"Okay before I go I have some actual advice for you. About being a leader. And that's, sometimes the best thing to do is nothing. Sometimes you just have to let things play out as they are. Which can be hard, I know, trust me. Even when people are worried about your inaction. And trust me people will be worried, Hel, even angry. But as long as you strike at the right moment it'll be fine. Actually the best part of that is your strike doesn't have to be perfect. It's best when it is but isn't necessary. It just has to be good enough that people understand your intentions. Which isn't great mind you. You should definitely be trying to do better than that at the bare minimum. Especially about life altering decisions like we are right now." The large man chuckled and stood up. "Another good talk, boys. Hope we keep havin' em'." Stoick took his leave and went over to the humans who were continuing to set up their temporary home and began to give orders.
"It's nice having your dad here." Toothless shuffled himself around and rolled over. He set his head down on Hiccup's lap with his neck exposed to him. Hiccup idly began to rub and scratch Toothless while looking over to his father. Toothless looked out towards the man giving orders. "How long has he been chief of your village?"
"Longer than I've been alive. I don't know when exactly he became chief but I know he was young. Probably barely even a man really."
"Sounds familiar." Toothless nudged Hiccup.
"Yeah well unlike me, my dad's a real viking. From what I remember, my dad looks exactly like his dad. May as well be his twin. And unlike me, my dad didn't question a whole lot that his dad said. But it made him the man he is. Smart and strong. The son every father wants."
"What, and you aren't? Didn't we both win a fight against him a few weeks ago? And aren't you considered one of if not the smartest person from your village? Plus, before you say anything, isn't your dad super proud of you as a leader, and thinks you're doing pretty well at the whole thing?" Toothless closed his eyes. Hiccup remained silent. "You gotta give yourself some credit. We're going just fine for now. No revolts yet at least."
"Yeah." Hiccup huffed. Hiccup continued to watch his father move around, point at stuff, give orders, and happily accept what the dragons were bringing to them.
Then he smelled smoke and looked around.
"You smell that bud?" Hiccup asked.
"I assume you're talking about the smoke smell from the fire some of the new humans started."
"You knew and didn't say anything?"
"I was hoping your dad would notice before we did and deal with it." Toothless sighed and rolled over off Hiccup's lap. "Suppose we should go deal with that." Toothless stood up and stretched. He offered Hiccup his shoulder to help him up. Hiccup hoisted himself and rubbed his eyes. "Okay, let's go figure out who's doing what."
The pair easily spotted the fire and made their way over to the group responsible. On the way Hiccup grabbed a hide from a stack that had been dropped off. The pair stopped and addressed the group.
"I'm sorry to do this and I know no one told you but we can't have a fire going in here." He tossed the hide over the fire smothering it. "If you want to start a fire you can head up to the roof and have one there."
"Aren't there a bunch of dragons here?" One from the group asked.
"Yes there is. But fire outside of the smithy is against the rules. If you want to start a fire go outside." Hiccup explained.
"You're telling us that you banned dragons from using fire?"
"Yes I did." Hiccup lifted the hide from the extinguished fire. Smoke rising up, deep black and thick. "Now I'm not asking, I'm telling. If you want a fire go to the roof." The pair left and Hiccup threw the Smokey hide back into a pile as he and Toothless returned to their nest.
"Already bossing them around, I see." Toothless joked as he laid back down.
"I just told them the rules." Hiccup defended himself.
"That you did." Toothless nodded.
"You have a problem with the way I did it?" Hiccup crossed his arms. Toothless sat back up and pressed his snout up close to Hiccup's face.
"No. I like when you're direct." He pecked Hiccup's forehead. Hiccup laughed and smiled at his mate.
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah. Not to bring the mood down but you do try to not be very confrontational most of the time. I'm sorta surprised you put your foot down like that. I figured you were just going to ask them to put it out and move it to the roof."
"Yeah well… I've always felt like that doesn't work too well with humans. For some, yeah I could have asked. But for most, you just have to tell them how it is and not give them any choice. It's why that ship isn't going to be able to sail away any time soon. Tell them to make friends with the dragons and don't give them any choice but to."
"Hmph. Good plan." Toothless complimented.
"Hey what can I say? It's not all panicking and freaking out up here." Hiccup tapped the side of his head. "Sometimes I do some thinking and planning." Hiccup got down on his hands and knees and crawled next to Toothless, who stuck out his front leg for Hiccup to put his head on.
"Makes me wonder what other plans you're thinking up without me knowing." The dragon pressed his snout into Hiccup's hair.
"You don't have to worry. You know I always tell you about my ideas. To be honest I didn't plan to leave you out of this one, I think I just kinda forgot to tell you."
"Don't make it a habit." Toothless scolded. "We're a team you know."
"I know we're a team." Hiccup placed a hand on Toothless' chest. "I honestly just forgot."
"Alright then, I trust you." Toothless whispered.
"Thanks." Hiccup whispered back.
"So what now? Nap time until someone wakes us up for a tiny problem?" Toothless chuckled.
"Yeah that sounds nice actually."
"Good. I'll see you when we get woken up. Love you."
"Love you too big guy."