𝙃𝙞𝙘𝙘𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙙 𝙊𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩𝙨💞

Shadow pt. 3

Heyy everyone!!
If you missed the update, I've rewritten the second half of Shadow pt. 2! If you read it before Feb 26th 2026 then you have read a different ending. For this part to make sense you'll need to go reread it :)

It also feels appropriate that I remind you that Gobber LOVED Stoick - whether that was ever romantic or platonic is besides the point. They were soulmates. He didn't love Hiccup in the same way.

With that out of the way, let's get back into it!!
Word count: 2.6k
Enjoy <3
——

"Dad," Hiccup sighed, approaching his father.

Stoicks eyes darted open. He stared at his son, trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Was death playing a cruel trick? "Am I dead?"

"No Dad, you're not dead." Hiccup chuckled.

"But you're dead?" He placed a large hand on the top of his head, as if he was trying to prove to himself Hiccup was real. "Hiccup?" He squinted. "Son?" Tears welled.

"It's me Dad." Hiccup forced back tears.

"Why didn't you come back?" His voice almost broke on each word.

'I couldn't. I wouldn't. I shouldn't.' All excuses. "I'm back now." He covered. "I needed to see you. To tell you I'm okay." He admitted, racked with guilt. "I'm so sorry, Dad. You did your best." He swallowed his tears. "There's a whole world out there, Dad." A weak smile spread across his Dads face. "And I've seen so much of it! There are whole villages that live peacefully among dragons, Dad!" He tried to tell a story but it came across as a debate.

"That's not possible, son." His father coughed.

"It is, Dad. I promise!" He plead.

"No-" he coughed. "No you can't!" He broke out into a coughing fit.

"Dad!" Hiccup panicked. "Dad! Breathe! Just- just calm down! You'll be okay! You just- just relax!" Tears blurred Hiccups vision as the coughing ceased. "Dad?" He placed a hand on the large man's chest, it didn't rise nor fall. His head dropped onto his fathers still chest. "It's okay, Dad. You can go, Dad." His heart stung, every breath felt like he was inhaling fire. Hiccup flinched as the bedroom door opened, fleeing to a dark corner, hiding behind a pile of Stoicks stuff.

"Stoick?" Gobber burst into the room, eyes glancing around the room. "Stoick, is someone here?" He finally laid eyes on the fallen Viking. "Stoick! No!" He realized.

Hiccup tried to block out Gobbers grief. Eventually he moved on to muttering. "What happened? He was fine!" He froze. "Who was calling you Dad?" He spoke knowing Stoick wouldn't reply. Hiccup clasped a hand over his mouth to silence his cries. "Is there someone here? I know you're here!" Gobber glanced around the room again. "I know you're here. I know what you've done. I'm going to leave now, and you better be gone when I come back." Gobber yelled around the room before leaving. After the door closed Hiccup ran back to his father.

"I'm so sorry, Dad." He hugged his father for a final time before scurrying out of the window and off of Berk. For good this time...

——

"Nothing happened with me and Gobber." He swallowed. "I have no idea what you're talking about, Astrid." His hands fell from her hips. "I think we should go to bed now." A pathetic smile spread on his face.

Astrid stood in place, shocked. Throughout all of this he had never avoided a topic. Why was he so defensive? "Hiccup!" She called out following him into her room. "Hiccup, what's wrong?" She placed a hand on his shoulder and turned him around.

"It doesn't matter." He ran a hand through his hair.

"It clearly does." She scoffed. She watched him bite his lip. She watched as his breaths became deeper, trying to stay in control. Both of his hands now in his auburn hair. He looked like he wanted to speak but words failed him.