Chapter Text
The crisp autumn wind swept gently across the village, nestled on a solitary island in the middle of nowhere. The breeze stirred the dark blue sea surrounding it, making the waves choppier and restless, like the villagers preparing for the upcoming winter.
The island's people were unmistakably Vikings with their robust physiques, rugged clothing, and bold decorations. Today, they busied themselves with winter preparations—chopping trees for firewood, shearing sheep, making clothes, and harvesting the season's last crops. Men and women hurried about, rounding up fish and boars, ensuring their animals were ready to provide staples for the long, harsh season ahead. Even in September, winter loomed close on this northern island, demanding early preparations.
Yet there was something peculiar about the way they worked. Everyone moved with purpose and subtle gentleness, as though mindful not to disturb someone. Their children were quieter than usual, avoiding any mischief that might break the fragile atmosphere.
It would seem strange to an outsider—why was there such effort to keep everything running smoothly, to cause no stress? But anyone listening closely to the soft voices drifting from the open window of the Chief’s home might begin to understand.
Hidden beneath a bush near that window was a five-year-old boy, Hiccup, clutching a handmade dragon toy tightly in his tiny hands. His tear-streaked face showed the depth of his distress, his little body hunched as if trying to make himself invisible. He could hear the muffled argument between his parents, something he'd become all too familiar with over the last few months.
"Val, please," came his father's deep, concerned voice of Stoick the Vast. "You need to calm down. Please don't stress yourself out. Gothi said to rest, put your feet up. The village is doing its part, so you don’t have to worry. Just relax, my love."
"Stoick," Valka's voice was softer but tinged with anxiety. "How can I relax when all I do is worry? What if it happens again? We’ve passed the dangerous point, but what if something goes wrong?"
"Valka, we can’t keep thinking about the what-ifs. Gothi said the best thing for you and the baby is rest. You’ve had the best care for months now. Fresh food, water, and love. Hiccup will be an excellent big brother when the baby comes. Our love is protecting this child."
"But what if—" Valka's voice cracked with fear. "What if something happens to our second child? Gothi said they’ll be born in just over a week. I'm terrified."
Hiccup’s grip on his toy tightened as he heard his mother’s distress. He couldn’t shake the awful feeling in his chest—the guilt gnawing at him like a tiny dragon chewing at his heart. His mommy was so scared, and he somehow felt it was his fault.
"Please," Stoick's voice was a mix of desperation and love, "try to sleep, Valka. Just rest."
"You know what I dream of when I sleep," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"Then dream of Hiccup being the wonderful big brother he’s going to be," Stoick soothed. "Let that be your dream tonight."
A long sigh. "I’ll try," Valka conceded. "I know this hasn't been easy for him either. I worry about him just as much as the new baby. Do you even know where he is right now?"
"I’ll find him," Stoick reassured her. "But please, just rest. I’ll bring him to you when you wake."
"Alright," Valka agreed, her voice softening with exhaustion. "But I want to see him smile when I wake up."
Hiccup heard his father’s footsteps approaching, but he didn’t come out of hiding. Not yet. He needed to think and process the heavy weight on his small shoulders. He couldn’t explain it, but he felt responsible for his mother’s fear, for the way everyone was so careful around her.
He hiccupped through fresh sobs, trying to make sense of the guilt swirling inside him. His mommy was so happy when she learned about the baby, and everyone celebrated. But as the months passed, everything changed. The village became quieter and more cautious, and his father ordered the villagers to take special care not to upset his mother.
By the seventh month, everything felt different. Valka refused to let Hiccup out of her sight, hovering over him as though he might disappear if she blinked. That’s when Snotlout and the twins started tormenting him more than ever.
It wasn't new—he was always smaller, weaker than the other kids. But with his mother’s strange behavior, their teasing became unbearable. Hiccup couldn’t understand why they were so cruel. To avoid the beatings and the endless mockery, he took to hiding—like today.
But his luck had run out. He heard them before he saw them—the trio’s taunting laughter as they hunted him down. He made a break for the backdoor, but he didn’t make it far. Snotlout and the twins caught him before he could reach the door, and it wasn’t long before their fists and insults started flying.
The twins held his skinny arms, twisting his wrist painfully, while Snotlout pummeled him. The blows hurt, but the words hurt more.
"Look at you!" Snotlout sneered, punching Hiccup in the gut. "You’ve got the weakest name for a Viking! How do you expect to be Chief one day, let alone a big brother? You’re so small and pathetic!"
Tuffnut laughed cruelly. "Crying like a baby again, Hiccup? Only babies cry! Your mom's going to have another little runt just like you. Weak, pathetic—just like you!"
"Yeah!" Ruffnut chimed in, her voice sing-song. "Hiccup's too weak, too small! He'll never be a Viking at all!"
Tears welled up in Hiccup’s eyes, but he fought to keep them back. He was used to being the runt, the odd one out. But the fear of letting his parents down—especially now—felt unbearable.
Letting out another mean laugh, Snotlout's words only got nastier. "Your dad's gonna have a bunch of losers for kids! And your mom? She’s a silly worry-warty, like her crybaby son who can’t fight!"
The twins joined hands, spinning around Hiccup like they were playing a twisted version of Ring-around-the-Rosie. Their laughter filled the air, and they fell to the ground, grinning at how upset Hiccup was. Snotlout noticed Hiccup’s tear-filled eyes and quickly snatched his little dragon toy.
"Hey! Give that back!" Hiccup's voice trembled as he jumped to get his toy. "My mommy made that for me!" But they just tossed it back and forth, playing keep-away, all while saying mean things about his family. Hiccup’s chest hurt so much that he wished he could just disappear.
Suddenly, an ax flew through the air, landing with a loud thunk between Hiccup and the bullies. They barely had time to react before a loud, angry voice yelled, and a blur of blond hair charged at them like a storm.
What followed was chaos. Astrid Hofferson, a tiny but fierce whirlwind, knocked the boys down quickly, her fists flying. Snotlout and the twins were left on the ground, groaning, covered in bruises. They scrambled and ran off, crying like scared little kids.
"Don’t you ever do that again!" Astrid shouted after them. "Or next time, I’ll hit harder!" She stomped her foot, her face all scrunched up in anger, before turning to pick up Hiccup’s toy. Her expression softened as she handed it back to him.
Hiccup stared at her in shock. Astrid Hofferson, the bravest girl on the island, had saved him? He couldn’t believe it. She was already famous for being tough and strong, even though she was only five, just like him. But why would she help him?
"Those guys are so mean!" Astrid huffed, crossing her arms. "It makes me so mad when people are treated like that. No one deserves it, especially not you! I know your mom's worried about the baby, and that’s gotta make you worried too. But that’s no reason to make fun of you for caring."
Hiccup looked down, still sniffling. "Maybe they’re right," he mumbled. "Maybe I am weak… and not important. Maybe my new brother or sister won’t be important either."
Astrid knelt down next to him, her voice softer. "That’s not true, Hiccup. Don’t listen to them. Snotlout and the twins don’t know anything. You’re a good person because you care about other people. That’s why you worry about your mom, and you’ll be a great big brother."
Hiccup peeked up at her through his bangs, surprised. "You really think so?" he whispered.
"Yeah!" Astrid grinned, her eyes sparkling. "With your big heart, you’ll be the best big brother ever. Don’t let anyone tell you different."
Hiccup wiped his tears with his sleeve, a small smile creeping onto his face. "Thanks, Astrid. For helping me… and for saying that."
Astrid stood up, grabbing her ax. "Anytime, Hiccup! I gotta go now, but I can’t wait to meet your new brother or sister! They’ll be fortunate to have you as their big brother." With a wave, she ran off, disappearing down the path.
A few moments later, Stoick appeared, walking toward Hiccup. He had been searching the village for his son and found him standing outside, his clothes dirty but smiling. Stoick raised an eyebrow. "What’s got you smiling, lad?"
Hiccup looked up and told his dad how Astrid had chased away the bullies. Stoick let out a chuckle, shaking his head. "Astrid, eh?" he said with a grin before scooping Hiccup up to take him inside. By the time Valka woke up, there was no sign Hiccup had been in a fight—just a clean, happy boy ready to greet her.
A few days later, when Valka rested again, Stoick took Hiccup on a memorable trip. Father and son walked together to a secret place: Lover’s Cove.
Lover’s Cove was a special spot, hidden deep in the woods. Hiccup had often heard the story about how his parents had found it. They’d gotten lost one night after forgetting their anniversary, arguing as they wandered through the dark forest. Then, by pure luck, they stumbled upon the Cove—a beautiful, secret place with a giant heart-shaped rock, a shiny waterfall, and the softest green grass. The flowers that grew there were so unique that his dad had even named one after his mom: Valka’s Lily.
When they got to the Cove, Hiccup’s face lit up. He loved playing on the beach, in the water, and near the strange, tall tree where his dad had carved a heart with his parents' names. They spent some time splashing in the waves and building sandcastles before sitting by a small fire, watching the waterfall.
"Dad, I love it here so much," Hiccup said, leaning against Stoick. "Do you think we’ll bring the new baby here too?"
"When they’re old enough and strong enough, we will," Stoick replied with a smile. "Just like we waited until you were big enough."
"It’ll be so much fun," Hiccup said, excitedly kicking his legs in the sand. "I’ll play with my little brother or sister while you and Mommy sit up here."
Stoick chuckled. "That’s the plan. We want to give you both—a brother and a sister."
Hiccup frowned for a moment, thinking hard. "But… how can I have a sister? You said no one in our family has ever had a daughter, not ever."
"There’s a first time for everything," Stoick said, his voice gentle but serious. Then, he turned to Hiccup, lifting him onto his knee. "I want to talk to you about something important."
Hiccup squirmed a little, feeling nervous. His dad looked at him like he was expecting him to be all grown up, making Hiccup feel funny inside. What was so important that they had to talk about it alone?
"Hiccup," Stoick said softly, "I know you’re still little. But soon, you’re going to have a big job to do. Being a big brother is a big responsibility. It’s important, and I need you to understand that."
Hiccup's eyes widened. "Does that mean I’m not a little boy anymore? Just because I’m going to be a big brother?"
Laughing softly, Stoick chose his words carefully, looking down at his son with pride. “Hiccup, you’re only five. So, of course, you’re still a child. But you’ve got a responsibility now, bigger than even becoming chief one day.”
Hiccup’s eyes widened. “Oh! What do I have to do?”
Stoick knelt beside him, resting a hand on Hiccup’s small shoulder. “As a big brother, you’ll need to be there for your siblings—both the one we’re about to meet and the one who hasn’t even come yet. You’ll have to show them what’s right and wrong, protect them, and be there when they need you. That’s your job now, Hiccup, as the eldest.”
Hiccup nodded, his face serious. “I’ll protect them with my life, Dad! I’ll be the best big brother in the whole world!”
Stoick smiled, seeing the determination in his little boy’s eyes. “I know you will, son. You’ll help your mom and me love them twice as much. You’ll help them understand what really matters in life, and one day, you’ll be their example of love, courage, and responsibility.”
Hiccup straightened up, feeling the weight of his father’s words. “I’ll do it. I promise. I’ll be brave and strong, like you.”
Stoick’s chest swelled with pride. “That’s my boy. This battle isn’t about fighting dragons or wielding weapons, but it’s just as important. We’ll keep our family strong. And when things get tough, we’ll stand together.”
Hiccup’s face softened, but his resolve remained. “Dad, I won’t let our family down. I’ll be the best big brother, I promise.”
“That’s the spirit.” Stoick ruffled Hiccup’s hair. They shared a quiet meal, then walked home under the stars, their bond growing even stronger.
On the night of September 18th, everything changed. It was twilight when Valka’s water broke, and the household erupted in chaos. Hiccup had been fast asleep when a bloodcurdling scream jolted him awake.
“MOMMY! ARE YOU OKAY?!” Hiccup screamed, bolting down the stairs as fast as his little legs could carry him. “MOMMY, WHAT’S HAPPENING?!”
Midwives and villagers filled their home, surrounding Valka as she cried out in pain. Hiccup’s heart pounded as he tried to push through the crowd, desperate to reach his mother.
But Gothi and the other women gently but firmly held him back. “Let me see her! Please!” Hiccup cried, tears streaming down his face. But they wouldn’t let him through.
Stoick scooped up his panicked son, holding him tightly. “Hiccup, listen to me,” he said calmly, carrying him back upstairs. “Your mother is having the baby right now. That’s why she’s in pain. The midwives are here to help her.”
Hiccup looked up at his dad, his face crumpling in worry. “But why is she screaming so much?”
“Childbirth is painful, son,” Stoick explained, sitting on Hiccup’s bed with him. “But it’s normal. She’s strong, and she’ll be okay.”
“But… she needs me, Dad!” Hiccup protested, squirming in his father’s arms. “I promised I’d help protect her and the baby!”
Stoick’s grip tightened as he looked into Hiccup’s tear-filled eyes. “Hiccup, I know you want to help. And I’m proud of you for that. But this… it’s something you’re too young to see. Trust me on this.”
Hiccup’s shoulders slumped. “So, I just stay in my room? While she screams like that?”
Stoick nodded, his voice gentle. “It’s hard, I know. But you don’t want to see what’s happening downstairs. It’s not something for little eyes. Your mother’s in good hands. Frigga and the goddesses will watch over her.”
After a long pause, Hiccup finally whispered, “Okay… I’ll stay here. I’ll be good.”
Stoick kissed the top of his son’s head. “That’s my boy. I’ll come get you as soon as the baby’s born. Try to get some sleep, alright?”
“Okay, Dad.”
Stoick returned to Valka’s side, where her contractions were growing stronger. She asked how Hiccup was doing, and Stoick reassured her that their son was more worried for her than anything else, but he was handling it well. Valka smiled weakly, focusing on her breathing as she prayed for a safe delivery.
Three long hours later, the baby was born. Valka was resting comfortably, her face glowing with relief. Wrapped in warm furs, their new child lay peacefully in her arms. Stoick came to fetch Hiccup.
“Mommy! Are you okay?! Is the baby okay?!” Hiccup cried, rushing to her bedside the moment he entered the room.
Valka smiled warmly at her son. “I’m fine, Hiccup. And your new little brother is perfect.”
Hiccup blinked, his heart soaring. “A brother? I’m a big brother now?”
Stoick laughed. “Yes, you are, lad. And a fine one, too.”
“Can I see him?”
Valka nodded, carefully turning the bundle toward Hiccup. “Of course. Come meet him.”
With his father’s help, Hiccup climbed onto the bed. His eyes widened as he stared at the tiny face peeking from the fur. “He looks just like me,” Hiccup whispered in awe.
Valka gently placed the baby in Hiccup’s arms. “Be careful to support his head,” she instructed softly.
Hiccup cradled his brother, his heart swelling with a love he had never felt. The baby stirred in his arms, their tiny hands brushing together. Hiccup smiled though his brow furrowed in confusion. “He’s kinda squishy,” he said, causing his parents to chuckle.
As the baby dozed off, Valka took him back, smiling at Hiccup. “He’s tired, and you should be too. We’ve got a big week ahead, preparing for his presentation ceremony.”
Hiccup yawned, rubbing his eyes. “Okay, Mommy… What’s his name?”
Valka looked down at her newborn with adoration. “His name is Boden Barricade Haddock. He’s sheltered by love, and you’ll protect him.”
Hiccup’s eyes drooped with exhaustion, but he whispered, “I’ll protect him, Mommy… I promise.”
The following day, all of Berk celebrated the birth of Boden. Though the presentation ceremony would wait a week, the village excitedly buzzed. Stoick busied himself preparing the Great Hall for the event while Hiccup dove headfirst into his new role.
Even before dawn, Hiccup was already up, doing chores, organizing baby supplies, and helping wherever possible. He even made a small breakfast for his parents—anything that didn’t involve lighting a fire. He was determined to show everyone just how seriously he took his promise.
By the end of the first week, Valka marveled at how quickly Hiccup was learning. He had already helped change diapers and bathe his little brother, ensuring the house was safe for a newborn. His dedication to his role as big brother amazed both parents.
One afternoon, Valka asked Hiccup to watch Boden while she took a much-needed nap. Exhausted from nights of feeding and caring for the baby, she trusted her eldest to handle it.
“I’m so tired, Hiccup,” she confessed. “If Boden wakes up while I’m asleep, can you look after him?”
Hiccup nodded eagerly, filled with a sense of responsibility. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ve got it covered. I promised to take care of him, and I will.”
Five years passed, and Berk had entered a warm and beautiful summer. The skies were vivid blue, the land lush and green, and the air was warmer than the usual chill that swept through the island. But it wasn’t just the weather that had the village feeling on edge—it was the anticipation of another birth in the Haddock family.
Valka was expecting her third child, and just like before, Stoick had ordered the island to keep the stress levels as low as possible. She was given the best food, water, and care, all to ease the anxiety that had never entirely left her since Hiccup’s difficult birth.
Now ten years old, Hiccup was more attuned to his mother’s fears than ever. Even though Boden’s birth had gone smoothly, he could tell that Valka still carried a deep sense of worry about this pregnancy. Sometimes, Hiccup caught her staring off into the distance, her hand resting protectively over her belly as if bracing for something terrible that no one would talk about.
Boden, now five, had also noticed the change in their mother, but like Hiccup, he couldn’t get anyone in the village to explain what was wrong. It was as though a silent agreement had been made to keep the truth from them.
Despite the unspoken tension, one thing united the entire family: hope. They all wanted the same thing—a baby girl. No daughters had been born into the Haddock bloodline for as long as anyone could remember. But this time, they prayed to Odin’s wife, Frigga, for a different outcome.
Valka dreamed of having a daughter she could dress up and bond with. Stoick wanted a girl to share those special father-daughter moments with and to give away one day. Hiccup and Boden wanted a sister—a unique bond neither had ever experienced.
As the days to the birth drew nearer, Hiccup and Boden often talked about what they hoped for. One afternoon, Boden, while helping Hiccup prepare the house, asked, "Do you think we’ll be able to handle it if it’s a boy and not a sister?"
Hiccup paused, looking up from where he was moving the crib. People always said he and Boden could almost be twins, with their matching auburn hair and green eyes, though Boden was growing his hair out to carve out his own identity. Hiccup could tell his little brother was trying to be his own person, even if they shared many similarities.
"Boden," Hiccup said thoughtfully, "we’ll have to accept whatever the baby is. We can pray all we want, but in the end, it’s not up to us."
"I know," Boden sighed, "but I really hope we get a sister. It will leave everyone heartbroken for sure. But, I can feel that even if I'm more, you know…."
"Don't talk about that here!" warned his brother, glancing around to make sure their father wasn't around, "I know that our 'gifts' are getting stronger each day. But only talk about them if you're sure we are alone. We don't need Dad walking in and finding out about them or our other secrets!"
Boden went scarlet, his eyes welling up as if he were about to cry. Hiccup hugged him tightly, murmuring, "It's alright, Boden. I’m not angry. We just have to be careful, okay?"
Sniffling, Boden looked up at his older brother and asked, "Okay, but do you think if we’re, as Mom says, 'Blessed,' do you think our new sibling—whether it’s a boy or girl—will be too?"
Hiccup smiled softly. "I’ve no doubt they’ll have their own gifts. They’ll find their special friend, just like us. It’s meant to be for all of us, Boden." His tone became more serious as he added, "But we can’t talk about that when Dad might walk in. He’s got enough to worry about already."
Boden nodded, pulling himself together. Then he asked, with a little spark of hope, "Do you think Dad will take us both to Lover's Cove? Like when he took you before I was born?"
Hiccup chuckled. "I’m sure of it. He’ll probably give you the same talk he gave me and then remind me that my job is about to double now that there will be two of you." He grinned. "It’ll probably happen tomorrow. A week before the baby arrives, just like before."
Boden crossed his fingers. "Let’s just hope we get a sister. I still don’t think we’d survive another brother!"
Hiccup laughed, then stood up, glancing toward the kitchen. "We need to get dinner ready. Mom’s resting, and we’ve got to prepare the house."
"But Hiccup, neither of us can cook better than Mom! I’m only good for making berry juice."
"True, but we’ve still got to try to help. You finish the laundry, and I’ll give dinner a shot. Let’s just hope I don’t burn the house down."
Boden grinned. "Okay, I’ll try not to shrink our clothes. We’re already scrawny enough!" He added with a mischievous smirk.
Sure enough, Stoick took both his sons to Lover’s Cove the next day, just as he had with Hiccup years before. He gave Boden the same speech and reminded Hiccup that his responsibilities as an older brother would soon double. Both boys reassured their father that they understood perfectly, and Stoick reassured Boden that being the middle child didn’t make him any less important.
Then came the question Stoick knew was coming.
"Do you think you’ll be alright, Dad, if the baby’s a boy?" Boden asked. "We’re all really hoping for a sister."
Stoick was silent for a long moment. Finally, he spoke with an honest smile. "Of course, I’d love the baby, no matter what. But," he admitted, "I won’t lie, I still wish for a daughter. If it’s not meant to be, that’s the will of the Gods, and I’ll accept it."
Days later, in the predawn hours, Valka’s labor began. Unlike Boden, born in twilight, it started before the sun rose. Hiccup and Boden were asked to stay upstairs, playing quietly in Hiccup's room. They tried their best to ignore the sounds of their mother's cries of pain, knowing there was no such thing as an epidural on Berk.
After what felt like forever but was just a few hours, they finally heard the newborn cry they’d been waiting for. Both boys dashed down the stairs, tripping over themselves to reach their parents’ side.
"Mom! Are you okay? What is it?!" they both cried, scrambling over to their mother’s bedside.
Valka was smiling through her exhaustion, looking more radiant than they had ever seen her. "Come and meet your new sister," she whispered, turning the fur bundle toward them.
"A sister?!" Hiccup and Boden echoed in unison, their voices full of disbelief and joy. "We have a sister! Thank the gods!"
They eagerly climbed onto the bed to see her. Valka carefully pulled back the fur, revealing their new baby sister, the most beautiful girl they’d ever seen, apart from their mother. She had delicate features, just like Valka, but one thing made the brothers pause in wonder—her hair wasn’t auburn or red like their father’s. It was golden blonde, like the sun itself.
For a brief moment, they were stumped. But then it clicked. They’d heard stories of traits appearing from distant relatives in the family tree, skipping generations. With so many people on Berk having blonde hair, it wasn’t too surprising. What mattered most was that she was healthy—and she was their sister.
They named her Una Sjofn Haddock. Una means "one," and Sjofn is after the goddess of love. Together, her name means "Daughter and Gift of Love."
That first night with Una, no one wanted to sleep. Valka had difficulty getting the boys to bed, and even Stoick couldn’t resist waking the baby to hold her again, much to Valka’s annoyance. Stoick eventually sang a lullaby, and Una finally drifted off, but the family’s hearts were too full of love and happiness to rest.
Una’s presentation ceremony was an even bigger deal than Hiccup’s or Boden’s had been. Though her brothers quickly proved capable of caring for her and bonded with her instantly, their parents seemed more anxious than ever, selectively inviting only a few trusted guests.
After the ceremony, Stoick and Valka found something sweet once the guests had left. When they returned home, all three children were cuddled in Hiccup’s bed. Hiccup wrapped his arms protectively around his siblings, with Boden and Una smiling contentedly beside him.
At that moment, Stoick and Valka knew that their family was complete. Hiccup was the best big brother in all the Nine Realms.