- Toothless's Nest, New Berk.
*Mates live together, share the same nest, and raise their hatchlings together.*
The Night Fury said as he laid himself on the warmed stone slab. Hiccup prepared a sleeping bag next to him.
*But we both have our individual roles, it would be better if we separate it from our personal lives, and have separate nests.* Toothless explained, *She said she's ok with back and forth flying, and so am I, but she's the future alpha of her home world*.
Toothless looked up at the light projector that had a crystal she gave him… the crystal from her home world.
*What would they speak of us? I feel like I left all the responsibility to her, but at the same time, I don't want to be a Guide Alpha of countless portals.* Toothless voiced his worries, *What if in the end she decides it's too much?*.
"Well, didn't she already learn how to live with it? If she was born with it like me." Hiccup asked, "Astrid has been sharing my job for a while, and will soon be a chieftess next to me, but in the end, everything still needs to come to my table."
Toothless tilted his head, his best friend is right, even Astrid and the riders have helped him with things, the full responsibility still went to him just like when Stoick was still alive.
*But if we have hatchlings in the future, how will we handle back and forth flying?* Another concern climbed up his scales.
"Then let the kids decide when they can fly." Hiccup answered, "People can say all they want, but in the end they won't be the ones who live in this marriage, you and her are, and I'm sure she knows this too."
She certainly does, she could respond to insults way faster than any Fury's blast. Toothless wishes he had a simple mate-life like Hiccup and Astrid.
"Look, I understand that feeling." Hiccup sighed, "I'm not sure if I'm good enough for her too. Hell, her name is already better than mine!" Hiccup chuckled, "Astrid, divinely beautiful." He looked up at the crystal lights as if he saw her in it, "married to… well, Hiccup." He shrugged, "We both have our own stuff to deal with, but I guess it all started with the feelings of wanting to be there for one another.".
The last part of that sentence gently caressed a vulnerable part in their hearts. They mirrored each other perfectly like the ocean and the sky despite their species differences, and the lovers they chose are the polar opposite, and yet…
*You marry her, because you want to be there for her, right?* Toothless asked, not sure of his best friend or himself.
"Until the end, I do." Hiccup wasn't sure if he replied to his bud or himself, "So marry her with that feeling, ok?"
Toothless nodded and leaned into his best friend's touch. They're still afraid of tomorrow, but they know it all will be okay.
- The Haddock House, New Berk.
*I know there will be plenty waiting for us both, but I want to soar across the sky with him.* Luna looked at the dancing fire in the hearth, *And if that's good enough for him, it's good enough for me too.*.
"Then don't worry, it is always good enough for him." Astrid replied as she sipped her tea.
*Yeah, I think he already loves you since the first moment he laid his eyes on you.* Stormfly added, *He always has these goo-goo eyes when he talks, or thinks of you.*
Astrid chuckled, just like his riders. She's not new to the eyes that look at her desirely, and she remembers Hiccup always has his eyes on her, she never tells anyone except Stormfly.
It started as dreamy eyes any kids would give to their puppy loves, then slowly, but surely it grew into wonder, admiring, and then understanding. That's probably why she chose him too. His eyes are the only view of her that changed through time, and she felt seen… and understood.
"Just don't push yourself too hard," Astrid was not sure if she spoke to the Light Fury or herself, "I know you're smart and dedicated. You might feel inadequate and under-estimated by others. It takes time to grow out of that, but if someone finally loves you for who you are, trust them.".
*Yeah, you're lucky that you're Toothless's mate, not my Ex's mate.* Stormfly chuckled.
*What's Ex?* Luna tilted her head.
Astrid looked at Stormfly, not sure if this is the topic they should talk about when a wedding, no, two weddings are coming tomorrow.
*An 'Ex' is what we refer to who used to be our mate.* Stormfly explained, *My ex and I parted ways peacefully after our hatchling all grew up. He prefers another way of life.* She kept that talk as short as possible.
"But if Toothless already agreed to separate nests, and back and forth flying, I'm pretty sure you both will be fine." Astrid reassured.
Luna looked around the living room. Cultures spread across the room through objects, curtains and the atmosphere. She knows human's violence, and was locked up in their dens once… But here in this place, she senses none of it… She could choose, and she came here by choice, just like how Toothless visited her home world.
Berkians are weird, loud, and yet, strong and loyal. She knows she's safe here, she won't have to put on that facade, so…
*Of course, I wouldn't mind visiting Berk too.*.
- New Berk Dragon Training Academy, Sheer Cliffs
The moonlight caressed the Zippleback that stood atop the chain roof of the arena, looking at the village that was glowing from fire light. Most Vikings were already asleep as dragons were spread across the roofs.
The twin-head dragon looked at the endless sky thoughtfully. The star reflected their eyes like silver bits of dust. They slowly got down from the roof, and looked at the Berk Crest that took it stand at the top of the academy.
Belch looked at Barf asking the question one last time, and made it clear that the other won't have to agree if he didn't want to, they could look for another way. Barf nodded back confidently despite his worries, they have to.
After the Zippleback nodded at each other one last time, they looked up at the pale blue moon with hope. Is this what it feels like to grow? The twin-heads thought to themselves. Tomorrow will be a big day… for everyone
Another Beta-Read of TheWangY!
What will happen at the wedding?