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.

56)

=Normal POV=
(8/8/2019-5:30 pm)
(Archipelago; Isle of Berk)
(Hooligan Village; Great Hall)

Toothless was still working on Hiccup as far as anyone knew, but so far as it'd been about half an hour; it wasn't looking promising that Toothless was successful in getting Hiccup out of the house. This is how things had been for a week since more from beyond had come on good reasoning and intent; it was because they were worried about Cuyler and knew he'd been vacationing with his family, Hiccup, Toothless, and the Andersen's. Hiccup understood why it happened, but that didn't erase how miserable it made him that they were literally so close to being able to leave the Archipelago. Hiccup didn't want to be Chief, he didn't even want to live on Berk anymore; he wanted to go back his and Toothless's lives in Norway. If his father cast him out for such desires; Hiccup was now at the point that he didn't care anymore. Hiccup wanted to be able to have what he wanted and still visit now and then, but if there was no way to do that on civil terms; then he was ready to say goodbye for good the next time the barrier opened. Hopefully, that was three weeks away, so Hiccup was holding off on saying anything to his dad until he had a secure out of the Archipelago; that wasn't happening until the barrier was unsealed.

Another thing that Hiccup didn't like was that the Chieftains were still on the island when there was no reason for them to be. Hiccup knew why, but it was still no concern of theirs when they had all the information they needed for right now. It was aggravating, and thus not helping in rising his mood any. So, the Hooligans, visitors, and guests from beyond the barrier were all in the Great Hall for dinner. Most were just eating and chatting away, and others were wondering if Toothless was going to return and if it would be with Hiccup in tow.

"I wish we could do something to cheer Hiccup up…" Hagen frowned.

"We all do, son." Henrik nodded.

"Hiccup has had a rough couple of months, and nothing seems to be going right for him…" Mildri stated lightly.

"We didn't mean to upset him by coming here." Oivind sighed.

"It's not your fault. You just happened to be on the boat when my crew came to investigate why my ship's locater vanished." Cuyler informed. "It's more than that, though. Hiccup, unfortunately, despite this being his home, doesn't want to be here."

"What do you mean?" Brynjar questioned now. Obviously, they were talking in low tones to avoid being overheard. Toothless had explained to the Andersen's and Grayson's previously before all this happened that Hiccup's wasn't happy being in the Archipelago or on Berk again.

"This is where Hiccup and Toothless are from. Hiccup is next in line to rule the tribe after his father, Stoick. However…Hiccup has no interest in taking over, and he doesn't want to be here anymore either. You've seen this lifestyle the past week; it's nothing like our home, or even our time period. There is nothing advanced here, and even dragons. Hiccup took a chance to pass the barrier with Toothless and they discovered Norway together and built themselves their own life there. Hiccup doesn't want to give that up to come back here and live the life he was born into. If that makes sense." Cuyler explained.

"Can't…Hiccup just refuse to take over?" Vera wondered.

"He could, but it's at risk of upsetting and disappointing his father who is still leader of the tribe. If Hiccup refuses to take what's rightfully his; his father could legally disown him, which would remove his status as Heir. And Stoick could eject Hiccup from the tribe itself, meaning he could never come back here." Mari remarked.

"And from what we understand, there are some who reside here who he's grown up with and doesn't want to lose." Brenna added. "Like Gobber, and his five friends; Astrid, Snotlout, Ruffnut, Tuffnut, and Fishlegs."

"Well, technically…Snotlout is his cousin." Henrik shrugged.

"So he's torn on what to do. Staying here as part of things, or refusing and never being able to see anyone here again." Sigvard sighed.

"And I think there's frustration in the barrier situation. Every time it's passed; it closes for what seems to be about a month." Lilly mentioned.

"I feel like Toothless mentioned that Hiccup also can't be himself here, because he's held to a higher standard as Heir. Despite not wanting any part of leading; he's still part of the tribe and has to play the part to keep them safe from the Chieftains or allies breaking treaties. Basically, he has to be on his best behavior; he won't risk putting them in danger of wars starting." Cuyler informed.

"That happens?" Natalie blinked, entirely shocked.

"That's how things are for Vikings, I guess." Lukas replied.

"Bottom line, Hiccup can't cut loose and have fun here like he can in Norway. These people won't understand the style, and judge him. According to Toothless; not exactly fond memories of being here from when he was younger." Askel remarked with his arms over his chest.

"All the singing, drinking…Just general fun like we have in Norway when we hang out. Hiccup can't do it here because he's afraid to be judged for being different." Cuyler nodded.

"You guys talking about Hiccup being miserable too?" Astrid inquired softly.

"We're worried about him." Heather added in. "Hiccup's always been kind of a dork, but the happiest I've ever seen him is in Norway with Toothless and getting to do what he wants."

"Getting to be free, sis." Dagur told her. "I've known Hiccup all his life, despite not being the greatest to him…But he's always been so…Down and miserable living here. Seeing him in Norway for the month we did. That's the real Hiccup Haddock. Everything seen here is…"

"Just a mask. Or was. Doesn't seem like he cares anymore if people know he's miserable or not." Fishlegs frowned.

"Isn't there…Anything we can do?" Ruffnut wondered curiously.

"Yeah, there's gonna be something that would make him feel even a little better." Snotlout agreed.

"Might be a crazy idea, but…" Tuffnut started. "Why can't we set something up so he can be himself here?" He asked now.

The group at the table stared at the male Thorston twin a moment, confused, and then eyes widening with shock and wonder. "Tuffnut, that may be the best idea I've ever heard come from you." Astrid stated. "Do you think you guys could set up all that music stuff here, like at the front of the hall?"

"Well…There's no electricity here, so I don't…Know?" Eirik shrugged.

"But we do have a solar/lunar-powered generator that could provide it…" Cuyler tapped his chin.

"Solar-what now?" Snotlout blinked.

"Solar comes from sun. Lunar comes from moon. Basically, we have…Modern technology that allows for a device to collect light from the sun and moon, depending on the time of day, that will power another device to provide electricity. Which…I think you learned about while you were in Norway. It's a power source…We have them on the ship for emergencies when our stuff stops working in storms or any reason at all." Henrik explained.

"It could work to power some of the music stuff we have on the ships." Provided one of the ship workers. "Hiccup and Toothless used to travel with us all the time on the boat; we had a blast."

"So we could get the set of stuff we have on my ship and set it up…But…Why? We know Hiccup isn't gonna just let go like in Norway?" Cuyler reminded.

"He would with permission…Stoick's worried about Hiccup, and we just passed him talking with the Chieftains about not knowing what to do. Maybe…Hiccup would lighten up and be happy if he could be himself here." Dagur said.

"And Stoick did say he accepted Hiccup for who he was…Maybe if we talk to Stoick about letting Hiccup be how he is in Norway, he'll agree to let Hiccup be himself here…It's not like all of us Vikings don't know about the modern life, even if we never lived it ourselves." Astrid nodded.

"Well…If you can get Stoick to agree…We can probably set things up and let Hiccup get into it on his own. He doesn't typically resist music, and ends up singing along." Brynjar offered.

"Yeah, we've all sung with him too at the restaurant. We could start up karaoke and he'd probably loosen up a bit," Sigvard nodded.

"We also have alcohol…Quite a few crates stores below the ship." Offered one of Cuyler's shipmates.

"As do we because we were going to be hanging out the day we crossed here." Cuyler said. "We all want to help Hiccup out, so you talk to Stoick and let us know?"

"I'll talk to him. Might help coming from another Chieftain who was there when all this happened." Dagur suggested.

"I'll help too." Heather beamed. In agreement, Dagur and Heather returned to the Chief's table to sit down.

"I hope this works." Fishlegs sighed.

"Even if we get Stoick's permission…Toothless still has to get Hiccup out of the house." Henrik said.

"I think he'll be able to. Might take a little bit, but I assume they're probably talking about whatever is bothering him more in depth than the obvious issues we all know about. And I suspect that Toothless is probably comforting Hiccup too." Cuyler informed. Everything just sat down and relaxed, hoping that Dagur and Heather could convince Stoick to let things be a bit different than normal. And that Toothless could get Hiccup to join them for a bit in a chance to cheer him up. They all hoped for a good evening if those two things came to pass.

. . .

"You want me to allow what to happen?" Stoick asked, eyeing the Berserker siblings when they suggested what Stoick should do if he wanted to help Hiccup.

"Stoick, as well as Heather, Mala, Gobber, and myself, saw how Hiccup was in Norway. Okay? And the Hiccup here on Berk is not the same Hiccup we saw there." Dagur informed.

"But I don't see how allowing your suggestion helps." Alvin stated. "I'm also very surprised you even want to help Hiccup."

"Yeah, haven't you tried to kill him in the past?" Madguts inquired.

"That was years ago…I only waged war once, and it was because he lied to me about the dragon thing…" Dagur said, then just sighed and looked at Stoick seriously. "Look, Stoick. Hiccup is miserable because you've got him adhering to the Heir mentality of being on his best behavior when you know that's not who he is. Like you don't want anyone knowing who he really is." He said firmly.

"Well he is the Heir and should act like it." Gunnar remarked.

"Butt out." Heather rolled her eyes.

"What Dagur is saying, Chief Stoick, is that we all saw how Hiccup was in Norway." Mala began gently. "His nights weren't spent just sitting with a bunch of people he knows, talking about business and what not. They were spent with friends, laughing, teasing, joking, having a couple of drinks with music going and just…Having fun."

"An explanation isn't needed." Gobber crossed his arms over one another now. "The lad was happy because he could do what he wanted, when he wanted. He could be himself in Norway because there were no standards to live up to. He wasn't Stoick's son, Heir of Berk, yaddie-yadda-ya. He was just Hiccup. What Dagur is brilliantly suggesting, is that you let Hiccup be himself here too and maybe he'd come around."

"We know that our way of life is not like the rest of the world. But we all live in the same world, and beyond the Archipelago…People can be whoever they want to be without fear of judgement. Hiccup can't be himself here because he knows that no one has ever been fond of his…Difference from everyone else." Heather tried now. "Everyone knows Hiccup was traveling to Norway, living in the modern world with Toothless, who is somehow human there. And now here too. What are you trying to hide? You said you accepted Hiccup…Loved and supported him. But you're not showing it now that we're all back here."

Dagur put his hand up now and stared at Stoick intently. "If you truly meant what you told all of us that day Hiccup went to the doctor with Toothless, that it wasn't worth you losing your son to make him do what you wanted him to do….Now is the time to prove it. Let Hiccup be himself no matter where or who he is with. Let him be here how he is in Norway. Let him have fun; it's not like he got to enjoy his childhood. Let his friends from Norway set up their stuff to get Hiccup to join in and be who he is, Stoick. It could be a fun time for everyone. Heather is right, we all live in the same world and eventually…We might have to live the way the rest of the world does, so why not try to mix things? You saw how much easier and better things could be if we modernized a bit. But all that aside…" Dagur paused. "As Gobber worded it…Let Hiccup be Hiccup."

"No one will understand what is going on…" Stoick sighed.

"It doesn't matter. We all like to kick back, drink, and celebrate…What's the difference if it's the same idea, but a little different?" Heather remarked. "We know it's not how things are done…But Stoick, take this into consideration…"

"If we don't do something…You're not going to be the only one who loses Hiccup." Gobber informed, looking at Stoick with serious eyes. "We all will. And don't say it's impossible because you know he's been that upset before to want to get away. Hiccup's been in this mood since the barrier closed when we all came back, and it's gotten worse as the weeks have passed. Since this past week…Hiccup barely leaves your house. Toothless reported that Hiccup barely eats, sleeps, and has just broken down crying. And for the past two days at least…Not even Toothless sems to be able to get through to him." Stoick's eyes fell softer now, perhaps with concern. "So for the love of everything, Stoick…Prove what that you meant what you said to him in Norway…That you son and his happiness mean more to you than anything else. Not to mention also…" Gobber paused. "And it's gonna be harsh of me to say it, Stoick…But you're part of Hiccup's problem."

"Me?" Stoick's eyes widened with a bit of surprise.

"You're pushing him to be Chief again…You're making him feel like that's all you care about since we got back and Toothless can stay human on this side of the barrier. You're only showing what you want…Not what he wants." Gobber informed.

"How do you know all this? I asked Toothless a few days back what was wrong and he said he didn't know…" Stoick questioned.

"Hiccup and Toothless don't have secrets, Stoick. Of course he knows what's wrong with Hiccup; he's just not telling you because he doesn't trust you and knows you're part of what's wrong. He doesn't want you making it worse while we're all busting our butts to help him. You've done nothing to check on him, even bothered to ask there was something you could do…Nothing at all. You've just…Gone about your normal day as Chief, completely neglecting your only son as if he doesn't exist. I've gone over to try and help. I've tried to coax him out and at least be in the forge because I know he likes to be there. I've tried to comfort him. I've gone there just to check in and let him know I'm here if he needs anything. Even his friends from beyond the barrier, plus his friends here, and Dagur are banding together to try and help him. Toothless has told me what's going on. And the others figured it out on their own because they know Hiccup. But you? His own father? I'm disappointed. People who have known him for four and a half years know your son better than his own father does." Gobber huffed.

Stoick flinched a bit. "Now…I suggest you think about your son here and let his friends step in to help since you won't. And one more thing…" Gobber gave a look that no one listening to things had ever seen before. Gobber glared a bit. "As old and dear a friend you are to me, Stoick…I agree with Toothless. It really looks like you only said it to stop the fighting but you didn't actually mean it. Hiccup is your only son, and you've never treated him like so. Always acting like his Chief, not his father. You were never there to teach him about the world. You weren't there to support him. You weren't there to comfort him. I was. And if you hurt that boy again…So help you Odin. You heard what Toothless said to you before we came back when Hiccup was sick. I trust and hope you have not forgotten. That is all I have to say on this matter." Gobber closed his eyes, moving to sit with Hiccup's dragon rider and modern friends.

There was some silence at the Chieftain table now as Stoick looked pretty surprised, conflicted, and somewhat deep in thought. "Let them go through with their idea…" Stoick finally sighed as Dagur and Heather looked a little shocked. "If…I'm part of the problem; talking to Hiccup is pointless until he relaxes a bit…Let him have fun with his friends; I won't stop it…I just want him to be okay…"

"Got it." Dagur replied as he went to inform the others.

Heather smiled. "You're doing the right things, Stoick." Then she trailed after her brother towards the others and Mala decided to go too.

"Stoick…What are you doing? We had a plan…" Alvin asked quietly.

Stoick looked at Alvin, Madguts, and Gunnar; the people he talked with a week ago about the plan to deceive and trap Hiccup as Chief and married. "Doing what's necessary to ensure Berk doesn't lose it's only Heir. I'm still going through with the plan, but Hiccup won't agree to anything if he's miserable like this and I can't risk him trying to take his own life in his depression. Apparently, he's had a history with it, and at one time considered such a thing…If I have to give one night up where he gets to be how he was beyond the barrier and it makes him happy, especially knowing I allowed it…So be it. At best…I'm hoping he'll recover enough to be more open to the idea of the fake ceremonies if he can see that I'm okay with him being who he believes is himself…It's a couple hours, one night…What's the worst that could happen?" Stoick shrugged, sitting back in his seat while he saw Hiccup's friends starting to rush and get things to put their plan into action. Stoick wasn't worried, it would work out and who knew…It could actually be a little fun. Stoick felt like Hiccup deserved this, at least, before he went and ripped Hiccup's freedom away without him knowing about it.