A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed. There was a comment that things were too dark, so here is a happy scene pushed up (and because I had time to work on it tonight). Also, some of the brighter parts are subtle right now as the story develops – for example the love and respect that people have for Hiccup and his reflections on how much he loves Astrid, despite her starting to feel insecure – are all pretty bright parts. Also, the male bonding is still only a subplot – Tuffnut, Dagur, and Snotlout's friendship with Hiccup has become very strong that has been hinted at, but will become more prominent.

Also, someone I asked I update sooner, so here it is. If all goes well (fingers crossed for no more computer issues) I should be able to get the next very long chapter out sooner this time.

Heathlegs

Heather and Fishlegs wondered out of the Hall hand in hand, sharing the same spring in their step and goofy smiles as they bounced down the stairs.

"I'm happy you came, Heather, I've missed you. Letters just don't cut it."

"I don't know, your letters are amazing. I look forward to each one. And they make me feel like I'm here, not a sea away."

"I wish you were here." He stopped and pulled her back to him.

He stood on the steps so their height matched and kissed her.

He brushed her hair behind her ear as he pulled back, "Would you like to take a late-nigh stroll through the streets of Berk, dear maiden?"

"I'd love to."

"I used to give tours around the village, you know."

She giggled, "I didn't know – but I'm not surprised."

With dragons around to keep the fires lit, even the darkest night never blacked the serene village. All the alleys and nooks seemed inviting and festive. Children had cut the last flowers of the season and woven them into strands which festooned the houses and dragon perches.

During the dragon wars, Berk focused on rebuilding homes, but now that those houses had stood for years people spent more time working on the fine details - making carving more intricate, painting with vibrant colors, and even planting adorable gardens.

"It's bigger than I remember," Heather mused.

"Yeah, the population is growing. People who left because of dragon raids migrated back, folks live longer, and have more kids."

Heather looked away when he said the last part. They walked in silence as Fishlegs searched for something else to say. He deeply wanted everything to go right while Heather visited. He played these moments over and over in his mind – always trying to think of the perfect combination of words and actions that would make her drop her life at Berserker Island and stay here with him. Odin, it was rough, he almost gave up on her – he'd even had a short-lived crush on Ruffnut, but then Heather's letters started coming again, re-igniting the torch she lit his heart.

"I'm sure things are still nice on Berserker Island, I could come visit… maybe?"

Heather laughed, "No…I mean yes… I mean, you should visit, but no village I've visited is as nice a Berk. It's stable. Peaceful. Established. There is something special here. Besides you." She winked.

The conversation lulled again and he fumbled for more words, "Um…how do you like staying at the Hofferson's?"

"They are nice people. It's odd though, Hiccup and Astrid are usually so in sync, but her parents, they never talk to each other at the house, even though they go out together in public and seem fine. And, Astrid told me her mom sleeps in Ingrid's room when guests aren't there. They seem – sad."

She pulled him over to a few barrels that sat outside a storage house. "Anyhow, I'd rather talk about fun things, I don't get enough of that these days. Let's people watch."

"OK." He hoped up on the barrel next to her.

A mother and four little children walked by, they all had long blond hair and bounced around squealing. The set looked like quadruplets, despite their height variations.

"That's Mrs. Thorston and the youngest of the Thorston herd."

"There are more Thorstons?"

"Next to accidental dragon fires, Thorstons are statistically the second biggest threat to Berk's buildings."

Heather giggled as the family moved along, all the while, the mother nagging her unruly children.

"Look over there," Heather pointed.

"Is that Snotlout and a girl."

"I think it is, what do you think they are saying?"

"Oh – uh…" Fishlegs did his best Snoltout imitations, making his voice deeper, but slightly whiny, "Hey babe, I know you're into me. I ride a monstrous nightmare, its way better than a night fury."

"And I bet she is saying," Heather made her voice breathless and girly, "Oh, I'm more into gronkles. Who wouldn't want to ride on of those amazing beasts?"

"I'm an amazing beast. You can ride me."

Heather snorted she laughed so hard, "Oh gods, he would use a terrible line like that."

Snolout shook his head and the girl folded her arms, but nodded. They turned and walked away from each other.

"Guess the line didn't work." Heather shrugged.

A group of teenagers lead by Gustave stumbled out of the hall, their rowdy laughs echoing in the peaceful streets.

"Those guys should not be drunk," Fishlegs said as he hopped off his barrel.

Heather followed him.

He came up behind Gustave, the clear leader, who was telling the other boys, "OK, so you punch the other guy in the gut or between the legs and see who can take the most hits before puking."

"No!" Fishlegs commanded, causing Gustave to jump and the other boys to scatter.

"I know who you all are," He yelled, "Back. Here. Now."

They hung their heads and returned like embarrassed puppies. They lined up before Fishlegs and he walked down the line like their commander - like Astrid, when she spoke to her soldiers.

"One, you boys should not be drunk. Not sure how that happened. Two, there will be no puking, it's gross and no one wants to clean that up. Three, no punching. Save that for your combat classes. Four, I'm telling all your parents. Now go home. And think about what you've done."

The boys sauntered off and Heather took Fishleg's hand, "Wow, that's a side I've never seen from you."

"I teach those kids at the dragon academy. I have to keep them in line at all times."

"Oh, you're like some sort of dominant school teacher. I like it." She leaned into him.

"Oh, go on…" he giggled.

"I like that you're stable and know about history and the past. You love your home, your dragon, your friends, and your family. You're loyal, and you look tough, but you never hide your gentle side. You are all the things I want to be but can't because I've never had stability." Heather looked away from him, "I worries that I can't find a comfortable steady life with Dagur, but he won't ever be able to be on his own. Some of the Berserkers are odd and maybe a bad influence. He needs me."

Fishlegs looked down and drifted away from her, like a boat untethered from dock. She pulled him back by taking his face in her hands, "But, I need you. I want to be here. You are the path in life I want, but not the path I can take now."

He nodded, but still couldn't look at her, "Can I at least walk you home tonight?"

"Fishlegs, you can walk me home, to someone else's house tonight, but I promise, we'll work at it, and we'll find a way that someday we can walk each other home to our own house – if that is what you want?"

A smile spread across his face as he grabbed her and kissed her more joyously than ever, "Oh, Heather, yes. That's what I want. And we'll work for it. Even if we have to be apart for a while. I'll talk to Hiccup and Dagur, and we'll find a way. And maybe we'll have to cross and sea for a while, but if we keep working, I know that one day we'll be on the same side of that sea."

He took her hand again and they resumed the same bounce in their step and goofy smiles they had after leaving the hall. Suddenly the cold air of the night, had the comfortable chilly feeling, that briskness that made the lung feel clear and reminded the skin there was air around it. For those who lived in Berk for years, the cold stood against them, but it also reminded them to cherish anything warm and worthwhile, things like fleeting summer and warm friendships that kept people from falling apart, and love. Love that sewed up the wounds and salved the battered soul.

As they approached the Hofferson house Fishlegs pulled Heather into the shadows for one last deep kiss.

"I love you, Heather."

"And I love you."

They pressed their foreheads together as he held her for a moment.

But, something broke their attention. A movement in the shadows near the Hofferson's. Someone was trying to break in.