Hey guys! I've decided to try my hand at a multichap work for the HTTYD fandom (I don't count my uni au as a multichap. It's more drabbles in chronological order.)

Think of this as a HTTYD 1 and 2 mash up with Dolphin Tale which I watched last week. It's been stuck in my head ever since so I started writing. My aim with this is to post a chapter a week, so expect chapter two next Monday. This chapter is more of an opening between Hiccup and Stoick and you'll meet the rest of the gang in Chapter Two.

I'll still be writing drabbles for my University AU occasionally, but I'm going to focus on this story for now.

It was three in the balmy afternoon when Henry 'Hiccup' Haddock rose from his seat on the bus to stumble his way down the aisle and down the steps into the fresh briny air of Berk.

Home.

Well… the place where he grew up.

It had never really felt like home, which was why he had fled at the first opportunity. Applying for whichever university was furthest away, he'd left just after his eighteenth birthday and hadn't looked back.

Until now.

Now, Hiccup had graduated from that university with a degree in Engineering and Marine Sciences. He'd had dreams of becoming a Marine Biologist studying oceans around the world. Maybe he'd work for a high profile organisation, protecting marine environments, and his dad would finally get off his back about finding a 'real' job.

Unfortunately, many of these dreams involved unpaid internships and volunteer work to get started, but day-to-day living expenses required a steady income. So Hiccup had applied for, and received a position at the small, rather run down aquarium in his home town.

Hiccup stretched his legs as he waited for his bag to be retrieved from the bowels of the baggage compartment. Six hours in such a cramped space had not been kind to his lanky figure.

With a mumbled "thanks" to the bus driver, Hiccup shouldered his pack and began the forty minute walk from the main street of town to his father's house.

"I wonder what he'll say." Hiccup had a tendency to talk to himself. "Surprised no doubt." Hiccup had failed to mention his return during the last short phone call he had shared with his father.

He turned off the main street, following the road up the steep incline and away from the shops. From here he could see bits of the harbour behind the buildings. By the time he had reached the crest of the hill Berk Harbour was spread out behind him.

Panting from exertion, Hiccup paused to take in the view. It had been a few years since he had had to make that climb, but the scenery was just as magnificent as ever.

Berk was a small town, it's main industry was fishing and according to Hiccup's father, the Haddock's had been doing the fishing since the land was first settled upon. Something about the deep cove and sheltered harbour. Hiccup hadn't been listening.

Stoick had spent many years trying to get his only child interested in the family business. "It's in our blood," he'd told a young Hiccup. "It's in our very name." It was an old argument.

Hiccup resumed walking. No doubt the argument would start up again. He was a scientist. His new job was to study the ocean, to protect it and the creatures within! Not trawl it bare with a net!

He turned onto his street, dragging his feet for the last hundred yards to the driveway. It was finally here, the moment he had been dreading for months. Digging his keys from the bottom of his bag, he walked up to the door.

Deep breath.

Insert key.

Turn knob.

"Dad?"

His voice echoed up the hallway.

"Anyone home?"

The sound of his sneakers, squeaking against the wooden floorboards was the only sound to greet him.

"Figures."

Hiccup made his way up to his room at the back of the house. It was exactly how he had left it. Scribbles littered the small cluttered desk. Pens and pencils lay scattered. Hiccup dropped his bag onto the floor and kicked off his shoes. He moved to the bed to flop, exhausted after his long trip.

"Welcome home Hiccup." Hiccup shut his eyes. He could unpack his small gathering of possessions later.

...

Hiccup was woken with a jolt at the sound of the front door slamming. His father was not a small man and his footsteps reverberated up the hallway. Hiccup was sure they'd continue all the way up to his room before remembering that his Dad had no way of knowing he was home.

Scrubbing sleep from his eyes, Hiccup decided he may as well get this over with.

Late afternoon sun still filtered in through his window, casting his room in a soft orange glow. He can't have been sleeping for long, but the nap had been refreshing.

Hiccup wandered from his room. His sock covered feet made barely any sound on the timber flooring. He turned through the doorway into the kitchen.

"Hey Dad." He stood sheepishly against the doorframe.

"Son!" Stoick gathered his boy up into a bear hug. "It's good to see you my boy!"

"Can't breathe Dad."

"Sorry," Stoick chuckled and released his only child. He stood back to look him up and down. "I wasn't expecting you home. Why didn't you say anything?"

"Yeah, well… surprise!" Hiccup rubbed his arms awkwardly.

"This is fantastic news. Just wait until I tell Gobber." Stoick's childhood friend very much lived up to the nickname. A big man, like Stoick, he had often taken Hiccup under his wing and kept him out of too much trouble while Stoick was out at sea. A mechanic by trade he had taught a curious young Hiccup many of the tricks of his craft.

"How long will you be staying?" Stoick took a seat by the kitchen table.

"Well, that's the thing," Hiccup explained. "I was thinking of coming home… for the foreseeable future." This was going better than expected.

His Dad beamed. "Excellent! Do you need work? You know there is always a place for you with Haddock Fishing. You know I was always hoping you'd still come back. It's in our blood after all."

And there it was.

Hiccup frowned.

"Actually, Dad, I have work. At the aquarium. I start tomorrow."

"The aquarium?" Stoick's frown matched his son's. "Can they afford it? That old place can't be making any money."

"It's not about the money," Hiccup argued, conveniently forgetting his reasons for returning home. "I need to make a start somewhere and they needed someone. They're starting a new program which they're hoping will bring in the tourists." At his father's scowl he continued exasperated, "it's a good job Dad."

"I just wish you would consider it," Stoick countered.

"I have considered it," Hiccup complained. "But that's not me. The fishing- it's your thing, not mine. Do you realise how much damage fishing does to the environment?" He tried appealing to the philanthropic side of his father. Over the years Stoick had given a lot of money and support to the community. He was a good man, but stubborn. The Haddock's had been doing things the same way for generations.

Stoick sighed. "I am not having this argument with you again."

"I'm just saying, there are sustainable fishing practices you can implement. You can prevent overfishing, or catching other marine animals."

"And then would you consider joining the business?" Stoick looked to his son expectantly.

"See, you don't even care," Hiccup protested. "You would change your practices just to get me on board, but wouldn't actually take the initiative otherwise!"

"That's enough," Stoick's eyes took on a steely glint.

"It's selfish. You just want to make sure the company stays in the family."

Stoick stood. "I said, that's enough!" His voice boomed though the house, effectively shutting Hiccup up. He lowered his voice. "You've been home less than a day. Let's not do this right now."

Hiccup conceded sullenly. "Fine."

Dinner after that was a terse affair. As soon as he was able, Hiccup excused himself to his room. As he was heading out through the door his father stopped him.

"Son- Hiccup, it… it really is good to see you." Stoick lay a hand on his son's shoulder.

Hiccup ducked his head. "Yeah, you too." He hesitated, about to continue, but thought better of it and left the room.

I really hope you like this guys. I promise next chapter will be full of Hiccup/Astrid banter (it's also much longer). Please review. Constructive feedback will help me improve my writing.