I fought my hardest not to ask Hiccup all my questions during the walk back to the beach. I also fought my hardest not to worry about the Light Fury, my Soul Bonded dragon. Gods, it's so weird saying that. I honestly thought I didn't have one, and I certainly didn't think it would be a Light Fury. To be honest, I thought it would be a Nadder. That doesn't matter though. All that matters is that I finally found her. Well...sort of. She's lost again. Although, really she isn't lost at all. The whole wilderness is her home.

It makes me wonder if my determination to tame her is even such a good idea. Despite the situation I was in...despite Valka rescuing me from being sacrificed...I was still taken from my home too. Even if she hadn't have showed up, I was still going to be taken anyway. By Sylvester. I don't want the same for my dragon, especially since I'm sure her family isn't going to sacrifice her, if she has one that is. They'd fight for her. I still want to bond with her though. I want to have a relationship with her like the one Hiccup has with Toothless.

I have to find her again, and now that the bond as been made it shouldn't be too hard. We'll be pulled to each other. I'll also have Hiccup and Toothless's help, who I also can't believe I've found. Two surprises in one night. What else is do the Gods have planned in the next set of hours?

But because I had decided to wait until we got to the beach to ask him my questions, the walk back was a bit...awkward. Neither of us said anything to each other. It was mainly him and his mother who did the talking while I listened and petted Toothless, who was practically glued to my hip. I didn't say anything to Hiccup because everything I had to say was a question that I was saving until we were all settled, and he didn't say anything because he's Hiccup the Awkward. He's always been awkward around me, and while it is a bit annoying, I'm kind of glad that that trait hasn't changed like the rest of him. Because the rest of him is...definitely different. Gods is he even aware of how much his appearance has changed? Because I'm certainly aware, and I know Ruffnut would be too. She would flood the entire island with her drool.

When we finally make it back to the beach, Valka ordered Cloudjumper to make another fire, and once he does, the three of us (five actually if you count the dragons), settled around it. A pang of jealousy and sadness consumes me when Toothless and Cloudjumper curl themselves around their riders. Oh how I wish that were me. I've never felt so left out before. It'll happen though. When the time is right. For now, I should just be grateful that I found her.

"So," Hiccup says from across the fire, resting against Toothless. "I assume you have questions?"

"Of course I do," I reply, scooting closer. It looked as though I was scooting closer to the fire, but really my intention was to scoot closer to him. I want to be able to hear every word that comes out of his mouth. "It took everything in me not to ask you my questions on the way here."

Hiccup smiles and I swear I saw an actual spark that wasn't from the fire ignite in his eyes. "Did the Fearsome Astrid Hofferson really restrain herself from speaking her mind?"

Well, I'll be damned. The fishbone is actually teasing me. I return his smile and say, "I was being considerate actually. I have multiple questions to ask and wanted you to get comfortable first. Soooo…you're welcome."

Hiccup chuckles. "Well, then I thank you m'lady. Ask away."

M'lady? Ugh never mind that. "First things first," I start, preparing myself. "What happened to you the night you left Berk?"

And so...the answers began. He told me everything, or what I had assumed felt like everything. He left out no detail, nor did he ever break eye contact with me. It was as if he had completely forgotten his mother was there. But then again, she already knew most of the stories, and I won't lie...I'm a little envious of that. The only things she didn't know that I didn't either were his adventures after he left her.

Hiccup told me of the hardships he had to face being alone with Toothless in the wilderness, of the dragons he discovered, the villages and people he's met, which includes enemies, such as Drago's men but not Drago himself. He told me how he would help some of the people he would meet with their dragon issues, how some of them still refused to give dragons a chance because of how risky it is, and how others were a success, though there were few.

He told me of his battles and how one of them resulted in the loss of his left foot. Apparently, he lost it by helping one village get rid of their Queen dragon. He told me about a girl named Heather who had helped him after he lost his foot, not once leaving his side (which for some reason bothered me) and he told me about her deranged brother Dagur who had no concept of personal space. He told me about meeting his mom and his most favorite adventures he had with her. He told me of the fight he had with his mother and how, unlike with Stoick, he wasn't afraid to tell her he was leaving.

He told me about some of his inventions, which include a tail fin for Toothless to use to fly on his own and the suit he's currently wearing now. He told me about meeting the Light Fury for the first time and how Toothless immediately fell in love with her. He told me of their failed attempts at trying to confront her all the way up to this very day.

"And now here we are," He finishes with a smile as he gestures to me. "Now it's your turn. How in the name of Odin did my two favorite people meet?"

Favorite? He considers me a favorite person of his? Why? I guess it doesn't matter. He always was an odd one. But why is my face extra hot? Am I sitting too close to the fire?

"Should I tell things from my point of view first or you?" Valka says to me, a knowing gleam in her eyes. She knows I don't want to talk about what happened to me just yet. It's why I insisted Hiccup tell me everything. Not only so I know what he's been up to, but also so I could muster up the courage to tell him of my past; a past I hate thinking about.

"You first."

And so, she did. Unfortunately, it wasn't long enough. I knew that telling him of my past would be inevitable, but I couldn't help but drown in the temptation of simply...lying.

"That's when I decided to go to Berk no matter how risky it was," Valka explained. "I desperately needed the supplies and couldn't wait until nightfall. That's when I met your friend here."

She deliberately didn't mention the Saboteurs because by mentioning them she would have had to explain why they were there in the first place, which I know she feels is something I have to do on my own. She knows I still have an issue with the betrayal. She knows of the nightmares I still have from time to time. She knows that this is going to be hard for me to explain to her son because it was hard for me to explain to her. If anyone was in my shoes, it would be hard for them to talk about something like this. But with Hiccup...it'll be different. It'll be harder. And perhaps the reason for that is because I care more about his feelings.

"But how?" Hiccup inquired before he flashed us a grin. "Did she tackle you too, mom?"

I managed to chuckle with Valka. "In a way, it's more like the other way around." I say as I look over at the older woman, who looked back at me, and I knew in that moment that she was sharing the same memory as me.

"Oh gods," Hiccup said, laughing as he leaned forward. "Now this is a story I need to hear."

I didn't bother to stop my frown from forming. "I'm not so sure about that."

Hiccup frowns too, unsettled by my mood change. "What do you mean?"

I look away from him, landing my eyes on the fire, and release a tired sigh, "Your mother and I didn't just meet. We didn't just run into each other. She rescued me, Hiccup. From…from an enemy Chief and...and…" I stop, knowing that if I mention his father it would destroy any last bit of love he has for him. But does Stoick even deserve Hiccup's love? He nearly sent me away to be a sex slave when he had the power and strength to stop it, and from the anger that burned in his eyes at the knowledge that it was I who had been saving the dragons, he looked ready to banish me without remorse. So how am I supposed to know that he wouldn't have done the same to Hiccup, or have him killed, if his son hadn't have left and if his secret was revealed?

"And?" Hiccup urged, slowly.

I look over at Valka, knowing that I didn't need her permission, but still wanting it. After all, this is her husband too that I'll be talking about. It's going to hurt her just as much. It'll hurt Hiccup too. It'll hurt us all. My throat felt tight and dry and it was hard to swallow. Why is this so hard? I've been through so much worse. I know Hiccup's feelings are on the line, but I wasn't expecting it to be this hard. Perhaps it's because this will be my first time talking about it out loud. I never had to fully talk about it with Valka because she was there to witness it. Plus, everything still feels like a dream. If I speak it out loud...it's only going to prove to me that what happened back on Berk really happened. Which is something I haven't fully accepted yet despite it already being a year.

"And your father." I finally say as I looked at him with anxious eyes.

Hiccup's eyes widen as he jerked up, away from Toothless who he was leaning against, and I think I heard him sharply inhale. Or perhaps that was me. " What ? What do you-what did he- WHAT?!"

"Hiccup-" I start, trying to calm him down but he cut me off.

"Astrid, did my father hurt you?" He was in complete disbelief, shock and anger and confusion all clouding over his face.

"No," I answered, feeling my chest grow tighter and my throat grow dryer, "Not in the way you're thinking. He didn't hurt me physically, but emotionally he did. The majority of the tribe did."

"The tribe?!" Hiccup exclaimed, incredulously. "Astrid what did you do-

"Wait what do you mean what did I do?!" I cut him off, shocked at his accusation, and scoff. "You think I did something to deserve to be sacrificed to an enemy Chief as his sex slave?"

"S-Sex slave?" Hiccup repeats, looking disgusted. "My father-"

"The only thing your father did," I interrupt, impatiently wanting to be done with this conversation, "was not help me when I needed him most. He didn't fight back. He just...gave me up."

No one spoke for a moment. All there was to be heard was the fire's crackle as it burned between the three of us. Its orange and yellow flames was all I forced myself to see because I knew that if I looked up, I'd look directly into Hiccup's green eyes that I knew were already on me. I felt his gaze. I felt the pity and I fucking hated it. And if I looked at him...well I don't know how I'd react.

"Astrid," I hear him say, his voice sounding guilty, "I am so sorry. I...I can't believe that-"

"I can't believe it either," I interrupt again, not wanting him to repeat what I already know. "And I don't want your pity." I look up at him then and held his gaze. He looked so...broken. So sad. I hate it. I hate it so much.

"I'm not sorry it happen." I continue, softly but also sternly. "I'm glad it did. I wouldn't be where I am now had it not happened. I wouldn't trade my life now for anything. I love it. I just...wish I wasn't betrayed by those I was willing to risk my life for." I pause for a moment to compose myself and quickly went back to talking when I noticed Hiccup open his mouth. "And don't be sorry. You're not responsible for your father's and the tribe's actions."

"I still could have done something!" He declared as soon as I was done speaking. He didn't skip a beat at all, and to be honest, his sudden outburst took me off guard. "I could have came back or-"

"I'm going to stop you right there," I interrupt for the hundredth time, "You had no idea on what was happening on Berk-"

"I would if I had just came back-"

"Hiccup, stop being ridiculous. You were on a mission, okay? So can you just stop all of," I gestured to all of him deliberately after remembering a conversation between him and Gobber, " this ?"

And just as I had expected, Hiccup says: "You just gestured to all of me." He's smiling though, and it makes me happy not seeing the frown on his face. The look of guilt, however, still clouded his eyes. "So," he continues, uncomfortably, "You don't have to answer, but...who was the enemy Chief? What exactly happened?"

And so I told him, detail after detail. It was easier than I thought it would be, probably since I had already told him about Stoick and the tribe's betrayal, but it still hurt. I didn't let it show though. Instead, I showed my pride at how I handled Sylvester. I was the most badass I have ever been. Even Hiccup looked surprised. I had to suppress a smirk at his reaction.

After telling him of what had happened, I went on to tell him about what happened afterwards with his mother. I thought it was only fair to tell him of my favorite adventures with her like he had done with me. I told him of my most favorite dragons, my least favorite experiences, etc etc. Everything. There wasn't much to say anyway. After all, I'm not surrounded by people anymore who have a shit ton of drama and gossip to spread.

"That's disgusting," Hiccup said after he got done laughing. I had just told him about the time a dragon sneezed on me, getting its nasty snot all over me, and how I had thrown up a second later. "I hope you took a bath afterwards."

"Of course I did," I chuckle, "I stayed in that hot spring for hours. You can ask Valka." I look over at her, but to my surprise Hiccup's mother was fast asleep. She was still leaning against Cloudjumper, but her head was turned to the left, resting against Cloudjumper's leg, and her eyes were corner of her mouth was curled upward ever so slightly and she looked so at peace. I couldn't help but smile fondly at her.

"Well it's no wonder she hasn't said anything," I say, softly so she wouldn't wake. "I thought she was giving us time to catch up. I didn't know she fell asleep. How long do you think she's been out for?"

"I saw her doze off about an hour ago I think," Hiccup replies while he picks at the fire with his fake foot that he had taken off a while ago.

"Why didn't you say anything?" I asked as I get to my feet. I stretched and moaned a little at how good it felt. That tumbling I did when I tackled Hiccup earlier really got me good. I'm already really sore. I wonder if my bruises have formed yet. Hiccup's most likely going to be unscathed. He was wearing armor after all.

After my brief stretch, I walked towards his mother, but stop to look back at him when I approached her sleeping form. He was watching me the entire time, I knew this because I felt his eyes on me, but he didn't answer me. "Hello? Did you hear me?"

Hiccup jerked out of his dazed trance and said, "Huh? What?"

I smiled as I rolled my eyes. "Looks like someone else is tired too," I say as I bend down to grab Valka's blanket of furs that were bundled up next to her dragon. I carefully draped them over her and went back to my spot.

"I said," I start again, as I laid down on my stomach to relax my back, "why didn't you mention that she fell asleep?" I propped my head up with my hand, causing my elbow to slide into the cold sand, which sent shivers down my body.

"Because," Hiccup starts, pausing to copy my position. "I didn't want you to stop talking."

I laugh and imagine myself punching his arm. "Never thought I'd ever hear a man say that to a woman. Don't you guys hate it when a woman talks her head off?"

Hiccup grins. "I don't speak for the majority. Plus, I'm not like every other man, and you...well you're certainly not like every other woman. There's only one Astrid."

I knew what he meant, but I really wanted to be a smartass and tell him that there are hundreds of Astrids, since it's a very popular name. Instead, I decided to be nice. "And there's only one Hiccup."

He says nothing in response to that, but he does smile his goofy smile and I think his face turned red, but I couldn't really get a good look at it because next thing I know, he's suddenly getting up. "What are you doing?" I asked as I watched him used Toothless for support (he only has one foot at the moment).

"I have something for you." He says as he hops around his dragon. I look away, afraid that he might feel embarrassed. He seemed a bit embarrassed when he took his foot off earlier. Valka had told him to do it so he would be more comfortable. I know for a fact that Snotlout, Tuffnut, and Ruffnut would be laughing right now if they saw him hopping around. And what would I have done? I would have done nothing like I had always done before. I would have frowned and ignored it. Hell, that's what I'm doing now. I should apologize, but when? Do I just blurt it out or-

"You're going to love it." Hiccup says as he starts to rummage through his bags attached to Toothless's saddle. "Aha! Here it is." He starts to pull it out, but stops. He looks up at me and says, "Close your eyes."

My heart skips a beat at this. A surprise I need to close my eyes for? Oh shit, this is going to be my third surprise this night. I quickly sit back up and close my eyes like he told me to. "This better be good, Haddock."

"Don't worry, Hofferson. I'm sure it'll bring tears to your eyes," he replies, amused. I could see his smile in my head and it made my lips curl up as well.

"Is that so?" I asked. "Well, we'll see about that." I felt his presence right in front of me and it took all my might not to open my eyes right then. I had to fight even harder to keep my eyes close when I suddenly feel his hands grab mine. It made body tense, my heart skip, and my stomach flutter. What the Hel-

Before I could finish the thought, Hiccup is suddenly turning my hands over so my palms are facing the sky. "Keep your hands like this," he whispers and I nod, feeling anxious. Oh my Gods, if it's a dragon egg, I'm going to flip out. I love baby dragons. I wonder if it's a rare, undocumented breed of dragon.

But instead of feeling the rough or smooth surface of a large oval egg, my hands felt a soft rectangular bundle of furs. What the fu- "Okay," Hiccup says, so softly I wasn't sure if he actually spoke or if I had heard it in my mind. "Open your eyes." I do as he says once more and just as I thought, my hands were holding nothing but furs that were tied together.

"Uh...wow." I reply, and as much as I tried to hold in my laughter, a little giggle managed to escape. "I...uh...I love it. I've always wanted furs."

Hiccup rolls his eyes then chuckles. "Of course you wouldn't feel the weight of it. Even after all these years it's still not heavy to you." He reaches forward and taps on the thick string that's tied around the furs. "Untie it. Your surprise is inside the furs."

"Oh," I laugh again, feeling utterly stupid, and hoped he didn't see the blush that I felt painting itself across my face. I did as he said again and once the furs were opened, I gasped at the sight.

Is this... my axe? Oh my Gods. When I asked what the Gods had planned next, I never expected this.

It looks just like how I remember it and yet it looks brand new. It's shinier, sharper, and the faded color on the handle has definitely been repainted. It's beautiful, and sure enough...it brought tears to my eyes. Gods damn it, Hiccup. You're an asshole. A wonderful, thoughtful asshole. I tried to fight my tears back, but the more I stared at the axe-at my reflection in the blade-the more I saw my mother, and I couldn't help it. Gods, I'm so weak.

"You're speechless, I see," Hiccup says, proudly, but then his tone turns nervous. "I hope you like it. You do like it, right? That's okay if you don't. I-I can fix it. I can return it to the way it was. Except this is what it actually looked like before the fading color and chipping blade. Also the rust. But if you don't like it I-I'm sure I can-Oh my Gods, you're crying. I didn't think it would actually bring tears to your eyes. You hate it, don't you? Oh, man, I...I'm so sorry. I thought-"

I didn't know that my tears had fallen until he mentioned it, and I didn't know what I was doing next until it was already too late. My arms were tightly wrapped around his neck, my axe now laying in the sand beside us, and I whispered my thanks in his ear. "Thank you, Hiccup. It's perfect. Absolutely perfect." I squeezed my eyes tightly shut and bit down on my lip to stop a sob from escaping. I'm already being way too embarrassing. I need to calm the Hel down.

But it's just...insane. After all this time, he really did take care of it. Hel, he made it even better. I mean, I never doubted that he wouldn't take care of it, but seeing it again, right before my very eyes, in better condition, makes everything feel like a dream once more. Because it was my mother's axe before it was mine. I had nothing left of her, not even back on Berk, and now I do. Her clothes were the only thing she owned, the only things I would have had left, but they were burned to prevent her sickness from accidentally spreading to me. Gothi also had to cleanse the entire house with her incense and other remedies just in case. She and the other healers did that in every sick household.

Hiccup didn't hug me back at first, the shock evident in the tense way his body felt against mine, but after a few seconds he relaxes and hugs me back. "I'm glad you like it. It's helped me a lot. I think it might be blessed by the Gods and...and your mother. I...I'm very sorry for your loss."

I pull away, shocked, and look at him with incredulous eyes. I never told him of my mother dying. I told him about the other deaths, but never hers. "Wait, how did you-"

"I know you better than you think, despite the lack of interaction," he answered, smiling softly. "You would never cry over a weapon, not even an heirloom. And since I knew the axe belonged to your mother before you, well...it just kinda clicked that something must have happened. Especially since your whole demeanor changed when you were talking about Berk's fallen." His eyes glanced at my cheeks, which I realized were still stained with my tears.

I quickly wiped them away and take a moment to look at him, impressed. I then shake my head at the absurdity of it all and chuckle. "You really are smart."

"Did you think otherwise?"

"Sometimes, but you always did give me a reason to."

"Fair point."

I softly giggle before looking back down at my axe. I reach out to pick it up, the weight of it still very light to me even after all these years without it, and gave it a twirl. I grinned at how easy my hand maneuvers came to me and twirled it again. I still got it, but do I still have the aim?

"Do you want to take it for a throw?" Hiccup asked, snapping out of my trance.

"Tomorrow," I reply. Because despite how happy I am to have it back, my embarrassing crying fit made me extra tired. "Dawn is approaching soon. We should sleep. We have a big day tomorrow, after all. Unlike what you've been doing for a while, it's not every day that I get to track down a Light Fury."

"Your Soul Dragon," Hiccup clarifies.

I poke him in his shoulder. "Which you scared off."

"It's not my fault she got caught in my trap meant for wild boars." He says as he rubs the shoulder I had poked.

And since I didn't have anything smart to retort back, I said: "And now I think it's time you shut up and went to bed."

Hiccup laughs and as much as I tried not to, I laughed with him. I just keep failing to not show any emotions, don't I? "Goodnight, Astrid." He said as he stood up and hopped back to his spot beside Toothless.

"Goodnight, Hiccup." I wrap my axe back in its furs before wrapping myself in mine.

I debated on whether I should face the fire or not. By facing the fire, I'd also be facing Hiccup, who was also facing the fire, which meant we'd be facing each other, but by facing away I might end up cold. It won't matter anyway since I'll most likely be tossing and turning, I'm not sure I'll even be able to sleep, despite being tired as Hel. How can I after all that's happened?

What if this really is all a dream? What if when I wake up he'll be gone?

But as my heavy eyes closed, with Hiccup being the last thing I see, a current of reassurance washes through me. No this isn't a dream at all. I've had dreams where we were reunited, and they've never felt this real. That's because this is real. I know it is, and I also know that it isn't the axe that is blessed.

It's me.

"And for the record," Hiccup says, right when I was almost unconscious. I kept my eyes close, but listened attentively. "I wouldn't have given you up so easily like they did. I would have fought for you. I would have fought with you. I would have gotten you out of there, no matter the cost. Just like how you had done for me."

That's the same serious tone he had used all those years ago in the cove. The tone that convinced me of his worth. The tone that proved to me that he is Chief-material. I open my eyes then, instantly connecting with Hiccup's green ones, and saw that even his expression was serious. "I mean it," he went on. "Even if I couldn't use a weapon or punch to save my life, I would have done anything to save yours."

I smile, my heart racing at the words, and nod against my furs. "I know you would. But if we're ever in a dangerous, life threatening situation promise me you'll save yourself."

Hiccup scoffs. "Yeah, okay," he says sarcastically.

I narrow my eyes into a glare. "I mean it, Hiccup."

"Only if you promise first." His quick response made me purse my lips.

Shit, I...I can't promise him that. Asking him that question was dumb. Should have known it would backfire. Defeated, I turn around so my back faced him. "Fine. You win."

His chuckle reaches my ears. "I thought so."

I ignored him and once more tried to find the sleep he had taken. This time, there was no interruptions, and my last thought before I surrendered to sleep was that if we had actually made the promise…

Both of our claims would have been lies.