A/N: So…yeah, I've already done this story. I posted the first part – what will be the first eight chapters of this version – in my collection of HTTYD one-shots. But when I decided to continue the story, I figured it made more sense to publish them separately rather than add to what was always supposed to be a collection of separate and individual one-shots. So here it is.

This story is loosely based on/inspired by "The Real Hero" by SnowFlower Frost. I have their permission to use their story as inspiration. To read "The Real Hero," go to my Favorites list.

This story is rated T, but there will be some pretty dark material, including angst, foul language, and attempted suicide. Just a heads-up. Don't say I didn't warn you.

HTTYD belongs to Cressida Cowell and DreamWorks SKG.

And with all that out of the way, on with the show!

Chapter One

First Signs

"Hiccup!"

The sixteen-year-old boy grimaced and looked up from his prone position on the ground. He had fallen. Again. Stupid metal leg. Was he ever going to get used to it? It had been a full year since the battle with the Red Death. He ought to have been able to walk around the market without his leg giving out from underneath him. Yet here he was, on his stomach in the middle of the square with Vikings all rushing over to help him stand, his dragon Toothless staring down at him with unmistakable worry.

"I'm all right," he said automatically, taking an offered hand and pulling himself to his feet again. He wavered for a moment on his prosthetic but steadied after a couple of seconds. Cheeks flushed, he looked up at the Viking who had helped him up and said, "Thanks."

"No problem," he replied gruffly yet kindly. "You sure you're okay?"

"Yes," Hiccup Haddock replied, putting perhaps a little more force in the word than was strictly necessary. He laid a hand on Toothless' head, using the Night Fury for both physical and emotional support. "I'll be fine."

The man nodded and turned away, returning to his shopping and allowing Hiccup to do the same. He checked the list his father had written for him and mused, "Hmm…I think some bread is all we have left to get." He nodded and set off for the bread cart, Toothless tagging faithfully along beside him. The dragon crooned, and Hiccup looked down at him. "I'm all right, bud," he insisted. "Really."

The look in Toothless' big green eyes said quite plainly that the dragon wasn't convinced. Hiccup sighed and a small smile crossed his lips. "I know you worry, bud, and I appreciate it. But a little tumble in the market isn't going to ruin my day." He scratched the spot under Toothless' chin that he knew his friend absolutely loved. Toothless rumbled happily, and Hiccup chuckled.

"You okay there?"

Hiccup whirled around so fast that he almost collapsed again. Astrid Hofferson stood just behind him, a concerned smile on her face.

Oh gods, of all the people to see me fall, it had to be her, Hiccup thought with an inward groan.

"Hey there, Astrid," he said aloud, trying to sound nonchalant and not quite pulling it off. "What are you up to?"

Astrid raised her eyebrows. "Same as you. Shopping for my parents." She raised a bag clutched in her right hand with an unenthusiastic shrug. "You didn't answer my question."

Hiccup sighed. There was simply no escaping it. "I'm fine, Astrid. I just fell. Again. Nothing new there."

Astrid gave him a look that was full of understanding and compassion, and Hiccup felt his cheeks redden again. "It's okay, Hiccup," she said, taking a step toward him. He suddenly found it hard to breathe. "There's no shame in having a metal leg. It'll just take some time to get used to, that's all. No one thinks any less of you because of it."

Any retort he might have prepared was lost as he gazed at her. Smiling sweetly, Astrid leaned forward and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips, a kiss that effectively shut down his thought process. When she pulled back, she grinned at his wide-eyed expression. "Well, I'd better finish up here and get back home. See you later, Hiccup." She turned and began to walk away.

Hiccup finally unstuck his throat. "Astrid!"

Astrid paused and looked back at him. "Yes?"

Speaking without thought, he blurted, "Would you like to go on a date tonight? A night flight? Just the two of us and Toothless?" At the sound of his name, the black dragon gave his trademark gummy smile.

Astrid smiled. "I'd love to, Hiccup."

Hiccup grinned goofily. "Great. I'll pick you up at sunset?"

"Sunset," Astrid confirmed, and she continued on her way. Still grinning like a doofus, Hiccup headed over to the bread cart with perhaps a bit more of a spring in his step than before.

A few minutes later, their purchases complete, the pair stood at the base of the hill that led up to the house they shared with Stoick the Vast. Hiccup sighed. Even when he'd had both his legs, that climb had been tough. And now…

Toothless growled questioningly, and Hiccup replied, "No, bud. I can manage." He put the bundle of bread into a bag he'd attached to Toothless' saddle and resolutely began the long walk up the hill. Each step took a concentrated effort. It was a little easier than it once had been. For two months after his injury, he'd been forced to ride Toothless all the way up, unable to make the climb himself. He'd only recently been able to walk it on his own, without Toothless supporting him. But it still took several minutes to make it to the front door, and when he had he was red-faced and panting. Toothless made a sound of worry, but Hiccup waved him off. "No, I'm fine. I've got to learn how to do it by myself. It's the only way I'll heal."

The dragon didn't reply, but he didn't look convinced either.

Hiccup took a deep breath and wiped sweat from his forehead. "Figures. I can kill a dragon the size of a mountain and survive, but climbing up a hill does me in. Yeah. Sounds about right."

Toothless huffed, and Hiccup couldn't help but chuckle.

"Ah, son, you're back!" Stoick called jovially from his chair by the fire, looking up as the door swung open and Hiccup stumbled in. "You find everything all right?"

"Yeah," Hiccup replied, still a little out of breath. "It's all in the bag." He gestured vaguely at the pack on Toothless' saddle.

Stoick's smile slipped as he observed his son, and a worried frown creased his forehead. He sighed. "Did you take the whole hill by yourself again, Hiccup?"

Hiccup winced. Was it that obvious? "Yeah, I did," he mumbled.

Stoick shook his head. "You shouldn't overexert yourself, son."

"I know," Hiccup interjected quickly, hoping to avoid another lecture on letting himself become accustomed to having a fake leg. "I thought I could handle it." After a pause he added, "I am getting better, though."

Stoick seemed to consider arguing further but settled on another sigh and a nod. "Well, that's good," he conceded, and Hiccup let out a breath in relief, knowing he had been spared. "Just be careful, Hiccup."

"I will," Hiccup replied with a grin. "I'm always careful."

Stoick raised his eyebrows but didn't contradict him. As he pulled the pack off Toothless' saddle, he asked, "You planning to go to the Academy this afternoon?"

Hiccup nodded. "Yep. Just as soon as I've fully caught my breath, Toothless and I will head on over." He quickly added, "Don't worry, I'll ride Toothless there."

Stoick nodded in satisfaction. "All right. Have fun. And try to be home in time for supper."

Smiling, Hiccup nodded. "I will." He rested for a few more minutes before he departed, leading Toothless back outside. He settled himself in the saddle and latched his metal foot in the special stirrup. With a happy roar, the dragon spread his wings and took off, and Hiccup couldn't stop himself from whooping in joy. "This never gets old!" he cried, and Stoick chuckled as the form of boy and reptile rapidly shrank into the distance.

"That dragon has done wonders for him," he mused, stroking his beard thoughtfully. He was about to turn back into the house when a flurry of motion caught his eye, and he paused. There was a man climbing the hill his son had just struggled up, holding a scroll in his upraised hand.

"Stoick!" he called. "This message just arrived for you!"

"Thank you, Sven," Stoick acknowledged, taking the scroll with a nod before retreating into the house to read it. With the first line his smile vanished. With the second line a worried frown clouded his features. His expression turned darker with every word, and when he had finished all the light in his eyes was gone.

Not good. Not good at all…

…

"Well that went well," Hiccup remarked as they flew high above the village.

Toothless grumbled in reply, and Hiccup shrugged. "Okay, yeah, so having Tuffnut set Snotlout's pants on fire was a downside, but hey, it could have been worse. And it's not like that hasn't happened before."

The sun was just beginning to lower toward the sea. Seeing it, Hiccup's heart gave a bound. Soon he would be flying with Astrid. Nothing could possibly bother him when he was with her. Not his friends' antics in the training arena, not his metal leg, nothing.

He directed Toothless to land in front of their house, choosing this time to forgo the difficult climb. As he dismounted, the door opened and Stoick emerged. "Hey Dad," Hiccup said cheerfully. "I've got a date with Astrid tonight. I'll be on my way just as soon as I grab my—"

"Hiccup," Stoick interrupted, and the stern tone of his voice made Hiccup freeze in his tracks. "I need you to stay inside tonight. I'm going to a meeting in the Great Hall and I might be awhile. Go ahead and have your supper, then go to bed. All right?"

"I…what?" Hiccup blinked in confusion. His father usually made him sit in on meetings to prepare him for becoming a chief someday. So why the orders to stay inside? "Uh, shouldn't I come with you?"

"Not this time, son," Stoick replied shortly. Hiccup frowned. Why was his father acting so distant? What was wrong? "I just need you to stay in the house. I'll explain to Astrid that you can't meet her tonight."

"Wait, Astrid's gonna be at the meeting?" Hiccup asked.

Stoick nodded. "Aye. The whole village will be there."

"Except me," Hiccup clarified.

Stoick nodded again. "Right."

There was a pause.

"Well…all right…if you're sure…?" The lilt in Hiccup's voice made it sound like a question.

"I am," was Stoick's only reply. Then he turned and headed further up the hill in the direction of the Great Hall. Hiccup watched him go with a bewildered look on his face before turning to Toothless.

"Well that was weird," he said.

Toothless warbled in agreement.

…

"I don't think it's a good idea, Stoick," said Gobber uneasily. "It's, well…"

"Vicious," Astrid provided, looking Stoick in the eye. "Cruel. There has to be a better way to do this."

"I'm open to suggestions," Stoick replied, not seeming the least bit offended by the girl's boldness.

No one said anything for a while. Then Fishlegs timidly spoke up. "We could…uh…tell him…?"

"Absolutely not," Stoick dismissed him. "And I don't need to tell you why."

There was silence for several minutes.

"Do you really think it'll work, Stoick?" Gobber asked, sounding as if he had some serious doubts.

Stoick nodded. "I think it's the only thing that will."

"And what of the consequences?"

The chief didn't reply to that for a while. Then he muttered, "It's the only way to keep him safe. And I will do whatever it takes to protect him."