Author's Note: Yes, Stoick, Gobber, and Spitelout are brothers in this fic. Yes, they all have different last names. It's easier to keep track that way. Just imagine Spitelout taking his wife's last name and Gobber changing his so that people would stop comparing him to Stoick. Or they were raised as foster brothers. Point is they don't have the same last name.
As the sun was beginning to set, Dr. Atali Beckstrom, entered the waiting room where the Mayor and Chief of Police sat side by side, not talking.
"Mr. Haddock," Atali said, getting the vast man's attention.
Stoick shot to his feet, looking directly at her, eyes pleading for any information. "How is he?"
"He's been moved to a recovery room for now," Atali began. "Once the anesthesia starts to wear off, will move him to a more private room. He made it through the surgery without any complications. The surgeon was able to salvage more of the leg than we thought could be saved. With time, proper care, and physical therapy, Hiccup should be able to lead a normal life with the help of a prosthetic. He might need another surgery further down the line, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there."
"When will he wake up?" Stoick asked, feeling relief wash over him that his son would be fine.
"Not anytime soon," Atali answered. "His lungs need time to recover from the smoke inhalation. The burns and amputation have also left him susceptible to a wide variety of infections, which we are giving him antibiotics for. So for now, we're going to keep him sedated to give his body a chance to heal. Keep in mind, he just went through a life-altering trauma, he's going to need time."
Stoick signed. "Can I at least see him?"
"After we move him to a private room," Atali answered. "Which should be within the hour. I'll send a nurse to come get you once he's been moved."
"Who was the surgeon?" Spitelout asked. "We would like to thank them."
"Dr. Gothi Hansen," Atali answered. "She's one of the top Orthopedic surgeons in the country. If you do talk to her, I suggest brushing up on your sign language since she's mute and that's her main form of communication."
Berk Academy: Home Of The Dragon:
It didn't take long for news about Hiccup Haddock to spread the day following the explosion. Despite being the Mayor's son, most of the school didn't know much about him. That was until the Chief of Police went on the news right outside the hospital to talk about the explosion. Now everyone knew his name. He was suddenly popular and wasn't even there to know it.
Astrid, Fishlegs, and the twins watched as clubs and popular kids teamed up to make cards, flower arrangements, and a ton of other things to send to the hospital. None of them actually cared about Hiccup, just looking for an excuse to get out of doing school work.
At lunch time a collection box started getting passed around so balloons and gift baskets could be ordered. The four teens refused to donate, knowing that whoever was behind, was just going to pocket the cash. A bunch of their classmates tried to shame them, but the four teens ignored the jeers and insults.
They made a pact that as soon as it was okay, they'd go check on Hiccup either at the hospital or once he was able to go home.
Hiccup slowly became aware of an annoying beeping noise and his body aching as if he'd just lost a wrestling match in gym class. Wherever he was it smelled clean, so definitely not his room or the workshop. Before he could even guess as to where he was, memories of fire and his uncle crashed into him. He sat up, screaming and sobbing. The annoying beeping grew louder and started going faster.
Stoick shot to his feet from the chair he had fallen asleep in and was immediately by his son's side. He placed his hand on Hiccup's shoulder and gently lowered him back into the bed. "It's okay, Hiccup. You're safe. You're in the hospital. It's okay."
Hiccup's sobs quieted down as his head hit the pillow. Within seconds he fast asleep once more.
As Stoick was removing his hand, the nurse on duty came rushing it. "What happened?"
"It's alright, Minden," Stoick reassured as he sat back down in his chair. In the two weeks since the fire, Stoick had become quite acquainted with nurses tending to his son. "Another nightmare."
Minden stepped over to her patient and checked to make he didn't rip off any of the cords hooked up to him and didn't tear open any of his wounds. "Doesn't look like he tore anything," she looked over at Stoick. "Do you need anything, sir?"
"I'm good," Stoick declined. "Thank you though."
Minden just nodded and left to check on her other patients.
When Hiccup woke up again, he knew where he was and why. He was hurt in a fire and in the hospital. Something felt off. He felt like he was missing, but couldn't pinpoint what it was. Whatever drugs they were giving him made it hard to think.
"Dad?" Hiccup called out, having a vague memory of his father being there earlier. "Dad!"
"I'm right here, son," Stoick said, taking hold of his son's hand. "You're okay."
"I feel weird," Hiccup muttered, he didn't dare open his eyes, out of fear of what he might learn. "Something feels off."
Stoick gulped. "What feels weird?"
"Left leg," Hiccup said. "It feels tingly and heavy."
Stoick was silent for a moment, trying to figure out if now was the best time to tell his son, or if he should wait.
"Dad, why does my leg feel weird?" Hiccup murmured, feeling the pull of sleep.
"We'll talk about it later when you're more awake," Stoick promised, pressing his forehead against his son's
"Okay," Hiccup agreed before falling back to sleep once more.
Stoick sighed as he sat back down. How was he going to tell his only child that he had not only lost his uncle but also his leg? Maybe he should leave it up to the doctors like it had been suggested. No, it had been his decision to cut off the leg rather than try and save it. That meant it was his job to tell his son.
As he was pondering his dilemma, Spitelout walked in with Snotlout.
"How is he?" Spitelout asked, sitting down in the other chair.
"He woke up for a brief moment," Stoick asked. "Said his left leg felt tingly and weird before falling back to sleep."
"Do they know when he'll be able to go home?" Snotlout asked, trying his best to not look at his cousin. Every time he saw Hiccup, he wanted to throw up. The vacant spot where his leg should be was unnerving.
Stoick shook his head. "He needs to be more awake before they can even give us an estimate. Each time he wakes up, he's a bit more aware, but it's slow going. Hopefully by this time tomorrow, he'll be alert enough that we can break the news to him."
"Do you think he'll be able to attend the funeral?" Spitelout wondered.
"Why? Is the investigation finally done?" Stoick asked, hoping they could finally put their brother to rest.
"Yeah," Spitelout said. He looked up at his son. "How about you head down to the cafeteria and get something to eat?"
Snotlout just nodded and left. He'd already heard most of what really happened to Uncle Gobber and didn't want to hear it again.
With his son now gone, the Chief turned back to the Mayor. "Our techs finally recovered the footage from the security cameras. The Red Deaths paid our brother a visit just hours before the fire. They came back again about an hour or so before the fire and dragged Gobber to a blind spot, most likely his office. Minutes before the fire cameras catch two of them dragging him to the back room. Hiccup was asleep at the workbench, and didn't seem to see or hear anything. Some of the other members are going around pouring gasoline on everything, including several highly flammable grease drums. It cuts out after that."
"So they beat him to death then dropped him in the backroom next to Hiccup? Why?" Stoick questioned.
Spitelout shrugged. "Send a message, probably. But he wasn't beaten to death. He was stabbed in the back of the neck. Firefighters missed it. The coroner nearly missed it. He only kept looking because his injuries should have led to him dying and he had no smoke in his lungs. Something the size of a needle was jammed into his neck, it nicked an artery causing him to bleed to death."
Stoick buried his head in his hands. "I told that fool not to mess with those thugs. Him trying to do the right thing killed him and nearly killed Hiccup." He looked back up at his brother. "What happens now?"
"Arrest warrants are being issued," Spitelout answered. "But I doubt they'll actually serve any jail time. the Red Deaths have connections and can easily threaten anyone on the jury panel. Our town isn't exactly big. Everyone knows everyone to some extent."
The Mayor sighed in defeat. They finally knew what happened, but there was a slim chance that justice would be served.
Hiccup opened his eyes and was greeted by the sight of flowers, cards, and balloons. In the corner of the room, his dad was sitting in a chair, asleep. How long had he been in the hospital? Who are the gifts from? Why did his leg feel weird?
"Dad?" Hiccup called out hoping to wake his father up. He didn't want to see what was wrong with his leg alone. And he knew something was wrong.
Stoick eyes flew open and he was on his feet in an instant. "I'm right here, Hiccup. What do you need?"
Hiccup glanced down at his leg and only saw empty space. "Where-where's my leg? Where's my leg!? What happened?" He started hyperventilating as realization struck him.
Stoick pressed the call button as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "It's okay, son. You're okay. I'm so sorry. There was no better option. I am so sorry. You're going to be okay."
"Why?" Hiccup sobbed, tears running down his face.
Stoick pressed the call button again, hoping the nurse would hurry up. "The pipe that fell on you, crushed it beyond repair. It's going to be okay, though. I promise."
The nurse came running in saw that Hiccup was awake, and ducked her head back out the door. "Get Drs. Beckstrom and Hansen," she told a passing nurse.
"Why can I still feel it?" Hiccup asked between sobs. "Why does it still hurt?"
"Phantom pain," Stoick answered, remembering everything he researched during Hiccup's medically induced coma. "It will go away soon."
At that moment, Dr. Atali Beckstrom and Dr. Gothi Hansen walked in.
"Afternoon, Hiccup," Dr. Beckstrom greeted, looking at the teen. "It's good to see that you're awake."
Hiccup wiped away his tears and stared at the doctor then back at his dad "What's going on?"
Dr. Beckstrom opened her mouth to answer but realized her patient wasn't talking to her.
"She just needs to check your burns," Stoick answered, unsure why his son was asking him these questions. "Afterwards, Dr. Hansen is going to check your, um, stump, to make sure it's healing properly. You can trust them."
Hiccup seemed to accept the answer and let both doctors proceed. He winced and flinched throughout the whole ordeal, but otherwise, they were gentle and did their best to not cause him any more pain. And it wasn't that anything against these doctors in particular, he just didn't like doctors as a whole. Doctors killed his mother after they all failed to take her concerns seriously and get proper testing done. If they had, the cancer would have been caught much sooner and she'd still be here.
Dr. Hansen started singling with her hands, which Hiccup quickly realized was sign language. He knew he should have joined the language club when he had the chance, he might have been able to understand what she was saying.
"What's going on?" Hiccup asked.
"She says 'Your stump is healing well,'" Dr. Beckstrom translated, "'Most of the swelling has gone down. If improvements continue you should be able to go home in a few days' Which I agree with. Your burns are pretty much healed up, and your lungs also sound clear."
"Um, when can he be fitted for a prosthetic?" Stoick asked.
Dr. Hansen started signing again as Dr. Beckstrom translated. "'A few months or so. We have to wait for the stump to heal completely and make sure the swelling stays down. Even then it'll be a temporary prosthetic. In about six months we can see about fitting you for a proper one.'"
"So do I just hop everywhere?" Hiccup asked, sarcasm lacing his tone.
"No," Atali answered. "You'll be given a pair of crutches to help you get around for the time being. Along with a set of instructions on how to properly care for your stump." She sat on the edge of the bed. "This is a major life change, I get that. But you don't have to do it alone. If you'd like I can give you both a list of therapists that specialize in working with amputees. Lean on your support system, they will help you through this and make adjusting easier."
"What about school?" Hiccup wondered.
"You can go back whenever you feel ready," Dr. Beckstrom answered. "Just remember you have limitations now and not to push yourself."
Hiccup looked over at his dad. "I want to go back as soon I'm out of here."
"Are you sure, son?" Stoick asked, not immediately shooting the idea down.
Hiccup pondered for a moment. "Yeah. Even if it's just a couple of classes. I think it'll help."
"Okay," Stoick agreed, knowing his son would probably benefit from the normalcy.
Author's Note: Yes Valka is dead in this universe. Or is she? Who knows? Because I sure don't. All I know is that this probably going to be the longest story I have ever written because we haven't even got to the good stuff yet.
I am also researching as I go to try and make Hiccup's recovery as accurate as possible, but I'm also trying to make sure he is more or less himself at the same time. So it's a bit tricky.
Anyways, if I got anything in my research wrong, let me know, because google has never been my friend. It is my enemy.
As always I remind you to review, follow and share. As an added bonus don't forget to hydrate.
Until next time