When Valka returned from shopping, she knew something was off, as she heard snoring coming from upstairs and a note with her name was left on the dining table. She set down her groceries of yak milk, fish, chicken and fruit and vegetables to examine the letter that was made out to her.

She unfolded it and read it to herself quietly.

"Dear, Val,

Hiccup broke his hand today at work, so I sent him home to rest. He should still be asleep by the time you get home, so please don't disturb him. The day was somewhat emotional for him too, so make him something nice for dinner tonight. Perhaps a chicken omelet with cooked fish chunks and a salad.

~Gobber~"

Valka set down the note and slowly went up to her sons room to see how he was doing. She slipped into his room and saw him there, hand wrapped tightly in gauze and a sling wrapped around his arm. The evidence of tears were still fresh on his cheeks, but he was smiling, so she knew he was feeling somewhat better.

She knelt down by his face and smiled brightly at him. Through all of it, she was happy to have him. Though she'd lost her husband, she'd gained her son back, and seeing as this was the first time she'd seen him asleep in 20 years, it felt reassuring to know he could take it easy when the matter was necessary.

She took her thumb and wiped the tear marks clear from his cheeks. He was a man, but he was still so young. Still her baby boy. Still her bundle of joy. She gave him a light kiss on the cheeks and stroked his hair, and his smile slightly grew. Then, she gave him one last kiss before leaving to the kitchen.

Hiccup woke some time later to the delicious scent of food and immediately listened in, hearing his mother hum from downstairs. He smiled, realizing that the soft kissing he'd felt earlier was no dream and sat up, being careful of his sling wrapped arm and hand. Still tired, and somewhat cold, he pulled his blanket around him and slowly made his way down from his loft bedroom to the kitchen.

"See that you're up," Valka flipped the omelet she'd finished cooking onto a plate, "You feeling better?"

"Somewhat," Hiccup replied, concealing his wound under the blanket as best he could.

"Good," Valka replied, "Now go sit around the table, dinner's ready."

Hiccup nodded and walked into the dining room, plonking himself down in one of the benches. Valka entered shortly after and set down the final plates of food and sitting by Hiccup and removing the blanket to see how bad it was. though she could see nothing terribly out of the ordinary, she knew it must still be painful. Hiccup stopped smiling and seemed to give a look of dis dain to his broken hand.

Valka scooched closer to him and pulled the blanket around her own shoulder, making Hiccup smile as she stroked his back lovingly. She took a forkful of the omelet and fed it to Hiccup.

"Mmm," Hiccup savoured the simlpness of his favourite dish, "It's delicious, mom."

"Only the best for my boy," She kissed his forehead, since she was still a bit tallet than him, "You deserved it after such an unforgiving day."

After they'd both had their fill, Valka took Hiccup to hers and Stoick's room and helped him to lay down on the much larger bed. They spent the rest of the evening chatting and sharing adventures of their lives.

"Hiccup, honey?" Valka questioned, "Is your arm feeling better?"

"It's still sore," Hiccup replied, "But it's much better than before."

"Good," Valka laid him back down onto the mattress and pulled the blanket overtop both of them, "Well, it's late. Let's get some sleep."

Hiccup nodded and pulled the blanket over him with his good hand, "Okay, love you, mom.

"I love you too, son," Valka smiled and pulled him into her embrace, being careful of his slinged hand, "I love you too."

"Do you think dad's smiling down upon us right now?" Hiccup asked his mother as sleep started to consume them.

"I know he is, darling," She assured him and within minutes, they'd drifted off to sleep again. Embracing each other.