As soon as he had been suspended, he had grabbed his bags and headed out of School, waiting until he was out of the grounds before pulling out his phone and calling home. After two rings, his mother picked up as he knew she would.

I don't expect the phone to ring more than three times before you pick it up, woman!

"It's me," he said when she picked up and recited the number as Alvin had demanded she do every time. He heard her gasp in surprise and waited.

"Hiccup! Darling-are you alright? I was so worried...and your father..."

The boy huffed in exasperation and bit back the instinctive answer. It was a constant argument because for his mother, husband equalled father. For Hiccup, the two were very different.

"I saw Alvin at school today," he told her, his voice neutral. "I've been suspended from school for being in the fight."

"Are you coming home then?" she asked him, the hope in her voice painful to hear. He suspected she was hoping for some time with him without her husband being around...because she knew the two didn't get along.

"Not now," he said quietly. "I'll be back later. I want to see Gobber and maybe do something useful before I come home. I guess I'll be grounded when I get back and I won't get to see him for a while."

"I love you, Hiccup. Be safe," she said and put the phone down. He sighed. He did need to see Gobber-and walk Toothless...but he would delay going back home as long as he could. So on the way to the Forge, he phoned another number he had collected on Saturday.

"Dag?"

"Hiccup! Whatcha doing, man?" Dagur asked, sounding very cheerful.

"I was about to ask you the same question," Hiccup shot back with a small grin as he rounded the corner and the Forge came into sight.

"We're hanging round the park-wanna join?" Dagur said casually. Hiccup stared at the Forge and then changed direction.

"Be there in ten," he said cheerfully. "Swings?"

"Where else?" Dagur grinned and hung up. Stuffing the phone in his pocket, Hiccup lengthened his stride and it wasn't long before he found himself at the swings where the others were lounging around and string off smaller kids. They were pleased to see him and after a bout of fist-bumps and high-fives, he settled on a swing, grinning.

"We missed you," Thuggory noted and Hiccup shrugged.

"Yeah, missed you guys as well," he murmured. "Only realised you weren't at school when..."

"You mean you weren't suspended?" Savage asked him with a frown.

"What gives, man?" Dagur added, inspecting the auburn-haired boy thoughtfully.

"Actually, I think Al decided to punish me by NOT letting me off school," he grumbled.

"Al?"

"Yeah-Treacher. First name's Alvin. Didn't I tell ya before?" Hiccup asked and there was universal head-shaking.

"And how're you on first name terms with the Principal?"Dagur asked him suspiciously.

"Chill, Dag-he lives near me and knows my Mom," Hiccup explained with forced nonchalance.

"Alvin?"

"Yeah-think ya can make something of it?" Hiccup challenged him with a grin.

"So why're you here?" Thuggory asked him and he sighed.

"He was asking who started the fight-whose idea it was-so I claimed it was mine," he explained, swinging back and forth on the swing. "He had to suspend me then...well, apparently, it was my fault most of the Football Team is suspended!" Dagur offered a fist and they bumped again. Then Savage grinned and pulled out a bottle: Hiccup's eyes popped wide in shock.

"SoCo anyone?" he grinned.

"Um...is that...?"Hiccup asked. Dagur grinned.

"You an alcohol virgin?" he teased and Hiccup shook his head vehemently.

"Nah-just shocked you managed to get hold," he said quickly. Savage grinned and waved his ID-which claimed he was twenty-two, not eighteen. Inwardly, Hiccup groaned. Then Savage unscrewed the top and handed the bottle to Hiccup.

"You're already on catch-up," he grinned and Hiccup sighed then took a small sip, coughing as the alcohol burned his throat. Dagur glared at him and he took a larger sip before handing it back to his friends.

"So where did you learn those moves you had against Snot and Fish?" Thuggory asked him, handing the bottle along. Hiccup took a small sip and passed it along.

"Dad," he explained. "He was in the Military for ten years before he married. Afterwards, he was a company director for Dragon Tours...until he died, five years ago..."

"Wow, didn't know that man," Thuggory said, his face apologetic.

"So you're loaded?" Savage asked and Hiccup rolled his eyes.

"As if," he sighed. "When Dad's plane went down, he was declared missing, not dead. That meant his money is still in trust and Mom and I are...well not loaded is an understatement."

"So just the two of you?" Thuggory asked but Hiccup grabbed the bottle and took another larger sip.

"Mom managed to get a decree and has remarried," he admitted gruffly, scuffing the ground. "He's an uber-ass!" Dagur clapped him across the shoulder.

"Don't sweat, man," he assured Hiccup. "No matter what, you got us!"

oOo

He only realised the time when it was getting dark and the cold park lights cast deep shadows on the little playground. The crew had hung around for hours, chatting, showing off, standing on the swings and planning revenge on the Jocks. Savage had gone for burgers and had come back with some cheese smeared and squashed offerings that Hiccup had eaten eagerly. Between them, they had polished off the entire bottle of SoCo and Hiccup's head was spinning gently. But as he peered at his watch, his eyes widened and he scrambled up.

"Oh crap," he muttered. "Gotta go. I need to drop in and see Gobber-my Uncle-before I head home..." And feed my dog and apologise to Gobber why I missed work again...

"Same time tomorrow?" Dagur called and Hiccup flashed him a grin before he ran off. His heart sank as he saw the Forge dark and closed up. He stopped at the front door then ran round the back, fumbling at the key.

"Toothless?" he shouted. "Are you okay,boy?" But there was no reassuring bark-no sound at all. Frantically, he fumbled at the lock and burst into the back...to see...nothing. The dog bed was empty as were the bowls and no sign of Gobber. He searched frantically, then locked the back and raced out into the street. "TOOTHLESS!" he shouted. What had happened? Had the dog got out? Where was he? Surely Gobber hadn't taken him the pound...? "TOOTHLESS!"

He thought his heart would stop with relief when he heard a faint bark...and then he saw the skinny black shape galloping down the street, the lead trailing behind him. Racing towards the mutt as fast as his lanky legs would take him, Hiccup was hit waist high by the dog, bearing him to the ground and licking him thoroughly.

"Toothless! Gah! That doesn't wash out!" he protested, laughing, rubbing the dog in relief.

"Next time, walk yer own damned dog!" Gobber grumbled, limping up. Hiccup gazed up at the angry face and sagged.

"I'm so sorry, Gobber," he said and scrambled to his feet. "I-I lost track of time..." Gobber scowled at him, hearing the slight slur in his voice. He beckoned him close and grabbed his shoulder, then hauled him close. He frowned.

"Don't let Alvin smell the liquor on yer, boy, or he'll whip the hide off of yer!" he warned.

"He'll try..." Hiccup said with a little more spirit. Gobber shook his head.

"Laddie...we both know Alvin is far more powerful then yer and if yer really tries ter fight him, it ain't gonna end well." He patted the shoulder. "Go home. Nod. Say 'yes' and 'no'. Be with yer Mother. Be patient. Valka can't lose yer as well as yer Dad."

"She wouldn't notice, Gobber," Hiccup growled, his tone harsher than he meant. "She sides with him more than me anyway..."

"And yer so ornery it ain't easy ter be on yer side, is it?" Gobber asked him with insight. "Just...try, laddie. And if yer desperate...call me." The boy looked up, still angry but at least willing to listen.

"Thanks, Gobber," he said grudgingly.

"Now git home, laddie-before he locks yer out..." the older man said. "I'll lock the mutt up...if yer come round and do his walk tomorrow..."

"I promise," Hiccup said quietly, his green eyes filled with remorse. The few moments he had thought he had lost Toothless had been truly horrible and had sobered him up. He fussed the dog one last time and handed the leash to Gobber. For a moment, the older man scowled at him-then threw a hug around him.

"If yer need anything, call me," he whispered. "This isnae the boy I know. You're better than this." Hiccup hugged him tightly.

No, I'm not, he thought but said nothing, just fondling Toothless one last time then sprinting off. He glanced at his watch and his heart sank: it was almost eight and he wondered if Alvin had locked the door for the night. He sprinted up the road and arrived at the door, panting. Trembling, he put his key in the door and turned the latch...and the door opened. He paused and then straightened up, still breathing hard. This is for Mom, he though determinedly as he pushed the door open and quietly pushed it closed behind him. Feeling a shiver that had nothing to do with the ambient temperature, he placed his bag by the door and turned...to face the powerful shape of Alvin.

"Welcome 'ome, 'Iccip!" he said.