Relative Earth Time: May the 11th, 2716

Five days after Berkfall

Location: Fourth Planet in the Eclipse System,

Northern Hemisphere

Stoick stomped down the halls of the newly founded colony. He hadn't acted at all the same since he found out from Gobber that his only child was dead.

It saddened him to think that he hadn't done much father-son activities with Hiccup since Valka left. He blamed it on how busy he always was, captaining a generation starship was no easy task, similar to chiefing a village of rowdy Vikings. He remembered Hiccup in his early childhood, always so clumsy, always doing something wrong. But he and Gobber knew the truth, the benefits of what Hiccup did always outweighed the negatives.

Stoick could recall a time when the reactor core nearly meltdown and it was prevented by Hiccup when he was only fourteen. That was the first time he had saved the ship, and it hadn't been that last either. But the problem was, when people found Hiccup after he prevented a meltdown, they blamed him, ridiculed him. Hiccup nearly cast himself off the ship that day alone. If it weren't for that girl with the raven hair, and bright hazel eyes, he would have done it too. The young girl became Hiccup's girlfriend a few months after that and became a proud young woman. One of the best fighters on board the ship. That girl's name was Aurelia or Aura as Hiccup called her.

He could remember when Hiccup stormed up to his desk, and slammed a data tablet down on his desk, before storming out again. He had never seen his son so angry before. He was such a kind soul. Adjusting his beard, he looked at the data tablet hiccup left behind. On it was a video of one of the camera feeds that recorded the engineering room as the core began to meltdown. The video showed the real culprits. It was that damn Jorgenson boy, and his twin minions, thinking they could use the engineering terminal to give them better marks in training.

People apologized to Hiccup after that, in which he forgave every one of them, understanding that it was in fact, just a misunderstanding. He was also happy that the Snotlout and the twins were sentenced to the brig for a month. First Officer Spitelout Jorgenson had a few words to share with his son that day.

But now he was gone. And Stoick continued to stomp up and down the brand new long corridors. His head always seemed to be spinning with thoughts, of what could of and what may be. Hiccup looked almost to be pseudo-Chief of Engineering. The man behind the scenes, the man who had his finger on the button. His boy was so intelligent, so talented.

Stoick's thoughts drifted to Aurelia, Hiccup's stunning girlfriend. Stoick didn't know much about the young woman, although he had met their parents once. It was long ago, though, and he couldn't remember much of their conversation. He remembered them thank him for his son, bringing their daughter out of depression, which he gladly returned. He was going to meet them five days ago.

Stoick stopped in his tracks five days ago; the Berk was destroyed. It wasn't a month prior when Hiccup had forced him to promise to come to a family dinner, hosted by the young couple. Aurelia's parents were to join them. He still wonders what was so important about that specific family dinner. Hiccup made it seem like it was the last family dinner they would ever have.

Stoick stood in front of a large door that leads into the mess hall. With one last deep sigh, he pushed the button on the right-hand side of the door, and it swished open. All of the crew and commoners that survived that crash sat waiting for him. When the door opened, all went silent and turned to look at him. It had been a while since he had this much attention on him at any one time. He straightened his posture and made his way to the front, with firm, brave steps. Finally, he turned facing his crew.

"My people, my crew, my friends." He began, voice booming over the crowd. "It has been five long, tiring days since Berkfall. But finally, we have set up this basic colony for us to live in." Stoick sighed, his breath shuddering. "I know that we lost people close to us in the crash, for we were a close knitted community. I too have lost someone very close to me." A few gasps and murmurs spread throughout the large crowd. Stoick spotted Aurelia in the crowd, her form unmoving, and her gaze aimed down at her food. Her arms supported her head, and occasionally she would shudder.

"But we will push through this, as we have pushed through other tough times." Stoick continued. "We had always wanted to set up somewhere, and it looks as though we have been rushed into it. And over the next few weeks, we will be setting up everything we need to return to normal life. As normal was, we can make it. "Stoick murmured the last part. Stoick paused, looking over his crew. "Work hard, stay safe, dismissed." Everyone got up after being dismissed and started filing out the door; chatter sparked back to life. Stoick softly moved over to Aurelia noticing her still-still form. Astrid was with her, unsure of what to do. Astrid looked up at Stoick; he faces questioning. Stoick gave her a nod, dismissing her. She spun on her heel and walked out.

"Aurelia?" Stoick started cautiously. Aurelia wiped her eyes and looked up at Stoick.

"Yes, Captain?" Aurelia asked. She was desperately trying not to burst into tears again. "What can I do for you?"

Stoick didn't know how to start; he opened his mouth to say something, but nothing left his mouth. After a moment or two, he settled on one simple question. "Are...are you okay?" Aurelia started crying again, Stoick sat down at the table and gave her a comforting arm.

"I can't." She shuddered through her tears. "I can't believe he's dead." Stoick didn't even open his mouth. He had no words of comfort to help the young grieving woman. He had always hoped he would be alive to so his son marry and Stoick would have a daughter-in-law. Stoick always hoped he would see little Hiccup's running round the ship corridors, and they'd call him grandpa. Stoick always wanted to be a grandpa. Stoick looked back at Aurelia, who had moved out of his grip. She'd brought her hands up on to the table, and started fiddling with her fingers.

"He saved all of us; you know that?" Stoick finally said. Aurelia, looked at Stoick, saying he could continue. "He had prevented the core from exploding." Stoick paused. "Again. It would have destroyed all life on this planet, including all of us." Stoick stopped.

Aurelia chuckled before sighing. "He always had this way of saving so many lives, while risking his own." Aurelia's voice was swift and smooth, silky and authoritative, yet held a calming soft tone to it. "He was stupid that way." She smiled. "But that's what made him charming. I honestly have never met someone so selfless." Her raven her flicked to the side when she spun to face Stoick. "He forgave everyone; he put himself before everyone. He would have made an excellent captain, Stoick."

"Yes, he would have." Stoick agreed. "But I have to thank you, Aurelia. You saved him six years ago. Without you, he would have jump ship." Aurelia nodded, not completely sure what she should say. "And for being there for him, for these past six years." Aurelia looked down at her fingers again, fiddling with something on her finger.

Stoick looked at her ring finger and noticed an immaculate, polished gold ring. It was shaped into two golden dragons, one with topaz in its eyes the other with emerald. Both dragons curled halfway around a diamond in the center before meeting on the top with a nuzzle. It would have made the perfect...engagement...ring.

Stoick came to a realization; he should have come to awhile ago. He gasped. "Aurelia, did Hiccup, propose?" Aurelia looked up at Stoick.

"Yes, yes he did. He did it on the last planet we were orbiting, he took me to a grassy field he found. It was the most picturesque place I had ever seen. Mountains in the distance one way and ocean in the other. It was getting night, and he waited till the planet started having an aurora borealis, and he stood, turned to me, got on one knee and just popped the question." Aurelia smiled at the thought of it. "Presented me this custom made ring, he made. He had forged it himself, straight from the raw rock. Mined, refined and forged all himself. He colored the eyes green and hazel to represent us."

"That's incredible" Stoick whispered, it put his proposal he gave to Valka to shame, as well as any story of a wedding proposal he had ever heard. Aurelia nodded.

"I feel as if I should feel he is gone," Aurelia said. "But it's like I feel he isn't gone, that he still around." Stoick looked back up at Aurelia, who was wiping stray tears from her eyes.

"What do you mean?" Stoick asked.

"I feel like he is still nearby, justs stuck in some situation." Aurelia clarified. Stoick nodded. They both slipped into a pregnant silence.

Eventually, Stoick stood. "I must return to my duties." Aurelia nodded. "Please, Aurelia, if you need to talk, some people will help, I included," Stoick said.

"Ok, thank you, Stoick," Aurelia said, rising from her seat.

Both left the room, going their separate ways. Stoick turns to face Aurelias slowly retreating form. "Aurelia!" Aurelia stopped and turned. "Take bereavement leave, for a few weeks," Stoick said.

"Stoick, I can wo…" Aurelia was interrupted.

"That's an order," Stoick said calmly and firmly before he continued down the corridor.