AN: This will be AU for after the first movie. So if you haven't seen the second yet, don't worry – no spoilers, although I will be taking some plot points from the TV series.

Also, this is my first time writing for this fandom, but not my first foray into dragons. This is gonna be so much fun.

ch 1

There is something off about Hiccup.

It goes beyond the usual – of course he's a stick among Vikings, of course he'd rather read or draw than fight. Of course he's always been different. This is more than strange, though.

It's in the way all dragons seem to listen to him, not just Toothless. It's there in the confidence he has around them, something he sorely lacks when he's with the villagers. He tames dragons that no one else can touch (although let's be honest – he's the only one willing to try except for Snotlout), and even though the dragons have their respective riders, he's the only one they always listen to, the only one who can get right up next to them when they're at their wildest.

He's just better than everyone at it, and for someone who has never been good at anything, it's strange.

The shouts probably echo all throughout Berk. The argument isn't a new one. Toothless hunches down by the door, eyes narrowed, watching as Stoick and Hiccup go at it. It doesn't take long for the boy's pleading words to be drowned out by his father's booming voice. That happens frequently during their arguments, the dragon has noticed. Stoick doesn't necessarily win by virtue of being right. He's just so loud he can't hear his own son.

As usual, Toothless is the topic of the argument. Only the dragon can push Hiccup beyond frustrated and into a fury.

Just as Stoick's hands clench into fists, Hiccup breaks. He turns and flees the house, the door slamming behind him only to be knocked open again by Toothless bounding after him. For a moment, the dragon just runs beside him (well, Toothless isn't really running; Hiccup isn't that fast), then he huffs in frustration and grabs the boy by the back of his shirt and really starts running. Hiccup just curls up into a ball and lets the dragon carry him into the woods, farther and faster than he could possibly get on his own.

It'll take longer for Stoick to find them this way.

Toothless just stands there, Hiccup dangling from his mouth, waiting for the boy to speak. The forest is silent, the kind that usually falls when a deadly predator is in the area. It's the kind of silence that makes good Vikings take notice, but Hiccup is not bothered by it. After all, the deadly predator is his best friend.

He goes limp. "You can put me down now." he says softly. Toothless does so, gently setting the boy on the ground. Hiccup lets himself fall into a sitting position, and Toothless curls around him, cooing softly. Hiccup leans against his shoulder, head down, fighting back the tears. The dragon nudges him with his snout.

He's right, you know.

Hiccup shakes his head viciously. "He's not."

He is. Toothless says softly. He has seen nothing to prove otherwise.

"I've tried, bud." the boy whispers. "I've tried, but not even Astrid believes me. How am I supposed to explain it to them if they can't hear what I can?" He closes his eyes. Toothless watches him for a moment, considering.

You could always show them.

"No."

See, that attitude isn't going to help anything.

"No." Hiccup glares at him. It probably loses something with tear-stained eyes, but at least Toothless doesn't laugh at the sight. "I'm not going to expose you like that."

Toothless snorts. Expose me?

"Haven't you noticed? Anytime Dad thinks there's something wrong with me, if it's related to dragons, he takes it out on you." The boy looks away. "I won't let that happen. Besides, it's not just Dad. You know exactly how competitive Snotlout is. We may be on good terms now, but – there's a reason I'm wary of him, okay? So no."

Toothless huffs a sigh. You don't have to be scared anymore.

"Old habits die hard."

Well, that habit should be dead and buried right now. Toothless points out. You have me. You have all of the dragons on Berk. We're not going to let you face anything alone. He nudges the boy again and stands up. Come on. You don't want Astrid seeing you like this.

Hiccup nods and wipes at his face. Toothless leans down and gently licks the tears away. Hiccup tolerates the extra attention. When his face is dry (sort of), they make the trek back to the village. This time, Toothless lets Hiccup set the pace. There is no real hurry, after all.

By the time they make it back to the house, the other dragon riders have gathered in the square. Stoick stands by the door, arms crossed over his chest, ready to continue the argument. The others watch, waiting to see what all the fuss was about.

Hiccup leans against Toothless's neck. He barely glances at the others, keeping his eyes entirely on his father.

"Either Toothless sleeps inside, or I sleep outside." he says flatly. "That's how it's gonna be."

Dragons haven't been on Berk for very long. Maybe six months. That's not a long time for Vikings. Hiccup is still getting used to his new leg, the adults still flinch and cry out when dragons go flying over the village, and Stoick, while showing Hiccup some understanding during and after the battle with the dragon queen, has slipped right back into his usual habits when it comes to dealing with Hiccup.

All of this means one thing – the dragons sleep outdoors. Even Stormfly, who shares a bond with Astrid that might compare to the one Toothless has with Hiccup, sleeps in the woods just outside of her human's house. Toothless is the only dragon who insists on sleeping indoors, near Hiccup.

And Stoick hates it. He let the dragon get away with it before, because Hiccup was hurt and maybe dying and the dragon would snap at anyone who got too close. Including Stoick. The chief glares at his son. "You wouldn't dare."

Hiccup lifts his chin. "Try me."

Beside him, Toothless shifts his stance, pulling the boy closer to him. Finally, Stoick just throws up his arms and walks away, growling under his breath about stubborn children. Hiccup grins. "That would be a yes."

Behind him, Stormfly sighs. That's an awful lot of fuss over sleeping arrangements. she observes.

Toothless huffs. It's the principle of the matter.

Astrid, oblivious to the conversation, approaches Hiccup. "That's what this is about? You getting your pet dragon permission to sleep inside?" She sounds like she's three seconds away from punching him and actually meaning it this time. When she uses this tone, Hiccup usually backs down quickly and makes up some sort of lie that might placate her.

But Hiccup is too angry to bother this time.

"He's not my pet." he says darkly. "He's my best friend, and he sleeps with me." He turns and beckons Toothless to follow him, flashing a smile at Stormfly as they pass. "Come on, bud. Let's go find some bedding for you. That floor cannot be comfortable."

Snotlout just grunts. "Eh, he's always been weird. Why should this be any different?"

Astrid nods, but she still can't shake the feeling that there's more to this than she can see.

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AN: Crappy set up chapter is done! (Finally) So drop me a line and let me know what you think.