After being declared the new chief, Hiccup was overwhelmed with his new responsibilities. Sure, his father had shown him the ropes, but this was far too much for him to deal with right now. It almost seemed as though every viking had a question or complaint about the day's events, crowding him before he could even introduce Valka to them.

"What are we going to do about our homes?"

"Uh- well… Let's-"

"What about the new dragons?"

Hiccup turned when his words were spoken over. "Maybe they could-"

"Will the ice melt?"

"I don't-"

"What kind of dragon was that?"

He couldn't take any more of it. Hiccup dealt with people ignoring him just fine, but when he was the center of attention? Forget about it.

Before he could get a word in edge wise, he felt a gentle caress on his shoulder, and heard a demanding voice, "QUIET!"

The crowd fell silent at the command.

Hiccup turned and found his girlfriend giving him a small smile. He returned it with a smirk, and sighed as he turned back to the villagers.

"I know all of you have some issue that needs to be dealt with, but I can't talk to you guys all at once." He reasoned with them.

"I'm not the only one here capable of starting a search for people or dragons stuck under debris from the ice."

They all began to slightly panic, thinking of loved ones who might be dead.

Gobber took this time to direct the attention to himself and away from the overwhelmed chief. "Alright, how 'bout all ye come over here if ye need some place to stay for the night."

That dragged at least half of them away at least.

"I-I don't think I'll be much help to anyone right now." He muttered under his breath, a hint of remorse hidden in his voice.

Astrid managed to hear him.

"Everyone, how about we let Hiccup rest." The new chief gave a grateful flash of a smile at her. "He's…" Astrid debated whether or not to tell them the whole story, but decided against it. "He's been through a lot."

Hiccup's eyes cast downward, averting away from everyone's gazes.

"In the meantime, Gobber and I will help answer your questions."

Astrid leaned closer to Hiccup. "Go take a break. We got it handled here."

Her boyfriend kissed her forehead. "You have no idea how much I love you right now." He whispered into her ear.

She chuckled and pecked her lips on his cheek. "I love you too, now go before I make you."

Hiccup looked like he was thinking deeply about some decision, until he stuttered out, "A-After you finish what you're doing here, meet me in the cove, alright?"

She nodded, and gave him one last hug. "Don't get yourself into trouble. I'm not there to save you this time."

The young chief couldn't help but smile at his girlfriend. "What, me? In trouble? No!"

Astrid playfully shoved him away. "Get out of here, you idiot." She turned to the crowd. "Alright, who's first?"

They all raised their hands anxiously.

"Remember the cove."

She waved her hand behind her at him nonchalantly. "Yeah, yeah… I heard you, Babe. I'll try not to be too late."

Before doing as told, he spun her around and left her with a tender kiss on the lips. "I'll meet you there, Mi'lady."

Toothless warbled from behind him, making Hiccup turn to see his best friend gesturing to the saddle. "Hold on, Bud."

He pulled himself up onto the dragon, and patted his head. "Let's go."

The duo shot into the air at top speed. The only sound that could be heard after they entered the clouds was Hiccup's cry of thrill.

Astrid watched them leave. "Oh, Hiccup…" She pulled herself together, and returned to her self-given duties. "People who are injured or missing are our first priority, so who wants to look for wounded?"

From the sidelines, Valka had witnessed Hiccup and Astrid's goodbye with interest. She hadn't known the relationship her son had had with the girl until the battle was over. She hadn't needed the kiss to realize it, however, it did help clear things up. It explained why she was the first to comfort him after Stoick's death, and why she was the one he kept glancing at during the battle of the bewilderbeasts.

The two were obviously together. For how long, Valka didn't know, but she guessed it was a few years at least. Their interactions with each other weren't that of a new couple, always lovey-dovey next to each other, no. They were that of two souls who knew one another inside and out.

With a pang, she remembered her own fallen soulmate. She felt tears beginning to fall down her face as she thought of Stoick's giant, but gentle hands against her cheeks. Cloudjumper seemed to have noticed his rider's distress and gave a low croon.

She scratched his chin and pressed her forehead to his. "Let's go find where me boy's gone to hiden', shall we?"

The stormcutter lowered himself as she climbed onto his back.

No one even noticed her absence as she took off into the sky.

Who wants me to write another chapter?