Breaking Point 25

"Hiccup…Hiccup, look at me," Heather said, kneeling in front of the Hooligan heir but out of reach of the knife. She glanced at Viggo's body, the only possible threat Hiccup could have seen then at Toothless who was struggling to regain consciousness then to her brother who looked as if he had passed out, his hand clasping his side. She didn't give Dagur too much worry. He was a seasoned warrior and would likely be okay so her focus was on Hiccup who obviously in shock. "Come on, Hiccup, look at me. Give me the knife. It's okay. Everything's going to be okay. Viggo's gone. You won. You killed him. You killed him, Hiccup."

The boy blinked a few times before meeting her gaze. "Heather?" he breathed. He gave a tiny relieved sob, as if waking from a particularly bad dream and let her take the knife from him. He combed a hand through his hair as he tried to gather his wits. "Astrid…is she…is everyone okay?"

"Yeah. The Fear dragons were captured, well as many as possible, and the Hunters pushed back. I was starting to wonder where he was hiding." She gestured with a thumb towards Viggo's body but kept him from Hiccup's view fearful she might set him off and bring out Henryk. "Are you alright?"

Hiccup looked pale, no doubt from the shock of what must have just happened, but he nodded. "Yeah, I will be," he assured although his breathing was rapid and hands were still a little shaky. He stroked Toothless's head as if to assure himself the Nightfury was alright. With his other hand he touched Dagur's thigh. "Dag…Dagur? Come on, we need to get you to the infirmary." He went to get up, expecting Dagur to move with him but the larger boy only slid onto his side like dead weight.

Heather gasped in surprise. The fall didn't even jar Dagur awake. "Dagur?" she breathed as she knelt next to Hiccup and hovered over her brother's body. "No…no, no, no… You bastard! You're not supposed to die! Viggo's not supposed to kill you, I am!" She punched her brother in the ribs but got no reaction and for the first time since learning Dagur was her brother the fear of losing him, the only family she had left, hit her and fear gripped her heart. "No…"

Hiccup shook his head in disbelief. At some point Dagur had torn the arrow out of his stomach causing him to bleed outward. It was a stupid move most likely done in his desperation to save Hiccup. Funny how it had been Hiccup that had saved them. "No," he growled in sudden anger. He grabbed Dagur's arm and dragged him until he was flat on his back. Tearing the bottom of his tunic into a long strip, he wrapped it around Dagur's waist in hopes of starching the bleeding. Then, both hands clasped together, he started pumping Dagur's chest, throwing his entire weight into it in hopes of either getting his heart started again or his lungs, just to get any sign of life. Heather was of no use, she seemed lost and torn and her hands were twisting together with fright. Hiccup couldn't bring himself to yell at her for help, instead he ignored her and began slamming his fists against the Berserker chief's chest. "You son of a bitch!" he screamed at the top of his voice, surprising himself and Heather as his hits got harder. "You got me into this me mess don't think for an instant I'm letting you off this easy! You hear me? I'm not letting you go! I'm not losing you, too, you stupid, idiotic, moronic, bastard!" Rage filled him and he slammed his fist harder and harder with each scream until the body suddenly jerked and Dagur let out a pain filled cry and grasped one of Hiccup's wrists.

"Ow…" the Berserker murmured, blinking blearily up at Hiccup and looking dazed and confused. "Were you just calling me names?"

Another choked sobbed escaped Hiccup as he flung himself at Dagur. "Stupid deranged idiot," he grumbled, pressing his face into the side of Dagur's neck, sobbing happy tears.

A little taken back, Dagur held him back, his nose pressed against auburn hair as his fingers carded through Hiccup's short hair. "I'll beat you later for that," he taunted, squeezing Hiccup to him and ignoring the sharp pain that raced through him. He glanced away from Hiccup to Heather, silently noting the fear and relief in her etched on her face. He kept one arm around Hiccup and reached for her hand with the other, catching her by surprise. Squeezing her fingers he smiled softly at her, reassuring her he'd be okay. She looked a little, maybe torn between relief and anger. Nonetheless she squeezed his hand back after a moment and placed her free hand on Hiccup's back, like one banged up but sure to recover family.

. . .

It turned out Dagur had been very lucky. The arrow had done considerable damage and he had lost a lot of blood. Had Hiccup not stopped the bleeding when he did or restarted his heart, the Berserker would have died. Nonetheless the damage was extensive and Dagur was confined to the infirmary for almost a solid week while his stomach healed, not that he was an easy patient. In fact he was probably the worse patient Gothi had ever had to deal with. He whined, bitched and complained every chance he got wanting to get up and walk around yet nearly collapsing after only two or three steps. Hiccup hovered over him in worry and helped Gothi in every way he could. He made sure Dagur ate and drank and took his medicine on time. Of course if Dagur failed to do as told Gothi would just whack him over the head with her staff until he did. Heather often giggled about that and would punch her brother's arm teasingly.

"Who would have thought the scourge of the Archipelago would be such a big baby," Heather joked as Dagur tried walking the fifth day of being in the infirmary only to have Hiccup help him sit back down on the cot.

"It was barely a flesh wound," he retorted with a pain filled grunt.

In fact it had pierced his appendix which ended up having to be removed and lead to a daylong surgery that had not been pleasant and had been him in a temporary coma. He glared at his sister. "How about I stab you in the gut and see how you fair?"

She cocked her hip and folded her arms across her chest. "Big talk, little man. How about you come here and try it?"

He growled at her in response but couldn't move too far without pain shooting through him. "You are so getting it the moment I get proper feeling in my legs back."

Hiccup chuckled as he listened to the two. Before he thought there might have been a real threat of the two trying to kill each other even after Heather discovered the truth about Dagur being her brother but now they bickered almost as much if not more so than the twins. Some of the stuff they argued about were normal sibling stuff while others became political or about Heather's adopted tribe that Dagur had wiped out in his search for her. Yeah, that last one was always like a knife in Dagur's chest and he always grew strangely quiet afterwards. Sometimes he even went into his own little world as he watched Heather talk and joke around with the riders, something he had yet to do. He didn't have that same ease around people that his sister did. For all his boasting and showiness Dagur had social anxiety and didn't really get along well with other people. He ordered his troops and appeared at ease in a battle but he kept to himself with the exception of Hiccup. Hiccup was one of the very few who he had ever cared about and always felt the need to show off to, usually with disastrous results. This time though he wasn't he was watching the other teens thoughtfully.

"Hey, Greek Chorus," he called after several minutes.

Hiccup slapped his forehead in exasperation. Dagur had yet to learn the riders' names. He simply didn't seem to care, or so it seemed.

The group turned as if one and stared at him. Heather opened her mouth to snap at her brother but Dagur waved her off. "Can the lot of you take off, I need to speak with my sister in private…oh, Astrid, too."

Astrid raised a brow but said nothing, her distaste for Dagur evident in her posture. She was only in the infirmary to remind Hiccup to eat and check on Toothless who had been mopping about since the battle wanting to go flying with his rider. So she took him out instead, her announcing growing every day at Hiccup's lack of responsibility.

But Dagur surprised the group further. "Hic, don't you have a session with Buffnut?"

"Eh…Tuffnut," Tuffnut corrected as he bit his lower lip, knowing Dagur hated being corrected but the Berserker paid him no mind.

"Oh," Hiccup answered, a little taken back and having forgotten all about his daily therapy sessions with Tuffnut where they spent an hour discussing what had happened while he was with the Hunters, about Henryk and the difficulty he was still having adapting to his other half and working to mend his mind and bring both halves back together. It was slowly coming together but it was a struggle. Without someone to curb Henryk's sexually needs he may have made a pass or two at Tuffnut without meaning to. Hiccup was getting better at catching himself and didn't feel so antsy around his friends anymore, a little self-conscious but not ready to scream and try hiding against Toothless, thanks to Tuffnut and his rather unorthodox ways. He actually looked forward to their one on one time together. At least there was nothing sexual between them.

Tuffnut threw an arm around his shoulders. "Awesome! We've got a lot to talk about…"

"Like when we're heading back to Dragon's Edge," Ruffnut threw in with a little pout.

Snotlout's head bobbed up and down. "Yeah, and not who's all been tapping his…"

"Snotlout!" Astrid snapped.

"Snot-hat…lout!" Dagur growled threateningly, moving to get off the cot before groaning and flopping back. "I'll gut you later…ow…much later." He grasped his side and let out his breath slowly.

Heather patted his knee. "Chill. It's not like he's going far. Hookfang'll get him for you."

"Hookfang is my dragon," Snotlout snapped but backed down at the look his friends were giving him. Hookfang might be his but he was his own dragon and likely to listen to anyone of them better than him. "Fine, whatever…" he grumbled as he headed for the door. He gave Hiccup a little poke as he walked by. "I'm happy you're back anyway. I'll be happier when you're normal again."

"Eh…thanks," Hiccup responded but he doubted he'd ever be what his cousin or anyone in fact, thought as normal. He glanced at Dagur who was still glaring after Snotlout. "Try to relax and not drive Gothi insane," he told the Berserker. "I'll be back in a few hours."

Nodding, Dagur took deep breath and rested his head against the pillows. He waited until everyone was gone except Heather and Astrid and well Gothi who was puttering about caring for other patients along with her assistants. He let it out slowly before trying to prop himself up on his elbows. "Okay…Heather, can you give me like five minutes alone with Astrid then we can talk."

"You should be resting," his sister told him, a small rare smile lighting her face. A real smile. She patted his foot this time before offering Gothi a hand.

Astrid watched her, her arms folded across her chest defensively. Dagur knew the posture. Heather had much the same the first few months after they reunited, always defensive, always fearful that he would betray her. She had a lot of reasons to not trust him but he was trying to make things right. And to do that would be to find a way to befriend her best friend.

"Hey," he said to Astrid by way of greeting. It felt awkward. They never spoke, well not unless taunting one another in battle.

Astrid turn and looked at him, her face schooled and seemingly blank of emotion.

"So…yeah, we've never really talked before," he started, surprised by how nervous he felt talking to whom was ultimately Hiccup's girlfriend.

"No, we haven't," she agreed, her face betraying nothing.

He hesitated. If this was only the battlefield he would have no problems yelling threats and taunts at her. Fighting was something they were both good at. Talking…not so much. "So uh…you and Hiccup…"

"Me and Hiccup…"

"Are a thing?"

"Thing?"

He rolled his eyes. "Seriously? Do we always have to do this song and dance?" He gave a huff and stared at the ceiling.

"First, we never did a little song and dance with the exception of the time I broke your nose after you tried to DROWN Hiccup," she pointed out, her arms folding across her chest as she cocked one hip, obviously trying to keep herself from reaching for the axe strapped across her back.

"He was fourteen!" Dagur objected, throwing up his hands. "And, in case you forgot, I only did that so he could get your attention. I was his 'wing man'."

"Some wing man." She rolled her eyes and hugged herself a little tighter. "You nearly killed him."

"He struggled."

"Yeah, because he didn't want to die!"

"You're as dramatic as he is!"

They glared at each other for several more minutes before Astrid sighed and lowered her arms. "You didn't ask me to stay just to argue over something that happened over five years ago."

He had nearly forgotten why he wanted to talk to her. Rubbing his face he tried to gather his thoughts. "No. Look, how much do you know about what happened to Hiccup? About Henryk?"

She sighed, her shoulders drooping. "Not much. Stoick…he's been pretty quiet about it and said Hiccup will tell us when he's ready. Tuffnut told me about the rapes and how you were 'helping' him." Her face grew dark and menacing. "I'm not dumb, Dagur, I know you were in on it. You may act innocent but you're just as guilty as Viggo and Ryker."

"No, I'm not innocent," he admitted, meeting her gaze with equal menace. "I'm probably guiltier than anyone else for what happened to him. I could have kept him out of this but I didn't. Get over it. I love Hiccup not Henryk. I have always loved Hiccup, as a friend, a brother and an equal. Yeah, I tormented him as a kid, it's what brothers do. I tried to manned him up and help him get the girl, like a friend would. And okay, I sort of worshipped him when I learned he really was the Dragon Conqueror and then got a little carried away with the whole befriending dragons thing but hey, he has a Nightfury…a Nightfury! I was jealous because he chose that dragon over me, over being my brother but I never let my men hurt him. I didn't let anyone hurt him but me until…" His voice trailed off as guilt hit him. "I never meant for any of this to happen and I going to need you to help me fix it." Asking for help was something Dagur had only done once before when asking Heather to help him save Hiccup. It made him uncomfortable and weak because he couldn't fix Hiccup on his own, he knew that and it twisted his insides. He inhaled deeply. This was incredibly hard for him.

Astrid studied him for a long time, noting the emotions playing over his face, the anxiety and fear that was gripping him. What he said next took her completely by surprise and proved in many ways how much he had changed and grown up in the time since Hiccup had been captured. It was a little frightening and she was taken back by his request. Dagur may be deranged but he was observant, he knew how she felt about Hiccup and how Hiccup felt about her and so it showed just how much he truly loved Hiccup and what he was willing to give up to make the Hooligan happy again.

. . .

"We should go flying or swimming for your next session," Tuffnut suggested, lounging upside down on Stoick's big armchair, his feet dangling over the headrest.

Hiccup was sitting by the hearth with Toothless, his typical place for their sessions. The idea of going somewhere other than the hut had been thrown around quite a bit the last few days but other than taking a walk around the village they hadn't gone far. "How about the cove? If we go flying Ruffnut would have to tag along."

"I can fly Barf and Belch on my own," Tuffnut argued. He could, it wasn't quite as easy since the Zippleback was latterly two minds about everything but he was managing when on his own. "So how about Henryk? Is he causing any more trouble?"

Hiccup shook his head. "Pretty quiet since Viggo died. I don't know. Sometimes this great sadness hits me and I want to cry. I think Henryk really loved him…I guess I loved him…a part of me at least. He…we…I…wow, this is so weird."

Tuffnut rolled off the chair and into a kneeling crouch in front of Hiccup. "Wait, you said you loved him…Viggo."

"I said 'I think Henryk really loved him'," Hiccup corrected but a rosy blush suddenly adorn his cheeks.

"Yeah, then after that you said you loved him."

"Tuff…"

Tuffnut's eyes were bright. "Okay…okay…forget about Viggo for a moment. What about Dagur? You killed Viggo for Dagur, why?"

"I don't know. I just did."

"No…you don't 'just' do anything. You always think like ten steps ahead and then five to the side as a just in case factor." Tuffnut searched his eyes, his smile growing with excitement. "That's the same look you give every time anyone asks you about your feelings for Astrid. You get bright red and all fidgety. Isn't he red and fidgety, T?"

Toothless warbled in amusement and rubbed his big head against Hiccup's.

"Traitor," Hiccup grumbled to the dragon.

"You like him! Like really really like him. And here I thought he was on part of your therapy, Dagur therapy! No wonder he's so crazy, he's probably been trying to get with you ever since…ever since…oh wow!"

Hiccup looked away. "Yeah, pretty much. Can we talk about something other than my messed up sex life?"

"Just tell me one thing and I'll never ever bring it up again…do you love him? Can you love him after what he did? I mean he pretty much handed you to the Grimborns on a silver platter. If he hadn't…"

"I know," Hiccup murmured. He ran a hand over Toothless's warm scales. "And honestly I don't know how a feel about Dagur. He's crazy and unpredictable and drives me utterly insane but…" He shrugged. "I guess I kind of like having him as part of the group."

Tuffnut didn't look convinced and pursed his lips in thought.

"Okay, fine, I like him, alright? Are you happy now?"

"Exceedingly," Tuffnut chirped as if winning a great victory. "How does Henryk feel about him?"

Hiccup had to think but his mind was surprisingly quiet. "I don't know. Before, he needed him. He was desperate…I was desperate but know it's something else. I don't just need him I want him. I want to be with him. I want to help him understand why we're at peace with the dragons and ride them. He has so much potential and when he's not being all crazy I enjoy being with him. And the sex…" He stopped, his eyes widening and mouth clamping shut.

Tuffnut grinned widely. "You know you only mentioned Henryk twice and then it was all you and what you wanted. I think you and Henryk might be merging back together. You even started talking about the sex and usually only Henryk does that and he get way too detailed on some things. I mean I seriously didn't need to know about size and length and girth and…" He made a face and raised his hand, looking as if he might be sick. "Yeah, let's not go there."

"I wasn't." But Hiccup laughed and it was a merry sound, something Tuffnut hadn't heard in a very long time. They laughed together and it was almost like old times on Dragons Edge.

A knock on the door made them pause but only long enough for Hiccup to say "come in" before chuckling again, both very giddy at the happy change of events. Tuffnut stood and helped Hiccup to his feet as Astrid pushed the large door open and stepped inside.

"I dare say we're nearing a success," Tuffnut chirped as he poked Hiccup in the ribs. "I wouldn't be surprised if you and Henryk merge back into one soon."

Hiccup shrugged. "Maybe." There was still that tingling in the back of his mind, a deep horrible sadness and longing mixed with that ever present need for Dagur and sex that he had only barely been able to keep under control that last few days while he heals. "Perhaps when Dagur heals we'll go back to the Edge and make him a rider, too."

"Now there's a nightmare waiting to happen. And I suppose you'll find his Skrill for him too," Astrid drawled as she sashayed into the room, surprising both boys. She never sashayed or wore a simple long caftan like she was now. It was way too warm for such a thing that day. She gave Tuffnut a tight smile but he gave her a strange look, taking in the weaved wrapped, her loose hair which only a few hours ago was in its usual braid, right down to her boots. His brows rose questioningly before shrugging and walking off.

"Same time tomorrow, H?"

"Yeah," Hiccup called back but his gaze was also on Astrid and her strange new look. He waited until Tuffnut was gone and door shut before addressing her. "Hi."

"Hi," she echoed, looking suddenly nervous.

"About the other day…" the both began at once only to laugh nervously at each other.

"Me first, please," Hiccup said hurriedly, feeling the need to explain what she had walked in on. They hadn't really spoken since the Hunters invaded and Viggo tried to take him back. He waited for her to nod it was okay then hurriedly continued. "Dagur and I…we…oh Thor…I had this all worked out in my head and now I can't even get it out."

"It's okay. I know. Tuffnut explained about Henryk and the hyper sexuality. Don't get mad, he was only trying to calm me down," she assured. She moved closer, a little anxious smile on her lips. "Can you…would you sit down?"

Surprised, he nodded and sat on his father's big chair. She probably had a lecture for him and didn't want him to bolt. He gave Toothless a worried look but the Nightfury warbled reassuringly before curling up and taking an afternoon nap.

"Dagur and I talked," Astrid continued, moving ever so slowly closer. "He told me more about Henryk and your little…uhm…problem." She took a deep breath and opened her coverings revealing she was wearing nothing but it and her boots. "Since he's confined to the infirmary he asked me to help."

Hiccup inhaled sharply and blinked in disbelief. "Astrid…" He had no words for what he was seeing. She was breathtaking. She had always been beautiful but had never had the pleasure of seeing her bare of clothing. Skinny dipping really didn't count since the whole gang was usually there. His insides twisted his arousal awaking. But even as his pulse picked up he felt in control. Henryk was there but it wasn't like before. He didn't feel two minds about this, no fear or guilt just adoration and a love he had felt for Astrid for a long, long time. It was as if he was in complete agreement with himself for the first time in so very, very long. "Wow…"

She blushed bright scarlet from her knees to her ears.

"Dagur asked you to do this?"

She straddled his hips and sat on his lap. She studied him thoughtfully before answering. "He said that Viggo told him something surprisingly important before you killed him. He said that he needed to learn how to share, that if he had taken a moment to realise that you were not just some toy but your own person. Maybe if he had learned to share you with Toothless years ago it would have saved him from three years of prison and your so much pain or that he may have been able to save you some of the pain Ryker inflicted on you." She fell silent as she ran a finger down Hiccup's cheek. "He asked me if I would share you with him."

"What did you say?" he asked, inhaling her lovely scent, they're lips only inches apart.

Her lips lowered until they hovered just above his. "I said I'd ask you."

Sweet beaded on him as his mind raced with how to answer. Months ago he would have sworn to be hers and only hers but now…now he couldn't. His chest tightened. "And if I said I…wanted you to share me with him…that I need him?"

Her eyes sadden a little but she nodded. "Then that's what I'll do. I'll do anything to help you."

He shook his head, feeling guilty. "I don't deserve you," he whispered, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.

"Shut up," she half laughed, half sobbed as she pressed her face into the curve of his neck as she wrapped her arms around him. "This was my fault too, for not telling about Heather's involvement sooner."

He sighed and hugged her back. "It's okay. I honestly forgot all about that."

Another sob escaped her, a rare sound from the young warrior. He forgot about her nudity and sex and just held her. This was familiar. This was something he missed more than anything else, the almost natural way they fit together. He rested his head against the side of hers and just held her. In time they would move forward and mend their relationship. Cupping the back of her head, he breathed in the scent of her hair and closed his eyes with a soft smile. For the first time since returning to Berk he truly felt at home.

. . .

Dagur was jolted out of a sound sleep when he felt a warm body climb onto his cot and snuggle against his back. The instinct to bolt upright and punch out the person who would dare to such a thing was immediately suppressed. He knew that slim figure anywhere and he pressed back against him. "Hey," he murmured, dosing back off.

"Hey," Hiccup whispered back, their voices hushed to not disturb the other patients. He hugged Dagur tightly. "Thank you."

Dagur was silent for a moment, his emotions warring with him before he swallowed back his momentary jealousy. "Did you have fun?"

"You mean did we have sex?"

The Berserker didn't answer.

"No," Hiccup whispered in his ear. "As much as we wanted to we just weren't ready and maybe a little scared. It's okay take a little time for her and eye to be that comfortable around each other again but she is willing to share."

Dagur nodded unsure if he was happy or not by this news. It certainly didn't go as planned. He had thought Astrid of all people would be able to take care of Hiccup for him. He didn't think she would chicken out on him. Frowning, he tried to think of who else he could turn to in order to take care of his Hiccup's needs until he was up and about and able to do so himself. He clasped Hiccup's right hand and held it over his heart where he always felt it belonged.

Hiccup pressed up against him, letting his lover feel every inch of him. Then in a husky voice and near perfect mimic of Dagur's voice said, "I've got a woody. I want to stick it up your ass."

Shocked, Dagur said nothing for several long minutes, his eyes wide and hand squeezing Hiccup's tightly. Then he burst into laughter, loud guffaws escaping him. "Sweet, Loki! That sounds so wrong coming from you! Keep to the funny and let me do the crude sexual innuendos."

Hiccup laughed as well and pressed his face into the back of Dagur's neck. "At least you can laugh about it. When you said it to me I nearly died."

"You exaggerate," Dagur chuckled.

Hiccup only squeezed him. "Not nearly as much as you'd like to think." He rested his head against Dagur's. "Alvin's coming tomorrow. He's going to try and take you back to Outcast Island. Dad thinks he has a way to stop him without going back to war."

Dagur nodded. "Yeah. I think I found a way to free my people as well," he whispered back.

They snuggled together. Soon Hiccup fell asleep, his head nestled against Dagur's but the Berserker couldn't sleep. Worry ate at him. He wanted to believe Hiccup and that Stoick had found a way to keep Alvin from taking him back to Outcast Island. If Alvin did try then Dagur would fight to the death for his freedom. He'd wait until they were at sea just to protect Hiccup but it would be either him or Alvin. There would be no middle ground this time. Either way his people would be safe. He had already made sure of that, and he hoped that Astrid would be able to get over whatever stopped her from having sex with Hiccup earlier and be able to take care of him should whatever Stoick's had planned not go the way he hoped.