Had he gotten... more deranged?

Dagur had changed since Stoick last saw him, he still had that bloodthirsty glare and manic laugh. But he looked almost... absent? Like the lights were on but no one was home. Hair more ragged, more scars and tattoos, taller and stronger but more unkempt. It was hard to believe this lunatic could run a village, although it seemed like that village had become more of an army. The Beserkers had always been one for battle, but they had a settlement with homemakers and kids, normal day to day jobs and people. It seemed like every one of them was just a solider now, Stoick wondered how they were even still alive with how poorly Dagur was running his tribe. You can't just battle every day, people need to be fed, the wounded tended to, the land secured for winter.

But of course, that wasn't important to a man who only cared about glory and bloodshed.

"And where's little old brother Hiccup hm?"

"Thor knows- off on one of his adventures again" Stoick sighed in his tired dad tone.

He wasn't actually mad at Hiccup or anything, just trying to sell the lie to Dagur, who followed along as they wandered through the village. Even if Stoick wanted the nut job off his island, he had to remain civil. The moment those ships docked it was like a tense cloud had been set over Berk.

"Just as reckless as always, I'm surprised he hasn't been snapped in half by some dragon he thought he could train. With his toothpick body, it'd be as simple as one SNAP! Haha" Dagur replied, seemingly buying the fact Hiccup would be off adventuring.

Stoick couldn't exactly deny the fact Hiccup was... scrawnier than most Vikings, but he still didn't appreciate the words toward his son, he held back from glaring daggers at- well, Dagur.

"Well, he's always been easily distracted that boy" Stoick said.

"Say, that dragon obsessed fishbone of yours hasn't come across any... particularly unique species recently has he?" Dagur reolied.

There it was, the hybrida topic. Internally, Stoick cursed in slight panic. But externally he stayed calm.

"Not that I'm aware of, and believe me with his yapping I'd be aware..."

"Really? Because one of my armadas ships was looted, and the particularly rare specimen was... set free" Dagur said, in an accusatory tone.

"Believe me Dagur if it was him, he'd have bought whatever dragon it was back here... despite Berk having barely any room for any more of the beasties" Stoick sighed.

He hoped that Dagur not finding any trace of you ever being on Berk, and the cover story that Hiccup was just off adventuring like he usually did was enough to convince the man to leave and look elsewhere. Because it wasn't like it was out of character for Hiccup the be gone, and he absolutely would have bought a rare dragon back if he found one. So none on the island? No evidence of one? Then surely they'd never even been on Berk right?

"Hmm, and would he be hiding something like that from you?" Dagur prompted.

Stoick sighed, stopping in his tracks to turn and face the more ragged Chief.

"Whoever looted your ship, they're not one of us. Yes, freeing a trapped dragon is absolutely something Hiccup would do, but do you see any particularly special dragon here? You and I both know Hiccup can't keep his mouth shut when it comes to dragons. He'd have shown everyone on the island if he'd found one. Now if this is all you came to do, accuse my son of looting your ship, then we can be done here. Any other business you need to discuss?" Stoick said, rather sternly.

Dagur was silent a moment, trying to decide if he believed that or not. But, it was indeed true that Hiccup would have absolutely bought a special dragon back, and he didn't see any evidence there was one on Berk.

"I suppose... fine, fine. I'll drop that particular subject. But other business, let's discuss treaties Hm?" Dagur replied.

Berk and the Beserkers hadn't really ever been on good terms since Dagur took over. But even in all those years, they'd not attacked each other, it was more trouble than it was worth. So this treaty was more of a 'I won't if you won't' kind of deal. And Stoick wanted to keep it that way, so discussing the treaty was something he could do. And something he wanted to do, to avoid any wars he could.

Although he was wondering what his son was up to right now...

Hiccup had gotten right to work as soon as the sun was up. The deal you'd made with the Romans to teach them about dragon training in return for the army escorting you to the city was being fulfilled today. The moment the army was done with their morning drills, the generals, Hiccup and Valka had been working together to teach the basics to the soldiers. They seemed to be having fun, the usually very stern soldiers having quite the laugh at the puppy like behaviours Hiccup had coaxed out of the local dragon species. And Hiccup was thrilled to be up close with species he'd not seen before.

By midday, you'd come back from your quick trip to get some food and found the army had the same idea to have a lunch break. Having a bit of fun making Toothless do some tricks for his lunch of fish, Hiccup was in the arena while the army sat around the edges taking their lunch and drink break.

"Care for lunch?" You said, walking over with an extra plate for him.

Lunch for the Roman's was usually breads, vegetables and a choice of fish or meat. Maybe add some cheese and sauces or soups depending on the harvest season.

"Why thank you mx local expert" Hiccup replied, taking the extra plate and coming to sit beside you while Toothless crunched on the bones of his fish.

"How does a few more days here before we head to my island sound? Now we've fulfilled our deal we can get moving" you asked.

"Sounds good, I'm exited to see where you come from"

To you, your home wasn't special. It was smaller than most islands in the area, mostly forest and beach, didn't have any particularly special species aside from the hybrida. But to Hiccup this was like a real life fairytale land, so you found his enthusiasm rather endearing.

"It's not as grand as Roma but hey, we have a few cool little spots" you replied.

"It has your kind, literal living legends. And it has you, the most special thing to come from it's land of all" Hiccup replied.

You snickered, playfully rolling your eyes. He was SUCH a suck up. He was already rather affectionate before becoming a couple, but that just doubled now he had the label of boyfriend.

"You're a sap" you chuckled.

"You're worth being a sap for" he replied.

"Yeah a suppose you're worth it to"

Placing a kiss on his cheek, he couldn't help but smile. He truly felt like the gods had blessed him, but letting you fly into his life in a time where he really didn't have any plans for the future of his life aside from explore and avoid the Chief talk with his dad. But with you, he felt like he had some direction. It was a nice feeling, having goals and being loved.