«It's on a rainy morning that Hiccup disappeared.»


It was pouring down, so much that everyone stayed at home. And because nobody was outside doing their usual things, the Chief had decided to stay in bed and enjoy the unexpected day off. However, he was a little too concerned about how his son was acting lately to sleep. Hiccup used to spend his days in the forge, doing his weird inventions that never worked, but now he started to leave the kill ring immediately after dragon training to wander in the woods.

Closing his eyes, letting his mind shut down, he ignored the bad impression that had found his way in the depth of his heart.

Nothing bad can happen, Hiccup is doing good in the arena, he said to himself as he fell into the arms of Morpheus.

(*sighs*. lets be honest this fanfiction wouldnt take place if everything wouldnt go downhill at a certain point.)

~ Meanwhile, at the Cove. ~

- Do you think it's enough? asked Hiccup to his Night Fury behind his shoulder, examining the objects in front of him.

Ropes, pencils, papers, sheets, blueprints, his notebook full of drawings, a second "in-case" tail fin and a whole basket of fish - mostly for Toothless. The boy didn't have a big stomach like a Viking typically had. He was way more small and scrawny than average and he's always been bullied for that, unfairly. It wasn't his fault that he was the person he was. His mother too was like him, but she was recognized for being a proud warrior. However, it didn't stop fate to rob her from this world.

The black dragon seemed to shrug and Hiccup sighed. He patted Toothless while packing the few personal items that had been thrown on the ground for better analysis. It was all that he had, in fact. He didn't really accord importance to objects, mostly because he had almost nothing.

Most of the time, Snotlout and the twins stole his goods from him or they just destroyed them. So it was useless to get attached to something that's going to be broken. Over time, he has grown defeated and developed a kind of "could not care less" attitude. He used to cry a lot when he was young, but now he's just used to be hurt.

- Well, time to go, bud, he murmured as the dragon softly walked over.

Toothless then cooed and after the baskets have been tied to the saddle, curved his spine to allow the boy to climb on his back. Hiccup watched for a moment the Cove, a beautiful place - one of the rare where he felt safe and in peace on Berk.

He'll return.

Someday.

He inhaled and then exhaled. It was still morning, so he had enough time, and yet he was so impatient to leave.

The rain was still pouring down, hard on his frail shoulders, freezing him to the core of his bones. He was shivering and he longed for the warmth of his bed, but he had decided that this was the last day on this island for a long time. So, he gently nudged his Night Fury with the handles of the saddle and the dragon immediately took off.

Hiccup felt no regrets as they flew far from Berk, leaving nothing but a letter that he had written on all the words he had always wanted to tell his father.

Back into the Chief's house.

When the man woke up, he suddenly found the house unusually quiet, even though it has always been this way. But today, it was somehow distinctive. Silent and void of aliveness. Since Valka has been carried off by a four-winged dragon, the habit of avoiding this house has grown stronger over the years, mostly because all he could think about was her being taken away, her cries still ringing in his ears.

But, by doing that, he has been neglecting his son, unconsciously. The vow to kill all the beasts - mostly the one that had killed his dear wife - blinded Stoick to the point where he didn't take care of the last member of his family, the heir of the tribe, the one that would take over him.

The Chief mumbled as he got out of his bed, still groggy after sleeping in. He couldn't guess what time it actually was, but it was still raining a lot outside. The edge of his window was dripping and a pool of water was starting to build up on the floor, but he didn't really care. It was normal for him.

He was about to get his boots and cape when he noticed the little letter on his desk. Stoick immediately thought of his son who adored to write and draw, to his much exasperation. He was a little pissed that Hiccup didn't have the body and the spirit of a true Viking. The boy was skinny, short and different... Just like Valka, he admitted with bitterness. He hated the sentiment he felt whenever he stared into his son's green eyes, thus he stopped looking at him at all.

He picked up the paper and unfolded it carelessly. The first time that jumped to his attention was how fluid and clean was the writing. And then, the first sentence knocked all his air out of his lungs like he had just been punched.

I'm sorry for being weak.

The man frowned, but continued to read, trying to understand what was the reason behind this strange apology.

I know that you have issues looking me in the eyes. I know that I remind you of Mom. I also know that I'm not the son that you wanted.

I'm not strong. I'm not skilled with weapons. I'm not brave. I'm not tall, nor am I bulky like Snotlout.

But I'm going to change, starting today. I'll train hard to make you proud. One day, you'll gladly tell everyone that Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third is the to-be-soon Cheif of Berk. But now, I'm just a runt, a nobody, an undesirable that is always in the way.

He stopped reading, astonished. He never knew that his son was in pain like that, that he felt so miserable and useless. And Stoick hung his head low, ashamed of himself. He realized that no matter how great he was as a Chief, he was a pathetic excuse of a father...

And why does this letter sounds like a goodbye?

I'm sorry, Dad, for being the coward that I am. I lied to you; I never went to train in the woods and I still cannot tell you. However, when I return, I'll tell you. Everything. The reasons I left and why I couldn't stay on Berk.

He knew it. It was a temporary farewell. His heart clenched and even though he wanted to run to the village's only forge and tell his best friend Gobber everything, he forced himself to read the short message all the way down.

I know I'm a lot of things that you don't like, I'll try my best to earn the right to be the Heir of Berk's tribe. I don't deserve it by birth, so I'll make it mine by working hard. Don't worry about me, I'm not alone. Not anymore.

This is not an adieu. I'll come back home someday.

- Signed, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third.

- Oh, son, I am so sorry for putting so much pressure on you that you had to leave, mourned the Chief, devastated by the news of the now gone last member for his broken family.


Rip english lol i hate myself why am i writing this omg. ;_;

Anyway, what are your thoughts? I can take criticism without being offended about it, don't worry. I'm learning, after all! :)

See ya in the next chapter, buddies. ('°w°')