#Valka is horrible at her job

[ladyinthebluebox]

as much as I love the fact that we were given this crossover I still can't fucking fathom how stupid the whole setup for it is.

after all, there is no way another woman can possibly wear her hair in a sidebraid... it must be Randvi, who else could braid her hair like this if not her & even though she barely leaves the longhouse at all, she sure could travel unnoticed to some far off island to wreck havoc on the people's dreams there.

ffs. really? that was the best the writers could've come up with?!

[empressgeekt]

HTTYD/Trolls - Crossover - Branch is Adopted by Gobber au

Okay, so people liked my Branch Winchester Au, so here's another one I've been stewing on for a while.

The au starts with a five year old branch running away from another horrible foster home in the newly settled pop village. he just wants to get away, be somewhere ....or more accurately the sea of HTTYD. Little Branch (now human) is left bobbing in the stormy sea, for who knows how long, eventually washing up on the shore of Berk.

At the next Dawn, young Gobber and Stoick would be walking the stony shore, just having a moment of peace between the noises of chiefing and working in the forge, and the never ending dragon raids. Stoick would be griping to Gobber about his and Valka's fertility issues, he's not mad at Valka, he's just worried that he won't get an heir before he's at the gate of Valhalla. Then they find a tiny body washed up on the rocks. The child is clearly not from berk, his hair like coal, and skin the color of tree bark. And somehow alive.

Strange appearance or not both Stoick and Gobber rush to Gothi with the child in hand. They get some odd stares from the village, but other then that they know to wait for an announcement on the discovery. Gothi sees the child right away, and after a few hours allows Stoick and Gobber (and Valka having joined them while waiting) into her healing hut to see the child. His wounds wrapped and bundled up near her fireplace. She scribbles into the dirt that she read the child, and that he was sent by a higher power to be raised as a berkian, after his own tribe and house wronged him greatly. Valka is immediately pissed off (stoick's in love), after all the child couldn't be more then five, what tribe and family could've possible done away with a child so young. Not to mention the fact that she and stoick had been struggling to conceive, only made the whole situation worse. Seeing his wife's distress Stoick immediately begins planning to take the boy in, but Gothi stops him, saying that while the boy was sent to be raised by them, he wasn't to be Stoick's child. When asked who the child belongs too, Gothi points to Gobber.

Gobber freaks out and says he can't handle a kid. He never got married for two reasons, and he only tells people one of them, and that was because of how much drama and worry a family can have. But still he's no match for the combine wrath of Gothi and Valka, and reluctantly, takes the child back to his hut to recover. Stoick stops by that night, with some mild mead, and let's Gobber vent. He does not understand why the gods would send him a kid, Gobber hadn't had a family since he's parents died when he was a teenager, and they never had any children other then him, so Gobber was the last of his house and he was fine with that. He had his job, he had his friends, he was fine. Stoick tries to be comforting, saying the gods must have a reason, and maybe he'd like the kid. That maybe the kid was always meant to be his, but since Gobber never married they had to get creative to get his son to him. Gobber is not comforted.

Branch wakes up three days later and he is terrified. The man he's staying with has a hook for a hand, peg for a leg, and the longest mustache that he'd ever seen. He spends the day hidden underneath his covers, wanting nothing more then to wake up in the warm forests of his home.

Gobber is at a loss of what to do with the obvious terrified child in his hut. What was Gothi thinking, he couldn't handle this. Eventually he resorts to luring Branch out with food, and manages to get the kid to talk over a bowl of stew, cause while Gobber is a great smith he is also a fantastic cook. The child's name is Branch which, given the color of his skin and the green tunic he was where Gobber finds very ironic.

It's awkward those first few weeks, Gobber is basically trying to figure out how to take care of a kid. Feeding, and making sure he's getting to Gothi on time for healing checks are things he can handing. Branch overall is a much calmer wee one then most of the children in berk, definitely a thinker (not that Gobber minds they need more thinkers on berk), but it still feels like there's a wall between them.

Branch is very confused, about everything. Gobber is nice, he doesn't make Branch feel like something is wrong with him. Gothi is weird, and she's weird about wanting to see his tongue, but she's gentle. His new Aunt Valka is very nice, but her husband is big and scary (much to stoick's dismay). It takes a little while but eventually, he gets comfortable enough to ask questions, and heals enough to leave the hut. The first day that Gobber takes him to the forge, Branch is immediately fascinated by metal work, much to Gobber's joy. The wall between them began to crack, as Branch paid close attention to everything Gobber said regarding to smithing. Eventually, Branch asks why they makes so many weapons. All Gobber said is to protect themselves. From what? Well Branch got his answer after an early winter hit berk.

One Night Branch would awaken to screams and the smell of smoke. Gobber is ready to run out to the forge to do his job during the raid, only this time he has a child to think about. He has no choice but to drag the child with him through the chaos and snuff him in the forge while the smith got to work. Branch is constantly asking what's happening, and all he gets in answer is two words "Dragon raid". At some point in the night, Gobber asks Branch to grab something for him, and needed to do something other then quietly stew in panic, Branch quickly becomes Gobber's fetch boy, and was put in charge of keeping the coals warm. The raid last until sunrise, and by the end of it, he just clings to Gobber's too exhausted to be scared. Gobber carries the child home to sleep, any wall between them now broken.

For the next year, Branch would continue to help Gobber around the forge, while at the same time learning to read, and once the boy had written Norse down, Branch ate up any book put in front of him. Gobber carrying him home every night after the boy would fall asleep while studying in the forge. Sometime in Feberary, his Uncle Stoick and Aunt Valka have a baby, and once deemed safe, Gobber and Branch are the first to seeing little Hiccup, and upon seeing the little loaf of fur and baby, Branch was sold, nothing would happen to this kid. Not on his watch. Gobber even lets Branch help forge the baby sized axe that Stoick requested for his son.

Then came one of the worst nights in Branch's life. The raid had been normal at first, Branch helping out in the forge like he had been taught. Until someone screamed about the Chief's hut being destoryed. Not thinking anything but that little Hiccup was in danger, Branch runs out of the forge towards the now burning out...only to see his Aunt Valka being carried off by a stormcutter. For a moment, it's not Aunt Valka, and it's not a dragon, it's Grandma and the bergen. Branch runs back to his hut with Gobber and begins to sob into his bed. Gobber would find him there curled up underneath the blankets, just sad and scared. Some how Gobber gets his boy to open up about his grandmother and Gobber does interperate it like Grandma was carried off by a dragon and not a bergen, but the message was the same even if the details were a little fuzzy. Gobber comforts Branch saying that he'll protect the child, always. This is the night that Branch starts calling Gobber Dad.

Stoick falls off the deep end right after Valka was taken, he goes on crazy month long blind searches for her, and Gobber goes with him to stop Stoick from doing anything more stupid. At some point Gobber has enough and starts to try and talk some sense into stoick, afterall they both have lads at home, and Stoick is missing his son's infant years. It hurts, but Stoick knows that Gobber is right, all that's left of Valka is Hiccup, Stoick needs to protect him now, and he couldn't keep Gobber away from his own son too.

While his father and uncle were away, Branch was put into the care of Gothi, Hiccup was sent to say with his aunt (Valka's sister and soon to be Snotlout's mom), but Gobber and Branch were the last of their house so Gothi was the next best thing. During those months, Branch tries not to be a bother, Gothi is pleased to have a set of hands nearby so willing to help, and like with smithing Branch would pick up on healing rather quickly. He even helps her with patients once's he capable enough.

Eventually though, the searches stop and Gobber comes home for good.

Years seemed to fly by after that, Hiccup grows scrawny, and is quickly made a target by his peers for bullying. Though, the Forge becomes a safe place, Branch has six years on the other kids, and they knew they can't mess with him. The smith's son does not tolerate bullying or teasing when he's working, especially when it comes to Hiccup. He can't hate the other kids though, after all their still kids being kids. One of them he even feels bad for, little Fishlegs clearly didn't want to pick on Hiccup but also didn't want to be bullied either. Branch will throw hands if it gets physical, however.

Though there's one kid that Branch has a special hatred for. Dagur. The berserker heir, is not someone that Branch initially gets along with, especially after a swimming trip that almost ended in Dagur drowning Hiccup. A bitterness between the two only grow from there, and it bring out this cruel protective streak that Branch didn't know he had. Something is wrong with Dagur, and Branch isn't sure what, but it makes the heir dangerous. And unlike the other kids, Branch doesn't intimidate Dagur because their closer in age, and Dagur did always have more muscle.

By the time the movie rolls around, Branch is a smith in his own right at the age of 20. He and Gobber work in the together, with Hiccup joining them after picking up and interest in inventing. A hobby that Branch also enjoys, together they come up with all sorts of gadgets though Stoick almost never lets them test them. Gobber's proud of his boy, though now Branch is his own man. His son is strong, smart and rather good looking, the few suitors Branch has on Berk look at him with a decent level of desire. Sure, Branch wasn't the usual beefcake of a viking, but his figure was lean and strong, the darker hue of his skin also gave him an air of mystery. However, Branch made it very clear he wasn't interested in any of them.

In the meeting hall,

"Trolls exist! They steal your sock but only your left one what's with that?"

"Dad, trolls don't steal socks, and you only have left socks. They keep vanishing when I do the laundry."

"Because trolls keep stealing 'em!"

*sigh*

Branch is the first one to meet Toothless after Hiccup shot him down. When Hiccup is sneaking through the forge after he and toothless got tied together. Branch spots them and follows them back to the cove. There Hiccup explains and begs Branch not to tell his dad, and Branch says he won't as long as Toothless won't eat Hiccup. He helps the younger boy and dragon get unstuck, before marveling at the rigging that Hiccup made for Toothless. Branch wants in, mostly because it could mean finding a better way to keep the people in the village safe. Together the boys, learn more about dragons by studying Toothless, theories and findings Hiccup tests in the training ring.

After the disaster of a final test, Branch tries to follow Hiccup and Stoick and ends up witnessing their fight, and Stoick disowning Hiccup. This cuts deep and Branch looses all respect for the chief. He says goodbye to Hiccup before they leave, saying they'll always be brothers. Branch goes with the others to raid the nest, only to keep his father safe however, the rest of the village Chief included can go burn for all he cared.

Sadly this does mean that Branch is out of the dragon riding part of the battle, but I do plan on giving him a dragon at some point. Not sure which kind though, I'm thinking maybe a sand wraith, or dramillion, or maybe just say screw it and partner him up with Light Fury. I think they could make a fun duo, loner grouch with a very snooty over grown cat, who very protective.

---

It's late I'm going to split this up.

[dragonmasterhiccup]

Danny tried to hide her smile as Eret told the news. Yes, it was horrible, those poor dragons didn’t deserve to be locked up and killed, but she would be lying if she said she didn’t enjoy going on raids, and the feeling of accomplishment she got from freeing them; it was amazing.

Eret nodded firmly. “Right away. We’ll meet you all at dockside.”

After he left, Danny allowed the grin to make its way onto her face as she stood up and looked over at Hiccup. “Yep, third one, and yes, I am getting the hang of it, I’m pretty sure I’m better than you at this! Now come on!” she exclaimed, hurriedly making her way out of the Great Hall towards her hut.

———

Sadly, Danny did not have a full fireproof suit of armor, yet. Hiccup was saying that he’d make her one, once she’d ‘finished growing’ or whatever. Oh well, the helmet would have to do, for now.

That was another thing he was always so keen on; she had to keep her helmet on, at all costs. Ugh, it was kind of annoying, but she understood, there were still risks, or so he said.

Anyways, after Danny had gotten ready, dressing herself in her normal, not-super-cool-fireproof-armor, she grabbed her bow, quiver, dagger, and some extra things that could be helpful, before putting on her helmet and meeting the rest of the group there, riders in tow.

“Okay, so uh, what’s the plan? Another ‘stealth’ mission?” she teased, smirking at Hiccup.

"Dockside it is!"

He shook his head, chuckling at Danny's comment. Within minutes, all had gone to suit up and gather the others.

-----------------

Hiccup and Astrid were waiting in the designated meeting spot first, shortly followed by Valka and Eret.

They were only waiting a minute or two before Danny and the others showed up.

"Great! We're all here!" He nodded at Danny. "Yes, it's always a stealth mission, at least that's always the goal. We need to continue working as a team."

Addressing everyone, he got started. "Okay, here's the plan. We go in slowly. There's a lot of dragons here, we want to make sure we have ample time to free them all and not get caught."

He went on to tell everyone their jobs. Hiccup and Astrid would lead in first, silence any guards before the others can follow. Danny would set to work picking the locks on the cages, while the twins would be on lookout. Fishlegs will guide the dragons out once the cages are open, and Snotlout will continue making sure the dragon hunters stay out of the way while Hiccup and Astrid make sure there's no dragons being kept below deck. Valka and Eret will be there to assist if any backup is needed.

"Sound good? Good. Eret, lead the way. Let's move out!"

The flight to the straits wasn't too long, less than an hour, and as the fog started rolling in, it provided them the perfect cover.

Hiccup and Astrid landed on the deck first, disarming and silencing the hunters before they could raise the alarm. Using his Dragon Blade, he sent the signal to the others to do their part.

[spyritevesta]

HoaD’S Pirate!AU

Alright, I’m gonna make a proper timeline. That way, y’all will be on the same page, and we can jump around the timeline without getting confused.

Manny’s Kingdom; The Lunanoff Empire, is allies with Pitch’s Kingdom; The Black Empire. However, traitors inside Pitch’s court, a group collectedly known as Fearlings, kills his queen, kidnaps the princess, and makes it look like Manny’s the one that did it. They’re planning to kill Emily in Manny’s kingdom to really make a statement, but she escapes and almost drowns, getting rescued by a young mer named Jackson. The two become fast friends, and they try to find Emily’s kingdom, but neither of them can a) read a map, or b) find a point of reference for where they are. So Jack takes her home, and teaches her sea magic, which Emily is a natural at, and they grow up together as siblings trying to find a way for her to go home.

Meanwhile, Pitch is furious and heartbroken, as is his kingdom, and they declare war on Lunanoff. So now there’s a war going on, between these kingdoms, and they’re evenly matched, so it’s mostly a stalemate. There’s a temporary ceasefire that lasts around 10 years, but it breaks when the Fearlings yet again manipulate events. They send an assassin after Manny, and he almost succeeds, except someone intervenes.

Jackson, who has become the heir of the northern oceans, and a powerful sea prince in his own right, sets out to find Emily’s kingdom, so he can surprise her for her 15th birthday. He reaches the Lunanoff kingdom, and starts to travel on the land, under the name “Jack Frost.” Along the way, there’s an incident involving a young girl named Flee, and ice, and Jack gets a bad concussion, and amnesia. Flee’s mother helps Jack recover from the concussion, and then allows him to leave for the capital when he wants to go, just so long as he understands he is a part of this family now, young man. When he reaches the capital city of Burgess, he accidentally saves Manny’s life. Manny, realizes the white haired youth has immense magical power, quickly makes him a member of his “Guardians”, and Jack spends the next year guarding Manny and becoming beloved by the citizens of Burgess and the rest of the kingdom. The guardians don’t always have time for him, so it’s lonely. But during that year, Jacks memories start trickling back, until he visits the sea by Sandy’s province, and a bunch of his memories come back at once, including the mermaid thing. Jack realizes a) he has a home in the sea, and he doesn’t really belong here, not really, and b) Emily is gonna be pissed and worried, because he missed her birthday. FUCK.

So he leaves via the sea, and it’s summer, so now he’s got brown hair and eyes. But he makes a stop at a port town, because he remembers seeing a lot of maps in a shop there, and he can bring those back to Emily to try and find her kingdom. During this, Dagur attacks, and Jack gets taken hostage, because he was defending a child, and Dagur is an asshole who plays dirty. This would be bad, but literally not even three hours later, Dagur’s ship gets attacked. And Jack is introduced to one Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, who instantly gets a puppy crush on the human mer.

Jack decides to stick around on the ship for a while, because they’re heading in the same direction, and because he becomes fast friends with Snotlout. He’s intrigued by the close relationship between the pirates and the sea creatures they’ve befriended, and eventually decides that he wants to join their crew. And then he realizes he’s fallen in love with Hiccup, so they begin courting, and it’s sweet and wonderful and everything Jack didn’t realize he craved. Jack is happy, and life is perfect.

Emily, who was told by wind that Jack was alright, goes back to her day job of being the most powerful sea witch in the seven oceans. But she also realizes that the Guardians, who were panicking about where Jack is, have sent out ships looking for him. He doesn’t particularly want to be found, so she just... redirects a few of the scouting ships that get too close. But she also hears that Captain Drago is planning to attack Berk and it’s pirates, and so she packs a bag and goes to warn and help her best friend. And she gets there almost too late. A black shark is trying to attack Jack in the water, so she propells it back, and emergency teleports both of them away to a safe location. She then heals Jacks wounds, and when he wakes up, she brings him back to the site of the battle. There’s a ship that’s been wrecked there, and Jack recognizes it as Hiccup’s ship. He’s devastated at the death of his lover, and Emily comforts him through his grief and promises to help him take revenge.

Hiccup saw Jack go into the water, and then Toothless got controlled, and oh god no no no nonononono—

Hiccup is devasted and grieving, and he kills Drago by sending him into the sea along with the monster he used to kill the love of Hiccup’s life. Hiccup is grieving, and Berk tries to help him through it, with the help of his newly found mother, Valka, who had been protecting the sea creatures under Njordr’s protection ever since she got shipwrecked. But Valka hears that war is on the horizon, so she goes off to get in touch with some old contacts. Aka the Guardians. She’s shocked when she hears that they’re looking for Jack Frost, because she recognizes it as one of the names the mer prince was known to use. On their part, they’re shocked to learn Jack was not only a mer, but also royalty. But she promises to help them look for him, even as they all learn news that is as surprising as it is horrible.

Grimmel, who is the head of the Fearlings, has revealed his true colors, and has allied with the four pirate warlords of the south to invade and conquer both the Black and Lunanoff Empires. Hiccup and Berk, Pitch and his Knightmares, Manny and his Guardians, and their allies, now gather at the same spot to face the armada, and try to win. Unknown to them, Jack and Emily have finally figured out what her kingdom is, thanks to Jack’s maps, and they both head to the battle prepared to defend their friends, along with some of their allies, including Light, the arctic shark. Jack also at this point has heard news that Hiccup is preparing to face Grimmel, and is so, so full of joy at the knowledge his love is alive. And he’s not gonna let an asshole like Grimmel hurt him.

[chiefhiccstrid]

33. “I missed something didn’t I?” I love your writing!! How about this prompt?

I ended up doing two prompts in one. So the anon that requested #42, it is also inside this one! 

Hiccstrid fluff awaits you below and I hope you all enjoy it! 

Reasons to Hurry Home

Hiccup and Toothless were flying quickly through the clouds. They were in a hurry to leave the horrible and boring meetings that the Chief of Berk had to sit through for two straight weeks and get home. 

Home.

Home was where the dragons roamed freely among his people. Home was where he would clean up the messes or solve the fights or help find someone’s missing sheep. All of this was great, but his favorite part about home was his family. His wife. His mother. His friends. That was what he was excited about hurrying home to. 

Berk came into view then and the Chief and Alpha sped up. The colorful huts and dragon stables sat among the mountains and it was the most beautiful thing he had seen in weeks. The wind blew through Hiccup’s mask and it was making it hard to breathe, but he didn’t care. He was home. 

As he circled the island, he waved at the people below. When he landed in the square, everyone began to cheer. He removed his mask and hopped to the ground. He scratched Toothless under the chin and then stretched out his stiff muscles from sitting in the saddle for too long. Toothless scurried over to a basket of fish that was calling his name. 

He looked around him and nodded respectively at everyone who said, “Welcome back Chief!” or “Good to have ye back!” 

The young chief spotted his mom and ran over to her. She embraced him and he returned the gesture, “How was it?” Valka asked him once they separated.

“Boring. So boring. I would have much rather been here breaking up fights and hearing people complain about the weather.”

“Happy to be home then?” Valka smiled. 

“Oh, am I.” Hiccup looked around him but there was no sign of her anywhere. “Where’s Astrid?”

“I think she may be at home. She did a wonderful job while you were gone.”

“I knew she would. That’s why she’s General.” 

Hiccup turned and made his way out of the square without getting stopped by one Viking. He silently thanked the gods as his house came into view. 

He ran up the stairs and was a bit out of breath by the time he reached the top. He swung the door open expecting to see Astrid sitting in the chair sharpening her axe, but it was quiet and empty. The only sound was the crackling of the fire. 

“Astrid?” Hiccup called out. 

There was a bang upstairs and then the sounds of footsteps. She stood at the top of the stairs and smiled. Hiccup never got tired of seeing that smile. 

“Hiccup!” she called out and ran down the stairs and straight into his arms. 

Hiccup wrapped his arms around her, kissed the top of her head, and then rested his head on top of hers. This was his favorite part of home. Being in the arms of the amazing and strong woman that he loves in the home that they shared together. 

“How did it go?” Astrid asked as she separated from his embrace, but she grabbed his hand. 

“It was fine. I don’t understand why we have to stay there for two weeks though. If they cut the drinking and gossiping down by half then we could have all been out of there in a week,” the couple walked over and sat down next to one another at the table. 

“They probably just like having the excuse to not be at home,” Astrid said. 

“Probably.” 

“Well, was any of it worth sitting there for two weeks?” she asked and began tying another braid in his hair while he spoke. 

“No, not really. It was the same old stuff they always talk about. Everyone yelled and fought at one another about their different political opinions. Nothing productive is ever talked about there…” Hiccup sighed. 

Astrid was listening to him. Well, she heard every couple of words. She was too focused on the beating of her heart. She wondered if Hiccup could hear it for it was beating so loud. She thought it was going to beat out of her chest and land right on the table next to them. 

Astrid wondered why she was so nervous. This was Hiccup. The person she told everything to. The person who knew more about her than she knew about herself. She could tell him this. 

She had a whole week to think about how she was going to tell him but nothing ever came. She should just blurt it out and tell him. It would be like ripping a bandage off. Just get it over with and if she did then maybe her heart would stop beating so loud and maybe the nerves would finally go away. 

“Astrid?” Hiccup asked. 

She snapped out of it when she heard her name and turned her attention back to her husband. He had an amused look in his eyes and he gestured to her hands that were still tangled in his hair. 

“You plan on braiding my whole head this evening?” he chuckled. 

She looked at her handiwork and realized there were at least seven new braids on the right side of his head. She removed her hands and chuckled along with Hiccup. 

“So, how was everything while I was gone?” Hiccup asked once the two stopped laughing. 

“It was…fine,” she looked down at her lap and at their now intertwined hands. 

“Anything happen?”

“Nothing too crazy.” 

“Then why do I have this feeling you’re hiding something from me?” Her husband asked and used his free hand to tilt her face up so she would look at him again, “I missed something while I was gone, didn’t I?”

Astrid nodded. 

“You can tell me.”

Astrid looked into those bright green eyes that were now filled with concern. The beating in her heart gradually got louder and she was positive that Hiccup could hear it now. It was a lot louder than the fire next to them. 

She focused on the soothing circles that Hiccup was drawing on top of her hand and blurted it out, “I’m pregnant.” 

Hiccup’s green eyes that were once filled with concern only a few moments before were now filled with excitement. The rims of his eyes were filling up with tears and before she could see one spill over and slide down his cheek, she was wrapped tightly in his arms. She buried her face in his neck and smiled. Hiccup could feel that splitting smile that was spread across her face. 

He pulled away and took her face in his hands. Astrid saw the stains left by his tears that slid down his cheeks but what made her heart swell was that smile. She could see the gap in between his teeth and although she had seen Hiccup smile before, she swore she had never seen him smile like this. 

“You’re pregnant,” Hiccup whispered, not able to fully find his voice yet. 

Astrid nodded. 

“How long have you known?” he asked her. 

“About a week,” Astrid wiped her thumb across another tear that was making its way down his cheek. 

Hiccup jumped up, pulling Astrid with him, “Oh, this is so great!” He swung his arms around in the air around him, “I’m going to be a dad.” 

“Yes, you are,” Astrid chuckled. This excited Hiccup was a side she always enjoyed seeing because he could not stay still.  

But all of a sudden he actually did stop moving, “I’m going to be a…father,” Hiccup slowly said the word father. It didn’t seem real, “We’re going to be parents,” Hiccup’s eyes widened. This was a huge responsibility and just how big of one was starting to sink in now. 

“I know,” Astrid nodded. “But it’s going to be okay, Hiccup.”

“This is big. Like really big.”

“It’s huge. Trust me. I’ve had a whole week to sit here and think about how big it is,” Astrid sat back down. 

“You’ve kept this to yourself for a whole week?” Hiccup sat down next to her and grabbed her hand that was resting between them. “Gods, how did you do it?”

“Gothi is the only one that knows, but that’s it. I wanted to make sure you were the first person to find out.”

“I can’t believe you kept this to yourself for a whole week.”

“The day I found out I almost hopped on Stormfly and flew right to you. I have stared horrible men in the face and taken on more dragon hunters than I can count, but hearing those words was probably the most scared I have ever been.”

“I’m sorry you had to go through that alone.”

“You’re here now,” Astrid smiled. 

“I can’t believe we’re going to be parents. I don’t know how to do this.”

“Trust me, I don’t either. But we’ll figure this out together,” Astrid squeezed his hand tightly.  

“Together.”

Hiccup placed his free hand on her still flat stomach. This was scary, no…this was terrifying. Probably scarier than facing a madman with a huge ice-spitting dragon, but he took one look into the strong blue eyes of the woman sitting next to him and knew they could face anything as long as they were together.

Hiccup brought her face close to his and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss was short but filled with passion and many emotions. Love. Excitement. Terror.

However, when the two separated, Hiccup smiled knowing that he soon would have yet another reason to hurry home. 

[shipmistress9]

Into The Hidden World - For Leffie

A couple of weeks ago, @leffie-draws-fanart posted this awesome pictures of hers. And somehow it tickled me...

So, after talking to Leffie about it and with her permission, I wrote this little story to her picture. It takes place some months after HTTYD2.

I hope you’ll like it :)

. o O o .

“Okay, this is where that merchant and his crew said they’d seen the beast,” Eret said, and pointed to a small group of islands at the southern edge of the map. Then he lifted a hand to ward off Astrid’s complaints. “Yes, I know what you want to say. Those aren’t exactly reliable information sources, and they aren’t up-to-date either. But it fits to where you guys have clashed into it, and to the other sightings we’ve recorded, too. See? It’s like it’s following some line that leads directly to these islands. My guess? If that maniac really should have survived that fall, then he’s hiding somewhere around there.”

Slowly, Hiccup nodded. “It makes sense,” he murmured, to Astrid’s annoyance. He paused for a moment, but then seemed to make a decision. “Alright, I’ll go and have a look. It’s a bit of a distance, but if we hurry, Toothless and I should be back by nightfall, and–”

“The Hel you will!” Astrid interrupted him angrily. He looked up at her words, but at least he had the decency to not even try to look surprised.

“Astrid, it’ll be much faster if Toothless and I fly alone,” he explained, brows furrowed. “And it’s just a reconnaissance mission. I just want to see whether I can find Drago or his Bewilderbeast, and will return directly to get back-up in case I can locate them. I promise.”

But she didn’t buy his attempt at placating her. She knew him too well for that. “Right,” she scoffed. “Just like that one day when you were just looking for Viggo, and ended up almost getting killed when the Hunters shot Toothless down. Forget it! There’s no way I’ll let you go after yet another maniac who wants to see you dead all on your own. We’re doing this together, or not at all.” She was determined. She wouldn’t let him risk his life like that, not ever again.

Hiccup’s face softened, and he stepped toward her until he was able to lay his hand on her hips. “And I guess there’s nothing that would convince you to stay here? Not even…” he trailed off, and let one hand glide to her front to rest over her toned belly.

But he'd guessed right. Nothing would prevent her from making sure that Hiccup and his skinny self would make is safely back to Berk. Not even the possibility of her being pregnant. They weren’t even sure, yet. She was only two weeks late. “Together, or not at all!”

After another moment of hesitation, Hiccup nodded, and smiled defeatedly. “Okay,” he conceded, and gave her a light kiss. The familiar scraping of his stubble made her feel at ease, and it made staying angry at him impossible. “Then I suggest you get Stormfly and Toothless ready while I get our packs and tell Gobber that he needs to take over for a day or two” he said quietly, and then turned to look at Eret.

The ex-trapper was discreetly inspecting his shoes as not to intrude on their intimate moment, but looked up again when Hiccup addressed him directly. “Eret, can you go and get the others? We’re going to leave around noon. Make sure the dragons are all fed and rested, and everybody has their packs ready. We might as well turn this into a group excursion. You’ve practised enough to accompany us this time. Besides, I know Snot is dying to get some action again, and everything that keeps the twins occupied is always good.”

“Aye Chief,” Eret replied with a broad grin.

. o O o .

“So, where are you kids going?”

Valka approached Astrid as she was about to fasten the saddle on Stormfly’s back, a baby Nightmare in her arms and another one climbing over her back, as usual.

“There’s been another sighting of the Bewilderbeast,” she replied while testingly pulling at the belt around her dragon's belly. She refused to call it Drago’s. As if that madman had any claim over a majestic beast like this. And she didn't believe that he was still alive anyway, not really. So far, they’d never seen him when they’d encountered the giant to chase him off of some village or other.

“Oh…” Valka had sobered up directly, face averted as if distracted by the baby dragon in her arms. “Do you... need me to come along?”

Astrid wasn't good at reading people, and Valka who was more used to interacting with dragons than with Vikings was even harder to make sense of. “You can if you want, but you don't have to,” she finally said noncommittally. If it came to a fight every support would be useful, but Hiccup's mother had fought enough for an entire lifetime. Astrid didn't begrudge her the wish for peace and quiet.

“Mmh, I don't know,” Valka finally said as she scratched the small dragon's neck. “Flying out would be nice, but the babies need me. Where are you going again? How long would we be gone?”

A small smile tugged at Astrid's lips, and she quickly turned back to Stormfly to hide it. Apparently, peace and quiet could get boring, after all.“The sighting has been around a group of small islands to the South,” she explained. “Close to a dead volcano not far from Berserker Island. We might even have time to pick up Heather and Dagur on the way, in case Mala can spare him.”

“What?”

Valka's voice had sounded weird, disbelieving and even a little frightened. Astrid frowned and turned toward her again – to find the older woman frozen mid-movement, her ridiculously big eyes even wider than usual. And she looked pale as a ghost.

. o O o .

“You've got to be kidding me... Atali knew your mother all along?”

From her usual place on Stormfly’s back, behind and slightly to Hiccup’s left, Astrid saw how he nodded at Snotlout's incredulous question. They were flying in the tight formation they’d used frequently back during their years at Dragon’s Edge, allowing for sensible travelling speed while still flying close enough to be able to talk. Skullcrusher and Cloudjumper were a bit off to the sides as they were not used to flying so close to other dragons, but still using their wake to keep up.

“Yeah, it looks like it,” Hiccup called back, turning slightly so that everyone could hear him as he told them what Astrid had told him earlier. There hadn’t been time for that before. After Valka’s revelation, they’d gotten going immediately. They hadn’t even gotten around to change out of their comfortable day-to-day clothes and into more practical things, for Odin’s sake. Hiccup still wore the Chief’s fur cloak, and she herself hadn’t had time to put on her fur-lined hood or her warmer arm bracers. She could feel the chill in the early spring air, but tried to ignore it and instead concentrated on Hiccup’s explanation.

“It looks like that ‘someone’ Atali knew who would be able to take care of the king-of-dragons-egg was my mum. And the king of dragons would be the Bewilderbeast. I can’t believe that I haven’t seen that before.”

“Yeah, that’s pretty embarrassing,” Snot agreed, just as Tuff threw in, “You didn’t? H, how could you’ve overlooked that? It’s so obvious.”

“Don’t tell me you of all people made that connection already,” Fishlegs snorted.

“Well, no, I haven’t. But then, it’s not my job to make these connections. Don’t blame me if you’re not-”

“Guys, guys, it’s okay. Tuff is right,” Hiccup interrupted them. “I should have seen it sooner. I should have asked Atali to whom she gave the egg. Or I should have asked my mum if she knew anything about the king of dragons. But I didn’t. Frankly, I didn’t even think about that egg at all anymore, with everything that happened back then. But what’s done is done, we can’t change it anymore. Now, we have to concentrate on finding the egg and it’s mother before Drago does. We can’t risk him getting his hands on another Bewilderbeast, one that  might overpower Toothless in her urge to protect her baby. My mum said she lured the mother into the cavern system beneath these islands and then gave the egg back to her. So let’s hope Drago hasn’t found her yet and we can set a trap to finally capture him.”

Astrid listened quietly through the entire conversation. She didn’t like this development. So far, capturing Drago had been nothing but a vague idea, some far-off goal for Hiccup to think about whenever he’d needed a break from the daily struggles of being Chief. As his wife and general, she’d supported, even encouraged this search. Because she knew Hiccup, knew that he always needed something bigger to occasionally occupy his mind. But deep in her heart, she hadn’t expected that anything would ever come of it.

But now, it had become even worse. Not just that they’d found the trail of the Bewilderbeast again, it being near to where a second one would be only made it more likely that Drago was still alive and controlling it. Sure, it could be that the gigantic dragon was only looking for a mate, but somehow Astrid doubted that. Because it wasn’t simply a female Bewilderbeast. No, it had to be a mother.

Almost against her will, her hand fluttered down to her stomach. She was only beginning to understand what it would mean to be a mother, to be responsible for such a tiny helpless creature. But she understood enough to know that this dragon mother would do anything to protect her baby.

. o O o .

When they reached their goal, one thing became immediately clear.

They were too late.

“Oh, shit,” came Snotlout’s very accurate remark when they broke through the clouds and the islands they’d been looking for lay directly in front of them. They were surrounded by chaos, and in a way Astrid felt like she’d had a horrible déjà vu.

There were two gigantic Bewilderbeasts, one black and one white, fighting against each other. The islands and the sides of the big volcano in the middle were covered in the same sharp ice shards that had destroyed Berk over a year ago. And there were dragons everywhere, fighting against one another without even knowing why.

There also were differences, but they didn’t serve to make her feel hopeful. This white Bewilderbeast was noticeably smaller than the one at Valka’s Sanctuary, and she was bleeding from a mean cut at her leg already.

Astrid’s heart sank at that sight. Taking in the whole situation of a battlefield and deciding what to do and how to react was one of her specialities. But this one didn’t look good.

“Hiccup,” she called out to get his attention.

He turned, and she saw his devastated expression, the same that had to be on her face, too. He gave Toothless a subtle sign and was flying close by her side a moment later. “I know. But I have to do something.” He gave her an apologetic look and she nodded shortly, mouthing a quiet Be safe! before he flew off without another word.

“Okay, guys, we need to distract the dragons. The sooner we draw the attention of the Alphas the better,” she said all business-like.

“And that’s good… why?” asked Eret, clinging somewhat funnily to Skullcrusher’s saddle.

“If they stop focusing on each other and on Toothless instead, he might be able to chase the big one off. That’s what we did the last times, at least,” she explained shortly. Then she turned her attention to Hiccup’s mother, knowing that she wouldn’t like to be involved in fighting dragons, no matter how indirect. “Valka? You go and look for the egg. Make sure it’s safe.” The older woman nodded, and directly flew off to one of the smaller islands farther west.

Grimly, Astrid turned her attention back to the chaos of fighting dragons. “You know what to do. Go!” she commanded, and was about to dive into the melee when Eret’s voice held her back.

“And what if I don’t know?”

Sighing, she rolled her eyes, but held back as Snotlout, Fishlegs, and the Twins flew past her. “Just keep the dragons from fighting each other. Distract them. Fly between them, divert their attacks, whatever you can come up with. If they stop doing what the Alpha wants them to do, it’s going to draw his attention sooner or later.”

Eret gave her a look as if he thought her insane, but nodded hesitantly. Not wasting any more time, Astrid gave Stormfly a sign to follow the others into the chaos.

. o O o .

There seemed to be no end. No matter how often Stormfly dove in to separate two fighting dragons, or how often she chased away two opponents with her Spineshots, there always seemed to be more. More dragons fighting, more dragons getting injured. More dragons falling…

Astrid had lost sight of her friends. They had to be around here, too, but she had no idea where. She didn’t know whether Valka had found the egg, whether it was safe. She didn’t know how Toothless was doing, only that he, obviously, hadn’t succeeded yet. And she also didn’t know whether Hiccup had found Drago.

That hadn’t been part of the official plan, but she knew that Hiccup would look for him. Even if she had tried to talk him out of that, or even to forbid it, he would have done so anyway. All she could hope was that her gut would tell her if he was in any danger. So far, it had never erred.

And it didn’t today, either.

She flinched slightly as she suddenly felt someone behind her, but could immediately tell that it was Hiccup. His arms slid around her waist – not only to have something to hold on to – and he pressed a quick peck into her hair in greeting.

“Afternoon, Milady. Do you have space for a passenger?” he asked cheerfully which served to somewhat ease her worries.

“Sure, but hold on tight. I see a Thunderdrum about to attack that Timberjack over there.” He did as told, squeezing her tightly as Stormfly flew between the two dragons to divert their attacks and attention. “How's it going?” she asked once they had a moment to breathe.

“Fairly well, I'd say. The two big ones are close to focus their attention on Toothless, and he dropped me here before I can get between them. But these here are the last fighting dragons. It should be over soon.”

“And what then? Have you found Drago? If you're right and he's still controlling the black one, then it won't be over until he's dealt with.” Oh, please, she prayed inwardly. Please, let it be over…

But she wasn’t that lucky.

“No, I didn’t find him,” Hiccup said despondently. “I can’t shake off the feeling that he’s somehow behind all this, but there’s no clue where he could be. Maybe his Bewilderbeast only came here for the female, after all.”

Astrid nodded mutely. That had always been a possibility. She was about to ask whether they should fly and look for their friends when it happened.

Somewhere to the left of them, a big explosion separated another group of fighting dragons. Astrid turned her head in that direction just in time to see three Nadders bolting in their direction, but not to give Stormfly a sign to dodge them. The talons of the closest one missed her only by an inch, maybe less. She’d even felt it brushing her hair.

Hiccup, however, wasn’t that lucky.

She heard a dull thump as the frightened dragon hit his head and then his low grunt before his hold on her waist loosened. She felt him slit to the side and off Stormfly’s back, but it all happened too fast for her to grab him.

“No!” she screamed, uselessly reaching after him as Stormfly flew into the other direction, following the frightened Nadders. For an endless second, all she could do was stare after him as he plummeted toward the ocean. This was hardly the first time anyone of them fell off a dragon. Frequently, Hiccup even jumped off Toothless, just to use his crazy flight suit. But usually, Hiccup wasn’t unconscious when doing so.

Astrid only had this one second to decide.

Then she dove after him.

If he fell into the water, unconscious as he was, he would drown. Sure, if they hit the surface from this height, that might be both their fates, but she couldn’t think of that now. Now, she had to somehow reach him. She had to!

“Hiccup!” she yelled against the rushing air and the thunderous noise of the fights around them. “Hiccup, wake up! Thor-dammit, HICCUP!” He couldn’t hear her, it was impossible. It was too loud around them, and that Nadder had hit him hard.

And yet, he opened his eyes.

He blinked, clearly dazed and not comprehending what was happening. She saw how his eyes found her, saw his confusion as he stretched one arm to reach out for her.

“Your suit,” she cried. It was their only chance, the only thing that could save them. If he would use his flight suit to slow their fall…

Hiccup’s eyes cleared as realisation hit him. Frantically, he fumbled about with the loops at his legs – but they weren’t there.

Because there had been no time to change clothes.

“Shit!” he cursed, eyes searching frantically for something else, anything else that could save them, and Astrid felt something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She felt fear.

She had almost reached him now, with her falling straight like a stick and his flapping cloak slowing him down, but what did it matter? Their hands were touching, but that wouldn’t slow them, wouldn’t soften the impact.

The last thing Astrid noticed was Hiccup’s protective arms around her as they tumbled toward the sea.

. o O o .

The next thing Astrid remembered was the cold. She was so cold.

Everything was dark and quiet. It even would have been peaceful, hadn’t it been so damn cold.

Then the world began to return to her, and with it came the pain. There was a horrible burning sensation in her throat and her whole body felt battered and bruised. She couldn’t even move, her body too heavy to react. And when a frantic voice was calling her name, it took her way too long to find back into consciousness.

“Astrid!” his urgent voice whispered into her thoughts. “Come on, Astrid, wake up!” There was a weird pressure on her chest, but she still couldn’t react. She wanted to reassure him that she was fine, but somehow couldn’t do so. “No, don’t do that to me. Astrid, please!” he sounded desperate now. She felt cool lips against her own, then that weird pressure again, but this time, it seemed to dislodge something inside her.

Pain shot through her as the water left her lungs, coughing and gagging, as she rolled to the side and tried to sit up.

“Oh, thank Thor! You’re alive,” echoed Hiccup’s voice into her dazed mind as if from afar. She felt his reassuring arms around her, holding her tight as she slowly regained her senses.

“Wha… happen’d,” she croaked, wincing at her aching throat. She coughed some more, groaning quietly while Hiccup explained hurriedly.

“We fell into the ocean. Stormfly fished us out, but… but it took her a while to find us, and you… you were unconscious, and…” he trailed off, squeezing her tightly against his chest. “I thought I lost you…”

Astrid laughed shakily and regretted it instantly as the laughter turned into more coughing. “You won’t get rid of me that easily.”

. o O o .

Some while later, she sat close to a burning campfire and was wrapped into Tuffnut’s warm blanket. The one from her own saddleback was drenched. She was still shivering, but already felt much better.

Hiccup sat behind her, his arms pulling her against his chest to help keeping her warm. It was strange. He had been equally soaked by the ocean’s water, but somehow had warmed up much quicker than her. Maybe because he hadn’t swallowed what felt like gallons of the icy water…

Around them, their friends were talking, but she only listened with half an ear.

“What happened to the Bewilderbeasts?” someone asked. Eret maybe?

She felt Hiccup swallow. “They separated and are both gone. They’re both still alive, that’s something at least,” he said, voice bare of any emotions. “Have you found any signs of Drago?”

From the corner of her eye, Astrid saw how Eret shook his head. “No,” he said curtly. “Skullcrusher and I looked everywhere but found no sign of him. He must have gone with the Bewilderbeast, if he was even here.”

Hiccup seemed to accept that explanation without any further comment. She knew how much he’d hoped to once and for all get rid of Drago. But it seemed as if their search would go on.

Across from her she saw how Ruffnut treated a mean burn on Snot’s arm, but before she could start to worry for her friend, she got distracted by Valka. She kneeled down beside her and handed her a mug of some warm and acrid smelling liquid which she accepted grudgingly. The tea tasted even worse, but it helped to warm her up so she didn’t complain.

“Is the egg safe at least?” Hiccup asked quietly, and Valka nodded with a smile.

“I only found old shells,” she replied cheerily. “It must have hatched some while ago. I guess they were only still here to wait for the hatchling to grow a bit. But it looks like they’re gone now. The other one must have chased them off. They’ll be hiding deep down in the ocean now. The mother will know how to defend her child there. Besides, if Drago really is still with the dark one, then it can’t dive that deep. They’re safe.”

Hiccup nodded, then turned his head in another direction. “What about the other dragons?”

“Nothing too worse,” Fishlegs replied despondently. “At least considering the chaos in the beginning. Some... fell. But we were able to treat those who just got wounded. Nearly all of them are going to make it… I think. These islands provide enough food and shelter, and without someone influencing their minds, they should stay peaceful until they all can fly back to where they belong.”

Again, Hiccup nodded. “Okay. We’ll rest here for another two hours and then fly back.” Everyone grunted in agreement, and then went to care for their dragons, leaving them alone. When they were all gone, his arms around her tightened and he buried his face in the crook of her neck. “Never do that again!” he whispered in a desperate tone.

Despite the seriousness in his voice, Astrid laughed shakily. “What, saving your life?”

“Risking your own while doing so,” he corrected her. “Jumping off your dragon like that, that was careless.”

She snorted. “Please tell me you see the irony of what you just said,” she said flatly.

“Yeah, well, I have my armour with my flight suit on when I’m doing so,” came his agitated answer. “But you didn’t. You don’t even have one. Why did you just jump like that? You could have–” he broke off and swallowed. When he continued, his voice was nothing but a weak tremble. “You could have died. I can’t lose you, Astrid. Not like this, not ever. I can’t imagine a world without you, remember?” She did remember, and it made her own agitation melt away in an instant.

Instead of yelling at him, as she’d felt like only moments before, she awkwardly turned around to look at him. “And do you remember that it’s the same for me?” she asked softly. “You were falling into your death. And I can’t live without you, Hiccup. I can’t. Together, or not at all.”

Hiccup stared at her for a moment, then took a shaky breath and leaned his forehead against hers. “You scared me,” he whispered. He sounded so vulnerable.

“I’m sorry,” she breathed back. She reached up to place her hand on his cheek. “I promise to be more careful the next time, if you promise the same.”

Astrid saw how his lips twitched into an involuntary smile. “I promise.”

For a few minutes, they were quiet. Occasionally, their lips met in light reassuring kisses, but mostly, they simply basked in their closeness. It took a while until either of them had gathered enough courage to ask the question that occupied both their minds.

“Do you think…” Hiccup finally asked hesitantly, lightly caressing her belly. “Everything’s all right?”

Astrid closed her eyes and swallowed. She wished she could give him a more satisfying answer. “I don’t know,” she whispered weakly. “I… don’t feel any different. But nothing has changed, really. We’ll still have to wait to know for sure.” He nodded mutely, but she felt how he grew tense at the mere idea they could have lost the child they didn’t even were sure of.

Casting about for something to distract them both, she caught up on something he’d said earlier. It was something she’d contemplated before already, but now seemed a good opportunity to bring it up.

“But as for your armour,” she began, but Hiccup interrupted her directly.

“I’m not going to discard of it, if that’s where you’re going,” he said determinedly. “It saved me way too many times, the flight suit especially. I rather wish you’d let me make one for you, too. That would–”

“Actually,” she interrupted him with an amused smirk. “That’s where I was going.” Her smirk widened into an honest grin when she saw Hiccup’s confusion.

“Excuse me?”

“I want armour, like yours. Well, no, not exactly like yours, but… Well, as it seems, we’re going to have a lot more fighting to do in the near future. And I just feel like… I don’t know, like my normal battle outfit isn’t doing it anymore. The hood is warm, but the wind keeps catching in it, and it really gets cold sometimes. I don’t like the cold, have I ever mentioned that?”

“I think that might have come up that one time on Glacier Island,” he said teasingly, rubbing her bare arms to keep the cold at bay. He looked far more relaxed now, his eyes expectantly on her, so she continued.

“I want something more practical, more… more streamlined. Something that doesn’t get caught in the wind all the time. I’m not sure whether I really want a flight suit, but,” she trailed off when she remembered Snotlout’s burn from earlier. “Oh, and maybe even something fireproof. I mean, I’m not riding a Nightmare, but being around dragons all the time also means the occasional burn, especially in the heat of a fight.”

Hiccup’s expression had turned into a cheeky smirk by now. “Is that all?” he asked, eyebrows raised. “Practical, warm, fireproof. And I bet it’s supposed to also look splendidly? Reflect your personality and underline your badassness?”

“Well...” she made hesitantly. She surely wouldn’t say no to all that, but somehow, he seemed to be in a far too good mood all of a sudden. As if he wasn’t taking her seriously, was making fun of her. But before she could say any more, he burst out laughing.

“Oh, Astrid, I love you. Did I ever tell you that?” He pressed a quick kiss to her cheek and then nuzzled her neck until she giggled, too.

“Hiccup, what–”

He didn’t let her finish. Instead, he leaned down to kiss her, still occasionally laughing against her lips. When he retreated, he had that lopsided smile on his face that she loved so much. “Astrid, I was just waiting for you to agree to wear such an armour. I’ve been thinking about it, you know? Especially the fireproof-part. If we reinforce the leather with discarded dragon scales and in addition treat it with Eruptodon saliva, then it should be able to protect us from any burns, at least for a while. I already made plans for armour like this for you. Actually, not just for you, but for everyone else, too. You’re right, these fights are becoming more dangerous, and we need to be prepared for that. I–” he paused, his hand dropping to her belly once more, and a softer smile spread across his face. “We just need to find a way to make it fit for as long as you want or can fly, but that should be manageable.”

Astrid gaped at him, dumbfounded. But, of course, she shouldn’t be surprised. This was Hiccup, after all. With a small smile, she remembered what he’d said on that day all those years ago, the day she considered to be one of the most important of her life.

“You’re right, you’re right. I-I’m through with the lies. I-I’ve been making… outfits! So, you got me. It’s time everyone knew.”

Instead of an answer, which he clearly seemed to expect, she pulled him down into a deep kiss, fully intending on robbing him of his senses for the moment. When they parted again, gasping, he blinked a few times, dazed, and then threw her a bemused look. “And… what was that for?”

Astrid grinned, and replied, “That was for always staying who you are.”

 . o O o .

So, that was that :o) I want to point out that I had already planned for this story to end on a conversation about armour for Astrid when the pictures of HTTYD3 were released. So I freaked out a bit when I saw them all in dragon armour and simply had to implement the more detailed conversation here.

As always, likes, reblogs, and comments are very welcome :)