Chapter Text
Hiccup sighed in exasperation as the voices around him grew louder and louder. Quickly finishing his sketch, he dashed back to the group just in time to stop Snotlout from attempting a somersault into Fishlegs' carefully constructed rock garden model.
"Alright, gang, huddle up."
Before anyone could voice another complaint, he spread a large sheet of parchment across the ground.
"Taking some inspiration from Smidvarg, I've decided to combine everyone's ideas into one design for the outpost."
He pointed to different sections of the drawing.
"Each of us gets our own area. Astrid, you can have the most heavily armed bedroom you wanted."
Astrid nodded approvingly.
"Fishlegs, your section overlooks the ocean. Nice and peaceful, with plenty of room for your rock garden."
Fishlegs beamed.
"The twins, your boar pit goes underneath your hut. Just please remember to lock it when you're done."
The twins exchanged grins that did not inspire confidence.
"And Snotlout." Hiccup pointed to a corner of the map. "Your section is right here. There's no giant 'S' built into the design, but you're welcome to paint as many as you want."
"Finally, some good idea," Snotlout declared.
Ignoring him, Hiccup pointed toward the centre of the parchment.
"This will be the clubhouse."
His finger moved to a larger open space nearby.
"And this will be the dragon training arena."
Hiccup shifted awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck.
"I was also thinking..." He hesitated. "Maybe we could call the place Dragon's Edge."
For a moment, the group studied the sketch.
Then came nods.
As approval spread through the group, the tension in Hiccup's shoulders slowly eased.
Of course, the moment one problem was solved, another appeared.
"Guys..." Hiccup called, already recognizing the dangerous look of enthusiasm spreading through the group. "Let's finish building the huts before we go crazy with the details. We can worry about all that later. First, let's get a roof over our heads before we start digging boar pits and planting gardens."
"Oh, come on..." Ruffnut whined.
"You will get your boar pit," Hiccup said patiently.
Ruffnut brightened immediately.
"Just after we build all the huts."
Her face fell.
"You're no fun."
"That's Chief material right there," Tuffnut said solemnly. "Being boring."
Hiccup turned to him. "I'll be sure to tell the Chief you called him boring."
"Oh no." Tuffnut clutched his chest. "Dear Hiccup has completely misconstrued my words. How could you?"
He dropped dramatically to his knees and burst into fake sobs.
Ruffnut laughed.
"Oh yeah. Let Tuffnut face the Glare of Doom."
Tuffnut immediately pointed at his sister.
"Wait, why am I facing it? You agreed with me!"
"I’m not going to be a collateral damage."
"Traitor."
Astrid walked over carrying an armful of wooden poles.
"Knock it off. The sooner we finish building our huts, the sooner you can have your boar pit."
That got the twins moving.
In the distance, Snotlout's enthusiastic chanting echoed across the island.
"Snotlout! Oi! Oi! Oi!"
Hookfang dropped another boulder into place while Fishlegs and Meatlug worked diligently on their own section of the outpost.
Hiccup leaned toward Astrid.
"At least those two know how to prioritize."
Astrid snorted.
"After sleeping outside for four days? I'm pretty sure everyone's eager to sleep somewhere with four walls and a roof."
Together, they watched the twins finally get to work before turning back to their own tasks.
Hiccup picked up a beam and glanced at his dragon.
"C'mon, Toothless. This hut isn't going to build itself."
With the help of the dragons, it took only three days to complete the huts. They were still bare-bones, containing little more than bed frames and empty wardrobes. They were also still cooking over a campfire, which meant building the clubhouse was their next priority.
They would need to make a trip back to Berk soon to gather supplies. When they had first arrived, they had only brought the bare necessities and a single spare change of clothes. After days of hard labour and sleeping outdoors, those clothes had become worn, damp, and thoroughly unpleasant.
Hiccup lifted his arms and sniffed his sleeves.
Yep. Damp clothes that never quite dried.
"I desperately need some soap," he complained. "A quick dunk in the sea isn't doing it for me anymore."
"Speak for yourself, my one-legged friend," Tuffnut declared, striking a dramatic pose. "This is your only opportunity to embrace your pheromones."
"Exactly," Ruffnut agreed. "There's nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to your natural scent."
"What natural scent?" Astrid asked, wrinkling her nose as she sniffed her own tunic. "I smell like damp clothes and a yak pen."
"I'm sure it would still be a lovely smell of damp clothes and yak pen, sweetie." Snotlout accompanied the remark with a finger gun and what he probably thought was a charming smile.
Astrid crossed her arms.
"You're the one who needs soap the most, Snotlout. Hookfang is probably getting nauseous from your smell."
"What? No, she's completely fine."
To prove it, Snotlout lifted his arms near Hookfang's face.
The dragon immediately smacked him with her tail, sending him crashing into the sand.
Fishlegs sniffed his own clothes and grimaced.
"I agree with Hiccup and Astrid. We need a proper wash. We should probably go back to Berk and pick up some supplies. We'll need rugs for the beds, clothes, soap, cooking utensils..."
He trailed off as the list continued growing in his head.
Hiccup ran a hand through his tangled hair.
"Right. We're going back to Berk for supplies. Everyone can bring a few personal items, but pack light. We'll still need room to carry communal supplies."
He nodded toward Astrid and Fishlegs.
"Astrid, Fishlegs, I'd appreciate it if you could make a list of everything we need."
Then he turned to the others.
"Snotlout, you're on breakfast duty. Ruff and Tuff, take care of feeding the dragons."
The twins saluted enthusiastically.
"Toothless and I are going to set up a few traps around the huts. We don't want wild dragons or animals wrecking three days of hard work, do we?"
A chorus of agreement followed.
"Good. Once that's done, we'll make our way back to Berk."
Once Hiccup had set the last trap, he and Toothless made their way down the beach for breakfast.
"Roasted fish, everyone!" Snotlout announced with a flourish.
"Well, we also have some leftover berries," Fishlegs added with a shrug.
The rest of the gang took bites from their skewered fish with little enthusiasm. They had been eating the same fish for days. No herbs. No seasoning. No side dishes.
Even their dragons seemed tired of it.
"Hiccup. Astrid and I finished the supply list," Fishlegs said between bites. "We'll need construction materials like rope and nails. But we'll also need medical supplies, hygiene items, and cooking equipment. I don't know about you, but I'd kill for some salt right now."
"Salt," Tuffnut declared wisely, "is the grass of a garden. Nobody appreciates it, but it's the backbone of the garden."
The group stared at him.
"I have absolutely no idea what that means," Hiccup admitted.
"Neither do I," Ruffnut said. "But it sounded profound."
Ignoring them, Hiccup continued.
"And remember to pack light. A rug or blanket for your bed, enough clothes for a week, sturdy shoes, and a few personal items. If you're bringing books or keepsakes, everything needs to fit in a single sack."
"That's all?" Snotlout asked in outrage, clutching his hair. "My hair products alone won't fit in a single sack."
"This is only the first trip," Hiccup reassured him. "You can bring more later. Outfitting the outpost comes first."
Astrid finished the last bite of her fish and tossed the skewer into the fire.
"We're ready whenever you are. I never thought there'd be a day when I'd miss having a plate and a fork."
Across from her, Ruffnut finished eating and promptly wiped her greasy hands on Fishlegs' tunic.
"Ahhh!" Fishlegs yelped in horror. "Ruffnut! You can wash just your hands in the sea!"
"Ha!" Ruffnut grinned. "Where's the fun in that?"
With their bellies full and their dragons fed. They took to the sky and flew back to Berk.
As they landed on the familiar soil of Berk, everyone hastily dismounted and immediately scattered toward their respective homes.
"Guys!" Hiccup called after them. "Meet at the Training Ground this afternoon!"
He wasn't entirely sure anyone had heard him, but the chorus of distant confirmations that followed was reassuring enough.
With Toothless at his side, Hiccup made his way toward the house.
He had barely reached the door when it suddenly flew open.
"Hiccup!" Stoick exclaimed. "You're back."
"Dad, wait-"
Hiccup tried to sidestep the incoming hug.
Stoick wrapped him in a crushing embrace before abruptly freezing.
He quickly set Hiccup back on his feet.
"What is that smell?"
"That's exactly what I was trying to avoid," Hiccup said dryly. "Maybe let me wash first before attempting any more hugs. We forgot to pack soap."
Stoick took a cautious step backward.
Another sniff.
"I see."
"It has been a week, Dad."
"It smells like three months."
Hiccup rolled his eyes.
"Nice to see you too."
Stoick did his best not to wrinkle his nose.
"Go wash. Immediately."
Hiccup laughed.
"Yes, Chief."
Toothless snorted as he followed Hiccup inside.
Stoick watched them go before muttering to himself.
"By Thor, what are they doing out there?"
By the time Hiccup had bathed and changed into clean clothes, Stoick had already heated a meal downstairs.
"Ah, son! I figured you'd be tired after all that flying, so I warmed up some mutton soup." Stoick gestured toward the steaming pot on the table.
What he did not expect was for Hiccup to practically sprint to his seat and fill a bowl to the brim.
Normally, Hiccup ate like a little bird.
"Anything I should know about?" Stoick asked, suddenly concerned.
"For the past week, all we've eaten is plain roasted fish," Hiccup replied between mouthfuls.
That alone was strange enough. Hiccup rarely spoke with his mouth full, never mind shoveling food into it.
"Ah, I see," Stoick said, though he clearly did not. "Still, surely one week of fish isn't enough to make you forget your manners?"
Hiccup ignored him in favour of his meal. Only after draining the bowl did, he finally look up.
"No, Dad, you don't understand. Fish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For seven days."
He pointed emphatically with his spoon.
"It was hell."
Stoick raised an eyebrow.
"There was no salt. No cabbages. No onions. No herbs. And most importantly, no meat."
Hiccup leaned back in his chair dramatically.
"Not even a chicken."
"Sounds rough," Stoick said sympathetically.
"It was." Hiccup slapped a hand against the table. "We're taking potatoes back and growing them."
Stoick resisted the urge to laugh.
"Quite productive. I'm sure Fishlegs would be happy to handle that."
He paused.
"Assuming Snotlout and the twins don't dig them up."
Hiccup groaned.
"Oh, Thor. I hadn't even considered that possibility."
Unfortunately, that was not the only possibility he had failed to consider.
Namely, what happened when someone consumed roughly three times their normal portion in half the usual time.
About ten minutes later, Hiccup was slumped over the table, one arm wrapped around his stomach.
Stoick glanced up from his own bowl.
"Problem?"
Hiccup let out a miserable groan.
"I think I ate too much."
Stoick patted him on the back in consolation.
"So, aside from being stinky and eating fish every meal, any problems you've run into?"
Hiccup groaned again and slumped lower in his chair.
"I never realized living away from home would be this hard. Aside from sleeping on the cold, hard ground, I have to deal with Snotlout and the twins' shenanigans every day. I thought Astrid and Fishlegs would be more reasonable, but they can be just as bad."
Stoick chuckled.
"I find that hard to imagine."
"They are. They just hide it better." Hiccup rubbed a hand over his face. "The amount of time I've spent redesigning the training arena and clubhouse is ridiculous. Everyone has opinions about what they want."
"But?"
Hiccup sighed.
"But they're usually right. It's their area of expertise. Astrid knows more about training than I do. Fishlegs knows more about dragon care than I do. So, I can't exactly ignore them."
"Sounds about right."
Hiccup pointed accusingly at his father.
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"That thing where you pretend this is a lesson."
Stoick grinned.
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
Hiccup rolled his eyes.
"They're only six people, and none of us are really builders. Most of the intricate details end up falling to me because I'm the one with the most construction experience."
He gestured vaguely toward the ceiling.
"If Astrid wants a training arena, Fishlegs wants dragon accommodations, the twins want a boar pit, and Snotlout wants a giant monument to himself, I'm the one who has to figure out how to actually build it."
"Overly ambitious projects are a tale as old as time."
Hiccup groaned.
"You're enjoying this."
"A little."
"Glad someone's having fun."
Stoick laughed.
"Welcome to leadership, son. Everyone brings you a problem. Then they act surprised when solving all those problems takes time."
Hiccup slumped lower in his chair.
Stoick watched him for a moment, still smiling.
"Tell you what, son." He nudged Hiccup's arm. "Why don't you take Gobber with you for a week? Let him lend a hand."
Hiccup's voice emerged from somewhere near the tabletop.
"That could actually work."
He paused.
"But who's going to run the forge?"
"Oh, don't worry about that." Stoick waved a dismissive hand. "We don't need any new weapons right now. I can have Sven handle sharpening and basic repairs for a while."
Hiccup finally lifted his head.
"Are you really sure?" Hiccup narrowed his eyes. "I thought you'd use this as a chance to make me stay in the village. Learn chief stuff."
Stoick raised an eyebrow.
"I think you're already learning that on your own."
Hiccup blinked.
"I am?"
"Managing disagreements. Organizing supplies. Planning construction. Keeping a group of teenagers from setting the island on fire."
"That last one is mostly the twins."
"Still counts."
Hiccup snorted.
"Besides," Stoick continued, "if it results in fewer fires being set by you troublemakers, it'll bring the villagers a great deal of peace of mind."
"Fair enough."
"Very fair."
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Then Stoick reached for the pot and refilled Hiccup's bowl.
"Here. Have some more."
Hiccup stared at it in alarm.
"Dad, I've already had three bowls."
Stoick shrugged.
"Your last meal before you go back eating fish for a week.”
Hiccup groaned.
When it came time to depart, Hiccup walked across the village with one hand covering his face.
Toothless padded along on his left.
On his right, Stoick carried no fewer than six bulging sacks of supplies.
"Dad, I told you. I can only take the bare essentials," Hiccup said. "The dragons can only carry so much, and we're already taking Gobber as a passenger."
"It'll be fine," Stoick replied. "Just have the other riders carry some of it."
That was exactly what Hiccup was afraid he’d say.
Once they reached the training grounds, they stumbled upon a familiar scene.
Every single rider was suffering from the same problem.
Parents and relatives surrounded them on all sides, each attempting to force additional supplies onto their increasingly overwhelmed children.
"Mom, I said only the minimum supplies." Astrid tried to hand three sacks back to her parents. "I can always come back for the rest later."
"Nonsense," her mother said. "You're a lady. You need more supplies if you want to be comfortable."
"Your mother's right, lassie," her father agreed. "You'll need at least three different axes."
Astrid closed her eyes.
On the other side of the field, Fishlegs' parents were fussing over him.
"C'mon, Fishlegs, take at least five bars of soap. What if one gets washed away? Then you'll need a spare."
Fishlegs looked moments away from surrender.
Nearby, Spitelout shook his head in disappointment.
"Snotlout, you're not like these soft creatures. A real man in the wilderness hunts his own food, skins animals for clothes, and keeps their skulls as trophies."
Snotlout looked both horrified and intrigued.
"That's why you need these."
Spitelout dropped four heavy sacks into his son's arms.
"They've got rope, trap-making supplies, knives for butchering and skinning, and everything else you'll need."
Snotlout nearly collapsed under the weight.
Meanwhile, the twins stood calmly beside a mountain of potatoes and onions while chatting happily with their parents.
Hiccup stared.
Then he looked at the sacks.
Then at the parents.
Then at the dragons that would somehow be expected to carry all of this.
A helpless laugh escaped him.
"This is going to be a problem."
In the end, none of the parents budged.
The riders lost.
Faced with an ever-growing mountain of supplies, they were forced to improvise.
Several of Berk's fishing nets were tied together into one enormous cargo sling. The supplies were loaded inside and suspended beneath Stormfly, Meatlug, and Barf and Belch.
The solution worked.
Mostly.
Unfortunately, hauling that much weight came with consequences. The dragons' mobility would be reduced. Their speed would suffer as well.
A journey that normally took seven hours would now take closer to eleven.
Hiccup watched as Fishlegs secured another rope around the swaying bundle.
"This is going to be fun," he said flatly.
"No, it isn't," Astrid replied.
"No, it really isn't."
Normally, the riders could easily outfly most dangers they encountered.
Not this time.
The heavily loaded dragons would be slower, less manoeuvrable, and far more vulnerable.
Hiccup glanced at the sky.
Hopefully they wouldn't run into any aggressive dragons on the way. And if they did...
Well, hopefully Toothless and Hookfang would be enough of a deterrent.
Hopefully.
By the time they reached Dragon's Edge, it was close to midnight and most of them were already exhausted.
Thankfully, they had only encountered two close calls during the journey.
The first had been a stray Monstrous Nightmare roaming the skies. One glare from Hookfang and the dragon had quickly decided it had somewhere else to be.
The second had been a flock of Terrible Terrors attempting to snatch supplies from the cargo sling. They hadn't been dangerous, but they had been persistent, forcing the riders to spend half an hour chasing them away.
As soon as they landed, the cargo dragons collapsed onto the ground with relieved groans.
"I never want to carry potatoes again," Ruffnut muttered.
"Or onions," Tuffnut agreed.
Hiccup and Astrid quickly secured the sacks together using the fishing nets, making sure no curious dragons or opportunistic animals could make off with any loose supplies.
Normally, they would have begun unpacking immediately. But not tonight.
The riders barely even glanced at their huts.
The bed frames were still unfurnished, and none of them had the energy to dig through the sacks and lay out their rugs. Besides, sleeping on bare wooden planks was just asking to wake up with splinters.
The grass looked far more inviting. They had spent the last week sleeping on it anyway.
One by one, riders and dragons alike collapsed wherever they happened to be.
Anything that needs to be done can wait until tomorrow.