A/N: Sorry once again for the delay. I've finally got that project out of the way so I'm hoping to get back on schedule this week with updates on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Thank you all for the reviews!

I think you guys probably know what's coming in this chapter... I hope you enjoy it :)

Chapter 13

Hiccup could hardly contain his excitement. Despite his joy being tainted with the sadness of leaving Viggo and the island he'd lived on for weeks, he felt the lightest he had in… well, months, he supposed. He was going back to Berk. He was finally going home.

Then the disbelief started to set in again. He looked at the map Viggo had given him in the dim light of the moon. Were they going the right way? What state was Berk in? Was he really going to just march right into the place and announce himself? What would their reactions be? Where would he go first? He had no idea what had transpired since the war had ended. Heck, he didn't even know how they had won the war. There was just so much… so much…

Somehow, despite his thoughts, he found himself dropping off to sleep. It wasn't surprising, really, he realised as his eyes slid shut. The past few days had been hectic, to say the least. From being almost captured to fighting off Johann's rogues to finding out that everything he'd believed for two months was one big manipulative lie. A bit of rest would do him good.

Freedom flew steadily through the night with Hiccup sleeping on his back. And when the sun started to rise and Hiccup's eyes fluttered open again, there was no more doubting whether they were going the right way. There, drawing nearer on the horizon, was Berk. Hiccup gazed at the silhouette in awe, his heart beating faster. The Great Hall still stood tall and proud over the island. He felt tears prick his eyes and felt suddenly overwhelmed. He wasn't ready for this. Not at all. If he could hardly look at the isle from a distance without tearing up, how in the name of Thor was he supposed to be able to keep it together when reuniting with his father and friends?

He resorted to trying to steady his breathing for much of the remainder of the journey. At one point he worried whether Freedom was strong enough to make it, but liberation from captivity had done the dragon as much good as it had him and there was no loss of altitude until the island was comfortably close. Hiccup instructed him to fly low, steering them to the cove where Freedom could rest from the journey. And while the Monstrous Nightmare drank, Hiccup sucked in a shaky breath and started walking towards the village.

I'm walking on Berkian soil, he thought in amazement, glancing back at the cove where he first met Toothless before it disappeared from sight. He looked down at himself. Was he presentable? He didn't imagine he'd changed much in appearance since he'd been here last. How long must that have been…?

He continued to walk on until he was startled from his thoughts at the sound of a shriek. He looked up in surprise, seeing that he had emerged from the forest and entered the village. A woman stood staring at him, hands holding clothes that she had been hanging up to dry. Hiccup felt suddenly awkward under her gaze. She blinked slowly as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Harold!" Hiccup heard her shout. A man opened the door and stepped outside and when the woman pointed at him, his jaw dropped. Unsure of what to do, Hiccup gave them a nervous smile before hurriedly continuing to walk towards the centre of the village.

However, that woman wasn't the only one who had spotted him by now and the murmuring around him and intermittent shouts of surprise and confusion seemed to get louder with every step he took as households came out of their homes one by one to see what was going on. Some even knocked on other family's doors, shouting something or other about the ghost of Stoick's son. Hiccup kept his head down, tried to block out the voices and the sight of hundreds of awed faces.

But he could hardly keep his eyes from searching for familiar faces as he started walking up the hill towards the place he called home. By this time, people were running around him frantically, watching him and talking amongst themselves in amazement.

His footsteps came to an abrupt halt, however, when his father came into view. Stoick strode out of his house, Gobber at his side.

"What in Odin's beard is all this commotion about?" he demanded, sounding frustrated. "The sun has only just risen, there shouldn't be so much noise!" His booming voice cut off, however, as they turned to face him and the crowd that had gathered around him. Stoick's face fell. As did Gobber's. For a moment, there was only stunned silence. Hiccup gulped. He didn't know what to say. He felt silent tears run down his cheeks and opened his mouth to speak but nothing intelligible came out, just a noise that could only be described as a sob.

Stoick took a step closer. Then another. Then time seemed to speed up, Hiccup blinked and they were standing face to face.

"Hiccup?" The sound that came out of Stoick's mouth was hardly a whisper. Hiccup swallowed, still gasping for words as he felt his father's hand on his shoulder. "Hiccup?" he said again as if he refused to believe it was him until he spoke. Hiccup could hardly find his voice as he continued to cry.

"Dad," he breathed finally. "I'm home…" Stoick made a noise that was either laughter or crying and then Hiccup felt himself swept off his feet in an overwhelming yet gentle embrace. Tears were streaming down his face by now and he was sure both his father and Gobber were sobbing shamelessly too. He opened his eyes to see the whole village staring at him in awe, many with tears in their eyes. You're home, he told himself, still partially in disbelief. You're finally home.

Hiccup stumbled as Stoick finally put him down again, though he never for one moment fully let go of him.

"Hiccup…" his father looked him over. "It's been… months…" Hiccup managed to chuckle nervously.

"Yeah… long story…" he said quietly. But before he could utter another word, he was swept off his feet again by Gobber, who squeezed so tight that Hiccup was sure his lungs were completely emptied of air.

"Gobber!" Stoick had to say sternly before Hiccup was put down again. He gratefully gasped in air but managed a smile at his mentor as soon as he felt his breathing had returned to normal.

"Sorry," Gobber chuckled. "It's just…" he sniffed. "Oh, I missed you, laddie," Hiccup smiled up at him, feeling wetness in his eyes again. He doubted he would stop crying any time soon.

"I-" Stoick started. "I can't believe you're alive!"

"M-me neither, really, I-" Hiccup replied, stumbling over his words. "I mean, I-I came as soon as I could, I also thought you guys were dead…" he trailed off, then looked up at his father. He almost felt like a child again, looking up wide-eyed at the chief. Stoick frowned.

"You…" he said softly. "You thought we were dead?" Hiccup nodded. "Oh, son, you weren't Johann's prisoner the whole time, were you?" His father's eyes looked so pained, he wished he could deny the truth. But while he knew that it didn't suffice as a full explanation, for now, he simply nodded. Stoick exhaled, his face anguished as he pulled Hiccup into another hug. "I'm sorry, Hiccup," Stoick muttered.

"It's okay, Dad," Hiccup said. He sighed, letting the tension in his muscles relax in the comfort of his father's arms. His lips quirked into a smile. "Besides, I survived." Stoick laughed heartily at that. Hiccup couldn't tell if it was relief or just joy he heard, but he pulled back to meet his father's gaze nonetheless.

"Yes, you did, son!" he exclaimed in delight. "You certainly did, oh, thank Odin!" Hiccup felt his father give him an affectionate squeeze, then he wrapped an arm around him and led him up the hill. The villagers that had surrounded them to watch the reunion backed away to make a path up to the Great Hall. Hiccup smiled and leant against his father's chest as they climbed the many stairs. At the top, they turned around, looked down at the crowd. Almost the whole village must have gathered by now. But as he scanned the crowd, searching for his friends, he couldn't see them.

"Berkians!" Stoick shouted over the people, a broad smile on his face. "Today is a good day! Hiccup, heir and pride of Berk, has come home!" The roar of the crowd was deafening and Hiccup felt the blood rushing to his face. "I pronounce today as a day of feasting. In my son's honour!" An even bigger roar from the crowd and as the people came stampeding up the stairs, Stoick whisked him in through the grand doors and into the relative dark of the hall. Gobber hobbled in front of them, moving as fast as he could to the large chieftain's seat as Hiccup gazed around him. It hadn't changed a bit. It was exactly as he remembered.

Stoick led him up to the seat as Gobber placed another large chair beside the chieftain's and they sat down. People poured in through the doors, chefs running to the kitchens and others running straight to the barrels of mead. It was early in the morning but that didn't seem to faze the Vikings of Berk. But no sign of Toothless or Astrid. Hiccup nudged Stoick.

"Dad, where's Toothless? And the other Riders?" he whispered. Stoick's face lit up.

"Gobber, send for the Riders! Order them to Great Hall immediately!"

"Yes, sir," the blacksmith smiled, patting Hiccup on the shoulder before hobbling out of the building again. The stream of people continued, and Hiccup was grateful none of them came to greet him. The experience of sitting next to his father was overwhelming enough as it is. He sat in silence, taking it all in, then felt his father lean towards him.

"Son," he said, looking serious. Hiccup turned to look at him. "Before the people start to party… you're not hurt, are you? Do I need to get Gothi?" Hiccup shook his head.

"I'm fine, dad."

"So Johann didn't hurt you?" Stoick asked. Hiccup glanced away.

"Well, I wouldn't go that far…" he said. Stoick pursed his lips together, looking up to stare thoughtfully into the distance.

"But, Dad, you don't need to worry. He's dead, I-I killed him myself," Hiccup said hurriedly. Stoick looked down at him sharply, surprise on his face. Hiccup fled his gaze, then felt his father's hand on his.

"I realise we have a lot to tell each other, son. You don't have to tell me now. I…" he smiled. "I'm just glad you managed to escape. I'm happy you're home,"

"So am I, dad," Hiccup smiled too. It was then that, over the sound of the crowd talking, he heard an all-too-familiar sound. He looked up in surprise, then laughed breathlessly. A Night Fury stood in the doorway, having roared to clear a path and Astrid now strode into the hall.

"What was so urgent that the chief needed us here now? We were in the middle of training!" she demanded, followed by the other Riders and Gobber, who clearly didn't know what to say. Hiccup was stunned to silence at the sight of them. Seeing Toothless, all his friends together and Astrid… She was even more gorgeous than he remembered her to be and seeing the confidence with which she carried herself and led the other Riders made Hiccup feel he couldn't love her more in that moment.

"Well, lass…" Gobber said as he tried to keep up with them. Astrid looked at him sharply and Hiccup saw his mentor nod in his direction. Astrid furrowed her forehead and stared at Gobber for a moment more, but when she finally turned and met Hiccup's gaze, she froze. Time seemed to come to a halt for a moment. The Berkians in the hall had all turned to watch. But when Astrid finally righted herself and moved her lips to speak, she didn't have a chance to before they were all overtaken by the black mass that leapt over them. Toothless bounded through the hall, knocking over everything in his path before jumping onto Hiccup, hitting him straight out of the chair and onto the floor. He couldn't care less about that though, nor about the slobber he found himself covered in in seconds. His father was laughing, Toothless was crooning like he was mad and all Hiccup could do was laugh in relief and joy.

"I missed you too, buddy, I really did," he managed to say in the moments his face wasn't being furiously licked. "I'm so happy you're safe. I'm never leaving you again." Toothless stopped his signs of affection for a moment to grunt in agreement, a look on his scaly face that told Hiccup he'd be held to that statement. He laughed as got to his feet, then lay his hand on his dragon's snout. "I know, Toothless, I know," he smiled and hugged him, appreciating the feel of vibrations running through him as Toothless purred.

"Wait, I'm confused, he's alive?!" Snotlout yelled and Hiccup looked up to see his friends had gathered around him, all five of them aghast.

"Yeah, I'm alive," Hiccup replied, laughing nervously and gesturing to himself. "It's a long story, but I'm definitely alive." He glanced between the Riders, the pure joy of Fishlegs' face, the shock on Snotlout's and the confusion on the twins'. He opened his arms wide and laughed as they all encircled him for a group hug. Well, not quite all. Hiccup realised after a few seconds that a certain someone was not joining in the embrace. He frowned, staying in the hug for a moment longer before carefully backing out. He looked over to Astrid in concern. Her face was unreadable and she remained completely still. "Astrid?" he murmured. She took one step towards him and prodded his chest as if she was trying to make sure he wasn't a ghost.

"Astrid, it's really me. I'm here," he whispered, looking hopefully into her eyes. She stared at him a few seconds longer, then wordlessly threw her arms around him. Hiccup took a step back in surprise, but quickly returned the embrace and buried his nose into her neck, breathing her in. It was a moment later he realised she was sobbing silently, her chest shaking beneath his hands. Hiccup said nothing, only held her tighter.

"I can't believe it," she whispered into his shoulder. "You're… you're actually here,"

"And I'm not leaving ever again," Hiccup whispered in reply, then pulled back to look at her face. "Are you okay?" Her eyes were reddened and glassy. Not that he imagined his face looked much different. Astrid sniffed.

"Yeah," she said, defiance slipping into her voice again. Then, before Hiccup could shield himself, she launched a mighty punch at his shoulder, sending him stumbling back. He hardly minded though, as he regained his balance and grinned.

"That's the Astrid I know and love," he muttered, just loud enough for her to hear. He watched her smile slightly as she side-eyed him. He waited a moment longer to see if she'd kiss him, but instead, she stayed put.

"You'll get your kiss later," she said. Hiccup could tell she was pretending to be angry. "When we're alone," she finished in a whisper. She took a step back, rejoining the circle the Riders had formed, but seeing the look on her face, Hiccup couldn't make himself be disappointed. For a moment, as Toothless nuzzled against his side, he just looked at all of them in silent appreciation.

"So…" Snotlout said in the silence that followed. "Does this mean I don't have to be chief anymore?" And then the moment was broken and Astrid slammed her face into her palm.

"Yes, Snotlout, that's correct," she muttered.

"Oh thank Thor!" Snotlout exclaimed, looking at Hiccup like he was a hero. "You have no idea what your dad has been putting me through!" Hiccup laughed nervously at the reminder of his future chiefdom. He glanced around him, saw that Fishlegs was about to say something, but then he spotted the sea of people that had now decided to make their way towards him, faces awed.

"Um…" he mumbled, glancing pleadingly at Astrid and his father. He by no means felt ready for the onslaught of questions the villagers would have to ask. Luckily, Astrid caught his glance.

"Chief, permission to take Hiccup to get checked up on by Gothi? I think he looks a bit pale," she said, giving Hiccup another opportunity to marvel at the authority in her voice. He glanced at his dad, who nodded. And then Astrid grabbed his hand and somehow managed to guide him through the crowd and out into the open air. He didn't realise how cramped he'd felt until he was standing in the practically empty plaza and felt like he could finally breathe properly. He sighed, gazing over the village. He glanced back at the grand doors, smiling as he saw Toothless slipping between them to join him and Astrid. The dragon's tongue hung out like an excitable Gronckle's. Hiccup gave him a scratch under the chin, then looked up to see Astrid watching him.

"So… we're headed for Gothi's?" he asked. Astrid shot him a look, then whistled for Stormfly. The Nadder immediately flew down from where she'd perched on a rock high up on the carved-out mountain that was the Mead Hall.

"Nope," she said with a smile. "We are going for a flight. Your dad loves grand parties but… you looked like you could use some time away from the crowds." Hiccup smiled. She knew him well. He glanced at Toothless, about to ask him where his saddle was when he looked at his back to see it was already there. He found himself speechless for a second.

"T-toothless, y-you're still wearing your saddle?" he asked in confusion. "Why?" The Night Fury looked at his saddle, then back up at him and cooed.

"He refused to take it off," Astrid answered. "Same for the tailfin. We'd give him the automatic one you invented for when he needed to fly, but as soon as we got back he would force us to put the old one back on," Hiccup stared at Astrid for a moment, then at Toothless. He exhaled in speechless confusion, placed his hand under his dragon's chin.

"Toothless, bud…" he began but trailed off. He felt Astrid's hand on his shoulder and looked over.

"It was his way of remembering you," she said gently. "We all found… different things." She opened her mouth to continue, then stopped herself and turned away. When she looked back at him, she was smirking. "Still think you can beat me and Stormfly?" Hiccup grinned, gripping Toothless' saddle and swinging his leg over his back. He relished in the familiar feeling of his prosthetic leg in its slot.

"Oh, we're about to find out!" And with that, Toothless launched them into the sky.

A/N: This chapter was a joy to write, honestly, but also a challenge. A reunion after 3 months of false presumption is quite something to do justice but I hope I did it well. And don't worry, the story is not over quite yet. I'm not even done being sentimental yet... ;)

'Til next time!

~httyfangirl123