#i get a little of that same feeling with the couple astrid/valka interactions we get in the movies too | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

hiilikedragons · 5 years

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YOU GUYS IT’S HERE

SACRIFICE AU

The days following are some of the quietest and longest Astrid’s experienced since those silent evenings in their nest. When Hiccup would disappear for hours at a time and return drunk and exhausted, before they could manage a civil conversation. There was an emptiness to those nights, a tense uncertainty and a frightening loneliness.

These days aren’t quite the same.

Boredom and monotony drives Astrid to the point of madness. She can’t stand the inactivity, the restrictions. She longs to be up and running, stretching, even flying. But where those dark times on their island were punctuated with arguments and steely glares, these endless hours are full of companionship. Light.

She’s never without company. Either Valka is at her side, telling her stories of a young Stoick that make her cheeks hurt and her eyes water from laughter, or Hiccup is there, babbling on without much input from Astrid herself. Sometimes it’s all of them, arguing over who is the worst cook, playing word games, coming up with names for their latest rescues. Their dragons come and go, demanding scratchies or starting up a round of fetch.

If it weren’t for having to stay off her feet, Astrid might almost be… content.

Valka has picked up a habit of talking to her grandchild. Sometimes it’s in passing, giving Astrid’s belly a kiss and a rub before leaving for the day. Sometimes she crawls over, stretching out next to Astrid, resting her hand in her chin and having a one sided conversation about her son’s personality as a baby.

Astrid won’t pretend it wasn’t uncomfortable at first. Her parents were never overly affectionate-- they weren’t generous with hugs, but she never felt less loved for it. They simply weren’t a touchy feely family. So the first time Valka arrived home from a rescue mission, patting each of her children’s heads and then burying her face in Astrid’s abdomen to mumble something incoherent, the girl was more than startled.

But it’s something she’s gotten used to. Just like Valka’s strange way of walking, her dragonesque mannerisms and the way she sometimes slips into dragonese without noticing. It took a couple of instances of learning not to flinch when someone besides her reaches for the baby, but now it’s something she almost doesn’t notice.

“I’m off,” Valka said once. An afternoon where she’d planned to sabotage some traps Hiccup had found the day before.

Toothless wasted no time in cleaning the scraps of fish off of her lunch plate once she set it aside. Standing, she left Hiccup and Astrid at the fire and began to collect her things. “You two keep an eye on things for me while I’m gone.”

“I am as vigilant as I am immobile,” Astrid replied over her shoulder while her mother in law strapped into her armor. “Don’t have much of a choice.”

Valka chuckled, crossing the room again to smooth a hand over Astrid’s braid. “Just another couple of days,” she assured her. She knelt, and Astrid leaned back just slightly so Valka could sternly instruct the baby to get big and strong while she’s gone. The older woman pressed her palm against Astrid’s tunic and dropped a quick kiss on her knuckles.

Astrid couldn’t help but laugh. She cut her gaze to Hiccup, to shake her head and roll her eyes teasingly. When she caught a glimpse of his expression, though, she faltered.

He was observing the interaction with what should be a smile. Except it was twisted, not quite reaching the rest of his face. He had one hand holding his plate, the other with a bite of food held halfway to his mouth. And there was a furrow to his brow as he watched, almost pained. If anything, he looked like he’d been kicked.

Astrid blinked, surprised. Looking away, she tried to pretend that she hadn’t seen, though she couldn’t really explain why. Something twinged in her chest, and she pressed her fingertips between her breasts to rub at it.

Valka reached over to him to muss his hair, then whistled for Cloudjumper. Hiccup reminded her to be safe as she stood, and Toothless bounded after them to watch them go.

Silence hung between the two, more awkward than it’d been in a while. The sounds of dragons in the distance clattered off the stone and ice.

Astrid stole a glance at him. His eyes were on his plate, but they seemed to look much farther, at something she couldn’t see. For some reason, she wanted to reach across the space between them and rest her hand on her arm. Just feel the warmth of him for a second.

She didn’t, of course. But she thought about it.

Laugardagur in the sanctuary is fast and frigid. Toothless and Cloudjumper are accustomed to using their fiery breath to warm the waters for their riders, but training Stormfly to do the same is proving a little difficult.

“Come now,” Valka croons to the Nadder. She leans over the edge of the icy lake, snapping her fingers over the surface. “Give it a try.” Adding something in dragonese, she gives Stormfly a tiny splash. The dragon responds by shaking out her wings and crowing like she’s been doused.

“I think you should have Cloudjumper show her again,” Astrid sighs, drenching her washrag in the chilly waters. She has her feet dangling over the side a little ways away, trying to get her body used to the temperature. Goosebumps have broken out all over her naked skin.

“Oh she knows what I want,” Valka replies wryly. She wriggles her fingers to try and get the stubborn Nadder’s attention. “She just doesn’t like being told what to do.”

Astrid’s short laugh is accented by the chattering of her teeth. “That’s my girl.” She dabs at her neck and shoulders, feeling water dribble like icicles down her clavicle. “Don’t worry about it, Valka. It’s not my first cold bath.”

“That doesn’t make it good for you,” the older woman protests, sitting back on her heels. She whistles for her Stormcutter while giving Stormfly a raised brow.

“Can I ask a question?” Astrid says a little while later, once the temperature is bearable enough to slip in. Shoulder deep in the tepid water, she has her arms folded on the grassy edge and her chin rested on her wrists.

“Of course,” Valka answers without looking up. She has a small pile of clothes that she’s attempting to wash before the icy chill returns.

The blonde narrows her eyes just slightly. “Why are you and Hiccup being so secretive about what’s going on with the trappers?”

Tilting her head, Valka slows her work a little and sighs. “One less thing to worry you with.” She gives Astrid a tight smile. “Drago and his men don’t know about this place, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know about what Hiccup and I have been doing for years now.”

“Do you think they’re looking for us?”

“It’s a possibility.” Flexing her soapy hands, Valka stretches her fingers before returning to the washboard. “To be honest, dragon hunting is a lucrative business. Hiccup and I do what we can, but the dragons we save are small in number compared to all the trappers out there. We’re an annoyance to Drago and the others, but likely not effective enough to draw their ire.”

Astrid hums thoughtfully, stepping back to drench her hair. Her eyes dart to the cliffside leading to their living quarters. Just to make sure Hiccup hasn’t returned from his grocery run early. He’s insisting he wants to make something special tomorrow to celebrate her last day of bed rest.

She glances back to the surface of the water, watching it ripple as a dragon swims by not too far away. Working at the tangles in her wet locks, she leans her head back on the ledge.

“It makes me more anxious being left out of the loop.” She sees the dragon do a playful somersault and wriggle away. “I don’t feel as helpless or useless if I at least know what to expect.”

“Well, there’s not much to expect.” Valka’s tone is sincere. “They’re expanding close enough that I feel more comfortable occasionally leading them away. But we have no reason to believe they’ll plan a blatant attack. And if they do? The Bewildebeast will protect us.”

Astrid wishes that made her feel better. Even the suggestion of an invasion makes her hackles rise. At least in a day or two she’ll be up and around again. If she needs to fight or escape, she’ll be able to. But showing Valka how much the idea bothers her is a surefire way of assuring that they never tell her anything about the trappers’ plans again.

So she stays quiet, washing her hair and looking out at the water. The Bewildebeast has taken up a spot beneath the crashing waterfall, and Astrid snorts with quiet laughter at the way droplets spray wildly around him while he stares ahead unbothered. Gentle giant indeed.

Something in the distance catches her eye, and she squints. Craning her neck to see better, Astrid tries to make out what’s glinting on the bottom of the lake several meters away.

“Do you see that?” she wonders aloud, pointing as best she can. “That little light there? Between those two big rocks?”

“Hmm?” The sloshing of the laundry stops as Valka glances up. After a moment, she makes a noise of curiosity. “I think so.”

Astrid starts to wade that way, to investigate, but Valka stops her. She purses her lips and makes a complicated whistling sound, and Cloudjumper spreads his wings. The owlish dragon flies over the rippling surface, circling a few times in the direction Valka indicated before splashing into the water like an eagle reaching for its prey. When he returns, he drops his prize on the bank of the lake with a smug whir.

“Oh. That old thing.” Valka waves a hand dismissively and gives the item no more attention.

Astrid pushes herself up on the grassy ledge, trying to make out what looks like a hunk of twisted metal. At closer inspection, though, her brows shoot up. She reaches for the familiar item, turning it over in her hands.

It’s Hiccup’s flask. Or at least it was. At first she suspects a dragon got ahold of it and gnashed it into an unrecognizable lump. But the way it’s been completely bashed in, and the lack of teeth marks make her wonder. It looks like someone took a hammer to it.

“He chucked that thing in weeks ago,” Valka says while rinsing what looks like one of Astrid’s tunics. The corners of her mouth are turned up like she’s attempting to hide a smile. “I certainly wasn’t disappointed to see it go.”

Astrid turns the flask upside down, pouring icy water out on the ground. The cap is missing, and the lip is dented. It’s absolutely ruined. She’s realizing that she can’t remember the last time she saw him take a sip of anything stronger than mead.

“He’s not drinking?” she murmurs.

She’s glad Valka doesn’t reply. The question really isn’t for anyone to answer. More for her own contemplation. Pulling the flask in with her, she sinks back into the lake, tapping the cold metal against her lips.

He used to keep this thing tucked into his vest, close to his heart. It was almost like an extension of him, another piece of his armor. She wonders what he keeps there now.

She’s brushing her hair by the fire later that evening when Hiccup finds her. He hasn’t been back long, and he only traded the briefest of greetings with her and his mother before disappearing to take his own bath. He rubs at his scalp with a towel, straddling one of the benches next to her.

“Evening, milady.” He’s wearing a clean shirt, and it clings to him where his skin isn’t completely dry. “Have you seen Mom?”

“She went out to the garden.” Astrid answers without looking up. Her mind has been filled to capacity, and she was trying to straighten out her thoughts while staring into the flames. “You just missed her.”

“Mm.”

He doesn’t elaborate, and he doesn’t look away from her face. She can feel his gaze on her cheek, warmer than the fire. At first she figures if she ignores it, he’ll stop, but it seems that her indifference only encourages him to keep staring.

Finally, she blushes and turns her face away, muttering, “What do you want?”

Without missing a beat, he replies, “Will you teach me how to braid your hair?”

The question takes her so aback that for a minute, she doesn’t know what to say. She squints at him, stunned. “Why?”

He looks down at his hands, spreads them apart in a shrugging gesture. Shaking his head, he gives her a weary expression. “What reason can I give you that you’ll accept?”

Astrid’s sure her perplexity shows in her features. Her hand stops brushing mid-stroke. “The truth?”

“The truth,” he kind of chuckles. “Okay.” Straightening, Hiccup meets her eyes. “I want to be close to you. I want to touch you.”

Her heart stutters. Like a hand has suddenly grabbed her by the throat, she has to take a moment to catch her breath. Light and shadows dance on his face as he waits for her answer.

Gods know he’s waited on her hand and foot these past couple of weeks. Helped her around the sanctuary, fetched her every whim, made sure she was eating as much as she was physically able. And, as fragile as things are, she likely would have gone crazy if it weren’t for his company. Honestly, it wouldn’t bother her having him near.

“Okay,” she says, and he blinks like that wasn’t the reply he was expecting.

“Okay?”

“Okay.” Sliding down from her seat, she lowers herself to the stone floor and pats the spot she’s just vacated. “Come here.”

He wastes no time, tossing his towel aside. Stepping close, he sits where directed, and Astrid shifts so that she’s placed between his thighs. She places her cords next to him so he can reach, having to stretch over his knee. She’s glad that she has her back to him so he can’t see the color that’s likely risen to her cheeks.

“How do I…?” His hands float in her peripheral, unsure. She bats them away.

“Watch first.” She uses her brush to separate her hair into three sections and then sets it aside. “Do you know how to do a three-strand plait?”

“I understand the concept,” he answers uncertainly.

Without another word, she begins tying her hair into one long, simple braid. She tries to move slowly so that he can see each twist, until she reaches the ends. Then, she unravels the whole thing and holds the pieces out to him.

Hiccup’s hands brush hers when he clumsily takes them. The brief friction feels like electricity prickling her skin. He attempts to recreate the braid, weakly pulling one side over the other. Sometimes pausing and then undoing his previous turn so he can redo it. She can tell just by the way he’s gripping the locks that it’s going to turn out crooked and too-loose, but she doesn’t say anything. Frigga knows it took her long enough to learn how to mimic her mother’s perfect designs.

“Alright,” she breathes when he finishes, reaching a hand back to feel the lopsided plait. “Yeah. You’ve got the pattern.” Raking her fingers through it, she shakes the braid loose and spreads her hair around her shoulders. “Okay. So now you’re going to do the same thing, but you’re starting from the forehead and moving to the back. You’re picking up a little bit at a time.”

She lifts her arms, demonstrating. He’s quiet as she shows him what to do, clearly paying close attention to each whisp and strand. When she’s gotten about halfway down the back of her skull, she undoes her work and tells him to give it a try.

And oh gods, this must be a mistake. His warm fingers thread through her hair, gathering it in his clumsy hands, and a shiver reverberates down her spine. Despite herself, her pulse thrums loudly. His touches are so gentle, so feather light, but she feels each one with vivid sensation. She can hear his quiet breathing over the crackling of the fire, feel his exhales on her crown.

“This is harder than I thought it’d be,” he mumbles, maybe to himself. She agrees.

“It’ll take practice,” she whispers back. He’s pulling up too much, not holding it back enough. And he’s not tugging hard, probably for fear of hurting her. It’ll come out flat and uneven. “Keep going.”

Hiccup tucks a stray lock behind her ear, and she finds her eyes closing to savor the feel of his warm hand at her temple. Every graze of his thumb against her scalp, every shift of his legs around her left her trembling and weak.

He clears his throat. “I told you something true,” he begins. “Your turn. Tell me something honest, something I don’t know.”

She only pauses for a second. There’s already something on her mind.

“I used to blame myself for your death.” Astrid fixes her eyes on the flames. Sparks scatter as a burning log falls aside.

His hands slow in her hair, barely, and then resume their work. “How could that possibly be your fault?”

She wets her lips, and her scalp gives gentle pulls when she shakes her head just slightly. “That day you disappeared… It was you and me in the arena, and I was so angry at you for winning over Gothi.” Even now, she can recall the fierce jealousy and indignation that had consumed her as a teenager. It was an acidic, spiteful disappointment.

“I remember.”

“Well. I thought about following you. I did, once or twice.” Exhaling an embarrassed laugh, she drops her gaze to her knees. “I thought you were training with somebody, or you’d found some new dragon manual. I don’t know. I just knew you were up to something.”

Somehow, she knows he’s smiling a little bit at that.

“But that day-- I’m not sure why-- I didn’t go.” She’s never told anyone this before, not even her parents or Stoick. “Like, I got all the way to the cove where we found those scales, but then something made me stop, and I just… turned around. Left.”

Astrid’s fingertips tap restlessly against his knee. She doesn’t remember looping her arm around his leg, but he slides it closer so she can lean against it.

“Later, when you didn’t show up to your test, I was--” Shame tears through her. “I was happy. I was excited. I thought you’d backed out because you were scared, and I was going to get a second chance to prove myself. But…” Her breath rushes out of her chest. “When a day passed, and then another, and then we found the blood in the cove. That same cove, where I had almost cornered you--”

“Mm.” She feels him lean in, nuzzle his nose against her hair. He’s not braiding anymore.

“I felt like it was my fault.” She’s surprised her words aren’t too quiet for him to hear. “We all kind of assumed you were practicing for your fight, and it went wrong. So I always thought-- if I had just gone in and talked to you, I would’ve walked in to find you struggling with this dragon. I would’ve been able to step in and save you, or at least get help. But I didn’t, and you died.”

He strokes the nape of her neck with a single knuckle. It leaves her almost breathless.

“You would’ve caught me leaving,” he says with a ghost of wry amusement. “I’m sure you would’ve been so pleased, watching me run like a coward.”

“Maybe,” she admits. She tilts her head into the fingertips caressing her jaw, letting her eyelids fall shut. “But what if it was different? What if you changed my mind, and we saved Berk? What if we lived in peace with the dragons, and we--.”

“I can’t… think like that anymore.” His sigh is hot against the back of her ear. He takes her hand in his, bringing it above her head to cup his scratchy cheek. The familiarity of his scruff against her palm brings back heated memories of sunlit mornings. “The what ifs? I can’t, Astrid. I didn’t… realize it until recently, but there’s a thousand different lives we could’ve lived. Choices we could’ve made, dumb luck that could’ve changed.”

Her heart is twisting unbearably. He brushes his lips against her throat and a whimper escapes her. Everything is on fire-- too much, too much.

“This one is fucked up, yeah,” he continues, splaying his fingers across her collarbone. Astrid tilts her head to allow him more of her neck. “But I know that in every single one of those lives, I would’ve spared that dragon-- and I would’ve loved you.”

It’s as if she’s fallen from a great height, just to slam into the earth. Her chest crushes the air from her lungs in one concussive blow. Flinching away, she puts a hand between them.

“Stop.”

His hands lift away from her skin but don’t move. She twists to her knees, untangling herself from his arms. It hurts too much to look at him, so she keeps her gaze on the fire.

“This isn’t fair, Hiccup. You can’t just--”

“Be honest with you?” There’s indignation in his voice. In her peripheral, he rubs his eyes, a tell of frustration she knows too well. “Are we going back to the beginning, then? Pretending like we don’t care?”

“It was easier,” she confesses, so softly she’s not sure he’ll be able to hear.

“I don’t want easy.” Hiccup sits forward on the edge of the bench. “Astrid, I want you. Not just because you’re stuck with me, not just because you’re having my child. But because you’re fearless, and loyal to a fault. Because you never let go of your stupid pride and because you’re so damned beautiful when you laugh.”

She can’t move. There’s a thousand different things running through her head, and she can barely hear him over the roar.

“Please,” she says, gathering her hair to one side. Turning it into a wall, a shield between him and his seductive words, she twists it until it almost hurts. “Please go. I can’t do it myself.”

For a minute, she thinks he won’t. She thinks he’ll be stubborn and insist they talk this out. But after a long pause of tense and heavy silence, he finally pushes off his knees to stand. He gives her a wide berth as he leaves.

Everything feels cold after that. Not the comforting frost of anger, which held everything frozen like ice inside her. But cold like the day of Hiccup’s funeral on Berk.

It was bleek and rainy, which seemed appropriate for the ceremony’s tone. Everyone was in shock, still reeling from the search party’s find just two days prior. How was a kid who was so smart and lively just cease to exist? This nuisance turned prodigy-- how was he just not a part of the village anymore?

Stoick was steely and black, glaring out at the sea with just a quiet swear of vengeance. Gobber could barely hold in his tears, coughing and cussing every time he lost his composure. Snotlout was wide-eyed. Fishlegs sniffled. Even the twins were morose.

Astrid was just cold. Cold and numb. The guilt was just starting to set in, the realization that she could have done something, she could have stopped this. Part of her wanted to be angry at Hiccup, for being reckless enough to stray from safety and get himself killed. But the emotion never caught traction. Instead, she just stared at the burning ship, feeling empty and chilled.

Valka must notice that something’s happened. She greets Astrid that morning with a bright smile and a cheerful hello, clearly excited to celebrate her first day back on her feet. Astrid tries to muster a matching expression, but the pull of her facial features must read false. Her mother in law’s face drops instantly, and then melts into one of compassion. She reaches over and brushes Astrid’s bangs aside with the backs of her fingers.

“It’s going to be okay,” she croons, eyes full of warmth. She rubs the girl’s arms, giving her shoulders a squeeze. “The moon wanes sometimes too. It doesn’t become whole all at once and neither will you.”

Astrid’s mouth curls upwards in a way that’s more sincere. She misses her mom.

“Now, come,” Valka commands playfully. “I know a Nadder who is just about dying to spread her wings.”

Truly, it’s nearly a miracle to feel the arctic air on her cheeks again. After over two weeks of being cooped up in the sanctuary, carted from one place to another like an invalid, just being able to look at the sky feels like delicious victory. Astrid didn’t realize how attached she’d become to flying, how much she needed to feel the wind whipping her hair around her face. It’s more healing than any of the midwife’s medicine.

It doesn’t last long, of course. Valka told her to come directly back if anything felt amiss, and Hiccup made sure she was wrapped in about three layers of clothing before returning to his quiet, surly mood. But they’re right-- she doesn’t want to overdo it. So even though she could ride the breeze and dip in and out of clouds for hours, she keeps it brief.

She does things she’s wanted to do for a while, like take a walk through the labyrinth of tunnels and help take the laundry off the line. Simply being able to relieve herself or get a drink of water without one of her companions hovering protectively nearby is liberating.

It does surprise her how thoroughly exhausted she becomes, though. She runs out of breath quickly. It seems like she’s only been up and around for a few hours before she’s having to stretch out in a shady nook for a nap.

Astrid wakes later that afternoon to Valka gently squeezing her elbow. Bleary-eyed, she shields her eyes from the aviary’s light with a hand. “What’s going on?” They don’t often disturb her when she’s resting, usually insisting she needs all she can get. “Is everything okay?”

The older woman chuckles. “Everything’s alright. Nothing to worry about.” She lifts a fine brow. “I’ve come to ask you a favor.”

Intrigued, Astrid sits up. She smoothes a hand over her braids to make sure they haven’t come undone. “Of course. What do you need?”

With a tilt of her head, she takes a steady inhale. “Hiccup’s taking a shift checking the usual trap spots. He’s spent all day cooking, and I know he won’t say it, but it’d make him happy if we all ate together before he leaves.”

Astrid groans, apparently dramatically enough to make Valka laugh. She presses the heels of her palms into her eyes and sighs. Her heart still aches, thinking about the night before and the thread of unwavering fervor in Hiccup’s voice. Having to sit across from him, put on a civil expression, while feeling a maelstrom still raging inside her-- it sounds absolutely miserable.

“I think seeing me is the last thing he needs,” she mutters. Still, she sits up, resting her elbows on her knees. She examines her jagged nails and begins to chew at one.

Valka leans back on her hands, lips tilted up at one side. In the light of the aviary, her green-grey eyes look like mist. She breathes deeply, and then sighs. “My deep well of infinite maternal wisdom has run dry, Astrid.” Shrugging, she shakes her head. “You have to be the one to decide how you feel. What you can and can’t forgive.”

If only it were that simple. She can’t stop weighing the risks, considering the consequences. What can she trust? What’s safe to feel? Is it her head or her heart telling her to run, and would it make her a coward if she did?

“I’ll eat with him,” Astrid says. She looks up at Valka. “Can I ask you something, in exchange?”

Her lashes flutter when she blinks in surprise. “Of course, dear. Anything.”

Astrid tries not to wince. She can’t meet Valka’s gaze. “Do you still love Stoick?”

It takes her a good minute to compose an answer. She licks her lips and tucks a spray of gray hair behind her ear, seeming suddenly years older. But then after a long moment of thought, she says, “I can’t forgive him. For what he’s become, what he’s done to the both of you.” Pausing, she swallows, and for a moment, those eyes of mist glitter with stubborn tears. “But the love always stays, Astrid. Six months, five years, twenty…” She waves a hand with a furrowed brow. “Your feelings can change from one day to the next, but love? It sleeps. It waits. And you will be fine for years, and then you wake up in the night with the smell of his shirt or a song in your head, and all at once you want nothing more than to be next to him again.”

She doesn’t know what to say, so she doesn’t say anything. They sit together for a silent few minutes, until Valka’s sniffling stops and they’re both listening to the cacophony of dragon chatter around them.

Astrid pulls her hand away from her mouth, folding her thumb into her palm so that she can’t keep biting at the nail. “Well.” She tries for a brave smile. “Promise you won’t leave us alone together?”

Valka chuckles and pats the girl’s knee. “I will be by your side every step of the way.”

Together, they help each other stand. As they walk to their living quarters, Valka reaches an arm around her and squeezes her close. Not for the first time, Astrid wonders how she would have survived these last several weeks without her.

The scent of whatever Hiccup has cooking wafts from the stove long before they enter the room. It’s mouthwatering and heady, and it makes Astrid’s stomach growl like a wild dragon. She knows he’s not particularly skilled at the culinary arts, but she can already tell he’s gone the extra mile with this particular meal.

“Smells wonderful,” Valka notes cheerfully when they come upon him. He’s eating from a near empty bowl of thick stew, eyes scanning what looks like a recipe scribbled on parchment.

“Let’s hope it tastes as good,” he replies, barely glancing over at them. Setting his food down and putting the page aside, he grabs a pair of bowls and crosses the room. “Have a seat, ladies.”

“You’re leaving so soon?” Valka nods at Toothless, who’s already sniffing at the stew Hiccup just abandoned. He has his saddlebags attached, and at a second glance, Hiccup’s already dressed in his flight suit.

“Early flight, early night.” An outsider might not be able to pick up on his mood, his unhappy prickliness, but Astrid can sense it. The strand of tension in his posture, the not quite sincere shade of his smile. She’s so busy noticing that she almost jumps when his eyes flick up to meet her. “I’ll be back in two days. Okay? Before sunset.”

Making sure she knows he’s not leaving for good. She takes a seat by the fire and gives him a nod that she hopes looks appreciative.

He serves them two hearty bowls of whatever recipe it is he’s cooked up. He passes the first to his mom, and then sets the second in her hands. When she takes it, he holds onto it for a second longer than necessary.

“I did my best,” he tells her, eyes the color of emeralds trying to communicate something more than ingredients and spices. Before she has the chance to say anything, though, he pulls away.

“I’m sure it’s delicious,” Valka assures him, either oblivious to their interaction or deliberately ignoring it. She digs in right away, making sounds of instant pleasure.

“Thanks,” Astrid murmurs, accepting the spoon Hiccup hands over. It does look good. Heavy brown gravy, with carrots and potatoes and large chunks of meat. There’s a familiar scent to it, something she can’t quite place, and she leans over the bowl to inhale deeply.

“You two enjoy,” Hiccup says, latching the last strap of his armor in place. He gives a quick whistle to Toothless, who has his face buried in what used to be Hiccup’s food.

“Be safe, I suppose.” Valka sounds disappointed. But she smiles at him as he tucks his notebook into his vest and slips around the fire to drop a kiss to her crown. Before Astrid can decide whether she’s jealous or not, he’s giving them a wave and striding out the hall.

She can only stare at his back until he disappears into the dark. Just a few weeks ago, he left that same way, shattering her world and her heart along with it. Ever since then, she’s seen his ghost standing in the doorway, always one footstep away from disappearing again. Her hand tightens around the edge of her bowl, and she forces herself to tear her gaze away.

“I feel bad for waking you now,” Valka sighs. She blows on a steaming spoonful, testing the temperature on her lips. “Just us for dinner, it would seem.”

“It’s okay. I’m starving.” Astrid gives the stew a stir, and then lifts a bite to her mouth. “Told you he didn’t want to be around me,” she adds.

The minute Hiccup’s stew reaches her tongue, something hits her. Nostalgia, dreamy and warm, envelopes her like an embrace. At first, she thinks she must be mistaken, so she quickly takes another mouthful. But the more she chews, the more she’s sure.

She knows these flavors.

It’s the taste of being so small her feet don’t reach the floor from kitchen chair. Of cold winter nights wrapped tight in furs between her snoring parents. It’s the taste of Berk, of its slippery rocks and its wet earth, and the pine sap in the air. It’s learning how to throw an axe from her uncle, and listening to stories of dragon hunting as she falls asleep in front of the fire.

And it’s more. Somehow, beneath the layers of home, Hiccup’s there too. He’s holding her hand as they run from Gus’ forge laughing, and blowing raspberries into her skin as he tickles her ribs. He’s singing her to sleep in a thunderstorm. She tastes the sweat from his forehead and the alcohol on his tongue.

She can’t breathe. Astrid presses the back of her hand to her mouth, as if she can dampen all of the memories, the sensations, the aches and the warmth. Distantly, she’s aware of Valka asking her what’s wrong, but she can barely hear. Everything is too loud, too overwhelming. She’s choking.

And then, the storm clears. She stands, setting the bowl aside and walking over to the stove. The parchment is still there, half folded, and she picks it up like it might burst into flames at her touch.

Despite the blurriness of tears in her eyes, she knows this handwriting. She knows the curves of the runes, the heavy hand. The old Hofferson recipe, the one her mom swore she’d only share once she married. It’s scribbled out with ingredients, instructions, reminders. Hiccup has certain things underlined and circled, little notes in the margins in his blocky print. She has no idea how this is possible, but somehow it is.

A sob breaks out of her chest. Alarmed, Valka stands, but her concern turns to confusion when Astrid looks up at her with a watery, beaming smile.

“Did you know about this?” she asks, giving the parchment a shake. “Did he tell you…?”

Valka spreads her arms in a shrug. Her eyes are twinkling. “I assure you I’m quite in the dark here.”

Astrid looks at the recipe again. The parchment has been folded and unfolded so many times that the creases are worn. In the top corner, her mom has written, “For my beautiful, brave Astrid.”

She sets the recipe back down, and then she’s running. Her heart is slamming painfully in her chest, and her lungs give a protesting squeeze after mere seconds, but she’s flying. Astrid blows through the doorway where Hiccup’s phantom has been lingering for weeks, whisps of fear dissolving in his wake. Even though it’s a dim labyrinth of rocks and ice, she moves without uncertainty or hesitation. She knows, for the first time in months, exactly where she’s going.

“Hiccup!” she shouts, his name ricocheting off of cave walls. “Hiccup, wait!”

At first, she doesn’t think she’ll make it in time. She fears she’s missed her chance. But then, from the dark, his figure emerges, and she stumbles into a sprint.

“Hey, just because you’re off bed rest, I really don’t think that means you should be running--”

And then she’s kissing him. Because she wants it and she needs it and he’s here. Because she spent her whole life being afraid of the dragons destroying her home, and he tamed them. Because being with him feels like flying.

“A thousand lives,” she whispers, barely able to get the words between their lips. “I would have loved you too.”

There’s a clatter as his helmet hits the floor. Warmth, as he takes her face between his hands. And then for the first time in a long time, she’s melting.

#sacrifice au #idek what installment this is #you guys my whole heart and soul is in this chapter

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shipmistress9 · 6 years

Text

Into The Hidden World - For Leffie

A couple of weeks ago, @leffie-draws-fanart posted this awesome pictures of hers. And somehow it tickled me...

So, after talking to Leffie about it and with her permission, I wrote this little story to her picture. It takes place some months after HTTYD2.

I hope you’ll like it :)

. o O o .

“Okay, this is where that merchant and his crew said they’d seen the beast,” Eret said, and pointed to a small group of islands at the southern edge of the map. Then he lifted a hand to ward off Astrid’s complaints. “Yes, I know what you want to say. Those aren’t exactly reliable information sources, and they aren’t up-to-date either. But it fits to where you guys have clashed into it, and to the other sightings we’ve recorded, too. See? It’s like it’s following some line that leads directly to these islands. My guess? If that maniac really should have survived that fall, then he’s hiding somewhere around there.”

Slowly, Hiccup nodded. “It makes sense,” he murmured, to Astrid’s annoyance. He paused for a moment, but then seemed to make a decision. “Alright, I’ll go and have a look. It’s a bit of a distance, but if we hurry, Toothless and I should be back by nightfall, and–”

“The Hel you will!” Astrid interrupted him angrily. He looked up at her words, but at least he had the decency to not even try to look surprised.

“Astrid, it’ll be much faster if Toothless and I fly alone,” he explained, brows furrowed. “And it’s just a reconnaissance mission. I just want to see whether I can find Drago or his Bewilderbeast, and will return directly to get back-up in case I can locate them. I promise.”

But she didn’t buy his attempt at placating her. She knew him too well for that. “Right,” she scoffed. “Just like that one day when you were just looking for Viggo, and ended up almost getting killed when the Hunters shot Toothless down. Forget it! There’s no way I’ll let you go after yet another maniac who wants to see you dead all on your own. We’re doing this together, or not at all.” She was determined. She wouldn’t let him risk his life like that, not ever again.

Hiccup’s face softened, and he stepped toward her until he was able to lay his hand on her hips. “And I guess there’s nothing that would convince you to stay here? Not even…” he trailed off, and let one hand glide to her front to rest over her toned belly.

But he'd guessed right. Nothing would prevent her from making sure that Hiccup and his skinny self would make is safely back to Berk. Not even the possibility of her being pregnant. They weren’t even sure, yet. She was only two weeks late. “Together, or not at all!”

After another moment of hesitation, Hiccup nodded, and smiled defeatedly. “Okay,” he conceded, and gave her a light kiss. The familiar scraping of his stubble made her feel at ease, and it made staying angry at him impossible. “Then I suggest you get Stormfly and Toothless ready while I get our packs and tell Gobber that he needs to take over for a day or two” he said quietly, and then turned to look at Eret.

The ex-trapper was discreetly inspecting his shoes as not to intrude on their intimate moment, but looked up again when Hiccup addressed him directly. “Eret, can you go and get the others? We’re going to leave around noon. Make sure the dragons are all fed and rested, and everybody has their packs ready. We might as well turn this into a group excursion. You’ve practised enough to accompany us this time. Besides, I know Snot is dying to get some action again, and everything that keeps the twins occupied is always good.”

“Aye Chief,” Eret replied with a broad grin.

. o O o .

“So, where are you kids going?”

Valka approached Astrid as she was about to fasten the saddle on Stormfly’s back, a baby Nightmare in her arms and another one climbing over her back, as usual.

“There’s been another sighting of the Bewilderbeast,” she replied while testingly pulling at the belt around her dragon's belly. She refused to call it Drago’s. As if that madman had any claim over a majestic beast like this. And she didn't believe that he was still alive anyway, not really. So far, they’d never seen him when they’d encountered the giant to chase him off of some village or other.

“Oh…” Valka had sobered up directly, face averted as if distracted by the baby dragon in her arms. “Do you... need me to come along?”

Astrid wasn't good at reading people, and Valka who was more used to interacting with dragons than with Vikings was even harder to make sense of. “You can if you want, but you don't have to,” she finally said noncommittally. If it came to a fight every support would be useful, but Hiccup's mother had fought enough for an entire lifetime. Astrid didn't begrudge her the wish for peace and quiet.

“Mmh, I don't know,” Valka finally said as she scratched the small dragon's neck. “Flying out would be nice, but the babies need me. Where are you going again? How long would we be gone?”

A small smile tugged at Astrid's lips, and she quickly turned back to Stormfly to hide it. Apparently, peace and quiet could get boring, after all.“The sighting has been around a group of small islands to the South,” she explained. “Close to a dead volcano not far from Berserker Island. We might even have time to pick up Heather and Dagur on the way, in case Mala can spare him.”

“What?”

Valka's voice had sounded weird, disbelieving and even a little frightened. Astrid frowned and turned toward her again – to find the older woman frozen mid-movement, her ridiculously big eyes even wider than usual. And she looked pale as a ghost.

. o O o .

“You've got to be kidding me... Atali knew your mother all along?”

From her usual place on Stormfly’s back, behind and slightly to Hiccup’s left, Astrid saw how he nodded at Snotlout's incredulous question. They were flying in the tight formation they’d used frequently back during their years at Dragon’s Edge, allowing for sensible travelling speed while still flying close enough to be able to talk. Skullcrusher and Cloudjumper were a bit off to the sides as they were not used to flying so close to other dragons, but still using their wake to keep up.

“Yeah, it looks like it,” Hiccup called back, turning slightly so that everyone could hear him as he told them what Astrid had told him earlier. There hadn’t been time for that before. After Valka’s revelation, they’d gotten going immediately. They hadn’t even gotten around to change out of their comfortable day-to-day clothes and into more practical things, for Odin’s sake. Hiccup still wore the Chief’s fur cloak, and she herself hadn’t had time to put on her fur-lined hood or her warmer arm bracers. She could feel the chill in the early spring air, but tried to ignore it and instead concentrated on Hiccup’s explanation.

“It looks like that ‘someone’ Atali knew who would be able to take care of the king-of-dragons-egg was my mum. And the king of dragons would be the Bewilderbeast. I can’t believe that I haven’t seen that before.”

“Yeah, that’s pretty embarrassing,” Snot agreed, just as Tuff threw in, “You didn’t? H, how could you’ve overlooked that? It’s so obvious.”

“Don’t tell me you of all people made that connection already,” Fishlegs snorted.

“Well, no, I haven’t. But then, it’s not my job to make these connections. Don’t blame me if you’re not-”

“Guys, guys, it’s okay. Tuff is right,” Hiccup interrupted them. “I should have seen it sooner. I should have asked Atali to whom she gave the egg. Or I should have asked my mum if she knew anything about the king of dragons. But I didn’t. Frankly, I didn’t even think about that egg at all anymore, with everything that happened back then. But what’s done is done, we can’t change it anymore. Now, we have to concentrate on finding the egg and it’s mother before Drago does. We can’t risk him getting his hands on another Bewilderbeast, one that might overpower Toothless in her urge to protect her baby. My mum said she lured the mother into the cavern system beneath these islands and then gave the egg back to her. So let’s hope Drago hasn’t found her yet and we can set a trap to finally capture him.”

Astrid listened quietly through the entire conversation. She didn’t like this development. So far, capturing Drago had been nothing but a vague idea, some far-off goal for Hiccup to think about whenever he’d needed a break from the daily struggles of being Chief. As his wife and general, she’d supported, even encouraged this search. Because she knew Hiccup, knew that he always needed something bigger to occasionally occupy his mind. But deep in her heart, she hadn’t expected that anything would ever come of it.

But now, it had become even worse. Not just that they’d found the trail of the Bewilderbeast again, it being near to where a second one would be only made it more likely that Drago was still alive and controlling it. Sure, it could be that the gigantic dragon was only looking for a mate, but somehow Astrid doubted that. Because it wasn’t simply a female Bewilderbeast. No, it had to be a mother.

Almost against her will, her hand fluttered down to her stomach. She was only beginning to understand what it would mean to be a mother, to be responsible for such a tiny helpless creature. But she understood enough to know that this dragon mother would do anything to protect her baby.

. o O o .

When they reached their goal, one thing became immediately clear.

They were too late.

“Oh, shit,” came Snotlout’s very accurate remark when they broke through the clouds and the islands they’d been looking for lay directly in front of them. They were surrounded by chaos, and in a way Astrid felt like she’d had a horrible déjà vu.

There were two gigantic Bewilderbeasts, one black and one white, fighting against each other. The islands and the sides of the big volcano in the middle were covered in the same sharp ice shards that had destroyed Berk over a year ago. And there were dragons everywhere, fighting against one another without even knowing why.

There also were differences, but they didn’t serve to make her feel hopeful. This white Bewilderbeast was noticeably smaller than the one at Valka’s Sanctuary, and she was bleeding from a mean cut at her leg already.

Astrid’s heart sank at that sight. Taking in the whole situation of a battlefield and deciding what to do and how to react was one of her specialities. But this one didn’t look good.

“Hiccup,” she called out to get his attention.

He turned, and she saw his devastated expression, the same that had to be on her face, too. He gave Toothless a subtle sign and was flying close by her side a moment later. “I know. But I have to do something.” He gave her an apologetic look and she nodded shortly, mouthing a quiet Be safe! before he flew off without another word.

“Okay, guys, we need to distract the dragons. The sooner we draw the attention of the Alphas the better,” she said all business-like.

“And that’s good… why?” asked Eret, clinging somewhat funnily to Skullcrusher’s saddle.

“If they stop focusing on each other and on Toothless instead, he might be able to chase the big one off. That’s what we did the last times, at least,” she explained shortly. Then she turned her attention to Hiccup’s mother, knowing that she wouldn’t like to be involved in fighting dragons, no matter how indirect. “Valka? You go and look for the egg. Make sure it’s safe.” The older woman nodded, and directly flew off to one of the smaller islands farther west.

Grimly, Astrid turned her attention back to the chaos of fighting dragons. “You know what to do. Go!” she commanded, and was about to dive into the melee when Eret’s voice held her back.

“And what if I don’t know?”

Sighing, she rolled her eyes, but held back as Snotlout, Fishlegs, and the Twins flew past her. “Just keep the dragons from fighting each other. Distract them. Fly between them, divert their attacks, whatever you can come up with. If they stop doing what the Alpha wants them to do, it’s going to draw his attention sooner or later.”

Eret gave her a look as if he thought her insane, but nodded hesitantly. Not wasting any more time, Astrid gave Stormfly a sign to follow the others into the chaos.

. o O o .

There seemed to be no end. No matter how often Stormfly dove in to separate two fighting dragons, or how often she chased away two opponents with her Spineshots, there always seemed to be more. More dragons fighting, more dragons getting injured. More dragons falling…

Astrid had lost sight of her friends. They had to be around here, too, but she had no idea where. She didn’t know whether Valka had found the egg, whether it was safe. She didn’t know how Toothless was doing, only that he, obviously, hadn’t succeeded yet. And she also didn’t know whether Hiccup had found Drago.

That hadn’t been part of the official plan, but she knew that Hiccup would look for him. Even if she had tried to talk him out of that, or even to forbid it, he would have done so anyway. All she could hope was that her gut would tell her if he was in any danger. So far, it had never erred.

And it didn’t today, either.

She flinched slightly as she suddenly felt someone behind her, but could immediately tell that it was Hiccup. His arms slid around her waist – not only to have something to hold on to – and he pressed a quick peck into her hair in greeting.

“Afternoon, Milady. Do you have space for a passenger?” he asked cheerfully which served to somewhat ease her worries.

“Sure, but hold on tight. I see a Thunderdrum about to attack that Timberjack over there.” He did as told, squeezing her tightly as Stormfly flew between the two dragons to divert their attacks and attention. “How's it going?” she asked once they had a moment to breathe.

“Fairly well, I'd say. The two big ones are close to focus their attention on Toothless, and he dropped me here before I can get between them. But these here are the last fighting dragons. It should be over soon.”

“And what then? Have you found Drago? If you're right and he's still controlling the black one, then it won't be over until he's dealt with.” Oh, please, she prayed inwardly. Please, let it be over…

But she wasn’t that lucky.

“No, I didn’t find him,” Hiccup said despondently. “I can’t shake off the feeling that he’s somehow behind all this, but there’s no clue where he could be. Maybe his Bewilderbeast only came here for the female, after all.”

Astrid nodded mutely. That had always been a possibility. She was about to ask whether they should fly and look for their friends when it happened.

Somewhere to the left of them, a big explosion separated another group of fighting dragons. Astrid turned her head in that direction just in time to see three Nadders bolting in their direction, but not to give Stormfly a sign to dodge them. The talons of the closest one missed her only by an inch, maybe less. She’d even felt it brushing her hair.

Hiccup, however, wasn’t that lucky.

She heard a dull thump as the frightened dragon hit his head and then his low grunt before his hold on her waist loosened. She felt him slit to the side and off Stormfly’s back, but it all happened too fast for her to grab him.

“No!” she screamed, uselessly reaching after him as Stormfly flew into the other direction, following the frightened Nadders. For an endless second, all she could do was stare after him as he plummeted toward the ocean. This was hardly the first time anyone of them fell off a dragon. Frequently, Hiccup even jumped off Toothless, just to use his crazy flight suit. But usually, Hiccup wasn’t unconscious when doing so.

Astrid only had this one second to decide.

Then she dove after him.

If he fell into the water, unconscious as he was, he would drown. Sure, if they hit the surface from this height, that might be both their fates, but she couldn’t think of that now. Now, she had to somehow reach him. She had to!

“Hiccup!” she yelled against the rushing air and the thunderous noise of the fights around them. “Hiccup, wake up! Thor-dammit, HICCUP!” He couldn’t hear her, it was impossible. It was too loud around them, and that Nadder had hit him hard.

And yet, he opened his eyes.

He blinked, clearly dazed and not comprehending what was happening. She saw how his eyes found her, saw his confusion as he stretched one arm to reach out for her.

“Your suit,” she cried. It was their only chance, the only thing that could save them. If he would use his flight suit to slow their fall…

Hiccup’s eyes cleared as realisation hit him. Frantically, he fumbled about with the loops at his legs – but they weren’t there.

Because there had been no time to change clothes.

“Shit!” he cursed, eyes searching frantically for something else, anything else that could save them, and Astrid felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She felt fear.

She had almost reached him now, with her falling straight like a stick and his flapping cloak slowing him down, but what did it matter? Their hands were touching, but that wouldn’t slow them, wouldn’t soften the impact.

The last thing Astrid noticed was Hiccup’s protective arms around her as they tumbled toward the sea.

. o O o .

The next thing Astrid remembered was the cold. She was so cold.

Everything was dark and quiet. It even would have been peaceful, hadn’t it been so damn cold.

Then the world began to return to her, and with it came the pain. There was a horrible burning sensation in her throat and her whole body felt battered and bruised. She couldn’t even move, her body too heavy to react. And when a frantic voice was calling her name, it took her way too long to find back into consciousness.

“Astrid!” his urgent voice whispered into her thoughts. “Come on, Astrid, wake up!” There was a weird pressure on her chest, but she still couldn’t react. She wanted to reassure him that she was fine, but somehow couldn’t do so. “No, don’t do that to me. Astrid, please!” he sounded desperate now. She felt cool lips against her own, then that weird pressure again, but this time, it seemed to dislodge something inside her.

Pain shot through her as the water left her lungs, coughing and gagging, as she rolled to the side and tried to sit up.

“Oh, thank Thor! You’re alive,” echoed Hiccup’s voice into her dazed mind as if from afar. She felt his reassuring arms around her, holding her tight as she slowly regained her senses.

“Wha… happen’d,” she croaked, wincing at her aching throat. She coughed some more, groaning quietly while Hiccup explained hurriedly.

“We fell into the ocean. Stormfly fished us out, but… but it took her a while to find us, and you… you were unconscious, and…” he trailed off, squeezing her tightly against his chest. “I thought I lost you…”

Astrid laughed shakily and regretted it instantly as the laughter turned into more coughing. “You won’t get rid of me that easily.”

. o O o .

Some while later, she sat close to a burning campfire and was wrapped into Tuffnut’s warm blanket. The one from her own saddleback was drenched. She was still shivering, but already felt much better.

Hiccup sat behind her, his arms pulling her against his chest to help keeping her warm. It was strange. He had been equally soaked by the ocean’s water, but somehow had warmed up much quicker than her. Maybe because he hadn’t swallowed what felt like gallons of the icy water…

Around them, their friends were talking, but she only listened with half an ear.

“What happened to the Bewilderbeasts?” someone asked. Eret maybe?

She felt Hiccup swallow. “They separated and are both gone. They’re both still alive, that’s something at least,” he said, voice bare of any emotions. “Have you found any signs of Drago?”

From the corner of her eye, Astrid saw how Eret shook his head. “No,” he said curtly. “Skullcrusher and I looked everywhere but found no sign of him. He must have gone with the Bewilderbeast, if he was even here.”

Hiccup seemed to accept that explanation without any further comment. She knew how much he’d hoped to once and for all get rid of Drago. But it seemed as if their search would go on.

Across from her she saw how Ruffnut treated a mean burn on Snot’s arm, but before she could start to worry for her friend, she got distracted by Valka. She kneeled down beside her and handed her a mug of some warm and acrid smelling liquid which she accepted grudgingly. The tea tasted even worse, but it helped to warm her up so she didn’t complain.

“Is the egg safe at least?” Hiccup asked quietly, and Valka nodded with a smile.

“I only found old shells,” she replied cheerily. “It must have hatched some while ago. I guess they were only still here to wait for the hatchling to grow a bit. But it looks like they’re gone now. The other one must have chased them off. They’ll be hiding deep down in the ocean now. The mother will know how to defend her child there. Besides, if Drago really is still with the dark one, then it can’t dive that deep. They’re safe.”

Hiccup nodded, then turned his head in another direction. “What about the other dragons?”

“Nothing too worse,” Fishlegs replied despondently. “At least considering the chaos in the beginning. Some... fell. But we were able to treat those who just got wounded. Nearly all of them are going to make it… I think. These islands provide enough food and shelter, and without someone influencing their minds, they should stay peaceful until they all can fly back to where they belong.”

Again, Hiccup nodded. “Okay. We’ll rest here for another two hours and then fly back.” Everyone grunted in agreement, and then went to care for their dragons, leaving them alone. When they were all gone, his arms around her tightened and he buried his face in the crook of her neck. “Never do that again!” he whispered in a desperate tone.

Despite the seriousness in his voice, Astrid laughed shakily. “What, saving your life?”

“Risking your own while doing so,” he corrected her. “Jumping off your dragon like that, that was careless.”

She snorted. “Please tell me you see the irony of what you just said,” she said flatly.

“Yeah, well, I have my armour with my flight suit on when I’m doing so,” came his agitated answer. “But you didn’t. You don’t even have one. Why did you just jump like that? You could have–” he broke off and swallowed. When he continued, his voice was nothing but a weak tremble. “You could have died. I can’t lose you, Astrid. Not like this, not ever. I can’t imagine a world without you, remember?” She did remember, and it made her own agitation melt away in an instant.

Instead of yelling at him, as she’d felt like only moments before, she awkwardly turned around to look at him. “And do you remember that it’s the same for me?” she asked softly. “You were falling into your death. And I can’t live without you, Hiccup. I can’t. Together, or not at all.”

Hiccup stared at her for a moment, then took a shaky breath and leaned his forehead against hers. “You scared me,” he whispered. He sounded so vulnerable.

“I’m sorry,” she breathed back. She reached up to place her hand on his cheek. “I promise to be more careful the next time, if you promise the same.”

Astrid saw how his lips twitched into an involuntary smile. “I promise.”

For a few minutes, they were quiet. Occasionally, their lips met in light reassuring kisses, but mostly, they simply basked in their closeness. It took a while until either of them had gathered enough courage to ask the question that occupied both their minds.

“Do you think…” Hiccup finally asked hesitantly, lightly caressing her belly. “Everything’s all right?”

Astrid closed her eyes and swallowed. She wished she could give him a more satisfying answer. “I don’t know,” she whispered weakly. “I… don’t feel any different. But nothing has changed, really. We’ll still have to wait to know for sure.” He nodded mutely, but she felt how he grew tense at the mere idea they could have lost the child they didn’t even were sure of.

Casting about for something to distract them both, she caught up on something he’d said earlier. It was something she’d contemplated before already, but now seemed a good opportunity to bring it up.

“But as for your armour,” she began, but Hiccup interrupted her directly.

“I’m not going to discard of it, if that’s where you’re going,” he said determinedly. “It saved me way too many times, the flight suit especially. I rather wish you’d let me make one for you, too. That would–”

“Actually,” she interrupted him with an amused smirk. “That’s where I was going.” Her smirk widened into an honest grin when she saw Hiccup’s confusion.

“Excuse me?”

“I want armour, like yours. Well, no, not exactly like yours, but… Well, as it seems, we’re going to have a lot more fighting to do in the near future. And I just feel like… I don’t know, like my normal battle outfit isn’t doing it anymore. The hood is warm, but the wind keeps catching in it, and it really gets cold sometimes. I don’t like the cold, have I ever mentioned that?”

“I think that might have come up that one time on Glacier Island,” he said teasingly, rubbing her bare arms to keep the cold at bay. He looked far more relaxed now, his eyes expectantly on her, so she continued.

“I want something more practical, more… more streamlined. Something that doesn’t get caught in the wind all the time. I’m not sure whether I really want a flight suit, but,” she trailed off when she remembered Snotlout’s burn from earlier. “Oh, and maybe even something fireproof. I mean, I’m not riding a Nightmare, but being around dragons all the time also means the occasional burn, especially in the heat of a fight.”

Hiccup’s expression had turned into a cheeky smirk by now. “Is that all?” he asked, eyebrows raised. “Practical, warm, fireproof. And I bet it’s supposed to also look splendidly? Reflect your personality and underline your badassness?”

“Well...” she made hesitantly. She surely wouldn’t say no to all that, but somehow, he seemed to be in a far too good mood all of a sudden. As if he wasn’t taking her seriously, was making fun of her. But before she could say any more, he burst out laughing.

“Oh, Astrid, I love you. Did I ever tell you that?” He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek and then nuzzled her neck until she giggled, too.

“Hiccup, what–”

He didn’t let her finish. Instead, he leaned down to kiss her, still occasionally laughing against her lips. When he retreated, he had that lopsided smile on his face that she loved so much. “Astrid, I was just waiting for you to agree to wear such an armour. I’ve been thinking about it, you know? Especially the fireproof-part. If we reinforce the leather with discarded dragon scales and in addition treat it with Eruptodon saliva, then it should be able to protect us from any burns, at least for a while. I already made plans for armour like this for you. Actually, not just for you, but for everyone else, too. You’re right, these fights are becoming more dangerous, and we need to be prepared for that. I–” he paused, his hand dropping to her belly once more, and a softer smile spread across his face. “We just need to find a way to make it fit for as long as you want or can fly, but that should be manageable.”

Astrid gaped at him, dumbfounded. But, of course, she shouldn’t be surprised. This was Hiccup, after all. With a small smile, she remembered what he’d said on that day all those years ago, the day she considered to be one of the most important of her life.

“You’re right, you’re right. I-I’m through with the lies. I-I’ve been making… outfits! So, you got me. It’s time everyone knew.”

Instead of an answer, which he clearly seemed to expect, she pulled him down into a deep kiss, fully intending on robbing him of his senses for the moment. When they parted again, gasping, he blinked a few times, dazed, and then threw her a bemused look. “And… what was that for?”

Astrid grinned, and replied, “That was for always staying who you are.”

. o O o .

So, that was that :o) I want to point out that I had already planned for this story to end on a conversation about armour for Astrid when the pictures of HTTYD3 were released. So I freaked out a bit when I saw them all in dragon armour and simply had to implement the more detailed conversation here.

As always, likes, reblogs, and comments are very welcome :)

#Leffie #Leffie-draws-fanart #HTTYD #httyd fanfiction #httyd fandom #hiccstrid drabble #hiccstrid #hiccstrid fanfiction #Into The Hidden World #shipmistress9

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