So who loved the cliffhanger from last chapter? XD Wouldn't I be awful if I did a chapter that didn't even touch on Toothless right now so you have to wait ANOTHER week? LOL just kidding, I wouldn't do that to you :) I hope you like the resolution of the situation.

"Hey Hiccup, I'm going out for a little bit."

"Where are you going?" Hiccup asked. He was so happy that Toothless had been listening to him in regards to resting over the last few days. And while he had no problem with Toothless going for a walk with the progress he'd made, it seemed odd that Toothless was just announcing this randomly.

"Just to the post office," Toothless said. "I need to go check my PO Box. I'm expecting a delivery."

"Alright, see you soon."

As soon as the door clicked shut, Hiccup's eyes narrowed and he stared at the door. He knew Toothless was lying. Over the last week and a bit, Toothless had told Hiccup everything to the point where Hiccup felt like he had lived with Toothless for years. He had even mentioned the trick for getting the television and the digital box to turn on with the push of only one button. Why wouldn't Toothless have mentioned something as trivial as a PO Box? And Hiccup couldn't accept that he had just forgotten to mention it because Toothless never forgot anything. And he left nothing out either. He had even mentioned his safety deposit box at the bank. But he didn't want to blatantly call out the lie. If he had, he may not have had this opportunity to discover exactly why Toothless was lying to him.

Hiccup figured that it may be trouble, but he just couldn't let an injured Toothless do something stupid on his own. The man would kill himself without Hiccup. How he had survived until this point started to surprise Hiccup. Before he walked out the door though, Hiccup scrambled around looking for something to defend himself with just in case. Fortunately the first place he looked was the drawer in the table at the front door, and lying inside was a loaded handgun. Putting it in his pocket he checked the peephole and saw the elevator door closing behind Toothless.

Hiccup opened the door and raced to the stairs. He flew down the nineteen flights in record time and waited behind the door to the lobby. Fortunately there was a small window in the door, and Hiccup watched Toothless come out of the elevators with a few other people and head towards the doors. When he got there, he did look right and Hiccup thought maybe he was going to the post office, but he went left instead.

Hiccup left the staircase and followed behind Toothless. He always stayed at least a few people back just in case Toothless turned around. Eventually, Toothless stopped and walked into a convenience store. When Hiccup noticed which one, he froze. It was the same one that was on the news all those days ago, where Hiccup was pretty sure that Toothless had gotten his injury.

Sure enough, when Hiccup stood just out of sight around the corner, he could hear yelling from within the store. He couldn't quite make it out, but when he looked, he cringed. Toothless had a pained expression on his face, right before the store owner punched him and his gun went flying. Hiccup was in shock as the owner picked it up and started to point it at Toothless. He had to do something. He couldn't let Toothless get shot.

Wondering what to do, Hiccup remembered the gun in his pocket. Pulling it out, he really didn't want to use it. But if the man was going to kill Toothless what choice did he have? Hiccup took off the safety and silently opened the store's door. Maybe the owner would just throw it back at him. Maybe Hiccup wouldn't have to shoot.

"I'd ask if you have any last words, but men like you don't deserve that dignity."

When Hiccup heard the other gun's safety being released, he knew he had no choice. He lifted his own gun, pointed, held his breath, and pulled the trigger.

The bang made him flinch and he instinctively closed his eyes. What he saw before him when he reopened them shocked him. With a wide eyed expression on everyone's face, the store owner fell over, dead.

"Toothless!" Hiccup called before opening the door further to run up to him.

"STOP!" Toothless yelled so loud it made Hiccup jump. Nonetheless, he obeyed even though he was scared and just wanted to be next to Toothless.

"What's wrong?" Hiccup asked, concerned something else could go wrong.

"The camera hasn't seen you yet. You come any further in and it will. Just stay there," Toothless said as he got up. But instead of walking over to Hiccup, Toothless went to the cash register and pried it open, taking several hundred dollars. This confused Hiccup.

"Toothless, what are you doing?"

"This is money he owes, and I have to get it before tomorrow. Something tells me it would be much harder to get it tomorrow morning."

Just then, Hiccup started to hear sirens wailing in the distance.

"Toothless, the police are coming, can we please go?"

"One more second," Toothless said calmly before walking into the back of the store. Hiccup really wished he'd hurry up.

A few seconds later, Toothless came back carrying a small tape. Hiccup was confused at first, but then he realized it must have been the footage from the security camera. If he was going to take it anyways, what did it matter if Hiccup had entered the store? He decided now wasn't the best time to argue about that.

When Hiccup paid attention again, he realized that the sirens sounded like they were only a block away. This would be hard to explain if they were seen so close to a crime scene. Toothless and Hiccup started a brisk walk away from the store, but after only a few steps a Lincoln came to a screeching halt on the street beside them.

Hiccup was nervous at first, but was relieved when the window rolled down to reveal Gobber in the front seat. Then he realized his father may be in the back and his nervousness came back.

"Need a lift?" Gobber asked. When he saw their hesitation he added, "Stoick's not in here."

Not wanting to reject a quick getaway, Hiccup pushed Toothless into the back seat of the car and Gobber floored it.

"So Hiccup, how has life been?" Gobber asked, glancing in the rear-view.

"Uh, fine, I guess."

"I see you're being careful and staying out of trouble." Gobber cracked, but no one laughed. "I guess that mob class you were taking at the university really was more important than I thought."

Hiccup did chuckle at that one, memories of all his conversations with Gobber regarding that class returning. But a few seconds later something hit him.

"Gobber, what exactly were you doing in the area?" Hiccup asked.

"Oh, well, I was taking the car in for service when I saw you. Thought I'd stop since I saw you on the side of the street and you looked like you'd just seen a ghost." Hiccup was relieved that was all Gobber thought, until he added, "Plus you're carrying that gun which can't be a good sign."

Hiccup immediately looked at his hand and realized he was indeed still holding the gun. Quickly putting it in his pocket, Hiccup responded with a nervous laugh.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to tell your father. Like I said before, you're an adult now. You'll make your own choices. I just hope you'll be careful and make the right ones. Now, where are you two headed?"

"Right here is fine," said Toothless, perhaps a little too bluntly.

"Yeah, this is fine Gobber, thank you," Hiccup confirmed.

"Alrighty then. Nice to meet you, Toothless," Gobber said as he came to a stop.

Toothless gave a nod as he and Hiccup got out of the car. When Gobber drove off, Toothless put his arm around Hiccup and together they walked the last block and went up the elevator.

Toothless was quite impressed with how Hiccup was dealing with having just killed someone, until the apartment door closed. As soon as the door clicked shut and he no longer felt like he needed to maintain a cool composure for the outside world, Hiccup fell to the floor like a limp rag doll, body racked with sobs as the adrenaline wore off. Without even having to think, Toothless leapt for Hiccup and caught him before he actually hit the ground. He held him close as the sobs continued to come.

Toothless tried to calm Hiccup by whispering some sweet nothings, but it didn't seem to work. So, Toothless picked Hiccup up bridal style and carried him up to his room, enduring the mild pain still resonating from his side.

Toothless laid Hiccup down on his bed and immediately lied down next to him, his arm around him and holding him close. Toothless knew exactly what Hiccup was going through, having experienced the same thing after his own first kill. He just wished that someone would have been there for him, so he was glad that he could be here for Hiccup.

It took Hiccup several more minutes, but eventually the sobs started to subside. He was so grateful that Toothless was there for him. He leaned into Toothless even more and they sat there in silence for a while. Hiccup put his head on Toothless' chest and was calmed by the rhythmic thumping of his heartbeat. When his breathing normalized, Toothless figured it was safe to start a conversation.

"Hey, how're you feeling?" Toothless asked gently. He didn't want to aggravate any sensitive emotions.

"About as well as you can feel after killing someone." Hiccup responded. While Hiccup said it in a voice that sounded flat, Toothless could still hear the twinge of sarcasm hidden in the background, and that gave him hope that the old Hiccup would be back sooner rather than later.

"It's OK. It's natural. I remember the first time I had to kill someone."

"Can you tell me about it?" Hiccup asked, twisting his head a little on Toothless' chest.

"Are you sure you want to?"

"Yes," Hiccup replied, his hand resting on where Toothless' scar was. Toothless felt a twinge of pain but it wasn't much, so he kept silent.

"Alright then," Toothless started. As he did, he subconsciously started to run his fingers through Hiccup's hair. "I was seventeen. I had been working directly under RD since I was too young to become a faction leader. He still had me doing money runs though. I was sent out to collect the money that was due for a loan payment. If they couldn't pay, they died. I wanted so badly for the person to have the money. I met up with them on a cold night, in a dark alley in Queens. It was suspiciously quiet that night. There were no sirens, no cars honking, nothing. It was also perfectly clear and calm. There was no wind and not a cloud in the night sky. When I met up with them, they didn't have the money. Killing them was the last thing that I wanted to do. They begged for their life. I wanted to let them go, but I had to prove to RD that I had killed them. He required a photo of their body, a gunshot wound in the head. So, I had no choice. The adrenaline kept me going at first, but it wore off and I cried too. For a whole day. I felt so alone. And I don't want you to feel that same way."

"Toothless," Hiccup said, voice ascending as he said it. He was touched that Toothless wanted to make sure he wouldn't suffer alone. He lifted his head just long enough to give Toothless a kiss before he replaced it back on Toothless' chest. The sweet moment ended, however, when Hiccup decided to bring up a serious topic again.

"Toothless, I don't want to think about what would have happened if I hadn't been there. I don't like the fact that you are going out and doing this alone." Hiccup said matter-of-factly.

"Hiccup, you know that I can't do anything about that. I can't bring anyone into this. I couldn't be responsible for them. What would I do if something happened to them? How could I live with myself?" Toothless asked. This was an argument that Hiccup had heard before, but this time he had a response.

"Well, what if you could get someone who was already involved in all this? Someone you wouldn't have to do any extra work to watch?" Hiccup asked, lifting his head and sitting up.

"Well, I guess that would be ideal but there is no one…"

"Yes there is," Hiccup interrupted. When Toothless gave him a confused look, he said, "You're looking at him."

Toothless was confused for a second, but then a look of realization came over him and his expression became deadly serious.

"No. No no no. Not happening."

"Why not?"

"Hiccup I'm not going to allow you to be out in danger like that again," Toothless said, voice rising.

"Don't you think I'm already in danger just by living here? By dating you?" The volume of Hiccup's voice increased here as well.

"Yes but here you're safe in the apartment."

"Toothless you do realize that I'm not just going to stay inside all day every day, right? You may not let me get a job, but I am going to have to go outside at some point. I do still need to go to the doctor occasionally. Or shop for the condo. Last I checked, I already do that anyways." Hiccup knew he was raising a valid point here, and he hoped Toothless wouldn't be able to find an argument back.

"Well you don't really need a job since you're just taking some of my money anyways!"

Hiccup paused, and he swore for a moment his heart skipped a beat. He hoped that his sudden nervousness wouldn't be noticed by Toothless. When Hiccup continued, he tried to keep his voice as calm as he could.

"Wh-what are you talking about?"

"Please don't play stupid with me Hiccup. Nothing gets past me. Between the extra money missing from the accounts and the bank card under the leg of your night stand it was pretty obvious." Well, at least Toothless wasn't on the verge of screaming anymore.

"How did you…" Hiccup started before Toothless interrupted.

"The table isn't perfectly level. I have an eye for these things. But don't try to change the subject. Just tell me why?" As Toothless said this his expression was stoic, but Hiccup could see the hurt and betrayal in his eyes. It made Hiccup's stomach sink and instilled a sense of guilt like no other. He had done this to the man that he loved, and now he had to own up to it. Hiccup decided he was going to tell the truth, regardless of the consequence. After what he had done, Toothless at least deserved that.

Hiccup sighed and started. "Because I was scared."

"Scared of what?" Toothless asked, slightly confused.

"Scared of history repeating itself. What if you threw me out like Stoick did? I'd be stuck in just as bad of a situation. Out on the street with no money and nowhere to go."

"Come here," Toothless said as he wrapped his arms around Hiccup in an awkward hug. "I would never do that to you Hiccup. Even if we fought, we'd find a way to get past it. I would never throw you out Hiccup. I love you too much. Understand?"

Hiccup nodded wordlessly. Both men were on the verge of tears, emotions threatening to spill. Their relationship may have still been young, but already they could not imagine life without the other. They just knew they clicked together, like they were a match made in the heavens. They were star crossed lovers who had been given a chance to make it work.

They sat there for a few minutes, but the original conversation was still unfinished and Hiccup wasn't going to let it drop.

"Toothless, I still don't like you being out there alone." Toothless already knew exactly where this was going, and he still didn't like it.

"Hiccup, I love you too much to let you do this. If anything ever happened to you, or gods forbid I lost you, I don't know what I'd do. I'd never forgive myself."

Softly, Hiccup added, "Don't you think I feel the same way?" There was a pause that lasted several minutes before Toothless responded.

"Hiccup," Toothless started in a voice that Hiccup thought was going to start another argument. "If I let you work with me, I have one condition that you must obey. I need your word."

"Anything," Hiccup said, glad the argument was over.

"If anything ever happens, and I tell you to leave or do something you don't want to do, you have to do it no questions asked. No hesitation. Even if that means leaving me in danger. Do you understand?"

"But Toothless, I…"

"Do you understand Hiccup?" Toothless interrupted with a little more force. Hiccup had a feeling that this conversation would go nowhere until he answered the question to Toothless' satisfaction.

Reluctantly, Hiccup replied with a, "Yes." He really did not want to restart another argument.

"Come here," Toothless said as he pulled Hiccup into a strong embrace. "I love you so much."

"I love you too."

They stayed in that position and silent until they both fell asleep together on Hiccup's bed. Just before he fell asleep though, Hiccup thought about his last few weeks. In the past two and a half weeks, Hiccup had met Toothless, become friends with him, started dating him, and now was working with him. Who knew life could move so quickly?

There! Now all of your ghosts can stop haunting me from all the people that cliffhanger killed :P But yeah, Hiccup is a murderer O_O But it was self defense in his defense.

Next chapter: On or before January 6

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL IN ADVANCE! Perhaps you could wish me a happy new year with a review? :)