Here we are! The third one-shot/realization of It Was Always You. This may or may not have been inspired partly by my other story Europe Skies (Something Different). However, the latest chapter of Skies was inspired by the last chapter of this story. Wow…confusing. Haha.

Only one review to reply to again. I guess no one has anything to say about this story?

Review Reply:

lorde (anonymous): Thanks.

It Was Always You
The Third Realization

It was almost surprising how well Hiccup and Astrid worked as a couple. When they first got together, everyone on Berk started taking bets on how long they would last. Both young Vikings were headstrong and stubborn. Surely, this would prove to be their downfall? That's what all the older Vikings thought, at least. Even Stoick the Vast and the Hofferson parents would joke about the couple; laughing over mead about how "they're still together".

They had been together for over six years now, going on seven, actually. There had been that minor scuffle about four years ago when Heather had come to the island. Other than that, though, Hiccup's and Astrid's love for each other had stood the test of time. The two complemented each other well. She had been there for him during his father's untimely passing and rise to Chiefdom and she could always count on him to support her anytime she needed it.

Hiccup knew that there was no other maiden that he would ever want for his one and only, forever and for always. He was nervous, but every man has to do this sometime in his life, right? Was Dad this nervous when he asked Mom? Hiccup wondered.

Several nights, Hiccup would return home from his long days of chief duties and retire straight to his desk upstairs where he had spread out all his notes. He knew that he should be sleeping as each day was trying for the new Chief. Though his father had started to prepare him for this position, Stoick's sudden death had prevented Hiccup from learning all there was to know about being Chief…and now the poor young man was certainly feeling the stress of uncertainty. Was he even correct in the way he was leading Berk? Well, he hadn't heard any complaints yet, so that must count for something…right? Despite coming home tired from his long days of "learning on the job", Hiccup still found time to sit alone at his desk and sketch together some plans: how he would ask Astrid, the wedding ceremony—sure, it would be traditional, but he was Hiccup; somehow he'd add his own spin to the age-old traditions of the ritual. It had taken time to plan everything out, but finally Hiccup felt confident that everything was as he wanted.

Unfortunately, that also meant that the easy work was over. Now, he just had to ask her. Hiccup had once asked his mother for advice on "the question" and she had simply told him that if the time was right, asking "that question" would be easy, that Astrid would accept in a heartbeat. In reply, Hiccup had smiled and thanked Valka for her answer, but inside he'd still felt unsure. What if Astrid had doubts? What if she wasn't looking for long-term commitment? What if-? There was only one way to find out.

888

Hiccup had planned an afternoon flight with Astrid that day and he made sure nothing would change that; he refused to cancel this adventure. As mid-day approached and Hiccup's workload lightened, he made his way to the meet-up spot. Over the years (and the many flights they had taken together in those years), Hiccup and Astrid had created their own place in the village where they would come together before mounting up and taking to the skies.

Approaching, Hiccup saw that Astrid and Stormfly were already there. "Huh…easy day at the Academy?" he asked, curious. When Hiccup had accepted his new position as Chief, he had passed the title of Head Dragon Trainer to Astrid as he knew that he would be far too busy to put in the effort that was required of the leader of the Berk Dragon Academy.

"Yeah. I rarely end our sessions early, so they were overjoyed," Astrid replied, laughing at the memory.

"Well, then, you ready to go, Milady?" Hiccup asked, mounting himself up into Toothless's saddle and clicking his prosthetic into place.

Stormfly lowered her body to allow her Rider to climb into her own saddle. Once Astrid was comfortable, she replied, "Yeah. Let's go!"

Clipping his safety rope to the saddle (as Hiccup did not plan to freefall today…and he definitely did not want the winds to sweep him off Toothless's back), Hiccup patted Toothless's neck, the sign that he was ready to take to the skies. Hiccup led the way. Astrid flew at his side, but followed the lead of Hiccup and Toothless when changing directions. They circled around the island a few times and even flew out over the ocean for a while. Finally, when he was satisfied that they had taken an adequate length flight, Hiccup directed Toothless to land in the cove.

Hiccup had intentionally chosen this spot. Not only was it peaceful and secluded, but it was also the place where Hiccup's and Astrid's friendship had begun. The cove was also the location where, almost seven years ago, Hiccup had finally confessed that he loved Astrid. Although, he had not intended for it to happen, he certainly was glad now that it had.

While their dragons drank from the pond, Hiccup and Astrid stood looking out over the still water. Hiccup could sense that Astrid had noticed his nervousness, but right now, he didn't care. When is the right time to ask? Will I know? Thoughts raced through Hiccup's mind. What if Astrid says no?

"Hiccup?" Astrid asked and he could hear the concern in her question.

It's now or never. "Astrid…I…well, I have a question for you." Astrid did not interrupt, but she did give Hiccup a small nod to tell him that she was listening. "Well, we've been together now for almost seven years…but you already know that. Anyway…I can't speak for you, but I have enjoyed every moment and wouldn't trade any of them for anything. Along with Toothless, you are my best friend. You've been there for me during the hardest days of my life and you know that I would return the favor anytime you'd ever need me to do so. I always look forward to seeing you each day and I'd give anything to wake up each morning and see you lying next to me. It would brighten even the darkest of days." Stepping closer, Hiccup took Astrid's hands in his as he finished. "I guess …what I'm saying is that…you would do me a great honor if you would be my forever and for always, my one and only. Astrid Hofferson, fierce and fearless shieldmaiden of Berk, will…will you marry me?" he finished, looking deep into her crystal blue eyes and waiting for her answer.

Tears pooled in Astrid's eyes and Hiccup briefly worried that he had been wrong. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Astrid never cries, he knew. Still he waited to hear from her.

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III," she began, her voice almost shaky in reply. "Chief of Berk." She was drawing her response out and Hiccup feared that she was doing this purposefully to make him nervous. Finally, she gave her answer. "It would be my honor," she continued, "to accept your proposal of marriage," she finished with a smile.

Astrid slipped one of her hands from Hiccup's grasp and wiped the tears from her eyes, but Hiccup did not mind. He could already feel the wide smile playing on his face and he just knew that it would still be there when they returned to the village. He was overjoyed that Astrid had accepted his proposal and relieved that this "hard part" was finally over. "Astrid," he whispered, moving in to kiss her. "Thank you," he finished in a whisper when the newly-betrothed couple broke for air. That was when he remembered something. "Oh, I have something for you," he told her, reaching deep into his flight suit to the pouch where he normally kept his sketchbook that housed his map of Berk and surrounding areas. He had spent many nights at the forge (even before he had started planning out the proposal setting) to create this fine work of art that he now held out to Astrid.

The shieldmaiden normally did not like feminine objects, but she gasped at the sight of Hiccup's gift shining in the late-day sunlight. "Hiccup, this is beautiful. You made this?"

"Yeah," he replied, running his other hand, the one not holding the handcrafted gold ring, along the back of his neck. "I know that it's really feminine and you probably won't like it, but…"

Placing a finger softly to his lips, Astrid effectively hushed Hiccup. "Hiccup, I love it," she told him, taking the ring from him and sliding it onto her finger.

For a moment, Astrid just stared down at the ring and Hiccup stared at Astrid staring at the ring. He could never have imagined that this moment would be so perfect and, yet, it was. "Astrid, it was always you," he whispered. He saw her confused look, so he continued. "I'd always imagined, well…hoped, really, that you would be the girl who would be my forever and for always, my only love. You're the only Berk maiden I'd ever planned on saying these words to, the only one for whom I'd craft that ring. If not you, I'm certain that I would have lived my entire life alone. It was always you…my Beloved."

This one-shot is a lot longer than I expected it would be, but I think it turned out beautifully! I really enjoyed writing this one. I hope that you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Coming Up Next: "The Fourth Realization"—"It Was Always You…The Mother of My Heir"

Posted: August 2, 2014