Hey y'all! I got another short fic for ya!

This one's been in my head since for about six years and was actually suggested by a friend who was watching RTTE with me for the first time. I just got around to writing it now.

Hope you enjoy!

"Hey, Snotlout," Hiccup called as they took off. "You coming to the Hall with us?"

The other boy was standing on the sea stack the rest of the Riders had just vacated, staring out over the sea. He didn't seem to have heard his cousin.

"Go on without us, we'll catch up," Hiccup called to the others, directing Toothless back towards the sea stack. Astrid nodded and the rest started back towards the village.

Hiccup landed on the sea stack, concern rising for his cousin. Snotlout was always so confident, so snarky. Never seemed to ever be wrong or bothering the boy.

"Snotlout?" Hiccup gently placed a hand on the other boy's shoulder. Snotlout jumped, spinning around to face his cousin, and, to Hiccup's shock, wiping tears away. "Are you okay?"

"I thought you'd left."

"I-we were, but I got worried when you didn't seem to even notice me talking to you."

"Oh," Snotlout sniffled, "did you need something?"

"I- Snotlout, are you okay?" Hiccup asked again, concern growing even more.

"I'm fine, Hiccup." He walked towards where Hookfang was laying.

"Are you sure?" Hiccup pressed, grabbing Snotlout's forearm.

The other boy flinched and froze, startled by Hiccup suddenly raising his voice. Hiccup cautiously removed his hand.

"Whatever is bothering you, I'm here if you need to talk," Hiccup assured. Sensing that his cousin needed to be left alone, he took a couple steps back. Snotlout took the opportunity to climb on Hookfang and take off.

Hiccup found himself on that same sea stack the next morning, drawing. He couldn't help but wonder what had been going on with his cousin the night before.

Snotlout hadn't shown up at the Hall for dinner with the rest of the group that night. Hiccup had left the Hall early then, to go looking for him, finding Hookfang in his stable outside the Jorgenson house. Relieved that whatever had been going on with his cousin hadn't led him to not returning home that night, the young heir had decided to return home for the night, thinking everything had resolved itself.

"Hiccup?"

Said boy was startled out of his thoughts by his cousin's voice and his dragon landing. Hiccup turned around and just stared. Snotlout had a black eye that Hiccup was certain had not been there the day before. There were new bruises visible down the boy's arms as well.

"What happened?"

"What?" Snotlout looked confused.

Hiccup stood, "You look like you got in a fight with someone and lost."

The other boy's brow furrowed, as he thought about what his cousin could be talking about. His shoulders slumped forward as he heavily sighed.

"Can you keep a secret?"

Hiccup was shocked. "Uh- yeah, yeah I can."

Snotlout looked down at his feet, chewing on his lip. "My-my dad did all of this."

It was as if time stood still as Hiccup processed what his cousin had said. His cousin slowly looked up at him, to find his cousin staring at him with wide eyes and his mouth open.

He took a step back, "I-I shouldn't have told you." He turned back towards his dragon.

Hiccup came back to his senses suddenly and shook his head. "Wait, Snotlout-" Hiccup ran forward and grabbed the other boy's hand. Snotlout stopped.

"Wha-what do you mean, your dad this?"

"I was late getting home last night, so I got punished for it. It's not unusual; it's just not usually visible.

"Sometimes I think about just ending it. I could just jump off a cliff, or a sea stack, or Hooky and it'd be over. I wouldn't have to deal with it anymore." Snotlout dropped to his knees, his hand falling from Hiccup's. He let the tears start to fall, not caring what his cousin thought of him anymore.

Hiccup didn't hesitate; he knew exactly how the other boy was feeling. He dropped to his knees in front of his cousin and wrapped his arms around him.

"Don't."

"What?" came Snotlout's muffled voice.

Hiccup sat back, his hands remaining on his cousin's shoulders.

"Don't just end it. A lot of people would miss you."

Snotlout shook his head. "No, they wouldn't."

The young heir sighed. "I would miss you. And I know others would too. Even if Spitelout wouldn't.

"I've been in the same place as you before; it'll get better."

"Is this how I used to make you feel?"

Hiccup nodded, "Wasn't just you though."

Snotlout looked down, thinking. "I'm sorry. For-for everything I did to you before."

Hiccup smiled a little. "It's okay.

"Promise me you won't act on any of those thoughts." Snotlout looked up to meet his cousin's eyes.

"Which thoughts?"

"The ones about ending it. I'll always be here if you want to talk about anything."

"I-I think I can promise that."

Hiccup nodded, getting to his feet. He held a hand out to his cousin to help him up. The other boy used it then pulled him into a hug once he was on his feet.

"Thank you, Hiccup."