The battle had come to a crashing end after the lead vessel went down in flames, swallowed up by the stormy sea, hungry for anything that sailed its surface. Heather had not stalled when she saw Hiccup unable to break out of his prison and had reacted instantaneously before Astrid had a chance to shout orders.

Heather had her eyes locked on the cage as it disappeared underwater. She inhaled deeply before diving for the unpredictable and untamable deep, grabbing on tight to the wide handles of her saddle as Windshear swam down after their leader, eyes narrowed determinedly. And when they were within reach, the Razorwhip grabbed onto the sinking piece of metal, wrapping her tail around the bars. She started back for the surface almost immediately, swimming for the light. The dim rays shone down through the dark water onto them as they shot for the open sky, snatching a life from death's merciless rows of teeth.

…

The Dragon Riders had all made it safely back to Dragon's Edge after the battle. It had been a high-stakes rescue, one that would not have been nearly as successful without Dagur… They had all made it unscathed. All but for Dagur. None of the Riders had seen him after the mother-ship went down. He had rushed in head first, without a care in the world whether he made it out alive or not in the end. He had proved himself by helping them save their leader and friend, and none of them could help but wonder if things could have been different if they had just trusted Dagur's word in the first place. But what happened had happened, and there was no going back.

Hiccup had been resting for an entire day while he recovered from his hundredth near-death experience. And with everything he and Heather had gone through in the past week, it was some well-deserved rest. Ever since they had returned home, Heather had refused to leave his side until he woke up. She had made so many mistakes and he'd saved her life so many times; she wanted to apologize for all the webs she had tangled him in along with her. She had repaid her debt to him by saving him from drowning, but the young Berserker knew it would never be enough to match his selflessness, one she knew she would never achieve. She had a lot to learn; that was undoubted.

The Berserker stood alone at the edge of the platform outside of Hiccup's hut, looking out to the horizon as the sky thundered, announcing the coming of the rain once again. It was already getting dark, the shades of grey in the clouds shifting the atmosphere. She held herself tight as the wind began blowing gently, brushing the dark lock out of her face. So many things rushed through her mind, particularly Dagur. She knew how all the other Riders felt regarding his sacrifice, but she still couldn't figure out the words to describe her emotions. She felt like her world had been turned upside-down; everything she'd ever believed about him had been nothing but a lie… and now she was facing the consequences.

She was grieving.

Dagur.

Her brother.

Heather was startled when a hand pressed against her shoulder blade, dragging her out of her thoughts to meet Astrid's soft ocean-blue gaze.

"You holding up alright?" she asked, retrieving her hand.

Heather didn't reply and fled her gaze. She wasn't holding up alright. She felt guilty and responsible for everything that had happened. Everything. Including her brother's death.

"Heather," said Astrid gently, taking a step forward to drag her attention back onto her. "You can't take responsibility for Dagur's decision…"

Heather looked up at her like she was astonished she'd read her mind. She sighed, unable to hold back the emotions. "I was wrong about him…" she said quietly, looking down blankly at the base stretching below. "I should've listened. If I had, none of this would've happened."

"Maybe," agreed Astrid, shrugging. "But Dagur sacrificed himself so that you could live. So that we all could. If he hadn't made the choices he did, Hiccup might not be alive today. We might not have been alive right now." She paused, sighing in her turn. "I'm asking you to let him go…"

"You don't understand what you're asking me to do…" replied Heather, meeting her eyes, the emerald green of her irises glimmering from the tears.

"Yes, I do," said Astrid, familiar with the feeling. "I've rarely talked about this, but I lost family as well… and so has Hiccup. I know the feeling." She paused, shaking her head as she caught herself giving her the same old speech Stoick had given her on the night she'd come to reflect on her duty as a soldier. "You and I are warriors. We've sworn to protect."

"Feels like the pain never stops," said Heather, her heart aching.

"I don't think you can make it," replied Astrid, sympathetic. "All you can do is own it; remember it, and make sure you never feel it again." She scoffed, straightening up a little as the words sunk in her core as well. "That's what Stoick used to tell me."

"It's just…" sighed Heather, her shoulders dropping like she was lifting a burden off her shoulders. "It feels like everyone around me is giving themselves up for me and… I can't return the favour…"

"But you did, Heather," said Astrid, unable to help but smile proudly at her. "You might not realize it yet, but just you, being here, is the only favour we need."

"She's right, Heather," said Hiccup, and the girls turned around to greet him as he walked out of his hut, already looking much better. He wore his red tunic, the material looser without the armour to tuck it into place. He scoffed amusingly. "I mean, who else would've saved me from the dark deep?"

Heather couldn't help but smile, looking down. She knew Hiccup could sense her guilt; he was good at picking up on her energy. Her body didn't lie. A compassionate look washed over his features as he took a serious tone.

"Our team is lucky to have a rider like you, Heather," he said, exchanging a glance with Astrid who nodded approvingly. "You're a little rough around the edges, I can't deny that. You are reckless and disobeyed direct orders multiple times."

Heather bit her lip, head down.

Hiccup smiled nonetheless, placing a firm hand on her shoulder.

"But you are one of us," he said unfalteringly. "And that will never change."

Heather finally rose her head back up to meet his gaze, a proud smile bright in his eyes while she expressed her gratitude. Droplet started coming down on them and the three of them raised their heads to look up as the sky began rumbling louder.

"We better get inside," suggested Astrid to which Hiccup nodded in agreement. The two Riders turned to Heather, asking if she was coming.

"You go," she said, gesturing for them to leave her. "I'll be right behind you."

Hiccup and Astrid exchanged a look but nodded nonetheless, understanding she needed a moment more of privacy. Heather watched them head for the Clubhouse for dinner, knowing the others would soon join in. Her gaze drifted back low and the young Berserker turned back around to face the ocean. She pulled out a sheet of paper she had found on her bed, a letter addressed to her from Dagur. Her pupils trailed the lines of runes and her heart tightened. She inhaled deeply, feeling the heaviness settle in her core as she finished reading it. Droplets splashed onto the paper as did her tears, and she lifted her head back up to face the storm.

The end.

Welp. That's all, folks! I hope you enjoyed! I've had the concept in mind for so long, even tho "Hiccup stranded" isn't a new one. I wanted to write something Hiccup/Heather-centric. I love their dynamic so much - that sibling-type bond they have since they're kinda the only Riders connected to Dagur. You know what I'm talking about. I've also realized after all this time that I tend to stick to canon - like a lot. Idk I just- i cant stray from the rules and the course of the original storyline and that sometimes restrains me from writing really original types of stories. BUT

but

but

but

I'm currently working on a new fic titled Toy Soldiers. I'm excited. : D I still gotta a lot to write, so idk when it'll be up exactly. But I'm WORKING ON IT

UwU

Anyway! Take care! See you soon!

- Rain