Author's Note: Finally got this one done. It's a continuation of the first oneshot as I feel this would be a good follow up. Now I want to say that this could have been better but I tried my best. I wasn't sure about the ending but I put what I think would be good enough. Still I hope you all like this. I have plenty more ideas in mind for oneshots.
Summary: Sequel to Finish Trip. After having a great day on their fishing trip Hiccup starts to ponder some things, and decides to ask his father about things from the past. Sometimes wanting the know the truth is more shocking than one can imagine.
Commentary: This is something I've always wondered if happened to Stoick and Hiccup. I know Hiccup would have had a bunch of questions for his father about the past so I decided to make this one to answer a few questions I figured Hiccup would have.
Fishing Trip Part 2: Hard Truths
The chirping of crickets and the occasional Dragon call echoed throughout the forest as night had already descended upon all of Berk. By now everyone is either at home or out on night patrol, to help keep the village safe. Well for two Vikings, that wasn't the case. On the other side of Berk, in the darkness of the forest a faint glow of light could be seen in the distance. And upon closer inspection revealed it to be a fire, with a small camp set up around it. Only two figures were present here around the glowing flames, the village's Chief and heir.
Stoick and Hiccup were sitting opposite of each other in silence, yet both had smiles on their faces. Each one of them had a skewered fish on a stick as they roasting over the fire. Their meal happens to be part of their catch, two large cods roasting over the fire while a few more were in basket off to the side, which they will take back home with them in the morning. Yet, for some reason, both of them didn't want their time together to end.
Overall, the two had a really good day. Things may have been a bit slow at first, but everything started to go smoothly after Hiccup had caught his first fish. The two ended up continuing to fish, although they didn't get another bite for a while. Around noon they stopped for lunch, and it was then fatigue got the better of the teen and decided to take that nap. Surprisingly Stoick caught a few Z's as well. After the brief sleep the two resumed their fishing and caught more fish together. The two ended up having a small contest to see who could get the most by the day's end. Clearly having the most experience Stoick won.
Either way Hiccup wasn't sour about it, as he enjoyed every single moment. He smiled to himself as he thought the day's events over and over again in his mind. This turned out to be nothing like he expected, it turned out even better. Not only did the two bond more but they also talked to one another, discussing more recent events and the like. For some reason to the teen it felt…Nostalgic in a way.
Today Hiccup can say this has been one of the best days he ever had with his father. Something that was quite rare for the two…especially before the war had ended. For some reason Hiccup then frowned as these thoughts came to mind, It was true that after a certain point in Hiccup's life the two had just drifted apart. The dragon raids becoming more persistent, which demanded his father's attention more than ever, and Hiccup himself started getting into inventing…which went poorly and only caused major ire from the villagers, which started his infamous reputation among Berk. The teen kept on getting into trouble, which made his father angry, and caused him to clean up the messes he always made. Which further strained their relationship and made them timid to be around one another.
Yet…today proved that the two were capable of getting along this whole time despite the awkwardness. Yet…why didn't it happen sooner? Stoick could have taken a few hours out of his day just to talk with his son or the like. Yet…what prevented him? Were the two that different that his father didn't expect the two to get along? Did nearly losing his own life was the only way for his father to realize how important he was and that he should be spending time with him?
"Hiccup!" Stoick's voice is heard.
"Wha-whoa!" Hiccup reached out and grabbed the stick that held the fish, blowing on it as the cod is engulfed in flames. Thankfully once the fire is blown out it showed the fish slightly overcooked, but still edible. This caused the teen to blow a sigh of relief as he knew he didn't have to start over.
"Get distracted there, son?" Stoick asked in amusement, trying to keep the cheerful tone going. He too had a great time and wants to keep the momentum going as well.
"Y-Yeah…lost in thought," Hiccup sheepishly said, trying to push his thoughts to the side for now. It was best not to dwell on them.
"About what?" Stoick inquired, a bit curious as to what completely overtook his son's mind.
"N-Nothing…Nothing important," Hiccup said almost too quickly, as he realized his mistake.
Stoick raised his eyes in surprise as he recognized the tone and swiftness of his son's response. His son is thinking of something he didn't want to voice out. Something he would do a lot in fear or something of the like. The chief didn't like this as he wanted the two of them to be open with one another. It was hard in the beginning for the big man to talk to his son about several issues, but it started to get a bit easier with time. He just hoped his son trusts him to air out his problems, especially after the day they had. "Ok, son, look here…tell me what's on your mind?" he asked in a soft yet understanding tone.
Hiccup didn't say anything, part of him was worried that what was on his mind could ruin the rest of their night. The last thing he wanted to do was that, especially after all the good things that happened. It was then Hiccup started to realize that in his life whenever good things started to happen to him something bad always followed. Case in point, him befriending a dragon and gaining a new friend. That resulted in him being disowned and nearly killed…and losing his leg. He had plenty more points but rather not think about it, he cursed himself for not realizing that such a positive day could have a huge downfall later on.
"It's nothing dad, don't worry," Hiccup protested but knew it was going to fail.
"Hiccup," Stoick said in the same authoritative tone he would always give his son. Yet both eyes widen as he saw the boy's body tense up. He hadn't meant to do that, it just slipped as it was second nature for the chief. "Sorry…What I mean is you don't have to be afraid to tell me…whatever it is I'll understand."
Hiccup was slightly caught off at this, mainly since hearing that same voice his father always gave him for lying. Still, he relaxed upon hearing his father's tone change to a gentle one but wasn't convinced. "I…I'm not sure about that."
"Come on Hiccup, we've had a good day today…whatever problems you may have…cast them out so they can no longer weigh you down," Stoick said, fully knowing what his son had to say is something serious.
Hiccup remained silent, looking down at the fire as his father's gaze bore into him. Stoick waited and waited but nothing came out. He sighed, knowing it was useless…until, "What went wrong?"
"What?" Stoick asked with a raise of his eye.
"What went wrong…between us," Hiccup answered, head moving up so he can look at his father. "I can remember times when I was younger, and we always had time to spend with one another. At times you would take the whole day just to spend it with me. You were always there when I had a nightmare, or when I was sad…but as I got older, your presence got less and less…until you were hardly there. I mean today you proved that you could make time for me, that we could do things together like before. Why didn't you do that before? I know we had dragon attacks to worry about, but we still had them when I was a kid, and you still were able to make that time. What happened…why didn't you ever make that effort before then?"
Stoick was stunned and silent after hearing that, looking to see his son was nearing the verge of tears after airing out his problems…and to be honest he couldn't fault the boy for being emotional. Yet, the chief didn't have a clear answer for as to why. "Hiccup…I…I honestly don't know what to say."
Hiccup's head dipped as he wiped his eye upon feeling it moisten as bit. He wouldn't cry in front of his father…he can't. Then he asked something that made Stoick's eyes widen, "D-Did you hate me?"
"Hate you?" Stoick couldn't help but repeat in shock, not believing that he heard that. "No…why would you think I hated you?"
"Dad…before meeting Toothless we both could be considered strangers to one another," Hiccup responded back in a low voice, but Stoick was able to hear it still. "We wouldn't even talk to one another unless it was you either announcing you were leaving on a trip…or chastising me for doing something wrong. And on the rare occasion it was to announce something I didn't like."
Stoick was rendered silent once more, his mind thinking back to all the encounter he and his son had prior to the war ending. And to his surprise…Hiccup is right. There wasn't any memory of them bonding or talking heartfeltly or doing anything that resembled what families did. Showing emotion was something the chief never really was accustomed to do, especially as Hiccup got older. He himself never made the attempt to bond with his son…as much as he wanted to blame the increase of dragon attacks, he knew there shouldn't be any excuses. Looking up he could see his son's eyes were still down casted, yet he trembled a bit. Stoick could tell there was more his son wanted to say, as he's holding in way more than he let on.
"Hiccup…just let it all out," Stoick said simple, causing Hiccup to stiffen.
"I…I…don't think that's a good idea," There was a lot Hiccup wanted to say but bit his tongue. Once unleashed the teen knew he wouldn't be able to stop.
Stoick could see the struggle within his son and knew it wasn't good for him to keep it bottled up. The boy would need a bit more of a push. "I know there is more you want to say…just let it out, what you say won't change things between us…I promise you that…despite promises I've in the past never following through…please just give me a chance to-"
"Why!?" Hiccup's head snapped up as his voice rang out loud, anger laced in it. "If you didn't hate me then why didn't you make an effort!? Was it because I wasn't up to your standards?! Was it because I was instantly doomed when I was born being the runt of my age group!? Or was it because as I grew up, I would rather use my mind instead of my brawn?! Was that the reason why you stuck me in the forge with Gobber?! Pawning me off so I would no longer get in your way…Is that why you never talked to me, asked me how I was doing…basically leaving me on my own for the last few years of my life! I needed you! I needed my father, I had to practically be on my own without guidance from the one person I needed in my life…," Hiccup's voice braking as tears were now streaming down his face, breathing turned heavy. He didn't care about crying anymore and let it continue. His anger dropped as he spoke the last bone chilling word. "Yet I sadly find out that you didn't need me."
Stoick instantly went over to his son's side and embraced him. Hiccup didn't fight it as he felt his dad's massive hand caress the back of his hair as he broke down and cried. Stoick in complete utter shock at what he said. He honestly had no idea Hiccup was feeling this…All that anger he displayed is something he never seen his son do. Either way he was blinded to it and as his parent he should have known…yet he didn't. There was honestly no excuse for this…his son has been hurting for years…and it was all his fault.
There were so many things he wanted to say but for right now he just held his son, letting him continue…and doing what he should have done from the beginning. It took a while but soon Hiccup calmed down and stopped. The two separated but Stoick kept his hands planted on his son's shoulders. The teen looking at his father's face and is surprised to see remorse, guilt, and sadness. "I'm so sorry…I know that isn't much…but there's nothing I can say or do to make this right. I'm sorry for being a terrible father…I'm sorry for all the terrible mistakes I made."
Hiccup listened and he believed everything. Still, it was a moment of weakness he had, and didn't want to sour the mood. Still, he felt better airing all that out…but in the end he had to know. He wanted answers so badly, "Just tell me why…what happened between us…everything…I just want the truth."
Stoick nodded and sat down, looking Hiccup in the eye, "Alright…ask…and I'll do everything I can to answer."
Hiccup is shocked at this, not sure if this is too good to be true. He is being told to ask questions he have been wanting to know, which have plagued him for so long…and nothing bad would come from it…well not yet, he hoped. He is hesitant on this but the temptation of knowing overtook him. He then asked the first question that came to mind. "What happened between us?"
"To be honest Hiccup…I don't know myself," Stoick responded with a sigh. He knew this question would be first, yet he had no idea how to answer it. Well, at least in a way that wouldn't hurt his son more, but he promised and had to follow through. "I guess…at a point I saw you were different from the other children. You didn't possess that fire everyone else had for being a Viking. It was also important as you are my heir, and you would need to lead everyone someday. I was disappointed…yes…and I guess because we both lived in different worlds and we would never connect…so I guess, without thinking about it, I tried to distance myself from that disappointment without thinking of the consequences."
Hiccup nodded, not liking the answer as this only confirmed that his father was disappointed in how he came out. "I'm sorry, It wasn't my fault I turned out like this."
"I'm the one that is sorry Hiccup, it's terrible of me trying to distance myself from my own problems. But doing it to you was too cruel, especially it was something beyond your control," Stoick tried to tell his son, but wasn't sure if the words worked.
Hiccup knew his father's words were truthful, as he could tell. Still, it hurt to know the truth. He decided to ask the next question, and move on away from it, "Why did you leave me in the forge with Gobber? It seemed like I started spending more time with him than anyone else."
"Well, surprisingly Hiccup that decision actually had good intentions," Stoick responded simply.
"What?" the teen's eyes rose in confusion.
"At one point I started to figure that you being chief one day…could be out of your reach…and I'm sorry for saying it like that. I put you in the forge because it was a chance for you to learn a back-up skill in case being chief never came true. Besides, out of anyone else in the village Gobber is the only one I would trust you with."
Now that was something that Hiccup wasn't expecting at all. Always he thought that he was put in the forge to keep out of trouble, that or because his father didn't have time for him and needed him preoccupied. Gobber then started to teach him, and the teen figured the blacksmith was doing it was his idea, in no way he figured it was all his dad's. Still…in a way this did make sense. Hiccup is really good at the forge and making weapons along with Gobber. Now that he thought of it, If it wasn't for that knowledge, he wouldn't have ever made the device that shot down Toothless…nor would he have made his harness. Meaning him being put in the forge was the first step in his friendship with Toothless…well down the long road. That was something he was grateful for at least.
"Either way…it worked out for the best," Hiccup responded as his father nodded, knowing the reasons behind that. The teen decided to move on and ask another question. "If you didn't hate me…nor put he in the forge to keep me distracted…why didn't you ever make the attempt to reconnect with me?"
Stoick was silent again, sighing once more as he wasn't prepared to answer this question, but knew he had to. "I know I said I didn't hate you…I only hate all the stuff you did that got you into trouble…or that caused destruction."
"Can't fault you for that," Hiccup responded, still it didn't make him feel any better. "Was that the only reason?"
"No…it wasn't sadly," Stoick responded back with a sigh, knowing this would upset his son a bit more. "I started putting my duties as chief first instead of doing my job as a father. To be honest, I was disappointed in how you were growing up…but I was too blinded by the expectations I wanted for you to achieve…I threw myself more into my work as chief so I could distance myself from it…which now is a terrible thing for a father to do…and I know it's inexcusable. I know that you could never-"
"I forgive you," Hiccup interrupted.
"What?" Stoick questioned back in shock. He couldn't have heard that right, why would his son forgive him just like that?
"Dad…I do admit that you weren't exactly…well attentive to me as a parent. You did a lot of stuff that…made me angry and feel like I was alone. Like all those times you went off finding the nest, leaving me home alone. All those times where you wouldn't listen to me when I voiced my displeasure, like I tried to tell you how I couldn't kill dragons, but you brushed it off," Hiccup responded in the same low tone. Making Stoick feel even worse. "Yet…you've changed. You've started listening to me…being there when I need you…actually…engaging me in talks about things I want to talk about. You're making an effort to rectify things…I still need you…and now you're starting to show me that you'll be there for me. That is something I've always wanted…And it's slowly erasing all the negative feelings I've had in the past. Not all of them, but it's working. If I can move past that, then I'm pretty sure I can forgive you."
Now Stoick looked on the verge of tears himself, as the chief of the tribe he would never show emotion, especially tears. But here, with his son, after making such a heartfelt statement pushed him towards it. Now all those past mistreatments feeling even worse than before. "How could I ever deserve a son like you?" he said, still can't believing the selflessness of Hiccup, and how forgiving he could be.
Hiccup smiled at the comment, fully knowing what his father was saying. The chief still felt like he didn't deserve being forgiven, but his son is saying otherwise. The tension slowly breaking as Hiccup then remembered something…something he has been curious as of late, "There is another thing…I wanted to know."
"Yes?" Stoick asked, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"This isn't about the past…but…more like now," Hiccup responded, voice growing now as a curious expression graced his face. "At times…after the whole thing with the Red Death…I started having nightmares…yet…most of the time you were never there…well you did check on me, but most of the time it has been Toothless comforting me…why is that?"
Now that was a question Stoick wasn't expecting. True after that huge battle Hiccup would experience nightmares about not surviving the fight. Stoick would remember waking up to his son's terrified cries in the night. He would always rush up to wake him, most of the time he would be awaken with Toothless trying to comfort him. Stoick would always check on him and shortly leave after he calmed down…always as his son clutched onto his dragon and fell back asleep. A sight that would dishearten the chief.
"Because I lost the right to comfort you," Stoick responded, a bit of hurt in his voice.
"What?" Hiccup is taken aback at that with raised eyes. "What do you mean?"
"In the past Hiccup, the last few years I know you had nightmares. I don't know what they were about, but I always ignored those cries of terror you had…or at least told you to be a man about it. I would never comfort you like when you were a child, I just kept sweeping it under the rug, thinking you would grow out of it. That wasn't going to happen, and now," Stoick looked down, almost as if he was ashamed of himself. "And now…I know I'm trying to change, but when I see your dragon comforting you, it only makes realize that I lost that right long ago. Toothless was there for you when you needed someone…when you needed me. That dragon has more than earned the right to comfort you during your nightmares…I…haven't earned that back."
Hiccup is speechless upon hearing that, having no idea how deep the answer is. It's true, that when Hiccup entered his teen years, his cries from the nightmares went unheard of, and sometimes got chastised for making a fuss. It wasn't his fault, but it made sense. Still, hearing that his father believed he has no right to help him with his nightmares baffled him.
"Dad…I had no idea," Hiccup responded slowly.
"It's alright Hiccup, believe me. I've wanted to tell you this, so you wouldn't think I'm still callus in a way…but could never approach the topic," Stoick finished. There was a bit of silence as the information soaked in. The chief figuring that would be the end of this topic but was surprised next.
"I do admit, it's nice having Toothless there after the nightmares…Yet…the comfort of a dragon isn't enough at times. I am grateful to see you coming to check on me again…I know you've done a lot of…things I didn't like before, but if you can change then that's more than enough in my books. I still need you…in more way than you can imagine," Hiccup looked up to stare in his father's eyes to show he's being truthful. "Don't feel as if you lost any right to me. Toothless is my best friend…but you're my dad. I will always need you…even when it comes to nightmares."
A lone tear trailed down Stoick's face, fully understanding what his son had said. He is being given that right back, even though he knew he didn't deserve it. This just proved how much more special Hiccup is, and how he truly didn't know how he could be worthy to have him as his son. There were so many things he wanted to say, but pretty much summed it up with two words, "Thank you."
Hiccup responded by hugging his father, who returned the embrace heartfully. No words were needed now as they continued to hold the embrace for a while. Both of them feeling as if more barriers between them were breaking down. Hiccup would go on to ask a few more minor things, and Stoick would answer honestly. Soon, enough they both got tired and decided to get some sleep. Only this time Stoick couldn't help but do something he should have done years ago.
Right now, Hiccup is asleep on his bedroll…his father lying down behind him, his large arm wrapped protectively around his son. He knew Hiccup would be embarrassed at this but in the end knew he wouldn't mind. Stoick on the other hand needed this. His eyes looking at his sleeping son, seeing him so peaceful. He leaned down and gave him a kiss on the head. "I love you son." He knew if Hiccup was awake, he would say the same thing…at least he hoped. Either way he was content.
With that he settled down to sleep himself, knowing that tomorrow the two would have to go back to their usual duties. And the chief wouldn't know when they'll be able to do this again, as it might not be for a while. It would be sad that their trip would be ending but for now as the night continued on, Stoick could make do with what time they had left. Right now, he just wanted to be close to his son. Despite some harsh truths coming out, the two have never felt closer than before.
A/N: Hope you like. Like mentioned earlier I thought the ending could have been better but I did what I could. I knew there were some more things to be discussed but I couldn't think of anymore. Either way i'm glad if you enjoyed it and I await to hear your responses. The next idea I have is...well completely opposite of this and is more brutal in a way. I'm not going to give it away, best leave it as a surprise. Till next time.