Author's Note: I'm sorry for the wait, but like I said it would take me longer to update the story. Well I know this chapter is shorter than the last but I hope it's good for you. Also some more bad news i'm afraid. It's going to take me another long while to update. Mainly since we have some family issues coming to light, and it's more pressing at the moment. Plus, we're in a financial bind right now, need to get that settled. Still I'm going to do what I can to update when I can but it'll be a while longer for the next. Also because i'm experiencing writer's block. Man what a bad thing to have as well. Either way, enjoy the chapter.

Chapter 5: Betrayal

Gobber kept on trying to tell himself that it needed to be done, even if it shattered the trust he held with Hiccup. That's the last thing that he needed to happen, and have that only link severed, and that would be the end of him helping the boy. Hopefully the lad wouldn't find out about this. Even though second thoughts plagued his mind. Part of him just wanted to forget about it and go back to the forge, and hope Hiccup would willingly explain his troubles. Still, he managed to hold firm on his stance as the boy's father needed to know about it. He trudged through the crowded village with the chief's house in his sights. An hour had passed since Hiccup left the forge, and the Blacksmith figured it would be a good time to talk to Stoick.

On the way he kept his eye out for either Hiccup or his Night Fury. The teen might be hard to spot but Toothless would stick out the most, even from a distance. Gobber wasn't sure what to do if he was spotted, Hiccup was smart and would instantly know what his mentor is up. There was no way he could explain himself and managed to get out of the confrontation without the boy getting mad. He just prayed to the gods that the teen would be away for a while longer. Hoping he was at the academy at this moment, like he overheard him and Astrid talking about earlier.

After walking up the large hill, on which the house rested upon, Gobber stood in front of the large door. Fully knowing his friend is inside still he knocked on the thick wooden door in front of him. "Yes!?" he heard, confirming that he could enter.

Pushing the door open Gobber walked into the home, both eyes looking around just in case Hiccup was inside before looking at his friend, who is still at the table. "Hello Stoick," he greeted once he fully knew it was safe.

"Gobber? What brings you here?" the chief greeted in surprise as he pushed his documents aside.

"Is Hiccup home?" the Blacksmith asked wearily, wanting to be extra sure as he approached.

"No, shouldn't he be with you at the forge?" Stoick asked, as a bit of fear started to swell up as the thought of him not showing up came to mind.

"Good," Gobber nodded as he moved to take a seat across from his friend, now catching the worried expression. "Oh, sorry, I only asked because I needed to talk to you in private."

"Oh, that's a relief," Stoick sighed for a moment, but then the worry returned as soon as his friend spoke.

"It is about Hiccup sadly," Gobber closed his eyes and took a breath, knowing he's going to do something he has never done before by telling the boy's father. "Stoick apparently him killing the Outcast last night has affected him a lot more than he wants anyone to know."

"What do you mean?" the chief asked, the concern and confusion only growing by the second. He knew something was wrong the moment his son walked down the stairs, but now he thought the worst."

"He was doing ok in the forge for a bit so I thought he could be left by himself for a bit while I went around back. I wasn't even back there a minute before I heard him calling out…well more like crying out. I went back and found him… curled up on the floor, scared and shouting out to someone that wasn't there."

"No…" Stoick had said in shock, both eyes widening.

"The lad basically had a panic attack," Gobber resumed with seriousness all over his face. He knows what his friend is thinking and couldn't blame him. "Stoick he mentally saw the man he killed and panicked."

A huge sigh left the bigger man as his hands rubbed all over his face, listening to what his friend had said. He tried to let it all sink in the best his could, as this only confirmed things and made the father worried much more. "I Knew working at the forge was a bad idea… I shouldn't have let him go; I knew something more was wrong with him."

"You did?"

Stoick nodded as he looked up at his surprised friend, nodding. "He seemed really frightened when he came down, but I didn't address it. Hiccup was never good when being confronted with things like this. I knew something else was bothering him. What's even worse is that he didn't even take his knife. I watched him look at it as fear appeared on his face, almost as if he experienced last night again. Then he just walked past it… I should have just confronted him about it."

"Stoick, Hiccup's mind is really fragile right now, who knows what's going on in his head. All I know is that he didn't want you to know about it," he said, which most defiantly caught the chief's attention, almost alarming him.

"What? But why? I told him to come to me if there were any more problems," Stoick was baffled at this. Shocked and a bit hurt. After talking to him last night and laying a lot on the table didn't his son trust his father enough to talk about what else is going on in his mind? Especially with something as serious as this.

"If I know Hiccup as well as I do, I think it's his pride that is the culprit," Gobber responded back, shaking his head. "I guess he's afraid of being vulnerable."

….

Hiccup softly grunted as he climbed through the large window into his room, being light on his feet as to not to make a sound. "Thanks bud," he said back softly to his dragon, who was outside.

Toothless was able to lift his rider high enough to allow him to enter his room carefully. Thankfully the dragon didn't make a sound as well. He just needed to go in and out as fast as he could without making a sound, and the window was the fastest option. Hiccup would rather prefer it this way as he didn't want to go through the front door and risk his father asking him anymore questions. The last thing he needs is having another episode in front of the man.

It's not like he didn't trust his father, that was far from the truth, in fact, it was quite the opposite. The boy wanted to go and just cry into his father's arms and ask what's going on with him. After all that happened, he wasn't sure what to do and wanted some more guidance on it. Yet he then would remember the most important thing is that he shouldn't show weakness. And asking for help like that more than qualified as weakness and showing fear. He couldn't do that and show he couldn't live up to all the expectations bestowed upon him.

Lost in thought his mind remembers life before meeting Toothless, and how his father was distant. He knew his father back then would tell him to be a man about what he felt and not let it bother him. Plus, would state that killing is something that comes with being a Viking and he should get used to it. He knew the other villagers would tell him the same thing and be disappointed that he's failing at not being a real Viking…again. This would leave him alone trying as he tries to deal with these thoughts in his mind. Only that time it would be a lot worse. Still the teen tried not to think about that as it was depressing. Yet…Berk has changed for the better…would they, even his father be ok with a small moment of weakness?

His mind going back to the conversation with Gobber and how he promised he would tell his dad about what happened. Part of him wanted to, just give in and go to his father for help. But… not yet. The fear is still with him, and it won in the end. He was going to push it back as far as he could, just to give him more time to figure all this out on his own. Only then he'll talk to his father…hopefully. Maybe, he could talk to Gobber later, and see if he could ease his fears back. Maybe that would make him more than comfortable to go to his father.

Still standing by the window he then remembered the reason why he came back home and went to his desk. Picking up two items, his notebook and charcoal pencil, and put them in his vest. Both were needed when he met the Riders, as he would need to write down notes, like he always did. With both items in hand all he had to do is just sneak out without a sound.

"You do know it's only going to get worse for him," the teen jumped at his father's voice.

Both eyes perked as he looked towards his door, worried as he might have been caught. Yet he was still alone in the room. It was then he saw that the door was left open and the voices poured in.

"That's why I had to tell you Stoick, I fear Hiccup would keep this to himself if it was his choice," A second voice responded with concern. "Besides I'm already taking a risk telling you all this."

"G-Gobber?" Hiccup softly gasped. Shock engulfed him as he carefully walked to the door and kneeled down, trying to hear better.

"No, Gobber, you did a good thing," Stoick tried to reassure his friend. "The only thing left is trying to help him, and that's if he will accept it."

"He's stubborn just like you, he'll just insist that nothing is wrong."

Hiccup ignored the rest of the conversation as his mouth hung open. Nothing but betrayal completely overcoming him as he realized what Gobber just did. "I-I trusted you… You promised not to tell him!" Hiccup thought in anger.

He actually thought he could explain everything to Gobber, as it could be his only solace out of all of Berk. Yet now that wasn't even a choice anymore. His mentor went behind his back and informed his father of everything… How can he trust his mentor with how he's feeling if he's just going to go and tell? Worst of all, now he has to be really careful around his father. Great, just great!

Hands clenching in anger Hiccup wanted to go down there and yell at Gobber for what he did. Yet managed to refrain from doing so with much restraint, which is causing him to tremble. He knew he had to get out of there quick before he made a sound. The last thing he needs is to be found eavesdropping, especially on a conversation regarding his wellbeing. Being extra careful, still fueled with anger, he made his way to the window and jumped out.

…..

Stoick held his head in both his hands, letting out a sadden sigh. "I wish Val was still here… Hiccup would be more tempted to go to her instead of me."

"You're doing the best you can," Gobber assured, knowing his friend is questioning himself as a parent. Like he always did. "There's no one better to talk to Hiccup about this than you."

"Yet you seemed to have gotten more out of him than I did, and that basically explains it all," He raised his head up, still disappointed at the fact his friend knew more about his son's condition. "I don't even know how to go about this when he comes home."

"That's simple, just make sure he feels safe and don't just confront him all of a sudden," Gobber started to explain what he knew, and what made the teen tick. "If he thinks he's being lured into a false sense of security he will get defensive. Most of all you have to hint at no matter what is said that your views on him won't change. He has to know and realize that he can let his guard down without consequence. Once that happens, he'll start talking."

"Why do I have a feeling you've done this plenty of times with him?" Stoick asked rhetorically. Part of him feeling like he failed as a father if someone who isn't blood related knew more about his son than himself. Worst of all he's getting parenting advice from someone who isn't even a parent himself. Talk about father of the year. "This is going to be hard."

"Be patient friend, you'll be fine," Gobber said. After a bit longer he then got up from his seat. "I risked being here long enough, I should go just in case he comes back."

Stoick nodded in agreement but remained seated. "If he says anything more to you about the matter, please tell me."

"Of course, I had planned on it," Gobber gave a grin before going to the door. Opening it he checked outside real quick. Looking around for Hiccup and Toothless among the crowds of Vikings. Once he knew it was safe, he exited the home, leaving the chief alone.

Stoick is once again alone in the house, and just sighed once more in worry…and failure. It's bad enough being chief after an attack on the village, but now he has to deal with his stubborn son who is hiding things once more. He truly did wish his wife was still around, he knew she could get Hiccup to open up way easier than himself. Still he's all the boy has left, and he would not fail his son like he did with Val. Ignoring the documents he decided to just clear his head, and more importantly figure out how he's going to talk to his son later on.

Author's Note: Like I said it's shorter but that's all I could come up with for this chapter. The next one will take a bit of time but like I said I will do my best to get things done, but it'll take a while longer. The next chapter is hard to write as well, because i'm not sure of what I have planned will make sense. Either way i'll do my best. Till next time.