Stoick groaned as the morning light streamed in. He didn't want to get up. However, it was past dawn already and he was already behind schedule. He should have kicked Gobber out when he got home instead of letting the man pour him that first mug of ale.

"Hiccup, time to get up."

No answer. "Hiccup." Stoick said dragging himself out of bed. He hated mornings some days, particularly mornings which followed late nights with Gobber and ale. Stoick turned to Hiccup's bed. It was empty. Huh, Stoick thought. Hiccup must already be up and in the main room. Odd, though, that Stoick hadn't heard him get up; he had to pass Stoick's bed to leave the room.

"Hiccup?" Stoick called out as he headed for the hearth, "Hiccup come downstairs for breakfast." Stoick put the kettle over the fire, then the pot. Nothing. He looked up at the loft. "Hiccup. Answer me when I call you." Still nothing. Grumbling, Stoick stood on the bottom step. "Hiccup. Do not make me come up there, young man." No response. Stoick let out a sharp breath; he was not in the mood for this. He climbed the stairs to the loft ready to give Hiccup a good scolding only to find sheets of paper everywhere, charcoal scattered, toys arranged in what looked like a village. And Hiccup was nowhere to be seen.

Stoick turned and ran down the stairs and out the door towards the arena. If Hiccup was okay he was in so much trouble.

The Nightmare woke early with the sun and felt the small warmth of her hatchling still curled up under her wing. All was right with the world despite the chains and bars. Her little one smelled like a Viking again so the Nightmare started washing him gently; she didn't want to wake him yet. The little one curled up tighter and pressed in against her. He had snuck in during the early hours of the morning and curled up under her wing and chattered to her about eating and only went to sleep after she had eaten several fish.

"Hiccup!"

The Nightmare growled and closed in around her hatchling as the gate was opened to let the Alpha in. She merely had to glance at Stoick to know how furious he was, she didn't need to know much about Vikings to see that. Something in his lumbering step and the nasty glint in his eye made her feel more aggressive and she refrained from lighting herself on fire to protect her little one. He woke her hatchling.

"Hiccup!" The Alpha growled striding closer. The little one pushed out from under her wing.

"Dad?"

"What are you doing?"

The Nightmare curled her tail around her hatchling and growled a warning.

"I couldn't thleep. I wanted to make her feel better cauthe she'th thad. You were thleeping." He was leaning back into her so the Nightmare hunched herself to appear bigger to show that she would protect her little one.

"So you came out here alone? Come here. Now." The Alpha commanded, he didn't take his eyes off of the Nightmare and she refused to break eye contact with him.

The hatchling fidgeted, "Am I in trouble?"

"More trouble than you have ever been in in your life. Here. Now."

Still the hatchling hesitated, "Ith the Nightmare in trouble? Cauthe she didn't do anything wrong! She ate, I got her to eat."

"Hiccup. Do not make me tell you again."

Slowly the hatchling moved forward, climbing over the Nightmare's tail. She crooned and tried to get him to stay, but he pushed her away gently. With his head hanging he approached his sire.

"I'm thorry." He sniffled.

"We'll talk about it at the house." The Alpha said without taking his eyes off the Nightmare. He had his hammer loose in his hand.

"Dad, you promithed. You promithed you wouldn't fight her." The hatchling said grabbing his sire's hand in both of his.

"Go home, Hiccup. We'll talk there."

"Daddy!" The little one cried, clearly very distressed. The Nightmare couldn't do a thing about it with him so close to his sire. "You promithed!"

The Viking stopped and looked down at the little one still clinging to his hand.

"You promithed."

The smell of fear was coming from the hatchling as well as anger. The Nightmare cocked her head when the Alpha sighed and gave in with a nod. She rumbled a question. Of course the Viking didn't answer; he kept himself between the Nightmare and his offspring as they left.

Hiccup wiped his nose on his right sleeve as his father had a firm grip on his left hand. Hiccup could feel how tense his father was and he didn't dare drag his feet like he usually would. His dad was angrier than Hiccup had ever seen; refusing to say anything to Hiccup and he knew it was best to just follow along at the brisk pace that Stoick set. His father didn't stop or even acknowledge the few people already awake and outside. One look at Stoick's face was all that was needed to keep their distance.

When they got home Stoick wrenched the door open and pushed Hiccup in ahead of him. Hiccup stood in the room with his head down, fiddling with his fingers. He was waiting for the outburst, the yelling. This part of getting in trouble was the scariest. However, no outburst had begun. His dad didn't say anything; he merely paced around the room too angry to speak. The silence dragged on making Hiccup more and more uncomfortable until he couldn't take it any longer.

"Dad?" Hiccup cringed when his father stopped midstep.

"Stay in the house." He said glaring at Hiccup. "You're grounded. We'll talk later. Understand?"

Hiccup nodded. He understood that he was in trouble and his dad was angry. He wasn't quite sure what it was that had made his dad angry. He assumed it was going in to see the Nightmare, though he didn't get why that made his dad this angry. Hiccup went to the bedroom and climbed on his bed to wait for his dad. Once Stoick had calmed down he'd punish Hiccup and tell him why he was angry. Then it would be okay again.

The Nightmare decided to finally cooperate. She began to eat the food she was given and even allowed the Vikings to see her. No more hiding. Maybe they'd let her hatchling come back then. There were two here today, the two who had been in her nest. She stayed quiet and calm, not even allowing herself to growl.

"See?" Funny limb said, "Quiet as a mouse. Yer brother's spookin' at nothing."

The other one snorted, "It's a dragon. It might not intentionally hurt the boy, but it will at some point. Did you see his arm?" He tipped a barrel of fish into the arena for her and the Nightmare, being a good guest, ate the fish.

"I'm going down there." Funny limb said leaving the edge above her. The other one looked surprised.

"Down there? In the arena? Gobber, if you kill that beast-"

"Relax," came Funny Limb's voice, "I won't-"

The Nightmare couldn't hear anymore, just his muffled voice. She spread her good wing and lay down to sun herself. Appear non-threatening, that's how she'd get to see her hatchling again.

The gate clicked and started lifting. Funny Limb came in slowly. The Nightmare watched him carefully as he approached.

"Easy now, beastie. Provin' a point, that's all. That's a good beastie. Nice and quiet." He said coming closer and closer till he was right in front of her.

"Spitelout, ya big baby, get in here. Nothin' ta worry 'bout."

"It's unnatural, Gobber." The other one called from the gate.

"It's only till the dragon can fly away again. Stoick's only goin' along with this to prevent more nightmares that wake Hiccup up crying. You know how that man is with tears. I want to make it easier on them both and that means getting along with this here monster. So get over here."

The Viking by the gate muttered under his breath as he made his way across the arena to the Nightmare. She looked at Funny Limb, confused by their actions. Vikings were violent, evil monsters yet here two of them stood right in front of her weaponless after giving her food. The Viking in front of her looked as if he wanted to start petting her to prove his point, something she would gladly take his remaining hand for. She'd go along with whatever he wanted, though, and seeing as they were weaponless she laid her head down again and paid them no mind. It was for her hatchling, she thought, all for her hatchling.

It was nearing supper before Stoick went home again. As far as he knew Hiccup had obeyed the command to stay inside which was something. People had been less annoying with their problems today so Stoick assumed he looked as angry as Gobber claimed he did. He couldn't help it; every time he thought about Hiccup sneaking out or finding his son in that devil's clutches he became furious. He had meant to go home sooner, but he was too angry to deal with Hiccup. The anger was fuelled by fear; Stoick was willing to admit that to himself. He was not about to give Gobber the satisfaction of admitting it to him. Stoick was Chief and a Chief felt no fear, at least, a Chief admitted to no fear.

Taking a deep breath Stoick opened his door, ready for whatever mischief his son had gotten into after being inside all day. Stoick opened the door to quiet darkness. Everything was intact, no messed up chairs and blankets turned into forts, cabinets and shelves in place. All was as he left it. Including the food Stoick had set out on the table for Hiccup. Had the boy snuck out after all? Oh, if he had he was in even more trouble. Stoick could feel his blood boiling as he stomped up to the loft to check. Empty, just like this morning. Stoick decided to check the bedroom before going to the arena.

There was Hiccup sitting on his bed, knees drawn up and dried tear tracks on his cheeks. Just like that all the anger left Stoick.

"Hiccup?" Stoick came in and cringed inwardly when the boy flinched. "Hiccup, have you been here all day?"

For a while Stoick didn't think Hiccup was going to respond. Finally the boy gave the slightest of nods. Stoick sat on the bed next to him, "Why didn't you eat?"

Hiccup shrugged and sniffled. Stoick had made a mistake in not coming home sooner. "Hiccup, I only said to stay inside. You didn't have to sit here all day."

"I alwayth have to thit here when I'm bad," Hiccup whispered his lip trembling. "I have to thtay here till you're not mad anymore."

A huge mistake. "Hiccup, I'm not mad anymore."

"You're not?" Hiccup finally looked up so Stoick shook his head. Hiccup let go of his knees and put his arms around Stoick's neck, sniffling into his shoulder, getting snot on his tunic. Stoick pulled the boy onto his lap held him there, rocking.

"Do I get a thpanking?" Hiccup asked. That had been the plan, but now Stoick was having second thoughts.

"Do you think you should?"

Hiccup shrugged, "I wath bad." He let go of Stoick's neck and tucked his head under Stoick's right cheek as he played with his father's beard. Stoick frowned; it was not like the boy to be so cuddly when he wasn't tired.

"What would you get a spanking for?" Stoick asked gently, still rocking him.

"I don't know." Hiccup whispered, "Theeing the Nightmare?"

"Is that why you think I was angry?"

Hiccup pressed in closer, burying his face in Stoick's neck, and shrugged. Stoick wrapped his arms around his son and kissed the top of his head. He shouldn't have left the poor boy alone all day. Hiccup was only a child with a childish understanding of what was going on. He didn't understand how scared Stoick had been that morning. He only understood that his father had been very angry; too angry to stay in the same house as him.

"I was mad because you snuck out in the night. I woke up and you weren't home. You know you aren't allowed to go anywhere without telling me or another grownup. On top of that you went into the arena, a place you are not allowed to be under any circumstance, and you were with a dangerous beast. You did a lot wrong."

"Tho I get a thpanking?" Hiccup asked matter-of-factly. He didn't seem to mind the idea. Stoick hoped he wasn't getting immune to them. Spankings were the most effective punishment he had tried. Time outs were absolutely useless in his opinion. Other parents swore by them, but Stoick found that Hiccup didn't mind them in the least. "I don't want to be in trouble anymore." Hiccup whispered.

Oh gods, what had Stoick done that the kid wanted a spanking? "You aren't in trouble anymore. I think you've been punished enough without a spanking. You're still grounded though."

"Okay." Hiccup made no move to get up and Stoick berated himself again for letting his anger get the best of him. He had meant to spare the boy the worst of his anger by staying out till he had calmed down.

Hiccup's stomach growled loudly reminding Stoick that the boy hadn't eaten all day. That only served to make him feel guiltier. Stoick kissed Hiccup's head again, noting that the boy was covered in dried dragon spit and would need yet another bath, before setting the boy on his feet.

"What do you want for supper?" Stoick asked as he stood.

"I dunno." Hiccup said looking at the floor.

"You have to eat, Hiccup. Come on." Stoick guided Hiccup out of the bedroom, "Gobber says he got your dragon eating again." He said. Usually he wouldn't mention this but he wanted to brighten Hiccup up.

"She'th okay?" Hiccup asked clearly surprised. Stoick steered him to the table and pushed the plate of food in front of him. Then he got out the mug of buttermilk he had poured for the boy.

"Gobber and Uncle Spitelout even went in to see it. Gobber thinks it's safe. I still don't want you near it unsupervised, understood?"

"Yeth thir." Hiccup said pushing the food on his plate around.

"Eat, Hiccup."

Hiccup started chewing a piece of jerky and Stoick got the impression that it was only to appease him. Well, at least he was eating.

A/N: Stoick was supposed to get to this place regarding the dragon way back in chapter 20 but he is just so stubborn. Giving Hiccup nightmares didn't help so things went to the extreme. Hopefully everyone behaves now and I can get this story going the way it's supposed to neatly to the end. And don't worry; I've given you guys some fluff in the next chapter. I wasn't that mean to Stoick was I? When I first wrote it I thought I might have taken it too far but now I don't think so. Maybe it doesn't seem that bad because I've gone over this chapter several times for editing, CB and Nori seem to think I was mean… you all tell me. CB did say she liked this chapter because she could understand the stress Stoick was under and she liked how it all played out. What did you guys think?

Just a note because I keep getting asked: Toothless is not going to meet Hiccup in this story, he probably isn't coming back. I've said it before but it needs to be said again: he is not in this story. He was a plot device to distract the Nightmare so Hiccup could go home. It was a cameo. Toothless is not coming back in this story as a main character. If you see him again (I haven't decided yet) it's just another cameo. He is, however, a main character in my other story, Imprint. That glacier-plot mess. I'm writing part three now and it's soooooooooooo slow because of all these little details that need to be addressed before I can move on… So if you want to read a story of mine with Toothless, head over to Imprint or wait several months when I'll be posting my next story (when this one is done) because Toothless will be (eventually) in that one.

Hopelessromantic4life: lol yeah, there really was no way that Hiccup was going to obey Stoick there was there?

KaliAnn: To be fair Stoick is seriously boar-headed and Hiccup is his only family left, so he's a bit (a lot) overprotective. Not to mention watching a dragon who had broken into his house and scared his baby fly away with his wife. He has good reason to hate dragons. I can see where he is coming from but I needed him to change his mind… I completely understand why he disowned (briefly) Hiccup in the movie and why things had to go as far as they did for Hiccup to change things in Berk. Stoick is a hard man to change. You really made me stop and analyze Stoick right there, I hadn't stopped to think about why he was being so hard to move. Kinda feel sorry for him now…

Midnightsky0612: The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, eh?

Thearizona: I know that stupid lisp is annoying. He has another tooth to lose before he gets rid of that lisp. Maybe Gobber will get tired of it and help Hiccup get rid of it sooner… Fiendishly cruel and clever eh? Hehehe. And I got what I wanted from Stoick which means Mama Nightmare isn't going anywhere for a while. CB wants to know where the Drake is too…