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Hiccstrid Parallels (2/?)

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“…but there comes a point when they need time to regroup…to forget about being soldiers, and just be people” -Astrid, Season 3, Episode 6

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Zimmermann “High Tide” resort 2023

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Naeem Khan | Resort 2023

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Thank you so much to @fawn-eyed-girl for choosing me and commission me to create this little lovely moment based on her story, that you can read here, called ‘ A father’s love’.

I hope it met your expectations<3<3

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Double Standards

That settled it: Astrid was stupid, sitting there with her knees pressed together, trying not to fidget on that stool. Her eyes darted from her split knuckles to the freckled hands trying to stymie the bleeding with a rag. Those green eyes were fixed on her injury with a calm sort of pity. That look might have been condescending coming from anyone else, but her shoulders slumped in shame because it was Hiccup. She felt like she was being silently scolded: a placid rebuke that only he was capable of.

She did not need his permission to brawl; it had been warranted, honestly. Snotlout more or less asked for a punch to the face every time he opened his mouth. Anyone, anywhere, could have knocked him out and no one would have asked questions. The assumption was always that he deserved it, because he so often did. Snotlout’s unconscious form was often met with a resounding, “Eh. What’d he do this time?”

No. Astrid certainly was not seeking permission to have fought the Jorgenson loudmouth.

But she wanted to hear it was alright—from Hiccup.

No one else’s backslap or high-five would do. She needed to hear him laugh, see him smile as she told the tale; anything that indicated he was not disappointed.

But he did not say anything.

He tended to her wound with those nimble fingers, lips pursed. His thoughts were pouring from him—wordless, but oddly loud–and beyond Astrid’s ability to decipher.

“You think I was being stupid,” she blurted out, cutting the intolerable silence.

Hiccup glanced up, surprised at her outburst; and Astrid silently cursed the gods for giving him eyes so disarming. She was always taken aback by them; as if she had never noticed, as if she did not already know.

He sighed, and it scalded Astrid just as much as if his answer had been a simple “yes.”

“No. I don’t think you’re stupid. Impulsive, maybe,” he said, setting the rag aside and reaching for the bandages: pristine strips of linen.

“Look who’s talking!”

Hiccup gave her a wry smile and began wrapping up her hand. He was meticulous, yet far gentler than anyone else would have been. The way he looped the bandages around her fingers, pulling it taut over her raw knuckles, was almost too tender. She had to remind herself she was presently miffed at him.

“Snotlout probably deserved it,” Hiccup conceded.

“He did,” Astrid huffed, trying to ignore the way he held her hand still in his with steady pressure.

A warmth began to creep up beneath her tunic, and she could not remember when she had first started to get the tingles at the most innocent of touches between them; nor at what point she cared about his opinion. Really cared—when the want of his approval had turned into a self-serving need for it.

“I just don’t think he’s worth this.” Hiccup nodded to her hand. “For every dumb thing that comes out of his mouth, he’s said another dozen things just like it. He’ll say another dozen more.”

“It was about you,” Astrid replied quietly.

Hiccup missed the final loop with the bandage and froze, the faintest hitch in his breath. He stared at her, brow knitted.

“Yeah,” she continued. “Something about you and me—something about your unfitness to be the next Chief, and to be…” She cleared her throat and glanced down, appreciating how nice it was to have his long fingers curled around hers.

In her head, she could still hear Snotlout’s snide comments about her “misguided” interest in Hiccup; and how pitiful he saw his cousin’s mutual interest in her. Even though she had denied they felt anything beyond friendship, Snotlout was relentless. He kept insinuating carnal acts had already transpired between them; he assumed she had been left unsatisfied. Snotlout had taken great care to lay out in all the lewdest ways Hiccup was sure to fall short of acceptable—in his opinion.

“I don’t remember what he said, exactly,” she lied. “Something vulgar, I’m sure. I already had him on the ground before he could finish.”

“Ah,” was Hiccup’s vague reply.

He continued to mend her hand with a thoughtful twist of his lips. The silence was heavy and suffocating; and Astrid might have screamed if it would not make her look unhinged.

She had hoped for a small sliver of gratitude for busting her hand open on Snotlout’s jaw. But perhaps that was the problem: a double standard that a boy could fight for her honor but she could not fight for his? Slander was tolerable but emasculation was not; and the injustice made her other hand ball into a fist.

She was about to snap at him, regretting her display of loyalty. Hiccup seemed oblivious to the tertiary effects and insinuation of public actions. She contemplated leaping to her feet, offering him a terse and hollow “thanks” before storming out of his house.

But Hiccup gazed up at her fondly with a slight nod of his head.

“I get it,” he said, “but next time, we’ll just send Toothless and spare your hand.” He turned to his dragon, curled up by the hearth. “Right, bud?”

The Night Fury warbled softly and Astrid shrugged. “Or I’ll send Stormfly. She’d like the practice. Moving targets are more fun. Snotlout can run fast when provoked.”

Hiccup laughed, sweet and genuine; and her frustration with him evaporated like summer rain.

She had not realized it at first, but when she glanced down again, his other hand was in her uninjured one. Her thumb rubbed over his knuckles, tracing the obvious freckles there. What was more surprising still, was that he did not seem to notice. His smile did not falter while his hand remained in hers, warm and relaxed, like they touched that way all the time…

Like his hand was meant to be there.

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Wow @glmfic it’s been a while but so happy for the updated chapter! I was inspired to draw some more Mai in her festival dresses. I really do want to eventually draw them all. Just out of curiosity do you have a favorite?

It’s a WIP because work is crazy right now, but I wanted you to know that people are still enjoying your content and are being inspired by it despite the long wait :)

Here’s the link for anyone who wants great ghost hunt content in 2022.

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Juke

So… one day a friend and I were watching Ella Enchanted and like 15 minutes in she just went “Yo, Ella Enchanted AU. Fucking do it.” And then we spent 3 days figuring out every facate of an Ella Enchanted AU but Jukebox and it’s kinda amazing and maybe one day I’ll write it.

She demanded I post this so here you go S. This one’s for you.

But anyways, here’s the way Mike and Julie would meet. Julie gets to be both cursed to obey and the Princess and we love her dramatic ass life. 

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Mike and Julie

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i know what he did to you

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Right here when you need me by Psychoon

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never enough juke in the world

never enough

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sorry for the long drought between posts; was super busy with work. heres a quick doodle.

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Because I need a break from work… 

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I love Mike and Julie :’D not so secretly shipping them right now.

I’m really, really excited to watch the next episode! Guys, I love this show. Love it.