Breaking the Rules:

Unfortunately for the dragons, it had started to rain that night. The dark thunderclouds that had served Toothless and Hiccup so well now giving payment for their services. The Nadders had reacted the worst, jumping on the rooftops so hard everyone inside fell from their beds, while Nightmares yanked any dragon that had found shelter out to take it themselves. Nobody had wanted to tear Stoic from his vigil, but it was clear something had to be done, and their leader eventually stepped out, hand shielding his eyes from the heavy drops. By the looks of things, it would turn to hail before the night was out.

His eyes reluctantly turned to the side, where he'd left Toothless. Admirably, the dragon hadn't moved from its spot, though now its wings were out, trying to shield its body, and now huddled against the wall. Choosing to ignore him for the moment, Stoic ran into the village, where the Vikings trying to calm the creatures down were failing. Astrid and the other teens seemed to be having better luck, Astrid especially.

"What are we going to do?" a villager cried. "They can't stand this weather."

"Maybe we can make some temporary shelters for them?" Astrid offered. "Maybe cover up the Training Grounds roof?"

"With what?" Someone else replied. "By the time we had enough wood for it to work the storm would be over, and any cloth would blow away in these winds."

"What about the Town Hall?" Snotlout offered, and everyone turned to him.

"What?" Stoic asked, and Snotlout gave a nervous grin.

"Well, the doors are wide enough for them to get in, and the roofs high enough. We could probably fit them all in there for tonight."
Astrid grinned. "Snotlout, you're a genius."

Snotlout blushed. "Well, you know, Hiccup needs some competition."

Astrid turned to Stoic, who seemed to be thinking about the idea. "Can we?"

Stoic sighed. "I don't see another alternative. Gather up as many as you can. Hopefully they'll follow the crowd."

Never let it be said dragons don't have keen survival instincts. The moment the Vikings started leading the more docile of the dragons into the building the rest flocked to the door, yet managed to keep it moving solidly. The chirping and buzzing that had been heard at the dragon's nest echoed through the hall, a solid blanket of sound.

"I think that's the last of them" Fishlegs puffed, chasing the last of the terrors inside. "If there are any more, they're on their own."

Stoic shook his head. He'd noticed a distinct lack of Night Fury in the procession. "There's one left, but I'll handle it. You lot get some rest."

He barely heard the grateful thank you's as he walked back to his home, drenched head to foot. Sure enough, Toothless was still in the garden, glued to the wall. Stoic stood, unrelenting at the dragon.

"Go to the town hall beast. You'll be more comfortable there."

Toothless just hissed, refusing to move. Stoic sighed, and made for the door, only to feel a stinging sensation as rain turned to hail. Toothless yelped in surprise, and drooped even lower, wings flinching every now and then as he tried to block the icy stones.

Stoic groaned, and flung the door open.

"All right! You win! Get inside. But JUST for Tonight! Gottit?"

Toothless didn't need to be told twice, and bolted for the door. By the time Stoic had the door closed and bolted, the dragon was back by Hiccup's side, shaking off the raindrops with his eyes flickering between the boy and the fire that was starting to die. Stoic quickly grabbed a few logs from under the staircase and chucked them on.

"Have to get a little more wood on that-yah!"

He jumped back as a ball of blue flame shot into the fire. It swelled with heat, to the point Stoic feared it would take over the house, before dying, settling into a comfortable and controllable flame.

He glared at the dragon, who merely flicked its ears in innocence before bounding over and jumping onto the rafter by the door. His tail slung across and the dragon fell, hanging like a bat in cave. His wings were folded, but Stoic could still see the bright green eyes staring at the bed.

It should have been impossible to sleep. Even with the knowledge that Toothless would never hurt Hiccup; a DRAGON in his HOUSE was still too new an idea to be comfortable with. Yet despite it all, Stoic felt himself drifting off into slumber.

The next day, Toothless didn't leave, and with a Village on the brink of change to run, Stoic had little choice but to leave his son's side, and stared at the dragon for a long moment.

"I'll leave him in your hands then."

The dragon cocked his head, and began to part his lips. Stoic immediately tensed, before realising the act wasn't threatening. It was as if the dragon was trying to...smile?

He shook his head. What a stupid notion. He closed the door, and then yelled through it before walking off.

"Don't forget, the minute he wakes up, you're back in the garden."

By Hiccups bedside, Toothless laughed. They'd see about that.

END