Disclaimer: All rights remain with DreamWorks, Marvel/ Disney, Stan Lee, and Cressida Cowell, and Rick Riordan
There Be Demi-gods
By: iamCambria
Introduction: Norse deities have been known to be more protective of their children than other mythological gods. Especially if their children are in constant need.
Chapter 2: Stoick is WHO?
Hiccup backed away from the man; he couldn't control his shaking, how could this be happening? He couldn't control his fear. But to his relief, a scaly head searched its way under his drooping left hand and snaked its black body protectively around its boy. Toothless would assure no strange man would harm his Hiccup.
The man in front of them made no show of emotion towards Toothless' sign of aggression. He simply crossed his arms. This gave Hiccup the opportunity to observe the imposter. He wore all black in his pants, boots, and shirt; the only colors were from his long-sleeved leather coat which was shaded different tones of green, and his armor which were gold with little swirls of dark bronze. The man had bright emerald eyes, and pitch, raven hair which was shaggily hanging above his shoulders.
They didn't move for some time. Toothless was the one who made the first move; he carefully unwound himself from the boy's body and cautiously made his way to the mysterious man. The man in turn, slowly reached his hand out until it was inches away from the dragon's snout. With a growl, and careful movements, the Night Fury sniffed the hand.
All hostility left Toothless and soon enough he was licking and nudging the man's hand. The man gave a relieved smile and pat the flat part of Toothless' head. The dragon gave a friendly woof, his expressions akin to a happy puppy, and turned around to smile toothlessly at Hiccup.
"Traitor." said boy muttered.
The man glanced at Hiccup sadly. "Do you really not recognize me, Hiccup?"
His voice was rich, and prominently drenched in some sort of an accent. It was not a harsh Viking accent as Stoick's was, but something softer. It was lulling yet something about it made the speaker sound aristocratic and sophisticated.
"I know you changed from my father who was much bigger than you." Hiccup snapped.
"How observant of you." The man quipped.
No, Hiccup thought angrily at his rising nerves, I need to keep myself together. All I've got is my wit—I'd better put it to good use.
"Well, someone finally notices my abilities." He snorted.
The man hummed. "I've noticed your capabilities ever since you were young."
"That's not at all creepy."
"Is it not custom for a father to notice their son's—"
"You're not my father. Stoick the Vast is." Hiccup snarked at the man.
"Stoick the Vast is my creation—I am Stoick." The man explained. "T'was a ruse on my part. As I said before; I'm truly sorry you found out in this manner. I had planned to tell you later on in your life."
"Who the heck says 't'was'?" Hiccup chuckled bitterly.
"Is that really what you wish to bring up?" The man questioned, brows raised.
"It's just a word, a rather stupid word too." Hiccup returned. "My father, Stoick, would never say 't'was'."
"I am your father Hiccup."
"I'm sorry but I find it hard to believe you."
The man drawled. "I would not be surprised, given my reputation."
That blew the young boy's nerves.
"Who are you and what do you want with me?" He demanded.
The man frowned. "Come now, use your head Hiccup. You're a clever boy—figure it out."
"I don—" He started but stopped. Odin's words played again and again in his mind.
"I will get you Hiccup Lokisson!" The old being roared.
Hiccup stumbled back, his heart beating wildly.
"No!" He gasped.
"It took you long enough." The man observed with thoughtful mockery.
"This is so messed up—"
"That is a bit offensive."
"—this was never supposed to happen—"
"Ah, I agree. But I did occur; although I cannot quite say I am ashamed of my actions. I enjoyed them thoroughly."
Hiccup looked at the man with disgust.
Said man shrugged. "What do you expect from the god of Mischief?"
"Loki." Hiccup stated. "That's why Odin called me Lokisson."
The god nodded. "Yes, but quite frankly I like your given name Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third."
"Well I bet you had fun naming me that." Hiccup quipped with a sardonic tone.
"Actually, your name was your grandfather's idea." Loki thought aloud.
Hiccup crossed his arms.
"Old Wrinkly, not Odin." Loki amended with a grin.
"Mom's dad."
"Yes. Her side of the family were the Haddocks. I actually, wanted to originally name you Aesir Erikkur, but I fear, being that I was not Loki to them, the name would not have made sense. So your grandfather decided to give you a terrifying middle name while carrying on his family name and being given the traditional name of the runt all at the same time."
Loki shrugged. "As you now know, I had very little say in your name."
Hiccup just stared coldly at the Aesir—the Trickster.
Loki took a step forward. "I know this must be hard to—"
"Did she know?" Hiccup questioned, voice emotionless.
The Trickster tilted his head to the side, acknowledging his confusion to the boy.
"Did my mother—" he paused. "Did Valhallarama know you were Loki?"
The "god" visibly winced as he remembered a conversation he had with his wife, once long ago.
"Val?" Loki in the form of Stoick the Vast asked.
"Yes?" The female Viking grunted, she was polishing both of their war time armor and weapons. Her five month's pregnancy clearly visible now through her simple tunic.
"If I were someone, someone other than who I say I am, would you still care for me?" He questioned.
Valhallarama looked up from her polishing. "Who would you be other than you?"
Stoick-Loki pondered a possible answer. "Say I was a Jotunn or the Trickster god of Asgard."
Val put on a thoughtful expression before answering. "Well, I would bash you on the head, really, really hard." She admitted while flicking her red brown bangs out of her face.
Loki winced.
His wife got up, albeit slowly because of the life within her, and made her way to her husband.
"But." She stated. "Even if you were Loki himself, I would still love you and still stay by your side."
"You would?"
"Yes."
"Val, I have something to tell yo—" But then he stopped.
Perhaps I will tell her after the child is born.
"No." Loki growled, his emerald eyes growing dangerously dark. "I never got the chance to tell her."
"Hiccup surprised Loki by laughing. "You knew her for 30 years—I think you would've found time to say, I don't know, 'Hey Val—just to let you know: I'm Loki, god of Mischief.'"
"As much as you Migardians wish, we are not gods—although your admiration is truly flattering." Loki admitted.
The brought Hiccup off topic. "Wait, you're not a god? You lied to me?"
"I never said I was."
"Oh yes you did."
"I do no reca—"
"You said 'what do you expect from the god of Mischief'. I should've expected as much from the king of lies as well."
Loki chuckled and grinned. "Good…good."
""What?" Hiccup pressed, anger welling up in him.
"Oh I like how much you embrace the sarcastic personality both your mother and I gave you."
The boy pursed his lips.
"Allow yourself to come the conclusion Hiccup; you are as silver-tongued as I am." Loki whispered with a smug smirk.
"In exchange for what, a lack of a Viking figure?" Hiccup demanded rhetorically. "All my life I tried to live in your great shadow—all I can remember is living in your shadow. If you are the silver-tongued patron of weaklings, of underdogs…of hiccups—why did you try to force me to become the great Viking I could never be?"
Loki swallowed. "I have no excuse for my actions as Stoick the Vast other than this—I went insane after your mother died. She was the only mortal woman that I ever loved, or cared to love. I began to believe the lie that I had told everyone—that I was some great strong man born to be a chief and lead this tribe. And I lost myself to it—I truly believe that I was Stoick."
"So what made you remember?" Hiccup questioned.
"You."
"Me…how?"
"After you fell off Toothless," The black haired being said, gesturing to the Night Fury. "I felt so powerless as Stoick. I couldn't do anything to help you; all I could do was pray that you would live."
Hiccup sucked his breath in through his pursed mouth.
"And when I uttered that prayer, I remember who I was—that I was Loki Odinsson. And that when I found you, with Toothless curled around you. I took me almost losing everyone I care about to remember the truth, but when I did, I swore never to lose myself to a lie again. I couldn't watch anyone else I loved die."
Hiccup glared a Loki, he opened his mouth to speak but then he closed it. He stiffly turned on his heel and walked towards the door. He gestured with his hand to Toothless for him to follow. The dragon sulkily left Loki's side to join his best friend.
Loki reached out, trying to stop them. "Hic—"
Hiccup turned his head to the side, glowering. "I just need some air and some time to think. I'll come back."
Loki narrowed his eyes and frowned at the boy, but nodded all the same. "Very well."
Hiccup turned back around and opened the front door and walked out without looking back again. He closed it and let his fingers slide slowly from the iron bar on it.
"I'll be back, maybe." He muttered.
Looking at Toothless tiredly, he reached over and grabbed the handles on the saddle. With a quick heave he pulled himself up onto the dragon's back. He slide his prosthetic into its proper stirrup. With a sigh, he patted the dragon's neck to give him the okay to fly. Toothless sullenly opened his wings and took off.
Hiccup tried to relax.
He and Toothless were the kings of the sky. The open air was their kingdom and their freedom; so why did he feel trapped?