Foreign desires of unforeseen transformations
Chapter 14 - The battle

Like clockwork, Hiccup had been woken up to the majestic sounds of a hungry baby. His face was flushed red at the thoughts he'd been having. He finally managing to unwrap himself from Toothless's clutches - who had groaned about having to part with his human. Hiccup couldn't help but laugh at him, he was completely adorable in the morning. Toothless buried his head into the pillow, and covered his face with the blanket mumbling.

''Welcome to today's specials, we have lack of sleep, up too early, and my favourite … moody dragon!'' Hiccup sarcastically listed of as he descended the stairs - still chuckling to himself. He hadn't forgotten about last night, but he didn't want to ruin a good start to the day. He hadn't had such a good night's sleep in months, and he felt well rested.

-OOO-

With Trid fed and changed - now laying on a blanket on the floor playing with a range of toys, Hiccup helped himself to some porridge. He had just taken the bowl to sit next to Trid, when Toothless come down.

''Trid! You stole my Hiccup!'' He pouted at Trid.

''I'm still your Hiccup bud! But you do need to share me.'' He chuckled. ''Breakfast is over there, help yourself.'' He pointed to the porridge.

''Cool, I'm starving!'' He exclaimed, instantly going to get some.

''Just put some in the bowl and- Toothless stop!'' He burst into fits of laughter, running over to help Toothless - who still hadn't mastered hand skills. Toothless had gone to spoon some into his bowl, but had flicked the sticky substance in the air instead - covering himself and … everywhere else.

''You're worse than Trid.'' Hiccup laughed, flicking more porridge at him from his fingers as he cleared it up.

''That's right laugh it up!'' Toothless said, with playful annoyance as he watched Hiccup laughing at him.

Something inside Toothless just felt so warm though, it was like that smile … that laugh just infected him with this … strange … happy feeling. Toothless punched him in the arm though, he still deserved it for laughing at him - but Hiccup was laughing too hard to care. Toothless then brought Hiccup to new fits of laughter, when he tried to lick himself clean. It was an instinct; he simply couldn't help it! He pouted in defeat, and roll his eyes at Hiccup. The truth was Toothless loved seeing Hiccup happy.

When Hiccup finally stopped laughing, he helped Toothless clean down his clothes properly - seeing as he only had the one set of clothes left. Hiccup made a mental note to get, or make him some more clothes today. Hiccup smiled at Toothless - and his son, wanting this moment to last forever. He wanted more mornings likes this; the cheerful, intoxicating, and almost seductive moments like these were addictive, and he knew exactly who he wanted to share them with. 'Maybe I could have that at least.' He thought to himself as he ignored the other abnormal feelings building in his heart … and his mind.

With the porridge disaster finally over, Hiccup and Toothless finished their breakfast. Toothless hadn't been oblivious to the way Hiccup kept glancing at him, smiling shyly before looking away hastily each time he met his eyes. He assumed Hiccup was just watching him fail in his attempts to use the spoon, and raised his eyebrows at him.

When Hiccup had gone to check the calendar, he noticed it was day one of the seven-day cycle, meaning it was meeting day.

''Day one bud. Meeting day.'' Hiccup complained, sitting back down again next to Trid - opposite Toothless.

''You're going to have to teach me how you read that thing!''

''I didn't think to ask you if you could read, I'm assuming not.'' He guessed correctly.

''No, I'm an excellent reader, I just forgot how!'' Toothless smirked at him.

''If only sarcasm could teach you to read!'' Hiccup sassed.

''I learnt from the best.'' Toothless winked making Hiccup shudder with a deep breath. 'Gods he is so hot. A fucking tease.' He thought quickly changing the subject, and trying terribly not to blush.

''M-Moving on … I am going to have to take Trid to ... to my mothers.'' Hiccup was hesitant. ''So, I am going to have to apologies to her, and hope she'll forgive me.''

''She will Hicc!'' Toothless was sure of it. He moved closer to Hiccup - hoping he wouldn't flinch or move, but instead … he looked down sadly.

''Have … have you forgiven me?'' Hiccup hesitated to ask.

''Of course! Hiccup you're my best friend!'' He said, unbelieving that Hiccup would still think otherwise.

''I really don't know what I'd do without you.'' Hiccup smiled, resisting the urge to hug him. He was getting hot flushed. 'Calm the fuck down Hiccup!' He scolded himself. He had no idea why he was this turned on at everything Toothless did today, but perhaps it had something to do with fact that they had spent the night sharing a bed. He had woken up with some rather fervent, salacious thoughts, and Toothless's morning boner hadn't helped. Who could blame him? Toothless was perfection on legs! If it wasn't for Trid's instance to be fed - instantly distracting him once he'd woken up, things might have gotten very awkward. He suddenly realized that Toothless had started to answer his rhetorical question.

''…the village screw up again, go splat when your flight suit doesn't work, get eaten alive by a few dragons, and oh-''

''Thanks for answering that bud. Really appreciate it.'' Hiccup shook his head, rolling his eyes.

''Just reminding you how useless you'd be without me'' He smiled smugly.

''Well if I'm so useless … I guess you'll be wanting to sleep in your own bed tonight. Don't want me cramping your style or anything.'' Hiccup teased, wondering why he suddenly offered his bed up for a second night. It was official, he was losing it!

''No! I'll be good!'' He pouted. Hiccup bumped into his right shoulder playfully, thinking that maybe it wouldn't hurt. He couldn't upset Toothless again either way.

''I'm only playing bud. Just do me one thing okay.'' He said suddenly serious.

''What?'' Toothless asked with concern.

''When we're alone, I don't mind the closeness and …. stuff. But you can't do that in front of other people, only when we're alone. It's just that erm ... well ... It's not… How do I put this?''

''I embarrass you, don't I?'' Toothless interrupted sadly. Suddenly his entire demeaner had dropped.

''No! What I'm trying to say is that ... the other villagers don't know you're Toothless. They think you're Kalster. Have you ever seen two male Vikings ... cuddle?'' Hiccup asked him.

''Yeah! You and your dad, you and Gobber, you and-''

''Okay let me rephrase that.'' Hiccup stopped him. ''Have you even seen two adult men, that are not related cuddling in front of other people?''

''I don't think so.'' He admitted after some thought.

''That's because it isn't normal. Men don't touch or hug other men. Unless they're fighting, or … it's their dad or something. Gobber is like my second father, but even we don't go around hugging each other, or holding hands for example. Snotlout, Fishlegs, and Tuffnut have hugged me in rare circumstances; near death experiences, group hugs, when they are being creepy or weird … but they are uncomfortable and awkward most of the time. The only exception to this rule is; fists bumps, handshakes, and shoulder patting for courage and stuff. '' Hiccup tried to explain, but Toothless looked so confused.

''I think I have a headache!'' Toothless replied, rubbing his head.

''It's a lot, I know. Rules of socialization are something humans learn growing up. Just try not to be to clingy when we go out bud. It might be best just to avoid all contact until you learn what is acceptable of human friends. I know you will understand soon enough, and it isn't that I'm ashamed of you. Just trust me, in time you'll understand, I promise.''

''Alright Hicc!'' Toothless nodded with a smile. ''I'll add it to my list of things to learn.''

''There's the Toothless I know!'' Hiccup replied to his friend's sarcasm, rolling his eyes. ''Right, we need to get over to my mother's so … I'm going to get the baby suit and collect Trid's stuff together. Can you watch him for me please?''

''Sure!'' Toothless replied happily smiling at Trid.

''How do you know I wasn't asking Trid to watch you?'' Hiccup asked, rushing upstairs before Toothless caught on.

''You're dead Hiccup, you know that right!'' Toothless shouted up to him laughing. When Hiccup did finally come back down, Toothless gave him a firm look. ''I will get you for that Hicc!''

With Trid in Hiccup's baby suit, Toothless tried to stand but flinched in pain - his eyes snapping shut as he bit into his lip. Getting down to the floor was so much easier than getting up. Hiccup rushed over and helped him to his feet, noticing the pain in Toothless face from his shoulder - and possibly the bruises as well.

''Shit! You haven't had your paste today. I can't believe I forgot; I am so sorry!'' He told Toothless, covering his eyes in shame.

''It's okay, I'm fine!''

''I'll go get the paste. Mum will do it for you I expect. I-If you're sure you're okay though. It's a long walk, and you're still limping a bit on that ankle!'' Hiccup said in genuine concern, it would take over an hour to reach his mothers.

''I'm good! I don't like that stuff anyway.'' Toothless complained.

-OOO-

Hiccup had insisted on taking the paste, and he was right to. The closer they got to Valka's the more pain Toothless was in. Hiccup could see it in Toothless's face even though he denied it - ploughing on like he was fine. It was a long walk over to Valka's, but when they finally arrived … Toothless looked sad.

''What's up bud?'' Hiccup asked, frowning in curiosity.

''I miss the others. Cloudjumper and Stormfly were my best friends, well … best dragon friends. I had many friends Hiccup, but I miss then two the most.'' Toothless said looking around at how desolate the land surrounding Valka's house was. Hiccup felt empathy for Toothless, the quietness which should have been filled with life, was disheartening, almost depressing.

They walked silently up to the door and knocked. Valka opened the door and stared at Toothless for ages, obviously she was still in shock.

''T-Toothless?'' She questioned dubiously.

''Hi Mrs Haddock'' Toothless answered politely.

''Can we come in mum?'' Hiccup asked hesitantly.

Valka just nodded slowly, staring at Toothless as he limped across her house, collapsing down on her benched style couch. Hiccup had sat down next to him with Trid, and once Valka found her legs enough to make it to the chair opposite them, she too joined them.

''Sorry if I scared you Mrs Haddock.'' Toothless said looking down at his feet.

''Mum, I'm really sorry. All I seem to be doing lately is apologizing for my screw ups. I will work on my anger; I just didn't want Toothless getting hurt.'' Hiccup finished and looked up at his mum - who was still gawping at Toothless. ''And I'm talking to myself.'' Hiccup added a little annoyed.

''T-Toothless?'' She asked again.

''Yes. It must be a shock. I'm just getting used to it myself-.'' Toothless had started to explain, but Valka had finally found her curiosity. She was walking around Toothless, poking him, touching his hair, staring at his face and eyes, but when she went to lift his left arm … Toothless yelled in pain causing Valka to stumble back in surprise.

''Mum!'' Hiccup shouted at her instinctively making sure Toothless was okay. Toothless was holding his arm trying to force away the pain. His eyes were screwed tight and he leaned forward - inhaling sharply, hissing in pain, breathing out deeply before hissing a new breath in. ''Toothless, are you okay?'' All Toothless could do was nod, as he waited for the pain to dull down.

''I - I'm so sorry. I've just never seen anything like this before.'' Valka finally admitted in awe. Hiccup tensed in anger and took a deep breath in; he was going to snap at his mother but Toothless spoke before Hiccup did.

''Hicc! I-I'm alright. Your mum was just curious. It's ok Mrs Haddock.'' Toothless said, in an attempt to keep Hiccup calm. The pin had faded enough to be bearable now, but it still hurt.

Hiccup closed his eyes calming himself down. He didn't trust himself to speak right now so he took the paste from his bag and started to make Toothless his medicated drink. He kept himself occupied, distracted on his task, however, he kept glancing at Toothless checking he was okay. He felt very protective of him, and was still on unstable ground with his mother from last night. Toothless looked over at Valka - who was staring over at Hiccup wondering what he was doing.

''Hiccup is just looking out for me.'' Toothless told Valka, she snapped her head round to look at him.

''He cares a great deal for his dragon.'' She couldn't really argue with the fact that this man was her son's dragon, but she still had to ask. ''Do you remember what I told you the night Tooth ... you became Alpha?''

''You told me that you would never stop feeling guilty for leaving, but even though you must follow your heart, sometimes you have to put your own kind first. You were worried I had only challenged the alpha to protect Hiccup.'' Toothless said, thinking back to the night after he became Alpha - when Valka had spoken with him alone.

''You really are my sons Night Fury, aren't you?''

''The one and only.'' Toothless smirked.

''How?'' Valka questioned. Curiosity had always been her weakness, the need to learn made her different from usual ignorant Vikings. She could never live with closed eyes.

''I'm not sure exactly. I have been asking myself the same question. I think it has something to do with the fact that I died for skinny over there!'' Toothless answered nodding in Hiccup's direction - smiling warmly at him. Hiccup didn't respond, he was still in a bad mood … he just continued with the task at hand.

''You can't have died though. That would be impossible! No one comes back from the dead Toothless.''

''Mrs Haddock … you're talking to a dragon that is now a person!'' Toothless reminded her.

''You do have a valid point...'' She chuckled. ''…but death?''

''I think it's old magic. Since it happened, I've been trying so hard to remember … but I can only remember pieces. From what I have been able to recall, I think ... you have to actually die for another to live, not just be willing to. It has to be someone you share a strong connection with. Like the bond me and Hiccup have. Then I'm assuming … if you die for them you get like a second chance or something. I don't know anything else, or how that works exactly. I don't know the how of it.'' Toothless explained. Hiccup had been listening and walked over waiting for the water to finish boiling.

''You never told me that bud?'' Hiccup asked.

''You never asked. I really don't even know if that's right.'' Toothless admitted, still trying to remember. Hiccup sat next to Toothless and placed a hand on his friend's good shoulder.

''It doesn't matter bud! What's important is that you're alive, and you're here!'' Hiccup reassured him honestly.

''I Guess!'' Toothless nodded and grinned. Hiccup turned to Valka and took a deep breath.

''Look mum! I know you have a million questions, but I have tons of stuff to do today. I need to get to the Great Hall for the meeting, inquire as to who decided to tried to kill Toothless and … as much as I really don't want to, I need to hear what happened on the night of the battle. I have been worrying about everything, I need to figure out what happened to the dragons, be a good father to Trid, and somehow try to be a chief the villagers will respect. On top of that I need to sort out my anger issues, and get my head together!'' Hiccup admitted, spilling everything out quickly.

''I guess you want me to have Trid!'' Valka assumed.

''Please mum. I know I've been a useless son, and for that … I am truly sorry. I just really need your help here.'' Hiccup begged.

''You know I will always have Trid. I love having him around.'' Valka assured her son. She stood up, and motioned for Hiccup to do the same before hugging him. ''You are stronger than you know Hiccup! You have been through so much and yet you are still here fighting. I am proud of you, and your father would be to.'' Valka told him. Toothless stood up wincing, walking over to join in the hug.

''I'm proud of you too Hiccup! Group hug, right?'' Toothless asked, placing his right arm around Hiccup and leaning against him.

''Right!'' Hiccup told him rolling his eyes, ''Thank you, both of you!''

-OOO-

Valka had put Trid down for his nap, leaving Hiccup to basically force a stubborn Toothless to finish his paste infused drink. In the end, even Toothless had to agree it was good for him when the pain became much more tolerable. When Valka finally came back down, Hiccup decided it was time to hear what happened the night of the battle with Coaldron.

''I need to know mum. It could be linked to why the dragons left!'' Hiccup told her.

''You sure Hicc?'' Toothless asked in concern. He knew that until now, Hiccup had avoided remembering that night because it made him feel ill hearing it.

''Yes!'' Hiccup answered taking a deep breath. Toothless gave Valka one nod to indicate they were ready to hear the story. Valka carefully remembered back to that night before telling her version of what had happened. Images of that night, so clear in her memory.

...

''I was over at the Oberon house talking to Maile. Trid and Rodan were on the floor kicking and squealing at each other's sounds. We were talking about the boys when we heard the explosions. We grabbed the children and made our way outside - clearly evident that we were at war, but I had no idea who was behind it and I didn't stop to look.

''I briefly saw dragons firing down upon us, some had masked riders on their backs, but our own dragons came to our aid. Myself, Maile, the other mothers, and the elderly had gathered at the back of the village. As you had instructed us to do in an emergency son. We all made our way to the west side caves and went down to where the emergency supplies were kept. I couldn't stay there knowing I could be of better use. I had to help. Bree Hofferson promised me she would keep Trid safe, and I knew he would be okay with his Grandma.

''I left the caves and ran back to the village calling for Cloudjumper. The storm has started and visibility was becoming harder. Through the rain and thunder I could still see the sky dancing in a blaze of angry colours - from the various dragon shots, and I followed the flashes of lights from the blasts. I could hear the noises growing louder from the Vikings shouting, the dragon roaring, and the orders being given.

''When I finally reached the village that's when I saw it. The dragon was nearly as big as the Bewilderbeast … but it was like nothing I had ever seen before. I could only see so much from the ground, but it shocked me enough that I wasn't thinking about my surroundings. Cloudjumper suddenly appeared in front of me, protecting me from the flames of a poor confused monstrous nightmare - the poor thing had scars from obvious human torture, and I ordered Cloudjumper to not fire. He was hesitant at first, but I climbed onto him and we made our way into the sky.

''I managed to see the dragon and its rider then, the whole reason for causing such fear and chaos. It was a mixture of amazement, wonder, and fear that surged through me in that moment as I took in the dragon's appearance. The dragon, the village is now calling the 'Spawn of Death'. It was a magnificent beast, with a long body, four legs, and two huge almost see though wings. Its tail was longer than its body, and whipped through the sky dangerously. Spikes lay down its back to its tail, where they became thin long spikes sharper then daggers. Sharp pointy horns came from its head, and it had red hair on its head, neck and chin - like that of a horse. I had never seen a dragon with hair before. His scales were tough and shiny, almost a dark black-red and blue at the same time. I know you both saw it, but that's what I remember of its appearance.

''The blasts hitting the Spawn of Death - trying to knock of its rider, or drive it away, simply had no effect as you know. These scales were tougher than I had ever seen before, and this dragon was strong. When it growled, its teeth were many and sharp, and fear surged though me as I thought about how I could help. I looked at its eyes, red eyes with slit pupils that told me it knew only hate, and that it wouldn't hesitate to kill.

''Cloudjumper swerved to miss shoots from other attacks, and we joined in the battle. I saw you son, shouting orders to draw it away from the village. We tried to get it to follow us out to sea but it kept advancing inland. I watched villagers being shot and hurt, some falling from the sky only just being saved by the aid from our dragons.

''Dragons came from everywhere at Toothless's command, coming to our aid, but no matter what we did the Spawn of Death was too strong. Some Dragons even seemed to question where their loyalties laid, torn between our side or theirs.

''I was grazed by an attack as Cloud jumper swerved to avoid it. We flew up above the battle firing down. I saw just how powerful and dangerous this dragon was when it hit Bloodsbane - Von Larson's Thunderdrum after it used its sonic boom. The Spawn of death's huge tail sliced through his face causing him to instantly fall with Von on top of him. It was a horrific moment.

''We were not doing well, we were losing. I thought all hope was lost when suddenly it locked on Toothless and you my son. It followed you to the back of the island and seemed furious on your tail. I tried to follow but the spawn of death was as fast as Toothless, and the battle continued between our dragons and theirs. I was needed in the village.

''After a while the Spawn of Death re-appeared over the village, to re-join the battle once more. We were all disheartened when you didn't reappear with it. We had hoped you was able to stop it, and we now feared the worst.

''We fought as long as we could. We fired and tried to continue to push it away from the village, but we were losing people and dragons on both sides. Dragons were starting to become loyal to the Spawn of Death out of fear, and we had all but given up. Then I heard your voice demanding Snotlout to get above the Spawn of Death. You were poised on Hookfang riding with Snotlout. The look in your face was devoid of life and it scared me. You looked lost, full of such hate and anger. You landed on the dragon - behind the rider, and with inferno in your hand you plunged the blade through his back and shoved him mercilessly from the dragon. It all happened so fast after that. You were about to plunge the blade though the head of the dragon, I cried at you to stop but then … the dragon let out a growl of pure agony. Everything erupted in a bright blue light that blinded us all. When we looked back the dragon seemed to have just burnt to ash and vanish before our very eyes, although there was no flame, no smoke, and no smell of burning flesh. We had no idea what had happened, and we assumed you had killed the dragon somehow.

''Unconscious, you descended down to the ground and village below. Snotlout and Hookfang caught you moments before you hit the ground. The dragons either left or returned to our side, and any riders that were fighting us retreated. I chased to your side son, and with the help of Gobber and Snotlout, we took you to your house. We ordered Yaegor to go get Gothi, but due to the amount of people injured it took a while for her to arrive.

''We treated you and were so relieved when you woke up, but you were ... weren't yourself. When I finally left your side and went to help the village, it was clear that we may have won the battle but … it was not a happy victory. It was a miracle that we lost no people that night, but we came very close. Some of our fighting men and woman almost died - and would have too if their dragons hadn't protected them so loyally.

''We found three of the riders that were fighting against us dead that night. Seven dragons had also lost their lives … including poor sweet Bloodsbane. Von was devastated as you can imagine. He refused treatment from Gothi for two days, and even Gustav had to keep Fanghook away - the sight of him only caused his father more hurt.

''We recovered as a village - as best we could, and as I had been voted to lead during your … recovery I did my best to give the dragons the best funeral we could manage; I worked with Yaegor to fix the buildings; Sven, Mulch and bucket tried to recover crops and round up the animals; Gustav and Gobber helped me treat the injured dragons along with some of the A-team; and everyone contribute in what way they could. Surprisingly the village wasn't as damaged as we though, so that was the easiest part. Most of the men however, were physically hurt - others more so, and the village was disheartened. Myself and the other women helped in raising their spirits, and I did my duty as your mother - and acting chief. Soon everyone … well, expect poor Von, were able to get back to normal.

''You know the rest son.''