Chapter 10

Okay so I didn't get much feedback from the last chapter which really has me worried. Was it a bad chapter or are you guys just bored with the story now. If something needs to change let me know. P.S Whatever the majority of the people say is what I'm going with.

Also this chapter starts a couple hours after where the last one ended, and from now on I'm going to be showing some different POV's besides Astrid's. Mostly Hiccup's, but there will be others too.

Change in point of view will be shown like this XXXXX just like you see in other stories so I don't think it will be too difficult to figure out as you read.

Warning there will be a lot of foreshadowing in this chapter.

"Hiccup! Hold still for Odin's sake!" Astrid laughed as she chased Hiccup around his own home with a pair of shears. She had hated what her mother had done to Hiccup's hair and she was intent on fixing it.

"Astrid stop leave my head alone, your mother already gave me a haircut!" Hiccup remembered the terrible experience vividly. Astrid's mother was far from delicate and careful while cutting his hair; she constantly tugged his head around by his hair which was very painful not to mention she cut his ear in the process. And he suspected the same experience with Astrid wouldn't be much different. The chase went on for a while longer, but now he was able to put the table in between him and Astrid where he felt safe.

"That's exactly the point now sit down. This is going to happen whether you like it or not so there's no point in resisting." The two had been so focused on each other that neither had noticed that Stoick was now standing in the door way with a smile on his face as he watched his son struggle in his current predicament.

"You know she's right son so you might as well get it over with." Stoick said with a booming laugh. So finally with a sigh Hiccup finally sat down and allowed Astrid to cut his hair to her liking.

"Fine just please be gentle." Hiccup said as Astrid stepped behind him while he sat on one of the dining stools. "Of course you big baby." Astrid said with a chuckle. Hiccup sat there as Stoick watched Astrid do what she could with his son's hair.

After her mother had cut his hair it looked like Hiccup rubbed his head against a Nadder. Astrid was able to get to look somewhat like what it was before he left only shorter. "I can't do much more with it now without shaving it all off so it will have to do for now until it grows out again."

Hiccup was glad it was over with, Astrid wasn't as careless as Ingrid, but it still wasn't what he wished to be doing at the time. All he knew was he was very hungry and had a very itchy neck.

Stoick then stood up seeing that Astrid was done and spoke. "Alrighty then, well Astrid I admire your handy work, but would you please excuse us I need to talk to Hiccup in private, a little father-son talk."

"That's fine, it's getting late anyway." With that she walked over to Hiccup and surprised him with a kiss on the cheek. "That's for the date and the lovely necklace." She started playing with the necklace as she walked out of the house and closed the door; as she walked out and closed the door behind her Hiccup stared in disbelief that he was dating THE Astrid Hofferson, he still felt like it was a dream.

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"Okay now son we have a lot of business to talk about." Stoick said clasping one hand on his son's shoulder and used the other to bring his own chair over to him. This confused Hiccup for as far as he knew things had never been better on Berk.

"What exactly do we need to talk about? I mean I took care of the dragons before I left, I'm done with training, the village has plenty of food stored for the winter, Alvin and Dagur haven't been seen for almost a year now, I'm heir to the chiefdom now, and as far as I know I haven't had any major screw ups today." Hiccup took in a deep breath after he was done; he felt a sense of pride build up in him at the thought of how happy things were right now because of him.

"I know son, I know and I'm very proud of everything you've done for this village, but this is much more important than anything right now." Stoick now had a very serious look in his eyes which didn't make Hiccup feel very comfortable as he took a very audible gulp as he sat down in his own chair.

This had been the same chair he had since he was 7 so it was very small and had seen a lot of use in its earlier years especially whenever Hiccup destroyed something and Stoick was berating him about how he needed to stay inside during a dragon raid. So this is something that made Hiccup more uncomfortable as it brought up bad memories; which is another reason why Hiccup had actually asked Gobber to make him a new one the other day.

"It's about Astrid." Stoick said quietly which made Hiccup even more concerned. Did he find out what happened on their date, had Astrid been married off to someone from another tribe, or worse was it both. Hiccup was filled with fear as his father began to speak again.

"Calm down son, I only have a couple of questions." This helped to calm down Hiccup from the daydreams/nightmares going on his mind. "Do ye truly love Astrid?" Hiccup jolted upright in his seat, filled anger when he heard his father's words.

"OF COURSE I DO! HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY ASK THAT AT ALL! SHE IS THE LOVE OF MY LIFE AND NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE THAT!" When he finished Hiccup slammed his body back down into his chair causing it to crack. Stoick sat there silently staring into his son's eyes as a smile spread across his face. Hiccup was confused by what he was seeing, he had expected his dad to throttle him for his outburst, but instead Stoick the Vast was actually laughing.

When he finally finished laughing Stoick became serious again. "So ye did inherit something from me after all eh." Hiccup was confused by this. He was happy that in some way he really was like his father, but he didn't understand how.

"What do you mean dad?"

"What I'm talking about is when I was yer age yer grandfather asked me the exact same question bout Valhallarama that I just asked ye about Astrid, and I had the exact same reaction." Stoick said with a chuckle.

Hiccup was dumbstruck he didn't know what to say, so he said nothing. There was a long silence as he stared at his father until Stoick spoke again. "So, what are yer intentions with Astrid than."

Again Hiccup couldn't believe what he just heard, but this time he didn't know what to say. He had never thought about what he would do at this point, mainly because he thought he would never get to this point with Astrid; or any girl for that matter. Stoick obviously saw his son deep in thought so he spoke before Hiccup could answer.

"Ye know… she's waiting for ye to propose." Again could barely speak; he sat back in his chair and rested his head in his hand. He had always known that he would want to marry Astrid he just never knew how he would get her to say yes. Hearing this he just felt like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders.

He then looked up into his father's eyes, "Well I better get started on the ring then."

Stoick jumped to his feet causing the house to shake, "Ha-ha that's great I'm so proud of ye son."

Hiccup spoke again quietly with a short laugh, "Ha-ha, that's the most times you've been proud of me then you've ever been."

Hiccup slowly got up from his chair and began to move towards the stairs. "Hiccup wait."

Hiccup stopped and looked at his father as he stood there and for the first time Stoick looked unsure of what to say. As Hiccup walked back down the few steps he'd gone up Stoick began to speak.

"I meant … uh to have this talk with ye…uh that day you gave Astrid that…um axe ye know that one ye made fer her, but I didn't know …uh exactly what to…um say." This was something Hiccup had never seen in his father before. Stoick the Vast had always been a very confident and determined Viking and had a commanding tone whenever he spoke to others. But now he seemed lost and doubtful. Maybe he inherited more from his father then he thought.

By now Hiccup had figured what his dad was trying to say and it was actually making Hiccup angry that after everything Stoick couldn't spit out an apology. Sure he had sort of apologized at the battle with the Red Death, but it's hard to forgive someone for a lifetime of resentment after one apology.

After a few more seconds Hiccup finally snapped. "Dad seriously since the day I was born you didn't like a single thing about me, you avoided me whenever you could, and after Mom died you didn't want anything to do with me!" Hiccup was now screaming furiously.

"Sometimes I think the only reason you saved me from being eaten by a dragon was so your pride and honor wouldn't be tarnished by losing your only son." Stoick never even lifted is head to look at his son as he continued.

"You weren't there when I needed you as a child when I was being picked on, you weren't there when Mom died, you weren't there when I shot down Toothless, and you weren't there when I needed you to believe me about the dragons. You were NEVER there!"

"And now you can't even spit out 'I'm sorry Hiccup for being a terrible father' or 'Forgive me for wishing you hadn't been born'!"

Hiccup felt like all the anger he had ever had was suddenly gone. he felt like he could really stand like he had never been actually able to stand up straight until that weight of sorrow and anger was released. It took another second for him to realize what he had just done. Then there was only silence.

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Stoick was sitting in his chair while Hiccup stood there attacking him with a barrage of hurtful yells and shouts. They weren't physically hurting him; after all he was the loudest person he'd ever seen although Hiccup had just reached the top five of the loudest people ever. He had never seen Hiccup so angry; it was obvious that this had been bothering Hiccup for probably most of his life. What hurt him the most though was that every word Hiccup was saying was true.

He had never been a good father, but now he truly saw how terrible he was, how terrible he was to Hiccup. All this time he had thought that he had helped make Hiccup who he was today, but he was wrong, dead wrong.

Hiccup was the way he was because of himself. Through all the cruelness, the resentment, and the loneliness Hiccup managed to endure and be the kindest, smartest, and most brilliant man Stoick had ever seen. And Hiccup did that alone when he should have been there for him as a father.

When Hiccup finished Stoick had no idea what to say, Hiccup said more than enough for Stoick to realize that it would take a lot more than a sloppy apology to gain his son's forgiveness.

He looked at his son then back at the floor. Hiccup looked like a complete mess, and Stoick was not surprised. After a tirade like that anybody would look exhausted. Stoick just sat there until he was able to arrange words in his mind.

"I know." Hiccup's face had gone from anger to fear and now confusion as Stoick continued. "I know I was never there when you needed me, and I know I've always been a lousy father. But I'm going to try my best to make up for it."

"Hiccup you're all I have left, if I lose you I have nothing." He paused as he looked down and sighed. "Even if you never forgive me I want you to know that I truly am sorry for everything." The doubt was gone from his voice and it was replaced by sincere sadness.

Hiccup had a look of confusion on his face that changed to small grin. "I know dad. I know." He walked over and embraced his father. Stoick was surprised at first, but then happy as he knew that Hiccup did not completely hate him. This gave him hope that their relationship could recover.

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It had been a couple of weeks since the date and winter was coming in strong, it would only be another week or two before the first snow would fall.

That being said the village was very busy as all the residents began preparing for the harsh winter that was to come. Hiccup and Astrid usually did whatever they could when they had the time. Their parents were preparing the two for what their lives would be like after they were married. For Astrid that meant her mother kept her home all day to help with chores like sewing and cooking, both were deeply hated by Astrid.

And as for Hiccup it meant that Stoick and Gobber worked him like an animal both at the academy, in the forge, and doing chiefly errands with his father. Also the Harvest Festival was coming up so there was a lot to prepare for. Whatever time he had to spare he either spent with Astrid, or more importantly making Astrid's engagement ring.

It was very difficult for Hiccup to get away from Astrid whenever he went to work on the ring. It seemed every time he walked into the forge she would be there not even two minutes later. For once he actually wished Astrid would leave him alone. Of course he would never say that at the risk of being thrown off a cliff.

So, usually whenever Astrid decided to pop in on him while he was working he would be forced to lie to her, but the problem was that he hated lying; especially to Astrid. He would always make up a story on how Gobber wanted him to make more saddles for the younger dragon riders or that he was making modifications to Toothless and his saddle. And for some reason she believed him and left him to his work.

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Astrid was in a terrible mood. For the past couple of weeks she had been forced to do chore after chore with strict observation from her mother. Anytime she messed up or burned what she was supposed to cook she would be told to do it right two times for every time she made a mistake. And because of that Astrid literally spent the whole day trying to cook porridge. She finally was able to cook it right two times in a row around midnight, and due partly to the fact that all the ingredients were gone or burned Ingrid said it would have to do. Astrid told herself whenever she and Hiccup got married he would do all the cooking.

Sewing was a different story though she hated it at first, but after a while it seemed to come naturally to her. She was very proud of herself when she was able to finish all her chores around noon. This gave her plenty of time to go see Hiccup.

But of course if anyone said something about her going to see Hiccup she would gladly take a little side trip to beat them up first. Poor Tuffnut, after all these years he was still as clueless as ever.

So after thoroughly bludgeoning Tuffnut into a whining pulp she headed for the forge where no doubt Hiccup would be. As she approached the window she could see Hiccup in the back working on something.

"Hey Hiccup." Apparently he didn't hear her over the sound of him hammering something. Oh gods she thought. He's hammering without a shirt on.

Now usually this wouldn't have made a difference to her before he left for training, but just like many times before Hiccup proved that he had changed a lot during his training. Is back that used to be plain small and covered in freckles had transformed.

Now it was covered in a fine layer of muscle that would flex and move every time he brought the hammer down. His shoulders were now much farther apart and were dripping in sweat.\

Astrid shook her head widely as she turned and moved behind the wall.

She couldn't believe what she was doing. She was actually standing there and ogling Hiccup. She hated how Hiccup could make her personality change into one of those annoying girly brats that only think about their boyfriends all the time.

She took a step out from behind the wall when she heard him stop hammering. It just so happens that Hiccup turned around just as Astrid came into view.

"As…Astrid!" Hiccup yelped as he saw her standing there and he fell backwards knocking over a stand full of swords and axes. She couldn't help but smile a little. Even though on the outside Hiccup looked completely different she was glad that he was still that clumsy kid on the inside.

"Ho… How long have you been standing there?" He gulped.

"Oh about 2or 3 minutes now." She said with a small grin. "You didn't answer me when I tried yelling your name because you were too busy with that hammer.

"Oh yeah… um that well I'm working on something very important so… um I kind of don't have time to be with you right … um now if that's okay." He gulped as he stood up and moved towards the window. Just as he reached the window he jumped back.

"What! What's wrong?!" Astrid snapped after Hiccup startled, not scared, startled her with his reaction.

"I'm not wearing a shirt!" He yelled from the back as he searched for his shirt that he had thrown down earlier.

"Seriously Hiccup," She leaned and whispered loudly so no one else would hear, "We've already seen each other naked. Why does that matter?"

"I don't know it just does." Is all he could reply, after all she was right it really didn't.

"Come out from back there and tell me why you can't come with me." Her tone was halfway between asking and commanding.

Hiccup stepped back in front of the window, shirt in hand, " I told you I can't I'm really busy with something."

"Ugh fine, but can you at least tell me what it is you're working on." Astrid was now very irritated that she would probably spend the rest of the day alone, but she guessed that Stoick and Gobber were forcing him to work a lot more just like her mother was doing to her.

Hiccup froze which meant he was hiding something which mad Astrid want to know more. The problem was he wasn't saying anything. "Come on Hiccup. Tell me what you're working on!" She said as she made a movement to jump through the window to get a better look.

Hiccup then quickly moved forward as to block Astrid from getting in while he started stuttering to get an answer out. "It's …uh um a saddle. Yeah a saddle for one of the younger kids."

Astrid knew he was lying of course. Hiccup was good at a lot of things, but lying was not one of them.

"Oh really let me see." She moved again to try and go through the door, but Hiccup ran over and locked it.

"You can't." He yelled through the door.

"Oh and why not?" She said crossing her arms over her chest and putting her hip out in her usual irritated stance.

"Be… Because… um the kid said he wanted to be the first to see it. Yeah so I can't show you, sorry." He said through the door frantically.

Astrid was determined to see what he was working on, but decided she wouldn't be getting anywhere today on the subject. "Alright fine, but meet me down at the swimming hole at sunset. And I'm not asking so you better be there."

She then proceeded to walk out into the woods to train still wondering what Hiccup could be hiding from her.

Ok I am so sorry for how long this chapter took. It wasn't really that I was busy I just couldn't quite figure out how to get what was in my mind onto paper.

Also I'm sorry if this chapter seemed rushed mainly because it was. I wrote most of it in a day and I was hoping it would come out better than it did, but I knew some people were desperate for an update so this is what you get.

Also I really need some feedback right now because I don't really know what I should do for the next couple of chapters.

So any feedback should be delivered ASAP. I'm honestly stuck and need advice.

P.S. If you saw this chapter posted earlier today then just letting you know you're not crazy I just took the first one down so I could add a few things.