Hey guys. So, sorry for the short chapter and all. Still sick. :( My eyes are hurting now...
But enough of my complaining. I want to thank everyone who reads and reviews for their support on this story, and I'm sorry I can't do shout-outs just yet, so I'll try the next chapter...
I was wondering. Would you read a what-if one-shot for HTTYD2 if I wrote it? Just wondering if anyone would be interested. No spoilers yet; just let me know what you think. Thanks, you guys are awesome! :D
It took only but a minute for Astrid to explain what she and Toothless had found, and Valka listened, keeping herself from speaking. When Astrid finished her tale, Valka looked from the girl to Toothless.
"It's true?" she asked.
Astrid nodded. "I didn't think so at first, but then we further investigated, and…" she began, her voice trailing off. "What should we do? Should we tell Hiccup?"
Valka was shaking her head before Astrid even finished speaking. "No, I don't think we should tell Hiccup just yet," Valka said. "We should wait until he's gained some strength back, and then maybe until he's up and walking again."
"I agree," Astrid said, nodding her head. "Speaking of Hiccup, how's he getting along?"
"Alright," Valka said. "I'm getting him some water. I don't think his appetite has improved as far as food goes, but at least he's staying hydrated for as far as I know. We don't want him getting worse."
Astrid nodded. "You go on ahead and give it to him then," she said. "I was just wondering when we should tell the village about Hiccup. Gobber and Fishlegs can only take over for so long before the villagers get suspicious."
"We could tell them sooner now that we know what's ailing Hiccup," Valka said after nodding her head. "And I think Gobber and Fishlegs can handle the village until Hiccup gets better."
"When are you suggesting we tell them?" Astrid asked.
"You could ask Fishlegs and Gobber to go ahead and tell them now," Valka said. "There's really no point in waiting. Just make sure you ask Gobber and Fishlegs to tell the villagers that Hiccup can't really be disturbed right now. Of course, if you don't mind telling Gobber and Fishlegs-"
"Of course I don't mind," Astrid said. "Yeah, I'll let them know. Stormfly could use some exercise, too, so I'll leave Toothless here."
"Thank you, Astrid," Valka said as Astrid turned to leave once again. Astrid turned around, and smiled.
"Anything I can do to help," she said. She opened the door, stepped outside, and then headed off. Valka then turned and ascended the staircase, back up to Hiccup's loft. He was as she had left him, only this time, his back was to her, and by the sounds of his even breaths, he was sleeping. She felt bad, because she knew she was going to wake him up so he could drink the water, but she also knew that he needed to stay hydrated.
"Hiccup," she said, shaking his shoulder gently as she sat on the edge of the bed. "Hiccup?"
"Mmmph?" Hiccup murmured, rolling over on his back again.
"Hey," Valka whispered, "I have your water." She didn't bother to add "if you want it", because it wasn't a matter of Hiccup wanting it. No, he needed to stay hydrated, and she was going to make sure that he did.
"Oh…thanks," Hiccup said. Valka helped him sit up, one of her hands cupping the back of his neck while her other hand helped him hold onto the water cup. Hiccup drank it quickly.
"Not too fast, Hiccup," Valka said. "You don't want to throw up again."
Hiccup nodded. After a few more moments, after the cup was empty, Valka sat the empty cup down on the bedside table while Hiccup slid back so he was laying once again. Valka pulled the blankets over his body, tucking them around him when he shivered, wishing – so desperately wishing – that there was more she could do for her son.
"Thank you…" Hiccup said breathlessly. "For-for everything."
Valka thought about what to say, but she was never very good with words. So instead of speaking, she bent down, kissing the part of his forehead that wasn't covered by the cloth. And that must have been enough, because a moment later, Hiccup let his eyes close, and he was whisked from consciousness into a land of sleep.
Toothless cooed as he stood in the doorway, having just decided that following Valka is what he would do. Valka turned to look at him, her face soft.
"He's alright, Toothless," Valka said. Once she finished speaking, she returned her attention back to Hiccup, readjusting the blankets around her son's body without the need to do it at all. "He's sleeping now."
Toothless nodded, glad to hear that at least Hiccup was resting. He curled up on his stone slab in the corner, watching Valka and Hiccup alike.
"I know you're worried," Valka said. "I am too, but Hiccup's going to be fine. He's strong. Stronger than he's given credit for if you ask me."
Toothless growled in agreement. As long as Hiccup was alright, then so was he.