Warning: Incredibly OOC Stoick in this chapter! No father-son fluff here!
The first dawn of light shines on my face as I open my eyes. Well, actually, any light that shines on my face will always be the first because I'm the one who sees it, so I get to tell things from my point of view. Of course, I could spew out lies and say that this was the dying rays of the first light of the day, but I'm not really in the mood for that.
I'm going to tell Dad and Astrid about my immortality. And I'm not going to lie.
Toothless, of course, stands in wait in front of my bed. The shining, sparkling dragon is smirking madly, his teeth glinting almost evilly. He really is a young male dragon. I tap into his thoughts for a second (which is as long as I can, anyway) and sense excitement and impatience.
"Good morning, Toothless," I say, stretching my arms and yawning loudly. Toothless warbles loudly in response, but I don't fear of waking dad and allowing him to walk onto our now verbal developments. He's probably outside by now, but he'll come back in to get me up for breakfast.
Good morning, amici aeternam, he croons. His wings are already open in anticipation of Stormfly and his meeting.
"What brings you to use such confusing words at the start of the day?" I ask, rubbing the sleepiness away from my eyes. The more I stay awake, the more I want to fall asleep, and I certainly don't want what to happen now.
\/It means "eternal friend", Hiccup, he says, rolling his eyes. Well, his pupils slide around his eyes, so that's probably it.
I smile sarcastically. "Says the guy who's running off to see another dragon."
Hmm? he asks, crooning threateningly. I don't suppose that I just happened to wait for you to get up before I go, no?
"For permission, actually," I say, and Toothless nearly whacks me with his wing.
So, I'm going now, he says huffily. He turns around and heads for the window.
"Good luck," I say, waving at him. He turns his head back and smiles.
I might not be back for a while, he says, his face suddenly serious. You'll be fine, won't you?
"Just don't come back if you hear me shout," I say. "You need to stay away until my father can cope with the truth."
He nods, smirking. At your father's intelligence rate, I'd say another few y-
I glare at him, causing him to stop talking. Or thinking. Either way, he's not going to make fun of Dad, despite of how much we have in difference.
"You should really learn some manners if you're going to go out with the likes of Stormfly," I say, emphasizing the last word so strongly that Toothless growls.
Hey, I'm a modest, loyal, and handsome dragon. No way she's going to get fussed up over a couple of manner issues.
At this, I imagine a handsome Toothless in a black suit, a freshly caught fish hanging from his Toothless mouth, standing next to a very, very, impressed Stormfly, whose eyes are replaced with hearts as she falls for the dark and modest dragon. Then Toothless swears.
"Rude handsome, then," I say, chuckling. "C'mon, you'll be late for your date."
He coos softly, nodding at me one more time before jumping out of the window and into the outside.
Vale, I hear him say.
Which, of course, leaves me alone.
Ever since that battle with the Red Death, I haven't been alone to myself. Toothless has always been next to me, watching my back, and always pushing me to go forward. He's always been there for me, even when I didn't exactly needed my life to be saved.
Yet, when I need him the most, I cannot let him be by my side. The irony is killing.
What do you do when you're alone waiting for the inevitable? Sleep? Write? Draw? All three?
I pick up a notebook and begin to write.
Dear diary.
You are a really patient thing.
You read all these wonders and experiences of the countless that have written in you, and yet all you do is just /read. /You never complain, never rid of the scratches etched into the fabric of your paper, nor do you alter their inscriptions in any way. You just let us write on you, and you give exactly 0 damns.
And yet, when I am alone, when I write on you, leave my markings on the planet, prove the land of my and Toothless's existence, I don't feel lonely.
All you do is listen, and all I really need is that at the moment.
A loud knock on the door tells me that it's slaughter time.
It's been fun talking to you, diary. See ya.
I quickly put the diary down on the table and answer the door.
"Hiccup! Good to see you up so early," Dad says, beaming at me. "Ready for breakfast?"
I nod, trying to hide the rather obvious nervousness as I walk down the stairs. The prosthetic plonks awkwardly as I take careful, timed steps down the stairs, attempting my very best to not slip and fall.
I sit down on one of the chairs set down. There used to be four chairs, for dad, Gobber, me, and mom, but with the latter no longer here, the number of chairs were reduced to to three. The other one became the chair in my room, but I never really sit on it. I don't know why, either.
"I found your clothes stained with snake venom," Dad says, pointing to the basket that is now downstairs, lying by the door. "What happened back there?"
"Um," I say, chewing my breakfast (roasted fish and bread) loudly, hoping the disapproval from Dad will buy me enough time for me to think of the best way to tell him of my intentions.
"Well, no need to tell me with your mouth full," he says gruffly, annoyance clear in his voice.
I take this as a cue to launch. "Dad," I say, smiling slightly. "Can we have Astrid over for lunch?"
"No, I don't think so. You're needed in the forge again," he says gruffly.
"I am?" I say, wishing that it wasn't this particular situation that forced me to think of an excuse- or alternative- fast.
"Then, can I see her after breakfast? With you?" I say, desperation rather clear in my eyes.
He gives me a piercing look, his eyes contorted in suspicion.
"What with Astrid?" he asks.
"Because," I begin, biting my lip to prevent myself from spilling the events before they are due. "Um… I. Yeah. About. Something."
"Are you going to confess your love to her?" he asks, his smile meaning distrust fading from his face, and quickly being replaced by humor. Of course, at my expense. "Do you want a marriage that will strengthen our village?"
"W-" I bite my lip and grit my teeth. "Yes."
"Well, then," he says, beaming, pointing at my now-finished meal, "I suggest you go get her."
"Oh, man, I am so dead," I mutter to myself as I walk out the door, Dad looking at me appreciatively. Why didn't I just hop onto Toothless and fly away? No. I'd need supplies, and the prosthetic needs to be more fit for the weather.
So, in short, I'm stuck on Berk until I tell Astrid and Dad about this whole Toothless-gave-me-immortality thing. And then I'm so leaving.
I reach Astrid's house. By the lack of Stormfly's presence, I can tell that she's already off with Toothless… or trying to get away from him. Night Furies can be known to be really overprotective.
I knock on Astrid's door twice. She opens the door slowly.
"Uh, hi?" I ask, smiling at her.
"Hey, Hiccup," she says, smiling.
"Hey, Astrid," I say, waving my hand. She waves back, smiling happily.
"Do you mind coming over to my house for a second?" I ask, crossing my fingers behind my back. "My father wants to talk to you."
"You need someone to teach you how to chuck axes?" she asks lazily, closing the door behind her softly. "Because, at your rate, I could chuck you instead."
Hopefully that isn't a provocative statement. I mean, I don't want to be following Toothless's footsteps anytime soon.
"No," I say, deciding to deflect the subject away before things get awkward. "Dad just needs to talk to you."
"Whatever," she says, and we walk together in silence. Well, for about 5 seconds.
"What was it that you did back there?" she asks, pointing to the woods. "You were gone for quite a few days."
"I'll tell you after we talk to Dad," I say, emphasizing the we a little bit too much.
"Yeah, alright," she says, and she takes my hand.
And now, even if she tried talking, I wouldn't even be able to speak.
It's hard to believe that this was the very girl that hated me on sight, but here we are. I like her, and she sorta likes me.
She likes me. Right?
I mean, well, she kissed me. That's gotta count, right? People don't kiss without a reason. People usually kiss because they feel affectionate towards someone else and want to… uh… like that particular person. The lower form of that is hugging, but hugs mean a lot of things. Toothless and I hug a lot, and by that we mean friendship.
Astrid kisses, hugs, and hits because… I dunno.
Either way, I don't think I'll be getting kisses from her anytime soon, as blissful as that damn thing is. I dunno; Toothless just seems to care more about me, and as Toothless says it, I want to um, do that to her but not him. So I have no idea what grounds we're on.
Find a way through the grey area
Are we still friends tonight?
"Hiccup."
Don't know exactly how we stand
Stuck in between two unchartered lands
"Hiccup to earth…"
Looks like we're lost without a guide
And we can't make up our minds-
A really hard punch on the arm and I snap back into reality.
"A-Astrid?" I stutter, holding my arm and wincing in pain. We're in front of the house now, Dad standing in the distance. I'm surprised that Dad just stood there and let me get punched- no, he's actually smiling.
I roll my eyes. I'd certainly get myself killed if Toothless hears any of this.
"What is it that you have to tell us?" she asks, crossing her arms in disapproval. "Stormfly's gonna be mad when she finds out that I'm not waiting for her once she comes back from flying with the other Nadders."
I wouldn't count on that, I think. I can almost hear the purr of a certain Night Fury in my head. Or, by the rate things are probably going, a moan.
"So, what is it already?" my father asks, crossing his arms in feigned impatience. "I haven't gotten all day, you know."
I close my eyes and pray for the best. Hopefully they won't decide to make a temporary alliance and completely destroy defile my body with my blood. Like, maybe save a limb for Toothless to see.
"I… have something to tell you both," I say, sighing loudly. No matter how far you go, you can just never run away from the truth. And, as of now, I'd do anything to prolong the silence by just a few minutes so I can resign my will.
"Yes?" Astrid asks.
"I… well, remember that I went into the forest with Toothless and everything?" I ask.
"Yeah," Dad says.
"Well… yeah, I didn't just go into the forest and camp for a few days."
"So, what did you do?" my father asks, his eyes contorting into suspicion again. Astrid looks at me curiously.
"Dad," I begin, my heart beating loudly. "I'm immortal. And I'm leaving with Toothless to find his mother."
The reaction that Dad has is predictable; like the way the snow has no warning of falling, but when it does, it falls uncontrollably, Dad takes a few seconds to process my words before bursting in outrage.
Astrid, on the other hand, looks far more shocked than angry. In fact, she's smiling.
And I know why. She doesn't want to marry me.
And, for once, I'm glad.
"You what?" my father says, taking a step towards me. "You're leaving the village?"
"I actually thought that you might be more concerned about what Toothless-"
"No!" he says, anger now dominating him. I'm forced to take one step back every time he steps forward. "I don't give a Loki about your dragon-"
"He's not mine," I say flatly, but I immediately regret it.
"I don't care!" he almost yells. He takes a large pace towards me, cornering me against the wall of the house. "What I care about is the future of Berk! If you're going to leave, who's going to take care of the village after I'm gone?"
Out of the blue, Astrid appears in front of me. Why she's not mad at this either is something that I'm not really surprised about, actually.
"Definitely not Hiccup," she says calmly, looking straight into Dad's furious eyes. I feel a rush of appreciation for her.
"Then who?" he asks, trying to get past her. She holds her ground.
"Me," she says.
And, all at once, the whole world is silent. The birds do not sing, the people cannot be heard, and only the silent blowing wind is the indicator that tells us that we are all still existing in time, because of what she just said, we probably aren't.
Tick, tock. The sundial's shadow does not move.
Tick, tock. The clouds do not chase each other through the wind.
Tick, tock. There is only me, Astrid, and Dad in the picture.
And I'm so screwed.
"What?!" we both ask at the same time.
"You think you're going to be the next chief of Berk?" my father asks, stopping his pace but narrowing his eyes. His left hand reaches into his pocket as if to produce something.
Hopefully it's not going to be anything lethal. Dad would never kill anyone, right?
Even I scoff at my own thesis. He's probably killed countless dragons before I was born. Possibly even more people, if the legends of the 7 generations of Berk are true.
"Yes," she says, her casual pose almost threatening. "Even though I'm not from the Horrendous tribe, I don't think the last Chief was, either. So I can take the position if no one else can, right?"
"Hiccup is going to be the chief of Berk," he says menacingly.
"No," I pipe from behind. Astrid does not turn, but Dad diverts his eyes towards me. "I'm leaving with Toothless. And after all that you've done to me, I don't think I have a better excuse to not be here."
"I raised you from a little kid!" he says, anger once again showing very clearly on his face.
"Yeah, and have you ever really treated him as a real son at all?" Astrid shoots at him. "Especially when you found out about Toothless; didn't you disown him or something?"
"I did that because I didn't know!" he says. Had it been me, I would have just rolled my eyes at the statement, but my father is the true example of the very stubborn viking. Or maybe your typical viking, I'm not sure.
"Yeah, and now that you do, have you really hugged him at all after that fight with that horrendous dragon?" she snaps. "Which was the only time you feared that he'd die, and that you wouldn't have a chief anymore?"
My father goes silent at this. It's true what she said. I am always Hiccup. My father only keeps me alive and cares about my enough to love him because he wants an heir by the time he's on his freaking deathbed. But even he knows that I'm never going to find greatness in ruling, in weapons, in fighting. I am supreme in making friends.
I am supreme in loving dragons. Not fighting them.
I am supreme in loving Toothless.
"Fine," he says, turning around. "You found out."
"I figured it out long ago," she snaps right back. "I just didn't want to break the news to him."
"Hey, I'm perfectly happy with this new developments," I whisper to her, and I can almost feel her smirk in front of me.
If only I had this kind of bond with Astrid.
"So, you're leaving, then?" he asks, sitting down and resigned to the truth. Even the hot-headed person knows what will happen when the inevitable is shown before them.
"I won't be gone for too long," I say reassuringly. "I'll try to come and visit."
This, is, of course, a lie, but it's a nice, good, white lie.
"Fine," Dad says, getting up. "But a woman… ruling the village..."
"It's been done before," she says confidently, "And it can be done again."
At this, I walk up to Astrid's side and nods.
"My mother was a powerful ruler. You can't deny that, Dad."
Dad nods solemnly, but his hand never leaves the pocket.
"Astrid, I will talk to you later about this," he says, pointing at her in a very unfriendly way. "Hiccup-" he gestures to all of me- go back to your room. I will revise your status of head of Dragon Training. I'm very, very, disappointed in you."
"I'd rather you change it to 'dragon befriending'-"
"GO!" he yells. By the looks on his face, I'm not only going to be stripped of the head of Dragon Befriending position, but a lot, lot more.
I walk up to my room slowly. Toothless has not come back yet. Dad is leading Astrid over to the orchard to discuss leadership and things- hopefully they'll reach a conclusion.
But my life on Berk is ruined. I probably won't be able to see Astrid anymore. I might even get kicked off the island, since my dad only needs me as an heir, and not a son.
All because of our actions. Immortality. Love. Strength.
Toothless...
I know we're doing the right thing. I know that we are made to be with each other until the end. Even Astrid understands.
But I don't know why the consequences are so high. My life is never going to be the same again.
I really want to find Toothless for consulting.
The minutes of waiting in my room are agony. Not only to I have mind bursting with thoughts but no one to talk to, I also have to feel the pressure of not staying here anymore freely. If leave, I might never be able to come back in.
I pace the room impatiently for Toothless to come back. I want to talk to him!
I want him to be here by my side so I can tell him of all these problems!
"T-" I begin, then quickly shut my mouth.
No, I'm not going to call him. I'm not going to worry him just yet.
I have to be patient.
So I begin to think of Dad.
What does he see me as? A means to continue his bloodline? Something discardable when useless? Something loved for only their benefits, and thrown out when dissatisfying?
The last thought makes me shudder. What the… hel. That can't be true, right? I've always seen my dad as a more distant figure, but is he really willing to give up his son's life when unneeded anymore?
I hope not.
I start packing a few bags for the inevitable leave. Two contain food and clothes, the other contains metals and tools that I can find in the room. All my notebooks can't be possibly packed in, so I only take my most recent one. I take down a huge picture of Toothless on the wall and fold it neatly into equal folds. I shove that into my spare tunic, along with a sharp knife and dragon nip. The symbolizations I could make with those three, if I ever had time.
I eventually decide to lay down and fall asleep. Whatever the fate, at least I'll be prepared for it.
T
Hiccup?
"Huh? Toothless?" I sit up abruptly, and sure enough, he's at the window, looking at me worriedly. His abnormal breathing and happy smile confirms most of my suspicions.
Are you alright? he asks, sliding in quietly and nuzzling my hand.
"I've had better days," I say, rubbing his head softly. I stand up and point towards the orchard, where the two are now not present. "Listen, Toothless, we've got to leave pretty soon."
Soon? Toothless asks, his ears perking up.
The sound of a door slamming below makes me reconsider my thoughts.
"Yes, and maybe about now," I say, hitching up onto his back. I sling my bag (and two more) onto my back.
"Hiccup, you're to be summoned to a meeting at the hall-"
The cove, I guess? he asks, spreading open his wings as the prosthetic locks in place, but he already knows that I know.
We are one, after all.
T
Alright, spill the beans, he says, cooing as I begin eating a fish that Toothless caught. What the heck happened?
"You tell me yours first," I say flatly, not really in the mood to say anything.
Dad betrayed me. Dad betrayed me.
Alright, then, he says, smiling happily. I found Stormfly near the cliff, and she was just there alone and lonely, no? I went up to her and did my best impression, and she said she liked it.
"It?" I ask, tone still nonchalant.
The way I kept up modest tone and a slender personality, he says, warbling. And then, we… Hiccup? Are you okay?
I look at him exasperatedly.
"I'm tired, Toothless," I say. "So much has happened today that I can't even tell you all of it."
Toothless looks at me anxiously, causing me to feel guilty. He walks up to me, nuzzling me softly and walking behind me.
You should get some sleep, he says, crooning.
I lean my head back, touching his soft, scaly side with my own soft hair. Then I look at him, surprised.
"Wait, you don't want to know what happened?" I ask, confused.
Yeah, and make you feel even worse? he asks, shaking his head. Nu-uh.
Another pang of guilt jolts through my body and I decide to speak the truth.
"Dad threw me out," I say, hugging my knees and watching the sun set.
He did? he asks, growling slightly.
"He damn did, Hiccup," a voice above says. I look up abruptly and stare in shock.
Astrid.
"You can talk to Toothless?" she asks, jumping from the ledge and landing gracefully in the cove.
"Yes, I can," I say, looking at her curiously. "Why are you here?"
Does she know that I… um, talked with Stormfly? Toothless croons nervously. I shake my head.
"To give you an update on what's happening in Berk," she says, panting slightly. "The whole village is crazy over this stupid fiasco. Half want you back, the other half doesn't care, and your dad wants to punish you for betraying the village."
"What?!" I say, aghast at her words. "He betrayed me!" Toothless looks at me curiously.
"I know," she says exasperatedly. "But now that he's lost both his son and his wife, no one can continue his bloodline. So he's kinda pissed."
I nod. "What are you going to do, then?" I ask.
She smiles. "I'll be taking over the Academy for you. And maybe the village too, if your dad goes off the line."
"That sounds fair enough," I say, stretching my legs out. "Has he ever thought how terrible the village would be if I got to control Berk, though?"
"That's a rhetorical question, but I'll answer it anyway," she says, smiling. "You'd have a lot more dragons running the place and all."
I nod.
A small silence continues, but is interrupted by Toothless whacking me on the leg with his tail.
"Hey!" I say, looking at him. He smiles mischievously.
What? Lovesick getting to you? he warbles. I roll my eyes.
"I don't think there's any time for that," I say. Astrid looks at me with a hint of confusion.
"Toothless can talk to you too?" she asks, shocked.
Toothless responds with a nod, whereas I just roll my eyes.
"It's been a few days," I say, gesturing to his head. "Since we managed to pull off the impossible."
"You're immortal now, eh?" she asks, leaning on her axe casually.
"In a sense, yes," I say. "But I can still feel pain and stuff."
"But you can't die?" she asks, eyeing my enviously.
I look at Toothless for confirmation.
I doubt I'd ever let you die, he says. But I'm not really sure if you can die alone or not.
I nod. "I dunno," I tell her.
She nods. Again. Man, this is getting awkward.
"I wish I could hear Stormfly," she says off-handedly. "That would be awesome."
"Just talk to her a lot and maybe a bond will form," I say, pointing to Toothless. "That certainly happened for me."
She smiles. "So, going to look for your mother, eh? Toothless?"
Toothless snorts and nods.
She didn't seem this nice the first time we met, he says.
Astrid kicks the ground uncertainly. "Then… I wish you luck," she says.
"Uh… thanks?" I ask, looking at her. She looks… sad?
"I'll miss you," she says, her head hanging.
"So will I," I say, and it's not a white lie.
"And..." she rushes over to me and gives me a soft peck on the mouth. Not a long kiss, jsut a short, caring one. She pulls away as fast as she makes contact. "I like you, even if I don't want… you know, marriage."
I don't want to marry Stormfly, either, but I can still… you know, her, Toothless comments.
I blush wildly, but luckily Astrid is far too occupied with blushing as well to not notice.
Several more awkward moments pass, and Toothless doesn't bother to snort or anything.
"Well, then..." she says, walking backwards. "I should go soon. They might be hunting me as we speak."
"See you," I say, getting up and waving.
She nods and runs towards the wall of the cove, scaling it quickly and disappearing into the now early night.
She does not look back once. She's a tough one.
The second she's gone, I wheel onto him. "What was that for?!" I ask, blushing madly.
Just a little spice of life for a young male on Berk, no? he jokes.
"Oh, please. Can you tell me what you did with her, now?" I ask.
He smirks. You really want to know? he asks.
"Just the summary", I say tiredly, settling down on his side again. He's really warm.
Let's just say that I'm not danger of raising kids or anything, he says, laughing.
I stare at him in shock.
I mean, I didn't do it! he says, smirking. But the next time we come back...
I facepalm loudly. "Yes, mister master of language."
Soul language, he corrects.
I roll my eyes. The night is finally settling in, and like the night that I became immortal here, the sand feels warm. I feel tired and cold, though, despite Toothless's caring fire.
The same place, but different feelings.
Toothless notices this and lays on his side to embrace me.
"Uh, hey… thanks," I say, hugging his soft belly gently.
Well, given that we're going to look for Mother tomorrow, I think that it would be best that you're as happy as possible.
"Thanks, Toothless."
I look at the night sky again. It seemed so long ago that we became one, but yet the time was just so recent. The world changes every day, but we will not. Toothless will be Toothless, and I will be Hiccup. Whatever we want to do, whatever we want to think, we need not care for what the others think, for there is nothing that is more important than us, together, as a bond, as a friendship, as one. I think of how one day has 24 hours, and how just one minute can feel so long when you're just waiting for it to pass by, and how happy we'd both be if we both use that 1 minute to the fullest, for every minute of the day. We could share happiness, fish, love, and adventures together for every minute of our lives, and that, in itself, is my point of living. I live for Toothless, and I will until he meets his fate, which will be when I too will follow him into the never ending paradise of Valhalla, and there too we will be happy for eternity. There is nothing, I repeat, nothing, more satisfying and heartwarming than two souls loving each other, waking up to see each other in the morning, and knowing that that warmth and happiness will appear every day for the rest of their life, not wanting anything more or less than this blissful feeling. There is nothing more satisfying than straight, happy, nice, platonic love.
And with that, we fall asleep, letting the our warmth lull each other to sleep.
Well, this ends the main "immortality" theme! Toothless and Hiccup can now do whatever the hell they want, now that they are together.
If you want this story to continue from here, or if you want to see Hiccup and Toothless looking for (his) mother in a whole new story, let me know!
(Note- I might be coming back to edit this chapter, because I kinda rushed it a bit.)
