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.

Dragon Academy

As soon as Stoick had named him head trainer of Berk for dragon training and riding, a lot of people were interested but Hiccup had to make groups of it because there were just so many. Anyone ages 13 to 21 wanted to learn so Hiccup set up a morning and afternoon class so that way the ring wouldn't be so crowded with people and dragons. Hiccup left a sign up sheet outside the Great Hall for anyone else wanting to join dragon training. Of course, his rule was that the dragon had to choose them and not the other way around. Also, bonding had to happen before they stepped foot in the ring and this was hard because Hiccup had originally driven the dragons from Berk during the last raid. Hiccup's rule became that people had to show him they were ready by being kind to dragons and letting them live among them so after getting permission from Stoick to bring into Berk a lot of dragons, that happened.

It had been easy too, Hiccup wrangled close to 100 dragons with Toothless's help and brought them all to Berk in a mass group, of course at first a lot of people thought it was a raid but they soon figured out that Einarr brought them because none were attacking. Hiccup explained to them that if they wanted to have peace with dragons, they had to treat them like part of the tribe with kindness and understanding. Anyone wanting to join the academy to train and ride dragons that they had to show him they could settle a dragon down without force or weapons, also they had to have a bonded dragon before coming to the ring. Can't be a dragon trainer or rider without a dragon, thus far only Astrid had a bonded dragon and that was Stormfly. Of course, Hiccup couldn't start her training for a few days because Stormfly's wound had to heal. So for those few days, Hiccup just taught Astrid about Nadder facts she'd need to know for a variety of reasons. While doing this, Hiccup also maintained his job in the forge or helping Stoick out since he'd done such a good job the day Stoick and Gobber were hungover.

Turned out, Hiccup was really good at breaking up fights as Stoick found out. Happened by accident too where Hiccup got caught in the middle, ended up getting pushed around while trying to get away so he got mad and separated the two by putting his hands on each of their chests and pushing them away from one another. Was pretty entertaining too.

[Flashback]

Hiccup was in the middle of delivering a stack of wood to a house that needed repairing, after the delivering he and Toothless were walking back to the forge when two Vikings were beating one another up as Hiccup got caught right in the middle. He tried to get away but it was just about useless to do so, he got knocked around a few times as the crowd began to form watching the fight. Stoick, Gobber, Astrid, and the other teens arrived watching as well. When Hiccup got whacked with an elbow then a punch to the face, he had more than enough of it. "Toothless!" Hiccup called, his dragon shot a blast at all of their feet making them step back. Just as they were about to begin again, Hiccup put his hands on their chests and pushed them away from one another. "Alright that's enough!" Hiccup yelled which made the area fall quiet. "What the hell could possibly be such a problem that you two are locked in a fist fight!?"

Both of the Vikings put their heads down now. "He broke my sword." Replied the one of the left.

"Oh so it's the end of the world? In case you two have forgotten there are not one but two blacksmiths on Berk who can fix it. There was absolutely no reason to fist fight about it, I'm sure it was an accident. So why don't you, Birger, apologize to Halvor for breaking his sword and offer to pay for it's repair. And you Halvor, accept his apology understanding that it was an accident then shake hands and make your way to the forge." Hiccup stated firmly with his arms crossed over his chest. The two men stared at one another before sighing.

"I'm sorry for breaking your sword, Halvor. You warned me it needed to be reinforced and I didn't listen." Birger said.

"It's alright, Birger. I should have had it fixed long before now. Accidents happen. Friends?" Halvor asked as the two held out their hands and shook them with the other.

"And now I think you both owe, Einarr an apology seeing as you two weren't paying attention and he got caught in the middle taking a elbow to the ribs and punch to the face." Stoick ordered with his arms over his chest in a firm tone to the two men.

"Sorry, Einarr..." The two said together.

"It's fine. Now if you two are done...I'm heading to the forge, if you want your sword fixed then bring it." Hiccup stated as he walked past them. Astrid rushed after with worry for her boyfriend.

"Are you okay?" She asked gently putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah..." Hiccup replied nodding, although his lip was bleeding and he cringed while walking.

"You sure, those were some hard hits you took..." Astrid reminded.

"I'm alright beautiful. I can take a few hits here and there." Hiccup smiled as he kissed her softly. "Dinner tonight in the cove?" Hiccup asked.

"I'll be there." Astrid nodded they kissed again before she rushed off to get a few things done, Hiccup chuckled as he reached the forge. Toothless laid down just outside the door to relax while Hiccup got right to work on fixing things.

[End Flashback]

It was something Hiccup and Astrid began doing once or twice a week, going on a date whether it was dinner in the cove which was just below Raven Point or having a picnic on the beach, sometimes it was just taking a flight on Toothless. Neither of them tired of being around the other one, and still their relationship was on a like basis since they'd only been together about a week. They didn't want to rush anything else and just enjoy their time together. However today was big, Stormfly was healed fully and Astrid was excited to get started. As were a few others: Fishlegs, the twins, and Snotlout even managed to bond with dragons over the last few days and as per Hiccup's rule, if the dragon picked the rider and trainer then they could join the academy. "Time for class, Gobber. I'll see ya later." Hiccup said to the blacksmith as he took off his apron and headed out onto Toothless to get to the ring which was now referred to as the Berk Dragon Training Academy.

Reaching the location just ten minutes later, Hiccup flew through the opening and landed to see the others with their dragons. Astrid with Stormfly. Fishlegs with his Gronckle, Meatlug. Snotlout with his Nighmare, Hookfang. Finally the twins with their Zippleback, Barf and Belch. Yes they were sharing a dragon but then again as Hiccup was learning, the twins shared just about everything. "Alright, you're all here because you've shown you got what it takes to show kindness, understanding, and compassion to train a dragon. These dragons picked you because they sense that you can be trusted as friends, partners, protectors, and allies to them. Dragon training begins and ends with trust, they trust you as you trust them." Hiccup began.

"Alright head trainer, what's next?" Astrid giggled.

"You've spent the last few days reading up about your dragon to learn about them, now its time to learn to fly them. Until saddles get made, you'll have to keep it minimal. Dragons have a dry skin and it causes friction for them to feel the coarseness of your clothing. Step one in riding a dragon is getting on their backs. Now you all have different dragons so you will be placed in different places on them. Mainly places you can't interfere with their wings or make it uncomfortable." Hiccup explained. For the next 30 minutes, Hiccup showed them the best way to get on their dragon and where to sit. For Astrid and Fishlegs, he had them hold onto a rope. For the twins and Snotlout they just had to cross their legs lightly around their dragon's neck as well hold onto the horns for balance. "Good, all of you." Hiccup smiled as he jumped on Toothless's back. "For today we're just going to work on getting in the air and hovering, then landing." They nodded to him not wanting to argue.

Stoick made it clear that Einarr was in charge of dragon training and if Einarr felt one of the students were going to cause trouble or couldn't handle the tasks asked then he could suspend or expel them from the academy as well as their dragon training and riding privledges. "Okay, how to we get into the air." Fishlegs asked.

"There are a few ways to do it. You can tell them 'up' or 'sky', also you could give them a light nudge with you legs. When you get enough practice, your dragon will know when to take off based on how you sit on them. Toothless takes off when I'm on his back because I lean forward and hold the handles or because I tell him 'lets go bud'. Its the bond, you and your dragon will know just by feel. So one at a time, get in the air, hover a few moments, then land." Hiccup instructed as he patted the side of Toothless's neck and his dragon lifted up slowly, hovered and landed back down again. The ground gave a nod of understanding as they all began to work on lifting, hovering, and landing. Hiccup felt good about this, the more people became aware of dragons then the more peace would be possible. Hiccup knew he could do this, he could show the world the truth while he found out the truth about himself and one day he'd know who he was and where he belonged in this world. For now he felt like he belonged on Berk. He loved it and no matter what this would always be a home for him.