Astrid and Hiccup hadn't been happier since getting together the day of her birthday, she still considered that and her remade ax the best gifts she had received. Hiccup just loved how it all felt, he didn't know he could feel this strongly for someone after losing Selby because of Drago. Of course, Hiccup would always love Selby in some way or another and Astrid understood that. Selby was Hiccup's wife, and mother of his daughter who he also adored to Valhalla and back. It was one of the things that made their relationship perfect, that Astrid understood he'd always care about Selby and Emma came first no matter what time of day, or how small the problem was. Astrid didn't mind one bit, she loved Emma as if she were her own child. That within itself, though, was complicated because Astrid didn't want to overstep her boundaries with Hiccup or Emma. Astrid knew she wasn't Emma's mother, however, it did raise the question of what she would be to Emma or even Hiccup if their relationship progressed into more.
For Hiccup, he liked Astrid a lot, but it had not yet been said that they loved one another since it had only been about two months they had been dating. Neither of them wanted to rush things, it was new for both of them. More so for Astrid, because she'd never had a relationship before and it was new for Hiccup because it had been a year since he lost Selby, his former wife. Every day was filled with holding hands, light kisses, and hugs. Most of these days were dragon training too, Hiccup had just about taught them everything there was to know about riding and training dragons and he even shared with them his book of dragons. Stoick went as far as to toss the old one and use his son's as the new dragon manual for Berk, that was a proud moment for Hiccup.
Another proud day was the one where Stoick decided to have his portrait done with Hiccup and Hilda beside him. There was a celebration that night about the painting, seeing the chief standing with both of his children. Stoick and Valka also loved being grandparents, Emma was a very well behaved little girl. Hilda was overjoyed to be an aunt, she spent all her free time babysitting Emma while Hiccup was helping Gobber in the forge or doing dragon training. A couple of incidents during the training almost got Emma hurt and after a Nadder spine nearly hit her. Hiccup said she wasn't allowed in the ring anymore. It took Hiccup two and a half weeks to recover from being hit with the spine in the side, it was scary because Nadder spines are poisoness but apparently, Night Fury saliva countered it or so they learned when Hiccup told them about it.
Hiccup actually had a book about the dragons that held the classes, types, and statistics, then he had a book about healing wounds and illnesses. It was awesome, he worked with Gothi a lot too now. It seemed there wasn't anything that Hiccup couldn't do. For the village, they loved that Hiccup was alive and living on Berk after believing he was dead for nineteen years. It was actually the story of the year for them yet, no one outside of Berk knew about it either, that Hiccup was alive and living there. Stoick and Valka already expressed their concerns about when other leaders came to Berk how they would explain it. Hiccup just said that if it helped, he would take off for a while with Emma so it didn't cause trouble but of course no one wanted him to leave and Hiccup's concern rested with how these people would react to the dragons being there.
Another problem that was becoming increasingly troublesome was Red Death, the alpha dragon of a nest close by that controlled smaller dragons to its will to raid and steal food. Berk was still safe with Icefire residing there, but other islands weren't fairing so well and Hiccup had already been told by Stoick that there was a yearly gathering of chieftains to discuss the raid problems. And this year, it was being held on Berk. What was concerning about this was that they'd all be there and see Hiccup, the dragons, and have to deal with the raid problems everyone suffered. That's what they were currently discussing in the Great Hall with the council, how to handle this meeting that was coming up in two weeks.
"Stoick, I agree with your son. We cannot just leave things as they are, the others will never accept it," Spitelout stated.
"And Thor only knows how many alliances could break," Bearlegs added in.
"Well, I refuse to just send my son away and act like things didn't change," Stoick retorted.
"Dad, it's a risk to the village if we show them all I'm alive and well," Hiccup mentioned.
"I have ta agree with yer old man, 'Iccup. We can't just act like you're still dead, and the dragons aren't just gonna go hide in the forest while the chieftains are here for a week or so." Gobber sighed.
"It's a risk either way," Colby interjected. "They are bound to notice the ice from Icefire where the other dragons are residing, also the fact we don't get raids anymore. It never fails during any meeting on any island that there is a raid. I side with Gobber, Sharpnut, and Stoick," he added in.
"That's four to three, vote says that we tell them and take the risks...Maybe some of them would be willing to accept it. We did after all and everyone knew how much we hated dragons because of Hiccup being taken nineteen years ago," Stoick informed.
"We know the Berserkers, Outcasts, and Murderus won't accept it according to your words that they ally themselves with no one." Hiccup sighed as he sat back with his arms crossed over his chest. "I could careless about the votes gentlemen, it's my dragons you're risking by telling them. I seriously don't mind taking Emma and the dragons to the cove below Raven Point and hiding out for a week,"
"Your dragons will be safe, son," Stoick assured.
"You can't guarantee me that. As you have said yourself, it was Vikings against dragons for generations until I came along and showed you another way. I'm not comfortable testing the theory with a group of nine other chieftains and their second in commands or Heir's..." Hiccup insisted firmly.
"But...it could be a way to bring pea-" Gobber started.
"NO!" Hiccup yelled this time, "I don't care what a vote says. Keep me out of it and my dragons too. I'll take my leave into the forest with Emma and the dragons until they leave. I'm not getting involved in this," he stood to his feet looking at them all.
"Well, it defeats the purpose of telling them if you aren't gonna be around," Sharpnut stated quickly.
"You don't see my side of this, okay? I've lived among the dragons for nineteen years, they aren't...just dragons to me, not just friends. That's family...and if you wouldn't risk yours on something like this, don't risk mine. I cannot trust or be given a guarantee that if you told them about my being alive, and the peace we have with dragons that they wouldn't take the first chance given to harm them. I made a vow to protect dragons and regardless of who I am to all of you, regardless of where I live now...I will never break that vow. I have enough enemies as it is, I don't need more...Now, I've had enough of this conversation. You do what you feel is best for the village, Dad, and I will do what is best for my dragons, all of them including the ones you've bonded too." Hiccup stated as he exited the Great Hall, got on Toothless's back and took to the sky.
"That could have gone better," Gobber mentioned.
"I don't blame him, he's right, Stoick. You're risking his dragons and all of us if we tell them the truth. Think about it, are they really going to just take it so well that the son everyone believed to be dead for nineteen years is alive, riding a Night Fury, has a daughter, can speak in dragon tongue? They'll never buy it, they'll call us crazy and start breaking alliances and starting wars that we don't need." Bearlegs sighed.
"They might have a point," Colby said now looking down.
"We had a hard time believing it could be Hiccup too when Val first came up with the theory," Gobber agreed.
"It's...just not a risk we should take, Stoick. For the sake of your village, son, and granddaughter. We'd all be marked traitors for siding with dragons and Hiccup would become a target, as he said. He has enough enemies, we shouldn't make this harder on him..." Spitelout informed. Stoick closed his eyes, they were right. It didn't feel right to hide things from the chieftains, but it felt worse to know he would have done something to risk his son. Nothing was worth that risk, so they wouldn't say Hiccup was alive or the peace with dragons.
"Alright, we won't speak about the dragons, Hiccup, or Emma. I'll have the shield taken down in the Hall while they are here, and as for explaining the ice...I have no idea yet." Stoick remarked.
"We can just say it was a dragon attack or something, then because the ice is so strong, we kept it because it made a good barrier..." Colby offered.
"In agreement then?" Stoick asked as they all nodded and he dismissed the meeting, first thing Stoick did was step outside to find Hiccup, but of course, he was flying with Toothless.
"Uh, did we miss something? Why did Hiccup storm out of here angry?" Valka inquired as she came beside her husband now holding Emma and Hilda next to her mother.
"When the chieftains come, Hiccup is going to take the dragons and Emma to the cove below Raven Point and hide out until the chieftains leave. He won't risk them being hurt and also, he doesn't want more enemies..." Stoick explained.
"Seems fair. So we're going to act like nothing has changed?" Hilda questioned.
"That's the plan, yes," Stoick nodded. Up in the sky, Hiccup was flying around the back of the island near the small nest made of ice. It held about fifty dragons plus Icefire and it's also where Hiccup had rebuilt his home for Emma and him. It was more of a homey feel for them to be living in a small shack surrounded by ice and dragons. The shack was basic: two bedrooms, main room with places to sit around and a table to eat at, then a new addition thanks to Scauldy who came to Berk after leaving the original nest was a bathing room. A place to to bathe and then right beside it, a place to relieve one's self. It was pretty nice and only took him all of a month to build. It's where all the dragons stayed if they weren't flying or training since it was big enough to hold them and be by the water for the sake of getting fish for food.
Hiccup landed after flying into the nest as he got off Toothless and sighed heavily moving to the main room and plopping down on one of the couches. "Toothless, is it bad that I wish sometimes...things hadn't changed?"
"Not really, we had it pretty easy before we found out this island is the one you were from..." Toothless replied sitting beside him.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm...glad to know I have a Mom, Dad, little sister, girlfriend, and friends, but this is just...irritating. I get their point of things, have everyone know I'm alive and peace is possible. However, at the same time, it's dangerous to reveal everything to people who are known for never allying themselves with people." Hiccup replied to his friend.
"I understand, Hiccup, I heard the conversation. You're right, you can't risk having more enemies while a few of them are still out there," Toothless stated as rubbed his head against Hiccup's face.
"Hiccup? You in here?" came Astrid's voice from the entrance of the nest.
"Yeah, main room babe," Hiccup called back to her, in just a few moments she emerged smiling softly and sitting beside him. They shared a light kiss and she smiled at him.
"Saw you take off before, wanted to make sure you were okay," Astrid said to him.
"Yeah...I'm fine I guess. You probably won't see me for a week or so while the chieftains are here," Hiccup told her.
"You're hiding out in here or the cove with Emma and the dragons?" Astrid asked, Hiccup arched a brow at her, "I overheard your parents talking," she added with a shrug.
"Probably stay in here, it's better hidden and the dragons can still fly around without being seen. Icefire will handle food for them, we'll be fine..." Hiccup said lightly.
"Can...I still come see you at night?" Astrid inquired gently, a slight blush forming on her cheeks.
"Just don't get caught, babe, and I don't mind. I enjoy the company after Emma goes to bed." Hiccup smiled a little.
"I'll sneak over after dinner when the chieftains are all in the hall drinking with Stoick, and I can slip back to my house after they get to their stay areas at 11 pm," Astrid replied.
"Sounds good," Hiccup nodded as Astrid intertwined her fingers with his while they stared into each other's eyes. "So, we're...alone now and Emma is with my parents and sister, want to...go for a fly on Toothless? I did promise you a real ride," he suggested.
"Fly before dinner sounds great," Astrid responded with a smile. Hiccup now got up and pulled her with him as Toothless turned so Hiccup could get on his back, then Astrid right behind him as she wrapped her hands around his waist.
"Alright, Toothless, let's show her..." Hiccup told his friend.
"With pleasure," Toothless chuckled a little before launching into the sky and out of the nest, gliding through the sky as dusk fell over Berk. Astrid giggled happily as she enjoyed the feeling of the cool winds blowing in her voice.
"Gods, it's so amazing..." she breathed out while placing her chin on Hiccup's shoulder while holding tightly.
"Just wait until you see this. Take us up bud," Hiccup patted the side of his neck as Toothless beat his wings and took them up past the cloud barrier, once up there, Astrid could already see the night sky filled with stars. "And...look left right about now, babe," he smiled, Astrid looked and her eyes widened as she saw the Northern Lights appear and dance across the sky.
"Oh, my Odin..." Astrid breathed out. "It's beautiful,"
"Not half as beautiful as you, though," Hiccup stated with a smile, Astrid stared at him before returning the smile. Hiccup turned himself slightly and leaned in, pressing his lips to hers in a soft kiss which then turned into something deeper and more passionate. Down below on the ground, the young adults and Hilda who was holding Emma along with Valka and Stoick walking together as a group looked up when Emma pointed to her father in the sky.
"Papa showed her the lights!" Emma exclaimed.
"What lights? The stars?" Hilda inquired.
"No. Papa calls them the...um...Northern Lights. Toothless can take him past the clouds and see them up close, Papa took Astrid to see them." Emma explained, looking up now, they saw Hiccup and Astrid locked in a passionate kiss as Toothless brought them back down to the ground and landed before the small group of Vikings. Of course, neither one of them stopped kissing the other.
"Ugh, get a room you two," Snotlout retorted which got them to stop and look at him with a roll of their eyes.
"Well, what do you think, babe? Go eat dinner or return to the nest for a little while?" Astrid asked Hiccup now with a smile.
"How about eating dinner, then you can come back when the little one is asleep and we can pick up from before we were interrupted?" Hiccup suggested.
"It's a date," Astrid replied with a smile as they kissed again and looked at the others. Nothing else said, they moved into the Great Hall to eat dinner together. Most of it was spent on with everyone talking about everything and Hiccup strictly demanded his father don't mention Red Death to the other chieftains because it would raise too many questions as to how he knew and where it was, also he specifically said that it was his dragon to deal with since he discovered it and it was his job to protect the dragons and set them free from its control. When dinner was over, they all stayed around to relax and talk more until Emma got tired so Hiccup took her home after telling Astrid to meet him there in ten minutes.
Of course, she blushed as he left the room holding Emma in his arms. "Man, you got it bad for him," Hilda giggled.
"Got...what bad?" Astrid said quickly.
"You're in love with my brother, it's all over your face, Astrid." she smiled now.
"So what if I am?" Astrid remarked with a scoff.
"You need to tell him, Astrid," Ruffnut beamed.
"Tell me what?" Hiccup asked stepping near them now with Emma still in his arms.
"That Astrid lo-" Astrid shoved a piece of bread in Ruffnut's mouth and glared.
"That...I will tell you later when we're alone...Anyway, what brings you back? Weren't you taking Emma to bed?" Astrid stated looking back at Hiccup now with a smile.
"Emma wanted to ask you something," Hiccup replied calmly as Emma looked at Astrid now, "Go on baby girl,"
"Um...I-I was wondering if you could come with Papa and tuck me in with him tonight?" Emma questioned nervously, Astrid's eyes widened a bit. Emma wanted her to come help tuck her in, that...felt like something a mother should be doing and Astrid knew she wasn't Emma's and how did Hiccup feel about this? Astrid looked at him biting her bottom lip.
"I'm fine with it," Hiccup told her now, Astrid got up and followed him out. They all loaded on Toothless and took off for the nest that was just behind the great Hall, once at the nest, they dismounted and walked together towards Emma's room. Hiccup helped her get changed first and made sure we went to the bathroom before he placed her in her bed and kissed her forehead. Astrid just stood there, not really sure what to do. Hiccup looked over at her now seeing that she was confused on what to do. Hiccup moved beside her now and pulled her forward towards the bed.
"I-I don't...know how to tuck her in?" Astrid said softly to him.
"All you gotta do is pull the blankets up to her shoulders, kiss her cheek, tell her 'I love you princess' and goodnight," Hiccup whispered to her. Astrid moved to the bed and crouched down a little as she pulled the blankets up to Emma's shoulders, then kiss her cheek gently.
"I love you. Sweet dreams and goodnight, princess." Astrid told her with a smile.
"Night night, Papa. Night Asty," Emma yawned before Astrid backed up a little and Emma closed her eyes, holding her stuffed dragon and finally fell asleep as Hiccup led Astrid out of the room and closed the door after making sure Stingwhip and Windstrike were in there.
"Why...did she want me to help tuck her in?" Astrid asked lightly.
"Because she sees us like she used to see Selby and me. Back then, we both had to tuck her in or she wouldn't go to sleep. I guess her seeing us together, she misses that. I told her she had to ask your first in case you were uncomfortable with it," Hiccup stated as he placed his hands on her hips and pulled her close to him.
"I was...just afraid to overstep boundaries is all," Astrid admitted as she laid her head on his chest.
"You're fine, Astrid. I'm alright with anything that happens as long as it isn't forced, you know? Just let it come as it does and we'll tackle it when it does," Hiccup cupped her cheek as she smiled and nodded to him, he smiled now and leaned in to kiss her deeply. "So, want to pick up where we left off?" he asked after a moment.
"I do," Astrid blushed as Hiccup led her towards his room, Toothless stayed out with a smile and shake of his head. Hiccup shut the door and they sat on his bed as the kiss resumed. Their make out sessions never went far, and after they were over, they would just cuddle a while and talk. They loved the personal time they got, especially because they were over eighteen and didn't have to be home at a certain time anymore. Astrid had never spent the night with him, it was unbefitting for an unmarried woman to share a bed with a man, even if they weren't doing anything intimate. Hiccup knew that was a big tradition to follow on Berk, no premarital sex, which was fine with him. Truth be told, he wasn't ready for it anyway. After fifteen minutes of making out, they just relaxed there, Astrid was lying in his arms.
"I'm curious babe, what was...that thing you wanted to tell me later when we were alone?" Hiccup asked her looking down now.
Astrid blushed deeply looking up at him, "Well, I...um...I wanted...to tell you that I...love you, Hiccup..." she said slowly, unsure of how he'd react. It was shocking for him to hear, only dating two months and she was saying she loved him? Could he say the same, though? Sure, he cared a lot about her and would protect her no matter what, but could he say he loved her back? Astrid was...smart, beautiful, funny, strong, sarcastic, kind, caring, and loving. She was amazing with Emma and Hiccup knew that saying they loved one another meant that eventually, it could turn into much more that involved engagement, and marriage. No rush on that, but he knew it could happen and he was sure she knew it too.
Hiccup finally smiled as he kissed her again, he did love her. His heart raced around her, pounded loudly in his chest whenever she was near him. He was happy with her, Hiccup did love her. "I love you too, Astrid," he replied. Astrid's eyes lit up as they kissed again and snuggled closer on his bed. "But we're...still gonna take it slow, okay?" he added.
"Of course, no rush on anything. We can just enjoy our time together," Astrid smiled. Hiccup smiled back, yep, this was absolutely perfect for him, and apparently for her too. With them being on the same page with feelings, they could just enjoy the time alone together.
