Found again (HTTYD FF)

★25★

It took them several long days and nights. It seemed futile, they were unable to come up with anything that would work long term until Hiccup came up with one of the craziest ideas. He had seen many Vikings without limbs, replaced with mere metal or wooden imitations of what had originally been flesh and bone. So he had the idea to do something similar. Why not?

With Toothless's help, he designed and created a prosthesis, which he attached to his tail. Toothless wasn't the only one who helped him, of course. Several dragons helped him gather all the materials; the Garvans provided the metal that Hiccup used to make the prosthetic; the Razorwhips helped him work the metal - trimming the misshapen parts on their sharp scales; the Nadders provided their glowing fire so he could heat the iron properly and then work it.

He worked long hours on the prosthetic itself, Toothless never leaving his cave and helping whenever and with whatever was needed. Hiccup was grateful for his support. If it had happened to Toothless instead of him, he would have put just as much effort into getting him back in the air, not to mention all the trouble it entailed.

Finally, he painted the artificial fin black with what was left of the fire-resistant paint from the last time he had modified his clothes. He knew he'd probably make a few more, as he'd never been happy enough with the first version of his inventions - there was always something to modify - but he didn't want it to catch fire by mistake. After all, he was in a nest full of fire-spitting lizards, and he himself possessed a fire weapon that could easily destroy his artificial tail. He didn't want to risk it, so he made it non-flammable from the start.

Now he and Toothless were standing outside on one of the big icicles. Not their favorite, since the end of it didn't stick out over the ocean - they were on the other side of the nest, where the icicles largely jutted out over the deep, dark water. There, Hiccup couldn't fall to the unforgiving ground if the prosthetic fin didn't work as it should. Hiccup trusted Toothless with his life, but they both agreed that it was better this way. If something went wrong and Toothless wasn't fast enough to catch Hiccup, he'd rather end up in the icy water - which he feared - than on the hard ground.

Hiccup was nervous. Finally he had a chance to fly again - hopefully. Hopefully everything would work out, hopefully he would fly again. After so many weeks of being forced to keep his feet on the ground, he couldn't wait to taste again the thrill that flying brought. He couldn't wait to fly side by side with his brother and race the wind again.

"Nervous?"

"You don't know how."

Hiccup walked closer to the edge of the icicle. He'd been standing there a long time, maybe too long. It was time for him to jump down, but he hesitated again. What if the artificial fin couldn't withstand the pressure he was about to put on it and it ripped? What if it wasn't stable enough and it would end up the same as not having one at all? What if it appears to be functional, and once he transforms - whether for the test or later - into his full dragon form, it suddenly shatters because it's not strong enough to support his weight?

His fears came to an end the moment a warm dragon snout nudged him forward and caused him to fall. "Toothless!" he shouted angrily at the Night Fury. With lightning speed, he spread his wings. Instinctively, he expected to fall.

He never did.

With his heart beating fast, he soared through the air with the same ease as ever. It was as if his tail was still fine. He couldn't hold back a happy laugh. For the first time in weeks, he felt happy. He hadn't realized how much he depended on flying until he lost the ability. Now he was finally back in the air. But he hadn't forgotten Toothless.

"Why did you do that!?" he called up to him, only he wasn't there anymore. He looked around in confusion. He found him a short distance away, smiling happily at him.