Things Do Get Better (HTTYD Modern AU)

A Reunion Long Awaited

It was clear that Valka, my mother wanted to be back in my life and I wanted that as well because it was clear that most about who I am came from her – the skinny appearance, the love for animals (she loved them more) and the interest in engineering (that's me mostly).

So, after that day, for the next few months, I would go to visit her during the weekend or after university days. Each day, I would learn something about her, and she would do the same. One day, I even brought up the confidence to invite her to my apartment, leading to her meeting Astrid for the first time (you could imagine that day).

Meeting my mother again was something I thought would never happening, yet here I was, talking to her about my aspirations and asking her for help, even to this day. It was a reunion I hold dear to me. But not as much as her reunion with my dad.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It wasn't easy to get my mum to meet up with my dad again, especially since she told me she was afraid about how he would react. While I understood her feelings to that, I knew deep down that my dad would be over the moon to see her again. He would tell stories about her and for almost every scenario, he could relate things back to my mum. So, being the stubborn person that I am, I made it my mission to reunite my parents once again.

It would be a challenge, but being an aspiring engineer, it comes as nature to me. So, I had been making plans and ideas as to how to get them to see each other without knowing. I'd even got some help from Astrid until I finally came up with the ideal plan. The perfect time for my mum and dad to reunite.

It was the month of December, close to Christmas and I was hanging out with my mum at her house. It would be my last time hanging out with her because I would be heading back to Berk to celebrate Christmas back at home. I was sitting on the sofa while she was in the kitchen, prepping up something.

"... And I saw this little girl was looking at the wonderful puppy and I saw an instant connection between the two. She begged her parents, but they said they couldn't afford it." My mum was discussing about a time during an adoption event at the animal shelter.

"Well, owning a pet can be quite expensive." I explained.

"Oh no, I completely understand that. You have to be committed if you want a pet. I just felt sad for the girl because her and the puppy got along together so well. And I fear we won't be able to hold it for her."

I nodded. "Could you try?"

"We could, but that's all we could do, try and hold the puppy for her." she explained. It was always intriguing to hear about these stories from her. My dad would tell me how much she loves animals, and hearing that passion with my own ears, I couldn't agree more.

She then walked back to the living room to grab something. "So, what are you doing to do for Christmas?" she asked.

"Umm... I think I might stay home and celebrate it with my dog and my girlfriend." I answered.

She chuckled. "Sounds good. So wait, you're not going to return to Berk?" she asked surprisingly.

"No." I lied, shaking my head. "What about you?"

"There's an Animal Christmas Party at the animal shelter, so I might go there." she replied before heading back to the kitchen.

"Ah, sounds good." I simply said. Suddenly, I felt a vibration on the side of my leg, which caused me to freeze up. Slowly, I put my hands in my jean pocket, where the source of the vibration came from, knowing that it was my mobile phone. I brought it out and unlocked it. My eyes grew and I took a deep breath, shaking my legs as I did.

"Umm, mum?" I called out.

"Yes, Hiccup?"

"I, uhh... I need to use the toilet. Where is it again?"

She chuckled. "It's just down the corridor, on your right."

"Great. Thanks." I quickly said before quickly making my way to the toilet and unlocking the door. The thing is, I didn't need the toilet.

I took another deep breath as I looked at my phone screen. There was a notification that I received a message from my dad. The message said, 'About five minutes away '. He was on his way to my mum's house. And that was what I wanted.

I had told my dad to come to my mum's house, who not only thought he was going to pick me up, but thought he was going to one of my friend's house. When he knocks, she would open the door and there, in that moment, they would see each other again. Without even knowing.

The only thing I was afraid was how my dad would react. While I was confident he would be overwhelmed with happiness, anything could happen.

I stayed in the toilet, leading against the wall as I waited and waited. Then, I got another notification.

'I'm here now.' This was it. It can only go downhill from here (which I was afraid of). About a minute later, I heard a knock on the door.

"One moment!" I heard my mum call out. I held my breath as I heard her footsteps getting quieter. The door opened... and silence.

I felt my heart skipped a beat and I started to bite my lip. Did what I feared come true? After about another minute and still no sound, I first flushed the toilet (because my mum thought I went to the toilet), unlooked the door and slowly opened it.

And there I saw them. Standing face to face of each other, without moving a muscle. I couldn't see my mum's face since she was facing her back towards me, but my dad's was full of emotion (which was rare for him, unless it was anger). His eyes were wide of shock and awe and his mouth was slightly open in disbelief.

"Valka?" he finally said.

"Stoick?" I could hear the fear in my mum's voice before I saw her starting to walk back slowly (this was not good).

"Stoick, I... Listen, I know... that I left you to raise Hiccup on your own. That I didn't even try to contact you back." My mum sounded so panicky that I started to feel guilty about this whole idea. It didn't help that my dad was now looking at her with no signal.

"I know I didn't try to come back..., but I thought I would be a danger to Hiccup. To his upbringing. But... now I know that I was wrong. And I know that doesn't mean anything to you... but I... I..."

Suddenly, my dad wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him.

"I missed you, Val." I heard him say, holding back his tears. Then, my mum wrapped her arms around him.

"I missed you too." she said, holding back her own. That's when my face had the biggest grin and I let out the biggest sigh. This was what I wanted. What I hoped would happen. And now, right in front of my eyes, I witnessed the reunion of my parents. And perhaps, the reunion of my family after 20 years.