Chapter 22 – Butterflies

This chapter is based on the song Butterflies by Kacey Musgraves. Give it a listen! It is the song that I heard right at the beginning of planning Moira and so I guess you could kind of say it's like its theme song or something, which is why I think it's perfect to base off this last chapter! But really, it's such a great song.

The lyrics that are just so Moira it's insane:

And out of the blue
I fell for you

Now you're lifting me up, instead of holding me down
Stealing my heart instead of stealing my crown

It's really bittersweet that this is the last chapter of Moira. This was my very first multi-chapter fic and well…I feel like it's made me a much stronger writer and I've learned SO much from this experience. Thank you, everyone, for reading and reviewing. It means more to me than you will ever know.

Christine, thank you so much for doing this with me. You are the best boss and collaborator an employee like me could ever ask for.

Well…I hope y'all enjoy this chapter! See ya at the bottom!

3 months later…

Hiccup felt someone stir beside him. His body still paralyzed by sleep he barely noticed the soft kiss pressed to his cheek…then to the side of his lip that tickled and made the corners of his mouth pull up slightly...and he didn't hear Astrid whisper his name so gently and so enticingly…

But none of those things managed to fully wake him from his deep slumber.

"Hiccup!" Astrid spoke again, this time a little more forceful, "Wake up!" She grabbed onto his shoulder, shaking him, trying to get him to open those forest green eyes.

He groaned, turning over onto his side and showing no sign of waking.

It was quiet again...maybe she took the hint and decided to leave him alone…

But he should've known better than that because this was Astrid. He should've been expecting the slap to the face with the soft pillow, but he was still surprised by the sudden contact that left his cheek stinging for only a second.

"Get up!" He heard her order him from the spot next to him on the bed.

He moaned and buried his head in the pillow before sighing and throwing it to the side and slowly sitting up to face his wife.

His wife.

That still sounded weird even after three months. But it was the good kind of weird. The unbelievable kind. The kind that made him want to pinch himself every single morning when he opened his eyes and was met with a mop full of sandy blonde hair, long arms draped across his chest, and her small nose mashed against the crook of his neck.

"I have to all but drag you out of bed every single morning and the one day we actually get to sleep in you..." Hiccup glanced at the curtains, seeing no light showing through, "get up before the sun?"

"It's Christmas!" She shouted, blue eyes wide and full of excitement. She reminded him of a young child on Christmas morning, dragging their tired parents out of bed to see what Santa brought them.

Astrid loved Christmas. The lights, the decorations, the snow, the food. Those were just a few of the things that made this one day her favorite out of the whole year.

It was also the one day where she had some of her best childhood memories. Ones that didn't involve endless lessons, political conversations, and fights with her father.

This day was always filled with laughter and sledding down the hill behind her house and nice warm mugs of hot chocolate. And she was so excited to spend it with Hiccup. She was eager to start building their own traditions together, ones she knew they'd continue each Christmas for the rest of their lives.

Hiccup couldn't be annoyed with her for waking him up so early. One look at her overjoyed expression as he watched her hastily fasten a few of the buttons on his maroon shirt from the day before (that must've made its way to the floor sometime last night…) made his heart melt.

She hopped out of the bed before he even got the chance to say anything back. He watched her scurry out of their bedroom and into the sitting area. She returned moments later with a neatly wrapped gift topped with a large red bow in her hands.

Astrid jumped back into her spot on the bed next to him and placed the present in his lap on top of the duvet, "Merry Christmas, babe." She leaned over to press a soft kiss to his cheek.

She brought her legs up to her chest, rested her chin on her knees, and bit her lip, eagerly watching him with bright blue eyes waiting for him to open the gift she seemed really proud of.

He smiled ear to ear as he ripped into the silver paper. Underneath the thick paper was a stack of new sketchbooks with a thick brown leather cover and his name, Hiccup Haddock, engraved in the bottom right corner of each one.

He stroked the soft leather with his hands, "These just might be the best sketchbooks I've ever owned. I almost don't even want to draw in them…" Hiccup chuckled, looking up at his wife, "Thank you." He spoke sincerely.

She nodded, acknowledging his gratitude, "I heard you saying you were almost out of paper in your other one-"

"I am."

"So maybe now you'll let me finally see what's in them." Astrid teased, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Ah...I see how it is. You thought if you bought them for me, I'd be more likely to actually show you some of my designs." Hiccup spoke, playing along.

"Never hurts to try." Astrid chuckled.

He's wanted to show her but was only afraid she'd spot the present he made for her while she flipped through it. And it was a lot easier to just deny her access to his pages and pages of different designs of buildings and other randomness that comes to his mind then to explain to her why so many of his recent sketches were of very specific pieces of jewelry.

"So, where's my present?" She asked him, changing the subject.

A teasing grin crossed his face, "What? Having all of this," he gestured to all of him, "as your husband isn't good enough?"

Astrid didn't ignore the way the word husband made her feel giddy and her heart flutter. If this time last year someone had told her she'd be married, and happily married to the future King of Berk, she'd have punched them until they started making some sense again.

"Nope." She shook her head and bit her lower lip, trying to keep from smiling.

"You're rude."

"You married me."

He smiled that wide gap-toothed grin at that statement as he leaned over and dug in the top drawer of his nightstand before pulling out a small black velvet box.

He placed it in his palm and turned to fully face her on the bed. Astrid looked down at the box in his hands and then back up to him taking a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves that suddenly found their way into the pit of his stomach.

He didn't know why he was nervous. Maybe it was because he worked so hard on this without even knowing if she'd like it. Maybe it was because he wasn't sure if it was even something she wanted.

"I made this for you," he spoke softly, opening the lid and facing the box in her direction so she could see what was inside. It was a ring. A silver ring with a round diamond slightly raised in the middle and sat on top of the detailed band with different shapes and lines, leading your eye to the bright stone resting in the middle.

"You made this?"

He nodded, "Yeah...well, I had to get some help from a local silversmith. I've never made anything so small before." Hiccup took the ring out of the box and held it in between his thumb and index finger, the diamond glistened in the light coming from the lamps on their nightstands, "The hardest part - funny enough - was setting the diamond. The clasps I made were never tight enough and it kept wiggling around because I kept making them too small and….I'm rambling now...sorry."

Astrid enjoyed seeing him so enthusiastic about it. It made the already perfect and sweet present even more incredible. She took it from his grasp to get a better look at the details and everything else he obviously put all of his heart into. And he did it for her.

He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, "There's something on the inside of the band too…"

Astrid turned it over in her fingers so she could peek at the inside, seeing that there was a phrase engraved.

You are my fate this once and always.

"Hiccup...I…" Astrid was speechless. Her throat tightened and she had to swallow the lump to help keep the tears that were prickling in her eyes from flowing down her cheeks.

And Hiccup being Hiccup kept rambling, expressing all his concerns and worries out loud, "I know it's not...extravagant or anything...so I'll understand if you don't want to wear it out and if you don't like it then I guess-"

"Hiccup," Astrid interrupted, placing a hand on his shoulder, "I love it."

And she did. It was so much better than some generic ring you'd buy in a store in a glass case. This ring...it was unlike any other because he'd made it. And she was never going to take it off the second it was snug on her finger and sitting with the other band she still hadn't removed since it was placed there over three months ago.

Astrid handed him back the ring, "Pretty sure you're supposed to be the one to put this on me." She spoke cheekily.

His face broke out into the widest grin as she reached her left hand out to him. He slid the ring on and pushed it all the way down until it rested perfectly on top of the wedding band. He clasped her hand in both of his for a moment, "This ring not only symbolizes my love and commitment to you but it's also a promise. A promise that, no matter what, you can always count on me. A promise that there will always be a Hiccup and Astrid."

And Astrid didn't know what to say. There were no words that could ever once describe how full her heart felt as he looked at her as if she were the only star in his darkest night. And she should kiss him or tell him something really moving and full of love as well, but all she could do was sigh as she looked at the ring resting in the new spot on her finger.

"Something wrong?" Hiccup asked worriedly, noticing her change of mood.

She looked back up at him then, "You got me this amazing gift...and I...well, I got you sketchbooks."

Hiccup gave her a lopsided grin, "First, those sketchbooks are perfect. And second, you've already given me the greatest gift of all," he rested his hand on top of hers once more, "You."

Astrid chuckled and pushed his shoulder teasingly, "That was really cheesy, babe."

Hiccup shrugged and he opened his mouth to respond to that, but it never came out because she had suddenly leaned over, clasped his face in between her palms, and pressed her lips to his and kissed him so clumsily because their wide smiles kept them from being able to kiss properly.

She wanted him in the way the rain wants to fall and the sun wants to shine as she pushed him on his back, hands tangled in his hair, and kiss growing stronger with each second.

But the moment didn't get much further than that because the second Hiccup's hands found their way to her hips there was a loud knock on their door. Astrid threw her head back and groaned. Hiccup couldn't help but laugh at the disappointed scowl that crossed her flushed face.

The twins started calling them from outside the door, making sure the two were awake...and decent...before they opened the door.

"At least they knocked this time." Hiccup snickered as the two made their way out of bed to start the first of many new Christmas traditions.

The children at the orphanage were ecstatic to not only get a visit from Prince Henry, Duke of Berk and Astrid, whose official title was now Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Berk. But they were also excited because they came bearing gifts.

This was Hiccup's idea after hearing that they were lucky if the children even got just a little something in their stockings when they woke on Christmas morning. He and Astrid did it all together. They picked out the presents and handed each one to the smiling kids who immediately ripped into the colorful paper as soon as it was placed in their hands.

"We should do this every year," Astrid mentioned while watching the kids play with their new gifts while sporting the brightest of smiles.

Hiccup was standing next to her, his hand resting on the small of her back, "I agree." He replied, his focus not fully on her or the kids screaming and laughing around them. He was instead looking at the building on the inside that was just as rundown as the outside.

Cracks in the beige colored walls and spots in the ceiling where there'd been leaks that were never repaired and even the wooden stairs were missing pegs in the railing. Hiccup suddenly wondered where all the money from their annual fundraiser went as he glanced around at just what these children were living in.

A soft jab in the ribs from his wife's elbow brought his attention back to what was happening around him, "Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Ack was just coming to thank us before we have to leave."

Hiccup looked at the older couple standing in front of them. Both were short and had graying hair upon their heads that was probably from a mix of age and all the stress running a place like this brings upon a person.

The two respectfully nodded their heads before reaching out their hands to shake both his and Astrid's, "Thank you both very much for all you've done for these kids here today." Mr. Ack spoke loudly over the commotion in the large room.

"This is something they'll be talking about for a while." Mrs. Ack added and looked back at all the children still engrossed in playing with not only their new stuff but also with each other.

"It's the least we could do," Hiccup spoke, "These kids deserve to have a joyful Christmas just as much as anyone else."

"And Henry and I were just discussing maybe doing this every year. Of course, if that's alright with you both." Astrid added.

The couple in front of them looked at one another in disbelief for a moment before Mrs. Ack placed her hands over her mouth and gazed back the royal couple with watery eyes, "Oh, that would be just wonderful you two. I...I almost don't even know what to say."

"How about another thank you." Mr. Ack smiled over at his wife still in disbelief before shaking the Prince and Duchess' hands once more.

Hiccup realized they both looked...relieved. This was probably just one of the many stresses of their life. These were good people and they probably wanted nothing more than to give the kids a good Christmas but had to sacrifice it in order to feed them and give them clothes...things they really need.

Hiccup and Astrid bid the kids a Merry Christmas once more before having to leave and head back to the palace for their evening dinner with the royal family and a few members of Parliament.

But Hiccup made sure not to leave without getting one last hug and a tiny high five from Ingrid, whose usual joyous attitude always left his heart full and his eyes a bit watery.

Hiccup and Astrid walked out of the orphanage, hand-in-hand, and were, of course, met with cameras. The press never took days off, not even on Christmas apparently. The young couple's wedding was not only the most talked about thing in Berk but in many other countries around the world.

And ever since then a photo of them seemed to mean a lot more than it did when they were sneaking around in coffee shops and secluded beaches.

They politely waved at them with their free hands as the cameras clicked and people shouted all different types of things about politics, their relationship, and about the good deed they'd just done. They didn't stay to chat and both slid in the SUV. It wasn't even thirty seconds that Eret had the doors shut and the car was driving through the empty streets of downtown and back towards the palace.

"You seemed pretty spaced out back there. Everything okay?" Astrid asked him after a few moments of the only sounds being the heat blasting from the vents and the hum of the car speeding down the street.

"Has the orphanage always looked so run down?" He asked her, turning his head so he could look into her curious eyes.

She furrowed her thin eyebrows in thought, "It's always looked a bit run down on the outside, but this was my first time actually going in so I'm not too sure."

Hiccup hummed, looking back out at the window at the blurry snow covered trees flying by them.

Astrid already knew what he was up to by the look on his face. The wrinkle in his forehead and his hand on his chin was always a sign that he had an idea brewing in that brain of his, "You thinking about getting it fixed up?" She asked him, just a little annoyed he'd left her hanging like that.

Hiccup nodded, "I'm mostly thinking about how I'm going to pitch the idea to my dad."

And Astrid sighed, knowing right then that'd be worrying him the rest of the day.

The evening had arrived and so had most of the dressed up guests. They were all fraternizing in the large sitting area that had been decorated with almost too much garland and a ridiculously large tree while waiting to be called for their dinner that was supposedly the best meal the palace hosted all year round.

He was standing with Astrid and his mother, holding a glass of something in his hand. It was probably champagne, but he had no idea. He was too focused on the words he was going to say to his father because he hated pitching ideas to him. They always came with a thousand questions and that narrow-eyed look as he pondered it over in his head a hundred times.

"Hiccup," Astrid spoke, he looked over at her when he detected a hint of annoyance in her tone, "Just go talk to him."

But he made no move to step forward.

"She's right, honey. Go talk to him and get it over with. I think you may be stressing over nothing." Valka spoke gently but he could also hear that strict motherly tone underneath.

Hiccup nodded, finally agreeing with the two most important women in his life. He handed Astrid his still full glass and she took it from him a little too eagerly. He made a mental note to make sure she didn't have too many of those. If she did, she'd start telling people all sorts of wild things while giggling like a little school girl with pigtails like she did the last time she had one too many drinks.

The King was talking to Snotlout, who surprisingly didn't explode over the arranged marriage he'd had with Astrid completely falling apart overnight. Hiccup heard it was the Earl's father who did the most yelling in the end. The young Earl still looked at him like he was a talking fishbone that didn't quite deserve his position but he still politely shook his hand when he walked up.

And he was still rude and talked more than he should, but maybe just maybe they'd be able to work alongside one another one day without too many issues.

"Mind if I talk to you for a minute?" Hiccup asked his father while wiping his sweaty palms on his grey blazer.

Father and son stepped away from a curious Snotlout who went to loudly chat with a few other members of Parliament when he realized the conversation obviously wasn't for his ears.

"I heard the event at the orphanage went well," Stoick spoke first, patting his son on the back.

"It did. I-"

"Gobber mentioned you and Astrid were thinking about doing it every year, which I think is a great idea." Stoick kept speaking and interrupting, his loud booming voice making it hard to get a word in.

"Yeah, we are. Listen, I wanted to ask-"

Stoick placed his large hard on his tiny shoulder, "Maybe one year I'll join you both."

"Sure, but I really wanted to ask you something." Hiccup spoke quickly before he could get cut off again.

His father tilted his head, "Go on…"

"Right," Hiccup firmly nodded his head once, "Have you ever thought of renovating the orphanage?"

After the head tilt came the furrowed brows, "No, never."

"Have you ever been inside? Or even looked at the place?" Hiccup asked, shaking the hand off of his shoulder that was still resting there.

Stoick thought for a moment before responding, "It's been years since I've been in it, son."

"Well, while I was in it today I noticed it needs some major work. Just standing in the main room I could see dozens of safety hazards."

And there was the narrow-eyed look he hated so much, "So I'm assuming the question you'd like to ask me is how do we renovate it?"

Hiccup nodded, preparing himself for the thousands of questions he was about to get bombarded with.

But they never came.

"I'm not saying yes or no or telling you how to do it," Stoick started, "First, come up with a proposal that you can present to Parliament and we'll see where to go from there depending on the vote."

Hiccup just stared up at his father in disbelief for a moment with his eyes wide and his mouth slightly hung open, "Really?"

"But I want a detailed proposal first," Stoick ordered.

"I can do that." Hiccup smiled up at his father, "Thank you."

A small grin tugged at the corners of the King's lips. He and his son were slowly getting back onto good terms. There had still been no more calling him dad or heavy talks with one another, but he still came to him when he had questions and he willingly spoke to him again, which was a better place to start than any.

The two made rounds to chat with others, wishing them a Merry Christmas, and thanking them for coming before they'd get sucked into some overly long boring story.

Astrid was talking to Heather, who'd come to the Christmas dinner for the first time in order to start working on creating this alliance in a much more modern way. Even though she and Hiccup almost got married, Astrid had always liked the girl and the strong spirit that reminded her of her own in a way.

Gobber interrupted their conversation with a message for Astrid, "Sorry to interrupt, but your father just called and told me to let you know he couldn't make it this evening."

The smile once spread across the young girl's face was gone in an instant, "Did he say why?"

"Just said he was feeling a bit under the weather," Gobber answered, frowning, "I'm sorry, las."

Astrid excused herself from both of them and left the room hastily. She didn't even think about grabbing a coat to wear over her short sleeveless red dress or just how cold it was outside as she made her way out the doors. All she knew was that she needed some fresh air to help calm whatever emotions she felt stirring up inside her.

It didn't take a whole five minutes before she heard the doors open behind her. She knew who it was without even having to turn around.

"Astrid, it's freezing out here. What're you doing?" Hiccup asked while draping his jacket over her bare shoulders.

"He's not coming." She spoke softly, staring out into the snow covered gardens lit up by the strings of lights.

Hiccup knew she meant her father. They'd had a rough time ever since the wedding. Ragnar would only show up for business, he'd never call, and when she'd call or go to see him he'd say a couple of words before saying he's got places to be.

"I'm so sorry, Astrid."

She shrugged, her gaze still focused out in the decorated gardens even though she wasn't really looking at them, "I don't know why I'm upset about it. With how he's treated me - and you - recently I don't know why I even care."

Hiccup sighed and wrapped an arm around her waist, "Because at the end of the day, he's still your dad." That was something even Hiccup still had to tell himself sometimes.

Astrid sniffled, "I just thought today would be different," she turned to look up at him then, "you know?"

"Give him some more time. I'm sure he'll come around eventually."

Astrid scoffed, turning her head back towards the gardens in front of them, "I don't know about that. He's pretty stubborn."

"I thought the same thing about my dad. I never thought he was capable of change, sometimes I'm still not too sure, but I believe there is going to come a time when Ragnar is going to realize that you're more important than politics and power."

Astrid wished she could believe him, but her whole life every decision and everything she did always related back to how it affected their position and their status. He always related it back to that. And that was the main cause of her frustration because, despite the way he always made her feel like she was never enough, she still loved him.

And the thought of losing him was scaring her.

And the fact that she was scared was really making her angry.

And the mix of that and a little bit too much champagne made all her fears just spill right out of her mouth.

She turned out of Hiccup's embrace so she could face him, "He's done nothing but piss me off and control my whole life. And I should be standing here telling you that I'm happy he's gone. That I'm happy he's not controlling my every move anymore."

Hiccup was standing there silently in front of her, listening to her every word so intently like he always did. His bushy brows were furrowed and his eyes were full of worry, but he knew she wasn't done so he waited.

Astrid took a deep shaky breath, "But I can't. I can't stand here and tell you any of that because I know what it feels like to lose one parent already. And now I'm just worried I'm losing my dad too. And I don't want to lose him because he's the only family I have left."

And the slump of her shoulders told him she was done. Hiccup stepped forward, closing the distance between them. He lifted her chin so she'd look at him and his heart broke at the pain and distress he saw in her blue eyes that were usually strong and wide and bright.

"Astrid, he isn't the only family you have left anymore. You have me, you have my mom, and you even have my dad. You're apart of our family now and you always will be."

Hiccup moved his hand to caress her cheek and she leaned into his warm touch.

He continued, "And I don't know what the future holds for us. I don't know if your father will ever come around. I wish I could tell you for sure that he will, but even I don't know what's around the corner for you...for us." His hand left her cheek and found her hand down by her side, "But there is one thing that I do know for certain, which is whatever comes our way we'll face it head on and we'll face it together."

And the sudden fullness of her heart is what made her throw her arms around his neck and bury her face in the crook of his neck. She felt him wrap his arms around her waist and kiss the top of her head.

"I love you, Hiccup." She mumbled against the spot on his neck and pressed her lips to his jaw when she felt his arms tighten around her.

And he never got tired of hearing those words coming from the girl that was once trying to steal his crown who actually ended up stealing his heart instead.

"I love you too, Astrid." He replied, pulling away from her embrace so he could tuck a strand of hair behind her ear and press his lips to hers. The kiss was short but it was full of love and full of meaning. It was a kiss that never got old and made them both feel like they were flying up above the ground and running their fingers through the clouds.

Hiccup pressed his forehead against hers, "We should probably go back in before they come searching for us."

Astrid breathed a chuckle but nodded, agreeing. She pulled away from him and grabbed his hand, "Together?"

He squeezed her hand and smiled, "Together."

And so they walked back inside, hand-in-hand, knowing that they could get through anything so long as they did it together.

And…that's all folks! Moira is done. Gosh, I cried writing the ending. Very emotional day for me. I may need a hug.

The number of people wanting a sequel just made me so so happy! So, it's officially happening. I have no idea when it will be posted because it's still in the works but look for that here soon. I'm going to be using that as my distraction while avoiding spoilers and waiting until I see HTTYD3 on Feb. 22. LOL!

So, by what happened in this chapter, you can already tell I have hinted at some things that will be further explored in the sequel. Really excited for what Christine and I have planned.

Hey, HTTYDLover99, my answer to your question is...maybe... ;) *giggles*

Thank you to everyone who has read this, reviewed this, and liked it. Seriously. Thank you. BIG INTERNET GROUP HUG INCOMING!

Hope everyone has happy holidays and I will see you again sometime after the new year!