Explanations Made

Hiccup and Astrid found the other Dragon Riders within the Berk Dragon Training Academy taking time off from the usual meeting and training sessions. Both Riders and Dragons stopped their activities and came to greet the pair. Barf, Belch and Meatlug all nuzzled the pair with affection, before returning to their rests from yesterday's celebrations. Fishlegs abandoning his book, starting with a quick 'Hey' to the Haddock and Hofferson before carrying out a marathon of words. Ruffnut stopped her hair treatment, wiped her hands on a rag and gave the pair a friendly wave, before taking Astrid to one side for a girl-to-girl chat, and Tuffnut dragged himself up, gave a friendly nod to Astrid and Hiccup a firm handshake, giving both the friendliest smile he could muster whilst managing a hangover. Only Snotlout and Hookfang were missing from the group, though Hiccup could not care less about their whereabouts, given the Jorgenson's performance the night before.

'So, did everyone enjoy last night then?' asked Hiccup, sparking conversation with the group. Everyone turned to him and he smiled to himself. He remembered when there had been no point in doing this in the past, it was nice to know some changes were good.

'Pretty good, Hiccup, although Meatlug ate a bit too much sandstone and drank far too much ale', replied Fishlegs, on cue the Gronckle gave off a large fart, the Ingerman returned this 'gesture' with an affectionate hug. 'Just found this new book and been reading up on all the interesting facts.'

'I danced so much I thought I was going to collapse, and then collapse some more,' giggled Ruffnut.

'Well I do say, my fine fellow, that I drank more than my fair share of ale,' stated Tuffnut, before letting out a belch, and willing himself from throwing up the stomach contents of last night before forcing out a smile. 'Thanks for asking.'

'Well I can say I had an amazing night,' Astrid said, walking over to Hiccup and wrapping her arms around Hiccup'neck and giving him a small peck on the cheek. He blushed and tried to ignore the looks and sounds the other Riders were giving.

They all continued small chat and going through plans for the next few days of Dragon activity, Hiccup ended the meeting, stating that he had to discuss a few things with the Chief. As Hiccup and Astrid began to leave, Ruffnut pulled the girl to one side. The Hofferson gave a puzzled look, before the female twin began speaking.

'Hey Astrid, just so you know, I know you and Hiccup are a thing now, so I'm not going to try any funny stuff with him, but he just looks so good in his new look,' explained Ruffnut looking at the Haddock, Astrid mimicked her, soaking the view.

'I've got to admit, he does look amazing,' said Astrid, thinking of how many times she had used that word on Hiccup in the past year. Ruffnut nodded in agreement.

'He's definitely a keeper now, brains, being Chief's son, able to repair your armour and weapons, making peace with the Dragons, riding a Night Fury, finding Hamish's treasure, winning Thawfest and holding his own with a sword, not to mention being a cutie, don't tell him I said that,' Ruff responded with a wink. Astrid smiled at Ruffnut and gave her hug and a quick thanks before leaving with Hiccup

'What was that all about?' questioned Hiccup

'Just girl talk, you know,' replied Astrid, giving off a fiendish smirk.

Hiccup gave a concerned look, followed this with a smile, put his arm around his lady's waist and led her away, to find the Chief.

They found Stoick at the Forge with Gobber, both chatting away whilst the blacksmith worked away.

'There he is, the champ himself', Stoick announced, then looked at Astrid. 'And his lady, of course.'

The couple blushed at this statement, Astrid nuzzled up to Hiccup and he began his 'talk' with his Chief and Father.

'Chief, we need to talk',' started Hiccup, Stoick realized his Heir meant business.

'Uh huh'.

'Look Dad, just so you know, Astrid and I did nothing but share a bed together, not in the way you think though,' stuttered Hiccup at the last part. 'I don't want to put Astrid through any premature marriage contracts or any village gossiping.' Gobber sniggered at this part, Stoick's firm gaze put a stop to that.

'Well I'm glad you're being mature and responsible about it son,' returned Stoick.

'I just wanted to explain things before it gets out of hand, and the more traditional members of our lovely village start getting the wrong idea.'

'Good point there, I suppose,' nodded Stoick. A moment's silence passed, before Hiccup spoke up.

'So, what you up then?'

'Nothing much Hiccup, just chatting with Gobber and sharing stories,' the Chief stated, shifting awkwardly. His son noticed this, it was the same way he behaved when he was trying to hide something.

'Something the matter, Dad?' questioned Hiccup, cocking an eyebrow.

'Snotlout's looking for you,' sighed the Berkian Chief.

'I don't want to see or talk to him, not after last night, or the night before that, or the night before that as well,' Hiccup barked back, surprising the trio with his outburst.

'He wanted to apologize,' said Stoick.

'Now he wants to apologize,' growled Hiccup. 'After all the chances he was given, he's probably trying to save face after his 'performance' at the Banquet last night.' He was grinding his teeth now. 'After what he said about Mum.'

Stoick stood there in silent understanding, then Gobber spoke up.

'You know Hiccup, lad, you are going to have to face him some time soon, you both do live in the same village after all.' Hiccup thought about this, the blacksmith had a point.

'Hey Hiccup'.

Everyone turned to the interrupting voice, there stood none other than Snotlout Jorgenson with a big grin on his face. That grin disappeared a moment later when its owner saw that his cousin was not as happy to see him.

'What do you want Snotlout?' replied Hiccup in a low angry voice.

Astrid, Stoick and Gobber all tensed up, after how Hiccup had changed over the last year, there was little knowing what he would do, especially given the way Snotlout had behaved towards him.

'Look, Hiccup, I wanted to apologize, you know, for being a yak arse the last few days.'

Hiccup crossed his arms and gave a deadpanned look, he was silent for a moment and then began talking again.

'And I'm suppose to accept your apology and we go back to our happy, Dragon filled lives?' he continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

'Really that would be great Hiccup, thanks,' responded Snotlout, Hiccup smacked himself in the face.

'I was being sarcastic, Snotlout, NO, I'm not accepting your apology, not until you give me strong reason why I should forget or forgive your actions over the last few days or the rest of our lives in that matter!' snapped the Haddock, his cousin's stupidity was only increasing the temper that he had inherited from his Chief and Dad.

'You've done nothing except wrong and torment me all of our lives and you think a simple 'sorry' is going to cut it, I want a real excuse, not blaming Toothless, me being smart or any other empty excuse to have a crack at me, I demand a real answer to why you hate me so much you can't stand me being accepted within our society or having a piece of glory to myself.'

By the time Hiccup had finished his speech, he was trembling with rage, everyone nearby were silent either by awe or shock. Snotlout stood there in shock for a couple of minutes, before giving a nervous gulp and beginning his explanation.

'Gee, well, Hiccup, I guess I never really had a reason for hating you, I just liked tormenting you, I thought it was fun really, I got a kick out of it. I was jealous of you in a way, being the Chief's son, even though you were useless, I thought being the real Viking it was my right instead of yours to be Chief. When you started getting better at the original Dragon Training I admit I came to admire you a bit. But my dad constantly reminds and drills it into me that Jorgenson's were always real Vikings and had to prove that in anyway possible, my personality I inherited from my Dad doesn't help I suppose. We were both angry that you should have all of the glory and privileges of Chief even though you weren't worthy of them. I admit if it weren't for you I wouldn't be riding Hookfang, but Thawfest was the thing I was always good at, and the chance of you beating me at it, the greatest thing I could boast of, scared me'.

During Snotlout's confession/speech, a crowd had appeared shocked at what they were hearing and surprised by the Jorgenson's intelligence rising a few levels. Tears had started to appear in Snotlout's eyes as he continued.

'I'm sorry I've been terrible to you Hiccup all these years, there is nothing I can do except apologize for my actions and words over Thawfest and the rest of our lives but say sorry to you, your dad and insulting Aunt Valka's memory. I'm sorry.'

The crowd stood there in silence and Hiccup approached his cousin with a neutral look. Snotlout tensed, and relaxed as Hiccup held out his hand, he took his cousin's and they shared a firm handshake, the crowd let out a sigh of relief. Hiccup lent forward and gave his cousin a pat on the back.

'I forgive you Snotlout, now don't you dare cry, we're Vikings remember', he said with a short laugh, Snotlout chuckled himself, and the two broke their embrace.

Stoick smiled to himself, he was glad that his son had mended the rift with his cousin, hopefully between the two of them, the Haddock-Jorgenson Rivalry would die out eventually, then permanently. He knew that they would come to clashes ever now and then, being teenagers and their egos. But that would come in time, other changes would lay ahead.

Thanks for the wait guys. Whilst Hiccup and Snotlout have resolved this dispute, there will be times when they still clash with each other in the future, like they do in the series. Cheers for the reviews.