Edited.

After way too many days, the humans let her in one of their built-in made caves and nests. This one had strong scents from her Hiccup and her mate, enough to indicate this was probably the place her human used to run to after their shared afternoons of flying.

It also had a terrible, terrible iron scent. Blood-ish, sure but Toothless took in a multitude of different herbs and plants she'd never seen so concentrated before. It almost made her sneeze when she saw that tiny old human in front of her. It had hair as white as clouds of a sunny day and the skin more wrinkled than all other humans she had been exposed to these days. None of them had tried to lock her up again and that blond one had actually helped her and other dragons a lot.

She heard Hiccup's injured body had been taken to a small hut to where she knew her friend was in pain but couldn't do anything to help it. The Vikings were frenetic creatures, running around, shouting, building, painting, and somehow keeping all that food away from them. Toothless hadn't known exactly what made the other dragons stay, maybe it was for some sense of respect at first. She knew she wouldn't leave until Hiccup was removed from that small place, even if it ended as just her cadaver, she settled that, now the others…For respect at first, but turns out they also had found their own humans to connect. It was an absurd but amicable sight that might've warmed her heart a few weeks ago, if her own best friend's life weren't at stake at the moment.

The old lady left Toothless with a nod and closed the door, it wasn't like the cage she had been put in before. It wasn't an impenetrable wall with iron bars, it seemed as a… A rather comforting place even.

She walked towards the pile of furs where Hiccup was laid back, covered. Asleep. Her face had scars and yet-to-heal marks, but, overall, the girl simply looked asleep. Wake up, the dragon wished, approaching. Wake up, Hiccup. She approached her own nose, making sure her friend was breathing.

Wake up, wake up, wake up! The Night Fury yearned, low growls as she tried to wake Hiccup. Slowly, her eyes opened. There you are. Toothless knew her friend needed time to recover, but she wanted, needed to make sure she truly was alright, and so kept pushing her head on the groggy human.

"Hi, Toothless", the girl murmured, and it just made the dragon push her further, c'mon, get up, get up, get up. She was holding herself to not cause any pain, but still overly excited, nearly pushing her friend off the bed. "Happy to see you too, girl". At this, Toothless tried to get up with her, licking her face with overwhelming affection.

"AW" sorry. An incautious paw on the girl's torso had made her bent up, hands flying around her stomach and a grimace of pain. At least she looked wide awake now, as she took in acknowledgment of their surroundings.

"Ahhh I- I'm… in my house?", whatever Hiccup was saying, confusion filled her voice. "Ahhhh, you're in my house?"

You're up, you're up, you're up, pretty sure she was shaking, Toothless was unable to hold in anymore and just had to make sense of her energy, running around that human-made cave. A few things fell out, why do humans have this many tools for? But didn't matter, her human was up and okay and she couldn't settle her excitement. There's so much to show you!

"Does anyone know you're here?", Hiccup asked, still on the bed.

Toothless settled for not dropping anything else, finding those huts quite boring and probably made just to sleep or heal in anyway. The fun stood outside. The unthinkable stood outside and they've made it. Hiccup needed to see that. The dragon went back to lick her friend "Okay, okay, Toothl- Ah, come on". She had hoped on another pilar. How did they build these things anyway? Hiccup, you wont believe how much I had to use my legs lately.

The girl took in a deep breath, preparing to get up.

Oh, that…

She noticed, too.

Toothless got down on the floor, trying to show her support however it was necessary, but her human just stared at the walls, unreadable head. It's okay, I'm missing something, too. The dragon approached. You helped me fly again, now I'll help you walk again.

Hiccup took the blankets off entirely, then got her right foot on the floor, no left foot to follow, only an odd, weird, human-made tool. A prosthetic, just like the one she held in her tail. Well, an adapted version. The human girl looked scared and had to take in another breaths before getting up, bodyweight supported by the bed's frame. She took a step and breathed again. On the second step, she lost balance and would fall directly into the cold floor if it wasn't for Toothless' head to catch her in time. Got you. Her human was still in pain, but she helped it get back up again.

"Okay, thanks, girl", Hiccup whispered, ready to take more steps again, this time with Toothless right by her side for anything.

It was hard for her to walk, she was mostly just jumping each way through the door, avoiding any weight on her prosthetic leg. It's okay. She probably couldn't feel it. It made Toothless remember the first time she wore her prosthetic tail. The weight was there but wasn't right. Wasn't the same thing. But she did manage to fly again, and Hiccup would manage to walk again.

They went slowly to the door, her wings were tucked in and her tail was dragging on the floor, her patience was eased for a bit. Hiccup put her strength on opening the big passage, but a Monstruous Nightmare's snarl scared her into closing it full force again.

"Toothless", she swallowed, "stay here". Though as soon as she opened the door again, her fear had been replaced by shock and utter confusion.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

What…

Hiccup stared at the world outside her hut, struck, speechless.

She saw her cousin Snotlout, atop of a Monstruous Nightmare, lead a group of Vikings riding at least five or six other dragons, but, surely, her eyes were playing tricks on her. The sunlight was bright against the insides of her house, blinding her for a few seconds before she looked down at her people… And… Dragons? Yes, dragons on the top of roofs, on the public plaza, flying, eating… Peacefully.

"I knew it, I'm dead", she said, eyes still glued on the world below her, the… She couldn't even describe it. At least three Deadly Nadders landed atop of a roof, a bunch of Terrible Terrors chased a group of laughing children, she saw her neighbors set an enormous pile of fish on what used to be a piece of their catapults to feed two Hideous Zipplebacks and a lone Monstruous Nightmare walked down the main street at a low pace.

A husky, male chuckle approached her, his shadows towering her. "No, but you gave it your best shot". Her dad… Was Happy? "So", he gave a light pat on her shoulders, pulling her in to walk towards the village. "What do you think?". But before she could even think to answer, everyone spotted her, walking closer, eager. And 'everyone' as in, both Vikings and dragons.

She was still having a hard time believing this wasn't a dream, this wasn't a trick, and to recall any events before this, but the absurd of it all nearly kept her dumbfounded, numb to the pain on her left shin. Well, what used to be her left shin.

They were all coming her way, joy in their faces, pride, even, and her father held her close with the same expression. It just had to be a dream. Soon Stoick had let go of her to greet the others, though she still was frozen. "Turns out all we needed was a little bit more of all… this", his hand pointed to her whole frame and she couldn't help but let a smile out.

"You gestured to all of me".

Her father smiled back, nodding and her own smile grew wider.

"Well, most of you", she heard Gobber's voice approach as the blacksmith made his way across the crowd. "That bit's my handiwork", he pointed to the end of her left leg, proudly, at the prosthetic much different from the wooden stick helping him stand up. "With a little Hiccup flair thrown in", she followed his stare, examining his work. "You think that'll do?".

She faked a critic analysis "eh, I might make a few tweaks" and she probably would, but then everyone around them chuckled at her comment. The same kind of comment she'd throw back and forth with Gobber at the forge but that others would judge her for. Hiccup found herself feeling a new kind of warmth filling her in, unlike the fake confidence and interest she took in when using her tricks at the rink.

A punch on her shoulder undid her balance for a bit too soon. "That's for scaring me", she turned around to see Artichoke, smiling and unapologetic of his way of saying hi, which could be cute, wasn't for the ache in her whole body now.

"What? What is it with this- is it always going to be this way? Cause I-", but she was interrupted when the boy pulled her in for a tight hug that actually swept her off her feet. Well, foot. Though she didn't let go of his neck when she touched the ground again, not until she added "okay, I could get used to it".

He let go of her finally, and she saw the peers she had come closer to this season, Ruffnut and Fishlegs and… All her friends. Without warning, although she should be used to it by now, Gobber dropped a large, scarlet-red object of considerable weight in her arms.

"Welcome home", he said, while she fixed the object in her arms, smiling up at her family friend and teacher. But before she could confirm this was what she thought it was, someone yelled out:

"Night Fury!". The crowd looked backwards for the warning yell, soon to be followed by a "get down!". Old habits die hard, and Hiccup had her fingers tight around the tucked-in device Gobber had given her, but instead of the characteristically growing buzz followed by a purple blast of light and fire, she only saw her best friend try to jump up above the crowd, hoping from one large Viking shoulder to another, until the heroic duo could be face-to-face again, and others chuckled with joy around them, not on a battlefield stress and fear.

Hiccup leaned in, to pet Toothless' muzzle when Gobber spoke again:

"Ei, that's also something I did, eh?", he pointed to the red, long, wrapped-in thing still on her hands. "But I followed all instructions so if it doesn't work, that's on you, lass", that was enough to get her awestruck again, the memory of Toothless' prosthetic burning up as they escaped the Queen Bee fire. With no further comment or answer, Hiccup kneel on the bare grass and opened the object.

Yes, the size was just as she remembered, although this hadn't been made by old leather, she fetched hidden from her boss, this was some top-quality works and materials. Brand-new, never worn and even with a Viking symbol on its tip. It's beautiful, she thought, but Toothless' sticky affectionate saliva wet half her face again before she could verbalize it. The dragon looked at the prosthetic and back to her, as if agreeing on its beauty, itching to use it to fly high once again, even attempted to form a human smile back to her, she was getting better at those than how awkward it had been the first time they connected on that old forgotten cove. Hiccup smiled back at her friend and scratched her ear flap.

"Ah!" a feminine voice called out from the half-dissipated crowd, it was Ruffnut "don't you dare flying just yet, you just woke up!".

"Language!".

"Fuck me", Ruff replied, arms still crossed. "You got us too scared you know". The girl offered her a hand to stand up, one she very much needed, since the motion would require weight support on both lower limbs.

"I wouldn't take you to be so cautious", Hiccup teased, lifting a brow to her newest, actually human friend, but instead of an even smarter retort, the blond girl's expression got way too stern for her usual childish self.

"You're a hero".

And Hiccup felt her heart warm up, a growing instinct to brush it off rather than bath on whatever glory. She just did what she had to, or what she thought she had to. The memories were still foggy, actually.

"Hey, we're just saying", Fishlegs seemed to pop up out of nowhere, "take it easy for more days". She could do that, logically, even if the biggest part of her yearned to fly again almost as much as her reptile friend. Once you try flying like this, there's really no comparison. "Besides", her tall friend continued, "you really gotta help me write down things about dragons!", she chuckled at his usual excitement squeals. "How could you have hold up this information for so long? How many dragons have you encountered out there? And the volcano- do you think they're actually immune to lava?".

Yeah, Fishlegs was an endless questioning machine. Which was good, and she actually hoped to have an open conversation of all her knowledge and theories for a long, long time, though now she did still feel tired, even if going back to bed wasn't up to question. Not so soon.

Most part of the crowd continued to dissipate, giving her time to talk to her friends. Even her father and Gobber had gave them some space, all going back to their regular work, but she'd still see Stoick smile proudly across the Village. Fishlegs never-ending questioning was cut short by Artichoke and Ruffnut after a couple minutes, agreeing they should let her rest, but Toothless walked near her and jumped up and down, stomping the grass, her bottom lifted as a dog asking another to play or to follow. "Want me to go there, bud?", Hiccup asked, trying to walk towards her four-legged friend.

"Oh, yes!", Artichoke said, touching her shoulder. "So much changed in so little time", he was smiling openly as she'd rarely see. Like when he let himself go to feel the fluffy clouds on that slow flight, she and Toothless took him into. "I don't think you'll be able to even see it all in one day, but, let me show you something" and he offered her a hand so she wouldn't continue to jump on only her right foot until her body gave in, although Toothless could come closer and help her stand just like she did in the hut, actually, the dragon seemed to be expecting it.

Hiccup did take his hand nevertheless, and Toothless slowed down her excitement to walk by their side, too.

She thought the boy would fill her in on what, exactly had changed over the past few days. Days? Weeks? Hiccup woke up aware of next to nothing, she blacked out in the midst of an endless curtain of explosion fire and woke up in a dragon-friendly world and though she couldn't help but be happy about the last part, all things considered, she wanted someone to fill in the gaps. Artichoke didn't do that, not initially.

They did talk during their walk, though, and much more easily than so many short, awkward interactions they had before. He'd ask her if she was okay and comment on Toothless excitement beside them, they wasted meaningless words that flowed naturally and she didn't ask anything either, feeling as if… As if she finally had time to chill.

"Here", he said, and Hiccup noticed how she forgot to pay attention to their path, to anything other than how at ease they were while being so close now. And then she saw it. A wide construction, still in-process though it was pretty clear the reason of its existence. Both human builders and dragon assistants worked on getting it ready as fast as they could, and Hiccup knew how fast Berkians could lift a whole building.

She let go of Artichoke's aid and walked in the midst of that area.

"It won't be a cage", he said. "Dragons will be free to come and go and it's just so they don't get in the rain or whatever, we'll put food here, too".

She looked around in awe, really glad and full of wonder by Berk's quick acceptance and willingness, even if the process really was not well-thought, the intent was amazing and unimaginable.

"What you laughing about?".

"I mean", she held a hand to stop laughing, still looking up and around, "I loved it, loved the idea, and everything, but… Is building a wood stable the best idea to keep fire-breathing creatures? They heat up their own ground before sleeping, you know?", she really didn't mean to sound judgmental or critic, if anything, she had a lot to thank for. "They're not horses, but the sentiment is great, this whole- it's all- I think it's a good start".

"We- I- I haven't thought that", he said, hands on his hips, "I- we- I'm glad you're back", he took a step closer. "I'm afraid we still very much need your help".

She blushed and had the faintest impression that his confidence was buckling just a little.

"Turns out the world doesn't change overnight", he cleared his throat.

"Nah, it was after dawn that I saved everyone", the words didn't feel true yet, but she said it aiming for the joke tone and achieved it.

Toothless was hoping on and off the pillars and supports of where they were, soon dropped on the ground and let some light bites on a Deadly Nadder who had just been under her a few moments ago. The Night Fury caught her gaze and dismissed other dragons, walking up to her friend, low, amicable growls. Hiccup couldn't help but keep smiling as a default resting reaction that time. "Let's try this on, shall we?", she leaned into Toothless' eye height, using a wall as support to kneel when the dragon turned around excitedly, nearly whipping her tail on the couple, eager to go up again.

"Wow, you're not- you can't- you need to rest for a while" Artichoke held Hiccup back by her arm, eventually kneeling beside her.

"I just want to see how it looks on her", she smiled more, still too shy to thanks for the worry. Besides, it was just half a lie.

It fit perfectly, actually. Gobber must have worked with Toothless beside him to measure it all up then and again, when Hiccup herself mostly just took guesses, going in and out of their hidden cave with tracked time and fear to be found. The dark-scaled dragon seemed to agree, taking her tail up to her face, sniffing it over and over and taking a long look. We need to try it yet, a pair of green eyes met another, sharing the same thought. She was left in her saddle anyway, it's as if they want me to fly soon.

With a nod of her brows and Toothless expression in agreement, Hiccup motioned to use her arms to help her hop in her friend's back but supporting all her body's weight on a pair of skinny arms was something she had yet to get used to and due to the delay of a movement that would've flowed much more smoothly before, Artichoke stopped her arm once again.

"I just said you should rest".

"C'mon, I need to-" she looked down at Toothless, still waiting, eager, with that same do you want me to kill that guy for you? Look she had when Artichoke caught them at their cove just a couple days and a full lifetime ago at the same time. "I'm going to fly again", she said it last, making her final choice to not look back until he stopped her once more, turning her his way a final time, though before Hiccup could pull herself away from his grip and get Toothless' aid to follow through her- well, their decision to go up in the air as soon as possible, her face was being smashed against his, and she had to blink a couple times before registering their lips were being pressed together, hastily and just as quick being pull apart. She was still wide eyed he just said:

"Can we come with?" and Hiccup only noticed he had both hands cupping her face when he parted them, chill suddenly filling her cheeks growing with inside heat. Artichoke turned to point at the blue Deadly Nadder Toothless had been playing with just a few moments ago. The dragon caught their gaze and approached, pushing its rider lightly and Hiccup noticed how this one also had a simple saddle and the same ropes she had wrapped over the caged dragons when the couple and their friends had flown head to the Queen Bee's battle.

The girl blinked again, chuckling, a hand up to the Nadder's hooked horn just below her nostrils, but she was just as eager as Toothless was, calling up attention again.

"Her name's Stormfly".

Hiccup flashed her husband a final smile then turned back to her fire-breathing friend, uninterrupted this time, as she got on her back and noticed how Gobber had also adapted the pedal on Toothless' flying harness' left side. She figured her leg could still just do the same pressure on the pedal to get their flying technics just the same, but the way her prosthetic fits on the one she built for her best friend now, it felt as if the duo had, indeed, became just one, as they'd already feel like when they saved each other's lives mid-air.

Toothless approached the floor soon enough, preparing her mighty wings and launching them both up in the air, it was cold, really colder than usual and the sky was filled with enough clouds to indicate snow by nightfall. So let's enjoy it, bud. She thought, petting the Night dragon as they went on higher and higher, not as fast as they had been but enough to feel the same freedom flying proportioned them flawlessly.

As they steadied, a fast blue blur went by, and she saw Artichoke grip still too awkwardly, but rather good for someone who accepted dragons in such short notice. Stormfly didn't seem as patient as Toothless, holding her feet up and soaring as lined up as possible.

A fire trail blasted just beside them, making Hiccup turn abruptly to the cocky pair of orange-yellow-ish snake-like eyes she had met at that life-changing day on the arena. Well, hello there, she greeted silently, chose to stay then? And she saw her cousin yell something too far for her to hear as the dragon let go a buff of smoke filling her lungs with its scattered smell. They weren't the only ones in the skies above berk and she could finally take a look on how amazing it was.

Their village was being entirely re-built, from the looks of it, and dragons were so colorful on the white light shinning through the promising clouds. So many shades of blue and green and purple and red, yellow, orange, and a rainbow she loved seeing below. Another shout warned that the twins were again with the same Zippleback as Fishlegs had also stuck still with the Gronckle. "Couldn't keep simple doctor orders, could you?", she was sure it had been Ruffnut's voice shouting on the cold winter's winds.

But Hiccup barely yelled half a laugh in response, focusing on her own flight with Toothless, as the dragon was rather sure of where to lead them. And when the girl saw their reflex on the usually indomitable cold and dark waters, dragon, and human working as one, followed by various others doing just the same, for the first time in years, or all her life for that matter, she felt happy. Truly, really, complete, and happy.