Helloo! Well I hope you enjoy this chapter, it was quite heartwarming to write after so much anguish coming from this story.
Just in case any were curious, Grimmel's death is a precedent to a later, very popular, Norse Myth about Loki.

Shout Outs!:

OminousAnonymousAnomaly

Good! They do, they really do after all the crud I've put them through.

Guest

Yup! :)
Yeah...No one was okay with that. No, for this story. It can but there-you know what, I actually answered that in this chapter :)

SmolAvidReader

Hehe, yes. So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye Grimmel. :| Yup, enjoy the good times while they're here. Possibly, have to keep reading. You're welcome, thank you for reading!

CHSHiccstrid

Maybe, maybe not-you will have to keep reading. Yes! Happiness and fluff after hard times.

Journal 2, Entry 7: "Coming Home"

Hiccup sat with Toothless curled around him and purring nonstop, Hiccup wiggled a little closer to Toothless and he wormed his head further into Hiccup's stomach.

Loki tucked his chin to resume his work on the bracelet and not stare at his Chosen, a difficult thing to do.

Toothless' content purring shifted into something a bit more devious. The change was not lost on Hiccup who eyed him warily. Toothless looked up at him with wide, innocent eyes which made Hiccup's skin crawl even more. He tried to scoot away from his scheming dragon but Toothless' heavy head held him in place. Toothless gurgled a laugh.

"Toothless, don't you—eh-lac! You're disgusting!" Hiccup complained as Toothless swiped a huge, wet tongue along Hiccup's whole front.

Toothless lifted his head to laugh loudly while keeping Hiccup pinned under a paw.

Hiccup tried to wiggle away, and when that failed, begrudgingly started wiping away the saliva copiously coating his face.

Toothless chuffed and nudged Hiccup's cheek.

Hiccup playfully scowled at him and flicked a thick strand of spit onto his nose.

Toothless reared his head back then narrowed his sight onto Hiccup.

Hiccup sunk to the floor. "Bud, please, no. I like being dry."

Loki watched with far too much amusement as the familiar let his Chosen go, but did not miss the way his hind tensed.

Hiccup gratefully stood and quietly cast a drying spell over himself. A small twitch in his peripheral warned him within just a second to drop to the floor, narrowly missing the two-thousand pound dragon leaping for his chest. He rolled to his feet and sprinted out of the larger room for the bedroom.

Toothless darted after him, shrieking in good humored fury as his prey escaped.

Loki shook his head, grateful he'd sound-proofed his rooms long ago. An object crashed to the ground in the bedroom followed by a few smaller objects and while he felt no particular way about it, the admonishing "Toothless!" said otherwise for the other two legged occupant.

The reprimand must have been quickly forgotten for a moment later, Hiccup streaked out of the room and ran around the couch Loki was sitting on—Toothless stalking out of the room like a panther.

Hiccup peeked over Loki's shoulder in time to squeak and run off.

Loki ducked and shot Toothless a warning scowl that was completely ignored as he landed behind him and tore after Hiccup again.

Hiccup twisted to turn sharply around a pillar, only for his prosthetic to slip and send him skidding across the marbled floors. Toothless warbled happily and pounced on him, large tongue raking over his chest and hair. Hiccup complained loudly and tried to shove off his annoying best friend.

Toothless laughed and licked him again.

Hiccup gagged and tried to wipe the slobber off, but Toothless immediately reapplied the smelly coat. Hiccup glared before it melted into a smirk.

Toothless cocked his head in both curiosity and confusion.

Hiccup lifted his hand and held his closed fist up for Toothless to sniff. He leaned closer and bumped the hand, warbling when it smelt like nothing. Hiccup fought a growing smirk and opened his hand while casting an illusion.

Loki looked up as Toothless screeched and took off flying for the other room. Loki blinked, watching dumbly as Toothless cautiously poked his head around the door and snarled.

Hiccup was on his knees and struggling to stand with how hard he was laughing, teary eyes connecting with Toothless'. He managed to contain his giggles enough to stand and show the long, yellow and black thing in his hands that Toothless refused to stop hissing at.

Loki squinted then looked oddly at Toothless. "He's afraid of a snake? You do know that you are close to a winged snake?"

Toothless ignored him and continued to glare at Hiccup.

"Hey, you were the one that wouldn't stop bathing me. Drastic measures were needed! Besides," he held up the 'snake' and waved his hand through it, "it's just an illusion of an eel. I'm not cruel."

Toothless glared at him and shot a low powered blast at his hand.

Hiccup yelped, more in surprise than pain . As the fire struck his hand, the illusion dissipated.

Loki nodded, impressed with Hiccup's growth. "Well done, but come."

A green ripple fell over Hiccup as he sat next to his patron and took the bracelet Loki handed him.

"What do you recognize?"

Hiccup turned the band around, thumb rubbing over a familiar rune. "I carved this one into New Berk's rocks, it's a shielding rune. This one looks familiar…it's, like an anti-detection rune. I think that's how your notes described it. I don't recognize these two."

Loki took the band back and pointed to the runes. "You are correct. When the detection rune is coupled with the shielding rune it strengthens both and becomes nigh impossible to penetrate…"

Hiccup listened with rapt attention, Toothless eventually coming out of the room to curl up around the couch. The hours passed and no one came banging on the doors to collect Loki. He secretly hoped that his mother was busy grilling Odin and he would be forgotten. He handed Hiccup the bracelet, letting him finish the spells.

Hiccup slipped the band on and smirked. "Does it go with the outfit?"

Loki rolled his eyes and shoved him. Toothless lifted his head at the commotion and sniffed the new addition before ignoring it and rubbed against Hiccup's chest. Loki watched them fondly as he stood, Hiccup nuzzling Toothless' snout, making him purr even louder.

"If you wish to return to Midgard, I am comfortable enough now to let you."

Hiccup's head shot up, excitement tingling along his spine. "Yes!"

Loki chuckled and held out a hand for Hiccup to grab, waving his other at Toothless who could only briefly hiss before it morphed into an angry squawk. He flew up to Hiccup's shoulder, glaring at Loki. "You will be easier to teleport and it is only for but a few moments."

Hiccup felt Loki's magic wash over him and the world blurred before solidifying again. Hiccup wobbled a bit but remained upright by his own power, grinning victoriously at Loki.

Loki chuckled then opened Yggdrasil and hopped from Britannia through the minor branch to Berk where Loki finally reverted Toothless back to his proper draconic form.

Toothless hissed again at Loki then dove under Hiccup, picking him up and sliding him down his neck while he ran for the cliff and jumped—leaving Loki dragon-less.

Loki shifted into his draconic form and roared at Toothless.

Toothless warbled and looked back at Hiccup.

"You can try…but I don't have a saddle to hang on to anymore."

Toothless growled, staring straight ahead with narrowed eyes.

Hiccup leaned forward to pat his neck, only to be ripped off his back—yelping and grasping the green claws.

Hiccup felt it more than heard Loki's draconic laugh rumble from his chest.

Toothless shrieked and almost fired at Loki, barely restraining himself in fear of hitting Hiccup's dangling form and killing him again.

Hiccup glared at Loki and scrambled to find a better hold than claws digging into armor. "Come on guys, no playing Toss-the-Nut with a one-legged Viking."

Toothless snorted and flew up under Loki, twisting at the last second to press his belly against Loki's and grab Hiccup.

Hiccup grunted, now uncomfortably pinned between two fighting 'dragons', more like jealous cats. "No playing tug-o-war either!"

They started plummeting, Loki being unable to keep Toothless aloft. He growled and Toothless barked, tightening his hold on Hiccup. Finally, reluctantly, he relented and released Hiccup.

Toothless crowed happily, tucking Hiccup closer to himself with all four paws and trembled, spines splitting.

Loki growled warning but Toothless ignored him with a cheeky grin he learned from Hiccup then shot across the water, splitting it before twisting up.

Hiccup couldn't help the bubbling laugh of pure joy, despite his previous ire of being used as a human rope. Toothless cooed at Hiccup's laugh and tucked him in closer as he picked up more speed.

Loki bristled at being left behind, so he pulled on his magic again and shifted into a Night Fury. He easily caught up to the pair and roared as he passed them, then continued sprinting ahead.

Toothless' earflaps flattened as the god passed them.

Hiccup snuggled up against Toothless more and gripped a paw. "Get 'im bud."

The Night Fury's chest rumbled with pleasure before flapping harder and angling to catch a better wind. They streaked by Loki who barked and gave chase.

Hiccup stood nervously next to Toothless on the far side of New Berk. His heart soared now that he was home, but at the same time, his nerves plagued him with thoughts that he might no longer be wanted. He knew they weren't true, but it was hard to silence them when he was, well, officially a freak of nature.

Loki grasped his shoulder, frowning like he heard those thoughts. "We can either introduce you to the village at once and get mobbed or I can bring your friends out here to begin with."

"Th-the second one," Hiccup said quietly.

Loki nodded and leaned close to Toothless. "Keep an eye on him and distract him if you can."

Toothless snorted, offended. If I can. I'm a Night Fury by Ancients sakes.

Loki chuckled and disappeared in a green flash.

Hiccup sighed and turned to Toothless. "So…How's the Light Fury? Is she still around?"

Toothless slowly turned his head, glaring at Hiccup with an irate trill.

Hiccup grimaced. "It can't be that bad-"

Toothless started pacing, hissing and grumbling, occasionally thrusting his head into Hiccup's face and growling.

Hiccup held up his hands and backed away. "To be fair, what do you know of Fury matings? You said you barely remember anything before the Red Death…Did you know that's actually a dragon from Muspelheim?"

Toothless snorted, a bit of smoke rising from his nostrils, an annoyed 'of course it would be!' flashed across his rolling eyes. He remembered the previous remark and started his aggravated warbling again.

Hiccup sighed, leaning back on his good foot—he just couldn't give me back my actual foot. "Bud, you do realize I don't want you to be alone forever."

Toothless hissed, looking at Hiccup with offence.

Hiccup's shoulders fell and rolled his eyes. "I know you have me, but it's different. I have you, but I also have Astrid. Don't you want something like that?"

Toothless' rantings tapered off, eyes thoughtful for a minute before shaking his head.

Hiccup huffed. "You're loss, I guess. Man, my kids are just gonna have to be super disappointed that they won't have any little Night-Light-Fury-friends running around and causing chaos together."

Toothless shot Hiccup a scathing look.

Hiccup smirked at him. "You cannot want to be alone forever."

Toothless warbled and shoved his snout into Hiccup's chest, hot breath seeping through the cracks in his armor.

"I don't count, bud."

Toothless started dismissively, warbling again when twin shrieks cut him off.

The Zippleback didn't even have a chance to land before its riders jumped off and ran over to Hiccup. They tackled him to the ground as they tried to hug him, both laughing and sobbing.

A wide smile split Hiccup's lips as he tried to hug his brother and sister in Loki.

They clung to him so tightly he started having trouble breathing.

"Guys, living does require air."

They released him instantly and sat back on their knees, both talking loudly and at the same time—making it impossible to understand either of them.

Hiccup smiled and laughed. "You guys have no idea how good it is to see Midgardian faces again."

Tuffnut wiped away his tears, still sniffling. "Why? Valhalla got boring?"

Hiccup groaned, "You have no idea."

Ruffnut latched onto his arm, not bothering with her tears since a few still kept falling. "Then tell us! You're like, the first ever to come back!"

Hiccup laughed dryly, remembering Kindra's words. "Actually…I don't think I am."

Tuffnut started to reply but was cut off by a Nadder's squawk.

Hiccup stood, slipping out of Ruffnut's grasp, eyes misting at the sight of Astrid sitting on Stormfly—face slack. He took a few steps towards her with a wry smile. "H-hey, hey Astrid."

She slipped off Stormfly and slowly walked towards him, face never losing its shock. Once he was within arm's reach, she punched him in the arm where he had the least amount of armor.

"Ow!" He rubbed his arm, face twisted in confusion. "Why is it always violence with you?"

Her hands snapped to her mouth. "Oh gods, he was telling the truth…" Her eyes widened, just now taking in her own words, then threw herself into Hiccup. Holding him in a tight hug. "He actually did it. How—I don't care. You're here, you're actually here."

She stepped back and he grabbed her hands. "I'm not leaving anytime soon, I promise."

Her face darkened and punched him again, in the stomach this time. Hiccup cried out again only to be shut up by Astrid glaring at him. "That was for dying!"

He looked back at Toothless with a confused look and a shake of his head.

She grabbed his breastplate and drew him close to herself, kissing him. "That was for coming back. But don't you dare die on me again—at least not before you're really old and grey."

He chuckled and kissed her again. "I don't plan on it, M'lady."

He closed his eyes and held her. Both of them wheezed as the twins collided with them and squeezed all air out of their lungs in another crushing hug.

More dragons landed and three pairs of feet scuffed the ground.

Hiccup peeked out of the compressed group and smiled warmly at Fishlegs and Snotlout. Fishlegs squealed and ran towards the group, arms wide, while Snotlout stood in shock. Slowly, he started marching towards them, face red as Thor's cape and fists shaking.

"You, idiotic, stupid, pea-brained, hiccup of a cousin! This is the worst trick you have ever pulled on me! I swear to all the gods that if you ever do anything like this again I'll-I'll—I'll haunt you in Valhalla and make your afterlife absolutely miserable!" He shoved through the group to grip Hiccup by the shoulders and shake him. "Do you have any idea what you've put me through, Haddock!?"

Hiccup blushed slightly, unused to seeing his cousin so emotionally angry in this particular way. "Uh, I'm sorry?"

"You better be!"

Hiccup looked down before glancing over at Fishlegs. "Hey, 'Legs."

His eyes were misty as he finally was able to hug him properly. "You're back, you're really back."

Hiccup chuckled. "Yeah…I can hardly believe it myself."

Snotlout glared at Hiccup. "Oh, you better be planning on staying or otherwise taking Toothless with you. He was impossible to live with."

Astrid rolled her eyes. "I don't know what you're complaining about, your hut isn't the one he kept invading to steal the blankets from."

Tuffnut nodded, lips puckered at Toothless. "Or our Loki'ing inventions-"

"Don't forget the extra blankets we always kept around for whenever Hiccup ended up crashing at our hut, however rare," Ruffnut added.

Tuffnut sighed, narrowing his eyes at said terror of the night. "Yeah! Couldn't make our mourning-blanket fort because of you."

Fishlegs groaned in annoyance, like this was the hundredth time they'd had this argument. Probably is, Hiccup thought sadly. "Guys, I told you, he was taking those things to feel close to Hiccup. they all smelled like him."

"Hoarding all of it in the forge and locking Gobber out was a tad too far though."

Hiccup stepped around Fishlegs and nearly cried again. "Mom."

Her staff fell from her hand and reached tentatively out, he grabbed it and held it to his cheek, reminiscent of when they accidentally found each other. She choked and pulled him close. "My son."

Hiccup shakily sighed and hugged her tightly.

She finally pulled back but continued to hold his arms as she turned to the god of tricks who'd appeared at some point. "Thank you."

Loki nodded, warmth filling him again at the sight of Hiccup brimming with happiness. And he'd give everything and anything to keep it, a thought that no longer scared or unsettled him.

The Riders converged on Hiccup again, too many voices asking too many questions all at once. Hiccup pushed his way out of the group, unnerved with the sudden attention and close proximity of so many people-despite the fact that he knew them all well.

"Wow, I-I'll answer questions, I promise but…I should probably be getting back to the village."

They reluctantly agreed and began to unnecessarily herd him along. He let them pull him to the group of dragons before mounting Toothless, Loki climbing on behind him.

Hiccup was breathless as they soared over the village. It shouldn't surprise him how much was built already. They were Vikings whose houses had been burned down every other day less than a decade ago. He spotted the forge, plumes of smoke rising from the stack and patted Toothless, asking him to set down by it.

Hiccup quietly slipped through the door with Loki and Toothless while the others landed outside.

A couple of nearby villagers pointed, one rubbing his eyes while a few others stared in surprise and disbelief, whispering to each other.

Hiccup looked around the messy insides of the forge and shook his head. Habitually, he grabbed random tools, hands, and objects as he walked by them and returned them to their proper places.

Toothless ran ahead, around the divide and barked at the resident. Gobber grunted and Toothless snorted with annoyance. "Get outta 'ere. Don' ya got some alpha business ta attend ta or somethin'? Toothless!"

Toothless ran out with a detail hammer in his gummy mouth, setting it on the floor near Hiccup's prosthetic.

Gobber hobbled out, grumbling under his breath, only to gasp and throw himself against the wall. "Ah! Draugr!"

Hiccup winced and dropped the small armful he held. "No, no! Not a draugr, not a draugr! Believe me, I asked myself the same thing before. But I'm real, I'm here. See?"

He held out his hand and Gobber cautiously inched forward and batted the offered hand with his wooden one. All tenseness left his body as he grew bolder and grabbed the hand, taking in its weak warmth—really it was cold, but not a deathly cold. He cried and held Hiccup tightly.

Hiccup laughed before coughing. "Gobber, air!"

Gobber laughed nervously and set him down. "Yer, yer alive! How?"

Hiccup looked back at Loki. "I think that's a long story that I'm sure everyone's going to be asking for quite a while."

Loki's lip twitched, fighting to resign himself to the fate of the long explanation with Berkians continuously interrupting it.

Gobber grabbed Hiccup's arm again, needing to make sure that what he was seeing wasn't another hallucination. He suddenly gasped and ran out of the forge, startling the Riders and many of the gathered villagers who'd heard the odd whispers. He stood in front of all of them for a moment before throwing his arms out with a broad grin. "The chief has come home!"

The murmurings quietened to low whispers at the odd proclamation, questioning looks being sent his way—questioning his sanity—while the few that thought they'd seen Hiccup tried to argue that they weren't just seeing things.

Toothless wiggled out through the doorway and by Gobber, sitting regally while Hiccup exited with Loki right behind him. Hiccup gazed over the crowd, shifting from foot to foot nervously. "Hi. I, uh, I'm back?"

Chaos erupted.

*O*

Hours flew by in a confusing whirlwind as he and Loki were herded to the freshly built Great Hall then spent the time explaining, answering questions—what was Valhalla like, is he actually alive—fighting off hordes of dragons as they shoved their way through the crowd—only backing off when Toothless pounced on Hiccup and curled protectively around him while roaring at them…then the celebration.

He had at least two-dozen eyes on him at all times with five different people touching or pressing up against him to make sure he wouldn't disappear again. Loki finally managed to rescue him somewhat by glaring at many of them and dragging him to the center of the Hall where the entire village could encompass him.

Hiccup smiled happily at many a Viking as they came up to welcome him back, lift a cup to his return or ask for more stories about Valhalla and Not-Valhalla. Hiccup sunk tiredly against Toothless as the merriment continued and showed no signs of stopping until next week. That was not a horror he wanted to be subject to again. He just escaped the realm of eternal partying, he wasn't keen on recreating it on Midgard after barely a week of escaping it.

He ended up crashing against Toothless shortly after nightfall; Loki, the Riders, Valka and Gobber settled around him—Astrid cuddled into Toothless and held Hiccup's hand while Valka brushed hair out of his face. Loki stared at him with fondness and pleasure as he slept with a smile on his face and turned over so his head fell on Astrid's shoulder.

Hiccup stumbled out of the spare hut he, Toothless, and Loki had taken residence in until they could get a proper hut built. He was still rubbing sleep out of his eyes when a man popped in front of him, far too cheery.

"Chief! A dragon broke the fences of several sheep herders and there's a big dispute about which sheep are whose."

Hiccup stood still, eyes not wide but held surprise. After a year of being Lokison and nothing else, once he was alive again, the only mention of him being 'chief' came from Gobber's initial declaration…he'd gotten used to dropping the moniker. He shook his head, I'm back on Berk. It hasn't been several generations or even several years…they want me back to be their chief.

He nodded and walked down the steps, scratching Toothless under the earflaps as he glued himself again to Hiccup's side. "Right, uh—where are the farms?"

The man smiled and waved for him to follow, hopping onto a Gronkle.

*O*

Hiccup groaned as he finally laid down for the night. After the first man, they all started swarming him, asking for his help in every mundane task or problem—ninety percent of which didn't actually require his assistance or help at all. Once, it was simply a woman asking him to help her knead dough and he didn't have the heart to turn her down.

The door opened, but he didn't look up, assuming it to be Loki. The bed creaked as more weight was added and moved Toothless' tail aside, Toothless half-heartedly shooting the perpetrator a weak glare, and a body—smaller than Loki—laid down next to him.

He looked over and smiled. "Good evening M'lady, what brings you here? If you've come to request something of the chief then I'm afraid he's been exhausted for the day."

She chuckled and laid her head on his chest. "No, but I have come to ask something."

"Hm?" Hiccup caught her playing with something resting against her chest but couldn't see what it was.

She was silent for several breaths, still fiddling with the thing. "Do you still love me?"

Hiccup sat up, finally seeing the pendent that he'd given to her as a betrothal give, and took her hands. "Of course I do. Why would you ever ask that? I've loved you since I was a kid and even into death…I will always love you."

She rightened, staring into his eyes with lingering fear. "Then let's get married now. I shouldn't have waited so long."

"Astrid-" He started softly.

She shook her head, eyes pinched shut. "No! I had to watch you die and then go on with my life—only ever able to remember you as my betrothed. I thought all I was going to be left with were memories of a few fleeting kisses we stole. I want to get married. Now."

He squeezed her hands comfortingly. "I'm not going anywhere, but if you really want to-"

She punched his shoulder for smirking at her like an idiot. "I know—but I've done my waiting. I'm ready."

He leaned forward and stole another kiss. "Then we'll tell Gothi first thing tomorrow. It'll still probably be at least a week, you know how Vikings are."

She chuckled. "Especially with their chief."

Hiccup suddenly paled. "Oh gods…I have to tell Dagur."

Astrid bit her lip to stifle a laugh. "You don't have to invite him."

He looked mortified and pulled back. "Do you realize that if I don't, he'll send me back to Fólkvangr?" He paled more and gripped his hair. "Odin's ghost, I have to tell him I'm alive."

She did chuckle now and leaned against him. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Draugr!"

Hiccup slid behind the pillar supporting the statue of the Great Protector, just dodging twin daggers sailing over his head.

A whistle followed by an explosion and a deadly growl halted Dagur in his tracks, dumbfounded by Hiccup's fiercest friend—Loki is a god and also a father figure and thus doesn't count—defending the shade. He drew another dagger since his axe lay smoking several feet away.

"I would appreciate it if you cease trying to kill my Chosen yet again. It took more than you could hope to imagine to bring him back."

The dagger clattered to the ground as he spun on his heel. "Loki, you're back! Wait, bring him—that's Hiccup. Hiccup in the flesh!?"

Loki nodded, eyebrows raised as he smiled.

Hiccup poked his head around the column. "H-hey, Dagur."

Dagur ran and almost tackled him, lifting him up and swinging him around, not ashamed to admit that he had quite a few specks of dust in his eyes.

Hiccup coughed and patted Dagur's arm. "Gr-eat to s-see you too."

Dagur finally set him down but still held him tightly and shook him like a rag doll. "You. Stupid. Idiot—it was a rescue mission! I might not have been there but—I should have been there! Why didn't you ask for help sooner?! I would have been there, Thor dang it!"

Hiccup smiled sadly. "I told you as soon as we really learned about the extent of the threat…anyway. Uh, to what I came for, I'm getting married."

Dagur stood in shocked silence but another did not. "Married? Who—Hiccup Haddock, is that really you?"

Hiccup sidestepped a shell-shocked Dagur and waved at Mala. "Yeah, long story, I'll explain later."

She nodded with a soft hum, disbelief but acceptance in her eyes. "Yes…I believe that will be in order. Do you plan on staying long? We would love to host you while you rest. Do you plan on informing our allies of—both developments?"

He nodded. "It's only right. Besides, I don't need Alvin chucking an axe at my head for not including him on such important 'political' matters."

She laughed, Dagur snapping out of his shock at the same time. "Married?! You just come back from the literal dead and you're immediately getting married!? That was the reason you finally came out to tell me that, oh I don't know, you're not dead anymore!? What kind of brother are you?"

"A smart one," Loki muttered while thinking of Thor and how he would react—none too pleased. Toothless snorted while sitting on his haunches watching everything unfold with spectacular drama.

Dagur was once again screaming at Hiccup about different things— marriage, dying, coming back, other thoughts that randomly drifted through his head—Hiccup was very grateful when Mala came back to tell them that the hut was ready and to meet them for dinner.

Hiccup slid down the closed door, sighing loudly. He hadn't realized how emotionally taxing visiting his allies was going to be… "Maybe I'll just send Terror Mails out to them, keep it ambiguous and asked for their attendance then explain everything all at once instead of several times over. Or I-"

Loki paced the room a few times while Hiccup collected himself, his hand dropped away from his chin as he came to a decision. "Hiccup."

Hiccup looked up, realizing he'd been rambling. "Yeah?"

Loki shook his head fondly. "There is something I wish to discuss with you that you must also discuss with the other leaders of the Archipelago."

Hiccup's head tilted curiously.

"You know how we've hidden your island," Hiccup nodded despite it not being a question. "Your island is safe but if you ever have to travel beyond its borders, you must wear that bracelet to hide from Heimdall and any others who would seek to spy upon me and what might be happening on Midgard since I've… taken an interest in it"

Hiccup looked down at the bracelet Loki and him had spelled back on Asgard. He'd known that he'd never be able to freely travel…anywhere again, that he'd always have to be cautious. "I know."

Loki's nose wrinkled but he continued. "It will be tricky—but I want to cast that protection over the Archipelago, the lands you've traveled to and the allies you've made. It will grant you more freedom and… it will hide all dragons from anyone outside of this—new archipelago."

Hiccup's eyes widened and he was instantly on his feet. "That's, that's possible? That would be amazing! I don't know why anyone would be against it especially since they wouldn't have to leave their islands…I mean, I'll still have to get everyone together obviously and talk it out but…"

Loki withheld a laugh as his Chosen once again descended into nonsensical rambling, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders knowing that Hiccup was so receptive to the idea—even while knowing there was no way he'd be against it. Not if it meant protecting the dragons.

Toothless huffed and curled up, knowing Hiccup was down the rabbit hole again and not up for cuddling until after dark when he would force him to come to bed

Hiccup held Astrid's hands, both of them dressed in white to match the fresh powder coating the ground around them, and neither could stop grinning at the other. Gothi draped the ceremonial binding cloth over their clasped hands and lightly tied it together.

Hiccup's heart beat irregularly with ecstatic joy and almost in disbelief. Toothless cooed behind him, pupils wide, and wiggled in frustration that they still were not mated yet.

"Hush, Toothless," Loki quietly admonished.

Toothless earflaps fell flat and grumbled, desperately wanting to shove Hiccup and make them mates already!

Dagur chuckled. "I get it—I just can't believe it's actually happening."

Gobber sniffled. "It's so beautiful."

Valka laughed quietly, watching Hiccup shift oddly as Gothi proceeded with the symbolic meaning and gestures. Pride filled her as she watched her son take the next step of his life, minor pain stinging her heart that Stoic was not here as well.

Gothi stepped back and gestured for them to finish this part of the ritual. Hiccup started to lean forward but Astrid gently grabbed his left wrist and stared questioningly into his eyes, he smiled and removed the bracer.

Mala fought to not grin like an idiot as they kissed, Astrid eagerly leaning into Hiccup's cool Jötunn touch. She didn't turn to look at Loki but said quietly, "You have taught him well, he has grown so much from the frightened young man who had been left in our care."

Loki glanced at her but quickly refocused on his Chosen, an odd thrill running through him at the sight of Hiccup so publicly accepting his Jötunn skin at such a tender event. "I have you and your people to thank for that as well—I know your reception of him was what made it possible. And certainly in as little time as it took for him to come and accept it…he and you gave me hope that merely having that skin did not make one an immediate monster. You will forever have my thanks for that."

She nodded, any response lost as Spitelout cried "To the chief and chieftess!" and all of Berk cheered.

Gobber threw his arms wide in elation, accidentally throwing his hand holding a bouquet of winter flowers straight to Eret who held the appendage awkwardly.

Fishlegs sniffed, too many emotions raging at once—his best friend was back, he got married, all was right with the world. He held Heather's hands and smiled warmly which she returned, laying her head on his shoulder.

The twins were jumping for joy and singing something indistinguishable with the roar, arms locked and dancing around each other.

Toothless roared and fired multiple blasts into the blue sky above them. Every dragon on the island roared and fired into the sky, raining harmless fire and lights over the village.

The wedding party led the way to the Great Hall where the feast was prepared. Everyone followed the couple; Heather and Fishlegs holding each other's arms, Dagur with his hand around Mala only a few steps behind his brother. Toothless and Loki were directly behind the leading pair, followed by Gobber and Valka.

The twins were happily chittering to each other when Ruffnut fell silent, eye caught on Eret as he started to turn and bumped into a Wingmaiden.

Minden turned with a sheepish smile, apologizing to both Eret and her Razorwhip. Eret waved her off with a chuckle. "Just as much my fault. I'm Eret, son of Eret by the way. A former dragon trapper but now a Dragon Rider, Skullcrusher chose me to be his rider after the battle against Drago."

Minden's eyes widened with interest. "Oh, what was that like? The baby Razorwhips choose their Wingmaiden but I imagine it's quite different with a full grown Rumblehorn."

Eret chuckled. "Well, I don't have much experience to akin it too but I would love to compare notes over the feast…"

They walked away, not arm in arm but close to each other, Eret cooing at the Razorwhip.

Ruffnut sniffed, all joy gone. She turned and buried her face into the chest of the nearest person, not caring that it was Snotlout.

Snotlout stood in shock for a moment before slowly raising a hand to pat her back, a grin spreading over his face.

Tuffnut glared at him and made an 'I'm watching you gesture' then crossed his arms and followed them into the Hall, patting his sister's back and quietly discussing new Loki'ing ideas to play on Eret.

They all wandered into the Hall and sat at the same table as Hiccup. The feast began and mead flowed. Soon, many were feeling its touch. Music started to float around the Hall and Hiccup took Astrid's hand and led her out to dance.

Valka watched sadly as they danced the same steps that she and Stoic had one last time, not an hour before…She had to look away with tears in her eyes.

Another song began and Fishlegs and Heather, Dagur and Mala left the table, many others of the village joining in while Hiccup and Astrid retired back to their seats. They watched as everyone celebrated and held each other's hands, Astrid laying her head on Hiccup's shoulder and Hiccup's light on her head.

Hours passed and they eventually retreated to his newly built hut. Astrid giggled once the door was closed and kissed him deeply again, which he happily returned. After they broke apart Hiccup took an extra step back but still held her hand.

"Astrid, I know you know but—I don't have the life of a Midgardian anymore."

Her smile thinned and tilted her head. "I know…guess Berk doesn't have to worry about finding a new chief for a long time."

Hiccup quietly groaned at that thought.

She laughed and held his still blue cheek. "You'll be a good chief, you are a good chief."

He grabbed her hand and kissed it.

"And I know you'll still look at me like that when I've gone old and grey while you still look like a spring chicken."

Hiccup pulled an overly offended gasp. "I thought I looked like a fishbone, not chicken!"

She shook her head with a wide smile.

He sobered up quickly. "Astrid, when Loki brought me back—well, he didn't exactly do it with Odin's blessing—but he said I can offer you the choice, to take an Iðunn Apple."

He turned away and opened a small chest sitting on the table, retrieving an Apple with a bite taken out of it already, a preservation spell keeping it fresh as the moment it was picked despite being partially eaten. Astrid stared at it in shock then up at Hiccup, mouth open with a loss of words. He held the Apple tentatively and took her hand again.

"This is your choice and I will love you either way—I know you'll be just as beautiful with grey braids and a face that has no chance at being as wrinkled as Gothi's…But I'm not going to be able to grow old with you anymore." He fought to keep emotions out of his voice, the thought of Astrid eventually dying and leaving him alone terrified him but he couldn't let that influence her.

"Hiccup." She said softly, cupping her hand around his that held the Apple. "I-" Words still failed her, her attention caught between staring at the Apple and Hiccup's patient eyes—eyes so desperately trying to contain their fear and almost succeeding. She realized they mirrored her own, shoved down as they were, she was afraid of Hiccup being alone for centuries. Oh, she knew Loki would be around but he couldn't always be on Berk and everyone he knew would eventually die—time and time again.

She held his hands tighter and stared into his eyes. "You said there would always be a Hiccup and an Astrid—and there always will be."

Hiccup's heart fluttered as she took the Apple and bit into it.

She sighed as warmth spread within her as she swallowed, taking several breaths to feel her body—how it felt the same yet, different in ways she couldn't yet explain. She smiled and leaned up against Hiccup, stealing another, long kiss.

They separated and he brushed her hair back. She set the Apple down on the table again before taking his hand and leading him away.

*O*

Toothless sat and stared unblinkingly at the closed hut door.

Loki walked up to him with a smirk, glancing into the shadows across the way. "You know, you should find a mate—there is one already happily pursuing you."

Toothless bared his teeth at Loki, loudly making his disagreement known.

Loki rolled his eyes. "It will be your lonely existence…I would have thought you'd want Hiccup's little ones running around causing chaos with yours."

Toothless snorted and rolled his eyes.

Loki sighed, fixing Toothless with a stern yet soft expression. "You cannot keep blaming her for something not in her power. Hiccup is safe now. I have and will continue to ensure it. He does not want you to be miserable. Don't forget dragon, I was there when you first met her. It was like watching Hiccup stare at Astrid before they were a courting couple."

Toothless wings dropped with an indignant expression before quickly shaking his head with a chuff.

Loki smirked. "Hm, we'll see then."

Toothless continued to grumble, glaring at the shadows that shifted with a soft coo.

They are finally together! Thoughts? See you soon and have a great weekend!