Prompt: "Make me". Again, thank you for 900+ followers on tumblr! :3 :) I want to dedicate this drabble to drchee5e, because you're an awesome sweetheart and your comments on my writing always make my day. Thank you for being the amazing person you are!
Cajole
Hiccup wasn't expecting Astrid's early morning visit the day after they'd returned to Berk. They'd each agreed to give each other some space for their short vacation away from the Edge, so seeing her was a surprise- a delightful surprise- but was none the less unexpected.
"Morning, Astrid." He greeted with a smile. "Watcha doin' here?"
"Nothing to do." She explained, jumping up onto one of the old wooden tables, fiddling with one of the tools. "I was hoping you'd have some ideas- or maybe you'd like to take me on a flight." She flashed a smile.
Hiccup tucked his notes under one arm, grabbing his arm gauntlets with the other and wrapping them tightly over his wrists, picking up the papers once more and waving them. "You know you're supposed to be taking it easy- with your ankle and all."
"Pssh." Astrid grunted, "like I'm gonna let that slow me down."
Hiccup sighed in exasperation, "Sometimes…" he muttered under his breath.
"Where's Toothless?"
"That useless reptile baled on me, believe it or not. Hi-tailed it after Sven's sheep- apparently they escaped again."
Astrid chuckled and rocked back against the table, palms flat on the wood and head tilted to one side as she watched him. Hiccup smiled and continued his work, glad for the cool breeze that wafted through the open Forge from time to time. For once, the fires were out and the billows lazy, for Gobber had decided to take the day off and leave the Forge to whatever it was Hiccup needed it for, which it just so happened he had zero plans in the works- or at least, none that were ready. Spending time on a flight with Astrid sounded much much much more appealing then toiling in a sweaty Forge all day. He preferred to do that at night, when the air was near frigid.
"Have you seen the others?"
Astrid nodded nonchalantly, "Oh yes. I spotted the twins annoying your Dad-"
"Well, I'll be hearing about that one tonight…" Hiccup groaned.
"-Snotlout going through the weapons, and Fishlegs flew off on Meatlug."
Hiccup paused, turning to look at her suspicilously. "Please tell me you listened and did not go for a morning flight on Stormfly alone…"
She smiled slowly. "Maybe just a little one…"
Hiccup slammed the papers and charcoal onto the table, swinging about to stomp over to where she was seated. "Astrid!"
"I'm sorry!" She exclaimed- not sounding at all regretful, "but Stormfly was practically begging-"
"We all know that dragon loves to sleep in Astrid."
"-that is besides the point! She wanted a flight… and who am I to deny her?"
Hiccup sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose, silently wondering if she'd ever listen to him. What if one day… when she was pregnant…
Oh gods, brain, shut up.
…she'd probably never listen to him. He thought forbiddingly.
"Astrid, please…"
She huffed and crossed her arms, biting her lip before looking away, "I'm fine, Hiccup. A little twisted ankle isn't going to keep me down, you know?"
He remained silent, mulling over this and finding it to be very much true. Ever since the lightning incident, she'd been more insistent. More… stupid wasn't quite the word, but brash. Even after she'd tumbled off Stormfly and hurt her twisted her ankle badly, she refused help. Not even Hiccup's. She'd forced herself to walk all the way back to her hut on her own, and only then did she let Hiccup help her bandage it.
He understood, he really did. He'd felt much the same way after the Red Death, where all everyone wanted to do was help, and he just flat out didn't want it. He wanted to prove his worth… while he still had the chance. Of course, his father, Toothless, Astrid, and the gang- the whole of Berk- had shown him he didn't need to prove anything… but how was he going to do that with Astrid?
She was so dang stubborn.
He moved forward and grabbed her arms gently, turning her to face him. He stared at her seriously, taking a deep breath before saying quietly, "Astrid, I need you to listen."
"Stop treating me like a child." She muttered with a deep frown.
"Sorry." Hiccup said distractedly, "But I need you to hear this, okay?"
"Stop."
"Make me." He teased lightly, hoping to lighten her mood. But she instead gave him a sharp look, before looking away and huffing angrily.
"Now… will you please listen?"
Her eyes went downcast, but she didn't try to move away. Hiccup took that as permission, so once again picked up the pace.
"You don't need to do this, Ast. You're injured, and you do not need to act fine-"
"I am a warrior." She looked up and jerked her chin defiantly. "Warrior's don't let anything stop them."
"And you don't have to." Hiccup said, ducking his head so he could look up at her. "You can still be Fearless Astrid Hofferson without hurting yourself further. I should know- I went through the same things you did… remember?"
She looked away, "It's not the same." She protested.
"Yes it is!" he pulled away, kneeling down so he could tap her ankle. "Just because you hurt yourself, does not mean you're weak! It only means you're human- which each and every single one of us are. 'Every warrior must be taken down- just to prove they can get back up again'." He quoted quietly, fingers brushing over the boot that covered the bandages beneath it. "And you do know you don't need to prove anything to me, don't you?"
She shuddered and looked down at him, sliding off the table to hug him fiercely. "What've I done to deserve you?" She muffled against his hair.
"Been yourself." He replied softly. "You've been Astrid Hofferson, sweet, kind, loyal, brave, and strong."
She laughed shakily. "You're copying me- that's what I called you."
"-when I said I was weak. I want you to know, Astrid… you are everything but weak."
"You copy cat."
Hiccup grinned, but didn't pull away. The hug was comfortable and felt right, so he did not wish to disturb the peaceful moment… she was starting to sound like herself again.
"You okay…?"
"Mhm, I am now." She kissed his cheek. "Somehow… you always know how to fix everything…"
