After httyd 2

Astrid was taking a break from helping repair some houses. The last few days had been full of activity from dawn until dusk. After the feast to honor Stoik and celebrate Hiccup being chief, she hadn't spent anytime with him. She had seen him around, close at hand with either Gobber or Spitelout. He looked like he hadn't been sleeping. She tried to make sure that everyone in the gang was doing something everyday to make his work load less. She knew it wasn't just the day to day that was getting to him. In just a couple of days he had gained back his mother, lost his father to his best friend and almost died to protect the island from a mad man. She was watching him go into the forge when she heard Stormfly squak behind her. Turning she saw Valka rubbing her nadder under the chin. "She really is beautiful."

"She thinks so too." Astrid laughed, "She is a great companion."

"You both are very similar." Valka seemed to hesitate, " I was wondering if maybe we could talk. I missed so much of Hiccup life and you are obviously very close to him."

"Oh uh sure. I need to finish these houses. Is there a time that works best for you?"

"How about you join us for dinner? Maybe come a little early?"

"That sounds good." She couldn't help but chuckle as the familiar unsure nod and smile crossed Valka's features. She quickly said, " Sorry Hiccup has that same look."

"Really?" Astrid nodded, "One of the things to learn. I'll see you at dinner."

Building and repairing was just instinct as Astrid's mind was on spending time with Hiccup's mom. She had never had a problem understanding and talking with Stoik. They had been very similar in the way they did things. Both had warrior spirits. However Valka was more like Hiccup. She had grown up with Hiccup, gotten the academy running together and knew how he thought. She knew next to nothing about Valka.

Finishing for the day Astrid stopped at her house to tell her parents where she would be. Walking the familiar path between her house and Hiccup's seemed to be longer than normal. She stopped at the door and squared her shoulders. She was fearless Astrid Hofferson and meeting her future mother-in-law wouldn't change that. She knocked before sticking her head in the door. "Hello?"

"Come in Astrid." Valka was crouching in front of the hearth stirring a pot. "One of the few things I can make that doesn't taste bad. Yak stew. You hungry?"

"Very. When are you expecting Hiccup to be home?"

"Oh Gobber will send him home in about a half hour."

"Ok. Would you like any help?"

"That would be nice. Mind cutting the bread? The cutt.."

"Thank you but I know my way around." Astrid walked around cutting bread, setting the table and filling cups with ale. "Hiccup likes his watered. What about you?"

"A little honey please. The way you move around makes me believe you've done this a few times."

"Yeah. I'd come to dinner every once and awhile. I felt like I should help at least a little since one of them would have made dinner. Occasionally I'd even stop in and start something. Not that I'm very good at cooking."

"Gobber still talks about my horrible meatballs. Says they're still rolling around his stomach." They both laughed.

"I made Yak Nog the first year we had peace with the dragons. They had gone to their nesting island, though we didn't know that, and I wanted to start some new traditions. Try and make up for the sadness of the dragons leaving. It was horrible." Astrid laughed, "Snotlout got sick after drinking it and poor Hiccup, I'm sure spit it out as soon as I left."

"He is a very considerate man."

"He is. Growing up was hard on him because he was… well is a little different from the average viking. But I think that's been his greatest strength. We wouldn't have dragons or been on so many amazing adventures without him."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"You love him right?" No one had ever asked her that before. Everyone had just assumed or had 'seen' it. Hiccup had never pushed her to say it and seemed to settle for mostly never hearing it. She did love him, more then she had ever thought she could. It just wasn't easy for her to be…. Well emotional and romantic. Something she had also had in common with Stoik, though he had been better about telling his son how he felt in the last five years.

"Very much."

Valka smiled, "I thought so. The look you both shared that day. Well. I'm glad he's had someone to love and look after him."

"Thank you. So is there anything you want to know about him?"

"Tell me what you know."

Hiccup was tired. Everything was running as smoothly as could be expected but it was still a lot all at once. With the nightly nightmares about his dad and the slightly awkward moments with his mother only adding to the emotional turmoil. He barely saw any of his friends and most importantly Astrid. He missed her. It was weird turning to ask her opinion but finding Gobber instead. He knew she had been organizing the Riders to get things done around the village, so he didn't have to. Unfortunately there still wasn't even time to thank her. It was all he could do to eat and attempt sleep every night before starting all over. He stopped before opening the door as he heard laughter. Not just any laughter, it was Astrid and his mother's. He leaned closer to listen, " No seriously it hit him right in the face." Astrid said.

"That is unfortunate. Dragon droppings are not pleasant."

"Oh Gods, why did she have to tell her that story?" Hiccup thought as he opened the door. Both smiling woman looked at him as he entered, "Good to see you ladies are having a good time." Astrid got up to greet him with a kiss on the cheek, "Your mother invited me to dinner. Go sit."

"As you wish Milady." He winced as she slapped his shoulder before spooning stew into a bowl. As he sat Astrid placed the bowl in front of him with a cup of ale. "Don't worry I watered it down."

"Thank you." Astrid dished up two more bowls and came back to the table, placing one in front of Valka. "So….. do I want to know what you were talking about?"

"Probably not son." replied Valka before casting an amused glance at Astrid.

"What did you do today mom?" Hiccup placed his right hand over Astrid's left.

"Oh just helped heal some dragons."

"What about you Milady?"

"Got some houses rebuilt or fixed. Snotlout managed to get the last of that ice spike where the horn used to be taken care of. Fishlegs lead a group to the otherside of the island to gather some food and medicine supplies and the Twins helped get some damaged boats out of the water. Oh Eret said if you have time he has an idea for that stone guardian in the bay that was destroyed. "

"I've been meaning to find you and say thank you. You have been getting things done and keeping the others out of mischief."

"Just doing my part."

"It's more than that." He squeezed her hand. Somewhere along the line they had learned to almost speak without words. That's how he had known before she had ever said the words that she loved him. Just like now.

Astrid smiled at him before looking at Valka, "When things are back to normal, you'll have to come teach at the Academy."

"Academy?"

"The old kill arena was turned into a place to learn about dragons." Hiccup added.

"Really? That didn't spook the dragons?"

"At first but they are ok now." They ate and talked for several hours. It reminded Hiccup of the nights with Astrid and his father. However his dad had known all his stories and now they were telling them to his mother. It was still surreal sometimes. He expected his dad to just show up sometimes.

"Well I think I'll go for a fly with Cloudjumper before bed. Goodnight." Valka said as she kissed Hiccup's head. After she left the couple settled in front of the fire, under a fur. Astrid took his face in her hands kissing him. "Your not sleeping."

"Can't fool you can I?"

"No." She set her head on his shoulder, enjoying being close to him. "Nightmares?"

"How did y?"

"You got them when you lost your leg. I'd stay till your dad got home. He didn't leave much but when he did…. Well I was the one to wake you."

"A lot of memories are hazy still from then."

"You know I'm here for you right?"

"I know." He sighed, "I also have seen how hard you've been working. I didn't want to add to it."

"Hiccup. I chose to be with you. To be your second through everything. So whether you tell me or not I already know your burdens and carry them with you."

"I love you."

"I love you too." She felt him pull her closer and before long he was asleep. After a few minutes she laid him down and placed the blanket over him. "May the Gods bless you with peaceful sleep." She kissed his brow and walked home.