TW: healing from sexual assault, rape culture
Please note that this story discusses rape. Please do not read this story if it may be triggering for you. Talking about survival is important, and this story aims to show that survival is absolutely possible.
Someone asked in the reviews if you'll find out what happened during the rape. I will not be sharing any details of what happened when Astrid was raped because the details are not important to the conversation surrounding survival. There's no need to describe assault, and so often in media rape is portrayed in a sexualised way. This is not helpful.
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Fishlegs was pruning the trees in his meditation garden. He was just finishing a sculpture of Meatlug when Heather appeared. "Hey you," Said Fishlegs. Heather didn't smile. Fishlegs put down his clippers . "What's wrong?"
"You shouldn't have spoken to Astrid like that last night."
Fishlegs sighed. "Heather, don't you think I feel bad enough already? How was I supposed to know she-"
Heather folded her arms. "You should have guessed. You've known Astrid all your life, there's no way she would cheat on Hiccup. And even if she had, you still shouldn't have told her she would be executed for treason."
"Yeah," Said Fishlegs quietly. "That may have been a bit far. But honestly, rape isn't the first thing that comes to mind when a woman's pregnant to a man who isn't her boyfriend."
"Why not?"
Fishlegs sighed and wandered over to the bench in the corner of the garden. "It's not common, is it? I mean, most men don't do that."
Heather sat next to Fishlegs. "Enough men do it. Every woman knows someone who has been assaulted, Fishlegs. So many women have first hand experience."
Fishlegs' eyes widened. "Have you ever been...?"
"No," Heather glanced at Fishlegs. "I know plenty of women who have been, though. You'd be surprised. Why do you think I made this?" She held up her double headed axe.
"Wow," Said Fishlegs. "Do all women have to defend themselves?"
"Yeah," Said Heather.
Fishlegs looked at the floor. "Well, how do we support Astrid? I mean, this is going to be hell for her."
"It's already hell for her." Heather thought for a moment. "Just be kind, Fishlegs. Remember there's nothing you can do to make any of it better; so you just have to try not to make things worse."
"Heather, I would never-"
Heather raised an eyebrow. "You told her she was going to be executed."
"Well, someone had to mention it. Under Berkian law, she'll have to prove that she didn't consent."
"That's barbaric." Heather was fiddling with a branch clipping she had picked up from the ground.
Fishlegs patted Heather's forearm. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We'll all stand behind her, Heather. If anyone can get through this, it's Astrid."
"I know." Said Heather. "I think Hiccup is going to need your support though. It'll be a tough time for him too."
"Yeah," Said Fishlegs. "I can't imagine how I'd feel in his place."