{Normal POV}

[Dragon Island]

It had been a week since Hiccup's talk with Gobber after Toothless admitted to Hiccup that he loved him, and more than a friend. At first, Hiccup was confused, and a little scared, but intrigued nevertheless. However, after speaking with his unofficial uncle; things made a lot more sense and Hiccup had spent the last week mulling over the idea of being with his Night Fury, but ultimately, Hiccup knew that he and Toothless needed to talk. Hiccup accepted that the feelings he had for Toothless could mean that Hiccup loved his dragon, but there were so many other things to consider in this situation, if there was to be one. Hiccup decided that he and Toothless would take a day trip to Dragon Island, the former Dragon's Nest, to spend some time together, and maybe discuss everything.

"This is nice, huh, Toothless?" Hiccup asked after the two landed in the open area by the water and Hiccup made a fire to cook lunch over.

Indeed. Why didn't we bring Viggo or Ryker? Toothless wondered.

"I left them with Gobber to help in the forge with organizing; it will take them most of the day. I thought it could be just us," Hiccup informed.

Any particular reason or just for old times sake?Toothless inquired curiously.

"Can't a Viking just hang out with his best friend now and then?" Hiccup poked the fire a few times.

Hiccup? Toothless said as he used his paw to make Hiccup stop. What's all this about?

Hiccup sighed some, closing his eyes. "Okay, fine. You caught me. I wanted to talk to you about last week and I figured we take off for the day to do it so no one would bother us since they don't know we can communicate,"

Well, we're here now and alone. So talk to me, Hiccup. What's on your mind? Toothless asked.

"I guess I just don't how to take everything, Toothless. I mean; I know you love me, and will stay with me no matter what-I think I don't understand how it would work," Hiccup expressed gently.

Gobber didn't help you make sense of anything? Toothless questioned as Hiccup stared at him. As you're not on good terms with anyone else except for me, Viggo, Ryker, and Gobber; I only assumed you went to someone who wouldn't judge you if you asked about this matter.

"Gobber says this kind of thing happens, but not very often; it's rare in fact," Hiccup enlightened.

I'm aware of this, but I bet you Gobber didn't know that it only happens with Night Furies. Toothless chuckled as Hiccup blinked.

"Really?" Hiccup wondered.

Toothless nodded to him. Yes. All those things Gobber likely heard or were passed down; any human who was believed to have mated with a dragon; that particular dragon is a Night Fury. No other dragon species can communicate like this, Hiccup. I told you; Night Furies have unique properties that make us different from the rest. However, there aren't many of my kind left; just like with the Bewilderbeast that Viggo and Ryker told you about. That is an Alpha Dragon, and growing up; I heard legends that Night Furies have an Alpha Mode, but no one of my generation knew how to invoke the ability. The only rumor before I got separated from my pack was that it revolves around protection of something else. Toothless informed.

"Huh, that's pretty interesting. I bet if anyone can bring that power up; it's you," Hiccup smiled.

I appreciate the boost of confidence, Hiccup. Toothless rubbed his head against Hiccup's. Now what do you want to talk about regarding last week when I said I love you?

"I suppose I just want to understand everything. I accepted that it's possible to love a dragon, and that feel something for you too; I don't know if it's love, but I was hoping I could figure it out by talking to you. So far, it's helping that you've mentioned this kind of thing happens between Night Furies and humans. Has there ever been two males involved?" Hiccup asked.

Not that I recall, but I could be wrong. Toothless replied.

"I don't suppose you know where to find any Night Furies to ask?" Hiccup tried.

Toothless shook his head. I lost the pack a long time ago, Hiccup. Before I met you; I'd been under Red Death's control since I was five. And when you shot me down; you severed its connection to me, and then we bonded which kept Red Death from retaking control of me.

"Wow. I didn't know I did that for you," Hiccup said, surprised at the confession. "So since we don't have Night Furies to ask; I guess we're winging it?"

You'd be correct. Toothless nodded.

"Alright, uh…How would us be together? Just like dating?" Hiccup inquired.

It's a bit different for dragons, more so for Night Furies. Toothless admitted.

"How? Tell me; I want to understand this," Hiccup urged.

There are certain…requirements, shall we say to this entire thing. Toothless began. Night Furies are a very limited species, Hiccup as I'm sure you've noticed that we've found none in the last five years since meeting one another. As such, we tend to stay away from humans to keep what little we have.

"I'm following so far," Hiccup invited.

A Night Fury mates with a human when they've met their counterpart; just like with the link that allows us to speak to one another. Do you understand where this is going, Hiccup? Toothless stated.

"That from the moment we bonded five years ago our lives were tied together?" Hiccup wondered.

You got it. Toothless nodded to him affirmatively.The bond only forms when a Night Fury meets their human counterpart. The other riders don't have relationships with their dragons like we do, Hiccup.

"I believe I'm still with you here. Let me get this straight; we're the only two on the island who have legitimately bonded with one another?" Hiccup asked as Toothless nodded to him. "And what we have has tied us to one another indefinitely?" another nod. "Talk about intense," he took a deep breath.

Have you ever wondered why, before the connection allowed us to talk, you were able to understand what I was trying to say? Toothless asked.

"Few times actually because the others don't always get what their dragons are trying to tell them," Hiccup replied softly.

That is because they don't have a bond, Hiccup. They have mutual respect, an alliance, a strong friendship, but they do not what we do. As with most friends, occasionally the message is lost in translation or misconstrued. However, you and I have never had the problem. Toothless said.

"Okay, makes sense. So our bond then, does it mean we've been destined to fall in love and mate?" Hiccup looked at him.

Let's leave it at this; if a Night Fury and human meet, then their futures from there determine the next step in things. As I said; rare species; doesn't occur often. We're talking hundreds of years between timeframes that this happens. The first test is if the two spare one another. Toothless began.

"When I shot you down and we didn't kill one another," Hiccup remembered.

Precisely. You remember what life was like before defeating Red Death, and that was ending a-according to you- three-hundred-year-old war. For humans and dragons, Hiccup; we all lived by kill or be killed. So for a human to spare a Night Fury, and vice-versa; that's pretty big for both species, but it allows a chance for the bond to form. Toothless continued.

"Alright, what's the next part?" Hiccup asked.

Next is curiosity, if it can be put that way. We went through that too. You kept coming to the cove to learn more about me, and I got the chance to begin seeing you weren't like others. Toothless responded.

"Oh! You mean when we did the fish thing, a-and drawing where you copied me?" Hiccup became a little more excited now as he was starting to understand.

Toothless nodded. Yes. It's how Night Furies figure out if it's their human counterpart or not. We do certain things to view a reaction. You gave me a fish to eat, and I spit half back up to see if you would eat it. You started drawing, so I did the same and watched you discover how to move around it the way I wanted you to so you could get closer to me. I realized you're different from the rest, and had an open mind to try new things even if it seemed crazy. You're just like me, only human, Hiccup and that is what allowed bond between us to form.

"So you were testing me?" Hiccup arched a brow.

I suppose you can put it that way, yes. The bond formed, and it meant we'd be in one another's lives, as friends. I didn't tell you before because I didn't want to freak you out, but Hiccup, the link we have to speak only forms if the Night Fury falls in love with the person they bonded to. I-I don't initiate it; a higher power at work does. Call it…Magic if you want, but I had no control over this happening. The communication started right after you wish we could talk, then the wind and the lightning thing happened, and boom; we can talk. Toothless sighed as he closed his eyes.

"Toothless, it's okay. I know you were hesitant to tell me how you felt because you weren't sure how I'd take it, but I'm…good with things now, after talking to Gobber at least and knowing this kind of matter takes place. Shocking to learn it's only Night Furies, but at the same time, I kind of figured it when you said Night Furies are the only ones who can create this link. If I had to guess the rest of this explanation," Hiccup took a breath as Toothless looked at him now. "Night Furies who find their counterpart; bond, fall in love over time, the connection starts so they can talk to one another, and then at some point; the two end up mates because they're meant to be, which is why the bond ties their lives together," Hiccup wondered. Toothless blinked a bit at how fast Hiccup put things together. "So in short; if a Night Fury bonds to their human counterpart; the two are destined to become mates, right?"

How did you-,? Toothless started.

"I started putting it together when you said that Night Furies and Humans meeting determined their futures together," Hiccup shrugged with a smile.

You're smarter than I give you credit for. Toothless remarked as Hiccup gasped.

"HEY!" Toothless watched his Viking pout. Toothless licked Hiccup's cheek, which made the twenty-year-old blush a little.

I'm teasing, Hiccup. Toothless gave a throaty laugh. So you understand how it works then?

"More or less, but still curious about some things," Hiccup admitted.

Ask away. Toothless invited.

"Alright, I've accepted that while my feelings for you are a bit…New, but I'm sure I'll get used to them soon; I assume that we'll end up mates, at some point or another. I guess I want to know how all that goes? Like I had asked before, do we date, or something else?" Hiccup inquired. "Since you said its different for dragons,"

Toothless chuckled a bit. It's not entirely the same for dragons as it is for humans. And it's not the same for dragons and Night Furies. The other types of dragons will seek a compatible mate in their own species. Typically, it's the male who has to earn the affection and approval of the female before mating can take place. You saw during your annual holiday, Snoggletog, that the dragons take off to the Hatching Grounds to have their babies. Female dragons are only fertile once a year, and it's that time. However, mating can happen any part of the year. A lot of times, there won't even be mating until Snoggletog time, which is why the dragons are gone for about a week or so.

"Oh. Wow, fastest pregnancy I've ever seen," Hiccup laughed. "How does it work for this situation then?"

Our situation is that we're bonded. We don't have to waste time on approval of the other one, that whole thing is basically the…Dating that you were talking about. Much faster for dragons than humans, but it can take time if the female refuses the male. For us, Hiccup; we can mate whenever you want and are ready. Mind you, mating is the-, Toothless started.

"The dragon version of marriage. I know, Gobber told informed me.

Exactly, so we're past dating since we know we'll be together. Mating would be the marrying part, so I guess that leaves us at..Betrothed? Toothless looked at Hiccup.

"Not gonna lie; you dragons have it way easier than us humans and I love it. So much less complicated," Hiccup giggled a bit as he poked the fire to get it ready to cook the fish for lunch. "I'm cool with being betrothed without the use of a stupid marital contract and all we have to do to be mated would be…?"

I believe you humans have a tradition in which you consummate the marriage, also referred to as making love. Toothless stated.

"All we have to do is make love to be mated?" Hiccup asked and Toothless nodded. "Yep, it's official; I'm in love with this whole situation now. And you. I love you, Toothless. I was terrified of all this, but between you and Gobber's explanations regarding it; I'm not the least bit scared of how this going,"

I love you too, Hiccup. So you're okay with everything that will happen? And you don't care what the Tribe says?Toothless asked.

"Absolu-And I completely forgot about the one other thing involved in this that you just reminded me about," Hiccup muttered as he sighed and closed his eyes. Toothless nudged him a few times, comforting him a little and wondering what could have his future mate upset or worried.

What's wrong, Hiccup? Talk to me? Toothless offered.

"Gobber said that all these other instances resulted in the dragon and human leaving and starting their own lives," Hiccup enlightened.

Yes, the couple believed it would be better to go rather than stay. You don't have to worry about that, Hiccup; we won't be leaving Berk. You're the Heir, and soon to be Chief. Toothless assured.

"Toothless, it's not that; there's a more significant problem because of me being next in line," Hiccup kept his gaze down.

You think the Tribe will have an issue with their Chief being mated to a Night Fury? Toothless questioned.

"No, Gobber says that they will adjust because they all know the legends. Toothless, the situation is that due to me being Heir…I have to give an Heir to take over after me," Hiccup informed. Toothless tilted his head. "We're males, Toothless. I can't get pregnant by you nor you by me. I have to give a successor to become Chief, if not; it goes to the next person in line. I believe it would be…Snotlout,"

So you have to take a wife, and give an Heir to become Chief of Berk? Toothless inquired softly.

"Well, yes and no. There is a way to do it, but I don't know if you'll be okay with it," Hiccup mumbled a little.

I'm listening. Toothless invited.

"I can be with and mate you, but I still have to give an Heir. The only way to do this would be for me to get another girl pregnant, but I don't have to marry her, or stay with her. It would be like…A business deal. The girl and I would be under contract; that I get her pregnant, but only to carry my Heir. After it's born; she would give me the baby, and we have no further contact. I would raise the child as a single father, or that's what the child would believe until they hear the stories themselves and understand I'm mated to you," Hiccup explained.

Toothless blinked a few times. Let me get this straight; you're worried about a situation that has a solution already?

"Toothless, it involves me sleeping with someone else," Hiccup protested. "I wanted you to be my first, and only,"

And you can be, Hiccup. You and I can mate before you go through with all this contracted Heir thing, and you're only sleeping with that girl to get a successor, but I'll still be the only one you love. It's okay, stop freaking out. Toothless reminded.

"And if it doesn't work on the first try? My mom had one hell of a time conceiving me according to dad," Hiccup sighed.

Bad timing; you have to get it just right and I can help with that. I would be able to tell you exactly when to do it so ensure pregnancy occurs, Hiccup. I'm a dragon, I can smell a fertile female. Believe me; we dragons have babies once a year, we know precisely when the time is perfect. Toothless licked Hiccup's cheek. You need not worry, Hiccup. I had a feeling something like this might come up; I'm okay with it as long as I get to be your first and you only ever love me.

Hiccup smiled at Toothless's confession that he was okay with Hiccup sleeping with another woman for the sake of an Heir, and Toothless wanted to help make sure it happened the one time. Hiccup was honestly blessed to have Toothless in his life because nobody else would be willing to agree to something like this. Hiccup leaned over and placed a kiss right on Toothless's scaled lips. The Night Fury was a bit surprised, but he kissed back. The feeling sent shocks through Hiccup's body, and the Viking loved it.

We'll figure all the details out, and go from there. However, Hiccup; I want you to know this, okay? Toothless said after breaking the kiss as Hiccup looked at him with a smile. We will not mate until you are ready. I know you still suffer from what Drago did, and you don't want to go through with this mating until you're past all that. Understand? You're a human, and I am a dragon; it will hurt at first and I don't want you getting overwhelmed in flashbacks.

"Then it's a good thing I have you by my side because I won't be able to get through all this without you," Hiccup said gently. Toothless kissed Hiccup again as it was silently decided between then to take it slow, but they were in love, going to be together and become mates.