Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Hiccup thought he had been doing pretty well.

Despite his father forcing him into the dragon training after Hiccup had realised he wouldn’t kill a dragon, he was able to stay as an unassuming guy. He stayed in the corners, sitting somewhere out of the dragons sight or trying to look like he wasn’t a threat to them during the ”training” sessions. It worked quite well, after all, nobody was expecting much from him and the dragons ignored him after noting he wasn’t a threat. Though, Gobber wished he would be more active in the battle ring. But even the village blacksmith had relented and let him be, after Hiccup told him he didn’t want to fight dragons anymore and was content working in the forge with the peg legged smith.

And so Hiccup was able to live his days in peace. He was still the ”useless” hiccup of the village. Nonetheless, he was fine with that. Probably for the first time in his life. As long as he didn’t have to hurt or kill dragons and he could keep his best friend Toothless safe, he didn’t mind staying as the letdown runt.

So when Astrid was given the right to kill the Monstrous Nightmare, Hiccup felt troubled and thought he had to save the dragon. He had went to a night flight to clear his mind and devise a plan, but before he could do the latter, Toothless had flown him to the dragon nest. And suddenly he had a way bigger problem.

After they had returned back to Berk, Hiccup went to release the dragons. He didn’t have much of a plan. Just open the doors and let Toothless blast some of the locks and scratch them, so people would think dragons were behind the jailbreak. Strangely enough, the dragons didn’t fly away, but wanted to stay with him. Grumbling, Hiccup had led them to his and Toothless’ secret cove. It was a temporary solution, but it had to do.

He had went to sleep after the hectic night, and put his acting skills to test the next morning as the village was babbling about the disappeared dragons. Hiccup did feel a tad bad for Astrid, as the lass had been waiting for her chance to slay her first dragon – as sickening as it sounded in his ears. But what could one do? That was how it worked in Berk.

Rest of the day he had silently worked in the forge, head filled with concern about the big boss dragon. He knew he couldn’t wait or plan for too long. More dragons would raid Berk again at the behest of the damned dragon queen; innocent dragons would get killed and captured, and vikings wouldn’t fare any better. He needed to act quickly.

He decided to attack the gigantic dragon that night. Hopefully the dark night would give them advantage. As he left with Toothless, he had not calculated that the dragons he had freed would join him on his crazy mission, but he wasn’t going to turn them away either. Any help was welcome to him.

Thus one human and six dragons flied to their own secret mission. And Hiccup finally had to remark.

He wasn’t doing that well anymore.

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

Toothless didn’t know what to do.

He held the scrawny boy close, safely tucked under his wings. The Red Death was defeated, but his friend was now unconscious and missing a leg. He couldn’t fly them to safety even if the boy woke up. Not only because of the leg… problem, but because the artificial tail fin was broken and they didn’t have a spare.

He lied on the ground, whole body aching, tired but still alert for any danger. He noticed the other dragons that fought with them coming closer and crooned to them. A plan started to form in his mind. Hiccup needed help. The auburn haired boy needed to get back to the village where he could be assisted and here he had dragons that could fly and do just that. So he rumbled to the dragons, telling them of his plan.

The bluish Deadly Nadder took hold of Hiccup with its talons and flew to the sky. Other dragons quickly following. Toothless watched them, ready to stay and wait in the now desolate nest, but suddenly big claws grasped around his body and brought him to the sky. He craned his neck to see who was carrying him and was met with a grin from a reddish-orange Monstrous Nightmare. Toothless warbled his thanks to the bigger dragon and lied limply, enjoying the free transportation.

The ragtag group flied towards Berk in the receding shadows of the night.

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

It would be an understatement to say Hiccup was confused. He was pretty sure he was dead after opening his eyes and finding himself in his house instead of in the grey island. The whole ordeal couldn’t have been an awful nightmare.

He was utterly flabbergasted.

As Hiccup sat in the bed, staring blankly ahead, he suddenly had a strange feeling, like ache, on his leg. Slowly he stretched out his hand, grabbed the covers and uncovered his legs.

A silent gasp reverberated in the house.

Hiccup gazed at his left leg. A simple wooden peg was affixed to his stump. He took deep breaths as he stared at it, his green eyes never leaving it, as there wasn’t anyone to redirect his attention to something else.

A door creaked.

”Son!” a burly bearded man exclaimed as he opened the door and noticed Hiccup sitting on the bed.

”Dad?” Hiccup finally turned his gaze away from his new leg and looked at Stoick. The one question holding many behind it.

”You are finally awake! Gave me a scare”, Stoick walked beside his son’s bed and sat down. ”We found you few days ago near the village, covered in soot and missing a leg. We tried to find out what happened, but there weren’t any tracks”, He looked at him deeply. ”Son, what happened?”

Hiccup gulped. His mind raced quickly, trying to come up with… something.

”I-uh. I-I can’t remember”, he stuttered. It wasn’t a complete lie. He certainly didn’t remember, or more precisely didn’t know, what happened after they hit the queen’s tail. He glanced at his father, who wore an unimpressed look with one eyebrow raised.

”I-I think there was a dragon. Which attacked me? But I really can’t remember”, Hiccup said, wishing that his father would let it be.

Stoick stroked his beard as he listened to the laddie. Maybe the shock was so great that Hiccup forgot what happened to him. It might be for the best.

”One question. What were you doing outside during the night?” Stoick gave a hard look to his son. He might have let the boy run around the forests, but that was during the day. Nighttime was different.

”Uh, I wasn’t moving at night. It was very early morning. I lost my knife and wanted to find it. It was bugging me the whole night and I thought I could find it in the morning light”, Hiccup blabbered. Again, partly true. He was missing a tiny knife, but he knew exactly where it was. He had kicked it in the pond when he was trying to get Toothless’ trust and it still lied there.

”How were you going to find a knife with so little light?” the sturdy man inquired.

”I thought I could find it on the path I took”, it sounded a bit like a question.

”Haaah, Hiccup”, Stoick sighed and shook his head. Hiccup really was something, but he wouldn’t scold the boy this time. He had already went through so much. Losing a limb was shocking no matter what age you were, but a child shouldn’t go through such an experience.

”Rest a bit more. I’ll get you some food”, the man patted the boy on the shoulder and left the room.

The auburn haired teen let out a breath as he was left alone. It was a fluke claiming he was moving at morning. He just assumed the dragons must have brought him back and left him for the village’s care, which meant they must have traveled near the end of night, otherwise watchmen would’ve seen the dragons.

He wondered how the dragons were doing, especially Toothless. Actually, Hel, where would the black dragon be? Was his best friend alone in the deserted island or was he carried back to Berk too? It sounded crazy, but he was at home now. Would it be that strange for dragons to take care of one of their own, especially one who helped them take down a tyrant?

Hiccup wiped his hands on his pants. His hands were sweaty and he wasn’t sure if it was because of his nervousness answering his dad’s questions, the occassional pain he felt on his leg or his concern regarding his bud.

He would need to get back to the cove to check things out; if the dragons returned, if Toothless was there, if they were all right, if… - there was a lot. The anxiety of not knowing what happened to his companions was eating him and he could do nothing but wait.

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

It was few weeks later, when Hiccup could finally treck into the forest. The whole time he had been under watchful eyes. Be it in the forge, at home or simply walking through the village. He got sympathetic looks from people wherever he went, which, yes, was generally better than the scornful and disappointed gazes he usually got, but he didn’t need any of that. He didn’t want that. It was a constant reminder to him that he was missing a leg and how he had ”upgraded” from an useless runt into an useless runt of a cripple.

As Hiccup limped through the forest and arrived outside the cove, he took a deep breath before stepping in. With bated breath he looked around the open area, his whole body stiff and mind nervous.

A dragon roared and rushed at him, knocking him to the ground.

”Oof”, the teen gasped as he lost air from his lungs.

Green eyes met another and Hiccup let out his first laugh in weeks.

”It’s good to see you bud”, the auburn haired boy said, as he patted the obsidian coloured dragon and got licked in return.

Hiccup glanced behind Toothless when he heard different dragon noises, and was glad to see the other dragons that had accompanied him at defeating the Red Death. The big reptiles looked at him with joy and relief, slowly sifting closer to him and Toothless. He could feel his tense body finally relaxing and his worries disappearing. It felt like he could at last breathe and actually rest.

The boy hugged his dragon and for the first time for the past weeks, he felt truly at home and safe.

Chapter Text

Hiccup was tweaking his new leg when Stoick scrambled inside the forge, accidentally knocking down some weapons. He raised his head up from his work and looked at his father with wide green eyes. An unsaid question floated in the air. ’What are you doing here?’

”Krhm,” his dad cleared his throat. ”Son, I came to tell you that tomorrow is the annual signing of the Treaty with the Berserker Tribe. I hope you’ll clean yourself up and put something a bit more nicer on you,” the chief talked.

Hiccup looked at himself, noticing soot and grease on his hands. Great. It was probably on his face too as he scratched his nose not too long ago. The request was fair enough. He then gazed at the chief who kept looking at the walls, roof and floor. Basically everywhere else but him.

”I suppose you have something else you want me to do?” he inquired.

”Well… I’m sure Oswald will bring his son Dagur with him. I hoped you could… watch over that boy,” his dad finally glanced him in the eyes.

For just a moment Hiccup wondered how his father would react if he just said ”No”, but held his tongue. Nothing good would come out of that. It would lead to an argument and he would still need to do what his chief had asked. Besides, it wasn’t like he hated Dagur the Deranged, as some called him. He was just a bit… wild. And blunt, and maybe slightly awkward with some things.

Hiccup reminisced the times he was with Dagur, thinking the slightly older one was trying to kill him. What he thought was Dagur trying to drown him, was the red head actually trying to help Hiccup strengthen his lungs. Or that was at least what Dagur told him. And he believed him. No, he wasn’t an idiot, but Dagur seemed to be. The other boy had looked at that time so scared when he had pulled Hiccup out of water, who kept coughing water out of his lungs and gasped for air. Dagur was close to crying and kept fretting around him, even asking if he should do mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, which caused Hiccup to almost choke on his own spit.

The other time that came to his mind of Dagur’s questionable actions, was when he used Hiccup as a knife-throwing target. Except Dagur wasn’t trying to hit him , but the apple that was on his head. He still has no idea where the deranged red haired viking got the idea. It was a scary experience, even when he knew Dagur was good with his precision. He had trembled a bit, and when Dagur came to him after creating a hedgehog out of the apple with his thrown knives – every single one hitting the target – he had noticed his shivering instantly. His boastful(?) grin disappeared, leaving a displeased frown on his face, which had made the auburn haired boy even more scared. Then Dagur had spun around while saying ”I don’t want to play this boring game anymore. Let’s do something else” and they ended up throwing pine cones at Snotlout. Or well, Dagur threw, he watched, and maybe snickered a tad. He would have missed anyway. Dagur would have preferred continuing his knife throwing , but for the safety of his cousin, Hiccup had made sure nothing shiny flew in his direction.

A small smile had krept on Hiccup’s face as he was remembering the past – uh – adventures with the wild red haired viking boy. Realising he hadn’t responded to Stoick, he quickly brought his face back to normalcy and answered.

”Yes I can give him company.”

”Good,” Stoick being pleased turned to leave, but looked at him again. ”And remember to clean up,” he reminded and left.

Was he actually that dirty to be told twice? Now Hiccup really wanted to know. He didn’t have a mirror, but there were some pretty shiny swords lying around. He picked one that reflected somewhat and looked at his face. And, oh my, he really did need some cleaning.

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

A young man was peering at the island of their destination from the bow of the ship, dangerously close to leaning over and falling into the water. It caused concern for his fellow travelers, but he paid no heed.

Dagur was excited.

He was going to see Hiccup after such a long time. Oh, the marvelous, sweet, kind and all that is good -Hiccup. Sometimes he was sure the boy didn’t exist and was just his hallucination, because how could anyone be so perfect? He was feeling giddier the more close they got to Berk and let out a crazed laugh.

The ship sailed closer to the harbour and Dagur could see the Chief of Berk and his people ready to receive him, but his eyes only passed on them quickly. Soon he found the target of his infatuation. His eyes checked the teen over and stopped on his metal leg. A flash of horror crossed his face. ’What happened?!’ he screamed in his mind, but kept it all in. He would have his time questioning Hiccup later.

As the gangplank hit the deck and his men started their new chief’s introductions, Dagur quickly did a once-over on his body. When he was finally shown to the Berkians, he gave one of his friendly smiles, especially meant for allies. Though, it is questionable how much his smile conveyed of his goodwill.

”Dagur?” the Berkian chief looked at him with one raised eyebrow.

”Deranged?” Gobber, the blonde moustached blacksmith, had his eyes wide.

”Huh?” was all Hiccup mustered from those lips.

”Dagur, where is your father?” Stoick asked, almost demanding to know, as Dagur walked down the plank.

”My father…” he started. He couldn’t tell the truth. Not, when he wasn’t so sure of his father’s whereabouts either.

The weight of chiefdom had been suddenly thrown at him, when Oswald didn’t return as he was supposed to. Sure, Dagur had acted as the chief whenever his dad was absent, but never for so long. There were still some things he wasn’t good at and, does he dare to say it, needed help with. He was a fighter, a warrior. Someone whose blood ran hot when facing danger in shape of other men wielding weapons. But a good chief wasn’t measured only in strength in combat. One had to be able to care for their people, see that they had food, shelter, safety and a home. All that domestic stuff. Which he wasn’t good at. A quarrel couldn’t be solved with just a swing of an axe. It needed diplomacy. Ugh. Other thing he sucked at. His father had done a lot to rein the Berserkers crazy ways, in a good way, and Dagur feared he would ruin it all.

So when he became the chief, he tried to protect his people the best way he knew and could. With intimidation. It was pretty easy when you have an epithet saying Deranged on your name. Others would think twice before attacking his tribe, and his people gave him respect for being a fine warrior. Though, it wasn’t the same as how they acted with Oswald. His father was not only respected, but well liked too. Keeping their life steady, with a sprinkle of fighting to cool their heads. As a chief Dagur got a lukewarm reception from his tribe. Clearly hoping more from him, but still accepting him.

Now was the time to show a strong fort though, even if Berk was one of their long time allies. Obviously they were disapproving of Berserkers’ change in leaders.

”…has been retired. He lost his taste for blood. I on the other hand-” Dagur glanced in Hiccup’s way. The teenager wore worry in his brows as he looked at Dagur. Shit. He can’t make Hiccup scared, again. He always seemed to do that. He turned his eyes back to Stoick and continued. ”-am not hesitant to spill blood.” Yes, nice save!

Stoick looked at him with a slight frown as he spoke, ”...Let’s get to the treaty.”

Dagur’s eyes shone at that.

”Yes, let’s! According to treaty, my visit starts with a tour of Berk, the armory, the feast with a great hall, the killing arena,” he listed things and counted them with his fingers as he walked closer to the Berkian chief.

”Your father never found the tour necessary,” Stoick said with displeased expression.

”Neither do I,” Dagur answered with a grin. ”But I have a proposition to make regarding our… alliance,” his face turned more serious.

”Oh,” the older chief stroked his beard. ”And what might that be?”

”...You might want to gather your council for this.”

Stoick squinted his eyes in suspicion but went with his suggestion. ”Very well,” he turned to speak with Gobber. ”Gather the council.”

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

It didn’t take long before all the assigned people were in the Great Hall.

Hiccup sifted nervously on his legs. What was Dagur up to? Treaties did sometimes get renewed, but it’s not like whole council was needed for it. The chiefs were the ones that decided what went into the paper.

”Everyone is here,” the red bearded chief gazed trough the group. ”Now, tell us this proposition of yours,” his eyes stayed on Dagur.

”Wouldn’t you agree that sharing blood with another is a stronger bond than having a piece of paper with two names?”

”I suppose,” Stoick answered with uncertainty.

”So instead of treaty, I suggest alliance through marriage,” Dagur gave a smirk.

A discussion broke almost immeadiately after the words were said.

Marriage? There was someone Dagur wanted to marry? In Berk? Why hadn’t Hiccup noticed? Dagur was almost always stuck with him at all times whenever the Berserkers visited Berk. Surely he would have seen if the red head found someone pleasing to the eye. Hiccup frowned in thought, trying to piece together the person Dagur liked through their previous encounters. His musing came to a halt after Stoick asked what everyone wanted to know.

”Do you have a person in mind?”

”I do,” Dagur turned to look at Hiccup, his eyes turning a hint more soft. ”I ask for Hiccup’s hand in marriage.”

Huh? Hiccup’s jaw dropped. He must be hallucinating or his understanding of Norse has detoriated, because otherwise he was just proposed to. He turned to look at other people in the room to make sure he had heard wrong, but when he saw his father who was trying to raise his axe, and Gobber who in turn was stopping him, Hiccup knew this was reality.

Dagur wanted to marry him? Him? Hiccup the Useless? And not that he cared that much, but they were both men! They couldn’t have kids! Well they could adopt, if… Wait! What is he thinking!?

Hiccup’s cheeks turned red as his mind swirled around and into the most strangest of places. He completely ignored the ongoing discussion the council was having until his father walked up to him.

”Hiccup, go home,” Stoick gently held his son’s shoulders to get his attention. ”I’ll come and tell you what the council will agree upon. I won’t let any wrong come to you,” he swore with determination.

”O-okay. Thanks dad,” Hiccup gave a small smile. Stoick nodded at that and walked back to the group. Hiccup noticed Dagur wasn’t there anymore, but wasn’t that surprised. He was probably also shooed away as the ”adults were talking”.

He walked out of the hall absetmindedly, feeling like everything still couldn’t be real. He pinched his right arm. It hurt.

”Hiccup!”

Startled, he turned to see Dagur strolling towards him. Oh gods. This was going to be awkward. Suddenly knowing that Dagur saw him like, like that, he didn’t know how to act.

”I wanted to give you this,” the red head stuck out his right hand. He was holding some sort of wrapped package. It wasn’t large, but definitely bigger than his palm.

”What is it?” he looked at it, but didn’t take it. Why would Dagur suddenly give him something?

”It’s a courting gift,” Dagur smiled.

Hiccup felt his cheeks burning again from that. Now he really wasn’t sure if he should take the thing.

”Well, even if you don’t accept my proposal, I would still like for you to have this. I guess that makes it just a gift,” Dagur ended his words with his signature laugh, except Hiccup could decipher nervousness in it.

It was kind of crazy how well he had learned to read Dagur. It was thanks to all the years they had spent together, but also because Hiccup strove to understand the older boy – well, the man now. The red head was his only friend, or at least used to be. Now he had Toothless and the other dragons – whom he considered his closest friends – but Dagur still held a certain kind of… special place in his heart.

Hiccup hesitated for a second, but finally took the package from Dagur’s hand. He glanced at the older one, who smiled brightly. His gaze almost shouted ’Open it!’

Not wanting to make the other wait any longer, he carefully started to remove the wrapping. Sure he could just rip the paper from whatever laid hidden in it, but if he managed to keep it mostly in piece, it could be used again. Yeah, he was pretty frugal sometimes.

When he was finally done, he was holding a leather… arm guard? It wasn’t quite the normal ones he had seen or done. This one opened. And in it was few loops. It looked like some of them were meant to hold something small and thin, and two other loops for something much bigger.

”It’s for your art supplies,” Dagur explained gently, as he held the wrapper paper Hiccup had ditched on his hands earlier. ”Now you can always carry your sketch book close and have a piece of protection,” he said almost smugly.

Hiccup raised his eyes from the leather contraption to Dagur, surprise evident in his gaze. He rarely got such thoughtful gifts. Or gifts at all. His father and Gobber were the only ones giving him presents on his birthday or at Snoggletog, and while they tried to give something he was interested in, like notebooks and charcoal pencils, their imagination was clearly limited.

But what Dagur had given him? Lot of thought had went into it. Hiccup traced his finger over the picture of a Skrill pressed on the leather cover and lifted his gaze back to the viking.

”I-I like it. Thank you,” he gave his relaxed lopsided smile.

Dagur laughed, relieved, Hiccup noted. ”Great! I’ll have to go punch something now to feel manly again. Your smile is too cute,” Dagur said as he left, but not before giving the paper in his hands back to Hiccup.

Hiccup stood frozen there, face red yet again. After letting the wind cool his cheeks for a while, he walked to home. He had lot to think about and stuff to put in his drawers.

Chapter Text

A small group was gathered around a big table. Despite the slight number of people, they did create quite a lot of noise.

”I think Dagur’s proposition was good.”

”But Hiccup is an only child!”

”Does it matter? There is Snotlout!”

”Snotlout, really?”

”Maybe it’s time for a new heir?”

”This is a chance to get rid of a village problem.”

”ENOUGH!” Stoick shouted as he struck his fist on the table, the hall falling into silence.

”I am not about to send my boy to a crazed Viking, as if I were offering a lamb for slaughter!”

Stoick was angry. He knew Hiccup was less than liked in the village, but that didn’t mean he could be sent away just because he sometimes created problems. Besides, Hiccup had mellowed down considerably, he was far less accident prone now and wasn’t going after dragons. Even those beasts were nowhere to be seen.

”But Stoick, this is a good chance to make stronger bonds, especially now when Dagur has became the Berserkers’ chief,” Spitelout said. Several heads nodded at the black haired Viking’s words.

He glared at the man. His brother sure would love to get rid of Hiccup to make his own son the next chief. Hah, as if that would happen even if Hiccup left. Snotlout was an idiot. Better options for the next heir were Astrid or Fishlegs. No, actually, they were the best options.

But that was past the point. He didn’t want to force Hiccup into wedlock. Yes, the boy would need to marry at some day, perhaps without love, but that didn’t mean getting married off as a some kind of bride to a king.

”I won’t force him into this. Hiccup will make his own decision on this matter,” he said matter-of-factly.

There was no room to argue against. If one did try, he would make sure to struck it down.

”Then let’s hope he makes the right decision, for the betterment of the village,” Spitelout spat out his words.

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

Hiccup was sitting by his desk, head in pondering mode, when his father knocked on his door and came in.

”Hiccup,” Stoick began, sighing before continuing, ”We came to the settlement, that Dagur’s… proposition is up to you. But I hope you won’t feel pressured and act because of that. Just do… what you want to.”

Hiccup blinked at his father and his words. ’We? Yeah right, he most likely forced others to this decision,’ he thought as he started to fiddle with the leather arm guard lying on the table. He stared at it, thinking.

”I need to speak with Dagur,” he stated simply. His dad looked at him, slight worry in his yes, and nodded.

”Yes. You go talk with him,” Stoick patted him on a shoulder and left. Probably to downstair, by the fireplace. He liked to think there.

Hiccup on the other hand took a deep breath and let it shakily out. Now to find Dagur.

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

Thunk.

Whack.

Fist met wood, as it struck it again and again. It was almost a rythmic, calming sound, even though the noise broke the peace of the forest.

’So far so good,’ Dagur thought as he hit a tree again. Hiccup didn’t seem disgusted of him. He didn’t avert him either, just a bit awkward. But that was nothing new.

Dagur stopped abusing the tree as he calmed down.

Hiccup accepted his present. Maybe not as a courting gift, but it didn’t matter. Hiccup didn’t hate him. He appeared to even like his gift. The way the auburn haired teen’s eyes widened in wonder as he looked at the arm guard and then when he turned his gaze to him. Hiccup’s eyes held such emotion. It was hard to decipher what exactly, but at least it wasn’t anything bad – or if there was, it wasn’t directed at him.

And then the smile. Oh gods, the smile . Hiccup hardly ever smiled. He did wore a sneer on his face when he threw sarcasm at others in the same style others would throw punches, but it wasn’t an actual smile. This one was real . And happy. And Dagur wouldn’t hesitate to lose a limb or two to make him happy. Except in Hiccup’s case it would make him cry.

He began hitting the tree again.

Right. Limb. Hiccup was missing a leg. How the fuck did that happen? Did the idiots in this village not keep Hiccup safe? Of course they didn’t! Snothat tormented him with the twins and everyone else left him to his own devices. Dagur wouldn’t be surprised if Hiccup lost his foot to one of his inventions, or perhaps he met a wild dragon while trecking in a forest. His poor Hiccup. He clearly needed to take him away from Berk quickly, before there was nothing left of the boy.

Crack. Thump.

The tree broke and fell. And it was just in time, as Dagur heard footsteps coming his way. He could heard the limp. It was Hiccup.

”Hey,” the aforementioned boy greeted him.

Dagur turned to see the teenager. ”Hi. I guess the council has come to a decision?” he raised an eyebrow.

”I-, uh,” Hiccup scratched his head. ”I-it’s up to me.”

”Good. I wouldn’t have it another way.”

Hiccup’s eyes widened in surprise, mouth slightly open. ”I-I see,” he managed to say, his fingers fidgeting. Then his eyes got even rounder. ”Dagur! You’re bleeding!” he hastily came to his side.

Oh. His hands were ripped. Punching trees hurts hands. Figures.

Hiccup grasped one of his hands with his right one, and held a cloth – who knows where he got it – with his left. With practiced ease, he began cleaning his bloodied knuckles. He was careful and gentle with his movements, as if Dagur would start to whine in pain if he was rougher with his motions.

Somehow Dagur hated it. Not the fact that Hiccup was so tender with his care, but because Hiccup was so used to this type of thing, even carrying cloth straps with him. Not that getting hurt and tending wounds was wrong in any way. Vikings got injured all the time and taking care of them was a good skill to have. Hiccup was a Viking, so it shouldn’t feel so wrong to know he got hurt. But maybe it was because he was pretty sure most of the teen’s past wounds had been inflicted by the terrible trio, that he felt almost sick seeing Hiccup being so skilled at treating them.

”Do you feel more manly now?”

Dagur’s angry contemplation was interrupted by a snarky question. After registering what was said to him he started his hysteric laugh.

”Oh Hiccup, you truly bring joy with you.”

Hiccup blushed a bit. Dagur was probably the only one who thought so about him. He glanced at the older one, who had now stopped frowning and had his normal grin on his face. He turned his attention back to Dagur’s hand, having switched to hold the other one.

Hiccup had been thinking a lot, so much that he was starting to get fed up with it. He would like nothing more than turn off his brain and sleep. His mind was in turmoil and his body felt under stress. It wasn’t only because Dagur and his sudden proposal. The constant sneaking to see the dragons and keeping them secret was eating him. He wasn’t sure how long he could keep it up. So even though Dagur had made a storm out of things, he could see it as a way out. But it was risky.

”Dagur… D-did you really mean it? Do you actually want to... m-marry me?” Hiccup asked. He wanted to be sure. No, he needed to be sure.

Dagur’s face turned serious. ”Of course. I… I realised calling you a friend wasn’t enough for me. I even tried referring you as my brother, but I still felt like I was missing something. Those terms couldn’t fill the gaping hole I was feeling for you. They didn’t feel right and enough,” he stopped for a moment, as if to contemplate his next words. Then he spoke in the most gentlest tone Hiccup had ever heard Dagur speak. ”Hiccup, I want you.”

Hiccup felt not only his face, but whole body burn. He must look like a ripe tomato right now. His fault for asking, he supposed. But… here was a man that wanted him. Actually sought for him. No-one wanted him, it was a fact. Even if his father loved him, he was pretty sure that if a bunch of kids was put to stand on a row and Stoick could pick any child he wanted, Hiccup would be the last one to be even considered. Hel, anyone would be like that. But then there was Dagur. Oh, Dagur. Ready to pick up the remnants nobody wanted.

Hiccup blinked a few times before turning to look into the redhead’s eyes. ”Can I trust you?”

”Yes,” he gave a firm reply.

”Then… Can you trust me?”

”Yes,” somehow the reply came even more faster than the one before.

Hiccup let ouf a breath and kept his hold on Dagur’s hand after tending it. ”I need to show you something,” he started to gently lead the other deeper into the woods.

Dagur didn’t ask about anything. He just kept a strong grip on their linked hands, careful not to squeeze too hard, while Hiccup walked along the forest path. Their hands were sweaty and Dagur wasn’t sure if it was out of their nervousness, excitement or simply because palms had the habit of being sweaty. Maybe it was all of it summed up together. After a while, they stopped near two rock walls that had barely a human-sized trail between them.

”I-I need to ask you to leave your weapons here,” Hiccup gazed with a bit of an apologetic look at Dagur. ”Oh, and that helmet too.”

Dagur squinted his eyes in suspicion, but did as told. Hiccup wouldn’t hurt him or lead him to his death.

After he was done, Hiccup took his hand in his again and they went through the path.

”No matter what, try to stay calm,” Hiccup whispered to him.

Dagur really tried hard to keep his cool, but the further and closer they got to their little mystery destination, the more tense he became. It didn’t help when Hiccup said things like that. Seriously, if Hiccup was trying to creep him out, he was very close to achieving it.

When they left the passage Dagur had to shield his eyes a bit from the glaring sun. Finally able to lower his hand, he almost yanked Hiccup behind him to shield him, but remembering what the lad had said he barely managed to stay still.

”Dragons?!” he exclaimed in hushed voice and looked incredulously at the teen.

”Ta-daa,” Hiccup gave a wry smile. ”Don’t worry they aren’t dangerous. They are my friends! Dragons are nothing like we have thought, they are actually-”

As the teen went to erratic explanation and reassurances about the dragons, Dagur simply stared dumbfoundly at them and Hiccup in turn. The big lizards kept further away, curiously looking at him, but not moving any closer. A grin slowly formed on his face. Of course Hiccup would befriend dragons over killing them. He was as crazy as he was, maybe even more so, but he didn’t have a single violent bone in his body. Despite lacking the ferocity expected of every Viking, it didn’t make the boy appear any less formidable in his eyes. Hiccup really was amazing. And so full of surprises!

A sudden crazy laugh startled Hiccup from his ramblings.

”Dagur?”

”Hiccup! You truly are a wonder!” Dagur uttered as he grabbed Hiccup by the sides, lifting him up and spinning him around.

”Woah!”

Hiccup quickly grasped at Dagur’s arms as he was being whirled in the air. Soon his surprise turned into laughter, joining the redhead’s own. The dragons visibly relaxed at that. They did become a bit tense when the unknown Viking started his boisterous laugh, but if Hiccup was laughing then all was better than good.

Dagur finally put Hiccup back down, but didn’t quite let go of the other. He looked at the auburn haired teen, who was panting a bit, cheeks red and joy in his eyes. At this point he was going to fell a whole forest with his fists.

Hiccup managed to take one of his hands to his hold and push the other hand holding his side away.

”Come. I’ll introduce you to them,” Hiccup gave one of his true smiles again and took a step towards the dragons.

Maybe he should start hitting rocks?

Chapter Text

Toothless wasn’t sure if he liked Dagur. Sure, the man was kind to Hiccup and was taking well being near dragons, but the way he… looked at Hiccup. It wasn’t anything bad. At least he thought so. But it made Toothless feel like Dagur was trying to take Hiccup, claim him. Hiccup was his human, his rider, his wings. There was no way he was just going to give him up to some Viking that reeked of violence, danger – something mad – and blood. It was so vastly different from his human’s, whose scent carried the essence of free winds and calmness, with hints of fire, burning rocks and musty furs.

As Hiccup stopped his introductions, Toothless made his way to him and curled his tail protectively around the boy, slightly seperating the two men from each other. He gave a watchful glare to Dagur, maybe as a kind of challenge to the Viking.

”Toothless, you can relax,” Hiccup said and stroked the black dragon’s head.

Dagur squinted his eyes at the big lizard. Oooh, yeah, he got it.

”It’s fine Hiccup. I just need to gain his trust,” the red head said and then smirked. ”And won’t I have the time after we get married?” He took a step closer to Hiccup and Toothless – hands clasped behind his back – not minding the dragon at all, even throwing it a daring, provocative glance. ”That’s why you showed me your dragon friends, right? Hmm?” He leaned over to Hiccup’s height, eyes fixated on the other’s face.

”U-uh... W-well,” Hiccup stuttered while he burned hot, eyes suddenly finding the ground extremely interesting.

Married? What did that mean? It had to mean something embarrassing, because Hiccup turned red from those words. Or maybe Dagur was forcing Hiccup to do something the auburn-haired boy disliked. Toothless was becoming restless and wound even tighter around the teen, giving a worried warble.

[They are talking about becoming mates,] the reddish-orange Monstrous Nightmare, Hookfang, rumbled. He was oldest of the bunch, having seen and heard the most about human practices.

[Mates? But he small!] The Deadly Nadder named Stormfly chirped.

[Hiccup is too young to mate!] Toothless almost roared. [I won’t give him!] He growled at Dagur, got on his hind legs and hugged Hiccup with his front paws. Lastly he covered the boy with his wings. He glared at the Viking with disdain, making sure the other knew exactly what he thought of the other’s actions.

”You know Hiccup,” Dagur talked as he walked around the dragon, trying to find an opening to see the hidden lad. The dragon kept turning its body to match his steps. ”I think your dragon really dislikes me.”

”Toothless!” Hiccup protested under his wings.

[I’ll keep you safe,] he purred to his human, but clearly, he wasn’t being acknowledged.

”Let me out!”

[No]

His valiant efforts of protecting Hiccup came to a halt, when the teen scratched under his chin, hitting just the right spot. He fell on the ground in sweet bliss, purring and yearning for more scratches.

”Ugh,” Hiccup grumbled as he struggled to scramble up from under the heavy reptile.

”Here we go,” Dagur said, lifting up part of the dragon and then helping Hiccup to his feet. His hand didn’t leave the auburn-haired boy’s one though.

When Toothless noticed that, he sprung up from the ground and whined to Hiccup. Dagur in turn shifted the boy closer to his body and then hugged him. He shot a sly glance to Toothless, eyebrows raised in defiance and let out a chuckle. ’My turn to hug him now .’

As the two bickered, Hiccup was covering his face with his hands. Oh gods, he was going to die from embarrassment. If this kept going on, his skin might just turn red permanently. He closed his eyes and somehow it became even worse. Now his other senses – especially touch – were heightened, and he could feel Dagur’s strong arms enveloping him. The redhead’s one hand was on his waist and the other on his back bringing him close to the said man’s chest. He tried to not think about it and to concentrate on something else, but that backfired too. He heard their heartbeats. Dagur’s was strong and steady, but not quite calm. Neither was it erratic like his own.

They suddenly moved and Dagur chuckled. Hiccup deducted he was evading Toothless as he heard another whine from the big lizard. But that soft laugh seemed to reverberate through his whole body, causing a weird flip in his stomach. What the Hel was wrong with him?

”Ack!” Hiccup cried out when they fell.

Toothless had swinged his tail under them, causing their fall. Dagur’s grip on him was as solid as a mountain, so he stayed on top of his chest while Dagur’s back hit the ground. He had no time to get flustered about that when Toothless tried to pick him up by the scruff of his neck with his teeth. He wasn’t that easily lifted though, as Dagur wasn’t going to loosen his firm hold.

”Argh! Enough! Stop it you two!” Hiccup flailed his arms at them, getting up when they let go of him and got a bit further away from both of them.

”Now, both of you!” He pointed at them. ”Sit down and behave!” He huffed. ”A-a-and make up over your strange quarrel,” he crossed his arms as he grumbled.

Toothless was almost offended. He had not done anything wrong! Hookfang laughed at him when he still sat near the Viking. Dagur and Toothless shared a glare.

Hiccup sighed. ”Look guys,” he addressed everyone. ”I hope you all would get along. And Dagur, about what you asked… I-I won’t lie. I am thinking of accepting your p-proposal,” his cheeks blushed faintly, ”but I also want you to know why. I’ve kept the dragons a secret – you probably already know that – and every day, every time I come here, I fear somebody finds them and gets the whole village riled up. It-it would be disastrous . That’s why I haven’t told them. Because nobody would listen to me . If I suddenly said ’Dragons aren’t actually dangerous. We can live in peace with them!’ they would probably lynch me or-or something. All the while calling me a traitor!” H e took a breath. He then turned his eyes to Dagur and gulped. ”That’s why when you, w-well, you know,” he gestured with his hands, ”I saw a way out. Maybe I could esccape from here. With them ,” he then turned his gaze down, as if he was ashamed. ”So the reason why I would be answering you with a yes wouldn’t be what you are probably wishing for.”

Dagur looked seriously at Hiccup. The boy was like a cornered little animal, afraid and jittery. ”I understand. But I do have a question, why haven’t you left Berk already?”

”I-I don’t know. Maybe I was just waiting for a reason,” he whispered.

The redhead got up and walked to Hiccup. With gentleness and care he hugged the teen. ”Hiccup, even if your answer isn’t out of love or even liking me, I would be glad to have you on Berserker soil. And I wouldn’t force you into anything. Even in a situation where someone else starts going after your heart, I’d let it happen – if they survive,” he muttered quietly the latter part, ”but knowing that I’m enough of a reason for you to leave this place – because, believe me, I know you could find a better one – makes me more than happy.”

Dagur’s hug was so comfortable, so soft, so safe. This time Hiccup didn’t blush as the older man held him. He listened at the serious but tender words, almost wanting to cry. He gave a wet chuckle at the barely concealed threat aimed at a nonexistent person and slowly wrapped his hands around the other. He let his head rest on the Viking’s chest.

They stayed like that for a while, just hugging and being close to each other. It wasn’t actually that weird for them to be touching; since they were kids, they had been doing it – mostly because of Dagur. He was more of a touchy type, always throwing his arm over Hiccup’s shoulder, hugging him tightly as a greeting, or grabbing his hand to drag him to somewhere to show off a new axe-throwing trick he had learned. It was just that now, knowing how the other felt, Hiccup seemed to get bashful about it all. Of course, these kinds of gentle hugs were not the norm for them, but godsdamn did it feel right.

”Maybe I will fall for you,” Hiccup mumbled against the other’s chest.

Dagur let out a rollicking laugh and strengthened his hold on the teen. He snuzzled the top of Hiccup’s head and planted a tiny kiss there.

Toothless circled them and gave a soft rumble. His eyes were now more round, no longer slits that portrayed of aggression. He snuggled his snout against Hiccup’s hand and warbled.

Hiccup broke their hug and petted the black nose of the lizard. Other dragons had also come closer to them, in a kind of a protective stance, but also waiting for their own turn to comfort the small human. Hiccup stroked their scales, scratched the right spots and murmured reassurances. Dagur silently watched him walking among the dragons. It oddly suited Hiccup. Then his glance went down to his leg again.

”Hey Hiccup, I have been meaning to ask,” Dagur crossed his arms, ”What happened to your leg?”

”Oh,” Hiccup turned to face him holding a Terrible Terror that he had just picked off from the top of his head. The little dragon’s name was Sharpshot, if he remembered correctly. ”It’s a long story.”

”I’m listening,” Dagur said as he found a log and sat down.

Hiccup came to sit beside him, still carrying the green dragon. ”Umm, it all started-”

And so Hiccup told the story: how he had made a device to shoot bolas, how he had shot a Night Fury down with it, made friends with it, and then flew with Toothless. How he had realised there was more to the dragons than the Vikings had thought, and how he had discovered the reason for the raids. And then, finally, how he had set out to bring down the gigantic dragon queen with his rescued dragon friends, emerged victorious, but lost a leg. Dagur had said, ’Well, aren’t you a daring little thing,’ and patted Sharpshot when he learned the small reptile had hit the queen dragon’s eyes with deadly accuracy. But when they reached the part about his missing leg, Dagur draped an arm around him and looked at his prosthetic leg with sadness. And so did the dragons. Hiccup was a bit amused to see the seven, actually eight, different heads gazing at his leg mournfully.

”Soo, you just went and stopped a centuries old war? Just like that? And no-one knows?” Dagur asked, distracting himself from the leg.

”Guess you know now,” Hiccup gave a shy look to Dagur. Sharpshot flew from his lap to sit on Meatlug.

Dagur went absolutely silent at that. Yeah, now he knows. And nobody else. Not even Stoick. Hiccup couldn’t tell the truth even to his own father.

”I really need to take you out of this place,” he snuggled his chin against Hiccup’s hair again.

”...Well, you have my permission.”

Dagur stopped for a second, registering the words. Then his face lit up, and he dropped down on one knee in front of Hiccup, clasping their hands.

”Hiccup Haddock, I officially ask you, will you marry me? Or at least come to my homeplace with me?” He asked, light in his eyes.

”Didn’t you already ask officially?” Hiccup raised an eyebrow, his cheeks slightly tinted with red.

”Ah, pssh. That one doesn’t count. It wasn’t really directed at you,” he waved it off.

”Then… yes.”

Dagur jumped to his feet, dragging Hiccup up with him. He laughed crazily as he hugged the smaller man yet again. Then he paused.

”Wait… Which one did you answer? Which ’yes’ was it?” He looked into Hiccup’s eyes, searching for an answer.

”I guess we will find out,” Hiccup said as he pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.

Chapter Text

It had been minutes, maybe 10 or maybe even 30, since Dagur had started hitting the rock wall.

Hiccup should have been flustered, blushing the Hel out of his cheeks after giving that kiss on Dagur’s cheek, but the reaction he got from the man confused him to no end. Dagur had turned into stone, figuratively. And then he walked to the cove’s rock wall and started hitting it. Hiccup had shouted perplexedly at him, ’What are you doing?! You’ll hurt your hands again!’ to which Dagur had just turned to him, scowl on his face and shrieked. Then he continued his strange rock digging with his fists. Toothless had given Hiccup a questionable warble and he could only shrug his shoulders as an answer. He had no idea what the redhead was doing. ...They were going to be fine going with him, right? Right?

Hiccup wasn’t sure why he had kissed Dagur. Maybe he did it in the heat of the moment. Maybe he did it because he needed to get comfortable at showing affection to Dagur, because he was going to marry the man – even if it would, could?, be pretend – and people were going to observe them – him. Or maybe, there was something more, something else, that he didn’t dare to look into yet. ...Yeah, no, it was probably because of the whole fake marriage thing, he tried convincing himself. Besides, it’s not like kissing someone’s cheek was a big deal, right? He had heard of some people using that as a greeting! So his action wasn’t that strange! ...Was it?

He returned his attention to the deranged Viking, all the while using Toothless as his personal lounging seat, his head propped up by one hand. Dagur would make a good digger, he remarked silently as he watched him work. A heap of rocks lay on the ground, but not near the redhead’s feet, as Meatlug kept happily munching on them. The Gronckle cleaned the rocks, making sure Dagur wouldn’t trip over them and could continue loosening chunks of stone from the wall. For some reason Barf and Belch, the two headed Zippleback, were ”helping” Dagur. They used their gas and then made it explode, detaching stone and debris. They probably thought it was some kind of fun game.

When Dagur finally stopped his questionable actions, Hiccup got up from his dragon and walked up to him.

”You done?” He took Dagur’s hands and inspected them, grimacing at the sight. ”Seems your hands are done, all right,” he said, giving an angry scowl to the other before heading to one of the crevices in the cove.

”Yeah,” Dagur replied, a bit absent, as he plucked tiny rocks from his wounds.

Hiccup returned with a water flask, a small bag and a pouch. Dagur simply extended his hands to the auburn-haired boy so t he latter could work his magic. They stood in silen ce as Hiccup went to the task; f irst cleaning the wounds with the clear water, then applying a mix of herbs Dagur didn’t know the effects of , and lastly bandaging his arms securely. Hiccup might have patted his hands with a little more force than necessary to signal that the job was done – perhaps to make the other feel a slight ache – but the attempt only made Dagur chuckle. Adorable.

”So, we need to plan our next moves,” Hiccup started, putting away his things.

”Can’t we just go to your father, you tell him you want to leave with me, and we are off!” Dagur answered cheerfully,

”The dragons, Dagur. What are we going to do with them? It’s not like we can just ditch them on the boats or-or make them fly to Berserker island,” the teen explained.

”Why not?”

”Because your people don’t know about them!” Hiccup flailed his arms around.

”Oooh, right. I forgot about that,” Dagur nodded in understanding.

H iccup sighed, dragging a hand over his face. ”Okay, how about if we do this–”

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

Stoick was starting to get nervous. He paced in front of the fireplace as he waited for Hiccup to come back home. ’He should be here by now!’ his mind roared. Rejections shouldn’t take that long. What if something had happened? What if someone caught Hiccup and started pressuring the lad to say ’yes’? What if Dagur was harrasing his son??

The burly man took his axe from the table and was about to storm outside his house, when he was met by the two he was just thinking about by opening the door.

”Son! You’re finally here!” Stoick bellowed with delight.

”Sure am, dad,” his son muttered.

Stoick then looked at the other man with a frown.

”Why is he with you?”

”Umm, let’s go inside first,” his child mumbled, passing him to get to the house. The deranged Viking followed closely behind. Stoick didn’t notice their clasped hands, as he was too busy glaring at Dagur who wore a smug expression.

”D-dad… I’m going with Dagur. I accepted his proposal,” Hiccup said, raising his head to face his father.

”WHAT?!” Stoick’s indignant shout almost seemed to cause tremors.

”Did he force you!? Did someone pressure you to it!?” he grasped his son from the shoulders, slightly shaking him, as if it would help get the answers out.

Before Hiccup could say anything, Stoick let go of him and turned to Dagur. ”Did you harass my son!?” He was very close to lifting his axe again.

”No dad!” Hiccup jumped between the two.

”It’s my own decision,” he said firmly.

”W-wha… why would you say ’yes’?” Stoick asked incredulously.

Hiccup gave him a strange look, one mixed with disbelief, revulsion and disappointment. ”Why wouldn’t I?” He responded gently, almost in a whisper.

Seeing that his father wasn’t using his brain, Hiccup began explaining. ”I’ve never been well-liked here. Sure, lately, I have faced much less scorn than usual – even getting plain looks instead of scowls! ...But that doesn’t suddenly make my life better. And I bet the council would have loved to send me away –”

”But I stopped them!” Stoick interrupted him.

Hiccup gave a small smile. ”I know,” he said, then turned serious. ”But if I don’t leave, my life will stay the same.”

”But what’s so bad about that?!” Stoick protested again.

Hiccup would have loved to start an argument. To shout, to kick, to cry. ’What’s so bad?’ What was so bad about living his life in misery? ’He’s grasping at straws,’ he told himself. Because no matter how oblivious Stoick sometimes acted, he knew the village borderline hated Hiccup. His father just didn’t want to let go of him. Maybe he even thought things would change with time.

Hiccup grabbed Dagur’s hand before the redhead would start pummelling his father in his rage. He then decided to ignore Stoick’s words completely. ”This is a thing I can’t screw up, like all the other times. Let me finally be of some use to the village. Besides, Dagur… cares about me,” as Hiccup finished his sentence, he felt a squeeze on his hand. He squeezed back.

Stoick looked at Hiccup and Dagur. His gaze darting between the two of them, before he finally spoke, ”Hiccup. Are you sure about this? Do you really want to marry him?”

Did he? Hiccup didn’t know. He couldn’t say that, though. His primary reason for agreeing was to get out of Berk, to keep his dragon friends safe, to be free. Dagur had promised him that.

”Yes,” he replied simply.

Stoick stared hard. The silence stretched until Dagur decided to break the tension and spoke, ”Don’t worry. We won’t get married right away.”

”What do you mean by that?” Stoick looked ferocious, like he was almost insulted.

”Well, of course there’s going to be a courting period. And if Hiccup wishes so, he can back out during that time. I’ll do my best that he won’t, though.” Dagur smirked and slid his arm around Hiccup’s back, pulling the auburn-haired boy close to his side. Hiccup blushed slightly.

Dagur then kept talking. ”I’m not going to force him,” he stopped for a second. He turned to face Hiccup and whispered gently, ”Because I love him.” The teen in his arms blushed more.

Stoick realised the ’courting period’ Dagur mentioned was something his son and the Viking had agreed upon. It wasn’t official. Others would likely just see it as a cultivation period, a time to brace themselves to get ready for the marriage. The only reason he had been told was to make him worry less. Or so he at least reasoned. But the last thing Dagur said? Love? As if.

Stoick scoffed. ”I see you have made your desicions. I’m not sure what you two are planning, but it’s not my problem. I have only one question. In a chance that my son backs out of the marriage – if the waiting time is true – what happens to the treaty?” he asked, despite not entirely believing the redhead’s words.

”Ah. We’ll just have the old treaty come into effect. We can even write this ”deal” in a piece of paper, if you don’t trust me on this,” Dagur answered smirking.

”I don’t,” Stoick grumbled and went to fetch paper and other necessities.

After he came back, he started writing. Dagur watched at the words he wrote, hand still around Hiccup. It irked Stoick, but that was going to be their future. As the piece of paper was done and Dagur approved it, both chiefs made their marks on the bottom. It was done. No holes were left.

”I-I guess it’s time to pack?” Hiccup asked nervously.

”I guess it is,” Stoick sighed.

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

Hiccup hefted the big basket to his back and walked out of his house. Oh, correction, Stoick’s house. He shook the coming thoughts away and trotted through the village. He said goodbye in his mind to the familiar road, wooden houses and shops and... the smithy. He spent more time in that place than anywhere else, so it is no surprise he was feeling a bit plaintive passing the building. He felt like he was just waking up from a hazy dream and entering reality.

”Hey Useless! So, you getting send away as a bride, huh? Hahaha!” Snotlout stopped Hiccup’s wistful thinking. Finally there was some use on the loud noise the other emitted.

Hiccup turned to face the black-haired stout teenager. The larger boy was looking at him with crossed arms and a sneer on his face.

”What? You jealous?”

”W-Wha-! Who would be jealous about that!?”

”I just thought you wanted to marry Dagur. You were always so eager to bother him,” Hiccup said and shrugged his shoulders.

”S-shut up Hiccup!” Snotlout blushed and stomped away.

”Whew,” Hiccup sighed in relief. Snotha- Snotlout wasn’t easy to get rid of most of the time, but the robust teenager probably left him alone because he was leaving with Dagur. And if Hiccup would have any bruises the deranged Viking would see, Snotlout was gonna have it.

Hiccup finally reached the docks and saw Dagur waiting him with Stoick and Gobber. A few council members were standing behind Stoick out of politness. Dagur’s usual smile widened when he saw Hiccup.

”You are here!” Dagur reached for him. He took the basket Hiccup was carrying and made sure it was securely on his back. ”I’ll go put this away. Meanwhile you can say your goodbyes.”

”Okay. Thanks,” Hiccup replied and watched Dagur board the ship.

”Son,” Stoick spoke, getting his son’s attention.

”Dad,” he said and hugged his father.

”Remember, you can always come back,” Stoick whispered as they hugged.

”Mhmm. Thanks dad,” Hiccup whispered back and nodded his head. But deep down he knew he didn’t have a place in Berk. Not after a word about the dragons would spread.

”Don’t go missing more limbs, lad!” Gobber gave him a hug too. ”Stay safe,” the blonde moustached Viking said in barely a whisper.

”I will,” Hiccup answered with a warm smile.

They broke their embrace and Hiccup stepped on the ship’s deck. He waved to the people that were sending him off, but mainly it was to his father and Gobber. Dagur came to his left side and put one hand on his right shoulder as a silent comfort. It did feel better to have someone close. They stayed like that until Berk’s port could hardly be seen.

”Right. You should probably check on Sharpshot,” Dagur reminded Hiccup.

”Oh, yeah. I hope he hasn’t broken anything and stayed hidden,” the auburn-haired boy mumbled as he walked inside to the cabin.

When Hiccup opened the cabin door he was greeted by a green Terrible Terror struggling with clothes around its small body. It had somehow created a knot and looked ready to use some fire to get out of its predicament. Hiccup hurried to help it out before there was a danger of a sinking ship. The basket the dragon had been in was knocked on the ground with the clothes. Luckily, there wasn’t a big mess to clean. He held the dragon on his hands and looked at it.

”Now, what to do with you.”

Chapter Text

Hiccup wasn’t sure if it was some kind of Berserker trait or all the crazy people had collectively decided to live in the same place, because when he and Dagur had told about the small dragon traveling within the ship – and after a few reassurances and answers to questions – it had been accepted fairly well, as if it was a normal tuesday. There were some cautious glances when he walked on the deck with Sharpshot perched curiously on his shoulder, but there wasn’t any outright hostility. Of course it might have helped that Berserkers didn’t need to defend their home the same way Berkians did, so there weren’t any big grievances against dragons. Though, there was the possibility others were just playing along to reach their home safely. Afterall, a fire breathing dragon on a ship is a risk hazard.

Truth be told, Hiccup didn’t first mean to tell about Sharpshot. The plan was to go to the Berserkers island, get to know the people, maybe get them to see him in somewhat of a good light and then try to introduce the small lizard. But standing on the ship, he quickly realised he couldn’t keep his dragon friend a secret. There wasn’t much room to move in his assigned cabin and dragons craved for the open sky. His room was no better than a cage. And he would never cage a dragon. So he had gone to tell Dagur about wanting to introduce the dragon to their other shipmates. The redhead had beamed hearing it, and said something along ’They are gonna love him! Because is there anything as cool as the possibility of riding a dragon?’

In the end, Hiccup was just glad it ended well and he hoped it would go as well in the island when they would get there. And soon he would need to do the same dragon presentation, he realised, as Sharpshot squaled in his arms and woke him up from his stupor, making him notice their destination was appearing on the horizon.

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

Hiccup had been an anxious ball of nerves since getting down from the ship. He had hid Sharpshot again into his basket, walked the streets with Dagur who tried his best to make him relax, and then he had waited at the chief’s hut. And wait he did. Dagur needed to gather all his people for their important announcements and after achieving that, Dagur didn’t waste any time telling his tribe of his marriage. Though, there was the courting period, but the main point was that the Berserkers knew to show proper manners at Hiccup. And then it was Hiccup’s turn to jumble up their world. The people were rowdy and skeptical, but it did help that the others from the ship were telling that Sharpshot wasn’t dangerous.

So all in all, it went somewhat well. Again. Which made Hiccup very doubtful, until somebody from the crowd asked when they would be able to ride dragons. That’s when he realised they were all crazy – just like him. He wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad thing, but time would tell.

When Hiccup finally got back to the chief’s house, he wanted nothing more than crash into a bed. It had been an eventful day with walking around the place and getting to know the people. Despite having a treaty with the Berserkers, Hiccup had never set foot on their land before. Oswald and Dagur always traveled to Berk, and if you ask Hiccup why it was so, he wouldn’t be able to give an answer. He simply didn’t know. It had always been like that to him.

But now he was facing an altogether different kind of problem. Where was he going to sleep?

”Wondering about your sleeping place?” Dagur asked from behind Hiccup. They had come to the house together, and Hiccup had stopped walking when he got inside. The lad was frozen on the spot. Sharpshot, who had also been with them, was sitting on top of the auburn-haired teen’s head.

”Y-yeah,” Hiccup gave an awkward smile.

”You’ll be sleeping in my room. I’ll be taking my father’s, as he is not here,” Dagur patted Hiccup on the shoulder and went towards his room to fetch things.

”O-oh, okay,” Hiccup said and took Sharpshot from his head and followed after him.

Dagur’s room was a pretty basic Viking style. It had some weapons hanging on the walls along with bear and wolf furs. The floor had a couple more, but smaller ones, covering it. There was also a desk with papers and charcoal pencils. On the wall above the table was a few of Dagur’s drawings. They were mostly sketches that ranged from animals to objects to landscapes.

One would think that a man like Dagur wouldn’t know how to draw or understand art, but Hiccup himself had taught the Viking by his demand. And who would have guessed the redhead had the knack for it? Not many. Sure, Dagur much rather swinged an axe, but it seemed like he occasionally enjoyed drawing by himself and not only because Hiccup was doing it. And if Dagur ran to different places to draw like Hiccup did, then he could understand how the other got the idea for the arm-guard. The Skrill on it was probably done by Dagur too. For some reason the man was obsessed with Skrills. Actually Hiccup knew why, but he just didn’t get it. He was pretty sure Dagur’s first drawing was about a Skrill. Or was it? Hiccup wasn’t so sure anymore. It could have been him. Could he have won over the Skrill? Was he on par with it? What if a Skrill appeared one day, would Dagur be more interested about it? Wait wait wait, his thoughts were going somewhere strange place again.

”These are pretty good,” Hiccup spoke, as he looked at the drawings. He found a picture of a Skrill – of course he did – but next to it he saw a drawing that resembled him very much. In the picture, he was focusing on beating a piece of hot metal with a hammer. ”Huh, when did you draw this?” he wondered.

”I did it last year. You were busy making more weapons. If I remember correctly, you had failed some kind of invention of yours and gotten trouble over it,” Dagur was trying hard to think of the occurence. ”Anyways, I told you I was okay at waiting for you in the forge and drew that,” he pointed at the paper.

Hiccup remembered that case. He had accidentally destroyed some weapons and had to make up for it. He had apologised to Dagur and told him he could leave to do something else, but the redhead wanted to stay.

”I thought you would look at the swords and axes, or something,” Hiccup mumbled.

”I see those things every day, but not you. And you looked so radiant focusing on your work,” Dagur explained with a smile.

”...Are you some kind of natural flirt?” Hiccup asked as he tried to hide his face into the Terrible Terror on his hands. Dagur just laughed and continued grabbing his necessities.

”Well, you know where to find me. Rest well, Hiccup,” Dagur said gently, having collected his stuff and left.

”Goodnight,” Hiccup muttered back as he watched the other leave.

He put the dragon on the bed and changed his clothes. When he was done, he flopped on the bed, exhausted. The tiny lizard nudged at him, either signaling for him to move under the covers or offering him comfort. Or maybe it was both. Hiccup complied and tried his best to relax in the bed. It smelled like Dagur. Of course it did! And now he was overly conscious of it. So what? It’s not like it made him think of the said man lying beside him… AAAHHH!

Hiccup kept an unknown time rolling on the bed and finally Sharpshot couldn’t withstand it and kicked the teen on his face. The small reptile then curled on top of the auburn-haired youth, effectively stopping the other’s movement. After a while the boy’s breathing steadied to calmness and Sharpshot could fall into slumber too.

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

”You want to what?” Dagur asked.

Hiccup munched on his bread and then talked. ”Help you. With the chiefing duties. I should do some type of work, and while smithing would be nice, I’m seen as your intended spouse. The people want to see how I can act as a chief. And I know I’m not anywhere near at being a good at it, but I could at least-”

”Shhh,” Dagur put his finger on Hiccup’s lips. ”Stop right there. I’ll gladly have you working with me and I think you will do just fine,” he smiled as he said so. He felt that Hiccup was perfect for him. He had problems helping his people when it came to the ”boring” and ”peaceful” stuff, like planning or hearing village problems. But Hiccup didn’t. He was sure. Because Hiccup was caring, Hiccup was soft (and he was a stubborn dragon when he wanted). Hiccup could fill all his weak points and he could Hiccup’s. Weren’t they just made for each other? Damn he loved him!

”O-oh,” Hiccup parted his lips, flabbergasted. Dagur’s finger was still there, so he backed away a bit, trying to ignore the darkening eyes focused on him. ”W-we should hurry and eat.”

Dagur hummed as an answer and resumed to his breakfast. When they were both done, they left the house and started their rounds. Or, well, Dagur started his round and Hiccup hanged around him with Sharpshot on his shoulders. It didn’t take long until they met someone with a problem.

”Ah, chief! Tell this buffoon to give my sheep back!”

”Your sheep? It’s clearly mine! Brynhildr was raised by me!”

”Her name is Gunnhildr! And she is mine!-”

Dagur and Hiccup listened as the bickering went on. Dagur was very close to lifting his axe and splitting the sheep into two equal halves – for fairness – but Hiccup held his hand to stop him. The auburn-haired boy then whispered to him.

”Are they always like this? Are they the only ones raising sheep?”

”Yes and yes,” he whispered back.

”Hmm,” the youth pondered. He then raised his voice to speak with the two people. ”E-excuse me, how many sheep do you both have?”

They turned to look at Hiccup, frowns on their faces. They only stared, and just when Hiccup thought they wouldn’t speak with him, the owner of ’Brynhildr’ talked.

”I have exactly 16 sheep. All well taken care of by my caring hands. I love them like my own children!” they boasted.

The other one silently glared at his rival, but said nothing.

”And you?” Hiccup asked, encouraging for an answer.

”...I’m not sure,” he muttered.

”See! They are trying to steal my sheep!”

”You’re not sure?” the teen frowned.

”Yes. Sometimes there seems to be more, sometimes less. I bet they are stealing my sheep!” The man pointed his finger accusely at the other as he kept talking, ”And then my sweet lambs return home by themselves!”

”I haven’t touched your sheep!-”

And the squabble continued. Hiccup raised his hand to his chin, thinking. Wasn’t this getting interesting?

”When do you both check on your sheep?”

They turned their attention on him again.

”Early morning when I let them outside, a bit before midday and early evening when I usher them back inside,” the ’Brynhildr’ owner told.

”At morning when the sun has risen, at noon –sometimes a bit later, and lastly late evening,” ’Gunnhildr’s owner spoke.

’So they both see them at different times?’ Hiccup thought as he tried to piece together the puzzle. ”Can you show me where your sheep graze?”

They nodded and led way to their pastures. And lo and behold, they were next to each other. Hiccup inspected the fence, the people trailing after him, and found what he was searching for.

”There,” he pointed, ”is your source to your bickering.”

The shepherds looked at the hole in the fence, dumbfounded. One of them scratched their head in thought. The opening had went unnoticed because of a thick bush obstructing it.

”Your sheep keep switching places. There’s no way to know which sheep belongs to who at this point, so I can suggest only a few different solutions. First one is: you get rid of that fence and start taking care of the sheep together,” Hiccup raised one finger as he started his listing. His first suggestion gained a disgusted frown on two people’s faces. ”Second would be: the other one of you marks their sheep by making a tiny clip to their ears. We can’t put cloth on them or trinkets, because they can fall or get stuck, and we can’t paint them as it will just wash off,” Hiccup explained his second solution, getting interested and much more happier faces. ”The third option: one of you moves, but that wouldn’t be fair, would it?”

”Why not just fix the fence?”

”The sheep are so used to moving how they want, that I think they might just break it again or find some other way to get through. I suggest you just remove it, even if you don’t want to work together,” Hiccup said, his hands moving as he explained.

The shepherds turned to think and talk with each other, this time much more civil. They ended up with removing the fence and going with his second suggestion. Hiccup helped with the clipping and Dagur took the fence apart.

”Thanks chiefs!”

The two sheep owners waved to Dagur and Hiccup as they left.

”See Hiccup, I knew you would do well!” Dagur swung his arm around Hiccup’s shoulder as he spoke and turned his head to plant a kiss to the teen’s temple.

Hiccup fidgeted with his fingers. ”Th-that was nothing. It was just some sheep problem,” he muttered.

”Tch tch tch,” Dagur swung one finger in a disapproving gesture. ”Hiccup, Hiccup, serving your people, no matter how small and insignificant the problem might be, is an important chiefing duty,” Dagur reprimanded.

Hiccup looked at Dagur with a hint of surprise and bemused frown –and a big dash of ’Are you seriously saying that to me? You were about to split their sheep in two.’

Dagur clearly got the hint as he raised his hands up in surrender. ”My way might not be the best, but it’s still a solution. And a fast one,” he quickly added the last part, one hand raising up with a pointed finger. ”Besides, now you’re here to help me with them,” he smiled as he brought his arm around the youth again.

”Yeah,” a small whisper answered him.

They continued their day going around the village, sometimes having opportunities for Hiccup to help people, other times getting familiar with the place. While the island and its habitants were completely different from the ones Hiccup knew, the familiarity was still there. People were rowdy and sturdy, the ground was hard from frost and the sky was blue. It was all so familiar, but also different. He wasn’t looked at with disappointment, hate or shame. Instead he was met with curiosity, acknowledgment and a bit of disbelief. But he knew where that last one came from. Hiccup was seen with the small dragon, but they had not seen him with a big dragon so they probably thought he didn’t know how to ”handle” one, or that he didn’t dare to get close to one. That would change in a few days, as he would sent Sharpshot to get rest of his dragon friends here. He really missed Toothless. Though, now he was more interested in one part of the isle, as his small lizard friend didn’t make any sort of action to move or fly there, as if trying to stay away from it.

What was out there? Hiccup would find out.

Chapter Text

Hiccup peeked inside a cave. It seemed to continue deeper into the earth and Hiccup wondered if it would go through the whole isle.

”Huh, I didn’t know there was a cave here,” Dagur said behind him. The man demanded to follow Hiccup, especially when he heard he wanted to explore a space where a dragon didn’t dare to go.

The auburn-haired youth turned to look at him.

”What? I don’t explore every place like you do,” the redhead complained.

Hiccup rolled his eyes and went inside, Dagur trailing behind him. The cave went deeper and deeper, until the path widened into a huge space. There were strange big icicles and slight light that illuminated the area. Where the light came from was a complete mystery.

”Woah,” Hiccup gasped as he looked at the place and kept turning around as he walked to take it all in. Then his back hit something. It wasn’t a rock wall or even ice. It felt hard, but not the same way as stone did and it wasn’t as cold as ice.

He turned.

He was met with a white ”wall” with strange dark ridges. Hiccup quickly recognised it as a dragon. A big ass dragon. He gasped again. And then it opened its eyes.

”Hiccup!” Dagur shout-whispered to Hiccup. Any other time he might have let out a crazed laugh, but this time he was very worried. He was further away from the teen, too far away for the redhead’s taste.

But Hiccup ignored, or didn’t register, the other’s shout. He only gazed at the massive reptile with a slight open mouth and tilted his head to one side in curiosity. The dragon stared back at him, only sparing a short glance at Dagur and then returning its gaze to Hiccup.

”Hello,” Hiccup whispered in wonder.

The dragon blinked. And then it breathed a huff of frost at him that clung to his hair. He let out a short laugh and brushed his hair. His voice finally made Dagur move to him in quick steps, but not running. The man was clearly nervous and most likely wanted to grasp his axe and rush to him, but had managed to hold himself in place and not startle the dragon.

Dagur trusted that Hiccup knew what he was doing, but it didn’t make him feel any less tense when it came to the teen’s safety. Besides, it was a gigantic lizard. He was allowed to feel alarmed in its presence.

Hiccup’s hand was grasped by a big rough one. It warmed his hand and he gave a squeeze in reassurance.

”You should thank this dragon,” Hiccup turned his head to look at Dagur as he spoke softly.

”What? Why?” The Viking frowned.

”It has prevented other dragons from getting closer to your village,” Hiccup told him.

”Really? How do you know?”

”…You remember when I told you about the Red Death? She could command dragons to some extent. I believe this dragon has the same –but more powerful– ability. Otherwise you would have been raided too,” Hiccup explained as he turned his attention back to the white lizard. ”Though, it might have just wanted to be left alone,” he muttered.

Dagur looked at the reptile too. ”Well, it doesn’t change the fact that we were spared from attacks. Thanks,” he spoke to the dragon with a small smirk.

Hiccup smiled from hearing that. ’Oh, but…’

”Sorry we disturbed your rest. But my dragon friends are coming to this island in a few days. A-and we are trying to make the village more dragon friendly. Could you let the dragons move freely?” Hiccup asked the gigantic reptile. His eyes gleamed with plead and hope.

The dragon watched. It had listened patiently and observed the two. No hostility was perceived, no lie was told. It had noticed the more robust man twitching in his place – ready to strike, but even that was more out of need to protect. To protect the tiny human with pure green eyes, with smell of calm, freedom and several dragons. A good human. A friend.

Hiccup’s question was answered with the dragon’s eyes slowly blinking and another huff of frost directed at both humans. He laughed again.

”Thank you. We’ll make sure no-one comes here to bother you again,” the youth said with smile. He might not speak the dragon’s tongue, but he understood in other ways. Something in his soul just seemed to resonate with them, to comprehend them in another deeper level. He might be a freak to other Vikings, but he didn’t care. He was happy now.

They left the cave. When they reached sunlight, Dagur embraced Hiccup.

”You know, it’s not good for my health for you to be so close to a colossal fucking dragon,” Dagur complained as he strengthened his hold on the teen.

”But I’m fine? And I felt it wouldn’t attack me,” Hiccup talked, his words muffled a bit by the chest his head was held against. He brought his arms around the other to hug back.

”Well excuse-fucking-me. The last time I heard of you being in a vicinity of a big ass dragon, you were left with one leg!”

Dagur heard a tiny chuckle from his arms.

”And you dare to laugh!”

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

A villager squinted into the horizon. One hand was raised to his brows to cover his eyes from the sun’s rays, the other was propped up to his side. Something moved far in the sky. The man squinted harder. Then his eyes went round.

”There!” The man pointed. ”They are coming! They are finally here!”

The people stopped their work, favouring to turn their gazes up to the sky. There was excitement, worry and anticipation in the air. Some children ran to the front, giggling and jumping.

Then they landed.

Six dragons, all different species. One of them, obsidian in color and sleek in style, was carried by a Monstrous Nightmare. The reddish-orange dragon laid the other on the ground and then stepped on it themselves. The other lizards, except for Sharpshot, had landed with a thump. The Terrible Terror had flew further into the village, probably to get its trainer.

The residents looked at them from a safe distance, a lot of mixed feelings circulating amidst them.

”Toothless!” Their to-be-second-chief shouted, as he ran to the dragons, a small green one flying behind him.

The unknown black dragon perked up and raced to meet the boy. It lunged and knocked Hiccup down. For a moment they tensed up, but then the dragon started licking the teen, who in turn laughed at it. The other reptiles walked closer to the two and Hiccup managed to get up from the ground. He petted and scratched at them with a smile on his face. They had seen the youth giving small smiles, but now he was broadly grinning from happiness. All worries and anxieties gone.

A tiny girl approached the dragon plus one human group. A woman, presumably her mother, let out a startled shout seeing her child tottering towards the mighty beasts.

”Calm down,” someone told her and grasped her shoulder. She turned to see her chief beside her.

”Nothing will happen to her,” he promised.

She diverted her attention back to her daughter and watched.

Hiccup noticed the small kid very fast. He crouched down to her level and looked at her.

”Hey there,” he spoke softly. ”Do you want to meet them?”

She gave a tiny nod, hugging her selfmade doll. Hiccup carefully took her other free hand and brought her closer to him. Toothless was next to him and slowly approached to sniff at her small hand. She let out a faint gasp when the dragon’s snout pushed to her palm. She patted it in marvel.

”His name is Toothless,” Hiccup told her with mirth.

She questionably looked at him, about to ask why, when Toothless opened his mouth and retracted his teeth. A surprised gasp echoed from the onlookers.

”Woah! What are the other dragons’ names?” She asked with excitement in her voice and shine in her eyes.

Hiccup was about to introduce them, when other kids came hopping to them.

”We want to know too!”

”All right, all right, calm down,” he raised his hands in calming gestures. The children weren’t the only ones wanting to know. Some adults had also come closer, necks craning to watch.

As Hiccup told their names and showed where they liked scratches, more and more people dared to approach the dragons.

By the end of the day, everyone had seen the big lizards and come to know their names. Some of them absolutely loved them, some of them didn’t care that much. But all in all, they all knew things were going to change drastically.

And change they did.

There was a sudden boom of people wanting their own dragons. Problem was, there wasn’t any in the island and most likely wouldn’t be. The big lizards were used to evading the Berserker isle, so if they wanted to see and meet dragons, they had to venture away from the place. Luckily, there was the Dragon Island, the old nest, but it was pretty far away. The most hasty ones might just go searching from nearby isles.

Before anyone would go sailing with a tiny boat towards big dangerous reptiles, Hiccup needed to teach these people. How to get close, how to appear friendly, how to not get eaten. He would try to go with the folks, but he couldn’t be near everyone, specially when they might just split and go to different directions.

So Hiccup had turned their fighting ring into teaching ring. He was slightly surprised to find out they had one when they didn’t have dragons – as he was used to link fighting arenas with dragons – but he really shouldn’t have been. These people loved battles, so of course they were brawling with each other.

The place truly was perfect for teaching such a big mass. It resembled the arena back home at Berk a lot, with stands high and combat area low, but it lacked the chain net at its top. There was also enough space for him to stand with his dragons and still have room to spare.

Hiccup had been teaching for a few days already. He would pick random people from the stands and personally instruct them in handling dragons, while the rest watched and tried their best to take in as much as they could. He explained as clearly as he could whenever questions were asked, but he wasn’t all knowing and sometimes had to admit he didn’t have the answer. Afterall, he was mostly familiar with the six species that lingered around him. And even if his dragon friends gave a good base, there was still many more giant reptiles whose behaviour he knew nothing about. So, he made a point of emphasizing that not every trick might work, and that not every dragon would be comfortable for a human to creep close.

The crash course was finally nearing the end. Hiccup had tried his best to teach as fast as he could. Now it was up to his eager students to get their own dragons. He just hoped none got eaten.

It was time for his final words – the last bit of knowledge he could offer.

”You may get close to a dragon, get to know one, and try your best at achieving its trust, but the dragon is the one that chooses you. They are living, breathing, marvelous creatures with their own thoughts – just like us. So it’s the dragon’s ultimate decision to stay with you. The same way you would choose a trusted friend – or even a spouse,” he glanced at Dagur without realising and continued, ”the same way a dragon will determine if you are fit as its companion.” He petted Toothless who was giving him a gummy smile beside him.

”Any last questions?” Hiccup asked, gaze wandering the stands. No hand raised, no voice shouted. ”Then you are as ready as I could teach you. Get out there and don’t get eaten!”

The crowd erupted into cheers. For a moment Hiccup just stood there in astonishment at their sudden hurrays. As they began to leave, some called out their thanks to Hiccup, some clapped. It was a bit overwhelming, as he wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of such praise, but it didn’t feel too bad. He waved back to them with a small smile on his face. Well, he was still going to follow the biggest group, so it wasn’t like they could get rid of him just yet. Toothless trotted after the leaving mob, being affected by the excitement.

Hiccup spun around and was met with the red-haired Viking. Dagur stood with his arms crossed, his body leaning against the arena’s wall, having watched the entire lesson unfold. He was unsure if Dagur had actually been learning or simply staring at him.

”You’re a good teacher. Very energetic,” Dagur said with smirk.

Hiccup blushed. Yeah, he might have gone a bit overboard. But he had such enthusiastic students that their energy rubbed off on him.

Dagur walked to him and took his hands. He brought them up to his lips and planted a kiss on his knuckles.

”Has this dragon in front of me determined me as a fitting companion?” he asked, eyebrows raised in flirt.

Hiccup felt his whole body heating up. It had been a while since that happened. Damn, how was Dagur so natural at showing love? His eyelid twitched.

”W-well this dragon has at least decided to stay,” he stuttered, voice laced with irritation that tried to mask his shyness.

There was a short beat and Hiccup lowered his gaze to the floor.

”I need to go before anyone gets themselves killed,” he muttered and was about to pry his hands from Dagur’s grasp and hurriedly leave.

”No, you don’t,” the redhead said with a pleasant hum. He kept his hold on Hiccup’s hands, pulled them to his sides, and effectively brought the auburn-haired youth closer – near his chest. Finally, he let go of the hands, only to wrap his arms around the other instead. Then he lowered his head near Hiccup’s ear.

”There’s no way anyone has reached the ships. Even if they have, they wouldn’t have gone far. Besides, you can catch them quickly with your Night Fury,” Dagur whispered in a low voice, causing a shiver to run down Hiccup’s spine.

Shit. Hiccup wasn’t an idiot. He knew he had started developing some sort of feelings for Dagur, but there hadn’t been time to really process them – not with how hectic the past weeks had been. And now he had clearly excited the man, ending up trapped in a hug. Okay, not really trapped. If he asked or showed a truly uncomfortable expression, Dagur would let go. Just like that. And then he would probably start fretting around him, unsure of what to do, like he had wounded a fragile animal. Maybe that’s how he looked to the overzealous Viking. He wondered if he was a bunny or a deer.

But now wasn’t the time to ponder about imaginative woodland critters. Now was the time to focus on calming the situation and making sure it didn’t blow up. Hiccup glanced up at Dagur.

”Maybe, but I should still make sure which ships go where,” he said.

Dagur stared at him. They were going to be separated for a while – Hiccup flying alongside the most eager folk, and Dagur staying behind to look after the rest: the children, some seniors, and adults who wanted to take their time finding the perfect dragon. Dagur was really going to miss Hiccup. Who knew how long it would take? Weeks? A month? He didn’t want him to leave. The thought alone was already eating him up inside!

”Can I kiss you?” Dagur blurted, catching even himself off guard. But he didn’t take the words back.

Hiccup’s eyes widened at his question. He wasn’t sure how to answer, especially when he was looked at with such eager eyes practically screaming at him ’Say yes!’ ...Maybe a kiss would clarify some of his inner confusion? A kiss on the lips wasn’t that different from a kiss on the cheek, was it? It was still on the face – just a slightly different spot. It wasn’t going to flip his world or anything. It was just a kiss. Right?

”Yeah,” he breathed, barely more than a whisper.

In an instant, he felt his body go rigid. Dagur must have noticed it too, as he carefully brought his right hand to Hiccup’s chin, lifting his head so their faces aligned. Dagur slowly leaned in, inclining his head a little and then – their lips touched.

It was soft. Pleasant, even. Mostly careful. Gentle. That’s how Hiccup would describe it. Dagur moved his hand from Hiccup’s chin to the back of his head, deepening the kiss. Hiccup wasn’t sure when he had closed his eyes – nor when he had raised his arms to rest loosely around the other’s neck. Dagur licked his lips, surprising and causing him to open his mouth a bit. Clearly that was what the redhead wanted, as his tongue quickly probed around his mouth, searching for something. Their tongues touched. Ah-ha. That’s it. They intertwined each other, exchanging saliva, making a sloppy kiss. Hiccup had opened his eyes at one point, but as Dagur pulled him closer to his chest – one hand on his hip, tongue winding around Hiccup’s mouth – his eyelids fluttered closed again.

Hiccup felt like he didn’t have enough air in his lungs – he was lightheaded, dizzy. It was no wonder – he had forgotten to breathe through his nose. His breathing was out of his control, stretching the moment into what felt like an eternity. But even eternity seemed to have an end, and they finally broke their kiss.

What in Freyja’s name was that!? That wasn’t a normal kiss!! It was hot, messy and it felt incredible. Hiccup gasped for air against the man’s chest. He would probably be sprawled on the floor if Dagur didn’t have such a good grip on him. Shit. What the Hel?

”Did-did you practice or-or something? H-how in Helheim’s Gate could you otherwise m-manage to do something like that?” he asked, gasping for air between words, still reeling. His cheeks were flushed, and he wasn’t sure if they would ever return to normal.

”Don’t underestimate a Berserker’s instinct!” Dagur replied with a hint of pride.

”Don’t go wa-wasting your instinct on this kind of-of useless thing,” Hiccup snorted, his voice lazy, almost tired. What the fuck? Did he suck his lifeforce or something?

”Ah, but everything I do with you, every moment with you, is definitely not useless,” Dagur said, kissing the top of his head.

’What a clingy man,’ Hiccup thought, still wrapped in the embrance and being smothered by love. He was really starting to get used to it.

”I hope I can marry you,” the Viking whispered.

Hiccup almost startled at that. He lifted his head to gaze at the other. He found the real words Dagur had wanted to say – ’I can’t wait to marry you.’ They went unsaid, but the desire to speak them out loud was there. Even now, the redhead was keeping his promise, when it was clear he wanted to do nothing more than to claim the youth in his arms.

”Mmm,” it wasn’t quite an answer, but it was the best he could offer for now. Hiccup needed to think, and his upcoming trip to oversee the excited dragon trainer students would be perfect for that – away from responsibilities, away from Dagur, away from everything.

He hoped he would have a better answer by the time he returned.

Chapter Text

The sea was beautiful.

It glimmered in the sunlight, like thousands of shiny stars littered on its waves.

Hiccup touched the water, causing ripples and water droplets spray in the air as he flied on top of the black dragon.

It was peaceful. A time for himself. And Toothless. A rare moment to ride the winds.

The boats were slow and not far away from them, so he could fly freely — doing loops and dives — as they journeyed towards the Dragon Island.

It was perfect time to think.

”Toothless, what do you think of Dagur?” Hiccup asked his friend, hand petting the lizard’s head.

The dragon rumbled, complaining in its own voice.

”I dont get it. Why do you hate him so much? He’s attentive, listens and cares, sure he might be a bit rowdy sometimes and his first instict is to hit first and ask questions later, but is it that strange-” Wait, why was he defending Dagur? Of course he would defend his friends, but this wasn’t exactly the same. There was just something… different.

He didn’t dislike it when the other touched him, but maybe he was just used to it. Okay, it might be a bit weird how natural it felt when Dagur touched him, that he felt no alienation, like it should be like this. But then again, most of the time the touches he got from others were either picking him up by the scruff, hitting him, pushing him or nudging him forward. So maybe it was no wonder that he didn’t mind the redhead’s soft touches. He might even dare say he liked them. And he didn’t hate the kiss. Oh gods, the kiss. Hiccup felt his cheeks burning from just remembering it. Damn, he almost died from that one. Or at least that’s how he felt.

Yeah, he definitely didn’t hate that one. It was nice. Strange — but in a good way. He wouldn’t mind getting another one.

Oh.

Oh.

Well, isn’t that an answer already? He… liked Dagur? He wasn’t sure if he loved the man, because he wasn’t exactly sure what love was.

Love was something he had been scarcely given. He knew his father loved him, but the large man was so much absent from his life that he didn’t know how to act around him, and apparently neither did Stoick. Gobber on the other hand was, or had been, a constant. Always greeting him — or more like noticing him when nobody else did — ready to banter with him and laugh at his dry sarcasm, getting excited to see his inventions even if the one legged blacksmith didn’t always agree with them and lastly, but most importantly, just… being there . So, Gobber was the nice almost-like-a-father uncle to Hiccup. But this wasn’t now about Gobber or Stoick or the s light family love he knew about. No, this was about Dagur and the implications of romantic love.

Too bad he didn’t know what that was like.

Was it just caring about the other? That works on friends too. How about wanting to be by their side? He didn’t mind being by Dagur’s side. What else was there? Wanting to feel the other’s touch? Okay, that part he might feel towards Dagur, but was that enought to call it love? He didn’t know. But he did know he liked Dagur. It would be a good start. Either their relationship would start to develope from there, or it didn’t. At least he could give it a try. Because Dagur was already waiting for him.

”Toothless I… I think I like Dagur,” he confessed to his dragon.

The dragon snorted.

”Don’t be like that!” He adominished the black reptile. In turn, he got a long barrel roll as his answer. ”ImMMm suUUureEe yooUuu wiLl get alooOng at sooOmeE poOoinT,” Hiccup said as he hold onto the fast moving dragon.

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

It took several days until the boats hit the land. Being efficient Berserkers, the people jumped out of the ships and ran further inland with a war cry. One would really think they were there to slay dragons and not to form everlasting friendships.

Maybe that’s why Hiccup liked them. They were crazier than normal Vikings and more prone to violence, but if you gave them something even more crazy than them, you were basically adopted. They didn’t care if some people saw dragons as ”bloodthirsty monsters”. The idea of ”Yes, you could be the one to ride a flying firebreathing lizard!” was far more appealing to them.

And they liked Hiccup.

Not at first, of course not, but they warmed up to him pretty quickly after forming their own opinions on how he acted and helped them. They liked his ideas, listened to him and didn’t care if he wasn’t the most ”Viking” person to walk on Midgard. They accepted that he was just Hiccup. Hiccup, who gave them the idea of becoming dragon riders. (And the one who solved their daily domestic problems, because Dagur was shit at it.)

Hiccup was almost a strange creature to them, so maybe that was also why they were so curious about him and liked to buzz around him. Who knows? They were after all Berserkers. And no-one knows what goes around a Berserker’s head.

Hiccup shook his head as he watched them go and turned to his friend.

”Well bud, I guess it’s our time to work,” he told Toothless, who just looked at him, turned, and tried to trotter away. ”Hey! Where do you think you are going, mister?” Hiccup asked in reprimand as he went after him.

After getting up to help people, there was barely any time Hiccup or Toothless weren’t on the move. Hiccup did the ’calming down dragons’ and Toothless did the ’scaring away dragons’ when needed, which surprisingly wasn’t a lot, but still required. It was nice to know that most of his students had actually listened and not pretended to.

The group stayed on the island for a few days. Making friends wasn’t easy and done in a matter of seconds. Some took days. Hiccup would know. And as some found their new best friends, it was evident that some people would return without a big reptile. It was good that none took it badly and were mostly expecting that kind of turn of events. Instead they looked into the future, where they might meet a special dragon friend on a special occasion.

So, as most people got what they wanted from the Dragon Island, they started their return journey. As some people sailed the ships, the others flew with their new lizard friends. Hiccup kept his gaze on them, happily flying around the dragons and their riders, correcting postures and giving tips whenever they needed it. That's why he missed it.

A tiny boat further away from them.

A simple fishing boat.

And in that boat stood two men.

"Mulch! Look! Dragons with humans on them!" A man with a bucket on his head pointed at the strange party.

"What are you talking about now, Bucket?" A shorter man mumbled as he arrived beside the other and eyed where the other pointed. "Thor almighty," he whispered as he watched.

And Hiccup was none the wiser.

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

”Dagur!”

A redheaded Viking heard a very familiar voice and turned with sparkling eyes.

”Hiccup!”

Dagur ran to the teen and hugged him, swinging him in the air. He was practicly buzzling in excitement and joy. He was so happy to see Hiccup, it had after all been almost three weeks, but he was also excited to share the news.

”Hiccup!” He shouted again, as he put the boy down. ”You wont believe it!” He shook Hiccup from the shoulders, gently of course. ”They found a Skrill! A Skrill !!” He told and cackled.

”A Skrill?” Hiccup asked, eyes widened. Should… should he feel threatened?

”Yes! You heard right!” Dagur said and hugged the auburn-haired youth once again, now more tightly. ”The other smaller group that went more north found it encased in ice. They even digged it out and brought it with them!” He spoke, feeling giddy.

”That iss… nice? I suppose,” Hiccup answered, a bit unsure if saying something like that was acceptable. He also thought that yes, he should feel threatened.

”Come, come! Let us go see this,” Dagur stopped mid sentence to glance at the Night Fury who really wasn’t feeling impressed about the whole thing, and then continued, ” other legendary dragon!”

Dagur flinged his arm around Hiccup’s shoulder and started walking towards the arena with brisk steps, dragging the poor boy with him.

”Oh, it’s not at the docks?” Hiccup asked, confused.

”It is! But my men are working at moving the block of ice,” as Dagur ended his explaining, they saw a Monstrous Nightmare flying above them with the ice on its talons and a rider on its back. They watched as the dragon flew a bit clumsily towards the arena, but still had a steady grip on the block.

”You saw it, right?! I’m not hallucinating, right !?” Dagur asked. Hiccup would claim the man sounded almost deranged.

”Yeah, I suppose you’re not,” Hiccup answered, his voice a bit… resigned?

They then followed after the thing and soon were gazing at the encased Skrill.

”So, do you have any idea what you were going to do with this… thing?” Hiccup gestured to the ice sculpture.

”Oh! Well! I didn’t get that far!” Dagur said and leaned back as he laughed. He then turned serious and hunched to Hiccup’s height.

”Seriously, I was hoping you could help me,” he looked expectanly at the lanky built teenager.

Hiccup sighed and brought a hand up to massage his temples. ’Of course ’.

”I guess for now we can’t do anything else but to wait.” The youth shrugged his shoulders.

”Ugh, I hate wating,” Dagur whined. ”Can’t I just break the ice?” He turned to Hiccup as he asked, but was met with a glare. Dagur was confused of it for a second, but then his eyes brightened in understanding. ”I’m not using my fists!”

”No,” Hiccup gave a simply reply and spun to leave the area.

”Hey! Where are you going?” Dagur quickly followed after him.

”I haven’t eaten for a long time, and that is going to take for a while before it melts enough. So-”

”Great! We can fetch food and then come here to watch Skrilly while you tell me all about your journey.” Dagur grinned and moved a hand to Hiccup’s other shoulder.

Hiccup looked at him, feeling the other’s warm touch and sighed again. ”I-I guess,” he answered.

’I really hope he isn’t going to name it Skrilly.’

>>=<>=<>=<>=<♦>=<>=<>=<>=<<

”Grrr”

Hiccup heard a low growl that unmistakenly belonged to Toothless. He sprung up from whatever he was leaning against and flew his eyes open.

”What is it bud?” He asked and looked around him. Slowly he started to realise where he was and what he had been leaning against.

”Why did you wake him up? Stupid lizard,” Dagur grumbled, whispering the last part under his breath.

Crack!

Hiccup swiftly gazed at the block of ice that had smelted halfway.

”That,” he pointed at it, ”is why.” Yeah, he was completely going to ignore being snuggled in Dagur’s arms just a second ago.

”Ooooh! He, or is it a she? Nevermind. They look so magnificient!” Dagur looked at the dragon that could be seen much better now.

Hiccup saw as it cracked its eyes open and started growling.

”O-oh. Hey there, fella. We aren’t going to hurt you,” he tried placating the still dizzy reptile as he scooted closer to it.

The purplish dragon growled more and crackled as lighting blazed from it.

”Woah!” Hiccup dodged down. ”O-okay, let’s not do that,” he said nervously.

Toothless twitched on his place, giving an icy glare to the other dragon. He was ready to blast, but Hiccup raised his hand to a stop motion.

’It’s okay, bud.’ Toothless knew that was what Hiccup wanted to tell him. He could only huff at that.

”Oi! You try doing that again and I’ll make you into a rug!” Dagur shouted angrily and swung a metal chain. Who knows where he got it.

”Dagur!”

”What? They started it!”

”That’s not going to-” Hiccup’s words got cut short as he noticed the dragon looking at the swinging metal chain with interest.

Wait a minute.

Metal attracts lighting. Skrills like and use lighting.

”Dagur wait! I-I think it’s interested about your chain,” Hiccup stuttered, quickly trying to explain before the poor dragon would get hit by it.

Dagur looked at Hiccup and then at the Skrill. A grin slowly formed to his face.

”Hmmmm, you don’t say,” he smirked. ”You like this dangly thing, big boy? Girl? Ugh, whatever.” He slowed down his swinging and approached the reptile.

”What do you say we calm down a bit and be friends? Hmm?”

The dragon seemed to relax slightly, its gaze still transfixed on the metal chain. But when Dagur stepped closer, its eyes turned to glare at him. Still, the reptile didn’t growl or spark lighting this time.

”How about I help you out of that ice?” Dagur asked with a smirk.

The Skrill watched as the man lowered the chain to the ground and then hit the ice with his fists.

Crack!

The rest of the ice broke and crumbled away from the dragon’s feet. The Skrill shook its body, flinging tiny pieces of ice from it, and then evaluated the man before him.

”Friends?” Dagur offered his hand, body standing strong and upright.

The dragon looked. And finally… it touched the palm with its snout.

”Hahaha!” Dagur cackled. ”Look, Hiccup! Skrilly and I are friends!” He turned to the auburn-haired youth.

”That’s great! Except…” Hiccup smiled good naturely as he answered, but Dagur sensed a hint of… danger? ”You told me you won’t be using your fists, didn’t you?” Hiccup held his smile as he asked.

The redhead sucked in a breath.

”Um, did I say that?” He glanced at Hiccup. ”I did say that,” he quickly admitted.

”What is it with you and hurting your hands??” Hiccup flailed around his arms.

Toothless ’laughed’ in the background and gave a look to the Skrill. ’Welcome to the I’m-trying-to-keep-these-idiots-alive fest.’

The Skrill gave a glare. ’Don’t be ridiculous. I’m a great dragon, so this is going to be easy.’

Toothless snorted at the other. ’Yeah, right.’

While the two dragons had a mental conversation with their eyes, Dagur had managed to change the subject away from his hands.

”Hahah! Aren’t we a pair made for each other? You, riding a Night Fury, the unholy offspring of lighting and death itself, and me, with a Skrill! A dragon that is also affiliated with lighting!” The Viking giddily exclaimed, shaking the teenager by the arms.

Why was that such a good point?

”I suppose so.” Hiccup smiled.

Dagur’s breath hitched as he saw the warm smile on the boy’s lips. He swallowed hard and then hugged the other.

”Can- Can I-,” the Viking stammered, unsure of asking.

”Yes,” Hiccup answered, grasping Dagur’s neck and inching his face closer.

Dagur instantly responded back and kissed the inviting lips. It was short and sweet, nowhere near as passionate as the first, but as pleasant nonetheless. When they separated their lips, giving room to see one another, they ended up just gazing at each other’s faces. Somewhere in the background Toothless snorted and rolled his eyes.

”So, we good?” Dagur asked.

”I still haven’t forgotten the matter about your hands,” the lanky teenager said with deadpan look from his arms.

”I’m fine!

”Look Dagur, I just don’t want you to get hurt, or see you get hurt,” Hiccup explained, slight worry in his voice. ”I know it’s kind of ”expected” from the whole Viking thing, but...”

”Awww!” Dagur let out a squeal and grasped the shirt around his heart. ”I promise I try to get less hurt!”

”No, that’s not-! You-! Argh!” Hiccup tried to say something, but he wasn’t sure what. Giving up, he raised a hand to rub his temple and gave a chuckle. ”You’re hopeless.”