In Lieu Of A Tail

40. Some Big Feelings Time Is Had - Our Local Dumbass Finally Gets Some Credit

AN: Uuuh, heh-sorry? *hides*
omgplzdontkillmeipromiseillexplainattheend!
[translation - "omg plz dont kill me i promise ill explain at the end!"]

Major props to my beta --> (◕ ˬ ◕✿) fuzzyellie
She's the best! Wouldn't have been able to do this without her, thanks for the Pokémon watch party dude! Here's to many more!

[ps. what do you guys think of this chapter? lots of feels...]

The others arrived quickly, within minutes, all of them recognising Astra's flames dancing with Toothless' blast, blazing in a vivid explosion of emerald and amethyst. Once each had poked and prodded Aurora, questioning and assuring themselves of her well state when they received snarky comments as answers, they began to discuss what to do next.

Valka side-eyed Alvin cautiously, until the man noticed and informed her that he trusted and followed her son fully. After all, the boy had saved the Outcasts from what they had dubbed a 'Screaming Death' – which really was their fault in the first place, but Hiccup had pointed out that nobody could have predicted it – therefore it only made sense that they followed his advice on all things dragon. Naturally, Valka was somewhat suspicious of Alvin's motives all the same, but the genuine admiration and trust with which Alvin spoke about her son eased her discomfort a great deal.

With the awkwardness between the Outcast and Ex-Berkian diffused somewhat, the group began to plan. Utilising Valka's unexpected wealth of knowledge, they debated strategies and tactics.

Eventually the discussion ceased, and many of those present departed, Aurora heading off with Camicazi and their dragons. As the Heir, Heather had to be present with her brother for some meetings with the Berserker Captains, so couldn't join them. In the end, Mala and Valka departed for some fishing, leaving Hiccup and Alvin alone in the Cove (aside from a few dragons).

"Are you going to say it or do I gotta drag it outta you?" Alvin questioned once they were alone.

"Oh, you know me, I love a good skull-bashing as much as the next guy. But I don't think Toothless would like that."

"Oi, I could take 'im." Alvin replied.

Toothless snorted, "Even if that were true, as if I'm only one against the skull-bashing."

"That's true, you'd have to get through Aurora and Astra too." Hiccup teased, smirking at the way Alvin visibly tensed when they were mentioned.

"Oh, Gods no, those two e'r crazi'r than a Nadder on dragon root. I'll live, thank you very much." His gravelly tone softened, words accented strongly now he was speaking to Hiccup instead of the council members, "You still need to say it, boy. I can see in yur eyes you ain't as right as yur actin', yur worryin' 'bout 'er more 'n usu'l."

"I'm fine, Alvin."

"Tha' righ' there is a lie an' you an' I both know it. Let it ou' boy, you don' 'ave to be so yak-like all th' time."

Hiccup glanced at the man, a man who he'd been taught to hate as a child. He was not the untrustworthy menace he'd been painted as to the younglings of Berk, no. He was a man who had been cast out, and yet still had the decency to be merciful to children. He recalled his first meeting with the man, he'd been shot from the sky, of course, yet once Alvin had discovered who he was, he had been released at once. He had been questioned, but it was more like actual concern than an interrogation. Alvin quickly became a pseudo-uncle to him, offering a guiding hand in many aspects of Hiccup's life, including some training in fighting.