine at home with some help, support, and likely a pair of crutches," the man stated.

Hiccup was a bit surprised at his father's impeccable timing, but impressed and slightly moved by the words. Stoick Haddock, the man who never supported Hiccup's choice to join the army after High School just stepped up to say Hiccup was a man who was willing to sacrifice his life to protect his home as the men and women who protect the island do. "The lad is a hero," Gobber said. "And that's coming from a guy who did serve in the wars," he added with a grin.

"Very well," Eirik sighed, clearly defeated. "But I want to see him once a week until the leg is cleared for physical therapy and prosthetic use," he added in a strict tone.

"Understood," Valka beamed. Hiccup was glad he would be getting to go home.

"I will start the paperwork while a nurse will come in to show you how to care for the leg on your own. We will provide crutches for you to use. I'll also write a note for the school to allow him time before class ends to get to his next one without the worry of stampeding students. Is there any of your friends who share every period with you?" Eirik asked.

"I do," Astrid piped up.

"You will accompany him in the halls and to the outside of restrooms," Eirik pointed. Astrid nodded her head to the doctor, understanding. After that; the doctor left. Hiccup sat back, relaxing and still holding Runa; he couldn't wait to get home and be in his own bed to heal. Of course; he had his own ideas of things to keep him busy when not in school, and it was without a doubt he wouldn't be working either.

"I'll take time off work to help you, Hiccup," Astrid said while Stoick, Valka, and Gobber were chatting about how to have people help Hiccup at home.

"You need the money, Astrid," Hiccup sighed.

"One of the things I didn't tell you before because it's being kept under wraps from your parents, and our friends is that the fire that took my home and parents was intentional. Someone killed them and has been gunning for me too. Spitelout and Agent Hoark allowed you to be my personal bodyguard. We share classes because my schedule changed to fit yours. You and I aren't supposed to be apart unless I'm in the bathroom," Astrid explained.

"You know, now that you mention that; I was wondering why we shared classes when we didn't before. This makes much more sense now. I assume we had the same shifts too?" Hiccup asked quietly as Astrid nodded to him. "I'll work that out with Henrik; you sure you're okay losing all that money a week, Astrid?"

"I'm taking care of you as you've done for me. It's my esteemed pleasure and honor. At least I still get to be with you all the time, bestie," Astrid giggled a bit. Hiccup tried to smile and figured it was pointless to change Astrid's mind. Once she decided on something; that was it. Hiccup remained relaxing until all this preparation to go back home was done.

. . .

{5:45 pm}
(Berk; Haddock Manor)

Hiccup had everyone leave when it came to the nurse showing him how to complete home care for his left leg's nub. Valka explained to Stoick in the hallway way Hiccup kicked everyone out of the room. Doctor Matheson was in the room to speak with Hiccup before releasing him. But almost forty minutes later after Eirik said he would let Hiccup leave; they were done, and Hiccup was discharged with notes for school and work, his next doctor and psychiatry appointments, and also a written version of home care directions. There was always the things to watch out for and bring back if the condition worsened. Hiccup exited the room slowly on a pair of crutches that had been adjusted for him and were comfortable for use. Stoick got Hiccup into his car with Valka, Gobber, Runa, and Astrid; then they hit the road to return to Berk.

Finally… Hiccup thought. Hiccup had requested to his parents that no one come over, but it seemed they had forgotten to pass the memo along. As expected; Hiccup's other few family members and friends came to see him. And here we go. Hiccup sighed as he got through the door to see them there with smiling faces. At the moment; Hiccup was wearing hospital things still, only because he didn't have anything to change in to. The left pants leg was hanging like normal even though there was no leg to fill it out as the right side did.

"Let's give him some space," Dagur mentioned as Hiccup got inside his home.

"We can set you up on the first level, son," Valka offered.

"I can use the elevator just fine, Mom. Thank you, though," Hiccup stated as he made his way to the elevator near the kitchen and headed upstairs. Everyone used the stairs to follow him up, which Hiccup didn't really like; they were crowding him to make sure he was okay. Hiccup just wanted to lay down and get some sleep, also process the rest of the things he heard from his mother, Astrid, and Gobber earlier. And Hiccup couldn't do that with everyone around him. After sitting on his bed and leaning the crutches against the wall; Hiccup leaned back on his pillows once he had propped up his nub like instructed. Letting out a sigh of comfort; he closed his eyes.

"Do you need anything?" Ruffnut asked.

Hiccup knew it might be cold of him, but all he wanted was to be alone right now. Hiccup sighed and glanced at them. "I know you're all trying to help, but right now…I just want to be left alone. It's been a long couple of days…I'm still taking in information from before, and I'm tired…So can we all just…Maybe back off for a couple of days?"

"Of course, Hiccup; we understand. Don't hesitate to call, though," Minden reminded with a smile.

"I won't…Thanks for understanding," Hiccup smiled some. Everyone filed out and closed the door as Hiccup closed his eyes and tried to relax. The others already understood that this is what Doctor Matheson was talking about on Thursday afternoon. After Hiccup accepted the loss of his leg and began to remember; he would need time to get through things and that it would mark the starting point on his road to recovery.