Sarah and Hookfang argued soundlessly about knocking on the door for ten minutes, now. The supposed man stared at her with begging, huge eyes, while the girl shook her head, pointing at his nose and then at the handle, frowning.
Eventually, with a loud sigh, James did as asked hesitantly, and their brows cocked, when instead of a noisy groan they heard swift permission to come inside. Shrugging Stromfly squinted her eyes at him grinding, but even so, she didn't step inside but gazed inside the apartment through the door's gap.
"Hi, boys," she whisper-shouted and squealed when Hiccup crawled from behind the hall's corner, beaming at her sight. "Cutiepie!" She cheered, sliding inside and taking a little boy into her arms. "We were worried you're asleep," she reasoned, poking Hiccup's nose. "Weren't we, babe?"
"No idea what you're talking about," he denied ironically, took off his jacket, and helped Sarah with her own, while she held an infant. "Hi, buddy."
"Don't call him that!" Tobias shouted from the living room, suddenly. "Only I can."
"Don't moan, grumpy," James nagged and with Stormfly by his side, they walked inside the living room, shocked by its state.
The clothes were trashed everywhere around, and the owner of the flat was running from the bedroom back inside the main room, placing only more of the clothes inside the suitcase positioned at the center of the sofa. He stopped only when Sarah grunted and knitted her brows at him.
"Are you packing?"
At the question, Tobias looked around, blinked at each thing, and gazed at her, seriously. "No, why do you ask?" He jested, crossing his arms and smirking.
"Why are you packing at all?" Stormfly questioned, while her eyes bored into him. "Tomorrow is Christmas, and you're leaving a town?"
"Actually, that's not the worst idea," Hookfang acknowledged, humming and pouting. "Myself, I would like to go somewhere, instead of staying in that boring-," he explained and coughed when Sarah elbowed him into the lungs.
"See Stormfly? Your boyfriend agrees."
"My boyfriend is an imbecile," she barked and toyed with Hiccup's strands of hair, while he played with her silver necklace. "I know we won't see each other on the first day, but we hoped to make some meeting on the second one. Will you be back on that?"
"I doubt we'll make it in time."
"Tobias Thomas Night, if you won't come on the second day of the holiday you won't receive your gift! We brought it for you today!" She announced, pointing to two presents that James grasped onto. "Of course, no matter what Hiccup will get his one, but you won't, and it's really, really good!"
"I suppose," Toothless began, half-smiling. ", but I'll pass. You don't think that I would leave suddenly, if there wasn't any good reason for it, right?"
"I guess," she mumbled, glancing at Henry and taking away the metallic reckless out of his reach, noticing that he almost snapped it, furthermore placing him on the ground, much to his dissatisfaction. "How long will you be gone?"
"Well, the twelve hours of travel in both directions, also the additional day on the spot."
"Twelve hours of the ride?" James repeated, while his eyebrows rose. "It's more than to the seaside! Where are you two going?"
"I got a call from Amaya yesterday, and she was great enough that she arranged a meeting for Hiccup in the famous hospital about his leg, or rather its lack," Tobias shared, turning around and packing the things, while the two teenagers listened carefully. "Truth is, afterward, he'll get a prosthesis in a month, and with a reduced cost."
"So, it's all about money?" Sarah noted, raising a brow at him, upset. "You're missing Hiccup's first holiday-,"
"Stormfly, don't manipulate me," Toothless warned, tensing his shoulders. "I agreed on training, on vacation, even on that Halloween party-,"
"Since when you're so eager to save money?"
"It's not about saving money, okay?" Tobias rasped, giving them a swift once-over. "I said that it's cheaper because it's one of the advantages, but the main reason for the travel is the fact that the prosthesis is going to be ready in a month. Do you get it? Month! When I was four I could've only dreamt about the possibility like this! Also, the next free date for such an appointment might not be until next year. I won't lose such a chance for Hiccup, only because of holidays I don't even celebrate."
"Okay, okay, I get it."
"There is no other possibility?" Hookfang asked, fretting. "It's his first Chrismas-,"
"My first Christmas I spent in an orphanage. He has it much better than me," Toothless growled and resisted his hands at the suitcase's edges, bending over it.
While the silence surrounded the room, Tobias peeked down onto his feet, surprised by the grip made on his ankles. Loosening, he observed Hiccup, who sat next to his leg and tugged onto his pants, attempting to gain his attention.
After succeeding, Henry pulled his arms in his direction, and without hesitation, Toothless took him into his arms. Just as the little boy hid his head against his daddy's neck, Tobias returned the embrace, placing his cheek against his head and gazing at the guests.
"The decision is final. I'm sorry."
"You know what, Tobias?" James started, swaying on his feet. "It's fine," he confessed and interrupted Sarah, seeing that she's opened her mouth. "Sarah, it's fine. I agree with him. It's only one Christmas. There will be other ones, and as Toothless has said, it's a big opportunity," he went on and leered at Tobias. "When do you leave?"
"In six hours."
"Good," Hookfang concluded, nodding. "Then, we should leave. You have packing et cetera-,"
"Before you leave, could you give away the gifts from me and Hiccup?" Tobias asked, pointing with his head to his kitchen, when on the countertop positioned were five packages. "I bought them already, so it would be a waste if they stayed like that."
"Sure thing, Toby," James vouched and moved toward mentioned presents. "I'll leave the gifts for you two," he announced, placing the mentioned two gifts from his hand on the countertop in the place where five packages were, that were in his hold, now. "Open them the day after tomorrow morning, alright? No cheating!"
"Of course," Toothless chuckled, watched as the two of them got ready for leaving, and after Hookfang has left he stopped leaving Stormfly. "Merry Christmas, Sarah."
"Merry Christmas to you two, too," she responded, gripping the entrance door. "Drive safely," she added, before closing the door behind herself, disappearing by the wooden surface of them.
He was making a good choice.
Tobias thought while staring into the window of the truck, observing the luggage packed inside. Looking heavenward he took notice of the dark sky of the night, with the bright moon in the middle of it.
Eventually, after resisting his head against the metallic aluminum surface of the car and taking a breath soundly, he doublechecked the closing of the back of his car, before moving toward its front.
Consequently, he sat in the driver's spot, relied his forearm on the wheel and hand on the gearbox, but before starting his engine he gazed at sleeping Hiccup in the passager's spot on his baby seat.
His chest was raising with each little breath and Tobias's heart filled with guilt, however, he get rid of it, shaking his head and focusing his mind on upcoming travel.
He made a good choice.
He thought, twisting his face while rocking Hiccup, somewhere by the gas station, leaning himself on the car standing in the parking lot. It was four a.m, but only half of the way, despite it, Henry was exhausted from it, already.
Toothless found it obvious, although hoped it would be different. He couldn't blame his son for his actions, Tobias himself was close to swearing from tiredness and irritation, caused by traffic jams.
Even so, he must have held on, bit his tongue hard, and taste the blood in his mouth, wishing that his peacefulness would help Hiccup achieve his.
They have spent twenty-five minutes by that gas station, and an additional thirty in a fast food restaurant nearby. After eating, Henry became a little more relaxed, so Toothless successfully put him into slumber, and continued their track, gaining the car's velocity, just so it could've ended only earlier.
He has made a good choice.
He thought, sitting in the hospital hall, his leg shaking anxiously. Next to him, in the carrier laid Hiccup, sleeping restlessly after a three-hour-long doctor's appointment that had a place just after they arrived.
Worn out after the sleepless night and tiresome day he argued with the receptionist for half an hour, before agreeing on waiting for the results. Stroking his forehead, he forced his head upright, fighting with himself to not fall asleep.
As a form of keeping himself busy, he scrutinized the walls, covered by the Christmas decoration, the clean, almost untouched floor, his terrible reflection in it, and finally, the white, brightened by the led lamps, ceiling.
Sighing, he caught a glimpse of the older couple, staring at him from the other part of the room. In contrast to him, they must have had a better excuse as to why they weren't spending the holiday adequately, he deducted, running his fingers through his hair and closing his eyes, tightly.
He had made a good, good choice.
He thought, laying on the bed of the motel's room, gaping at the ceiling, with his hands taking place as pillows. Glancing down, to his side, he could've detected Hiccup, who was snuggled to his shirt as close as possible.
His little palm tensed on the material of it, holding it for dear life. His cheeks were red from the warmth of the room, but also the emotions. Under his eyes dried were tears, but some of the water remained on his lashes and Tobias's black clothing.
Each time he analyzed his son, his poor son's state, Toothless's heart was breaking in half, and with every next, into tinier pieces. Notwithstanding the fact he was exhausted like he was never, the knowledge of Hiccup's shape couldn't let him sleep.
There were times when Henry wasn't easy to put to sleep. When it was caused by common unwillingness into it. When it was caused by the loudness of the building, by the conditions of the outside world, but never because of the travel, even he, as an adult, couldn't stand.
Also, there were times when Hiccup was a horrible sleeper. Just the same way, the reasons were various, and the effects were various, but never, even once, it got to the point where Henry has been shivering and whining in his sleep.
Even the slightest sound he made increased Tobias's heart ratio. No matter how much he would've done, stroking his back, kissing his forehead, embracing him, all of it was useless for him. He was useless, he pointed out and his eyes glistened.
It was a good choice, it must have been, ...right?
Waking up he barely recognized anything around him, and everything caused a shock to transform his face. Firstly, he narrowed his eyes at the ceiling and the room surrounding him. Then, glancing to the right, he glimpsed himself in the mirror and his brows cocked at the sight of the unknown man. Finally, peeking to his side he detected a child, an infant nonetheless, and flinched, surprised.
Ultimately, the memory of his whole life came back to him, and he loosened, exhaling annoyed at his momentarily panic. It must have been the worst night in his life, he admitted, sitting upright in the bed and stretching himself.
Eventually, he moved his legs, so he sat on the edge of the bed and picked up his phone from the bedside table. Turning it on he caught a glimpse of the date of twenty-five December and the 11:37 a.m hour.
There were a few notifications of messages from Sarah, Martha, Cloudjumper, and more, although he didn't have to check them to know these were wishes on Christmas. During the remainder of the holiday, his memory got back to the moment when they appeared in this room for the first time, and he gazed at the half-unpacked suitcase, with two Christmas gifts from Sarah and James.
Sighing, he stood up, cracked his back, also neck, and moved to the mentioned packages. Afterward, he grabbed the both and with them he sat on the ground, looking through their content. His present got to be the first and inside wasn't anything he didn't expect.
This year, his gift happened to be a black chemise, some kind of watch, and jokingly, a tranquilizer. While for every other person, the present could've seen as boring, Tobias loved its simplicity and would have every day thanked Sarah for her thinking, if it wasn't for the fact he would have lost his grumpy reputation.
Subsequently, he took the gift bag, considering Hiccup's present, but instead of opening it, he peeked inside it. As a result, he observed clothing that looked like pants, a wooden set of letters and numbers, but also, something that caught his whole attention, the two plushies.
It wouldn't be surprising if it wasn't for the fact the toys were the gift dragons, sewn by Martha, resembling the one Henry owned and slept with every night, that he got from him. Unable to remain emotionless, the corner of his mouth lifted, until his expression closed up, by the rather strange jealousy.
Suddenly, hearing the knock on the wood, he leered at the main door, surprised by the fact someone attempted to visit him. As he stood up his head played various scenarios, that the visitor was a cleaning lady, or maybe the owner himself, but not even one of them predicted the truth.
Opening the door his eyes widened at the sight of James, with the older man, that was the older replica of the teenager. He had red hair, with some greys in them, and also brown eyes, that smiled at him, gently.
Raising his brow, Tobias scratched his nose before grunting. "Good morning. May I ask what the hell you two are doing here?" He queried, glaring at beaming James. "How did you know in what City and motel I was, that's for first."
"Amaya," Hookfang answered, sticking out his chest.
"Amaya," Toothless repeated, stroking his forehead, annoyed. "How exactly Amaya?"
"She has told us to what city you went and we just followed the instructions."
"What about a motel? How did you-?"
"Fortunately, there are not many black Audis, parked by the cheapest motel possible."
"Of course," Tobias groaned, streaming his hand toward his eyelids. "What about the room?"
"Well, you didn't choose the safest place. All it took to get to know it was saying your surname to the receptionist."
"Great," Toothless muttered, inhaled, and gazed at James's older companion. "Good to see you again, mister Marenight."
"My pleasure," the man answered, shaking Tobias's pulled-out hand. "Also, you may call me Michael, remember that," he recalled, and the corner of his eyes wrinkled. "Can we enter inside?"
"Since you came here I guess it would be rude to deny. Although, please, be quiet because Hiccup's still sleeping."
"Are you sure about that?" James questioned, grinning and pointing behind his back.
Glancing there, Toothless witnessed Hiccup, whose eyes twinkled, fighting the urge of renewed sleep. Afterward, he waved his hand at two newcomers to come in, while he walked toward the bed. Sitting at its edge Tobias leaned forward, so Henry could've caught a glimpse of him.
"Good morning, buddy," he whispered, helping the little boy sit up straight. "Are you waking up, or would you want to sleep a little bit more? If you want daddy will lay with you."
In response Hiccup leaned forward, ending up in a crawling position, and moved toward Toothless's lap, where he placed his head, loosening himself. Seeing so, Tobias stroked his back and gazed at his guests, carefully, so as not to interrupt Henry in his rest.
"So, what exactly are you doing here, in Chrismas morning, when you should open your gifts?"
"Really, you're asking?" Hookfang snorted, leaning on the nearby chair, almost making it fall. "We're here to spend the holiday with my favorite godson," he replied and smirked squirming his eyes. "You are the nice addition, and by the nice, I mean any at all."
"Thanks, Hookfang," Toothless hissed in between his teeth. "I adore you, also."
"We're here because no one should've spent Christmas without family," Michael stated, leaning his back against the wall next to the door. "Since you chose my son as your son's godfather, which choice I'll never understand," he went on and croaked the last part, resulting in James's frown. ", you two have become part of our family, and I won't let any part of it be apart in Chrismas time."
"Mister-," Tobias began and cleared his throat, noticing Michael's eyes that bored into him. "Michael, I'm honored, but don't you think driving here, twelve hours, was a little too much?"
"Too much is the amount of oil James's pouring into the car. That's why my son will never be a mechanic," Michael laughed and Hookfang groaned, tensing his shoulders, and crossing his arms. "Not too much is coming to the family in need."
"Alright, but don't you have some traditions to fulfill?"
"Yes, we are eating tacos every year at Grump's, but this year we'll eat in that restaurant on the outskirts of the city we saw while driving here," James explained and his face lit up. "Would you like to join us?"
"Do I have a choice?" Toothless questioned and his expression hardened, while two men answered no synchronized. "That's what I thought."
Inside the restaurant was surprisingly warm and cozy, despite the winter time of year. The noise around mixed with the smell of fresh food, satisfying Tobias's senses completely. Their table was a common one, with two sofas in between which were standing a table.
In front of him sat James with Michael by his side, who kept Hiccup on his knees, in the meantime the spot next to him, which belonged to Henry moments ago remained empty. At the table stood blank plates and his cup of coffee, which was refilled three times, already.
Leading a conversation with Michael, mostly about his life since adoption, Toothless chuckled, each time Hookfang picked up the plushie with his image that Hiccup played with. Eventually, the older man began cooing to Henry, grinning while the boy giggled.
"Who is that adorable boy? You are, only you!" He crooned and glared at James. "I wish my son would be at least half as sweet as you are."
"I love you too, dad," Hookfang grumbled, sinking into his spot, offended.
"Don't grimace, James," Michael retorted, peering at Hookfang. "That's what are dads for."
"For teasing their sons?" Toothless inquired, rolling his eyes. "I won't be like that."
"Everybody says so, but it always ends up the same," Michael chuckled, while Tobias and James traded obvious looks. "Anyway, I must ask," he started, leaning over Hiccup. "Henry, do you know where is your dad?" He asked and beamed when the boy pointed at Tobias. "That's your dad?"
"Dadyy," Hiccup squealed and giggled, while everyone froze, shocked.
"Did he just," Michael babbled, twinkling.
"He said daddy," James noted and gazed at Toothless, critically. "Has he done something like that earlier?"
"No, never," Tobias promised, beaming widely. "It was his first word," he added and bent over the table, suddenly. "Give me him, right away. I have to hug him."
Without hesitation the older man did as asked and Tobias embraced him, kissing his head, repeatedly. In meantime, Hiccup cooed and snuggled into his dad, pleased. Eventually, Toothless raised Henry a little bit upright, so their faces leveled.
"Only you can cheer me up after such a terrible experience," he whispered, connecting their foreheads. "You are amazing, buddy."
"Dadyy," Hiccup repeated, clapping his palms against Tobias's cheeks.
"Yes, it's daddy," Toothless chuckled and kissed Henry's nose. ", and he loves you, very, very much."
Do I want to finish it? Yes, I do.
How I'm going to achieve it? Fast.
I did a cover for the sequel of "Our Curse" and, gosh, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
Also, question, do you like these 3k chapters? The shorter ones, or do you prefer longer ones, 7k?