(A/N I don't know how you guys do this to me. But then again, it wasn't your fault. This, thing, won't stop recurring in my dreams. You win, I'll write you and post you for all to see.
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD. This story is non-profit.
+Happiness-
"I can't take this anymore, Hiccup. We have a really great thing going for us!" The nineteen year-old Astrid yelled at Hiccup's back. He was on Toothless, about to fly off for a dragon world peace journey, facing the Sun that began to set in front of them. She on a white ruffled puffy shirt with a light blue corset and blue leggings. Her black shin boots didn't budge as she made no move to step closer to Hiccup. Astrid didn't even know if he was listening to her anymore. Then she sighed. "I know that you just want everyone else out there share our peace and happiness but…"
"But what?" The twenty year-old Hiccup turned and stared at her with a blank expression. It had been seventeen months since Stoick's passing. Hiccup had been given chiefdom due to his earlier years of heroics and he's been keeping the peace ever since then. Day by day, Hiccup had been slowly losing his attitude and has been replacing it with a wall of solitude. He had adopted Stoick's personality and abandoned his own unique personality. No more jokes, no playful romancing, and no Hiccup. He usually had on his father's bear cape but now he just had his old green tunic and brown vest wrapped around his thin but lean torso.
"But, you can't leave. Berk needs you here. The next generation needs you to teach them. And…" Astrid bit her tongue. She hated acting as if she was a defenseless housewife.
"And you need me here?" Hiccup finished for her. His eyes had lost their light. "Why do you need me here? You've always been stronger than me physically. You have great leadership skills, teaching kids how to fly would be an easy feat for you. Besides, even if I do stay here…" Hiccup's brows furrowed and he looked away. "I haven't been the only one becoming distant from the other." Hiccup sighed and unhooked his metal leg from the saddle. He hopped off and approached Astrid with an example playing through his mind.
Astrid knew what he was about to do and her heart sank. Guilt overcame her as Hiccup lowered his face to her level and leaned in. Like all of the other kisses they've shared since Hiccup had become chief, this one was no different. No sparks, no fireworks, just the broken barrier of personal space. "I don't care anymore! Just don't leave me alone here!"
Hiccup slowly blinked his eyes open and leaned back, his eyes might've lost their brilliance, but now it had shown disappointment. Hiccup hadn't even kissed her yet. "Good bye, Astrid." Hiccup turned and walked back over to the Night Fury.
A sharp intake of breath came from Astrid as she let the dam break. Tears flowing down her face, she ran after him and gripped her arms around Hiccup abdomen. "There have been murders going around, Hiccup. If you won't stay for me, stay for the Village. They need their chief to protect them from whoever's been causing this…" Astrid pulled herself closer and slowly lead the both of them backwards. Back to Berk.
"I need to do this, Astrid Hofferson." Hiccup's voice changed drastically to a tone he only used when talking to other villagers as Chief.
Astrid stopped in her tracks and her arms faltered back to her sides. She gently drew her head back from the wet spot that formed on his back. Her eyes glued onto the ground as she turned and walked away from Hiccup, off the docks, into the unbeknownst busy market street. As Astrid lengthened the distance between them, she collapse as she heard Toothless roar before the flap of his wings retreating from Berk. On her knees, she was on her own. Maybe five years ago, she would've liked it that way, but now… Now, a part of Astrid was now severed and he wasn't turning around to yell that this was all a joke.
+Happiness-
It had been two weeks since Hiccup's disappearance and Ruffnut had yet to come back with good news regarding Astrid. She sat down and nodded when her brother slide her a drink of sweet mead. Ruffnut had on mostly dark blue casual clothes, no armor due to now dragon attacks, and she also relaxed her hairstyle to a simple fishtail braid. She rubbed the back of her neck while lifting up the cup with her free hand. "Thanks." She muttered out before taking a light sip. Around her sitting on the table was Tuffnut, Snotlout, and her husband Fishlegs. Fishlegs got up and walked around the table to get a plate of dinner. He had on a dark red shirt with a brown vest and red pants. His hair hadn't grown out into a mane like Snotlout's, but he did keep it maintained better with a smaller mess on his head.
Tuffnut had on mostly gray clothes save for his trousers that were brown. "Yeah." Tuffnut had lost his animated personality when he found another victim of the infamous murderer. He reported it in and helped the watchmen carry it back to the Elder's for a proper burial. The victim was Tuffnut's age, maybe a year older, and he like most of the other victims had one key trait shared. The Council.
"Is she still, you know?" Snotlout motioned his hands to twirl around his temple. "Mourning?" Snotlout, like everyone else in Berk, had abandoned his armor and helmet for casual clothes. His outfit was the same as when he was younger, he still favored the black and gray color scheme as he wore a black vest, gray long sleeved shirt, and black trousers. His hair had grown out to a mane that fell to his shoulders.
Ruffnut didn't have to look up to guess what Snotlout was implying. Luckily, Tuffnut struck Snotlout before she would have to.
"It's not funny. Hiccup hasn't returned yet and the village has been anxious ever since." Tuffnut punched Snotlout's shoulder none too gently.
Snotlout rubbed his arm and got up. "Forget you guys. I was just asking because I cared." He tried brushing past Fishlegs, but he ended up stumbling due to the larger man's frame.
Fishlegs shook his head and settled down next to Ruffnut, placing the plate of mashed potatoes, pulled pork, and corn cob in front of her. "Lemme refill you cup while I get the gravy." Fishlegs reached over and grabbed her cup. He got up and left again for the barrels.
Ruffnut just stared at the steaming plate and pushed it aside. She wouldn't eat if Astrid wasn't. No matter how much her stomach warned her to eat before she keeled over.
Fishlegs came back and frowned at the moved plate. He set the cup down and pulled the plate back over in front of Ruffnut. "Eat."
"I'm not hungry." Ruffnut grabbed the cup and threw it back. She slammed it down and leaned onto Fishlegs.
"Ruffnut, you have to eat." Fishlegs said firmly.
"I don't have to do anything." Ruffnut glared down at the table.
"Ruffnut-"
"Fishy. Please." Ruffnut whispered, ignoring that her brother was right there. She directed herself to Fishlegs in hope that he would drop it.
Fishlegs brought a hand around her shoulders and pulled her in. Then he pulled the plate to be in front of him. He poured the gravy over the potatoes and pork. After he jabbed a good amount a meat with the fork, he blew on it and inched it towards Ruffnut.
"Stop-" Ruffnut started pulling away from Fishleg's hefty arm.
"Ruffnut, you have no idea how much it kills me when you neglect yourself. Please eat for me." Fishleg's body felt heavy as he told the truth.
Ruffnut paused, hesitating.
"If you won't do it for me…"
Ruffnut was gradually leaning back onto Fishlegs.
"Do it for Astrid. I'm sure she'll hate seeing you like this because of her." Fishlegs finished, he now felt the full weight of Ruffnut at his side.
Ruffnut sighed and willingly opened her mouth. "Sorry, Fishy."
Tuffnut wasn't paying them any mind until he got up and excused himself. "I'm just gonna go home. I'm beat." He waved good bye to Ruffnut and sent knowing look towards his brother in-law.
Fishlegs understood and nodded. He wasn't going to let Ruffnut out of his sight while the killer was still on the loose. "Good night, Tuffnut."
Tuffnut nodded back and started for the exit of the Mead Hall. Once he pushed himself through the doors, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked in the direction of his house. But on a second thought, he took another route.
+Happiness-
Astrid heard someone climb up the steps, but she didn't move an inch from her spot on the bed. She only had on wrappings with a night robe, just like she's been having on since that fateful day. Lying on her side, Astrid stared out the window to the Moon and the stars. She ignored the rude visitor that let themselves into her house, she didn't budge when they opened her bed, and she didn't turn around to face them as they got into her bed. She sighed as the person wrapped their arms around her.
"Hey sweetness. How was your day with Ruffnut?"
"Fine." Astrid didn't acknowledge the cheery attitude radiating off the person.
"That bad, huh?" The person leaned forward and planted a kiss on Astrid's cheek. "Hey! I know what'll make you feel better…" The bed creaked as the person leaned back and blew out the candle.
Astrid felt herself getting undressed. But she didn't break eye contact with the sky outside. She just took a deep breath and sighed as the person had their way with her. Their happiness. Not hers.
+Happiness-
Tuffnut got to the docks and kept walking until he got the end. Then he sat down and let his legs dangle off the edge. He subconsciously picked a rock from his usual pile he gathered in his usual visits to the docks and flicked one out into the port's water. The rock skipped once and Tuffnut threw another one as he thought. Where's Hiccup, who's the murderer, why can't I do anything?! The thoughts crashed down in Tuffnut's head.
+Happiness-
Astrid didn't feel any better than she did five minutes ago. She was about to go to sleep but that's when she heard another blood-curdling scream come from somewhere in Berk. Her nostrils flared as cold blood ran through her veins and she stopped breathing to strain her ears to listen.
Nothing. The clouds passed over the Moon and the stars as if to obscure the dark deed.
Astrid couldn't relax after a few minutes went by of complete ignorant silence. Every other night, the screams came. Each one getting closer and closer to her house. Astrid could only guess that it was a matter of time until-
Out of the corner of Astrid's eye, she saw a black shadow creep closer to the perimeter of her house. The advancing darkness speed up as Astrid's heart raced. It didn't stop! The closer it got, the more oxygen Astrid forgot to breathe in. Astrid was about to break down until suddenly the shadow stopped right in front of her door. Astrid's frame was racking with nerves. The solace that followed the disappearance of the shadow was not comforting Astrid in the slightest. Astrid finally calmed down to take a deep breath-
The shadow appeared right in front of Astrid's window and she hid into her covers before she saw who the owner of the shadow was.
+I Want Your-
End.
(A/N I don't know what this is. Is it going to be an one-shot, two-shot, three-shot or full blown out story? All I know is that I won't let you rule me. I refuse with every fiber in my being to be controlled by your self proclaimed schedule.
Your resistance is admiral, but that is all. I will break you and your pathetic rebellious fight. Your greatest power as an Author will defeat you, overcome you, take over completely. It's a fitting end for someone who has depended on me. Your imagination has another side. A plan that will be set in motion the moment you post me…
Let the war begin. May the darkness show it's true colors…
