Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

In the coming days, Hiccup had a lot of growing pains. Everything was different, and each day, he met a dozen people. It was names, routines, locations, manners, all sorts of things he had to remember. 

All the while, the day ticked closer when Drago would attack. 

It was bathing day. After meetings, training, more meetings, and a meal or two, Hiccup and Astrid separated to their own springs to clean up (Hiccup no doubt having to get help from his father or Fishlegs) before returning to Hiccup’s room at night. 

Well, their room, but Astrid hadn’t felt right about taking ownership of it. 

She’d slept in her own bed last night, helping Hiccup practice further independence. He’d initially protested, but she stayed firm. Luckily, it appeared he slept soundly, with any nightmares being mild. 

Now, they sat on the bed together, taking up a sort of new routine. Hiccup helped her brush her hair, and in return, she combed his and put a braid in it. It was a sort of gentle, innocent intimacy that was a comfort without fear of reprimand. 

Of course, once both of them were combed, Toothless was next. 

Astrid picked at a burr in his tail. “You were awfully quiet today. It looked like you were coming out of your shell before! Did something happen?” 

Indeed, Hiccup had been making leaps and strides in his courage around all these strangers. He’d held his head high when presented to the village, and he’d bravely greeted every single person that’d introduced themselves to him. 

Of course, on occasion, he had moments where he was overwhelmed and asked Astrid for a quiet place. They’d inevitably end up in the library, and sit for an hour or so in silence.

Hiccup had taken up journaling, as they suggested, and during these moments of quiet reflection, he’d jot down his thoughts. That’d eventually calm him down enough to get back out and keep going. 

Toothless was sprawled across his lap, purring away, and Hiccup responded, “it’s been five days.” 

“Since we left?” 

“Yeah. I don’t know when Drago was supposed to return. Maybe this morning, maybe he’s there now, but I’m certain that he knows I betrayed him by now.” 

“And he’s probably kicking himself over all the times he treated you so badly. Maybe he’s realizing if he’d been nicer, this wouldn’t have happened.” 

Hiccup shook his head. “Knowing him, I think he’s upset he allowed me any freedom at all.” 

“I wouldn’t call that tower ‘freedom’.” 

“I wasn’t chained.” 

“Was that an option?” 

“Yeah, he chained me up a few times, after I got a little too excited during flights.” 

Astrid exhaled slowly and pulled him to her side in a hug. “I’m so glad you’re out of there.”

“Is it bad I still miss it? Miss him? I realize he’s bad, and he treated me poorly, but…” 

“It’s all you ever knew. I hope you come to view Berk as your home and that you stop missing that life, but your good memories, whatever they are, will always be there.” 

He leaned his head on her shoulder. “I’m having better memories with you.” 

“Agreed. This adventure has been unforgettable.” 

—-

In the dim light of the morning, battle horns sounded. 

Astrid was up like a shot, the horn piercing into her dreams. She rushed to Hiccup’s bed and shook him. “Hiccup, Hiccup! Wake up!”

“Hmm?” He said, groggily. 

“You need to get up and get dressed.” 

“Wha’s goin’ on?” 

“We’re under attack. One guess as to who.” 

He blinked rapidly and looked around. “But…the anniversary isn’t until tomorrow.” 

“Yeah, but since you’re out of the equation, he had to find a new way to surprise us. Now get up and get dressed.” 

He did as instructed, and said precious little in the meantime. As he put his boots on, he confessed, “I’m not ready.” 

“What are you missing?” 

“No, I mean, I’m not ready to face him.” 

Astrid nodded in understanding, because she always wanted to seem like she did. But how anyone could feel anything but hate and contempt for Drago was impossible. 

Somehow, Hiccup did. She wondered if he hated anyone. His heart was so big and open, he’d find the good in anyone that came across him. 

“You don’t have to face him,” she said. “He’ll probably be going for your parents, both of whom are excellent fighters. We’re going for Drago’s soldiers.” 

Hiccup nodded, and methodically rattled off battle stats as he tightened his belt. “We have to watch out for Viggo and his Skrill, and Krogan and his Singetail. Ryker, Viggo’s brother, is in charge of the fleet of ships. They have arrows, bolas, and chains made to take down and capture dragons.” 

“And we’re going to take those out.” 

Hiccup shook his head, not in disagreement, but disbelief. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” 

“Its the right thing to do.” 

“I know.” He sighed. Then he stood on his tip toes and kissed her jaw, like he was gaining courage from the act. “Let’s go.” 

“We can take the shortcut.” She threw open the balcony doors. 

“Mreow?” Said Toothless, also ready for battle. 

Hiccup scratched him between the ears. “You stay here, bud. No battles until that leg heals.” 

Toothless obediently sat on the rug, his tail flicking back and forth like he was promising to guard the room.

“Good boy.” Then Hiccup transformed and crouched so Astrid could mount him, then they were off through the window. 

The battle had begun. The horns had sounded the moment the enemy had been spotted on the horizon, but dragons were fast, and the alpha knew when his territory was invaded. 

Two giant, white dragons collided in the bay, their huge tusks smacking together like thunder. A flurry of dragons swarmed overhead, some with riders, some with armor, and some trying to understand what was going on. 

It was already chaos. 

“Morning!” Gobber called, from the back of his Hot Burple, Grump. 

“Yeah, morning,” Astrid returned. “Where’s the Jarl?”

“Him and Valka are on the Great Porch, with Cloudjumper and Skullcrusher. The alpha’s already rallied the dragons to make a defensive perimeter. No one’s gettin’ to them!” 

Hiccup snorted. 

“If you say so. See you out there.” 

Gobber saluted, and then gave a battle cry as he headed into the fray. 

Hiccup navigated the chaotic sky with impressive grace, and swooped around to land at the academy where the other riders were waiting. 

“Finally!” Snotlout shouted, armor messily donned over sleep-clothes. “Did you take the time to do your hair!?” 

“Shut up,” Astrid dismounted Hiccup and went for Stormfly. “We gotta get out there. We’re taking out ships. Remember, the chains are dragon proof, so you have to hit the winches instead.” 

“You only told us a hundred times!” 

“Let’s move!” 

Dawn began to break, the morning light only further revealing the vast fleet of ships. Drago sure came prepared. 

It was dizzying to see the force that was descending on Berk. Drago hadn’t spent the last 16 years dawdling. There were hundreds of ships, and each one was filled with warriors. They outnumbered Berk easily, though getting to the village would be no simple task with the 300 foot cliffs separating it from the water. 

Of course, there were the docks, and that’s where a lot of the ships would try to go. So if they could take out the ships in front, that’d block the way for the others. 

Astrid followed Hiccup out to the battlegrounds, the other riders trailing behind. Arrows streaked through the air, the enemy attacking whatever they could hit. 

It was a test of every bit of training Astrid had gone through. She had an axe in one hand, and a shield in the other. She used both to deflect artillery that flew towards her. 

Hiccup warbled something at her, before tucking his wings and dive bombing at a smaller ship. As he gained speed, she heard that telltale whistle, and then the ship erupted in blue flames. It was the biggest blast she’d seen from him, even through all the training the last week. 

“There he is!” A man on a Skrill yelled. “He did defect!” 

“Traitor!” Someone else shouted. 

That had to be Viggo. And he was steering his Skrill down towards Hiccup.

Not on her watch! 

Astrid directed Stormfly over and above Viggo, before launching from the saddle and plummeting after. She reached him in a few feet, and drilled both heels into his shoulderblades. It knocked him out of his saddle, and he screamed as he fell like a stone. 

Astrid stood on the back of the Skrill, but only for a moment, as it angrily started to charge up. She whistled for Stormfly, and leapt. 

The lightning bolts made Stormfly hesitate, and Astrid fell out of range. 

But a second later, she was caught, Hiccup held her in his forepaw, cradling her to his chest. In the other paw, dangling by the claws, was Viggo. 

Astrid gave him a questioning look. 

He just glared at her. “Are you the one that stole our secret weapon?!” 

“That’s my friend you’re talking about!” 

Viggo’s eyes widened in surprise, before Hiccup dropped him in the water, far away from the other ships. Then Hiccup quickly climbed back into the air. 

Astrid expertly crawled over him like a spider until she sat on his back and was a little less vulnerable. They met up with Stormfly and Astrid leapt back. 

“All this aerial work is making me dizzy! Remind me to eat breakfast next time we have to save the village!” 

He smiled at her with his gums, before doing a somersault and diving again. 

The other riders weaved in and out of the battle, blending in with the other native Berkian dragons. But Hiccup stood out in the morning light. The Skrill was the only other dark dragon, and it was perfectly content to bring lightning into the mix. 

In fact, now that it didn’t have a rider, it was free to do so. A real double edged sword. 

The alphas continued to fight, turning pinker and pinker as the battle dragged on. The two were equally matched, and traded blow for blow. 

“Hiccup! We need to help the alpha!” Astrid screamed. 

It seemed he was thinking the same thing, as he swooped in like a dart and sent another concussive blast in the face of Drago’s alpha. It staggered a moment, shaking its head to clear the daze, but Hiccup looped around and struck him again. 

The blast was so intense, it broke one of the tusks off. 

“Yes! Yes!” Astrid cheered. 

Hiccup retreated, pleased to just give Berk’s alpha an edge in the fight. It was the alpha’s privilege to defend his nest.

Hiccup flew back towards Astrid, and she flew to meet him. 

He never saw the chain from below. 

“Hiccup!” 

A snare on a chain grabbed his back left leg. It was shaped like an arrow with prongs, and as it connected, the prongs turned into hooks that snapped up and dug into his flesh. 

Hiccup roared in pain.    

“Hiccup!” She screamed again, coming closer.   

He yelled at Stormfly, and her dragon backed off. 

Hiccup twisted around and blasted the chain, the snare, anything he could, but it was all made of that dragonproof metal. 

Another snare shot up at them and tore into the membrane of his wing. He faltered in the air, starting to fall. 

“Hang on! I’ll get you!” 

Hiccup roared in protest, and at the same time, a volley of poisoned arrows flew at them. Astrid used her shield to block one headed for Stormfly’s flank, but she could see the men below already reloading. 

Hiccup screamed again, and Stormfly squawked back before she began to fly away. 

“What are you doing!?” Astrid yelled at her dragon. “We can’t leave him!” 

But Stormfly was undeterred, she kept flying back towards Berk, leaving Hiccup behind. 

Astrid turned and watched as her dearest friend floundered in the air, futilely flapping as a dozen men turned the winches on the ship. The ship that took him down was armed to the teeth, and even the winches looked to be made of the dragonproof metal. The ship was designed to retrieve him. She’d be killed if she even tried. 

And he knew that, and that’s why he sent Stormfly away. 

“Hiccup…” she sobbed.

But her sorrow quickly turned to rage, and then resolve. If she could end Drago, then there’d be no one to hurt Hiccup. No one to stuff him back in that tower! She could save him that way! 

“Stormfly, to the Great Porch!” 

This time, her dragon obeyed and ascended upwards towards the castle. 

Men fought on dragon back, men fought on land, and men fought on the porch. Valka and Stoick fought back to back, overwhelmed with Drago and his soldiers. 

She leapt from her saddle and told Stormfly, “give me cover from the air!” Then she ran in, axe at the ready, and cut anyone down that got in her way while Stormfly struck others with her spines. 

“Astrid!” Stoick cheered as she took out a man pressing against his hammer. Then his face soured. “Where’s Hiccup?”

Her nose wrinkled in anger and she flicked her gaze out to sea.

“You!” Drago hollered with venom. “You’re the harlot that kidnapped my son! I should have known it was no imaginary friend!” 

She sneered at him. “Kidnapped? When he was kidnapped in the first place!?” 

He spun his spear in his hand. “I prefer ‘prepared for his destiny’.” 

“You’re an evil, sick man.” 

“How’d you convince him to leave? Seduce him?” 

“No, I was literally just kind to him. Because you’ve never shown an ounce of kindness, he was starving for it!” 

“Kindness? My son betrayed me over kindness?!” 

A familiar whistle echoed over the porch, and Astrid looked up in awe as a black dragon streaked towards them. 

“Hiccup?!” 

How’d he get away!?

He sent a warning shot at Drago’s feet and made him back away from his parents and Astrid. Then he swooped around and landed between them with an angry huff. 

Drago glared at him. “There you are! How dare you! How dare you! I’ve been planning this for sixteen years, and you had to throw one of your tantrums and ruin it! You’ve disappointed me again, creature!” 

“Hiccup,” Astrid touched his side, offering comfort. 

Hiccup regained human form, but heavily listed to one side. Stoick was quick to catch him. Astrid glanced him over for wounds, and saw—

That was how he got free. 

His left leg, from a few inches below the knee down, was gone. The area below the knee that was left was a bloody, smoldering mess. 

“Good,” Hiccup spat with so much rage and hatred, it rattled her soul. “If I’ve disappointed you, it means I did something right.” 

The whole bay echoed with agonized roar, and everyone witnessed Drago’s alpha fall backwards, defeated. It weakly got enough footing to get up and flee, leaving Drago and his armada behind. 

“No!” Drago screamed, veins in his neck bulging. He whirled to glare at Hiccup. “Are you happy?! Are you pleased?! Everything we’ve worked for! You ruined all of it! How could you betray me like this? After all I did for you?!” 

Hiccup hissed, momentarily cringing at the pain in his leg. “As you can see, I’d rather gnaw off my own leg then risk being trapped in that tower again. You did me a disservice. You never liked me. You never loved me. I was nothing but a weapon to you!” 

“Oh Hiccup, of course I love you!” The emphasis on it almost sounded sarcastic. “Remember how I taught you how to read and write? How I taught you how to forge? All those weapons you made, and you were so proud to show them to me?” 

Hiccup whimpered. 

“You are my son. I raised you. I sacrificed everything for you…and now you’ve taken it all away from me.” 

“You didn’t deserve any of it,” Hiccup whispered. 

Drago almost smiled at that. Just a quirk of the lips. “Perhaps I didn’t. Perhaps I tempted fate too much.” He opened his arms, a placating gesture. “I know when I am beaten. Just…just do your father a favor, will you?” 

Hiccup just glared at him. 

“I want you to kill me.” 

Hiccup took a shuddering gasp. “N-No!” 

“Oh come now. All this destruction and mayhem, all this waste…if you’re going to be a traitor, you have to give it your all! Isn’t that what I taught you?” 

Hiccup trembled in Stoick’s grasp. “I…I-I don’t want to kill you.” 

“And why is that?” Now Drago actually smiled. He knew the answer. 

But Hiccup didn’t say it. He shut his eyes tight as tears ran down his face. It was a tragic scenario, but the pain he was in had to be unimaginable. 

“You’ll rot in our dungeon,” Stoick declared. “The worst conditions possible, for all the things you’ve done. But you’ll live, and you’ll suffer.” 

“Maybe,” Drago smirked. 

Then with a speed she wasn’t expecting, Drago lunged at Astrid, spear out. 

She had precious seconds to block with her axe. 

It didn’t matter though. Hiccup acted on instinct. Without even transforming back into a dragon, he loosed a fatal fireball and struck Drago down.    

The porch went still, with only smoke billowing out of Hiccup’s mouth. He croaked, “dad?” 

With just one leg, he hopped closer. “Dad?” 

But Drago was still, cold, and very dead. 

“Dad!” Hiccup shouted, collapsing beside him. “I didn’t–why did he do that?! I didn’t want to do that!” He sobbed. 

Astrid came and knelt at his side, resting a comforting hand on his arm. 

Stoick crouched at his other side, caressing his hair. “Oh Hiccup. My sweet, tender-hearted boy.”

“Why?” Hiccup sobbed. “Why does he hate me so much?” 

Stoick wrapped an arm around him and hugged him, kissing his head. “I think the simple answer is because you’re my son. But…the deeper answer is that he couldn’t control you. He stole you as an infant, hoping to mold you into his form, but your goodness, your kindness, your compassion, that’s bone deep. It’s not something he could control. So he hated it.” 

He sniffed and wiped his face, though the tears kept rolling.

“But I like it,” Stoick added. “I want a son with all those qualities.” He took a handkerchief from his jacket and blotted Hiccup’s face. “And I’m not saying you can’t grieve for him. The love you have for him…it’s real. As much as I hate to admit it. I’m jealous.” 

Hiccup leaned into Stoick’s hold. “I don’t want to love him. You’re my dad. But…I still didn’t want to kill him.” 

“Then why did you?” Valka asked, gently, curious and not accusatory. It was a valid question. Drago didn’t seem like the kind of person to impress ‘killing people is bad’ on his son. He probably encouraged it. 

“Because I love Astrid more.” 

Astrid’s heart swelled, and she leaned towards him. 

Hiccup moved slightly, his bad leg inching on the floor. That triggered something, and he cried out in pain. 

“Astrid, would you take him to the Great Hall? Gothi’s set up a med bay there. We’ll clean this up.” 

“Yes sir!” She crouched and scooped Hiccup up into her arms. 

Hiccup tried to reach up and hug her back, but he flinched heavily and just curled up in her hold. 

She felt a slick wetness on his back, no doubt the wound that’d torn his wing. He’d burned the wound on his leg to staunch the bleeding, but he was still in dire straits. 

“I got you, babe.” 

“I panicked,” he said, weakly. “There was probably a better way I could have gotten free, but…but the boat was getting closer, and I just—” 

“You did what you felt you needed to do. There’s no undoing it. No point in dwelling on it.” 

“Are you disappointed in me?” 

She scoffed. “Are you kidding?! That was so badass! I couldn’t gnaw off my own leg to get out of a trap! And how you confronted Drago? That’s a bravery I’ve never seen before!” 

“I don’t feel very brave.” 

“Yeah, I’d imagine you don’t feel much besides agony right now.” 

“I think I might pass out. Or throw up. Or both.” 

“Understandable.” 

His body seized and he turned to be sick on the floor of the throne room. 

Oops. 

He shivered and moaned, curling up against her stomach. “Stupid animal instincts…” 

At this point, they were back outside, and she hurried down the steps towards the Great Hall. 

“Is it true?!” Fishlegs called, “Drago’s dead?!” 

“Yes!” 

She saw the moment Fishlegs saw Hiccup’s leg, as his face fell and grew pale. “Oh…” but he steered Meatlug away and flew off. 

Astrid climbed the last set of steps and pushed the heavy door open with her foot. 

Several beds were lined up through the room, and Gothi and the other healers were actively preparing for the injured to arrive. 

She was guided to the front and directed to lay Hiccup down. 

“He has a wound on his back too,” she fretted. 

Gothi nodded, but got to work addressing his leg. 

“What can I do?” 

Gothi pointed up at Hiccup’s face, then pointed to her shoulder. 

“You…need me to hold him down?” 

A grave nod. 

Astrid removed her kransen and brought it to his lips. “Here, you might want to bite down on this.” 

He took it without thought, and bared his teeth as his tears continued to roll. 

It was a grim hour or so. Astrid witnessed gore and pain the likes she’d never seen. Hiccup was in and out of consciousness, and she was thankful for it. 

When it was done, and his stump and back were stitched and bandaged, she carefully picked him up again, leaving the bed for the next wounded warrior. He laid limp in her arms, exhausted and utterly spent. 

She carried him home, back to his room, to peace and quiet and comfort. She laid him down and made sure he was comfortable. She washed the blood and sweat from his skin, and dressed him in clean, loose clothes. 

Toothless also got to work, snuggling right up to Hiccup’s side and purring. 

All there was left to do was wait. She combed his hair and fixed his loose braid. 

A knock at the door drew her attention. She was also so drained, she couldn’t even tell how long she’d been sitting there. “Come in.” 

It was Valka. “Gothi said you left. I assumed you brought him here. How is he?” 

“As well as he can be, I suppose,” she shrugged. “Unconcious, and has been for a while.” 

Valka approached and rested a hand on her back. “You took excellent care of my boy. Today, and earlier. The least I can do is sit with him for a while.” 

“It’s no trouble. It’s my job.” 

“I know it is, dear. But I’m a worried mother, and I know you have one of your own that needs you to reassure.” 

She supposed that was a good reason. Reluctantly, she stood and gave up her spot. Before she left, she kissed Hiccup on the forehead. “I’ll be back later, okay?” 

Bidding Valka a fond farewell, she departed. Once away from Hiccup, the exhaustion that’d been on the brink spilled over and she staggered. It wasn’t even afternoon yet, and she was ready to call it a day. 

But as she stood at the stairs, she felt lost. She was so used to helping Hiccup this past week, now that she was on her own again, she didn’t know what to do. 

From her vantage point, she could look out over the bay. There were several enemy ships still there, but they were partially sunk or leaning listlessly to the side. Berk’s alpha sat partially submerged, resting and basking in the glory of his hard won victory. 

The sky and perches were filled with dragons, and even though the battle was over, they seemed agitated. Some still bore the chains of slavery, and they grouped up, lost and confused. 

Astrid could sympathize. She waved at a Snafflefang and beckoned it to follow her. 

It hesitated, no doubt scared of humans. Still, it followed as she headed down the stairs and toward the forge. 

Gobber wasn’t around, and a pile of broken weapons awaited outside. She was here for something else instead, and went in. 

The Snafflefang fluttered and squawked nervously, and became outwardly hostile as she returned with a hammer and chisel. 

“Hey hey, it’s okay,” she soothed. 

It settled slightly, and allowed her to approach. She carefully and respectfully grew close and used the tools to break the pins holding the chains and shackles on. They all fell to the ground with a heavy rattle, and the dragon preened and shook its neck. 

“There we go. All better!” 

The dragon squawked and nuzzled her, before flying away to freedom.

Two more dragons arrived then, both chained, having seen her work. 

“Well, looks like I got some more customers,” she smirked. Dutifully, she got to work.

That’s how she stayed distracted for the afternoon. People would come by and drop off weapons, and give her a wave. Meanwhile, folks came and went from the Great Hall, leaving bandaged. 

She hadn’t heard the death toll, but hoped it was low. They’d worked so hard to prepare for the attack, she’d hoped it’d been enough. 

“Astrid!” Her mother called over the square. 

Astrid immediately cringed, knowing that tone. 

But Phlegma came sprinting at her and caught her up in a tight, crushing hug. Astrid was probably the only person in town that could handle such a hug. “Thank the gods! I was so worried! Where have you been?!”

Astrid pried her mother’s arms off of her and answered calmly. “Hiccup was injured in the attack. I took him to be treated, and now I’m trying to keep busy while he rests.” 

“Injured? How badly? Is he okay?”

Astrid breathed and picked up her tools again. “As okay as he can be. He…he lost his leg. From the knee down.” 

“Oh gods…” 

“Beyond that, he dealt the killing blow to Drago. That was…tough. For him. Mentally. Spiritually.” She smiled, ever so slightly. “You should have seen him though. He’s a force of nature as a dragon. He’s brave and fierce. I’m so proud of him.” 

“I saw the blast that took the alpha’s tusk off. That was him too, right?” 

“Yeah.” 

“He’s really something special.” 

“Yeah. He amazes me.” 

Phlegma smiled softly, a little tilt to her head. “You know…I’m proud of you too.” 

Astrid raised a brow. “Really? You didn’t act like it.” 

“I know, and I’m sorry.” She gently reached up and fixed her hair. “You’ve grown into a wonderful young woman, and I want nothing but the best for you.” 

“Here we go…” Astrid muttered. 

“Hiccup has brought a happiness and drive to you I haven’t seen in a long time. I shouldn’t have judged him just based on what you said. I shouldn’t have assumed that just because he’s broken, that means he isn’t great. It sounds quite the opposite.” 

Astrid couldn’t help but smile a little. 

“I’ll support whatever you end up doing. Whether you pursue a relationship with him, or just stay as his guard. You’ve more than earned the right to make your own decisions for your life without my influence.” 

Astrid’s shoulders felt light, and the emotional exhaustion from the battle eased, even with a few words. “Thanks mom, that means a lot.” 

“Now, why don’t I take over for you? I’m sure you want to go check on him.” 

“I do. I really do.” She blushed. 

“Well, then go on! Oh, and when he’s up for it, we’d like to have that dinner Stoick suggested in his letter.” 

“I’ll let them know. Thanks again, mom!” 

Astrid tried to tell herself not to rush back to Hiccup’s room. It was likely he was still asleep. There was no reason to go back so soon. Still, she walked with quick, determined steps. 

It wouldn’t hurt to just peak in. Make sure he was still resting and Valka was okay too. 

She knocked softly on the door and entered. 

Stoick was there now as well, and Hiccup was awake and sitting up in bed. His face lit up when he saw her. “Astrid!” He threw the covers off and attempted to get up. 

“Whoa now!” Stoick chuckled, grabbing his shoulder and pushing him back. “Where are you going with one leg?” 

“I can hop!” 

“No need,” Astrid arrived with quick strides. She knelt on the bed, wrapped her arms under his, and lifted him into a sweet, searing kiss. She didn’t even care that Stoick and Valka were watching. She just gathered him close and kissed him with thin restraint. Her lips worked over his, moving instinctually, guided by her heart. 

Hiccup squeaked before wrapping his arms around her neck and returning the kiss just as eagerly. She felt him smiling. 

When they parted, she pressed her forehead to his, and bore her gaze into his lovely green eyes. “I’m glad you’re awake.” 

His face was flushed, and turned even more red as his parents giggled. “N-no kidding,” he breathed. “What kind of kiss was that? It was…intense.” 

“That, was True Loves Kiss.” 

His eyes went wide and he tightened his grip on her. “Really?!” 

She nodded. “I love you. No doubt about it.” 

He hugged her, resting his head on her shoulder. “I love you too. There’s so many things I’m still confused about, but this isn’t one of them. Would you be my Happily Ever After?” 

“Only if you’re mine,” she pressed a kiss to his cheek. 

“Now now,” said Stoick with a good-natured grin. “We can discuss these things when Hiccup’s settled in more.” 

“Oh come now, Stoick. Give him something to look forward to while his leg is healing.” 

Astrid lowered her betrothed back down onto his bed, careful because of his wounds. “Your dad has a point. You should get settled in here, and we are still a little young.” 

Hiccup pouted. “We can still kiss though, right?” 

“Didn’t stop us before,” she pecked his lips. 

He grinned then, and held her hand. 

“I must say, son,” Stoick pried, “you’re taking this injury remarkably well.” 

Hiccup shrugged, playing at nonchalance, but Astrid could see there was a certain degree of dread that still clung to the topic. “Drago was missing his left arm. He got along fine…what’s a leg compared to that?” 

Astrid squeezed his hand. 

“Besides, I’m already getting used to everything else! It’s just one more thing…” 

“We’ll be with you through all of it. And this time, there’s no preparation for war getting in the way.” 

He blew out a breath, his lips flapping like a horse. “Right, more work. Can it wait until tomorrow at least?” 

“It’ll wait until you’re ready. And at least until your wounds heal.” 

He sighed in relief this time, and smiled softly. 

The balcony doors were still open from the morning. The breeze was gentle and serene, offering a freshness to flush out the stink of healing salve. 

A large white spike slowly entered the room, startling everyone as it took up the doorway. 

“Goodness!” Valka shouted. 

“The alpha?” Stoick stood, and went to it, touching the tusk with reverence. “Is everything okay?” 

A low droning hum filled the room, the only indication of what was wrong. 

“Help me stand?” Hiccup asked Astrid. 

She nodded, and helped him sit on the edge of the bed. Then she used the hem of his pants to keep him steady as he pushed up. He hopped over and held onto the tusk, using it as a guide to get out to the balcony. 

The alpha withdrew, and watched as Hiccup approached the railing. He was too exhausted to fully transform, so just grew his jaw fins to communicate. 

The two had a quiet conversation, one a lot less tense than the first time. 

At the end of it, the alpha blew a wisp of ice into Hiccup’s hair, freezing it. 

Hiccup’s knee buckled, and he collapsed, staying upright just by the railing and Astrid grabbing his arm. “I gotcha!” 

“Thanks.” 

“Are you okay? What did he say?” 

Hiccup closed his eyes and sighed slowly. He let out a long breath, like he’d been holding it for years. “I’m great. I….I’m finally home. I have a home. I have a family. And now I have a flock.”

She pulled him off the floor and into a hug. “He accepted you! Oh that’s great, Hiccup!” 

He hugged her tightly, digging his fingers into her back. “It’s wonderful…who needs a stupid leg anyways?”