Terribly sorry for all the late updates, if you write or spend a lot of time on FF you'll know they have been having major issues! I lost work repeatedly and it took days to catch up.

On an unrelated topic...

Planning to be done with Adopted by Ch. 30.

Next potential Valcup stories - one is HTTYD1 divergent and the other is a modern AU with Unrelated!Valcup. Which would the Valcup liking masses prefer?

-HTTYD-

"Doctor said it's alright."

Hiccup couldn't help but chuckle - after so long chafing at the doctors restrictions, suddenly they were sacrament.

"She also said we had to be gentle. So relax, or we stop."

Valka actually pouted as though being told off, but she did as Hiccup requested and laid down properly. Nadia had said that so long as they avoided penetration and there was no pain or acrobatics, that there was no reason Valka couldn't get a little relief from her sexual frustration.

That had been an awkward conversation. He knew Nadia knew Hiccup was Leo's father, but outright permitting them to engage in sexual activity was saying she knew it would continue. A whole month after the boys birth. Gods, his son was a month old already.

Waiting for their son to fall asleep was time happily passed by talking to the baby, who turned toward their voices now. Talking also calmed him; Leo did not like his leg casts but he did settle when they held him and spoke to him. He never seemed more content than when Valka sang to him.

Hiccup liked her singing too. Sometimes she sang just because of a good mood, and as her stomach healed she was able to make better use of her muscles again.

Like now, as she used them to latch on to Hiccup. Until he calmed her, kissed her and Valka all but melted beneath him. As the anxious one, it was slightly odd to be somebody's calming influence. He unbuttoned the dress she wore slowly, shushed her when she made a sound if impatience.

"If at any point I'm worried you'll hurt yourself, I'll stop. Let me take care of you."

Fiercely independent, Valka resisted for a second before taking Hiccup's earnestness to heart and nodding. He smiled, kissed her again and this time she didn't begin wriggling with impatience. Their physicality had been restricted to kissing and little else; Valka offered but Hiccup refused until they could be reciprocal. And eased the pressure in the bathroom now and then.

He ignored his pulsing cock, opened her dress fully to find swollen breasts, skin marked anew with the tale of their mini Magni coming into the world. Stretch marks on still-softened flesh, a scar forming fresh where first Hiccup, then Leo had been delivered. Hiccup didn't touch the scar in case he hurt her, fascinated as he was by it.

"You're incredible."

Her cheeks flushed slightly, but Valka had to know her scars had never scared him away before. Her body was changed by pregnancy, but he found that beautiful too. Valka tugged at his t-shirt, and so Hiccup bared his scars to her too. Their bare skin met and meshed wonderfully as they kissed, a needy hand guiding Hiccup's downward to damp fabric.

"Take off your dress."

"Where are you going?"

"To get a towel."

Grumbling at him as he got up, Valka complied with his ask and slipped out of her dress properly while he returned with the absorbent towel - there was no avoiding that she could leak slightly and he knew it. Accepted it. Her underwear came down easily enough, aided by his hands and her gently arching hips.

The first touch had her visibly jolted by the sensation, Hiccup's fingers barely brushing over her swollen clit and she moaned, bit her lip to ensure she didn't wake Leo napping in the next room. Her hands wound into his hair, tugged Hiccup up to kiss her again and as his fingers moved, she moaned and gasped against his lips in the most erotic way he'd ever known.

"G-gods Hiccup, I'm close."

"Already?"

"I've missed you."

His mothers desires were good for his ego, Hiccup noted as she rocked up into his hand to try and get more pressure. His wrist ached from the angle slightly, but Hiccup kept going until she shook harder, grew wetter and muffled her cries by biting his shoulder. She slowly relaxed again, death-grip where she had grabbed his upper arm until she let out a deep sigh.

"Are you alright?"

"Mhmm. Much better."

Hiccup helped her clean up, cock demanding in his jeans but he ignored it.

"Any pain?"

"A little discomfort, but that's normal and honestly I was quite distracted."

Satisfied she was telling the truth, Hiccup let it slide. Nadia, in all her usual tactless brutal honesty, had said there was a chance she'd feel pain or discomfort. Valka definitely looked relieved, muscles soft with satisfaction as Hiccup used the towel to clean her up.

"Your turn?"

His erection screamed yes, but his mind slowed them first even as Valka unbuttoned his jeans.

"On the condition you'll definitely stop if you think you'll hurt yourself."

"I promise."

It took a little moving about to settle on a position that suited them both, but they managed soon enough. Valka was unpracticed, but enthusiastic and eager and Hiccup responded just fine to that as she licked his shaft and sucked his leaking tip. Her mouth was hot and soft, made him go cross-eyed with pleasure as she took him a little deeper. He clutched the bedsheet, the headboard and felt the muscles in his groin tightening.

"Fuck, I won't last."

Valka stopped, fingers stroking his wet shaft as she smirked up at him.

"Already?"

Throwing his earlier words back at him. Hiccup found himself laughing breathlessly as she rubbed a sensitive spot on the underside.

"I've missed you."

He returned the favour of her own words, which meant it was a smiling mouth that surrounded his cock seconds later, Hiccup's hips fighting against his desire to stay still. Valka was as eager as he, though that would never cease to amaze him. She hummed when he said he was close, swallowed Hiccup down as he came and nuzzled his thigh as he trembled with the aftermath of his climax.

Valka slid back along the bed, curled into Hiccup's chest with a contented sigh. He couldn't help but stroke her hair, endlessly attracted to the long strands of autumn colour.

"I needed that."

"Well, so long as you're good..."

Hiccup chuckled as she swatted at him, leant up and kissed him.

"I'm gonna go clean up and start on food before the mini Magni wakes up. If you want to take a nap while he's sleeping, you can."

Valka didn't deliberate long, settling beneath the covers when Hiccup tucked her in with a smile. She didn't tire as easy as she used to, but generally napped at least once in the day. It helped balance out the wake ups in the night to feed Leo. Hiccup brought the babes bassinet through now they were... done, the boy still sleeping soundly in his sleep pouch; recommended to help keep him warm while he gained weight.

He was undeniably in a better mood himself, starting a cake mix while lunch cooked - Astrid was coming over later, would appreciate the sweet treats. And have no idea why Hiccup was feeling... Valka would call it chirpy. That word gave Hiccup images of birds dancing, which usually made him chuckle to himself.

Mother and baby appeared just as Hiccup was about to go see if they were awake, Valka sitting to nurse the hungry little one as Hiccup finished making adult food.

"What smells so good?"

"I'm baking chocolate cake?"

"Mmm. That'll be it. Chirpy today are we?"

Hiccup grinned, sliding a plate near Valka and placing one down for himself.

"You've got quite the smile on too."

Valka shifted Leo slightly to aid his latching as he fussed; she was such a natural with him.

"Yes, well, spending many weeks unable to touch you properly was quite the 'drag' as you say. I do feel better."

Yep. Good for his ego. Hiccup ate while Leo did, so he could wind and cuddle him while Valka ate herself.

"He's definitely getting heavier."

Hiccup couldn't miss it as he lifted Leo to his shoulder, parting his back gently. Holding him with his casted legs wasn't easy, but doable and Hiccup was a quick study.

"Yes, the health visitor noted he's gaining weight quite well."

"Must be all the fresh air he gets."

They took him out near-daily, and their little warrior loved the outside world and definitely slept better when he'd had some outside time. If Hiccup's leg wasn't up to going out that day, they sat out in the back garden with him while Toothless dashed about excitedly.

The house smelled of baking and baby powder by the time Astrid got there, peering around quietly before she saw Leo awake on Hiccup's chest while Valka napped nearby. He stood carefully, carrying the baby out to the kitchen so they wouldn't wake Valka when Astrid inevitably cooed at the growing bundle.

"Oh, he's so cute! Look at this little face!"

Astrid cradled him carefully, mindful of his legs as she touched his minute facial features, stroked the downy brown-reddish hair atop his head.

"Yeah he's not so cute when he cries at four in the morning. But the rest of the time he's alright."

"How's his baby physio going?"

"Really well according to the doctor. He hates the casts though, I swear if he could talk he would try to bribe us into not having new ones when they come off each week."

Astrid smiled as her favourite honorary brother (overtaking Dagur, who totally understood apparently) grabbed her finger, kicked his little legs as best he could.

"It's ok mini Magni, I'd be grumbly too. But it'll be worth it when you can run around, promise. I'll even run around with you."

Leo started grizzling, settling when Hiccup took him back and hushed him gently.

"I see. Playing favourite siblings here?"

"I think it's just that he knows my voice more. Once he understands people I'm sure you'll be his favourite."

Beaming, Astrid took herself off to make mugs of tea and eye the cake setting in the fridge hungrily.

"Yes, I made it for you. No you can't eat it until its set."

"Spoil sport. Are you still going to therapy?"

"Yeah, I had to cancel the last one because we thought mini Magni had a fever and Valka still isn't meant to be driving. But it was a false alarm thankfully, he's all good."

"You definitely seem to be doing better lately. Is that cus of him do you think?"

Hiccup hugged his son closer, hearing him gurgle and breathe softly.

"Probably. I always do better with someone to take care of."

"So... if they leave, do you think it'll get bad again?"

He shrugged as best he could with an armful of baby, feeling Leo dribble on his t-shirt.

"Maybe. I try not to think about it, I don't want to work myself up."

Astrid mulled his words as she stirred milk into her tea.

"Fair."

Hiccup placed a slowly-dozing Leo in his bounce chair gently, strapped him in securely and sat opposite Astrid at the island counter.

"Have you been back to the adoptee group?"

"Not yet. I keep in touch with a couple of the members online though. And Sharon asked if I'd design a Dragon-themed banner for the group. I've made a start."

"Can I see?"

"Sure. Make sure he doesn't start bouncing too hard, that seat isn't designed for too much movement, it's his napping chair."

Hiccup retrieved his sketch pad, took it back to the kitchen after checking on a still-sleeping Valka. He held it out to Astrid in the kitchen, watching as she saw his basic loops and lines that would serve as a strong template for the finished product.

"What's this?"

"That's the Bewilderbeast. He takes care of all the dragons no matter what kind they are. And I named him that because, well, finding out you're adopted can be pretty..."

"Bewildering?"

"Exactly. I'll add a bunch of different dragon species around, but they'll all be in like one or two big nests."

"That's really sweet. Make sure the Night Fury and the Nadder are together."

"You mean us?"

Astrid nodded, smiling.

"Obviously. And if you've designed his dragon" she indicated the mini Magni "he can come too."

Valka's dragon Cloudjumper already resided in the background, a couple of other dragons that matched those in the nests showing too but the focus was on the families in front, who didn't match at all.

"I haven't decided yet. I mean I could make him a Terrible Terror but I think he's a little too cute for that."

"True. What about that one you did with no front legs... Scuttle something."

"Scuttleclaw?"

"Yeah. They are pretty cute."

Hiccup hummed in thought, trying to envision one with Leo-inspired colouring and smiling to himself.

"Yeah, that works actually."

He started the sketch, shaded the same autumn-red he'd use to colour Valka's hair in as a gradient colour for Leo's hair, then the faded grey beneath as a stand-in for the colour of his casts. And naturally, the big green eyes.

"It's a little rushed, but... yeah, I like it."

Astrid nodded in agreement as she started eating the cake he hadn't seen her sneaking out of the fridge. He'd gotten a bit distracted... luckily Leo had slept through.

"Couldn't you wait?"

"Nope. This is good. Want some Valka?"

Hiccup looked up, saw a sleep-soft vision in her yellow dress coming into the room in search of the voices. His heart fluttered in his chest, her smile giving him butterflies.

"Perhaps in a few minutes."

Valka filled a glass with water, sipping it as she circled around to stroke Leo's little face gently. Astrid watched her with the baby, observed the way green eyes opened and a little head turned toward mothers voice. The way he calmed when Valka lifted him into her arms carefully.

"Is it weird?"

"Is what weird?"

Astrid nodded toward the baby, who wriggled and fussed until Valka kissed his little brow.

"Having a baby. One you'll see grow up."

"Oh. Well... I wouldn't say it was weird. More... exciting."

Valka managed to hold conversation even as she sat to nurse her son. Hiccup looked away before his skin began to warm with memories of her pitching and moaning beneath him earlier.

"That's cool. I just wondered... he is a cutie."

"Are you saying she put me up because I wasn't cute enough?"

Hiccup gave his sister an expression of mock outrage, and she shook her head with a laugh.

"No, she gave you up because you were meant to be my brother, stupid."

Astrid hugged him with one arm, the other occupied with cake as she grinned. She might be growing up, but Astrid had manners about equal with Dagur sometimes and he closely resembled a toddler.

"Man I love cake."

"Really? I could never have guessed."

Astrid giggled, cutting a second slice and pushing the rest toward Valka so she could get some when she was done with the baby. Hiccup got up to take Leo to wind, unable to help but look as Valka rebuttoned her dress. Hopefully Astrid was distracted by her cake and didn't notice her big brothers deviance, or the fact Valka's hands shook slightly as she did her buttons under his gaze.

"Come on mini Magni, you know the drill."

Leo eventually burped, then drooled on Hiccup a little bit before gurgling in Hiccup's arms when he was shifted around.

"You been out today?"

Somehow saying they'd spent the morning waiting for their son to fall asleep, then had their first sexual contact since before the boy was even born didn't seem like quite the right answer.

"No, my leg was sore. But his appointment is day after tomorrow, figured we could take him to get air on his feet on the way since the casts come off on the morning."

"I'm sure he'll like that. He seems like a happy little guy."

"He is."

Hiccup couldn't help the pride in his voice, hoped Astrid saw it as brotherly rather than fatherly. He just adored his son so. Since he'd said they hadn't gone out, Astrid took Toothless for a walk while Hiccup cooked dinner, stayed to watch a movie after.

"Well, I better get back."

Astrid said an hour or so later, and when Hiccup presented her with the second cake he'd made and hid she was ecstatic.

"Make sure you actually share that with Heather."

"I will! Let me know when you're up to having them two over too? They want to see mini Magni again, plus Dagur has only seen you when he comes to walk Toothless for over a week."

"I'll check what's going on, I've got therapy and physio myself this week coming."

Astrid smiled as she hugged him, then went and nuzzled Leo before his sister skipped off back to her life outside her reclusive, mentally ill brother. Hiccup immediately curled up next to Valka on the sofa, shucking his t-shirt to let his son rest skin-on-skin. It soothed him best.

"You're afraid."

It wasn't a question; Valka had gotten good at reading his moods fast.

"Yeah, I am."

"Of me? Or of your sister?"

"Both."

Hiccup couldn't always manage to lie, depending on when he was asked tough questions.

"Why?"

"I don't want to lose Astrid. Or you."

"You won't lose me Hiccup."

He shook his head, hushing to soothe Leo before he got upset by Hiccups mood shift.

"You left before. You want to be back out there doing the animal saving, and I hate myself for hoping you don't."

Valka sighed, but she stroked Hiccup's arm for a minute as she thought.

"I won't lie to you. I do, but... our boy is going to need treatment until he's at least four or five. I wouldn't take him away from where he can get it. And I swear I'll never take him from you."

Hiccup frowned; that didn't sound right.

"Are you considering leaving him with me while you go back?"

Leo fussed, whimpered and Hiccup immediately lowered his voice, not wanting to make him cry.

"You told me not to promise you anything."

"That's different to you actively thinking about leaving again. Tell me the truth. Is that a possibility?"

Valka wouldn't meet his eyes, looked down and then away.

"Hiccup, I have adored these last months with you. I love you, and our son. But sometimes I feel like I'll never quite fit into this life, and I fear you'll continue to put your life on hold because of our... relationship."

His chest tightened.

"You came back over six months pregnant and got put on bed rest. Of course I prioritized, but honestly my life wasn't much different before. I took care of Astrid, walked my dog and drew dragons."

Seeing Leo begin to drift off, Hiccup stood up and carried his son to his bed. Valka followed, face tense as they had the conversation that was now months overdue.

"And what about in future? I'm supposed to want marriage and children in your future. I'm not supposed to be the woman giving you a baby."

They stepped back outside his room, door closed just to and baby monitor clipped on Hiccup's waistband.

"So you... what? Gods Valka, you think I could just go through life with my son who also happens to be my half brother, after falling in love with my own mother, and just have a 'normal' relationship?"

Valka wrapped her arms around herself, looking for all the world like the terrified child Hiccup was right now.

"I don't want to ruin your life."

"And you don't want this life. You came to meet your son. You didn't come looking for somewhere to settle down, or a reason to in our son."

Hiccup felt tears on his face, didn't remember when he had started crying. Valka had them too, visible only in the moonlight coming in to illuminate an otherwise black room.

"Yes."

He'd known it in his gut for a while, that Valka didn't belong to suburbia with a depressed artist. Incest completely aside. But hearing her confirm it still hurt.

"I know I asked you not to, but... I need you to promise me something."

Valka looked up, swiping tears from her cheeks.

"What?"

"That if you decide to leave, you tell me. That I don't wake up one day with you gone and no clue what I'm going to say to anybody. Again."

She looked guilty. Hiccup didn't want guilt. He wanted honesty.

"Alright, that's fair. I promise."

They hovered in that awkward space of dull acceptance for several minutes, worlds away from the two people who had been intimate only that morning.

Hiccup went back into his room, left the door open as he took off his jeans, put on pyjama bottoms and checked on his son. The little one was still fast asleep, so Hiccup crawled into bed. Valka hovered in the door, out of sight but he could see her lengthy shadow.

"Get in the bed Valka. I'm not moving him upstairs and he'll wake up for a feed at least twice."

She eventually complied, lying stiff on the other side until Hiccup sighed, reached out and gently encouraged her closer. Bit by bit, Valka relaxed in his hold.

If she was going to leave again, Hiccup wasn't going to waste opportunities.

-HTTYD-

If you celebrate, Happy New Year. If not, happy monday.