Sixteen Days Later

Hiccup watched as the last Yellow Nadder ship dropped anchor near the Dragons Edge. The war was about to erupt into an inferno soon. He was about to lead an army into battle and he was terrified but didn't show it. Hiccup remembered when he saw his father fight the Dragon Raids. How Stoick showed no fear and Hiccup wondered if his father was afraid inside. As he thought Astrid and Stormfly landed behind him. "Everyone's ready for you."

"Yeah, I'm be down in a second." Hiccup said with a slightly nervous tone.

"What is ti Hiccup?" Astrid asked and Hiccup turned to her.

"We are about to attack Drago's fleet. I'm just worried that I'll fail." he answered and Astrid got off her Deadly Nadder. She turned the Rider around and gestured to the fleet he organized.

"Everyone is here because of you. You've done things no Viking has ever done. You brought Vikings and Dragons to the same side. Fighting together to save not only ourselves but for every dragon. You started the path to a peace never seen before." Astrid remarked but it didn't change how Hiccup felt.

"Thanks." Hiccup replied and Astrid punched his arm. "What was that for?"

"For doubting yourself." Astrid answered with a smirk. She climbed onto Stormfly and Hiccup climbed onto Toothless. The two launched into the sky and glided down to the Great Hall.


Elsewhere

Stoick entered the Forge as he did for the past weeks. Gobber was making a sword in silence. The old blacksmith has lost not one, but two apprentices because of Dragon Riding. But the Chief could tell Gobber hoped that his young friends can outmatch the Hunters. Stoick took a seat and Gobber closed the hatches of the Forge. The blacksmith took a seat next to his friend. "Good job spreading the rumor."

"Well you know Fishlegs. He can't keep a secret." Gobber remarked and the two smirked. "Have you heard of the Dragon Riders?"

"No. As far as I know, they already attacked Drago's fleet and failed." Stoick answered hoping he didn't lose his son permanently.

"Hiccup is a good kid. He's been fighting all these years with dragons. If anyone can kick Drago's butt, it's him." Gobber comforted and Stoick nodded. The Chief felt like a failure for abandoning his son and being proved that he was wrong.

"But what if he didn't. We aligned ourselves with Viggo and his Hunters. We are Hiccup's enemies." Stoick replied with the images of the Hunter fleet in Berk's sea haunted him. Viggo promised an alliance, but to Stoick, it felt like an occupation.

"We may be enemies, but if are forced to fight, he'll kick our butts." Gobber remarked and Stoick smirked hoping that it won't come to that.


One Day Later

Hiccup was feeding the dragons with Astrid, Gustav, the Twins, and Thrain while a storm rocked the Dragon. In a few days, the Riders will go ahead of the fleet and then bomb Drago's stronghold. After the dragons were fed, the Riders walked back to the second deck and Hiccup was greeted by his mother. The two hugged before walking up the deck. Light rain covered them as they leaned against the railing on the side. Valka put her hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "How are you doing?"

"Fine. I guess." Hiccup answered as the fleet crashed against the waves.

"You know. When I met Stoick, we were on the battlefield, fighting Oswald the Antagonistic." Valka said and the rain stopped for a moment. "After the battle, we had a small fight then we sang."

"Do you miss him?" Hiccup asked knowing the answer.

"Every day, but after seeing all you have done, I hope to see him again." Valka answered as the rain started up again.

"So why did you tell me the story?" Hiccup asked and Valka turned to him.

"I've seen how you and Astrid are to each other. You both have a special bond and a mother knows when her son has feelings for someone." Valka answered and Hiccup smirked.

"That obvious?" Hiccup remarked and she nodded. They went below deck as the rain hit harder.


Later

"Hey Astrid." Hiccup greeted as the woman took care of Stormfly. Hiccup decided to try something he failed to do all those back on Berk.

"Hey Hiccup. What do you need?" she asked and Hiccup took a breath.

"I was wondering if you wanted, I don't know." Hiccup replied trying to ask her a question and failing. She stood up and Hiccup was silent.

"Sure." Astrid answered knowing what Hiccup was saying. "On the deck tomorrow?"

"Ah yeah, sure." Hiccup said as he backed up into a beam. "See you then."

"See you then." Astrid replied and Hiccup was excited.


Later

"So I hear the fame Dragon Trainer managed to get himself a date." Heather remarked as Hiccup looked at the latest maps of Drago's stronghold. Hiccup sighed before looking at Heather.

"Who told you that?" Hiccup asked.

"Gustav overheard you two and he is the worst at keeping secrets than you." Heather remarked and he shrugged.

"I'm not that bad am I?" Hiccup asked and Heather nodded.

"Good luck to you." Heather remarked and Hiccup wondered how he'll do a date while on the sea.


One Day Later

Astrid walked up the deck to see Hiccup on the bow of the ship. With him was a spare blanket and a plate of fish and jerky. The sky was clearing up and the sun was nice. When Astrid reached Hiccup they sat on the blanket while the ship beat against the waves. There was an awkward silence. But eventually, they talked some and remembered life on Berk. How life was when Hiccup left and their many adventures. Eventually Hiccup wanted a question he wanted answered. "So before you found me. What did you think of me?"

"What?" Astrid asked off-guard.

"Well I remember you hugged me after finding me and you said it was because you haven't seen me for years, but only a few people hugged me as you did. So what did you think of me?" Hiccup asked and Astrid wondered the exact same thing.

"Well, after you left, I thought you were killed by a dragon and I felt responsible for your death. I regretted treating you like dirt for all those years. I wanted to make up for everything I have ever done." Astrid answered reliving the years of guilt. "I promised myself, that I would be the one to find you. So when I did find you, I was beyond happy." she added and Hiccup smirked. He held her hand and the two locked eyes.

"When we were younger, before I left Berk, I had a crush on you." Hiccup remarked and Astrid smirked.

"I knew." Astrid replied and Hiccup was surprised.

"You knew?"

"I'm not an idiot and you were terrible at hiding it." Astrid remarked and Hiccup shrugged.

"I should have known." Hiccup replied and the two were silent. "You the one thing I ever regretted in life was not telling how I felt when I left Berk."

"Well, I know now. Better late than never." Astrid said and the two enjoyed the end of their date.


Sorry if this chapter wasn't to your liking, I had to deal with a review from my discontinued Marvel story after the translation triggered my anger. I'm still angry over it so it may have impacted my writing. So sorry. I hope you enjoy this chapter and have a good day.