Stoick had barely managed any time with Little Hiccup after first getting him back. Dagur had pretty much claimed him and then the riders were taking turns with the boy, acting like a bunch of big brothers and sisters and in some cases, such as Astrid's or even Dagur's, oddly enough, a parent. But after learning Dagur had tried to experiment on himself to find a cure for Hiccup, and said little boy intervening and being administered the potion by accident, Stoick had stepped in. It wasn't because he was mad at the Berserker chief or no longer trusted him, far from it. He knew Dagur's heart was in the right place even if his actions had been foolhardy at best. Panic had filled Stoick. Panic at losing his only child, not only of him growing old and dying before him eyes but of suddenly losing this one chance to make things right. Hiccup's childhood had not been a good one after losing his mother. Stoick had been left a single father while still being a chieftain to an entire tribe during a time when they were at war with the dragons and many people were being killed and livestock stolen. Stoick didn't have time to be a full time parent and had often left Hiccup with Gobber or Spitelout. And when he dis get to be with his boy, those rare times they had tried to bond, he couldn't understand his child or the way his worked. He still didn't in many ways but they had come together. It only took fifteen years. Now he had a chance to bond with his son as a small child once again and even if it was only a few hours and days before he reverted to an adult, Stoick was going to make the best of it.

So he did everything he knew Hiccup liked, from dragon watching to flying to telling adventurous stories. If Hiccup liked it they did it. Strangely enough, Hiccup didn't grow as fast as everyone thought he would. If anything he didn't seem to grow at all, at least not right away. He pretty much a bubbly four year old from the time he awoke after passing out in Dagur's arms – turned out the child had taken such a panic attack that he couldn't draw enough air into his lungs mixed with the effects of the potion – right until it was almost bed time. He road on his father's shoulders as they hiked around the island, pointing different species of dragons and chattering away about them. They made camp on the other side of the island where they were able to spend some father-son time pretty much on their own. The riders checked on them every few hours.

Hiccup had grown a full two inches by the time they tucked in for bed.

"Daddy," the child began, laying on Stoick's chest under the stars, his tiny hand knotted in his father thick beard. Toothless's large head rested on the man's lower half and nuzzled Hiccup's bare feet. "Do you think Dagur is still mad at me?"

"What makes you think that, dearheart?" Stoick asked, resorting to a nickname Valka used to call Hiccup when he was a babe.

Hiccup shrugged his small shoulders. "Sometimes he gets mad at me and doesn't forgive me. Last time it took four years and a war. I don't want him mad at me. I don't want to lose him again. That's why I got mad. I shouldn't have said those mean things to him."

Stoick stroked his back. "No, you shouldn't have, but Dagur is not a teen anymore. He's a grown man and has learned to manage his temper a bit better." At least Stoick hoped so. "Besides, he wouldn't be doing flybys to check on you every hour or so if he was still mad. Sometimes when you love someone so much you'll do anything for them, even risk yourself. It can be dangerous and foolish and sometimes people don't stop to think of their own safety. Perhaps you should apologize to him. I know that would mean a lot to him."

Hiccup nodded. "I will, Daddy," he promised. He snuggled into Stoick some more. "Can you tell me a story about Mommy?"

Stoick's chest tightened. Hiccup hadn't asked about Valka in years. He had given up on the whole idea of his mother coming back and accepted the fact she had most likely been killed by dragons. It didn't diminish his love for the creatures, after all they had been at war at the time and the dragons of their region were under the control of the Red Death, if anything he protected them more, perhaps in hopes of one day finding her final resting place as he had helped Dagur find Oswald's.

"She was an amazing woman, your mother. With flaming red hair, lighter than yours but darker than Dagur's," he told his son, wrapping an arm around his tiny form, knowing in the morning he may waken to a teenager. "Oh could she fight. She could clumsy as a drunk yak when she wanted to but she had spirit. Even managed to take down a squad of Outcasts once. And she loved dragons, just like you. Had I listened to her when you were a babe we may never have lost her. She knew, just like you did, that there was a better way. She may no longer be with us but she lives on…in you."

"I miss her," Hiccup whispered with a big yawn. He didn't even remember her but he missed her all the same.

"I miss her, too, son." He stared up at the stars, wondering as he had so many times in the past if she had somehow survived and where she might be now if she had.

When they awoke in the morning there was very little noticeable change to Hiccup. He was a little bigger, maybe five or six at best. Stoick was ecstatic. He had figured he's wake up to a teenager, most likely grumpy at losing his leg once more or being cuddled by his father like a small child. But Hiccup was still a small child. They spent the morning fishing until Hiccup became bored and started hunting for trolls like he used to. It would have been cute if Toothless didn't get his head stuck in a log trying to follow Hiccup into log while on the troll hunt. Pulling a half ton dragon out of a log with a child squealing in laughter was just about enough for Stoick to want his grown up son back.

They were back at the outpost by lunch time.

Stoick was trying to think of something less strenuous to entertain his son with when the happened upon Snotlout who was about to head out to find them. He seemed a little awkward when he saw his chief but smiled kindly at Little Hiccup as the boy bounded across the platform to tell his cousin all about the trolls he had been searching for. When Snotlout was a child he would roll his eyes and push Hiccup away, telling him he was annoying and trolls were not real, but now he smiled and nodded and listened as his little cousin went into detail about his adventures. He didn't interrupt or stopped him and waited until Hiccup was done, hid hands clasped behind his back the entire time.

"Wow, I missed all that?" he cooed, kneeling to Hiccup's level. "I'm going to have to tag along next time."

"Really?" Hiccup chirped, obviously excited that Snotlout was interested in his story.

"Yep, maybe between the two of us we can catch one."

Hiccup beamed happily but his smile only got brighter when Snotlout revealed what was hidden behind his back. It was a black plushie dragon sewn together from one of Snotlout's old blankets. Hiccup's eyes widened as he took it into his arms. It was so soft and cuddly. He hugged it tightly before launching himself at his cousin and hugging him even tighter. "Thank you! Thank you! I love it!"

Snotlout chuckled. "I like you like this. Smaller and more appreciative." He gave Hiccup a little squeeze. "How about you put a good word in for me with Heather, show her how loveable and caring I am."

"Okay," the boy chirped, letting go to dash into the clubhouse. "Astrid! Look what Snotlout made me!"

"He's not going to tell Heather," Snotlout grumbled, straightening.

Stoick nodded with a hum. "No, but he's sure to tell everyone else," he warned, patting his nephew's shoulder.

"I thought he would be bigger by now," the raven haired youth observed, tilting his head as he watched Hiccup show off his new plush dragon. "He only aged by two years, if that."

"Aye, much slower than he de-aged from what I hear. It may take a week before he's back to normal." But he had a big grin plastered on his face as he watched his boy show off his new toy to the riders. He couldn't recall Hiccup so happy and bubbly when he was little and he was going to enjoy what little time he had with his son at this age, as much as possible.

Of course, he wasn't the only one. Once the riders knew Hiccup was okay and not about to suddenly grow old and wither away, they flocked to him, wooing and awing over his new toy and congratulating Snotlout for his sewing skill and for the thoughtful gift. It earned him a smile from Heather that made him blush but not as much as the look of awe that Ruffnut gave him, or the slap on the back from Dagur.

"He can't ride his dragon so give him one he can carry anywhere," Dagur said proudly. "Toothless might get jealous."

"Doubt it." Snotlout watched his cousin with awe. "If anything Toothless might try to lay claim to it."

"It is a stuff Nightfury," the Berserker agreed. He patted the smaller man's shoulder. "You did good, Snotlout."

"He said my name," Snotlout breathed, taken back by the fact Dagur had used his proper name rather than a silly nickname.

"Hey kiddo," Dagur greeted Hiccup, grinning when the boy became a little shy.

"Are you mad at me?" Hiccup asked softly, hugging his stuff dragon.

Dagur raised a surprised brow. "Why would I be mad?"

"Because I was mean."

Dagur sighed. "Hiccup."

"I'm sorry."

The Berserker chief shook his head and knelt down. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm just happy you're okay. You scared me and I don't like getting scared."

Hiccup sniffled. "Me neither."

"Then you two are good," Stoick announced, strolling up to them. He placed a large hand on Hiccup's small shoulder. "I'm taking Hiccup back with me to Berk. I have duties to attend but Hiccup needs me as well."

"Da-ad!" the child whined. "I want to stay here. My friends are here."

Stoick folded his arms across his chest and gave the boy "the look". Hiccup quickly fell silent but gave Dagur a pleading look, as if his brother may have better like convincing Stoick to let him stay but the elder chief bet him to the punch.

"Stop being whiny or I won't get you anything when Johann arrives later this week." He gave a little goofy smile when Hiccup widened his eyes, thinking he had made his son happy at the idea of new art supplies or a possible toy from a far off land.

"Okay," Hiccup said slowly, his adult mind emerging as he glanced once more at Dagur.

With the exception of Heather they had told no one about Johann being the traitor for fear of word getting out and Johann learning he had been found out. Dagur had received word from an ally that the Hunters thought Hiccup was dead and the Dragon Eye was lost. If that was true than this might be their only chance to capture Johann.

"I'll come with you," Dagur quickly offered. "Berk's a long flight and we'll have to make a lot of stops between here and there for Hiccup."

Hiccup frowned at him but didn't object. His mind was on Johann and how they could possibly stop him. After all, he was just a little kid now. He probably wouldn't be full grown in time to face off against the traitor. He needed a plan. He needed to grow up faster. But even as that thought came to him his gaze shifted to his bare left foot and fear seized his heart.