Chapter 1: Clueless Toothless
Chapter Text
Hiccup, the young dragon rider, had always been adventurous, flying around with his dragon, Toothless. But one day, Hiccup woke up feeling very sick, with a fever and a terrible cough. He knew he wouldn't be able to go out flying with Toothless. His father, Stoick the Vast, saw that Hiccup was sick and decided to stay home to take care of him. Stoick brought Hiccup some soup and a warm blanket and sat by his side, trying to make him feel better.
Toothless, however, didn't understand why Hiccup wasn't taking him out for a fly and kept nudging him with his snout, trying to get his attention.
"Sorry, Toothless, I can't go flying with you today. I'm not feeling well," Hiccup said, patting his dragon's head. Toothless let out a disappointed growl, clearly not understanding what was going on. Hiccup felt bad for not being able to take Toothless out, but he knew he had to rest and recover. Stoick saw the disappointment on Toothless' face and decided to take him out for a fly instead.
"Come on, Toothless, let's go for a ride. We'll give Hiccup some time to rest," Stoick said, patting the dragon's side.
"I'm sorry, buddy. I promise we'll go flying together as soon as I'm better," Hiccup said, rubbing his dragon's nose goodbye. Toothless perked up at the idea of a flying session and followed Stoick outside. They soared through the sky, doing twists and dives in the air. Meanwhile, Hiccup rested in bed, feeling guilty for not being able to take Toothless out.
Toothless returned later that day, still full of energy, but he saw that Hiccup was still sick in bed. He walked up to Hiccup's bed and nudged him gently with his snout.
"I'm sorry, Toothless, but I'm still not feeling good," Hiccup said, petting his dragon's head. Toothless let out a disappointed growl, but he also seemed to finally understand. He lay down next to Hiccup's bed, resting his head on his paws, keeping his human friend company until he felt better. Hiccup smiled, grateful for Toothless' understanding and loyalty. He knew he was lucky to have such a great dragon friend, who was always by his side.
Chapter 2: Fever Dream
Chapter Text
It was a cold and blustery night on the island of Berk, and Hiccup was feeling worse than ever. He had been feeling unwell for a few days, but his condition had worsened, leaving him bedridden and weak. Astrid had been by his side all day, helping him in any way she could. She had brought him food and water and had even helped him to the outhouse when he needed it. Toothless, too, had been keeping a watchful eye over his rider, sensing that something was wrong.
As night fell, Astrid knew she couldn't leave Hiccup alone. She decided to stay with him over the night, to make sure he was comfortable and to keep an eye on him. She lay down beside him, wrapping a blanket around herself, and Toothless lay at the end of the bed, his head resting on his paws. Hiccup was sleeping fitfully, tossing and turning, and muttering incoherently.
Suddenly, he sat up with a start, his eyes wide and unseeing.
"Astrid!" he cried out, his voice hoarse and scratchy. "Toothless! Where are you? The dragons! They're attacking!" Astrid quickly got up and went to his side, placing a hand on his forehead.
"Hiccup, it's okay, you're safe," she said gently, trying to calm him down.
But Hiccup was thrashing around, desperately trying to untangle himself out of the sheets, his breathing rapid and shallow.
"No, no, they're coming for us!" he shouted, his eyes wild with fear. Astrid quickly called out to Toothless, who got up off his stone slate and made his way to the bed, nudging Hiccup with his nose. But Hiccup wasn't paying attention. He was still caught up in his nightmare, his body drenched in sweat.
"We have to get out of here!" he shouted, trying to push himself up. Astrid and Toothless quickly worked together to calm him down, gently holding him down and speaking softly to him and Toothless letting out soft chirps. Slowly, Hiccup began to relax, his breathing returning to normal, his words turning more incoherent. As he drifted off to sleep once again, Astrid stayed by his side, stroking his hair gently.
"You're safe, Hiccup," she whispered. "We won't let anything happen to you." Toothless curled up beside him, keeping a protective eye over his rider. The rest of the night passed without incident, and by morning, Hiccup's fever had broken. He woke up feeling weak and tired, but his mind was clear, and he was able to speak coherently once again. Astrid and Toothless stayed with him throughout the day, bringing him food and water, and making sure he was comfortable. By evening, he was feeling much better and was able to sit up and talk for a while.
"Thanks for staying with me last night, Astrid," he said, smiling weakly. "I don't know what I would have done without you." Astrid smiled back, taking his hand in hers. "I'll always be here for you, Hiccup," she said. "You're my best friend, and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure you're okay." Toothless nuzzled his head against Hiccup's shoulder, purring contentedly. Hiccup smiled, feeling the warmth of his dragon's body against his own. Together, the three of them sat in silence, watching the sunset over the horizon through the window, thankful for the love and support they had for each other.
Chapter Text
Hiccup and Snoutlout soared through the sky on their dragons, Toothless and Hookfang, feeling the rush of the wind through their hair. The sun was shining, and the air was cool and refreshing. Hiccup and Snoutlout had decided to go on a flight, away from the rest of the Dragon Riders, to explore the open skies. As they were flying over the ocean, they noticed a small, uninhabited island in the distance. They decided to land and explore it. They landed safely on the beach, dismounted their dragons, and began to explore the island. It was a beautiful place, with lush green trees and crystal-clear water.
As they were wandering around, enjoying the scenery, they suddenly heard a loud clap of thunder. The sky had darkened, and they knew they had to get back to their dragons and leave the island as soon as possible. But before they could do anything, they were caught in a sudden downpour.
"Quick, let's get back to our dragons!" shouted Hiccup over the sound of the rain. They ran as fast as they could through the heavy rain, but the ground was slippery, and Snoutlout tripped and fell. Hiccup rushed to help him up, but as he did, he slipped too. Snoutlout quickly helped Hiccup up, but he noticed that his friend was dazed and disoriented.
"Hiccup, are you okay?" he asked, concerned.
Hiccup shook his head to clear it, but it didn't help.
“I think I hit my head pretty hard," he replied, feeling dizzy. Snoutlout knew they had to get back to their dragons as soon as possible, but Hiccup was in no condition to fly.
"Okay, let's rest here for a bit and wait for the rain to stop," he suggested. As they waited, Hiccup's condition worsened. He started shivering, and his face turned pale. Snoutlout knew he had to get help. He quickly climbed up to the highest point on the island to see if he could spot any other Dragon Riders. But he saw nothing but storm clouds in every direction. When he returned, he found that Hiccup had fallen asleep. He quickly built a makeshift shelter out of branches and leaves to protect them from the rain and waited for the storm to pass.
As the storm raged on, Hiccup's condition worsened. He had a gash on his forehead from the impact of the fall and he was shivering uncontrollably. Snoutlout tried his best to keep him warm by huddling close, but it wasn't enough.
"Astrid's gonna kill me for this," Snoutlout muttered to himself as he shook Hiccup's arms vigorously. "Come on, bud, you gotta stay with me." Hiccup groaned in response, his eyes barely open.
"Snoutlout...what happened?"
"We crashed," Snoutlout said with a sigh. "But don't worry, we'll be fine. We just need to wait out this storm and then we can fly back home." Hiccup tried to nod, but the movement made his head throb with pain. He winced and leaned against Snoutlout, feeling dizzy and disoriented. As the night wore on, the storm eventually subsided and the two friends were left stranded on the island in the middle of the sea. Snoutlout knew they needed to get help, but he didn't want to leave Hiccup alone in his condition.
"Hey, bud, I'm gonna go look for help," Snoutlout said gently, giving Hiccup's shoulder a squeeze. "I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?" Hiccup nodded weakly, his eyes closing again. Snoutlout hesitated for a moment before taking off into the sky on his dragon.
Notes:
oooo a cliffhanger, next chapter up tmr
Chapter 4: Rainy Island pt 2
Chapter Text
Hiccup was left alone on the island with Toothless, who was curled up beside him. Toothless nuzzled Hiccup's cheek, sensing that something was wrong with his best friend.
Hiccup's breathing became more labored and his head felt like it was going to burst. He moaned in his sleep, tossing and turning on the ground. Toothless growled softly, worried about Hiccup's state. Just then, Astrid and Stormfly appeared on the horizon. Snoutlout had reached out to her for help and they had come as fast as they could.
As soon as Astrid saw Hiccup lying on the ground, she ran to him and knelt down beside him.
"Hiccup! What happened?"
"He's hurt," Snoutlout said. Toothless let out a low growl, nuzzling Hiccup's cheek again.
Astrid assessed the situation quickly and efficiently. She knew they needed to get Hiccup back to the village and get him medical attention as soon as possible.
"Snoutlout, go get Gobber and the other dragon riders," Astrid said firmly. "We need to carry Hiccup back to the village. Toothless, can you help me?" Toothless nodded, wrapping his wings around Hiccup protectively. Astrid climbed onto Toothless' back, carefully maneuvering herself so she could hold onto Hiccup as well. The group made their way back to the village, with Toothless carrying Hiccup and Astrid holding onto him tightly. Hiccup's condition worsened as they flew, his breathing becoming more shallow.
Finally, they reached the village and Gobber was waiting for them with a stretcher. They carefully lifted Hiccup onto the stretcher and rushed him to Gothi.
The next few days were a blur for Hiccup. He was in and out of consciousness, with Astrid and Toothless by his side at all times. Stoick fretted over his son's condition, barely leaving his side.
Snoutlout, Astrid, Stoick and the rest of the gang anxiously waited outside while Gothi worked on Hiccup, hoping that he would be okay. After what seemed like hours, Gothi emerged from the infirmary and gave them the news they were hoping for: Hiccup would be fine, but he needed rest and time to recover from his head injury.
Everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief and went to visit Hiccup in the infirmary. He was groggy and tired, but he smiled when he saw his friends. Astrid sat by his side and held his hand comfortingly, relieved that he was going to be okay. Hiccup looked up at her and grinned.
"I guess we won't be going on any more flights for a while," he joked weakly. Astrid chuckled and squeezed his hand.
"Good. I don't want to worry about you getting hurt again," she said. "We'll fly together from now on."
Hiccup smiled and closed his eyes, feeling grateful for his friends and his village. He knew he was lucky to have them by his side, and he vowed to always be careful and never take their support for granted.
Chapter 5: Ambush
Chapter Text
Hiccup, Astrid, and Snoutlout were on a routine patrol when they suddenly found themselves ambushed by a group of bandits. The trio tried to fight back, but they were outnumbered and outmatched. During the chaos, Hiccup saw an opening to protect his friends and charged toward the bandits. He managed to take a few of them down, but one of them managed to shoot him with a crossbow bolt. Astrid and Snoutlout were horrified as they watched Hiccup fall to the ground.
"Hiccup!" Astrid shouted as she ran towards him.
Snoutlout was quick to follow, but as he approached, he saw that the bandits had already tied Hiccup up.
"We have to do something!" he yelled. Astrid glared at Snoutlout.
"No kidding! What do you suggest we do?"
"I don't know! I'm not the one with the plan!" Snoutlout snapped back. Astrid rolled her eyes.
"Of course you're not. Let me think." Meanwhile, Hiccup was coming to. He groaned as he tried to sit up, but the ropes around his wrists and ankles held him back.
"Hey, you okay?" a voice asked. Hiccup looked up and saw one of the bandits standing over him.
"Just great," he muttered. The bandit laughed.
"Looks like you're in a bit of a pickle, kid. What were you thinking, charging us like that?"
"I was thinking about protecting my friends," Hiccup said defiantly. The bandit rolled his eyes.
"Well, look where that got you. Now you're gonna pay the price." Hiccup braced himself for whatever was coming next, but before the bandit could do anything, there was a loud commotion outside.
"Hey, what's going on?" the bandit asked, turning to look out the entrance of the cave they were in. Astrid and Snoutlout burst in, followed closely by the twins and Fishlegs.
"We're here to rescue our friend," Tuffnut declared. The bandits didn't stand a chance against the group of tougher Vikings. They were quickly subdued and Hiccup was freed from his restraints.
"Thanks for coming," Hiccup said with a smile.
"Of course," Astrid replied, her voice softening as she looked at him with concern. "Are you okay?" Hiccup winced as stood.
"Yeah, just a couple of bruises and rope burn, maybe."
"We need to get you back to Berk," Fishlegs said, looking at his raw wrists. "You need those to get bandaged." As they made their way back to their dragons, Hiccup couldn't help but feel grateful for his friends. They had risked their lives to save him, and he knew he was lucky to have them.
"Thanks for having my back," he said to them.
"Always," Astrid replied, taking his hand and squeezing it gently. Snoutlout cleared his throat.
"Yeah, yeah, don't get all sappy on us now. Let's just get you fixed up, okay?"
Hiccup grinned. "Okay."
Chapter 6: Anxiety
Chapter Text
Hiccup couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his stomach since he woke up. He tried to go about his day as usual, but he found it hard to focus on anything, even his breakfast.
As he sat in his workshop tinkering with Toothless' tailfin, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his leg. He gasped and clutched at his leg, but there was nothing there. The pain was just a phantom, but it felt so real. Hiccup tried to shake it off, but the pain only intensified. He started to panic, his heart racing and his breathing becoming shallow. Toothless sensed his distress and knocked his head against his peg leg, trying to comfort him.
"Easy, bud," Hiccup whispered, trying to calm himself down. "It's just phantom pain. It's not real," But Toothless' touch only made it worse. Hiccup felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes.
"Stop it, Toothless! he snapped, pushing the night fury away. "I can't take it!" Toothless looked confused but Hiccup couldn't notice that right now. He had to get himself under control. He took deep breaths, counting to ten on each inhale and exhale. It didn't seem to helping, but he kept at it, gripping his pencil in his fist. It felt like hours had passed.
"Come on, Hiccup," he muttered to himself. "You've been through worse than this. You can handle it," Finally, the pain began to subside. Hiccup let out a shaky breath and wiped away the tears that had fallen. Toothless tentatively approached him again, and this time Hiccup welcomed the dragon's comfort. He hugged Toothless tightly, feeling the warmth of his scales and the steady beat of his heart.
"Thanks, bud," he whispered. "I'll be okay." Toothless purred in response, and Hiccup knew he was right. He could handle this. He had Toothless by his side, and with him, he could find the strength to get through anything.
Hiccup sat with Toothless for a few minutes, allowing the comfort of his best friend to calm himself down completely. He felt a little embarrassed about his outburst but knew that Toothless wouldn't judge him. He was his best friend and knew him better than anyone else. As he sat there, Hiccup couldn't help but think about why he was feeling so anxious. He had been feeling this way a lot lately, and he couldn't pinpoint the exact reason. He knew he had a lot of responsibilities as the chief of Berk, but he had never felt this overwhelmed before.
"Hey Toothless," he said, breaking the silence. "Do you ever get scared or anxious?"
Toothless cocked his head and looked at him quizzically.
"I guess not," Hiccup amended with a small smile. "You're fearless, aren't you?" Toothless purred again and Hiccup laughed. He knew that he was talking to a dragon, but it felt good to have someone to confide in, even if they couldn't speak back.
"I don't know what's been going on with me lately," Hiccup continued. "I just feel like I'm drowning in all of my responsibilities. And then the phantom pain...it's like my body is telling me that something's wrong, but I don't know what." Toothless nuzzled his hand, and Hiccup took that as a sign of encouragement.
"I just need to figure out how to manage it all," he said. "I can't let my anxiety get the best of me. Berk needs me, and so do you." Toothless licked his face, and Hiccup smiled.
"Thanks, buddy," he said, feeling a little better. "I know I can always count on you."
With a newfound sense of determination, Hiccup got up and started working on Toothless' tailfin again. He still felt a little shaky, but he knew that he could handle it. He had his best friend by his side, and he had the strength to overcome anything.
Chapter Text
Hiccup and Toothless had spent the day exploring a nearby island, enjoying the warm sun and the cool breeze. However, as they made their way back to Berk, dark clouds gathered in the sky, and the wind picked up speed.
"Looks like we're in for a bit of a storm, bud," Hiccup said, tightening his grip on Toothless's saddle. Toothless let out a chirp of agreement, flapping his wings harder to keep them both in the air. The thunder started to rumble, and the lightning lit up the dark clouds around them. As the storm worsened, Hiccup shouted over the noise.
"We have to find some shelter! We can't fly through this!" Toothless nodded and started to scan the area for a place to land. The wind was getting stronger by the second, and it was becoming more difficult to control their flight. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck close by, and both Hiccup and Toothless were thrown off course. Hiccup gasped,
"Toothless! Are you okay?" Toothless let out a growl and started to spiral out of control. Hiccup struggled to keep his balance, but he could feel them losing altitude quickly.
"We have to find somewhere to land, Toothless!" Hiccup shouted, trying to keep his voice steady despite the fear in his heart. Toothless let out a roar of frustration, and Hiccup could tell that he was in pain. Just as they were about to crash, Toothless spotted a large cave opening in the nearby cliffs and headed towards it. They crashed into the cave, both of them battered and bruised, but thankfully alive. Hiccup leaned against Toothless, panting heavily as they both caught their breath.
"Looks like we're going to be stuck here for a while," Hiccup said, looking up at the darkening sky outside the cave. Toothless let out a low growl of agreement, and Hiccup chuckled despite the situation.
"At least we're in this together, bud." As the storm raged on, Hiccup and Toothless huddled together in the cave, listening to the thunder and waiting for the storm to pass. Despite their injuries, they were grateful to have each other.
As the storm continued to rage outside, Hiccup and Toothless did their best to make themselves comfortable inside the cave. Hiccup used his spare blanket to make a makeshift bed for Toothless while he sat nearby, trying to think of a way to pass the time.
"Do you think the storm will pass soon?" Hiccup asked Toothless, who let out a low growl in response. Hiccup sighed.
"Yeah, I don't think so either." Suddenly, a loud rumble echoed through the cave, causing both Hiccup and Toothless to jump. Hiccup quickly realized that the rumble was coming from Toothless’ stomach.
"I guess we're going to have to find some food if we're going to be stuck here for a while," Hiccup said, scratching his head. Toothless let out a happy growl, and the two of them headed deeper into the cave, searching for any signs of food. After a few minutes of searching, Hiccup spotted a pile of berries that had been knocked down from a nearby bush.
"Perfect," Hiccup said, grabbing a handful of the berries and offering some to Toothless.
Toothless eagerly ate the berries, his eyes closed in pleasure. Hiccup smiled at his dragon, feeling grateful for his companionship. As they ate, Hiccup started to think about his life in Berk and how much he had changed since meeting Toothless. He had always felt like an outcast among his own people, but Toothless had given him a new sense of purpose and belonging.
"You know, Toothless," Hiccup said, breaking the silence, "I don't know where I'd be without you." Toothless looked up at Hiccup, his eyes charged with emotion. Hiccup smiled at his dragon, feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the bond they shared. As the storm eventually passed, Hiccup and Toothless emerged from the cave, feeling renewed and ready to face whatever challenges came their way. Together, they had weathered the storm and come out stronger on the other side.
As Hiccup and Toothless emerged from the cave, they both felt the warmth of the sun on their faces. However, as Hiccup looked over at his dragon, he noticed that Toothless was limping.
"Toothless, are you okay?" Hiccup asked, concerned. Toothless let out a low growl, but Hiccup could tell that he was in pain. As he got closer to Toothless, he saw that one of his legs was injured.
"Oh no," Hiccup said, examining the injured leg. "We need to get you some help."
Toothless let out a pained growl, and Hiccup could see the worry in his eyes. He knew that Toothless was more than just a dragon to him; he was a friend and a loyal companion. Hiccup was determined to help him. As they made their way back to Berk, Hiccup carefully supported Toothless's injured leg, doing his best to keep him as comfortable as possible. Toothless let out occasional growls of pain, but Hiccup could see that his dragon was trying his best to be strong.
"We'll get you to the Great Hall, Toothless," Hiccup said, trying to reassure him. "Gobber will know what to do." Finally, they arrived at the Great Hall, where Hiccup explained the situation to Gobber. The seasoned blacksmith and dragon healer quickly sprang into action, examining Toothless's paw and administering first aid. As Gobber worked on Toothless, Hiccup paced back and forth, feeling helpless. Toothless was more than just a dragon to him; he was his closest friend. The thought of losing him was unbearable. Finally, after what felt like hours, Gobber emerged from the healing pen, a smile on his face.
"He's going to be okay," Gobber said, clapping Hiccup on the back. "He just needs to rest for a few days and he'll be back to his old self." Hiccup let out a sigh of relief, feeling the weight of the worry lifting off his shoulders. As he made his way to Toothless's side, the dragon let out a happy growl, his eyes filled with gratitude. Hiccup smiled at Toothless, feeling grateful for their bond and their friendship. Together, they faced countless challenges and overcome them all. He knew that whatever came their way, they would face it together.
With Toothless resting comfortably in the healing room, Hiccup made his way back to his own bed, feeling exhausted but relieved. As he crawled under the covers, he couldn't help but think about his dragon's injured leg and the close call they had just experienced. As he closed his eyes, he heard a soft scratching at his door. When he got up to investigate, he found Toothless standing outside, looking up at him with big, pleading eyes.
"Hey buddy," Hiccup said, opening the door. "What's up?" Toothless let out a happy bark and made his way over to the bed, where he jumped up and nestled himself next to Hiccup. Hiccup could feel the warmth of his dragon's body next to his, and he wrapped his arms around Toothless, feeling grateful for their close bond. For a few moments, they just lay there in silence, enjoying each other's company. Hiccup could feel Toothless's steady breathing and the gentle rise and fall of his chest, and he knew that his dragon was finally at peace.
"I'm sorry you got hurt, buddy," Hiccup whispered, stroking Toothless's head. "I'll always be here for you." Toothless let out a chirp in response, and Hiccup could feel the love and gratitude emanating from his dragon. They lay there in silence for a few more moments, just enjoying each other's presence, until finally, Hiccup felt himself drifting off to sleep. As he closed his eyes, he knew that Toothless was by his side, keeping watch and protecting him. And at that moment, he felt more loved and secure than he had ever felt before.
Chapter 8: Ice Accident
Chapter Text
Winter had descended upon Berk, covering the village and the surrounding landscapes in a thick blanket of snow and ice. Hiccup, always eager to find new ways to protect his people and dragons from the harsh winter, had embarked on a journey across the frozen seas, with Astrid following closely behind on Stormfly.
As they ventured farther from the village, Hiccup became increasingly entranced by the mesmerizing patterns in the ice. He couldn't help but marvel at the frozen world around him. It was the first time in years he had time to really look at nature, he finally had a break from his work for a few days.
"Look at this, Toothless," Hiccup said with a grin as he crouched down to examine the ice beneath him. "The ice here is so clear, it's like a window to another world. I wonder what secrets are hidden beneath."
Toothless chirped in response, seemingly fascinated by the ice as well. Astrid watched from her dragon as Hiccup examined the ice with such curiosity. She admired his inquisitive spirit but couldn't help feeling a tad worried about his distraction in such a harsh environment.
"Hiccup, be careful," she called out, her voice carrying over the frozen landscape, it was very echo-y. "We should keep moving. The ice might not be as stable as it looks."
Hiccup nodded, but just as he began to stand up, he heard a faint crack beneath him. His heart raced as he realized he was standing on a patch of thin ice.
"Ah, Astrid-- you were right, I need some help here," Hiccup said with a hint of panic, sinking through the ice.
Toothless roared and shot forward, using his powerful claws to grip the ice and keep Hiccup from falling further. Astrid maneuvered Stormfly to a safe spot nearby and leaped off, her eyes filled with concern.
"Hiccup, I've got you!" Astrid called, reaching out for Hiccup's outstretched hand. Hiccup's heart pounded as he clung to Toothless and reached for Astrid's hand. He could feel the icy water seeping through his clothing, making him shiver uncontrollably.
With Astrid's help and Toothless' support, they managed to pull Hiccup back onto solid ice. He lay there for a moment, gasping for breath and trying to calm his racing heart. Astrid knelt beside him, her voice filled with both relief and scolding.
"Hiccup, you idiot, I told you to be careful. You scared me half to death." Hiccup managed a weak smile, his teeth chattering from the cold. Astrid dug through her supply pack and handed him a blanket to wrap around his shoulders.
"Yeah, you were right, Astrid. I got a little too carried away with the ice. Thanks for saving me."
Toothless nuzzled Hiccup, offering his warmth and comfort, while Astrid helped him stand. They quickly made their way back to their dragons and continued their journey, Hiccup's curiosity now tempered by a newfound respect for the unpredictable nature of the frozen world.
As they flew through the winter skies, heading back to Berk for a hot cup of soup, Hiccup realized that while he may be an inventor and explorer, he was also lucky to have such a caring and vigilant girlfriend by his side.
"Astrid, you're always looking out for me," he said with a grateful smile. Astrid gave him a fond smile in return.
"Well, someone has to, Hiccup. I can't have the chief of Berk falling through ice on my watch."
They continued their journey, the winter sun setting behind them, casting a warm, golden glow over the icy landscape. With each passing moment, Hiccup knew that no matter how many inventions he created or how many adventures he embarked upon, having Astrid and Toothless by his side was the greatest treasure of all.
Chapter Text
The air in the chief's hall was thick with tension as Hiccup and Stoick faced each other, their voices raised in a heated argument.
"Dad, you can't keep treating Toothless like he's the enemy!" Hiccup's frustration echoed through the large room.
Stoick's eyes narrowed, his voice stern. "Hiccup, I can't ignore the danger that dragon poses to our people. I won't put Berk at risk."
Hiccup slammed his hand on the table, his eyes blazing. "You don't understand, Dad! Toothless is different. He saved my life, he saved all of us!"
Stoick's patience wore thin. "He's still a dragon, Hiccup. You can't change that fact."
Their argument reached a boiling point, and in a moment of anger, Stoick swung his arm, intending to emphasize his point. However, the force of the movement miscalculated, and his hand connected with Hiccup's cheek.
The hall fell silent as Hiccup staggered backward, a stunned expression on his face. Stoick's eyes widened with horror as he realized what he had just done. The blow stung Hiccup's cheek, but mostly it stung his heart.
"I... I didn't mean to," Stoick stammered, guilt washing over him.
Hiccup held a hand to his stinging cheek, a mix of pain and betrayal in his eyes. "You need to understand, Dad. Toothless is my friend, and I won't let you hurt him."
Just as the tension between father and son seemed unbearable, the large doors to the hall creaked open, and Toothless entered, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Hiccup in distress. The Night Fury's growl reverberated through the hall, echoing a mix of concern and anger.
Stoick took a step back, realizing the gravity of the situation. "Easy, Toothless. It was a mistake."
Toothless, however, wasn't convinced. His scales bristled, and he let out a warning roar, making it clear that he wouldn't tolerate any harm to Hiccup.
"Hiccup, call him off!" Stoick shouted, his regret evident in his eyes.
Hiccup, still recovering from the unintended blow, managed to raise his hand, signaling for Toothless to stand down. The Night Fury hesitated for a moment before relenting, though his eyes remained fixed on Stoick.
As the echoes of the argument lingered in the hall, Stoick and Hiccup stood on opposite ends, the rift between them widening. The bond between Hiccup and Toothless, however, remained unshaken, the dragon's loyalty and protectiveness clear to all who witnessed the scene.
Chapter 10: Aftermath
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The aftermath of Hiccup's fateful encounter with the Bewilderbeast left him battered and broken. His leg, sacrificed in the battle, now throbbed with relentless pain. Berk was slowly recovering from the chaos, but for Hiccup, the struggle had just begun.
When Hiccup awoke, he found himself in the medical hut back on Berk. With slow moments, he sat up and took in his new leg – rather the lack of one. He felt sick. Swallowing the bile rising in his throat, he inspected the metal and wooden pieces attached to his leg. It was a simple design; he could tell that Gobber had quickly put it together for him. Taking a deep breath, he shifted to the edge of the bed and attempted to put weight on his injured leg. The pain was excruciating, and a sheen of sweat formed on his forehead. After just two steps, his entire body was trembling with the exertion and the tingling pain at the stump of his leg. He tried taking another step, but the peg was at the wrong angle to keep him vertical, and he crashed to the floor. Hearing the noise, Stoick burst through the draped door of the hut.
“Oh, son.” He said, his voice cracking as he saw the scene before him. “Trying to walk so soon after losing your leg is not going to help.” He said, kneeling next to Hiccup who was panting, curled on his side on the floor, eyes squeezed shut. Hiccup, his jaw clenched, insisted.
"I need to know I can still do it, Dad. I can't let this stop me." Astrid strode quickly into the hut and rushed to his side.
“Damn you, Hiccup. You need to take it easy.” Astrid placed a hand on his shoulder, offering her support. “There’s no shame in asking for help.”
“We’re here for you,” Stoick agreed, brushing some hair out of his face. Hiccup just shook his head. Toothless, hearing the conversation from outside, peeked inside the hut, worried about his rider.
“Come on, son. You need to rest back in bed now.” Stoick said softly. Hiccup winced, his face contorted in pain.
“I can’t move; it’s too much,” he moaned. Astrid gave Stoick a concerned look, scared that he had given up. Toothless crept forward carefully. Ever loyal, he crouched beside Hiccup, he crooned softly, nudging Hiccup with his snout. Stoick’s featured hardened as he watched Toothless try to assist.
"Hiccup, we'll help you," Stoick assured, his voice gruff but filled with fatherly concern. Toothless extended his neck, offering his back as a makeshift support for Hiccup to lean on. Gingerly, Hiccup clambered to his foot, groaning with the effort. The pain shot through his body, but he fought through it. Toothless rumbled, sensing Hiccup's pain. The dragon shifted his weight to accommodate Hiccup, offering a supportive surface for him to lean on. Stoick took a position on Hiccup's other side, ready to help.
“Thanks guys,” he sniffed, scrubbing at the tears that had fallen on the short walk back to his bed. Stoick nodded, understanding the internal battle Hiccup was facing.
"You don't have to prove anything to us, son. We're a team, and we'll face this together."
"Hiccup, we'll take it one step at a time," Astrid reassured, her voice a steady anchor. “Pun not intended.” She amended with a half-smile. Hiccup buried himself under the blanket, trying to hide his fear and grief. Astrid eventually left, but Stoick stayed by Hiccup’s side through the day and into the night, waiting for an opportunity to help his son.
Notes:
pt 2 coming soon 0.o
Chapter 11: Aftermath pt 2
Notes:
father son bonding
pt 3 soon?
Chapter Text
The night hung heavy over Berk, the moon casting a soft glow over the chief's dwelling. Inside, Stoick sat beside Hiccup's bed, his gaze fixed on his son, who was tossing and turning in the grip of a troubled sleep. The events of the day, especially Hiccup losing his leg, had taken a toll on both of them.
"Hiccup," Stoick whispered, his voice a gentle murmur, as he reached out to place a comforting hand on his son's shoulder. "You're safe, son. It's over." Hiccup's eyes snapped open, wide with a mixture of fear and confusion. He took a moment to register his surroundings, the reality of the situation settling in. Stoick's concerned gaze never wavered.
"Dad?" Hiccup's voice trembled slightly.
"I'm here, Hiccup. You were just dreaming. Everything's alright now," Stoick reassured him, the lines of worry etched on his face. Hiccup sighed, his shoulders slumping with a weight Stoick could almost feel.
"It felt so real again, Dad. I... I could feel it happen all over again, and I couldn't move. Toothless was there, but he couldn't help me." Stoick's heart ached for his son, and he tightened his grip on Hiccup's shoulder.
"It's just a dream, Hiccup. You're safe now." Hiccup ran a hand through his disheveled hair, trying to shake off the lingering unease.
"I know, Dad. It's just hard getting used to this... to everything." Stoick nodded in understanding.
"Losing a limb is no small thing, Hiccup. It's alright to feel overwhelmed. But you're strong, you can push through this.” Stoick assured him. Hiccup managed a small, grateful smile.
"Thanks, Dad. I appreciate you being here." Stoick leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Hiccup's forehead.
"Always, son. Now try to get some rest. Tomorrow is a new day."
As Stoick settled back into his chair, keeping a watchful eye over his son, Hiccup closed his eyes, the warmth of his father's presence providing a sense of comfort. In the stillness of the night, father and son found solace in each other's company.
formless_being on Chapter 4 Mon 20 Mar 2023 12:51PM UTC
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nanamishole on Chapter 4 Tue 21 Mar 2023 12:44AM UTC
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