The past teens wouldn't sleep in peace with four dragons lurking a little too close for their comfort. But most of them had managed to fall asleep, being typical Vikings, and enjoying rest when they could. Most. Astrid couldn't sleep.

She sat across the fire, and was starring in amazement her future children. They were using each other's shoulders or laps as pillows for their heads, while leaning against dragons. Dragons! Dangerous, fire-breathing, reptilians that stole their food and killed thousands, where now cosy beds and had proved themselves to be a great mode of transportation.

"Can't sleep either?" Hiccup approached her, and sat beside her. A bold move in her opinion.

Seeing that her children were his children as well, apparently, and that in the future they were destined to be married, she decided it was best to not lump his head off with an axe … yet.

"Not, when there are four of the most dangerous dragons in the Viking World, snoozing right across the campfire."

"The kids seem to be very comfortable with them." Hiccup noted, when Fin rolled onto his side and the Nightmare pulled a wing over him, for more warmth.

"I guess." She said.

And awkward moment passed.

"You have beautiful kids, you know." Hiccup said, awkwardly, not knowing how to continue the conversation. He was blushing like mad.

"Thanks. You … too." She said, with an equal blush creeping up her cheeks. "Can I ask you question?"

"Sure."

"What did you almost do that could have changed history so much?"

"Uh … I um … I'm not sure how to put this … but … I …" He sighed, took a deep breath and looked away. "I almost committed suicide."

"What?!" She whisper-shouted. "Why?"

"Because I had enough … I had enough of everyone thinking that I am worthless, useless or a disappointment." He almost yelled, then stopped when some of their peers stirred in their sleep.

"Let's go to the woods and talk. Not to wake anybody up, then?" She grabbed her axe and more like ordered than asked him. He followed her. They walked side by side, deeper into the woods. "Ok, start from the beginning, why were you about to commit suicide?"

"As I said, I had enough of my life. I had enough of everyday my father thinking that I'm nothing, I am tired of everyone blaming everything on me, and I am tired of being bullied."

"So you decided that suicide was the best way out of this mess? That's the stupidest idea you've ever had!" She yelled at him.

"Maybe, but it would end everybody's struggles … besides, who knows, maybe death is merciful."

Astrid looked away and thought about what he just said. She wondered how to convince him to change his mind. She really didn't care about him, right now, but he really needed to realise something, or this mayhem wouldn't end any time soon.

"I … uh picked up Finn's notebook, the one he dropped when he came rushing under the table. Maybe you want to see what your son thinks about his life?" She pulled a notebook out of nowhere, and handed it to the blacksmith.

Hiccup took it and opened it to the first page. It was a family portrait. A man, woman, three boys and a girl. The picture was highly detailed, for example, the man had a prosthetic leg, the woman had her axe strapped to her back, the oldest boy had detailed armour, the second ad several gadgets and inventions attached to himself, both were in a conflict, the third was reading a book while leaning on the hilt of the sword, the girl was trying to look into a glass vial, but her attention was focused on the two bickering twins.

"This is high quality work." Hiccup commented. "Did you look at these?"

"Not really. Show me." Hiccup handed her the notebook, and walked behind her to look over her shoulder.

She flipped the page, and it was The Twins, Ruffnut and Tuffnut with sneer smirks. Snotlout on a Monstrous Nightmare, Fishlegs pouring over a book, several sketches of different dragons, landscapes all over Berk, the Training Arena, Aster lifting up something heavy with Stoic underneath it, fixing something, Val polishing her saddle, Astrid beating up Hiccup.

"This is amazing." Astrid commented. "And I use the word 'amazing' very rarely. What is he? 7?"

"He's better than me." Hiccup examined the notebook closer, taking it out of Astrid's reach. "He's more of the artist, rather than inventor." He mumbled.

"Well naturally, he takes after me." Astrid decided to tease the teenager. She didn't know why, but non-violent or abusive teasing suddenly felt tempting.

"Oh really? How often do you draw, Astrid?" He showed her a picture of her future self in training.

"…Well maybe there's one thing that he got from you."

"Ahha, and judging by the speed that he ran into the room, he's completely a mommy's boy." Hiccup said sarcastically, chuckling.

She allowed a small laugh escape her. "Look how he portrays himself, leaning on a sword, he's obviously a warrior."

"But he's reading a book."

"Why are we having the conversation of which one of us, our youngest son turned out to be most alike?"

"Don't know …" She said, our son?! Does that mean that she's okay with the prospect of having children with me or what? Why are women so confusing?! "Can I ask you a question?"

"Shoot."

"Are you … what do you think of having a family … with me?" As soon as he said that his face was redder than a tomato.

"At first, when I found out about it … I thought that it was a mistake or some sick joke … but now … you could help me reconsider." The darkness of night disguised her blush.

Yep, women are confusing.

-000-

So this was a fluffy chapter with Astrid and Hiccup. Not as humorous as the previous chapters but I decided that I would put a pause with humour in this. Next chapter will be funnier. Hopefully.

Please tell me what you think? What should happen to the older versions?

And please don't leave two word reviews.