The Berserker painfully paced around the cell, trying his best to not look at the other boy. He was certain that if he did, he would see an expression of disgust on his face and he could not stand that being directed towards him by his brother.

"Dagur–"

"You weren't supposed to know," he interrupted, distraught. "Ever. This…this never happened, okay? Can we just act like I didn't say that?"

"Ignoring it won't make it better."

"Acknowledging it will make it worse."

"No, it won't. We can tell my dad," Hiccup offered hopefully.

His friend shook his head. "No. Then, word would get out to the other Berkians and tribes."

"It wouldn't, but what if it does? The Outcasts are horrible. Everyone knows that. This won't be different."

Dagur looked at the boy in confusion. "It'll be different because then they'd know what happened to the future Berserker chief. They can't know that. No one would ever respect me."

"It's not your fault. They wouldn't have a reason to not respect you."

The redhead scrunched his face miserably. He could still feel the Outcasts. It was like they had an aftertaste on his body. Another tremble went through him.

"It's my fault for not being strong enough. If I were, we wouldn't even have gotten caught."

Hiccup regarded him in shock, then he frowned. "If it had been me, would you have lost respect for me?"

"Of course not."

"Would you have thought it was my fault?"

Dagur frowned at him. "You don't get it. You're a kid."

"So are you!"

The Berserker looked at the floor, not wanting to sit down since he knew it would hurt. Hiccup kept wanting to console him, but he was not sure how to do this.

"When did it happen?"

"Which time?" Dagur asked, keeping his gaze away from the other Viking..

Hiccup's expression only became sadder. "Oswald really didn't do anything?"

Dagur let out a sad laugh as he recalled the day. He had been eight at the time. Oswald sent him on an errand to bring some supplies to the new Berserker soldiers. They were going to be on a voyage soon to explore land with the chief. Dagur loved going there to watch them. It was fun and since they were busy, they would not make fun of him while training. The only exception was Ansson. He was a popular soldier, but he got into a lot of trouble and always made time to hit or mock the boy. Dagur would see how angry Captain Vorg and Herald would get at him whenever he antagonized one of the others. When Dagur heard that the nineteen-year-old had been dismissed, it was not even a surprise. In fact, he was glad that it meant he could watch the training in peace.

Dagur had gone and dropped off the supplies, then began returning home. He had wanted to work on knife tricks that afternoon, so he planned to take advantage of the Ansson-free zone another day. He had to pass the barns on the way. While he did, he noticed Ansson who had been watching ever since he left the soldiers. Dagur had assumed the look in his eyes and weird smile on his face were a mixture of his usual aggression coupled with bitterness over being dismissed as a soldier. The boy fought with him like normal until a fist was brought down on his head. Half-dazed, he was dragged into a barn where the doors were locked. Dagur had wondered why they were not just fighting out around the others like they usually did. The other Berserker seemed more violent this time. Every blow seemed to have more strength behind it. A combination of confusion, then fear went through the heir when he could not stop the dismissed soldier from undressing them both. The bleating sheep drowned out the sounds of his cries for help.

"When I was finally allowed to leave, I was covered in blood," Dagur told Hiccup, still refusing to look at the boy. "I just ran as soon as I could." A scornful laugh escaped his throat. "I remember finding Dad reading a book in his chair. I just clung onto his leg for dear life like letting go would send me back to the barn."

"You told him then?"

"Yeah, he didn't know why I was acting like that." The Berserker sadly looked at the bars. "He told me to never say it again."

"What?" Hiccup asked, appalled.

"He said that couldn't happen to chiefs. If I wanted to be respected, then that couldn't happen to me either. He said, 'Chiefs are supposed to protect their own. If you can't even protect yourself, why should our Vikings believe in you?'"

The Berkian felt ill. He wanted to say something else, but Dagur spoke first.

"He told me to act normal and that it would get better." The boy scowled. "He's a filthy liar. It didn't. I kept working on my fighting so that I could beat him. That's when it stopped being as often. I'd knock out his teeth and break his hand. He needed time to heal before he'd go after me again."

"Did it stop now?"

Dagur hesitated, considering lying. Resigned, he shook his head.

"That's why I had a black eye. It's monthly now. He knows I'm going to put up a way better fight than when I was little, so he waits until the first of the month to attack. I really am a lot stronger than I used to be," he insisted, finally looking at Hiccup. His eyes lowered again. "But he's still bigger and has all that training on his side. Not to mention how he steals my knives."

Something occurred to Hiccup. "You knew what the Outcasts would do," he said quietly. "You knew and got them to attack you instead."

"Of course. You're my brother."

"You're my brother too," the smaller boy reminded him. "I couldn't help today, but I can when we get out of here."

The Berserker laughed. "What would you do? Warn me when Ansson shows up? No. I don't want that. Berserkers fight their own battles. They look out for each other and when they won't, they look out for themselves." Dagur punched the air, scowling. "One day, I'll be strong enough to beat him. This'll just be a memory I push down."

Hiccup sadly regarded him. "What about until then?"

His friend blushed and glanced away. "Until then…I fight with everything I've got and deal with it when I lose."

The Berkian's eyes lowered. "You shouldn't have to do that."

Dagur found another one of his knives and cut the ropes on Hiccup's wrists. "I'll be fine." He gave him a crooked smile. "It just gives me someone to test weapons out on one day."

The Berserker could see his brother's mind working on finding a solution. That worried him, so he held his shoulders, getting their eyes to meet.

"Don't tell anyone."

"But–"

"I need you to promise that you won't."

Hiccup miserably regarded the redhead. "I won't be able to do anything if I don't."

"It's better that way. If you want to make it up to me for today, keep the secret with me. Okay?"

The smaller Viking remained quiet for a moment. Hiccup could stop thinking about possible ways he could help. Unfortunately, they all involved revealing this information.

"Promise, Hiccup."

Closing his eyes, the boy took a breath, then nodded.

"I promise."

How could he deny his brother a request after all that? It might have made him feel physically ill to not do anything, but it was all Dagur wanted in return for protecting him. Hiccup could not think of a way to argue with him, but he kept thinking of ways he could try. While he did this, the Berkians and Berserkers were headed to Outcast Island. Instead of coming from all sides, they targeted a side of the island where they would be difficult to spot. The Vikings docked and started heading up the area. One Outcast saw them and he tried to attack, but Stoick slashed through his back with his ax. The Viking cried out and caught someone's attention. This Outcast started to attack as well, but Oswald threw a knife into his face. He fell backwards and Stoick grabbed his head, pushing the blade further until it went through the back of his head. Savage saw them and raised his hands in surrender.

"I knew this was a bad idea," he said under his breath. Louder, he added, "I know where your sons are. I can take you there if you don't kill me."

Stoick pressed the ax against his throat. "If you laid one hand on Hiccup–"

"He's okay! The one you really want is Alvin. He's the one who wanted to hurt the kid."

"Always knew you were a traitor, Savage," the Outcast leader called.

He was standing on a hill, glaring down at his soldier. Savage gave him a sheepish grin.

"Always been loyal to what kept me alive, Alvin," he assured him,

Savage yelped as he was thrown towards Oswald. The chief put him in a Berserker choke hold, rendering him unconscious. Stoick stormed over to Alvin, nearly taking the man's head off with a slice of his weapon.

"You took my boy!"

Alvin countered the attack with his sword, moving back slightly from the force being applied by the Berkian.

"I'd be doing Berk a favor if I killed him," the marauder said. "Everyone knows you don't want him, Stoick. You say the word and he's dead. We could even call it a favor done by an old friend."

Furiously, Stoick slashed again, then headbutted Alvin. This dazed the Outcast enough to not avoid the punch to his head. Stoick sent his ax towards his gut, but Alvin blocked the attack in time with the sword. Adjusting, the redhead stabbed through his boot with the blade. Alvin yelled out and cursed, doing more of the latter when the ax slashed the tendon in his knee. He went forward and Stoick cut his right wrist. When the sword and Viking fell, the father caught his neck. He had a murderous look on his face.

"Anyone who comes after my son comes after me too." His eyes twinkled with an idea. "Exiling you made you more vile. I think it's time you returned to Berk. There's a cell I'm sure you'll love spending the rest of your life in." Stoick's grip on his throat tightened as he lifted the ax to the side of Alvin's head, stopping any attempt to struggle. "Call me not killing you right now, a favor done by an old friend."

Stoick shoved Alvin to the other Berkians as they loaded the bleeding Viking into their ship. Immediately, the chiefs started running to the center of the island. They found the opening of the prison and entered, hearts racing. Stoick felt nauseous when he found the boys. There was a lot of blood in the cell, but he saw that Hiccup was not stained. The Berkian chief broke the lock on the cell and went over to his son, holding him close. He just needed a moment to take in the fact that he was alive.

"Did they hurt you?" he asked, still hugging him.

Hiccup was almost smothered by the hug and he gave a muffled reply. "No, Dad." He pushed back enough to be audible. "But…"

The boy looked at Dagur and saw a pleading look in his eyes.

"But what, Son?"

Hiccup tore his eyes away from the redhead and changed his tone. "But they're monsters. They hurt Dagur since he protected me."

Stoick looked at the other boy. He had tried to give Oswald time to check on him, but it seemed like the man did not take this. Only briefly, the Viking went over to his son, holding his chin in one hand to examine his face. The eyes were inspecting and Dagur could feel heat in his cheeks as a certain knowing look entered Oswald's eyes. The chief let go and patted his shoulder. When he moved, Stoick went in front of the young Berserker.

"You kept Hiccup safe. Thank you."

"Anytime," Dagur said. "We're brothers."

Stoick smiled and gestured towards the sound of Outcasts being apprehended by Berkians and Berserkers.

"We can keep them on our island," Stoick said, "or you can take them back to your prison. It's your choice, Oswald."

The Berserker had a bored look on his face. "You can keep them. We pride ourselves on having our prison empty."

Nodding, the other chief directed his Vikings to take the prisoners. As they left, one of them smirked and puckered his lips. Stoick assumed he was just trying to get under his skin, but he missed how it was directed at the young Berserker who tried to not look embarrassed. Oswald noticed the tint of red going over his son's face and addressed the other father.

"We should return home," he said.

He shook hands with Stoick who looked a little concerned. "I'm sorry this happened." He lowered his voice. "If you want to stay longer to let Gothi work on Dagur's wounds, you can. He's the only one of them who got hurt."

"I think we'll just go back. We have healers of our own. Still, the offer is appreciated."

The taller man nodded and walked with them to the docks. He noticed how the young redhead had a bit of a limp and hoped he would be all right. Hiccup watched sadly. He silently asked Odin for courage. He wanted to go over to his friend, stop him, and tell him they should let someone know. He wanted to say what happened that day would never happen again. He wanted to help his big brother like he had helped him, but all he could do was pitifully watch them leave. Once on the ship, Oswald turned to Dagur. He had disdain on his face and the boy turned away, not wanting to feel like a disappointment then especially.

"You almost cracked back there," the man chastised. "If Stoick had noticed your blush, what do you think he would've thought?"

Dagur did not say anything. He just leaned on the edge of the ship.

"Does Hiccup know?"

The boy nodded, causing the chief to sigh.

"Hopefully, he won't tell anyone."

"I told him not to."

"He's still just eleven. He might accidentally say something to someone. You always seem to make things difficult."

This caused Dagur to turn around, glaring. "We were in the same cell, Dad. It's not like there were many things to focus on. How wouldn't he have known?"

"You could have avoided this. If you hadn't been so opposed to my table manners, you would have stayed in the Great Hall with the rest of us."

The boy suddenly laughed. "I told Hiccup you wouldn't do anything, but I'll admit that you've even surprised me. I didn't say a word while you were eating, you and Stoick suggest that we go, I get attacked protecting Hiccup, and you're still blaming me. That's low."

"No," the man said, marching over to him. "What's low is being so arrogant that mere touch torments you. It's a body, Dagur. We all have one. The slash did more damage than the rest of it, but you're stuck on that because of what? Humiliation? Fear?"

"Both!" Dagur said in a harsh whisper. His face scrunched unhappily. "Dad, it's horrible. It doesn't matter if it's Ansson or the Outcasts. It's still horrible."

Oswald had a cold look in his eyes. "It's happened, so move on. Do whatever you need to do so that none of the others can tell something's wrong. Hiccup might know, but it doesn't mean anyone else has to. You stand out enough as it is."

The chief walked away and went to the helm. Dagur glared at him. When he felt his throat becoming sore, he swallowed hard and went to the lower compartment.

"Don't let them know they get to you," he thought, blinking quickly to rid his eyes of the watery feeling. "Don't let them know."