The three guards stepped towards Hiccup, almost on sync. He sprinted to the side, rolling under a spear and kicked the nearest guard.

An axe narrowly missed hum. Hiccup jumped back. Grabbing the spear from the fallen guard, he ran forwards. The guard with the axe startled but met his blows, blocking the spear.

Hiccup grunted and swept at the guard's legs. He missed. The last guard darted forwards, swinging his mace. Hiccup knocked it out if the way with his spear.

The two guards approached. Hiccup felt the wooden wall behind him.

Hiccup took a breath. He threw the spear sideways and both guards used their weapons to block it. Hiccup ran to the side, hands landing on the steps. He climbed up.

A hand landed on his shoulder and he was forced back. Hiccup groaned as he fell on the hard floor. The two guards sneered down at him, the third beginning to stir.

"You wouldn't get away that easily," one announced, picking Hiccup up like a twig.

There was a blur of movement. The guard holding Hiccup collapsed. Hiccup fell to the floor with a thud, willing his shaking arms to push him off the floor. Hiccup's breathing was fast and irregular.

"What are you waiting for? Get your dragon!" Snotlout snapped as he knocked out another guard.

Hiccup didn't have time to say anything. He rushed up the steps and onto the deck, Snotlout at his heels.

Toothless roared, straining against the chains. Hookfang attacked the guards on deck as Astrid fought against Dagur on a neighbouring ship.

Hiccup ran to Toothless, pulling at the chains. They didn't budge.

Think, think, think.

Hookfang fired next to him, hitting a guard.

Hiccup's eyes lit up. "Hookfang!"

The dragon's attention landed on him.

"Fire at the winches!" Hiccup hit one with his foot.

Hookfang twisted away from the arrows and blasted. The chains unravelled and Toothless sprang forwards, picking up Hiccup.

"Good to see you pal," Hiccup murmured, turning his focus back to the battle.

Hookfang had grabbed Snotlout and was avoiding the chains. Stormfly was trapped as Toothless was, Astrid struggling to hold back Dagur and free her.

Hiccup narrowed his eyes. He led Toothless around the ships, diving under nets and arrows. A chain whizzed overhead and they ducked.

"Fire!" Hiccup instructed. Toothless barrel-rolled, blasting at the winches tying Stormfly down.

Squawking, she took to the air. Stormfly grabbed Astrid.

"Everyone up!" Hiccup ordered. The dragon riders flew almost vertical, twisting out of the way of chains and arrows.

"This isn't over, Hiccup!" Dagur screeched, blindly throwing weapons upwards in the fog. "I'm going to take you to Alvin and get that reward! You hear me? This isn't the end, brother!"

Hiccup shivered. Between the fog and the darkness of dusk, he could barely see Toothless. He could still hear the clanking of chains and orders being shouted, but soon even the chaos of the Beserkers was too distant to make out.

But Dagur's promise still haunted him.

There was an awkward silence, only broken by Astrid mumbling something to Stormfly. Snotlout flew behind them, looking away.

Hiccup felt uneasy. Should he thank Snotlout? The concept alone just seemed weird, when the guy spent most of the time mocking him. Or trying to kill him, that one time. Hiccup shuddered.

How do you reconcile with someone that was sent to assassinate you?

Jaw clenching, Hiccup slowed down and flew alongside Snotlout. He still didn't make eye contact.

"Hey."

Snotlout forced a groan and looked at Hiccup. "What?"

Hiccup took a breath. "I just wanted to say thanks. For... for getting us out of there. You did really well with my guards, and got Astrid out without Dagur being altered."

Snotlout shifted, clearly uncomfortable. Hints of a blush coated his cheeks.

Hiccup resisted the urge to laugh. Snotlout the Brave, Snotlout the Bold, Snotlout the Easily Flustered By Basic Compliments.

"I mean it," Hiccup insisted. "You saved our skins."

"Doesn't matter," Snotlout dismissed, leading Hookfang to the side.

Hiccup followed. "It does."

"No, it doesn't."

Hiccup made to argue but Snotlout sighed.

"Fine, call it even."

Hiccup raised an eyebrow.

Snotlout looked pointedly ahead and not at him. "For attacking you. In the Dragon Games, I mean."

Hiccup didn't respond for a moment. "Why did you?"

"Huh? Oh." Snotlout petted Hookfang, fidgeting. "Alvin. Well, yeah."

Hiccup knew that much already. He nodded, urging him to continue.

"He's... persuasive. It's like he knows your every thought and feeds the bad ones." Snotlout's voice was quiet, vulnerable.

Hiccup didn't speak.

"He has this way of... manipulating you. Making it seem like you want the same thing, even if you don't, not really. And if you seem doubtful, he -" his voice cracked - "he threatens you."

"Snotlout," Hiccup breathed.

At the sound of his voice, Snotlout seemed to jerk alert, growing defensive. "Whatever. It doesn't matter anymore. We're even now." He flew ahead, almost reaching Astrid.

Hiccup followed. "For the record, I don't blame you." Snotlout stiffened, but Hiccup kept going. "I know what Alvin's like. And like you said, we're even."

Snotlout finally met his gaze. His eyes were almost hopeful. "Thanks."

Hiccup nodded.

Astrid turned to them, swivelling on Stormfly. "We still need to find an island and make a plan."

"Far from Dagur," Hiccup added, glancing uneasily down into the fog. From the clouds, he could see just how far it stretched over the sea.

Astrid nodded firmly. "Definitely."

Snotlout seemed to take a breath. "I think we should go back that way." He pointed into the distance.

Astrid raised an eyebrow. "There aren't any islands that way for miles."

"But we know there are suitable islands there," Snotlout argued, voice level. "It'll take, what, an hour or two, but it'll be a final destination."

Astrid hummed, contemplating.

"We shouldn't just wander and hope," Hiccup added, smiling at Snotlout, who resisted the urge to look away.

Astrid glanced at the two and sighed. "I'm not winning this, am I?"

Hiccup gave her a toothy grin. "Nope. Lead the way, Snotlout."

Snotlout hesitated, seeming unsure for a moment, before quickly regaining his bravado. "All right, Dagon Riders! Full speed to the chain of islands! Hyah!"

Hookfang sped forwards, overtaking Astrid and Hiccup.

"And no exploring mysterious areas," Astrid muttured.

Hiccup scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Heh, yeah."

The trio flew in a V shape into the night, following Hookfang. The flowing flames covered his body and stood out against the dark, starry landscape.

Hiccup smiled softly as Snotlout yelled at Hookfang for bringing the flames too close. It was clear in his voice that his words held no real anger.

Yeah, this is much better.

***

I hope you liked the focus on Snotlout and Hiccup's relationship! I found it quite important to address the whole trying to kill Hiccup thing.

Who's your favourite dragon rider? The twins are the most entertaining, but Hiccup is very relateable.

Which dragon rider do you think you are most like?