"I can't believe we are still together."
"You think what happened is my fault?!"
"Maybe not, although for some reason, because of you, I get to know only dumber people," Sarah groaned while she closed the car's door with a loud bump. "I can't believe he has done that."
Rolling his eyes at her, James caught a glimpse of the building before them, also known as the hospital. "You know Sharpshot. Nonetheless, for his little body, he is stubborn," he peeked at Stromfly, waiting for her to catch up with him and together they walked toward the mentioned building. "Although he's a reserve, nobody forced him to replace Tobias."
"Okay, but to fucking broke his leg?!"
"Told him that Toothless's wing position isn't the easiest. Not my fault he ignored me."
"Couldn't you try to at least, I don't know, convince him?!" She grumbled while James shrugged and avoided her sight, offended. Witnessing so, she sighed. "Okay, I'm sorry," she gripped his hand. "You probably tried, but them, you know me. I'm just worried that he broke his limb, because you didn't want the team to break apart, and just so you know, it's not a good reason."
"I'm so bad because I'm attempting to keep the team stable?"
"I didn't mean that," she glanced at him, frowning. "I meant you try so hard, your friend ended up in the hospital," she squeezed his hand, lightly. "Road to hell is paved by good intentions," she smirked at him and tsked, seeing him avoid her eyes. "I know you're doing your best, so to win finals and that okay," she tiptoed and kissed his ear shell. "Just remember it's not about winning."
"Fine. Just understand that it's important to me and our chances to win are reduced because fucking Tobias decided to have us in the ass," he covered his face and snarled.
"Then instead of searching for him a replacement go talk to him! Come to terms with him," she grinned at him innocently while he peeked at her and sighed defeated and both of them stepped inside the hospital, silently.
The truth was only one day passed after the argument they got with Tobias, because of which the situation in their friend group was rather tense.
Everyone felt rather hurt after being kicked out of his house, but even so rather concerned about his unusual behavior. Unfortunately, when one person was departing, there was a risk everybody would, and that was the thing both Sarah and James were the most afraid of.
Obviously, unlike Stormy, Hookfang wasn't concerned about his well-being or anything, but rather a team case. The spring finals were getting only closer and with them, Cloudjumler was only edger than ever. The fact that Toothless missed two of the training made him mad enough, everyone thought he was ready to kill the teenager for his absence.
It was the truth that it was his life and he could do with it whatever he wanted to, although his friends hoped for some explanation for his disappearance, at least.
Notwithstanding everything, what bothered Sarah the most was the state of his boyfriend. Unknowingly why Toothless and Hookfang shared a bond nobody could explain from people with such different personalities. Opposites attract, Stormfly would snigger each time seeing them tease, mock, or even curse one another.
Eventually, while they walked through bright white corridors, they found themselves by the reception, where the working woman instructed them about the way toward Sharpshot's spot of presence. Following her instructions, with a slight creak of the door, they stepped inside the room where in the center was the bed at which the mentioned friend was laying, with his leg in a cast.
Next to him sitting was an elder woman, who detecting their arrival, smiled at the brightly. "Welcome sweethearts. It's nice to see you again."
"Our pleasure, miss," Sarah returned the smile and gazed at the laying Sharpshot. "Hi, Teddy. How is our player doing?"
"Fine," Sharpshot sighed, avoiding their sight. "I'm just claiming myself. I won't play for a month now, because of that accident, and my stupidity."
"Don't worry about it! It's not even your fault!" She elbowed James, hard. "Accidents happen, right Hookfang?" She growled at him.
"Right," he inhaled, rolling his eyes at her. "Besides, I'm sure nobody from the team won't mind. Just rest now."
"I will," he glanced at the ceiling. "I just want to get out of here as fast as possible. It's getting boring here."
"Nipotino, be patient," the woman patted his hand. "Your friends will be understanding, and besides-" she grabbed his cheek. "-with grandma, you won't be bored. I promise."
"Mama! Stop that!" Teddy attempted to yank away, unsuccessfully. "My friends are watching!" He blushed.
"So what? Let them see how caring is your grandma!" She leaned forward and kissed his cheek.
"Mama!"
"If they pick on you because of that, they are just jealous," she crossed her arms, cocking her brows.
In the meantime, witnessing the situation Sarah and James shared joyful, giggling glances. To calm them down, Stormfly poked Hookfang's stomach, straightening and nonverbally ordering the boy to do the same. Instead of that, he smirked and leaned over her to kiss her cheek, while he gripped lightly her thigh. Further, he raised his head slightly and then bit her ear shell at which she flinched from him, blushing.
"Hookfang!" She covered her ear, peeking from him to the patient's bed. "People are watching!" She whisper-shouted.
"If they pick on you because of that, they are just jealous," he shrugged and encircled flushed Sarah with his arm, bringing her closer.
After an uncountable of time spent listening to Teddy's grandma's stories about the boy's past, after James's mocking comments and Sarah's apologizes for his behavior, the pair left two family relatives alone, walking hand by the hand toward the hospital's entrance.
Through the way, a little scuffle caused Hookfang to lose balance momentarily, and because of that, his sight landed on one of the hospital's carts. It would never bother it, if it wasn't for the object, laying on top of it.
The item happened to be a part of the cloth, more precisely a baseball jacket he recognized immediately because he was wearing the identical to himself. Being aware the jacket must have belonged to one of his teammates, at first, he connected the facts, understanding it must have been Sharpshots, but analyzing it cautiously, he was proven otherwise.
It had these black sleeves, a moon sewed at the back, with a black creature on it and the letter N at the side. Knowing the owner, he stopped suddenly, thus his hold on his girlfriend's hand was broken. Hence, she glanced at him, confused.
"Something's wrong?"
"What?" He blinked at her stuck dumb and grunted. "No, everything is fine," he stared at her, his hardest avoiding peeking at the cloth, so as not to arouse suspicion in her. "What will you say, if I stay a little longer?"
"I have no problem with that. It's nice you want to stay with a friend, although it's getting dark outside," she grabbed his collar while gazing up at him. "Maybe you'll call me, so I can lift you home?"
"Babe, don't bother yourself with it. I'll go back on foot."
"Since when you're not bothering me? What are you up to, Hook?" She narrowed her eyes at him, but while he didn't respond she sighed. "I'll let you go this time, but only because it's the first time I am not dragged into any of your ideas," she kissed his cheek momentarily before turning around. "See you later," she waved at him, and moving forward, she disappeared behind the corner.
Making sure she wasn't peeking or anything, he glanced at the jacket once more, frowning. Instantly, he jumped as the cart was being pushed and he ran after the woman wearing a lab coat leading it. Noticing him behind herself, the older woman smiled at him, stopping her walk.
"Good evening. Is there something I could help you with?"
"Yes, well," he nodded and pointed with his head on the jacket. "I'm looking for the owner of that."
"Do you know each other?"
"We're friends."
"Alright, I'll lead the way," she waved at him to follow and together they walked through the side of the corridor by side. Glimpsing his rather tensed self, she grinned at him. "Don't worry. Nothing bad has happened."
"If you insist, although I wonder what is he doing in the hospital then?"
"You'll be honestly surprised," she narrowed her eyes at him mysteriously, and before he could've asked, she pointed at the door, nonverbally asking for his assistance.
Immediately, he opened the door letting her inside with the cart, while he followed her close behind, stepping after her. Glancing around, he caught a glimpse of his friend, I'm rather in a good state, strange as for a hospital visitor. Instead of calling him, he waited for him to notice him first, and in doing so, his eyes widened when Tobias turned to him.
The mentioned boy's brows cocked at James's sight, but the black-haired male didn't take note of it, because his eyes focused on the bundle against his chest, gaping at it wide-mouthed. In the material held by Toothless wrapped was tiny, the tiniest infant he ever saw with his living eyes. In comparison to Toothless's wide chest, the baby looked even smaller than it was, causing Hookfang to doubt if the boy wasn't straight after labor.
Clearing his throat loudly, Tobias gained James's attention who thereby noticed he was starting for a long moment. Afterward, he observed Toothless's almost unreadable expression.
Was he angry? Confused for sure, but was that what he saw even a bit of a startle? Hookfang straightened, when the black-haired boy frowned at him, just to loosen hearing a crying just by him.
Leaning over the little boy, Tobias rocked him and shushed him softly, reasoning Hookfang's stun. It got even worse when he took notice Toothless was tense and a little stressed. So unlikely for him, James blinked furiously, struck dumb. In meantime, turning to the side, ignoring James, Tobias pressed his cheek into the top of the infant's head, calling him down.
Finally, fur rowing confused, Hookfang flinched, when the doctor woman appeared beside him, suddenly. "Adorable view, isn't it?" She pointed with her head at the pair in the center of the room and grinned at James. "Amaya Maidenwing, but you can call me Atali."
"James Marenight."
"How is it that you both, Tobias and you, have surnames connected tonight?"
"Coincidence," he inhaled, crossing his arms at the sight before him. "What's going on?"
"Don't you know?" She raised her brow confused when he shook his head. "Well, Tobias found a little Henry a few days ago on the streets. Since that, he's coming here to visit him."
"The story of that boy. Tragic one."
"That's the truth, unfortunately. However, I'm glad to have Tobiad here. He's making a wonderful job, taking care of Henry, and hence, helping me out."
Staring at Tobias, Hookfang couldn't believe the situation before him. He observed Toothless, his friend, beat friend, the coldest and probably most emotionless man he ever saw, worried and concerned about the child in his hold, like over the most fragile and important thing in his whole life.
Gazing at mentioned boy's fave, James gasped silently, glimpsing a smile, a happy grin on his face, reasoned by the view of a relaxed infant in his grip. It seemed Tobias had a motive to not come to the training, James tapped his forearm, looking away, ashamed of his earlier doubts about it.
"He's doing that often?" He peeked at Atali, mixed. "Taking care of that child, I mean."
"Every day now, for a few hours at least," she frowned, glimpsing his tensed self. "Is that wrong?"
"No, it is not. I just," he grumbled. ", he can't take care of himself. I'm surprised he's able to take care of someone else."
"What do you mean by he can't take care of himself?" She blinked at him, upset. "Is he neglecting himself?"
"Definitely. You should have seen him in the morning. He's like a walking zombie or other shit," he hissed, glancing at her. "Sorry for cursing, but that's just the truth. He overworks himself, without any respect for himself."
"Is that so," she nodded, moving somewhere father. "Good to know."
Leaving him alone, Hookfang once again gaped at the Toothless and detected not one thing that was different from his usual. The eyes, which always were rather exhausted, and blank, were brightly glowing with happiness. These arms, which were tensed and taut, were loosened and relaxed, holding the tiny bundle. His whole self was in the state it had never been in before.
Eventually, sighing rather disappointed, Tobiss lowered sleeping Henry to the hospital bassinet and afterward, making sure the boy was comfortable he came over to James, frowning.
"Are you by car?"
"No."
"I'll drive you home," Toothless exhaled tiredly and turned toward Atali, momentarily. "I must go, now. See you tomorrow."
"We'll see," she furrowed at him and walked to Henry, leaving Tobias perplexed.
Instead of asking further about her behavior, Toothless stared at her, before turning toward the entrance, he poked Hookfang's shoulder, ordering him to follow him. Together, they got to the parking quietly, not daring to even glance at each other.
At the target, both sat in Tobias's black car, and the owner of it, starting the engine, sharply drove towards James's house. Through the way, Hookfang crossed his arms on his chest, gaping at the window, and just when they stopped by the lights, Toothless broke the silence, sighing.
"What do you want to know?"
"Since when?" Hookfang leaned his head on the arm, supported by his knee. "When it started?"
"Four days ago," Tobias leaned his head on the headrest. "I had been on the way to work, to see if everything is at its place."
"Of course you did," James snickered. "Our overlooking puppy wouldn't avoid such an occasion like additional, useless hours of work."
"Hilarious," Toothless shook his head. "I didn't have any fuel, so I walked there on foot and to not be late took a shortcut through Bork's street."
"He went by Bork's street. Of course, he did," Hookfang stroked his forehead. "How fucking reckless was that? Just say me."
"I don't regret it. The opposite," Tobias stared at his wheel and smiled, weakly. "I wouldn't find him if I didn't," he inhaled, soundly. "He was in a box, wet box, and thus he caught hypothermia, but it's not all."
"Not all?"
"He is a premature baby and was born without a leg. From the knee down he has nothing."
"Damn," James sank into his seat. "That's one fucking horrible story," he peeked at Toothless, who nodded, driving forward. "What did you do when you found him? I mean, at your place I would faint, most probably."
"I did what I had to," Tobias shrugged. "I called the ambulance and shared the body heat, that's all."
"Well, you must be this boy's hero, now."
"I don't care about this. I'm glad I helped. That's all."
"What a selfless man!" James sniggered, while Toothless rolled his eyes. "Anyway, what about his parents?"
"Police have searched for them, unsuccessfully."
"Have searched? Aren't they searching anymore?"
"Unfortunately. They say that because Henry's documentation was cleared, and because they don't have any tracks, they close the case, for now."
"Fucked up."
"Fucked in fact."
"He's an orphan then? No wonder you're so attached to him," James scoffed and Tobias frowned at him, gritting his teeth. "It's a joke. It's only a joke, don't kill me."
"Remember I'm driving the vehicle you're situated in."
"Right," Hookfang tapped his knee and peeked at him, puzzled. "How are you feeling about all that?"
"Honestly, Horrible," Tobias snarled. "Horrible as fuck. It's that moment I can barely eat, not even saying about sleeping."
"Is this the reason you jumped at us when we came to you yesterday?"
"It would be a lie if I said that's the truth, but then I would lie if I said it isn't," Tobias peeked at James, sighing. "Since I saw Hiccup," he grunted when Hookfang tilted his head, questioning. "Since I saw Henry for the first time, in these circumstances, which he didn't deserve, I am feeling devastated and useless, okay? I swore to him that whatever happens, I'll help him, anyhow. I am voluntarily searching for a home for him, I was attempting to find anything about his parents and you might not believe it, but I didn't do one work project recently."
"You're right. I don't believe you."
"I'm serious," Toothless inhaled, soundly. "Everything I'm saying is the truth."
"Okay, let's say I believe you. How may you voluntarily search for him a home? Isn't that a little illegal?"
"What I do is nothing forbidden. I just exchange messages with people that are willing to adopt and share Henry's history with them."
"Did it work?"
"Perfectly," Tobias snickered and narrowed his eyes. "They are such picky bastards, it makes me sick."
"Get into their position. It's not much of a futuristic decision."
Rapidly, Tobias spun the wheel, making the whole vehicle shake. "What did you just say?!" He glanced at James, furiously. "What was that supposed to mean?!"
"I'm just saying it must be expensive!"
"Expensive might be a new car! Expensive might be a new house! New clothes, jewelry, phones! Not love! Love isn't expensive!" Toothless barked and stopped the car with the handbrake, panting in anger.
In meantime, Hookfang glimpsed through the window of his house and peeked from it at Tobias's rage. Maybe he could run away if he was fast enough. James analyzed the distance between him and the building, but eventually, he turned to the black-haired boy and listened to his outburst, startled.
"Do you know how it is, to listen to that shit almost every day, hearing the same claim over and over?! The worst part, it's been the same since I am a kid! You all, inexperienced imbeciles, think it's so hard, it's so expensive, how you named it, but it's not! Hiccup needs only love, so why can't he receive it for fucking sake?!"
"Toby, calm down. I'm sorry, okay?" Hookfang tapped his leg, while Toothless stroked his forehead. "I didn't mean it that way."
"Alright," Tobiad inhaled, soundly. "Alright," he repeated, muttering.
"I get everything, your feelings, that outburst, although I don't understand one thing. Why you're so eager to help him, like particularly him? It's because you're both orphans? Out of pity?"
"Of course not, even so, I don't know the answer," Toothless closed his eyes, sinking into the material of his seat. "I'm doing it because I feel that's right. I'm doing it, maybe, because I see myself in him and I'm trying to be the person I always wanted to have in my life. Someone who cares, who makes that effort for me. Someone who," he resisted his head on the wheel. "Someone who loves me."
"Hold on, hold on," James frowned at him, shocked. "Love? You love him?"
"I'm not sure, I'm just," Toothless tsked, hard. "Hiccup is the first person I felt a such connection with because I care about him. I want him to be happy, safe, and close. I'm not afraid of only failing in finding him a home, but also losing him," he loosened and straightening gazed at Hookfang, seriously. "I do love him like I never loved anyone ever. I just wish to keep him secure, by myself, forever, and," his eyes widened suddenly. "What if I adopted him?"