One Shot You're Still my Friend

One Shot
How to Train Your Dragon
You're Still My Friend



Fishlegs was worried about Hiccup.
It had been years since Fishlegs had actually worried about his former best friend.  Ever since he started hanging around Snotlout and the others, he and Hiccup had drifted apart.  But the first day of dragon training left Fishlegs uneasy.  Hiccup was put face to face with a Gronckle and nearly got blasted to death.  Hiccup had no right to be in dragon training and he knew it.
Fishlegs went to the usual spot where he and Hiccup used to watch dragons together when they were younger.  He knew Hiccup still went there every day.  He waited no more than five minutes before Hiccup came down the path.  Fishlegs stepped from behind a tree, but Hiccup didn't take notice of him.  Hiccup's eyes were scanning the ground and his brow was furrowed into his thinking face.  Fishlegs took a deep breath and called to his ex-best friend.
"Hiccup?"
"What?  Oh, Fishlegs, what are you doing here?"  Hiccup glanced around his shoulders.  "Shouldn't you be training with the others?"
"I told them I had to weed the garden for my mom."  Fishlegs twiddled his fingers behind his back and shuffled his foot.  Hiccup's eyes shifted from side to side, waiting for Fishlegs to say something else.  Anymore, he never sought Hiccup out unless he had something to tell him.  "Hiccup, why are you in dragon training?"  Hiccup raised his eyebrows.  "I don't mean to offend you," Fishlegs said quickly, "it's just that, you're not… dragon fighting material…"  Hiccup sighed.
"My dad decided it was time I learned to be like other Vikings."
"Oh."
"Yeah, and like usual, he didn't listen to me."
"But I thought you wanted to fight dragons."  Fishlegs was a little confused.  "I mean, that's why you always destroy half the village every time the dragons raid us."
"Thank you for summing that up."
"Sorry."
Hiccup sighed again and sat down on a stump.  Fishlegs sat down too and waited for Hiccup to talk.
"The thing is Fishlegs, I decided I don't want to fight to dragons.  Deep down, I never have had any desire to kill them.  I just tried to be like everyone else so I could fit in and be accepted and have my dad actually see me and not look at me… the way he does."
"You could just… not come to training."
"I think that will only make it worse.  No, for the time being, I'm just going to try and stay alive until my dad gets back.  After that," Hiccup paused and looked far into the distance.  His face did not show what he was thinking and Fishlegs was too afraid to ask.  He knew all about the troubles Hiccup had to deal with, being the son of a chief and then being the worst Viking on Berk on top of it.  "Fishlegs," Hiccup continued, "if you had a choice between killing a dragon and letting it go free, what would you do?"
What an odd thing to ask, but then again, it was Hiccup.
"I don't know," he said truthfully, "but I suppose I would have to kill it."
"Right."  Hiccup was silent again.  He stared at the ground, staying as still as a statue.  Then, suddenly he stood up and began to walk away from Fishlegs.  "I'm going to stay in dragon training and just see how things go.  Who knows what could happen, right?"
"Uh, I guess, but why are you suddenly so optimistic?"  Hiccup didn't turn around.
"I guess because things could get better."  Hiccup looked back at his former best friend, the boy who ran through the forest with him and hunted for trolls, the boy who shared his fascination with dragons, the boy who actually listened to him and didn't look at him as a failure.  Why had they stopped being friends?  "Fishlegs, you don't need to worry about me.  I'll be fine, I always am, right?"
"Yeah."
"And you should start insulting me, before Snotlout thinks you're not Viking enough to hang out with him anymore."
"Snotlout can suck a Gonckle's tail.  Besides, I hate being with those guys.  They never listen to me.  The only good thing about being in that group is being able to talk to Ruffnut."
"I still don't see what you like about her.  Why don't you just stop hanging out them if you hate it so much?"
"It makes my parents happy.  They think I'm on the right track with being a Viking.  You know how they feel about my fascination with dragons."
"Right."  When it came to their parents, Hiccup and Fishlegs had a mutual understanding.  "And you get to spend time with Ruffnut."
"Yeah… she has acquired qualities."  The boys grinned at each other, then slowly let the grins fade.  They said nothing for a long time, both remembering all the adventures they had had together as boys.  But the two had to grow up, and growing up left no room for friendship.
"Hiccup," said Fishlegs, stepping towards him, "you can count on me to watch your back in dragon training.  If nothing, I can be a shield for you.  You're a small enough person to protect."
"Ha, thanks, Fishlegs, but I mean it.  Don't worry about me.  I'll think of something to stay alive."  He paused.  "I'll… I'll see you around."  Hiccup did not meet Fishlegs' eyes as he turned and walked away.
Fishlegs gave no farewell.  He just stood there and watched as Hiccup ventured deeper and deeper into the woods, until the thicket completely covered him.  He heaved a great sigh of loss and started back to Berk, thinking:
You're still my friend, Hiccup.  Even if I don't show it, you'll always be my best friend.