Where I Belong
Author: Nightstar Fury
Rating: M
Pairing: Hiccup/Astrid
Disclaimer: I don't own the HTTYD movies, or any of the HTTYD series such as Riders of Berk, Defenders of Berk, or Race To The Edge.
New Trainer
Shortly after arriving back on Berk, it was evident to Hiccup that clearly Stoick wasn't up still because people in the village were looking around confused and worried for their chief who hadn't yet come out of his home to make an appearance and do his normal morning duties. Looking up, Hiccup could see that the blue skies overhead now meant sunrise was over and day had began, it had to be close to eight in the morning already. He didn't want to wake the chief, if Gobber and him were up later than Hiccup drinking than their hangovers would be far worse than Hiccup's was. Honestly Hiccup still felt pretty shitty but it wasn't so bad that he couldn't function normally through his day. Hiccup wanted to help but he didn't know what to do, he didn't know Stoick's duties. Sure he'd watched a few times but not enough to do the job himself, hearing Toothless warbled at him as they landed, an idea struck him. Who said he had to do it alone, he might not have the strength of the chief, but he had a Night Fury who was stronger.
"Astrid, why don't you take Stormfly back to your house and let her rest in the shed your dad cleaned out a week or so ago. That wound should heal in a few days, give her a little fish or chicken. Nadders love chicken." Hiccup said as Astrid climbed off Toothless and nodded after Stormfly landed on the ground next to them.
"Okay, Einarr. What are you gonna do?" Astrid questioned.
"I'm gonna try and help these people out." Hiccup motioned to the group of people nearing Stoick's and wondering where their chief was. "Once Stoick gets up, I'll ask him about the training you to train and ride a dragon."
"Alright. See you later then?" Astrid smiled softly, Hiccup leaned over and kissed her once on the lips. She blushed returning it before heading towards the Hofferson house with Stormfly beside her after Hiccup nodded to her as confirmation that he would see her later on.
Hiccup faced the people and took a breath, he hoped Stoick wouldn't be mad at him for this. " Alright...So the chief isn't feeling well right now...He asked me to help out anyone who needed it. Um..." Hiccup saw them start to settle down a little bit, "So if you need help, just let me know..." The crowd nodded slowly and seemed to form a line suddenly to ask for his help. Hiccup instantly felt like he was going to busy just about all day long and so it began his day of trying to do the chief's job. Most of his jobs were easy: help the fishers bring in the catches, organizing the food store hours and getting numbers of where they were at, bringing wood and materials to repair things, and Hiccup even ended up doing some of Gobber's jobs so Hiccup was thankful that he knew how use the forge. While he was helping out the builders, he even offered ideas on how to make the houses or buildings stronger.
Hiccup helped with the farming, wood gathering, sewing, and so much more and yet it was only a little after lunch time. Hiccup set up a sign outside of Stoick's house where people could put down their name and what job they needed help with so Hiccup would know where to go next. He'd help out five then check the list again. Currently he was in the forge eating some bread and an apple as his lunch while working on someone's weapon which needed fixing and sharpening afterwards. While hammering away, Astrid's father stopped in to see him. "So you're dating my little girl are ya?" Colby asked. Hiccup put down the hammer and smiled softly with a nod.
"Yes sir." Hiccup answered.
"I don't need to tell you to be good to her, right?" Colby said.
"No Mr. Hofferson. Your wife already came through to do the very same." Hiccup chuckled a bit.
"Good man. Oh, I was wondering if you could sharpen this for me while you're in here?" Colby said holding up his ax, Hiccup nodded as he took it and got sharpening wheel spinning as he began to work on Colby's ax. After 15 minutes, it was done as Hiccup gave it a quick polish then handed it back to him. Colby smiled as he nodded and dropped a few gold coins on the counter for him before walking off. Hiccup smiled some, it felt good to help people and honestly if this is all the chief did all day it seemed easy enough but Hiccup knew there were something he wouldn't be able to do like meetings with other tribes, and breaking up fights. Hiccup went back to working on the other weapon he'd been doing before Colby arrived.
20 minutes later, it was done and he got on Toothless to deliver it to the customer. After being thanked and given two gold coins for the work he did, Hiccup was approached by Astrid, Fishlegs, the twins, and Snotlout who really look displeased for whatever reason. "Any jobs to do?" Astrid asked him.
"Just finished the last one on the list, I'm sure there will be more soon." Hiccup shrugged a little.
"Hope the chief doesn't get mad you're doing his job." Snotlout huffed.
"Me too but it was I help or the village starts getting riled up and I'm almost sure the chief wouldn't want that." Hiccup responded to the Jorgenson boy who clearly hated him for reasons unknown to Hiccup or anyone else for that matter. Astrid smiled as she laid her head on Hiccup's shoulder and linked her fingers with his, Hiccup kissed her forehead with a gentle smile.
"It's so cute that you two are together now." Fishlegs beamed happily.
"I've never been happier." Astrid said.
"Pfft, she only likes him because he has the dragon..." Snotlout mumbled. "He didn't have that then she'd want a real Viking." Hiccup ignored it, he didn't care. He saw the problem now, Snotlout was jealous that Astrid was with him instead of him.
"You call yourself a real Viking?" Astrid laughed, "Hah! I'd never be with you, Snotlout. You're cocky, pushy, and incredibly irritating. Einarr is kind, caring and talented. That's why I like him, because he isn't always all over me trying to get me to be with him. Not to mention he had the decency to actually take me on a date before asking me out. Also, in order to be with one another you have to like one another and I don't like you." Snotlout fumed as he stomped off. "Sorry about him..."
"He doesn't bother me, I can ignore it." Hiccup smiled placing a soft kiss on her lips which made her blush and hide her face in her boyfriend's chest.
"Never thought I'd see the day that Astrid Hofferson is blushing!" Tuffnut laughed, Astrid glared now as she punched him in the stomach.
"Watch it, Thorston..." She warned. Hiccup only chuckled, he loved her feisty temper. "Have you eaten yet?"
"I had some bread and an apple in the forge about 40 minutes ago." Hiccup replied.
"Einarr, we need your help...The boars are loose!" One of the villagers rushed towards him frantically. Hiccup kissed Astrid as he let go of her hand and jumped on Toothless's back.
"Duty calls, Mi'lady. I'll see you after!" Hiccup called to her before flying off on Toothless with a whistle from the streamlined dragon. Flying over, Hiccup was able to see the boars running in a pack back towards the forest, "Aright bud...Let's round them up." Toothless roared out and fired a blast to make them turn back towards the village. "That's it! One more to get em back in the village!" Toothless fired again as the blast made the boars turn back into the village. "Get those doors open and ready!" Hiccup called to Mulch and Bucket, "Astrid make sure the villagers are out of the way so they don't get trampled!" Astrid nodded as she and the others teens began to move people so the boars could run straight through. "Toothless, warning shot!" Toothless shot a blast at a boar trying to break from the pack, the boar altered and ran in to the barn as the Bucket and Mulch shut the doors and locked them.
"Thanks, Einarr!" The two Vikings called as Hiccup smiled nodding before he landed on the ground and the people began cheering for him as he got off Toothless. The cheering came to a halt though when Stoick's voice rang over them wondering what was going on. The crowd made a path for their chief who now saw Hiccup there with Toothless. "Oh chief, you're feelin better." Bucket said.
"Yes much, now what is goin on out here...I heard blasts." Stoick asked.
"That was me sir, the boars escaped the barn. Toothless and I wrangled them back to it..." Hiccup admitted.
"He also ran the forge and fixed our weapons." Said Colby now.
"Organized the food store house, brought in more catches, and took a full count of everything." Added Spitelout.
"And helped gather wood, supplies, and rebuild things." Said Mulch in addition. Stoick's eyes fell on Einarr now and Hiccup gulped.
"He's been helping everyone out while you've been sick, chief. He thought you might want to rest so he did your jobs for you." Spitelout smiled.
"Is this true, Einarr? You did all the chief's jobs, and mine while we were hungover?" Gobber asked coming beside Stoick now.
"Yeah, I did..." Hiccup replied. Stoick's face was firm then it turned to a smile as he patted Hiccup on the back.
"Well done! Very well done!" Stoick laughed. Hiccup was relieved, he wasn't in trouble for doing the chief's job. "For all that, you can have the rest of the day off son. I'll take over now."
"Thanks chief." Hiccup replied, "But I did want to ask something now that you're up..." Hiccup began.
"Ask anythin ya like." Stoick replied.
"Well I was wondering if...I could teach Astrid how to train dragons and ride one?" Hiccup asked. "She bonded to a Nadder this morning...Meaning the Nadder will accept her as a trainer and rider..." Hiccup added.
"So you want to know if I'll allow you to do dragon trainin?" Stoick questioned.
"I guess you could put it that way." Hiccup nodded.
"Well you trained a Night Fury, and ride him well too. I see no reason after all you've shown us about dragons, that you can't teach us your way of life with them." Stoick said.
"Wait...I just meant training Astrid...What are you saying?" Hiccup asked.
"Einarr. I'm making you head dragon trainer of Berk, anyone who wants to learn how to train and ride them is permitted too. I'll say that they can't be younger than 13 though. You're the new dragon trainer lad." Stoick smiled, Hiccup smiled wider. He couldn't believe it! Stoick just made him head dragon trainer for Berk, everyone who wanted to learn to train and ride had to go through him. This was great! Hiccup faced Astrid now.
"Best get a goodnights sleep Mi'lady. Tomorrow, you start dragon training." Hiccup told her, she giggled excitedly as she threw her arms around him happily, they shared a kiss as the village began cheering. Hiccup was sure of it now, change was possible and he wouldn't stop until everyone knew that.