Where I Belong

Author: Nightstar Fury

Rating: M

Pairing: Hiccup/Astrid

Disclaimer: I don't own the HTTYD movies, or any of the HTTYD series such as Riders of Berk, Defenders of Berk, or Race To The Edge.

Tour & Job

Walking with Astrid through Berk, Hiccup loved seeing it all. A real Viking village, that he was walking in instead of flying over and blasting to Valhalla in order to free dragons! He was amazed by all he saw there: houses, shops, the forests, the kill ring even though Hiccup hadn't been thrilled to see it, knowing they still killed dragons but he felt maybe he could change that with some time. Hiccup knew he had the ability to stop the raids and if he could show them another way that didn't involve killing then maybe, just maybe, he could get them to change their ways. For now though he just wanted to enjoy the tour with Astrid. He liked walking with her: she was kind, caring, even a little funny. And Hiccup thought she was beautiful. He'd never been around other humans before, except his mother but this girl with him now was beautiful in his eyes. Berk seemed small from the sky but when on it, it was pretty big.

Hiccup was still unsure about humans, though these people seemed to be alright. He had grown up among dragons with the only human contact he ever had being his mother-who barely made contact at all with him. Hiccup honestly wondered what she was doing right now, if she had even noticed he was gone or was perhaps out looking for him, or if she even cared? Hiccup knew he didn't and she wouldn't find him because she refused to be anywhere near humans if she could avoid them. All their life had just been the dragon's nest and he was definitely ready for change. And even if these people turned out to be like his mom had said...he was never going back to the ice nest. He couldn't, not when there was so much freedom outside of it. Just him and his best friend, traveling together around the Archipelago...maybe even outside of it. Who knew, so many opportunities had been awakened since he chose to leave. For now though, learning more about humans was something he wanted to do because he did want to find his father and see if this man was really as bad as his mother told him about.

Toothless hated not being able to fly but at least he was only grounded for two months or so: as soon as they could, they'd be flying again. Hiccup missed being in the air too for he'd grown so used to the wind in his face being high in the sky and clouds. What surprised him the most in all this was that this village didn't attack Toothless right away: they had recognized that he was protecting Hiccup and tried a different approach. Also the chief of this island was letting Hiccup stay with him, and Toothless too! So far, Hiccup loved this place and he really hoped that if he could show them that dragons weren't bad and they didn't have to kill them that maybe they'd let him stay there. Hiccup still wanted to know more about his old life, before being taken along with his mother by Cloud Jumper. Hiccup would wait until these people were more comfortable with him around, and maybe when he was more comfortable around them too. Hiccup right now was just happy to be for the most part, accepted by the villagers living on Berk and getting a tour by the lovely Astrid.

Hiccup and Astrid walked side by side, Toothless following behind closely and Hiccup could tell his dragon was very on edge around so many people who had weapons pointed at him yesterday but Hiccup had just about made him promise not to attack anyone since they couldn't get away right now. "So while we're making our way back into the heart of the village...why don't you tell me about yourself, Einarr?" Astrid asked softly, glancing towards him.

"Uh well...I'm 17. I ride a Night Fury...I used to live in a nest full of dragons with just my mother, I've never known my father, never been in a village with other...humans before...I like to invent, draw, study dragons, explore and learn new things. That's it really. I've spent my whole life since around dragons, and when I turned 11 my mom let me start helping her rescue dragons who were captured or about to be put to death..." Hiccup explained.

"So it's just been you and your mom?" Astrid questioned.

"Yeah for as long as I can remember." Hiccup nodded.

"Do you know anything about your dad? His name, where he lives or ya know...if he's alive?" Astrid tilted her head a bit.

"I know nothing about him. My mother says we've been on our own with dragons since I was about a year old," Hiccup answered.

"That's rough, Einarr. I'm sorry...And she won't tell you anything about him?" Astrid looked over towards him while they walked.

"No, she won't. It's one of the reasons I left the nest...She doesn't talk about anything regarding where we used to live, or who she was married too. And I felt like there had to be more to my life than just rescuing dragons forever, so I left hoping to find out who I was, and who I'm meant to be," Hiccup shrugged.

"Well if I can help at all, let me know okay? No one should have to go through life wondering anything about themselves," Astrid smiled.

"I will...thanks, Astrid," Hiccup replied to her. He wanted to show her the necklace but he was actually just enjoying the talk with her. It felt nice to have some other interaction with someone besides dragons or his uncaring mother who wouldn't give him the time of day. And the bonus was that Astrid and the others she hung out with were all around his age. Hiccup was getting the distinct feeling that Snotlout however didn't like him much for whatever reason he may have. Hiccup knew not everyone would like him: he was a 17 year old young man riding the back of the most elusive and dangerous dragon known to man, a dragon feared by many. "So...this is Berk?" Hiccup asked, motioning to the village before them now.

"Yep, This is Berk. Where it snows nine months of the year and hails the other three. It can also give you frostbite on your spleen," Astrid chuckled.

"It's hot compared to the ice nest, this actually feels good." Hiccup smiled back at her while they walked together side by side, Toothless following closely to keep an eye on his friend and rider.

"Well let's get this tour started then. Well you obviously know where the Chief's house is, and right beside that is the Great Hall where we hold meetings, special events, and sometimes meals. Over that way is the dragon training and kill ring…" Astrid began but saw Einarr flinch a little at the word kill. "But uh…" She didn't exactly have words of comfort for him. That was the truth of that spot on Berk, the place to be trained to kill dragons. But she hoped with Einarr there, he would teach them how to live among them without the need for killing.

"It's alright, Astrid...I know that it's how this island does things," Hiccup enlightened her. She nodded softly to him and looked ahead.

"I know but still, I know that isn't your way of life so I didn't...want to make your uncomfortable," Astrid replied, looking over to see him just shrug a bit and keep walking with her.

"Don't worry about it. If the chief...says it's alright then I'll help out but I don't want to overstep any bounds. I left to find out who I really was and am, I'm not going to jump back into what I got away from which was always rescuing dragons from heartless people." Astrid arched a brow at him now, "N-Not that...any of you are heartless given you let me and my Night Fury live after we crashed here yesterday. Just...you know what I mean, right?" Hiccup asked quickly.

Astrid giggled a bit covering her mouth with her hand as she kept walking with a nod in response, "Yes, Einarr. I know what you meant. I'm sure the chief won't mind at all, we can talk to him after the tour."

"Maybe, I'm still...getting used to all this. So all these huts...they are homes for the villagers?" Hiccup asked now.

"Yep. And over that way are the shops, and the armory. You saw the beaches, that way is the food store house…" Astrid was naming things off while they walked and pointing so Einarr would know what she meant. For the next 20 minutes or so, Astrid showed him everything she could and they continued to talk about life in the village. Astrid would tell him small stories of all them growing up and doing silly things. Finally they reached a building with smoke coming out of the top.

"What's this place?" Hiccup asked now.

"Oh that? It's the forge, Gobber works in there with all the weapons and what not." Astrid said.

"Ello there lass and lad, comin' by to visit ole Gobber, are ya?" came the old blacksmith's voice as he exited the forge shop doorway to see them.

"Just giving Einarr here a tour, Gobber. Your shop was the end of the tour," Astrid smiled.

"Enjoyin' what ya see so far laddie?" Gobber asked Einarr now.

"It's amazing. Nothing like what I had at the ice nest with my mother…" Hiccup responded. "I've done quite a bit with forge work...I could show you some if you like. I carry my best piece with me all the time, well two. Toothless's saddle counts cuz I did it myself when I was 12." Hiccup beamed suddenly, he'd love to work as a blacksmith apprentice if he could prove to Gobber he had what it took.

"Well let's see what ya got lad," Gobber said to him. Hiccup nodded as he pulled a sword off his back and showed it off to Gobber, the man checked it over eyeing the work carefully. "It's good. But what's with it being thinner right here down the middle?" Gobber asked.

"Oh! That's for the Monstrous Nightmare gel...I should of showed ya first. This isn't just any sword. Squeeze the handle, then hit the button on top." Hiccup instructed. Gobber did so as a green gel slid down the channel down the middle: finally, he pushed the button on top. As it sparked, the blade lit on fire. "I call it, Inferno. Made from Gronckle Iron: the strongest, lightest metal in existence so far," Hiccup beamed.

"Anyone who can do that is okay by me. I could use some help in the forge…" Gobber eyed Einarr and smiled wide. "Yew up for the job, cuz its yers if ya want it?" Hiccup smiled wide as he nodded to the blacksmith. "Then yer hired! I'll see ya bright and early first ting in deh morning."

"Yes sir, of course!" Hiccup replied nodding his head happily. Oh he couldn't believe his luck! Crashing on a Viking island, they didn't hurt him or Toothless, they were letting him stay, and now he had a job!? Oh he loved his choice to leave the nest, it was his best decision thus far and he couldn't wait to see what else awaited for him.