Tenth chapter of Flame! When I started this story, I didn't know if it'd get this far because of the whole monthly updating schedule. Lately, though, this has become one of the stories that is most requested for updates (along with YOPS), so…yeah. Here we are!

Review Replies:

ThePlasmaBlast: Well, as for the whole getting better…I am…but I'm also not. The symptoms are gone, but I still have issues with the site of the infection and have to treat it daily. Hopefully that improves soon too.

supersandman86: Not as much, but as hinted, there are some minor dragon problems on Heather's island, but it's not nearly as bad as on Berk. I've seen it and I love the twist (really, I do), but this challenge was handed to me before this new information was revealed and I can't fit it into the storyline that I was given.

Gordon519: They left him in the woods, but Toothless will be in this chapter.

Angryhenry: Parental instinct, huh?

Spartan10007: It wasn't Karaoke Night (although, I think I've looked at that one before, but just never read it). The ones I'm talking about are actually called "Pitch Controls You?" and the sequel "No One's Slave Anymore". (If the writer of those stories happens to be reading mine, I must say…these stories have really captivated my attention and I'm still reading the [currently] 41-chapter sequel!).

Cottonmouth25: I think you just summed up this whole chapter in one sentence. Haha. I just don't know how I could possibly change this story to fit the new Heather information. This affected one of my other stories (that I haven't really updated recently), but I figured out how to change that story to fit. This one…not so much.

TheEraThief: As promised, here's another chapter before my vacation.

ladipretender: Yeah, tell me about it. Every June-July I get sick! My Facebook memories thing just reminded me today that it's been three years since this major deal (that ACTUALLY turned out to be nothing at all) that landed me in three different hospitals. As promised, that update is coming right up. I didn't even think I'd be able to watch the new Dragons because I don't have Netflix, but, as I mentioned, found a perfectly legal way to watch it. Anyway…You're right. I have not yet revealed the name of the island or tribe. I do have them, though, (Thanks to the challenge) to reveal…eventually. I like long reviews! I've said it before and I'll say it over and over again. I seriously love reading anything my readers want to say. Keep 'em coming! Haha. I may try to get at least one more update (after this one) in before July 26 when I leave for the week. (I do recommend reading the Rise of the Guardians fanfic series I mentioned because it's actually pretty well-written and has entertained me [almost exclusively] for over a week now!).

Flameo Hotman (anonymous): Glad you like it!

tatjana1d: Well, let's get that "next chapter" button up there for you to click then. Haha.

Chapter 10: We Stick Together Through It All

"So, will you stay, Flame?" Heather asked, genuinely curious.

"I'd like to," Hiccup replied and his answer spoke the truth. However, before he could begin eating the dinner that had been set before him, Hiccup remembered something. "If I'm going to stay here, though, there's something that you all should know…"

"Please tell us, Flame," Heather's mother gently encouraged him to continue.

"It's not really something that I can just tell," Hiccup answered and he saw the recognition in Heather's eyes. She knew exactly what he was talking about. "It's more so something that I have to show you."

"Well, lead the way then," Heather's father answered.

Hiccup was nervous, but he felt better when Heather fell into step beside him. "Sure this is a good idea?" she asked him in a whisper.

"No," he replied, honestly, "but it's better than staying for a while and then springing the surprise on them."

Hiccup and Heather led the way back to the woods and Hiccup did not have to glance behind him to know that Heather's parents followed. When the group of four reached the edge of the woods, Hiccup turned back to face Heather's parents. "Before we step into the woods, I just want to say that you need to trust me. I know that I'm practically a stranger to you, but you have to believe me when I say that everything will be okay." He felt his confidence rising; the feeling was almost foreign to Hiccup…but he did like to feel confident. It gave him…what was it…a sense of belonging, perhaps?

When Hiccup had Heather's parents' confirmations, he instructed, "Okay, let's proceed quietly then." Hiccup and Heather continued to lead the way (since they both knew where they were going).

Up ahead, Hiccup could see Toothless. The dragon was curled with his head resting on his front paws, waiting patiently for Hiccup's return as he'd been instructed to do earlier that day. "Remember what I said, okay?" Hiccup reminded one last time as he pulled back the branches so that the small group could enter into the clearing.

Hiccup heard Heather's parents' breaths both catch when they saw Toothless who had looked up at the approaching humans. To set their minds at ease, Hiccup told them. "It's okay. He won't hurt you. Trust me." In an attempt to prove his point, Hiccup, without any caution at all, ran to Toothless who jumped up at the welcome sight of the familiar Viking. "See, he's gentle," Hiccup showed them and he could see Heather's parents start to believe. It was hard not to believe the boy's words when they had just watched him rush up to the dragon and NOT get fried to a crisp.

Hiccup was aware that Heather already knew about the bond between him and his dragon (although, he knew that she did not know how deeply that bond ran), but as he hesitantly watched her parents' expressions, he saw them slowly start to relax. Maybe, just maybe, everything will work out fine. "Want to come over and get to know him? He won't hurt you."

Looking back, Hiccup saw Heather's parents tense slightly again. Heather must have noticed too because she walked over to stand with Hiccup and run her hand over the black dragon's scales. When the parents saw the comfortable aura between their daughter and the dragon, they copied the gesture. Toothless nuzzled his snout into Heather's hand and it wasn't long before all four found themselves laughing at the gentle nature of the dragon.

"If I'm going to stay," Hiccup spoke up, breaking the moment, "then my dragon must stay with me…and I don't mean out here in these woods either. We've been through too much together and we stick together through it all."

Hiccup saw Heather's parents exchange glances. He knew what they were thinking. Was it even possible? To let this dragon live alongside their fellow villagers? From what Heather had told him, he recalled that she had mentioned a minor dragon raiding problem (definitely not as prominent as the ones he'd lived through on Berk) enough that the villagers and the dragons weren't particularly friendly to the other. Maybe I can help to bring these two sides closer? Like I tried to do on Berk? Still, though, what if it then turns into Berk all over again? Odin, what am I supposed to do?

"Well…that decision isn't entirely up to us," Heather's mother spoke up a little hesitant.

"She's right. We'd have to take that up with our chief and village elder," Heather's father finished.

"Okay," Hiccup resigned, accepting the answer. "In that case, I'll stay out here with my dragon until you get that answer." He sat down and made himself comfortable with his back again Toothless.

"I'll stay with Flame," Heather spoke up, "and keep him company. When you have the answers from our chief and our village elder, you'll know where to find us."

Heather's parents turned back toward the village, leaving the two teens alone with the dragon. Hiccup looked over at Heather, hesitant again to ask the question on his mind. Finally, he threw caution to the wind and asked anyway.

"Will your parents really make a case in front of your chief and village elder to allow my dragon to live here in the village?"

"I do, Flame," she answered with confidence. She must've seen his confused expression because she continued, "You have to understand. My parents live their lives with care and compassion, a strong desire to help others. They wouldn't want us spending the night out here in the cold and, even though they've only known you for a short time, I know they care about you and I'm sure they'll grow in time to regard you as part of our family. You see, their greatest wish was that I could someday have a sibling, but that was never meant to be. Now, with you here, Flame, they can achieve that wish and I know that nothing would make them happier."

Hiccup was slightly taken aback. Never before had he thought he could play a role, that his life could be of importance to someone else. Was that even possible? Could his presence bring Heather's family even closer together? He really wanted to know, but if it came down to a choice between Heather and Toothless, Hiccup, regretfully, would still choose Toothless. He hoped that he wouldn't have to make such a choice. "I promise, Heather. If my dragon is allowed to stay and live with me, I will also stay. I will give this new life a chance." Because, he finished to himself, maybe this is what I really needed all along. Someone to stand by and a place to belong.

I can say that this chapter was not as much inspired by the Rise of the Guardians fanfictions that I mentioned. Hiccup's becoming too confident. Maybe that's a good thing.

Not much else to say, so…maybe I'll see you again one (or more perhaps) more time before my vacation. Hope you enjoyed!

Thank you all for reading and supporting Flame!

Posted: July 10, 2015