This is what I write when I take a break from Brave and Wheel. The story you have chosen to read is a random spur-of-the-moment one. I hope that you enjoy this short little story. It was originally going to be a one-shot, but I decided to split it up a bit...okay, a lot. I have an outline for this (just like Brave and Wheel). It will be ten chapters in length. I really hope that you all like this story because it kind of sort of begged me to write it all down.

P.S. If you accidentally clicked on this link and missed it in the description: THERE WILL BE HTTYD 2 SPOILERS IN THIS STORY! Not that I don't want you to read…just see the movie first and then come read. I'd love to have you, but I'd be sad if you hated on me for spoiling the movie to you.

Chapter 1: This Is Berk

Almost a year had passed since Berk was nearly destroyed. It had been almost a year ago that Hiccup had risen…well, been thrust to the high position of Chief of Berk. What a year it had been! With Hiccup overseeing the daily workings of the village and the rebuilding process, Berk had been restored to its former glory, free of ice and with all new buildings. Outside the Great Hall, a large statue of Stoick the Vast looked out over the village, protecting and watching over it just as the man had done in life.

In the newly-constructed village center, Hiccup stood with Astrid. The young Chief stood admiring the village. He smiled in reminisce; this Berk looked just like the Berk of his childhood. Deep in his heart, though, the pain still stung, even after a year. His father would never see Berk as it is now. Hiccup had always hoped that when the time came for him to be Chief, his father would be there to guide him and help him through the mistakes. Yet, the young Viking had found himself "learning on the job" once again.

Beside Hiccup, Astrid also looked on at the village. She was proud of the leader Hiccup had become, the leader she knew that he could be. "Alright, I admit it. You've done a great job restoring Berk, Chief. The village is just like how it was when we were kids."

Hiccup smiled, pleased by his girlfriend's compliment. "Are you ever going to stop accenting that word? It's just a title."

Punching her boyfriend, Astrid laughed before replying. "No, it's your title! You've earned it and everyone looks up to you. They all trust you and believe you'll be just as good a Chief as your…" Her light-hearted reply halted immediately. Astrid knew how tough a subject it was to talk with Hiccup about his father. Voice catching slightly in her throat, she finished the rest of her thought. "…as your father."

Immediately, Hiccup's gaze dropped as the pain in his heart grew immensely at the thought of his dad. The older Vikings in the village had told him months ago that the pain and sorrow were parts of the grieving process, but the young Chief had never imagined them to be so great; he had never experienced death in his family as he had been just a baby when his mother was taken and believed to be dead. "I don't know, Astrid," he spoke softly, his voice cracking slightly. "I don't think I'll ever be as good a Chief as my Dad."

With his gaze averted down, Hiccup did not notice Astrid move until she placed the index and middle fingers of her right hand below his chin. Gently, she lifted his chin up so that his hazel eyes met her aqua ones. "You'll be a wonderful Chief, Hiccup!" she comforted him. "You already have been. In just this short year, Berk has come such a long way…and so have you. Yes, you won't be a Chief like Stoick the Vast was, but that's not a bad thing. Times have changed, Hiccup, and Berk needs a creative and intuitive leader such as you to keep up with the changes. Don't belittle yourself, Hiccup. Sure it was hard at first, but you'll only continue to improve. Besides, you have all of Berk standing behind you and I'll always stand beside you if you ever need some assistance."

Astrid's comfort succeeded and Hiccup rewarded his girlfriend with a small smile. "Thank you, Astrid. It really means a lot to know that I'll always have your support. In fact, it means more than you'll ever know. Trust me."

For a moment, neither spoke. Instead, they turned their attention to the peaceful setting of the village center. The day was quickly ending and many Vikings were making their way to the Great Hall for dinner. Overhead, dragons flew but Hiccup did not bother trying to figure out where they were headed. With all the resources available to dragons on Berk, there was no possible way to guess their intentions. In the distance, Hiccup heard the soft singing of Terrible Terrors' nighttime song. On some of the warmer nights, Hiccup would leave his window open and allow their songs to lull him to sleep; he found that listening to their melodies would help ease his nightmares.

When Hiccup, out of the corner of his eye, noticed the setting sun, he was reminded of his nightly return. He hated to leave Astrid, but he knew that she would soon be heading home anyway. "Well, it's just about sunset. I need to go find Toothless for our nightly flight. You know how impatient he can get."

Astrid smiled. "Yes, Toothless definitely does not like to be kept waiting. It's okay, though. I need to get home and feed Stormfly her dinner. She can get just as impatient as Toothless."

The couple shared a quick kiss before they began to walk off in opposite directions. Hiccup had not walked too far away when he heard Astrid call back to him. Turning back, Hiccup waited to hear what Astrid wanted to tell him.

"No testing that flight suit of yours at this time of the day, you hear me? It's getting dark and there are too many risks. Save that for your morning flights, got it?"

Her voice was stern and commanding; Hiccup knew to never question her when she used that tone. "Anything for you, milady!" he replied.

"Good! See you tomorrow, Hiccup! I love you!"

She was gone before Hiccup could even answer back with his own reply of "I love you". That was common, though; he was used to her leaving in a hurry. Hiccup stood a moment longer, watching Astrid until she was out of sight. It was at this moment, as he remembered all the support and care that Astrid had shown him over these last five years, that Hiccup realized it. He wanted to always have Astrid there with him and he wanted to always be there for her. He never wanted to part from Astrid and he just knew that she felt the same. He wanted Astrid to be his one and only. Forever and for always. How will I tell her? I need a plan…something different.

As usual, the ending played out so much better in my head (and plans). I know this chapter was a bit slow, but I wanted to establish the timing within the movie's plotline and give a little background on how Berk and Hiccup/friends/villagers are faring since the end of the second movie. This story's plot will start to pick up in the next chapter.

Coming Up Next: Hiccup wants everything to be unique. That shouldn't be too hard for him. He's Hiccup, after all. Yet, the list of ideas in his sketchbook is black from all the plans he has scribbled out. This is all too frustrating. In frustration, Hiccup shares his thoughts with Valka, sparking a mother/son talk. Maybe all Hiccup really needs is a little "Help From Mom".

Next Chapter: Posting time is TBD; I write this story when I need to take a break from Brave and Wheel.

Thank you all for reading and supporting Europe's Skies (Something Different)! I hope you enjoyed this first chapter and continue reading.

Posted: June 29, 2014