This story was completely inspired by "My Hiccup" written by Jettara1 here on fanfiction! ( They have an AO3 account too ), it was one of the first fanfictions I read and I LOVED it. They are who inspired me to start writing :D Give it a look! My Hiccup Chapter 1, a how to train your dragon fanfic | FanFiction

This is a pretty old story from over a year ago I found rotting in google docs, and it ties directly into Jettara's story, specifically the events after Chapter 75. You don't have to read My Hiccup though, I gave a short explanation.

"People Can/Do Not change," glared the Haddocks at each other, each stubborn as a boar, displeasure written all over their faces. They were at Dragons edge, the events earlier in the day setting the stage for the explosive argument about to set place.

It had started with when Alvin stormed up to Dragon's Edge like a Monstrous Nightmare, demanding they find Dagur the Deranged, the dragon riders had a hunch on where he was but they knew that Alvin didn't intend on just capturing Dagur, he planned to kill him, which didn't sit well with Hiccup. Because of this he mislead Alvin, his father, and the other dragon riders, getting out Dagur in the nick of time after Alvin poisoned him and dropping him off on a deserted island.

... Now he was facing the consequences for his decision...

"Why do you want to defend Dagur so much!?" exploded Stoick after Hiccup had rescued Dagur from right under their noses, even the other riders had to admit, they were ticked.

Hiccup stayed silent, it always worked, not that anything he said mattered, better to just wait, he was prepared for any punishment as Stoick kept yelling. In all honesty, he had no idea why he did it, just- It was hard to explain.

"Well Hiccup!?" he bellowed.

Weighing his options he spoke, "But what if Dagur could change? He-" he started before getting cut off, surprise surprise.

"Blasphemy, boy!" yelled Alvin which everyone nodded their heads in agreement with, who could think Dagur the DERANGED could change? This lit an angry fire in Hiccup, who were they to talk about changing? Last he checked one day they were bullying and disowning him and the next they were praising his name.

"People can change!" protested Hiccup crossing his arms looking up at his father in annoyance and anger.

"People dont change!" yelled Stoick at the same time.

While they started voicing their objections to his seemingly ridiculous idea Hiccup started laughing, as hard as he did when Snotlout right after saying he was a coward, ran away screaming because of a bunny.

They quieted down as he struggled to stop, silently wondering if Dagur's craziness wore off on him.

Finally regaining control he tried as hard as he could to keep the venom out of his voice, "I'm sorry, but I am pretty sure someone in this, general direction, was hellbent on capturing me, and torturing me to train dragons!"

Opening their mouths to speak before Hiccup cut them off, he was going to make a point, even if it meant digging it right down into the ground, "Three years ago on Berk I was Doomed to be "Hiccup the Useless," he snapped mimicking Snotlout's tone who looked away, "I was the screwup runt of Berk who couldn't do Anything right, and look at where I am now, If that isn't change I don't know what is!"

Continuing his rant as the others stared at him in an almost rapt way, but his suppressed feelings were boiling over, "Not only that but Berk apparently changed Overnight! Or however long I was out, because I was pretty sure that every single one of you would rather shove me into the mud if I was lucky than wave a simple "Hello Hiccup!"

The teens looked guilty down, they never talked about this. They never knew how close he was to breaking, Stoick and Alvin were just left speechless.

"Who would have thought that my father, Stoick the Vast, would even consider not "killing a dragon on sight! Or even owning two dragons!" he continued, "Or everyone on Berk riding on dragons, if someone told you all this would happen, I think you would lock them away in a loony house for life!"

Wincing at his sharp words a hushed silence almost waiting for Hiccup to continue, he didn't, though he still left a lot out.

With that he walked out, shutting the door behind him. Leaving the others quiet in confusion and shock.

Hiccup disappeared the following morning. He wasn't mad at them persay, he was just frustrated and wanted to be alone to think, after landing and offloading all his supplies. Avoiding his usual favorite Sea Stack to think at knowing Astrid would find him instantly there.

… Some days he wondered what his life would be like if he never shot Toothless down…