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Chapter 11: Teamwork

Hiccup stirred from a restful sleep and stretched his arms, the bruises still a bit sore but not nearly as bad as yesterday.

Opening his eyes, he saw a mop of blonde hair in his face, and he instinctively flinched back out of surprise. Astrid.

His left hand had crossed the charcoal 'border' she'd drawn on the bed, slightly into her territory, and he quickly pulled it back.

She was lying on her side facing away from him, sheets pulled up to her chin and still fast asleep. Her blonde locks tumbled like a waterfall and the ends spilled into his side of the bed. He gently twirled a strand between his fingers, marveling at the silky texture.

Slowly getting out of bed as to not wake her, he supported himself by his arms on the bed posts and quietly made his way over to her side and knelt beside her to look at his wife's face from closer than he'd ever seen (while he wasn't fighting for his life in a heated duel, that is).

Her eyes were closed and her cheeks were pink in the cool morning, a small smile on her lips and she looked absolutely divine to him. He'd always admired her from a distance all his life, but after how she'd treated him yesterday with so much care, he felt an unexpected burst of affection bloom inside him for this girl.

Without considering the consequences, he leaned down and gently kissed her forehead, making her shift a little in her sleep but luckily not waking, and he stood up quickly, deciding to not push his luck further. With one more long and adoring look at her, he got his crutches and went downstairs.

And maybe it was just his imagination, but as he'd looked at her just before leaving, her smile did seem a little bit wider.

"I'll walk you to the forge" Astrid said firmly.

"I'm fine Astrid, see, I can walk just fine-" He tried to show how easily he could walk with crutches, but in his haste, he stumbled right into Astrid as she grabbed a hold of him to keep them both from falling.

"Yeah, I can see just how fine you're walking" she teased, as he extracted himself from her grasp, face coloring.

Wait, why am I joking with him? I'm supposed to be mad at him!

Astrid kept reminding herself that she still had to break this marriage, still had to get her freedom back.

She looked at Hiccup and saw him staring dumbly at her wrist. "You're- you're wearing it" he said incredulously.

Astrid reflexively looked down at the metal bracelet on her wrist, the sapphire still cracked but she had found she hadn't really minded it. "Umm.." She absently covered it with her other hand, blood rushing to her cheeks. "I just thought I... it's nothing. We should get going" she said, anxious to change the subject.

Truth was, even she wasn't sure why she'd felt so possessive over it since he'd given it to her yesterday. Maybe it was the fact that it was the first real gift she'd gotten in a long time, or because he'd made it for her, and the fact that it was a bit broken made her think that not everything has to be perfect to be beautiful. That it's okay to not have everything figured out.

She wanted to let him know how much she liked it but couldn't bring herself to break her tough exterior for it. At least Hiccup seemed pretty happy with just seeing her wear it though, so that was that.

She kept an arm lightly on his back in case he stumbled again, as they walked through the village, him hobbling along on his crutches.

She felt eyes pick out the newlywed couple from all around, even some sympathetic looks thrown her way and she felt Hiccup pull away from her slightly, as if to save her the embarrassment of having to walk alongside him.

Astrid was having none of that though, so she put her hand on his arm to reassure him that she wasn't at all perturbed by whoever stared. Willingly or not, he was her husband, and she wasn't gonna let herself or him be pitied by anyone. Keeping her chin high, she kept her hand on his arm until they reached the forge.

"Are you sure you're gonna be alright?" she asked, concerned.

"Yeah- I'm fine, nothing I'm not used to" he said, gesturing to his leg. "Gobber gave me the day off so I can work on a replacement right away"

"And what if those knuckleheads come back?"

Hiccup grinned. "After what you did yesterday? I'll be surprised if they show their faces anywhere nearby anytime soon"

Astrid matched his grin but then abruptly stopped herself, returning to a neutral expression. "Okay, then I'll get going" she said quickly and left just before his expression turned to one of confusion.

As she marched away and forced herself not to look back, she wondered why she was behaving the way she was.

When she'd seen Hiccup getting bullied by those idiots yesterday... something seemed to snap inside her. She had gotten more outraged than she normally would have, and it felt much more personal this time. Like when they hit Hiccup, it felt like they were hitting her.

Afterwards, she'd felt this compulsion to help him however she could, and she told herself she was doing this out of a general compassion for other humans, rather than doing her wifely duties for Hiccup.

She felt like a rubber band being stretched thin the more time she spent with her new husband. A stubborn part of her was insistent on shutting him out, but an equally stubborn part was insistent on wanting to return the completely amicable treatment he had extended towards her.

Astrid Hofferson had never been one to be unsure of anything. So why was it that these days, Astrid Haddock constantly found herself in a battle with herself?

"It's official. I don't understand girls at all" Hiccup mumbled.

Gobber chuckled. "Aye, any man who tells you he does is either lyin' or not right in the head"

Hiccup continued cutting and shaping parts for his new prosthetic leg. Now that he was basically starting from scratch, he decided to incorporate some design changes learned from his experience with the old one.

"So are ye gonna tell me what happened with yer missus' that's got ya in a tizzy?

Hiccup blushed at Gobber calling her that. "It's just that... sometimes it feels like she's finally opening up to me, like she actually cares for me... but then I don't know what happens, if it's something I do or not, but she suddenly shifts into a different tone and just becomes distant from me again, like she still loathes me"

"I don't think it's anything to do with ye, I think she still needs more time to get her feelings towards you in order"

Hiccup almost choked on air. "f-f-feelings?"

Gobber smirked. "Don't think I didn't notice ye two all snuggle walking this mornin'"

"What? No! She was just there in case I fell again, that doesn't mean she has feelings for me"

"I wouldn't say it's nothin', she definitely feels something for you. Only time will tell what that is exactly"

Hiccup nodded slightly. "I hope you're right"

Hiccup felt glad to be in the cove for the first time in two days, making use of the last couple of hours before sunset.

He'd found that making the prosthetic the second time had been much faster, and he thought he had just enough time to check it's fit with Toothless' gearshift.

Toothless jumped around at first sight and Hiccup found himself being tackled to the ground by a very excited dragon.

"I'm glad to see you too bud!"

Toothless warbled as to say, What took you so long?

Hiccup chuckled. "Oh nothing much, just got married to the love of my life, no big deal"

Toothless cocked his head curiously.

"Don't worry bud, you're still my best friend" he said, scratching him. "I'm just responsible for another human being now."

He wasn't sure if Toothless understood, but he did give him a few slobbering licks of approval, if that meant something.

"I wish she was as fond of me as you are" he said, laughing. "She's gone two straight nights without killing me in my sleep though, so I guess I can't complain really"

After a couple of flights and some more adjustments, he was ready to head home, crutches in one hand but able to walk alright on his own. While on the path back to his home, he glanced at something that wouldn't have made him pause a week ago, but it did now.

It was a completely ordinary thing really, just a man around a decade older than him, visiting the market with his wife. Hiccup was captured by the ease they had together, their body language simply radiating affection and companionship for each other. The mutual trust shaped over many years. It was a beautiful sight, and he couldn't help but wonder. Would he be able to have that one day? with her?

They received a bag from the shopkeeper, and as they turned to leave, Hiccup noticed how instinctively their hands came towards each other in a split second until they joined, as if holding hands was the most natural thing in the world for them. Which it was, but given Astrid's recently mixed interactions with him, awed him nonetheless.

When he finally reached home and opened the door, he was surprised to see his wife, and in the kitchen of all places, cursing under her breath.

"What are you doing?" He asked automatically.

Astrid spun around, looking all frantic. "My parents and the Chief- er- your dad are coming over for dinner, tonight!"

"Really? how do you-"

"My mother told me when I met her today"

Hiccup glanced outside at the orange sky. "Why are you worried? We still have an hour at least"

Astrid glared at him like he'd insulted her entire clan. "I'm the one who is responsible for this household. You know that I'll be expected to make a full and delicious dinner for five people, and one of them is my Chief"

"-and father-in-law" Hiccup added under his breath, earning another glare from her. "What's the issue then?"

Astrid averted her eyes, looking a bit flustered. Hiccup was befuddled. "Well, the thing is... I... don't really know how to... you know... cook"

"Huh?"

She crossed her arms. "So big deal, I never learned it, ok? I was too busy training for battle, not for becoming a housewife" she wrinkled her nose at the last word.

"Hey it's-it's fine! I'll help you make the dinner. I'll even teach you how"

"You will?" she said, looking at him in surprise.

"Of course." Hiccup grinned. "Remember you helped me with training right?"

"And look where that got me" she muttered under her breath, but not quiet enough for Hiccup to miss it. His smile didn't waver though.

"I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that" he said, moving into the kitchen.

Astrid rolled her eyes at him, but he still saw the smirk she unsuccessfully tried to hide.

It took the full hour for both of them, but they eventually got it done, with Hiccup doing most of the cooking part and Astrid helping him every way she knew, like cutting vegetables, setting the table, stirring the broth.

Astrid found herself being quietly impressed yet again with Hiccup's prowess in the kitchen, and how, with his instruction, even someone as hopeless as her managed to help out in a productive manner.

Metal working, drawing, cooking, she counted in her head. For someone with his reputation, he sure had more skills than anyone, including her, had given him credit for.

She didn't even have time to remember to act cross with him, busy as they were, and before they knew it, there was a knock at the door and she let in her mother and father, followed by the imposing shape of Chief Stoick the Vast.

"Chief" she said curtly, giving a small bow.

"Astrid, no need for the formalities, you can call me dad!" He laughed.

They all sat at the table while Astrid served the dishes, and banter and talk filled their usually quiet house. Hiccup eyed her with a questioning look, as if asking if she was fine, to which she gave a discreet nod. She was hardly used to eating at the table at her own house, much less being a hostess, but it wasn't really that difficult, given all the stuff had been prepared beforehand.

Hiccup's father complimented the food immensely, a sentiment that was chorused by both her parents.

"Oh it's all Astrid's work" Hiccup answered, "She's learning but has real talent no matter what she does"

Astrid blushed at the praise, but protested, "But Hiccup-"

"I helped a bit" Hiccup interrupted quickly, giving her a meaningful look- "but it was mostly her"

"Ahh that's wonderful dear" her mother said to her, while still looking at Hiccup.

Stoick eyed Arvid Hofferson across the table, "What did I tell ya, I knew they'd work well together" making both the dads exchange knowing grins while their children blushed in unison.

After everyone's appetite was sated, Astrid hugged her parents goodbye. Even though she was still mad at them, even though they'd made her do this, they were still her parents, and she'd still missed them. If she was being honest with herself, she hadn't missed them as much as she'd expected. It was like Hiccup had filled the familial hole they'd left behind.

The Chief put a hand on his son's shoulder and exchanged some words not audible to her, and then he also left. Shutting the door, Astrid turned straight to her husband before he had a chance to escape.

"What was that?!"

"What was what?" He asked while simultaneously backing away from her.

"Why did you let me take all the credit for the dinner?" said Astrid, stepping closer.

He relaxed slightly, "Well, you're the hostess right? No matter who helped, you're the one responsible for it, so you should get the credit"

Astrid didn't buy that though, stepping closer still until he was backed up against a wall. "Hiccup" she said, fisting his tunic in her hand as she gave him her most threatening, "tell me the truth or face my fury" look.

Hiccup sighed and caved in. "I saw how important this was to you, how you really cared about what they thought of you, and I didn't want anyone to think lesser of you"

Astrid tilted her head.

"Astrid, you're amazing at everything you do, and I know how you pride yourself in being nothing less than perfection. So I didn't want to blemish that reputation... everyone knows I'm a screw up, one well cooked meal won't change that... but for you, it'll help everyone see you as I do." He paused. "Make them as proud of you as I am, to call you my wife" he finished shyly.

Taken aback by his words, Astrid came to her senses and realised how they had gotten almost nose to nose during this little interrogation, and she hastily released him and backed away.

"Thank you Hiccup... but I'd rather you give me some more lessons so that for next time, the praise I get is actually earned" she said simply, before dashing up the stairs.

Hiccup stared dumbly in her direction she'd left in, at the fact that Astrid Hoff- ugh, still not used to it- Haddock had asked him to teach her something.

Not a bad evening, he thought with a relieved smile. Not a bad evening at all.

Maybe it was their interaction today, how they had worked together to accomplish something, or maybe it was the fact that she was still wearing the bracelet he'd gifted her as she brushed her hair, sitting on her side of the bed, but tonight he didn't feel uncomfortable or anxious at all, being here with her.

And comfort paved the way for bravery, to be forward about something that had been on his mind all evening.

In the darkness now, he could just barely make out her form in the dim light, enough of a gap between them for a couple more Hiccups to squeeze in.

Her breathing told her she wasn't asleep yet, and before he could lose his courage, he asked, "Astrid?"

He felt her shift at the unexpected sound, before replying, "hmm?"

"Can I... hold your hand?"

"What?" she asked, sounding more awake now. "Why?"

Hiccup gulped, resting his hand palm up on the border line that separated them. "Because... because I really like you Astrid. And because I want to"

'like' was the understatement of the century, but he felt that his life was more precious to him right now than accuracy of speech.

He held his breath for the agonizingly long moment she took before she replied.

"No."

Her reply was simple and completely expected but it still cut right to his heart, leaving a stinging ache behind.

Feeling incredibly stupid and embarrassed, he shut his eyes and just lay there, sighing wistfully.

I was right. She'd never love me. Never in a thousand years.

It was a few minutes later, right when he felt the first beginnings of sleep creep into his body, that he was jolted into awareness by the touch of a soft and warm hand, fingers intertwining with his own.

He was sure his heart skipped a couple of beats when he braved a glanced down to make sure he wasn't imagining things, that his wife really was holding his hand. He gave her a slight squeeze in disbelief and she squeezed back, proving to him that she was really doing this, being aware and in her senses.

And that night he fell asleep, smiling wide to himself in the dark, exhilaration running through his veins, feeling like he could fly over the moon and keep going, going, over the stars, and past whatever lay beyond.