Rainbows

(From Two to One)

It still hurt sometimes. Like a phantom pain that haunted his mind. Sometimes he forgot about it until he glanced downward and it all came back.

Hiccup sighed, curling further into himself, green eyes gazing, but not seeing. The sharp and bright colors of the sunset burned before him. Orange, purple and pink swirled together around the golden circle of the sun, dampened by it's closeness to the horizon, mixing everything together like perfect watercolor paints.

(Vaguely he wondered if that was how the Gods waited for Ragnarok: see who could create the most gorgeous—or depressing—sunset)

His feet—or foot—were sprawled out awkwardly to his sides. In one, he could feel tiny pins in the ankle, in the other… there was nothing. Beside him, Toothless was curled up. His black body firm and warm—scales shining like charcoaled wood burning. His great eyes were closed, ears pressed tightly against the salamander-like head.

Hiccup knew he wasn't sleeping.

He ignored that fact though, and let his friend keep a silent watch.

Without invitation, green eyes flickered down to the missing foot. He knew that the flesh that had been burnt and torn and splintered didn't hurt anymore. All that had been healed.

Well, as much as could be expected.

But he still couldn't help but feel that pain of those first few days—of his limps and cries and oh, Thor, make it stop I'll do anything—

It was dull now. A spirit. A ghost.

The pain was gone, like the sun just vanishing over the horizon. But like Sol, it would never be truly gone—not as long as he remembered it.

Not as long as he went from two to one.

How angry are all of you? Heh… Yeah. I'm sorry.

This oneshot is in dedication of MissHanyou and Rebel-Angel-Hero. To the first, it's an apology, to the second… It's a promise.

Life's been bad, guys. That car accident f-ed me up.

Hopefully I'm back, maybe not as good as new, but the best I might be at the moment.

This story is in memory of Oracle, who proved to everyone that even though you're handicapped, there's no way the world can keep you caged.

Happy Reading,

Grim