Thirty Seven: The Father You Deserve

Hiccup was exhausted, not just by the fact he had lost a lot of blood and had spent much of the morning describing his adventures on Berk with Toothless. And he described every minute detail of the brief visit to the Nest until even Stoick had been thoughtful and considering his plan of attack. But in fact, he was exhausted with stress and fear and the plain incredulity of what he had been told: that he was Stoick's son.

He had a father.

And even as he thought the simple words, he shook his head and tried not to believe them…because every time things seemed to be getting better for him, something reversed and his life deteriorated once more. Case in point: he had been accepted by the Chief and had saved him, making sure he could get home alive…and then he ends up enslaved and abused on Outcast Island. Rejected, alone, believing Toothless was dead and everyone else was going to ignore him, he had lost hope. He had almost ended it-just as Toothless must have been returning to Berk, injured and grounded. And in a way, that was his fault because the dragon had come to rescue him-again.

Now it was Hiccup's turn.

Unbidden, the boy's green eyes slid over the curled black shape of the dragon, sleeping in the corner of the room-well, occupying most of the corner of the room, to be honest. Though Toothless sometimes acted like a kitten or puppy, he was quite large and had already knocked most of the furniture over in the room-twice. Yet he had not left Hiccup's side, his sensitive nose sensing the injuries and smelling the blood. He had licked at the boy, trying to slather him in the sticky tenacious saliva that seemed to have some healing benefit and Hiccup had allowed the dragon to do what he wanted because he was feeling enormously guilty that his friend had been wounded in coming to help him.

Absently, he fished out his journal and a charcoal pencil and he glanced at the tail, resting by the dragon's nose. The asymmetry was obvious and he quietly drew the remaining fin, his eyes narrowing. Not even realising, he sketched the missing fin, his agile mind already seeing how he could build a mechanical tail. All he needed was some metal, leather and wire…and someone who would let him use their forge. And then he smiled. He would ask Gobber when he saw him later.

oOo

It was dark when he opened his eyes and he realised he had dropped to sleep. A croon met his ears and he realised that Toothless was still there, the green eyes glowing faintly in the scant light filtering up from the fire burning int he fire pit. There were voices below and Hiccup motioned for the dragon to remain silent as he recognised Spitelout's harsh tones.

"Alva told me about the lies that Outcast has been spreading," he said angrily. There was a creak that sounded as if a heavy body had shifted its position in a chair and Hiccup heard a grunt that seemed to neither agree nor disagree. "I want him driven from the village, Stoick! It's against all custom and the law to keep him here…"

"He's not an Outcast," Stoick said firmly.

"He was on Outcast island…" Spitelout argued.

"Because your son sent him there in his stead-as a hostage for my life," the Chief commented mildly. "So if Snotlout had gone and done his duty, would you have condemned him as a traitor as well?"

"Of course not!" Spitelout said obliviously. "He would have been a prisoner of war…"

"And Hiccup is not?" the Chief asked him in the same deceptively-mild voice, though Hiccup could sense he was annoyed and holding his temper firmly.

"He's not one of the Tribe and they branded him as their slave," Spitelout said superiorly.

"And if they had Snotlout?"

"He would have been a prisoner of war and innocent," Spitelout said simply. "I cannot understand why you keep proposing these ridiculous questions?"

"And the basis of why Snotlout should be treated differently-is that he is your son?" Stoick checked.

"And the Heir," the boy's father added.

"Not for long," Stoick told him. "I called you as my brother to inform you that I am removing Snotlout as my Heir. I cannot trust him. His behaviour has deteriorated and he has no regard for the villagers, has wilfully destroyed the Thorston home and the Forge and has attacked another villager. He is unpopular, stupid and lazy and he fails to attend the lessons I insist upon to learn to be my successor."

There was a silence, broken only by the creak of Spitelout's hands as they clenched into fists.

"You can't do that!" he growled. "He is your only blood relative. He is the only possible choice…"

"He is no choice," Stoick snapped back. "He is unfit."

"You are unfit!" Spitelout sneered. "I know why you do this." He paused and there was an awkward silence.

"Do you?"

"The boy," Spitelout hissed. "You spoke to him."

"He spoke to me and I answered," the Chief replied coolly.

"It is not allowed," Spitelout reminded him.

"Because you consider him an Outcast?"

"And you don't?" Spitelout's voice was mocking. "Ah, if Mildew heard you speaking…"

"Mildew." The word was spoken with hatred. "Were you privy to his treason, brother?" The menace was implicit and Spitelout stiffened, the creak of his leather armour obvious.

"I don't know what…"

"He was in the pay of Alvin the Treacherous," Stoick revealed. "He tried to kill me with Alvin's assistance on Outcast Island."

"And you disposed of him, eh?" Spitelout sneered. "A dangerous precedent, to kill dissenting voice with no witnesses…" There was a chuckle.

"Except there was," Stoick told him. "I didn't kill him-Astrid Hofferson did as he was about to stab me through the heart. She saw his treason-and she took the action." There was a hiss. "And you wonder why she refused to contemplate your son?"

"She's clearly deranged," Spitelout condemned. "Her father is a dishonourable liar. I'll make sure they are treated with the contempt they deserve as well…"

"Spitelout." The word was suddenly a growl and there was the creak as the Chief finally rose from his chair. "Snotlout will be removed as Heir-with the agreement of the Council, yourself excepted. I will decide who I appoint in Mildew's place. And who I decide to replace as my Heir will be my choice-but it will not be your son. I know he believes he is the best choice for the job-but he is in a minority of one in that opinion."

"You'll regret alienating me!" Spitelout hissed. "I have allies-and they can make life very uncomfortable for you…" Stoick stared into his pallid blue eyes for a long moment and then he chuckled.

"Ask Mildew what happens when you cross me," he breathed. There was a snort and a slam as the older Jorgensen stormed out and then Stoick sighed. His head snapped up at a creak of the boards in the loft area and looked up to see Hiccup's face appear over the edge. "You okay, son?" Hiccup nodded.

"What time is it?" has asked, his voice still rough with sleep.

"After the night meal," the Chief revealed and gestured to a bowl warming by the fire. "I've got some meat and bread keeping warm for you. And a basket of fish over there for the dragon." There was an excited warble from Toothless and the black dragon launched over to the rafters before dropping agilely to land hard by the fishy-smelling woven barrel. Stoick chuckled. "He acts a lot like that hound Hoark's son Croak had when he was a boy…"

"Except he's likely to knock the table over," Hiccup added dryly, though his lips were curled up in a smile as the Night Fury shoved his head in and began to devour the fish. Then he sighed. "Are you alright, S…Dad?" There was a pause and the Chief beckoned him to warily make his way down the stairs, sitting uncomfortably on the bench. "I'm sorry," Hiccup added hastily. He wasn't sure what for but he was pretty certain that his presence was the reason why the Chief suddenly looked so melancholy.

"Ah…it's not your fault, Hiccup," Stoick said pensively, his gruff voice kindly and warm. "I was just struck that Spitelout effortlessly loves his son, callously throwing the fact that he has a child-and a wife-in my face without any thought."

"Did you ever consider marrying again?" Hiccup asked and Stoick shook his head.

"Valka-your mother-was the only one for me," he said with a small smile lifting his lips. "She was an amazing woman-brave a stubborn and fierce, standing up for what she believed and never backing down. But she was kind and loving and the only one who could make me stop-and the only one I would ever have loved. And will ever love. But love means loss: the two go together. There will be pain, son-but it is worth it. She was worth it. And she would have been so proud of you." Hiccup's eyes widened.

"Because I'm so scrawny and useless and everyone's target?" he asked sarcastically but Stoick rested a paternal hand on his shoulder.

"Because you're brave and smart and inventive," he replied. "And she would have loved you because you were her son. And I love you because you are ours…" And he sighed. "I missed so much…and now only a handful of the most trusted people know and when you feel up to it, when you emerge, you will have to go back to being ignored…at least outside of here. But Gobber will make sure you are safe and sneak you up here at night." Hiccup sighed, watching Toothless's butt waggle as he tried to filch the last fish from the basket.

"And him?" Stoick chuckled.

"He can stay here, if he wishes-or lurk in the forest…" he suggested. Hiccup sighed.

"He'll want to come to the Forge," he admitted as Stoick chuckled.

"If he appears in the village, he will be attacked…and because he can't fly at the moment, he's vulnerable. I would hate him to be slaughtered because he wanted to be with you…" the Chief said. "Let him be safe…Gobber and Astrid will keep you safe." Hiccup quietly tore a small piece of chicken from the leg in the bowl and chewed it thoughtfully.

"I should go back to work tomorrow," he sighed and Stoick nodded.

"Hoarck and Ack have been rebuilding the forge around Gobber-and he's at his ornery best," he chuckled. "I have had complaint that he keeps changing his mind-but at least there is a roof on there now." And he smiled. "And I guess you want to feel a bit more than just a sick Viking?" Hiccup smiled wanly.

"Yeah-something like that," he mumbled as Stoick sipped his ale and glanced back at the fire.

"I'm glad you're here, son," he said. "Not how I ever envisioned it, by the way…and none of my imaginings ever featured a pet dragon…but you know, I wouldn't change a thing. Because you are here and this old fool has been given a second chance. And whatever happens, I want to take it-and be the father you deserve."

oOo

Waking early and sneaking down to the Forge when the sun was just risen and most Vikings were still preparing for the day worked best for Hiccup-coupled with the sure and certain knowledge that Snotlout was not an early riser. He lit the fire in the forge and began on his work, melting iron scraps and making a handful of struts and a connecting rod, along with a leather membrane. He salvaged bolts from old shields and broken gadgets and used them to fix the pieces together. And he was almost done, just finishing leather straps when Gobber ambled down and smiled at him.

"Ah-I see the help has arrived," he grinned brashly. No one had suggested that he ignore the probable-outcast (Astrid had told him that Yoric the Unwise had tried but he was still nursing his headache and broken nose).

"I was already here, Gobber-I see the Boss has finally arrived," the boy sassed back with a small smile, tightening a bolt. The blacksmith peered at the contraption-clearly a prosthetic replacement for the missing tail fin- and chuckled.

"That's a very nice…one of those…" he commented. "Neat work, lad. You just need to make sure those are greased. You may want a little of that whale fat…there's still some in the red tub…"

"Thanks, Gobber," Hiccup said and turned away as someone cleared his throat.

"You should be careful talking to that…" Spitelout began as the blacksmith spun and waved his hook in the man's face.

"Another word and you'll be wearing an eyepatch fer the rest o' your life!" Gobber growled as the man backed up a pace.

"I'll see him driven from the village yet-whether or not you and the rest of those puppets on the Council back Stoick, the village won't allow an Outcast and a slave to remain in the village!" he threatened. "The boy will be shipped back to Outcast-where he belongs!"

"Ye mean where yer boy belongs!" Gobber retorted. "He the one who has endangered the village and the Chief, who didn't step up when the Chief was endangered, who is the worst prospective Heir in the history of Berk!"

"But he's not the one with the brand!" Spitelout sneered. "Just make sure that slave doesn't touch my weapon!" And he walked away. Hiccup glanced up, his eyes peeking from under his bangs and filled with despondency.

"Is there nothing that can be done?" the boy asked quietly. "I mean, I know I'm not much of a specimen-talking fishbone here-but I never did anything wrong and I don't deserve to be treated like an Outcast when I'm not one…" Gobber walked forward and laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"Earwig will find something in the Archives to undo this," he reassured the lad. "But until then, you have me." The boy sighed.

"You know it's almost worse knowing this is where I belong and I'm still being treated like a public enemy for just being an outsider and for things I had no control over," he commented. "I mean…I never wanted any of this. And if my Aunt hadn't died, I would never have known about you or Dad…" He clutched his hair. "I'm not sure what to think. I mean, I should be grateful that she was so willing to protect me that she adopted me and smuggled me off the island…but it meant I never had a chance to know my people, my family…and that meant…" His voice stuttered to a halt. "When they died, I was nothing. I had no one…instead of being able to come home."

"I'm sorry, laddie," Gobber said sympathetically, resting a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder. "I guess it just doesn't seem real…" He patted the boy's shoulder comfortingly. "What have you got there?" Hiccup looked up guiltily and blushed.

"Um…well…'Bud' has lost fin so I thought I would build a replacement," Hiccup explained and as Gobber frowned in incomprehension, the boy showed the plan in his journal and then demonstrated the actual mechanism. "I need to prove the concept and then if it works, I was thinking of attaching a pedal so I could control it by foot…"

"Meaning you would be up there with him…" Gobber realised. His blue eyes twinkled. "That's brilliant. Crazy but brilliant!" Hiccup shrugged.

"Um…yeah…but in my defence, he risked his life to come and save me," Hiccup explained.

"How?"

"Why do you think there were no catapults on Outcast?" he asked. "He blasted them before he was shot down."

"Meaning he probably saved some of our lives as well," Gobber mused, scratching his chin with his hook. "Looks like there isn't too much waiting. You go off and check yer device, laddie. And give him a fish from me…" Hiccup had a mental image of Gobber handing the Night Fury a fish somewhat the worse for wear and he smirked.

"Yes, Gobber," he said and grabbed the tail prosthetic as he slipped out the back of the forge. The roof was on, though not fully boarded and the walls were half there but it meant he was partially shielded from the village. He was still feeling vaguely lightheaded and he found he was short of breath much sooner-but he realised that it was the after-effects of his injuries…and the decision he had made to lose hope. His hand tightened on the leather. He had Toothless: he had to remember that.

He ducked into the forest and whistled, listening for sounds of anyone following before heading onwards towards the clearing-and finding the black dragon stalking him, a playful look in his eyes. Toothless pounced and knocked him to the ground, licking him wildly and play-fighting very gently with the battered boy. Laughing and feeling suddenly free and accepted, Hiccup finally managed to push the dragon off him and gently sat up.

"I've got something for you, Bud," he said gently and grasped the prosthetic. Toothless sniff interestedly and it took Hiccup a few minutes of dodging and darting round until he could throw his unimpressive weight onto the flicking black tail. Gritting his teeth, he strapped the tail tightly on, feeding the sturdily sewn strap through the buckle and pulling it tight. But he was still sitting on the tail when Toothless launched.

"AAAGH!"

Hiccup hung on for dear life as the dragon pumped his wings and arrowed up-but immediately, he began to sag to the left. Frowning, Hiccup realised that the false fin had collapsed and flung himself backwards to try to hold it open. They climbed again as Hiccup felt his back stretched and he gave a muffled grunt of pain.

"Toothless…" he mumbled, hanging on but feeling his hands start to slip. The Night Fury was intoxicated with joy at being back in the air and gave a roar, flipping sideways and arching round. They circled and then Hiccup heard a yell.

"NIGHT FURY!"

It was Snotlout and Hiccup panicked, collapsing the tail. The dragon roared and sank below the tree tops so the Heir couldn't see them any more-but they were losing height horribly fast. Desperately, Hiccup snapped the fin open but they were going too fast. They shot down into the cove and slammed into the ground.

…and lay still.