(A/N) Hey fellow readers! Wanted to give a quick apology to Athena48 for not moderating there reviews faster. To all my other guest reviewers who I can't reply to in PM messaging, thanks for reading along! On with the story!
Hiccup and Astrid let their dragon catch fish in the lake a while longer. The sight was one to behold for sure. Toothless, who couldn't fly over the water on his own, would balance on small stones, attempting to multitask between not slipping and not losing the fish at the same time.
Stormfly on the other hand wasn't having to much of a challenge. She glided over the water, spearing the fish with her deadly Nadder tail spikes. Shooting the small fish in the water, Stormfly was nothing more than a colorful streak filling the empty air with happy squawks. She felt more free than she had in a long time.
Sitting by Hiccup who continued to hold her protectively, Astrid felt the same as her dragon. Free from her mother, free from school work, and free from being pressured to wearing a brave mask in front of all her other classmates. No Will, no gossiping teens, just Astrid, and Hiccup.
Hiccup on the other hand felt a bit more like his dragon. Trying to juggle things all at once, becoming frustrated while trying figure out how to work this whole situation, and in all he found it hard to multitask his own thoughts about life and the ones about Astrid.
Eventually Hiccup decided the best option. At least in his mind. He couldn't focus on himself right now. Not his life thoughts, and not his own problems. Astrid was in a dangerous situation where she was more stuck than a Typhoomerang flying through a net of vines. She needed Hiccup there for her when no one else was.
And there for Astrid Hiccup would be. Pulling the teen in mind closer to him, Hiccup tried to comfort Astrid to the best of his ability. The girl was tense, obviously having to much on her plate. Hiccup knew the feeling. Having to juggle life, fend for yourself. When he was in that situation, Hiccup didn't even have time to think about his dad who was at war. He was focused on keeping himself and Toothless safe. Together they somehow managed though.
That's exactly how it would be with Astrid. Hiccup knew it. She was strong, brave, confident, and he was never going to give up on her. She could get through this with Hiccup by her side. Hiccup just knew it would be hard always standing by her. Since when did he do things in a way that was anything but complicated though? If anything...this was kind of natural. Perhaps that's why Hiccup went through so much? So he could help people like Astrid?
Hiccup sighed. If this was true then the universe had a really cruel way of helping some men help others. Sure loss led to bonding with others of the same situation, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt. Why was the world so complicated? Hiccup guessed no one would ever know.
Feeling Astrid become jittery beside him, Hiccup knew they'd been sitting their so long she was finding it hard to keep still. Astrid was a sports girl after all, and was used to moving around, playing games, competing, ETC. Hiccup understood that despite how much she thanked him and found what he did sweet, Astrid still was her regular self. Unable to be stuck in romance or peacefulness to long. Just like other Hofferson's Hiccup had heard of in sports history (That's why Hofferson is such a well known name in the school) Astrid was just one of those people who needed something physical to do.
In all honesty Hiccup had no idea how much longer he could take Astrid's punches and playful shoves that were a result of her energy and communication methods. "So...wanna head to the grave sights before it gets to dark?" Hiccup asked.
Astrid nodded, standing up right away. It seemed she was more than exited to stand up and move around, tearing out of Hiccup's grasp the second she knew it wouldn't ruin the moment. Tightening her arm bands which covered her bruises, Astrid called for Stormfly.
Hiccup called for Toothless to, and both dragons flew or glided to their owners. Astrid put her basketball in Stormfly's saddle bag. Hiccup focused more on taking their lunch supplies and finding a bin to throw it away in. Once that was done, Hiccup and Astrid shared a hesitant look with each other, before taking off on their dragons to their next destination.
Night was coming around, the moon in the now darkened sky. Astrid led Hiccup to the grave sight, both of them landing at the exact same time. Standing beside Astrid, Hiccup tensed as he took the scenery in. Flowers were on graves, the ground was very well treated. Cloth hung on some of the graves, and a few small flags rested around the fenced in area.
Astrid held the note and flowers from her and her mother which were to replace the old ones on her Uncles grave. Hiccup stayed back as she did so, observing his surroundings. Suddenly Toothless sniffed a nearby headstone, curious for some odd reason about this particular one.
It had been so long since Hiccup came here. He hardly stayed more than twenty minutes into his fathers funeral, and at the time was to numb inside to remember anything. Hiccup had never visited his mothers grave ever since his father started leaving more often when he was around five or six, leaving him with a baby sitter.
Now here he was though, and as Hiccup further inspected the headstone Toothless was sniffing, realization hit him. Toothless wasn't interested in the headstone. He was curious about the war helmet and folded cape which hung from the top right corner of it.
Astrid backed away from her Uncles grave, when she realized Hiccup's state. Frozen, lost, sad, and confused. Standing beside the boy, Astrid examined the headstone Toothless was sniffing. She saw the pin on the folded cape matched the one Hiccup wore on his leather armor.
"Hiccup...is that-" "Yeah. Yeah it is." Astrid took Hiccup's hand tightly in hers, not exactly knowing how to react. Hiccup read the engraved writing on the headstone. Memories began to flood his mind. Stoick the vast. A hero to his country, a father, a friend. How Hiccup remembered the knot in his stomach as Gobber spoke those words about his partner in the battle.
Suddenly footsteps were heard nearby. Hiccup and Astrid looked up, the dark grave sight making it impossible to see who was walking. An enemy? A criminal? Grave robber? Should they get out of here? Or hide in the shadows of the night as clouds covered the moon?
Toothless and Stormfly growled as the dark shadow figure approached. Hiccup let go of Astrid's hand, standing in front of her. His father had always taught him to be on guard. To protect those around him. To never expect simple answers to frightening questions.
Just as the slow footsteps caused to much suspense to sit still, the figure emerged, showing his face. "Wh-what are you guys doing here?" A quiet, cracked voice asked. Hiccup examined the young mans face, and realized this was none other than Snotlout.
"Snotlout! You scared the living-" "O-okay Astrid calm down." Hiccup winced, cutting Astrid off. Gods he did not want to hear her...wide vocabulary at this very moment. "There's probably a good reason he snuck up on us. So Snotlout, what can we do for you?"
Snotlout bit his bottom lip, turning his back on the two. Hiccup imediatly went from tense to confused. He knew something was going on. Something causing Snotlout to be weaker than he was. The boy obviously didn't want to be seen as mushy.
"Snotlout? Why don't we go talk elsewhere? Astrid can stay here and watch the dragons. Right Astrid?" Hiccup turned to Astrid who, despite being a bit frustrated, agreed. Not many people in their school were fans of Snotlout Jorgensen.
Toothless and Stormfly stayed with Astrid. Hiccup and Snotlout walked out of the gravesite and down the rocky dirt road. Silence drifted between them, before Hiccup knew he needed to break the ice. Stopping beside Snotlout under a large tree covered in icicles, Hiccup made the other teen face him.
"Common Snotlout what's going on? I can tell something's up." Snotlout just pulled away from Hiccup, balling his hands into fists. "How would you know anything?!" He snapped, obviously not used to having someone just have a talk with him.
"I have experience in hiding emotions." Hiccup said simply, putting his hands in his pockets. Snotlout raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised Hiccup didn't snap back. He was met with curious, patient eyes. "I uh...I thought you and Astrid were someone else like you did me. Just checking things out is all." Hiccup was glad Snotlout was talking, but knew he was sparing him the hole truth.
"Okay..." Hiccup trailed off, casually leaning against the tree. "What?" Snotlout snapped, seeming uncomfortable. "You saw me and Astrid so decided to investigate. Why were you at the grave site in the first place though? Not really a great vacation spot if you ask me." Hiccup replied, his voice so casual it was odd yet comforting. He didn't sound like he was interrogating Snotlout, but didn't sound like they were having some buddy talk either.
"I well...why were you here?" Snotlout decided to change the topic. Hiccup tensed a little, but remained casual. He was used to getting people to talk, it was just a talent. After all when he was younger, Hiccup always needed a way to get around. When he was around twelve and his father was away, the boy had to watch himself at night wile his baby sitter wasn't around. He had to shop for himself and so fourth. If people ever got in his way or tried to question his ability to raise himself, Hiccup would always find a way to make the conversation seem like nothing, allowing him to walk away with others questioning his adult like nature.
"I was here for the same reason many people come here Snotlout. Not all soldiers survive the war, but it's still a comfort to visit loved ones' graves every now and then. Don't you think?" Snotlout tensed, and Hiccup stood up from the tree. He relaxed a little, a warm look taking over his expression.
Snotlout looked down at his hands. Hiccup realized one of them was covered in bleeding scratches. Taking a step closer to the teen, Hiccup took the injured left hand in his own. "What happened?" Snotlout didn't pull away, chewing his lip.
"I was in a fight with my father. He doesn't like me coming here, and I had a vase I'd made in art that I was bringing to someone. I know, I know. Pottery, notes, mushy visits to someone who's not even alive...it's not something you'd expect from a football player and Jorgensen. You don't understand though..." Snotlout trailed off, losing the inspiration to speak.
Hiccup had some ideas about the scratches, and held Snotlout's oversized hand tighter. Remaining stern but warm, Hiccup looked down at the slightly shorter fellow classmate. "Maybe I don't understand your position Snotlout. What I do understand though is what it's like to have to fill big shoes. Just because people expect so highly of you shouldn't mean you can't be your own person. What happened to the vase?" Hiccup tried to push the conversation without making Snotlout back off completely.
"Like I said before, I was fighting my dad. I got so mad that I slammed my fist on the table. The vase shattered in my hand." Snotlout pulled a piece of broken pottery from his pocket. On this particular piece was the word 'mom'. Realization suddenly hit Hiccup.
"Who were you visiting here?" Snotlout frowned, not making eye contact. "Thought the broken glass was enough. It was my mother, okay. My dad despised her. She divorced him when I was little. Mom always acted like she loved me, but she didn't love my dad. She was married to another man, a veteran, and had my half brother who died during child birth. She had my brother just two months after her husband died. After the death of her son, she wasn't able to make it either and all three of them were buried here."
There was an angry tone to Snotlout's voice, and the boy shook as he spoke. Hiccup listened though. He didn't judge, didn't question why Snotlout was opening up like this now, and to him. The teen was never like this. Hiccup knew Snotlout needed someone though. Judging by how much he shook and how angry he sounded, Snotlout obviously had to much weight on his shoulders for his own good.
"So you loved your mom, but your dad..." "Yeah. I still do love her! That's the problem Hiccup! My dad hates her, even after she hit the grave. How can I live with someone who hates the woman I love the most?" Hiccup sighed, slumping his shoulders.
"Can't say I can put myself in your shoes, but I know it's like to lose a mother who had a bad history. It's just something you've got to get through Snotlout." Hiccup explained, putting a hand on the boys' shoulder. Snotlout sighed, shrugging him off.
"I guess. Let's just...drop the conversation. Okay? I think I've had enough emotional conversations to last me a while." Hiccup smiled, nodding in understanding. "I get it. Shall we head back?" Snotlout nodded, managing a tiny smile.
As they walked back to meet Astrid, Snotlout suddenly remembered something. "Hey I forgot to tell you the other day, but there's something you should know." Hiccup now listened carefully, curiosity taking over. "What might that be?" He asked.
"I have a Nightmare at home, fastest one you ever saw. His name's Hookfang, awesome I know. I finally managed the money to get the supplies, and you can expect me in your next race." A giant smile graced Hiccup's lips.
"You sure your up for it?" Hiccup said, playfully competitive. "The tracks can be pretty dangerous." Snotlout shrugged it off, remaining confident. "I don't know if I can beat you and Toothless-just because it's my first race of course-but I'm planning on getting top three." Hiccup laughed, extending a hand.
"I'll see you there then." Snotlout nodded, shaking his hand. Pretty soon they both found Astrid who was grooming Stormfly. "What took you guys so long?" She asked. Hiccup shrugged, walking towards Toothless. "Guy talk. Hey Snotlout, need a ride home?" Snotlout raised a hand, shaking his head.
"Nah, I don't really want to head home at the moment." Hiccup and Astrid understood, saying their goodbyes. First they headed to Hiccup's house who told Magnus and Jacob he was staying near the Hofferson's for important reasons. The parents were hesitant, but agreed.
"You sure your okay with me coming with you? I don't want to chance getting you into trouble if your not okay with it." Hiccup asked, laying a hand on Astrid's shoulder. "It's okay Hiccup. Really." That's all Hiccup needed to hear, and within minutes they were back in the skies.
(A/N) Sorry for late update, and as for any grammar or mistakes, I must admit I'm writing with a stomach flue so i'm really tired. I promise if people say there are mistakes in the reviews, I'll go back and edit this along with some of my others once this story is done. It's just going to take a while. Also I'm thinking of changing the title from 'Racing to the light' to 'Not all soldiers survive the war' because that's a big topic in this story. Let me know what you think in the reviews!