Author's Note: This is kinda early for an update (especially from me XD) but I just HAD to put this up! I have another one in my arsenal but it still needs some tweaking ;D Here's another angsty one-shot of another 'what if' scenario about Hiccup and Toothless :D
Rating: M
Warning: Character death, slightly graphic scenes, angst, AU, OOCness
Summary: In this life, he doesn't hesitate.
In this life, he doesn't hesitate.
The final cry of the Night Fury chills his blood and stops his heart, tearing through the forest and echoing it's mournful wail. Hiccup unsteadily falls the ground, body trembling and stomach rolling, as he stares at the cold body in front of him, his dagger still sticking out of it's unmoving chest.
Shock paralyzes his body, the short, almost nonexistent elation of finally killing a dragon draining from him as quickly as it had come. His lungs are heavy from horror and disgust, and the inevitable need to retch until he's sobbing overcomes him. He doesn't move for a long time, clinging the boulder behind him as he tries to stay conscious, the constant mantra of what have I done ringing his head as he tries to look somewhere besides the black mass of scales in front of him.
Eventually, he's able to get up again, and eventually, he staggers home, heart heavy even as he wipes the tears from his face – but acid green eyes full of accusation and fear pierce his chest and he knows he will never be free of his guilt.
At first, his father doesn't believe him and waves him off with that same dismissive air that he's known his whole life, and Hiccup is startled by the incredible amount of fiery hot rage that fills his being and makes him see red. How dare that man treat him like a child, how dare that man look down at him with disappointment, after everything they have done…then he screams. He yells, he thrashes, and he cries, and when Stoic sees something dark in his son's eyes, something that hadn't been there before, he falls silent and calmly follows the young man on his trek to sorrow and damnation.
There's a huge party at the Great Hall, a feast for kings – or Vikings – that night.
"Hiccup killed a dragon!"
"He got the Night Fury! Can you believe it?"
"Who knew he had it in him?"
"That's our Hiccup for ya! He is Stoic's son after all!"
"Thank Thor! If he keeps this up, he's gonna make a fine Chief."
"Incredible!"
But Hiccup isn't there and refuses to cheer because there is nothing to celebrate.
"Oh, he's just resting. He took down a Night Fury, after all." Is what his father boasts, laughing uproariously with the rest of the hall, and Hiccup can't help but feel sick with every proud word or approving glance.
During the next raid, no one questions Hiccup – the hero, a spiteful voice in the back of his mind hisses – as he walls himself away into the back of the forge, sharpening weapons and ignoring Gobber's constant, worried nagging. The absence of "Night Fury!" hurts more than he can bear, but he doesn't stop and continues to work. His chest feels hollow, he doesn't feel his hands burn from the hot metal, and all the while, he waits for a sound that will never come.
I'm a Viking.
His dream comes true. The whole village acknowledges him, his father is proud of him, and he's finally a Viking, like he's always wanted. Astrid sees him in a whole new light, he has the respect of his peers, he has everything he thought he's ever wanted and should be happy.
So he smiles, and laughs, and fights, and forges, and pretends everything is absolutely perfect.
And at night he weeps, because it all feels so wrong.
Author's Note: So…yeah. There it is. Hope you guys enjoyed reading as much as I did writing. Remember, ANY AND ALL IDEAS/REQUESTS FOR MORE ONESHOTS ARE WELCOME! I'd love to hear what you think and what you'd like to see :D I already have some on my inbox that I'm itching to write X3 Faves and reviews are appreciated!
Side Note: is there a way to see how many people are following you as an author? I'm curious :3 thanks!
