A/N: 20-07-14: Second Round Edits!


Berk loomed in front of them, a welcoming sight for both dragon and Viking.

It was a small village, but nonetheless a cozy one, full with mostly friendly people. Hiccup, back when he was fifteen, had complained about his island, calling it miserable and soggy. However he'd since changed his mind; the warmth of the people's hearts and the comfort of dragons on the island made Berk the perfect place to live and spend his days at.

Of course Hiccup dreadfully wished that he had time to explore the world outside Berk, and into the countless islands living in the whole archipelago. Three days (the length of time Stoick allowed for him) did not satisfy his need, and he was often moody when his quota had been filled and he had to go back. Lately he'd caught onto cartography, and spent most of his afternoons mapping any surrounding islands to the best of his ability.

The tinkling sounds of marketplace talk entertained Hiccup as he weaved through and around the village. Not many wares were sold in Berk; most of the items and memorabilia were shipped by Trader Johann, and he wasn't expected to make a trip to Berk until next week. Any food rations such as fish were kept in the storehouse, to prepare for winter season. The marketplace was for other objects. There were some trinkets and knick-knacks being sold in the stalls, as well as hand-me-downs and small children's toys that the shop manager's kids had probably worn out.

A shop owner called out to him. "Oi, Hiccup, would you like to taste some bread I made?"

Toothless sniffed the bread on the table, and twitched his face in disgust; he didn't like bread much. Hiccup pretended not to be annoyed and bit back a frown. He forced on a smile, facing the bread-maker. "Not today please, Braudin, I've got to head back home. It's getting late. Besides, I think my father already has one of your loaves, it's delicious." He hoped his voice did not sound too cheery. Cheeriness was not one of his usual character traits.

"Oh. Well, you better next time!" he replied, putting back the loaf of bread. Hiccup gave the shop owner a nod of acknowledgement, and continued his journey through the multiple stalls.

They reached the Haddock household just in time for supper. Toothless, having his fill of fish, left the house early, frolicking not far away. As Hiccup finished his dinner and prepared to leave, a heavy hand caught his arm, and he struggled in the crushing grip.

"Dad! Not again," he complained through gritted teeth. Arm today, huh. Usually it was his shoulder. He didn't know which one he preferred, more like he didn't want it at all.

"We need to have a talk," Stoick said, dragging his son behind him, Hiccup's boot scuffing the floor.

"I can't talk if you're cutting off my blood circulation!" Hiccup exclaimed, his forearm throbbing numbly. "Besides," he added thoughtfully, "can't we talk tomorrow? I've got plans for the evening." He was half lying, and he hoped his face didn't show an ounce of it.

"Son," Stoick sighed, seating himself down, "has anyone ever told you how bad a liar you are?"

"Uhh…" His face flushed scarlet. "Once? Twice? Maybe three times?" Hiccup diverted the subject fluidly. "Look, Dad, why are you asking such questions? Wasting all your precious time? Wouldn't you rather, say, I don't know, go to sleep? I'm sure you've been having a rough day today-"

"I know what you're doing, Hiccup." Stoick interrupted with a booming voice.

"What?" he laughed nervously. "I'm not doing anything."

Stoick wagged a finger at him. "Of course you are. You're purposely avoiding the discussion and getting me off topic."

He was getting more perceptive. And his arm was getting more sore by the minute,

"Listen to me, son. You're all grown up now, in your twenties, and I think it's time for you to learn the ways of chiefing. And why do you have pine needles stuck in your hair?"

"Huh?" Hiccup brushed his hand over his hair and plucked out a few needles, placing them on the table. " I didn't know those were there," he chuckled lightheartedly.

"Do you understand me, Hiccup?" he thundered, voice bordering on impatience.

Hiccup groaned inwardly, not wanting to have the discussion. "Before you continue, I have a favour to ask of you. Can you let go of my arm now?"

"Oh. Sorry." His father released his arm, and Hiccup slowly felt the blood returning to him. He kneaded the sore arm until it was back to normal, rolling his shoulder in circles.

"Now," Stoick rested his head on his knotted hands, "it's been a long time since we last had a talk. I'm getting old, Hiccup, and soon you will have to take my position as chief." He sighed, and in that moment Hiccup noticed the wrinkles on his father's forehead, the unevenness in his skin tone, the bags under his weary eyes. Details he did not pay much attention until then.

In reality, it had only been two days since they had conversed, but Hiccup decided he wouldn't point it out.

An awkward silence situated itself between father and son, stretching to what felt like minutes.

"So, uh Dad," he said half-heartedly, trying to maintain conversation, still avoiding the touchy topic of 'chief ways'. "How's Skullcrusher?"

Stoick perked up at the name. "Oh, he's wonderful, Hiccup. You shoulda seen him in action! He tracks down the twins in a minute flat!"

"Well, the Rumblehorn is in the Tracker Class, Dad. So is the Nadder."

Stoick waved his hand dismissively. "A Nadder's hardly the dragon for me," he harrumphed. "Always preening themselves extensively. Who's going to see them, anyways?"

"Maybe the males?"

Stoick ignored his comeback. "They only have two legs as well. How do they even lift their upper body weight? Oh, and the spines too-"

"So who's getting off topic now," Hiccup muttered under his breath.

"What did you say?"

"Uh, nothing," he said hurriedly. "I said, um, it's getting late now. I should get Toothless and go to bed. Yeah." Hopefully he sounded genuine.

"Oh. Okay then. Alright. You go get your dragon and get some rest. Tomorrow's a busy day."

"Yeah Dad." Hiccup turned to leave. "Oh hey. Do you know where Astrid went?"

Stoick stood up, stretching his back. "She's gone with Stormfly on an excursion. Training for the upcoming Dragon Race. Well, I'm off to bed too. But don't you think you've gotten off the hook. We'll continue our little talk tomorrow." His broad back headed towards his room of residence. "I'll see you in the morning, then."

"G'night." Hiccup greeted, then when was certain he was no longer in view or within earshot, he took off, his long legs bounded out the door, almost tripping over himself in his rush.

"Toothless," he called out. It was getting dark, and his best friend was annoyingly nowhere to be seen. It was usually a good thing when Toothless' camouflage made them nearly invisible. However, tonight was not a very good time to show off this talent, especially when the moon wasn't out to shine its glory onto the sleepy citizens.

He stumbled in the night, both arms in front of him to prevent accidents. He knew he was walking slowly, taking small steps, but it could potentially be the core reason that he did not get hurt. "Ouch," he murmured as he stubbed his toe on a rock. So much for not getting hurt. The rock seemed to intimidate him as he moved forward. Toothless shouldn't be far away, though. He squinted in the pitch blackness, seeing nothing but the silhouettes of houses.

His hands came in contact with a burly figure, and he gave off a cry, his vocal cords misbehaving and causing his voice to squeak at the top.

A laugh echoed in the night, surrounding his pale face as his heart thrummed against his ribcage. Then a sticky tongue ran itself over his cheeks, and he had to push the dragon's head off to escape the attack.

"Toothless!" he complained. "You almost scared me to death!" He knew if the Night Fury could talk he would be sniggering with amusement. "Can you give me some light?"

A plume of blue plasma blossomed in the inky black and the shadows seem to shrink away. "That's better."

As the sudden burst of light receded, Hiccup noticed that Toothless was now sniffing at the air, shaking his head irritably. "What's wrong, bud?" Hiccup asked, concerned.

The sky had become even more overcast, if that was a phenomenon that could happen, with dark shadows cast on the grass and trees. A peal of thunder echoed in the distance."It's going to rain," Hiccup realized. And Astrid isn't back yet.

He immediately abandoned his earlier plans of fixing his flight procedure. That could wait.

Droplets dripped down from the sky and showered the boy and his dragon in wet rain. Toothless shook himself off, the water sprinkling on Hiccup lightly. "Hey!" Hiccup laughed through the pitter patter of the rain. He flicked water off towards the dragon with a dramatic flair of his fingers. Toothless gave him a look of annoyance, then slunk back into the safety of a house beside them, hiding underneath the mottled shadows and the dripping awning of the roof.

"Where do you think you're going?" Hiccup chastised. Toothless smirked with heavy sarcasm, then came to Hiccup's side. Hiccup checked his flight suit and Toothless' prosthetic, making sure everything was in mint condition. Then with a shot of air they were gone, the flattened grass the only sign of them being there at all.


Thank you for reading! Comments, reviews and any con-crit are appreciated! See you at the next chapter!