Hiccup had finished the saddle in a single day and I still hadn't come up with a name. He told me to sleep on it as we strapped the saddle on my dragon for the first time.

She was unsure about it and would roll her shoulder or gnaw at a messed up part of her fur occasionally.

Hiccup had shown me how to properly saddle up, and we headed back to his place. The saddle did make it easier to relax while on her back.

"It's fine. I didn't come up with Toothless at first either." There was a moment of silence.

"I've never named anything before."

"Well, there's no rush."

"Hiccup!" We both turned to see a man and dragon that were basically the same, aside from the obvious difference in species. The dragon settled (read collapsed and slid) near us. I felt a lot safer on the Woolly Howl's back, but I still cringed. The boulder of a dragon was an enigma. How could it possibly fly, much less carry someone who had an easy 100 pounds me?

"What's up Fishlegs?" The Woolly Howl and I locked gazes, clearly in disbelief over the name.

'Who would have the sheer audacity to name their kid Fishlegs? Are they trying to get him picked on?!'

"Do you know when Johann will be arriving?"

"Within a week, according to his Terror mail." I kept my face neutral as I petted my dragon. She seemed okay with waiting, so I wasn't going to rush it.

Didn't mean I had to like being near another dragon.

"Oh, that's perfect! I'm nearly out of paper for the new addition to the Dragon Manual! Thanks Hiccup!" With a buzzing of its wings, the dragon lifted into the air, spun on a dime, and fluttered away.

"Are you okay, John?" I looked at Hiccup.

"Uh. Yeah. Sorry."

"It's okay. That was Fishlegs. He's excitable, but probably the least dangerous out of all of us." I muttered something about stereotypes before shaking my head.

"I just don't understand how that thing could fly."

"Oh, Meatlug?" I gawked at him. "Yeah, she's a bit strange when it comes to flight. Most Gronkles are."

"Meatlug."

"Yeah." He did a double take before chuckling. "Yeah, we Vikings believe the worst the name, the easier it is to scare off trolls." My head moved around a little as I tried to comprehend that ridiculous statement. Hiccup's chuckle broke into light laughter.

"Come on, let's get back inside." Toothless led the way through the snow. Once we got inside, the Woolly Howl let me off her back before she laid down near the fire. She ran her tongue down her paws to dry them off as I checked that the saddle wasn't too tight on her.

My thoughts went to something I hadn't thought of since I was rescued by Hiccup.

"So, now that you're getting over you're fear of dragons," Hiccup started. My hands slowed to a stop.

"…Hiccup."

"Yeah?"

"Please don't," I whispered.

"Don't, what?"

"Don't be, helpful."

"What's wrong?"

"…"

"John?" I mumbled something as I continued adjusting a strap. I knew he didn't hear me and my hands rested on my dragon's side.

"Because it only makes it harder to leave." The fire crackled. Toothless crooned. I squeezed my eyes shut.

"…You weren't planning on staying. Were you?"

"No." The word fell into my dragon's fur below me.

"Is it because of my dad? Or the dragons?" Hiccup had sobered up.

"Both? Partially? Now…I just, can't stay." I redid the final strap before turning to face him. Forest green eyes watched from across the room before falling to the floor.

"I see."

"I know you're trying to help. I will always be grateful. You saved my life, after all. But me? On an island full of dragons? I couldn't even look that Gronkle in the eye, much less be within thirty feet of a Nadder without wanting to puke, scream, run, or all three."

"You are getting better. You trained her." He gestured to the dragon I was leaning against. My eyes fell to the floor.

"I'm only lucky that she never wanted to hurt me."

"That does help. I think your first meeting was probably smoother than mine and Toothless'."

"She basically hunted me." I deadpanned. "I don't belong here." He pressed his lips together as he thought.

"I didn't either."

"What? But you're the Chief's son."

"Didn't stop the village from dubbing me "Useless"." I flinched. "It took me befriending Toothless to gain the respect you see now."

"…"

"You'll find a place here, John. I'll make sure of it." The Woolly Howl bunted me with her head, giving me a questioning look when I looked over at her.

"It's not that I don't want to finally have a place to call home…but there's something I have to do."

"Whatever it is, I think we can help."

"I'm not going to ask you to do that."

"Then it's not an answer, it's an offer. You can trust me, John. No matter what it is, I'll help."

"…There's someone I need to rescue." I couldn't meet his eyes. I didn't want to drag him into it, but the way he and Toothless were, they'd most likely follow me.

"Family?"

"..."

"Where are they?"

"My home." Came my quiet answer. The dragons looked at each other. Toothless nudged Hiccup towards the door. My shoulders slumped. "I guess we don't have a choice," I said.

"Is this person in danger?"

"If anything they're worse off than me. Given that I left them there." His brow creased at the guilt in my voice.

"Well, if it's a rescue mission, I suggest we take some time to prepare."

"…How?" I asked, giving in.

"We can't take Astrid and the others, so I guess it'll just be us." I frowned.

"Okay."

"John, how important is this person to you?"

"…My little brother means everything to me."

"Then we'll pack up and head out. Where is, what was your home called?"

"Haldenroh. It's about a week's boat ride with good wind from the island you found me on."

"So, a good day's flight. Stay here." He ran upstairs. The two dragons and I listened to the banging and clattering that followed. I glanced at Toothless.

"Should, you help him?" Toothless just tilted his head at me before looking up the stairs once more. "…Alright…" Minutes later Hiccup came stumbling back down with a bag on his back.

"Alright, that should be everything. The only thing left to do is to talk to my father." He finished with a smile. I couldn't help the feeling of dread that came over me.

««{{¤}}»»

"Your brother?" I nodded. "Take the other riders with you." I cringed.

"Dad, we can't."

"Why not?"

"Well, for one, this is just a get in, get out, situation. The twins and Snotlout are not known for their silence. Nor is Fishlegs, for that matter…"

"…And?"

"Well…" I ducked my eyes when Stoick's own gaze landed on me at Hiccup's gesture. "He still isn't comfortable around Nadders. So Astrid is out of the question."

"Bah, I'm sure it'd be fine. She can keep her distance." My lips pressed together at that. While keeping distance would probably be fine, I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing one of them was around.

'Curse these infernal nerves of mine…'

"I guess that could work." Hiccup's glance told me he was considering my feelings, which I appreciated more than he knew.

"She's the best fighter of you lot."

"Yeah."

"And be safe, son."

"Of course. It's a grab and go. Nothin-!" His words cut off when my hand clapped over his mouth.

"If you jinx this before we even leave, I'll throw you off a cliff." I backed off.

"That's not really a threat to a dragon rider."

"It'd make me feel better."

««{{¤}}»»

Hiccup, Astrid, and I saddled up and we took off. Astrid thankfully kept Toothless between us as we flew. The Woolly Howl rumbled, happy to be in the air with me.

"You're doing good for your first solo flight there, John!" Hiccup called over. My white knuckles and clenched eyes told me otherwise, but who was I to doubt the "dragon master"?

"I'll take your word for it!"

"Relax! Nothing's going to happen! Trust her." My jaw clenched before I pushed myself onto my elbows and squinted. The wind whipped harshly at my eyes, making me close them again.

"I don't know how useful I'll be up here!" I called out. "I can't see!"

"I can lead us back to the island I found you on. I'll give you my helmet so you can guide us from there."

"What about you?"

"I'm used to it, the helmet just helps." I nodded and ducked back into the furry neck beneath me. It helped stave off the biting winds that threatened to freeze my watering eyes shut. The Wooly Howl cooed encouragingly.

"No patronizing," I grumbled. Her next sound was filled with amusement. We flew on for hours until I heard Hiccup speak up again.

"Alright James, we're heading in for a landing! Hold on!"

"Pretty sure I won't be able to let go if I wanted to!" I called back. We gently descended until the Wooly Howl pulled up and flared her wings, slamming me into her back with a grunt. She touched down and looked over her shoulder at me. I met her gaze after a minute, catching my breath as my heart rate slowed.

"And you landed without falling off, you're a natural!"

I promptly fell sideways into the snow.

"Oooh! That's gotta be cold. You okay?" A finger stabbed in his direction.

"Jinxed it!" I cried before pushing myself up and shaking off the snow. Thankfully, it was freshly fallen powder, so it didn't soak my clothing.

"Sorry…" He looked a little sheepish so I waved him off. A squawk made me tense, but I did my best to distract myself by petting my dragon. She could feel my nerves and rubbed against me, rumbling comforting sounds.

"So, where to from here?" Hiccup held out a leather object. Taking it, I saw two narrow slits that worked as eye holes. I tried it on to find it didn't block my vision as much as I first thought. Removing it, I looked around.

"Which way is north?" I asked. Hiccup popped out a compass and observed it for a second. He pointed to his right.

"That way." I nodded before looking over the compass. With another nod, I pointed north west.

"I came from that direction." He put the compass back before hopping back on Toothless.

"Shall we?" I nodded and clambered back into my own saddle. That made me pause. I looked down and ran my hand along the freshly leather.

I had my own saddle.

I owned something.

"John?" Astrid piped up. I jumped, nearly dropping the mask.

"Uh, y-yeah?" I tried to hide the sniffling by wiping my nose on my sleeve.

"You ready?" She asked from atop her dragon. I nodded without looking at her. I slipped on the mask Hiccup gave me to hide any tears.

"Yeah. Let's go." We were in the air within seconds.

"Oh yeah! I almost forgot, what's your brother's name?" Hiccup called to me.

"Orris." I raised my voice so they could hear me.

"Interesting name."

"Says the one named after an involuntary bodily function," I snarked. He laughed.

"Yeah, you're right." I looked forward again.

"I'm coming. Just hold on for a little longer."

…

"Please be okay."