Astrid came over and introduced herself before asking if Orris wanted to meet her own dragon. I barely stopped myself from objecting and resigned to the back of the small group as we trudged through the snow.

Orris was looking around with wide eyes, taking in awe. The people, the dragons, the buildings. It was impressive that they've managed to build such a place and keep it up after dragons moved in.

Especially considering they built their huts out of wood.

"Hey, Hiccup?"

"Yeah?"

"Why are your houses built out of wood?"

"Oh, just, habit, I guess."

"Why haven't you…" I sighed, shrugging off my nerves. "Why haven't you tried building them out of stone?" He sighed at that.

"You would think they would like not having to build new huts every time a dragon accidentally sets something on fire. I've suggested it before. They're stubborn." We traded a glance and said "Vikings" at the same time. A smile spread across my face.

We got to Astrid's house and she took us to the small stable out back. I kept back when I saw Stormfly. Sapphire brushed against my shoulder, a silent show of support. Stormfly stood up and cocked her head to one side. A croak came from her throat.

"This is Stormfly, my best girl. She's a Deadly Nadder," Astrid explained as she scratched at the scales. Orris approached with a healthy nerve about him, but he was determined.

"Hi, Stormfly. I'm Orris." She crouched down and it took every bit of willpower not to rush in and pull him to safety. When his hand touched her nose, Sapphire pressed closer to me. Her wing claw rested firmly on my opposite shoulder. I pet her head and let the fur run through my fingers to calm me. Stormfly crooned in a similar manner to Sapphire when I pet her. Orris giggled when she nudged him.

"She's cute." I swore I tasted bile at that comment. Hiccup checked on me with a glance and jerked his head in the opposite direction of Stormfly. I shook my head. If Orris was around a Deadly Nadder, or any dragon I didn't trust, I was going to stay close by.

Then Stormfly looked at me. I froze. Sapphire took a step forward, twisting her neck to put her head between us. Despite being 20 or so feet apart, it did help. I rested my head against hers, allowing my shoulders to loosen.

"John?" I looked up to see Orris looking at me. "What's wrong?"

"I, can't be around her species." I gestured shamefully towards Stormfly. He looked between the dragon and I.

"Why not?" There was the confusion.

"Hiccup and Toothless found me under the claw of one of them. I can barely stand the sight after nearly being eaten."

"Oh. I didn't know." He stepped around Sapphire's head, stopping next to me. "We can leave." I clenched my jaw.

"Don't let my fear get in your way."

"No, you're uncomfortable, so we leave." I snorted at that.

"Alright, alright." I turned to Astrid. "Sorry." She waved me off with a dismissive comment. She wasn't going to push me, even if she felt like it would help. I turned to Hiccup when he spoke up.

"Well, now that you're both conscious and warm, how's about a flight?" Orris' eyes widened and he looked between us.

"Really?!"

"Yeah." I smiled, knowing Sapphire was willing by the way her pupils widened.

««{{¤}}»»

I winced when Orris whooped with joy as we flew under a cloud.

"'Ey! Watch the ears, Orris!"

"Sorry! I didn't know the sky went this high!" I glanced back with a raised eyebrow but quickly hid the look behind a smile when I saw his look of awe. The reality about the atmosphere could wait. Speaking of waiting…

…

*Whoosh*

"ACK!" Orris flailed as Toothless shot past us. I could hear Hiccup's laughter trailing behind them. I patted Orris' leg as a sign of comfort before Sapphire picked up speed herself. While her fur created a little drag compared to the Night Fury's smooth scales, she had no issue keeping up with him. We looped around clouds, with the dragons dipping in and out of them occasionally. I sat up in the saddle, allowing Orris to hold onto my shoulders.

"Hey Sapphire, could you level out for a minute?" She glanced back and rumbled curiously. Our flight steadied to a gentle glide. "Well Orris, what do you think we should do?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm asking what we should do for our future."

"Why are you asking me?"

"Because it's not just my future I'm concerned about." He was silent for a while. I glanced about and caught sight of Hiccup and Toothless doing maneuvers ahead of us. I mindlessly rubbed Sapphire's neck as she flapped to keep aloft.

"…I want to stay. But, only if you're okay with it."

"I will get over most of my fear eventually."

"I don't want to push it." I shifted so I could see him with an eye.

"Pushing it just far enough is what has gotten me on the back of someone I now consider my best friend." Said friend warbled happily. "Give me time. I might never be comfortable with a Nadder, but I can handle Sapphire and Toothless."

"As long as you're sure."

"Besides," I stepped in before he could continue, the words right on his tongue, "I wouldn't want you to not have your own dragon." He gasped and I grinned at the look of surprise and joy.

"You mean it?!"

"Of course, one's probably not going to hunt you down for multiple days until it saves you from a cold night, but hey, I'm sure Hiccup can help with that. Uh oh-AH!" Sapphire dove suddenly. She snapped her wings out, catching the wind again before shooting me a look.

"What was that about?!" Orris asked while untangling himself from me.

"Sapphire didn't appreciate my story telling apparently…" I shot her the stink-eye, which she simply turned her nose up at.

"Okay, um, Sapphire, could you please not do that again while I'm on your back? This is my first conscious flight…" The Woolly Howl perked up before groaning apologetically. I smiled. They were going to get along fine. That was good.

In fact, this whole thing had turned out better than I had ever hoped. Sure, I was still nearly crippled when around foreign dragons, but who knew, maybe I could work through it after all.

I had to try, for Orris' sake. Maybe he was mature enough to understand my fears, he was certainly willing to step away from Stormfly, but I still needed to be strong for him. I had a lot of responsibility now.

It was time to step up my game and become the best older brother Berk had ever seen.

After all, I was free.

Apologizes, I never meant for this to take...FOUR MONTHS?! What is WRONG with me?! I am bowing repeatedly, so you know. Seriously, dropped the ball on that one, that's my B.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed whatever this was. I'll have another story or two ready to go soon, but my family is moving within the next few months so it will be complete chaos in my household. I'll TRY to get something out at least once a month, but I'm not going to make promises I don't know if I can keep.

Till next time!

~Silverleone