So I just learned that it's officially canon that Hiccup and Astrid have each other's names tattooed and then the idea just snowballed to cover the rest of the gang as well. We've seen that Fishlegs got tattooed in the 3rd movie but what about the rest of the gang?

Hiccup's tattoo was also inspired by this one fanart of Toothless tattooed on his chest. I just switched it to his back instead.

It was one of those rare days when his father didn't bother him with the daily chief talk. He stayed firmly on the ground instead of exploring outside the archipelago. A day he could just rest and just be with his friends.

He felt like he hardly saw them anymore between their ever-mounting responsibilities to their tribe. Snotlout was training under Osvif as a warrior in Berk's Guard. Fishlegs had pretty much taken over the academy and became the village's historical keeper. The twins had even diverged from each other and struck out on their own paths. Ruffnut under the tutelage of Gothi as a healer and shaman while Tuffnut found his calling in boat building. (All though both of them still took the time to dedicate themselves to Loki.)

All six of them were together again in the Great Hall. For once it felt appropriate to shed their armor and relax.

"I'm just saying that my father is known as the Bear of Berk why wouldn't I not want one the same as him?" Snotlout complained.

Tuffnut snorted into his cup, "A baby bear maybe..." Prompting the others to chuckle.

He jostled the twin with his shoulder forcing his mead to slosh on the floor.

Ruffnut waved her arms in the air, "Snotlout Jorgenson! The Baby Bear of Berk!"

Hiccup laughed beside Astrid.

Astrid reached across the table to whack Snotlout's bicep. "I say go for it."

Snotlout sighed in relief, "See," His pointed look drilling into the twins, "Astrid thinks it's a good idea."

"Of course, I want to see you cry again."

The table dissolved into another round of giggles.

Snotlout chugged the rest of the mead in his cup and banged it down on the table. "Come on then unless you all are too cowardly!"

The twins followed him eagerly, always up for a pain challenge. Hiccup and Astrid shared a look before following along while Fishlegs being the most hesitant, plucked up enough courage to follow. Stoick watched as the riders abandoned their meals to head outside.

"Should I be concerned Gobber?"

The blacksmith slapped him heartedly on the back. "I wouldn't worry about it. Let them enjoy this evening."

They walked along the paths in the heart of the village. Others were out and about either conversing or working. Snotlout knocked on the door to a modest home.

"Come in!"

Pushing the wooden door aside, warmth enveloped them once again from the firepit in the center of the room. The man didn't get up from his chair, carving something into a piece of wood with a knife. The Viking was in his thirties, markings covered almost every visible part of his body.

"Ah, it's been some time since I've seen all of you. What can I do for you?"

Hiccup stepped up, "Tollak, good to see you again." He laid a hand on Snotlout's shoulder. "Snotlout wanted to get another marking done."

The older man stroked his short dark beard. "Aye, what are you looking to get?"

"A bear, like my father, for the Jorgenson clan."

Tollak nodded once, "Take a seat, I shall prepare my tools."

He went into another room, the clang of jars could be heard as he gathered everything. Snotlout sat on the chair, that Tollak gestured to. Next to him was a small table with bowls. All of them were empty except one which contained many needles. Tollak came back out with a jar of black liquid and two tools.

The others made themselves comfortable in the area. Snotlout shed the simple tunic he wore.

Tuffnut crossed his arms, sitting on the floor. "Pain challenge rules, Snotlout can't flinch, cry, or take a break. If he passes then the rest of us must also get marked." He looked around the room, "Everyone in?"

"Aye."

Ruffnut elbowed Fishlegs who had yet to say anything. "Come on Fishy."

"Alright, fine."

Tollak snorted, "I like this challenge, I would like to avoid what happened last time Snotlout." Grabbing a stool against the wall, he set it between Snotlout and the table.

He poured a little bit of the jar into one of the bowls. He took a needle from the bowl and slotted it into a long piece of bone, then secured it with a piece of sinew so it wouldn't move. He dipped the needle into the bowl of black ink. The other bone tool had a flat head and was used to knock the back of the other one. The force would be strong enough for the ink to penetrate deep into the skin.

"Here we go Snotlout."

He pierced into his bicep, causing Snotlout to make a face but remained silent. This wasn't the first time the riders visited Tollak. It was made obvious by the symbols and knotwork on Snotlout's chest already and his forearms which are usually covered by his gauntlets.

It was a matter of time before they took turns receiving markings. Some got them for religious reasons, protection, blessings, and even for accomplishments.

Hiccup rubbed the back of his neck, remembering when all six of them got their very first markings together. It was back when they were still on the Edge, after the defeat of the Grimborn brothers. They celebrated their victory with a feast in the clubhouse. Snotlout went through the trouble of securing a barrel of ale from Berk for the occasion.

He still couldn't fully remember who brought up the idea first but during the time Hiccup was glad to rummage in his hut for the jar of squid ink he procured from Johann. They fought over what all of them should get for what felt like hours until they finally settled on simply combining the runes D and R as it stood for Dragon Riders. They each took turns marking each other's skin on various parts of their bodies. Hiccup and Astrid decided on the back of their necks, the twins settled for the back of their left hand, Snotlout got his on the right side of his ribs, and Fishlegs got it on the inner forearm. All of their fates were tied after that night.

"You're done Snotlout."

"Haha! Yes!" He raised his arms. "I win the challenge!"

The others groaned while Fishlegs whimpered. Snotlout smiled mischievously. "You're up first Fishface."

"Are you sure I should be going first Snotlout? The others have plenty of markings." He whined.

"Fishlegs, it's going to be fine. It will hurt less with Tollak doing it than Snotlout who did it back at the Edge." Hiccup tried to reassure him.

The bigger man still wasn't that convinced after all this was Hiccup who can handle pain better than any Viking.

"The bicep is the least painful area." Tollak said, "I imagine a Gronkle will serve as a great protector on your skin."

His interest peaked at that. "Can you make it look like my Meatlug?"

Tollak chuckled, "Of course I can."

Fishlegs replaced Snotlout in the chair. He flinched and whined as the needle continued to make contact with his skin. Ruff and Tuff were trying to make him look at the blood running down his arm so he would pass out. Thankfully Hiccup stepped in and kept him distracted enough.

Tuffnut willingly went next. His markings were all over the place, some on his torso, back, arms, and legs. He decided to the the Eihwaz rune under the corner of his eye. Ruffnut wanted to continue her previous marking. It was a pattern of knotwork that almost looked like chainmail. Starting at the back of her right shoulder blade and wrapping around her collarbone and shoulder, she wanted to extend it down the rest of her arm.

It was getting later in the evening, and Astrid decided to light some more candles to help Tollak see better. Torches were being lit outside along the paths. She settled back to her place beside Hiccup.

"What are you getting?"

Hiccup had his legs drawn to him, his arms resting on his knees. He turned his head to answer her, "I don't know but it will come to me when it's my turn."

Tollak finished wiping away the blood from Ruffnut's. He's been creating markings for the past decade now. It was an honor when he was the one who got to mark some of the world's most famous Vikings around the Archipelago. He fondly remembered when Hiccup first came to him. He was back from the Edge to resupply.

"Hiccup Haddock, what can I do for you?"

He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward all of a sudden. "I have this idea in my head and I believe you're the only one who could do it for me."

Tollak's eyebrows rose when the young man told him what he wanted. It would be detailed and time-consuming but he wanted to be able to deliver. Imagine seeing his work on one of the most famous Vikings in history, he didn't want to let him down.

Just the back alone took hours. He was surprised Hiccup hadn't made a peep except for the occasional groan. When it was all said and done, Tollak smiled proudly. It was one of his greatest works.

Tollak snapped out of his musings. "Who's next?"

Hiccup stepped up to shed his tunic. It's the first time Tollak has seen his work since he finished it. It was a Night Fury in full flight on his back, its tail reaching to the middle of his back and the wings spanning to his shoulders. The tips of the wings transformed into a complicated pattern of knotwork confined in solid lines. The pattern crossed over the top of his shoulders to his chest. Each side came together forming a V-shaped meeting at the center of his chest with the exact same Mjolnir symbol as his pendant etched into his skin. He came back another time to get the Vegvisir on his right side.

"What elaborate idea do you have for me?" Tollak jested.

"Nothing time-consuming but you might look at me like I'm crazy."

He didn't say anything, making a face for him to elaborate.

"Astrid's name," He tapped the open spot on the left side of his chest, "right here."

The others were in various states of shock. "You're kidding me right?" Snotlout said.

Tollak looked slightly perplexed. "You are aware of the power of a name carved into your skin?"

"I am aware." He turned his head to look at Astrid for the first time since suggesting this.

"You don't have to do this Hiccup."

"I know but our destinies have been intertwined since birth. This is just making it official."

Astrid smiled, unsheathing a knife from her belt and handing it to Ruffnut.

"Ruff, if you would please?"

"Wow, you guys are really going to do this huh? Okay."

Ruffnut took a breath and closed her eyes, murmuring under her breath certain prayers onto the knife. She cradled Astrid's hand and poked it with the tip of the blade. Her finger welled with blood and she turned the finger over Hiccup's bowl of ink. Several drops of blood mixed into the black pool.

Tollak dipped the needle into the new mixture. "There is no going back now." He hammered the first dot into his chest.

It was the shortest time he spent on him but this might as well have been the most important marking. It was rare now for someone let alone both partners to carve their names into each other's skin. Names hold power and those who want names usually had to ask permission from the Gods. Those who have names will be forever bound and leaving them will bring a curse down from the Gods for breaking it.

"I assume you'd want the same dear Astrid?"

She nodded, lifting her tunic to get his name on her ribs. Astrid was probably the third most famous Viking Tollak had the privilege of working on. One and two being Stoick and Hiccup. She had one that wrapped around her right thigh, and the Helm of Awe was on the back of her left shoulder blade.

"Can we be there when your parents find out about this?" Tuffnut asked.

"I'm sure it's not going to be that bad. They are betrothed after all." Fishlegs confirmed.

Tollak agreed, "Your father is a terrifying man Hiccup. I will deny I did this for you two."

Hiccup laughed, "You'll be safe from harm Tollak. You have my word."

"His word is trustworthy," Snotlout added.

Tollak shook his head in disbelief. "First your name and now your word, I pity any man who has to face you."