Hi guys Supersandman here again, sorry it took so long, I'm very unpredictable as you well know when it comes to writing, can be hard to write mind to paper, your head has it planned out but to word it can be a bitch.

Yeah well bet you can't guess what I'm thinking of right now.

*Sigh* Let me guess, tacos, chimichangas and a Deapool/Spiderman shipping wade.

Wh-what, how the blue monkey butt did know that?! Are you a mutant with physic powers? Nah can't be, where's your wheelchair and bald head...I can fix that!

BZZZZZZZ

Wade put down the hair clippers, bugger! Anyway enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 13- No rest for the wicked

No one could explain it.

For the last eight months the dragon raids have been less disastrous each time, even when the number of dragons attack.

Nobody knew what to make of it.

Was Odin answering their prayers?

Were the dragons simply getting bored and rather go somewhere else for food?

The last one seemed more questionable considering how many times the attacks occurred.

Only a few knew the answer to the change.

The first was Astrid, every raid she watched for the sky for signs of this stranger who seemed to arrive around the same time the raids happened. Each time they'd turn up the dragons seem to halt what they're doing and by the end of the raid most flew away from where they originally flew from.

The other was Gothi who saw the whole raid from atop of her tower, she always refused to head to the hall with the other elders, stating the dragon are too afraid to even try to attack her. No one dare question the shaman of the tribe, not even Stoick.

She also knew who the stranger was simply by how they flew around the skies.

On a Night Fury. Even for someone so old she can see the details far better in the sky than even the most keen-eyed, seasoned Viking.

Which brings us to the last one to know what's going on.

Hiccup whom has spent every raid as this mysterious stranger, flying around, trying to deter dragons from raiding thus reducing casualties on both sides, even if it meant physically jumping on their backs mid flight and going for their weak spots or a smack across the head to wake them up from their trance until they paid attention to know to head south towards his mothers sanctuary, to which most complied.

So far he was both happy and sad with the results.

Happy that he could do his part in bringing a little peace while getting some of the dragons to escape to safety.

Sad that the red death was getting more desperate with her raid and some dragons fearing the behemoths wrath that they still head back even though Hiccup knew what would happen if they went back empty clawed.

Knowing he knew he couldn't save everyone even if he wanted to, Hiccup and Toothless flew back towards the cove after stopping another raid, and it only seem to get tougher and tougher each time.

"Boy bud, she must be getting desperate now" he sighed while patting the agreeable Night Fury as they flew along the ever fading night sky that kept them invisible to the Vikings below.

All except one.

Every raid, Astrid had been looking throughout the night sky, watching for signs of this flying vigilante who is as black as the night, it confused her at first, even irritated her, they never show themselves, they never steal anything and they never miss.

From tales her parents told her as a child, it sounded more like the infamous Night Fury only for her to laugh it off when she realised that they were fire breathing dragons, and not human shaped.

But as time went on she caught a glimpse of something on the back of the dragon as they fly past any sort of light source.

Now she stands watch as they fly towards the forest, just like they do every raid.

It also make her think of Hiccup since he lived out in that direction, it worried her that he could be attacked by this flying monstrosity.

But as every time she worries, she wonders why she worries about him of all people?

And every time, she berated herself for feeling weak for anyone, especially Hiccup. Hoffersons weren't weak!

But she never had to let these feeling get to her as to her own relief, Hiccup always turned up an hour after the raids died down to lend a hand in the forge.

But every time she saw him, he would turn up either unscathed or sporting a few cuts of bruises.

This time as she wait near the forest opening, she spotted Hiccup limping towards her direction but he seemed unfazed by any pain he must be experiencing, what got to him more was the look of concern the female Hofferson was giving him.

"Hiccup? Are you okay?" Hiccup looked at her with a raised eyebrow at her sincere concern in her voice as she gestures to his limping.

Ever since he was banished from the village, he sees that Astrid, the girl that wouldn't give him the time of day, who found pleasure killing trees with her axe and thrives on becoming a shield maiden, change to someone with feelings.

He smiles at her as he answers her question.

"Yeah I'm fine Astrid, just tripped up on a loose root back in the forest" he lied as the real reason might give away who he is and that his injury was caused when a gronkle caught him off guard and ended up falling through a roof.

"A root?" Astrid questioned not believing his limping was caused by something like that, but before she could question him further, he started limping away from her toward the forge.

"Yeah, well Hiccup the useless, klutz by nature!" he replied sarcastically, hating himself for using the name most of the village gave him but if he can throw off suspension towards him, he'll sacrifice that.

"Anyway best head to the forge before Gobber pops a blood vessel from worry, see you later mi'lady" he waved before heading around the corner and out of sight as fast as his limping form could take him.

Astrid stood there for a few second before moving to follow him, but as she headed around the corner he went she was quite surprised.

He was gone!

This drove several questions going through her mind.

How come he turned up after the raid ended and not during?

If that dragon and it's rider were heading towards the forest how come they not encountered Hiccup?

How can someone who is limping one second disappear the next?

And did he just call her 'mi'lady'?

The last one actually made her blush before shaking her head, cursing herself for feeling like that as she decided that a few trees did her wrong in a previous life and wanted revenge as she headed towards the forest with her axe in toe.

Hiccup meanwhile breathed a sigh of relief as he watched Astrid walk away. He didn't want her to worry about him, touched as he was, he didn't need that on his concious if she got in the way because of him.

He walked out of hiding spot as soon as she was out of sight, years of being a target for bullies gave him a natural skill of hiding in small spaces that were presented to him and glad he wasn't rusty on that as he limped towards the forge to help Gobber with the post raid repairs.

Several hours later

Hiccup finished his jobs in the forge which took all morning and even have time to head to Gothi's hut, well forced to go there by Gobber, seeing the boy limping all day and told him to go to elder to get it sorted. He was in there for over half an hour before he walked out of the elders hut with a bandage around his left foot and sporting a lump to the head, Gothi was non too happy with him for not paying attention in the sky.

Yes she knew it was Hiccup up there ever since the Night fury saliva came to her attention when Astrid handed it to her, she knew he befriended the offspring of lightening and death itself but kept it to herself, if it's the gods will this was to happen, then let it be.

After leaving the hut, Hiccup paused as to what he should do, go back to the cove and catch breakfast or into the great hall and grab a bit of something.

He knew he was allowed to go in there once in a while but knew a lot of the villagers were still unhappy that their Chief still allowed his son to still come into the village even though he was banished, even if Hiccup was proven innocent for the fire that caused his banishment.

Stuck in their old ways Hiccup always thought when remembering all about that.

He shrugged it off and decided to head back to the cove, no point in glaring eye to put off ones appetite.

He suddenly yawned, realising he'd been up most of the night, worked throughout the morning in a sweltering hot forge and his body screaming that he needed to sleep.

As he made his way through the village he is halted by a massive shadow followed by a booming voice.

"Hiccup!"

He looks up into the large bushy face of his father.

"Hi dad" he greeted tiredly which didn't go noticed by the chief.

"Where do you think your going?"

"back to the forest, I've done my work in the forge and wouldn't mind getting some rest" Hiccup replied back hoping Stoick would allow him.

Hiccup felt like the gods were just about taking the piss with him as usual as he watched his father shake his head.

"Nonsense! You come with me to the great hall, get some meat on your bones!" before Hiccup could protest, he's pushed along by the burly chief, feeling he had no choice.

Once inside the hall, he gestured to the table of food prepared out as he leaves Hiccup all alone to fend for himself.

'father of the year material right there' he thinks to himself sarcastically as he sighs before heading to the table to grab some food, knowing he'll never be able to leave unless he did.

As he walked by several tables full of Vikings, he knew he was being stared at, some friendly like the Hoffersons or Ingermans, but many not so friendly, such as Mildew, the Jorgensons or their associates.

Hiccup pretended not to see them as he carried on to gather what he can before finding himself an empty table and eat as fast as possible without confrontation.

"Hi Hiccup"

He wasn't lucky as he up at his large friend and gave him a tired looking smile.

"Hi Fishlegs" he replied back as the larger boy sat opposite his with a bit of concern in his voice.

"You look exhausted Hiccup, did you get any sleep?"

Hiccup sighed, he wanted to tell his friend that he was the reason the raids are less devastating than they used to be. He could have gone to sleep as soon as he landed back in the cove but, he couldn't let Gobber do all that work alone so while most went back to bed after the repairs to the raid had commenced, Hiccup carried on throughout the morning getting all the work done.

So instead he told half the truth to Fishlegs, mainly after the raid where he came into the village to help but explaining he'd been up all night working on something in his own forge, mainly his design on the jian and using various different metals, which was true, just not during most of the night.

Fishlegs nodded before he changed the topic of the conversation, talking about the different flowers there were and even some rocks he found on Berk which nearly put Hiccup to sleep.

Hiccup liked his friend but he knew the bigger boys main weapon is boring to death he was sure of it.

But before he could fall completely asleep, he's jolted awake by the sound of the great halls door forced open and slammed shut as he and the rest of the tribe look over to who was responsible for it.

They all watch as Horak the 'Pleasant' storms from one side of the hall to the other to come face to face with Stoick the the council who were discussing the recent dragon raid.

"No more Stoick! I can't handle it no more!" Horak shouts as he throws his helmet on the ground before stomping on it.

The chief looked confused as to his behaviour, what could possibly be driving any Viking so mad?

"What can't you take anymore Horak?" Stoick asked in the calmest voice he could muster, which wasn't saying much, knowing for many years of being the chief that, matching volumes won't resolve anything except a headache later on.

"I can't take looking after those beasts in the ring!" Horak blurted out, not even hesitating on his words as he carried on "every gods damned raid they act up for me! And no matter how many times I bang on the cages to shut them up, they only get worse!"

Hiccup merely rolled his eyes at this 'well duh! Of course they'll get worse if you agitate them!' he thinks to himself. He really doesn't like the idea of the dragons in the arena being treated like so, especially the young Nadder he 'rescued' from being killed brutally.

Stoick meanwhile was pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration, this wasn't the first time someone quit to tend to the training dragons and was starting to run out of volunteers and even though he's the chief and could force someone to take on the task, he'd rather not abuse his position.

"Okay okay!" he sighed in defeat as he looked at Horak "you don't have to look after them now, I see who else can take up the job" he shouted the last part out hope for any one to step forward. Unfortunately, as he looked around however, he sighed again as not a single person steps forward to take the job.

'Viking bravery indeed' Stoick thought to himself which meant that he would have to do that along with his other duties as chief.

"I'll do it!"

Stoick and the rest of the tribe turn to where the voice came from only to see the small shape of Hiccup standing there with his hand up and a determined look on his face.

The chief couldn't believe what he heard as he looks at his son in confusion.

"Could you repeat that?"

Hiccup only rolled his eyes as he starts to stand on the table so everyone can see him.

"I'll take on the tasks of taking care of the dragons!"

Awkward silence hung in the air for a few seconds before the silence was a broken by a chorus of laughter coming from all around the hall, all except the Hoffersons, the Ingermans and Gobber who looked worryingly at the now annoyed young Haddock looked.

Stoick was the first to calm down from laughing as he addressed his son.

"Very funny Hiccup, best joke yet but seriously, any volente..."

"I wasn't joking!" Hiccup retorted back, cutting off the chief mid sentence as they start to argue in front of the whole tribe.

"Nonsense Hiccup! It needs the work of a big burly Viking to handle those beast"

"Yeah like that worked out very well before!"

"And what's that suppose to mean?!"

"That maybe you should try a different tactic!"

"Like what exactly? Giving them flowers?!"

Hiccup had to facepalm at his fathers reply as he jumped off the table, to his own displeasure of his injured leg and walked towards the the large bell they used to announce chieftains of different tribes during visits.

"From what I've seen is that banging on the cages with weapons right?"

Stoick raised his eyebrow at what Hiccup was getting at before replying.

"Yeah?"

Hiccup smirked as he picked up the hammer next to the bell before looking at the Hofferson and Ingerman tables before nodding.

The two families saw what he was going to do as well as Gobber and held their hands over their ears for the impact as Hiccup slams the hammer into the bell cause a loud ringing noise that reverberated around the hall and for everyone to hear.

Everyone suddenly covered their own ears from the painful noise until it subsided after a minute or two.

If Hiccup wasn't awake beforehand, he was now, lucky enough that because of the fast speeds him and Toothless do, he's used to pressure in his ears from the ever changing altitude and soon recovered quickly only to see and hear the now angry Stoick the vast.

"What in the blue fuck was that?!" he cursed as he stares at the boy in frustration hoping his shouting would do the trick.

"That is what a dragon hears all the time when you bang the cages!" he gestured to the bell "Now how many of you would cooperate after something like that?!"

He looks around the room, not a single person raised their hand as he smirked.

"So if this can happen to a human being then it'll happen to a dragon too"

"But they're mindless beasts!" Stoick retorted realising he'll need three blocks of ice tonight from all this.

"And that makes it worse!"

"And what makes you an expert in dragons all of a sudden useless?!"

Hiccup turned to see Snotlout standing in the centre, smirking thinking he got one over his smaller yet older cousin.

Hiccup however wasn't impressed as he retorted back.

"I've lived out by myself in the forest since I was ten! I've seen all sort out there, I use my brain and my eyes and I've come across dragons on the island after raids!" he looks around the room as a few gasped at his claim to have see dragons "they like quiet areas unlike the ones from the nest and I was able to walk past them calmly without startling them!"

Again it was a half truth, he actually approached them calmly before befriending them, he can see how much friendly they were when there was no raid going on.

Snotlout just stood there for a few seconds trying to figure out a comeback, but non came and just went back to sit with his mother as Hiccup turned his attention back to the chief, whom has sat back down and sighed in defeat once again.

Hiccup may have inherited his mothers features but he had a combination of both his parents stubbornness and Stoick knew this is one battle he'll not win.

"Fine! You get your wish! You can take care of those dragons! But!" he stares at Hiccup with a warning to it's meaning "if you get attacked then let it be on your head!"

Hiccup only stared for a few seconds both with relief and sadness in his heart, relief that Stoick agreed to his decision, which makes a change, but sad that what didn't change was Stoicks disappointment in him, and that sadly is what he was used to so simply shook it off as he walked towards the doors to head out.

"Thank you chief" he bowed his head as he opened only of the doors "I'll be back tonight"

Now Stoick was confused.

"Why tonight?!"

Hiccup turns back to him and smirks.

"I've been up all night, worked all morning in the forge and was about to head back to the forest before you dragged me here" he shrugged as he walked through the door and closing it behind him, leaving a very stunned tribe wondering what just happened.

Hiccup meanwhile made down the steps before heading through the village, he was starting to feel the lack of sleep catch up to him and even though he had a long walk to go with but he'd rather be in his own bed.

But that never was the case as he was about to make it to the forest opening, he started to feel a little dizzy and off balance.

He was about to collapse to the ground when someone grabbed him before that happened.

"Woah there Hiccup!" came a feminine voice that Hiccup somewhat recognised as he opened one tired eye to see who it belonged to.

"A-astrid?" he whispered tiredly as he watches the concern on her face.

She had followed him a few seconds after he left the hall, she admired his bravery to stand in front of the whole tribe to get his point across, completely different to the shy boy that once lived in the village, as she spotted him in the distance starting to sway on the spot, panic struck her and before she knew it, she was running towards him just in time to catch him.

She looked at his exhausted face knowing he'll never make it back to his home in the forest, so thought of something completely crazy but she didn't want to leave him alone, so she dragged him toward her house.

Once they reached her home, Astrid opened her door and brought him inside before closing it and taking him up the stairs towards her room.

Hiccup saw where they were heading and was about to protest before Astrid chimed in.

"Oh no mr 'I'm-okay' you'll never make it back to your in the state your in!"

Hiccup simply looked at her in wonder and was trying to figure out why she was being so nice, he wasn't worth it.

Before he knew it however, she had removed his boots, gathered some furs on the floor, making a makeshift bed before forcing him to lay down upon them. As soon as his head touched the pillow, his eyes started to feel heavy as sleep was starting to over power him.

'I must be really out of it after all that' he thought to himself as he started to drift away.

Astrid meanwhile was looking at his peaceful expression on his face as he slept away, she looked at him thinking how cute he looked.

'Wait, cute? I think Hiccup is cute?' she thought to herself as she sat on her bed looking down at the peaceful figure in her room before yawning herself.

'Maybe it's just the lack of sleep playing with my mind, yeah that's it' still trying to deny that she has feelings for him.

She pulled one set of furs over hiccup before putting one over herself before resting her head on the pillow.

But she couldn't help but wonder as she turned her head towards Hiccup once again, thinking if there was something there.

Shrugging before she did some crazy and so un-astrid like, she leaned over the bed and gave him a peck on the cheek before watching him unconsciously smile making her stomach jump as she turned over to let sleep take over her as one final thought came to mind.

'This is so confusing'

Much time later.

She woke up after a much needed rest only to discover that she was the only one in her room, in fact the furs that Hiccup was sleeping were neatly folded and stacked back in the corner.

'how did he manage to leave so quietly' she thought to herself, knowing how alert she could be within a moments notice.

As Astrid looked around some more, she spotted a folded piece of paper on top of her bedside table, she grabbed it, unfolded and began to read it.

Astrid

Thank you for letting me sleep in your room, I didn't think what would have happen if someone else from the village spotted me like that...

She smiled as she was glad, no telling what someone like the Jorgensons would have done if they spotted him, she carried on reading.

….to be honest, you could have just dropped me off at the forge, Gobber has a back room where I used as a study when I wasn't at my dads...

She smacked her head, not thinking about that at the time.

….but it was nice of you to think of me like that. Also not to sound too creepy but the way you sleep, it's like looking at a Valkyrie, your name does not do you justice, even if it mean divine beauty.

But I'll see myself out as I don't want your parents to freak out that I was in your room, you know, two teens of the opposite sex, sleeping in the same room and all, even it was an innocent gesture, I don't want to ruin your name with any lies that might occur.

I'll see you around mi'lady.

Your friend, I hope.

Hiccup x

She reread the note over and over again, blushing at his words about her beauty and she smiled, she then looked at the last part about a friend.

Was she his friend? They used to be until her uncles incident with the Flightmare when she was five then she ignored him and concentrated on getting stronger.

At that point she felt ashamed, she stopped being his friend and yet even after all that still wanted to be her friend.

After everything he did for her, the axe, saving her brother and even offering her the honour of being heir, and all he ever wanted was her friendship.

And by the gods she wants to give him that.

Later on that night, dragon arena.

Hiccup stands by the large gates of the ring waiting for whoever it is to let him in.

To say he was nervous was an understatement, he only took the job because he felt sorry for the dragons.

"I see ya look nervous lad" Hiccup turns his head around slowly as he acknowledged the two limb Viking as Gobber hobbled down the ramp.

"We all have to face our fears Gobber, you taught me that remember?" Hiccup replied back as he smirked at his mentor.

"Aye lad that I did" Gobber laughed as he patted the boy on the back, but was worried for his safety as he looked seriously at Hiccup.

"Are ye sure about this Hiccup? There's no shame in backing away. As ye said even a full grown Viking can't do the job"

Hiccup looked at him for a few seconds and saw the worry in his eyes, this was how a father show be he always thought to himself.

His nervousness and fear were replaced with determination as he looked at Gobber with an equally serious face.

"I'm sure of it Gobber" patting the large man on the arm before standing in front of the gate waiting for it to open.

Gobber sighed knowing how stubborn headed his apprentice can be in anything, he hobbles over to the large crank that controls the large iron gates as they slowly start to rise, just enough for Hiccup to walk in before that slammed shut again.

Taking a deep breath he walks towards the middle of the ring where the buckets of fish and shovels are before speaking to himself.

"No turning back now"

Oww...

Told you to put down the hair clippers wade. Now you're decapitated.

Yeah yeah, now could you throw me back to my body.

Ok but don't get a-head of yourself.

Ha ha very funny