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.

Accepting The Job

He was finally home among his tribe, friends, and father. It might of taken years of wondering, and one year after crash landing on Berk, but he was home and what a bonus that the place he'd wanted to find, the people he'd been searching for ended up being the island of Berk, home to the Hairy Hooligan tribe where his father, Stoick the Vast was chief and Hiccup's father. He loved having a father, 17 years later but hey it was never too late to have family in your life when you'd grown up with just your neglectful mother and dragons. Hiccup also managed to fall in love and get a girlfriend who he loved a lot and never found ways to stop showing or telling her how he felt. He had great friends, Toothless being his best. Also a wonderful tribe, and father. He loved his life, nothing could ever make it better. Or so he thought until his father and him began talking about Hiccup's future as heir of Berk. Hiccup laid in bed thinking about it, how just a few hours ago his father told him that he wanted Hiccup to become chief of the island and he accepted the job.

-Flashback-

It had been a week since the celebration of Hiccup's homecoming. Even though technically he'd been home for a year but no one knew that until Valka arrived to take Hiccup back to the nest. Then everything all came out that this boy who had been living among them for a year who gave the name Einarr Riddari was actually Hiccup Haddock the Third, the heir that they thought they lost 17 years before because he'd been taken in his mother's arms who in turn was also taken by a four winged dragon who their now very much alive chieftess rode on the back off and chose to stay away, as well keep their heir away for 17 years. Everyone had been shocked to heard Hiccup explode in rage at his mother but then again, after hearing everything...They couldn't blame him either.

She purposely kept him away, and told him nothing about where he was from or who his father was, also lied to him about how Vikings were. Now while it might have been true to her, as Hiccup said, she never tried to get them to understand or come back to show them the truth. She just hid away with Hiccup and made them all think that both their chieftess and heir were killed by dragons. But Hiccup proved that he was given a chance and they accepted dragons in their lives because Hiccup wasn't afraid to show them the truth. It was more shocking to see that Stoick actually told Valka to leave because he wouldn't lose his son a second time because of her. And in the meaning, he was referring to the fact Valka never brought him back, never made it clear she was alive, also that in the argument...Hiccup said he'd rather kill himself than be anywhere near his own mother. In fear of losing his son, he sent his wife away.

Thankfully, Astrid got him to come back and between Stoick and Hiccup, there had been a cute emotional moment. Where Hiccup faced his father and called him, Dad for the first time ever, then adding he was finally home. Both hugged before a celebration took place to welcome Hiccup back home for good, Stoick didn't just have his son back. The island had their heir back, of course it was worth celebrating. And there was alcohol involved, Hiccup did drink but not nearly as much as the first time also he was still sick so he had to take it easy. He and Astrid took a small night flight together then Hiccup took her home before going home himself to sleep and hopefully wake up feeling a lot better. It started bad, ended good but he was still livid from the argument. In truth it took him another three days to get better. He stayed holed up in the house with soup, stew, and tea with a lot of sleep.

Currently, he'd had a long day in the forge. His body was sore, had a headache and he honestly wanted to take a nap before his date with Astrid later. As he'd promised they'd eat dinner together and enjoy some peace and quiet on a secluded beach after a relaxing flight. He was still recovering from being sick too, he wasn't throwing up or nor had a fever and cough but still trying to get his body back to normal. Surprisingly as he dragged his body back to the house, after walking in he saw Stoick sitting there at the table going over a few sheets of paper. Stoick noticed Hiccup had entered now and smiled wide. "Hey son, welcome home." Stoick greeted.

"Hey, Dad. Didn't think I'd see you until dinner." Hiccup smiled, "Or later tonight after I get back from my date with, Astrid." He added.

"Got done early today, thought I'd come home to wait for you. How was the forge?" Stoick asked.

"Busy, how was chiefing?" Hiccup responded sitting down at the table with a mug of water.

"Standard. Food counts, repairs, improvements, armory inventory, little storing. We're over what we should be, which is good." Stoick smiled.

"That's good, makes things easier for everyone around to not have to do so much." Hiccup beamed.

"Aye, that is true son." Stoick responded, silence between them now as Hiccup saw the papers laying on the table in front of Stoick.

"So what are all those?" Hiccup asked.

"These? Nothin special. Meetings and what that are upcoming." Stoick smiled softly.

"Well, I'm gonna go catch some sleep before the date with Astrid..." Hiccup said with a yawn preparing to get up.

"Oh, just a moment son...I wanted to talk to you about somethin..." Stoick said quickly, Hiccup stopped and faced him with a curious tilt of his head.

"What is it dad?" Hiccup asked.

"Well, as you know you...are the son of a chief, Hiccup and that makes you the Heir to Berk, and the tribe meaning." Stoick began.

"Yeah, I know all that. One day when you retire, I'll be the next chief of Berk. Have to get married, and give an heir to continue the bloodline, right?" Hiccup answered sitting back down.

"Yes, yes. Good, you remembered what I told you then. Most Heir's...start their training at 17 or 18, have to learn the ways of chiefdom to take over." Stoick continued.

"Alright, Dad...What are you getting at since I'm already 18. Are you saying that you're going to start my chief training or something?" Hiccup asked now, Stoick knew his son wasn't stupid and would put it together rather quickly.

"The thing is, son...You, in a way have already been trainin with me the last year. You were with me every few days, watching how I did the job. You asked questions, and helped out with solutions..." Stoick said looking to his son. "Even that day you Gobber, myself, and you were hungover...You took charge of the village on your own accord and if I can just say again, did a great job," Hiccup arched a brow again. Stoick sighed, "Hiccup, what I'm saying is this..." He cleared his throat now making sure Hiccup was paying attention, "After all everything that has happened in the last week or so with...finding out your the son I thought lost 17 years ago, all the years I lost to be your father...And how well you've done since being here...Hiccup, I am ready to retire to make you chief of the island, of the tribe."

Hiccup's eyes widened at what his father said, he wanted...to make him the chief? Now?! "But...I'm only 18, Dad. I can't...run the village myself. I don't know what I'm doing..."

"Hiccup, did ya ever notice before we found out the truth that you were my son that we thought a lot alike when it came to decision making, to chiefing?" Stoick asked. Hiccup nodded, "That's because it's instinct son. You knew when to hold back, when to take action, how to solve problems calmly or get a little more forceful to make someone understand. You have all the makings to be the chief. And being 18 don't matter, I took over as chief when I was 17. And ya won't be alone, I'll still be helpin ya but you'd be the chief. Son, I lost a lot of time with you and being yer father...I don't want to lose more by havin to be chief. I want you to become chief, so I can retire and enjoy the rest of my days being your father, like I couldn't be before."

Hiccup couldn't believe it, his father wanted to retire and make him chief so he could...actually be just his father. Could Hiccup do it though, become chief of the island at 18? Could he run the island as well as his father had? Sure he ran the village once while his father had a wicked hangover but could he do that all day and every day? "You...really think I can do it, Dad?" Hiccup asked looking over a little nervously. It was a big job, and being chief meant exactly what he'd said before. He'd have to take a wife, obviously Astrid because he didn't love anyone else and never could but also give an heir to take over after he retired-which was probably YEARS away but still, never the less it had to be done. It was tradition according to his father from older conversations before they found out the truth.

"I don't think, son...I know you can." Stoick put a hand on Hiccup's shoulder smiling.

A small smile came to Hiccup's lips now, if his father believed he could then he knew he could. Even Astrid said the day of the big fight with his mother that everyone in the village was hoping Stoick would claim 'Einarr' at the time as his Heir to take over the tribe but as it turned out, Einarr was really Hiccup Haddock, true heir to the island of Berk and the Hairy Hooligan tribe so everyone got their wish anyways. "Alright...I'll do it, Dad. I'll become chief of Berk and the Tribe." Hiccup said, Stoick could of cried with joy and proud-ness that his son was accepting the job. The two shared a hug and Stoick told him that they'd hold the ceremony in a month after some preparations were completed and announcements made. When that was done, Hiccup went to his room to relax. Still wanting that nap before his date with Astrid later on, and now he would get to tell her about the big news. That he was becoming the chief of Berk in a months time.

-End Flashback-

There was still three hours until his date with Astrid, they wanted to fly at sunset and enjoy a romantic picnic like dinner on the beach. He couldn't wait to tell her the good news regarding his future, because as he expected she would also wonder what it meant for their future together. Thankfully Hiccup and his father also talked about that portion of things, but Astrid wasn't allowed to know about it just yet. Hiccup didn't like keeping secrets from her, but this one would definitely be worth it.