Another short chapter, I'm sorry! But I had to break the really long one I had up otherwise it'd all be over in one night D:


Hiccup personally attended to Astrid's legs, giving her a small dose of poppy milk to soothe the pain. She had been trying to get his attention the whole time he worked, only recieving this when he was satisfied her legs would heal properly in time. He stood next to her head, crouching to brush her hair back.

"I can't feel my baby." She whispered, tears threatening to spill. Hiccup's heart seemed to skip a beat- he had been so focused on her, he hadn't stopped to think about their unborn child. He cursed himself profusely. Astrid's fingers gripped his arm. "Hiccup..."

"It's alright." He assured, thinking quickly. Her bottom lip trembled. "Here, I'll show you." He shifted to the right slightly, resting his head against her small bump. Astrid's brow knitted together. Hiccup grinned and, "Boo!", a jolt thudded through her midriff. Hiccup's hand pressed against her stomach, feeling the baby squirming. A single sob escaped her lips, water works flaring to life in her relief. She held her arms out to him, crying against his shoulder, breathing her gratitude repeatedly in his ear. Hiccup massaged soothing circles into her back. "I told you it'd be alright, didn't I? Silly billy." He teased, planting a kiss on her temple. He felt her nod on his neck, moving again to sit on the bed, careful not to knock her legs. "I get to make leg jokes about you now. Ooh, how the tables have turned!" Hiccup smirked, pulling his sleeve over her hand and wiping gently at her face.

"Shut your face." Astrid muttered, grabbing his hands to stop him from doing just that. She curled up to his side as best she could, wincing. Hiccup gave her more milk of the poppy and stayed put while she dozed off, hugging her bump protectively.


I did say it'd be short! :P