Helloo! I have the next chapter sooner rather than later, I'm sure y'all are happy. Emjpy!

Shout Outs!:

Br2nd66

Thank you, I love hearing that people enjoy it as much as I have writing it. The butterfly effect is fun thing to write and think about, I can't wait until we into the MCU proper.
Hehe, oh Berk and Wakanda could be quite fun. I have ideas

SmolAvidReader

Thanks! :) Aren't we all, Hela's just going to be like that. You're welcome

CHSHiccstrid

Yay Nuffink! Thank you. Yeah, I was starting to miss some of their interactions.

Journal 2, Entry 11: "Homecoming"

Hiccup etched a rune into a ring, inspected it, then continued to carve out more runes onto other rings and discs.

The patter of little feet from the loft drifted into his ears but thought nothing of them until Zephyr called out. "Daddy, daddy! Look, lo-! Awe."

Hiccup turned to see Zephyr standing on the stairs and pouting at her cupped hands. His head tilted curiously as he got out of his chair and knelt next to her after she finished coming down. "What is it, Zephyr?"

She continued to stare forlornly at her empty hands. "I made light."

Hiccup beamed and cupped her hands. "Really?!"

She nodded, sadness forgotten with her father's excitement. "Yeah! It was pwetty and red!"

Hiccup laughed. "That's amazing Zeph. Do you think you can do it again?"

She looked down at her hands and squinted her eyes as she focused so hard her cheeks turned red. Hiccup was about to remind her to breathe when something sparked in her little hands then a tiny, red flame danced in her palm for a second before flickering out.

Hiccup picked up his little girl and swung her around so she giggled. "You are amazing Zeph, Loki's going to be so proud of you. I am!"

She laughed and hugged his neck tightly.

Bucket and Mulch argued loudly, giving Hiccup a headache and upsetting Nuffink who had been asleep in his arms.

"Mulch, is it too much trouble to simply forgo the cod and sell the salmon you have?"

"But the cod!"

Bucket groaned. "But we have fish. Fish is fish…or is a fish a sheep?"

Hiccup sighed and shook his head. "No, Bucket, a fish is a fish."

"Oh, good." Bucket's shoulders fell in relief at having gotten it right.

Hiccup turned to Mulch. "The salmon sells just as good. You just got back from three long days at sea and your dragon misses you—Bucket clearly misses him. Take a break and enjoy each other."

Mulch sighed but nodded. "Yer right. Come on, Bucket."

Bucket beamed and followed his friend off the docks.

Hiccup looked down at Nuffink and hushed him quietly when his whines turned to cries. He frowned when he noticed Nuffink felt rather cold then internally swore and warmed his body up to be comfortable for the baby, almost toddler.

Nuffink cried louder as Hiccup came back up to normal human temperature. He winced and ran off the docks to find Astrid, afraid he'd hurt his son.

Astrid found him in a panic at the town square, asking people if they'd seen her. She immediately noticed Nuffink's crying and took him. "Awe, you must be hungry, it is about that time."

Hiccup's shoulder fell with relief. "Is that it? Oh thank Frigga, I thought I about froze him…I've got to get a better hold of that."

Astrid smiled sympathetically and kissed his cheek. "It's alright babe, he's perfectly warm, just hungry. He probably got a bit nipped by the wind at the docks but he's a Haddock. he's as hardy as you are."

He smiled gratefully and kissed Nuffink's little head then Astrid's. "Thank you, M'lady."

She laughed as she walked back to their hut to feed Nuffink.

Toothless watched her leave and bounded over to Hiccup, tongue hanging out.

Hiccup chuckled. "And what has you in such a good mood?"

Toothless trembled and warbled but Hiccup couldn't catch the words as Toothless started chittering and barking too quickly to be considered intelligible speech. Finally too impatient to try and further explain, he slipped Hiccup down his neck and took off.

Hiccup yelped at the sudden movement but simply hooked himself in and let Toothless carry him wherever it was he wished.

Toothless flew to a cave high up in the mountains and cooed into the darkness. An answering coo greeted his and presently the Light Fury—that the Gang eventually named Mánia or Freyasblush by the twins—came out and nuzzled Hiccup.

He carefully rubbed her snout, smiling softly. It had taken two months after his Naming for her to finally be comfortable, even happy, in his presence.

Toothless padded to the back of the cave and crooned at something.

Hiccup followed and created a small, green ball of magic to light his path. He gasped when he saw three eggs resting in a nest and knelt next to Toothless. "Oh wow bud, you're going to be a dad too."

He turned to Mánia and smiled, careful not to show teeth—she still wasn't comfortable with that gesture. "They're amazing."

She cooed and nudged an egg before curling up around them and tucking her head under a wing.

He laughed quietly and stood. "Okay, we should leave bud. I'm sure she's going to want to take lots of naps."

Toothless warbled and licked her head before following Hiccup out. He stood next to Hiccup, waiting expectantly for Hiccup to hop on his back but was disappointed when Hiccup fiddled with the contraption he hadn't noticed strapped to his back. He hissed and Hiccup good-naturedly hissed back. Toothless growled and distrustfully eyed the 'wings'.

Hiccup sighed as he checked the wings over one last time. "Would you prefer I test with or without you present?"

Toothless snarled.

Hiccup rolled his eyes. "Not an option. Alright, here we go!"

He leapt off the cliff and thought hard about how it felt to open his wings as a dragon. After an unsure moment, they spread open and he glided. He turned and thought about them flapping and another moment later he was gaining air. He cheered and looked over at Toothless, jerking in shock and minor fear at the look Toothless was sending him.

He edged away before continuing to test the wings.

Three year old Nuffink played with his seven year old sister and the two year old Night Lights. Zephyr was casting her red light against the side of a hut while Tuffnut cast funny shadows with the light.

"And here's Hookfang—oh no! He just ate Snotlout!"

Nuffink gasped and little tears started to well in his eyes. "No! Hook-fan no eat Unca Snotlo't! Hook-fan good dra-dra-"

"Dragon." Zephyr corrected. "An' he's not actually eating uncle Snotlout—just carrying him around like a mama cat does. Right?"

Tuffnut grinned at Zephyr who was looking up at him for confirmation and ruffled hers and Nuffink's hair. "Yup, little ma'am. I'm sure Hooky's thought about it before but, if he didn't eat Snotlout when he first tried to ride him I doubt he will now."

Nuffink sighed in relief.

The Night Lights chirped and wiggled closer to the human children, staring curiously up at Tuffnut. He beamed and started playing with shadows again. "Have I told you the story about the heinous, golden hooked pirate?"

They shook their heads and Zephyr held up her hands to help keep her magic steady and not flickering.

*O*

Hiccup grinned as Dagur landed Sleuther and Mala slipped off his back with a bundle wrapped around her middle. A tiny tuff of blond hair poked out of the fur wrappings then ducked back down.

Dagur sighed and looked at the mass of furs. "Gunner, you need to come out and say hello."

"It's cold," A tiny voice whined.

Hiccup laughed at Dagur's annoyed expression.

"We're Viking warriors, Gunner, we live for the cold and harsh."

The bundle shook as the little boy protested.

Mala smiled tiredly at Hiccup. "He's been a bit spoiled on our island—loves taking care of the Eruptodon."

Hiccup smiled knowingly and stood next to Mala. "Hey there, Gun. You want to come with me? I think Zephyr has an old cloak you'd like—she didn't much like the cold either when she was little."

Gunner thought for a minute before nodding, holding his arms out for Hiccup. "Otay, unca 'Iccup."

The royal couple followed Hiccup up to his hut.

Dagur beamed at Hiccup. "Your kid didn't like the cold? That's funny."

Hiccup shrugged. "Neither has shown any signs of having Jötunn magic. Zeph did start developing her Æsir thought."

Dagur nodded. "I remember you writing about it…pretty much the entire letter and, like one line on actual affairs of business."

Hiccup blushed and held Gunner tighter. "I was proud of her. She still can't wait until Loki comes, she asks every day about it."

"She can't or you can't?" Mala asked with a humorous look.

Hiccup rolled his eyes and entered his hut, grabbing Zephyr's old cloak. "Here, this is spelled to stay warm. I'm sure you'll be quite comfortable."

Gunner sighed in the delightfully warm fur and nodded.

Hiccup grinned and looked up at Mala. "Astrid's at the Academy and Zephyr and Nuffink are with Tuffnut and Mánia—I don't think she quite trusts him with her hatchlings."

Dagur looked oddly at Hiccup. "I'm surprised you do."

Hiccup shrugged. "He's surprisingly good with them."

Dagur raised unbelieving brows.

Mala chuckled and grabbed Gunner's hand. "We'll find Astrid then the kids. I'm sure they'll love a new playmate."

Dagur turned to Hiccup after she left and walked out of the hut.

*O*

Nuffink chased after Dart while Ruffrunner chased him. Zephyr sat with Pouncer curled up in her lap. He laughed as Dart dodged and Ruffrunner tackled him. They rolled to a stop near a half frozen puddle and Nuffink pushed himself up on his elbows and glanced at the water.

Dart trilled worriedly as Nuffink's happy cries faded and his heartbeat changed, he hadn't moved from staring at the little pool. She crept closer and nuzzled his head, only to yelp and scurry backwards. Nuffink shrieked and stood up, holding his hand to his chest.

Zephyr looked up in confusion while Mánia jumped over the trembling boy and licked her shaking hatchling, growling quietly at the little boy.

Tuffnut was on his feet as soon as Dart yelped and ran over to them, only to draw short and stare at Nuffink in amazement.

"I-I didn' me-en i-it! I…" Nuffink shook uncontrollably with tears rolling down his cheeks and freezing before they rolled off. He looked up at Tuffnut's shocked face then ran.

Tuffnut cursed and grabbed Zephyr and chased after Nuffink.

Nuffink ran through the legs of the larger Berkians, who were drastically slowing Tuffnut, and ignored the man's pleas for him to stop and listen. He didn't notice when he ran past his mother or aunt and bright-eyed 'cousin'.

Astrid whirled around to Tuffnut who came huffing up the road, depositing Zephyr in her arms. "What happened?!"

Tuffnut's eyes were wide with worry as he panted. "Nuf-fink, Jötunn magic."

Mala scooped up Gunner and shouted over her shoulder. "I'll find Hiccup!"

Astrid barely nodded before she was running after Nuffink, just catching him turning down the path to their home. The door was swinging closed as she jumped the steps and slowly opened the door. "Nuffink, baby? It's okay."

A sniffle from the darkest corner of the room gave away his hiding place. "No. I hurt Dart."

Astrid set Zephyr on the ground then lit a lantern to see and almost gasped at the sight of a blue skinned Nuffink. She sat on the floor near him but didn't try to touch him. "Nuf, it's okay, you didn't mean to. It's natural and going to happen for a little while."

Nuffink shook his head. "No' na'ural! I-I no' bue, daddy bue."

Astrid smiled. "Which means there was a chance that you could be blue too. Grandpa Loki is blue, so your daddy is blue, now you are blue. There's nothing wrong with that."

The door creaked open and a soft thump with a metal clank carefully came around the table. Hiccup suppressed a wince at Nuffink's terrified face and shifted his skin, reaching out for his scared son. "Come here, Nuffink."

Nuffink didn't hesitate and dove into his father's waiting arms and sobs. "I didn' mean i'!"

Hiccup hushed him and rocked. "I know you didn't. Dart is fine. She's a tough little girl, just like her daddy. It's okay, Nuf—you should have seen me when I first turned Jötunn."

Nuffink still shook but he looked up at his father who smiled softly at him. "Wha' you do?"

Both Hiccup and Astrid chuckled, Hiccup answering. "Well, froze a couple people—not nice people either. Froze a dragon, couple huts, Loki. Yeah, good times."

Astrid scoffed and would have punched his arm if he wasn't radiating cold. "And you didn't run away at all."

"You're right, I didn't," Hiccup snarked back with a grin.

Nuffink laughed at their banter and both parents grinned.

Loki breathed in the Midgardian air, grateful to finally be free from Asgard for a while. He casually strode from the branch to the village and followed the pull of Hiccup's mark to the smithy where Hiccup was mediating a fight between Gobber and some Berkian.

Hiccup barely acknowledged his presence, only a trill through their bond greeted him as Hiccup fought to keep his growing ire and Jötunn magic suppressed.

Loki stopped and stared at Hiccup, or more accurately, at the blue lichen clinging to his Chosen's side.

Nuffink peeked over Hiccup's shoulder and spotted Loki and quickly hid his head again and gripped Hiccup's shirt and leather vest tightly.

Hiccup continued to mediate—argue—with the two older Berkians as he rubbed circles on Nuffink's back—ignoring the ice crystals growing on his tunic from the boy's touch.

Loki's fingers twitched. He so desperately wanted to hold Nuffink and comfort him in how he had to comfort his father years ago…But Nuffink was not going to release his hold of Hiccup any time soon.

A little tug of his coat drew his attention away from Hiccup and Nuffink to Zephyr who was beaming up at him. "Loki, Loki, watch what I can do!"

She cupped her hands and with a little thought a red light leapt to life. She grinned and stopped her feet in excitement, holding her hands up for Loki to see.

Loki couldn't keep the smile off his face even if he wanted to. He picked her up, careful not to disrupt her magic, and held one of her hands—feeling her magic thrum from her to him and memorizing its signature. "Most impressive, Zephyr. When did this develop?"

"Uhm…" Her face scrunched as she thought hard then held up two fingers. "Two months ago?"

Loki nodded then looked over at Hiccup who finally seemed to be wrapping up the debate. "And when did Nuffink discover his Jötunn skin?"

Zephyr frowned in thought before she finally said, "He turned blue like daddy three days ago."

Loki hummed and smiled at Nuffink who peeked at him again before quickly hiding his face.

Zephyr grew quiet and whispered into Loki's ear, "He hurt Dart when it happened. He won't leave daddy's side now."

Loki sighed quietly and forlornly stared at Nuffink. "Your father was like that too. It will just take a little time to adjust. How is Dart?"

Zephyr shrugged. "Okay, I think. Mánia's kept them away from us since Dart got hurt. Toothless tried to sneak Pouncer out to see me but—we could all hear her screeching at him for it before they got to the village. I miss Pouncer."

Loki smiled at her. "I'm sure Hiccup and I can convince her that her hatchlings are perfectly safe. After all, even hatchlings accidentally hurt each other when they're learning how to breathe fire."

Zephyr pouted but not at Loki's words. "I hope so. Will I turn blue?"

Loki blinked at the sudden question, though he should have expected it. "I…am not sure. You have magic, so it is a safe bet to say that you will at some point. You must understand that this situation is very odd and new territory. Never before, that anyone knows of, has Jötunn magic Claimed someone, Let alone someone with dual magics."

Zephyr nodded. "Okay."

Loki was a bit surprised by her short answer and had to put her down when she started squirming. She ran over to Hiccup and pulled on Nuffink's pants, making him look at her.

"Come play, Nuf!"

He shook his head and hugged Hiccup tighter. She sighed and turned away, intent on finding Gunner again.

Hiccup finally managed to conclude the debate, neither party looking exactly thrilled but dispersed. He turned a tired smile to Loki. "Welcome back."

Loki gave him a much warmer smile and threw an arm around his shoulders, allowing his Jötunn skin to creep over him.

Nuffink squirmed, not liking being pinned between the two men.

Loki looked down at Nuffink's red eyes with his own and grinned. "Hello, little one."

Nuffink gasped and tucked his head again. He had seen both his father and grandfather in this skin before, but it was unnerving right now.

Loki frowned and took Nuffink from Hiccup, ignoring his little whines. "Nuffink, it is alright. See, you cannot harm me."

Nuffink looked down at his hands and played silently with them.

Loki's nose wrinkled in thought before he said, making sure to keep a hold of Hiccup. "Come, let's gather your sister and have a family magic session."

Hiccup smiled while Nuffink froze before curling into Loki's side.

They found Zephyr with Gunner, Mala, Astrid and Heather who came just the other day. She was positively aglow and Loki could guess by the stares of the other woman what they were discussing.

Hiccup bent down and grabbed Zephyr, whispering in her ear, "Let's leave your momma to her… girly talk…I'm sure I'm going to hear about it shortly from Fishlegs."

Zephyr looked over at her mother before turning back to Hiccup with pinched brows. "What are you going to hear about from uncle Fishlegs?"

Hiccup smiled but said nothing as he lifted her up, casting a smile to Astrid before leaving. "Oh, nothing. Let's go practice your magic."

She brightened. "Is Nuffink coming to?"

Loki nodded. "Yes, he needs to learn how to control his Jötunn magic even more than you need to for your Æsir."

She leaned a little out of Hiccup's arms, eyes wide. "Will I really get Jötunn magic too? Will Nuffink get Æsir?"

Loki laughed at her excitement, a little startled by her excitement to obtain Jötunn magic. "Most likely."

She beamed and tried talking to Nuffink who was still hiding in Loki's neck but was largely ignoring her and her grand ideas of how to prank people using ice magic.

Loki smirked at Hiccup who was amusedly shaking his head.

They walked through the village to a clearing in the woods, then set the children down to find places they would be comfortable. Loki sat with Nuffink and quietly talked to him about the Jötunn magic, creating a few funny frost patterns on the rock before giving him a simple lecture about controlling his extreme emotions and the cold.

Hiccup looked down, remembering that exact lecture, and sat with Zephyr, helping her better call forth her magic, even showing her how to manipulate it into shapes.

As she worked—her tongue sticking out as she concentrated—Hiccup pulled out a leather bracelet he'd been working on for the last day. The log shifted under him, making him look up to see his log-mate despite knowing who it was.

Loki looked down at his work curiously, unable to stop his lips from twisting upwards.

Hiccup blushed, his cheeks cooling rapidly and set the knife down, inspecting the runes. "I-I thought it might help him feel better until he has better control."

Loki grabbed his hand, face soft. "I am saying nothing against it. I did the same for you."

Hiccup handed it to Loki. "Does everything look right?"

Loki gave it a quick once over and nodded, handing it back. "It is done perfectly, Liten Listig. Well done."

Hiccup fought to contain his smile as he grabbed the leather and said the quiet spell.

Loki watched proudly as his Chosen finished the bracelet then drew him closer, both of them watching Zephyr and Nuffink.

Eventually, when the children started growing bored and tired from the practices and meditations, Loki gathered them to leave.

Nuffink ran up to his father, silently asking to be picked up while Zephyr happily ran ahead. Hiccup shifted Nuffink so he could easily see his face. "Hey, Nuf, I have something for you."

Nuffink looked up, eyes wide and wondering.

Hiccup chuckled and held up the bracelet.

Nuffink took it and looked at it for a minute before looking up at his father in confusion. "T'ank you?"

Loki turned away so his stupid grin wouldn't insult Nuffink—he was just too cute and far too much like his father.

Hiccup rolled his eyes at Loki but took the bracelet and slipped it onto Nuffink's wrist. "This will give you back your human appearance and make sure your Jötunn magic doesn't accidentally hurt someone."

Nuffink's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Hiccup nodded and secured the bracelet, both watching as the blue Jötunn skin faded away. "Mm-hm. Nuffink." Nuffink looked up into Hiccup's somber eyes. "I don't ever want you to be ashamed of having Jötunn magic. This is just to help you while you learn to control it, not hide from it."

Nuffink nodded and hugged him. "T'ank you daddy."

Hiccup smiled and hugged him back. "You're welcome Nuf."

He set Nuffink down once they reached the village and Zephyr and Gunner ran by. Nuffink ran after her and finally giggled again.

Hiccup didn't realize he sighed in relief until Loki grabbed his shoulder with a knowing look then he looked away, cheeks cooling again.

Loki watched the children run around. "We should introduce him to Jörmungandr, he's become quite moody since he got too big to remain on the land of New Berk."

Hiccup winced, remembering when they had to move him. He had indeed been quite upset. It was a good thing Loki was there to Command him or else he and Toothless might have been stuck in a cave by the ocean. As it was, anytime he tried to visit the Dýrsvell it was a nightmare to leave because he's desperate for company.

"We really need to find him an island he can crawl up on easier so he can play with the other dragons."

Loki cringed and nodded. "He is far too social to remain isolated to the waters as he is now. Do you know of any islands nearby?"

"Not nearby, nearby. That's going to be the trick."

Loki sighed, feeling the Dýrsvell tug on their bond.

Fishlegs paced the Great Hall of Berserker Island in almost as much nervousness as Hiccup had. Hiccup smiled as Fishlegs attempted to distract himself by spouting off every known fact about every known species of dragon. Eventually, Hiccup grabbed the Dragon Manual and called Fishlegs over. "Come help me with Jör's entry. Have you seen him recently?"

Fishlegs, eager for the distraction, began a rant of how much Jör had grown in so little time, his estimates on his length—since the dragon had refused to remain still, how he seemed to prefer certain kinds of fish and how he didn't care about the eel that he had chased around in the surf of the new island he was on.

Dagur sat beside them at the table, rubbing his temples and looking constipated—undoubtedly trying to hold himself back from strangling Fishlegs just to cease his ramblings.

Hiccup looked over at him and smirked. "You know, you don't have to stay here with us."

"Believe me, I want nothing but to go out and teach Gunner how to throw an axe and not listen to you two dragon nerds—but Heather will kill me if I leave her panicking husband alone."

"I'm not panicking!" Fishlegs snapped at Dagur.

Both Hiccup and Dagur just looked at him. He looked away, cheeks red. "Okay, maybe just a little."

Dagur stood after Fishlegs started another dragon rant. "I need mead—really strong mead. Either of you want any? Actually, Fishlegs—that's not an option for you."

Another hour passed before one of the midwives came into the Hall and smiled at Fishlegs. "They're fine, you can go see them now."

Fishlegs squealed and ran out of the Hall, not bothering to wait for Hiccup or Dagur. They both grinned and shook their heads and followed at a more casual pace, stopping at the chief's hut. They waited for several minutes until Fishlegs came out with two little bundles.

Dagur stared in shock while Hiccup fought back a grin.

"Twins," Fishlegs breathed, eyes misting.

Hiccup walked up the steps to see his friend's children. Both of them were asleep with a thin lining of black hair on their heads.

Dagur joined them and almost cooed, just barely restraining himself. Dagur does not coo.

Fishlegs looked at the little head on his right and said, "That's Svana and that's Vinga."

Vinga sleepily opened her eyes and revealed emerald green's like her mother's. She sniffled and started to cry and Fishlegs panicked, trying to shush and calm her.

Svana woke and batted her father's hazel-green eyes, crying as well.

Hiccup quickly took her and shushed her, letting his magic creep over her and lull her into a comforting sleep.

Dagur glared at him. "Hey, no using magic on my nieces."

Hiccup shrugged. "Alright, you can deal with the screaming baby next time."

Dagur's eye twitched but Fishlegs cut him off. "Thanks Hiccup, can you…?"

They quickly swapped babies and Hiccup repeated the process and soon enough she too was fast asleep again. Fishlegs took both of them and disappeared into the hut so Heather could have them back.

Dagur glared at Hiccup. "Is that what you did with Gunner when he had night terrors?"

Hiccup glanced at him but remained focused on the door. "Yes," He said quickly.

Dagur twitched, unsure if he should feel enraged or thankful but saw Hiccup twitch after he answered. "What else did you do?"

Hiccup didn't look at him as he asked, "Does he still wear that Berserker crest bracelet I gave him?"

"Yes?" Dagur said slowly. "What did you do?"

Hiccup twitched. "Nothing much…just trying to keep the nightmares away."

"Hiccup!" Dagur screeched.

Two years passed and winter was here with Snoggletog just around the corner. Berkians were running around, preparing for the holiday and Hiccup was caught between helping the village prepare it, mediating fights that broke out from the stress of it, and helping Gobber in the forge with the surplus of orders. Oh! And don't forget trying to find time for his own family while he was at it.

He sighed and laid back on Toothless' back as they soared through the dusk colored sky. A smaller weight soon followed and laid across his stomach and he instinctively reached forward to drape his arm across Nuffink's chest. The last few weeks these flights were the only time he had with them and he enjoyed every second of them.

Nuffink sat up again and gripped Toothless' saddle. "Can we do flips again daddy?"

Hiccup chuckled and sat upright, holding Nuffink tighter to himself while leaning closer to Toothless. "Well, bud, what do you say?"

Toothless gurgled a laugh and flew upwards.

Stormfly squawked at the sudden maneuver and Zephyr pointed to Toothless. "I wanna do tricks too!"

Astrid laughed and patted Stormfly, encouraging her to let loose. Stormfly chirped and flew faster, pulling up just in front of Toothless and making him bark at her antiques.

Three little roars soon joined in and Toothless cooed at Mánia as she joined the flight but rolled her eyes at their activities.

Toothless ignored her beratings and followed Nuffink's squeal of more fun, plummeting to the ocean and spinning slightly. Hiccup didn't detach or try to fly—thank the Ancients—but loosened his hold on Nuffink just enough for the boy to float out of his hold slightly.

Eventually, they arced back for Berk and found Loki had arrived, eager to spend a little more time with his family this Yuletide than the last several. They turned in for the night only to repeat most of the process the next day…Until Hiccup and Astrid came home to see Zephyr reading a book in utter confusion.

"Why does it say to kill every dragon on sight?"

Hiccup hisses and scratches his head. "Found that book, did ya?"

Zephyr continued to look at them expectantly.

Astrid sat on the bed next to her. "I… guess we've never really explained that."

Toothless and Loki walked in to find Zephyr holding up the oldest version of the Dragon Manual. Toothless growled at the book and curled up next to the blazing hearth while Loki took a chair, awaiting the long overdue explanation.

Nuffink frowns at the book depicting bloody Viking deaths and enraged dragons. "They're scary. Our dragons no' like that, are they?"

Hiccup sighs. "Only sometimes, and to very bad people."

"They are honestly no worse or any more terrifying than your mother." Loki casually remarked, earning a light hearted glare from Hiccup and a smirk from Astrid.

They spent the next hour briefly explaining the three-hundred year Dragon War and how Hiccup and Toothless ended it before Zephyr was convinced something nefarious wasn't in the works. She and Nuffink ran out to play with the Night Lights while Hiccup remained sitting on the bed with his head between his legs.

"Astrid, how many of the kids don't know the actual story behind the peace with the dragon? If our own kids don't know it then…"

She smiled and patted his knee. "I can tell you a good several adults don't know about it. You're lucky Fishlegs and the twins took up telling Thor and Loki about it or else they still wouldn't really know."

Loki looked over at Hiccup. "You are a dreadful teller of tales."

He cringed. "Thanks. I never claimed to be any good at it. But we can't just let this continue…I can't believe it took Zephyr finding that dumb book to make me realize it."

She laughed. "You're just too modest to think of things like that. But you're right. We need to set the record straight for the future generations or else someone else might get Zephyr's idea without someone to set them straight about it."

He sighed. "Uhg…We should incorporate it into the Academy…"

Loki arched an eyebrow. "It isn't already? How do you teach your own histories?"

Hiccup shrugs. "Bedtime stories and drunken recounts in the Great Hall? We'd been at almost daily war…history in general wasn't very important, just that we were dealing with the consequences of settling on Berk.

Astrid nodded. "Unfortunately true. The most accurate version of our history would most likely be in the Ingermans' library somewhere since they were a little more focused on literacy and education than best ways to kill."

Her eyes lit up and turned to Hiccup. "Remember when we were kids? Back in Berk when we would put on a pageant at Snoggletog?"

Hiccup nodded, having hazy memories of some of those pageants. "Oh yeah, those were fun"

"What if we brought it back? Show the children how dragons and humans became friends."

He grinned, jumping to his feet. "That's a great idea! But we only have four days until Snoggletog…Well, three if you don't count Black Plague Friday."

Loki cringed in disgust. "Why would you have such a day? Just stay home and get well!"

Hiccup grinned with a small shrug. "Vikings, stubbornness issues."

Loki distrustfully eyed him, debating if he would be at risk of getting sick himself. He glared at Hiccup and growled. "If I get sick because of you, I'm dragging you back to Asgard as Sigyn to tend to me until I am better."

Hiccup laughed while Astrid looked at them confused—who's Sigyn? "You haven't gotten sick from any of the other years so I think you're fine."

Loki's eye still twitched.

Hiccup turned back to Astrid. "Let's go talk to Gobber."

They searched the snowy village until they found Gobber talking to a statue of Stoic. Astrid's lips curled in, remembering far too well how Gobber handled Hiccup's death. This was tame in comparison.

"Gobber!" Hiccup called him then told him their plans.

Gobber's eyes lit up and ran off with the cry of, "I have just the thing!"

Loki took a step back warily. "I'm not sure that's a good idea—that was far too similar a reaction to Thor to be safe."

Hiccup chuckled wearily and followed his mentor to the forge. They entered to find Gobber getting a book out of the attic and blowing copious amounts of dust, soot and sawdust off the cover.

"You're in luck!" He plopped the book down and it fell open. "I still have the script I wrote for the last pageant we did."

Astrid grabs the book with interest, warmly recalling that pageant.

Color drains from Hiccup's as memories of that particular pageant resurface after twenty plus years of suppression. "Th-this did not age well."

He points jittery to the book and Loki picks it up, skimming the choreography and lines. "This is actually rather good for its time."

Hiccup looks at him in horror. "No! It's not. I had nightmares for months!"

Loki looked over at him and placed the book down. "Then I suppose it did its job."

Gobber had a far off look in his eyes. "Aye, Stoic did marvelous in that. Really brought it to life."

Astrid snickered. "Or killed it really well. I think Snotlout actually wet himself during that pageant."

Hiccup was still shaking his head and pushing the book away. "We-We need to start from the ground up."

Astrid smiles at him and nods. "Yeah, this might be a little counterproductive."

Gobber eagerly started rambling on about making a new script about how to show the start of the friendship between dragons and humans.

Loki started discussing set designs, volunteering to help create a Red Death out of illusionary magic.

"Woah, woah, we don't need to go quite that far-"

Astrid took his hand. "Babe, if we're going to show them why we're at peace with the dragons now they need to know why we weren't before."

Hiccup frowned, still staring hauntingly at the book. "Yeah, but we want to inform them, not scare them out of their wits."

Astrid shrugged. "A little scare won't hurt anyone. And it will be good for them to know why it was so important."

Hiccup groaned and Loki grabbed him by his shoulder, looking back at Gobber. "We'll be practicing magic while you write the script. Norns know I don't trust him to do it."

Hiccup deflated and muttered incoherently.

*O*

Loki and the village kept Hiccup busy and out of the pageant planning business. Hiccup sat on a frozen bolder barely out of the snow with Loki on a nearby boulder peak.

"Solidify your shields, Hiccup. If you let them waver at all they become like fabric and are too weak to be used as shielding." He stared hard, almost glaring at his Chosen.

Hiccup's face scrunched as he focused harder on his mental shielding and keeping the magic in a 'solid' state.

Loki focused on Hiccup again and lightly touched his mind, pleased when a wall met him—only to crumble at the slightest bit more of pressure.

Hiccup groaned and fell into the snow behind him, rubbing his forehead.

Toothless jumped up in a shriek of surprise as Hiccup landed on his tail. He pulled it back and hissed at his human half before slinking over to Loki and laying down again, glaring at Hiccup.

"Sorry, bud."

Loki stood and walked over to Hiccup, looking down at the imprint in the snow he had yet to vacate. "I believe we are done for the day, Liten Listig. Keep meditating and work on thickening those shields."

Hiccup pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh, that gives me a headache."

Loki smiled sympathetically. "Yes, it did for me as well. Once your shielding is a little thicker it will not be so bad. Also work on keeping those shields up for as long as possible, you need both endurance and strength for the most effective shield."

Hiccup nodded and made a block of ice, placing it against his head.

Loki looked down, barely suppressing a snigger. "How comes your healing lessons with mother?"

Hiccup grins, eyes sparkling. "She thinks I'll be ready to try healing some minor next year."

Loki hums and nods. "Good, it will be a relief to know you won't be at someone's mercy if you are injured."

Hiccup rolled his eyes. "I have Toothless. And you'll come running like a worried mother if it's anything serious."

Loki glares at him. Hiccup waves his free arm about. "Well, it's true! Even if I became the best healer in the Realms, if you felt me get hurt then you would be back on Midgard, tearing the place apart until you could check my wounds over yourself."

Loki huffed. "Still."

"Wonderful argument." Hiccup shot back.

They arrived at the village and Hiccup started making his rounds again with Loki by his side until Gobber snagged them.

"Hiccup! I need ya ta make a mechanical Toothless."

Hiccup looked at him through narrowed eyes. "Wha-why? We have the real Toothless right here."

"Because it will bet-" Gobber started but was shut up by a growling Toothless. "Or we can jus' use tha real thin'."

Loki spied the book under Gobber's arm. "May I?"

Gobber lit up and held out the book for him. "Oh, of course!"

Loki opened it and started to peruse, it wasn't long before he was biting both cheek and tongue to keep from laughing. Hiccup, who was reading over his shoulder, grew increasingly more confused as he read. "Uh, Gobber?"

"It's brilliant, isn't it?! And wait till you've seen my casting choices. Took all morning but I finally have them down."

A lanky mop of blond and splotched brown something-supposed-to-be-hair walked up to them by that point. "Uh, Gobber, where are we rehearsing?"

"Tuffnut?" Hiccup asked. He turned to Gobber in utter confusion. "Is he supposed to be playing me?"

"Yes indeed!" Gobber grabbed him around the shoulders and started to say more but Hiccup cut him off.

"Well he's a part of the story too, who's playing him?"

"Ruffnut."

"And who's playing her?"

"Well! Uh…do you want to? You look eager for a part?"

Hiccup groaned and ran a hand down his face. "Gobber, why don't I just play me, Tuffnut can play himself and Ruffnut herself?"

"Where's the fun in that?" Gobber complained. "It's supposed to be a show, not a documentary!"

Hiccup leveled him with a flat look. "It's supposed to teach the children how peace first came about."

Loki grabbed his arm, fighting back laughter. "No reason it can't be both."

"But-but this is-"

Tuffnut threw off his weird brown hair and nodded at Hiccup who was trying to argue. "You're right! I've had visions of this sort of thing for years. Now is my time to shine."

Gobber glared at Tuffnut. "Oh, no. I've already written the script. I've done the casting and gotten the sets prepped. I am the one putting this on and I will not have mutiny!"

"I am the best Regaler on New Berk! I was there with Hiccup when all this happened. I should be the one putting on this pageant!"

Hiccup started to interject but Loki hushed him and pulled him aside, letting the two argue. "Loki!"

Loki shook his head. "Let them work it out, it'll be fine in the end."

"It will be humiliating is what it will be." Hiccup buried his face in his hands.

Loki chuckled. "Have a little faith, I know my followers will not let their brother down."

"Oh, gods," Hiccup muttered into his hands.

*O*

Hiccup tinkered in the forge, making Astrid's Snoggletog gift since he'd been all but banned from helping in the pageant on Tuffnut's orders. The door creaked open and he huffed. "No, Gobber, I'm not getting in the middle of it again. If Toothless doesn't like what you're having him do, then find something else."

"Uh, I'm not here about the pageant. Though I'm glad they're doing your story and not mine. It's going to be humiliating."

Hiccup looked up and glared at Snotlout. "Thank you for those words of confidence."

Snotlout snorted and waved. "No problem. I-I wanted to know if you could make me a spear, a special spear. I know it's kind of late but…"

Hiccup set the axe he'd been sharpening down, intrigued by Snotlout's sudden bout of uncertainty. "Maybe. Why, what's the occasion, besides Snoggletog that is?"

Snotlout fiddled with his vest before finally blurting out. "I'm going to ask Ruffnut to marry me on Snoggletog."

Hiccup's eyes widen for a moment before he softens and smiles. "Sure, Snotlout. Anything in particular you were wanting on it?"

Snotlout breathed in relief and stood close to Hiccup who'd brought out a blank sheet of paper. "A few…"

Hiccup sketched out the ideas with Snotlout eagerly standing over his shoulder and pointing to the paper while spouting his ideas. He shook his head at Snotlout's enthusiasm but had to admit his idea for the spear would ultimately be very Ruffnut.

Snotlout leaned back at the edge of the forge while Hiccup gathered the metal for the spear tip and placed it into the forge. "So, cuz, how is it you still can't grow a beard?"

Hiccup glared at him. "Maybe I just keep it shaved because Loki doesn't have one."

Snotlout snickered. "No, I've seen you in the morning, stumbling out of your hut like something the Terror dragged in…You still don't have a beard."

Hiccup huffed and rolled his eyes. "Alright, fine, you want to know why?" Snotlout stood there, smirking and looking back at him expectantly. "Because I stopped again at twenty-one, the day I died. When Loki brought me back, he had to make me Asgardian…I age like one now."

Snotlout's arms fell to his sides, eyes wide in shock. "Does Astrid know?" He asked quietly.

Hiccup nods. "She does…She took an Apple of Iðunn too. We, we didn't know how to tell you guys without…" She stopped moving to stare at the floor, sudden thoughts of living centuries without his friends, his family.

Snotlout shifted unsurely before standing next to Hiccup and wrapped an arm around his back, patting him reassuringly, if not a bit hesitantly. "It would be you who gets the crazy god to do something hairbrained as that."

Hiccup looked at him, lips curled in before sighing and looking away. "I-"

Snotlout waves him off. "Hey, this way I get to tell Stoic all your embarrsing dragon training stories without you being able to interrupt or 'correct' me for centuries."

Hiccup half-heartedly glared at him but smiled lightly after a moment. "Thanks Snotlout."

"Eh." He shrugged. "You might not be thanking me in Fólkvangr once you finally get there."

Hiccup shook his head and turned to the glowing metal and pulled it out, hammering away at it with a small smile.

*O*

Loki left his rooms with a smile he just couldn't quite hide. He was grateful it was Yuletide today and even the most stoic of warriors would be smiling. Really, he wanted a drink to make up for the fact that he had to leave Berk just for appearances on Asgard. He'd had quite the luck, disappearing for as long as he had so close to Yule without questions but dreams cannot last forever…

He entered the dining hall and was immediately swept up by Thor and his friends. "Were you waiting for me?" He tried to snap but didn't quite manage it.

Thor beamed, already halfway drunk. "Of course! I would not have my brother feeling left out at Yuletide!"

Loki did roll his eyes and pat the hand holding his shoulder. "Thank you for your kind thoughts."

Thor laughs and waves him off. "Come! There are some lovely ladies here tonight…"

Loki managed to slip away later as Thor was trying to woo a flaxen haired lady. Frigga caught him and slid her arm through his, guiding them through the hall to a less noisy corner.

"How was New Berk?"

Loki couldn't help but smile. "Doing well. They put on a pageant to remember the time that peace between Vikings and dragons was made. Hiccup.. would have been mortified by enactment but Tuffnut and Ruffnut made sure to… honor the occurrence."

Frigga grinned and laughed lightly. "He was quite a humble boy. I can't imagine he would like having his life placed on display."

Loki shook his head, staring out at the flickering stars. "No, not so much."

"How is Nuffink doing?"

"Quite well, certainly better than Hiccup or I were when the change occurred. He hardly thinks of it now, with or without the bracelet—though he is extra careful to keep it on around Toothless' young. He is a bit scarred from accidentally hurting one of them."

Frigga nodded with a sad hum. "He is still very young, it helps. And Berk is very accepting."

"Thank the Norns for small favors," Loki whispered. A large hand found its way onto his shoulder, causing him to jump and whirl around, eyes wide. "Thor! How long have you been standing behind us!?"

Thor blushed and looked a little sheepish, glancing at their mother. "Just long enough…did Hiccup have a son?"

Loki scowled at him and summoned a dagger, leveling at Thor's throat and hissed, "Speak a word of this to anyone and you will not speak again."

"Loki," Frigga admonished quietly.

Loki glared at Thor. "I will not have him ruining the little happiness I have managed to refind."

Thor sighed and kept his hands low. "I will say nothing of it, I promise."

"Good." Loki turned to leave but Thor grabbed his arm. "What now?"

Frigga's brows knit close together. "Loki, do not be rude. Thor loves and cares for you as I do. Can you not see he is happy for you and merely concerned?"

Loki looked hard at Thor's face and was irritated to find that she was correct.

She smiled, pleased at her triumph, and grabbed both her sons by their arms. "Alright, enough of this now. It is Yule, let us celebrate and have our fill of merriment."

Loki reluctantly let her lead him away but was unable to stay sour for long as happy memories of the last several days silently filled his head. Happy to let Thor think he was smiling because of the joke he made at Fandral's expense.

I wasn't planning on doing anything with Homecoming but it decided it wanted to be worked in, so oh well. And before people start telling me a lot of fans have named the Light Fury Luna...luna is Roman and not a name I could see Vikings naming something without it being derogatory so Mani. Fun fact for any Rise of the Gardians fans, I didn't realize it till now but Mani is actually Norse for moon. Just thought it was interesting.
Until next time! Leave your thoughts.