Chapter Text
It was a cool night.
The stars shined brightly and Snotlout was looking up to it. Stargazing.
His hands were behind him, supporting him while he looked up, thinking.
Usually he stayed away from being alone. Always wanting to remain distracted.
Like seeing the twins play in the boar pit.
Or watching Fishlegs work on paperwork, even though he found it extremely boring.
Watching Hiccup talk to Viggo about plans on getting rid of dragon hunters for good.
Even going to where Astrid threw her axes and practiced fighting.
She even asked if he could spar with her and of course he didn't decline. Whatever could help him not think about anything would help.
He'd let her win. Then he'd win and laugh at how she would get upset and say "Agian."
That lasted for a while until it was time to turn in.
But he couldn't sleep.
And so he was on top of the mountain on dragons edge, looking up to the stars.
Hookfang distracted him for a while.
Playing fetch with a stick before loosing interest and rough housing with his rider before getting tired and laying not too far away under a large tree.
He wasn't distracted anymore and his thoughts traveled to darker things..
His father.. Hiccups kidnapping, Astrids near deaths, the Twins imprisonment, and Fishlegs darker self..
Tears began to form, but he wouldn't let them fall.
He wasn't able to protect them.. many times he had failed to and he wondered if they ever blamed him.
There was many things he regretted doing in his life and wished he could rewrite it.. relive it..
He closed his eyes and took deep breathes. The riders already spoke to him of these things.
Telling him there was no reason to be thinking of the past.
Because they never blamed him.
There was many things that could have happened.
That he was a great friend and a great dragon rider and were proud to have him by their side.
He didn't feel like that was true.. even after the millions of times he's heard it.
He couldn't stop thinking it was his fault, because it was truly his fault.
Hiccup being taken to the dragon fights.. That was his fault.
Astrid getting shot by an arrow. That was his fault.
Fishlegs turning into a beast of a viking.. That was his fault..
The Twins being taken.. taken to a place they never mention but he knows... he knows it's his fault.
It's his fault he wasn't able to protect them.
It's his fault when he doesn't take it seriously.
It's his fault when someone gets hurt.
It's his fault..
It's his fault..
It's.. his..
A hand fell on Snotlouts shoulder, making him jump up quickly and turning towards a chest before jumping back with his hands up in a fighting position.
His teary eyes made it hard to see and so he wiped them away roughly before seeing who it was.
"I didn't expect to have company up here tonight."
Viggo Grimborn stood before him with his hands raised slightly, showing he was no threat before putting them back down.
Snotlout saw Hookfang and the Skrill greeting eachother and looked back to Viggo.
"What are you doing here?" Snotlout dropped his stance and looked away.
"I figured a night's flight would be enjoyable.-"
"I don't see you on your dragon.." Snotlout looked at him questionably before continuing, "Now go away, I don't have time for you."
Viggo sat down and looked up to the Jorgenson who stared at him with his eyes narrowed before sitting back down with a loud grunt, clearly upset.
"I see you still dont trust me."
"Of course I don't! You have tried killing us multiple times and your as freaky as ever! How can I not feel uneasy around you?" The boy looked at the space between them and scooted further away. Not feeling comfortable being just a foot away.
"And what, if I may ask, are you-" Snotlout glared in his direction. "None of your business."
"Well then, apologies for being blunt but does it have anything to do with your friends?"
Viggo paused watching Snotlouts expression slowly break. "About your father?"
The boys eyes widened. His facade was broken and he had leaned back in shock before grabbing Viggos shirt, pulling him towards him.
"What are you talking about?" The boys voice was full of malice.
"You should be more careful Snotlout, you are lucky it was just me who had visited the springs." Viggo kept his hands down and his face was calm.
"Oh lucky me.. What? You going to use that against me now?"
"I wouldn't dwell on that my boy, you have nothing to worry about." Snotlout let go of him and his hands dropped to his sides.
Viggo fixed his shirt.
The viking crossed his arms looking up to the sky before taking glances in Viggos direction every once in a while.
His fists were clenched and the viking couldn't stop squirming under the gaze of Viggos eyes.
"What do you want Viggo?" Snotlout sounded resigned, as if trying to remain calm.
"I don't want anything. I just feel intrigued, I never would have thought that you went through such tribulations." Viggo kept studying Snotlouts movements.
Each twitch or uncomfortable glance, whether towards Viggo or anywhere else besides him. The boy just couldn't keep still.
"Sometimes I perceive information on what I want them to be, but never percieve on what and who they are." Snotlout looked at him confused. His gaze shifting to his hands as he fiddled with them.
"I- I don't know what you mean.." He was never good with Viggo. Being around him always made him feel self conscious and he'd hate to say this but dumb as well.
"I want to get to know you Snotlout."
The viking glared, "What so you can use more things against me? Haha, no."
Viggo remained calm.
The boy on the other hand was sitting back on his hands then sitting back up as sweat beaded down his forehead. "Snotlout if you need confirmation that I won't tell anyone, I'll say it now."
The viking looked up towards him. "You don't need to worry about me revealing confidential information."
"You know what, no, no more talking. Y-you're confusing me."
It was late and Snotlout decided it was time for him to head to his hut..
The Jorgenson made his way to Hookfang before stopping and turning around. "That, that means your not going to tell anyone? Right?"
Viggo had stood up, his dragon now at his side, nudging his leg.
"Yes, Snotlout."
The boy was still cautious as he got on Hookfang. "Ok." Was all he managed to say.
Viggo smiled before adding, "Anything discussed here will remain here." Another ok was heard but before Snotlout could take off Viggo continued.
"If you'd like to express yourself, you know where to find me." Viggos smile remained as he got on the Skrill.
The Viking answered with another ok even though he barely understood and watched as Viggo made his way towards his own hut.
Snotlout had a lot to think about.
He was terrified.
Of all the people who could have figured it out, it had to be Viggo Grimborn.
The Jorgenson took off, making his way to his hut. He wouldn't be able to sleep tonight, not after knowing Viggo could reveal his darkest secret.
Hookfang landed at his hut and Snotlout jumped off, opening his door and letting his dragon walk in behind him.
As the door closed and he made it to his bed, his mind spun. Instead of laying down like Hookfang was doing, Snotlout stayed awake.
Only hours later did he finally find himself passing out on his bed.
Emotionally drained.
He'd have to figure out what to do tomorrow.