Twenty minutes passed, and he waited, sitting by the table of an overcrowded café. Holding his phone, he swiped it, hoping for any notifications. His legs underneath the table were shaking, impatiently, while he breathed, shakily.

A few times, the waitress was approaching him, to take an order, but each time he would refuse, assuring him he waiting for someone, which wasn't a lie as the woman saw it. He was waiting, he swallowed hard, gaming at the door. Waiting for his fate to come. Waiting for the decision, that may change his entire life.

He was about to adopt Hiccup, he exhaled soundly, sinking into the chair's back behind him. At least he wished so. Many doubting, troubling, and concerning thoughts encircled his mind, but he ignored them, closing his eyes and shaking his head. Whatever will happen, will be okay, because he tried, he ensured himself, gazing at the ceiling. However, it would be nice if he succeed, actually.

Eventually, hearing the bell of the door, he glanced at them and straightened, glimpsing a familiar Minden's figure. When she noticed him, immediately, she walked toward him and joined him by the table, smiling weakly.

"Would you rather order something before starting?" She pointed to the side at the waitress, raising a brow at him.

"That's alright," he corrected his posture, shaking his head. "We might begin."

"Alright," she picked up a pen from her bag and a few papers, before starting to write on them. "Tobias Thomas Night. Is that correct?"

"It is."

"Eighteen years old. Birthday on third January at seventeen minutes past one a.m?"

"Exactly."

"Both parents died when you were an infant, making you an orphan."

"Unfortunately."

Humming, she peeked at him momentarily. "At the moment, you're attending a local high school?"

"I'm graduating next year."

"Explain to me, what plan do you have for taking care of a child, with the school over your head?"

"I planned on skipping school in the first month."

"Will you be able to keep on later with the material? A full month is rather a long time, don't you agree?"

"I'll surprise you, but among my classmates, I'm the farthest in it. You can confirm it, by calling any of my teachers. They might not like me, but they know my possibilities."

"It's alright," she sighed, supporting her head with her arm leaning on the table. "What about the job? Wouldn't you stop earning money? I have to make sure you two won't end up broke."

"I have savings from earlier years, so it's a remote job, so I wouldn't be worried about finances."

"What job is it, exactly?" She crossed her arms, frowning. "Are you able to provide with it a healthy life?"

"I'm working for a local hangar, with hang-gliders," he smirked, sticking out his chest. "I'm projecting some of them for rather good money."

She blinked at him, shocked. "Mind explaining to me, how, the hell, a teenager was able to get a such job?!" Her eyes and mouth widened.

"I told you that I'm good at education, already," he chuckled, leaning on his chair. "Let's say, I got bored with life. Since being a kid I learned about aerodynamics as a hobby. After gaining sixteen years old, I got diplomas, self-learned how to do such projects, and within a moment I was reached by interested employers. Is that enough?"

"Even beyond it, I guess," she grunted, straightening. "However, what about the time when you'll come back to school? I mean, I hope you're not planning on leaving a two-month-old infant at home, are you?"

"There were a few scenarios in my mind. Babysitters, dumping school, but finally, I decided on a nursery."

"Wouldn't he be too young for nursery?"

"Not for a private one. Fortunately, my friend has good contacts in one of them, and there is a worker, that agreed to take care of an infant, for extra money."

"You thought it through well, didn't you?"

"I buttoned it up to the last button."

"What about college?" Minden tilted her head at him, questioning. "I mean since you have such great abilities, would you want to waste them?"

"I don't need college. I have a good job with a great salary, so the only thing wasted would be time. Although maybe once Henry'll get to kindergarten, I can always think of something like this, isn't that right?"

Nodding, she gazed at her paper and exhaled, soundly. In the meantime, he stared at her, tapping his fingers on a table, awaiting a verdict. While she straightened gazing at him, he did the same.

"I have made a decision," she pieced together papers and pressed her lips, together. "I'm sorry, but I cannot grant you permission."

"What?" He leaned over the table slightly, frowning. "Why? I said everything, actually, and answered every question. I don't understand."

"Of course, everything you say makes perfect sense, but you forgetting that you can't predict everything, still," she raised her chin, gaping at him seriously. "There may accidents happen, you'll be all by yourself, and who would take care of Henry then? You don't have parents, any relatives, or a partner. Who will be with Henry, if you couldn't?"

"Friends, for example?"

"They have their lives, you know. They can't help you every time."

"What about the police? City hall? Fucking insurance?! You couldn't take care of the child for a month, if -as you insist- something happens?"

"Tobias, I'm sorry, but the truth is letting go of that will be far better for both of you."

"Both of us? Seriously, you're saying that? These are just what-ifs and Hiccup going to the orphanage is real!"

"Stop it, okay?! These are my last words."

"Let me get it straight," he clapped his hands over his mouth, inhaling. "You would prefer to send the child to an orphanage, instead of home, because of something that might happen?" He gritted his teeth furiously, when she nodded at him, convinced. "Okay, okay," he stored his forehead, panting. "So, is there I might do more, or is it over? May I convince you, somehow?"

"It's over."

"Alright," he gazed at the table inhaling, before gaping at her, coldly. "You have no damn heart, you fucking-,"

"Language!" Her eyes widened, offended. "You're talking with a civil servant, still!"

"Bullshit! What are you doing is rather a freaking joke, rather than being a civil servant, for me. Do you have any idea, what your decision just did?"

"Saved an infant from a madman, for instance!"

"You chose for Henry one of the worst fates! All that lecture, about what might happen, but did you think what will happen?!" He leaned over the table, while she sank into her chair. "Have you ever been in an orphanage? Have you seen what's going on there?" He muttered to her, sharply. "Of course, you weren't. You might be that civil servant, who legally is the guardian of ones like me, but you never care about them. How do you think it works out there? Do you think Henry will, in a blink of an eye, find a family?"

"Every week interested parents are coming there, so why wouldn't he?"

"Don't lie to yourself because it's pathetic. These interested parents, as you named them, there are three types of them. Would you mind if I described each?" He hummed, soundly. "The worst ones are the ones doing it all for money, financial support, and guess what? That money won't be spent on a child, as your department is ensured, but on drinking and smoking! It's forcing a child from pathology into another!"

"You think orphanages are pathological?"

"Obviously," he snorted, crossing his arms and sitting down, heavily. "There are only fewer and fewer adults, who want to work in orphanages, and this leftover doesn't even care about kids. There is violence around, chaos, but even so, for them, it's like watching a TV show. I know that. I lived through that."

"These are only stereotypes-,"

"Seriously? I just said you how it looks, but it's not surprising that you have that in your ass," he barked, shaking his head and glancing to the side. "The other two types of these parents aren't any better. The second one is the picky ones. They have decided how the child must look, and often, kids think they don't deserve love because they don't fill the standards," he sighed, rolling his eyes at her. "Of course, for the record, there is a third type, which is normal and creates a bond before adoption."

"It's not that bad, is it?"

"I witnessed it forth times in a lifetime. Eighteen years of experience and that's what it takes. Do you see it, now?! Do you still think it's such a great decision?"

"I have no choice. There are rules I have to look after."

"What about moral rules? Do you forgot about those, like the rest of that damned city council?!" He bent forward, supporting his forearms at the table. "You are destroying someone's life, but you'll know it when it'll be too late."

"Okay, you got to make your great speech, but do you really expect me to believe what you have described? Maybe, you made it up, so to create guilt in me," she narrowed her eyes at him. "Also, how irresponsible I would be, believing that a teenager can take care of such a fragile child? A disabled one, nonetheless?!"

As an answer, he tapped his foot into a table's foot and Minden almost jumped, hearing the sound of clattering metal. Glancing underneath it, she asked, glimpsing a metal prosthesis on his leg. While she straightened in her seat, he snickered.

"You may not believe what I said, but I lived the life you just settled for Hiccup. Life of a disabled orphan, and it's not colorful," his eyes swelled with tears as he snapped. "Do you know what is the worst? You don't even have any idea what you took from me, because you didn't see it! While you came to him maximum once, I had been visiting him every day, every free moment. I love that time, innocent and pure child, okay?! I love him, and you're taking him away from me," he covered himself with his hands, shivering.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled and flinched when he peeked at her, streaming his hands to his mouth, and revealing his painful eyes. ", but I have to do that."

"No, you don't. You want to," he straightened, wiping swiftly his face. "Anyhow, if there is something you may do for me, do me a favor. After sending him to the orphanage, don't forget about his existence. Help him find a home, please, do it for me. Please."

"May I take your order?" The waitress, glancing from Tobias to Minden curiously asked suddenly after coming over to their table.

Instantly, Toothless stood up and hurried to the cafe's entrance, dispersing behind it, and Minden sighed, gathering papers from the table. "Thank you, I'm good."

"Are you sure?"

Glancing at the door, Minden nodded at her, and when the waitress left, she mumbled. "No, I'm not sure."

"Minden, what's happened?" Amaya furrowed concerned, glimpsing the young woman, who attempted to come inside, unnoticed and troubled.

"I'm not in the mood, if I had to be honest," Minden sat on the heavy chair heavily, laying her head on the table next to it.

Rolling her eyes, Atali glanced at sleeping Hiccup in his bassinet last time, before moving toward her. "I don't understand you," she snickered, shaking her head. "At your place, I would be happy, if my charge, who was about to become an orphan, found itself a family."

"I didn't give him permission," Minden sighed, and detecting Atali's furrowed brows, she straightened, confused. "I didn't have another choice! It is against rules!"

"Against rules?!" She whisper-shouted at her, to not wake up the nearby infant. "What was against rules?!"

"I don't know," she scoffed, crossing her arms. "Maybe the fact he's eighteen, that he's alone, and he's not prepared?!"

"Oh, Minden," Amaya streamed her palm against her face. "I came to believe those are your points," she leaned over her, narrowing her eyes. "Be serious. What was the real problem?"

"I am serious," she groaned, avoiding Atali's sight. "First, I am taught to go by rules, and I'm supposed to dump all of them, now?! Also," she peeked at Amaya, cocking her brows. ", how hypocritical are you, Atali?! You were one of my teachers about it!"

"I'm not saying you should just forget every one of the rules, but you need a better sense of significance because there are rules way more important than legal ones, and they are named moral rules."

"He said something similar," Minden chuckled, sighing.

"Since that, he was right."

"He snapped at me, also."

"Not the best behavior from his side, although, if I had to be honest, I'm not surprised about that much."

"So what? Everything is my fault, now?! Because I did my work?!" Minden impacted her forehead into a table and then regretted it, whining and stroking the ache.

"There is work, but then, there is common sense and people," Amaya positioned her hand on Minden's shoulder for additional support. "Minden, look. You were always ambitious, also willing to do your job the best way, but the problem is you forget that the work isn't straightforward and you have to see other possibilities."

"Atali, but I see other possibilities! In one of those, I'm losing my job, because I let teenagers adopt infants," Minden snarled, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I wish that I could get that promotion, already. I'm tired of these adopting service and mind-killing decisions."

"These are really important decisions, dear."

"I know, but I would like to do something more than that!"

"To gain a harder job, you have to prove yourself in these simpler."

"And that's what I'm doing, but you're against it!"

"Do you think that one agreement will be the reason for the loss of your dream promotion? Besides, Minden, there are far more important things than a job, for instance, love."

"Right," Minden nodded, curling on her spot. "Tobias had said he loves Henry."

"Because that's the truth," Atali smiled at her brightly, while Minden frowned, ashamed. "Have I ever told you, how I'm being with my emotions around my patients?" She exhaled shakily after Minden shook her head. "Well, at times, I got the patients that are sickened to the point it's almost incurable. I'm dealing with death monthly, Minden."

"I'm sorry, but why are you saying that? What it has in common with my situation?"

"It seems similar, because, you see, I'm crying over each of my patients' deaths. It doesn't matter how long have I known them, it's the same depressing to witness it. The parallel here is the fact you're about to send a child to an orphanage and believe me, it won't be a pleasant feeling. The knowledge that some kid'll have to live through such horribleness is terrible, but imagine how will you feel, remembering you had another choice."

"I guess by that another choice you mean letting a teenager adopt him?"

"Tobias loves Henry, and Henry loves Tobias. Their bond is really strong, Minden. I know it because I saw it," Amaya peeked at Hiccup's bassinet and smirked. "Let me show you something," she grabbed Minden's hand, and despite the younger woman's unwillingness, dragged her to the infant's sleeping place. "Look at him."

"I saw him, already," she pressed her lips together, awkwardly. "Poor boy, we all know that."

"Not like that, no! Just, look at him and think through all of its possibilities."

"I did, already."

"From your perspective, but have you considered his?" Atali grasped Minden's shoulders and forced her to lean over the tiny body. "Ask yourself: what will happen to him, and then decide, finally."

"Atali, but what if I'm not so good-hearted as you think? What if I'm more selfish than you think?"

"You're not selfish Minden, just a little lost, and as more experienced, I must show you the right path," Amaya embraced her momentary, before stepping back. "It's your choice if you follow it," she moved farther toward the door."

"Where are you going?" Minden peeked at her, tilting her head.

"I'll leave you two alone. After all, it's supposed to be your decision," Atali grasped a doorknob, but before opening the door, she glanced at Minden, beaming. "I'm sure, you'll make the right one," she showed Minden her thumbs up, before vanishing, leaving the young woman on her own.

"What a bitch!" James barked, throwing himself against the couch, positioned in the center of Tobias's flat. "Corporate rat," he slurped the drink in his hold and offered it to Toothless, who refused, raising his hand.

"If I had to be honest, one sip in that state, and I'll become an alcoholic," he sank into the sofa's material, stroking his forehead.

"It's only one glass of whisky. After that terrible day, you deserve it," James patted his shoulder, almost pushing the drink into his grasp.

Not changing his mind, Toothless moved away, slightly. "Hookfang, don't push me into something I don't want, please," he snarled at him, frowning.

"I'm sorry," Hookfang fidgeted with the glass in his grip, staring at it. "I just want to help, because, you look more horrible than usual."

"Thanks, that helps a lot," Tobias shook his head obviously and sighed. "What a day."

"You mean the struggle over adoption permission, or maybe, dealing with a heartless servant, who didn't allow you to adopt Hiccup?"

"I guess both."

"That's bad," James snorted, soundly. "Truly, I'm sorry for you, but I'm not convinced why wouldn't she let you adopt him, still. I was sure, you had good claims."

"She pointed out that there may occur something bad, and there would be no one to take care of Hiccup in my absence," Toothless inhaled, pitching the bridge of his nose.

"What about us? Your friends, and of course, your best friend, known by the name of Hookfang, the most loyal friend you could have dreamt of?" James stank his chest out, grinning.

"Loyal?" Tobias sniggered, raising himself slightly. "Are you sure that you didn't mess something up here?"

"I am loyal!" James's eyes widened, offended. "Maybe even the most loyal of everyone!"

"Like that one time when you screamed at me because I took the captain position?"

"Twins fault. They have manipulated me."

"What about, when I argued with Sleuther, and you were against me?"

"Your fault. You have behaved like an idiot."

"What about-,"

"Okay, that's enough!" James growled and Toothless cocked his brows, mockingly. "Shut up."

Chuckling, Tobias shook his head and straightened after a moment. "Back to the main theme," he bent over the ground, supporting his body with his forearm leaning on his knees. ", she insisted that you wouldn't be always here to help me, and I guess she may be right. The same as you in past, I guess."

"Toby!" Hookfang grasped the material over his heart, startled. "Next time warn me, before saying such words! I may get a heart attack! Something haunted you, or what?" His eyes widened, and after a smirk formed on his face, they squirmed. "Not that I'm not agreeing with you."

"Moron," Toothless shook his head and signed. "I meant that one time when you cautioned me about adopting Hiccup."

"What are you implying?" James shrugged, raising a brow at him. "I'm pretty sure, we agreed that I was an idiot back then."

"That's a problem," Tobias grabbed the back of his neck, tightly. "You weren't."

"Okay," James crooned, narrowing his eyes. "I'm totally confused, now. I was positive that I was an imbecile."

"Maybe, but what you said was true. I was so pleased by the thought I could adopt Hiccup, that I forgot to think about what would have happened if I failed, and I did," Toothless gritted his teeth, tightening his eyes. "I should let go when I had a chance."

"Okay, first of all, I'm astonished you days I was right about something," Hookfang scratched his head. "Do you mind recording it, so I can set it as my voicemail sound?"

"Good one," Tobias chuckled, glancing at James. ", because it was a joke, right?"

"O-Of course!" James chortled, hiding his phone back in his pocket. "I'm so hilarious, that I amaze myself, sometimes," he grinned, while Toothless rolled his eyes at him. "To the point. Toby, I wasn't right. You may think I was, but I wasn't. You didn't succeed as we hoped, but you tried, and that's what matters. You have done what you could've done, and it's not your fault that slut has some brain problems."

"Thanks," Toothless smiled weakly and grimaced. "I don't know, maybe it's really for the best," he scratched his neck, hissing. "Maye, I wouldn't be a good father for him."

"What's with that damn talk?! You would be the best dad! You're responsible, you love him, and I'm certain you would be overprotective," Hookfang scoffed, elbowing him. "If Hiccup got ever any bullies, I would be sorry for their fathers, because they wouldn't be alive, consequently."

"I won't disagree," Tobias sniggered and loosened. "That's reassuring, James. Thank you," he smiled and then frowned, suspicious. "That's odd, too odd. What do you want?"

"I just wanted to make you happy after a hard day," James grinned, innocently. "Also, let's say I returned the favor for passing me the captain position."

"I knew it," Toothless smirked, teasingly. "You would never do something for someone, without any interest in it."

"Hey, I took that from someone," Hookfang narrowed his eyes at him and both laughed, until Toothless's phone rang, which the owner ignored, annoyed. "You're not going to pick it up?"

"Now?" Tobias groaned, stroking his eyelids. "Find," he took it and positioned it next to his ear. "Listen, there are knives nearby, so if you're recommending me your hovers again, I'll kill myself, so think it through," he barked, while his companion facepalmed.

"Hey, Tobias. It's me, Minden."

"That doesn't change anything," Toothless snarled, signing. "What do you need? Are you informing me that we're going to see by the judge, for offending a civil worker?"

"Actually, I wanted to apologize."

"R-Really?" Tobias stood up and his eyes widened.

"Hey, Toby! Who's calling?" James waved his hand before Toothless's face, and the black-haired boy pushed it away.

"You were right. I was selfish, thinking about my job, about the law, and forgetting about the consequences of my actions. I don't want to be the reason for Henry's horrendous fate and-,"

"Minden, everything sounds great, but please, to the point."

"Alright. I'm calling you to inform I checked your documentation again, and I couldn't find any flaw in it. Subsequently, there is nothing that may cause my worry and concern, so I'm giving you my permission. Congratulations, you adopted Henry."

Instantly, his heart stopped and the sounds around him blurred. Stunned, he remained motionless, notwithstanding James shaking his senseless self. Everything seemed unimportant, except one thought. He did it, he panted, unbelieving. He did it.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"