Son of Eret

Eret had mentioned offhand that it was his birthday during a certain autumn, but he hadn't expected anyone on Berk to celebrate. For one, there was often too much to do, what with Chief Hiccup tending the tribe and his brood at once. For another, Drago Bludivist and no one on Eret's crew had cared at all about birthdays. Their job was to survive and hunt. 

Berk was different, however; when someone wanted to celebrate, they often did with flair.

"Eret!" A cheerful voice greeted him. "Happy birthday!"

"Oof!" He doubled over as a mass of brown hair hit him in the stomach. All the air left his insides, and he had to gasp.

"Sorry!" Jora Haddock said, hugging him around the middle. "You're bigger now!"

Eret couldn't help but smile. Jojo was at that age where birthdays mattered and were celebrated with aplomb. She hadn't learned yet about grey hairs, wrinkles, or cynicism and her parents were only willing to let her keep it that way. In the wake of the constant wars with Drago, Hiccup and Astrid had thought to let their toddler enjoy lots of innocence.

"I need to make you a cake!" Jojo declared. "Everyone should get cake on their birthday!"

"Oh Jo, you don't have to," Eret groaned, not just because of the pain in his stomach. "Besides, didn't your mum say that you're not allowed to use the fire pit on your own?"

Jojo paused. Then she pouted, which made her cheeks puff and flush.

"That is true."

Eret regained his breath. He took in several lungfuls of air as Jojo's shoulders slumped.

"That's not fair. You should have a cake on your birthday. Family should make cakes."

"Does that mean I'm family?" Eret asked, in a joking tone.

"Of course. You ride Grandpapa's dragon."

There was a moment of silent. Eret thought of Skullcrusher, how Hiccup and Astrid had asked him to help babysit Jojo, and the more he had spent time with the toddler the more she enamored him. He didn't know if it was due to her innocence, seeing his own sister Eggingarde in her, or if it was due to Jojo's sweet nature.

"How about I teach you how to make the cake?" he suggested. "I'm an adult, so you can use the firepit with me."

Jojo stopped slumping. Her tiny brow knitted as she pondered the idea.

"How is it your birthday cake if you're the one making it? Someone else has to?"

"You will be making it," Eret promised. "I'm just going to watch and tell you what to do, so that you know how to make a proper cake and you don't get burned."

"I never burn. I have the soul of a dragon."

Eret laughed; that was the other thing he liked about Jojo, her spirit. Valka had mentioned that about Jojo.

"Just the same, I'll help so that your parents don't mind. After all, I don't want to get in trouble on my birthday."

"Okay!" Jojo took his arm and began to lead him. "Mummy mentioned something about rum cakes. What is rum, Eret?"

So much for tranquility. Eret let Jojo lead him to the Haddock house. He remembered Eggingarde for a fleeting moment, and the moment passed. Eret son of Eret would spend his birthday, instructing her in the ways of flour and fire.