Work Text:
“I love you Astrid.”
He waited for a response. Tension accumulating in his muscles, prohibiting much needed relaxation. It was distinctly dark in their bedroom, but he didn’t need light to feel the friction in the air. Minds and ideas rubbed the wrong way, met the smell of old smoke from the burning of midnight candles, huffed out in anger.
Her back remained turned, an icey mood lingering painfully between the pair, stiff and a considerable distance apart.
And as Hiccup listened, his heart fell. The silence bitterly pierced his guts, and for the first time since he was a teenager he felt uneasy about where he stood with Astrid. Which seemed silly.
They had just endured their first substantial fight in their otherwise blissful marriage, something that was notably uncommon for the young couple. They’ve had misunderstandings, yes. Little irritants here and there, of course. But nothing quite as significant as this.
He had honestly hoped she was just sleeping. Simply unable to hear what he just said, and not something she chose to blatantly ignore. It hurt him to not hear the words back, but maybe extending the olive branch too soon felt more like forcibly jabbing the olive branch into the thigh right now.
He didn’t blame her honestly. He knew how hard it was for Astrid to look past her pride. It was definitely something she got better at with time, but when dignity was threatened, she often received it personally.
But he’d possibly pushed her too far this time.
Her breathing had slowed down now that the initial brunt of the quarrel had subsided. And he could feel his own heart beating subsequently; the silence deafening. Maybe she was expecting more than an ‘I love you…’
What if he had made the situation worse by saying that? Even though he really meant it?
‘Maybe she wants a kiss?’ Hiccup debated thoughtfully.
‘A back rub? A treat? A second wave of an apology?’
Hiccup wracked his brain with possible peace offerings… too scared to really fulfill any of them in spite of angering his already steamed-up wife.
‘It was never this hard with toothless…’ He couldn’t help but think… despite the drastic differences in relations. Calming down a riled up dragon was definitely more straightforward than pacifying your irate wife… Give ‘em a fish or two, a hand on the snout, and that usually did the trick. But testing that theory on Astrid would probably mean certain death.
They had always been able to talk it out and voice their concerns, but for some reason tonight was handled differently. It got heated, and very passionate, with Astrid beginning to raise her voice, and Hiccup scoffing exasperatedly in disagreement.
Originally he was aggravated too, but had since calmed down. Now, he just felt bad and didn’t really know how to apologize.
Hiccup remained faithful to the notion of reconciliation, and contemplated touching her… like, pulling her into a hug… or rubbing her back. But he concluded he would ultimately prefer to keep the remaining limbs he had intact, had she not fully cooled off yet.
Instead, he gave a soft sigh and rolled away from her, ultimately defeated, their backs facing one another, miles apart. It felt odd to not have her in his arms tonight. And he’d forgotten how cold it was under the fur covers without the warmth of her body up against his, but he figured it was just best to give her some space.
He limited his motion, as to not provoke her further. But relished thoughtfully in her movement, as it meant she was still here with him.
Gods, he was definitely overthinking this. She was probably way over it and just sleeping, while he tossed and turned ceaselessly…
Eventually, the night caught up to him, and he did end up drifting to sleep, exhausted by his earlier obligations as the chief, and their recent altercation. After gradually realizing the most prominent pieces of advice that was given before their wedding, was to not go to sleep mad.
…
When the greeting sun had peeked through the windows, disturbing Hiccup’s sleep, he buried his freckled face deeper into his pillow, not wanting the morning responsibilities to rip him away from his bed.
He had a long day ahead, and he inwardly groaned. Feeling an over abundance of dread for the coming hours.
‘Meeting at sunrise…
some building approvals… preparations and planning for the upcoming Thawfest Festival…’
He mentally ran through the extensive list of responsibilities expected of him for the day. Each one making him curl up smaller in bed. ‘Oversee construction, mediate conflicts, officiate a wedding…’
Lastly, throw in some kisses for the new babies of Berk and then you could call it a day! He grumbled.
It would be much harder to attend to the needs of Berk without Astrid’s support, assuming she was still mad at him of course. But even if she had assisted him for the day, many would be able to sense the tension between the two. And the last thing he wanted was numerous out of place comments from his friends and other vikings about their marriage. That was just embarrassing.
Rolling over, he yearned to catch a glimpse of morning Astrid. She was so beautiful when her platinum hair was tangled, and her pretty face was squashed into her pillow.
However he had to do a double take when her frame was missing from the picturesque scene. Her place in the bed was cold and empty, showing no signs of recent use.
Hiccup quickly sat up in bed, scanning the room for his wife. Normally, her absence in the morning wasn’t cause for concern, as she often arose way before him, but after their argument last night, he hoped she wasn’t doing something stupid.
“Astrid?” He questioned in a worried mutter. Voice still groggy and recovering from sleep.
Granted, after last night he fully anticipated silence… but was determined to find her. So he haphazardly attached his prosthetic onto his left leg, and hurriedly stumbled to the closed door, wearing only his old, green shirt and a pair of plain, brown pants, fully expecting to find her somewhere in the woods launching her beloved ax at some innocent trees.
The last thing he expected however was the heavy spruce door flying wide open, hitting him perfectly in the nose… Brutally sending him toppling backwards onto the wooden floor with a thud.
“Oh my Gods! Hiccup!” Astrid exclaimed horrified, hurriedly abandoning a full tray of food down on the bedside table, and wasting no time to rush to his aid.
Hiccup groaned in pain, holding his hand to his face. It wouldn’t be the first time Astrid inflicted miseries upon his nose.
“Are you okay?!” She asked in pure concern, imprudently examining his bloodied nose. It didn’t appear broken, but there was a noticeable gnash across the bridge, and it would most definitely bruise. She urgently looked for a cloth to press to the injury, but instead just intrusively lifted his green nightshirt to staunch the crimson flow of blood.
“Thanks, Astrid.” He managed to say a bit sarcastically, a pounding headache arriving subsequent to the force of the door hitting his face.
“I hope I didn’t break your nose…!” Astrid whimpered regretfully, meeting her eyes with his.
“Ah, It’ll probably be fine.” Hiccup assured, not really favoring her pity towards him. He shook out his wrist that took the brunt of the fall, before resting it back on the ground.
Astrid shook her head apologetically. “I am so sorry, I didn't mean to kick the door open so forcibly.” She instinctively brushed his auburn bangs away from his forehead.
“Really, it’s okay Astrid, I commend you for your strength.” He laughed a bit, taking over the shirt pressed to his nose as she readjusted on the floor.
“Hmmph,” She hummed ashamedly, no hint of amusement in her voice, despite the intention of appearing so.
“I still love you.” He teased, not fully realizing what he had said.
Noticing that she went silent, his small smile faded, and he searched her floor-facing features. “Hey?”
“Hiccup, about last night…” she winced as she recalled the memory. “I am just…”
She seemed to be fighting something internally, so Hiccup kindly placed his free hand on her forearm in support.
“So, so sorry.” Her head dropped lower. And Hiccup furrowed his brow in sudden sympathy.
“You don’t deserve to be treated the way I treated you last night.” She continued, excusing herself momentarily to retrieve a damped cloth, and a woolen bandage when the bleeding proved to be slowed.
“Astrid, seriously, you’re forgiven. We’re going to have days like that, where we don’t see eye to eye.” Hiccup started, as soon as she returned with the items, and a pained expression still plagued her features.
“Luckily they’re few and far between.” He grinned weakly, allowing her to gently wash away any last trace of blood, and place the bandage with a small pat.
She gave a weak smile.
They shared a few moments of silence between them, internalizing each other's presence and thoughts. Before Hiccup broke that silence.
“What’s that you’ve got over there?” Hiccup purposely pointed out, gesturing to the wooden tray of food abandoned on the nightstand. His grin began to grow to keep up with her’s.
“Breakfast.” She said somewhat bashfully, a small hue of red glazing her cheeks as she shook her head. “I wanted to make it up to you. In some wifely sorta way…” She looked away almost embarrassed, traits she was trying to exemplify as a traditional wife, was something she was still working on as a warrior.
Hiccup was touched by the gesture, but couldn’t help but smirk. “Cooking huh?” Her brows lifted in hilarity almost instantaneously, knowing exactly where the conversation was headed.
“Since when did you cook?” He joked lightheartedly, knowing this was something he could comment on without her being offended.
“Since I married you.” She play-smacked his arm, amused by his faux smugness.
“Hmm I seem to recall you taking a whack at it way before that.” Hiccup stroked his chin, remembering her beloved yaknog recipe.
“Oh, whatever.” Astrid smiled as she took his face into her hands and pulled him into a much anticipated kiss.
Hiccup careened unwittingly, his intended words caught in his throat. It took him a second to close his eyes, and tilt his head, but in time, drew his hand to the crevice of her back forthwith, and lured her in closer, savoring every second her lips were on his.
Although it had only been less than a day, he’d missed this, and he would prove that was the case when he deepened the kiss sweetly, his fingers wandering from her neck, and entangling with her thick, blonde hair.
Not being able to help but smile when she only pushed back rhythmically, and purposefully.
Gods he loved this woman.
She sniffed bemusingly when he charmingly bit at her bottom lip, as he played perfectly into their revelry, knowing just how to satisfy her. She wallowed deeply in his touch, as Hiccup fervently abraded her lips, and caught a taste of sweetness from when she had obviously licked the spoon from her morning cooking.
“I love you Astrid Haddock.” He managed to breathe out, moving his lips sensually down her neck. It sent shivers down her spine and warmed her cheeks simultaneously.
“I love you too Hiccup Haddock.” She finally replied. Meeting his breathtaking green eyes that were dancing excitedly, she couldn’t help but swoon at the sight.
Astrid felt that familiar feeling bubble inside her again, and she grew increasingly warm. Imbibing his mouth for another kiss, and allowing the feelings to rise, she gripped him by the shirt and leaned towards his ear.
“Let’s get you changed.” She whispered suggestively, pulling Hiccup’s blood stained tunic over his head, and tossing it out of the way. Hiccup lifted a brow, entertaining the idea, knowing full well he had to be in a meeting in less than an hour.
He tasted her tongue regardless, sweet and electrifying and all he wanted was to please her. But he knew Berk’s needs came before his wants, and subsequently stifled his desires.
“It can wait.” He murmured softly and sweetly, in her ear, knowing it was honestly for the best at the moment, no matter how disappointing… but he didn’t think it was advisable to say so.
“Tonight.” He concluded with a wink.
It was all he had to say for Astrid to understand. She gave an earnest smile before kissing him once more, and helped pull him to his feet.
“I’m just glad you’re here.” Astrid remarked, having him wrap his bare arms around her frame. Tracing the faint scars from battles long ago, a history book on his skin, made her smile in remembrance of their past lives.
“You have me,” Hiccup squeezed. “Always.”
Astrid swayed with him. “I know.”
He released her, before unexpectedly leaning sideways toward the tray resting on the table, to dip his finger in the fluffy cream coating the blueberries.
“Pretty darn good.” He admitted as he tasted the confectionery.
“Surprisingly…” He added as a joke.
She indiscreetly threw a fresh shirt in his face as a response.
Together the loving pair walked hand in hand about the Great Hall. Unified in their guidance for the people of Berk, and comfortable in the judgment of each other.
Hiccup knew for certain, she was his other half. And Astrid knew that he was hers. And no quarrel could take them away from the presence of one another. Among the long hours of the rest of the day, Hiccup reminded her with cheek kisses, and the grasp of her hand that he was there. And that he would always be there. With Astrid returning the favor by lightning his load, and showing him that life was worth living through her smiles and gestures.
No matter how bad the nights could get, Hiccup knew in the mornings, they would always arise stronger.