Family Heirloom

"You should give this to Astrid, as your betrothal gift. You'll have to exchange gifts six moon cycles from the announcement you're set to make at Snoggletog."

Hiccup's hand turned the bronze pendant from cold to warm as he admire it in his cupped palm. The object enabled him to recognize the actuality of his commitments. He felt at ease about his future, air flowing freely in his lungs, his heart properly paced, and his body felt lighter. All those jagged rough worries had been smoothed down by the comforts of his home and the small reconciliations of the past.

"It's the same one I gave your mother years ago… At one time I thought it had been lost, but I found it in the ashes of old our house after a dragon raid." Stoick laughed at the memory, "You know I think Toothless was the one who burned down that house."

The black dragon must have understood, because he made his own warbling-laugh as he nodded his head and his jaw dropped open.

"You can keep it for now. I don't want to lose it," Hiccup said putting it back in the little chest then leaving it on the table.

"Last chance to come with us," He added as he adjusted the straps on Toothless's saddle, he tightened them for longer rides, cinching the leather buckles up a notch.

"My place is here. Send my regards to everyone." Stoick gave his son one last bone crushing hug, pushing the air from his lungs and causing his spine to crack.

"Need to live to take…over…someday…"

"Ah, don't be so sensitive," Stoick's pat on his son's back felt like more of a battle hit. Hiccup wondered why the two people who loved him most also seemed to love to hurt him the most. And why he kept coming back for more.

000

Return to the Edge

Hiccup walked into the clubhouse to find the twins playing cat's cradle at the table.

"Hiccup, we though you never returning, what with your dad killing you and all," Tuffnut announced.

"Or you're getting married, changing your identity, and starting over." Ruffnut added.

Hiccup slapped his forehead with his palm, "Why would you have thought any of that? Are the stables clean?"

Astrid sat in the corner sharpening her ax, "They cleaned the stables. And I made them clean their hut. And Snotlout helped, and Fishlegs organized all the weapons. I've been keeping them busy."

"She's been working us like slaves, Hiccup" Tuffnut gestured to his outfit, "she even made us wash our clothes – our clothes!"

One could practically hear the eye roles from the non-twins in the room.

Hiccup chided him, "You can't decide to give up on all manner of decency because I'm away."

"I don't think its decent manners to call people out on their flaws, Hiccup. If one even considered dirty clothes a flaw." Tuffnutt said eyes focused on the "x"'s of their string.

Hiccup and Astrid exchanged smiles. "Can I talk to you?" He motioned her outside.

She rose to follow him out. The other guys in the room smirked and nodded their heads.

Astrid glared at them.

Hiccup put his arm over her shoulder as they walked over to his hut.

"What was with that look? – From the guys."

"You mean the 'man nods'?"

"Man nods?"

"You know when guys are thinking the same thing or acknowledge each other – Tuff and Snotlout practically have whiplash from exchanging them all the time."

Astrid laughed, "OK, first, if those two are exchanging them, you should call them 'boy nods'. Second, when do they ever do that?"

Hiccup laughed back, "All the time! Especially since you and I got together. They usually exchange them after their 'like Hiccup' comments."

"'Like Hiccup' comments? What are you talking about?" After the unnecessary stress of the past few days it felt good to laugh so hard and to be together again.

"Remember when you tore your leggings?"

"Yes."

"You walked in during lunch and said 'dang, this tear is creeping all the way up my thigh.' And Snotlout said, 'like Hiccup'. Then he and Tuff totally exchanged 'boy nods'."

Astrid laughed, "I didn't even hear him say that."

"Are you not paying attention? They say things like that all the time now."

"When?"

"Remember when you got a new saddle – about a month ago? We were all out scouting and you said 'I think this saddle is going to need some adjustments, it's chaffing my rear'. And of course Tuffnut said –"

"'Like Hiccup'?"

He laughed and nodded.

"How did I miss that?"

He shrugged, "And how did you miss their epic 'boy nod'? They nodded so hard they practically fell off their dragons. They were so proud of themselves. Knowing you've not noticed will crush them."

"Oh, I'm sure," she shook her head facetiously.

"Also, that one Terrible Terror that keeps coming in and stealing food, each time you call him a 'bad boy' and say he'll be 'in trouble'. They guys always add 'like Hiccup' and exchange the nod then."

"Wow, I'm always yelling at the little guy. I can't believe this has been going on."

Hiccup laughed, "You've just gotten used to ignoring their antics."

He reached for her hand then started to kiss her. She started to move closer, melting into him, but then he stopped, pulling his lips away and letting her head fall to his shoulder.

"I missed you. I thought about you and us most of the time." She felt the words reverberate in his chest as he spoke.

"How could you not? You visited the place where we grew up together. And fell in love."

"Not to mention all the quality time I spent with your parents."

"How was that?"

"They're nice. Your dad and I bonded and your mom was good to me. Said I am the son they always wanted."

"Yeah, I think when you were little my mom would have kidnapped you if she could. Partially, why I was always jealous of you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, that's why I was rough on you during dragon training. You know, the boy my parents always wanted, surpassing me to be the star pupil."

"Wow, hidden jealousy coming out."

Astrid pulled back to meet his eyes, "Hidden! I never kept that to myself. Astrid Hofferson hides nothing."

"Well, except for-"

"Don't you make a list of things that contradicts my statement," she warned jokingly. "Besides, I own that star pupil now. Not a loss if you win him over."

He wrapped his arms tighter around her. "Probably true."

She kissed him hard, pressing into him and pinning him to the wall. The kiss was possessive and deep reminding him he belonged to her forever and always, even before they knew the gods had written it into fate.

"I wuv you," he mumbled between the ebbs of their passionate movements.

He finally pulled back, "Listen, I told my dad we'd go see Mala and clear up this whole crazy proposal thing. We'll take a ride and on the way I'll fill you in on the details of my adventures in Berk."

The two riders packed up, leaving Fishlegs in charge and making sure flammable objects were hidden.

000

A/N: Thanks to all who fav, followed, and reviewed. Sorry for the long wait and I apologize that I didn't finish the story in this chapter, I've been uber busy and I can't seem to get then next part exactly how I want it. But that one should be the last one.