Author's Note: Hello, everyone! =D My mid-winter break just ended today, and I'm crying on the inside. School's over now, but I'm feeling pretty tired. XD Good thing writing is nice and relaxing. X)

Anyway, here's the next edition to "Sticks and Stones," which is a drabble! =D I hope you guys enjoy "The Cove!"

Summary: The Cove is an important place in Hiccup and Toothless' lives. After a stressful day of chiefting, Hiccup and his dragon go to rest at the place where their friendship began. (Post HTTYD 2.)

The Cove

It had been a long, weary day; Hiccup had never felt so exhausted, which was why he was glad to finally get some alone time with his best friend, who had also had a busy, stressful day working as the alpha of all dragons.

And where better to spend some time together than the place where their friendship first began?

As the cove came into view, thousands of memories stirred in Hiccup's head like churning water. Pleasant, sweet memories that were almost tangible. He felt as if he could reach out and touch them, and he could even feel like he was reliving them. Him sitting on the rock, sketching out Toothless with the Night Fury behind him. Watching as Toothless drew a…rather interesting picture of him. And the touch—the touch of trust—when Toothless had pushed his head in his small palm.

Hiccup couldn't remember the last time he had stepped foot in the cove. He had been so busy being chief. Even before that, he was busy. Why, he wasn't even on Berk! It seemed like ages, years, maybe even moons since he had last gone to the place where he had discovered Toothless. The Night Fury seemed to feel the same way, as he began to bound and run around the place as if he had just rediscovered it. Hiccup laughed as he watched his dragon roll around in the grass and splash at the water with his black paw. The young chief smiled, and he plopped down in the soft, comforting grass and laid on his back, letting out a sigh of bliss.

The cove was a very important place to both Hiccup and Toothless. Their friendship had sparked there, and they had shared many special moments together there too. The first tailfin test, the touch, and the visits that Hiccup had paid to Toothless when he snuck out of Berk to give him some fish. It was at the cove that Hiccup had discovered the truth about dragons. They weren't vicious creatures like they were depicted in the Book of Dragons, but they had feelings of their own. They were smart and had feelings too. As Hiccup spent more and more time with Toothless, he felt as if he was interacting with not just a dragon but a person. Toothless was human-like in his expressions and emotions. Even though the Night Fury couldn't talk, he seemed to know just what to do when Hiccup was down, make a point, or show his disapproval about something.

Hiccup sat up; the watery lake of the cove sparkled even though the sun had almost completely dipped in the horizon. Sounds of crickets chirping and the soft wind whispering a lullaby were a comfort to the young chief. Toothless soon tromped up to him, and the Night Fury flopped down at his side and let out a sigh. Hiccup smiled and scratched his dragon's head.

"Yeah, I missed this place too, Bud," Hiccup said. Toothless warbled a response. "We should try and visit here more often."

Toothless nestled his head in his paws, and his green eyes immediately slipped closed afterward. Hiccup leaned against his dragon, and he soon felt his eyes beginning to flutter as well. They closed, just as promptly as Toothless' had, and he dreamed and remembered. He remembered all of those moments he and Toothless shared together in the cove.

And Hiccup didn't know how much he would need those special memories for what was yet to come.

Author's Note: Hiccup: Wait, what's yet to come?

I'm not spoiling anything.

Hiccup: Tell me. Now.

Mah lips are sealed.

Hiccup: I DEMAND YOU TO TELL ME.

Sorry. I can't. It'll ruin the entire HTTYD universe as we know it. Now let me be, I've gotta do my closing.

*Ahem* I hope you guys enjoyed this little drabble, and I'll see you in whatever comes next in "Sticks and Stones!" =D

Hiccup: WHAT'S YET TO COME?!

Until the next chapter!

-BeyondTheMoon1203