Stand The Test Of Time
Rated; M
Pairing; Hiccup X Astrid
Disclaimer; I do not own HTTYD.

36.

=Normal POV=
[Saturday, 6/17/2023-5:45 pm]
[Isle of Berk; Meade Hall]

The ceremony was beautiful, though short; it was sweet and meaningful. Hiccup and Astrid didn't need long speeches or vows to describe what they were to one another, or make the promises of supporting and loving one another as friends and lovers for the rest of their days together; it had already been made very clear given their love lasted eight years apart. Hiccup and Astrid, no matter what else was going on in their time apart, were always on each other's minds; wanting to talk and get back together. It may have taken more than a bit, or a while, but it happened and now they were bound together in marriage until the day they died. With the serious part of the wedding over, now everyone could party. The first thing to happen after the ceremony ended was the hugs and handshake of congratulations; then it was pictures. All basic shots of Hiccup and Astrid, some with them and their daughter, other done were with each set of parents, then both parents, and after that it was general purpose pictures with friends.

The photographer would be there as long as they were getting plenty of other unsuspecting shots to be documented for years to come in the form of memories about good times, even if embarrassing. Following pictures being over; the one thing to happen before dinner was served was Hiccup and Astrid's first dance as husband and wife. Hiccup and Astrid had picked their song right away; something that represented them and where they started as lovers, a single song that had so many memories.

"And now the bride and groom will share their first dance," the DJ announced as everyone took their seats and the lights dimmed down a bit leaving Hiccup and Astrid alone on the dance floor with all the tables around. It might be a small group, but the set the tables so that everyone would be able to see perfectly. Hiccup and Astrid had their own table that faced the others. The DJ started the song to begin as Astrid and Hiccup smiled, walking closer to one another.

"Oh, I remember this," Fishlegs clapped lightly, sitting with Heather, Dagur, Mala, Magne, and Dagny.

"Right?" Ruffnut nodded.

"What do you remember?" Heather inquired.

"When Hiccup and Astrid got together years ago at the end of ninth-grade; it was to this song. Astrid pulled Hiccup to dance with her, and they stole the stage by imitating the original," Fishlegs explained.

"And then he finally asked her out," Tuffnut added.

Hiccup and Astrid started their dance, everyone soon picking up or being informed that the song was Can I Have This Dance? Performed by Troy and Gabriella in High School Musical 3. The two did it perfectly, and even sang just because they could. When it ended about four minutes later, the two did the slow circle before kissing. The guests clapped for the dance, saying it looked great. Hiccup and Astrid reached their seats as dinner was served; as agreed there was a small plate of salad to start. Following that was the chicken parmigiana dish and garlic bread. The cake was obviously dessert, but they weren't to the cake yet.

During dinner, for those who were done and wanted to walk around; the music was playing. A lot of the couples were on the dance floor, having a good time to the slow and fast songs going on the playlist. Hiccup and Astrid were moving to the different tables to talk with everyone because they felt they shouldn't just sit at theirs watching everything. Currently; they were sitting with their parents, Gobber, Spitelout and Freda; who were all at one table.

"So, what is your plan for tonight?" Asvora asked.

"Well, since we pushed back the honeymoon, probably a night at home with Zephyr," Astrid stated.

"No, it won't be," Hiccup smiled some.

"Oh?" Astrid arched a brow.

"Mom and Dad are taking Zeph for the weekend, and we're going to Berk Palace," Hiccup sad calmly.

"Berk Palace?!" Astrid exclaimed.

"Of course," Hiccup replied.

"B-But we said no honeymoon until August?" Astrid stammered a bit, very confused.

"Well, this isn't a honeymoon, Milady. It's just us going to the hotel until Sunday. A little getaway, mini-vacation to enjoy the wedded bliss," Hiccup informed.

"Really, we're going to Berk Palace?!" Astrid said excited now; it was her favorite place and Hiccup took her there for the first time they ever had sex back when they were seventeen because he wanted it to be perfect and special.

"Yes, love," Hiccup nodded. "I already packed our things last night, since you stayed at Heather's and weren't home to see me do it," he added.

"Sneaky, and clever," Astrid giggled. "But I love it, so thank you," she said as they shared a kiss.

"That's kind of what he's good at," Dagur laughed a bit.

"Being smart and sneaky; that's why he's special ops," Thuggory added.

"Actually…" Hiccup cut in, gaining their attention. "I'm not anymore,"

"What?" everyone asked, surprised.

"I, uh, I'm not special ops anymore. Still active duty soldier, yes, but I resigned from special operations work," Hiccup informed.

"Why?" Eret wondered.

"And why haven't you told me you did this? When did you do it?" Astrid asked.

"I was waiting for it to be finalized, which can take some time to go through the chain and be approved by the proper levels. Also, I was making it semi-wedding gift for you to be a bit more at ease that I'm not taking off for missions outside of normal deployment with Alpha Company. I saw how worried you were when we got back together; that I had to leave so suddenly for stuff like that, and then again with being gone two months for that kind of work," Hiccup explained to his new wife. "So when I got back from the last thing I did; I put in a formal, legal request to be removed from Special Ops and just stay normal soldier. It was made official just two days ago,"

"But…Why did you do it?" Astrid inquired.

"For you," Hiccup stated as her eyes widened a bit. "I know how much you worry with me in the military. And I knew that fear was multiplied knowing I was special operations too; especially after learning that I've been on missions where I've been severely wounded and an on the brink of death, captured, etc. So I thought that since I'm a husband and father now; I would take away some of that fear by removing myself from the more dangerous aspects of the job I do. Most of my injuries, even the PTSD…Came from being a special ops soldier because of the work that has to get done. So, after the last mission I did where I was there for two months; I resigned my command to Brynjar Grimborn as leader, and then I put in to be removed from special operations. I did it for you and our family if even by a little bit; it makes you feel less scared," he said lightly.

Astrid stared at him a few moments before she smiled and lunged forward to hung him around the next. "You're the best. I love you, Hiccup Haddock," Astrid said, feeling happy and relieved.

It was a surprise indeed, and she couldn't have asked for any better news. Everyone else was just as shocked. Hiccup gave up being special operations in order to remove himself from dangerous spots; a means that he cut out a position in his job that put his life in danger more than average. Dagur, Thuggory, and Eret all knew Hiccup had been hurt more on special operations missions that normal stuff with them. Hiccup had been hurt and captured while special ops; he didn't want to risk any of that now that he was married and had a child. The guys understood; Hiccup took the job to be special operations originally because he had nothing significant going on in his life and wanted more to keep himself busy. Hiccup now had that with Astrid as his wife, and Zephyr as his daughter. Hiccup didn't want Special Operations work taking away from his new life with his family.

"I love you too, Astrid Haddock," Hiccup returned the action. Astrid felt extremely giddy to hear Hiccup call her a Haddock. Astrid had dreamed of such for years, and now; it finally happened. Astrid married Hiccup, and was officially a Haddock now.

"Has a nice ring to it, and my initials didn't change," Astrid laughed a bit.

"Well, I told you once before that you'd always been part of this family, Astrid. Name change or not," Hiccup stated softly. "Speaking of surprises; I do have one more for you,"

"Yeah?" Astrid smiled curiously at him now.

"Remember when we went camping last September, and you asked if I'd sing for you?" Astrid nodded to him. "Well, I decided I would write something for you. It's taken me all this time to finish it," Hiccup informed.

"I definitely want to hear it," Astrid smiled, hoping he'd do it now.

"It's your lucky day, aside from marrying me," Hiccup joked as Astrid did the same. Hiccup moved over to the DJ, speaking with him about what was going to happen. The DJ nodded, handing Hiccup a microphone.

"The groom would like to perform a song for his new wife, totally original," the DJ announced after cutting the current music and getting things set to play the song from Hiccup's phone. Everyone sat down as Astrid blushed a bit, facing Hiccup; she had a front row seat to this.

"For you, Milady," Hiccup offered a bow to her. "This is called Written In The Stars," he informed as the DJ set the lights down a bit and the music started. "Stay with me, don't fall asleep too soon. The angels can wait, for a moment," Hiccup began on cue to. "Come real close, forget the world outside. Tonight we're alone; it's finally you and I," he smiled as Astrid blushed more; his voice was amazing. "Oh, it wasn't meant to feel like this. Oh, not without you,"

The music picked up a bit more. "Cause when I look at my life, how the pieces fall into place. It just wouldn't rhyme without you. When I see how my path, seemed to end up before your face. The state of my heart, the place where we are; was written in the stars," Hiccup sang as things slowed once more.

"Don't be afraid, I'll be right by your side. Through the laughter and pain. Together we're bound to fly. Oh, I wasn't meant to love like this, not without you," Hiccup continued as Astrid just listened; she loved it. And it single-handedly became her number one favorite.

The music lifted again. Everything flowed perfectly, and it sounded like Hiccup had backup singers, but it was all his voice, preprogrammed into the recorded music that played. "Cause when I look at my life, how the pieces fall into place. It just wouldn't rhyme without you. When I see how my path, seemed to end up before your face. The state of my heart, the place where we are; was written in the stars," Hiccup moved closer to Astrid, offering his hand as she took it and Hiccup pulled her up in front of him, staring into her blue eyes. "We made a few mistakes, yeah; like sometimes we do. We've both been through a lot of heartache, but I made it back to you!" he held the note as Astrid blushed harder.

"Cause when I look at my life, how the pieces fall into place. It just wouldn't rhyme without you. When I see how my path, seemed to end up before your face. The state of my heart, the place where we are; was written in the stars!" another note that got held a moment or two as Hiccup smiled, twirling her a bit and dancing some. "When I look at my life, how the pieces fall into place. It just wouldn't rhyme without you. When I see how my path, seemed to end up before your face. The state of my heart, the place where we are; was written in the stars," Hiccup pulled her close as the music practically faded away. "The state of my heart. The place where we are; was written in the stars…" Hiccup finished.

Hiccup moved the microphone down and leaned in, capturing Astrid's lips with his own in a passionate, deep kiss. The rest of the guests cheered and clapped; the song was very well done and they could all tell Hiccup put a lot of time and effort into this for Astrid. The kiss ended a few moments later as Astrid smiled. "I demand a copy, and I want the chorus as my ringtone," Astrid said.

"I'll take care of it after the mini-honeymoon," Hiccup nodded.

"It was beautiful," Astrid laid her head on his chest. Hiccup shifted a bit and gave the microphone back to the DJ, who resumed the other music. It was a slow song, so Hiccup decided to just lead Astrid into a dance on the floor.

"I'm glad you liked it. I wanted to do something that captured how I felt during our time apart. That no matter what; it was always you and nothing was right without you," Hiccup said.

"I loved it, and the message was very clear," Astrid smiled. "Thank you," she danced with him.

"You're welcome. I love you," Hiccup said.

"I love you too," Astrid laid her head on his chest while they kept dancing in a slow circle.

. . .

[9:30 pm]

The wedding was a blast. Shortly after Hiccup's song to Astrid; they decided to have cake. Astrid and Hiccup cut it and fed each other, obviously not being any kind of nice about it. Hiccup started with feeding Astrid nicely, but Astrid smashed the small piece in his face, so he did it back to her. The two laughed about it and kissed one another despite their messy faces. After cleaning up; they both sat down to enjoy a shared piece. Staff of Meade Hall passed out the other pieces to guests. After that; it was more talking, laughing, and dancing. When 8:30 pm him; Hiccup and Astrid did the garter removal, and Hiccup decided to be all perverted about it, which almost got Calder and Stoick out of their seats; but their wives held them back and reminded them that this was Hiccup and Astrid's wedding, so let them have their fun. Follow the remove of the garter, and a kiss between the newlyweds; it turned to the toss for garter and bouquet.

For the bouquet toss, Heather caught it. And in the garter throw; the others stepped back last minute and let Fishlegs catch it because he looked down that he likely wouldn't. It was a sweet thing to do, and allowed him to set the garter on Heather, no higher than her knee because Dagur was shooting glares at his little sister's boyfriend that Fishlegs understood as; behave with my sister or die. Hiccup and Astrid got a laugh out of it, and Hiccup told Dagur to relax because Fishlegs cared a lot about Heather, so he wouldn't hurt her. Everything after all that was more talking, dancing, and relaxing. The time, though; had shifted to 9:30 pm and in a half hour more; they had to leave Meade Hall because they only rented the space until 10 pm.

Right now, Hiccup was sitting beside Astrid; she was leaning on his shoulder and holding a slumbering Zephyr. "Tired?" Hiccup asked when Astrid yawned.

"Little bit. More of partied out and ready to relax," Astrid informed gently.

"Want to head out? We have to leave in half an hour anyway," Hiccup asked.

"Yeah, I guess that's okay. I'm ready to strip out of the dress and be comfortable in the hotel with you," Astrid said softly.

"Oh, I'll strip you out of the dress," Hiccup chuckled.

"Hiccup!" Astrid blushed furiously.

"Well, babe…We can't consummate the marriage while clothed," Hiccup reminded.

Astrid smiled, shaking her head, but she agreed with him. "Alright, let's get ready to leave," Astrid stated as she lifted her head.

"I'll take Zeph to my parents," Hiccup took their daughter from Astrid and got up to walk over to Stoick and Valka. "Astrid and I are gonna head out early. She's getting tired. Cool with you guys?"

"Of course, son," Stoick said as he took Zephyr from Hiccup.

"And we'll take care of all this, you two go ahead," Valka stated. "Little Zephyr will be fine with us. We'll see you Sunday,"

"Thanks," Hiccup hugged them as he looked to see Astrid beside him.

"Ready?" Astrid asked.

"We are," Hiccup held her hand. "Night all! See ya Sunday!" he called. Everyone got up to say goodbye and followed while Hiccup and Astrid went out to Hiccup's car, loaded up and left, heading for Berk Palace to start their three-day honeymoon.