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Astrid walks through Berk's night breeze, made chillier by the giant ice glaciers invading their island. It has been a long day.
It had been agreed repairs would start tomorrow to remove the ice formed by the bewilderbeast during the battle.
For now, villagers work on placing those whose houses were ruined. Stray dragons roam the area and Astrid passes by a few of them. She’s on her way to the Haddock household.
Hiccup–reluctantly– turned in early after being convinced by his mother and Astrid. The day had been the longest for him. Astrid will never forget the way he cried over the body of his dead father.
She carries the tray of soup Valka had given her but she had no appetite, she knows Hiccup probably won't either but he has to eat.
Astrid stares up at the house as it approaches. Stoick would never walk out of that house again. He would never come down this hill and greet her.
Tell her proud he was of her, something Astrid didn't hear from her own parents very often.
Stoick was almost like a father to her. They got along well, he’d become her and Hiccup's biggest shipper.
Thinking about how he called her his future daughter-in-law makes her chest contract. Another thought comes to her mind that makes sour bile rise in her throat.
He will never get to see her become his daughter in law. He’ll never see them get married. He’ll never get to see their children.
Astrid shakes her head as if she can erase the thoughts. She can't think like this when she needs to be there for Hiccup. Taking a deep breath, she walks up the hill and stops at the door.
She can hear the silence on the other side. Opening the door only makes it louder. It's dark. She can't see anything but she knows this house like the back of her hand.
Blindly, she sets the tray of food on the dinner table and skillfully makes her way around the labyrinth of furniture. It's freezing in here she soon realizes
Something about the silence makes her urge to find Hiccup stronger and she makes her way up the stairs, not even knocking on the door to his room. It's dark as well and almost colder.
“Toothless?” Astrid whispers, not sure if the dragon is in the room. His scales match the unlit setting.
She hears a shuffle and a low croon. “A little light please?”
He obliges, lighting a nearby candle, Astrid squints her sensitive eyes at the change of lighting and surveys the room for her boyfriend. Bingo.
He sits on the bed with his back to her. His elbows resting on his knees.
His head in his hands and his fingers knotted in his disheveled hair. He makes no sign of acknowledgment as Astrid slowly makes her way to the foot of the bed.
She carefully sits down next to him, the only sound is the bed creaking lightly under the added weight and Toothless crooning sadly.
He doesn't move for a long time. She opens her mouth but before any words come out, Hiccup turns abruptly, snaking his arms around her waist and putting his head on her breast.
His shoulders shake with silent sobs. Astrid bounces back from her surprise and immediately reciprocates his hug.
“I know.” She says quietly. She strokes his back. “Let it out. I'm here..” And he does. A broken sob leaves his body and it rips at Astrids heart.
All she wants to do is make it better but the wound will take time. And Astrid’s willing to spend the rest of her life holding him as he cries.