"ASTRID!"
The shield maiden felt her stomach drop as she heard her name uttered. The voice that begged for her attention was laced with more terror then she had ever seen come from this particular viking. Turning she saw wild blue eyes frantic with worry as the stout viking made his way over to her. Stopping just short of running her over, the viking placed his hands on his knee's and fought to catch his breath. Somehow, she knew it had something to do with Hiccup.
"Snotlout, what did you-" Astrid asked.
Snotlout stood up suddenly, cutting her off. Taking her by the shoulder's, he shook her.
"Broken..." Snotlout uttered, scant of breath.
"Broken?" Astrid asked, raising a brow.
"I broke...I broke..." Snotlout stammered.
Astrid pulled away and groaned frustratedly. Throwing her hands up in the air she turned her back to the viking and shouted to the sky.
"Really Snot, I thought by now you would have grown out of this."
"You don't understand..." Snotlout pleaded.
"Oh I understand perfectly, you didn't mind your surroundings and you broke something." Astrid spat.
"That's why...I-" Snotlout stuttered.
Astrid gasped as she saw him stop short and look to the ground. The stout viking's eyes began to glisten with tears as he averted his gaze away. Astrid walked up and put both hands on Snotlout's shoulder's. She felt her own eyes begin to burn with tears as she saw Snotlout's chin start to tremble.
"Snotlout, what is it...I'm sure what ever you broke can be-" Astrid soothed.
"That's why I came...to find...you." Snotlout interrupted, looking up. "I broke...I broke..."
He stopped, as the first tear fell. He swallowed hard. Astrid nodded encouragingly.
"I broke Hiccup..." Snotlout uttered.
A gasp fell from Astrid's lips as her suspicions were confirmed.
"You...broke...Hiccup?" Astrid asked, her voice wavering. "What happened!?"
"It was going to be their first night...in their pen..." Snotlout stammered. "The hatch-lings were restless and...our Chief..."
"Snotlout...I need the short version of-" Astrid yelled, interrupting the viking's story.
"I didn't know Hiccup was in the stables. Astrid!" Snotlout yelled back. "I swear to Odin if I would have known I would never have told the story of-"
"You didn't!" Astrid pleaded. "Tell me you did not tell the tale of Stoick's last battle..."
"I thought enough time had passed and-" Snotlout replied.
"Three months is not enough time Snot." Astrid interrupted.
"I didn't even get to the good part before-" Snotlout whined.
"The good part!?" Astrid yelled, punching him in the gut. "What part of that story is good Snotlout?"
"He saved Hiccup..." Snotlout grunted, bowing over.
"And he died Snotlout." Astrid stated, her voice breaking..
Astrid stopped as she felt multiple tears fall as she spoke. Gently she took Snotlout by the shoulder's and spoke.
"We lost our Chief Snotlout, but Hiccup had his father stolen from him."
"I know...I just..." Snotlout began.
"I know you meant well, but Hiccup...just needs time." Astrid encouraged. "Did you see what direction he and Toothl-"
"Due north." Snotlout interrupted, smiling sadly.
"Thank you Snotlout." Astrid stammered.
Giving a rousing punch on the stout viking's shoulder, Astrid turned and headed towards Stormfly's stable. The dragon began to stomp excitedly as she saw Astrid approch. But her excitement faded as she saw the expression that had etched its way upon the young warrior's face. Pulling her dragon close, Astrid allowed herself a few tears.
"OH Hiccup..." Astrid cried silently.
Stormfly crooned sadly as the young viking's shoulders began to shudder. Sensing her sorrow she nudged Astrid soothingly. Looking up Astrid locked her gaze with that of her dragon. A heartfelt sob fell from her lips as she spoke softly to the creature.
"We gotta find Toothless..."
Stormfly brayed and nodded, lowering her head. Astrid climbed on and the two took to the evening sky. Astrid let her mind circle around the young man she knew was now crying alone. She shook her head at the way he always felt the need to be brave for her.
Unbeknownst to Hiccup, in the three months that had passed Astrid had caught sight of the tears that he had tried to hide from her. On one occasion she has been walking past the forge, and saw Hiccup as he turned and placed a metal rod into the water. She saw the tears fall as the sizzle of the metal wafted into the air. She had made her way into the forge hoping to aid Hiccup in expressing his grief, but the astute blacksmith caught sight of her and quickly dried his tears. She had moved quickly as she wrapped her arms around him and held him. The metal piece had fallen to the floor as he quickly understood the gesture and returned the embrace. Astrid knew Hiccup could sense what she was trying to convey when she felt him nestle his head atop her shoulder.
Suddenly Stormfly veered slightly, breaking Astrid away from her thoughts. Looking down she saw her dragon eying her carefully.
"I'm ok girl..." Astrid uttered, sniffing loudly.
The dragon cooed softly in response and began to purr gently. Glancing up, Astrid saw a familiar looking island in the distance. She remembered back to when she first found Hiccup here. Tears began to well in her eyes as she remembered the playful banter they had exchanged as Hiccup told her about his conversation with his father. She suddenly realized she missed seeing Hiccup laugh and wondered if she would ever be able to see him truly happy again. The shield maiden knew all to well, that her beloved was too good at masking his raw feelings for the sake of others.
As the dragon and her viking drew closer to the island, a somber tone began to waft towards the flying duo. Upon landing Astrid felt her heart clench as she realized it was Hiccup's lamentations that seemed to beckon her to him. As she walked through the tree's she saw Toothless laying on his side. Upon nearing the distraught viking she saw Toothless's entire frame was wrapped around Hiccup protectively. He was purring fervently as Hiccup continued to sob out loud. Astrid could tell Hiccup was drowning in his grief as his whole frame shuddered. She froze when she stood next to Toothless as she wasn't sure how to proceed.
Toothless's ear twitched and he looked up and shot his gaze over towards the sound of rustling fabric. The moment his gaze fell upon Astrid he brayed sadly and motioned with his eye's towards his master. Astrid nodded slowly as she knelt down in front of the dragon. Toothless rested his head against her chest and chuffed sadly.
From over her shoulder, Astrid heard Stormfly croon softly. Toothless turned and locked gazes with the other dragon. Astrid looked from one dragon to the other as the silent communication was carried out. Toothless grunted and stood carefully, trying to not upset Hiccup any further.
"Don't go..."
As soon as she heard his voice, she turned towards the distraught viking. Knee's drawn up, Hiccup sat with his head buried between them. His arms trembled as he fought to regain focus. He scrunched up tighter as Toothless was no longer shielding him from the cool night air.
"Don't...leave..meh...ah...alone..." Hiccup pleaded, his voice muffled. "Tooth-"
Hiccup didn't even finish the dragon's name as another tidal wave of sorrow ensued. Hiccup's wailing cry startled her as she saw him fall over on his side. Quickly she crawled over to him as his lamentations seemed to engulf his entire frame. Scooting next to him, she unfastened her hood and placed it under his head. Sitting down she gently lifted his weary frame and set his head on her lap.
Hiccup quieted as he felt the soft fur against his skin. He focused on breathing as he felt Astrid wrap her arms around him. For a moment, Hiccup felt the grief wane as he felt Astrid hold him. She was still very strong, and for that Hiccup was grateful. He opened his eyes and turned to her. Locking his gaze with her's, he stared at her. Astrid gasped inwardly as she saw his eyes were raw, and his face was littered with many well worn tear streaks. His bleak expression began to fade as his whole frame began to shudder anew.
"Tighter..." Hiccup whimpered.
"Hiccup?" She asked, smoothing his hair
"Please Astrid..."
Hearing him plead made her resolve fade every so slowly. To know that this man had the heart of a Chief and the soul of a dragon, made Astrid shudder inwardly as she knew it was bad if he was pleading with her.
"I need...you tuh hold meh-"
Hiccup didn't finish the sentence as he was interrupted by Astrid's back braking strength. He grunted as he felt his back crackle as the girl understood, and held him as tight as she could muster.
"It hurts...Oh why does...I juhh...it hur-" Hiccup stammered.
"Oh Gods..." She mewled. "Am I hurting you?"
A sob feel from the vikings lips as he shook his head slowly. Astrid gasped when he grabbed hold of her arm and held firmly to it. His knuckles where turning white as the grief shook his weary frame. It didn't take much for Astrid to see Hiccup was trying to be discreet for her sake.
"Babe..." Astrid spoke softly. "Just...let it out..."
"It HURTS so badly..." Hiccup stammered, his jaw clenching.
Hiccup began to breathe loudly as he moved his hand and held it over his heart. Astrid leaned forward and kissed Hiccup lightly on the cheek.
"Out with it."
The moment he heard the familiar phrase, Hiccup burst into tears. His shoulder's shuddered as visions of his father seemed to seep into every fiber of his being. Astrid continued to smooth Hiccup's hair as the blatant sobs fell from his lips.
Hiccup shifted and rolled over so that he was facing Astrid. Glancing up he saw her eyes were closed, but several tears had fallen as she continued to comfort him. Her shoulder's shook more as Hiccup snaked one arm around her and scooted closer to Astrid. She tightened her hold and allowed him to clasp his arms around her waist. Hiccup's wailing was muffled as Astrid slowly cradled him, and began to rock back and forth.
"It's ok...It's ok love..." She soothed.
Her words caused Hiccup to tighten his hold. The sheer sincerity was almost too much for his fragile state of mind. As he cried, Hiccup heard the soft sound of Astrid's weeping. He could feel her frame shudder with every bout of sadness that took hold of her.
"You're shaking..." Hiccup stammered, his hitching.
Astrid gasped and looked down. She saw his brow was furrowed as worry began to slowly etch it's way upon his features. For a moment she looked away, afraid Hiccup would do what came naturally. She knew his selfless character would come out and force him to put his bereavement on hold.
"Astrid..." Hiccup cooed, sitting up. "Hey,... it's ok.."
He sat so that he was facing the young woman who had always taken the time to hear him out. As his gaze rested upon her, he saw her chin quiver. Suddenly it was as if her whole frame was trying to hold back an incredible amount of pain. Tenderly, he placed his left hand under her chin. Tilting it slowly, he spoke with a gentle tone.
"I'm here...I'm-"
Hiccup didn't even finish his sentence before Astrid burst into tears. Through her tears, she placed her hand on his chin. All though her voice trembled, she spoke gently.
"So brave..." Astrid stammered, smoothing Hiccup's hair. "So strong..."
"Always." Hiccup uttered, leaning into her touch.
"I know you want to be strong for me..." Astrid uttered, her voice breaking. "But you being brave enough to cry, makes you strong."
Astrid watched as his emerald eyes searched her own. Tears began to well as his expression softened, and his chin began to quiver.
"I. Miss. You." Astrid stated.
"I'm...right...here..." Hiccup cried, his shoulder's shuddering.
"You haven't been...yourself since...since..." Astrid stated.
Leaning forward, Hiccup fell against Astrid. His entire frame shuddered as he cried into her shoulder. His hands fell listlessly to the side as he felt Astrid wrap her arms around him. He could feel her rubbing soothing circles on his back as she spoke soothing phrases.
"There you are..." Astrid cried, her voice wavering.
Hiccup cried harder as he felt her shudder as she spoke.
Hiccup pulled back, and stared at the woman sitting opposite him. He saw her eyes glisten with tears as she reached forward and smoothed his hair. He didn't stop the flow of tears as he leaned in and kissed Astrid deeply. A few moments later they parted and she smiled softly at him with sad eyes. But there was something in her gaze that spoke wildly of how proud she was of him. Reaching up, Astrid dried a stray tear from his cheek as she spoke to Hiccup.
"That's the Hiccup I know, and love..."
Special thanks to GoddessOfGotham for your amazing inspiration in helping me mull through this chapter. You really do have a way with words!