Once More To See You [Hiccup x Reader]

Endless.

Vibrant blue stretched out in every direction you could see, blending almost seamlessly into the cloudless sky above, whilst sunlight glittered across the gentle waves ebbing and cresting against the steady roll of the ship. You leaned your weight further onto your arms resting atop the side, gaze trailing languidly along the horizon as the incoherent chatter of crewmates and travelers behind you mingled with the chilling sea breeze. You had nearly lulled yourself into a hypnotic daze watching the water for what felt like minutes, or maybe hours, until a warm hand touched your shoulder and startled you out of it.

"So, have we thrown up yet?"

You turned towards your right side and looked up at your father, who was squinting theatrically out into the distance beside you. Fighting to keep your expression as equally indifferent, you looked back out towards the sea and shook your head.

"Hm.. Not yet."

"Good, good. Hopefully it stays that way," he said with a nod, before looking down to you. "Unless it's a little bit out of excitement, I think that'd be understandable."

"I'm not really sure that Berk sounds like it's deserving of all of that," you responded with a slight laugh, raising an eyebrow in disbelief before letting your arms fall to your sides.

"Are you sure? I think feral dragons sound pretty exciting," he said with a shrug. "Or terrifying. Maybe both?"

"Well, considering that both you and Mom let me come this time, I have a feeling they aren't that bad."

"On the contrary, they are so bad that it gives me a very good excuse to leave it up to the Gods what happens to you over there," he deadpanned.

"Dad!"

"I mean, you wanted to come this much, what was I supposed to do? It's not my fault if you get eaten alive, or set on fire, or carried off into the night.."

"You're going to feel terrible when all of those things happen to me."

"All at the same time?"

"Obviously. Mom's going to be devastated."

"Ah, she'll get over it. I'm sure your cousin won't mind being our part-time son whenever we feel like playing parents."

"Well, I can see where she gets that mouth from," another voice interrupted your familial banter from behind, and you watched as one of the merchants your father worked with strolled over, readjusting the hat on his head.

"Thank you. I worked hard to pass that down," your father said with a smile, patting the man on his upper arm in greeting. "Any updates?"

"Sounds like we should be reaching the port just before sundown."

"Oh, that's great for once. The last few times we arrived pretty late," your dad nodded before glancing towards you. "Those ramps are not fun to walk on when you can't see. Just trust me on that."

"Mm.. Is that why Mom's always saying to watch out for the ocean when you're walking around the house at night?"

"Maybe I shouldn't have said anything," he muttered, giving you a playfully suspicious expression as he shrugged and turned away. "Besides, she wasn't even here for that. For all she knows, I was making it up for a laugh."

"I mean, falling off a ramp sounds like something you'd do, so.."

"Something I'd do? You know, if I threw you overboard nobody would do anything about it since you're my child and therefore my property."

"Oh, I'm not so sure about that, Vilhelm. I'd definitely do something." You both turned your attention back to the other merchant that had moved to quietly watching the waves beside you, widening his eyes as he teasingly looked in your father's direction.