Hear No Evil || ×TatoTheDestroyer×

×THIRTY-TWO×

Walking into your childhood home felt like the equivalent of walking blindly into a hostile dragon's den. It was a dangerous atmosphere, and the room grew tense from your fears and anxiety, far before any words were exchanged by you and your father. He sat in the corner, whittling away at a chunk of wood, old fingers covered in hairline scars that told a tale of slippery fingers in careful crafts involving sharp objects. Your father had always made things, despite the many villagers who were capable of making these things for him. He had to keep his hands busy, otherwise, he'd drive himself insane.

"Hello, father," you said, gaining his attention. He looked up from his work, the blade slipping and nicking his finger. He hissed and held the finger to his lips, sucking on the dotting line of blood appearing on the surface of his skin. Soon enough, it would stop bleeding altogether. Despite the pained face, and sliced finger, he smiled at you kindly, gesturing for you to come closer. As you drew near, he stood and pulled you into a hug. "It's always a pleasure to see my beloved daughter again." He pulled back from the hug, a glimmer of seriousness in his happy eyes, "I would assume this isn't an ordinary visit, however, and you're here for business."

He gestured to the chairs at the table, encouraging you and your company to take a seat and make yourselves comfortable. "You're right about that. We're here to discuss the wedding arrangements you've planned for me." The worrying glance Hiccup gave you, made your heart clench. He took a seat beside you, hand on your knee under the table in hopes of it providing some form of support or comfort for you. "Ah, yes," he drawled, tending to his minor wound, knowing well and truly it would turn into another hairline scar. "I was hoping you'd bring Stoick, as this is a matter for the Chief. Where is he, if I may ask?" Your father's oblivious question, not that it was his fault, caused a great deal of pain to you and your companions. "He...has gone to Valhalla, father. He left us last month, so Hiccup is the Chief now." Your father quirked an eyebrow as if silently encouraging further explanation. "Right, sorry. Viking beliefs stray from your own, I forgot. Stoick has ventured off to Heaven, father."

His face softened, realising that he had unknowingly brought up a fresh death, a memory that still hurt. "I see my apologies then. I shall pray for him, and for you all, alongside my other daily prayers in hopes that you may move on painlessly, and that he may be seated at the right hand of the Father, amongst his family and friends." The room was tense yet again, with the two beliefs butting heads. Neither meant to hurt the other, never meant to boast or offend, but both Englishmen and Vikings insinuating different Gods to their own was offensive. You held your breath, half expecting Valka or Hiccup to say something. But their bitter silence remained, faces soured with pain and silent conflict. You let your breath out and tried to press onwards.

"Well, if this is, in fact, a matter for the Chief, then you may talk to Hiccup about my marriage. I don't understand how the Chief of Berk is involved with this, but I sure would like to know." Valka nodded. "Yes, I'm quite curious as to why you require the Chieftain's presence, for a family matter." Your father looked between you and Valka, before shaking his head. "I had intended this as more of a 'father to father' talk. Perhaps, then, his mother would be able to fill in for his father." He looked at you, "Will you have to leave to retrieve her?" You smiled and shook your head. "No, father. This lovely woman here, Valka, is Hiccup's mother. I asked her to accompany us, partially due to the fact you requested Stoick. I felt like it was more of a 'talk about the children' than 'with the children' situation."

He smiled. "I knew you'd pick up on this. Well, then. Valka, if you wouldn't mind, please follow me. We'll go talk in my study. There's quite a bit to discuss. Once we're done, I'll explain everything, including the arrangement for your wedding." He stood, gesturing for Valka to stand, which she did. "You two may help yourselves to whatever you want. I have a feeling your mother, (name), will want a bit of catching up with you." He smiled softly, heading for his study, Valka not far behind him. Not long after he left the room, your mother, who had been lingering in the other room, came rushing in. "I've missed you so much, my dear." She said teary-eyed as she pulled you into an embrace. You stumbled awkwardly, as she pulled you up from your seat.

"Oh, yeah, I uh, missed you too." Your voice was strained, uncomfortable. You had never truly been close to your mother when you were a small child, always finding similarities with your father than your mother. You were a free spirit, and she was a servant to her husband, no matter how much they loved one another. You gave yourself some space, and held a hand out for Hiccup, to help him to his feet. "Mother, this is Hiccup. We, uh, are dating." She didn't look all that surprised, but her eyes still lit up at those words. She came to inspect him closer, examining the freckles on his face, his emerald green eyes, his prosthetic leg, everything about him that made him different, that made him perfect. "It's lovely to know that you two are together. You father was talking about how a boy had captured your heart. Otherwise, why else would you have left to stay with him?" Your face flushed hot in embarrassment. She wasn't wrong, but she wasn't entirely right either. If you had stayed, you would have never found Astra. You would have had to give up your life of freedom. You wouldn't have been able to see Hiccup anymore.

Yeah, maybe she was right. The smug look on Hiccup's face was teasing like he could read your thoughts. "That's, um...not really true...cause, erm, well, Astra and...stuff..." You mumbled, face growing hotter. Your mother only gave you a teasing smile, and you could tell Hiccup was highly amused. You'd get him once you left. There was always time to exact revenge on your one-legged Viking boyfriend.