Toothless nuzzled Hiccup affectionately, growling in ecstacy. 

"Woah there bud!" Hiccup laughed, stumbling under Toothless's weight. He wrapped his arms around the wide head and rubbed behind Toothless's ears, the way he liked. 

Next door, Hiccup could just make out Jolt's yellow stripes in the dark. They had fallen silent a few minutes ago, and Hiccup guessed they had fallen asleep. He too felt more at peace than he ever had on Outcast island. For now at least, they were together and safe. 

-------------------------

Rylan lay curled next to Jolt, one of the Pyron's warm wings draped over him. Jolt, full and warm, had fallen asleep almost as soon as Alvin left. 

Though fatigue was gnawing at him, Rylan lay awake with worry. How much longer could this last? Once Alvin knew their dragons wouldn't cooperate, how long would it take him to kill every one of them?

Jolt snored away happily, a trickle of drool sliding down his face. He had no idea what could happen to them. Jolt didn't know that Outcast warriors could appear any second and kill him just as easily as they had killed his mother. Just as easily as they had killed Rylan's mother. 

Despite the comforting heat of his dragon, Rylan shivered. Then he narrowed his eyes, forcing the feeling away.

Enough.

It was time. He had to move on. If he kept this inside forever, it would just keep building and hurting and getting worse. 

It was sad. It was heart wrenching. But it was time. 

He went inside himself and unlatched the throbbing, burning feeling of fear and self pity he'd been keeping locked in his heart for years. 

He let it go. 

When that terrible, almost shameful part of him had left, Rylan immediately let out the first free breath he'd taken in years.

It was pure, sweeping, cleansing relief. He didn't have to feel alone anymore. He had Jolt. He had Hiccup. He had friends on Berk who were surely preparing a rescue this very moment.

Snuggling up next to Jolt, he fell asleep, no longer haunted by his mother, but comforted by the feeling that she was watcing over him.