The Soul of a Dragon

Chapter 79

Hiccup

The sky feels different now. Lighter, somehow. Not in a good way - not yet, anyway. It's as if the very air has shifted, carrying a sense of quiet that's almost eerie. I walk through New Berk, catching glimpses of the villagers moving about, their expressions heavy, their voices softer than usual. It's not that they've given up, but there's an unspoken understanding that everything's changing.

My thoughts keep drifting back to Toothless. He's restless, more so than ever. Every time he looks at me, I can see the pull in his eyes - the call of the Hidden World. But neither of us dare to say the inevitable. He's stayed by my side for longer than I expected, which fills my heart with warmth, but I know that his time here is running out. The longer I try to hold on, the more it feels like I'm doing something wrong. Like I'm keeping him from what he's meant to do. Like I'm trying to hold onto a rope that is being pulled away from me.

I glance over at Vara, walking beside me, her eyes scanning the cliffs. Aria's up there, probably flying high above us with Toothless, her iridescent scales catching the last of the afternoon sun. Vara's quiet, too, but I can feel her thoughts racing alongside mine. We've both been avoiding this for days - weeks, really - but it's becoming harder and harder to ignore.

"You've been thinking about doing it, haven't you?" I ask, my voice low but clear.

Vara looks at me, her lips pressed into a thin line. She nods, though she doesn't say anything right away. She doesn't have to. I already know what she's thinking.

"I thought about doing it tonight...or tomorrow early in the morning when no one's around," I announce matter-of-fact, yet the words lay heavy in my throat. "I cannot look into his eyes any more without feeling guilty as fuck."

Vara sighs, her eyes following a group of children playing by the shoreline. "Yeah," she says softly. "I've been planning to do it tomorrow, too. In the evening, though. To one last day with her, just her and me, like old times."

"That sounds like a good idea," I admit, offering her what I hope is a reassuring smile. Maybe I'll spend tomorrow with Toothless, as well. Flying and playing in the air like we did in the past.

For a long moment, we just stand there, watching the kids chase each other across the sand. The sky above is tinged with pink and orange, the colors soft and warm. It's the kind of evening that should feel peaceful, but all I can think about is how difficult tomorrow will be; how much quieter it will be without Toothless, my best friend who has helped shape me into the man I am today. I don't know how I'll ever be able to thank him for that. But I guess I helped him, too. Well...I know that, technically, I was the one caused his missing tail fin, but still: we helped each other grow. Both of us were lonely in this world, misunderstood. We found each other. We share the same soul. We always will.

"It's going to be painful and difficult, but I think I know now how to say goodbye," I murmur, almost to myself.

Vara turns to me, her eyes filled with that understanding and prideful look she always gives me when I'm struggling but staying strong. "Me too. I am proud of you. And, uh, Hiccup?"

I turn fully towards her. "Yeah?"

Those lively eyes glisten in the evening sun as she looks up at me. I never tire of looking at her. The way her hair catches the light, how peaceful she looks, it causes something in my chest to tighten. It's like every time I look at her, I fall a little more. Then she parts those sweet lips and smiles, fucking hell that smile, and she whispers: "I love you."

I freeze. Simple three words. Yet the entire world stands still. I've faced dragons, hunters, and even Grimmel himself, but nothing could have ever prepared me for this. Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and suddenly I'm at a complete loss. My heart is pounding in my chest, so loud I'm sure she can hear it. I can't breathe. I can't even think.