Another small story with Hiccup. And someone else. Hope you enjoy!


Hiccup sat on the side of his bed. He was flipping through some pages of drawings he made long ago. Most of them were Night Furies. Some Deadly Nadders, Monstrous Nightmares, Hideous Zipplebacks, Gronkles, and Terrible Terrors here and there showed up. He turned through page after page. He sighed and placed them down beside him. Toothless's soft grunts broke the silence. The dragon was asleep. There was a knock on the door. To soft to be Gobber. The man nearly knocked in the Haddock door every time he visited.

"Come in."

The door opened and closed. Footsteps. A blond figure showed up at the top of the stairs.

"Hiccup."

"Astrid."

"How are you doing?"

How was he doing? That question had been asked so many times. He had always answered the same way. 'Yes, I'm doing fine.' Every Viking who had asked got that answer. Even Gobber. But... was he really?

"I... I'm good."

Astrid responded with a hand on her hip, and a skeptical look plastered across her face.

"Really? You've been disappearing every few days, to Thor knows where, moping around sometimes, and staring off into space? I don't think so, Hiccup. You can tell the others that, but I know you better than that. It's still bothering you."

Still bothering him? Of course it's still bothering him. One doesn't get over stuff like losing so much in a few weeks.

"I have to.. stay strong. A chief..."

She interrupted him.

"Protects his own. I know. But you need to talk sometimes. Go ahead. I'm here for you."

Hiccup sighed.

"Astrid..."

She sat down next to him, giving him a gentle look. He couldn't meet her eyes. He stared down at his feet.. foot instead. There was a long silence. Toothless's soft, sleepy grumbles filled the void every once in a while. Hiccup simply went deep in thought. He had to protect everyone. What if Drago came back? He had to be prepared. The dragons had to be prepared. Everyone had to be at their best. And he was their leader now. If he was ever to be as good as his dad, he had to put aside the pain and keep going.. but it was so hard..

"I miss him."

Astrid started a little when he spoke, but cuddled closer to him. She didn't say anything.

"I miss him so much. But.. I can't... let it stop me. I have to keep going. I won't give up."

"I never said you would, Hiccup. You've been doing a great job. Stoick would be proud."

He winced at the mention of his dad's name. Emotions held deep inside, kept at bay, pent up inside for weeks now, started to boil over. He felt his eyes burn.

"No..."

Astrid moved even closer. Her right arm moved around his shoulders.

"Go ahead."

As if they now had permission, tears flowed down Hiccup's face. He no longer had the will to fight back. He began to sob. She held him. Toothless, woken up by his best friend's crying, came upstairs. He gave a moan and and wrapped his tail around Hiccup. When Hiccup flinched, he nearly backed off. Hiccup reached out a hand. Toothless took that as a 'yes' and wrapped himself around Hiccup.


Hiccup groggily opened his eyes.

"When did I.."

He sat up. He realized he was in his bed. He must have fallen asleep. He looked around. Toothless was asleep next to the bed. He sighed and got off the bed, walking down the stairs. He realized he could smell something.. nice? 'Food?'

"Hello?"

He turned the corner. His mother was in the small kitchen, cooking.

"Hiccup!" She turned to him. "Good morning!"

"Mom? Hey.." He walked toward her. "You didn't have to cook breakfast for me.."

"You always cook. It's my turn." She gave him an amused look. "Sit down, son."

Hiccup sat down, a little stunned. He did always cook. He usually followed recipes. Sometimes he would experiment.. She put down some seasoned eggs and some bread in front of him. They ate in silence. Hiccup looked at her.

"When... did dad.. ask you to..." He stuttered a little. "Marry him?"

Valka looked startled at the question.

"Stoick? Well..." One of her eyebrows raised. "Why do you want to know?"

Hiccup stiffened a little. "No reason. Just curious."

She chuckled. "I understand."

Hiccup's cheeks warmed up. He tried to hide his blushing.

"You know what.. Hiccup? I think.. you're more then ready."

Hiccup shook his head. "No. I'm too busy for something like that. I.." He stopped and stared at her. Her knowing look made his jaw drop a little. She laughed a little.

"Mom.. I..."

"She's waiting for you to ask. I know it. And I know you're ready."

Hiccup smiled despite everything. He knew he was ready too.


Hope that was some nice Hiccstrid and Hiccup Valka stuff there. This one is after the previous one, just so you know. :D Next one will be even more touching, hopefully.