=Normal POV=

{Saturday, June 11, 2022-3:15 pm}

(Berk; Thor's Beach)

"I think we should go check on him, Stoick…" Valka shook her husband again.

"Val, leave the boy be!" Stoick and Gobber stated together.

"You know he's having a rough day, Valka, and he's not alone," Maeva offered.

"Yeah, he has Runa with him," Birger smiled. Astrid sighed heavily. Hiccup just wanted to sit with his daughter in front of Olivia's grave for a bit. It's not like it was a bit deal, but it has been about an hour since he promised he would arrive soon. Astrid kept checking her phone, or the skies above to see if Hiccup was flying in on Toothless. The cemetery wasn't that far away, an easy five-minute flight on a Night Fury.

"There he is!" Heather yelled, pointing up. Astrid got to her feet quickly as Toothless gave his signature roar of an incoming; then landed moments later. Hiccup changed his leg gear and got off Toothless before removing Runa from the carrier backpack.

"I'll take her, Hic," Astrid offered. Hiccup handed Runa over, and then he got the backpack off to fold it up and put it away.

"Dada," Runa reached for him. Hiccup took her from Astrid, and she held on to him tightly. Astrid looked at Hiccup's face; he looked upset, and she could tell that he might have been crying not too long ago.

"I know the answer is probably no, but I'm gonna ask anyway...Are you okay?" Astrid inquired lightly.

"I will be eventually. Maybe not today, but one day," Hiccup replied as he used his free arm to hug Astrid. "Thanks for being so understanding," Astrid smiled and nodded to him.

"Oh, there's the birthday girl!" Valka beamed. "Come here my girl," Runa just kept her head on Hiccup's shoulder.

"How about me, Princess?" Maeva tried. Runa didn't make any effort to move towards her.

"I think its an I only wany my daddy day," Frida giggled a bit as Termagant nodded.

"As it should be," Alvin chuckled.

"He is her father," Snotlout added with a nod.

"Happy birthday, lassie," Gobber ticked her side a bit, and she giggled some. "How you doing, lad?" he asked looking at Hiccup.

"One day at a time, Uncle Gobber," Hiccup responded.

"That's all ya can do, son," Stoick patted his shoulder. "Now, how about we get this party started," Hiccup nodded as he carefully laid out a blanket and set Runa on it with some of her toys and stuffed animals. Toothless circled a few times before laying down behind her and then resting his head on his front paws with closed eyes.

"Good boy, Toothless," Hiccup smiled a bit.

"Hiccup, can I go sit next to Toothless and play with Runa?" Birger asked.

"Sure ya can," Hiccup ruffled his hair.

"Sweet. You're the best brother ever," Birger hurried to join Runa on the blanket. Hiccup held onto those words, Birger calling him the best brother. Hiccup's hand subconsciously moved to his neck where the chain with his and Olivia's rings was hidden beneath the shirt. Astrid saw it, but she couldn't be upset. Hiccup fell in love with Olivia, then married, and had to lose her all in such a short time. Astrid moved next to Hiccup and linked her hand to his before laying her head on his shoulder. Hiccup flinched a bit but looked at her. Astrid smiled up at Hiccup as he tucked the rings away and rested his head on hers, smiling back.

"You know…It's okay to think about her on a day like this, Hiccup. After all, you two made that beautiful little girl over there," Astrid offered. Hiccup gave a half-chuckle; it was so far from the truth. And Astrid knew that, but he appreciated what she was trying to say.

"Thanks, Ast," Hiccup kissed her forehead. "Come on, let's get something to eat," he added as Astrid and Hiccup moved to the food table where everyone else was getting a plate. The time ticked by with everyone sitting around and talking. The conversation was whatever came up. Right now; it was how graduation prep was going. Hiccup was sitting quietly at the table with a notebook out and writing in it. Astrid wasn't sure what he was doing, but he seemed pretty focused on it.

"What are you working on?" Astrid decided to ask curiously.

"Little something for graduation," Hiccup said calmly.

"Oh, yeah? What's that, son?" Stoick asked.

"Hey, you never told us about the meeting with my dad either," Thuggory mentioned.

"What are you talking about?" Hiccup asked.

"The day of the Johann thing at school. You had joined us later on because my dad had to talk to you about something," Thuggory reminded. Hiccup arched a brow, then he remembered.

"Oh, that…Yeah, that was something regarding graduation too," Hiccup mumbled.

"You don't seem happy about whatever it is," Termagant pointed out.

"Hiccup, what did Mr. Meatsen say?" Valka asked softly.

"I, uh, I'm Valedictorian…" Hiccup said quietly.

"Wait, what did you just say?!" the group asked quickly.

"I'm Valedictorian! That's what the meeting was about. Mr. Meatsen told me that I was chosen as this year's Valedictorian," Hiccup said loud enough for them to hear.

"Oh, my Gods! Hiccup, that's amazing and such an honor!" Astrid hugged him tightly. "Congratulations,"

"Thanks, I guess…" Hiccup tried to smile. Valka hugged him next and kissed the top of his head. Everyone else gave him a handshake or pat on the back.

"So what gives? Why aren't you happy about it?" Snotlout asked.

Hiccup shrugged. "It's not that I'm not happy; I just don't like all the extra work involved with a small timeframe. This is something that should have been told to me as soon as finals were over,"

"What more do you have to do?" Heather asked.

"The usual; a speech to motivate all the new graduates for adulthood. And a song to hype everyone up. I don't think he gets how long it takes to prepare for that kind of thing in just a few short weeks when I've had a lot of other things going on," Hiccup stated.

"When's your deadline?" Alvin asked.

"Mr. Meatsen wants my song choice and speech for proof-reading on the 17th," Hiccup enlightened.

"And no luck with finding a song?" Astrid frowned. "None. I have more inspirational songs than I can even keep track of, but none of them would be suited for graduation and moving forward. All my songs are to push people who are feeling down and out to keep fighting," he explained.

"So, what if you made one?" Gobber offered.

"That takes twice as long," Hiccup replied.

"Bull. I've seen you whip together a song in a week. It was one of yer military ones," Gobber accused. "What was it called…The Warrior Song,"

"That's different, Uncle Gobber. I knew the genre I wanted, the message to send, the type of instruments to use. All of that was easy for me because it's what I wanted to do. I wanted to be the type of man I described, work alongside the others who had the same goal…Writing music to talk about what servicemen and women do was a breeze, but this? Something to inspire people after graduation…I got nothing," Hiccup informed.

Astrid felt bad; she knew Hiccup had to be frustrated about this and even more bothered talking about the military thing again. Hiccup groaned as he lowered his head onto his arms and sighed. The others frowned a bit. Today was supposed to be a good one. Everyone had already eaten and sat around to talk. The cake would happen in a bit, but Runa was pretty content with Toothless and Birger around, so there was no need to disturb her. Astrid didn't like that Hiccup still couldn't see what she did; that he was every bit of the man he wanted to be like. However, she got an idea as she moved and tapped his shoulder.

"Can I sit with you?" Astrid asked. Hiccup adjusted himself as Astrid sat on his lap. Instantly, Hiccup held her close; his arms around her waist. "Hiccup, look at me," Astrid said as Hiccup looked into her blue eyes. "I know you can't join the military anymore, and I know how much that bothers you, but why can't yourself as I do?"

"That depends on how you see me, Milady," Hiccup muttered.

"I see a brave, courageous, confident, caring, loving, intelligent, strong young man who is a wonderful son, nephew, cousin, friend, father, and boyfriend. And you know what else?" Astrid lifted his chin a bit as he eyed her. "He's a hero too. When everyone was at a loss of what to do, and scared, resigning themselves to their fate of dying to a Red Death…You stepped up and risked yours and Toothless's life to protect us because you realized that Toothless was immune to its control and were the only ones who could stop it,"

Hiccup looked down a bit. "I just did what I had to do at that moment, Astrid,"

"Which is something a soldier would do, Hiccup. Men and women willing to sacrifice their lives to save a lot more, to protect their home. You were willing to do that without any hesitation," Astrid stated as Hiccup glanced at her. "What about when Johann threatened to kill me if you didn't give him the Dragon Eye, the object you said would lead those bad people to a Bewilderbeast. The dragon that can control others and a madman who wants world domination with dragons wanted it. You refused to give up your future over that thing, and you destroyed it. Which saved a bunch of dragons and people,"

"You didn't do any of those things as a soldier. You've just been you standing up for what you believe in and refusing to lay down when the people you care about, the people who live here, and the island itself is in danger. You don't need to be a soldier to be that kind of man you describe in your songs; the ones who go out and are willing to sacrifice their lives for the safety and protection of our home. You don't need a uniform with dog tags and a gun to be the kind of man who does those things. You are that man, Hiccup and you've always been him by being yourself. You just need to keep being you, Hiccup. Because you are a hero," Astrid smiled.

Hiccup stared into her eyes as he leaned his head up and captured her lips with his. Astrid's blinked once or twice, but she kissed him back. After ten seconds, Hiccup pulled back. "Thank you, Astrid. I don't know how you manage to do it, but you always manage to make me see things from a different perspective,"

"I'm not your best friend/girlfriend for nothing, you know," Astrid giggled a bit as Hiccup hugged her tightly.

"She's your what now?" Valka blinked.

"When did this happen?" Stoick asked.

"My girlfriend, and May 12th. Yes, we've been keeping it quiet. Testing things, seeing how it went going from best friends to a couple," Hiccup informed.

"Ah, well…About damn time," Gobber snickered with a few others.

"Was everyone waiting for us to get together?" Astrid asked.

"YES!" they all yelled, shocking Hiccup and Astrid.

"Well, I appreciate you saying all those things, Astrid. Really, I do…But it doesn't help me figure something out for graduation," Hiccup chuckled. Astrid tapped her chin a bit.

"Guess I'm not much help there. I wouldn't know what I'd want to be listening to someone tell me about never giving up and always climbing for my dreams," Astrid shrugged with a smile.

Hiccup's looked at her quickly. "Wait…What did you just say?"

"That I'm not much help?" Astrid wondered.

"No, no. The other thing about climbing for your dreams," Hiccup said.

"Oh! It was something my dad always told me. Life's a climb and never give up because the work put in to get where I wanted to be would be worth it. It doesn't matter how fast I moved, or what was waiting for me, but keep climbing no matter what," Astrid informed. Without warning, Hiccup cupped her cheeks and kissed her deeply. After a second and before Astrid could return it, Hiccup pulled away with a wide smile.

"You're a genius, babe!" Hiccup exclaimed.

"I…Am?" Astrid questioned as Hiccup turned a bit, leaving Astrid to sit beside him while he started flipping through pages. "Did my words inspire you or something?"

"You have no idea…" Hiccup said while still flipping through the notebook until he landed on something. "I started this a long time ago when Mom and Dad would argue with me about joining the army. After the Red Death thing; I picked it up again in the hospital after I lost my leg. I never finished it because I lost my drive to keep it going, and couldn't think of the overall message. But thanks you, Milady…I know exactly how to rewrite and finish it with a new motivation and inspiration," he started writing in the notebook. Astrid looked at the others as they shrugged, but didn't say anything, so they didn't shake Hiccup's focus.

. . .

{4:45 pm}

The only break Hiccup took was to do cake and presents with his daughter, but as it stayed lighter longer, and the weather was near perfect; everyone decided to keep hanging out. Runa was actually fast asleep on her blanket with Toothless curled around her protectively.

"How do you think he's doing on it?" Gobber leaned towards Stoick.

"Hard to say; he's pretty locked in," Stoick stated.

"That's Hiccup, though. When that boy is determined, not much shakes it," Spitelout reminded. Suddenly, Toothless lifted his head up and started growling. Hiccup's attention shifted instantly as he looked at his Night Fury.

"What's wrong, Toothless?" Hiccup asked. The dragon's eyes moved towards the bushes and trees, then snorted. Just as Hiccup rose to his feet, someone rushed forward to tackle him from behind.

"Hiccup, look out!" Astrid yelled quickly. Hiccup turned around just in time to bend himself to the side and let the man lose balance and fall to his face. Hiccup stood tall again as the man quickly rolled onto his back. Hiccup wasn't facing him; the man got up and went to attack again. Hiccup sighed as he cracked his neck by rotating it.

"You should have stayed down," Hiccup warned as the man was right behind him. Hiccup didn't bother looking as he drove his elbow into the male's chest hard, then brought his arm up, so that the back of his fist hit the man in the face. The male stumbled slightly as Hiccup turned to punch him in the gut next. The male tried to punch Hiccup, but Hiccup caught his wrist and twisted it slightly. Hiccup landed an uppercut under the chin, then he hooked his leg behind the man's ankle, driving it out so the man would begin to fall. Hiccup pivoted his foot and brought the other one up to kick the man in the stomach back a bit before he had hit the ground.

"Ow…" The man cringed as he tried to roll on his side and get up. Hiccup grabbed him by the back of his hair and dragged him closer. Hiccup put a foot on his chest now.

"You picked the wrong day to fuck with me," Hiccup glared. "Who sent you?" No answer. "Who sent you?"

"I'll…Never tell you," the man coughed; he couldn't have been any older than Dagur at best.

"Oh, really?" Hiccup grabbed him and put him against the tree this time, using his forearm against the throat to hold him there and apply pressure. "I will not ask again. Who sent you to attack me?" Hiccup asked firmly. The man's breathing was labored as he had a hard time breathing.

"Hiccup, stop; you'll kill him!" Alvin got to his feet. The man coughed.

"Okay! Okay, you win!" the man said quickly and scared.

"Give me a name, and you better hurry it up because my patience is running dangerously thin," Hiccup ordered.

"Drago. Drago Bludvist…" the man looked at him.

"Why?" Hiccup pushed. The man didn't answer as Hiccup pushed hard on his throat.

"Because he wants you dead!" the man yelled as Hiccup released his throat and the man dropped to the base of the tree, coughing. "Drago…Wants you dead for defeating Red Death, destroying the Dragon Eye, and a bunch of other things, so he put a hit out on you. One million dollars to whoever brings you in for him to kill or just straight up kills you," the man said.

"Anyone else here a target?" Hiccup asked. The man glanced around quickly.

"No. Only you," the man stated.

"Where is Drago?" Hiccup asked. The man shook a little.

"I don't know," the man said. Hiccup grabbed him and threw him at Spitelout's feet before grabbing his collar again and holding him down. Astrid flinched; she entirely admitted that she didn't like this side of Hiccup, he was scary when he was mad.

"Where is he?!" Hiccup demanded again.

"I don't know! Please…He hides in the shadows; even when he gives orders. Drago just calls, and we see a shadowed figure sitting in a chair telling us what to do…Only a few people know his location…I don't know it…I swear I don't…"

Hiccup searched the man's fear-filled eyes before letting go and backing up. "Deal with him…" Hiccup said. Alvin was already on the phone with the department to get someone to collect the attacker. Hiccup's demeanor seemed to change when Runa began crying; he quickly went to his daughter and lifted her up into his arms.

The area was quiet as Hiccup calmed Runa down. Two officers arrived not more than eight minutes later to deal with the male; he got cuffed and taken away as Spitelout explained that he saw what happened, and would make a report later but it was not in anyone's best interest to approach Hiccup right now. The officer understood and left with his partner in the cruiser. As the time was reaching 5:20 pm; everyone thought it might be best to pack things up and head home. It didn't seem like Hiccup was in a mood to party anymore regardless of what the day was, and who could blame him?

As of today; it was out in the open that Drago Bludvist was targeting Hiccup for all the things he'd apparently done to get in Drago's way. Hiccup seemed mad, but really; he was relieved to learn only he was the only one Drago was after.

"Hiccup? Are you alright, son?" Stoick asked.

"I'm fine…I'm fine, Dad," Hiccup finally replied after a few minutes and taking a deep breath.

"I think we should all call it a day," Spitelout informed. "Hiccup; it might be a good idea for you to have a-,"

"No," Hiccup refused. "No protection details,"

"But, Hiccup," Valka tried.

"I said no, Mom. I don't need an officer tailing me; I can protect myself as you just saw. I know how to fight; I can take care of myself," Hiccup remarked.

"I was going to suggest witness protection," Alvin put a finger up.

"Also no. Let him send whoever he wants; I'll be okay. If they can't do it, at some point or another; the fucker will come out of hiding to deal with me himself. And believe me; he's not gonna have an easy time either. You worry about finding him, and I'll deal with protecting myself, but I refuse to hide. No way, no how; I'd rather die,"

"Hiccup!" Astrid said quickly.

"That was not meant to be suicidal or anything, babe. It's just for enhancement purposes that I won't live my life in fear over this. I knew what I was getting into when I became your bodyguard, and now Drago's attention is on me and only me. That's all I care about; you are safe as are they," Hiccup set Runa down as he went to start cleaning things up. "I don't want to hear any more about this. Take my word for it that no matter what happens; you will all be safe, and I will be okay,"

Astrid had heard those words so many times, and she couldn't think of anything else to do but believe them. Hiccup told her to trust him, and she said she did. Now, she had to prove it and hope everyone else did the same. While picking things up, Birger was sitting next to Runa and playing with her a bit. As everyone was finishing up, Birger suddenly gasped.

"Hiccup…Hiccup, look, quick!" Birger whispered. Hiccup turned fast thinking there was another threat, but what he saw made all the anger fade away. Runa was on her hand and knees trying to stand up on her own.

"She's trying to walk…" Hiccup said in shock. Runa got on both of her feet and was holding the edge of Toothless's wing for balance. "Someone get a camera going…" he said. Astrid wasted no time in getting hers rolling and standing slightly next to Hiccup to capture the video. Runa got to the edge of Toothless's wing and stopped, looking at Hiccup who was now crouching down less than a few steps away. Hiccup had been trying to help Runa learn to walk for weeks, but it never happened; she always resorted to crawling or using something else to hold on to. "Come on; it's okay. Come to daddy…" Hiccup held his arms out to her.

Runa took her hands off Toothless and stepped a bit to face Hiccup. "That's it. Good girl…You got it," he offered. Runa tried to take a step and wobbled back, but Toothless caught her with his head and pushed her up straight again. Runa moved her leg again and stepped, then again, and again. It was little steps, but she was walking without holding onto anything! "Come on; you got it. Come to daddy, baby girl," Runa reached for him as she got a bit faster. Seconds later, she got in front of Hiccup and fell forward, but Hiccup caught her while rising to his feet and hugging her tightly.

"Oh, that's my big girl! Daddy's so proud of you," Hiccup kissed her on the nose as Runa yawned a little. "You finally started walking…" he said softly. "I love you so much, Roo…" he added as he kissed her again and snuggled with his daughter. Astrid shut the video off after that moment as she got closer to Hiccup, seeing tears in his eyes. "Happy 1st Birthday, Princess…" Hiccup closed his eyes. Astrid smiled softly before Hiccup brought her over with a hand around her waist. Astrid leaned against Hiccup as he kissed her forehead. This moment was Hiccup needed to be happy and not care about the hit out on him. Sure, the day had been full of surprises, but right here it this moment; everything in his life was perfect.