Chapter Text
For Hiccup and Viggo to fight was not uncommon. Their relationship had been established by a deep hatred for one another. One that, over the course of many fiery battles and reluctant compromises, they’d grown past. With time and understanding, passionate hatred had blossomed into passionate love.
That didn’t negate newfound conflicts, but Hiccup never thought he would be betrayed in such a way. Perhaps he should’ve expected it, considering betrayals not only had their place in the war, but were forever a part of Viggo’s person. He naively assumed those days were behind them and duplicity would be unapplicable when it came to him. Apparently not.
Hiccup had woken up moments prior, giddy to see where the mysterious voyage was taking them. Viggo had planned the get-away for a few weeks, and surprised his lover by whisking him from their home. The ship had sailed for a number of days and nights that Hiccup neglected to count, content to exist coincidingly with the ocean’s presence and dance ridiculously to sea shanties. He unquestioningly believed their destination would be worth it. Viggo wasn’t one to leave a client unsatisfied and that extended to his loved ones, no matter how few there were.
That preconception vanished all too quickly. In front of him lay sea-stacks that should only be seen in his memories, memories he would be hurriedly trying to push away. The ocean surrounding him suddenly surged at the boat as strongly as the anger surged at his heart, and the clashing sound competed with the static in his head.
This was the ocean of the Barbaric Archipelago. Not just the outskirts of it either. No, this was Berk’s waters. The dreaded place he had decided, years ago, was better left forgotten.
Viggo had inside knowledge to that decision. The hunter had held and coaxed Hiccup through nights were the pain of his childhood bore down on him. He often praised Hiccup’s decision to leave, applauding his ingenuity and reminding him of the ways Berk’s treatment had been unwarranted. He’d sworn to protect him should Berk attempt to hurt him again. So why was he letting the wind carry their ship there?
‘Viggo?’ He breathed out as he approached the man leaning on the boat’s railing. The sun was beaming onto him in a way that Hiccup would’ve marvelled at, but when he turned around, the new angle casted shadows on his face.
‘Morning, my dear. Slept well I hope?’ He smiled and placed a kiss on Hiccup’s cheek, as if he wasn’t plotting the ruination of Hiccup’s finally perfect life.
‘Well, I did, and I probably would consider it a nice morning if not for…this.’ Hiccup gestured wildly to the expanse of sea and lonely rock around them. He was not at all regretful when Viggo was forced to dodge his waving hands. Well, possibly a little regretful that Viggo dodged at all.
Rather than answer like the mature man he proclaimed himself to be, the chief simply raised an eyebrow and resumed looking away innocently. The bastard.
‘Are you seriously not going to address this?’ Hiccup snapped and threw his hands out once again before crossing them over his chest.
‘Darling, calm yourself, it’ll be alright. There’s no need to overreact. Take in the sights instead.’ Viggo tried to amend with a grand brandishing of his hand. The ocean reacted by lifting sea spray into the air, just as dramatic as Viggo, but Hiccup wasn’t amused. Water had never been on his side.
The display and lack of explanation grated on the younger man even more than before. With such emotion, came pacing. He spluttered at his lover as his prosthetic clicked against the wooden deck and waited for words to become a possibility. Viggo’s eyes tracked the movement indifferently, but he kept his body facing the sun.
‘W-what – How did you expect me to react? Oh, Viggo! What a wonderful little trip to a place that hates me and probably threw a party the day I left. How romantic and sweet of you, my one and only love.’ Hiccup declared with sarcasm laid on a strongly as his deadpan tone. Though the deadpan-ness was overshadowed by the exasperation forcing its way into his voice.
Viggo sighed and faced him fully but when he spoke, his voice was a blend of patronisation and resignation, ‘Hiccup, I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to stress the entire ride here. Berk directly requested for Dragon hunting advice, and I assumed you would want to explain why we no longer hunt them, just as you’ve done for many other tribes.’
He kept his face blank and level, letting no true emotion shine through his eyes in a way that was far too familiar. Viggo directed this look towards others habitually, and Hiccup had seen the aloofness abundantly when their swords used to clash. There were moments after their relationship started too, where Viggo’s apathy would return. That look warned Hiccup to withdraw and wait for Viggo to be open to confrontation. There were instances where he complied, but more often than not, Hiccup’s Berkain-bred stubbornness was just as tenacious as Viggo’s coldness. Besides, in this instance he was to fired up to back down, even temporarily. Berk was to close.
‘Yeah, I mean- in any normal circumstance, sure! I’d love to do that but Viggo – Gods! This isn’t just any tribe! This is Berk!’ he exploded, eyes replacing the glare of the sun since the clouds now covered it.
He wanted to scream but he wouldn’t allow himself to do that. Normally he wouldn’t even lose his temper when so many judging eyes were present, certainly their crew was watching them. That was probably a factor for Viggo’s own apathy too. Despite that, Hiccup’s jaw clenched just like his fists.
Apparently, the pain on his face was enough to break Viggo’s resolve who closed his eyes and spoke slowly, ‘I apologise for keeping the truth from you, but I do think this could be a positive experience.’
When he opened his eyes, they were soft, and he walked forward to rub the tension from Hiccup’s arms. The shorter shook them off and turned away, encouraging Viggo to continue his persuasion attempt verbally rather than physically.
‘I promise if anyone hurts you, I will personally make them pay. Berk asked, and we have far more power over them, which I’m sure Stoick is aware of, and you will make the decision to create a long-term alliance or not. Regardless, it could be good for you to confront them. It may help you let go of your pain. And don’t you want peace between dragons and Vikings? Maybe they are capable of change, just as I was. This could be good for you.’
At the end of his little monologue, Viggo held a hand out to his partner who took it but looked out to sea. A scowl still adorned Hiccup’s face but as he leant into Viggo’s chest, he relented. As much as Viggo’s inability to ask permission annoyed him, he knew he never would’ve agreed to go to Berk, even to advance his goal of peace. Additionally, he knew he would never truly be able to overcome Berk without confronting it head on.
‘I hate that you know me so well.’ He grumbled, turning to glower and point at the taller man, ‘You owe me though. And I get to decide what happens.’
Viggo chuckled and kissed the hand of his non-pointing finger, ‘Of course sweetheart. If it’s truly too much, we leave on your command.’
With control back and more assured, Hiccup nodded and relaxed fully against his partner, contemplating what was to come and thinking back to the night he flew away. Regrettably, it wasn’t long until they reached the shores of that inimical place. Unwilling to face it, Hiccup turned away when the island came into clear view, instead letting Viggo alone wave in a peaceful greeting. Petty? Sure, he didn’t care.
Many Berkians stood around the dock in eager anticipation for the dragon hunters to arrive. Unfortunately for them, no dragon hunting advice would be given, and they would have to accept that. Stoick stood as large and imposing as Hiccup remembered him, even if he could only see him from the corner of his eye. His frame was still unmistakeable amongst the plethora of, almost, equally as impressive Vikings and Hiccup elected to ignore the shaking of his hands by clutching his tunic.
The crew steered the ships into the docks and upon arrival Stoick welcomed them, ‘Chief Viggo Grimborn of the Dragon Hunters?’ At Viggo’s nod, he continued, ‘Welcome to Berk.’
Viggo held himself as highly as a king would but kept the tone relatively causal, ‘Thank you for the welcome, Stoick. It’s a delight to see so many eager faces here.’
Hiccup disagreed.