Disclaimer: I don't own HTTYD
A/N: M rating for the first part of this chapter as well guys.
Chapter Ten
For the sake of privacy, Toothless and Hiccup had learned to form mental barriers. Toothless was not privy to his other half's thoughts and feelings that evening; but the deepest, most raw emotions could not be so easily blocked. Twice did the Night Fury experience an echo of intense passion that compelled him to roar at the moon and fire blasts into the sky, feeling the euphoria with none of the lust.
He flew out to the other islands in their territory, to spread the news of Hiccup and Astrid's union to more of their subjects. Stormfly accompanied him, chattering about how thrilled she was, what their offspring might be like, perhaps her own fledglings could play with the little one when they were big enough if Lightning, Thunder and Rain were very careful…Toothless tuned her out after a while.
It was nearly mid-morning when he decided to sneak back inside the house, but Hiccup and Astrid were still asleep. They both looked so peaceful, Hiccup snoring lightly with his arm around his wife's waist as her head rested on his bare chest. They smelled like each other, so much so that it was almost as if they were one being, and Toothless felt a flicker of doubt. Could Hiccup really be his other half if he was also Astrid's? Could someone have two other halves? He wasn't sure he wanted to be Hiccup's other third.
Then Hiccup stirred awake, and like a magnet his eyes found those of his dragon-brother's, and shone with pure love. He smiled sleepily and reached out a hand; Toothless crept forward and rested his chin upon his human-half's shoulder, head tucked under his arm. The doubt faded…he was not excluded, and if anyone could have two halves, it was his Hiccup. He could feel that the man had not missed him – and rightly so – but was happy to have him there now.
With his arms curled around the two people he loved most in all the world, Hiccup sighed in contentment and wished he could stay like that forever. Presently, Astrid blinked awake; she reached over to gently scratch Toothless behind the ear, and he rolled an eye to peer at her, purring deep in his chest. "Good morning" Hiccup murmured, "Did you sleep okay, milady?"
"We did tire each other out last night" she replied in a sultry sort of tone; at least, she thought it was.
"Yeah…so, um…how was it?" he asked, adorably nervous.
"Last night?" Astrid stretched, cat-like, and settled against his side once more. "It was great. Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes" he replied immediately, "Very much so. All of it. We should do that again sometime".
"I agree. I give it…hmm…seven out of ten" she said teasingly.
"So…room for improvement, then?"
"I s'pose we're both still learning. I'm just glad I get to tell Ruffnut she was wrong".
"…about what?"
"Oh, nothing".
*Is this another weird human mating ritual?* Toothless inquired, *Talking about how it went afterwards? It's just sex, you know. It's nature. You don't take this much of an interest in, say, defecating, do you?*
Hiccup chuckled, amused more by his friend's tone than anything else. "What's so funny?" asked Astrid. He told her what Toothless had said, and she giggled as well. "Us humans are silly, aren't we?" she cooed at the dragon, before sighing. "Y'know, it's times like this that I wish I could understand him too".
"Well, the thing is…the heart bind lets me understand dragons, but it also seems to let me understand other languages than Norse. Only I started thinking about it, and I realised that something didn't add up" Hiccup began to explain.
"What's that?"
"Me being able to understand people when they speak a different language is one thing; but they shouldn't be able to understand me. As far as I can tell, I'm still speaking in Norse when I reply, so unless whoever I'm talking to speaks Norse as well, it should just sound like gibberish to them. But I've asked Eret's crew, and they all say it sounds like I'm speaking in their native tongue – just, with my accent, that's the only way they can tell that I'm not a native speaker".
"I think I follow…"
"It's like I'm getting inside their heads somehow and making them think I'm speaking their language, and I think they're speaking mine. I dunno; it's confusing. The thing is, if I can do that without meaning to with languages, maybe I can do it on purpose with the thought-speak". He was gesturing the way he always did when he was getting into a topic, and he went on eagerly, "I could try to help you hear it too – or, or, we could go back to the Ice Nest and ask the King for help, he helped me think-speak properly so maybe he"-
Astrid pressed a finger to his lips as he rambled, and smiled softly. "I think you're getting a bit ahead of yourself, babe" she told him, "Let's just relax and enjoy our honeymoon, yeah?"
"Yes, dear, whatever you like" Hiccup recited. Astrid huffed at him; he grinned and kissed her before threading his fingers through hers. Toothless sat with his head tucked under Hiccup's other arm, eyes closed. Presently, he wriggled out of the group hug and gave his other half a hopeful purr, eyes big and pleading. Hiccup knew straightaway what he wanted. "Astrid…" he murmured.
Sighing, she pulled her hand back and muttered, "S'okay…I said I'd share. You go flying…mind if Stormfly and I tag along?"
"I think he wanted me to himself for a bit" Hiccup said apologetically, "but tell you what, when you're ready, you can come and join us - can't she, bud?" He looked at Toothless for his opinion. The black dragon groomed himself unconcernedly, saying *If she likes, she can come with us now. Our subjects will want to congratulate you both, I imagine*.
Hiccup relayed this suggestion to Astrid, who happily agreed to the idea. "Great. So, shall I just put your saddle on, or do you want to wear your…?" Hiccup trailed off at the expression on Toothless' face. "Right. Stupid question. Of course you want to wear your normal tail fin".
*I want to fly with you. This thing* Toothless flicked the auto-tail, *does not count. I agreed to wear it last night and that was it*.
"Can you just try us flying with that tail fin? I promise it won't be any different".
Toothless shook his head. *Yes, it will. I know it will*.
"Stubborn dragon. Give me ten minutes" said Hiccup, his eyes saying be patient. Toothless stood back and waited whilst Hiccup pulled himself reluctantly from the warm bed and started getting dressed. Dragons had no taboo against nakedness, for obvious reasons, so he wasn't concerned about the Night Fury watching him. What really made the blood rise to his cheeks was when he glanced at Astrid and saw her eyeing him with a lazy, very appreciative smirk on her face. It was ridiculous, given what they'd gotten up to the night before, but he couldn't seem to help himself.
Finally they were ready, and soon both Toothless and Stormfly were climbing up into the bright blue sky. Flying with his other half was always a joy, but this morning was even better than normal. The lingering bliss Hiccup felt swirled and mixed with the elation of flight, spiralling up as they did into bursts of euphoric energy, released in roars and excited screams.
He and Stormfly raced and danced in the way of dragons, looping and twirling around each other in a complex pattern. Their riders held on and laughed and urged them faster, caught up in the joyful adrenaline rush. When their dragons landed for a rest, Hiccup and Astrid stumbled out of their saddles and into each other's arms. They kissed passionately, oblivious to anyone watching, and the dragons could scent their desire to mate…then, to Toothless' slight bewilderment, Astrid grabbed Hiccup by the upper arm and dragged him back into the house.
The Night Fury and Nadder stared at the shut door. *I guess they must want to mate again* Stormfly remarked, clicking thoughtfully, *Alpha-Hiccup did say humans had the urge to mate more often than dragons* she remembered.
Flapping wings and obnoxious huffing signalled the arrival of their defence party. "So much for coming to say congrats" Snotlout rolled his eyes, "Great idea, Fishlegs. It's not like they could be busy or anything".
"Hey, I didn't know they'd be…I'm sure they won't be long!"
Snotlout dismounted and walked over to Barf&Belch, smiling disarmingly (he would say) up at Ruffnut. "You know, babe, you and I could be busy as well, if ya know what I mean. Just say the word and you can have all of this" he said, flexing his biceps and kissing them. Ruffnut pulled a face, and Barf's tail came around to knock the arrogant Viking to the ground. He landed in a puddle and scrambled to his feet, spluttering.
"Good boy, Barf!" Ruffnut praised, cackling at Snotlout's misfortune. "You remembered the trick I taught you!"
"Hey! How did you teach our dragon a trick without me?"
"Easy, I just taught my half the trick. I call it the 'make Snotlout stop annoying me' trick. Pretty cool, right?"
"I'll say! Can you teach Belch that trick?"
"Teach him yourself! He's your half of our dragon!"
"No! Don't teach him that! Come on, princess, don't be this way – augh!"
"Err, Ruffnut, maybe you should make Barf stop knocking Snotlout over".
"Are you kidding? This is hilarious! Do it again!"
Barf obliged. Snotlout lay in the dirt and groaned. "What do you want from me?"
Whilst their riders bickered, the dragons tuned them out and focused on a conversation of their own. *When Alpha-Hiccup and Astrid finish mating, you will give them our congratulations, won't you?* asked Meatlug.
*Yes…but you can always congratulate them yourselves. They won't be in there forever* Toothless said confidently.
*We're going to eat at the Great Hall* Hookfang revealed, *Are you two coming with us?* he asked Stormfly and Toothless. The Nadder chirped agreeably, but Toothless politely declined.
*I'll catch up with you later*.
*You don't need Hiccup, you know. Aren't you wearing that other fin, the one that lets you fly on your own?*
Suddenly, all eyes were on his red tail fin, and Toothless licked sheepishly at his own shoulder, avoiding their gaze. *I asked him to put the normal one back on* he admitted, *I didn't think he and Astrid would…do this*. He looked at the door behind which his other half and his other half's mate were doing things he'd rather not think about.
*Big mistake* Hookfang snorted. Meatlug and Stormfly glared at him, and the latter snapped *Hookfang! Toothless is one of our Alphas, show some respect!*
The Nightmare rolled his bulbous eyes. *My deepest apologies. I should have said, that was a big mistake, Alpha-Toothless*.
*Hookfang! Why you!-*
*Leave it, Stormfly. He's not worth it* Toothless snorted dismissively, turning hooded eyes on Hookfang. *Just so we're clear, I don't think it was a mistake. I don't care if I have to wait for Hiccup - I'm used to it*.
*I hope so, Alpha-Toothless, because you're gonna be waiting for him a lot from now on*.
*What do you mean?* Meatlug asked worriedly.
*Alpha-Hiccup has a mate now; which is great, hurray, we're all very happy for them. But we all know what's going to happen now, don't we?*
*This isn't going to come between Hiccup and I* Toothless insisted, *We've talked about it. I don't mind sharing him with Astrid and he said she doesn't mind sharing him with me*.
*No offence, Alpha-Toothless, but that's not what I meant. Every hatchling knows the rhyme. 'Find your desired. Choose your mate. Lay your eggs. They hatch - it's great'. Humans don't lay eggs, but the point still stands*.
*So Astrid will have a baby* said Stormfly, *What is your point, Hookfang?*
*I thought it was kind of obvious. Hatchlings, babies, whatever you want to call them – they don't share. Alpha-Hiccup's offspring isn't going to want to share him with you* Hookfang told Toothless, cruelly adding *When the baby is here, he'll love them more than he loves you*.
Toothless resisted the urge to flinch, barely, but Stormfly reacted worse than he did. *How can you say that?!* she screeched indignantly, startling the humans nearby, *Toothless-Hiccup are heart bound! A baby isn't going to change that! Take it back right now or I'll!-*
*Shut up, both of you* Toothless snarled irritably at them, *Just go eat your stupid fish*.
Hookfang tossed his head haughtily and declared, *You know I'm still right*, before taking to the air.
"What the – hey! HOOKFANG!"
*Take your human with you!*
The Nightmare couldn't be bothered to land again and let his rider climb on, so he just snatched Snotlout up in his talons. The other riders got the hint that maybe it was time to leave, until only Stormfly and Toothless were left. The Nadder was still fuming over Hookfang's insensitivity. *Of all the callous, rotten egg-for-brain things to say!* Stormfly growled and flexed her wings, tail lashing. *I swear, sometimes I just want to claw his skinny-*
*Give it a rest, Stormfly* Toothless snapped at her, and she flinched away from him, spines rattling. He sighed, shoulders slumping, and apologised. *I'm not upset* he lied, *and please don't waste time on Hookfang. He is an idiot and not worth the effort*.
*You're telling me* she snorted, before ruffling her wings awkwardly and adding quietly, *I am sure he did not mean what he said, Alpha-Toothless*.
Toothless gave her a long-suffering look. *I know what he meant. Now please, go enjoy your*-
He didn't have to finish, for at that moment the door to Hiccup's house opened, and the married pair stepped out. Their skin was pink, their eyes were bright and their clothes were rumpled. Astrid combed her fingers through her hair, picking at the knots it had tangled into, and cleared her throat. "Well, that was fun" she said to no-one in particular.
Behind her, Hiccup leaned against the door jamb, eyes dazed. He opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was "Uh…" and a dopey smile.
"I know you liked it too" she smiled at him, "I kinda derailed our plans there, didn't I? Sorry" she said, not sounding remorseful in the slightest.
Hiccup shook his head, still dazed. "No, no…plans? What plans, I like…I like this plan. The plan with all the kissing and…stuff" he rambled, putting his arms around her. Astrid giggled and pecked him on the lips.
"I quite like the kissing and 'stuff' myself. Speaking of which, have you got Inferno in your pocket or do you just really like being near me?" she asked with a flirtatious smirk.
The implication went right over Hiccup's head. "Uh, no, it's on my belt…but, I mean, yes, of course I like being near you" he smiled at her. He was very confused when she groaned, and then giggled again.
"Never mind. C'mon, after that I'm starving". She briefly squeezed his butt – he squeaked – and strolled over to Stormfly, casting him a sultry smirk over her shoulder.
Hiccup blushed, cleared his throat, and got into his own saddle. "After you, milady" he smiled courteously. She gave him a pretend curtsey from the saddle, and nudged her heels against the Nadder's sides, signalling to take-off.
Hiccup and Toothless weren't far behind. The two of them slowly lowered the mental barriers they'd thrown up, becoming aware of each other's emotions once more. At first, the bliss still fogged his mind, but presently Hiccup noticed his dragon-brother's lingering irritation.
*Toothless, is something wrong?*
*Nothing, Hiccup. Just something stupid Hookfang said*.
*What did he say?*
*…He thinks that when you and Astrid have your own offspring, you will love them more than me. Like I said, stupid*. His ear-fins flicked dismissively, but Hiccup could still sense a frisson of doubt.
*I will still love you. You, Astrid, the baby…I'll love all of you, just-*
*In different ways* Toothless finished for him, *I know*.
*Were you bored? I knew you should have kept your auto-tail fin on. In case of unexpected…events*.
*Is that what you call having the insatiable urge to breed like Biters?* Toothless asked teasingly, gurgling laughter at Hiccup's blush. *You've mated now, twice, you shouldn't be embarrassed anymore*.
*I know, but…shut up*. By then they'd reached the Great Hall, and were immediately surrounded by celebrating Vikings all congratulating and toasting the happy couple with flagons of mead.
Gobber was singing wedding ballads at the top of his lungs off key, Valka and Agatha hugged Hiccup and Astrid and then swapped over, Stoick and Fredrick laughed heartily and boasted about how proud they were to have joined two great houses of Berk.
Hiccup being Hiccup, he made Hookfang apologise as soon as possible. The Fire-Scale had realised by then that he may have crossed a line; he reluctantly admitted he'd been insensitive, and promised not to say anything like that again.
Astrid accompanied him and Toothless as they made a circuit of the island; Hiccup introduced his new wife to his subjects, and in turn Astrid met the mates of the dragons she knew. Some of the younger dragons offered them gifts, copying the humans; interestingly shaped or coloured rocks, bits of shiny metal, a boar skull.
The whole time, Hiccup was in such high spirits that Toothless couldn't help being in a good mood as well. He was glad that his other half had a mate now, if it made him this happy. I don't care how busy he might be, or how much I need to share him with his mate and offspring. So long as he's happy, that's all that matters.
It was a week or two after the honeymoon when Astrid began to realise something was amiss. It began with her getting cramps, and bleeding, but she dismissed it at first. Surely it was only her 'time', and nothing to worry about. Only…she started feeling more tired than usual, and losing her appetite. Hiccup noticed after a few days, and worriedly asked if she was sick, but she assured him she was just under the weather. It was nothing to worry about.
Yet her body kept changing against her will. Her breasts grew swollen and sore; her back and stomach ached. She felt unusually naseous sometimes. Hiccup fretted when he noticed, but Astrid insisted it was only her 'monthly time' that was causing the problem. The side effects were lasting longer, that was all, and what would he know? He was just a man, she'd muttered irritably.
Both her mother and Hiccup's knew it was nothing of the sort; and it wasn't long before they decided to hold an intervention. Valka and Agatha invited Astrid to come talk to them in private; she and Hiccup had been working together on some problems Stoick had set them to solve, as part of Astrid's new training to be the Chief of Berk.
Left behind with the dragons, Hiccup tried to continue the work without Astrid for a few moments. Soon he put his pencil down and sighed, head in his hand. *I wish she'd just tell me what the matter is* he complained aloud.
Stormfly peered at him out of the corner of her eye and clucked in a motherly, concerned sort of way. *Is something wrong, Alpha-Hiccup?*
He had long since given up trying to get the dragons to not use his title nearly every time they addressed him. *Something is wrong with Astrid. I know she's not well, but she won't talk to me about it. I'd help her if I only knew what was wrong!*
Stormfly was taken aback, as was Wave Crest, Agatha's own Nadder. *You don't know?* the older Spike-Tail asked him.
Meanwhile, Stormfly turned to Toothless and asked, *You haven't told him?*
Hiccup frowned, bewildered. *I don't know what?*
*I was waiting for her to tell him* Toothless explained.
*Tell me what? Would one of you please explain what you're talking about?*
*Hiccup, really, it should be obvious* Toothless chided him, and the young Viking looked more confused than ever.
*Perhaps it is not so obvious, Alpha-Toothless* suggested Cloud Jumper, respectful but with a thrumming purr of amusement. *Or such a clever person would have realised the truth by now, surely*.
Hiccup eyed the Stormcutter with mock-suspicion, not sure whether he was being complimented or teased. He got the strangest feeling it was a bit of both. *What is that supposed to mean, Cloud?*
The great four-winged dragon lowered his head submissively to Hiccup, and replied *I mean no disrespect, Alpha-Hiccup. I'm just surprised, that's all. I honestly thought you knew*.
*It's alright* Hiccup said magnanimously, before drawing himself to his full height – which was laughably small compared to the dragons around him, yet they looked at him as if he were a commanding presence and not a one-legged scrawny human. *Alright, enough is enough. You all clearly know something about Astrid that I don't, but I'm her husband, her mate, so I have a right to know. So I'm only going to ask this once – what is wrong with Astrid?*
There was a long pause, as the dragons glanced at each other, and then Stormfly asked eagerly, *If he really wants to know, can I tell him?*
*If you like* Toothless agreed, shifting his weight to a more comfortable seat. Hiccup looked at Stormfly expectantly, arms folded, eyebrows raised. She gave a happy trill, shaking her wings and head in excitement, and declared, *Astrid isn't sick, Alpha-Hiccup! She's expecting!*
*Expecting what?* Hiccup asked, brow furrowed, oblivious. The dragons all rolled their eyes and groaned in exasperation.
*A baby, you stupid human* Toothless huffed.
"What?"
*Really, Hiccup, think about it. You and Astrid have mated; way too many times, if you ask me, but you humans seem to mate just for fun. Everyone knows, when you mate, you have offspring. Honestly, are all human males this oblivious, or is it just you?*
Hiccup spluttered, looking around at the dragons in wide eyed shock. A passing villager called over to ask if he was alright. "Yes! Yep, uh-huh, everything's fine!" he smiled widely, giving them two thumbs up. The man swiftly moved on; Hiccup waited until he was out of sight before rounding on the dragons. *Astrid is pregnant?! How do you even know that?* he demanded.
*Her scent has changed. I don't think I can explain how* Stormfly revealed with a small apologetic whine, *but there's no mistaking it, Alpha-Hiccup. It is a little different to when a drakaina has eggs inside, but as your other half says, you and Astrid have mated…it stands to reason she'd be carrying a child*.
The news had struck Hiccup mute; he stood there, mouth slightly agape, struggling to digest this revelation. Astrid. Pregnant. If she really was…then that meant…he shook his head. *But, but…if she…she would have told me if she was, y'know…wouldn't she?*
*Actually, that's what her mother and ours are talking about right now* Toothless informed him. *They're trying to persuade her to tell you the truth. I suppose now she doesn't have to*.
*How do you know what they're talking about?*
Toothless' ear-fins flicked. *They're only inside the house, and you know I have excellent hearing*.
Hiccup frowned. *It's rude to eavesdrop* he protested, wagging his finger disapprovingly at the Night Fury, who merely blinked at him. *Bad dragon*.
Before Toothless could reply with a witty retort, the door suddenly swung open behind Hiccup, and he spun around, nearly tripping over his own foot. "Astrid!"
Her head was bowed…when she looked up at him, he could see red rimming her eyes. It surprised him, because Astrid never cried: at the same time, he wasn't surprised at all. "There's, um…there's something I have to tell you" she informed him. A thousand words died on his tongue and he just nodded dumbly, stepping aside.
Valka and Agatha emerged from the house; the two older women gave the couple sympathetic smiles and made themselves scarce. When Cloud and Wave had flown away, Astrid went to sit on the grass outside their house, and patted the patch next to her. Hiccup joined her, and the two of them sat in silence for a few long moments.
At last, Astrid looked at him and said "Hiccup, I…the truth is…" She trailed off, looking more nervous than he ever remembered her seeing. Wanting to help, he reached over and took hold of her hand, kissing the back of it and holding it between both of his own.
"It's okay…I know" he told her quietly, "I know you're…expecting".
Bewildered, she asked "How can you possibly…?"
"The dragons told me. They can, um, tell by your scent".
"Of course they can…why did they tell you?"
"Um, I sort of made them. I just wanted to know what was wrong, and they knew something, so I…Astrid, why didn't you just tell me?"
"I was going to" she assured him hastily, "honest. I just…I dunno. I wanted to pretend for a little while longer that everything was normal. I mean, this is…huge".
"Yeah…" He took a deep breath, blew it out and nudged her. When she glanced at him, he grinned a bit and murmured, "We're gonna have a baby". A look of awe came over his face as he whispered, "I'm gonna be a dad".
"I'm gonna be a mum" Astrid said, more glumly. She looked at Hiccup again and said, "We are so not ready for this, you know".
"Are we ever?" He put an arm around her shoulders, and hugged her. "At least we have each other, right?"
She lay her head on his shoulder and sighed. "Yeah".
Toothless padded closer and lay down on Hiccup's other side; Stormfly came to lie beside Astrid. *You have us, too. I'll be here for you, Hiccup* the Night Fury told his human-half, who smiled gratefully at him.
*Thanks, bud. That means a lot*.
Astrid heard Toothless crooning; then Stormfly purred, and gave an inquisitive whistle. Hiccup chuckled lightly, and said "She's wondering if her triplets can play with the little one when they're old enough".
That was much too far ahead for either of them to think about…but Astrid still smiled at her Nadder friend and nodded. "Yeah. Who knows? Maybe one of them'll become our baby's dragon" she wondered, resting a hand on her still flat belly. It was a nice thought.