As they climbed further up towards the top of the mountain the original set of humans peeled off as they were greeted by their own dragons. Slowly the group thinned out, leaving just those who'd just arrived, Stoick and Gobber. Though Gobber was next to leave. Hopping on Grump and flying to the front of the line to inform Hiccup of his leaving. The humans watched as Gobber was swallowed up by the still swirling dragons.
The further they went up and the more the dragons settled, the humans were finally able to see just how large the inside of the mountain was. They hadn't had a chance to survey the place fully yet but now they could see all the way downn. Even below where they had entered.
"Hiccup, how much further?" a voice in the crowd asked.
"Don't worry we'll be there soon. This isn't the best way to get around I know but once you have your own dragon, they'll help you get around."
"Fat chance that's going to happen." Astrid huffed.
"Well Astrid you can feel free to climb up and down all these platforms all you want. I'm just saying it's easier to fly here. Not the most human friendly location."
The group continued to climb and finally reached the platform that the humans would be sleeping on. Pelts and things were still being dropped off and the whole thing was being overseen by Care. The old Nightmare got up and greeted the group.
"Sorry this isn't done yet, the door to where you've been storing these isn't very large." Care bowed.
"Don't worry about it." Hiccup reached for Care's head and began to scratch around his head and neck. "To be completely honest I'm glad they're being used. I'm the only one who uses them as bedding and don't have to replace them as often as I thought I would."
"Maybe I should take some as bedding then." Care commented.
"Go ahead. It's not a ton more comfortable but at least you're not on just the floor. Just, uh, don't set them on fire. It smells terrible."
"I'll keep that in mind." Care returned to his previous position to keep watch over the incoming supplies. Hiccup turned to the humans and addressed them.
"This is where you'll be sleeping for now." He started. "It's going to be cramped for now but once you're settled in you may move to other locations. That is, after you bond with a dragon. And I know some of you are against that. But I assure you that your time here will be much easier if you do.
The easiest way to do that is to wait for one to take interest in you or for you to take interest in them. If you take the initiative remember, just like some of you, some of these dragons don't want to bond with a human. It'll be pretty obvious whether or not they want to bond. The big thing about it is make sure you choose carefully. When they bond it's for life.
I'm going to make myself very clear. For. Life. And you only get one. One. Don't go trying to befriend every dragon you see. Otherwise they're going to start fighting over you. Dragons don't have a lot of possessions and they especially don't like when someone else is trying to take them. You are as much theirs as they are yours. They're not pets as much as they like to act like one. Remember that while they are a sentient people, they're still feral animals, and act like them. And for those wondering, no they're not interested in you beyond friendship. Do not think that Toothless and I are the norm. Obviously just looking at me, you can tell we're not. Our love, our relationship is something that is far beyond our own control. We were destined to be together, to fall in love. I assure you the same is not true for you and your dragons." The group murmured but Hiccup was the first to speak. "Now go set your beds up and we'll start to figure everything else out."
The humans worked together and began to set up they're temporary home.
"Just destined to fall in love were we?" Toothless asked as he placed his head on Hiccup's shoulder. "You act as though I didn't spend weeks courting you properly."
Hiccup slid out from under the dragon's chin and turned to face his mate.
"Yes well it's much easier to tell them it was preordained. I'm sure telling them that when you're slowly dying, starving, and freezing to death. Letting go of your inhibitions so a feral animal can have their way with you, wouldn't go down well."
"You lived didn't you. You may have died had we not done what we did." Toothless defended.
"My love." Hiccup took the dragon's chin into his hands. "These people will never be in the situation we were. There will never be a time where they'll have to survive by eating the seed of their dragons.
What we went through would bond any two things together forever. But it was also obvious to me that there was more behind those eyes than a simple feral animal needing something to hump."
"Well thank you, I do try not to seem simple." Toothless smiled. "Though compared to humans we might as well be."
Hiccup gave him a firm tap on the chin.
"Don't say that." Hiccup scolded.
"Our people can't read or write."
"And humans can't fly. I bet if I asked any human whether or not they'd prefer to read or fly, basically all of them would choose to fly. Plus a good number of them can't read anyway so…" Hiccup smiled. "Don't sell you or your people short. You know I hate that."
"I know. A moment of weakness." Toothless straightened himself and sat tall.
"Hey." Hiccup cooed and pulled the dragon's head back down. "It's okay to have those you know. I've had plenty."
Toothless sighed and relaxed himself a bit, leaning into Hiccup's touch.
"I fear the stress of all this is starting to get to me." He whispered.
"You're not the only one big guy." Hiccup whispered back. "But you know you can always talk to me, right? Plus I'm sure Care or Skullcrusher would listen to you."
"I'm sure they would, but they also have a lot to deal with already."
"I'm sure they do but that doesn't mean they won't let you complain at them for a bit. Gods knows that I complain at you all the time." Hiccup smiled.
"You don't complain. You just worry about our people." Toothless pressed his snout into Hiccup's forehead.
"Well if I don't then you don't." Hiccup kissed Toothless' snout.