(HTTYD) To Protect Its Own

I Don't Belong Here

"Place your trust in me. It's crucial to my wellbeing."-image above

Hiccup POV

I raised an eyebrow. No one spoke and the atmosphere was awkward, to say the least. I glanced behind Toothless, who stared at me with a shrug. I turned back to the front, noticing that Gobber was waving at me with a cheery expression. At least, Gobber wasn't staring at me like the Holy Ghost as how dad was looking at me.

"Hiccup, it's so nice to see you! We thought you were dead, you know." My body was pulled in a bear hug by Gobber, crushing my ribs. Despite the pain, I laughed and hugged him back warmly.

"Gobber, it's so nice to see you're still lively as ever." Gobber ruffled my hair playfully and patted my shoulders with comfort. He gave me a toothy grin.

"Well, age can't ruin my spirit, boy!" I laughed, relieved that Gobber is going past the fact that Toothless was behind me. Not like how Stoick is, glaring at Toothless.

"You know, Toothless isn't gonna turn to stone even if you're glaring at him that hard. " I said with a raise of an eyebrow. Stoick jumped at my voice and coughed awkwardly. I turned around, stroking Toothless behind the ears and whistled him to go outside to wait for me. Toothless licked me one last time before walking outside. After that, I rubbed my hands together before turning back to dad.

"So Gobber, I need to borrow the forge if I can. Some leather too." Gobber nodded in understanding, making me relieved. The faster the tail gets done, less time I need to stay behind. 

"Son." I flinched, making an expressionless mask before turning to dad.

"Yes?" Stoick winced like I just pulled a blow at him. I felt a pang of guilt, but I didn't want him to think I would forgive so easily.

"So I'm gonna go and give your dragon-Toothless- um some company haha yeah bye!" Gobber took the silence as the cue to leave.  I subconsciously nodded as a response, not wanting to break eye contact with dad.

"Why did you leave Hiccup?" I scoffed, sitting down on a chair, balancing on its legs.

"I made a choice, Dad. You wouldn't listen. Toothless would be in danger. Plus-" I looked at dad with a sharp stare. "I don't have a place here."

"You do have a place here." I scowled, shaking my head and running my fingers through my hair.

"As what, the runt of the litter?" I said in a deadly silent voice. Dad glared at me with a stern look.

"As my son!" I smiled sadly at his response.

"I know you love me, dad. " I said tiredly. "But maybe being in a village wasn't my fate. I love the sky and sea more than land. Thor, I couldn't do the one thing Vikings do!" I said while chuckling downheartedly. When I met Toothless, I realized I was no dragon killer, no dragon-hater.

"I'm no killer, dad. I'm a rider, maybe have always been." I stood up, satisfied with what I have revealed. Now that I have told dad what I should have told him long ago, I felt like a heavy weight was lifted from my chest. It was relaxing. "But it's okay, I'm leaving. Once I fix Toothless's tail, I'm going back home."

"What?! You can't leave!" I froze, looking back at dad with a confused look.

"Why?" Dad opened his mouth, at first no sound coming out, but he coughed. He finally said something.

"You belong here! As Berk's heir. I won't allow you leaving." I sighed tiredly, frowning and brushing my fingers through my knots. I knew I couldn't leave that easily.

"Dad, there's nothing for me here. " I said in a matter-of-fact tone.

"You're wrong about not having a place here. You just didn't see it. Just give us time to convince you that you are wrong. A month Hiccup." I frowned, not believing that statement. I don't trust that statement. I was unsure of what to say.