Chapter Text
Hiccup hated missions that started at dawn. The light hadn’t even broken over the cliffs yet, but already he felt the familiar knot of dread in his stomach. Not because the mission itself was dangerous, the dragons were more than enough of a challenge but because he knew what would happen if he slowed down, even for a second. It didn’t seem to matter how much time had passed, Hiccup could still taste the dirt after being pushed down for the third time by Snotlout for his simple presence.
Toothless shifted beneath him, muscles coiling as they guided over the jagged edge of the cliffs. Hiccup’s hand tightened around the saddle, ignoring the sharp pang in his ribs. It flared up every time he twisted or leaned wrong, and his prosthetic foot wasn’t any better. Throbbing, spikes of agony radiating up into his knee.
He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to ignore it. There wasn’t time to stop. There couldn’t be.
The mission went smoothly at first. Recon over the cliffs, spotting dragon movements, nothing weak points in enemy’s defences. But when the first blast of fire from a cliffside below, Hiccup swerved instinctively. Pain shot through his side, hot and sharp, but he stayed on. Toothless hissed, annoyed, and Hiccup forced himself to focus. He hadn’t fallen though. He hadn’t made a mistake. He had handled it. That’s what mattered.
When they landed back on the Edge, voices and laughter greeted them. Hiccup slid off Toothless, slower than usual attempting to keep the pain in his foot from flaring worse. He kept his face calm, forcing a smile as Astrid’s sharp gaze landed on him.
“Hey, Hiccup, you okay? she asked.
“Yeah...just tired,” he muttered, voice tight, hiding the way his side throbbed and his prosthetic screamed with pain. perfectly safe. A tiny lie. Not worth worrying anyone over.
Astrid seemed skeptical, but let him off nonetheless. Concurrently, Hiccup was making his way back to his hut.
Toothless nudged him gently towards Fishleg’s shed. Hiccup froze, narrowing his eyes. “I’m fine,” he said too quickly.
The dragon huffed, persistent, his gaze sharp. Hiccup sighed and shuffled inside his hut, leaning against the workbench as the door shut behind him. Relief washing over him for a second, then the pain hit fully, sharp and unyielding. He gritted his teeth. He could sleep it off. He had to.
Toothless settled beside him, eyes half-lidded but still watchful. Hiccup ignored Toothless this time, wishing the pain would just disappear.