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CHSHiccstrid
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Journal 2, Entry 9: "Life Goes On"
Hiccup tinkered with the new tailfin tiredly. Toothless had kept him and Astrid up until unholy hours last night in sheer joy, but he refused to say why he was so excited. Then, this morning, he'd stolen all of Astrid's clothes and made a nest out of them. To say Astrid was incensed was putting it lightly. The familiar had run out of the hut like Hela was chasing him.
Since then, he'd taken to following Hiccup around with a smug and knowing grin but refused to say anything. It didn't take long for other dragons to pick up on whatever it was that Toothless had, Stormfly had been waiting by the door after Astrid eventually collected her clothes and began preening her hair then chittering excitedly.
Hiccup was too tired to think further on the matter. Between chiefing, making the new tailfin, the Light Fury becoming bolder in her affections for Toothless, his subsequent running away to Hiccup, and improving the Dragon Fly…
This attitude continued for two weeks until every dragon on Berk had the knowing look. It was beginning to infuriate Hiccup and he prided himself on not being easily angered.
He was again in the forge playing with the design of the new Dragon Fly and looking over several notes he'd made from the books Loki brought when Astrid walked in. He sensed immediately, being more used to the odd feeling of the bond than Astrid, and smiled but it fell just as soon as it formed—feeling her confusion and… joy?
She grabbed his hands and kissed him for a long time, surprising but pleasant. They broke away and he grinned. "What was that for?"
She smiled and said nothing, still holding his hands—holding them over her stomach.
He frowned at the peculiar movement for far too long before it finally clicked. "No."
She laughed and nodded. "Gothi just confirmed it."
Hiccup beamed and stood, hugging her tightly but not too tightly. Now even more giddy than Toothless. "I-I'm really going to be a dad?!"
She nodded. "We're gonna have a little Hiccup running around, soon."
He couldn't stop moving in some fashion, now holding her hands but shaking. "And they're going to be running around with an axe just like their mother."
His face suddenly fell, not from fear but shock. "Oh my Loki, we have to tell the others—my mom, Loki. Oh Loki…"
She grasped his cheek, hers red in delight. "I know…but let's just keep it to ourselves for tonight."
He leaned in and kissed her again. "Anything for you, M'lady."
*O*
The village was in an uproar over the news, as were the dragons. There always seemed to be a small party of them following Astrid wherever she went, much to her annoyance and Hiccup's humor.
When Loki returned he was overjoyed for Hiccup and they spent hours discussing fun little spells children would find entertaining. He promised to bring his mother again and soon so she and Astrid could talk, something which flushed her cheeks.
Toothless, too, was quite confused. Seeing Hiccup so happy and a bit more preoccupied—though he by no means neglected his friend, left him with a bit more time to think. He glanced over at the white dragon always watching him. Would it be so bad to finally move on from that grudge? Hiccup had pushed him towards it more than enough to know their bond would not now nor ever be threatened again but...
She cooed and slowly approached him, trilling as she was able to rub her head under his without him growling. He huffed and reluctantly accepted her presence as he watched Hiccup run about the village, both chiefing and trying to find the peculiar food of the day that his wife had requested.
Loki sat in the dining hall in a better mood than he had been in over a year, his world was finally healing and felt unshakable. His mother smiled at him and took another bite of fruit, resuming her discussion with Odin. Thor babbled on about some quest that Loki had unfortunately missed, promising to bring him along the next quest but they hadn't had time to find him.
Loki waved him off, saying it was fine.
Thor lit up and grabbed his brother's arm, yanking him away from the meal he'd been enjoying. "Come! I believe Fandral mentioned he had heard rumors of a mighty beast in Muspelheim!"
Loki groaned but allowed himself to be dragged along.
Frigga watched with no hidden joy as Loki grumbled about the foolish quest but could see it was good-natured.
Odin watched them leave impassively. "It is good he is finally moving on."
Her happiness faded into a warning glare. "Yes, but you cannot expect one to move on quickly when their child and support dies."
Odin winced. "It was for the best he wasn't told…He wasn't ready."
Frigga withheld a snort. "And look where it got you. A son that was hurt and hates you. And you have done nothing to make it better."
He sighed, this argument again? "What would you have me do, Frigga? He does not want me to be his father anymore."
"Be his father anyway!" She snapped. "He was unsure about me still being his mother—I had to show him I still wanted to be his mother. Stop pitying your failed plans and be there for him, seek him out. It will not be as easy as saying so—you've hurt him far too much for that. But start being his father."
Odin watched as she left, appetite forgotten. He rubbed his good eye, wondering how Thor turned out alright with his track record thus far.
Hiccup grinned, looking up as Toothless flew beside the Light Fury through the cloudy night. Astrid laid her head on his shoulder and said with a chuckle, "I can't believe she finally managed it."
He shook his head and laid a hand on her now large stomach. "Yeah…looks like we finally get a night alone, hm?"
She smiled knowingly. "Enjoy them while you can—we're not going to have many for quite a while to come."
Toothless and the Light Fury came back around by that morning, Toothless prancing around with a wide smile—tongue hanging out. He nuzzled up to Hiccup and barked before running back to the purring Light Fury.
"I'm happy for you bud. Now it's my turn to say: it took you long enough!"
Toothless snorted at him, much to the amusement of both their mates.
Hiccup rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Testy dragon."
The Light Fury cooed in confusion as Toothless started leaving with Hiccup, looking between both of them, unsure of following him deeper into the village or retreating to the safety of the forest.
Hiccup turned and rubbed his snout. "Go be with her, bud. I'm just chiefing today."
Toothless huffed heavily but left with the Light Fury.
Hiccup felt warmth over their bond and couldn't keep the smile off his face.
Astrid came up and took his hand, watching them disappear before turning around to face the village. "She's gonna need a name if she's gonna stick around now."
Hiccup laughed and eyed her. "You guys hadn't named her already? I thought I was just being kept out of the loop."
She socked his shoulder and he yelped.
They split off once in the village though Hiccup wasn't alone for long. Silverwhip and Jörmungandr were quick to find him and chase each other around while circling him. He laughed at their antics but soon had his attention stolen by an undignified squawk of a chicken.
Tuffnut ran through the village, chasing after Chicken with Ruffnut right behind.
Chicken attempted to fly up and roost on Jörmungandr's head, barely missing Silverwhip's playful tail swipe at Jör—a nickname the twins had chosen that had caught on—and continued to cluck madly.
Hiccup hurriedly snatched her off of Jör and held her close until Tuffnut could reclaim her.
"Thanks H."
Hiccup waved him off but asked. "How's things going with you? I'm sorry I've been too busy to do much with guys but-"
Ruffnut shrugged. "We get it. Your chief, married and have a kid on the way—I claim first dibs on babysitting though!"
"Aw man!" Tuffnut groaned, looking at her with betrayal. "I wanted that!"
She rolled her eyes. "We're twins, idiot."
"Right." He smiled sheepishly. "So, have any time soon for a little Loki'ing?"
He grinned. "I wish. At this point you might have to kidnap me from Astrid."
They shared blooming grins, eyes alight.
"No!" Hiccup quickly tried to fix his mistake. "No, kidnapping or doing anything that will make Astrid mad!"
They cackled and turned away, shouting over their shoulders with wicked gleams in their eyes. "See you soon, Hiccup!"
He turned to Silverwhip and Jör who'd stopped playing to watch the trio. "I am so dead. Give Toothless my goodbyes, will you?"
Silverwhip huffed, like he was the one being overdramatic, while Jör innocently tilted his head and chirped.
Loki held Hiccup to keep him from pacing a hole through the floor of the Great Hall, where Loki had taken him after he'd nearly passed out hearing Astrid's screams, and sat him down a little ways from the entrance. "Let's work on your shapeshifting. You almost have it."
Hiccup groaned and looked over at him pleadingly.
Loki raised an eyebrow pointedly and Hiccup hung his head.
"But I can't focus right now! What if-"
Loki placed a finger against his lips. "We are not having this discussion again. My mother is there with her. She could ask for no better midwife than the goddess of family and marriage herself. She will be fine without you worrying yourself into a fit. Now, concentrate and shift. Or else I will have Jörmungdr sit on you."
Hiccup glared at him, eventually breathing heavily and his shoulders fell in defeat before sitting down to concentrate. He felt Toothless purr near him and imagined his form, trying to conform his humanoid form to that of a certain black dragon. He felt something start to shift, encouraging him to focus harder.
Then the doors slammed open and the twins ran in, screaming incoherently.
Hiccup jolted, concentration broken. "What!? What is it? Has Astrid-?!"
They yelped and stumbled back, staring at Hiccup's face.
Toothless' head pulled back, eyes wide, before sniffing him to make sure he was okay.
Loki roared with laughter at Hiccup's confused and disgruntled expense.
Hiccup glared at them all. "What is wrong?"
Tuffnut pointed at his eyes, fighting to now contain a snicker. "You might want to look at a mirror."
Hiccup's nose wrinkled as Loki created one for him. He groaned at the image staring back—large, draconic irises with little to no sclera, tiny ear stubs poked out of his hair and black scales like freckles littered his cheeks and forehead. He buried his face in his hands.
Ruffnut spoke up, telling him why they were really there. "Oh, Astrid had the baby."
"Really!?" Hiccup was already out the door and running through the village.
Tuffnut watched him sprint away before turning to his sister and sworn god. "Who's gonna tell him?"
Loki waved off the suggestion. "It will make for an amusing story later."
The twins giggled at the idea.
Gobber was waiting outside the hut with Valka and the Riders. They barely caught a glance of Hiccup as he ran by but Gobber had a perfect view of his face when he paused to rip open the door. "Lycanwing!"
Snotlout stared warily at the closing door while Fishlegs looked down the road to see Loki, Toothless and the twins casually making their way up. Snotlout followed his gaze and shook his head. "I'm thinking it's less of that and more of a spell gone wrong…or he could actually be turning into a dragon. That would be typical of Hiccup."
Fishlegs shrugged. "Well Loki can, so it's not out of the question."
Gobber calmedsome. Curse the gods and making all the farfetched tales actually become a thing that is likely!
Hiccup quietly entered the room that he'd been kicked out of several hours prior. Astrid smiled tiredly at him while Frigga turned and handed him the small child.
"It's a girl," She said softly, not wanting to wake the little one who'd just stopped crying for the first time in her minutes long life.
Hiccup took her carefully, almost fearfully, and sat next to Astrid on the bed. "She's beautiful Astrid."
Astrid stroked her near bald head. "That Zephyr is."
He slowly laid Zephyr in her mother's arms and kissed Astrid. "You did amazing, M'lady, you should get some sleep—you look terrible."
She mockingly scoffed at him. "I'd like to see you shove a human out of your belly."
Hiccup chuckled and held the little girl's clenched hand. "I think I'll leave that to you."
Astrid flicked his odd ear stubs. "And by the way, you don't look much better."
Hiccup groaned, holding his new ears. "Stupid shapeshifting."
Frigga left the new parents to greet the gathered group, all waiting expectantly as the twins had said nothing, except to Hiccup. She held herself poised but tired as she said, "Astrid and their daughter are well."
She shot Loki a teasing look. "And you said he had a son."
Loki huffed, looking skyward. "So I mixed up the words a little."
Hiccup brought Zephyr out a little later to show his friends and Berk celebrated.
Chiefs came or sent customary gifts, Dagur teased him about being the longest running couple and taking so long to have a child. Hiccup was quick to shoot back that he and Mala were married for longer and had yet to have one.
Mala smirked at her husband and sidled up to him. "He is right."
Dagur grinned at her then Hiccup who was holding his hands up and quickly backing away. "I regret saying anything, I don't want to know!"
Hiccup jumped around Loki in giddy excitement, finally managing to complete an entire shift and now was prancing around the clearing.
Loki laughed at Hiccup's sheer delight. Such an old trick for him, but to see Hiccup accomplish it for the first time felt like it was he was the one who had shifted for the first time.
Toothless was just as energetically running around with Hiccup. After they chased each other around and Hiccup grew more used to his limbs, Toothless turned and barked for Hiccup to follow him. He ran through the forest until he came to a cliff and jumped off.
Hiccup stopped at the edge, looking down unsurely.
Loki chuckled and shifted into his green, draconic form and followed Toothless.
Hiccup shifted from paw to paw, testing out his new, large and webby appendages while still safely on solid ground.
Both Toothless and Loki warbled encouragingly at him and roared when he finally jumped, falling a few unsteady feet before flinging his wings open and catching the wonderful air.
A huge, toothless smile broke open his mouth as he flew towards them. He felt giddy as he flew, on his own, for the first time. The more he flew after his best friend and patron the more it became like second nature that had just been momentarily forgotten.
He didn't know where they flew too, barely acknowledging the fact that New Berk wasn't even a speck of dust on the horizon. They just flew with Toothless calmly leading the way.
Miles of ocean passed beneath them without a thought or a care until an odd plume of steam suddenly rose from the middle of the ocean. It was so bizarre that it snapped Hiccup out of his dazed thoughts instantly.
Toothless barked back at Hiccup and flew towards it. A strong updraft caught all their wings and threw them for a stomach churning loop that Toothless immediately plunged though. Loki spared Hiccup a moment's encouraging glance before following the familiar.
After getting his bearings again, Hiccup titled his snout down and tucked his wings in close. He fell into the hole in the sea, something that seemed utterly impossible, yet here it was. His stomach flipped as thoughts struck him, of his father's tales, of the stories Johann and other fisherman told—about the Hidden World. He knew without question that this was it, there was nothing else it could be.
He almost missed when to spread his wings and pull up again, so lost in those thoughts. Toothless chittered worriedly at him but he chuffed and shook his head, throwing away the thoughts for now so he could see what it was that Toothless was so eager to show him.
They glided down and skimmed the water as they entered a cave. He lost sight of Toothless and almost of Loki's green form as they flew further in, but just as it became too dark to see Loki's outline, the water began to glow and provide light.
He followed them in stunned silence, feeling Loki's awe and surprise through the bond. Toothless' amusement radiated through their bond along with a warble that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle.
Mist from small waterfalls blocked their view of what lay beyond, but Toothless flew fearlessly through it so Hiccup and Loki followed. What greeted them was a sight Hiccup never dared to even dream could exist on Midgard. Hundreds of pillars, hundreds of feet tall—stalagmites and stalactites and both that had grown so long that they met each other to form a solid mass from floor to roof…all glowed like a forest made up of pinpricks of light.
He unconsciously warbled at the wonder of it all.
Toothless turned his head back with a grin and cooed at him.
They passed through a swarm of Fireworms and under what looked suspiciously like gigantic mushrooms or some kind of fungus. More light, a brighter, whiter light, grew more intense and lit the world around them.
Hiccup gasped, a strong, deep huff from his larger respiratory system. They entered an impossibly enormous cavern. It was so large that dragons such as Timberjacks looked like gnats. They flew straight for the gigantic, pale amber crystal that all the dragons were flying towards.
When Toothless entered their throng, they turned and happily chirped, barked, and warbled at him. Several turned back and cooed curiously at Hiccup and Loki, many flying nearer to sniff them—something that made Hiccup immeasurably uncomfortable, mostly because he was unsure of his flying. If he crashed into one, twenty others were going down with them.
Toothless roared, catching his attention and scattering the dragons crowding him. He was quite thankful for this until they started pushing him closer to Toothless, wings almost touching.
Loki rumbled in laughter at Hiccup's confusion as they flew in some sort of instinctual dance. Halfway through, a Light Fury joined in on Toothless' other side.
Toothless led them up to another large crystal, directly below that of the one on the ceiling.
Hiccup stumbled as he landed and pressed into Toothless as several dragons flew close by them and descended to land somewhere below.
The Light Fury landed and pranced up to Toothless, nuzzling his snout and sniffing Hiccup. She snorted in confusion before looking away indifferently.
Hiccup felt Loki place a wing comfortingly on his back and turned to see him regally sitting behind him, chest out and head tall. It was an odd look on a dragon, especially a four-legged one—he almost looked human in that pose.
He grinned at Hiccup before turning to face the dragons who flew by him with amazed looks about them. Hiccup mentally slapped himself—god of snakes…okay.
Loki laughed again and nudged him forward a step, much to his confusion.
Toothless rumbled and also nudged him forwards after he and the Light Fury did a little dance together.
Hiccup instinctually made himself small, there were too many unknowns and frankly it was starting to scare him.
The Light Fury huffed and more forcefully shoved him until he sat before every dragon.
He sat frozen and staring out across thousands of dragons. An odd humming brushed against the back of his mind as all the dragons stared up at him. It was like all their consciousness was lightly touching his mind, curious and thrilled. It continued to unnerve him and his magics retreated into the Familiar bond where Toothless happily welcomed and held him, shoving the humming 'voices' away.
They stayed there for a while, letting Toothless get his fix of being alpha supreme and Hiccup hid under Loki's wing, desperate to get away from all the eyes and constant nudgings of hundreds of dragons…Not that Loki was of much help. He shielded Hiccup, but was entirely too mirthful to truly hide and help him.
They eventually left, but Hiccup never did get an explanation so he shoved it to the back of his mind as he told his friends and wife about the Hidden World and how it was not actually a myth, but real and breathtakingly beautiful.
Loki easily spotted his mother leaving the mages' ward with a gaggle of other sorceresses. Many of the women noticed his approach immediately and waved with polite and warm smiles. Unlike the men of Asgard, they favored Loki—ecstatic that a man was so interested in their craft
He nodded kindly to them and joined their walk with his mother. "If I may have a bit of your time, alone, sometime soon."
Frigga caught the glint in his eye that was only there when silently speaking of Hiccup and nodded. "Does dinner in my garden suit you?"
Loki glanced at the women then out the window that showed the Rainbow Bridge. "I'd prefer my own rooms."
She hummed. "Then meet me in mine."
Loki nodded. "Of course, I will see you then."
He quickly left, ignoring the whispers of the women. He paid them no mind. His greatest and most treasured secret was well kept from their mouths. He turned the corner and froze—as did the young woman standing there.
Her eyes widened in terror and for a moment neither moved. Then, as if a portal opened between them and out ran a Bilge Snipe, she turned and fled with nary a sound.
Loki watched her flee, barely restraining himself from attempting to strangle her again—though he would have succeeded this time. There was no Thor around to come to the damsel's rescue.
Seeing her put his whole mood off for the rest of the afternoon. A pity seeing as he'd been feeling rather jubilant until then.
He turned a corner and suppressed a sigh when Thor spotted him and beamed, jogging over. "There you are! Come, we are about to start a spar—it has been too long since we last tested our mettle against one another."
Loki sent him a look that Thor sloughed off.
The sparring wasn't terrible. It did provide him an outlet for his rage of seeing Amora—alive and unharmed—again. Strength that Thor was delighted to battle against and almost succumbed to. When it was over Thor slung an arm around Loki's shoulders with a bright smile but worry tinged it.
"You fought more viciously than normal, brother. What bothers you?"
Loki glared at Thor, he'd just blown off most of that anger—only for Thor to stoke it again! Eventually he walked away with nothing but a growling, "Amora."
Thor clenched Mjolnir, and glared at the Mages' Wing. After a moment he left in a huff, baffling his friends who'd enjoyed the show—delighted to see that, for once, Loki utterly refrained from using any magic.
Fandral pointed between the two brothers. "What happened? It was going so well!"
Sif shook her head, throwing her hands in the air. "It's Loki. Who knows."
Loki cleaned up before leaving for his mother's chambers. He paused and knocked on her door. Not a second later she opened it with a soft smile, partially easing the gloom that'd come over him from 'meeting' Amora.
Frigga ignored his dour mood and gestured to the empty seat across from her own. "What is it you wish to discuss?"
Loki sat but looked warily around the room. "Is there not a chance Heimdall might look in and see us?"
Frigga smiled coyly, bringing a goblet to her lips before answering. "Fear prevents Heimdall from looking into my chambers more than any of your enchantments ever could."
Loki raised an eyebrow, sensing a story.
Frigga laughed quietly but only said, "He will not look in here, not unless the Realms are ending."
Loki acquiesced reluctantly. "In that case…My last trip to Midgard procured.. an interesting experience…"
*O*
Astrid held toddler Zephyr on her hip and lightly bounced her as they walked through the village. Zephyr made grabby hands at a Berkian who passed with a shiny axe and Astrid laughed. "Oh, so you've already found the best weapon, hm?"
Zephyr giggled at her mother's silly voice and playfully hid her face in her mother's neck. Astrid glowed as she resumed walking.
"Look out below!"
She clutched Zephyr tightly and fell to her knees.
Several Berkians cried out in dismay or indignation as their chief crashed into the dragon feeders. Toothless landed beside it with a heavy huff and glared at the fish that an all-too-happy auburn idiot was popping out of.
"Ha! It worked! Did you see that bud? I flew! Flew."
Zephyr squealed and squirmed until Astrid set her down so she could run over to her father.
Hiccup was still grinning as he picked her up and swung her around, an odd black mass hanging from his back.
Astrid titled her head and asked warily. "Flew, how? I thought you could already fly?"
Hiccup turned to face her and the mass twitched. "I know I can, but what about you guys—or if I can't shapeshift quickly enough? It's always good to have a backup pair of wings."
Astrid sighed and shared a glance with Toothless who was glaring at the leathery mass on his human's back. "I thought that's what the Dragon Fly was for."
"It is," He defended. "But it can always be improved upon. Thus…Dragon Fly, uh, five?"
Astrid groaned and took Zephyr who whined unhappily as she was pulled from her father's arms. "Babe, isn't four enough?"
Hiccup shook his head enthusiastically. "Not when there's room for improvement."
Astrid's shoulders fell. "And what's there to improve?"
"Flight."
Toothless rolled his eyes and sat down, knowing Hiccup was going to go on a long explanation but refused to leave his side until he took that accursed contraption off his back.
Astrid breathed calmly. "Flight."
"Flight." Hiccup nodded as he started detangling himself from the contraption, hissing as a bit snagged his skin. "Ow, let go—okay." He held up the new Dragon Fly and Astrid almost dropped Zephyr in shock.
"Wings, real wings!? Hiccup!" She said in dismay.
Her tone was lost on him, though Toothless shared her feelings with a disgruntled eye roll. Hiccup messed around with the unloving leather then lifted up a flap and touched some of the runes etched there. "It's just the first prototype…I need to get better at healing and mind magic before I can really get these to do what I want them to, but…" He drifted off into mad mutterings.
Astrid sighed. "Babe, honest to Thor wings—are they necessary?"
He paused and looked at Toothless, confused. "Is riding dragons necessary?"
She put her free hand on her hip. "Totally different."
Hiccup frowned. "I beg to differ. This way you don't just have to glide then worry about eventually falling into the ocean if something happens to your scaly friend…you can be in the air and help them!"
Astrid looked up, too frustrated for words. Zephyr was not. She squirmed out of her mother's arms and ran up to Hiccup, lightly gripping a wing. "Fly, fly!"
Hiccup knelt down and grinned. "You will. After you find yourself a life-long dragon friend."
Zephyr's eyes lit up. "Like Toofless an' Storm-fly!"
Hiccup nodded and nuzzled her nose. "Exactly!"
Astrid shook her head and shared another look with Toothless. "At least you have that part right."
Hiccup leaned over and kissed her before turning to Toothless. "Speaking of—when are you and your lady? When are you two going to have hatchlings running around?"
Toothless snorted and glared at him.
Hiccup beamed. "Oh no! You pestered me way too much for me to pass up this opportunity."
Toothless bared his teeth but Hiccup playfully bared his back. Toothless snorted and walked away, pausing, then turning back around to snatch away the wings from Hiccup.
"Hey!" He ran after his retreating dragon, attempting to retrieve his new wings.
Zephyr giggled and pointed at Hiccup's shrinking form. "Daddy silly!"
Astrid grinned and shook her head at her husband. "That he is. A genius, but silly. Unfortunately your insane aunt Ruffnut and uncle Tuffnut lead him down that road."
Zephyr brightened. "The one where he met Gran-father Loki!"
Astrid bit her lip, eyes wide. "Yes…Though, don't call him grandpa when he comes around —I don't think he'd like being reminded of his age."
Zephyr grinned and giggled again, holding a finger to her lips and not so quietly saying "Sh!"
Astrid nodded and started walking away towards a farm that she'd been heading to before Hiccup's interruption, a minor dispute was occurring there.
Gobber ran past them and quickly did a one-eighty. "Lass! 'Ave ya see 'Iccup? Got some chief'in' business that he needs ta deal with, now."
She grimaced and pointed deeper into the village. "Good luck finding him, Toothless took off with his newest invention. What happened?"
Gobber groaned. "Massive fight at tha docks and several pulleys and broke—only addin' ta the fist fight of 'who done it'."
She looked up in thought and nodded. "He was flying in that direction when he crashed."
Gibber ran a hand down his face. "I better go find 'im."
She waved him off with the wishes of 'good luck'.
Hiccup entered Fishlegs' hut and looked around for his friend but could not find him in or around the hut He said to meet here, right? It was an odd place to meet and it's not like him to forget…
The door opened again and the portly Viking entered. He smiled nervously at Hiccup before putting around the hut, looking torn between his thoughts and speaking them.
Hiccup decided to break their silence. "So, whatcha need 'Legs?"
He jumped and faced Hiccup, fiddling with his hands. "I-I need help."
Hiccup's eyebrows rose. "With what?"
Fishlegs looked over Hiccup's shoulder then double checked the doors and windows before finally saying quietly, "I want to propose to Heather."
Hiccup's face lit up. "Fishlegs, that's amazing! What do you need help with?"
His shoulders fell. "I don't know what to do, or what gift to get for the betrothal or…anything!"
Hiccup couldn't help but grin. "'Legs, it's okay, neither did I. Astrid and I literally got brethrothed after a battle against Viggo—just, do whatever it is that would mean something to Heather."
Fishlegs groaned. "I just, I don't know—it makes me so nervous!"
Hiccup chuckled. "It tends to come with the territory—just wait until she goes into labor and you're about to become a father…that still gets me. A lot."
Fishlegs patted his back. "You're doing great."
Hiccup smiled at him. "And so will you. You're thoughtful, and Heather loves that about you."
Fishlegs groaned then started pacing with Hiccup watching him. He walked from end to end several times until he stopped, eyes bright. "I have it! I need to send her a Terror Mail and then—Hiccup, I'll need a few days away from Berk."
Hiccup held up his hands. "Whatever you need—just tell me how it goes."
Fishlegs squealed and hugged him tightly then ran out.
Hiccup shook his head but couldn't stop grinning.
Loki silently traveled Yggdrasil to New Berk, carefully keeping his magic hidden from Hiccup. It was well after dark on Midgard which suited him rather well. It was less work and magic to sneak into the twins' hut and wait for them to return.
He didn't have to wait for very long and it was easy to hear their approach via squabbling. They entered their hut and stared in surprise at the lit fire before seeing the person sitting next to it. They opened their mouths to yell in joy but Loki was quick to hit them with a silencing spell—allowing them to exclaim their joy without fear of rousing Hiccup.
He stood and shut the door before anyone could come by and waited for them to calm down. They stopped their eager speaking once they realized no sound was forthcoming and stared inquisitively at Loki.
He relaxed his crossed arms and dropped the spell. "Be silent. I do not want Hiccup knowing of my presence here yet."
Brother and sister shared confused stares before looking back at Loki, Tuffnut 'quietly' asked though really was a normal voice in a horse tone, "Why?"
Ruffnut rolled her eyes at him and Loki smirked at them. "There is something I have planned for him, but I do not want him to be aware of it yet. My mother is coming tomorrow to help…set up. I need you two to distract Hiccup until we are ready, about the time of sunset."
Their eyes lit up with mischief, Tuffnut rubbing his hands together while Ruffnut cackled. "We can do that!" She said, looking at her brother who grinned deviously. "It has been a while since we've had a good trickster trio day."
"M-hm!" Tuffnut agreed.
Loki laughed quietly. "I also need Toothless."
Tuffnut waved him off. "No problem. That dragon's always spoiling stuff!"
Ruffnut snorted. "Oh yeah. I could give you an itemized list."
Loki nodded, not feeling a bit sorry for Hiccup. "Good. I'm going to find Toothless so he doesn't try to stop you."
Tuffnut lit up. "Hey, Ruff, remember that island—the one full of caves and all those drawings!"
She gasped. "Yes! That's a good little ways from here—it's perfect!"
"Bring him to Dragon's Glade at sunset tomorrow."
They flashed him a double thumbs up each and ran out of the hut to prepare.
*O*
Hiccup quietly closed the door to his hut, not wanting to wake Zephyr or Astrid. The poor girl was going through a growth spurt and had been sick all night—which Astrid had been up taking care of. He'd tried to help, but Zephyr had clung to her mother and only her, so now it left both women in his life dead tired.
He'd just taken the last step when a bag was thrown over his head with twin pairs of snickers. He barely managed to restrain his magic from lashing out but wasn't so with his voice. "Ruff, Tuff! What on Thor's Midgard do you think you're doing!? Ow, hey, let go!"
Both clamped harder on his arms until one released him and shoved him against a thin, scaly neck.
Belch gurgled and he blindly groped until he could pat his horns before trying to remove the blindfold.
A hand pulled his back down and gently pushed him up on the dragon. "Come on, Hic, we wanna show you something!"
Hiccup resisted, attempting to remove the hood again, only for Ruffnut to restrain him and pull him onto Belch's neck. "Guys, come on—I have chiefing to do and Zephyr's not doing great. I had a long night and I really don't want to be Loki'ing today."
They gasped. "Don't want to Loki." Ruffnut breathed.
"He is very sick." Tuffnut confirmed. "Dr. Nut, what is your prognosis?"
Ruffnut huffed and secured Hiccup's flight suit to Belch's saddle. "A good day's worth of Loki's ought to fix it."
"Guys," Hiccup whined, feeling down his connecting cable to undo the latch. "I'm serious, I'm really not in the mood and neither will Astrid when she gets up."
Tuffnut mounted behind him and wrapped his arm around Hiccup's arms and chest. "And Gothi has a wonderful cure for that—we had to take it all the time."
He shivered as Ruffnut answered. "Yeah, tasted disgusting but worked wonders."
Hiccup groaned as he felt Barf and Belch take off…and he'd left all his Dragon Flies at home. Just great. "Guys…why?"
"Like we said," Ruffnut said chipperly. "We haven't had nearly enough time to be together in forever!"
He felt Tuffnut jerk as he nodded. "Ye-up! So we're taking matters into our own hands!"
Hiccup's shoulders slumped. "Can we at least take the blind fold off?"
"Nope!" They chorused together, Tuffnut adding, "We want it to be a surprise!"
Hiccup sagged but resigned himself to the day's fate and later, Astrid's wrath.
The island they took him to was quite nice. It was small but lush and the beach was the twins' favorite; white, soft sand that they pestered him into making frost designs in. They played in the surf while he explored the cave and the images they held, pictures made by Vikings of their early era. They took his breath away with the stories they told—and made him laugh at the depictions of the 'adventures of the gods'.
They met back up and had lunch that the twins so thoughtfully packed and spent the next several hours coming up with new ideas of how to Loki people and how to incorporate Hiccup's magic into those ideas. They had nearly fifty before the twins decided Hiccup had enough 'resting time' and decided to pack up and leave.
Hiccup attached the saddlebag to Barf and watched the twins carefully—something wasn't right. All day they'd been acting funny, especially if he mentioned Berk. He sighed when he realized they must have done something big—some Loki that would send the Berkians over the edge for the rest of the day—something that looked like it might include him…or they were just trying to get on his good side to lessen their punishment.
He shook his head tiredly, not wanting or ready to face Berk in whatever state the twins had left it in. He loved them, he dearly did—but why did they have to incriminate him alongside themselves? Especially when he'd had nothing to do with it!
Thankfully, for the trip back, they didn't blindfold him. They continued to discuss various pranks, Hiccup inputting his opinion on how to improve them. Soon enough, they were over New Berk but they oddly didn't land in the village.
"Hey guys, where are we going now?"
Ruffnut and Tuffnut shared identical grins but said nothing.
Hiccup sighed but something else quickly caught his attention—or the lack thereof. Dread began filling him as they flew over an empty village, not so much as a Terror was out.
The twins seemed to know where everyone was at because they flew straight for a mountain. As they crested it, the noise that had been missing in the village erupted around them.
Hiccup stared in awe as every dragon and Viking on the island congregated in the enormous clearing.
The twins dismounted quickly but Hiccup stayed firmly in the saddle, unnerved by every eye being on him. A cough brought him back when Loki approached, dressed as if he was attending the grandest event of his life.
Hiccup could help but stare in shock as he slipped off Belch, only tearing his eyes away when another moved in his peripheral. If he hadn't been to Valhalla and seen a Valkyrie, he would have thought one was coming to collect him. Frigga walked towards them with a bright smile, her clothes—usually already lavish—unearthly and glowing.
"I feel like I haven't washed in a week," He finally said quietly. "Uh…Why, what?"
Loki laughed and waved his hand, his magic encircled Hiccup—changing his daily clothes to that of the finest Asgardian wear, green fabric poking through the black leather and small silver pieces of armor.
Hiccup stood straight, looking back at his people who looked on expectantly and eagerly. "Thanks but, uhm, what's going on?"
Loki turned him by his shoulder and Toothless came alongside him. "It is your Naming Day."
Hiccup frowned, trying to puzzle out his meaning. "But—I already have a name…Too many really."
Loki chuckled while Frigga laughed, Loki saying, "Better get used to a few more."
They stopped once they were in front of Frigga and well in view of every person and dragon on Berk. Frigga clasped her hands in front of her and said softly, "Hiccup Haddock, Loki's Chosen, this is an important day—it is the day you receive your Name and title. A thing that not every Asgardian receives, only after great feats and shows of who they are, are they bestowed this honor."
Toothless cooed and nuzzled his arm before sitting a few feet away and watching intently.
Hiccup looked down as he processed her words but still didn't fully comprehend it to its fullest—that would come later.
Frigga waited until Hiccup was looking back into her eyes then held out her hands, Hiccup tentatively grabbed them after a silent prompting from Loki. She smiled at him before continuing. "Through conquest and peace, by my own eyes and through stories that have traveled the Realms, before and after you received your magic—your connection to dragons is undeniable; and while it has been questioned and refuted, you hold strong to them—and they, you.
"As the Queen of Asgard, I name you, Hiccup Haddock Lokison, god of Dragons."
Their hands glowing in a dazzling mix of green and gold magic. Hiccup's breath faltered as the magic rushed back over him and in its absence he felt and heard the dragons. It wasn't their normal voices that he'd grown accustomed to hearing, it was deeper and seemed to connect him to their souls.
He almost stumbled back a step as the new connection flooded him but Toothless was quick to be by his side along with Loki who held his arm and smiled proudly.
He felt the dragons becoming anxious so turned to see what it was that was bothering them. As soon as he turned and faced them, they roared and deafened Berk. His mouth fell open as did, several shooting balls of fire into the sky.
Loki stood behind him, hand on his shoulder. "You've done well, Hiccup."
Hiccup's cheeks flushed, casting his eyes to the ground.
A different, slender hand clasped his other shoulder and glanced back to see Frigga laughing lightly.
How has my life become, this!? Hiccup wondered in astonishment as Berk cheered alongside the dragons—Gobber very emphatically pointing at him and proudly saying that Hiccup had been and still was his apprentice in the forge.
Toothless cooed and licked Hiccup's face—spit disgusting enough to break Hiccup's shock and glare at his familiar. The anger wasn't really there, though, and what little was quickly dissipated as Berk dissolved into a grand feast to celebrate—after all, how often does one's chief receive a name amongst the gods?
Hiccup and Loki were deep within the throngs of the celebrating people, Hiccup lost within the cry and feelings of so many new voices of the dragons—they were oblivious to the pair of dark eyes watching them from within the forest.
Hehe, welp, until next time! Have a great day and leave your thoughts!