yesterday I went to my friend's grandfather's funeral. I met the man twice but I know his son and grandchildren so I decided to pay my respect. I was going to write my chapter afterwards but didn't get home until half 7 and I just couldn't be bothered so here is the chapter now ...enjoy!
oh and a request from splayleaf to make my chapters longer to get more readers...so its the perfect time to introduce gobber! This is my longest chapter but I just couldn't stop because it came flowing out my head!
To have his teenage children home would have been a disaster For a man height six-foot seven that could pass as a wrestler, due to his bulky, robust figure having a tiny black kitten as big as his hand snuggling on his beard. Yep Stoick was extremely glad not to embarrass his reputation even further.
The kitten yawned stretching his tiny paws in front of his face. Instead of jumping off Stoick's enormous body, the feline had a staring contest by tilting his head.
His eyebrow raised "What? Why are you looking at me like that?" Few seconds passed, the cat head-butted Stoick before sliding down back on the bed.
With a shake of his head "I swear you understand everything I say".
Ten minutes later after having a wash and change, Stoick emerged from the bathroom towards the door. Trailing behind him was a small shadow of the cat. Placing him on the table he looked inside the fridge and painstakingly realised he had no food to feed the animal. Stoick saw the cat with a paw on the bowl he used yesterday, tapping it twice meowing.
"Yes, yes I know you are hungry u little devil, but I have nothing to give you". Kitten's eyes narrowed into slits, meowing again moving the bowl with his head. He groaned quietly running a hand over his hairy face.
"Fine you beast I'll go and get some salmon or tuna whatever it is you animals eat!" the exciting bright eyes and straight ears was his answer. Shutting the door behind him the man walked toward a supermarket just ten minutes down the road.
"I can't believe I'm doing this for a feline beast that I just happened to save. Should just get rid of it but no I'm doing this for Hiccup and Hicca. They better appreciate this!" mumbling with his thoughts Stoick strolled in the shop getting a tin of tuna and salmon, he went towards the checkout before a voice stopped him.
"Stoick?" he turned and startled seeing it was his childhood friend Gobber.
Gobber and Stoick went to the same high school and university before working in the business company. He also became close friends with Valka and helped take care of the twins when they were born. But when Valka died their friendship remained but strained due to Stoick's depression and neglect. Numerous of time Gobber would visit the young children seeing their faces sparkle at the attention they were receiving. But he knew in his heart the twins truly wanted their mother and father.
Unfortunately two years ago Gobber had to move to another branch in another country; they spoke to each other on the phone but haven't been able to meet in person so to see the blonde man in the same shop could bring on such a reaction.
"Gobber How-when did you get here?" he said walking towards Gobber who was picking up a bouquet of flowers. The man was bald with a long blonde moustache reaching his chest, as he smiled the moustache moved. "I arrived yesterday. I wanted to get here sooner but my boss is strict and has one rule 'get your work done then you can leave!' and being on a team project for another 3 weeks I no choice but to stay. Sorry for not calling when I heard about Hiccup and Hicca". His blue eyes were sympathetic as he heard about the car accident on the news. Understanding the situation he put a hand on Gobber's shoulder. "Its alright a-a lot has happened".
Not wanting to press the subject he said "So why do you have tuna and salmon, it can't be because you have a cat in your home". He started laughing but saw Stoick's smiled changed into a scowl. "I was joking Stoick unless...you do have a cat?"
Stoick felt a slight blush on his cheeks when seeing Gobber's mischievous grin. "Like I said things have happened and beside I believe the kids would like an animal in the house". Intrigued by the assumption Gobber followed to the checkout.
"By the way do you have a special woman or something Gobber? Who are those flowers for?" The blonde paid for the flowers. "These are for your children".
He continued noticing his friend's wide eyes. "I saw the crash on the news while I was at work and desperately wanted to get on a plane. But my boss would not let me until I finished the assignment. However once I told him it was you he said complete the assignment and you can have three weeks off. So I am now here for you".
Flabbergast by his friend's generosity Stoick just laughed. "I'm glad my friend. The twins would be so happy to see you again. But first let's go back to my house and feed the devil".
The man height six-foot three became more fascinated by this 'devil' that has some influence on Stoick. He could barely contain his laughter when a tiny, cute black fluffy kitten began pawing at Stoick's massive arm for the tuna. "This i-is the d-devil!" The father's glare caused Gobber to lean against the wall clutching his chest.
"I'm sorry Stoick but this is priceless. To think someone like you would bow down to such a tiny being, I need to take a picture". Stoick snorted "I'm please you find this so amusing". The hungry devil ate happily munching on the tuna. More like slurping he didn't have a lot of teeth.
"I'm guessing his name is devil?" said Gobber stroking the kitten. "To me he is. What the kids name him I don't know" replied Stoick, grabbing a box from the living room and putting a blanket inside.
"How did you find him anyway? Did you get him from a pet shop?" Stoick grabbed Devil after he finished off the bowl of tuna by licking his chops. "No I actually found him yesterday in the car park when visiting hours were over. It was starting to rain and he kept scratching me with his paw so I took him home. I wished I didn't, he's only been here a day and already demanding!"
Stoick is considered dispassionate by his peers at work because he spent many hours there. They know he has children so they believed he had hired a babysitter to look after them. But Gobber knew his red-headed friend well. He was a man who locked away his emotions after his wife passed away. The near fatality of his children and this intelligence creature released the emotional side of Stoick Haddock, which Gobber hopes will never dissipate.
"Wow I never knew you were such a big softie Stoick" he said teasingly.
"My dearest friend if you want to keep that moustache I suggest you keep that secret to yourself". Gobber grasps his moustache glowering half-heartedly. "Ha, ha funny are we going to introduce devil to the kids or what?"
Stoick drove to the hospital with Gobber holding on to the box with devil scratching inside. "Calm down where almost there".
Waking through the doors, (which is becoming a common occurrence) Gobber followed to the third floor to a door numbered 310. Stoick told him to wait outside for a second as he opened the door to meet his children.
Gobber smiled hearing Hicca saying what is the surprise. It has been a while since he heard the children who have become like his nephew and niece. A waving hand from Stoick gave him the signal to walk in. Hicca's face gleamed in delight seeing him.
"Gobber! Dad really wasn't joking!" Putting the box on the table, he carefully pulled the girl into a hug. He then gave her the flowers getting a second hug for being thoughtful.
"Two winters have gone since I last saw you little rascals, how have you been?" Hicca responded that she was getting better and wishes to be out of the casts. She then looked at her sleeping brother stating that he woke up this morning but the medication makes him drowsy.
Stoick moved to his son's side softly fingering his hair. The oxygen mask been removed but the oxygen tube had returned for safe keeping. The father prayed Hiccup will not have another incident. The monitor displayed small waves of his heart rate indicating it is at normal volume. Kissing Hiccup's forehead the man walked back to the box that was swaying.
"What's in there?" said Hicca. Stoick put it on her lap and said open.
She gasped at the beautiful dark feline with gorgeous emerald eyes that look like Hiccup's own. The kitten stared at the smiling girl in wonder. He could feel the warmth and emotions that were different compared to the man. The cat purred happily when Hicca cradled him to her chest.
"Oh my god two surprises, my uncle and a cat! Dad this is amazing, thank you so much!" she laughed feeling the whiskers on her face.
The two adults smiled at each other. Stoick was extremely pleased that he had kept the kitten after all.
"I wonder what we should name him?" she pondered reaching behind the kitten's ear.
"Well Stoick calls him devil" said Gobber not at all affected by the deadly frown Stoick sent his way.
Hicca was obviously not amused "Seriously dad, out of all the names you call him devil. Look at him he is so cute!" it was then she noticed the missing teeth or lack of.
"Must be young he doesn't have hardly any teeth. Oh well you will grow into them, but now it's time to think of a better name for you".
"Toothless" said a raspy voice.
The three saw a somnolent Hiccup with a smile upon his face. The kitten was blinking like he was actually thinking about the name.
"I think we should call him toothless because he doesn't have many teeth". He yawned trying to keep himself preoccupied despite the lack of lassitude.
"Hiccup how you feeling?" said Gobber smiling warmly at his only nephew. Hiccup narrowed his eyes in confusion. Then his forest eyes lit up in recognition. "G-Gobber it is really you?"
The man nodded, his beefy hand settling on Hiccup's cheek minding the tube and broken limbs. "Yes it's me. I decided to come and see how you and Hicca were doing. I'm sorry for arriving late".
Tears swelled in Hiccup's eyes. He did love his father but Gobber has been through the emotional trauma when their father began to disappear from their lives. It was heart-rending for Hiccup to see Gobber moved to another city due to business, meaning that the kids would be alone again.
In result Hiccup seriously affected by Gobber's relocation.
Gobber pressed the teenager into his chest as the boy buried himself the man's chest. His thin arms trying to reach round his whole body.
"I missed you". Said Hiccup his voice croaking.
"So did I Hiccup. I thought of you and Hicca everyday wondering if you two are alright".
Stoick watched the scene knowing that the twins had a strong relationship with Gobber. But it didn't help the stabbing pain in his heart knowing he was the reason they are attached to his best friend and not their own parent. He pushed them away driving them into Gobber's arms.
Removing himself, Hiccup grinned sheepishly lying back down on the pillow. Hicca then put the cat on top of Hiccup so he could pet him. "So little kitten would you like the name Toothless?" He rubbed his nose on Hiccup's freckled face before nesting on his lap.
"Toothless it is then". He laughed trying to hide the yawn.
Stoick noted coming over to put the kitten back into the box. "You need more rest son, we will come and visit you both tomorrow promise". Hiccup yawned once more settling into the mattress. Warm lips on the head sent Hiccup back into a slumber.
"Will you bring toothless back tomorrow?" Hicca said lowering her voice. He covered up the box so Toothless couldn't escape. "Maybe, animals are not actually allowed in the hospital, so I think it best to leave him at home".
She was upset but understood Duplicating her brother Hicca decided to take a nap. "Night dad, Gobber and Toothless see you both tomorrow".
His hand caressing her cheek and lips on her forehead, Hicca fell into a dreamy rest.
Walking out the room and down to the first floor Stoick felt a hand on his shoulder. Gobber smiled tenderly "You have very strong kids Stoick".
Going to the car Stoick moved his head upwards, the sky no longer grey but sky blue and he said "I know"
I believe this is the best chapter out of all the others! maybe because it is the longest but anyhow loved it...i hope you guys did to!