Heartwarming / Dragons: Riders of Berk

Riders of Berk

• Gobber's contentment after figuring out how to adjust to the changing times in "Viking For Hire".
  • Also, Snotlout's happy reunion with Hookfang where everyone gets to see how much they really care about each other.
• The climax of "Animal House", when the dragons all shield Hiccup, the other riders, Stoick and Gobber from the storm, and the animals slowly join them.
  • A minor one, but Mulch wheeling Bucket into the fortress via wheelbarrow and lamenting that Bucket is in too much pain to enjoy it as usual.
  • In the beginning of the episode, there's a moment when Astrid and Hiccup are competing in snow-racing where Hiccup smiles at Astrid when she's not looking. The look on his face is just adorable.
  • Also from "Animal House". When Hiccup notices the avalanche, he immediately warns Astrid and doesn't even mention that Toothless can't take off. And then Astrid tries to save him, with the end result that all four end up in the ravine.
  • When Astrid tries to get him out, Hiccup's first reaction is to tell her to move away.
  • Toothless smiles after Astrid punches Hiccup's arm.
• "I was thinking, all I needed was to get to Toothless. And together, we could make things right."
• When Hiccup is kidnapped in "Alvin and the Outcasts", Stoick drops everything and goes to help him. After seeing what their relationship was like in the movie, witnessing Stoick as a Grade A Papa Wolf is very sweet.
  • Also Ruffnut and Tuffnut asking Stoick if they can personally beat Alvin black and blue for taking Hiccup. While the offer is declined, it was sweet of them. Especially since violence almost seems to be how they show affection.
  • Hiccup reveals himself to Alvin when he threatens Astrid.
  • The fact that Bucket went back to get a stuffed lamb for a little girl who was crying without it. Mulch quotes it best:
  Mulch: Oh Bucket, your bucket is hard but your heart is soft.
• Next episode "How To Pick Your Dragon", Gobber gets Stoick to agree to try Dragon Riding by pointing out it would help protect people from Alvin. Who wants to bet some of Stoick's instant agreement was more of the above Papa Wolf?
  • When Hiccup says that Stoick needs to show Toothless that he can trust him, he says, almost offended, "Of course he trusts me, I'm his chief!" Implicitly, he's accepted Toothless as part of the Hooligan tribe and his family. (welcome to the family, Toothless "Night Fury" Haddock).
  • The second Stoick realizes the Thunderdrum is acting the way it has is to protect an injured friend, he instantly lets go of all animosity towards it and sends Hiccup and Toothless off for help while he waits alone to try and get along with "his" dragon.
    • It may seem a bit weird at first to watch Stoick help a dragon protect his mate so fiercely… until you remember Stoick is a widower. This means he wouldn't wish anyone, not even a dragon, to lose a loved one like he did. In other terms, he befriended Thornado because he identified himself to him, and this is Heartwarming in Hindsight.
  • Stoick's reveal that even if it doesn't seem like it, he has learned to listen to his son about dragons.
  • At the end of the same episode, it was just warming to my chest to see both Stoick and Hiccup riding together on their dragons.
  • A more subtle one from the same episode. When Hiccup protests that Toothless is his dragon, Stoick responds, "You picked a good one." Think about it. Stoick is acknowledging that Hiccup is capable of making good choices.
  • When Stoick was ready to quit learning to ride a dragon, Hiccup took him on a ride on Toothless, much like he did with Astrid in the movie. Hiccup mentions the beauty of the scenery, but Stoick instead talks about how good he feels seeing that the village and its people are safe.
• At this point, all of episode 8 "Portrait of Hiccup as a Buff Man", especially Stoick giving Hiccup a big hug near the end.
  • From the beginning, we have Stoick posing with Hiccup for the portrait, talking about how posing for the portrait with his own father had been a good day, and that this was as well. Sure, the portrait wasn't accurate, but one could argue it's how Stoick wanted Hiccup to be remembered. He didn't intend it as a slight. And he realized he'd messed up when Gobber pointed out possible reasons why Hiccup was engaged in such a dangerous treasure hunt.
    • Gobber himself provides some too; he is visibly frustrated with Stoick's obliviousness over the painting and sternly spells out why Hiccup is upset. Given the overall theme of fathers in the episode, this helps cement Gobber as being a second father to Hiccup that he understood his sadness even before his real father did.
    • Just a little moment during the posing. When Hiccup comments his chest really can't go further out than it is, Stoick simply says "Ah. Very well then." and claps him on the shoulder. Pre-movie, he'd have just told him to keep trying.
  • You could say "Portrait of Hiccup as a Buff Young Man" is an episode of a son trying to make his father proud of him. Sure, the movie strengthened the bond between father and son, but it's as though the show is digging deeper into their relationship. At the end of the episode, Stoick is crushed at the thought his son may have died, just like he was in the movie.
  • On the beach, Stoick openly, and with a tinge of pride, acknowledges that in one day Hiccup had made more progress than he and Gobber had in one month.
  • The Dragons all coming to the aid of their owners against the horde of fire-worm dragons, without hesitation. Hookfang even goes over his shot limit in trying to protect Snotlout, and had to be helped by Meatlug.
  • When the cave floor collapses under Hiccup, Toothless instantly leaps into the hole after him. It's just one of the many examples of the unquestioning loyalty the pair have to each other - Hiccup never has to do anything completely alone.
  • When the new portrait is being put up, Hiccup takes a look at his father's hand on his shoulder and gives the smallest, but happiest smile.
  • Also, look at Stoick's expression on the two paintings: he's scowling and looking at buff!Hiccup with a rather worried expression on the first painting, but he gives him a big, happy smile on the second one. This little moment is probably courtesy of Bucket's subconscious.
  • Hiccup's closing narration.
  Hiccup: I'd spent years trying to prove to my Dad that I was his kind of Viking. Turns out, I already was..
  • It's very sweet that Hamish II left something to empower and inspire any descendant whom he knew would face the same problems he did. Just look at how Hiccup reacts to finding out his ancestor was "just like me!"
    This treasure was passed from father to son.
    I leave it to you, the next worthy one.
    For only a hiccup could get this far.
    From one to another, be proud of who you are.
• Stoick cuddling up to Thornado, and Hiccup doing the same with Toothless in "Dragon Flower".
  • Just Stoick in this episode. It's clear he really has changed his opinion about them completely and regrets how he used to be.
    Stoick: I spent my whole life trying to kill them... now look at me.
    • Also how he tenderly greets the sick Thornado: "How's my dragon warrior?" Just the tone of that line is heart-melting.
  • The entire episode, once again. Hiccup's determination to save the dragons and his promise to Toothless that everything would be okay is just the perfect display of the bond the two share. We've seen Toothless risk his life to save Hiccup, and now Hiccup gets to return the favor.
  • It's brief but, watching Toothless defending a wild Terror from Trader Johann was kinda cute.
• Heather and her parents parting on good terms with Berk in "Heather Report" was a touching moment.
  • Also, after Astrid was the only one suspicious of Heather for the entire two-parter, she doesn't hesitate to save Heather's parents from Alvin. Then:
  Astrid: I'm sorry I didn't believe you.
  Heather: It's okay. I wouldn't have believed me either.
• Hiccup throwing the Thawfest Games so Snotlout wouldn't disappoint his father in "Thawfest".
  • Stoick actions when the father's wish their sons luck in the final round of the games: While Snotlout's father yells at him, Stoick just tells Hiccup that there's no pressure. Considering the recent events of episode 8, it really shows Stoick's Character Development in realizing that Hiccup needs encouragement rather than pushing.
    • And when Stoick announces the winner of the Thaw Games, he gives Hiccup a proud smile, showing that even though he didn't win, he's proud of him for making it this far.
  • Astrid's affectionate punch for the same followed by a Smooch of Victory.
  • The brief moment in Thaw Games when the twins realize they're each not on their usual Zipplback head, and help each other switch without complaint or fighting.
• Doubling as a Call-Back to the movie, Hiccup almost gets himself killed for Toothless again in "When Lightning Strikes". He was willing to take a direct hit of electricity, knowing it could kill him, if it would save his dragon. It plays out like the movie with him drowning, but Toothless return the favor by breaking free of the same type of hold he was in the movie and swims down to get him.

  • Extra heartwarming when you consider that Toothless was terrified and in danger before, but that wasn't enough to get him to break free of the hold. The moment Hiccups in danger? Nothing can stop him.

  • The fact that Hiccup was included in dropping the statue of Thor at Mildew's house. He's one of the guys now!
  • Just before Hiccup and Toothless leave, Gobber addresses the dragon as "old friend."
  • Stoick running up the stairs once again and giving Hiccup a hug by lifting him off the ground.
  • Hiccup running away with Toothless instead of staying in Berk: It's the middle of a lightning storm, they have no idea how long they'll have to stay away, and he has to abandon everything from his home to Astrid. But for him, letting Toothless go alone isn't even an option
  • Toothless and Hiccup throughout the episode really: After the lightning brings them down, their immediate reaction is to check the other one is safe rather than themselves. And when Hiccup wakes up at the end Toothless is waiting by his bed.
  • Stoick and Gobber physically blocked the angry mob from a chained Toothless. They've come a long way. And when the mob advances, Mulch and Bucket stand with their chief.
  Stoick: If you want this dragon, you'll have to go through us!
• "What Flies Beneath" is borderline Tear Jerker, with Toothless refusing to let Hiccup help him against the Whispering Death even though he can't fly without him. He continually prevents Hiccup from riding him, even shooting a plasma blast at him to keep him away (intentionally missing, but still), until his fight with the Whispering Death takes him to the edge of a cliff. Finally, Hiccup jumps off the cliff, and Toothless immediately abandons the fight to catch him. No matter how strained their friendship got, or how caught up Toothless was in his grudge, the moment Hiccup needed him, he was there. And Hiccup trusted him to be.
  • Toothless's behavior in the episode takes on a heartwarming tone if you take into account the events of the previous episode. Hiccup almost died for him, again; if the two episodes happened close together, Toothless was just trying to keep Hiccup from being in danger on his account again.
  • When Snotlout cruelly brings up the fact that Hiccup is the one who took Toothless's tailfin, it's Astrid who gets pissed off. The second time he does it, she is definitely ready to beat the crap out of him.
  • Hiccup catches rides with Astrid and Stormfly so commonly that when they need to find Toothless, he just jumps up onto Stormfly and helps Astrid up in front of him as if its a completely natural movement. In a similar vein, Astrid barely needs to give Stormfly any direction when she sends her unguided to grab Hiccup before he's eaten by the Whispering Death.
• "Twinsanity" goes out of its way to prove without a shadow of a doubt, Ruff and Tuff not only think alike (when they actually do think), they really do care about each other and their dragon.
  • A small example that reappropriates a Running Gag: Ruff and Tuff are often seen randomly headbutting each other - usually with one of them getting knocked over or briefly hurt. This episode shows that it's their own version of a personal handshake, and at the very end of the episode they do a small, non-violent one that's about as close to a hug as the two would ever get.
  • Barf and Belch are eventually captured and Dagur organises a ceremony where he and Stoick will slay the Zippleback and use their blood to sign the treaty. When Dagur isn't watching, Stoick clearly raises his sword to attack him instead of the dragon. Even though this could have risked a war with the Berserkers, and Hiccup's ruse ultimately prevents any bloodshed, Stoick was not going to let Dagur harm Barf and Belch.
  • Not only that, but the moment Hiccup initiates his plan to trick the Berserkers, Stoick instantly goes along with it, despite having no knowledge of it beforehand. It shows a huge development in how at first in the movies and early of the series, he was sceptical of his son, but now has enough faith in Hiccup to execute his idea on a spur of the moment.
• "Defiant One". Despite his method of greeting Snotlout when they are reunited, there's something heartwarming about seeing Hookfang eager to retrieve his regular rider.
  • After Hiccup and Snotlout escape from Outcast Island, Snotlout's suggestion that he and Hiccup should get some food is oddly touching. It's like Snotlout's way of acknowledging that he's accepted Hiccup at last is to act like they weren't fighting in the first place.
  • After working together with Toothless to get something Hiccup needs from a forge but before rescuing him, Snotlout jokes to Toothless that he might not be able to give him back to Hiccup since they worked so well together. Toothless quickly goes into angry-mode until Snotlout explains he was joking. That dragon loves his rider.
• "Breakneck Bog" has Hiccup recovering the gift his mother made him.
  • While everyone else wants to run away, Astrid is the only one to never consider leaving Hiccup to find it alone. She even gets the others to stay with an Armor-Piercing Question.
    Astrid: What if it was your mother?
  • The scene in the end is a culmination of an episode's worth of heartwarming. We find out what this gift is and what it means to Hiccup. In the show, it's a piece of his mother that he will cherish forever. With some Fridge Brilliance it is a symbolic representation of Hiccup's mother accepting his decision on living peacefully with dragons. The movie makes it plain as day that Hiccup has turned his back on the heritage that was expected of him. Recall that his mother's helmet was amongst the items that represented that life that Hiccup tossed away. With the return of the gift, it acts as a way of Hiccup receiving approval from her, especially when it's revealed to be a stuffed toy dragon that Hiccup initially rejected.
• In "Gem of a Different Color", you gotta admit Snotlout treated Gustav better than his mother (Granted he stole the eggs but Gustav's mother traded him for a supposed magical stone).
  • Hopefully she apologized to him once he ran home after Fishlegs told him to.
• During "We Are Family, Part 1", Hiccup really, really, really wants to find other Night Furies for Toothless to hang out with. Too bad they weren't where he thought they were...
  • Hookfang once again proves that, yes he cares for his rider just as much as any of the other dragons when Snotlout calls for his help. Hookfang spits flames at the Changwing holding his rider hostage and then he backs off the moment Snotlout asks him to do so.
• The reunion scene between Hiccup and Toothless in "We Are Family, Part 2". The sheer happiness those two emit when they meet up again is enough to tug on the heartstrings.
  • Without any commands, the kid's dragons help Hiccup and Toothless without skipping a beat. It cements how much Hiccup means to them.
  • Yes, despite what it means (not to mention the evil laughter bit), you've got to admit Alvin bonding with the Whispering Death is was a surprisingly tender moment, seeing such a feared beast accept something it once considered prey to be an ally.
• When Hiccup notices the avalanche, he immediately warns Astrid and doesn't even mention that Toothless can't take off. And then Astrid tries to save him, with the end result that all four end up in the ravine.
  • Toothless smiles after Astrid punches Hiccup's arm.

Defenders of Berk

• Pretty much the entire plot of "Flight Club" happened because Stoick was being an overprotective dad.
• Hiccup and Astrid's concern about Fishlegs in "The Iron Gronckle".
  • Gobber has a moment with Fishlegs as well. Specifically giving him the last Gronckle iron sword (The one he made for himself.) saying that anyone who takes down a outcast ship deserves one.
• In "The Night and the Fury" we finally get a proper goodbye between Snotlout and Hookfang. For the first time Hookfang's attention doesn't wonder when they part.
  Snotlout: (whispers sadly) You stay tough.
  • Having been easily fooled by the fake dragon attack in "Twinsanity", Dagur gladly greets Hiccup like an old friend and has come to regard him as a brother. While the episode ends with them as enemies when the truth is revealed, Dagur still calls Hiccup "brother" for the rest of the series after this point.
• In "Tunnel Vision", when Hiccup and Toothless gets trapped in a well, Stoick immediately starts thinking of ways to bring them *both* back up. Never, even for a moment, does he consider separating Hiccup from Toothless.
• "Race to Fireworm Island". Proving that Snotlout has a heart, with how concerned he is for a sick Hookfang. No matter how much he denies it.
  • Heck Hookfang willingly giving up the one thing that could save his own life to try and protect his rider counts.
  • The Fireworm Queen, understanding why the riders have invaded her nest, simply restores Hookfang's flame without prompting from the humans.
  • At the end of the episode we get a better understanding about why Hookfang would always be so rough with his rider, it's just tough love Monstrous Nightmare style.
• In "Fright of Passage", the first thing Hiccup does after they've gotten rid of the Flightmare is to clear the good name of Astrid's family.
• Toothless comforting Meatlug in "Worst in Show" after Fishlegs gets so wrapped up in training his Terrible Terror that he begins to neglect her.
• In "Zippleback Down", Tuffnut's genuinely affectionate bond with Torch, and the ensuing goodbye.
  Tuffnut: I'm gonna miss you, Torch. You were the only one who ever listened to me.
  • Also a small one where he genuinely tries to have a conversation with Barf since he normally rides Belch and believes they haven't spent enough time together, once again showing that he does treat each head as a separate dragon.
• The opening of the second part of "A View to a Skrill" where Hiccup refuses to give up the search for Ruffnut and Tuffnut.
• After the other kids leave Gustav be once he's finally giving up on training Fanghook in "The Flight Stuff", we discover that he hasn't and the boy and Dragon happily reunite. And again we see that Monstrous Nightmares chew on their riders heads to show affection.
• In "Free Scauldy", Ruffnut bonds with a beached scauldron and names him Scauldy. When they run out of rope to for Scauldy's wing splint, she cuts off her braids to use as rope. As he swims back into the sea, she gives him a heartfelt goodbye.
  • Before that, Hiccup sadly decides that they'll have to leave the scauldron to his fate since he's too belligerent to be helped. The dragons won't accept this, though, and refuse to leave.
• In "Frozen", when Stoick is paralyzed by the Speed Stingers, Thornado stays by his side.
• In "Bing! Bam! Boom!", Stoick's goodbye to Thornado is this and tearjerking.
  • At the start of the episode, Stoick wholeheartedly approving of Hiccup's Thunder Ear and actively participating in demonstrating how it works, both in a hilarious (Fishlegs' terrible singing) and in another heartwarming sense (Gobber speaking to another villager about being Stoick's "right-hook man"). He's definitely come a ways from reacting awkwardly to how much his son's intellectual approaches to life on Berk clashed with the "traditional Viking" mindset.
• From the season 2 finale "Cast Out" we have the resolution of the Screaming Death dilemma, which involves: reuniting it with its mother, the Whispering Death held captive on Outcast Island. Both mother and child thank Hiccup before departing, screaming thank you to his face before flying off into the horizon!
  • Also from the season 2 finale; Stoick and Alvin reconciling after years of being enemies.
  • Stoick telling Hiccup that one day he'll be a great chief. After 2 seasons of Hiccup dealing with the problems of running the dragon academy and repeatedly defending Berk from invaders, (not to mention his years as the town's outcast) it's heartwarming to see him finally get some recognition.
  • Hiccup's closing lines as he and Toothless fly off into the sunset together:
  "This is Berk: We've got ice, we've got snow and more snow. But we've also got dragons. We train them, learn from them, protect them. And they protect us... sometimes from ourselves. One thing's for sure... we wouldn't trade this for anything. Would you?"

Race to the Edge, Season 1

• It's a bit subtle, but at the end of "Reign of Fireworms" when Snotlout starts singing his version of the Twins's 'island' song, Hiccup immediately joins in and they start dancing around together. It shows how the two have gone from 'barely tolerating each other' to 'friends'.
• In "Total Nightmare", Snotlout decides to quit the Dragon Riders because Hookfang is more interested in a female. The other five go after Snotlout to convince him not to. It's really sweet to see how tightknit this gang has become.
  • Just the fact that instead of replacing him, Snotlout would rather quit being a dragon rider than not have Hookfang.
• Heather's return in "Have Dragon Will Travel"; not only do her and Astrid become very close in a short amount of time, but she and Hiccup also bond as friends.
• After Heather leaves again in "Have Dragon Will Travel, Part 2", Hiccup says that he's sorry that Astrid's lost a friend again. Astrid smiles, gives him a hug and says that she still has him.
  • Much like Alvin training the Whispering Death mentioned above, there's something oddly sweet about Dagur instantly being willing to embrace Heather as his sister, even though she'd just been about to kill him. After she rejects him, he shouts that he'll be waiting with open arms whenever she's ready.

Race to the Edge, Season 2

• From "Astrid's Team" when Astrid decides to sleep at the Academy because her parents' home is gone, the rest of the Dragon Riders (beginning with Hiccup) all decide to join her for a sleepover at the Academy. Fishlegs even tells Tuffnut they did it "in a show of support" for her.
  • Stoick taking Astrid for a walk when she can't sleep, due to Dagur's attack on Berk destroying her parents' home. Fortunately her parents are okay, but Astrid wonders what she could've done differently if she had stayed. Stoick understands how she feels, and tells Astrid it's because they're both warriors.
    • Another one for Stoick in the same episode: as Hiccup starts handing out instructions to the Riders to get supplies ferried, there's a small but quick shot of Stoick smiling proudly at his son stepping up to his future duties.
  • Gothi showing up to train with the recruits in "Astrid's Team". Gothi is the Village Elder, wisewoman and healer, thus already having a fulltime job. She makes it clear she's learning to ride a dragon to protect the village, like Astrid wants.
  • The twins complimenting Bucket and Mulch on their Zippleback combat during the fight with Dagur. Also that Bucket and Mulch are competent dragon fighters!
  • Astrid handing off command of the back-up team to Gustav. It shows trust and confidence in the boy that hadn't been there before —- and not a word or a whisper of protest from the adults who were passed over.
    • Before that, everyone on the auxiliary team joins each other in a push-up formation line when getting ready to accept punishment from Astrid. Already sweet enough to establish that they'll have each other's backs just as much as the main riders do, but even moreso when Astrid commends them for saving lives.
• In "Night of the Hunters Part 1" Stormfly is taken by Dragon Hunters and Astrid is marooned at sea for a whole day. When she awakes in her bed after having been rescued by Hiccup, the entire gang is there with her in her room.
• "Bad Moon Rising" shows that despite their crazy relationship, the twins really love each other — from Ruffnut doing whatever she can to convince her brother he's not becoming a Lycanwing to Tuffnut referring to her as "the brave one".
• Astrid apologizing to the twins in "Edge of Darkness, Part 2" for her disrespect towards them in the previous episode.

Race to the Edge, Season 3

• Heather taking care of Garff, the baby Death Song in "Tone Death". When the other riders are less than willing to deal with another Death Song, Heather refuses to let them give up on him, and succeeds in semi-taming him via singing to him.
  • The Death Song adopting Garff in the same episode mixes this with Nightmare Fuel. On one hand, it's great that Garff has a parent that can deal with him. On the other hand, the Death Song is a terrifying predator, and Garff already the same to small things like Chicken and the Night Terrors. Case in point, the two fly off into the sunset together, over an island littered with dragon bones.
  • Despite the fact that it leads to trouble, Garff trying to bond with the adult Death Song by singing the songs it had learned from the riders was surprisingly adorable.
• Snotlout being surprisingly affectionate with the newborn fireworms in "Crash Course" cooing over them, and then protecting them from the Cavern Crasher.
• "Follow The Leader" begins with a daydream of Fishlegs as Hiccup hands over leadership of the Dragon Riders and Dragon's Edge. Why is this heartwarming? Hiccup is giving up the position in order to concentrate on his duties as chief. The whole dream is dedicated to show how much Fishlegs values Hiccup's of opinion of him and really underscores the pain he feels when he ends up messing up and disappointing him. Really, you can say the whole episode can be a A Day in the Limelight for both Fishlegs and the friendship that he and Hiccup share.
• In the episode "Buffalord Soldier", Hiccup is very determined to get the cure for the Scourge of Odin for Astrid, who contracted the disease earlier, and has limited time to find it. When she has to come with soon after in a worse state, he's this and gentle with assuring her that they'll find the cure for her.
  Hiccup: [softly] Just rest; we're gonna beat this, I promise. You just gotta keep fighting, and hold on. [...] You need to stay with us. I can't imagine a world without you in it.
  • As sad as it naturally was, the gang's Viking Funeral for the plagued fishing boat. Keep in mind that that was some of Viggo's crew aboard— and Hiccup and his friends, in keeping with not showing lethality towards the hunters despite their actions, take the time to honor and send off the departed ones to Valhalla.
  • And afterwards, Astrid thanks Hiccup for what he did for her as they fly back to the Edge.
  Astrid: I just wanna say thanks, for what you did. I really owe you.
  Hiccup: It's no big deal. You'd have done the same for me.
  Astrid: I can't imagine a world without you in it, either.
  [they both smile warmly at each other]
  • Even Snotlout gets some heartwarming moments in this episode, delivering an entirely genuine, "How're you feeling?" to Astrid after retrieving Gothi's notes from Berk, and volunteering to bring her to the island after the group learns that the Buffalord is averse to leaving. Despite his Abhorrent Admirer tendencies, he truly does care for Astrid's welfare.
• Dagur has not only turned over a new leaf by this entire season, but in "Family on the Edge", he mastered dragon riding in two days just so he could have a better means to reunite with his sister. After he pulls a heroic sacrifice to prevent the gang and specifically Heather from being lured into a trap set by Vigo he confesses to Heather via note that he did not kill his father and could not bear to have his sister hate him.
  • The episode opens with a minor such moment, too. Hiccup's shocked to find Dagur hanging out in his room, but he acts more like someone annoyed to find their sibling messing with their stuff than someone horrified by the appearance of their Arch-Enemy. It really shows how far they've come thanks to their adventure 10 episodes ago.
  • Dagur still referring to Hiccup as his little brother is a Running Gag, his referring to Hiccup as "our" little brother in his letter to Heather is surprisingly sweet.

Race to the Edge, Season 4

• In "Gruff Around the Edges", when Hiccup is skeptical that Tuffnut is who he says he is (It Makes Sense in Context), he states "I think I'd know one of my best friends when I see him." Tuffnut is genuinely surprised but touched that Hiccup considers him such despite all the trouble the Twins cause him (even citing several such instances himself). Shows once more that, despite Hiccup's frequent exasperation with them, he truly does care about all of his friends, the Twins included.
  • When Tuffnut learns that Gruffnut is out on patrol with Ruff, he becomes determined to rescue her to make up for not believing her before about Gruff. He jumps off Toothless and fights Gruff one-on-one on Barf & Belch's back to protect her.
  • Also goes both ways, since Ruff, despite needing to fly their dragon, helps Tuff out as much as she can during the fight: using Macey to blind Gruff when he gets the upper hand, having their dragon get Tuff back on when he almost falls off, and tossing Macey to Tuff so he can use it to win.
• "Midnight Scrum" has Heather flying as part of the show at Berk.
  • Stoick's threat to Ryker after saving Hiccup:
  Stoick: You tell Viggo, you put a price on one of us, you get ALL of us.
• "Saving Shattermaster" shows Dagur's devotion to his Gronckle, something that both Heather and Hiccup could admire and relate to.
  • Heather and Dagur sharing a laugh during the battle shows how far their relationship has come. At the end of the episode, Heather was even reluctant when Dagur decides to leave.
  • When Dagur charges down the hill to rescue Shattermaster, Hiccup casually looks to Heather and asks "so, shall we go rescue our brother?". Though Hiccup says it in his usual snarky tone, the fact that he goes out of his way to include himself in the equation speaks volumes of his improved relationship with Dagur.
• "The Longest Day" is mostly hilarious on the riders' side of things, but Astrid's euphoria stands out when she tries to get the others to be open about their feelings, especially to Snotlout.
  • Despite being away from the Edge for the bulk of the episode, Toothless catches on to what the riders' dragons did to let their riders get some sleep, and pushes Hiccup into the storeroom with the riders when he snarks about having to be the only one up. All while his face basically says, "After the day we've had, you need sleep too, bud."
• In "Dire Straits", Viggo's plan is to kill Hiccup by engineering a scenario in which Hiccup tries to save a dragon too dangerous to even get near. True to form, Hiccup risks drowning to release the Submaripper from the chains the dragon hunters trapped it with, and nearly dies when his diving bell gets stranded on the bottom of the ocean. What Viggo clearly wasn't expecting was for the Submaripper to return the favor, pulling Hiccup and Toothless out of the water and onto the dragon rider's boat, diving bell and all.
• When Dagur talks about 'Berserkers and Dragon Riders' united in "Gold Rush", Fishlegs is quick to insist it is Berserker and Dragon Riders, much to Heather's appreciation.
  • Likewise, Fishlegs does his best to help Heather deal with the pressure that Dagur is laying onto her, and when she decides she has to go find Oswald, he makes it clear that they'll be there for her if she needs it.
  • Dagur and Heather's interactions are also really sweet. In the episode's climax, they even team up to rescue Hiccup, with Heather screaming the Berserker war cry.
• In "Twintuition", after the Twins infiltrate the Dragon Hunter camp, Tuffnut initially is only focused on getting Macey back, even splitting away from Ruffnut when she tries to tell him that there are more important things to worry about. However, when Tuff later has to choose between stealing Macey back or stealing important schematics for a weapon Viggo is building, he is ultimately able to keep in perspective that his friends and their mission is more important, and chooses to go after the schematics.
  • Soon after, when he learns Ruff has been caught, he immediately runs off to rescue her, and beats up several thugs in the attempt. He also initially refuses to leave her even when he's about to be cornered, only being persuaded to do so when she points out that he can't help her if he gets captured too.
  • He later does manage to get Macey back, but sacrifices it to temporarily jam the gears and buy his friends some time before the Drowning Pit they're trapped in fills up.
• "Blindsided" is lots of Hiccup and Astrid fluff.
  • After Astrid first realizes she's blind, she asks Hiccup to stay with her while she tries to get some sleep.
  • Hiccup assuring Astrid that they'll always be together when she worries about her blindness possibly being permanent.
  Hiccup: Astrid, you and I have been through everything together. You don't think we can handle this? Astrid, you have me, no matter what. Okay, whatever that means, whatever you want it to mean. I am with you. There will always be a Hiccup and Astrid. Always.
  • Hiccup and Astrid finally cementing their relationship with a Big Damn Kiss. The exchange prior to it really sells the scene:
  Astrid: Can I ask you something?
  Hiccup: Sure.
  Astrid: Um... Back in the forest, when we were... Well, you know.
  Hiccup: Yeah?
  Astrid: Were you about to...
  Hiccup: Oh, uh... So you felt that, huh? (nervous chuckle) I felt like maybe I got away with it.
  Astrid: Well, why didn't you?
  Hiccup: Oh... Oh. Well, I... It wasn't perfect. And I always thought that if it ever happened, uh... And yes, I've though about it a lot. Uh, it had to be just perfect.
  (Astrid looks out at the sunset)
  Astrid: Well, this seems pretty perfect to me.
  Hiccup: Yeah? Yeah, I guess it does.
  (Big Damn Kiss)
• After it seeming like Heather had been written out going off on some quest to find Oswald the Agreeable, it turns out she is Back for the Finale to help put Viggo down once and for all. And Dagur joins as well.
  • Speaking of Dagur he gets his wish for the past season or so, with Hiccup calling him "brother".
  • As of this episode, Heather has pretty much accepted her Berserker heritage. In other words, she's fully accepted Dagur as her brother.
• "Shell Shocked" sees Hiccup and Astrid enjoying their new relationship with even more fluff than "Blindsided". Astrid particularly points out that Hiccup shouldn't expect to get out of any tender moments with just a handshake.
  • The two-parter beginning and ending with a Big Damn Kiss. The other Riders witness the second kiss. They are very happy for their friends and all six of them share a Group Hug.
  • Astrid showing an Adorkable side as she is excited but nervous about the relationship because of just how new it is to her. Including her wanting to keep the entire thing secret from everyone so that she and Hiccup can have something just to themselves.
  • The finale ends with the the two flying off holding hands.

Race to the Edge, Season 5

• In "Living on the Edge", after Astrid says she is staying at Melody Island to look after an injured Garff, all Hiccup does is to just kiss her on the forehead, and then fly back to the Edge.
• The subplot of "Sandbusted" concerns Hiccup and Astrid's betrothal gifts for one another. Hiccup gives her the medallion that was Stoick's betrothal gift to Valka. Astrid is unsuccessful in finding a gift, but Hiccup tells her she herself is the greatest gift in the world.
  • The fact that Hiccup and Astrid are looking for betrothal gifts. They didn't just get any Relationship Upgrade, they got engaged!
  • Same episode: Snotlout refuses to leave Hiccup behind even though doing may very well mean his own death.
    "We are not going anywhere without that guy."
    • Ruffnut comforting her brother Tuffnut when he was crying after hearing the word "tears", which was the most heartwarming moment on the twins in this episode.
• In "A Matter of Perspective", after Hiccup tells Astrid that he has learned that it is all about perspective and that it makes you see things differently, Astrid says she is going to go get some sleep, and then shares a kiss with Hiccup before walking off.
• "Dawn of Destruction":
  Hiccup: What was [the hug] for?
  Astrid: Just for being you. I love how sensitive you are.
  Hiccup: Don't tell that to Stoick.
  Astrid: Oh, I think he knows. Everyone knows. It what makes you such a great friend, a great leader and, um, [blushes] a great boyfriend.

Race to the Edge, Season 6

• Near the end of "Chain Of Command", Snotlout (of all people) helping Minden regain her confidence in herself after she'd made some mistakes and was considering giving up on being a Wingmaiden.
• The end of "Mi Amore Wing":
  Astrid: Don't say anything. I was being silly.
  Hiccup: No, you weren't. I should have noticed that necklace right away, but it's not about that. I have been taking you for granted. I have, and I realize that today. I couldn't have done [successfully rescued the Armorwing] without you, Astrid. Not the other Dragon Riders or the Edge. You've always been there for me, and I always want to be there for you. I love you, Astrid Hofferson, with everything I have, and I always will.
  Astrid: I know you do. And we don't have to be like [Dagur and Mala]. I mean, we have a different kind of- oh! (Hiccup interrupts with a "Shut Up" Kiss, and she returns it. They then spin around 180 degrees, and lovingly look at each other.)
  • After Mala, Dagur, and Fishlegs, having seen what just happened, leave to give Hiccup and Astrid privacy, Hiccup and Astrid put their arms around each other and look into the sunset.
• Hiccup and Ruffnut in "Ruff Transition": The whole scene where Hiccup with the flight suit and Ruff with Wingnut the baby Razorwhip flying together. They even jump off Toothless holding hands and there's even a shot as their hands pull apart.
• At the beginning of "Triple Cross" Hiccup and Astrid are having a picnic, and end up cuddling closer together before being interrupted by the twins.
• As the culmination of their intense rivalry spanning most of the show, "Triple Cross" revolves around Hiccup being forced into an Enemy Mine with Viggo, after the latter is left for dead by his allies. While there are some misdirects suggesting he'll betray Hiccup at any moment, Viggo's Heel–Face Turn turns out to be completely genuine, and he gives Hiccup some final parting words of encouragement before he gives his life to let him and Toothless get away.
  Viggo: Hiccup, you're more ruthless than you realize. I know you will defeat Krogan and Johann.
  • During their first encounter in the episode, Viggo reveals that he was inspired by Hiccup's Inferno sword and made his own version, with a retractable blade and a dispenser for Zippleback gas. Fans of the franchise will immediately recognize these attributes from the more advanced version of Inferno that Hiccup wields in the two sequel movies, heavily implying that Hiccup made his second sword to honor his fallen former enemy.
• In "Darkest Night", Stoick is badly injured and comatose after being ambushed by Krogan's flyers, prompting Hiccup to have a Heroic BSoD where he claims none of this ever would have happened if he hadn't shot down Toothless all those years ago. Astrid sits with him and shares what she imagines their lives would have been like if that event hadn't occurred. While there are some inconsistencies in relation to the real events, Astrid's story nonetheless makes it very clear that - regardless of when or how - Hiccup was always meant to meet and bond with Toothless.
  Astrid: You and Toothless came together for a very specific reason at a very specific time.
  • Even before Astrid comes over, a calmer Hiccup assures Toothless that he didn't mean what he said, and he doesn't regret shooting him down, which quickly transitions back to a funny moment when he realizes how poorly-worded that was.
  • In Astrid's story, even though Hiccup wouldn't have befriended Toothless or proven himself to the village (yet), this alternate story still shows him being friends with Fishlegs, with the latter excitedly showing him all the unique flower species he's been studying.
  • In the story, Stoick sends Hiccup - who is still the laughingstock of the village - to finally go and kill his first dragon, demanding that he not come back until he does so. While walking through the woods, Hiccup rants to himself about his father's expectations, and makes a point to mention the needless cruelty of killing a dragon for the sake it. Even in a timeline where he hasn't befriended one himself yet, Hiccup's kindness and empathy for the dragons was always there deep down.
    Alternate!Hiccup: (impersonating Stoick) Don't know why killing a beast that's minding its own business suddenly makes you a man, but that's how it's done, I guess!
  • Astrid's story has Hiccup encountering Toothless by chance when the latter is fighting a Whispering Death, implied to be the same one he had the rivalry with all the way back in Season 1's "What Flies Beneath". The two team up completely by accident in order to escape, but when Toothless falls and is knocked out, Hiccup - already shown to have also injured himself in the fall - goes out of his way to draw the Whispering Death's attention away from him, which (like in the original film) ends up costing Hiccup his leg.
• In "King of Dragons, Part 2", after Astrid tells Hiccup that he needs to get to the King of Dragons before Johann and Krogan, Astrid tells Hiccup that she is proud of him, and gives him a cheek kiss. Hiccup is still holding one of Astrid's hand, and as Astrid starts to walk away, he pulls her back and into a kiss that lasts three seconds.
  • A mention towards what happened after, the Bewilderbeast calls in every available dragons to come to Berserker Island. What happens next is all the dragons our heroes have befriended throughout the series came to aid them. Most notable include: Garff, Thornado, Bing, Bang, Boom, Bandit, the Screaming Death, the New Protector, Scauldy, Bolt and Float, the Frozen Skrill, Snuffnut and the Titan Wing Dramillion.

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