My Hiccup 26

Healing takes time. Gobber if anyone knew that. It was why he had worked so hard to finish the prosthetics for both Hiccup and Toothless. He wanted Hiccup to adjust to his new leg as quickly as possible and not think about the loss too much. That was why he also repaired Toothless's saddle and prosthetic tailfin. In the short time he had seen Hiccup and Toothless together and from what he read in Hiccup's books he learned just how much the two loved each other and how much Hiccup loved to fly. He hoped that by being able to fly the Nightfury would also keep Hiccup's mind from his leg. Of course he also gathered the young Dragon Riders and enlisted their help.

They had a basic job, keep Hiccup busy, don't let him dwell on what happen and change the subject when needed. Everyone quickly agreed. Everyone except Snotlout, his focus often wandering to his cousin's hut.

"You think he's okay?" he asked, not even realizing he had spoken until Astrid placed a hand on his shoulder.

"If he could handle you picking on him for fifteen years this is a cake walk for him," she said soothingly.

He wiped at a stray tear. "I just keep thinking this is somehow my fault."

"That's touching, Snotlout, but this had nothing to do with you," Gobber interjected before Snotlout could somehow twist this into being all about him like he did most other situations. He sighed when he saw the shimmer of tears on the boy's eyes. "Hiccup knew what he was during. He saved us all. Now it's our job to help him heal. You'll help keep him busy, yes?"

"Yeah," Snotlout agreed."

"And no cracks about the leg, understand?"

"Yes, sir," the five teens chorused.

They did their best. Some were better at it than others. Fishlegs caught Hiccup up on all the new dragons living on the island and how many now had riders. Then he went through and gave statistics for each and every one. Astrid introduced their dragons to Hiccup. Sure he was the one who picked out each dragon for the riders but they were the ones to name them and she felt it only right that he knew all their names. The twins didn't so much as point the metal and wooden prosthetic out as much as slap on the back and gush over the awesome battle scars and how only someone as totally awesome and crazy person could pull off what he and Toothless did. Snotlout kind of stayed back and let the others have their say before giving Hiccup a rare smile.

"That was bad ass," he said, surprising Hiccup. Over the last few weeks, since Hiccup supposedly mastered dragons, they had started getting along almost to the point of actually being friends. "You know Hookfang's a Monstrous Nightmare. If you wanted to make him yours because you're the chief's son and all…well I'd understand."

Hiccup gave a long blink before glancing between Toothless and Hookfang. "Snotlout, I choose you as Hookfang's rider because I knew you were right for each other just like Toothless and I are right for each other. So thanks but no."

"So we're not good enough or two good?" Snotlout demanded unsure if he was insulted or not.

Hiccup covered his face with one hand in exasperation. He never knew how to talk to his cousin without saying something wrong. "Whichever way you want to take it," he sighed.

"We're too good for him," Snotlout laughed, bouncing up to Hookfang. The Nightmare stole his helmet and began walking away as if Snotlout some nuisance with an interesting hat that needed gnawing on.

Gobber's plan pretty worked as intended. Hiccup finally had friends. He smiled and laughed and for the most part didn't think too hard on his missing leg. He hobbled a lot at first and often needed Toothless or Stoick or Astrid or even Gobber to help him, especially when it came to stairs and steep slopes. He refused to use the crutch his father had made for him. He might be crippled but he was not an invalid and he was hell bent on proving himself just as capable as ever if not more so. He went back to his duties with the same gusto as before, of course having a big black dragon tagging along didn't sit well with the chickens. They would try to fly the coop and Hiccup and Toothless would have to chase after them and put them all back. Hiccup also got back to his studies but since Old Wrinkly's hut was so cluttered classes were almost always outside. A few villagers were kind enough to build a large enough shelter for Old Wrinkly, Hiccup and Toothless to sit under comfortably during those rainy days. Since dragon training classes were cancelled due to…well the war being over the other teens began joining Old Wrinkly's class one by one.

So Hiccup's days were always busy. Between classes and working for Gobber and flying there was never time for him to get bored or even think about his leg. When night came and it was time to go to bed was another matter entirely.

For the first few weeks while he recovered and adjusted to his new leg Hiccup's bed had remained on the main floor. Stoick made sure to be with him every night to tuck him in. Hiccup had laughed at the idea and reminded him he wasn't a little kid anymore and he had Toothless who was now an official member of their family even if Stoick had yet to agree to it. Of course once Stoick the Vast had something in his head he stuck by it through thick and thin. Every night when it was time for Hiccup to go to bed Stoick would stop whatever he was doing, be it a meeting or drinks with guys, and go home to help his son with the prosthetic, make sure the stump was clean, dry and carefully wrapped in fresh binding, then tuck him in. Then he would sit back and catch up on his paper work, read treaties or try to make sense of all the things Hiccup had written. The boy was far more brilliant than Stoick gave him credit for. All these years had been slowly building to this. It was everything Valka ever dreamed of. She would be so proud of him.

The main Stoick wanted to be home and keep Hiccup bed close to his own was because the child had night terrors. Sometimes it was simple whimpering in which Toothless would snuggle up to him and immediately calm him down but there were other times, times when a simple hug wouldn't do, when Hiccup would wake up screaming with tears streaming down his cheeks. Those were the nights when Hiccup would scream out "DADDY!" and the teenage hero of the tribe would revert to a little boy that no even Toothless was able to help. It was those nights Stoick would cradle his little boy on his lap and softly sing to him like he did so long ago. Toothless would pace, waiting for Hiccup to calm down to they could snuggle and would end up curling around Stoick's big chair and falling asleep next to them.

Over the weeks the nightmares became less and less until nearly a month after coming out of the coma Hiccup requested to have his bed put back in his room. As much as he loved being close to his Dad, Hiccup loved his space and there really wasn't enough room for him, his Dad and Toothless to sleep comfortably. Stoick's room just wasn't large enough.

It was all good in theory. The bed was put back in its place and a large stone slab was carefully placed in one corner close to the edge of the loft so that Toothless had his own bed that he could heat to his comfort. The first night Hiccup stared at the steps, a challenge he had yet to face on his own, and took a deep breath. Stoick watched a few feet away, promising not to interfere unless Hiccup needed him. Toothless, however, stood behind the boy, his long tail swishing back and forth and wings twitching, feeling the same worry and anxiety that Stoick did about letting the boy go up the steps on his own.

Hiccup's hands clenched and unclenched and then he placed the left on the wall and carefully lifted his bad leg and took the first step. He took it slow, one shaky step at a time. A few times he got shaky and his bad leg looked as if it might buckle. One time he looked as if he had completely lost his balance. Both Stoick and Toothless moved at once to help him but he suddenly caught himself and finished the climb. He turned around with a gallant flourish and bowed to them both as if it was all a grand show, a cheeky little smile lighting his face.

Toothless gave him a mean look before bounding up the stairs after him.

"AH! Toothless, no! No tongue baths! I just had a proper bath this morning! Tooth!" Hiccup laughed and Stoick could hear the scraping of the metal foot and the thump of Hiccup rear on the loft floor followed by both boy and dragon laughter.

Stoick shook his head and went to check on the two. Sure enough Toothless had Hiccup pinned to the floor and was licking him head to toe. He could help but laugh. Had this been only two months ago he would have killed the dragon in fear of his son's life but now…now his son had a pet dragon.

"Boys!" he called. Such a call would normally separate Hiccup and Fishlegs when they rough housed as youngsters but with Hiccup and Toothless they were in their own world and it took a loud whistle to make either of them look up. "Hiccup, did you clean the wound?" he asked, somehow unable to say stump to Hiccup just yet. It was one of those things that were hard for him to talk about. With Gobber it was different; he had been a grown man when he lost his limps.

Hiccup gazed around Toothless's front leg at his father. "Yeah, Dad. I washed and made it was clean and dry before adding the new dressing. It's healing fine. Gobber says the new layer of skin growing over it nicely."

Stoick nodded. "That's good. Alright, get ready for bed. Toothless, that's your bed. No trying to climb into bed with Hiccup, understand."

The Nightfury gave him a blank look.

"Uh huh, I know you understand me, dragon. No games tonight," he gave Toothless his sternest look and pointed to the rock slab.

Of course boys will be boys and the two did play for a while in which Stoick would have to yell reminders that they were supposed to be sleeping not playing. It wasn't until much later when he was getting ready to go to bed himself that he realized he had been yelling "boys" and not telling Hiccup to stop playing with his dragon. He lay in bed for several hours pondering why he would say such a thing and when did he start considering Toothless not only a part of the family but also almost human. Sometimes dealing with Toothless was like dealing with another Hiccup.

He shook his head and rolled over to go to sleep when he heard the soft click of metal on wood and soft whispering. A small smile tugged on Stoick's lips but he listened carefully, worried that Hiccup might lose his footing but soon enough he was on the main floor and crossing it toward Stoick's room.

"Dad?" came the small nervous voice.

Stoick slowly sat up. "Yes, son?"

In the dark he could see Hiccup shuffle in the doorway. "Uh…I know this might sound weird but…ah…can we slip with you?"

"Oh?" Stoick answered a little surprised. Hiccup hadn't asked to sleep with him in a long time. "Nightmare?"

"Uh huh."

"Alright, but let's not make this a habit." Secretly Stoick was rather happy to have his son lay next to him where he knew Hiccup was safe and away from danger. He really didn't like having Hiccup back in the loft but knew the boy needed his space to grow and once more be independent. Nonetheless he pulled back the furs and let Hiccup climb in next to him. He was happy to see that Hiccup had managed to put on his prosthetic by himself with little difficulty. They snuggled down together, Stoick with his chin resting gently on Hiccup's head and an arm protectively around his boy. "Wait…we?" he finally asked moments before a large weight settled over him and Hiccup. Stoick couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Good night, Toothless."

He felt Hiccup hug him a little tighter. "Thank you," he whispered.

Stoick pressed a kiss to his son's crown then rested his cheek against his head. "You're welcome, son. Now close your eyes and sleep. I have you. I have you."

That night Stoick slept unlike he ever slept before. He slept in peace, his son safely tucked in his arms and a dragon draped over the both of them. Oddly enough it was rather comfortable. Toothless nuzzled his belly but mainly stayed on Hiccup, his paws hugging both Vikings. It truly was as if he was part of the family, a part that had been missing and was now finally found. A little bit of that loneliness Stoick felt ever since losing Valka was finally filled.