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.
Father/Son Talk
Two weeks passed since Stoick informed Hiccup that he wanted him to take over as chief of Berk, also that Hiccup accepted the job understanding his father wanted to retire in order to live out the rest his days just being a father to Hiccup since he had already involuntarily missed out on 16 years because of his wife's selfishness. That same night, after Hiccup took his nap he and Astrid did get to take their night flight to a secluded beach only one island away and enjoy a peaceful dinner together and a heated make out session that almost went too far but they stopped themselves wanting to stay pure so to speak until a time when they were a married couple. They loved their little dates together, just some time between them alone with their dragons standing guard as protection.
Hiccup did tell Astrid about his becoming chief in a month and she was over the moon about it, congratulating him, telling him how much things would change for the better with him as the chief. This is what Hiccup loved about her so much, she was very supportive of his choices and continued to stand by him no matter what. After the two got home, Hiccup went right to bed for he would need the sleep. The two would always return back to Berk before midnight however, seeing as Hiccup was now doing chief training full time with his father until the ceremony in what was now considered just two weeks away and would consist of all last minute preparations and Stoick having to announce it still which Hiccup assumed was probably going to be today or tomorrow.
In the first two weeks, Hiccup was up with his father at the crack of dawn to start the job of chief. The first week since accepting his father's request to become chief, Hiccup watched how his father did it and then the second week came around and Hiccup was basically in charge because Stoick wanted to see him do it on his own and thankfully, Hiccup had a fantastic memory so remembering what would be his daily duties wasn't at all hard for him to do. Stoick had never been prouder that Hiccup learned and remembered so much in so little time. Stoick knew his son was ready to take over Berk and lead it into a brighter future where humans and dragons had peace with one another. Stoick knew his son was meant for greatness. Today they were going over the ceremony proceedings of what would be said, who involved, and what not so Hiccup promised Astrid they would meet up later and she was fine with that because she understood.
(Great Hall)
"So all I have to do is stand here before you, Gothi, and Spitelout and take a vow to protect the village and island?" Hiccup asked looking around the hall after his father had explained everything for how the day of the ceremony would go.
"Yes son. You will enter the Great Hall through the doors and walk down the center between all the benches and tables where the villagers will be seated. You will stand here at the step down in front of me. Spitelout will be on my right, Gothi, my left. I will re-announce why we've gathered, Spitelout will give the vows for you to respond too. Gothi will draw the symbol of chief on your forehead, then I will remind your what to use your given gifts which are the sword and shield Gobber is crafting now for. I will state your chief name, then you will face your people and the celebration can begin." Stoick stated.
"Seems easy enough...So what is my chief name?" Hiccup asked.
"Haven't decided, stuck between the courageous and the creative." Stoick chuckled.
"Does it always have to be the father who picks the name?" Hiccup asked.
"It is decided for the traits the new chief will continue show as he already has." Stoick smiled.
"I can deal with that I guess so...Are we all set here?" Hiccup questioned.
"Not yet. I told ya I would need your final decision on council members son...Have you decided the 4 you will have, also your second in command, and emissaries?" Stoick asked.
"No...still deciding dad..." Hiccup mumbled.
"Well I need to know before the ceremony. And then you will announce those people after becoming chief." Stoick reminded.
"I know, Dad...Just had a lot on my mind, ya know?" Hiccup sighed plopping down on the bench, Stoick sat beside him and handed him a mug of mead, only half full though as he grabbed one for himself.
"Well, I'll lend an ear if ya want to talk son." Stoick offered now.
"Is it wrong that I still care about my mother even though she never cared about me?..." Hiccup asked looking over at his father.
"Not at all. She's still yer mother, son. She carried you in her body, gave birth to you, and before you two were taken...I'd be lucky if she let me hold ya. You were a cuddly baby, Hiccup." Stoick said now, Hiccup took a sip of the mead and sighed looking down.
"Then...what changed? How come after we were taken...She stopped caring?" Hiccup stared into the mug now.
"I don't know that answer, Hiccup. I missed out on 16 years of your life because she kept you away." Stoick replied.
"I just...It makes me mad, Dad. I didn't know I could...harbor such feelings like these until I found out she lied to me, about everything. Where I came from, who my dad is...How people are...She said this place would never change and look at it a year after I actually showed you all the truth...I don't understand how a mother...could do such a thing to her own child. Neglect him for years, leave him to survive on his own, be raised by...dragons, and...no matter what...never be enough." Hiccup glared into his cup angrily now.
"Hiccup, listen to me son. I can't speak for your mother, the things she did and said from what you told me before I knew you were the son I thought I'd lost...Some of them are still a shock for me to have heard, still I don't understand her actions or words. She was my wife and on Berk, aside from raids we were happy raising you. After you two were taken, I don't know what made her change." Stoick put his hand on his son's shoulder then made him look at him, their eyes meeting. "But I do know this...You won't know unless you go talk to her and find out. I know I have some unanswered questions...I told her to leave that day you two fought. To think about what she'd done to you, and to stay away until a possible time where you wanted to see here again."
"You sent away your wife for me?" Hiccup asked.
"I lost you once, Hiccup...And hearing you say you'd rather be dead than be around her...Yes, I chose you over your mother like she chose dragons over you. I won't lose you again, son..." Stoick said.
"You think I should forgive her?" Hiccup asked.
"I think you should at least get your answers first, then decide what you wanna do." Stoick smiled. Hiccup sighed sucking back the rest of the mead in his cup.
"I suppose that makes sense, I did say I wanted to know about everything...Fine. I'll make a trip there and talk to her. I'll be gone past the ceremony date though. Its a six day trip there and back..." Hiccup mumbled.
"We can put it off. I haven't made it official yet, not to everyone. You can't lead these people without a clear head, son. So let's go get Spitelout to run the village while we're gone." Stoick said standing up.
"W-we?" Hiccup asked a little surprised.
"Of course. I'm not sending ya by yerself son, besides...I got questions too. Might as well do it together." Stoick smiled. Hiccup nodded, his father was right.
"We'll leave tomorrow." Hiccup nodded. The two got up and went to talk to Spitelout, Stoick's second in command. Of course while the two were getting ready to pack up for the trip the next day, Astrid found them and learned they were leaving for about two weeks and Hiccup knew she wouldn't like being away from him that long so he invited her to tag along with them to the ice nest. She rushed home to pack as well, then after dinner they all turned in early to get a good night's sleep. Hiccup especially, he knew he'd need it to have this out with his mother but he hoped he could get his answers and come to a decision whether he could forgive her or not. That was the last thought on his mind before sleep took over him.