[He falls quiet for a little bit, turning his hand beneath Loki's to grasp it. It's hard to process the words, to fit them into the spaces where his heart has broken for the loss of the man who raised him. Your father's choice was you.

Hiccup scrubs at his eyes with his free hand and exhales.]

I- You're right. I shouldn't... He, he would have called it an occupational hazard. [He breathes out a shaky, watery laugh.] It's just so strange to think that- that he won't be there. Some part of me thought he'd be around forever, backseat chiefing and, and getting onto me for everything I'd do wrong.

Does it ever... does it ever get easier?