A/N: Just a little warm up/practice chapter for me post HTTYD3. I haven't written in 3 years so I just needed to get something out there. Sorry I've been gone so long.

The smell of light morning rain pulled at Hiccup's senses, causing him to rouse from a deep sleep. He turned on his side, pulling the furs up over his head in protest. He wanted to go back to the darkness, it gave him a break from feeling. Gods, lately he feels everything. Even a gentle breeze blowing through the window reminded him of the feeling of soaring through the air with his best friend. Now, the wind mocked him, rubbing him raw from the inside out, re-opening the wounds he tries to hide every day.

The rain was bouncing off the wood shingles of his simple hut, the sound tapping against his eardrums as if the gods themselves were beckoning him awake. He found himself wondering if his dad was looking down on him from Valhalla now. The corner of his lip twitched involuntarily upward at the thought. Thinking of his dad in Valhalla he could only imagine that by now he was rubbing elbows with Odin himself, deep voice booming as they shared tales of heroism back on earth. He couldn't help but wonder what Stoick would think of his decision to abandon the isle of Berk.

The rest of the Berkians seemed to be enjoying New Berk. It was a much bigger island than Berk, and it had everything they could ever need. The villagers enjoyed rebuilding their lives here. Sometimes though, Hiccup worried he made the wrong decision. On one hand, he felt abandoning his childhood home, the island where his people had lived for generations, was all in vain since it only put off the inevitable. On the other though, with Toothless and the other dragons gone, it almost helped to have new surroundings. It felt like a fresh start. He suspected he wasn't the only one who felt this way.

His mind flashed to memories of the hidden world. He was naïve to think any human could live there with the dragons. No, that was their home. Hiccup had to remind himself every day that the dragons were where they belonged, and he was where he belonged, even though his heart ached every day.

Hiccup let out a heavy sigh before pushing the blankets off of him, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. He smoothed his hand over the rough wooden bedframe. He had long outgrown this bed, but even back on Berk he couldn't bring himself to move up to his father's massive bed. In many ways he still felt like a child pretending to be an adult.

A knock on the door officially ripped Hiccup away from his thoughts. "Hiccup! Are you ready for morning rounds?" Astrid casually let herself into Hiccup's house, yelling up the stairs to his loft bedroom.

"Yep, I'm up, I'm up" Hiccup yawned, stretching his legs and rubbing the sleep from his yes. He heard the light bouncing of Astrid's footsteps as she cheerfully made her way up the stairs.

"Morning sunshine." She smiled as she sat next to him, cuddling up to his side and wrapping her arms around his torso, giving him a squeeze. He leaned into her familiar touch and kissed the top of her head.

"Morning Milady." He returned, nuzzling the stubble of his chin into her neck playfully.

"Hiccup, stop! You know that tickles!" Astrid laughed, pushing him away.

"Oh no, you aren't getting away that easy!" Hiccup laughed as he pulled Astrid towards him. He pulled her on to the bed and wrestled her into the covers, planting kisses along her cheeks and neck and she continued to giggle. After a few playful moments they settled into each other, both seeking comfort in each other's arms. Hiccup squeezed a little tighter as Astrid began to pull away.

"No, Hiccup, we have to start morning rounds..." She halfheartedly protested, but ultimately let Hiccup pull her back into the bed.

He held her a moment, breathing in her scent and feeling her warmth against his body. It was in these moments that Hiccup would start to feel hopeful. Astrid was his future. She believed in him even when he didn't believe in himself. She made him feel confident. With her by his side, he felt he could do anything.

"Alright Astrid, Let's go." He gave her a squeeze as the two of them untangled themselves and headed out for the day. It would get better. Easier. Even if it takes a hundred years, Hiccup will keep moving forward. He has to, for the good of his people.