Life As We Know It

Rated; M for Mature
Pairing; Hiccup & Toothless(Tallon)
Disclaimer; I do not own anything HTTYD-related. Everything belongs to its original creator.

54)

=Normal POV=
(7/24/2019-4:00 am)
(Archipelago; Isle of Berk)
(Haddock House)

Hiccup was not pleased that he and Toothless took off to get away from all the stress and what not for three days in the cove, only to return and be instantly harassed by his father and the other Chieftains. Hiccup knew something was up as soon as he noticed them in the Great Hall, and he knew exactly where things would go too. Maybe it was out of character for him to threaten them, but Hiccup wasn't taken chances with the barrier. It wasn't just to protect Toothless from turning dragon again; there was so much more to worry about if that thing broke or became accessible at all times again. That would be nice, Hiccup wouldn't mind that at all; if the barrier just went back to being crossable with no worry of it closing at random or if too many people passed at the same time. Unfortunately, this wasn't something anyone fully understood, so there was caution in everything done regarding it. Hiccup and Toothless were on the same page with not letting anyone mess with it, especially as there had been changes since it's discovery. Such as the random closings now, and the fact that Toothless could stay in a human form on the Archipelago side of it. Neither of these bits had come up to consider until just this year, starting in March when the Vikings came through to find Hiccup. And Toothless staying human just happened a month ago when they crossed together.

Hiccup made himself disappear for almost everything except ridiculously important meetings. As expected, him becoming Chief was brought up and despite it being rude or against tradition; Hiccup walked right out of that meeting and refused to hear anything or come back. Hiccup didn't know why it didn't cross his mind before, but just because Toothless wasn't a dragon didn't mean he couldn't train another one for them to make quick getaways with. The choice was a Deadly Nadder, a male named Scardian, who they met in their travels around the Archipelago. This Nadder was teal with hints of purple and yellow on the wings, a pale underbelly, and pale yellow eyes with black irises. Scardian was given his name as he had been mistreated and abused by humans, his body covered on old, but healed scars; he was rescued by Hiccup and Toothless, therefore really only trusting them and other dragons, but would behave and tolerate other humans as long as they didn't get too close or touch him. Scardian evidently tracked Hiccup and Toothless down once they'd returned to the Archipelago, quickly deciding to stay with them on Berk. Scardian was Hiccup and Toothless's dragon, for being able to make an escape or just fly. It took Toothless a bit to get used to riding a dragon, and Hiccup thought it was hilarious too.

Getting away from Berk was easy on a dragon, especially one that was so fast. And even better that no one could really track them as Hiccup had access to his Archipelago map, which had every single island in the Archipelago drawn out. Tribe and dragon islands in all directions as far as the boundary markers for North, South, East, and West. Hiccup had maps for outside the Archipelago too, but those weren't useful right now as they couldn't get out of the Archipelago. Stoick was not happy with Hiccup taking off from the meeting, especially because Toothless was never far, and it only took a whistle for Scardian to come to them and immediately take off before they could be caught or followed. Most of the time; they didn't go too far, just dragon island for a few hours and then snuck back into the house or stayed in the cove until morning, using the time to be alone or make love. An argument would always come as soon as Hiccup and Stoick saw one another face to face again. Toothless, though, was not the only one protecting Hiccup; Scardian would make Stoick back up if he was getting too close to Hiccup and Scardian didn't feel Hiccup was safe. It only made Toothless beam with delight that even dragons could pick up the tension between the father and son, and knew when to make Stoick back off.

It's been a week since the small vacation ended and now it was officially one month later from when Hiccup and Toothless crossed back into the Archipelago with the Grayson's and the Andersen's. The barrier closed on them once everyone was through, but Hiccup and Toothless knew that today was the one they desperately hoped it was open so they could get their modern friends back home. The two lovers discussed it the night before, how they'd head out and check. Stoick was watching Hiccup like a hawk, urging that he wanted to be part of the trip to check during dinner. It sparked the Chieftains wanting to do the same, just as proof the barrier was there and possibly see the change themselves of a dragon crossing and becoming an animal, or human. Hiccup and Toothless didn't like it, but they knew they were being guarded, so they couldn't just take off without anyone knowing.

It was early morning; Hiccup and Toothless devised how to get to the barrier without them following and making things take longer to get done. Lord only knows how long it would take to get all of them ready, then the travel time; this didn't take into account weather either. Hiccup and Toothless were taking Scardian while everyone was asleep, and if the barrier was open; they were rushing back to get the Andersen's and Grayson's home right away. If nothing else; they needed to get back to their lives in Norway while Hiccup figured out what to do about his two lives. Hiccup knew he didn't want to be Chief of Berk, and he knew how to get out of such a fate. The problem was that he also didn't want his father to be so utterly furious and disappointed in Hiccup's decision that he made it so Hiccup could never return to Berk at all to see the dragons, and Gobber. Hiccup was torn on what to do, and Toothless easily picked up on it, but he didn't know what he could do to comfort or help Hiccup in all this; it was entirely up to Hiccup.

The two of them were up already; having gotten dressed and used the bathroom before silently moving through the house to get outside and to Scardian, who was just on the forest edge. Toothless and Hiccup climbed on his back as Hiccup patted his neck lightly. "Nice and quiet now, Scardian…" Hiccup whispered. The Nadder gave a nod and then darted into the sky, heading South towards the boundary marker.

. . .

(8:00 am)
(Southern Boundary)

"Good flying, Scardian." Toothless said once they reached the boundary marker and Scardian landed on the small dock there as Hiccup and Toothless got off, giving encouraging pats to their friend. "You think your dad is raging because he realized we're not there anymore?"

"Undoubtedly." Hiccup sighed. "Not worried about it; getting our friends home is more important and not everyone needed to come on this venture. I get they want to see and study things, but this isn't the time…"

"I understand, love. Well, let's see what happens…" Toothless offered as he offered his hand to Hiccup, who took it and they linked their fingers tightly. "Wait here, Scardian." Toothless told the Nadder, who sat down calmly with a nod of his head. Hiccup and Toothless took a deep breath as they headed for where the dock disappeared through the barrier and then walked forward, still holding firmly to their belief that everything was going to be fine. Coming face to face with the barrier, Hiccup and Toothless too the one big step and passed through safely.

Hiccup smiled as he hugged Toothless tightly and kissed him. "Thank the Gods…" Hiccup breathed out.

"Looks like I stay human no matter which side now." Toothless smiled. "What now? We head back to grab the others to get them through while the chance is open?"

"Yeah, that's best. Maybe we hold it off until tomorrow, though. This is a long trip; we did it in four hours on Scardian. It'll be even longer by boat. Let's let them know; we'll make the sail tomorrow morning and get them through. Maybe we can as well, get a little time back at the house to check in on everything. We have been gone a month after all…I can…Use the time to talk to dad, finally." Hiccup stated, clearly dreading it.

"You don't want to, huh?" Toothless asked.

Hiccup shook his head. "Of course not. Look what happened during the Chieftain meeting…It instantly got brought up and I bolted because it felt like it did before we escaped Berk that first time four months ago when dad decided to make that announcement without consulting me first…" Hiccup remarked and sighed heavily. "Last time, it was I'm going to make you Chief and train you along the way." Hiccup imitated his father's voice, accent and all. Toothless thought it was pretty good, actually. But Toothless knew that this wasn't the time for jokes; it was serious, and a big thing to Hiccup. "Then it was I won't throw you to the wolves, son; I'd train you first. That was when he gave me the apology in Norway the night we got engaged…But now, hearing it at the meeting…Its Hiccup is going to be Chief; he said he would pending results of other things happening. Since those have taken place, we plan to discuss final details and then start that training. It's long overdue..."

"So he's just straight up saying you're going to become Chief because I'm able to stay human on either side…And didn't bother to talk with you first, again?" Toothless questioned. Hiccup nodded, looking down.

"I mean, he clearly said we have to discuss final things. I assume that's the talk we're supposed to have. But what got me was him saying that once we talked he would start the training." Hiccup stated. "The overdue comment; it just made me feel…Off, I guess. Like that weird feeling I was getting when we got back from the getaway last weekend. I told you something didn't feel right…I felt it again, stronger, when he said that." He added truthfully.

"If I had to take a guess; it's because he's under the firm impression that with me being able to stay human; you agreed to become Chief. So he wants to get that going as fast as possible to name you Chief." Toothless informed.

"That's just the thing, Tooth…I didn't agree to become Chief if you could be human in the Archipelago. I told him that I wouldn't mind becoming Chief if you could stay human past the barrier. It wasn't a definite yes or no. It was simply left at possibly, or maybe. But I never said I'd be Chief indefinitely. I never agreed to become Chief if you could be human in the Archipelago. It was left up to a later discussion pending results of what form you're in here…" Hiccup responded, closing his eyes. "The long overdue comment he made just…"

"Makes you believe that he only said all that stuff to stop the fighting. That he didn't really mean any of it?" Toothless inquired. Hiccup nodded softly, lowering his head some. "Well, it's something you were concerned about the day of the get together, and we shared that worry it was all for show."

"You don't know how much I really hope that it wasn't, babe." Hiccup replied lightly as Toothless saw Hiccup's eyes open and there were small tears beginning to form. "Because it won't make me mad, so much as it will break my heart…" Toothless instantly hugged his fiancé tightly to console him.

"If he knows what's good for him, he won't dare….He's already been warned." Toothless remarked. Hiccup thought it a little strange to hear Toothless say that for the second time in a month regarding his dad. Hiccup pulled off his betrothed and looked up at him.

"You keep saying that, and I feel like it's because something happened between you and my father that I don't know about…" Hiccup said. Toothless knew it was wrong to keep it from Hiccup; he should have told him when it happened a month ago. "Toothless…" Hiccup started. "Tell me the truth…Did you…Warn my dad not to hurt me again?" He asked.

Toothless closed his eyes and sighed. "Yes."

"Come on," Hiccup held his hand as they went back through the barrier and saw Scardian waiting for them contently. "You can tell me about it on the ride back to Berk." Toothless nodded as he and Hiccup got on Scardian, then the Nadder took off back for Berk.

. . .

(1:00 pm)
(Archipelago; Isle of Berk)
(Hooligan Village)

"I swear to Odin I'm going to ground that boy until he's my age…" Stoick grumbled, still searching the skies for Hiccup and Toothless on Scardian, knowing full well that was the dragon they would have taken. Obviously, Stoick woke up to his son and Toothless gone, meaning that they directed a direct order to stay on the island and wait for the rest of the Chieftains so they could all go to the boundary marker and check the barrier. Stoick was waiting outside the Great Hall with the riders flying around as patrol to make sure that Hiccup, if nothing else, was spotted and couldn't find a way past them.

"You could just make him Chief, Stoick." Alvin stated as Stoick glanced over at him. "You can't ground him as your son because he can lawfully take off as an adult. But if you make him Chief; you can figuratively ground him to the island as it's leader."

"He'd never go for it, Alvin." Stoick sighed. "The minute I say I'm naming him Chief without his consent; he'll leave like last time."

"So don't tell him. Just say it's part of training, make him go through a fake ceremony of how it would work." Madguts the Merciless, Chief of the Murderous Tribe, huffed.

"So you want me to lie to him?" Stoick arched a brow.

"You have a better idea?" UG, leader of the Uglithug Tribe, inquired.

"Have him get named Chief in a mock ceremony, then just let him lead the tribe every day. Tell him you want to see how he'd do things if it'd all been real, stay at his side and correct him in the form of offering advice or help until he's got it. He'll just think it's training." Alvin said.

"And then when you think he's got it down, back off following him around and just let him know that he's been the Chief since the ceremony. Sure, he might be ticked off for a while…You've said yourself that Hiccup may do things his own way, but ultimately, he'll do what he's supposed to. If you make him Chief, he'll do the job. And we all know Hiccup can't hold a grudge, so he'll get over it." Madguts nodded.

Stoick considered the idea, but still very hesitant to such. Stoick knew Hiccup wouldn't hold a grudge; he'd be hurt and mad for a bit, but eventually let things go. The problem was that Hiccup was engaged to Toothless, and the other Chieftains didn't know this. It would be expected for Hiccup to get married, and have a child. Hiccup would refuse to do both of those things because of his relationship to Toothless, and such a move could mean he didn't make the requirements to stay Chief and he'd be removed and it would go back to Stoick to claim Snotlout. Hiccup would leave, for good and probably never speak to him again with the chance to be free of his birthright.

"And you can pull off the same move with him getting married too." UG added as Stoick was pulled from his thoughts and looked at him. "You mentioned he has no desire to settle down as beyond the barrier…They don't marry so young, right?"

"That's right." Stoick nodded.

"So, use one of the Heiresses who can leave their tribe to marry into another one. Could be a favor from one of the Chieftains to you, letting their daughter see how things would be done to marry another Heir? Allying the tribes and families? Just don't tell him it's real; he's not going to resist a pretty girl seducing him into sleeping with her after too much mead and that's how they'd consummate things." Madguts grinned. "After that, the marriage is legal and there's nothing he could do about it."

"He could divorce her, actually." Gunnar, Chief of the Lava-Louts, stated calmly. "Not saying the idea is bad; it could work, as long as Hiccup doesn't immediately call for divorce when he finds out it's a real marriage. And he absolutely could; he be within his rights to."

"Not if she ends up pregnant." Alvin informed.

"Which, if things are done just right, could be achieved during the one time." UG added in.

"We're gonna have to do something about Toothless." Stoick sighed. "He might be in a human form, but he's still a dragon…And he's still very protective over Hiccup. If he senses something not right about all this; he'll tell Hiccup right away."

"We can take care of all that. Perhaps…Send him on a mission, or knock him out?" Madguts offered. "Just until its over and there's nothing he can do about it."

"I suppose." Stoick replied, still hesitant. Stoick wanted Hiccup to become Chief, get married, have kids of his own…But was coming up with such a scheme like this, lying and forcing Hiccup into it all, worth it for the hate Stoick would bring on himself? Stoick needed to figure it out because if the barrier was open; Hiccup and Toothless would be taking off. There'd be no doubt about it. Stoick knew it was wrong, but Hiccup's birthright was in place long before any of this modern life he wanted to live, and before he fell in love with Toothless. Hiccup might never talk to him again, but Stoick was prepared for that…As long as Hiccup finally took his place in the tribe.

"So, are you going to go through with it?" Gunnar asked. Decision made, Stoick nodded. "Well, in that case…The others likely won't agree to such things. But my oldest daughter is just a bit younger than Hiccup; she's been looking to get married, and has two younger siblings who could take over Lava-Lout. And I'm sure she'd be more than willing to agree to this."

"Ragna?" Stoick inquired as Gunnar nodded. "You're certain of her willingness?"

"Yes. Ragna isn't interested in marrying for love or anything; she just doesn't want to lead the tribe. She wants to settle down in the simple life, so just housework and being a mom. She asked if I'd marry her off to an upcoming Chief so she could just be Chieftess, but housewife. She said she'd do anything and she's got a wicked side to her, so she'd go along with this. I know it sounds cruel and heartless, Stoick…But sometimes, in order to get what you want; you have to be." Gunnar remarked.

"Now, I suggest we hold this discussing until later when Hiccup and Toothless go for their night flight on Scardian as it wouldn't be wise to continue this with them coming in." Madguts revealed as Stoick quickly looked to see Hiccup and Toothless on Scardian, coming down to land. In agreement to hold discussions off until later on when Hiccup and Toothless wouldn't be on the island; the small group just stayed quiet.

"Where have you been, son?" Stoick asked calmly.

"Toothless and I woke up early to go check the barrier." Hiccup admitted.

Stoick sighed. "I thought we agreed to go together, Hiccup."

"No. You agreed on the decision to come; I had no part in it. I'm not sitting on a boat with all of you for six to eight hours to get there when I can do the trip in half the time on a dragon." Hiccup remarked. "All that aside…" He paused seeing the Grayson's and the Andersen's coming out.

"The barrier is open, so the rest of today will be spent packing up and getting ready. Tomorrow morning, we'll go back." Toothless said.

"We'll get the boat ready!" Cuyler nodded.

"Are…You coming back too?" Henrik wondered.

"Yes, of course." Hiccup smiled.

"Wait…What?" Stoick interjected.

"Dad…Toothless and I still have a house in Norway; we've been here for a month. We need to go back and check on things." Hiccup informed.

"But…You will return to Berk, right?" Stoick inquired, hopeful. "You…Said we'd discuss a few things pending the result of Toothless staying human within the barrier…Remember?"

"And we will talk, Dad. But I need to get them back home because they have their own lives to live. Toothless and I also have things to take care of in Norway as well. So we're gonna lead them to Norway, then take care of some stuff…" Hiccup started.

"And we'll return when we're good and ready." Toothless stepped in now. "Now, that is quite enough of this. We've had a long flight, and there's much to get done before tomorrow."

Stoick wanted to argue with him, but if he did anything before these plans were put in place; Toothless and Hiccup wouldn't come back at all. For now, he had to bite his tongue. "Of course, I understand. If there's anything I can do or provide to help, let me know." Stoick smiled.

"Will do. Thanks, Dad." Hiccup smiled as he and Toothless headed off to get started on things. The Andersen's and Grayson's left as well to begin packing up and preparing for tomorrow's sail. Stoick needed to figure out how to make this work. Stoick just knew he needed it to be perfect, or it wouldn't work and hoped that by the next time Hiccup and Toothless were on Berk; it would be the last time they left because Hiccup would be Chief, and married. Stoick was going to make this happen; Hiccup would take his birthright as leader of the Hooligan Tribe.