The Gentle Sniper

Chapter 29: Reconciliation

A/N: Shorter chapter than the norm for me, but I kept it short for the sake of pacing.

...

"Man, this stuff is expensive," Hiccup sighed as he gazed at his phone. "Fishlegs better appreciate me buying this for him as an olive branch. Or half of one, at least."

It was now the morning after Drago's arrest, with Hiccup amid a ferry ride back to Berk. Upon the boat coming to a stop having reached the dock, Hiccup drove his motorbike to the nearest petrol station and from there, he headed to the local Gamestop store.

Parking out in front and stepping inside the shop, Hiccup commenced his perusing of the aisles filled with different titles. He picked out two games in one such aisle and then headed to the register in front of the store.

"Wouldn't it be more convenient to buy these online? Ever heard of the Microsoft Store?" The shopkeeper asked. "Also, what's with having no eyebrows?"

"Rather not talk about the eyebrows," Hiccup mumbled. "As for the games, they're for a friend that doesn't exactly like me very much right now. So... I'm taking these to him in person as a sort of olive branch," Hiccup peered down at the titles in his one hand.

Most of one, that is... Hiccup silently added in his head.

"Fascinating, Hiccup," The shopkeeper deadpanned. "Time to pay, though, neighbour."

"Toothless give you trouble recently, Robert?"

"He was meowing for you, hoping you'd show up; loudly enough that I could hear him from my apartment all night. So you'll forgive me if I'm not in the best of moods today."

"Sorry," Hiccup winced, recognising the reason for the rings around Robert's eyes while making a mental note to withhold salmon from Toothless for a while as a punishment. "Moving on, is the contactless payment scanner working again?" Hiccup wiggled his phone which was in his other hand, having dug it out from his pocket while Robert was talking.

"Yeah, just tap your phone right there."

Hiccup stuffed the games he'd just purchased into a bag branded with the Gamestop logo on its front, then left the store. Mounting his motorbike, he rode away, spotting a Subway up ahead; he'd be at Fishlegs' house in no time, just as soon as he ate.

Following his meal, Hiccup mounted his bike once more, taking him in the direction of his so-called friend's house. It was no trouble to park just outside on the street. Preparing himself with a breath, he walked up to the door and knocked three times. Hiccup used this opportunity to bring out the carrier bag with the store's insignia on the front.

It almost seemed like Fishlegs wouldn't answer. Deciding he wasn't a fan of all this tense waiting, Hiccup turned to leave. However, as he did, the sound of the door opening behind him had him abruptly changing his mind, turning back around again.

The male he'd been waiting for stood there, clad in his reading glasses, plain black t-shirt and sweatpants. In his wheelchair, the boy squinted up at him. "Sorry I was in the bathroom. I'm not as fast as I used to be but... how can I help you? And do I know you from somewhere?"

"I should certainly hope so, Fred," Hiccup answered.

"Quite understandable, Henry," Hiccup had spoken his friend's name with no such tension in his voice, but Fishlegs took no such care.

"What's with the lack of hair above the neck and, more to the point, why are you here?" The wheelchair-bound man persisted.

Hiccup reached into the bag, dropping the games into Fishlegs' lap. "To say I'm sorry for keeping secrets from you. Well, as best I can, anyway."