To In- I know, I know, I'm terrible with this. It is my first HTTYD fic though, so it'll probably be a bit iffy, (well a lot iffy…) Normally, I'll tell someone not to read it if they don't like it, yeah, but I agree with you on this one 'cos it's not amazing. What can I do that makes the characters better?
This is mostly a filler chapter, because I don't want to skip straight to the 'OH MY GODS, THE BABY'S COMING' and I still need to find a name… (Thank you Erik the Viking for suggesting some! :D )
Hiccup had let Astrid go back to teaching dragon training classes. Well, not really let- she had threatened to kill him if she got stuck in failing to sew.
And it was ideal she did return to teaching as she was most relaxed there, even though the Junior Classes often proved little nightmares. His mother had drilled it into his head that a happy pregnant wife had a healthy baby. And a happy pregnant wife wouldn't kill him.
Roughly a week into this, Hiccup went to visit, taking paperwork with him as well as her lunch. She often forgot it, the silly oink. (Elmlea)
He heard the class before he saw it. They were in a rather noisy mood today and he could just about hear his ever-loving wife trying to be heard over the racket. Something about tying them to a yak and drag them through the village. Such a caring soul.
Walking in, he saw it was one of the newer classes- they didn't know about having Astrid as a teacher yet and that she would follow through with her threats- they were only here to have fun.
"It's the chief!" One of them gasped. They started shushing each other, scrambling into two lines either side of him. "Hi Mr. Chief sir!" The same child piped eagerly, literally bouncing on the balls of his feet. Hiccup ruffled his hair, chuckling.
"Just call me Hiccup." The youngster beamed a gap-toothed smile at him.
"Hiccup." Astrid called bluntly, unimpressed with her hands on her hips. "What are you doing here?" He held up the bag of food, smiling. She sighed, but her irritation eased slightly. "Thank you."
"Milady." He bowed his head, handing the food over. He had made sure to include pie. "Now," He said, turning to the class, "we better not be giving Mrs. Haddock-" Astrid kneed him. "-any trouble." He finished gruffly, putting his weight on his other leg. "You're intent on ridding me of my one good leg, aren't you?"
"What was your first clue?" She replied innocently, pulling an apple from the bag. Hiccup didn't respond to that, giving the children a point look.
"Yes sir." They chorused. His small friend spoke louder than the others. The boy next to him mimicked cruelly, elbowing him sharply in the ribs. Hiccup didn't bother reprimanding the bully, simply picking him up by the scruff of his shirt.
"Let me go!" The boy demanded fiercely, kicking and trying to push Hiccup's hand away.
"Excellent!" Hiccup beamed. "You've just volunteered to show me what you've learnt." He set the boy next to Astrid and marched over to one of the pens. "What's your name?"
"M-Magnus." Magnus didn't look so smug now, pale and eyeing the door to the pen anxiously.
"Magnus." Hiccup repeated. "You don't want the dragon to come out, do you?" Magnus shook his head. "Well, you have to apologise to Bjorn." He gestured at his little fan, who beamed. The chief knew his name!
"W-what?" Magnus stammered.
"We don't like bullies." Hiccup told him. Astrid nodded in agreement. "So you either apologise or you go up against a Monstrous Nightmare."
Magnus apologised, scurrying back into line. He looked relieved when Hiccup let go of the handle, but didn't look up from his feet the remainder of the time Hiccup was there.
"Good." Hiccup smiled. "Now you all listen to Mrs. Haddock and be nice to each other." Bjorn's hand shot up. "Bjorn?"
"Where's Toothless, Mr. Hiccup sir?"
"I might bring him along if I get good reports of you lot at the end of the week." He looked at a few of the others individually. "You have to behave and listen to what Mrs. Haddock-" Another kick in the back of the leg. "-says. I need that leg!" He told her, mocking annoyance.
"A shame, really."
"I'll remember that next time I bring you food and sort your class." Her eyes flashed dangerously and Hiccup suddenly remembered he had chiefly duties to fulfil. "I'll burn dinner for you later." He smiled, kissing her cheek and taking his leave. An apple core narrowly missed his head and he was pretty sure she called him an idiot.
"How did it go?" Hiccup asked later that evening. Astrid plopped down in the chair opposite him, placing her hands on her stomach. They worked out she was only a couple of months along, but it was hard to tell- she only had a bit of a bump.
"They were alright once they knew I was the chief's wife and that you would bring Toothless if they behaved." She frowned at him. "I could have managed that."
"I know." He smiled apologetically. "I just don't want you stressing too much."
"I'm married to you. That's stress enough."
"Love you too." She kicked him under the table, catching him sharply on the shin. He did his best not to react too much, but she still smirked. "I made stew." He said thickly, nodding at the pot simmering over the fire. "That OK?"
"I suppose so…"
"You're a cold-hearted woman."
"So I've heard." She put her feet in his lap. "What are you doing?"
"Rewriting the order list for Trader Johan."
"Anything I can do?"
"Save dinner." He knocked her feet off and she hurried to save the stew, ladling it into two bowls.
Hiccup watched her carefully. "What's the matter?" She looked back at him curiously. "You've got that look, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Liar."
"I'm fine." Her eyes hardened and she set his dinner in front of him with more force than necessary. Hiccup caught her by the wrist as she moved away. He didn't say anything, calmly holding her gaze. "Alright, fine. I'm fed up."
"With?"
"Everything!" He must have looked quizzical as she huffed. "Not everything entirely, but it sure feels like it."
"Anything I can do?" She bit her lip, her hand passing over her stomach nervously. He got up and bravely pulled her into a hug.
"Don't get me wrong, Hiccup, but being the chief's wife isn't fun."
"What'd you mean?"
"People seem to forget that I'm me. They're worried about upsetting me because of you being the chief and all."
"I'd be more worried to upset you because of your axe." She hummed, returning the hug. "And I'm sure that's not it. So, you're Astrid Haddock now, but you're still scary." She tightened her hold on him and he was sure his ribs cracked. "See?" He choked. "Scary dragon lady." He kissed her forehead. "If they say anything, just tell them the chief's scared of you and they should be as well. Officially Hiccup approved."
"You're an idiot."
"As you keep telling me." Hiccup held her at arm's length, brushing her hair from her face. "What else is the matter?" She sighed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Astrid?"
"Oooh, I don't know!"
"Yes, you do."
"Hiccup… I… I feel like… I'm not… not really going to be a good… mum." She finished quietly.
"Ridiculous! You'll be a great mum!"
"But I'm not exactly motherly, am I?" She demanded, meeting his eyes defiantly. "You heard me earlier, tying kids to yaks and dragging them through the village!"
"And that's why you'll make a good mum."
"You're just being stupid now."
"No, I'm being serious. Any kids of mine are going to need a tough mum or they'll all end up like me." Her eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"How many kids are you planning on?"
"As many as I dare." He replied cheekily, grinning. "So what if you aren't motherly? You're you, your own person, remember? You do things your way and that's perfectly fine."
"And you're not saying that to make me feel better?"
"Would I lie to you?" She shot him a dull look. "No, seriously. Would I dare lie to you?"
"If you dare to have so many kids, then yeah."
"But I can make that look like an accident." He beamed. "Lying is more… planned." She just nodded, but she was smiling now and Hiccup knew he had successfully put all her doubts aside.
Next thing he knew, he was on the floor, lying on his front with his arm twisted behind his back. "There's my queen." He groaned.
"And don't you forget it."
Wee bit of Hiccstrid, ish. Hope this is OK! :D
