This is Berk.

A big, wet rock teeming with big, and sometimes wet, vikings. This rock's been standing for seven generations. Located a few days north of Hopelessness and some miles south of Freezing to Death, it's not known for it's balmy weather. But unlike other places that may ride ponies or alpacas, we ride…

Well, you probably already know.

My name is Hiccup, and most of my mornings start the same; eye-watering flights, heart-stopping aerial stunts, and fishy dragon-breath.

"ARROOOO," a familiar, sassy voice calls out from my peripheral.

"I feel like we spend most of our days free-falling, bud."

Toothless, with his tongue dangling out of his mouth, made a noise of agreement.

Free-falling through Berk's sky hasn't been a problem lately. I mean, it's pretty easy to jump knowing you have a giant, black safety net falling with you (even if it's to his chagrin sometimes).

But, for the last three years, it feels like my life has also been a steady free-fall. Don't get me wrong, after the war with the Berserker's, three years of peace was a nice change of pace. We vikings have recovered, and dare I say it, became better.

Toothless and I cleared the clouds after falling in a tight spiral, and we could see the dark blue of the ocean nearing. With a quick flip, I grabbed onto Toothless like a lifeline and quickly attached my leg into the pedal. One shift of the stirrup and we evened out before we plummeted into the water.

Dragons are now fully integrated into Berk's way of life. As I flew over the Northside of the island, the evidence of the change was quite easy to see. The stables, where most of the dragons sleep and eat, can been seen in the distance. There are feeding trophs and dragon washes near the forge. Almost all the huts in the village have fortified roofs to give our flying friends a place to land if needed. You get the gist.

And that's just the physical proof.

Having your own dragon is pretty much the norm now, and vikings hate questioning the status quo (trust me, I have first hand experience). But honestly, why would you not want one? From helping with the countless tasks required in our daily viking lives, to just plain companionship; dragons just make living easier.

And as Berk has changed, so has life.

As Toothless zoomed high above the plaza, I spotted Fishlegs giving a tour of Berk to some of the young vikings who were sitting on top of a smiling Meatlug. Nowadays, that's where you can find the duo; preparing the Dragon Riders of the Future as Fishlegs would say. He suddenly saw me and waved with a smile. I couldn't hear what he said to the kids, but they all start waving their little arms up at Toothless and me while shrieking unintelligible things that made me grin.

Fishlegs isn't the only one in the gang who's found a new calling. Snotlout was dubbed the official weapons tester by Gobber; much to my old mentor's delight. He really needed someone to try out his new inventions, or instruments of war as he would say, and Snot was more than willing to fill the role. Despite the lack of battles in the last few months, Gobber's vigor for new weapons hadn't diminished, and it was good way for Snotlout to burn energy.

The Twins, to no one's surprise, haven't really changed at all. They dedicated their lives to Loki, the God of Mischief, by performing pranks and gags; much to Snotlout's dismay. It's more often than not that when a stampede of yaks run amuck in the village, or Snotlout's screams ring out through the village, are due to the antics of the Thorston twins. However, when they aren't setting Snot's pants on fire, they sometimes take part in their family's weaving business. Despite their love for chaos, Tuff and Ruff actually have really good taste in designing.

So yeah. The dynamics of the gang have changed a little.

"Hiccup!" A familiar voice came from behind me.

Somethings, I thought with a smile, stayed the same.

Coming to glide next to us was Astrid riding her trusty nadder, Stormfly. I tried hard, but I'm pretty sure I failed, to keep that stupid grin off my face; the one that threatened to pop up every time I saw her. You think after all these years of being tight-knit, tighter than two gronkles stuck in a wagon it feels like, would lose some of its novelty. Nope. After countless missions, dragon races, and late night talks on the Western cliffs, being close with her has been nothing short of awesome.

We're a dynamic duo. The Thor to my Loki she once told me. Of course, she would be Thor.

Nowadays, Astrid and I have taken to exploring the archipelago. We would document new islands and discoveries during our trips. After the first few adventures, I had the grand idea that we should make a map. It could be used by dragon riders or sailors or any vikings looking to run away. When I proposed the map to her, I mentioned how it could make us legendary and transcendent, even more so than Bork and his book. Berkians would build statues of us and our dragons! Despite being completely serious (or as serious as I ever get), my Hiccup flair made her bust out in a cacophony of laughter. I tried to be mad, I really did, but it was pretty impossible when she was that happy, and nevertheless, she agreed. Her laughter drowned out the night, and we talked about the possibilities, supplies we would need, and whatever came to mind. I continued my regular comedy show, and her smile was blinding even in the da -

And if you couldn't tell by now, I'm pretty much head-over-heels in love with her - but that's not new. It's been like that since I was seven.

"Hofferson," I said in a false-stern voice, "you're late."

"Sorry chief junior. I got caught up with chores and my mom and…something."

"Something?"

She smiled but there was some hesitation in her eyes. "Yeah something. Could we land and talk a little?"

"Sure," I exclaimed, not wanting to hear what she had to say. Astrid had that look in her eye. That I don't want to say it because I know you're not gonna like it, Hiccup look. "But first, I was thinking we should try the North today. See if you can catch up!"

With a quick flick of my foot, Toothless blasted out of his leisurely pace. I heard Astrid call out my name in what I think was a frustrated voice, but I wasn't going to slow down.

—

"I think I see something," I whispered to Astrid. Using my magnifying glass, I could see the remnants of what I thought was a dragon. With it's abnormally long and thick neck, and oddly shaped head, it was easy to get my hopes up of a new discovery.

"Hicc-"

"Look! Do you see it?" I tossed her the glass and she begrudgingly turned towards the horizon.

"That's nice but-"

"It's has got to be a new dragon! C'mon Ast."

I urged Toothless off the sea stack we were using for recon. My chest felt like it was going to implode with how fast my heart was beating. It had been a few months since Astrid and I discovered a new dragon. Despite my best efforts to hide how I felt, my dad's understanding grunt or Snotlout's gloating when we came back home empty handed were really starting to get to me. If I have to see that sympathetic smile that Astrid graces me with after every 'false alarm' again, I'd probably go insane.

Toothless pulled around the rock formation with a quick and graceful tilt and -

"LOKI'D!"

Damn it.

Sitting behind the sea stack formation was none other than the twins on top of their zippleback. Barf and Belch had their necks intertwined like rope, and from a distance, it would be easy to mistake them for some new, undiscovered dragon…

Damn it. Damn it. Damn it.

"You totally thought Barf and Belch were a new dragon," Tuffnut exclaimed through laughs.

"What? No… I did not!" Smooth comeback Haddock.

The twins continued to howl in delight at my obvious dissapoitment, and I took off before I could embarrass myself even more.

—

A few minutes later, Toothless and I took refuge on a sea stack far from the twins.

One of the best things about Toothless is his how fast he can fly. Despite there being a lack of Night Furies in Berk or anywhere, their speed has been a thing of legend. Some folktales have told stories of Night Furies being faster than a lightning bolt from Thor. Their wings were made from Freya herself; fast but silent.

For Toothless, it was very useful for avoiding enemy dragons or being stealthy in the dark. And for me, it was really good for escaping my problems. In just a short amount of time, I was able to put a significant amount of distance between me and the twins and Astrid.

Not that I like being away from Astrid. I don't. And, if I'm being honest, I like hanging out with Tuff and Ruff; unless they were acting like idiots. Like now.

But putting distance between us and them felt like I was avoiding the real problem; Berk was suffocating me. Everyone, even the original dragon riders, has gotten over the change that they brought. In fact, they adjusted and reformed their lives to accommodate our new friends. Now, Berkians altered their futures and changed their roles to fit in their new lives but still contribute to Berk.

And me… well, it's pretty obvious what role I would need to fill. With my Dad's hints of retirement and Gobber's teasing, the future that I dreaded but accepted felt like it was looming behind my shoulder.

And now, I felt cornered like an unlucky Yak facing down a hungry, untamed nightmare. Childhood innocence never lasts… but it could've stayed around a little longer.

The map was my escape. It was an excuse to put distance between me and that role. The further away from the island I was, the bettter I felt. Plus, ever since Toothless gave me 'purpose' in life, discovering new dragons always strengthened my resolve. And I loved exploring with Astrid. When I was with her, even when we were lost, I felt hopeful.

Right on cue, a loud and familiar squawk resonated on the opposite side of the sea stack. Toothless, who was making a noble effort in comforting me, paused to greet his fellow dragon and her rider.

I could mope around all day if I wanted to, but it would be unfair to let my dragon suffer with me. "Go on bud. Go play."

Toothless galloped off towards Stormfly. I heard Astrid's quiet footsteps as she bounded over to me. She sat down to my right and stared off towards the horizon; pointedly looking away from me.

"Hiccup," she said softly, "The twins are muttonheads."

"Agreed."

"But you have to admit, it's been a while since we've seen any new dragons."

I looked over at her and found her observing me. Despite Astrid being one of the few constant things in my life, change did manage to affect her too; at least physically. Still strong and fearless and loyal, but new. Along with height, her blonde hair grew, and the way she braided it was different. Long gone were the days she had to flip her bangs out; they use to reside in front of her eyes. And like most vikings our age, her body changed too. Her voice got a little deeper, her hips widened in ways that made me blank out sometimes, and her face matured to look a little more like her mother's. I mean, even I'd admit that Astrid had always been cute in that 'tomboy' type of way, but now, she was seriously starting to become beautiful.

"This can't be it, Ast."

Her eyes were still firmly on my face. "Well…it's over for me."

So much for constant.

I felt something in my chest tear like paper, and even the pleasant scent of the ocean started to smell like week old yaknog. Nevertheless, I fought to keep my face neutral, but I was pretty sure I was doing a shotty job.

"Hiccup," Astrid continued, "Stormfly and I are joining the Berk Guard! Your dad granted our application. We start training today. Isn't that exciting?"

Damn it, Dad. She was smiling in a hopeful way that conveyed her expectancy in me to return the sentiment, but I couldn't bring myself to it.

The Berk Guard. The Big leagues as I use to refer to it. Created by my great-great Grandfather, it use to be a death squad filled with the most elite, dragon-killing vikings. They protected the island and helped with diplomatic missions. But with the… changes that have happened in the past few years, my father decided to adjust the purpose of the group. They still helped with diplomatic missions, and they still are a vital component with fortifying the island, but no more slaughtering of dragons; obviously. In fact, having a dragon was looked as an extra advantage in getting accepted in. You could be of service on the ground and in the air. And with Astrid being arguably the best warrior and the best dragon rider on the island; it was a no brainer.

But still. Damn it, Dad.

"The Berk Guard… that's amazing. I'm…happy for you."

False, I wasn't. I mean maybe I was sorta happy for Ast. Being in the Guard was an honorable title. She would get paid, and I knew money was kinda tight in her household. It was an easy way to meet new people. They get a really cool armor set… that I helped design. Thor damn it.

But I wasn't happy for what it meant for us…or whatever Astrid and I were.

"Look Hiccup," Astrid interrupted my sullen thoughts, probably seeing through my facade, "we all got to find new… things to pursue. I mean, look at the rest of the gang. We're all grown up and, life's changing for us. Maybe you and Toothless should…move on too."

Somehow, I wasn't so sure she wast just talking about the map.

There was a bout of awkward silence between us. I wasn't looking at her, but I could sense she wanted to say more. But the silence continued until she stood up to leave.

"Just think about it, okay?" She boarded Stormfly. " I'll see you soon, Hiccup. You still owe me a night flight. Let's meet at our spot?"

I knew she was grinning, I could hear it in her voice, But I didn't turn to look. "Yeah."

She hesitated a few more seconds, but then prompted Stormfly to take off back towards Berk. There goes my Thor.

I took my map out of my front armor compartment. Staring at it absently, the feeling of pointlessness started to engulf the previous excitement that normally surrounded it. In just under a few hours, I managed to lose everything that was keeping me sane.

You really screwed the pooch, Hiccup Haddock I thought to myself.

Toothless nudged my side until I wrapped my arms around his scaly head. He felt warm, and he provided comfort against the sudden coldness present in my gut. "Well, it looks like it's just you and me now, bud."

"Aroooo," Toothless murmured in sad agreement.

—

After a mournful lunch by myself, and a pathetic check-up of the academy, that was still empty, Toothless flew me back to my house. My friends were nowhere to be found, Gobber was on a fishing trip and wouldn't return until tomorrow, and Astrid was…yeah. I took off Toothless's saddle and left him to his own devices. He was reluctant to leave, which made me smile a little, but eventually, he bounded off to hang out with other dragons.

Normally, I would never hang out with my Dad voluntarily. Don't get me wrong, I love my Dad, and after a few years of improved communication, I really felt like my Dad loves me too; in his own, Stoicky-way. But still, hanging out with normally him entails chiefly-lectures, chiefly-stories, and worst of all, chiefly-tasks.

However, I normally wouldn't be home so early. And… I was really out of options. So I steadily opened my front door.

Out of all the things I expected to see, a wet and terrified Johann, hyperventilating on my father's chair, was not one of them. My father was trying his best to comfort the distraught trader, but all he was getting was half-finished sentences and hurried breaths. When he noticed me, his eyebrows were low and his frown showed his worry.

Before I could ask, Johann somehow found his voice when he realized my presence. "Master Hiccup! I'm sorry for the sudden and ungraceful intrusion into your domain, but the news I have pertains to you and, well…it will surely dampen your day."

I sighed. "Don't worry, Johann. My day's already damp. Go ahead and lay it on me."