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.

66)

=Toothless's POV=
(9/7/2019-9:00 pm)
(Archipelago; Isle of Berk)
(Hooligan Village; Great Hall)

I swear the Gods were testing Hiccup and I. After all the nonsense since Stoick first brought himself and the other nine Vikings to Norway, it seemed the hits just kept coming. Hiccup couldn't catch a break, and things only seemed to get worse once we got back to the Archipelago. Now, Hiccup is stuck as Chief, and when we believed that things were calming down a bit; we got it again with this freak storm. Only it wasn't just a normal storm situation where everyone is getting locked in the hall for their safety. It's the Chieftains are back, so are our modern friends. Despite sending them off a week ago; they've all ended up back here because of some Archipelago wide storm. And there's no explaining how our modern friends got back through the barrier when it closed after they left. Hiccup was getting ready to lose it with frustration; I felt it. He was dangerously close to losing his mind. I worried, again, if he was going to develop a headache. Or worse, a migraine. He didn't need either right now. He didn't need this stress. And I couldn't do anything to help him because I didn't know what would make this better. Once again, Hiccup wasn't in the mood to do anything, not even have sex, which was usually a good stress reliever for both of us.

Here we are an hour after getting the news about our returned guests and the storm. Everything was done and everyone was in the hall, finding their places for the night. Hiccup and I were up on the mini-raised area where his Chief chair was. Gobber wasn't far from us, neither were the riders or my family. The Chieftains and their Heirs were far either. Oh, and another development was that now Katja, Colby, Kelda, Hertha, and Brendan were here with Brynjar, Signy, Emma, Vera, and Karina. Olivia, Oivind's half sister had showed as well. It showed me that maybe they were all out on the water, looking for their loved ones before getting blown back into the Archipelago. So…The Grimborn brothers were enjoying having everyone together, so was Alvin in meeting his daughter. Stoick was, of course, with us too. Still being guarded, but unshackled. He hadn't said a word to anyone since the 30th when Hiccup ordered him the prison for the night until his trial on the 31st. I was glad too because I really wanted to sock him in the fact for hurting Hiccup. I swore that nothing would save him from what I did if he hurt Hiccup again…And the only thing saving him was the fact I knew Hiccup needed me more.

I still haven't gotten my answers from my dad or siblings on everything; the storm preparation to precedence. I was Hiccup's mate; the safety of the village was just as much as it was mine since I stand beside him always. I'm his second in command. Hiccup did all his rounds with checking in and making sure everyone was okay; he also made sure the supplies for food and what not were secured under the hall for easy access so no one would have to go outside until this was over. At the moment, everyone is just leaving Hiccup alone unless he addresses them first; they knew he was in a bad mood, and very upset. Even I didn't know what I could say to him that would help right now, and I usually always had the right thing to say that made him feel better. I closed my eyes, trying to think about something.

"It's far too quiet in here…" Hiccup mumbled.

"I think everyone is trying to not give you a headache or any problems." I offered.

"Too late on both of those things…" Hiccup said. "I'd kill for a hard drink or a cigarette right now…"

"Can't help with the alcohol, it's on the boat…But…" I reached into my bag and pulled out a pack of the brand I knew he smoked, a lighter, and a small ashtray. "I always keep a few of these on me in case you need one." I smiled at him, handing the items over. It was worth it to see the small smile in his face as he accepted them from me.

"You're the best." Hiccup kissed my cheek before he set the cigarette between his lips and I flicked the flame on the lighter for him as the tip lit. I let off the button to kill the flame as he took a deep drag, then release the smoke upward and relaxed against the wall.

"Better?" I hoped.

"Slightly, we'll see at the end of it." Hiccup shrugged.

"I'll take slightly." I smiled. "Want me to throw on music too? Be a nice way to ride out the rest of the night?"

"I said slightly better, not party better, Tooth…" Hiccup rolled his eyes. "Maybe another time. Just not tonight, it's been crazy enough."

"Hey, you're the boss. Whatever you want, babe." I told him.

"Don't be a kiss ass either." Hiccup informed. I was trying to be cute with him; I loved seeing his smile and I told him a while back I'd do anything to see it.

"Oh, but that's so much fun." I quirked my brows at him hintingly.

"Toothless!" Hiccup hissed, blushing furiously at the insinuation his mate was making. "Not the time, or place."

"Made a blush and smile, though." I chuckled at him, caressing his cheek and seeing them redden. "That's all I wanted. To see you smile, Hiccup. I told you that a long time ago when your dad and the others got stuck in Norway with us…I'll do or say anything just to see you smile. Just to make you happy, because I love you."

"Yeah…Well, keeping using all those sweet and meaningful words and I'll end up crying." Hiccup muttered bashfully.

"Also told you that as long as they are tears of joy, then I'm fine with you crying." I leaned in and kissed his nose. Hiccup closed his eyes and laid his head on my shoulder as I put my head on his and snaked my arm around his waist. "I love you."

"I love you too." Hiccup replied, relaxing against me and still taking a drag or two from his cigarette every few moments.

It was mostly quiet after this; everyone seemed to be curious or intrigued by mine and Hiccup's relationship. Before they only knew it as friends, maybe brothers. But lovers? It was entirely new to see. I was still strong and protective as I'd always been when it came to him, but I'm sure it was something different to see us cuddling up and sharing kisses, or even me doing whatever I could just to see Hiccup smile and make him happy. I loved this, finally not having to hide. I suppose I can somewhat thank Stoick for it coming out sooner than expected, but I wish it hadn't involved hurting Hiccup as it did. And technically, it was my dad who revealed things. But bottom line; everyone knew we were in love and engaged, but already mated, which meant married as dragons despite Hiccup not being a dragon.

While relaxing, and after Hiccup finished his little smoke break; he seemed calmer and definitely relaxed. That was enough for me. Hopefully, everything could resolve storm-wise tomorrow and we could work on a solution to Hiccup being Chief. The Chieftains were here, might as well handle things while they are instead of waiting and summoning them back out. I sensed my father nearing me as I shifted my eyes to the left to see him standing there.

"Yes, Father?" I asked. Hiccup lifted his head up a bit and looked over as well. I didn't like that my dad was stepping in near us while I finally had Hiccup relaxed and in a decent mood.

"You know we have to talk." Drake stated.

"And it has to be right now?" I inquired.

"It's been put off several times due to other circumstances." Drake informed.

"What do we have to talk about, Dad?" I remarked. "You have no business tracking me down or interfering on anything here. Not that I'm not grateful you stepped in to help Hiccup and I, but still…Why would you of all dragons, help a human. You detest them."

"In case you haven't noticed, son; I'm human right now." Drake said.

"Yeah, still want to know about how. But same questions as before we were told about the storm…Why are you here? How did you know anything regarding mine and Hiccup's lives in Norway? Even my last name as Raseri, which was given as cover to hide that I am a dragon in human form…" I stared at him.

"Yes, I'm aware. Tallon Raseri, a modernized name that allowed you to keep dragon traits to it." Drake replied as I rolled my eyes.

"For you to know all this; you had to have members of the pack watching me in Norway, or anywhere I've gone for that matter." I pointed out.

"Well, of course, son. Just because you left didn't mean I stopped loving you. I wasn't happy with your decision to take off, but-," Drake began as I suddenly got up.

"I left to find peace!" I glared now. "Despite humans killing our mother and your mate; I searched for peace, to stop the fighting. To find the one human, or perhaps a few who didn't want to kill dragons. Who refused to. And I found Hiccup. And not happy with my decision? You told me if I left, not to come back or you'd kill me." I sneered out. "You had no right tracking me down, and watching me all these years when you didn't even support what I wanted to leave to do. And by the Gods, thanks to Hiccup; I was able to. I'm different, like Hiccup. This is why we get along so well. We both come from royal families as firstborns. Both lost our mothers to the opposite species. Both have fathers who don't care what we want or support us being different!"

I felt a hand hold mine and looked to see Hiccup standing there beside me with a soft smile. I knew what it meant; this was him giving me his support as I'd done for him when he fought with Stoick. This should only show everyone that Hiccup and I are madly in love and definitely meant to be together. I took a breath and looked back at my dad. "Now…If you want to tell me something useful that will matter to me…Tell me how you're all human. As far as I knew, I'm the only dragon who stayed in this form upon crossing into the Archipelago." I demanded.

My father stared at me a moment, and chuckled a bit. "You believe the barrier around the Archipelago is what shifted your form from dragon to human?"

I was slightly taken aback by his counter question. Of course I believed that, what else would it have been? "I only saw it change when I passed the barrier with Hiccup four and a half years ago…"

"Forgive my laughter, son. I'm sorry." Drake calmed himself, and shook his head. "I don't blame you for not knowing; you left young, so you missed that portion of your abilities training."

I arched a brow at him now. "You mean…The barrier hasn't been what's changing his form back and forth? And he has other abilities as a dragon that he missed due to leaving at ten years old?" Hiccup asked curiously now.

Drake nodded to confirm. "Changing our forms is an exclusive Night Fury ability. We can shift back and forth whenever we want; this is how we've survived and thrived this long. Because we change our appearance and blend in with humans, living our daily lives as they do, and no one suspects a thing."

"So…How come Toothless can't shift forms? He's been like this since we crossed back into the Archipelago in June." Hiccup mentioned.

"That's just because he never learned how to shift back and forth is all." Dag remarked. "It's covered in ability training when we're thirteen, mark of a young adult and can control our magic-based abilities."

"Yeah, but it's real easy," Cort smiled.

"But I don't understand that if I never learned how to shift forms because I left three years before training would have started…Why did I shift crossing the barrier?" I questioned.

Drake sighed softly. "The shift is brought on by sheer will power, my son. It's a state of mind, willing yourself to shift from dragon to human, or vice-versa. It takes a great deal of concentration the first few times, but once you get it down; it's takes nothing at all but a single thought of what form you want."

"And if you don't focus hard enough, you become hybrid. Half and half, which take more concentration to correct." Alva giggled.

"Huh…The reason we thought it was the barrier was because the Terrible Terror, Sharpshot, turned into a bird on crossing. And we had theory that it was because the boat was struck by lightning, and I had wished that Toothless and I could talk to one another. This happened the moment we passed through, so we thought it was because of that." Hiccup informed.

"Oh, it had a part to play in it." Drake smiled. "Your wish, Hiccup, accompanied by Toothless's thoughts to do the same is what triggered the transformation. He was focused just enough to bring it forward because he clearly wished the same thing. As I said, will power. For that moment on crossing, Toothless's mind was totally focused on the one goal of you two being able to talk, which was defined by making him human as his ability does not extend to turning you into a dragon." He explained.

"But the lightning had nothing to do with it, just random bolt that encased the ship?" I asked.

"No, that was part of it too, brother." Dag informed. "We're the unholy offspring of lightning and death itself. A lot of our magic comes from lightning that we charge ourselves with. You said that upon Hiccup's wish and crossing, the boat was hit by lightning?" Hiccup and I nodded. "Toothless was drawing on the magic to fulfill your wish. We work with lightning in training, how to channel it to us to power up, if that's an easier way to understand how it works."

"That…Makes a lot of sense, actually. So…If Toothless charged up right now, obviously not in here, but outside…He could charge his ability to go back to being a dragon?" Hiccup wondered, making sure he understood.

"That's correct. Well done, Hiccup. You understand more of dragon things than I first assumed you would." Drake smiled at him.

"Well…I've spent a lot of time with Toothless, understanding dragons is kind of what I do best…" Hiccup blushed a little.

"I give credit where it's due. Very good, Hiccup." Drake nodded to him, and then turned his eyes back on me.

"I can train you to shift back and forth, son. You need only ask, or you can attempt to do it on your own. Your decision, of course. I can show you all the things you missed. Our pack is back in Norway under the watch of your other brother; he goes by Erik." Drake said.

"I was going to ask where he was. So you've all be there this whole time?" I questioned.

"Well, we moved there when you were spotted leaving the Archipelago with Hiccup. Some reside here, others reside there. A way to constantly learn the ways of the human world we live in, and fit in. You and Hiccup know the struggle to keep up with things. When we discovered your modern name, we decided to have them as well." Drake mentioned.

"I'll consider it, still pretty mad at you for what happened eleven years ago…" I remarked.

"I understand, but do recall that when you were found before going under the control of Red Death, something else you could have avoided if you stuck around to learn how to reverse the control and go into Alpha Mode…I said I was sorry and wanted you to come home." Drake reminded.

"Regardless of what happened with Red Death…It brought me to Hiccup, literally to the ground," I said.

"HEY!" Hiccup huffed.

"I was teasing! And if I might be allowed to finish, love…Regardless of all that; I don't regret what happened or my choices leading to it…Because it brought me to you. And here we are now six amazing years later, mated, and soon to be married. I'll never regret any of it, Hiccup." I told him gently, hooking his chin with my finger and kissing his lips lightly. The blush on his cheeks told me all I needed to hear that he was overjoyed I said things the way I did.

"Son…You will never know how sorry I am for not trusting or listening to your beliefs that not all humans were bad. There are still many out there who take pride and thrill in hunting dragons. Having to live among humans all these years; I see they are not all of evil intention. You are my eldest son, and I love you always. All I want is for your success and happiness in life, as I want for your brothers and sister. And I can see…" Drake paused with a smile to Hiccup now. "That your dreams and desires have led you to where you are happy. And I'm overjoyed you've settled down and taken a mate, and he happens to be the one you fought at risk of your own lives, to bring the peace you both believed was always possible. You are my son; you will always be part of this family. And now, Hiccup as well. I expect nothing but greatness from both of you…And you know I will not ask you to come home. I am okay with anything you do, as long as you are safe and happy. And that there can be visits, or perhaps we all reside together…Wherever you two end up. I'm sure there's time for that later, but the bottom line, son…When I am wrong, I say I'm wrong…So I hope you will accept my apology and forgive me, knowing that I accept, support, and love you always."

My eyes widened in surprise. I couldn't believe my father just said all that to me. I know it was told to me before, and I refused to believe it was true unless I saw it. This was me seeing it over the last week since I saw him again. He protected me, and Hiccup without a second thought. He's supported everything I've done. He's…Proud of me, and happy as long as I am. I don't sense any lies or ulterior motives in his voice or aura. My father is being genuine with me. I looked at Hiccup, who was smiling at me and holding my hand tightly; he gave a soft nod and I understood what he was silently saying. I took a breath and looked at my dad.

"Apology accepted, and I forgive you, Father." I finally said. "Thank you." I let go of Hiccup's hand to step closer to my dad as we touched foreheads and stepped away again. As I told Hiccup many times, dragons showed affection differently, most of it was just physical touch. Hiccup smiled at this; he was clearly happy to see my father and I made up. I smiled and hugged Hiccup tightly. "I love you."

"Love you too, baby." Hiccup replied. Now hopefully, we could just ride out this storm and work on freeing Hiccup from being Chief afterward, so we can get back to our own lives.