Chapter Text
...
Hiccup knew as a Viking, his death would never be an easy one. It was a fact that every Viking had to accept. That they weren't meant to die in their sleep or easily. Even after releasing the dragons to hide where no one could ever use them again. Something broke in Hiccup at the loss of his best friend and brother. He felt empty, hollow. Almost a shell of a person, going through the motions, but not really living. Numb to the world.
There were times that he wished that one of his many enemies had killed him. At least so that he could have died in battle alongside Toothless. Not live a half life as Chief of Berk. Astrid and the others tried to get him to open up about it. But no amount of talking could heal the hole inside of him. He could see the pity in other Vikings eyes. Astrid took over as Chieftress when it became obvious he wasn't going to be able to lead. They married and had children, but none of that could fill the hole that his Nightfury had left in his chest.
His death came a year after his oldest son took the title Chief and another tribe attacked them. No one was afraid of Berk anymore since the dragons were gone. They had no reason to fear the once great tribe. Especially with a broken Chief that couldn't do his duties. Hiccup despite his age and disinterest in fighting, still fought to defend his family. He would not watch them die. Not like everyone else he cared about.
A spear to the chest catching him in an unprotected part of his armor was his end. As the light faded from his vision, all Hiccup could think of was how he hoped he would be reunited with his best friend. How he prayed that the gods would give him this. And then everything went black. It was almost a relief, to not have to feel anything anymore. To just let the darkness consume him.
...
"Hiccup!" yelled a familiar voice startling him, "Get up you lazy sack of bones! You have a lesson in an hour!"
Green eyes snapped open and he sat bolt upright in bed. A hand going to his chest and feeling the unmarred flesh. What the hell was that? Hadn't he just died?
Waking should not have been possible. Waking to Gobber yelling at him to get up that he had Dragon Training today was even more so. Gobber had been dead for twenty years. For a moment he was confused and thought that this was the Afterlife. That the Gods had a sick sense of humor for him to be dreaming this.
There was a flash of pain in his temples. He flinched and doubled over holding his head. Images flashed through his mind. His memories jumbled together. One thing was clear, though. This wasn't a dream. Dreams didn't cause physical pain but how was this possible? Was this his second chance?
He closed his eyes and focused on separating his memories. Separate his memories first deal with whatever was outside after. Once the images were divided into two sets and the pain was dealt with. Then, and only then, did he take a good look at himself. He had both of his legs. His hands were smaller and not as calloused. He was a child again, well teenager. Gobber said that he had training in an hour. Which meant dragon training. Killing...
No, no, no, no, no, NO, no!
Hiccup lunged up from the bed and opened his window just before he vomited. There was no way that he could kill a dragon. There was no way anyone on the island would listen to him either. If he was right about the time frame, then he was seen as the local screwup. Someone to barely be tolerated because he was the son of the Chief. No one would even begin to consider listening to him. Let alone the idea that dragons and humans could coexist.
"Hiccup?" asked Gobber looking up at him from the ground. "You okay lad?"
"Nerves," he lied.
"You'll do fine," the man assured him, "Now come on."
Yeah he could do the training until he found a way to get off of Berk. If Toothless was still in the Cove, he'd need to rebuild the artificial tailfin. That would take time.
...
Hiccup let dragon training go as it did in his previous life. Changing things too early could get him and Toothless both killed. He refused to waste this second chance. He'd already lost his best friend once. Never again. It didn't matter if the others hated him. If he had to spend the rest of his life in exile. So long as Toothless was safe, nothing else mattered.
He moved through the forest like it was second nature heading to the cove. Pushing aside the branches, his heart in his throat, terrified of what he would find. Or not find, rather. What would he do if Toothless was no longer there? The fears were unfounded. There was the sound of growling and Hiccup grinned, tears in his eyes. Rushing forward he slid down the bank towards Toothless who looked up at the noise. Toothless's eyes widened with surprise and lunged for Hiccup. Not out of fear but out of excitement.
"Toothless!" cried Hiccup happily embracing his brother, "Oh, I've missed you, bud!"
Toothless nuzzled him purring in dragonese, 'Brother.'
He remembered. Hiccup wasn't alone in this. Toothless remembered that they'd been as close as brother! Tears fell from his eyes and he hugged the dragon tightly. Relief flooding him. He'd gotten him back. No matter what else happened he'd gotten his best friend back. And this time, he'd make sure that the older dragon stayed with him.
'Alone?' asked Toothless worried.
'Alone,' he confirmed, 'It's okay, we'll build another tail fin and fly away from here. Make sure that no one can hurt us again. Are... are you going to look for your mate?'
The look he received could have melted steel. Apparently, that had been a stupid question. Something happened between the Nightfury and Lightfury. Whatever it was Toothless had no intentions on talking about it. Hiccup could get behind that as long as Toothless respected that he didn't and wouldn't talk about Astrid. Their relationship wasn't worth mentioning.
'We can't leave right away,' said Hiccup, 'We'll have to prepare. Do you remember how to get to the Edge?'
Toothless snorted before smacking him upside the head with his tail. Of course, the dragon remembered. They'd made a home there and the twins had blown it to hell. Well, some of it anyways. That'd make things easier at least. First a tailfin. Then they'd go home.