Oh look it's me getting more into the ship I don't ship and writing more of the ship I don't ship. With story.
OechsnerC - can you be more specific? Do you want more 'lemons' (just say sex/smut I find the term lemons kind of odd like that's the last thing I want during sex)? As for more children, I'm still deciding on that though it wouldn't be massively relevant do planned storyline...
-HTTYD-
"I think me and Wildr may have a different concept of soon."
It had been a week and a half since Toothless vanished, and Hiccup was losing his mind with worry. He didn't say it anywhere near Wildr, not wanting to make his son feel guilty, but Valka thankfully listened to him rant after Astrid had gone to bed. Their argument about him not being home enough was as yet unresolved, and Hiccup only entered their room to see Finn and to wash and dress. Astrid had yet to call him out on it.
When he caved and asked Wildr when Toothless was coming back, the boy only managed to struggle out one word.
"Soon."
He forced himself to be satisfied with that, deciding that the village was quiet enough for him to take a few hours to himself. Sort of.
"Astrid?"
"Yeah?"
There was a tension between them, neither quite meeting the others eyes.
"Can you make sure Finn is fed? Me and mom are taking him and Wildr out to enjoy the sunshine."
"Uh, sure?"
Hiccup swallowed irritation, remembering why he was about to offer this and that he could simply go across the square to see Finn if he needed.
"Well I thought since you want to take him for a couple of days... I could spend some time with him first."
"So... you're on board with us staying with Ruff for a couple of nights now?"
"I realised I was lucky to have Wildr, so I knew what to do with babies before Finn was born. Ruff deserves a shot."
And he was itching to spend his nights with Valka. Think of the positives Hiccup.
"Alright then. I'll feed him when he wakes up."
"Thanks Astrid."
Hiccup diverted to the larder, packing some food and water canteens into his satchel, ensuring he had soft things and spare diapers for the boys too. It was a good distraction from the realisation he and Astrid were starting to live like strangers in their marital home. Strapping the folding playpen flat to the back of the satchel, he turned to his mothers dragon.
"Hold still for a sec Cloudjumper? Yes, I'll pack a bag of fish for you."
The Stormcutter cooed as Hiccup tied on a saddlebag, then filled another with smoked Icelandic cod - Cloudjumper's favourite after fresh salmon. He could fish while they were out if he wanted, but Hiccup doubted the dragon would venture far, knowing they were all on edge with Toothless gone.
Finn woke, Hiccup changed him and Astrid gave their son his early lunch. His mom had Wildr all set up and ready to go too, so Hiccup sent Cloudjumper outside to wait for them to saddle up.
"Is it safe to hold a baby when steering a dragon?"
"Probably not, but that's why I have this."
Hiccup produced his newest work, a fabric sling that buckled on to his flight suit and held Finn tight to his chest.
"We can't fly fast obviously, but he isn't going anywhere. Mom just tucks Wildr down her coat, he loves it."
Ready to leave, Hiccup climbed up first as he could do it with both hands, then held out a hand to help his older son up. Valka leapt up easily, then let Wildr sit inside her coat again.
"Ok Cloudjumper, head out toward those trees there. Nice and slow."
He knew where he wanted to go, guiding Cloudjumper across to the clearing by the cove. It was clear when they got there what it was - though growing wilder now and with grass edging around, the Typhoomerang mark was still sort of there. As soon as they were up in the air, Valka sat next to him, one hand in his and the other holding Wildr securely. She could fly standing up... Handsfree was nothing.
"Down here if you would."
Cloudjumper swooped down, winning giggles from Finn as the air raced past and made Hiccup's hair run wild. Landing in a patch of grass, the riders dismounted.
"This was from the first time we had Typhoomerangs on Berk. What you said about the flowers that only grow in them got me thinking."
Unfolding the playpen in a half shaded spot beneath a tree, they each placed a son down and the boys promptly got stuck in to pulling out grass and throwing it up in the air. Hiccup gave in to the urge to kiss Valka, pressing her against the nearby tree as she ran her fingers through his windswept hair. Cloudjumper grumbled eventually, reminding them they were still out in the open.
"Missed you."
"Missed you more. Come sit, I brought lunch."
Feeling slightly silly and playful, Hiccup reached down to pluck a flower from the ground and leant across to place it in her hair. Valka flushed, smiling as she checked it was secure before they sat on the grass near the boys. This was the first proper time the four of them had had together - easy, relaxed with none of Astrid's irritation, no secrets about the boys being half brothers.
His mother took off her coat, stretching out in the sunlight in her tunic with a dragon-like purr of contentment. Hiccup watched, every bit as attracted to her as ever... if not more as time matured their bond together, mellowed a somewhat teenage lust into a deep love and soul-level attraction.
Hiccup knew not all the problems in their marriage couldn't be put on Astrid... his deception, his falling for his mother and having a child with her. Even his issue of no longer being attracted to her, leading to a lack of intimacy between them... and he projected that on to her. Hiccup knew that, acknowledged he was no great husband.
But Astrid didn't help matters, picking fights about things he couldn't help. Like being busy as the chief. Never asked why he was upset, assumed everything could be solved with mead, an axe or just ignoring it these days. Odin, she hadn't so much as tried to cheer him up about Toothless. It certainly felt like she was content to let their relationship crumble, even if she herself didn't wield the weapon that was breaking it.
"Son? Are you alright?"
"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Sorry, zoned out. Hungry?"
Resting up against a tree in light shade to stop their drinks heating, Hiccup felt utterly relaxed watching their sons play in the grass, Cloudjumper keeping watch like an enormous reptilian guard dog and his mother smiling shyly whenever he looked over at her. All he needed was his dragon back. If Toothless was safe and somewhere he knew about... Hiccup would be truly happy in that moment.
Chewing on cold chicken and laughing at Cloudjumper trying to simultaneously eat his pile of fish and not take his eyes off the boys, Hiccup felt slim fingers lace through his own, watching Valka slowly edge closer until she had her head on his shoulder. Casting a quick glance for dragon riders, Hiccup turned his face to kiss her again.
"Dada!"
"Dada!"
"Oh great, they set each other off now? Brothers in arms, annoying your parents?"
Hiccup laughed to himself as he stepped into the enclosed playpen, Finn crawling rapidly toward him and dragging himself into his lap. Wildr moved more sedately, perching on Hiccup's unoccupied leg and occasionally exchanging low roars with Cloudjumper. Cuddling the two and smiling at their mother, Hiccup suddenly had his attention diverted when Wildr managed another couple of words, pointing to Cloudjumper then to Hiccup.
"Alpha... soon."
Eyes widening, Hiccup shared a look with Valka before turning to the Stormcutter.
"Is Toothless really coming back?"
The dragon nodded, making the happy cooing noise Hiccup usually associated with Cloudjumper when his rider was scratching between his ears. Daring to hope a little more, he kissed Wildr's scruffy hair with a smile.
"You're amazing. Both of you."
He realised that he kept referring to Valka as mother to all three of them. Finn was Astrid's son, he needed to remember that. But it was difficult... Astrid wasn't a bad mother but Hiccup was selfish and wished he didn't have to deal with the divide sometimes.
"They take after their father there. Beautiful, strong Haddock boys. All of you."
Valka watched them with a smile, fiddling with the flowers at her feet. Hiccup set the boys back down and began picking more of them, looping them together to make a flower crown. Valka laughed beautifully when he placed it on her head, eyes lit up with happiness.
"What's this for?"
"Like you once told me, every nest has it's queen."
"And that's me?"
"You're my queen."
Her cheeks flushed pink, glowing as her eyes dropped and Hiccup reached for her chin, encouraging her to look back up at him. He loved that all four of them had the same green eyes... he ought to feel more guilty for being glad Finn didn't look like his mother.
"I love you."
"I love you too, my sweet boy."
They couldn't stay out there forever, but those few hours were amazing. It recharged his batteries to deal with Astrid, even managed to kiss her goodbye as she packed a small bag and headed over to Ruff's house with a gurgling Finn after he was done giving Hiccup drooly kisses.
"Two nights just the three of us. Sorry, four. Didn't forget you Cloudjumper."
"Roargh."
"She's not coming back?"
"Nope. Well, not unless Finn gets sick or something equally emergency-style. I'm gonna go see him while I'm out being chief-y in the day, but the evenings and nights are our own."
Wildr went down in Valka's room for a nap, so Hiccup felt safe enough to lead his mother up to the bathroom where they stripped each other eagerly, bathing together for the simple intimacy and enjoyment of the others body. He could still smell wildflower on her hair, burying his face in the soft damp strands as he pulled on his leggings. His mother put her light tunic on, but aside from boots they didn't bother dressing more. It was warm and they knew the others bodies better than anyone.
A little on edge about Toothless still, Hiccup made himself focus on making dinner. He loved cooking with his mother, especially with the two young boys together with them. Valka couldn't cook particularly well herself, but liked to help, made appreciative sounds whenever Hiccup wanted an opinion. And she would regularly wrap an arm around his shoulders, kissing his neck or jaw and smiling when Hiccup shivered pleasurably. Her height came in handy, no stretching needed.
"Hungry Wildr?"
"Roargh!"
The boy nodded, chewing his fist again to alleviate his slightly irritated gums. Hiccup found some of the softer bread specially baked to be easy on their young. He had become a bread-making Viking after all. It came apart easily into small pieces, didn't need much yak butter to soften and didn't take much chewing. Perfect for teething infants.
"Hmm. We have some leftover fish that needs either salting or eating... or there's some fresh lamb. What do you think mom?"
"I'm sure Cloudjumper will finish the leftover fish if you wish to have lamb."
Hiccup considered which would taste better with seasonings and extra flavorings like his mother enjoyed so much, opting for lamb and expecting Cloudjumper would be sleeping off a full belly tonight. He did the prep while Wildr was nursed, knowing it was inappropriate but not bothering to stop himself eyeing her occasionally.
"He's getting big for this now."
"Well you know it's your choice when to stop. I mean I'm in my twenties and..."
Hiccup left the sentence unfinished, winked and finished readying the cooking rack to take across to the fire. Most Vikings ate in the Great Hall, but Hiccup only did it for special occasions - it wasn't about being better than the yak or chicken or potatoes usually on offer, simply that his life was so hectic the quiet mealtimes were sometimes his only peace.
When bedtime arrived, Hiccup was melancholy about the lack of Toothless returning but cheered by his rare opportunity to spend a night sleeping in his mothers arms with little to no fear of being caught. He wouldn't convince himself of tomorrow night just yet, just in case he jinxed it.
Valka wrapped him up comfortably, blanket cocooning them both together and her skin soft and warm beneath his own as they cuddled together. They could steal moments to bring each other off, to indulge the electric attraction between them almost any time. This night was a rare and precious moment for them to be embraced, truly intimate.
As Hiccup began to drift off to sleep, he heard his mother humming quietly to him and he recognised the tune as something she would coo to Wildr when he was smaller and wouldn't nap quite so easy. Apparently, it worked on Hiccup too.
Waking with her was just as amazing and natural as ever, exchanging soft kisses before he got Wildr up, changed him and cuddled him before handing over to their mother for his feeding. Hiccup dressed and went to greet Cloudjumper, who was more excitable than usual. Hiccup wondered if... no, don't get his hopes up. That's what he told himself, preparing soft food for Wildr and putting slices of bread on toasting sticks to accompany his mothers eggs. Berk had had a chicken population boom with almost everyone keeping one or two outside their homes now, so now almost everybody ate eggs for breakfast or baked them into cakes and pies.
"What are you doing with your day then my boy?"
"Uh... My morning is saddle building, lunch in the Great Hall because Ruff never misses it so that's where Finn will be with Astrid. Early afternoon will be in the dragon nursery to check which ones are old enough to adopt. You are welcome to come help. I think I'm clear after that, but since I took yesterday off I may end up called in to something or other."
Valka nodded as she took a mouthful of eggs, humming in pleasure at the taste and making Hiccup's stomach twist pleasantly. She was unintentionally seductive most of the time... when she was trying, Hiccup stood no chance. Cursing his wayward cock, Hiccup told it to go away - Wildr was awake, it was hugely inappropriate for him to be walking around erect.
"I can do the nursery this morning if you like? It would save you a great deal of time this afternoon, and we can join you and young Finn at lunch."
"That would be amazing mom, thank you. Just let Eret know I agreed to the switch, and you two don't fight. You're on the same side now remember?"
His mother pouted slightly, cheering immediately when Hiccup leant over and kissed it away. She and Eret got on mostly despite their difficult past as dragon rider vs dragon trapper, but tended to argue at times on the correct approach to dragons. Again, because of their different experience.
"He starts it."
She mumbled petulantly, but he suspected it was mostly a ploy to get him to kiss her until she smiled again. It worked on both sides, but sadly the chief had places to be. Hiccup dressed, brushed a kiss over the fading bruise on her neck then spent a couple of minutes giving Wildr cuddles and kisses on his messy auburn locks.
"I gotta go little man. I need you to do me a favour, and not show anybody else about your dragon talk just yet."
Wildr scrunched up his face, considering his fathers words. Even with his young age and almost non-existent vocabulary in Norse, he felt assuredly certain Wildr understood him.
"Why?"
"Because it's unusual, and until we understand it better it's just best it be our secret. Do you promise?"
"Yes."
"That's my boy. You and mom have a good morning with baby dragons. Me and Finn will see you for lunch."
Wildr clapped his hands and smiled, going to their mother agreeably and Hiccup loved the temporary freedom to kiss Valka goodbye.
"See you in a few hours. I'll apologise in advance for probably being dirty, sweaty and smelly."
"Don't worry, mommy will bath you later."
Swallowing against a suddenly dry mouth, Hiccup kissed her and then Wildr again quickly, called out a goodbye to Cloudjumper and hobbled down the steps outside his house before heading across to the forge for a mornings saddle work. He liked building, liked that he could take base material and create wonderful things. Like Toothless' tail...
"Number one!"
He called out to the queue, watching a half-awake Gobber stumble around to grab his breakfast mutton from the top of the forge. Grump snored on, and Hiccup watched Gunnar run up to the window.
"Again?"
"Yes."
"I told you, if you're going to ride a Nadder, you can't have a high backed seat. Too many spines."
"But me back chief!"
Hiccup rolled his eyes, waving Gunnar to come around into the shop and measuring him up.
"I'm going to repair your saddle and make it shorter. And then build you a brace to straighten your back, that should work much better. Bring your old one down before lunch. Next!"
As predicted, he had soot, leather stain and glue all over him and reeked of the mornings work in the sun. He wiped down functionally, if only to stop Finn or Wildr breathing in the pungent smell on his clothes. Still, he had built four new saddles, planned a dozen more for Gobber and Gustav - his dragon energy had been channeled into leatherwork and weaponry now - to continue on, and completed Gunnar's back brace prototype.
"Dada!"
"Hey little man. Missed you so much."
Knowing they had an audience of sorts, Hiccup leant to kiss Astrid but she wrinkled her nose and backed up.
"What have you been doing?"
"Saddle building. I'm exhausted, I just want to eat and see Finn. You joining us?"
"No thanks, you'll put me off my lunch. You know I can't stand the smell of that dye."
Hiccup shrugged, glad Finn didn't seem to mind as his wife wondered off to chat to her own parents. He took Finn to the chief table, where Valka and Wildr were already sat with Cloudjumper perched directly next to them.
"Here you go son. Mashed potato for Finn, solid potato and mutton for you."
"Thanks mom. How were the babies?"
He ate ravenously, exchanging information about their mornings while he fed Finn and she fed Wildr. All too soon the lunch hour was up and Astrid came to get Finn.
"We'll be at Ruff's all day if you wanna come see us later. I mean, if you aren't busy yanno, chiefing."
"Thanks. I might come by before dinner if I get time. If not I'll come get him in the morning."
Glad nobody but Valka was listening in, Hiccup realised they were talking more like some kind of seperated couple arranging visits. Not husband and wife who would be re-united tomorrow. It probably wasn't a good thing.
-HTTYD-
This was meant to contain more story but somehow I managed to write three thousand words of almost pure Valcup fluff... next chapter will be better. I think.