Hi everyone!

Ahhh… *takes a deep breath* so nice to be back! I've missed writing, but it was nice to have a little break. But here I am, returned for a third chapter!

So, I got a lot of requests for some father/son bonding. So, that's what I plan to do!

Thanks all, bye bye!

Toothless gently dropped onto the stone of the top step before the door. Stoick carefully stepped off, still holding Hiccup in his arms. Hiccup moaned softly, but otherwise stayed asleep.

"Shh…" Stoick whispered as he made his way to the door. He pushed it open with his boot before walking inside the building, Toothless following close behind. The dragon slapped the door closed behind him with his tailfin, jumping hurriedly after Stoick who was already making his way up the stairs.

As soon as they reached Hiccup's loft, Toothless pushed passed Stoick and hastily shot a purple blast at the small fireplace by the window. The few sticks that lay inside it burst into flames, giving off a warm glow immediately.

Stoick smiled, "Thank you, Toothless." he whispered. Hiccup shifted in his arms, and Stoick once again remembered that his injured son probably just wanted to lie on his bed and sleep the night away.

He gently laid Hiccup on the bed, then turned and walked to the dresser, digging through the drawers in search of clean cloths. He pulled out a green tunic- much like one that Hiccup would've worn a few years ago, before he'd left for the Edge. But it looked like it was big enough and would fit him well enough for sleeping in.

Stoick grabbed a few more things he thought he might need before turning back to the bed where Hiccup was softly snoring. Toothless was sitting beside the bed, his green eyes nearly overtaken by his black pupils while he kept watch over Hiccup. When Stoick reached forward to touch Hiccup, Toothless let out a little hiss of warning.

Stoick gave a little smile as he instead reached his hand out to pat Toothless's head. The dragon calmed immediately, giving a little coo of apology mixed with concern. Stoick let his hand fall off Toothless's head, instead letting it fall against Hiccup's shoulder.

"I'm just going to get some clean clothes on him okay?" Stoick reassured. Toothless nodded, then stepped back, as though giving Stoick permission.

Stoick unbuckled Hiccup's chest armor, carefully pulling it over Hiccup's head. He then unwrapped his wrist guards, setting all the armor aside on the floor. Stoick cringed at the sight of the dry blood crusted shirt, contemplating just ripping it off Hiccup and throwing it away. The stain would never come out anyways- not to mention it had a large tear in it.

Stoick pulled it over Hiccup's head carefully, wincing every time Hiccup moaned. Finally, Stoick held the dirty shirt in his arms, and he instantly tossed it in a corner, Toothless hissing at it as it flew across the room.

Even though the fire had begun to heat up the room a bit, Hiccup began to shiver- from chills or from blood loss Stoick wasn't sure. But he hurried none the less to grab the clean shirt and pull it over Hiccup.

When he was finished dressing Hiccup, he pulled several heavy blankets up over his son's chest and under his chin. Hiccup let out a soft moan before rolling- with a little help from Stoick- onto his good side. Toothless rested his head on the bed behind Hiccup's back, propping him up.

Stoick stood for a moment, just staring at Hiccup's sleeping face. He seemed to be resting peacefully, and didn't seem to be in too much pain. Not enough to keep him awake anyways.

Stoick placed one of his large hands on Hiccup's forehead, brushing locks of auburn hair off his forehead. Hiccup sighed and pressed his head into his Dad's hand, his posture relaxing even more at the gentle touch. Stoick smiled again, rubbing his thumb against hiccup's skin slowly. After several seconds, Stoick let his hand fall back by his side, pausing before he bent down and pressed a kiss to Hiccup's forehead.

Stoick turned away, carefully and quietly picking his way across the room to the door. Just as he was about to step down the stairs, a quiet voice halted him.

"D-dad?"

Stoick heard Toothless coo happily, so he turned around, smiling when he noticed Hiccup's half open eyes. "Go to sleep, son."

Hiccup blinked a couple of times, then stirred under the blankets. Stoick noticed- even though the blankets half hid it- Hiccup's arm go to wrap around his stomache.

Stoick returned to the bed, pulling a stool from the desk so he had a seat. He sat down, then lifted the blanket. Just as he thought- Hiccup's arm was wrapped firmly around his wound.

Stoick looked up at Hiccup, his eyes filled with worry. "Are you in pain?"

Hiccup shook his head, but Stoick noticed how he bit his lip. Stoick eyes his son doubtfully before dropping the blanket and standing once more. He walked over to Toothless, reaching into his saddle bags and grabbing the bottle Gothi had given him. He hastily read the parchment before nodding and returning to Hiccup's side.

Stoick uncorked the bottle and poured a little portion into a cup that sat on the bedside table. He sat it down, then leaned forward to help Hiccup sit up. Hiccup didn't say anything- besides moaning or groaning occasionally. Once Stoick had him propped up, he handed him the cup of medication.

Hiccup held it loosely in one hand, his other still wrapped around his wound. He looked into the cup, then back at Stoick. "What is this, Dad?" he asked quietly.

Stoick shook his head. "I don't really know. Gothi gave it to me for you…"

Hiccup hesitated once more before lifting the cup and downing the contents quickly, presumable because the sickly black liquid tasted terrible. Stoick cringed as he got a waft of the stuff that still emanated from the open bottle on the table. Stoick grabbed the cork, stuffing it back into the bottle.

Hiccup dropped the cup into his lap, letting his free hand to his head and hold it as though it hurt. He closed his eyes, taking deep and even breaths.

Stoick grabbed the cup, setting it aside before resting his hand on Hiccup's shoulder. "Hiccup? Are you alright?"

Hiccup sighed and nodded. "Y-yeah… stuff tastes horrible."

Stoick looked back at the bottle. "Sorry."

"Nuh… fine." Hiccup mumbled back. His hand moved from his forehead to touch his neck, his hand quickly withdrawing from the area. Stoick noticed, and leaned closer in the dim light to see what it was that bothered him. His eyes widened when he noticed the blotchy brusing against Hiccup's skin- how had he missed that?

Stoick moved his hand from hiccup's shoulder to touch Hiccup's neck gently. He got an immediate reaction almost immediately, for Hiccup groaned and closed his eyes tightly.

Stoick narrowed his eyes, wondering if somebody had tried to strangle his son. "Who did this to you, Hiccup?" he whispered darkly.

Hiccup let out a shuddering sigh, "Masked… man. I… tr-tried to escape- and he caught me with the chain…"

"On the neck!?" Stoick exploded. Hiccup winced at the loud noise, and Stoick quieted, not wanting to cause his son any more pain then he'd already endured. Stoick wrapped his arm around Hiccup's shoulder, bringing him close in a half hug. "I'm sorry, Hiccup." He whispered against his hair. "I'm sorry… why didn't you tell me? You should've told me."

"I know." Hiccup whispered.

Stoick sighed, then pushed Hiccup back, "Tell me next time, alright? If anything's wrong… tell me."

Hiccup nodded drowsily, his eyes flickering. Stoick helped Hiccup lay back down, once again pulling the covers up over his body. Toothless scooted closer his head once again going to rest by Hiccup's side. Hiccup lifted his hand and began to rub Toothless's head softly and slowly. Both dragon and boy's eyes closed, and before long Hiccup's breathing evened out.

Stoick patted Hiccup's shoulder, then turned around and headed for the door. He paused when he heard Hiccup say softly behind him. "I love you, Dad."

Stoick smiled to himself, a warm feeling filling his chest at the words. A few seconds passed before Stoick found his voice again, replying hoarsely. "Love you too, son."

And he meant it.

Sorry this was so much shorter than the other chapters, but you got that little bit of father/son bonding! :D

Thanks all, and I'll see you in the next story!

-FanWriter02