DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters from the HTTYD series or any of the ideas to the plots. My ideas are inspired by a collective of stories that I have come across. But I am always open for any ideas that could help with the story. I might also mess up with some details but I will try my best for the story. Without a further ado I will let you get on with the reading, enjoy!

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Hiccup sat silently in Toothless's saddle as they finally arrived at Berk. When he told Astrid that they were going to Berk he knew it had an effect on her. Although she didn't say anything, he knew that this was going to be tough for her.

"You can sit this one out," Hiccup called over to her as the two of them watched the chaos start to unfold.

"I'll be fine," she said quickly, giving the hint that this wasn't a debate. Hiccup just sighed as they waited for the real action to begin. Hiccup peered down towards the ground and saw his father running around, barking out orders to the other villagers. He smirked as he watched the large man grow more and more flustered. It seemed that his father sensed their presence because he looked up and seemed to stare right at Hiccup. Suddenly a sharp cry rang out through the night followed by a large crash.

"That's our cue," Hiccup said as he adjusted the saddle and then glanced over at Astrid. "Last chance, you can back out now."

"Then who will be here to keep you out of trouble," she teased before she flicked down her helmet. Without saying anything else she and Stormfly dived down below and Hiccup watched as they landed at the outskirts of the village.

"Well bud we're up," Hiccup said as he patted Toothless on the side, "Let's cause some trouble." Hiccup felt Toothless's muscle's tense and then they dipped down towards the ground. Hiccup hunched down as they swooped in and Toothless eyed in on their first target. The familiar sound of Toothless preparing a plasma shot filled the air and then the cries of the villagers followed. The shot hit the tower straight on and the area was filled with light as they flew by and circled back into the air. Now the attention was on them as they continued to fly around, but the villagers couldn't do anything. Now they had to focus their attention on the dragons around them and Hiccup. As he looked around Hiccup saw Astrid dart around the village and managed to stay out of sight.

"How about another round bud," he asked and Toothless groaned in response. Hiccup just smiled as he leaned forward as Toothless dove down again. He shot three shots in rapid succession at several traps laid out. The dragons trapped in managed to free themselves and took off into the sky. Hiccup watched them fly into the sky when he heard the crack of a catapult from his other side. His eyes widened as he realized a net was shot out, and that net was flying at him. He tried his best to maneuver Toothless out of the way but it was too late as the net wrapped them up. They quickly went down and crashed through the roof of one of the buildings before crashing in the dirt.

Hiccup heard Toothless groan in pain as he tried to find his sword. After a few seconds of searching he managed to grab the weapon and pressed the button to extend the blades. He managed to cut the net free and they managed to get back to their feet. Unfortunately for them right as they stood up several vikings surrounded them. "Easy bud," Hiccup muttered as he and Toothless backed up as more and more surrounded them.

"Well, well, well the Dragon Master shows his face," a familiar voice said in the crowd. Hiccup waited as Snotlout stepped out into the open. "Not so tough when you're on the ground are you," he taunted.

"Why don't you find out for yourself," Hiccup taunted back, "Or are you just going to stand back and let others do your fighting."

"You better watch who you're talking to like that," Snotlout threatened.

"And who am I talking to," Hiccup asked, "Because all I see is an idiot who is trying like a tough guy."

"I'll let you know that I am the next chief of Berk," Snotlout said proudly and he paused, thinking that Hiccup would be impressed. Instead Hiccup just snorted and he laughed as he just shook his head.

"You being the next chief," Hiccup asked, "If that happens this place won't die because of the raids, it will be because you lead it to it's own death." Snotlout didn't say anything but Hiccup could tell that his comment got to him. Several vikings started to step forward now and Hiccup started to grow nervous now. "Look at that, the next chief doesn't even fight battles on his own," Hiccup added.

"Wait," Snotlout said as he held up his hand and stopped the other villagers, "I can take him on my own." Hiccup smirked as the villagers slowly stepped back but they listened to his cousin. Snotlout stepped forward and drew his sword out from his side and eyed Hiccup down.

"The first move is yours," Hiccup said as he held out his hands and waited for Snotlout. He didn't say anything as he readied his sword and paused for a second. Hiccup saw his feet move slightly and he easily showed what he was planning on doing. With a sudden burst of speed Snotlout brought his blade up and swung it at Hiccup's midsection. He easily managed to deflect the strike and then leaned in to kick Snotlout in the chest, sending him stumbling backwards. "I'm waiting," Hiccup taunted as Snotlout steadied himself again and eyed Hiccup down.

"Do you always fight like a coward," Snotlout barked out which made Hiccup smile.

"Fine, I'll make it easier for you," Hiccup told him as he switched his sword from his dominant hand. He then stuck out his right hand and placed it behind his back, making sure to exaggerate the gesture.

"I will definitely enjoy hearing your screams and begging for mercy," Snotlout told him as he stepped forwards. Now the two circled each other and waited for the other to make the first move. Instead of playing a defensive role this time Hiccup lunged forward and caught Snotlout off guard. He managed to deflect his initial attack but he was off balance now and Hiccup moved in to sweep his feet out from under him. He then stepped backwards and looked out to the crowd to see how much time he had left before they all advanced on him. They seemed to be standing back for now but were all ready to attack. As he looked past the crowd, Hiccup saw Astrid watching them from the shadows. He made a gesture for her to stay out of it and hoped that she caught it.

"Hopefully you're a better chief than a fighter," Hiccup said to Snotlout as his cousin got up. He seemed flustered now and was ready to kill Hiccup. He didn't say anything this time and Hiccup could tell he was in his head now. "How will this story play out," he asked, "Next chief of Berk loses fight to Dragon Master." Now it was time for Snotlout to laugh and Hiccup paused as he was confused by his cousin now.

"I finally see it," Snotlout said with a nod, "It took me a bit, but now I see it."

"That pebble sized brain of yours actually works," Hiccup commented, "What did it finally piece together."

"You act so smug and hold your head high because you have nobody else to enjoy your life with," Snotlout said coldly. "You act tough and try to be brave like you are some hero, but really you're just a scared man hiding behind a mask. A scared man that is living in his fear of being alone."

"That's a great theory," Hiccup admitted, his voice emotionless now as he tried to keep his cool.

"Just like that," Snotlout said with a wave of his hand, "You play everything off like it doesn't affect you. But it does and you can't do anything about all that pain you feel. You see us living our normal lives and you just want to have a taste of it, but you can't. You can't because nobody wants to be with a freak like you." Snotlout said his last words slowly to drive his point further and Hiccup felt his blood boiling now. "So what now Dragon Master, what are you going to do?"

"You asked for it," Hiccup said in a serious tone before he pointed his arm at him and clicked a button on the inside on his wrist. A few gears clicking could be heard before an arrow flew out from the device on his forearm. The arrow flew through the air and then embedded itself into Snotlout's shoulder. His cousin cried out in pain as he fell back onto the ground and placed a hand next to his new injury.

"Well don't just stand there, get him," Snotlout cried out to the other villagers once he regained his composure. The other villagers turned their heads to Hiccup who was now in Toothless's saddle. A few started to advance on them but Hiccup reached to his belt and pulled out a small metal ball. He clicked a button that opened the device and green gas started to pour out of the contraption. He clicked another button before he threw the ball a few feet ahead of him and a few seconds later the gas ignited. The villagers all stumbled backwards and that gave him enough time to get him and Toothless into the air. Thankfully, the raid was starting to end now and Hiccup was ready to get back home. Although he tried his best to ignore it he couldn't stop thinking about what his cousin said. Mostly because he thought it was all true.

It was about midday and Astrid was starting to become worried about Hiccup. He hadn't said anything when they got back from the raid last night and when Astrid woke up this morning he was already in the forge. At first she decided to let him be, knowing that he would eventually talk about it, but now she was debating on checking on him. After a few more minutes of debating she finally got up and went to go check on him. She heard the familiar banging sound as she approached the forge and saw light pouring out from the doorway. Astrid peaked in slightly and saw Toothless asleep in the corner. She looked past the dragon and saw Hiccup pounding away on some sheet of metal. She stepped into the forge and kept her eyes on him as she watched him work.

She could tell he had been in here for a while because he was now shirtless and sweat covered his back. He seemed to sense her presence because he paused slightly but he didn't say anything to her. Instead he kept his focus on the metal in front of him as Astrid continued to watch him. She waited for him to be first to speak, knowing this was going to be difficult since he was trying to avoid her.

"What do you need," he finally asked in a quiet voice as he put the hammer down. He still kept his back to her but he moved his head slightly in an attempt to look back.

"What happened last night," she asked him, getting right to the point. Astrid heard him sigh and his head dropped slightly as he faced back towards the anvil. Astrid slowly got up from where she was sitting and walked over to him. As she moved in front of him she saw a mix of emotions on his face as he stared off into space. She reached out and touched his arm which seemed to snap him back to reality as he glanced over at her.

"Do you think I am a freak," he asked her suddenly and it caught her off guard.

"What are you talking about," she said as he looked away from her. "Where did that come from," she pressed on, wanting to know why he was thinking like this.

"When Snotlout and I were fighting he said nobody would want to be with a freak like me," he said in a soft voice.

"You know Snotlout doesn't know what he talks about," Astrid told him but there was still that same hopeless look in his eyes.

"Maybe so," Hiccup said as he grabbed a towel and wiped his hands off, "But he's right."

"Hiccup would you stop talking like that," Astrid said, a bit harsher of a tone than she meant. "You are a great person with an even greater heart, anybody would be lucky to have you." Hiccup didn't say anything as he just walked over to a chair and sat down.

"Would they though," Hiccup asked her as he looked up at her. "They have to deal with everything I've done in my life, all my fears, all my wrongs in my life." He let out a sigh as he ran a hand through his hair and it hurt Astrid's heart that he was struggling to see that he was an amazing person. "I can't have a normal life Astrid," he said as he looked at his feet, "I can't have a family with someone and enjoy a peaceful life." He just shook his head as he kept his head bowed and Astrid thought his words over. She then slowly walked over to him and then placed her hand under his chin, raising it so he would look at her.

"You might be right," she admitted, "But sometimes not living a normal life makes your life a better one." She then pulled apart his folded hands and then sat in his lap so that she could get closer to him. "You've shown me things I never would have thought of before without you."

"I am a pretty amazing guy aren't I," he said in a quiet voice, a joking smile on his face. Astrid laughed as she lightly slapped his shoulder.

"Yes you are," she told him, "And don't even let some meathead viking let you think otherwise." Hiccup nodded before he sighed and then brought his head forward so that their foreheads were now touching.

"Where would I be without you," he asked her.

"Either dead or stuck in a constant hangover," she suggested which made him laugh and pick up his head.

"You know you could have sugar coated that just a little bit," he told her.

"Where's the fun in that," she asked as she saw the smile on his face grow. She was happy to see that familiar spark in his eyes again. She leaned in and kissed him before she got up and held out her hand to him. "Come on, let's get out of here," she told him.

"What's wrong with being in here," he asked as he took her hand and stood up.

"To start it's hot and too crammed in here," she listed off as they walked out of the forge.

"Sorry I didn't plan out the layout for you Ms. Perfect," Hiccup said jokingly which earned him a punch in the shoulder.

"You go take a shower before we lay around for the rest of the day," she told him. "I knew you were going to ask so we might as well," she said after he raised an eyebrow at her. Hiccup turned into a five year old on Snoggletog morning as he quickly ran into the main room and grabbed a change of clothes. Astrid laughed to herself as she watched him run back as she went over to his bed. Thankfully his mood changed now and Astrid was glad that he was better now. She really did believe he was a good person and meant what she said about how he helped her see things in a different way. Without Hiccup, Astrid would probably still be wasting her life away training for a war that would never end.

Ayo, it's me, hopefully everyone enjoyed the chapter and the quicker update compared to the last chapter. I was trying to aim more for some relationship development since I haven't really done any. Also sorry for a semi shortchanged chapter in terms of content. I myself want to try to get more out of the chapters but for now ideas are limited. Like I said soon I will branch off into a new set of ideas in a few chapters as well. Just sharing to keep it all updated. Again thank you for the new follows and favorites along with the reviews of encouragement. As always if you have any thoughts, comments, and/or reviews please leave them as they are always helpful and peace out!