Chapter 4

Hiccup knew the next morning would be a bad one for most of his friends. With all the hangovers it was going to be a long day at dragon training and for once he didn't know if it would be fun or absolute hell.

Hiccup was up early and did his personal training routine with Toothless. If you could call it "training".

They mostly just flew until they didn't feel like it anymore.

It was still pretty early when he and Toothless got down to the arena to start training.

Hiccup decided he would just sit there and do some anxious thinking over how his friends would feel about their gifts.

Friends.

Even now after a few months, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III could not believe he had friends.

He had grown up being picked on, looked down on, pranked, humiliated, and ignored. Many times by the people he now called his friends and sometimes more so by the villagers that now looked at him adoration and reverence.

His face contorted to a scowl at the thought of his past life.

He sneered at his leg.

I gave that up for people who couldn't stand to look at me?

Vikings always thought the more gruesome the battle-scar the better. But, if one talked to a Viking like Gobber the Belch or any other that had lost a limb in combat they would not brag.

The loss of a limb changes someone's life. Everyday functions, like walking in Hiccup's case, became an immense task.

Hiccup still couldn't give himself a reason to why he stayed and fought the Red Death. He could have just as easily mounted Toothless and left his fellow villagers to die.

All the pain. All the hardship of this stupid foot and I don't even know why I did it.

"Hey Hiccup," said Fishlegs, entering the arena with his Gronkle, Meatlug.

"Hey Fish," Hiccup greeted the large boy kindly.

All his feelings of contempt and hatred had left him in an instant.

Fishlegs noticed the sneer as he walked into the arena and saw where it was directed.

"That thing giving you trouble?" Fishlegs asked, concerned.

"Wha-? No, no, no. I'm fine."

Of all the Viking teens the one Hiccup couldn't be angry at for the past was Fish. Not once did he ever pick on Hiccup or bully him in any way. In Hiccup's opinion Fish outranked even himself in the "Kindest Viking in Berk" poll.

"Are you sure? Cause I can run to the Eldar's house and pick up some medicine."

"No really. It's fine." Hiccup said. "Thanks anyway." Hiccup paused and looked behind the bigger boy to see if he could spot anyone else coming. Hiccup sighed. They're all probably still in bed. "Well, you might as well make yourself comfortable. It's gonna be a bit of a wait."

Hiccup lowered his helmet over his eyes leaned back against Toothless and remained still.

Hiccup could feel Fishlegs beginning to become antsy with the anticipation of dragon training. And all credit to him, he tried to let the peace and calm stay but he just could not.

"So how long do you think they'll be?"

Hiccup sighed again. But now he got up. "There's no sense in waiting for a bunch of hungover lightweights. Any questions you have about training, let's go." Hiccup began to stretch.

Fishlegs was more than excited to have a private lesson with Berk's best dragon rider.

Almost a half an hour went by as Fishlegs blurted out questions and Hiccup answered every one. Either with visual aid or just by explaining it, he was able to put Fishlegs ahead of most of the class.

Finally in walked Tuffnut, tired and grumpy.

"Bad night?" Hiccup asked with some smug in his voice.

Tuffnut shot him a look. "The night? No. It's the morning that sucks."

"So when do the others plan on showing up?"

"Well Ruff's still trying to get the taste of vomit out of her mouth, Snotlout is avoiding the sun at the moment but he's up and I don't know about Astrid."

Hiccup laughed. "Geez! What kind of Vikings are you guys?"

"Oh shut up Dragon Boy!"

"So where's your Zippleback anyway?" Hiccup asked looking around.

"He's helping Ruff," Tuffnut rolled his eyes.

"Well we'll wait a little longer but, if they're much later I'm gonna let the dragons ride them"

Tuff lightened up a bit at the joke but the laugh he let out hurt his head so he got off his feet.

They had to wait for another ten minutes for the next sign of life to walk in.

Snotlout and Ruffnut walked in with their Nightmare and Zippleback.

Ruff/Tuff's Zippleback, Gazzy and Sparks helped Ruffnut along as she walked towards the others. She looked like she was going to be sick again at any moment.

Hookfang, Snotlout's Nightmare was watching to see if her master would fall over and just pass out there.

"Morn—" Hiccup started.

"Don't start Dragon Boy!" Ruffnut interrupted.

"Okay, okay." Hiccup said raising his arms.

"Where's your girlfriend?" Snotlout said raising an eyebrow. "I thought for sure two you would be waking up in the same bed."

It would have been true for most guys in Berk.

Drunk girl, pretty sober guy, walking home. It all looked pretty bad.

No wonder Mr. Hofferson was ready to put his head on a spit.

"No. It wouldn't have been right." Hiccup said getting a little agitated and it was pretty visible.

Snotlout backed off. "Alright, Lover-Boy. Just a joke."

They waited another five minutes and then walked in Astrid.

She didn't have the usual confidence in her eye or at the at very least the happiness.

Hiccup got up and met her and Stormfly. "Hey. How was-?"

She put up a hand. "No mood."

Hiccup forgave her even before he felt insulted.

"If you ever speak of last night again, I'll cut your other—." She stopped.

Ouch. That hurt.

Astrid had never joked about his leg.

"I'm so—."

"It's fine." Hiccup said moving past the point. "It's no big deal."

Hiccup's smile didn't waver, but she mentally kicked the crap out of herself.

Hiccup took his place in the center of the arena. Toothless joined him and the lesson began.