Hey guys ! New chapter !

Disclaimers : I don't own the stories of How To Train Your Dragon nor Rise Of The Guardian, all credits go to Cressida Crowell, William Joyce and Dreamworks Animation Studios.

Hope you enjoy !
Love and scales !

Chapter 15
A chief protects his own

Hiccup woke up in a jolt, panting, covered in sweat, his heart racing like crazy. In his mind was still playing the nightmare he had. Trying to calm down, he placed his hands on his face, wiping off the drops of sweat, pushing his hair off his wet forehead.

He breathed in and out, managing to convince himself what he had saw was not real, and it was confirmed when he felt someone move next to him in the bed.

Joke lifted his head with a grunt, half closed eyes, grimacing as he was trying to open them. Hiccup looked at him turn around so he could face him, while is barely-awake voice spoke to him in a faint murmur.

''You okay, babe ?''

Despite the fact he was tired and had not enough energy, making him collaspe back on the bed and close his eyes again, the young man still put a chilly hand on his husband's arm. Hiccup smiled and bent so he could kiss his forehead.

''I'm fine, I just had a nightmare.''

''Must have been awful to wake you up like this. Wanna talk about it ?''

Hiccup couldn't find the strength to answer right away. Since he was now perfectly awake, beside the one he loved, he didn't really want to go back to his dreadful nightmare. He layed back on the bed and wrapped his arms around Joke, waryly not puting weight to his already-bothering-enough-belly.

Squeezing his husband against his chest, burying his nose in his snowy hair so he could breath in his scent, he sighed with contempt. Even if he didn't speak, the silence was an answer.

''Kosmozis, isn't it ?'' Joke stated.

''Yes.'' Hiccup admitted. ''I dreamt he managed to reach you, and I just stayed there, completely helpless while he was killing you…''

When a sob escaped his throat, Hiccup buried his entire face in Joke's hair, and felt chilly arms wrap around him.

''It's not going to happen, love.''

''How can you be so sure ?''

Feeling anguish coming back in his heart, Hiccup felt the urge to see his lover's face to make sure he was still here with him. He broke the hug and cupped his face, looking at him dead in the eye despite the time of the night. The onyl light was coming from outside, from a very shy moon, but it was enough for their eyesaccustomed to the dark.

''Don't tell me he would never find our island nor would reach it, we both know it's not true. It can happen tomorrow, or in ten years, it does will happen. And I can't stand it, Joke. I can't live with the fear he could hurt you.''

Joke froze hearing such confession. Hiccup thought he knew what was happening in his lover's head. Surely the white-haired young man wanted to answer something, wanted to reassure him, but didn't know what to say. Yet he got a completely different reaction as Joke frowned, he seemed scandalized.

''Is that all you worry about ? Aren't you worried about what he could do to the dragons ? About what he could do to our dragons and clan if he comes here ?''

Hiccup was so abashed he could not find his words. Joke pushed his arms away and got up from the bed. He struggled a bit to straighten up because of the belly, then dressed with the long nightshirt he had left above the furs – the night hot flushes were the worst, forcing him to sleep naked, not that Hiccup would complain about it.

The young chief shook his head to clear his ideas, and quickly got up too. When he tried to reach his husband, Joke stepped back. The air was getting so thick they could have cut it with a knife. It was not usual to see Joke that serious, it only happened when it came to chieftain matters.

''Our daughter and I aren't the only thing at stake here, Hiccup. You seem to forget it. It's not only about our family, it's about the clan and all of our dragons.''

''But Kosmozis doesn't harm them, he shelter them to the Hidden World.''

''Oh, really ? Do you really think that's enough for him ? What? He'll lead them there and that's all ? If he really wants to make them unreachable, don't you think he's gonna make sure none of them will get out ? Don't you think he's gonna lock them in ?''

Hiccup had to admit his husband flummoxed him, but he wasn't wrong.

''That's not sheltering them, that's banishing them. Kosmozis may think he's saving them, but he's wrong. Don't do the same mistake.''

''W-What am I supposed to do, then ? I… It's only making the situation even worst, but we still don't know how to stop him. I said I'd figure something out, but it had been weeks and I still didn't found how…''

He stopped his ranting and his gestures, looking staight to his husband, whose face had turned from serious to sad. Same sadness crushed Hiccup's heart, filling him with guilt and shame.

''I don't know what to do.''

The guilt smashed him in the face, just like a wave into a stormy sea. He looked down at his hands, looking at this feeling of helplessness that seemed to follow him since he had become the chief.

''See, that's your problem, Hic.'' Joke said with disappointment in the voice.

Chock washed over guilt as Hiccup started. He wondered what was this accusation hiding behind Joke's harsh words, it didn't sound like him. He started to question if he was really awake, maybe all this conversation was only a dream within a dream. Looking intely at his white-haired lover, he tried to determine wether or not all of this was real.

''It's always 'you'. You always have to do everything.''

''A chief protects his own and-''

''And ? Yes, you are the chief. Yes, you have a lot of responsabilities and people are asking you to solve problems. Yes, the clan rely on you, but you don't rely on anyone.''

''You're wrong, I rely on you and on-''

''Toothless ? Are you sure ? When have you last asked him or me for some help ?''

Hiccup opened his mouth in pure reflex, hoping to answer right away, but he couldn't. Scaning his memories, he tried to find the last time, anytime, but the more he searching, the less he was finding. So he kept quiet, hands frozen in one of these gestures he always made to follow his words.

Joke shook his head with a sigh, then ran a hand on his face.

''That's why I didn't want to tell you about my symptoms, at the beginning. It was not in fear to bother you or add more concerns to you, I was afraid you'd drop everything else.''

''How is taking care of you a bad thing ?'' Hiccup asked, suddenly upset.

''It's not a bad thing… You have the right to have priorities, but you can't just stop acting chief while you made everyone so dependant of you.''

''So you're saying this is my fault ?!''

''Yes.''

Hiccup started as the answer was immediate and harsh. Joke gave him an upset look and crossed his arms over his belly, the slight grimace on his face as he had pressed on the plump did not escape the young chief but couldn't manage to distract him from his increasing anger.

''The thing is, Hiccup, you're always doing everything on your own. I don't know if you're trying to prove yourself by endorcing all the responsabilities-''

''That's what a chief is supposed to do, Joke !'' Hiccup cut him out. ''My father was doing this before me, that's only logical I'd do the same.''

''Is that what it's about ? You're trying to live up to Stoick ?''

Hiccup's anger was starting to boil inside of him and was mixing with the guilt Joke's accusations was awakening. Despite the arguing that had started between them in the middle of the night, Hiccup didn't find the will to raise his voice, especially seeing the sadness on his husband's face.

Said husband stepped closer and took his hands, holding them firmly.

''You're not like him, Hiccup. And you don't have to. Becoming chief doesn't mean you have to rule like he did. You won't be able to, anyway. He did deeds you could never do-''

Hiccup growled and averted his eyes, fighting against the urge to pull back his hands, but Joke kept them. He didn't let him time to get upset as he took his chin and forced him to look back in his direction.

''And vice-versa. You too had accomplished mighty deeds he could have never done.''

''Like what ?'' The green-eyed viking grunted.

''Establish the peace with dragons, for instance.''

Hiccup's mouth closed instantly, making Joke smile.

''You both have your own strengths and weaknesses, it doesn't mean one of you is better than the other, just different. No one asks you to become a new Stoick.''

''… They're asking me to be as good a chief as he was.''

''How so ?'' Joke isnsited.

''You said it yourself, they rely on me to help them.''

''No, they rely on you to be their chief. They just need someone to help them. It doesn't have to be you all the time. If you think you have to rule alone because Stoick did, you're pretty wrong. Stoick wasn't alone. He had help from Gobber, Spitelout, Goathi, and the former Counsil. They were here to help him on his duties.''

Hiccup listened in silent. He had given up on replying since Joke's words were tickling his memories. He reminded his father and noticed that, indeed, the mighty warrior used to share his chores and duties.

The chilly hands of his husband, stroking his cheek lovingly, brought him back to the present, he instantly met the eyes he cherished the most in the world, along with a reassuring smile.

''You're inflicting yourself with too much work for one person's sake, love. There are things you can't do on your own, and you don't have to. Rely on the others for a change, stop handling everything alone nore try to fix everything by yourself. We're here, too. Not just Toothless and I. Astrid, Gobber, mom, the gang, the other dragon riders, all of the village. We are stronger together. All of us.''

Hiccup took a bit of time to take in all these advices. He let them sink into his mind, marvelling at how wise they were. He put his hand over his husband's still on his cheek, kissing the palm with a light amused smile.

''You're thinking about it for a while, don't you ?''

The pregnant man shrugged.

''I talked about it to mom and Astrid. Gobber may have said something too, about you doing too much.''

Hiccup chuckled, always entertained by the brute nature of the black-smith who was never twisting his tongue before talking and still didn't know what was tact.

''You guys are right.'' He admitted. ''I should slow down, let go of some pression and rely more on you all.''

''We're gonna help you, don't worry.'' Joke said while nodding.

They smiled, then the white-haired young man bent his husband's head forward so he could kiss his forehead. Hiccup sighed and hugged him. Burying his head in the crook of the pale neck, he breathed in his scent and sighed.

''Do you think I should talk about Kosmozis to the others ? Ask them for advice ?''

''Yes, you must. We didn't formed a new Council just for decoration.''

Joke broke the hug and kept his hands on his husband's shoulders, his gaze became a bit solemn.

''It's time for you to do what you never did : ask for help.''

Hiccup pinched his lips in a embarrassed and apprehensive smile, then he nodded.

o*o*o*o*o*o*o

The following day, upon his husband's advices, Hiccup reunited the Council and talked to them. Joke even felt proud as he used his exact same words after apologizing to his friends.

''It's time for me to do what I never did : ask for help. Your help.''

Despite the night being short for the young chief who had been occasionally woken up by his husband's annoyed movements, he had thought about heir conversation.

It was true Hiccup had never considered if a task was too much for him to handle. He was smart and resourceful, he used to figure out a way to accomplish the task, that's why he never thought about asking help. But it was also because of his past.

In his teenage years, everyone turned his back on him since he was no viking material. Only Joke remained friend with him, but it didn't stop the viking from handling himself alone and shutting himself from others. Without noticing it, Hiccup kept this habit while growing up, even after the peace had been establish, even after people changed their mind about him.

He was respected, he was given more responsabilities by handling the dragons and the Dragon Training Academy. He had started to open up to others, to do everything he could to help them, but it was true he had never asked for help in return. Even worst, he declined it when offered. However, Joke's admonition made him realize it was time for him to rely on others, for once.

There was no shame in asking for help, it was just an habit he had never get, but he swore to himself he was going to get it. No only Joke was right saying he couldn't do everything on his own, but making everyone dependable on him was dangerous. How was the clan supposed to deal with itself if something happened to their chief ? If he was to get sick or just being called away ?

Seeing the Council's reaction, Hiccup understood Goober, Astrid, Elska and Joke wasn't the only who had thought about it. If most of them smiled, Snotlout rolled his eyes and even threw his arms in the air.

''Finally !''

''We were wondering if you'd ever realize it.'' Eret added, smiling.

Astrid shove him gently with her elbow, affection pourring from the gesture, which made the Haddock couple smile. Elska chuckled of it, then she got up and walked to Hiccup, putting her hands on his shoulders.

''Union makes us stronger, union with dragons as with the members of our clan.''

''Don't forget our allies !'' Gobber added, now the last one still sat on his chair.

''Sure.'' Tuffnut said, seemingly bored.

Exceptionally, even if they were not part of the Council, Ruffnut and him were part of the reunion as the chief's friend and dragon riders, but no one had expected them to say something useful.

''What good it is in having allies if you can't reckon on them ?'' He added.

Everyone froze, mouth agape for Fishlegs and Snotlout, looking at the Thorston son as if he grew up a second head. He stopped bitting his nails and looked at them the same way.

''What ? What did I say, this time ?''

''Huh… Something clever ?'' Snotlout said.

''Don't worry, I'll fix this.'' Ruffnut snickered and hit her brother pretty hard in the helmet.

The hit reverberated so hard in the metal helmet even Astrid flinched at the sound.

''Aah, better. Thanks, sis.'' Tuffnut sighed even if he wiggled.

''With pleasure.''

Hiccup shook his head, trying to ignore their antics, and went back to focus. The chilly hand of his husband on his help him to do so, even more combined to his reassuring smile that always managed to alleviate his mood.

''They're right.'' The white-haired young man said. ''We should rally the other clans. Kosmozis does threaten their dragons, too.''

''Yeah, but we'd still need them after this.'' Gobber added, rising his wooden hand high enough to catch their attention.

The young chief gave him a quizzical glance, not sure about what the black-smith implied, but Fishlegs understood it and started to bounce on his feet.

''Oh, that's true ! They can help us spread the peace !'' He beamed.

Hiccup wanted to slap himself. How come his friends managed to find solutions that seemed that obvious to matters he was dealing wih for so long ? It sounded easy for them, while he had not thought about it.

Once again, he had to admit Joke was right : he really didn't know how to ask for help.

''Peace is a fight that concerns all of us.'' Elska claimed. ''Berk can't be the only spokesman, everyone has to take a part of the job.''

''And the more we speak, the more the message will be heard.'' Astrid concluded, her fists on her hips.

It sounded logical, indeed. Why would the Hairy Hooligans be the only clan to preach peace if other clans had been convinced and had adopted this way of life ? If they cared for the dragons too, they had to defend them as well.

''You asked for our help, Hiccup.'' Astrid spoke again. ''So this is what we propose : call all our allies to fight with us, and confront Kosmozis before he gets to us.''

Elska nodded her head and looked back to her son-in-law.

''We have this advantage on him. We have allies while he has only employees. The trappers only follow him because he pays them, they'll never be as loyal to him as our allies would be to us.''

Hiccup smiled and nodded with determination, tightening his grip on his husband's hand. Baffingly, he felt lighter than he had been in his three years of chieftain. He had troubles realizing how good it felt to simply talk to his friends, rely on them, and allow them to share his burden. One thing for sure, he was really going to organize other reunions like this one. For all he was smart, they were smarter with several brains.

After the reunion, the Council had a meeting with the whole village, explaining the new plan. Of course, there were some preparations to do, forming teams, determining who was going to which clan, who was staying to protect New Berk…

Hiccup was torn between the call of duty which told him he had to leave with the expeditions because he was the best in convincing the other clans to join the battle and between his protective instinct telling him to stay on New Berk to protect Joke.

Logic wanted Joke to leave with the expedition, yet his pregnancy was too advanced for him to ride a dragon – to Lumiverse's great dismay. Joke couldn't go with them, and Hiccup felt his heart shatter with anxiety to the thought of leaving him.

When the time came for the riders to leave, Hiccup felt like he was saying his farewell to his lover, so he kissed him as if they would never see each other again. Joke chuckled at it and hugged him.

''I love you, babe, come back soon.'' The white-haired young man said.

''I love you too. And you too, little boo.''

He bent foreward and let his hands rest on the plump of his pregnant husband, feeling a slight vibration under the tunic.

''When you come back, we have to seriously think about giving a name to this little lady.'' Joke said.

''Are you really sure this is a girl ?'' Hiccup wondered.

''Believe me, I feel it. And if she's not a smarty-pant like her father, be sure to have a mini-Astrid at home.''

Said Astrid heard them and grabbed her little brother from behind, ruffling his hair mercilessly with a fake-vexed expression.

''If she's like her aunt, you guys'd be sooo lucky to have her.'' She said.

''Okay, okay !'' Joke laughed.

He chased her hands away before hugging her too. She dropped her angry mask and returned the hug smiling, until she jolted back.

''Ow !'' She shouted as her brother grimaced, clasping his hands on his belly.

Hiccup panicked and helped him straighten up.

''What is it ? What's wrong ?''

''She… She kicked me.'' Joke said, agape.

''Yeah, I felt it too.'' Astrid assured before smiling proudly. ''She's gonna be the Hel of a viking, I tell you !''

Hiccup smiled and let his hands on the pregnant belly. He didn't really know if he espected to be kicked too, but the vibrations sufficed to let him feel this little being. He smiled and kissed his husband again, this time in the hair.

''I won't be long and, when all of this is over, we'll welcome properly this little warrior.''

''Hey, lovebirds !'' Eret called them out from the back of Skullcrusher ''It's time to go !''

Astrid taped her chief's arm and ran to the others. One last look with his beloved and Hiccup did the same.

Before taking off, Toothless crooned something to his family, who gathered around Joke. Lumiverse chirped in reply before closing her eyes in delight as her rider stroke the side of her neck, near her sensitive spot. To her paws, the five Night Lights were still wrestling and playing.

Hiccup smiled seeing them all together. A thought crossed his mind and warmed his heart : the dragons were also part of his family. They were one single family.