Comforting a Valkyrie

Chapter 8: Open Endings

…

"Hey dad. Sorry it's been so long but I could use your legal expertise to help out a friend of mine. His name is Timothy, but we call him Toothless."

"We?" Stoick questioned.

"Oh, yeah. My girlfriend Astrid and I."

"Ah! Found a new one after Heather left you? Good for you son!" His Father's loud voice boomed into his ear, making Hiccup wince.

"So can you do it?"

"Sure! I will travel to you in a few days, don't you worry.

…

That had been two days ago, and the large red haired man was currently sitting with Hiccup and Astrid at the dining table in her house, eating breakfast.

"This is great food lass." Stoick said, finishing off his English breakfast.

"Better than anything I could make, that is." Toothless added.

Hiccup nodded in turn, his mouth full.

"Thank you all." Astrid smiled.

Stoick nodded, swallowing his final mouthful.

"Good luck with Snotlout Milady. I'll think you'll need it." Hiccup said.

"That I can agree on babe."

"This one looks like a keeper son. Can I expect grandbabies some day?" He asked, smiling behind his beard.

Both flushed red.

"Sir!"

"Dad!"

"What?" Stoick asked, feigning ignorance. "I'm not getting any younger son."

"Neither of us are ready for that sir. We're not even married yet."

"I'm allowed to have hopes, lass. Anyway, good luck with my nephew, lass."

Astrid laughed. "That bad that you're wishing me luck sir? Hiccup I understand, but you…"

"Milady, he was my bully, not to mention my own cousin. My dad never liked the fact that Snotlout bullied me." Stoick nodded, confirming his son's words.

"Cousin? Really? Well babe, guess I'll take your warning." She rose and kissed him on the lips. "Bye babe. Sir. Toothless."

"Bye Milady."

"Bye Astrid."

"Please, call me Stoick lass."

"I'll think of it sir." Then Astrid was gone.

"So Thomas. Tell me more about yourself. Something besides your work for this Viggo character. I know enough about that as it is."

…

"So, do you see anyone here that you might like?" Astrid asked Snotlout.

The pair were sitting in a bar in town. The stocky man turned to look around from his perch atop his barstool.

"I do, but I can't talk to her. I'll ruin it."

Astrid followed his gaze to his chosen target before looking back at him. "Duh, that's why we're here, to help you practice this stuff. Now get over there!"

"Fine, but you're paying for my drinks if this goes wrong." Snotlout retorted.

"Deal." Astrid said, watching him slide off the bar stool and approach the girl.

She had black hair with streaks of red and wore a long crimson dress.

"Hello." Snotlout said, only just audible from where Astrid was sitting.

"Hi. What's your name?"

"Snotlout. What's yours, beautiful?"

"Alva." The girl giggled.

Then the barman spoke to Astrid and her focus was broken. "Can I get you anything?"

"Nothing just now. I'm acting as a wingwoman support for my boyfriend's cousin."

"Ah, well let me know if you want anything later."

"Will do." The barman nodded and turned to tend to other customers, while Astrid looked around for Snotlout.

To her surprise, she saw the girl heading for the exit, hand gripping one of Snotlout's and resulting in him coming along.

'Seems some people go for him. Lucky you Snotlout.' She thought with a smile.

…

One week later

"A letter came." Ryker said, stepping into Viggo's office and placing it on his desk.

Viggo opened the envelope and scanned the letter within.

"What does it say?"

Viggo placed the letter on the desk. "It appears that barman we encountered is related to Stoick Haddock. I am of a mind to forget about our AWOL employee."

"What caused the change of heart? You're not one for giving up easily, Viggo."

"It would waste time and money to go to court over him, especially if we were to go up against the head of Haddock Solicitors, who I have read will be representing Thomas Fury in court. Stoick Haddock is nothing if not thorough, which could result in certain things coming to light that I would rather keep hidden." Viggo replied.

"So what are you going to do now?" Ryker wondered.

"Mind our own business. I think that is a wise decision with no risk, don't you?"

…

A/N: So here is the end of Comforting A Valkyrie.

I won't be continuing this story further, and I felt that leaving the ending somewhat open ended would be a better plan than stopping without trying to resolve the plot at all.

It turns out that writing for three different stories at once, in addition to studying at College is more than I can handle, if people want regular updates that is.

Thank you everyone who reviewed this story that turned from a one shot to this eight chapter mess.

You were all great!

Until next time.

Ciao

Silvolde.