The months flew by and it had finally come to the night before the wedding between Hiccup and Astrid. Snoggletog had passed, so had that annual meeting in January. Hiccup did fantastic, also, he was now nineteen. His birthday passed last week, the 29th of February. Hiccup still hated the fact he was getting married, and often asked Toothless to remind him why he was going through with it. Toothless told him gently each time that it was just the way of things, to make them less complicated. Also, that even if they got together and married, Hiccup would still have to sleep with a girl to gain an heir. And Toothless reminded Hiccup that he'd never be able to go dragon form again because he'd be expected to be seen with Hiccup as Tallon, so people would ask where Toothless went and probably frown on him for not being the least bit upset that Toothless wasn't around. The other option was revealing Toothless could turn human at will, but that one wouldn't blow over at all. It would be very looked down on that Hiccup was knowingly having sex with his dragon, despite the human form. Hiccup would have known the truth and still did it regardless, and that was if people could even wrap their heads around the fact Toothless could turn human first. Hiccup didn't want to get married, Astrid had been all over him ever since the announcement.
Astrid asked when she should pack her stuff to move to Hiccup's house, because Stoick would be moving out into a house of his own that had already been built. Astrid asked about how they'd arrange things, and the infamous, when do you want to have kids? And she asked about the time limits too, so they could plan. Hiccup hated it and he usually did whatever he could to get out of the conversations. Hiccup had been fitted for his wedding clothes, and Astrid had done the same for her dress. Hiccup let his father handle everything and he just nodded his head or said whatever. Stoick tried to apologize multiple times about not letting Hiccup choose his bride, but had assumed that he and Astrid were close and a good match for the future of Berk. Hiccup told him to forget it because it was happening whether he wanted it to or not, so it was whatever to him. He was just doing what he was told, but that's not really how he felt. Hiccup wanted to get away and as the days had drawn closer; Hiccup contemplated running away or self-exiling himself many times and even came up with elaborate plans to make it happen.
Toothless always stopped him and reassured that everything was going to be okay. This was the last night Hiccup was going to be not married, so he had asked his father for some time to think and obviously be left alone. It was already known that Tallon arrived yesterday for the wedding, so while it was okay tonight that he stayed over in Hiccup's house; tomorrow it wouldn't because he'd spend that first night with Astrid, where they were expected to have sex as the consummation for their marriage. Hiccup dreaded it and that's why he wanted the time tonight to prepare. So far, Hiccup was just walking alone by himself and reach the cove. Everything started there for him and Toothless, and now, it's where it would end too. Hiccup and Toothless hadn't done anything sexual since the announcement because Hiccup was officially betrothed after the announcement. They had wanted to do things, but with everyone all over him about the wedding; they never had time to sneak away. Tonight, Hiccup had wanted to be alone, so he'd gone out walking as Stoick sighed and turned to Tallon.
"You should go talk to him, Tallon," Stoick told the man he knew was good friends with his son.
"Me?" Toothless asked. "He asked to be left alone about things."
"The wedding things that I'm on him about. He wants me and the village to leave him alone for the night…You're not part of the village, and I'm sure he'd like your company." Stoick smiled.
"Alright," Toothless nodded and got up to trail after Hiccup, who was more than likely to the cove by now. Toothless got past the trees and went dragon form to run faster and reach the cove's entrance. Sure enough, Hiccup was sitting on the log with a small fire going and just staring into the flames with a sad, but still serious look in his eyes. Toothless jumped down, still as a dragon, then went human form to walk over to his friend.
"Was wondering how long it would take you to come check on me…" Hiccup stated.
"I took you want to be alone tonight literally." Toothless stated. "Your dad clarified that you just wanted away from the villagers, and definitely Astrid." He sat down next to Hiccup now. "I won't ask if you're okay. I know you're not,"
"How can I be…" Hiccup sighed. "My life isn't my life anymore."
"It'll be okay, Hiccup…" Toothless reminded. "Want to go flying?"
"No…" Hiccup shook his head, eyes closed. "I want to disappear. So if we go flying, be prepared that I'll fight you to bring me back…"
Toothless put an arm over Hiccup's shoulders and held him close. "I'm going to be right there with you, Hiccup. Nothing has changed from what we were before you knew I could turn human."
"And that's exactly what I want to change, Toothless. I didn't want what we had to change," Hiccup said.
"I know, Hiccup…But what can we do. We've gone over the possibilities a million times in the last three months and we've always come to the same conclusion that there would be no way for us to live happy where you could also remain chief and not have an heir." Toothless stated. "There is no version of what we want where everything is okay. No matter what, your dad, or even if he was okay with things, none of the other chieftains would. And I do believe you mentioned that the giving an heir thing is required by Viking law. To turn that over, you have to get all the chieftains to agree to do away with it and you know they wouldn't. Not for you to be with me…And I also remind you that Toothless would have to disappear because we'd only ever be able to be seen together as humans."
"I know…I know…I just hate this. And running away or using self-exile is ridiculously tempting as the time goes by until tomorrow…" Hiccup told him. "I'm being brutally honest with you when I saying that I don't think I can go through with it."
"You can." Toothless told him.
Unknown to them, Astrid had secretly followed and happened to arrive when Hiccup was saying he couldn't go through with tomorrow, which was their wedding. Astrid knew Hiccup could still cancel things, if he went to his father and said there was someone he loved and wanted to marry. Astrid needed to make sure Hiccup didn't back out.
"I hope you're right…But my feelings won't change. I love you…Married to Astrid or not, I'll never love her and I'll never be happy being married to her." Hiccup remarked.
"You don't have to love her or be happy about it, Hiccup. There were plenty of marriages among Vikings where there was no love at all, just appearing together to keep up with appearances. So meals, and major events. You always got me, I promise. I'll always be with you, Hiccup. I love you too, but we can't be together…I need you to remember that. We would never be accepted among the tribes…"
"Stop reminding me…I thought you came here to make me feel better, not make me feel worse about not being able to be with the man I love…" Hiccup stood up and walked away from the fire, arms folded over one another and eyes closed as he sighed heavily.
"I am trying to make you feel better, Hiccup…But you still need to accept the reality of things. You need to be able to let it go and not let it hinder tomorrow." Toothless went over to Hiccup and stood in front of him, arms on his shoulders. "Nothing would make me happier than us being able to be together and live peacefully, happily…But we can't change the laws, traditions, or what is. Nothing can stop tomorrow," He hugged his friend tightly and Hiccup caved to hug him back. "Everything is going to be okay." There was some silence as they held the embrace then pulled apart to look at one another. "Hey, we're alone tonight…" Toothless smiled. "Want to have a little fun?"
"What did you have in mind?" Hiccup asked.
"I think you know," Toothless leaned in and kissed Hiccup's lips deeply. Astrid watched as Hiccup relaxed, even smiling into the kiss as he returned it fully. "Remember not to use my name, in case anyone is around," He said gently between their kissed. Hiccup nodded to him before Toothless went back in with a deeper kiss.
The two made their way into the hidden cave, and closed the door as Astrid just stayed on the upper level, completely shocked by the fact Hiccup knew he was betrothed to her and having sex with Tallon! What did she do? Tell Stoick, or…Perhaps, use it to her advantage? It might be petty, but she kind'a really hated that Hiccup had liked her for so long, they got close and then he suddenly had other interests, such as having sex with some guy no one even know about for three years. No, she was confronting Hiccup when he was done with Tallon.
. . .
It was about 9:45 pm when Hiccup and Toothless had finished, considering they started about two hours ago. They went until they couldn't anymore, having wanted to make their last time last. Astrid had waiting outside the cove, watching for when the two would be done. Astrid was silent, kept herself busy on how she'd confront Hiccup. She hated hearing all the moaning, how much Hiccup apparently loved sex with Tallon, and she hated that Hiccup loved the guy. Maybe she was jealous, but she wasn't letting anything get between them. Not even this random guy they just met months ago. Astrid saw that Hiccup and Tallon came out of their little cave and returned to the fire to get it going again.
"I hate that we can't do that anymore." Hiccup sighed.
"Come on, don't ruin the good feeling…" Toothless chuckled.
"It sucks," Hiccup mumbled.
"It'll be okay," Toothless promised.
Now, Astrid jumped down to make herself known to the males. "Astrid…What are you doing here?" Hiccup asked.
"I'm entitled to see my future husband," Astrid stated. "I'll cut to the chase…I know you love Tallon, and I know you just had sex with him despite knowing you're betrothed to me." Hiccup didn't say anything. "I was going to go to Stoick about it, but I decided to use it to lay a warning down. You are getting married to me, tomorrow afternoon. I was here when you told Tallon you didn't think you could go through with the wedding." Astrid informed. "I'll let tonight slide as long as you stand with me tomorrow, and we get married. If you don't…I'll tell everyone in attendance that their future chief has been having premarital sex with a male for the last three, almost four years, and you did it while betrothed to me, the night before our wedding…"
"You can't do that," Toothless said.
"I can and I will. We were so close after the Red Death fight, Hiccup…We shared hugs, kisses…Then you got distant and I found out that it was all because you started having sex with someone. I'm sure your dad knows, that's why he invited this guy to visit whenever. But the tribe doesn't know, neither do the others. We are getting married tomorrow, Hiccup…Or else…" Astrid commented. "Are we in agreement?"
"Yes…" Hiccup gave in. He was doing the right thing, right? This would…Protect Toothless.
"Good. I'll see you tomorrow." Astrid smiled and walked away.
When she was gone, Hiccup instantly deflated with the good mood he'd been in and leaned against Toothless. "Hiccup, you could tell your dad she's blackmailing you into marrying her. You could get out of this if he saw how petty and vengeful she's being," Toothless told him.
"I didn't do it for my reputation, Toothless…I did it to protect you. People would riot over the news and yeah, I think they could overlook the sex thing…But knowing you can turn human? No. That's what will get them. Sex with a dragon, and I don't put it past some to try and kill you," Hiccup looked down. "I can't bear to lose you."
"I can protect myself, Hiccup…" Toothless reassured.
"I can protect me too, Toothless…But you've been telling me over and over again that I need to accept things. This is me accepting them…But I really hate it more now…" Hiccup stated.
"We'll get through this," Toothless held him. Hiccup could only nod. "But even if we don't reveal anything…You really do have a reason not to marry her now. You're the chief, basically…Speak up, you're in charge after tomorrow."
. . .
It was March 6th, 1:00 pm in the village square. The whole village was out for this wedding, and ceremony that Hiccup would become chief of the tribe. The chieftains, their heirs, and spouses had come out for the events too. There would be one big party in the hall afterwards. However, Hiccup made a slight change to the order; he asked his dad late last night when he and Toothless got back from the cove if they could to the chieftain ceremony first and Stoick agreed to things, then he let everyone know about the change. Hiccup stayed in his wedding clothes for the ceremony of him becoming chief. So right now, Hiccup stood before Gothi and Stoick was beside her, then the council.
"Do you, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, solemnly swear by the Gods and all assembled that you will do everything in your power and ability to provide and protect the members of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe of Berk?" Stoick asked.
"I, Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third, do solemnly swear to do these things," Hiccup replied.
Gothi motioned for Hiccup to take a knee before her, and he did so, keeping the left knee up and hands resting over the knee as Gothi gathered some ash on her fingers and smeared it around before drawing the symbol on Hiccup's forehead. It was a half, upright circle, then a smaller half downward circle over it, then a line through both. (Refer to HTTYD 2 image Gothi draws on Hiccup's forehead after the battle with Drago)Gothi bowed to Hiccup with a smile.
"It is my honor, and privilege to name you Hiccup Haddock the Peaceful. Chief of the Hairy Hooligan Tribe." Stoick announced.
Hiccup turned around to face everyone as the guests clapped and cheered. Hiccup's eyes were on Tallon, who was clapping gently and smiling too, giving that reassuring smile. He even mouth I love you. It made Hiccup's heart hurt; he couldn't even reply back because everyone was looking at him.
"Now, now…It's time to move onto the next event, our chief's wedding!" Stoick told everyone. Astrid nodded to him and headed out with her mother and a few female friends to get ready. Hiccup was only trying to prepare himself. Fifteen minutes later, Astrid was back and joining him at the front of the room, smiling lightly. Hiccup couldn't even find his words as his father was giving the speech about marriage, talking about their love. Hiccup hated it and tried to look at Toothless, who was behind Astrid. "And now, I have to ask…Is there anyone in attendance who believes these two should not be wed?"
Hiccup couldn't do this; he was taking what Toothless said to heart. Toothless is the one who told him to do something after the blackmail, and Hiccup said no to try and keep his friend safe. Also, Toothless was right and it might be why he decided to suddenly have the chieftain ceremony first, because now he was could say something and no one could tell him what to do. "Well then, we shall move-," Stoick began.
"Wait…" Hiccup spoke up.
"What is it, son?" Stoick asked. "Have I forgotten anything?"
"No…" Hiccup told him. "But I can't do this."
"Do…What?" Stoick wondered.
"This. Get married to her. I can't, and I won't. You asked for people to speak up if they didn't think we should marry. I'm speaking up and I'm not doing this." Hiccup backed away from Astrid as everyone looked shocked, confused, and now silent to see what would happen.