Anything Is Possible
Rated: M
Pairing: Hiccup & OC-Runa
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the HTTYD or Frozen characters. Everything belongs to its original creator. However, I do own all my characters.
Chapter 48.
=Normal POV=
[February 28; Night]
[Hunter Isle; Great Hall]
It was an awesome, fun night so far. After Hiccup called for the party to begin, everyone had dinner while talking among each other. When that was over, the actual good time started with the usual drinking, conversations, music, people dancing, and wandering around. Hiccup still had a lot going on in his head and it needed to be worked through, but thanks to Gobber getting through to Hiccup; it was arranged Hiccup would talk to Viggo, Ryker, or possibly both of them to get help and begin coping with the things he'd endured as a prisoner to Johann and his associates. Hiccup knew after the last week that he needed help, and was sort of mad at himself for letting it get so bad when Viggo and Ryker had offered countless times since they came across one another last June to help Hiccup get past things. Hiccup declined the offer in the beginning because Hiccup didn't trust anyone, especially the brothers. Hiccup shouldn't have put things off after the Johann situation when he stated Viggo and Ryker had his trust and friendship. Hiccup has been suffering all this time when he probably wouldn't be if he'd taken the offered help from his friends.
It didn't matter now; Hiccup was going to get through this. Hiccup had to, or it would destroy him and he knew that. Everything in his life was infinitely better since being found by Viggo and Ryker, then reuniting with Toothless. Now, with Gobber still in Hiccup's life, and the rest of things with being accepted for being different; Hiccup knew he could be happy if he stopped shutting people out. Hiccup didn't have to hide anymore; he could finally be himself. Hiccup still wanted to stay on Hunter Isle; he made that choice when he realized no one here care about him having powers. Hiccup just wasn't sure how to go about telling Viggo and Ryker his choice; it felt weird to just tell them I want to stay. Hiccup knew it was offered to him to stay if he wanted, but what happened after he informed them he was accepting? Did that make him a dragon hunter, or forever just a tribeless resident on the island? What about housing? There was still a lot to figure out.
For now, Hiccup was just enjoying the party that everyone threw for a thank you birthday. Hiccup was against the wall with a mug of mead, smiling softly and watching how peaceful everything was and unable to stop thinking about how it wouldn't last when this battle began against Johann and anyone working with or for him. Currently, despite being the one the party is for, Hiccup found himself in the usual place of leaning against the back wall and watching everyone else have a good time. Of course, Hiccup was having fun too, but he was still dealing with a lot and after the past week; he was emotionally exhausted and could bring himself to be fully happy and enjoying the fact that the dragon hunters came together to cheer him up with a birthday party, knowing prior that his day of birth was never celebrated back on Berk because either people didn't care, or remember it.
"So let me get this straight?" Runa's voice brought Hiccup's attention on her. Runa eyed Hiccup skeptically, her arms folded over her chest. "We throw a party for your twentieth birthday, and you're hiding in the back?" She asked.
"Not hiding very well if you found me," Hiccup joked as Runa dropped the seriousness and giggled.
"Okay, that was a good answer…" Runa stated as she handed Hiccup a mug, then stood next to him with her cup of water and leaned against the wall. "Seriously, though…Why aren't you enjoying this?"
Hiccup laughed a little and looked down into the mug. "I'm enjoying, don't worrying. I just…Got a lot going on is all. Still working through it, and it's gonna take time to be…Okay again." Hiccup explained before taking a drink.
"I'm sorry…For whatever you're going through. I've…Heard it helps to talk to someone and…I'm sure any of us would be willing to listen if you wanted to talk. We'd be happy to help you," Runa offered.
"I…Appreciate that, Runa…There's just a lot I'm not…Ready for people to know. It's almost been a year and nothing has really changed except gaining your dad, uncle, and all of you in the tribe as friends. Well…" Hiccup paused. "Having Gobber and Toothless too. It's all…Emotional things I've gotta get through, and I know it helps to talk. That's…Why I'm going to talk to your dad, probably uncle too. And Gobber when he's visiting…I know I can't avoid talking; it'll pile up and I'll never recover…" He continued.
"Hey," Runa smiled softly, looking at him. "You don't have to go into detail with me about things, Hiccup. I know you're going through a lot. I can't say I understand that you are, but I know you are. It's in your behavior," She stated as Hiccup sighed.
"Am I that readable?" Hiccup mumbled.
"Hiccup, every person in the world has probably dealt with hard and trying things in their lives, and because of that; it's recognizable." Runa informed. "We all knew something was wrong the day you had the meeting with my dad and uncle. We didn't need to know what was wrong, just that you weren't okay and we wanted to try and cheer you up by inviting Gobber down and throwing you a birthday party. Dad and Uncle Ryker mentioned that your tribe either forgot or didn't care and we believed that wasn't right." She went on. "This past week, Hiccup, you've been quiet and withdrawn. You don't sleep well, you aren't eating much…It's all tell-tale signs that you're going through something big right now, or have in the past and haven't worked things out yet. That's okay, we just want you to know that we're happy you're with us and we are here if you need anything."
Hiccup smiled a little. "Thank you, Runa," He said softly. "I won't forget that, I honestly don't think I can. You've all been so accepting, welcoming, and kind to me. Other than Toothless and Gobber; I've never really had that and it's…Great to feel it from others," Hiccup admitted.
"That's just what we do, Hiccup. Yes, we have a leader, and royal family, but everyone treats one another the same. Rich or poor. Royal or commoner. It doesn't matter, we don't feel there needs to be difference between us. Some of us believed long before you came that dragons didn't need to be hunted. And now, thanks to you, everyone believes that. We have peace with them, and quite the number of us have bonded to dragons. We understand that not everyone is the same; that there are different opinions and beliefs. One thing we all do share in common, Hiccup, even you, is that we're all human." Runa smiled softly.
"I don't know if my powers qualify me as human," Hiccup shrugged softly.
Runa put her hand on his arm gently as their eyes met. "You don't have claws, paws, fangs or a tail. You don't have whiskers, fur, or scales. You feel emotions. So all that, Hiccup, means you're human. Your powers, no matter you obtained them, aren't what define you. They are part of you, yes, but they don't make you who you are," Hiccup looked at her intently. "What makes you who you are, Hiccup, is your personality. The fact you're so creative and smart. You're funny, caring, kind, loving, and understanding. The blacksmithing, inventing, multiple languages that you can read, speak, and write…Your powers, Hiccup, are talents. But what makes you human is your heart." She smiled.
"Thank you, Runa," Hiccup told her. "No one has ever broken it down like that for me, and…Honestly, it helps a little," He added. Now, Runa beamed.
"You're welcome." Runa nodded. "Now…Stop your sulking, and come enjoy the rest of your party. Tonight, I want to see nothing but a smile on your face and being social!" She demanded.
Hiccup laughed a bit, but nodded to agree to her orders. "Yes, Princess," Hiccup remarked sarcastically, giving a small bow as Runa giggled and blushed a little. "Whatever you desire," He added.
"Then…I desire a dance with the birthday boy!" Runa said, deciding to see if she could push things.
Hiccup hesitated a moment, but shrugged. "As Milady desires," Hiccup replied as he set their drinks down on the table before Runa grabbed his hand and dragged Hiccup to the middle of the Great hall as the next song began. Hiccup and Runa set themselves into positions with her hands on Hiccup's shoulders, and his hands on her sides. The two just moved in a slow circle with a few others around them dancing as well.
"Aw, look at that!" Vera said in adoration once she caught the scene of Hiccup and Runa dancing. The rest of the Grimborn's looked now, and Gobber glanced as well. The Berk blacksmith could only smile softly.
"It's good to see him smiling again," Ryker commented.
"Runa cheered him up," Agnar informed his father as the rest of the family looked at him. "I heard them talking,"
"And…What was said?" Viggo inquired.
"It doesn't matter," Gobber commented. "He's happy and not hiding away from the party, that's all I care about."
The Grimborn's knew Gobber was right. Hiccup hadn't take part in his own party until now, so Runa obviously said something that helped him smile and join in. "Hopefully with more working at the issues; Hiccup will start feeling like himself again," Viggo stated calmly.
"The lad has taken the first step in admitting he needs help, and the second in choosing how he'd like to get that help. I think he feels like himself, but has moments where the past becomes too much and once he's in all that pain; he can't find his way out on his own. So the goal isn't to help him feel like himself," Gobber informed.
"It's helping him discover ways to cope and get past those tough spots by himself if no one is available to assist," Viggo nodded. "And the more people who know what he's been through means more who can help,"
"Exactly," Gobber replied.
"What you're saying is that Hiccup will never forget what's happened, but he'll have a way to get through things, and always remember that his life is not over?" Hertha asked.
"That's what we're hoping to achieve," Ryker said to his wife. "Helping him find the mechanisms to move forward, and be happy. Knowing how to get through the hard things, and keeping going."
"I suppose the only question is how long will it take," Brynjar shrugged. "Healing is different for everyone,"
"Correct, son," Viggo replied. "The time doesn't matter, as long as Hiccup is able to heal, then things will be alright,"
Runa and Hiccup continued dancing with one another, even though the song had changed twice by this point. The two were just looking at one another, smiling softly, and almost appeared as if nothing else was around them. Gobber recognized something on Hiccup's face, it was the one when he was calm, but interested in something, so deep in thought. However, the something was actually a someone, who happened to be Runa. It seemed a bit odd, Gobber knew that Astrid had been the girl Hiccup dreamed about being with and he loved her effortlessly from a noticeably young age. Or a crush and like, at least.
"What are you looking at, Gobber?" Agnar wondered.
"Oh, nothing," Gobber chuckled. The older adults knew it wasn't true, Gobber definitely saw something. Agnar wondered off with Vera and Brynjar to join Hiccup and Runa, who finally stopped dancing and were just talking.
"Now that the kids are gone. What are you staring at?" Ryker asked.
"Hiccup and Runa," Gobber informed.
"What about them?" Truda questioned curiously.
"Just watching how they interact. She's smitten with him, and he's got that look in his eyes when something, rather in this case, someone, has his attention." Gobber chuckled.
"Are you saying they like one another?" Hertha blinked.
"Not sure about Hiccup, given where his…Romantic life ended a year ago, but Runa? She's definitely feeling something for Hiccup. Even I can see that," Viggo stated.
"Coming from the man who didn't see when I liked him at thirteen," Truda rolled her eyes, but was smiling. Viggo laughed a little, kissing her cheek.
'Oh, don't hold that against me, love," Viggo said. "I was very busy as one of the heirs to the tribe," He reminded.
"You still missed obvious signs," Truda teased.
"We made it to one another regardless, and have two wonderful children out of such," Viggo said. "I believe what Gobber has noticed what Ryker and I did the night of Runa's birthday," He informed.
"What did I miss?" Gobber inquired now, wondering what happened, unless he knew and just couldn't remember but he didn't recall Hiccup mentioning anything about Runa's birthday, other than Runa bonding with Nightstar, which Gobber had to fight not to jump for joy that another Night Fury was found. Ryker and Viggo took turns explaining the incident of Runa throwing her arms around Hiccup's neck and kissing his cheek, but then afterward; Hiccup seemed very down and lost in thought, admitting that he wasn't okay, but maybe one day he would be. It gave Gobber more to consider about things, he rubbed his chin while taking everything into account. "Well, that just confirms my suspicions that Runa has a thing for Hiccup, and maybe he is feeling something for her, but I don't assume he's going to act on that."
"Not with all he's currently going through, and I'm sure possible feelings for someone else will not be making that easier as I'm sure he…Still cares for his former lover?" Viggo looked to Gobber.
Gobber nodded. "Undoubtedly. I suspect that Hiccup will always feel something for Astrid until he moves on, and maybe even after moving on because that girl has been the ONLY one Hiccup has ever had an interest in and wanted." Gobber informed. "When I say only, I mean it. Hiccup only ever had eyes for her." He continued.
"How young?" Ryker asked.
"Pfft. Crush, like or love?" Gobber laughed a bit. The others did too as Gobber took a drink. "Hiccup has probably had a thing for Astrid since he was old enough to understand what feeling something for someone other than family was like; I'd say about six, or seven was the crush. It developed into like around nine, maybe ten and he held that until fifteen when he met Toothless and started gaining friends. Astrid and Hiccup stayed friends, despite a few random kisses here and there as friends only, until eighteen, then they got together as a couple and engaged just a few short months later. Obviously, the wedding never happened, but that's it. That's Hiccup's entire romantic life. It was always Astrid."
"So you're concerned about him liking someone else?" Hertha wondered.
"I'm overjoyed if he moves on, but that's the concern. If he moves on." Gobber shrugged.
"Ah, I understand. You're worried that because of Astrid being the only girl he loved thus far, and the almost future he had with her; Hiccup will withdraw from allowing himself to love again in fear of losing it all?" Ryker pointed out.
Gobber nodded. "Based on everything I'm seeing right now, and what you told me from Runa's birthday a few weeks ago…It seems like even small matters of affection due to a thank you, are making him uncomfortable. But I see this now with the dancing and he's got that look in his eyes from when he used to stare at Astrid from a distance in wonder. Until Hiccup was fifteen, that's all it was, watching Astrid from a distance because he knew she didn't like him prior to changing life as we know it to have peace with dragons," Gobber informed.
"But in this; Hiccup is…What would you say? Enjoying that he doesn't have to admire from afar because Runa is so…Accepting of him?" Truda looked at Gobber.
"I won't say anything just yet, only that it's a possibility with the right pushes at the right times where Hiccup could realize he feels something for her," Gobber replied.
"However, Runa does like him. And there is cause to decide if we should bring it up with her, and then let her continue to pursue him," Viggo said.
"Right now, it will remain friendship, Viggo. As we all see; Hiccup has too much going on to wonder about feelings. Even if he feels something, Hiccup could be holding it back because he knows he still cares for Astrid, and has much to tackle before taking on a possible relationship." Hertha mentioned.
"I believe it would be wise to leave things for now, and if Runa starts laying it on too heavy where Hiccup is becoming uncomfortable or it's hindering his recovery, we can pull her aside to talk about possibly backing off before she pushes him away," Truda agreed with her sister in law. The three males also felt this was the best decision and would stop talking about is Hiccup was coming back over to them, the Grimborn kids as well.
"Ello, laddie," Gobber smiled.
"Hi, Gobber," Hiccup replied with a smile as Runa grabbed their drinks from before, and handed Hiccup his mug. "Thanks,"
"You're welcome," Runa said as they both took a drink to calm down from all the group dancing. "You're a divine dancer, Hiccup,"
"Gets it from his parents," Gobber snickered.
"Hush you!" Hiccup muttered.
"What? It's true. You mostly get it from your mom," Gobber stated. "Your father didn't learn until she taught him, then somewhere down the line after the battle with the Berserkers long before you were born; they fell in love and got married. Fairly sure they made their own song too," The man leaned back casually.
Hiccup rolled his eyes. "So I'm light on my feet…Well, foot," He remarked.
"Aren't you light entirely because you're so skinny?" Gobber teased.
"Gee…Thanks, Dad," Hiccup muttered. "Still cracking jokes about me being a runt. Maybe one day they'll be funny,"
"Maybe his jokes aren't, but you two bickering is hilarious," Brynjar laughed with his family.
Hiccup and Gobber shrugged, it wasn't untrue, after all. "So, having fun, laddie?" Gobber asked.
"Yeah…Yeah, I actually am," Hiccup nodded, keeping his smile.
"We're all happy to know that, Hiccup," Viggo said. "So, joining us for hunting season again?" He wondered.
"You…Want me too?" Hiccup blinked.
"Of course!" Ryker put his arm around Hiccup's shoulders with a laugh. "All this new business was your idea, we'll definitely need you!"
"And now that we have the dragons, we can make quick tips home more often," Viggo added. "We're going to stay in the Archipelago to hunt and do trades,"
"Or we can come out to see you when you stop on islands for a few days, even in ports. I don't assume it will take long on a dragon," Vera offered.
"They'll probably need you, Hiccup, for dragon things," Agnar reminded.
"We're not experts and you're the head dragon trainer and rider," Brynjar nodded.
"W-Well, I'm only doing it until you guys pass training completely, then you can vote someone new. I'm just here to get ya started," Hiccup stated softly. It was likely going to be Runa; she was showing the most promise with Nightstar in training. "I'm just a guest here; I wouldn't feel right about staying in a position when I'm only a guest to your tribe."
"Well then…" Runa nudged him with a smile. "Maybe you should stop being a guest and just live here?" Hiccup's eyes widened a bit. "And don't even look so surprise because it was implied heavily back in November that we want you to stay with us," She giggled a bit. "As long as…It's what you want," She added.
"Y-You really want me to stay on the island?" Hiccup asked.
"No, stupid…" Runa sighed.
"We want you to be part of the tribe," Vera informed.
"Hiccup…You deserve to have a permanent home with an accepting, supportive tribe…And we want to give you that home, and be that tribe to you." Runa looked at him gently.
"I believe what my daughter is going for, Hiccup…" Viggo paused. "Is that we want for you to join the tribe, and asking if you'd like to?"
Hiccup was somewhat beside himself to be offered the same thing he had wanted to ask them if he could do. Hiccup could have cried, but instead, he kept his smile. "I just have one question before I decide…"
"Go on?" Ryker urged.
"Do I get my own place to live?" Hiccup wondered.
Just like that, everyone started laughing. "You live on Hunter Isle as a member of the Dragon Hunter tribe, Hiccup, you get your own place to live. Yes." Viggo nodded. "But as we have no abandoned places, I guess that means we'll have to build you a hut," He added calmly, but smiling.
"So…Will you join us, Hiccup?" Runa hoped.
"I guess it's a good thing I'm comfortable here and already felt like it was home…" Hiccup said. "I accept your offer to join, Viggo," Everyone cheered. "What must I do to become a member of the Dragon Hunter tribe?" He asked. Gobber smiled, proud of the man he raised.
"Follow the beliefs we built the tribe on, Hiccup. Do you remember what they are?" Ryker chuckled.
"We're stronger side by side than apart because this is a tribe that will always work and stand together, so we'll always succeed and win together." Hiccup recited from that day in November when he was brought to Hunter Isle and got to meet the dragon hunters in full.
"Remember that, stay loyal, protect your fellow tribemates, and always be yourself…" Viggo told him as he grabbed something from his bag; it was the crest for the Dragon Hunter tribe. "That's all it takes to be a member of this tribe, Hiccup,"
"You have my solemn vow to always do those things, Chief," Hiccup replied with a smile, but still formal tone. Viggo set the crest on Hiccup's shirt and then with Ryker, they faced him towards the crowd, their hands on Hiccup's shoulders.
"Then, my boy, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the tribe." Viggo said as the room was quiet. "My family, friends, and our guest," He started, making sure to include Gobber. "From this night and into our futures, I'm pleased to announce that we have a new addition to our tribe and home; Hiccup Raseri!"
The room roared with clapping, mugs clacking together, and cheering for Viggo's announcement. For Hiccup, he was happy. There was still a lot to work on, but this moment right here made him happy and he would never forget it. Finally, Hiccup had a home and tribe again, with people who accepted, supported, and loved him just the way he was. Hiccup was officially a dragon hunter.