#if you think about it it’s no wonder Hiccup and Astrid come off so much

[random-fan-of-many-fandoms]

Equestrians of the HTTYD fandom… do y’all ever really critique the dragon riders’ equitation and the style of horsemanship (dragonship????) that they use or just me?

#httyd #httyd fandom #fandoms #equestrian #horseback riding #if you think about it it’s no wonder Hiccup and Astrid come off so much #Their stirrups are so short #Fishlegs rides like a dressage or western rider

[bettyfrommars]

I'm on Fire

chapter 18: the ties that bind

masterlist playlist

18+ MDNI

If you've come this far in the series, you know what to expect. No physical violence in this final chapter, but there might be some jealousy, protective/jealous Eddie, and threats. Steve with an OC character, parental Stobin, unprotected sex, oral, and meeting the extended family. Can't say goodby without a glimpse of Charlene. Reader is an artist and a vegetarian, but I try hard to keep away from any physical description.

word count: 15k

official author's note will be at the end of this chapter. I cherish you, my I'm on Fire fam, I'm so grateful for the ride, and I hope you enjoy this one.

"It's a long dark highway and a thin white line Connecting baby, your heart to mine."

-- the ties that bind, Bruce Springsteen

The next morning, a new Henderson opened her eyes to the world. 

Steve was the next one to hold her after her parents, and he hadn’t expected to cry, to have his throat close up around his emotions and choke him when he was told they named her Stevie.  He held her so close but so gentle and he barely noticed how wet his cheeks were until Robin came close and rubbed her palm in circles on his back.

“She kinda looks like me. That’s weird right?” Steve hushed, voice catching in a tearful hiccup. He was already thinking of the tattoo he would get with her name, inside his arm, close to his heart. 

“Yeah, that is weird and impossible, Dingus,” Robin smiled into his shoulder, stroking a loving arc over Stevie’s little infant forehead with her finger.  “But she kinda does.”

The labor had been long, the sun was up, and everyone was exhausted.  Astrid was at the house making breakfast while you and Eddie looked after Oliver.  He insisted on watching Pee-Wee Herman's Big Adventure again, and that was when you learned it was one of Eddie’s favorites as well; he knew every line by heart.  He mimicked Ollie with the chant, “I know you are but what am I, I know you are but what am I?”

And it was only then that you realized why Eddie had made a joke once about violently cutting off your mattress tag, the one that specifically said DO NOT REMOVE. Also, it explained why Steve so ardently wanted to start his own biker gang called Satan’s Helpers.

After breakfast, Eddie took you back to the Hammer to get your car, and even though you didn’t want to socialize, you were also in no mood to be stranded at your place without wheels.  Jackie reminded you that you looked like shit on your way through the smoky haze from the late morning drinkers.  You simply nodded in silent agreement, and it wasn’t so much a nod as your head lazily bobbing on a spring.  Your internal clock was out of whack, and you desperately needed a shower.  A shower and a soak in the healing waters of some type of magical pond that could heal you from the inside out. 

Maybe a month on a beach somewhere.

And then you pictured Eddie in a pair of loud, tropical swim trunks and giggled to yourself.

You were just about to leave the locker room with your paycheck and a few of your things, when tall, blonde Erika pushed in with a concerned look on her face, making you back up.  She shut the door behind her and leaned against it, covering the “Safety in the Workplace” poster. 

“Hey, so, that guy is here looking for you again,” her whisper was urgent.

Your heart sank for a second as the memory of Craig gripped you.  You had to remind yourself that he was long gone.  

But you wondered if a part of him would always be lurking somewhere near, haunting you from beyond the grave.

Your next guess was Chief Hopper, maybe he had more questions for you.  

“What guy?” You were hoping she had a clue, or asked a name, so that you could prepare yourself, doing your best to smooth out the front of your shirt.

She only shrugged.  “He’s older, Paul Newman type. Smells like he’s made of money. This is the third time he’s been here asking about you.”

It still didn’t ring any bells, but you’d only slept a half hour on the couch curled up next to Eddie while Pee-Wee stormed the Alamo looking for his bike.  

You took a slow peek around the corner of the bar from the hallway and saw John Gregson sitting there with a drink in his hand. Full head of salt n’ pepper hair slicked back off his face, wearing one of his signature gray suits. 

Was he by himself?  The way Charlene had been popping up like a bad rash lately, you almost expected to see her there, playing the dutiful wife.  

You hid yourself in the hallway again, wondering if you had it in you to have a conversation with anyone, let alone him.

To say his face “lit up” when he saw you would be an understatement; He looked as if you’d been pulled from the rubble of a burning building, and he thought he would never see you again.  

You found it hard to match the enthusiasm, even though he’d turned out to be a decent guy.  

He stood up from his stool and Shana gave you both a curious look from behind the bar as she poured a shaken martini into a glass. She was wearing one of her long, black wigs that day with Bettie Page bangs.  

“It’s good to see you,” he gestured to the seat next to him, his icy blue eyes shone like the Mediterranean Sea. “It’s been a while.”

You sank one hip onto the padded stool so that one foot was still on the ground.  You didn’t want him to think you were staying for too long.

“I’m sorry I’m so behind on your painting, life has been—”

He put his hand up, palm out to you.  It was his left hand and you noticed that he was not wearing his wedding ring.  

“Please, don’t worry about the painting.  Take all the time you need, that’s not why I’m here.  Can I buy you lunch?”

“I-I…” you fumbled.  “I was just on my way out.”

“A drink then?” He cleared his throat and shifted closer casually so that his knee was touching yours. He swirled his drink in his hand.  “There’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about and I didn’t feel it was appropriate to do it over the phone.”

Your anxiety spiked a bit, and it wasn’t as if he was a serial killer or anything, but his sudden shift in proximity gave you pause.  You asked Shana for an iced tea and gestured for him to follow you to one of the more isolated tables against the dark red wall, underneath a framed Led Zeppelin poster.  He pulled your chair out for you before getting settled with his gin and tonic, making sure to use one of the black cocktail napkins as a coaster. 

“I know you’re busy,” he cleared his throat. “So, permit me to get right to the point.” He removed the two stir straws from his drink and put them on the napkin.

 “First of all, I’d like to apologize for my wife. I believe she’s caused you quite a bit of trouble.”

You had not expected that one

His stare was too intense, you had to shift your attention and take a gulp of your drink.

“You see,” he settled back, keeping his forearms on the table.  “I met Charlene when I was barely out of high school, we were together before I made my money, and I always felt like I owed her my blind devotion.  Lately it’s obvious that we only make each other miserable.”

He continued.  “I’m not a stupid man. I always knew about the other boyfriends, not that she made much of an effort to hide it,” he smiled wryly to himself.  “Not to bore you with the details of my failed marriage, but I know that Charlene’s the reason you lost your job at the gallery, and I’d like to rectify that, if I can.”

Realization dawned at his words.  Why hadn’t you put those pieces together earlier? Of course Charlene was the reason you lost your job, she probably threatened to remove her funding and ruin Judith.  

You could barely catch up to what he was saying before he started again.  “I’m opening a gallery in Chicago, and I’d like you to come out and run it.”

You choked and had to cover your mouth with the back of your hand.  “Excuse me?”

John smiled so genuinely at your reaction that the skin around his eyes crinkled.  He undid a button on his suit jacket to get more comfortable. “You’d have full creative license, you’d be able to hire your team, do with it what you wish.  I trust your vision.”

It was that opportunity you’d been dreaming about for years, the one you’d been working toward for almost a decade.  

So easy, just like that.

Here, take it, it’s everything you’ve ever wanted.

…but was it?

Your head swam, vision tunneling slightly as you glanced around the Velvet Hammer.  You imagined Steve on his stool at the door and Eddie pulling you aside in the hallway to kiss you.  The song Everlong by The Foo Fighters was on, and you thought about how Chicago was over three hours away.  You’d have to move; it was much too far for a commute.

“That’s such a generous offer, I…I don’t know what to say?” 

“You don’t have to say anything right now,” and before you knew what was happening, his hand slid across the table and was on top of your fingers. 

Your eyes flashed to his hand over yours and you sat there shocked while your need to be polite overrode your core instincts. 

“I know there’s a lot to think about,” he continued, removing his hand to cup it around his drink again.  “Of course, I’d pay for all of your moving expenses.  I own a building downtown with an artist loft I think you might be interested in.  You’d have plenty of room to live and paint, start fresh, if you wanted to.”

Start fresh.

You felt like Shana had slipped a psychedelic into your tea, like you were melting into your chair.  Your brain was having a hard time keeping up with the reality of what was being offered.  

He tossed back another sip and wiped the corners of his mouth, looking almost unsure if he should say the next part.  “Charlene and I—” he licked his perfectly straight teeth in contemplation. “---we’ve decided to go our separate ways.  We’re selling the lake house, a few other properties, and she’s planning to move to Hawaii to be near her sister.”

A thought zipped through your mind then. How long had Charlene known she was leaving? Why would she become a partner in The Velvet Hammer and then move to Hawaii?

“That means I’ll be at my condo in Chicago most of the time, unless I’m traveling for business,” he gave you a pointed look again.  “There are so many places I’d love to take you to in the city.  If you are interested, that is.”

“Well,” you laughed nervously. “I’d need to talk to my boyfriend about it. About the job, I mean.  Moving to Chicago. His whole life is here.”

“Certainly,” John nodded, not missing a beat. “You talk to him and when you’re ready, you have my number. The gallery space I’m buying needs work, so I’d like to fly you out there in a week to take a look at it, once you decide.”

You were still staring glassy eyed at the edge of the table after John stood and left the Hammer.  You hadn’t remembered to breathe in god knew how long, so you tried that, letting out a hard exhale that made a cocktail napkin go flying off the table.

Would Eddie move with you? Visit you on the weekends? The latter seemed more likely but also not, considering how demanding his work schedule was.  Katie told you that Robin had asked her to move in, and you were overjoyed for her.  She’d be paying her share of the rent and utilities for the next month, but after that you’d either need to find a smaller place or a new roommate because you couldn’t afford your duplex on a Velvet Hammer salary.  

One week was all you had.

Did you even need a week? Surely you knew your answer.

—-------

The tires on the tow truck screeched to a stuttering halt out on a Hawkins back road lined with cornfields.

Behind the wheel, Eddie idled there, right in front of that familiar white picket fence around the big yard and the farmhouse with a porch swing and a red barn in back.

Eddie knew the details of the old Ferguson place by heart, it had been his dream house ever since he was in high school and used to take long rides on his bike to clear his head.  The couple that had spent their life raising a family there were in their 80’s now, and he’d heard through the grapevine that they were relocating to a retirement community.  To a smaller place that was easier to care for.  All of their children were grown and lived far away.

The newest addition to the house was where his eyes fell.  

His attention fixed on the sign at the end of the driveway for a long while, heart thudding in his chest.

The old Ferguson Farmhouse was for sale.

—---

The next day was the Welcome Home Baby Stevie barbeque at Steve’s and he had a blue “Kiss the Cook” apron on and a spatula in his bandaged hand when you and Eddie arrived.  He wore an elastic bracelet made of colorful plastic beads around his wrist that you assumed was a new gift from Oliver.  The sky was bright blue, almost blinding, and the air was crisp. 

“You sure you’re okay?” Eddie asked on the way up the driveway to Robin and Steve’s backyard where the lawn had been neatly mowed and edged.  “Anything you want to talk about?”

You hated keeping things from him, but you had no idea how to bring up John’s offer, or if you even wanted to mention it.  Eddie had invited you over to his place the night before, but you’d told him you needed some time alone to get to bed early.  Turns out that being alone with your thoughts only made it worse.

“No, I’m fine my love, I promise,” you leaned into him.  “I’m just tired.”

He put his arm around your shoulders to scoop you closer and kiss your ear.  “I’m gonna take care of you tonight.  Make you a bath, pour you some wine, kiss you all over.  How does that sound?”

“It sounds—” you felt emotions water your eyes suddenly and you blinked it away as quickly as you could.  “That sounds perfect.”

You felt guilty that you were even considering John’s offer, but how could you not? A very hopeful part of you said that both were a possibility, that you could keep Eddie and have your dream job in the city. But how? You couldn’t take Eddie away from Wayne and Oliver and his business, you would never ask that of him.  

“Is Wayne coming?” You asked, noticing you did not see his truck.  Also, your thoughts were racing again and you needed a distraction.

“He’ll be here later,” Eddie assured you.  “Astrid is picking him up on her way over.  Max and Lucas stopped by the garage for a visit and I didn’t want to disrupt the reunion.”

You felt a bit embarrassed at the mention of his longtime friend Max, only because you’d been made to believe that she was a mysterious redhead that Eddie was having an affair with not too long ago.

Thanks to Charlene.

You imagined that Hawkins would be a much better place without her lurking around every corner.  Was there a chance that Judith would take you back on at Moon River Gallery?  No, you had no desire to go crawling back to that place. Unless a new gallery opened, or your art took off to celebrity status, you’d be waitressing at the Hammer and squirreling away your tips for the foreseeable future.

But, you’d have Eddie.

You’d been spacing out so hard, you barely realized that Robin was standing in front of you, offering to take the sack with a Tupperware full of homemade potato salad and hamburger buns. Eddie was carrying your veggie burger patties that he bought especially for the occasion, and the fixings to make tofu skewers.  You told him you were a vegetarian once, and you never had to remind him again.  

“You good?” Robin asked, noting the way you shook your head a few times to come back to reality. Katie came up behind Robin to place her hands on her girlfriend’s hips before she moved over to your side.

“Have a beer with me?” Katie asked softly, reading the weariness in your slightly hunched shoulders.  

It was officially fall, but the weather was warm for Indiana in late September.  Eddie had on his Iron Maiden concert tee under his jacket from their 1985 World Slavery tour and black converse with his worn jeans, and he took his leather off and threw it on a lawn chair as he walked over to the grill.

“You better leave the hard stuff to me,” he said to Steve, shifting his gaze accusatory to grill.  The last time he let Steve grill your veggie burger, he’d charred it within an inch of its life.  

“Have at it,” Steve dusted his hands together.  “I have to go check on my pie in the oven.”

“You baked a pie?” Eddie gawked at him like he had hornets crawling out of his ears.  

“Well, Astrid made it,” he pinched a few sunflower seeds out of the front pocket of his apron and popped them in his mouth, chewing as he spoke. “It’s cherry,” he bobbed his eyebrows up and down a few times suggestively, and Eddie scoffed, elbowing him out of the way so that he could put his skewers down on the folding table.

You were just about to take the first sip of your beer when a man’s voice that was not familiar called over from the driveway.  

“There’s that long-haired freak I’ve been looking for.”

The skin on your arms prickled with gooseflesh and you spun around, thinking there was about to be some sort of trouble. 

Slightly unrealistic to think the worst, but you were understandably alert.

There at the edge of the lawn stood a tall, handsome guy you’d never laid eyes on before, maybe in his late 20’s, and he had a Coffin Kings cut on that was very similar to the one’s Eddie and Steve wore.  At his side, holding his hand was an adorable redhead. Her long hair was pulled through the back of a baseball cap, but you noted that the bright candy color was deeply familiar.  

You turned to see Eddie’s reaction like you were watching a tennis match.  

“Well, I’ll be damned,” he beamed.  “Look what the cat dragged in, "and he stopped what he was doing to make his way over with his arms out and the two hugged, giving each other hearty pats on the back.

“Max!” Robin squealed, practically doing a cartwheel in that direction.  You and Katie fell back and stood shoulder to shoulder, watching the group reconnect in a way that was very familial.  

Lucas and Max had been together since high school, you learned, and Lucas was a member of the Coffin Kings Indianapolis chapter.  The song Love Spreads by The Stone Roses played from Robin's portable boombox on the steps as the new arrivals meandered in to be with the rest of the gang and assimilated with ease.  

Eddie rested his hand on your lower back to introduce you, and instead of a handshake, Max went in for a hearty hug, and in your ear, she said, “Eddie loves you so much, I’ve been dying to meet you.”

When she pulled back to meet your eyes, you nodded, swallowing hard.  “I’ve heard so much about you,” you told her, and then Max shot a look at Eddie and made a crack about how she hoped it was all good things that you’d heard.

They were even more interested to meet Katie, being that Robin had not been serious about anyone since before Oliver was born.  Just then, the Oliver in question came bursting out of the house flying his hot dog bun through the air like a plane, making engine noises.  

By the time Dustin and Suzie came by with their new baby, the smell of burgers charring on the grill filled the air and you helped Steve bring some more chairs out to the lawn.  Eddie was taking much care to keep your vegetarian stuff away from the meat, and you couldn’t help but notice with deep adoration.

Astrid had a lot on her mind.  So much so that she didn’t have it in her to make the usual banter with Wayne that she enjoyed when they were together.

“You okay, darlin’?” Wayne turned to her in the truck on the way over.

“Oh,” she tucked a thick swatch of dark hair behind her ear. “You know, just thinking about how excited Steve must be about the new baby.”

There was a distinct melancholy in her voice.  One of the reasons the relationship between her and Steve had never gone any further than besties who make love was her refusal to take away his chance at a big family.  She was barely 21 when a doctor told her she’d never be able to conceive. Well, technically he said there was a small chance—a hairline percentage—but that it “would take an actual miracle”---those were his words.  

She loved Steve too much to not let him be a dad.  He was made for that life.  Ever since he was a teenager, he’d known he wanted to be a father, and once he had Oliver, she knew she’d done the right thing.  She’d tried to keep their relationship platonic time and time again, but in the end, the chemistry between them always proved to be too strong.  

She’d decided that she would love him until he found someone else, and then she would continue to love him from the shadows.  She’d given her heart long ago, and with him it would stay.  

“Hell, look at the head of hair on that kid,” Wayne said when Suzie introduced him to her daughter.  He gave a crooked grin and stroked a finger along the back of her tiny, exposed hand.  

At that, Dustin took his cap off and swiped a hand through his unruly mane.  “Thank god the rest of her looks take after her mother.”

“My thoughts exactly,” Lucas grumbled, thumping his friend in the arm.  

Steve had his back to the crowd when they came in and Astrid spanked him on the bum on her way up the stairs to the kitchen.

He spun on his heel and was quick to cage his arms around her so she could only squirm.  His face was flushed and glowing.  “You meet the kid?”

“I did,” normally, she would’ve kissed him, but instead she pulled back a bit, tilting her chin away.  “She’s so beautiful, Steve.”

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I—” she knew she was a fool to think he wouldn’t be able to read her face, a fool to think he couldn’t read her like a book after all of those years.  

Steve frowned, examining her face for a clue to her distress.  

Astrid’s stomach felt like she’d swallowed a lead weight.  

She hadn’t decided if she should tell him or not.

About the secret she’d been carrying with her for a few days.  

15 years, that’s how long she’d been in love with him.

Back when he was 19 and she was 23.

They’d known each other since they were little kids.

“I need to talk to you later,” she told him.

Steve dropped his arms from around her but held her hand.  “You can’t tell me now?”

She’d be 38 in December.

“Later, okay?” She winked at him to ease his suffering, and then made her way into the house, knowing that he stood there the whole time and watched her go. 

But later that day never came.  

Wayne wanted to get back and rest before his chemo treatment, and Dustin and his family only stayed for about an hour as they were all understandably still exhausted and wanting to recover at home.  

Astrid waved goodbye to Steve on her way out, and Steve stood up from his chair thinking he’d get a kiss, or at least a hug—but then she was gone.  

He tried not to think too much of it.  If he’d done something to upset her, she was never shy about letting him know.  Maybe she was tired of socializing, maybe she needed a break from him.

Lord knows he wished he could take a break from himself.  

Eddie looked over at where you stood talking with Max and Robin, and he recalled the conversation he’d had with Wayne a few days earlier.

“I don’t have to tell you you found a good one,” Wayne said from the couch in his trailer while Eddie sat next to him.  “I think you know they don’t come around very often.”

“Oh believe me, I know,” Eddie raked a hand through his hair, brushing his bangs off his forehead one, two, three times.  “I keep thinking one day she’s going to wake up and realize she could do a lot better.”

“You’ve done better than you give yourself credit for,” his uncle returned in a low, steady voice. 

When the next words came, Eddie felt a tightness in his throat:

“I’m proud of you, son.”

Wayne had a hard time leaving the house the day after his treatments, so Eddie always came by to bring him lunch and make sure he had everything he needed.  One day he came by to check on Wayne and found that you were already there, doing his dishes for him.

He’d never been with anyone who cared about the people in his life like that.  

Back at the barbeque, you slipped up next to him and planted your lips on his bicep, breathing in the sandalwood and leather of his scent.  “Penny for your thoughts?”

“Since you asked,” he smirked.  “I was thinking how I wish I’d met you a lot sooner.”

“How much sooner?” You batted eyes at him once he turned to face you. “In high school?”

Eddie made a yuck face.  “No, you would not have given me a chance in high school.  I would’ve been a lovesick puppy, but you probably wouldn’t have even known I existed.”

“Are you kidding?” You stuck the tip of your tongue out between your teeth, examining him.  “I would’ve jumped your bones so fast.”

“So fast, huh?” He chuckled, taking you by the hips. “What about now?”

He pulled you in and you hummed against his lips, trying not to get too horny right there in front of the guests.  

Lucas and Max would be in town for a couple days, so you and Eddie made plans to meet up at the Velvet Hammer when you were off work on Tuesday.  By the time the sun went down, all of the visitors were gone, and you were happy to head home as well after helping with some cleanup.  

“Robin and I can take care of it,” Katie nudged you away from trying to wash out a casserole dish at the sink. “You get out of here and go rest.  Make Eddie rub your feet or something.”

You both stopped what you were doing to look at each other.  

The way you were searching your friend’s face made her turn to give you her full attention.  In the background, you could hear Steve trying to convince Oliver to get his pajamas on and brush his teeth in a sing-song voice.  

“I can’t believe how much has happened in these past few months,” you still had soap bubbles popping on your wet hands and you slid them absently along the thighs of your jeans. 

Katie gave a thoughtful sniff.  “I think about it a lot,” she mused. “About that night on the couch at our place when you first told me about the guy who picked you up in the tow truck, and then meeting the boys at The Hideout and then—”

She cringed and covered her face with a dish towel, remembering her “date” with Steve.  “---it feels so surreal that Steve and I actually…well…I don’t want to think about it.  It’s too weird.”

“But then you and Robin found each other again,” you offered, thinking back to that first barbecue at their house when Eddie had to take off suddenly for secretive Coffin Kings business.  

It was on the tip of your tongue to tell your friend about the offer from John Gregson.  Katie knew you better than most people and you could always trust her advice to be on the mark.  

For some reason, you wanted to cry, just drop to your knees and start bawling right there on the kitchen floor.  For no one reason just

Everything

Katie caught the way your jaw moved like you were just about to say something, but then Eddie’s hands were snaking around to hold your back flush to his chest.  Your hair caught on his beard stubble when he leaned in, warm breath at your ear.  “You ladies need any help in here?”

You closed your eyes; you were glad to have him there. Glad to be in his arms, glad to know, in your heart, that he would always try his best for you.

But you were the one keeping a secret.  

Robin joined Katie at the sink and told you both to take a hike, lovingly.  

Steve came into the kitchen after you were both gone and the engine of Eddie’s Chevelle could be heard thundering down the road.

The first thing he did was pick up the beige, wall-mounted phone and call Astrid.  He stood there for a while with the receiver pressed to his ear and his other arm folded over his chest before he held the mouthpiece out in front of him and stared at it.

“She’s not answering,” he mumbled loud enough that the girls could hear.  

“Maybe she’s at Wayne’s? Did you check there?” Robin offered; her hair worn up in a haphazard ponytail.

Steve checked the clock first to make sure he wasn’t bothering Uncle too late, but it was barely 8:30 and he was probably up in his recliner watching M*A*S*H reruns.  

Wayne answered and they exchanged a few words, but then when Steve hung up again, he was quiet, contemplatively so.

“What did he say?” Robin asked impatiently, drying some silverware with a checkered towel.

Steve frowned.  “He said she dropped him off almost two hours ago and told him she was going home.”

He tried her house one more time and, again, no answer.  He let it ring five times but disconnected once her answering machine clicked on.  

“Maybe she went to bed early,” Katie shrugged.  “And turned the ringer off.”

Steve knew better; Astrid barely slept.  Normally, not being able to get a hold of her would not phase him, but something about the way she’d been acting that night set an alarm off in his gut.  

Outside, there was the sound like a firecracker bomb going off that shook the house.  Robin yelped and Steve bolted to the window to yank the yellow curtain back to see where it had come from.  

He got there just in time to see a streak of lightning crack the dark sky and a drizzle of rain hit the glass.  “Oh shit, good thing Eddie came in the Chevelle,” the droplets turned into a downpour as he stood there.  

“Looks like a hell of a storm is brewing.”

—----

Earlier that day, Charlene Gregson marched out of Murray Bauman’s office with her lawyer in tow.  She wore her oversized sunglasses and no expression on her face as they went down in the elevator and exited into the austere lobby.  She looked like a million bucks, which was probably the cost of all of the gold and diamond jewelry she had on.  

Outside on the busy street, her personal chauffeur was waiting by the Towncar to open the door for her while her lawyer, a pit-bull of a man named Saul, got in on the other side to slide in next to her.  Billy was out there waiting on his bike, to make sure no one bothered her on their way out.  He flicked his cigarette to the ground and revved the engine, angling to fall in line behind the Towncar.

“You sure this is what you want?” Saul posed the question to her as he slammed his door shut. They’d just thrown a lot of money at Murray and had him sign official documents.

Charlene sounded annoyed.  “It’s a bit late for that, isn’t it? The deal is done.”

He continued. “I suppose I’m still trying to wrap my head around why you would—” 

“I don’t pay you to ask personal questions,” she sniffed. “Just make sure there’s a smooth transition.  I don’t want to be having a cocktail on the beach and find out that you fumbled something, and I’m forced to fly back out here.”

The town car sailed into traffic and the two sat in silence for a few minutes until Charlene stared out the window at the passing buildings on their way back to the lake house. 

 “Have you ever been in love, Saul?” 

He was confused by the question and tapped his foot a few times.  “I can’t really say I have.” 

After recent events, and everything that he’d been tasked to do in her name for the benefit of someone else made him wonder. “What about you?”

“Only once,” she pressed her red lips together, eyes unblinking behind her sunglasses.  “And once will have to be enough.”

Saul assumed she meant her soon to be ex husband John, and so he left it at that.  

—-------

In a matter of seconds, the rain was coming down in sheets and the windshield wipers on the Chevelle were flapping back and forth at supernova speed.

“We could go back to my apartment if you want,” Eddie turned the Faith No More song down on the radio so that he could be heard over the rain.  “But your place is cozier, and I know both are fairly small but I’ve been wanting to talk to you about—”

“I think I want to stay at my place tonight,” you blurted it out, keeping your attention fixed on the dash, staring at nothing. “Alone, if that’s alright.” 

You could see in your peripheral vision that he turned to look at you, and you offered a reflexive smile, shoulders hunched a bit as if you were trying to fold  in on yourself.  

He smoothed his palm around the steering wheel and tried not to let the sensitive side of him that had been abandoned his whole life jump to conclusions.  Not everyone needed to sleep next to the person they loved every night; you wanting space was totally reasonable and had nothing to do with your feelings for him.

Right?

Just in case, he decided to make sure.  “Was it something I said or? Cause if there’s an issue between us, you know you can talk to me.”

For some reason, his insistence to have healthy communication irritated you.  Possibly because you knew he was right and you should put it all out on the table and talk to him, but you didn’t know how.  Your brain had barely been able to process the offer from John, let alone put the whole thing into words.

“It’s nothing you did,” you said softly.  “I just need time to think.”

Something about your tone and choice of words made his heart rate increase.  “Think about what?”

“Just stuff Eddie, okay? I don’t want to talk about it right now!” You snapped at him, for the first time ever.  

After everything with Erika and Charlene and Melanie and thinking he’d been cheating on you, you’d never lost your temper with him, and the two of you had never had a fight.  As much as you knew that arguments and disagreements were a very normal part of intimate relationships, you still felt like shit the second the words came out with such vitriol.

There it was, Eddie’s biggest fear: you were pulling away from him.  

He’d suffocated you just like he was prone to do.  He was “too much”, and now you were getting sick of him.  

For the next few minutes of the drive to your place, neither of you said a word.  

You because you didn’t want to take your confusion and anxiety out on Eddie, and Eddie because he didn’t want to sound like a whiny, needy bitch and make things worse.    

He parked up in your driveway to get you close to the door, but he kept the engine running to let you know he was honoring your wish to drop you off and let you be.  

You took a deep breath and flipped the manual lock up with two fingers.

“Wait, let me—” he was about to get out and come around to hold his coat out for you so that you wouldn’t get wet, but you were too quick for him.

“I’ll be fine, goodnight.” you were soaked the second you stepped out, fumbling in the pocket of your bag to find your keys.

“I love you,” Eddie’s voice was barely loud enough to be heard over the weather.

“Love you too,” you said quickly, and then you were bolting for the house, wishing you’d left the porch light on.  

Once you were inside, you clicked the deadbolt shut and watched the beam of Eddie’s headlights retreat.

This was ridiculous.  You were being ridiculous.  

There’s a beautiful man out there who treats you better than you’ve ever been treated in your whole life.  

You threw your bag on the floor and undid the lock to jerk open the door again.

You stumbled out into the rain.  “Eddie wait!”

But all you could see were his taillights as he pulled onto the main street and drifted away.  

—------

Back at her house, Astrid let the phone ring.

At one point, she had her hand on it, ready to pick up, but then decided against it.  

It was impossible for her to be fake with Steve, but she also wasn’t ready to be as forthcoming as she needed to be.  

She stood at the table and looked at the paperwork from the doctor's office one more time before she made her way over to the couch and hugged a pillow to her chest to let the tears fall hot and heavy.  

She had her eyes closed, so she didn’t notice the lights approaching in the driveway or hear Steve shouting her name from the sidewalk as he stood out in the rain.

He’d borrowed Robin’s car to ease his mind and make sure Astrid was okay.  What if she had slipped and hit her head or something? What if she was there with another dude? Also, a possibility under their “don’t ask, don’t tell” relationship agreement.    

The white t-shirt he had on was soaked through, making the tattoos underneath look like they were a design imprinted on the material that hugged his muscles.  

He banged on the door with the side of his fist and shouted her name again. 

By then, Astrid could hear him, but she stayed curled on the couch and waited in vain for him to give up and leave.  

—--

Eddie scowled to himself as he parked the Chevelle in one of the garages and made his way across the parking lot and up the steps to his apartment, shaking his wet hair like a dog.  He could hear a few of the guys partying in the clubhouse, and he thought about joining them, but realized his spirits were too low to be social. There was a punching bag in the back office where he normally did his workouts to burn off steam, but he wasn’t in the mood for that either.  

He told himself he would check on you first thing in the morning, but then it occurred to him that you might not want to hear from him right away.  He wanted to respect your wishes, your boundaries.  

He didn’t want to smother you.

On the nightstand next to his phone was the card for the real estate agent he’d visited the day before.  There was a room on the second floor of the Ferguson farmhouse with a view of the big backyard and he imagined setting some easels up to make it a place for you to paint.  It had a big living room with a fireplace and a workshed in the barn.  He wanted to talk to you about it, to ask if maybe you could see yourself living there.  With him.  

But now he wondered if things were moving too fast.  

He crossed his arms over his body and took his shirt off in the bathroom mirror.  He rubbed a hand down his stomach, noting the areas of skin that were not covered in inked designs.  The fanged bat with wings spread wide on his chest, the dragon design on his bicep, the grim reaper on his forearm.  A crude dagger made to look like it pierced his skin just under his rib cage that said, “true friends stab you in the front”.  There were other bits of traditional biker flash scattered around that Steve had doodled on him over the past decade.  On his other forearm was a memorial tattoo for his mother with her name, the year she died, and an angel statue with eyes that dripped blood, surrounded in roses and thorns, and the thorns came down over the back of his hand.  It was done in a way so that the bats that had been inked there earlier were still visible.  

He was barely 15 when another friend inked HELLFIRE on his knuckles.  It was done with a homemade tattooing gun like the ones used in prison, and the letters had to be redone later because they were basically chicken scratches.  One of the other earliest ones was the skull with a snake through it on his opposite bicep with his nickname “War Machine” underneath.  

Some days, he wanted to get them all removed and start over.

Other days, he wanted to go balls to the wall like Steve and be inked from ear to foot.  

He threw his soaked shirt in the hamper and was just about to grab a beer out of the small fridge near his desk to take into the shower with him—

but then there was a knock at the door.  

At first, he thought it was one of the other Coffin Kings, trying to drag him down to get plastered with them, but then he noticed that the rapping of knuckles was soft, cautious even.  

“Eddie?”

His head snapped around at the sound of the voice.

It was you. 

—------

Steve held his finger on the doorbell, relentlessly.  “Astrid, if you don’t answer the goddamn door, I’m gonna break it down!  You know I will!”

Astrid wiped her face, flapping her hand to dry her eyes and cheeks to the best of her ability.  She still had on the flowy, floral, maxi dress with an empire waist that she’d worn at the barbeque, and she wrapped a black shawl around her shoulders as she stomped begrudgingly to the door. 

Just as she was about to reach up to unlock the safety chain, there was a loud thud from Steve’s foot slamming into the wood, vibrating the hinges.

“Steve stop!” She yelled, fussing with the second lock on the doorknob.  

She yanked the door back and there he was: soaked to the bone. 

There was only a short awning over her front steps, and so he was standing as close to the frame as possible while more thunder rumbled in the distance. His wet hair had flopped into his eyes, and he swiped it back with a twist of his head, spitting to the sidewalk as he did so.  

His expression was one of anger at first, but then it melted into confusion when he could tell right away that she had been crying.  “Why aren’t you answering your phone?”

“This is a bad time,” she stayed blocking the entrance, although the yearning in his eyes was actively testing her resolve.

“The hell it is?” He pushed. He shifted to see behind her, as if there was someone or something she was hiding.  “You’re upset, I can tell.  Let me in.”

“No.” That was her answer, but Steve wasn’t having it.

He stomped up onto the threshold, wet hair dripping onto her face as he closed in, bracing his hand on the door so that she couldn’t shut it.  “Why don’t you want to see me?”

She tried to look everywhere but his face, but then his hand caught her chin and guided her eyes up to meet his. 

 “Talk to me,” he whispered from lips dotted in water droplets.  

There was a tug of war going on in her heart, and in the end, Steve won.  He always did.  

She didn’t invite him in properly, she just turned on her heel and left the door open, knowing he would follow her into the living room.  

His boots squeaked from all the moisture on her hardwood floors.  He always liked to take his shoes off when he came to see her, but it was too late for that.  He found her sitting on the couch in the dark, but he could only see the outline of her curly hair.

“Why are you sitting here without any lights on?” He reached down and flicked on a tiny wicker lamp that was on the nearby bookshelf.  

“You ask a lot of questions,” she mumbled.

He pinched the front of his shirt to peel it from his body and flapped it a few times as if that would dry it out. “What did you want to talk to me about at the barbeque?”

“You’re soaking wet,” she got a good look at him in the light and suddenly felt bad that she’d made him wait out there.

“No kidding?” He snorted sarcastically. 

“You left some of your clothes here last time. I folded them in the third drawer,” she hugged the pillow.  “Get into something dry and then we can talk.”

He stripped down to his underwear right there in front of her, staring at her the entire time, as if he was worried she would bolt and try to hide from him. His patchwork of colorful tattoos was a jumble of loud expressions of his aggression and passion.  In honor of his nickname Taz, he had several Tasmanian devils doing various things including riding a motorcycle and one on the back of his arm giving onlookers the middle finger.  The ones on the front of his thighs were all self-done when he was just a kid, practicing his craft.  When he was a teenager, he used to tease her and call her “Asteroid” and just above his knee was an asteroid with a fire tail crashing toward a heart-shaped earth.  Besides the Seek and Destroy tattoo on the side of his throat, his skin was full of phrases, including the big “FTW” letters in an arc under his ribcage that stood for “Fuck the World”.   

He went into her bedroom and brought out a pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt with “Gary’s Plumbing” advertised on the front pocket.  He dressed in front of her as well, keeping a relentless eye.

“You really are ridiculous, you know that?” She put her chin in her palm and waited patiently for the show to be over.  

He flapped his arms out to his sides like a little kid waiting for approval on his outfit. “Okay, beautiful. I’m dry.  Time to spill the beans.”

“Can you sit down, please?” Her heart flopped in her chest as she considered the words that were about to come out of her mouth and the effect, they would have on him.

In Steve’s experience, when someone asked you to sit down before they told you something, it was always their attempt to soften the blow of bad news.  “Why can’t you just tell me now? You’re freaking me out, babe.”

“Steve,” She pleaded sternly.  “Trust me, I need you to sit down for this.”

—------

Eddie barely had time to greet you before you were pushing by him to get into the studio apartment.  You were hugging yourself, and anxiety had your stomach in knots.  

“I need to talk to you about something,” you gushed.  

Eddie stood at the door, keeping his back to you while he locked it.  He was shirtless, dark hair dripping down the pale muscles that flexed under his flesh.  

You looked around, trying to decide if you should sit or stand when your gaze landed on the painting you’d done for him after that first time you met.  He had it displayed front and center, right above his desk on the main navy-blue wall, as if it were the most important piece in the room.

You were pacing when he turned toward you, the wheels in your mind spinning.

When he got closer, you stepped further away, but he caught your wrist.  “Hey, why can’t you look at me? What’s going on?”  His voice was sterner than he’d intended it to be.  

“I can look at you,” you made yourself meet his stare to prove his point, but it was difficult. You felt like he could see right through you; all of your doubts, all of your fears and insecurities. 

“Sit,” he directed you over to the end of the bed, facing the small sitting area with where there was a couch and a coffee table in front of an old Zenith tv.

Next to you, the mattress sank under his weight, but in your mind, you were somewhere else.  

“So, is this it?” He released a heavy breath and started to play with one of the rings on his hand, pulling it up the finger and then pushing it back down to the knuckle.

“What do you mean?”

It was he who couldn’t look at you now.  “Are you breaking up with me?”

“No!” You blurted it, eyebrows pinching together in frustration with the way you couldn’t get the words out.  “That’s not…I didn’t mean…I just have a lot on my mind, that’s all.”

A rush of endorphins filled him with temporary relief while he waited for your next words.

You stretched your neck from side to side, swallowed hard, and then you told him.

You told him about John’s offer to run your own gallery in Chicago, the opportunity to have the artists loft you’d always dreamed of.  You picked at a piece of skin on the side of your thumb as you talked.

“But I said I needed to talk to you about it first,” you added.

Eddie got to his feet and went over to look out the window over the garage parking lot. “Sounds like a pretty sweet deal,” he mumbled.  

You weren’t breaking up with him, but you were, in fact, leaving him, which was much the same thing.

“Well, it’s complicated,” you said, watching as he went over to snatch his pack of smokes and lighter off of the coffee table.  

“Doesn’t sound complicated to me,” the cigarette bobbed between his pinched lips as he talked, cupping his hand to light the end.  “Sounds like you already know what your answer is.”

“I wouldn’t be talking to you about it if I’d already made my decision,” you countered.  “I want to know what you think.”

“Well,” he scoffed, exhaling a sharp plume of smoke down his chin. His eyes were much darker now, almost black.  “No one in their right mind would choose to stay in Hawkins, not with an opportunity like that on the table.” 

He almost added, “no loser biker boyfriend is worth it,” but decided it was not the right time to be self-deprecating. 

“But I like it here,” you mused. “More than I ever thought I would.”

“We’ll always be here, trust me,” he was trying to remain cool, but his exterior was cracking.  “So, this John guy has been stalking you or something? Getting you to do this painting for him was one thing, but now he’s waiting for you at your job to get you to what? ----Move to Chicago to be closer to him?”.

The smoke came out his nose that time and the muscles in his throat tensed.  He had a bad feeling about that guy before, but he wanted to respect your business ventures and give you space.

The change in Eddie’s demeanor made you wonder if that was the time for full transparency.  In the end, you’d made a promise not to have any secrets from each other and you wanted to keep your word.

“There was mention of that, yes,” you said cautiously, nibbling at your lip.  

“Mention of what, exactly?” Eddie scowled, cocking his head to the side.

“He said there were lots of places he wanted to take me to in the city,” you recited the words cautiously.

Eddie laughed and threw his head back; it was much more of a crazy, maniacal cackle.  “Oh shit, maybe I should pay him a little visit?  See if pretty boy wants to show me the city too.”

“Eddie.”

“What did you tell him?” He was fuming now, grinding his jaw as he stabbed the half-smoked cig into the ashtray.  

“I didn’t tell him anything,” you repeated, but in a much louder voice.  “I said I needed to talk to you, my boyfriend.”

“He knows you have a boyfriend, and he still pulled that shit?”  Eddie bit the tip of his tongue between his teeth with a grimace.  “That fucker needs to get rolled.”

“Eddie!” 

“No, I’m serious,” he was yelling now, but more about the situation than at you.  “I gave him a chance to be cool, to be a gentleman, and he fucked it up. I told you babe, dudes like that, with money, think they can take whatever they want.  Well, he can’t have you, unless it’s over my dead fucking body.”

“Well, it’s my fucking choice, and I don’t want to be with him, I want to be with you, asshole,” You shot to your feet.  

You’d realized something on your way over to his place and it was that you really did not want to leave Hawkins.  

Every rational bone in your body told you to take the offer and run, but the other bones in your body, the not so rational ones, told you that you’d finally found your family and a place you belonged.  

“Listen to me,” you grabbed him by the arm and made him turn, his hair flying over his shoulder.  “I don’t want to take the job, okay? I want to stay here.  With you.”

Eddie nostrils flared.  It was taking all of his strength not to go out looking for that pencil pushing dweeb Gregson.  But if he actually got his hands on him in the heat of the moment, he was afraid of what he would do.  

“I’ll move with you,” Eddie wet his lips, a new idea flashing behind his eyes.

“With me? To Chicago?”

“Yeah, no, I could make it work. Hire another manager here, another tow truck driver. Come back and check in a couple times a month,” he walked by you as he talked, plucking at his lower lip with thumb and forefinger. “I could get a job at a garage in Chicago, easy. There’s even a King’s chapter there. I could get Bones to patch me in.”

“What about Wayne? And Oliver?” 

“We’ll come back to visit,” Eddie nodded at the plan that was forming in his head.  “Steve and Robin and the kid love Chicago.  Maybe we can get a place with a spare bedroom for when they come up.”

“But what about—”

“I know this means a lot to you, this opportunity,” he cut you off.  “I know I’m a dirty, biker asshole, but I’m not going to be the reason you give up on a dream.” He went over to the dresser drawers and pulled out a Pabst Blue Ribbon shirt to pull on over his head.  The armholes were cut wide, and the collar was frayed.  

“But what if I don’t want to live in Chicago?”

Eddie squinted like he hadn’t heard you correctly.  “What now?”

You bit the inside of your cheek in contemplation.  “I’ve been thinking that I don’t really care about that world anymore, the art world I mean.”

“You don’t want to paint anymore?” He appeared hurt by this notion.  

“No, I do, I will always paint,” you corrected with a wave of your hand.  “But the retail side of it, the snobby clientele, the stress, I’m not sure it makes me happy anymore.  Not sure if it ever did.”

It was Eddie who took a seat that time, perching on the back of the sofa. You could tell he was trying to understand, but the information was coming at him a bit too fast.

“I don’t want to work at the Hammer for the rest of my life, either, but it’s okay for now,” you were working through the revelations as you spoke them aloud.  “I have a friend who is starting her own greeting card company, and she wants me to do some artwork for her.  Little by little, I can make a living while still doing what I love.”

Eddie’s thoughts drifted back to the farmhouse, and how much he felt like it fit the both of you.  

“Are you telling me you chose Hawkins? Really?”

You went over to situate your hips between his knees and brushed his bangs off his forehead.  “No, I’m saying I choose you, asshole,” a smile tugged the side of your mouth up.  “Hawkins is a bonus, yes, but I will always choose you.”

Foreheads met then, and Eddie forced out a long-held breath from between tight lips.  “I don’t want you to wake up one day and realize you made a mistake.”

“The only thing I regret is that I didn’t get to jump your bones in high school.”

He chuckled, repeating what he’d asked at the barbeque earlier.  “Well, what about now?”

In the back of his mind he was thinking, “that John Gregson is still a dead man,” but he kept it to himself.

—----

Steve flopped down next to Astrid on the fluffy, tan sofa so violently it was as if he’d been thrown there by a force of nature.  He scooted closer and pawed at her hand so that she would intertwine her fingers with his.  He was reminded of all of those times as a teenager when he would get hurt on purpose just so she would patch him up.  She was a couple years older and wanted nothing to do with him back then, but nevertheless he melted under the tender touch of her attention every time.  

“I’m all ears,” he prodded eagerly when she did not speak right away.  

Keeping Steve’s hand with hers, Astrid turned to face him and tucked her bare feet underneath her, adjusting the stretch length of her dress.  

Steve watched the way her long hair fell across her neck and ample cleavage. 

“Okay,” she cleared her throat. “What I need to tell you is—”

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, perpetually distracted.

“Steve?”

“Sorry, go ahead.”

Another big inhale and then: “These past few weeks, I could tell something was…off.  I thought it was early menopause because I missed my period.”

Steve stared blankly, trying not to get turned on watching her lips move.  

She let her gaze fall to their hands clasped on Steve’s knee, wondering if any of it was real, or if she was still dreaming. 

“Is it cancer?”  He dared to ask, squeezing her hand.  “Because I’m not going to let anything happen to you.  I’ll find the best doctor at gunpoint if I have to.”   

“Steve!” 

“What? You’re making me crazy! Tell me everything's okay?”

“I’m not dying, Steve.”

“Well then what is it? I’ve been going out of my mind and here you are—”

“I’m pregnant.”

His body had been moving, vibrating even, but it all came to a complete halt at that.  

As if he’d been flash-frozen on the spot.

A mannequin of himself; mouth open, one eyebrow up. 

He shook his head, confused.  “Hold on, what? But I thought you said that you—”

She played with the hem of her shawl.  “I was told it was impossible.  I was told it would take a miracle.”

“Wait a minute, so—” he gulped and then leaned forward to search her face, one arm scooping behind her.  Her eyes were glossy again, on the verge of another wellspring.  

“Is it m-my…is it my baby?” He stammered.

She could only nod, chin quivering as more tears gathered at her lash line only to race down her cheeks once she blinked.  

Steve lost it then too, sucking in air before he choked on his own emotions.  He brought her hand to his chest and held it there.  “My baby,” he gasped, eyes flooding.  “You’re having my baby.  We’re having a baby.”

“Yeah,” she hiccuped and sniffed. “You’re not upset?”

“Upset? Why would I be upset? How could you even think that?” He was deeply offended that she would question his reaction to something he’d wanted his whole life with her, specifically.

He was wiping her tears away with his thumbs as she spoke.  “This is far from convenient, Steve. The way we both live our lives, we never planned for this. We barely have two pennies to rub together between us and—”

“Shhhh,” he kissed her nose and her eyelids and her mouth. “Money comes and goes, sweetheart.  It doesn’t matter, nothing matters, but you and this baby.  Our baby.”

Our baby.  He couldn’t stop saying it.  

He hadn’t known about Oliver until a few days before he was born, and he always felt robbed of all that time in the womb when he could’ve bonded with his son.  Tina had been a three-day fling at a music festival, and he never had any intention of seeing her again.  He’d been prepared to do the right thing though, to be a family even if it killed him, but then Tina just handed him a baby boy a week old and drove away, as if he knew what the fuck he was doing.  

Robin had been in the car waiting for him when it happened.  She saw him standing there in the street holding that screaming baby in a blanket and right then and there, a mother was born.  

He put his hand on Astrid’s stomach, gently.  “Can I feel it move yet? The baby?”

She laughed into her hand as she wiped her nose.  “I’m barely seven weeks along, silly.” 

He curled down like he always did when he put his head in her lap, but instead he placed his ear on her stomach, massaging her thigh with his hand. “I don’t think you can hear me, little one, but daddy has loved your mother his whole life and I love you very much.”

His next words were to Astrid; a murmur into the meat of her. “Will you let me love you now? The way I’ve always wanted to? Will you stay with me?”

She scratched her fingers through his hair, and then held his head there when his arms went around her waist. They stayed like that for a long while.

A bit later, in bed with her head on his chest, he was half asleep when she whispered: “You know that twins run in my family, right?”

—------

“A geriatric pregnancy,” Steve told you from across the bar when you were both back at work the next evening to the tune of Connection by Elastica. 

You made a face while you put some limes and shots of tequila on your tray.  

“That’s what they call it, I guess, when a woman is over 35,” he shrugged.  “A geriatric pregnancy.  So, I’m forcing her to take it easy.”

He was letting you and Shana in on the good news, and he’d been grinning from ear to ear for so long, his cheeks hurt.  His gold incisor caught the red lights like it had a ruby in it.  He’d even been smiling in his sleep, somehow, as Astrid noticed when she got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. 

“I’m so happy for you,” you mirrored his enthusiasm.  “Does Eddie know? Wayne?”

“Not yet,” he made a loose fist and cracked his knuckles. “We wanted to tell Uncle together.  I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone, but I couldn’t wait,” he added sheepishly. “She knows I can’t keep a secret like that.”

“I’ll wait and let you give Eddie the news,” you told him.  “I think he’d rather hear it from you.”

“Where is that War Machine?” Steve looked around, adjusting his sunglasses on his head.  “I owe him a drink.”

“That’s a good question,” you glanced at the clock that was up by the wall-mounted tv.  “He said he was going to stop by, but that was almost two hours ago.”  It didn’t concern you too much because your boyfriend was a busy guy, and last-minute things were always popping up at the shop.  

It was on your to-do list to call John on your break and let him know you were turning down his offer.  The more you thought about it, the more you wondered if he’d planned to hire you on merit, or if he just wanted to get into your pants.  When you thought about the possibility of the latter, it made your blood pressure spike.  

You delivered a round of drinks to a table, and on your way back to the bar, there was a man in a suit coming through the door, holding a briefcase.  

Steve gave him a nod when they made eye contact, but he didn’t ask to check his ID because the man had a graying hairline and was possibly mid-fifties at the least.  He was fit though, and had a very confident demeanor about him.  He looked like he was there to do business.  

“My name is Saul,” he introduced himself to Steve with a handshake and Steve stood up from his stool to be eye level with him.  “I’m looking for Steve Harrington.”

“You found him,” Steve rolled his neck, wondering what he could possibly want from him.  

Saul gave a stiff smile that did not reach his eyes. 

By then you were at the bar, acting like you were busy so that you could eavesdrop.

“What’s this about?” Steve pushed the sleeves of his flannel up to his elbows, exposing his tattoos.  

“Well, it would behoove you to give me a moment of your time,” he moved one side of his suit jacket back to shove his hand in his pocket, rocking back on his heels.  

“I have some business to discuss with you on behalf of Charlene Gregson.”

—------

John Gregson had no idea he was being followed.

He vaguely registered the sound of the loud pipes from the motorcycles rolling up to Margie’s diner, but he was having a late lunch with a business associate and didn’t pay much attention to it.  He preferred white tablecloth lunch meetings, but in Hawkins there weren’t many choices.  Their BLT was unbeatable though, as was the chocolate cream pie.  He’d have to calculate them both into his low-carb diet and spend extra time at the gym in the morning.  

He had his back to the door, making notes in his date book as the man across from him spoke over the sound of clattering dishes and silverware.  

He felt the shadows pass over the table, but he figured it was a group on the way to sit at a booth further down.  

But they came to a halt and loomed there, smelling of leather and tobacco.

John glanced over the top of his reading glasses at his companion first and saw that the color had drained from his face.  

There were four members of the Coffin Kings glaring down at them.  

Eddie frowned at the man with John and jerked his thumb to the side.  “Get up,” he said.  “Find somewhere else to be, I need to talk to your friend here.”

Devlin sank into the booth behind John while Van stood across the aisle flipping his butterfly knife, and Lucas stayed next to Eddie.

“Now, hold on just a—” John began to protest, about to get to his feet, but Lucas clapped a hand onto his shoulder and pushed him back down with calm, steady force.

His companion’s eyes darted from Eddie to John a few times before he gathered his things in a rush, tucking all of his papers under his arm, and shimmied past Van while holding his breath.  It was clear he had no intention of going to wait at another table, he was down the row of booths and out the front door in a flash.

With a heavy sigh, Eddie sank into the seat across from John, wallet chain dragging on the vinyl as he settled in, stretching his arms wide along the back of the bench.  

Lucas turned his back on the two but stood in the same spot, feet planted wide, hands in his pockets, blocking John from leaving.

With a resolute nod, John put his pen down.  “Have we met? I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure—”

“Cut the crap, man,” Eddie huffed with a lazy grin and hooded eyes.  “You know exactly who I am.”

John took his glasses off and tucked them inside his jacket pocket.  “Fair enough. How can I help you?”

Eddie plucked a pack of smokes out of the front pocket of his cut and motioned for Devlin to toss him a lighter.

“This is a no smoking section,” John reminded him, pointing to the sign on the wall with a red line through a cigarette.

Eddie stared at him as he lit the end and sucked in his cheeks until the cherry glowed orange. 

He waited until after a generous exhale to speak, directing the smoke into John’s leftover pie.  

“You see, John—can I call you John? I’ve been really…patient when it comes to this infatuation you have with my girl.  More patient than you deserve, I think.”

John clicked his tongue.  “Now, you misunderstand me, I—”

“I haven’t misunderstood shit,” Eddie scoffed a laugh. 

The waitress came over, and John was sure she was going to tell him to put his cigarette out, but instead she just gave him the most flirtatious smile.  “You want some coffee, hun? You hungry?”

Eddie finished taking another drag and winked at her.  “Just coffee for me, darlin’,” and then he gestured to the other Coffin Kings. “Get these boys whatever they want and wrap it up to go.  It’s on John’s tab.”

Once she was gone, Eddie continued.  “Here’s what’s gonna happen, slick,” he reached over to tap the ash out on John’s plate.  “Once she finishes this painting, you’re gonna to pay her more than what you initially offered, and then you’re never going to see her or talk to her ever again.  Comprendo?”

John used the back of his fingers to push the plate a few inches away, dabbing the sides of his mouth with his napkin.  “My offer for her to run my gallery in Chicago had no devious intentions, I assure you.  I genuinely believe she is that talented.”

Eddie ground his teeth, jaw muscles bulging.  “She’s beyond talented, you got that right, but she doesn’t want to work for you.  You’re a creep.  Throwing money and big promises around to get what you want.  I know your type.”

“My type?” 

“Has your wife ever mentioned me?” Eddie inquired, exhaling into John’s face.

He watched John visibly go rigid.  

Rhonda set Eddie’s coffee cup on a saucer down in front of him with extra creamer and poured him a steaming cup.

John cleared his throat.  “I think it would be in her best interest—”

“You don’t know what’s best for her,” Eddie bit.  “Who are you, her fucking dad?”

He’d said it a bit too loud and a few people from other tables craned their necks to follow the sound.  

Eddie leaned forward, whispering tensely.  “I don’t think I have to tell you that I have friends in low places. People who will do what I say at the drop of a hat.  You think you can hide behind your money?  You’re wrong.  The people who pump your gas and make your food and clean your bathroom?  They’re all with me. You’ll be looking over your shoulder for the rest of your life.  If you fuck with me on this, if you seek my girl out after I’ve told you not to?  Well, then, I hope you like dentures sweetheart because I’m gonna pull your perfect, pearly teeth out one by one.”

By the time he was done, his hand had curled into a fist on the table.  He spread the ringed fingers out wide and then made the fist again, making John look at it.

Eddie snubbed out his smoke in John’s pie with a sizzle and then settled back in his seat, relaxing his shoulders.  He cocked an eyebrow up.  “Are we good?”

John sat back as well.  “We’re good,” he acknowledged stiffly, adjusting his suit jacket.

Eddie slapped the table and gave John a wink.  “Well, this was fun,” he chuckled.  “We should catch up more often.”

He took a quick gulp of his coffee and slid out of the booth.  

He stopped to bend over and whisper, “don’t forget to tip well, slick,” in John’s ear on his way out.  

—-------

By the time Eddie showed up at the Velvet Hammer, swatting away plumes of second-hand smoke as he went, everyone knew that Steve was going to be a dad again.  Even the new customers who’d barely just walked in the door that evening.  

Astrid had prepared for this.

One of the many complicated reasons she’d waited more than a week to tell him was because she’d known that, if he knew, he’d be announcing it to everyone he passed by on the street.

Steve jumped from his stool and hugged Eddie.  “I’ve got great news, man,” he clapped Eddie a few times on the arm, over the thick leather jacket he had on.  

Eddie had been on his way across the room to you when his friend stopped him, so the sudden affection took him off guard.  “I like good news,” he caught your eye over Steve’s shoulder and smirked.  

Steve let him know that he was going to be a dad again, which Eddie assumed would happen sooner than later, but he was surprised and delighted to know that Astrid was the mom.  They both knew that she’d been told it would be nearly impossible for her to conceive.  

Steve leaned in.  “This proves it, man, I have a magic dick.”

“Sure you do,” Eddie scoffed, patting Steve on the cheek a few times.  “Only took you 15 years.”

Before you could greet him, Eddie was already in front of you, pulling you flush to his body.  He started to walk and you took backwards steps to stay with him.  “Can you take your break right now?”

“I wasn’t going to for another hour but—”

“I need to talk to you,” he hushed.  

“Um, okay, well,” you glanced over at Shana and she waved you off.  

His mouth found yours the second you were obscured in the dark hallway.  You figured he’d be escorting you out to the alley where you usually took your breaks with him so he could smoke, but this time, he pulled you into one of the two unisex bathrooms and locked it behind him. The bulbs inside were red, and it set an eerie, bloodwashed glow.

“This place sees a lot of action,” you mumbled into his kiss as he worked your skirt up so that he could take a handful of the meat of your ass.  “I like to call it Steve’s Office.”

Before you knew what was happening, he was hoisting you up onto the sink counter with a grunt.  Your thighs and bum were fully exposed now, covered in fishnet stockings, and one of his hands held your face while the other rubbed a knuckle over the heat between your legs.  Your panties and stockings were preventing him from going further, but not for long.  

You were about to protest, to say you had to get back to work, or to remind him how many women Steve had probably railed in that very spot, but

Fuck

And just when you softened with a shaky moan, he kissed a trail down your jaw and throat, with a few nibbles in between.

You whimpered, spreading your legs further apart, Doc Marten booted feet locking onto his thighs to keep him close.

“I have something..” smooch “...that I need…” smooch “...to ask you…” smooch

“Right now?” You palmed his hard length over his denim and then went to work at undoing his belt buckle. “We only have 10 minutes.”

He leaned back, letting his cherry bitten lips hover there at eye level.  His bangs were getting too long, he needed a trim, and you brushed them to the side, off of his eyebrows. 

“Do you want to move in with me?”

You blinked a few times. “Into your apartment?”

“No, no,” eager lips found your mouth again and his thumb rubbed circles over the taut nub of your nipple through your shirt.  “The big farmhouse down on Marigold Road.  I pointed it out once when we drove by.”

You stopped.  “The old Ferguson place? Aren’t there people already living there?”

“Not anymore,” he could feel your arousal soaking through your underwear and he hissed, grinding his erection against your thigh. “I want to buy it. For us.”

In your desperation, you reached down and clawed at the section of black fishnet that was keeping him from you, ripping a little further down your thigh than you’d intended to.

Eddie kissed down the front of you on the way to his knees, and then your underwear was pulled to one side and his tongue was on your swollen clit, rolling in circles there.  

You dug your fingers into his hair with one hand and supported yourself on the ledge with the other.  He sucked a few times, and then his tongue went inside of you, and you bit your lip, squirming to try and repress a scream.  

“That is a big step,” you gasped. “Moving in together.”

For the longest time, you couldn’t see yourself living with anyone other than a roommate ever again.

He hummed on your now soaked cunt and then kitten licked it a few times.  “I’m ready. Are you?”

You didn’t respond at first because your eyes were rolling back in your head, so he popped off to get to his feet, his chin glistening.  He spread your thighs further apart to make room for his hips and undid his zipper.

His pupils bloomed wide as he searched your lustful eyes, insecurities making his heart rate quicken.  “Are you not ready? I mean, do you not want that? Is it too soo—”

But then you silenced him with your mouth, lapping up your juices from his chin, moving away a strand of his hair that had stuck there. “I want to see the inside. Could we go look at it together?”

“Yeah we can,” he pushed his boxers down and rubbed the tip of his leaking cock along your slit. “I’ll call the real estate dude in the morning.”

You clung to his neck, jaw going slack as he sank in. “I’ll have to check with Charlie.”

He chucked into the kiss at you mentioning your cat, and then he was stretching you out, easing his way in, aching to be one with you.

“Deeper…more,” you whimpered, and then you each let out a muffled cry when he filled you to the hilt, flush inside of your pulsing heat.

He rested his forehead on yours and began to work his hips, thrusting deep and retreating with a curl of his hips so that you could feel every vein, every ridge, but then you were clenching around him, and he sped up with a curse, a thumb working at your clit.

“This…fuck, I’m going to cum so hard inside of you,” he admitted with a huff.  His belt buckle clinked against his zipper with every thrust.  “You want that? You want all of me?”

“Fuck, Eddie, yes,” You whined, clinging to him as stars exploded behind your eyes. 

His strong fingers dug into your flesh to hold your legs in place, and after a few more shaking pumps, he was spilling inside of you, each of you a moaning mess of “I love yous”, clawing at the other to be closer.  

Someone banged on the door just as the two of you were catching your breath and Eddie was still inside of you.

“Get lost!” Eddie yelled, not caring if it was a customer.

“Are you two having a tea party in there? Cabbage Patch meeting perhaps?” 

It was Steve, and then you could hear his ruckus laughter as he banged another few times just to be cheeky.

You adjusted your underwear back into place, and Eddie fastened his jeans before he helped you down off the counter.  You pulled your skirt down and checked yourself in the mirror.

Yikes.

The rip down your inner thigh was painfully obvious.  You wondered if shredding them in a few more places would make it more of “a look”, but then realized that the lighting in the Hammer was not great, and it wasn’t unheard of for someone to accidentally rip their stockings at work.  

But what about when Eddie’s seed started to drip down your leg?

“You go,” you shooed him away as he stood there adjusting the collar of his jacket, waiting for you. “I need to pee.”

He was looking at himself in the mirror, rubbing lipstick off his cheek, but then he turned just before grabbing for the door.  “If you don’t want to, you know, live together right away, I get it.  But with Katie moving in with Robin and all, I figured—”

“You figured we could be roommates?” 

He smirked, giving a bashful shrug.  “A little more than that, maybe.  Roommates with benefits.”

“Yeah?” You sank against his chest, forever helpless to his gravitational pull.  “What kind of benefits?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” he rubbed the sides of your arms with his calloused hands. “I’ll make you pancakes.”

“You think you can make pancakes?” 

“Baby, I've told you before, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

—-------

“WAYNE!”

Uncle entered the Hammer and everyone screamed his name like he was Norm in an episode of Cheers.

It had been a while since he dropped by unannounced, and he looked better than ever.

Still much thinner than he had been the year before, and it was hard for him to catch his breath sometimes, but his eyes were bright, and he wore a soft smile more often than not.  

Maybe the chemo was working? Maybe there was hope?

Devlin had been sitting on the stool at the bar next to Eddie, but Eddie was quick to tell him to take a hike when Wayne showed up.

“What did the doctor say?” He asked as his uncle straddled the stool and got comfortable.  He was in a green and white plaid work shirt and had decided to leave his Coffin Kings leather at home.  

Wayne gave a single nod and patted around for his smokes out of habit, even though he’d given it up when he started treatment.  “Just heard Steve's gonna be a dad again. He better treat her right, that's all I can say." It was obvious he was damn near giddy at the thought, Eddie could see it in the way a smile kept tugging at the sides of his mouth. "I’m sick of talking about doctors and my goddamn condition. Want to forget about it for a night.”

Eddie respected that, and tapped the bar to order him one of those non-alcoholic beers that they kept cold specifically for Wayne and one other regular patron.  

You barely had a chance to give Wayne a shoulder squeeze when Robin burst in through the door, frantically scanning the crowd.  There was a dancer on the backstage, working her way down the poll, and Steve had gone over to remind a few rowdy customers to behave themselves.  Robin rushed over and met him halfway, in front of the glowing jukebox.

He found no comfort in the way she looked like she’d been crying.

“What’s going on?” Felt like his heart literally stopped beating in his chest. “Are you okay?”

“The spare key,” she held her palm out.  “You used it last time and now I’m locked out of the house.”

He felt around in his back pocket.  “Where are your regular keys?”

She rolled her eyes, bouncing in frustration. “I lost them somewhere, okay? At work maybe, I’m not sure, but Oliver just threw a fit, I’m on my period, and we’re all just in a really bad mood and want to go home.”

“Alright, alright, here take my key,” he wrestled it off the metal ring to hand it to her.  “Just remember to leave the back door unlocked for me.  Is Oliver in the car?”

“No, he’s at Katie’s place with her, I needed to take a drive alone so that I could scream,” she snatched the key from him.

“Shit, you had me worried for a second.”

“Sorry,” admittedly, she felt like she was overreacting to something so small and fixable, but more likely her tears were from an accumulation of things.  Once the panic spike subsided, her eyes landed on half of a white envelope peeking out of the pocket of his Coffin Kings leather, right above his TAZ insignia.  She always teased him and said his official nickname should’ve been Dingus.

“What’s this?” It looked like it had some official lettering in the corner, and she plucked it out to look closer.

They made their way back to the front so he could keep an eye on the door, and she frowned at the name of a law office in the corner. 

“I don’t know, I haven’t opened it yet,” he shrugged.  “Some douchey lawyer brought it by, said it was from Charlene.  It was busy when he came in, so he gave me that to read and told me to call him in the morning.”

“Fucking Charlene?” She balked.  “What, is she suing you for not wanting to be her boyfriend?”  

“I haven’t had time to open in, but it wouldn’t surprise me.”

A group of people came in, and two looked like they were 16, so Steve carded them.  

Robin ripped the top of the envelope open. You stepped in front of her on your way to a table, and the two of you collided.

You said a quick apology and were about to ask if she wanted a drink, when Shana shouted across the bar to tell Robin the phone was for her.

“It’s your boss from the motel,” Shana continued, holding her hand over the bottom half of the receiver.

Robin gave a heavy, exasperated sigh and pinched the bridge of her nose.  “She’s going to ask me to work a double shift tomorrow, I just know it.”

She shoved the paperwork at you that she’d just unfolded, but not yet read.  “Hold this for me? Be right back.”

“Oh—okay,” you had the paperwork pressed flat to your chest as you made your way over to stand at Eddie’s shoulder.  He was talking to Wayne, but he reached back and squeezed your thigh in greeting.  

You hadn’t meant to look, to eavesdrop on their private business.

But once glance was all it took

For you to be fully invested

Charlene’s name was the first thing to catch your eye

And then, The Velvet Hammer

You took a few long blinks, unsure if what you were looking at was real.

You mouthed a few of the words quietly just to make sure you were reading them correctly.

The way you froze made Eddie curious, and he turned his head to see what you were doing.

“What’s up babe? What is that?”

“It’s, uh—” you stammered.  “It’s Steve’s.  You’re never going to believe this, but um—”

“Can I see it?” 

He tried to meet your eyes as he took it from you, but you couldn’t seem to look away from the words on the paper.  Your mind was reeling.

Robin returned just as Eddie held the papers out in front of him, and she steadied herself with a hand on his back to read over his shoulder.

Steve meandered over; his curiosity officially piqued at what you were all huddled together about.  

“What’s it say?”  He had a smoke bobbing between his lips and his hands in his pockets.  “Did I win the lottery or somethin’?”

He chuckled, but then you all turned to him in unison, unblinking, mouths agape.

“Yeah man,” a smile curled on Eddie’s lips.  “Actually, you kinda did.”

—------

Charlene was on the plane to Hawaii when she read the newspaper article.

A glass of first-class champagne and a window to her right, an empty aisle seat to her left.  

There he was, right on the front page of The Hawkins Post: 

Steve.

In a bigger city, a business changing hands could fly under the radar, but in a small town, it was newsworthy when a local biker and bouncer becomes a business owner overnight.

A Cinderella story, the reporter called it.

The cover photo was of him out on the sidewalk, standing next to the red door entrance to the Velvet Hammer.  Shana was in the photo with him, as were Robin, Jackie, Erika, and you.  

Not pictured was Eddie Munson, whom the article mentioned Steve had chosen to take on as a partner.

The article talked about their plans for the Hammer, including bringing in a tattoo studio to the vacant storage space next door.  

She ran her finger over his face on the newsprint.

It wasn’t until the end of the article that she got the wind knocked out of her:

“Steve and his longtime partner, Astrid Bautista, are expecting their first child together in the spring.”

She hadn’t expected that.

She had to look away and take a generous gulp of champagne.  

Her eyes got a little wet and her vision blurred, but she read it again.

“Did you miss me?” Billy sank into the seat next to her with his sunglasses on and a white shirt unbuttoned almost to the waist of his jeans. He smiled around the pink gum he was chewing and craned his neck to see what she was reading, but she folded the paper hastily and turned it over.

She didn’t answer him, she just stared out the window over the clouds and tried to forget she ever felt a thing.  

------

authors note: wow, we did it. This is my first fic series to finish ever 😭 If you've made it this far, you know how much this story and the characters have evolved since those first couple chapters. If this were an actual novel, I'd go back and make it all sync up, give it more continuity, and reveal nicknames like War Machine and Taz earlier in the game. But the cool thing about posting this way for a fandom is that you, the reader, are able to see in real time how the characters develop a mind of their own and take over the story in a way not even the writer can predict. In this case specifically, you can also see how I went from having no idea how to write a reader insert fic to becoming more and more comfortable with it.

I never had any intention of making Charlene a villain. She was literally based off of the wealthy woman in the Bruce Springsteen video for his song I'm on Fire. Just a gal who had a crush on her mechanic. Some of you voiced that you wished Charlene could get killed, or hurt somehow, and for those of you, you can trust that she is hurting. Knowing that Steve will be having a family with someone else is a deep wound.

I've had several requests for a separate biker Steve story with a new reader, and until two chapters ago, I fully intended to follow through on that. But the more I wrote him with Astrid, the more I felt it was wrong to keep them apart. If you are a fan of their love story, I highly recommend visiting THIS masterlist from @texasblues who created Astrid's character. But I do plan to bring a slightly different biker Steve back in a new au, stay tuned 🥰

This of course, is not the end. I plan to drop an epilogue on you all when you least expect it, and it will take place a year or two after the events here. If you are a friend of mine, you will laugh at this because whenever I say I'm going to write an epilogue, I never do. But this time I mean it.

I can't express in words how much your comments, asks, and messages about this story have meant, and will always mean to me. I was living through one of the darkest years of my life when I joined tumblr back in April and started writing this fic, and you all have held me together, whether you realize it or not. I love you and am deeply grateful for you all.

Taglist: @notsobubblybaby @unfocused81 @aysheashea @etherealglimmer@manicmagicmayhem @dream-a-little-nightmare@chaoticgood-munson @emxcast @rhirojo @bexreadstoomuch @micheledawn1975 @falling-solar-system@secretdryrose

@whatwedontdointheshadows @miarosso @seventhlevelofhell @corrodedcoffincumslut @lofaewrites @goldyghoul @chloe-6123 @kelsiegrin @chelebelletx @stylesxmunson @kurdtbean@dandelionnfluff @clincallyonline17 @tlclick73 @eddiemunson95 @sidthedollface2 @hideoutside @truffleshuffle12 @tenthmoon @texasblues@emilyslutface@mmunson86@onegirlmanytales@laylaloves-ed@dashingdeb16@eddiiiieeee @ick90 @dashingdeb16 @polyestermonster @trixyvixx @atomickaratel8dy @kiyastrf94 @allthingsjoeq @eddiesxangel @razzieth @corrodeddeadlydoll @erinekc @angietherose @sllooney @writinginthetwilight @moonbeamsandmayhem @brianamunson92 @joannamuns9n @bellalillyrose @alba8688 @chevelle724

#Eddie Munson #biker!eddie #biker!steve #I'm on Fire #final chapter #the ties that bind #Eddie Munson series #Eddie Munson fic #Spotify

[violet-moonstone]

highlights from "searching for oswald...and chicken"

wow I loved this episode...I feel like I say that every time but I REALLY REALLY enjoyed this one

first of all its a Dagur episode, which automatically makes it great...most of the screenshots I took are of him. Honestly all of his dialogue is very quotable, especially since so many of the jokes they give him are thinly veiled adult humour

also the B plot with chicken was certainly something (and makes me think the writers were thinking about the end of the hidden world while writing it?)

ok so the beginning of the episode was already tugging at my heartstrings. I love seeing Dagur and Heather's sibling relationship, whether hey're arguing or getting along.

Well that's deeply upsetting! and the fact that he said "most of his life" makes me wonder how much of the confidence Dagur displayed as a teenager was a cover for whatever he was dealing with internally.

The part where Dagur hugs Heather and she looks happy but almost surprised was very bittersweet. It seems like she's still getting used to having a family, and affection catches her off guard.

Excuse me while I go cry

Call me deranged but I think Dagur slamming Snotlout against a cage was hot

As always, Hiccup is adorable. Literally looks like a cat

This is funny but also very upsetting! Snotlout and Dagur really make a habit of using humourous line delivery to cope with being deeply unwell:

*clears throat* uh yeah Dagur, I'm sure you do love a good "fruit bath," from time to time if you know what I mean...

Come on, the writers, animators and voice actor HAVE to have known that line came across as suggestive. Like the way he sounds? His facial expression? They may not have intended it to specifically imply he was talking about getting in a sauna with some twinks, but it certainly sounded like something sensual was going on.

Also I didn't get a shot of this but when Dagur starts listing adjectives to describe Heather's reckless behaviour, Hiccup says "Sentinel" while looking at Oswald's journal. Dagur says something like "that's not quite the word I'd use," which makes me think Dagur was going to call her a not so PG word...

Snotlout staring directly at the camera while narrating Tuffnut's emotional breakdown in the style of a pun-loving mystery novelist:

What an asshole (I love him). there's something really funny about Tuff leaning against the tree with a hand on his hip. Poor guy. Astrid and Stormfly were clearly less amused than I was.

Ok let's talk about Hiccup motivating Dagur to open the door to Oswald's shelter. My little Dagcup heart was really soaring here. And look at the lighting!

LOOK AT HIM! LOOK AT HIS FACE!

Oooohh man, Dagur expressing guilt about his past and Hiccup trying to help him through it also really got to me.

Dagur: I was a villain!

Hiccup: No, you were a kid

Me: *crying*

Because yeah, Dagur in Riders of Berk/Defenders of Berk did horrible things, but he was also enabled by all the adults in his life who could have stepped up after Oswald left. I've already written (both in posts and in one of my Dagcup fics) about how being thrown into a dungeon as a kid only made Dagur a worse person (no one in the show talks about the scars on his face that weren't there before...). And There is clearly an opportunity for restorative justice when it comes to characters like Alvin and Eret that wasn't extended to Dagur despite the fact that they had already overpowered him and could have at least given him a choice between punishment and trying to make up for his actions. Anyway...let me not rant about that anymore.

Ok what's next...oh yeah! Astrid doing this:

Hilarious.

Um...ok so...I needed to screenshot this for uh...reasons. It's the um...the composition and the...the lighting and...yeah. All that stuff.

THE DRAWING OSWALD DID OF DAGUR AND HEATHER AS KIDS

oooooohhh my heart!

Look. At. My. Boy. He looks so happy and at peace after reading his father's letter.

Ok so again...the writers making very interesting decisions for Dagur's lines.

Dagur being funny and a little concerning again

I liked the colour scheme for this Gronckle

More Dagur appreciation.

Before the episode where Fishlegs helps Dagur fly Shattermaster, I would have assumed Dagur would make fun of Fishlegs for being a nerd -- but instead he appreciates it. I think their friendship is super adorable, and I wish we got to see more of it.

Fishie! He calls him Fishie! (I ship them a little sometimes tbh) I can see Dagur having a thing for nerds.

hehehe

and uh, let's close off with hiccup being hot and windswept

#rtte #race to the edge #rtte screenshots #httyd #how to train your dragon #dagcup #dagur the deranged #dagur #hiccup #hiccup haddock #fishlegs #fishlegs ingerman #astrid #astrid hofferson #tuffnut #tuffnut thorston #snotlout #snotlout jorgenson #heather #heather the unhinged #oswald the agreeable

[oncewhenalongtimeago]

hello! i have a request for 'SbITILYP', if you don't mind. how about the reader trying to do something for hiccup to impress him/show him that she likes him? hiccup has been doing a lot of things for the reader so I think it'd be cute seeing the reader awkwardly attempt to do the same :)

Sorry, but I Think I Lost Your Plot pt 28

Pairing: Onesided!Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III x Modern!Fem!Reader

Words: 1110

Things come to a simple end.

Tags: Time Travel, Reader into Movieverse, final part, half-fill

<Previous - First>

“I’m surprised it went this smooth,” Stoick grumbled, voice hollow with distance, “With Alvin-... I’d expect something from Hiccup, at least. That boy…”

“He’s ‘Too busy, eh?” Gobber asked, waggling his eyebrows suggestively, grunting and hopping as he did it, reattaching his prosthetic to his leg nub, “Prolly been off mackin’ on tha’ girlfriend o’ his.”

Right… Alvin.

“Ah,” Hiccup was flushed, rubbing his neck and brushing against already messy hair, “Yeah, I forgot about that…”

Toothless was around somewhere.

He glanced to the side, where you stood, equally embarrassed and mussed, shoulders hunched slightly, very red in the face.

You shifted in your skirts, resisting the urge to use your boot to scratch at the back of your thigh, which had been itchy for a little while, since you brushed up against some plant walking back from the forest.

You were just around the corner from Hiccup’s Dad -a bright and heavily painted corner; turns out his whole ‘painting the houses’ thing caught on, which meant a lot less of things burning down- though he wasn’t sure if you’d heard.

All the talk of criminal executions was depressing, though you missed it, lost in the puppy-love haze phase of your new relationship. Still, it was kind of a bummer. It was for the best that Alvin was gone, though. Less danger in that for you too -not just the riders or Stoick or anything else.

You hoped it didn’t bum Hiccup out too bad. You noticed it had been getting him down, and you’d done your best.

Your fingers curled together, hooked securely and delicately to his by the fingerpads, and you and Hiccup stood close enough that you could feel his body heat through his tunic though not yet enough for the two of you to be touching by the arm.

You’d just gotten back from a successful trip to the glowing algae pool.

His vest was slightly displaced and you were both sure he’d lost a bead or two.

In one hand you held the little Fireworm, wrapped in a carefully made chainmail blanket -it was hard to come up with something that wouldn’t pinch skin or scales- also wrapped in a layer of leather so that you could hold it comfortably. 

It squirmed slightly. 

He scuffed his prosthetic slightly, recently oiled, recently reforged with treads beaten into the bottom, which did a lot to help with gripping wet wood while you were walking hand-in-hand around Berk.

You wore a red tunic -his, really, he’d lent it to you again after you’d gotten some muck on yours- and a string of your own beads on leather cord tied around your neck, something Hiccup had picked nonchalantly from the forge and used to help make you a necklace. 

He’d tried to make you a bead once, but he wasn’t much of an artisan. 

“I mean, me too,” You huffed, feather swaying as you shifted, attached to a stick like a pom-pom on one end of a cat toy, “We’ve been busy with other things, though- Not like what Gobber said- I mean, you know…”

Hiccup nodded, though he was still looking forward. This was all still super new for the both of you.

 It would feel that way for a while.

You were still in disbelief- it was a wonder to you why he and Astrid didn’t pair up before. 

He traced the collar of his scarf slightly as Sharpshot lolled lazily by your feet, slightly wet and glow-ey by his lower half whenever he teased the shade with his tail. 

You knew Hiccup was bummed Devastated that the Screaming Death had destroyed all his hard work -a good deal of the things he’d built up in the village for you, though with some hard work and dirt pushed under your fingernails it had been fixed up pretty easy.

He seemed happier now. It hadn’t really been something you’d planned but you’d distracted him somewhat- your relationship was still very, very new, still.

And you made him a gift.

You’d tried crafting again. It was very scratchy and you’d definitely not done a very good job making sure the whole thing was even but it was a nice fading rainbow, the yarn dyed in all the colors in Roy G. Biv in darker, neutral tones.

“Looks like you fixed things right up, ‘Dragon Master,’” You stuck out your tongue at him, looking smug.

It -the scarf- covered the bottom of Hiccup’s chin. It didn’t really fit him but he wore it with pride, which made something flutter around in your guts in a way that was almost uncomfortable.

You predicted it would be around a week before he took it off.

Hiccup had unintentionally returned the favor. You got a satchel from him, small and attached to a belt with norse knots imprinted around the edges, sown neatly together. It was sort of like a fanny pack but with more buckles and also cool.

“Did you really have to use that?” Hiccup said, leaning his head towards you momentarily.

Sharpshot churr-ed in the squawky squeaky way only a terror could, blinking up at the feather attached to your hip as you adjusted your hand in Hiccup’s.

The small Fireworm in your other hand blinked beadily as it sometimes very rarely did.

“It is tacky,” You admitted, though that was definitely why you used it, “But you did a good enough job to deserve it, not that you have to do anything to deserve things.”

You gently bumped into him with your hip.

And he did a great job. Berk was back to how it was just before the Screaming Death -most of the roses ended up being fine, and the plants that were lost were easily replaced and reinforced by spiked metal fences and wooden pikes.

You’d also added a few new planters. Many of the houses stationed under ramps were popular real estate now for metal tins for glowing mushroom growing, which you knew there many new homeowners were proud of, not just because of the fact that it made them a lot of money.

The mushrooms were great for paint making and the extra roofing kept dragons from jumping over houses and messing with tiling.

It was heavy maintenance, but they were all Vikings. For a modern girl like you, you found it was all worth it, if not just for the convenience.

Living on Berk was rough, but it was good and different now. Even with all the Outcasts and the dragons and the hunters and everything else missing.

And you were happy. 

And maybe Hiccup’s crush hadn’t ended up being so onesided after all.

#httyd #how to train your dragon #x reader #fanfiction #hiccup haddock #httyd imagine #hiccup x reader #fem reader #female reader #toothless

[reviewinghiccup]

DEFENDERS OF BERK | HTTYD SERIES | BREAKING DOWN HICCUP

Blog Post Series: Breaking Down Hiccup

Title: The Night and the Fury

Ep/Season: Episode 3, Season 2 (Defenders of Berk)

Premise:

Hiccup and gang set out on a training exercise on Dragon Island in hopes to train their stealth / combat skills without help from their dragons. Unfortunately, they run into a very, very unlikely "friend"...

IN ASTRID WE TRUST

It's no secret that the team needs some polishing. And we're hoping, Astrid's obstacles could do the trick. I love how they groaned, knowing that her tests is going to be difficult. It's very like them to do that and very like her to make things tough.

This exercise is fertile ground for individual members of the team to grow. For example:

(1) TUFFNUT TAKES ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WATCHING THE DRAGONS

(2) RUFFNUT GOES OUT ON HER OWN

(3) FISHLEGS, WELL, IT'S JUST ANOTHER DAY FOR HIM REALLY. I.E., DOING SOMETHING HE'S SCARED TO DO

(4) HICCUP, DEALING W DAGUR

(Can we also take a moment to appreciate the little confidence boost Hiccup gives to Fishlegs? We can? Ok. Here you go.)

If you started watching RTTE without first seeing ROB/DOB, you might wonder why Dagur calls him brother. Well, to be fair, I still don't know why he does, but at least from this episode, you'll know when the supposed familial relationship began.

P/S: Look at how small & cute baby is.

It's also really cute that Hiccup tries, for the most part, to keep the peace with Dagur, though for the most part, I hate to watch them pandering to him.

THE DAGUR FIASCO

This episode is where I feel DOB kicks off. Hiccup's in a very precarious position. The last time Dagur showed up, Stoick lied that Berk was still at war w dragons and that they still killed them. For the sake of peace, Hiccup didn't have much of a choice but to play along and reassert the lie.

This episode is definitely one of my favourites, especially in terms of the Hiccup-Dagur dialogue.

It's hard to not enjoy the "bro-mance" sequences. Just look at this one:

In fact, if you only watched RTTE, you might've missed where the Dagur v Snotlout situation also began. And it might surprise you to realise, that Snotlout was very much, a fan of Monsieur Deranged here.

HICCUP'S STAND

But nothing beats, that moment when Hiccup takes his stand.

It was such a DEFINING MOMENT, because Dagur has been looking down on Hiccup for years and NOW, NOW?! He realises what a genuine threat Hiccup could be. And more importantly, how easily his pride is wounded.

I'm all here for HEROIC HICCUP. And what an artistic way to show how much Dagur underestimated him. He even underestimate his shield! Much to his lost...

Also, don't you think that it is very Captain America of Hiccup sometimes, when he's wielding the shield?

And let's not forget, Hiccup is one sassy protagonist. I mean, you know you're an enemy when he burns you.

This episode is way more significant than I realised it at first. This whole time, Alvin was Berk's only viable threat. But his beef was with Stoick, initially at least.

But now, Dagur is another. And the person he's going after is Hiccup. Dagur is Hiccup's first archenemy.

And it doesn't help that he's insane.

So, what I loved about this episode was, it heightened the stakes of the entire show AND also, showcased how Hiccup can out-wit, out-smart and challenge Dagur, who I think, must've been a pretty tough contender to command the massive armada he ends up leading.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAY BARUCHEL (9.4.2023)

I know this may come off super random, but it is Jay Baruchel's birthday today. I think we can all agree that Jay is the life and soul of Hiccup. If you follow me on twitter @reviewinghiccup, you should know that I am down the rabbit hole of Jay Baruchel movies, interviews and podcasts.

And what I love so much about this guy is the respect and reverence he has for the show. I mean, he constantly praises it and not just because of his role, which he believes pales in comparison to the artists designing and working the animation, but its obvious that he's a HTTYD superfan.

I love it when an actor pays their respects to the franchise and I do enjoy his take on the work and how much the line between who Hiccup is and who he is, as a person, is blurred.

He's an eloquent speaker and tries to produce, write and direct movies now, instead of act in them. He's based in Canada.

Anyways, something interesting I learned about him was, in an interview w Tom Power, he talks about the book he wrote and what being a fan means to him. Him being a fan of hockey and how precious it can be to live within a franchise or something as massive as indulging interests. It sorta validates me a little, specially since I've dived deep into HTTYD fandom since changing careers.

And just like Hiccup, there is way more to this guy than it seems. He's funny, humble, kind and generous with his time. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and he's pretty jittery in real life too. But what kind of broke me, was finding out that even with his own father, he felt like he wasn't the kind of son his dad wanted.

Apparently, he had a complicated relationship with his dad which I believe may have bled into his work.

If you've watched enough of his interviews you'll know that he's had to support his mom and sister at 14-years-old with acting gigs because his father left and passed away when Jay was 21 following a drug overdose. Yet, he still remains so kind. I mean, his upbringing was tough, poor and difficult, yet you can still see him trudging through humbly, not wanting to draw attention to himself as much as he can help it.

In an interview article I read this morning, he explained that he wanted to continue being a good husband, son, brother, friend and I thought that was such a genuine Hiccup thing to say. He shoulders all these responsibilities and have been since he was a kid. Look, I don't know the guy personally, but from the expansive notes and recordings I've looked into, he seems pretty decent and I am such a huge fan.

As I grow older, I understand people on a different level. I accord respect so differently from how I would've years ago. And right now, I think what makes Jay Baruchel interesting is his sheer promise to do better for his family. And I think, in the absence of chiefing, running a village and saving the world, Hiccup is very much the same in that aspect too. A chief protects his own, which seems to be the mantra ringing in my head as I listen to Jay talk about his life.

You guys have no idea how much I know about this dude. I have possibly stalked him silly right now. And am a little embarrass as I admit this. Anyways, all I want is for him to succeed, in his work, life and family.

#HTTYD #DOB #Defenders of Berk #Series Review #How to Train Your Dragon #Breaking Down Hiccup #Dagur the Deranged #captain america #chris evans #happy birthday #jay baruchel #she's out of my league #alice eve #Youtube #hiccup #hiccup haddock #hiccup horrendous haddock iii

[eemoo1o-tfrmoo]

If a Speed Stinger could speed speedily, softly swooping swiftly, how speedy is he really?

Never has the word “speed” looked so wrong, now.

The Next Big Sting (1x12) is a great episode for Snotlout, actually. Personally, I love it for Speedy and the taming of a species otherwise thought to be untrainable (cough, still waiting for the Changewing, cough cough), but Snotlout is so great here! And with Ruffnut, too? Oh, ho, we were spoiled.

Plus, it’s funny how this episode includes Snotlout trying to get rid of a dragon, but then is preceded by an episode where he’s trying to keep his dragon. Kind of ironic, actually.

Reasons why this episode is great include:

The important stuff (like Meatlug cuteness and Ruffnut & Snotlout centralism):

The first ones shown to give Hiccup “a look” when he presents the Dragon Fly One are Ruffnut and Snotlout. This is obviously foreshadowing.

Hiccup talking about how The Dragon Fly One will be handy if they and their dragons ever get separated. Sorry, Hiccup but I think this mostly only ever affects you. And Ruffnut and Snotlout that one time.

Actually, I don’t think it’s ever actually happened to Fishlegs and Meatlug other than when Scardian’s pack carried Fishlegs off in season two. Look out, Hiccup, looks like you could stand to learn a thing or two.

Additionally, Hiccup says it’s going to be so handy, and yet he’s built the heaviest looking thing imaginable. I know it’s a prototype but like, come on!

Snotlout asks if he could have Toothless after it all doesn’t work. Yeah, like you wouldn’t be in too much shock after the fact, Snotlout. That’s so cousin of you.

Hiccup: “I’ll be floating on a bed of air!” — Snotlout: “Or crashing on a bed of rock.” This man.

“I cannot believe that that hunk of junk actually worked.” It’s okay, Snotlout, neither can Isaac Newton.

Snotlout’s whole character this episode is remembering Frozen from Defenders of Berk. And rightfully so. But the other riders don’t acknowledge it at all until it happens to them (aka Ruffnut).

“Is he seriously going back?!” Snotlout is so real for that. — “Snotlout, meet Hiccup. Of course he’s going back.” Maybe someone should tell Astrid that when she’s grouching over the Dragon Fly One like she did earlier and inevitably will later.

The only one that doesn’t help wrangle the Stinger is Snotlout. And, honestly, who can blame him.

Part of Forbidden Friendship (a harmony with some sopranos) plays when Hiccup tames Speedy. I love the symbolism behind this sound effect because of what a righteous, monumental moment it’s supposed to be.

Ruffnut is fine around the Stinger until she gets stung. And then it’s all downhill from there. I love the natural progression (albeit a quick one) of her character through this episode. At least she and Snotlout can relate to one another now.

Speedy immediately goes for Snotlout because of how on edge he is. He also is able to dodge, punching the air, “Not even on your best day, pal.” He’s so extra here I love it. (Makes you think what his dad said to him after he got stung the first time.)

And of course Ruffnut immediately gets stung again but makes sure to cross her legs.

Tuffnut starts boxing the air, intensely mimicking Snotlout ready to I assume defend Ruffnut from anymore stings before he starts getting kicked. How cute-turned-cruel this is.

Barf gets stung and immediately Ruff calls out to him before crawling her way as quick as she can to I assume comfort him despite the difficulty it takes her. This is so sweet. I wish we had more episodes surrounding Barf & Belch and the twins, and not just the twins or whatever The Zippleback Experience was. (Also symbolism how it was Barf to get stung and not Belch. Barf and Ruffnut are great together <3)

Snotlout gets to basically say “I told you so” but no one listens except for Ruffnut (I assume she also wants to avenge her dragon, which is sweet). I wonder if this went in his book.

Snotlout and Ruffnut’s whole interaction as the sun’s rising is pure serotonin. They are BFFs. (Also both of their episodes together and Snotlout and Tuffnut’s in Maces and Talons Pt. 1 include Ruffnut riding Hookfang. And of course Tuffnut gets a spin in Snotlout’s Angels. Makes you wonder how much Hookfang actually tolerates and/or likes the twins.)

“There are other things I want to say, but none of them are very ladylike!” Between this and the leg crossing you can really tell that Ruffnut was experimenting with gender this episode.

Snotlout immediately grabs Ruffnut after she gets stung and starts falling off and as such takes his attention away from the air-sick and anxious Speedy. He cares so much!

Hookfang then gets stung and they crash land. The fact that he and Snotlout have both been stung is very poetic, much like Ruff and Barf! (Maybe I’m too obsessed with the “Dragon is a reflection of the rider’s soul” analogy.)

Speedy is calm once back on the ground and licks Snotlout as thanks for catching him! See, guys? He was only scared when up in the air, the poor thing.

Hookfang lights on fire to protect Snotlout from the no-longer-hostile Speedy. See? Now he’s cautious! Snotlout and Hookfang are paralleling one another.

“This is a new low even for you, Snotlout!” — “I was trying to save us!” :(

A sign that Speedy doesn’t belong in the pack (and is a teenager, obviously) is that he talks back to Toothless telling him off, whereas the others wouldn’t have done so! I like little bits like this. (And Toothless had Stormfly as back up. Like a mom and dad telling their kid off.)

Ruffnut and Hookfang have a semi-paralysed affiliation together now, both going around in a circle. And I love how they’re going it side by side, I wonder if they did it to support the other. At least Meatlug is here to defend them!

Ruffnut saying to Meatlug, “Hey, girl, thanks,” and fist-bumping her tail is really cute. Hookfang also gives an additional sound.

Speedy also realises that his old pack is hurting his new pack! Nurse/Big Sister/Favourite Aunt Meatlug getting hurt was the final straw for him.

Snotlout starts swinging with a stick and says he’s not leaving anyone behind (start of his heroism/selfless arc) but it’s obvious he’s still scared himself. Hiccup’s sass was not necessary! The nerve.

Snotlout using Speedy as his own Stinger feels like a thousand IQ move and I love him for it.

“Needle Butts” feels like the millennial term for Speed Stingers and we have Snotlout to thank for it. Alternative terms were probably “Deadly Dodos” and “Sneaky Sewing Machines”.

“Snotlout, Snotlout, oi oi oi!”

Snotlout accepting Speedy after he turns on his own to protect him.

“I’m never going to get you, dragon” Snotlout: confirmer of species’ and genuses everywhere! Also, why isn’t this dragon a dinosaur, again?

“But he hates me!” Snotlout’s delivery of this is great.

Kind of criminal that Speedy couldn’t have become Part Of The Gang™. It’s okay, Speedy, you’ll always be in our hearts. (Doesn’t this kind of make Speedy Snotlout’s Scauldy? I guess?) (Shame, too. I alway imagined he would have gotten along great with Smidvarg.)

I realised when Tuffnut lights a streak of gas on fire to ward off some Stingers and then he compliments a still-paralysed Barf that Barf looks kind of drunk. Now that you’ve noticed that, too, I order you all to laugh.

Oh, and then goes Belch.

And I think Tuffnut. See what I said about one not being able to go down without the other soon following? This. Is. Symbolic. (Or so I religiously believe.)

Hookfang is still seen as formidable by the Titan Wing Speed Stinger even with half his body still paralysed. I wonder if this could temporarily be seen as disabled rep — I wish we could have seen his development from being completely defenceless (Meatlug protecting him and Ruffnut) to him doing this.

It was probably to defend Snotlout.

And that’s great.

The Meatlug Cuteness Counter:

Fishlegs reminding Hiccup that their dragons can fly and Meatlug being cute about it. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: 1.) (She’s the cutest.)

I love how Fishlegs tries hiding his arm’s paralysis by leaning on Meatlug only to get sabotaged when she goes to play with Speedy. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +1 point. 2.)

Nurse Meatlug encouraging Speedy through his physiotherapy is adorable. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +5 points. 7.)

When Snotlout is about to go off, we can see Meatlug and Fishlegs sleeping next to one another. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +4 points. 11.)

“Nurse Meatlug, if you would do the honours, please” and she does! She does do the honours! Oh, she’s such a good girl. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +10 points. 21.)

“Meatlug, quick! Stop him! Speed Stingers can’t swim!” And then she goes so determinedly. So cute. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +100 points! 121.)

Meatlug’s shocked face when she sees Speedy being able to skim the water. (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +20 points. 141.)

Meatlug defends the defenceless (Ruffnut and Hookfang), only to immediately get stung. She tried! (Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +59 points. 200. Additionally, Meatlug Heroism Counter: 10 added points.)

It also takes us back to that scene in Frozen where she defended Fishlegs and so he couldn’t leave her. (Nostalgia Counter: 1. Meatlug Cuteness Counter: +30 points. 230. Additionally, Meatlug Heroism Counter: +15 added points. 25.)

Fishlegs stands by Meatlug after she gets frozen. (Fishlug/Meatlug Cuteness Counter: 10.)

Bonus (mostly non-Snotlout and Meatlug related things):

First thing Tuffnut thinks about is food and/or destruction in the morning.

Chicken was also woken up early to see all this. She is the best dragon rider.

“The chicken is not amused.” (She then leaves dramatically.)

Surely it would be more efficient in situations like this to employ either Stormfly or Hookfang to go after Hiccup instead of the one dragon that can’t fucking fly. Surely allowing the latter is just counter-intuitive.

Astrid goes “Ugh, boys” and Tuffnut is shown right next to her with this simple frown on his face as his eyes flick back to Hiccup! I don’t know why that’s so funny but it is. Shame how quick it was shown though.

“Okay, everyone. Dragon Fly One: maiden flight.” Foreshadowing. I think.

“You’re not actually thinking of trying to train it, are you?” Oh, Astrid. This is extremely ironic for when you coerce Hiccup into letting you bring Garff along on a rescue mission.

In conclusion: Meatlug is cute, Snotlout is great, Barfruff supremacy, Hiccup sabotaged having a pet Speed Stinger on the Edge, and Chicken is the supreme leader.

#httyd #race to the edge #snotlout jorgenson #his tag is sure to bring me fame. he’s the httyd version of grelle sutcliff #speed stinger #speedy #ruffnut thorston #tuffnut thorston #chicken #hiccup haddock #toothless #meatlug #fishlegs ingerman #hookfang #astrid hofferson #episode propaganda #the next big sting #original post #long post

[e-wills-afterhours]

Hi there! How are you?

I'm so sorry to be bothering you with this, but I just really, really need to know what happens in Vetrnaetr. Do you plan on writing more? If not, would you just tell us how the story ends? Do things between Hiccup and Astrid get better? Do they forgive eachother and try to get the relationship right?

Your story is just too good, makes me wonder about it all the time. Thank you for writing such wonderful stories ❤️

Hey friend!

You are not bothering me! I do plan on finishing it, but writing anything at all is a bit difficult for me to manage right now--a multichapter longfic is peak difficulty. I haven't worked on the next chapter in ages (all I recall is it starts with Astrid regretting the letter she wrote and stressing over whether she just killed her relationship), so I would have to find the time to re-read what I've published of Vetrnaetr so far, for the sake of continuity, before I could get back into chipping away at it. My personal life is not allowing for such a blessing of free time at the moment. I can't even give you an estimate of when that will get better. Nothing bad is going on; quite the contrary, my cup runneth over.

Additionally, my creative focus is changing. While I wouldn't say I've completely lost interest in Hiccstrid or HTTYD, I've found myself gravitating more and more towards original work that I haven't posted here, simply because there's not really a want for it. I don't think anyone really cares that much about my worldbuilding and novel plotting that will probably never result in anything anyway but it's nice to have dreams.

I won't give you all the nitty gritty details below the cut, because I might actually finish Vetrnaetr one day, but I will provide some vague and general spoilers below in case that never happens. For your peace of mind friend.

Spoilers:

Hiccup returns from Helgafell but since the Vetrnaetr festival is kicking off, he and Astrid do not have much of an opportunity to talk and reconcile; Astrid can tell Hiccup is distant and she is afraid that their breakup is inevitable. She also laments all the implications of a breakup after everything they've been through privately and publicly.

Stefnir takes more opportunities to be a smug asshole, because of course he does.

Hiccup struggles with expectations of change and personal growth from both his father and Astrid; reflects on what that growth and change looks like and what it would mean for him, personally.

Festival is a blast. Astrid realizes she's been a bit of a demanding asshole toward Hiccup and should have been more understanding and tactful in her approach instead of giving him ultimatums to become someone he fundamentally isn't. Damn Ruffnut was right. Astrid gets drunk.

Hiccup realizes he does have a lot of growth left, and not just for others' sake, but his own too. He realizes Astrid had some valid points and if staying in a perpetual adolescent mindset means he loses her, then he doesn't want it. He understands, unintentionally, he has been a bit self-absorbed and selfish.

Hiccup confides this to Gobber who gives some sage advice about growing up in all facets of life, but no more than is absolutely necessary to preserve joy.

First night of festival winds down in the wee hours of the morning. Astrid is passed out now. Hiccup and Toothless get her home. Shenanigans occur because, in a village of drunk Vikings, of course they do.

Astrid wakes up hungover with no recollection of how she got home in bed, but notices whoever got her home took great care to make sure she was comfortable.

Hiccup comes to check on her. They finally get to talk after some self-reflection the night before. They both admit their wrongs and acknowledges where the other person was right, but also refine their personal boundaries and expectation. Yay for healthy reconciliation and open and honest communication. Commitment to one another renewed.

Fic ends with emotional and very physical expressions of love.

[one-strugling-bean]

Random thoughts on HTTYD RttE S4 (Ep8-13)

Ep8 - Shattermaster, the best dragon, is back!!

I'm guessing by the end of the episode she's going with Dagur - I feel a little bad for it, but I never really expected Heather to stay

"Ruff and I are the best booby-trap sniffers that have ever sniffed a booby-" Ruff glares at him "... trap"

The twins are fun

Dagur is being too pushy about this, but I guess it's a bit understandable - still, I feel for Heather, the girl is torn in two

Aw, c'mon Dagur, let the kids kiss!

Btw, are Heather and Fishlegs even offically dating? We never got a conclusion to that

You go, Fishlegs! Show them all what you can do!

That biatch really is just asking for Ryker to betray him. Assuming he's too intelligent to make such an easy to see mistake, I wonder what are his plans there

Fishlegs... I feel bad for him, but we all knew this was going to happen eventually

Meanwhile, Shattermaster is showing how amazing he is

Byebye Heather!! Until we meet again, probably by tge end of the season

Ep9 - Nerds will be nerds

Snotlout is just jealous, admit it

"Oh, here it comes, another Hicclegs love fest" I think I once read somewhere that Snotlout was the one to come up with the Hiccstrid ship name. Guess he's moving on to Fishlegs and Hiccup now

"I have no idea, but Hicclegs just got veeery interesting." I stand justified

It seems Hiccup's peace-making attitude is starting to rub off on Astrid

:000 Fishlegs looks superb with those shoulder thingys

Pfff, poor Snotlout

Problems in paradise for Fishlegs and Hiccup it seems

Astrid and Throk are gonna get cooked at this rate

Never thought I'd ever see Toothless willingly putting Snotlout on his back

Also, I just cannot understand how Toothless's flying mechanisms work - how does Snotlout simply being on top of him make a difference? I thought he had to be guided and stuff, and Hiccup would be the only one that knew how to do it

A yay for the little red dragons for saving the day

Throk's gonna die?!

Ah no, forget it, big old Eruptdon saved the day, yayy

Snotlout has the heart of a shipper inside

Ep10 - To be fair to the twins, their twintuition has helped the Riders more than once

"Ugh! See what I'm dealing with?" Poor Tuff, wailling in the background

"Wouldn't it be great if there was a place like that? Where you could go to at anytime and you'd be provided with the best medical care available?" "Pfft, forget it, you'd die waiting in line." "True." Why does that sound like a 4th wall break commentary?

I love how Hiccup just leaves without explaining anything to the others

Where did the twins leave Barf and Belch?

Once again, Ruff being the big sister, and once again, the twins separated and fighting for different causes - so so satisfying to watch, I'm loving this episode

Tuff's offended "Oh, my goodness" when the hunter called him a girl was super funny

Is the biatch seriously trying to break apart the twins? So who's gonna break it to him that not every set of siblings is like him and his brother?

"Take your best shot pal." Oh. My. God. Ruffnut, I love you so much, that was so badass!!! :DDD

Tuff's worry, escalating to a hundred when he heard biatch and Ryker mentioning they had Ruff was great

Tuff went into a similar rage to the one he goes into when an enemy cuts his "beard" in httyd3

Soo, even dragon-proof chains can be broken, you just need a loooot more fire power than what a single dragon possesses

Nice, they made Macey a funeral

"You never listen, do you brother?" He hasn't done anything else the whole show!!

Ep11 - "We've dealt with way worse" "Snotlout doesn't count" pfff, poor Snotlout, Astrid doesn't miss a single opportunity

Snotlout's little appreciative stare as Fishlegs lowered the clubhouse's door - child has a crush

Why did Stormfly fly away when Astrid got hit? She's her rider, she should protect her at all costs right? And if it was just dragon instinct because of the blast, which is what I'm guessing, why didn't Toothless run away too? I'm being nitpicky again, I know, feel free to ignore this, but it's just that if it were Toothless with Hiccup in that situation, the Night Fury would not retreat and cover Hiccup immediately

I dunno, it just gives that feeling that Toothless has more conscience than the other dragons, I dunno. I'm thinking too much probably - he is the main dragon of this show, it's normal he's shown more and in a more humane way, if that's the right word, and they probably wanted Hiccup to rescue her, but still.

This was a long venting comment, I apologize

"Of course, Toothless is right there, everything's peachy for you" Okay, now I feel kinda bad but I was gonna mention that too, Toothless got to stay in the clubhouse but the others didn't

And it can't be about size because if so, at least Meatlug could've also joined them

I'm gonna give them the out that it's because in an emergency, Toothless couldn't fly away and escape from danget like the others

On a brighter note, the twins and Snotlout are worried for their dragons and I appreciate the worry

Ohhhhh crap - now I feel like I cursed Astrid when I predicted way back in S2 that this show was gonna like to hurt her

Hiccstrid crumbs yayy

Was the whole "I'm putting my foot down" supposed to be an amputation joke for Hiccup? Because I kinda understood it like that, but I'm not sure

Oh, it'll be interesting to see the riders trying to deal with each other's dragons

And the Hiccstrid crumbs keep falling

"Of course she's not gonna hide. She's Astrid" Yeah you should've seen that coming

I appreciate that she's listening, albeit a bit reluctantly and obviously it's Hiccup she's listening to. But, in the beggining of the show, I'm not so sure she would've - it shows that Astrid's also come far

It's moments like that one where Hiccup tries to comfort Astrid that remind me of much of a good relationship these two have - also, they almost kissed ahhhh

I'm really liking these concepts, are there any fanfics out there that explore this episode further? The riders dealing with each other's dragons or Astrid coping without her sight?

Honestly, knowing the way Snotlout and Hookfang work, you really should've managed out your wording better Fishlegs

Astrid continues being a badass, I continue to love it

Also, Stormfly gives me avian vibes - is it just me?

So this is how they get together?? Man, so much happens in this show that connects Httyd1 and Httyd2

A very similar scene happens in httyd2 btw: the two talking feelings and all, sitting on the edge of a cliff, bathed by sun light, while Toothless and Stormfly play in the background - I'm guessing it's probably intentional

Ep12&13- Ew, Spitelout

But hey, Heather, Dagur, Stoick, Gobber, Gothi, all the good peeps!! Glad to see you - but I'm surprised the Defenders of the Wing aren't there too

Of course it's not real

I mean, with friends like theirs I get why Astrid would try to hide the relationship for a little while, but at least try to hide it properly guys

Is this thrashing the masked man's doing? Or did Ryker finally rebel

Okayyy I was not expecting Biatch to be hiding

Yeah, Ryker's gone rogue, that's no surprise

Aww, baby Eruptdon is sho cuteeee

:0 Snotlout said it! He said the thing! (Hiccstrid is the thing, btw)

I have no idea what Plan Shell Fire is, honestly

I'm expecting Hiccstrid to reveal their relationship in a reeeeeally dramatic way, like, one of them is gravely injured, and the other wails at their lover with a huge love confession thrown in, because they were just so worried about their most loved one, they completely forgot there were people looking at them

Either that, or they'll just get caught in the worst possible moment

Isn't Yakitty Jorgenson the yak Snotlout saved all those episodes ago when he and Hiccup and Stoick went to look for Spitelout? It's cute he kept it

"He's weaponized a dragon, Astrid!" Uhm, isn't that what every single one of you does?

Meatlug and baby Eruptdon playing with the lava QwQ

Yeah I hate everything about this "alliance" except the notion that it will offer me more and more moments of Biatch speaking, and his voice is really nice to hear

And it seems Ruff and Tuff agree with me

Snotlout's self-preservation instincts are the best

"There's no crying in Maces and Talons" why does that sound like foreshadowing?

Ryker's laugh sounds a liiiiittle deranged

Did... Did Snotlout just set the stables on fire with Viggo in them? Is that what happened?

Ah no, the stables caught fire and Snotlout just left Biatch there to burn along with them. Not a whole lot better, but sure

Viggo's teaching everyone new vocab, that's nice of him

"It's the gambling losses, this isn't really him." Lmao, Snotlout this isn't the time

I don't think Viggo was gonna stab him, but I do think he staged himself to look like it on purpose purely for the drama of it all (because he knew Astrid was tailing them) - to keep up the mistery of his true intentions, whatever those are and put everyone on edge. He likes to play games, after all

"More Dragon Riders?!" What are talking about, they're always the same group, how have you not fixed them by now??

Aw, Hiccup finally called him brother back!

Imagine Dagur becomes the owner of both Mr. Triple Strike Pokémon and Shattermaster - imagine the sitcom material right there

Yeah, obvious betrayal there

Okayyyy, that was the quickest, randomest ending ever - the last 3 minutes felt like a speedrun of the possible series final. There's still 2 seasons to go tho, so let's see how this goes

For the record, I don't believe either Ryker or Biatch are actually dead - no one dies in these shows, not like this at least

And that's the Season 4 finale! I watched S4 so fast, it's irreal. I'm sad to know this journey is closer to ending tho, I'll miss it :/

#I spent a lot of words for ep10 and im not sure how i like it #but oh well it's staying #httyd #race to the edge #hiccup horrendous haddock the 3rd #hiccup #astrid hofferson #snotlout #snotlout jorgenson #fishlegs ingerman #fishlegs #tuffnut thorston #tuffnut #ruffnut thorston #ruffnut #httyd heather #dagur the deranged #viggo grimborn #httyd ryker #toothless #hookfang #stormfly #meatlug #barf and belch #throk #mala #shattermaster #httyd rtte commentary

[evilwriter37]

A bit of a simple whump request: Hiccup hiding an ugly and concerning bruise somewhere?

Rated: teen

Warnings: none

Pairings: none

Word Count: 790

Hiccup turned in front of the mirror. He wasn't in his tunic, was inspecting a large, unsightly bruise over his ribs on the left. It was purple and black - never a good sign - and it hurt like Hel. Still, he found himself poking at it a little, just to see how much it hurt.

"Ow."

Toothless rumbled at him, and Hiccup looked over. His dragon didn't appear pleased.

"No, Toothless, I'm not going to Fishlegs about it." He grabbed for his tunic, began pulling it on. "I don't want to bother him with it."

Toothless barked out a question: "Why not?"

"Because, it's not a big deal," Hiccup told him. He began fastening on his leather armor. It hurt pressing something tight against the bruise, but his friends would know something was off if he wasn't wearing his armor.

Toothless said nothing, but flicked his tail at him in annoyance.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Hiccup responded. His dragon was annoyed with him for not going to Fishlegs for help, but why should he? It was just a bruise. "Now, are you coming to breakfast or not?"

Toothless grumbled something at him, then rose from his position and stretched. They left the hut together, and found that they were the last to arrive at the clubhouse. That was unlike them; Hiccup had spent too much time looking at that damn bruise.

Their friends greeted them, and Hiccup took a seat between Astrid and Fishlegs. There was already a plate ready for him, so he dug in. Maybe eating would help the pain.

"Any plans for the day?" Ruffnut asked.

"That depends," Astrid said. "I wonder what our fearless leader here wants us to do." She elbowed Hiccup hard, like she usually would, but this time was different - she elbowed him right in the ribs.

"Agh! Ow!" Hiccup jumped up from his seat, clutching his ribs, breathing hard at the pain.

"Whoa, what is it?" Astrid asked, and his friends were quick to gather around him. He felt like it was suffocating him.

"N-nothing. Nothing," Hiccup got out quickly. He tried to stand straight, but doubled over again, a cry of pain leaving him.

"It's clearly not nothing!" Fishlegs exclaimed. He helped Hiccup back into his seat. He was panting, holding his ribs. "Hiccup, what happened?"

"It's stupid," Hiccup said. "Just from a stupid accident."

"Okay, that doesn't tell us what happened," Astrid said, crossing her arms.

Hiccup sighed, but didn't let go of his ribs. "Fine. Toothless and I were trying out this new maneuver and he swerved to avoid a tree. It ended up throwing me off and I hit a branch really hard on my way down."

"Hiccup, you should have told us!" Snotlout cried. There was anger in his voice. "You tell us to tell you when we're hurt. I think the same should apply to you."

"But I'm not hurt. It's just a bruise."

"Okay, then let's get a look at it." That was Tuffnut.

Hiccup looked around at all of his friends. They weren't relenting on this. With a sigh, he began taking off his belt and his pauldrons so he could remove the rest of his armor. Once that was gone, he lifted up his shirt to show them.

Fishlegs and Astrid gasped, Snotlout looked stunned, and Ruffnut and Tuffnut were fighting each other to try to get a good look, yelling: "Let me see! Let me see!"

"Hiccup, that's not nothing," Astrid said quietly.

Fishlegs came close, ran the palm of his hand over the bruise, making Hiccup wince.

"Sorry! Just checking that nothing's broken." He felt at Hiccup's ribs with two hands now, and Hiccup bit his lip to hold in a cry. Yep, that hurt.

"Okay, nothing's broken," Fishlegs deduced, letting go of Hiccup. Hiccup put his shirt back down, relieved to be hiding the bruise again. "But it's definitely a bad contusion. I'll have to wrap it, and you're on bed rest for a week."

"A week?!" Hiccup was not happy about that. "But, I have to-"

"No," Astrid cut him off. "You don't. You need rest like Fishlegs said. You'd tell any of us to listen to him."

Hiccup frowned, huffing through his nose. "Fine. I guess I'll allow myself the same treatment I give you guys."

"Don't be mad at us, Hiccup," Tuffnut pleaded. The Dragon Riders were once again sitting down around the table to finish their breakfast. "It's just because we care."

"Yeah," Ruffnut added.

"A lot," Snotlout put in.

Hiccup couldn't help but give them all a bit of a smile. They were right. He deserved the same treatment he afforded them; he did it because he cared, and now they were returning the favor.

#asks #requests #httyd #how to train your dragon #rtte #race to the edge #whump #bruises #hidden injury #contusions #hiccup!whump #hiccup and the dragon riders #hiccup haddock #toothless #fanfiction #writing

[anileahvictoria]

HTTYD AU Idea

Another idea that will probably be nothing more than an idea. It kind of started out because there are plenty of stories where a human finds a hurt dragon and nurses them back to health, gaining their trust and friendship in the process (Hiccup, Heather, etc.). But I wanted a story where a dragon finds a hurt human. So I give you a role swap AU from Toothless's POV. Toothless is on one of his annual raids on Berk and barely dodges a trap. After such a nasty scare, he fires back and growls in satisfaction as the launcher catches fire and collapses onto a struggling Viking. Toothless lands to finish the job, but he is conflicted to find that it's a young human instead of a scary Viking trapped under the rubble. Still, he thinks of all the dangerous Vikings that were once young humans but grew into murderous killing machines, and Toothless bares his teeth, ready to end this future Viking. But just as Hiccup saw himself in Toothless's eyes, had their roles been swapped, Toothless sees himself in Hiccup's. He drags the human out from under the debris and discovers with a pang of guilt that the young human's leg has been blasted clean off. Toothless debates whether or not sparing the human's life was good enough until an especially scary Viking came yelling, ax swinging. The vast Viking with hair like a roaring fire had obviously come to finish them both off. Toothless couldn't bring himself to leave the hurt human to the mercy of the angry Viking, so he carried the boy to his nook on the dragon island. But a dragon nest is no place for an injured human, Toothless soon realizes.  After a few close calls, Toothless decides he'd better hide his human somewhere safer. He takes his human to a cave in the forest, a ways away from Berk. But things aren't looking good for the little human. He's deathly pale, and when he doesn't wake up one morning, Toothless decides he needs a human healer. Toothless fly's to Berk that night and gently kidnaps the small wrinkly Viking healer, Gothi. Gothi arrives just in time and gives Hiccup the medical attention he desperately needs. After the initial shock of being carried off by a Night Fury and watching Toothless interact with Hiccup (bringing him various sized sticks as potential peg legs, all of which Hiccup gently refuses), she realizes that dragons are kind, compassionate creatures. Still, after a few days, once satisfied that Hiccup will be alright, she sets off to go back to Berk and inform Stoik that Hiccup is, in fact, alive. After all, Berk thinks a Night Fury ate Hiccup. It's only fair they knew the truth, and while Hiccup was doing well, it would be quite a while before he'd be able to make the journey home. Hiccup doesn't want to let Gothi go and risk endangering Toothless, but Gothi convinces him it's not fair to let Stoik mourn his son's death anymore. So Hiccup agrees to let her go under the conditions they write out precisely what Gothi's going to tell Stoik. They agree on a script, and Gothi leaves. Not long after Gothi leaves, Toothless bumps into another young skinny human, but this one is much feistier than Toothless's current roommate. This particular human even poses quite a threat, and Toothless is forced to go on the offensive. But before things could get too ugly, the small human yells, "For Hiccup (curse his scrawny butt)!" and Toothless adds two and two together. With some difficulty, he scoops up the girl and fly's her the distance to his cave, where Hiccup is sleeping peacefully. Astrid probably punches him and demands an explanation, and Hiccup provides one. Then Hiccup wonders what she's doing all the way out here, and Astrid says there was a massive honor awaiting whoever found the location of the Night Fury's lair (Hiccup is a bit disappointed). Astrid explains that without Gothi pointing her in the right direction, she would've never found them. Hiccup and Astrid get some bonding time while Gothi travels to Berk, and Hiccup tells her all about dragons, and Astrid starts to get feelings for him. Then one day, while Astrid's helping Hiccup, Toothless growls a warning and flies off to face whatever is coming. Sure enough, a few miles out, Toothless is ambushed by Stoik and practically all of Berk. They pin Toothless down, but just before Stoik can finish the beast, Gothi stops him and writes something like, "If you don't believe me that your son's alive and this dragon saved him, then believe me when I say there's an island with a nest full of dragons, and you'll never find it without this dragon." This convinces Stoik to let Toothless live and use him to find the dragon nest. Gothi runs back to the cave and tells Hiccup and Astrid what happened. They decide they have to do something, so with Astrid's help, they go back to Berk and train the other teens. They fly to the island, and stuff happens as it does in the movie, but Toothless loses his tail fin in the fight.

#httyd #how to train your dragon #hiccup #astrid #stoik #toothless #au #fan fic

[csigirl3137]

Unexpected

Pairing: Hiccup Haddock x Viggo Grimborn

Word Count: 1465

Warnings: Battle, sword fight, smut, anal sex, anal fingering, orgasms, possessive Viggo, sex with the enemy,

Authors Note: I'm new to this ship, but hey I fricking love it.

Summary: A sword fight between Hiccup and Viggo takes them into the woods away from the main battle. The fight turns into something unexpected.

White hot pleasure races through Hiccup's veins, the large hand over his mouth muffling his cry as the cock inside him drags over his prostate, the man behind him shoving Hiccup back up against the rough bark in front of him with every thrust.

There's muffled clanging to the left, metal on metal, the sounds of multiple explosions off to the right. His riders were giving the hunters hell.

And what was he doing?

Well...

Hiccup is currently pinned against a tree trunk, leather pants around his knees, completely wrecked, dick rock hard and throbbing as a man he very much should not be letting fuck him but he's letting him anyways,  fucks Hiccup towards an orgasm he knows will probably exceed every single orgasm he's ever had at his own hands.

"You're going to have a very sore ride home my dear, and you'll most likely be walking funny for a couple days" Viggo's familiar deep, silky, accented voice is right by his ear, the pace at which he fucks in and out of Hiccup, increasing.

Hiccup whines softly, not wanting anyone to hear him. The hand Viggo had over his mouth is now possesively wrapped around Hiccup's throat.

The combination of the arm around his waist, the thick tree trunk in front of him, the cock in his ass, and the large hand around his throat; Hiccup is completely helpless at the hands of the hunter chief.

He couldn't escape Viggo if he wanted to.

"We shouldn't... gah... oh gods..." Hiccup's eyes roll back in his head as he tries to speak only to dissolve back into moans and whimpers as Viggo makes him see stars.

"We shouldn't what? Hmm?" Viggo waits for a response from the wrecked rider, making sure to adjust enough to sharply hit Hiccup's prostate with the next few thrusts, the boy turning to goo, moaning in response.

"Use your words dear boy." Viggo taunts in the riders ear, knowing very well Hiccup was barely able to think straight right now, let alone form words.

It takes a minute but finally Hiccup manages to speak.

"We shouldn't be doing this!" He gasps.

Viggo hums in response, his grip on Hiccup's throat tightening a little as he pulls the boy back more securely against him. He's fairly certain he already knows the response he'll recieve, especially as he slows his thrusts.

The young green eyed rider currently impaled on his cock whines in distress at the decrease of the speed of Viggo's thrusts.

"Oh gods no! Please don't stop, Viggo please don't stop." Hiccup gasps desperately.

Thats the first time the young Hooligan has said his name since Viggo finally managed to disarm and pin him to this tree,  his sword against Hiccup's throat.

And now here he was fucking the young rider.

Viggo smiles darkly and resumes the pace of his thrusts before Hiccup spoke.

"You feel even better than I'd imagined my dear." Viggo kisses the side of Hiccup's neck, the pleased sound the rider makes shooting straight to Viggo's already hard cock.

"Maybe I won't let you go when I'm done with you. You'd make a very, very pretty pet." Viggo nips at Hiccup's pulse point drawing a gasp from Hiccup. He starts to suck a mark there on the riders pulse point, not caring that Hiccup would have to lie about its origin to his friends.

Viggo wanted Hiccup wearing his marks.

He'd suspected that Hiccup would look pretty all marked up with Viggos marks, and as he watched the skin of Hiccup's neck start to turn purple under his ministrations, he discovered that he was right.

"Viggo..." Hiccup had started to struggle a little in Viggos grip, the last thing he'd said coming off more threatening than considering.

Viggo yanks the boy back against him, trapping Hiccup between his body and the tree as he increases the pace of his thrusts again, Hiccup clawing at the bark on the tree as he's fucked, whining softly, tears running down his cheeks as he tried to prevent any of the actual sounds he wanted to make from escaping.

"As much as I want to completely claim and own you," Viggo growls into Hiccup's ear, relishing in the shiver that rolled through the riders body at his words. "When you finally become mine, it'll will be even sweeter because you'll have decided that you want to be. Not because I forced you too. Remember that dear."

Hiccup isn't quite sure what Viggo was saying, only catching a bit here and there, but essentially getting the message that Viggo wasn't gonna keep him right now.

He yelps as the hand of the arm Viggo had around his waist closes around his cock and starts to stroke up and down Hiccup's shaft with the pace of Viggo's thrusts.

"As much as I'd like to draw this out darling, the battle seems to be ending and so our little tryst must do the same." Viggo's thrusts into his body over his prostate, his stokes of Hiccups cock and his silky voice push Hiccup over the edge.

The hand around his throat is flying back up to clamp tightly over Hiccups mouth as he tenses, and then screams, his orgasm crashing over him in a wave of white hot heat.

The young Berkian completely shatters in Vigho's grip, eyes rolling back  into his head, body spasming, scream escaping his lips, walls clamping down tightly on Viggo's cock.

Viggo cums with a growl, fucking Hiccup through both their orgasms. He takes perverse pleasure from knowing that not only will Hiccup be sore sitting in the saddle flying back to the edge and walking funny the next couple of days, the young man also has to make the long flight back to the edge full of Viggo's cum.

A feral, possessive, heathen instinct rears it's head in the back of Viggo's mind as he thinks about Hiccup stuffed full of his cum, all his riders around and completely unaware. It was an ultimate claim.

God he wants to drag Hiccup back to his ship and completely destroy him again in the privacy of Viggos quarters and his large bed.

He looked so pretty shattering for Viggo like that.

Viggo withdraws from Hiccups body cum leaking out as he does.

Hiccup groans and goes slack against the tree in front of him for support. His legs are visibly shaking.

Viggo tucks his cock back into his pants and then uses one of his large fingers to swipe up some of the leaking cum from around the edge of Hiccup's hole, the boy crying out as Viggo uses his finger to push it back inside.

"Until we meet again my dear." Viggo presses a kiss to Hiccup's neck and then he's gone.

Despite wanting to just pass out against the tree in front of him from pleasure and exhaustion, he can't let his friends find him like this so Hiccup quickly tucks himself back into his pants, wincing at the sticky feeling of the cum leaking from his ass.

The thought of having to fly back to the edge full of the dragon hunters cum, that invisible claim mark so blatantly on Hiccup now, even tho his friends wouldn't know, makes Hiccup's dick twitch.

"Oh gods." He sighs as he turns around, presses his back against the bark of the tree, and sinks to the ground, hands pressed against his eyes.

What had he done?

He debates going to find them but then decides that his riders can come find him.

He needs a minute to get collected.

And so that's how Toothless and the riders find him, sitting on the ground, back against the tree trunk, still panting, but looking considerably less "I just had sex" like.

"Hiccup are you alright!?" Astrid helps Hiccup to his feet.

"I'm okay, just tired. Viggo's quite a skilled swordsman." He reassures them.

"Where is Viggo?" Fishlegs asks. Hiccup shakes his head.

"I don't know. He disarmed me, slammed the butt of his sword into my stomach and then I woke up against this tree." It's a blatant lie but his friends seem to take the words in stride.

"We got the lense. Let's go home." Hiccup holds up the lense that he'd pilfered from Viggo's belt as Viggo fucked into him.

So maybe he'd had an ulterior motive. But he still very much enjoyed how he'd been fuxked by his adversary and wondered if it would happen again.

His friends cheer at the sight of the metal piece.

Hiccup doesn't have to have super hearing to hear the roar of anger that echoes through the hunter camp on the opposite side of the island as they take off into the night as Viggo discovers what Hiccup has done.

#hiccup horrendous haddock iii #httyd #httyd rtte #rtte #rtte viggo #viggo grimborn #vigcup #hiccup #toothless #Viggo

[crazy4dragons]

Late Night Work

HTTYD Creative Week 2021

Day 1: Family

Hiccup has work to finish, but how can he resist spending time with his baby daughter? Rating: G. Family fluff!

Astrid’s eyes opened as she rolled over to find that Hiccup’s side of the mattress was cold. She knew he’d stayed up late the night before, but not coming to bed at all was rare for him, especially since Zephyr’s birth.

“Babe?” she mumbled, still half-asleep. When she didn’t hear a response, she climbed out from beneath the furs. At the feeling of the cold floor on her bare toes, she quickly slid her feet into a cozy pair of slippers. Wrapping a thick blanket around her shoulders, she shuffled to the window and pulled back the curtains, letting sunlight into the room.

It was then that she noticed Zephyr’s vacant crib. Although the little girl was nearly a year old, she still slept across the room from her parents, just in case she got fussy during the night.

“Hiccup?” she called again, this time raising her voice as she made her way into the hall. “Zeph?”

No reply.

Frowning, Astrid trudged downstairs. Just as she was about to call her husband’s name again, she noticed him curled up on the couch, fast asleep with Zephyr snuggled against his chest and an array of papers scattered about them. A smile playing on her lips, she reached over to gently tug the furs up over them before quietly heading to the washroom for her morning bath.

…

Hiccup groaned as he picked up yet another piece of paperwork.

Just give it up, Spitelout, he thought to himself, shaking his head at the realization that Spitelout had started yet another petition to put his name on the island’s storehouse. He had enough chiefing duties to worry about, not to mention an eleven-month-old daughter who was growing more energetic by the day. He didn’t have time to waste on muttonheaded requests.

The sound of Zephyr’s babbling was a welcome distraction from his work. Setting the papers aside, he trudged over to her crib and lifted her into his arms. “Hey, munchkin,” he murmured. “What’s going on?”

Zephyr babbled again, this time reaching up to tug on Hiccup’s braids.

“Can’t sleep?” he guessed, leaning down to kiss her forehead. He thought about waking Astrid to see if Zephyr wanted to nurse, but decided not to bother her once he noticed that she appeared to be peacefully snoozing amongst the covers, a contented look on her face.

“How about Daddy makes you a little midnight snack?” he suggested, turning to leave the room. Although Zephyr still sometimes nursed at night, or on the rare occasions when she was particularly fussy, she was more or less weaned, and eating mainly soft foods that Hiccup and Astrid either mashed or cut into bite-sized pieces.

The little girl smiled with a partially toothless version of her mother’s smile.

Hiccup carried his daughter into the kitchen and, placing her in the high chair, rummaged through the icebox for berries and ice cream. He knew Zephyr shouldn’t be eating sugar so late at night, but she’d been so excited about the ice cream ever since he’d first churned it a few days ago, he couldn’t resist the thought of seeing her face light up with excitement. Besides, he could use a little sugar rush to fuel him through the rest of his paperwork.

“You want some?” Hiccup asked, holding out a small spoonful of ice cream.

Zephyr eagerly grabbed the handle from his fist and shoved the spoon into her mouth, ice cream falling down her chin.

“You like that, huh?” he grinned, leaning over to ruffle her already messy hair.

The little girl reached out a sticky hand and babbled, evidentially asking for more.

Grabbing a bowl, Hiccup mashed a few berries and scooped out a small helping of ice cream before fixing his own serving. “Here you go, Zeph,” he said, passing her the dessert.

Zephyr let out an excited squeal.

“I know, I know, you’re happy. But shhh, don’t be too loud. We don’t wanna wake up Mama.”

After the two finished their ice cream, Hiccup quickly washed the dishes, lifted Zephyr into his arms, and carried her upstairs to fetch his paperwork. Taking care not to disturb Astrid, he blew out the candles and shuffled to the living room, where he settled onto the couch and placed the little girl in his lap.

Zephyr grabbed the bottom of the parchment and tore them, giggling.

“Zephyr!” Hiccup quietly scolded, bringing the papers out of her reach. “Why would you do that?” Despite his frustration, his tone remained calm.

The little girl offered a smile.

“I think it’s time for you to get back to bed,” he decided, standing up and settling her onto his hip.  

Rubbing her eyes, Zephyr whimpered.

“See, you’re getting grumpy,” Hiccup remarked, kissing the top of her head.

“Dada,” the baby insisted. She tugged on her father’s tunic and pointed to the couch.

Hiccup let out a sigh. “Fine, you can stay with Daddy. But only if you actually sleep.” He turned around and grabbed some furs before settling back onto the cushions and cuddling Zephyr against his chest.

The little girl cooed in satisfaction as she nestled into the furs.

“Mama will be disappointed I didn’t come to bed,” Hiccup continued. “But Thor forbid I bring you in with us. We both know she doesn’t let you spend the night with her anymore. She says you’re a big girl now, and you are, but Daddy wants to spend as much time with you as possible before you reach the age where I’m an embarrassment to you.”

Zephyr closed her eyes.

“I know, I know, I talk too much.” Hiccup tugged up the covers.

The baby let out a small grunt.

“You okay, Zeph?” He looked into her face to find that she was already drifting off to sleep. “Goodnight,” he whispered, pressing a kiss against her forehead. “I love you.”

As she continued to fall asleep, Zephyr grabbed a chunk of Hiccup’s tunic in her little fist and curled closer to him, causing a wide grin to light up his face.

Zephyr might not have been a replacement for Toothless, who he still thought about every day, but she was one of the greatest blessings the gods could have given him. Her bright blue eyes, her feisty personality that was already so much like Astrid’s, her adorable giggle. Yes, he was definitely blessed to have her as his daughter, and as he waited for sleep to overtake him, he thanked Freja for giving him such a special gift.

…

Hiccup opened his eyes as he felt Zephyr stir on his chest, signaling she was awake. Turning his face towards the window, he squinted as the sunshine hit him, prompting him to rise. It was already past dawn, and Astrid was probably already awake and wondering where the rest of her family was.

“Morning, babe!”

He grinned as he saw his wife descending the stairs, dressed and ready for the day. “Morning, milady,” he returned, making his way over to kiss her. “Sleep well without me?”

Astrid offered a small smile. “I suppose so,” she said, holding out her arms to take the baby. “And good morning to you, Zeph. You were down here with Daddy all night, huh?”

“She’s a great daughter, but a bad helper,” chuckled Hiccup, gesturing to the papers that still lay scattered over the floor.

“She’ll learn,” Astrid laughed. She pressed a kiss against Zephyr’s head. “Won’t you, sweetie?”

Zephyr cooed as she stuffed a fist into her mouth.

“Hungry?” the blonde guessed.

The little girl babbled in response.

“Well, why don’t you come cuddle with Mama while Daddy cooks something for us?”

Hiccup’s eyes widened. “What? Why me?”

“Come on, babe,” Astrid teased, delivering a gentle slap to his chest. “We all know you’re the better cook.”

“Yeah, uh…sure, but you—”

“Eggs and bacon would be great,” she cut in, winking as she turned towards her favorite chair.

Hiccup smirked. “And what do I get in exchange for this?”  

“Meet me in the storehouse at three.”

#fanfic #my writing #httyd #httydcweek2021 #haddock family #daddycup #astrid #zephyr #hiccstrid babies #dayonefamily

[givemea-dam-break]

hello tis i the hiccup anon. i shall sign this as LJ. but hi! how are you? im thinking more httyd rtte x reader because lets be honest theres a terrible lack of them and im thinking you can choose the pairing but please fluff. maybe the reader being made chief and the gang being there in support? (i literally need fluff im sorry. ive been stressed and so behind and im dying at this pt) you obvi dont hv to do this lol but i saw you wanted more requests and this is my current hyper fixation

a/n: i'm doing pretty good but don’t worry about me lol you focus on yourself and of course!!! i'm happy to write this especially if it’ll make you feel better :)))) for a change, i've made this for the icon herself: astrid lol. i am so sorry this has taken so long to come out, i've had so much trouble trying to get the plot right but hopefully you like it and it helps with your stress even though it's very short <3 Warnings: none Words: 781 Gender-neutral reader

With trembling hands, you adjust the wreath that sits atop your hair, signifying your new title - the title given to you not even ten minutes ago. Your ceremonial robes brush against your legs in the breeze, weighing you down but keeping you significantly warm. Everything seems heavier; the feeling of your clothes; the memory of your father's passing; the troubles you will now have to face. You aren't even sure if the gods know how you will cope with the newfound stress and expectations. "Kvsir," you mumble, praying the wise god, "guide me." The breeze softens for a millisecond, brushing along your skin like fingertips, and the grass crunches behind you. "You okay?" your new friend, Astrid, asks. "You kind of darted off." "Yeah, yeah, I'm all right," you say. "Just nervous, is all. I'm not sure how I'm meant to run a whole village at seventeen." Astrid's hand rests on your shoulder, sending sparks running down your arm. "You'll do perfectly fine," she reassures you. "Sure, you'll make mistakes, but even the old, grumpy chiefs do that. Plus, I'll - we'll come to visit you from time to time and help out if things are getting hard. Hey, you could be teaching Hiccup how to be chief, one day." You smile. "Imagine that. Hiccup, do this. Hiccup, do that. No, no, that's not right at all. He'd hate it." Astrid laughs, and it sounds like music to your ears. "I know we've only known you a few days," she says, "but I know that you can do this. I bet your father is so proud of you for even getting in front of the crowd and accepting the role." Her hand doesn't move from your arm, and you're glad. You like the weight of it, the way it makes your muscles relax and your mind clear. Astrid stands close to you, the leather of her skirt skimming against the amber robes you wear. Slowly, smoothly, her hand trails down from your shoulder to your hand, where her pinkie finger wraps around your own. "Send a terror mail if you need anything, all right?" she says. "I won't hesitate to come here and help with whatever you need." "Thank you, Astrid," you say softly. "It means a lot." Astrid smiles before glancing back at the village. "We should probably head back. No doubt the gang's wondering where we are." "And the villagers," you remind her. "I'm probably not making a very good impression by disappearing not even ten minutes after I got named Chief." Astrid's finger releases yours, leaving you with a surprising feeling of emptiness at the absence of it, but you pay no mind to it as you head back to the village. The rest of the night is more relaxing, thanks to Astrid. The second she notices any ounce of worry in you, she places a hand on your knee or your arm or wherever is most convenient. Her method seems to work, you notice, but it also leaves you with a flushed face and a racing heart. Yes, you barely knew Astrid, but that doesn't mean that she can't send your heart soaring into the highest parts of the sky. Just the smallest glance your way and you were done for. That made goodbyes the following day so much harder. You knew Astrid and her friends - Hiccup, Fishlegs, Snotlout, Ruffnut and Tuffnut - couldn't stay on your island forever. They had places to be, new lands to explore. They had a whole world out there waiting for them, and you would not be the one to hold them back from that just because you were catching feelings. "Remember," Astrid says. "Terror -" "Terror mail if I need you," you finish with a laugh. "You know I will. Have fun out there, you guys." Astrid's friends bid you their goodbyes and mount their various dragons, but Astrid hangs back a bit. She brushes some hair out of her face and smiles at you. "Expect letters from me checking in," she says. "I'm not leaving you alone that easily." "I'll keep every single one," you reply, returning the smile. Though it doesn't last long, you revel in the feeling of Astrid's arms locked around you in an embrace. The wave of calm and serenity that washes over you because of it is unreal, something you will miss for the weeks, possibly months, that you won't

see her. "Good luck out there," you say. "Good luck here," Astrid says. "But, I'm sure you won't need luck because you'll do great." You squeeze her softly. "Thank you for everything." And you let go, watching as she and the others fly off into the unknown.

#astrid x reader #astrid hofferson x reader #httyd x reader #httyd #astrid hofferson #httyd fanfiction #httyd fanfic #fanfiction #fanfic #fic #x reader #how to train your dragon #race to the edge #httyd rtte #rtte x reader #rtte fanfiction #givemea-dam-break

[kitten-ly]

It’s My Party and I’ll Cry if I Want To

~ ~ ~

Chapter Three

~ ~ ~

The next day as promised, Astrid looked for Hiccup during lunch. She scanned over the crowded Great Hall for his sulking figure.

The array of lively, familiar faces advertised under spreads of sunlight, filtered through massive, arched windows. Each one of their faces belonged to a voice participating in this diverse symphony of sorrowful and delighted voices that cantered over the sound of clanking tankards and tinkering silverware.

Without much effort at all, her gaze quickly landed on Hiccup, seated at a table alone in the corner.

Of course. She rolled her eyes.

He was hunched over a hefty book when she approached, his plate of untouched lunch pushed off to the side, yet another big surprise.

“No wonder you’re so thin, you’re too preoccupied reading that you forget to eat,” she hailed him with a joke.

Hiccup jumped at the unexpected sound of her voice, but his speckled face broke into a smile when he realized who it was, here to fulfill her offer.

“Astrid, hey,” he stammered, his eyes were seemingly hesitant to fix on her own.

As she took a seat, setting her plate down directly across from him, he raised his eyebrows in skepticism.

“I can’t believe you actually wanna sit with me.”

She wished for him not to be so doubtful of her intentions.

“Nice to see you too,” she played a scowl, pretending to be insulted.

It was rather fun to lightheartedly taunt him. Since their encounter yesterday, she found that it gave her little pricklings of joy to mess with him. She would even go as far as calling him a friend.

“I mean, yes! Of course, it’s great to see you, too!” He flushed a bit of pink, scrambling for his words, “I-I just didn’t think you would ever want to. To sit with me.”

He played with the edge of his page uncomfortably.

She had to admit to herself it was quite entertaining how awkward he was being. It was one of those things about him she found she was really drawn in by.

“Well, believe it or not,” Astrid said as she leaned in just a smidge closer so she could read every freckle and detail—is that a scar? “I was looking forward to hanging out with you, over here at this dingy, old table.”

She ate up the way he smiled.

“Yeah, me too,” he agreed dreamily. “We can switch tables if you want.”

“I didn’t say I didn’t like the dingy table,” she patted the tarnished wood appreciatively.

They shared a small laugh, before Astrid quirked a sly eyebrow, always wanting to keep him on edge.

“Unless, you would rather come sit with me, at my usual spot over there?” She teased, gesturing to her normal place at the front, center table, full of rambunctious, older teenagers.

Hiccup laughed nervously at her absurd suggestion.

They both, in unison, had glanced that way, when she spotted Cato, glaring directly at them and she knew Hiccup did too.

Astrid had to admit, she was nervous of what judgmental things her comrades would say to her. Or even worse, what they would say to Hiccup. She would never let him see the falter in her courage though.

“Uh, why is that guy staring at us?”

“Don’t pay attention to him,” Astrid said quickly, reaching across the table for Hiccup’s hand to stop him from making eye contact with the other boy.

It worked like a charm. He flinched at the warm, unfamiliar contact their intertwined hands shared, blinking dramatically down at the sight before his colorful eyes then bounced back to hers uneasily.

“That’s Cato,” she groaned his name like it was the pained her to say. “He’s probably just jealous or something.”

The moment she said it aloud, Astrid realized that this could potentially be really bad for Hiccup. The last thing she wanted to do was give those bullies another reason to go after him. She would make a point to assure no harm would come his way.

“Jealous?” He echoed, bewilderment programmed over his youthful face, “Of who? Me?”

“No, the other guy sitting with me,” she said flatly, “yes, you!”

She laughed at her own joke, but in all actuality, it was the way his whole face flushed. She realized they were still holding hands when she felt him shift beneath her grip.

The awareness of this shared contact was deafening. This stifling feeling of their skin touching one another felt as if it were heightening with every manual breath, and suddenly, it was too overwhelming—she snuffed the flame and casually retired her hand.

“What’s this book your reading?” Astrid asked coolly as she bent her head to the side to get an angled view of the endless expanse of pages in his dense book.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Hiccup folded in the corner of the page he had been reading and snapped the thick binding shut.

“It’s not nothing,” Astrid reached across the table for it, but Hiccup dallied the book just out of her reach.

Despite wanting to resist her efforts, the playful smirk that played on his face promised otherwise.

“C’mon lemme see what book your reading,” Astrid fussed. “That thing is probably heavier than you are.”

“Oh, ha-ha. Haven’t heard that one before,” he scoffed, shaking his head, always making sure to maintain the book far from her proximity.

“Give it here,” she ordered, unrelenting.

“You’re going to make fun of me if I show you!” Hiccup accused cynically.

“I’m always going to make fun of you Hiccup,” she said, inadvertently stirring the butterflies up that had been pending inside her.

For some reason, saying this out loud felt as if she was declaring an undying love for him and it sent scorching waves of heat over her cheeks, she was confident he would notice.

Fortunately, he was always blushing too and happened to be in that moment, just as bad as she was.

“Alright, fine,” he sighed in defeat and pushed the book across the table to her. He then crossed his arms in an attempt to adopt a more careless demeanor, looking off into empty space.

The Book of Dragons. Wondering what Hiccup had been so worked up about, she skimmed the title before curiously flipping through the pages. She recalled learning about the legend of these creatures, once a long time ago, during an academic lesson. Astrid remembered how all the other little girls were put off and some even frightened by these mythical beasts, while she was remarkably captivated. She tried to think back if Hiccup had been in that class with her, but despite all efforts, it was just a blur.

She smiled to herself, paused open on a page with a two-legged blue dragon, as she realized and appreciated that they both coincidentally shared a mutual liking for dragons. A fascination she forgot she even had until now.

She wondered how different everything might have turned out, if only they had just relayed their common interest to one another, back then, in their elementary years. They might have become friends a lot sooner, or maybe even more, but only Thor knows.

Hiccup was over there trying to dismiss her occasional glances, but she could feel him growing uneasy in the silence with every turning page.

“This is…really cool,” she said slowly, inducing his eyes to flicker to hers, “I always liked dragons, too.”

She adored the way his face lit up.

“Really?” He scoffed.

He then uncrossed his arms to lean onto the table, his interest evidently recollected.

“What do you know about them? Most of what I learned is in this book, here,” he said feverishly, tapping the page. Do you read at all?”

He had leaned in closer to Astrid, perhaps too excited to notice. But she wasn’t nearly as hyper as he was, and she could taste the full gravity of his nearness.

“Um…not too much,” she admitted an answer to both questions, regaining touch with words.

“I know everyone says they’re only legends, dragons. But, I swear—sometimes, I think I can almost remember seeing one once, a very long time ago.”

“I know that feeling,” Astrid, too, sometimes had strange dreams, or maybe they were memories, that she couldn’t quite piece all the fragments together. It would hardly be a glimpse or some peculiar feeling, but she knew for a fact that she had never seen a real-life dragon.

“You think you’ve seen one too?”

“No. I mean—I know that feeling of, you know, those distant, fuzzy memories you can’t tell are real or not.”

“Yeah, it’s a weird feeling,” he said, pausing in thought, giving her a chance to admire the gap between his front teeth.

“I kind of like it,” she shrugged.

“Oh-h no,” Hiccup suddenly looked as if he saw a ghost.

“What?” She frowned, puzzled. “What is it?”

He was looking past her, into the expanse of the dining hall and suddenly it occurred to her exactly what—who was coming.

“Don’t worry,” she reassured Hiccup with sparkling eyes, before turning around in her seat to meet her correct prediction.

When they had made eye contact earlier, she felt it would only be a matter of time before he stalked over here to demand some answers. She had given him the benefit of the doubt, hopeful he was at least decent enough not to confront her in public, but here he was, towering at the edge of their table.

“Astrid. What are you doing?” Cato’s bitter greeting was coded with thinly practiced patience. “I saved you a spot.”

His voice was an irritating mosquito, persistently inescapable in the heat. He glared at her, under a sweep of white-blonde, with penetrating, scornful eyes. It seemed like he was trying his hardest not to acknowledge Hiccup’s presence.

“Well you can give it away, I’m sitting over here today,” she replied shortly, feeling more than satisfied with herself when she saw the furious way his veins jumped out on his neck.

“Sitting here?” He echoed, his face twisting into a sneer, finally acknowledging Hiccup, “with Haddock?” He exaggerated his name as if it were an explicit word, then laughed cruelly. “For what? What could this loser,” he gestured to the smaller boy “possibly have to offer you that I don’t?”

“Loser?” Astrid scoffed, folding her arms over her chest, her heart racing with anger and the fiery urge to defend Hiccup.

It was important that she remain strong, it was evident that in this moment, she ought to play that role for the both of them.

“You heard me,” he shot a glare at Hiccup, who sank down in his seat.

Her blood boiled and she couldn’t contain her anger.

“You mean the chief’s son?” She protected his name. “He’s more of a man than you’ll ever be!”

Cato gawked at her stupidly, unable to find any words in the heat of the moment, and Astrid took this opportunity, fueled by a fresh spark of courage to snarl another remark.

“And what do you mean, for what? I’m tired of you shallow people! I don’t hang out with anyone for personal gain—I don’t have alternative motives, like your psychotic ass!”

“He’s a weak child!—” Cato cried, ignoring her attack on his identity.

“And you’re an incompetent pig! Why are you so obsessed with him?”

His jaw dropped as he scowled in dramatic confusion—it was quite entertaining.

“Fuck this shit! What are you even talking about?” Cato seethed in fury, unable to think of anything better.

The commotion was drawing a few heads their way.

The raging boy glanced around at his curious audience, then fixed back on her, lowering his voice to a frantic growl.

“I can’t believe the way you’re acting, Astrid—Haddock’s poisoned your mind!”

“No he hasn’t,” he’s freed me. Her icy eyes shot daggers. “I’ve just come to my senses.”

“No! You’ve lost your fucking mind!” Cato threw his hands up, his voice rising again.

“Will you shut up!” Astrid snapped at him before sheepishly glancing around at the other kids watching.

“I don’t fucking care!” He fumed, not really making sense. Then, evidently losing his temper, he leaned over the table, challengingly close to Hiccup, who again cowered down, looking rather small.

“What are you playing, Haddock?” Cato spat with rage.

Astrid thrashed her arm between the two boys, “Screw you! Leave him alone!”

“Stay out of this, Astrid!” He doubled on her, snatching her arm in his furious grip.

“Let go of me!” She hissed, ripping her arm from his grasp.

“Screw both of you!” Cato practically shouted.

He roared in caveman frustration, slamming his fists on their table and ratting their dining ware. He had attracted unwanted attention once again, before dramatically storming off towards the doors.

Thank the gods he’s leaving, Astrid exhaled, feeling like she could finally breathe again.

“What are you looking at!” They heard him bark at someone in the retiring vicinity.

Astrid rubbed her eyes until she saw stars, wishing this hadn’t been such a scene. The questioning looks fixed in their direction made her insides squirm and she just wanted to go home for the day. If this moment of spotlight made her uneasy, she couldn’t imagine how uncomfortable Hiccup must be.

Cato was a demon. He thought he knew everything and acted like he owned everyone, including her. While it was obvious he had some feelings for her, she lacked regard for him.

Whenever she hung out with that friend group, she tried her best to brush off his tired pickup lines and ignore his aggressive flirting.

Over time, she had caught a few glimpses of Cato’s weird, possessive tendencies. He might dissuade another guy their age from training with her, just so it could only be him, whenever he could help it. Or he would throw an arm over her shoulder whenever they sat together, talking over any other boy who tried to speak to her, and if he couldn’t manage to for any reason, he would glare at his threats with impatient, jealous eyes.

She was tired of dealing with it. She was exhausted from putting herself around people that were draining her of her energy, sucking the life out of her.

“Astrid—” Hiccup started to say, perhaps to comfort her.

“Don’t—it’s fine Hiccup. Please, spare me.”

She blinked up at him, at his worried frown and he appeared to be a little shaken up from all that. He appeared younger, smaller at that moment and she felt an unexplainable urge to hug him, however, she did not move.

She had to remind herself, she wasn’t dealing with the same male company as she just had, or ever had before—it was only her sweet, vulnerable Hiccup.

Astrid’s gaze promptly softened on him.

“I am so, so sorry about him,” she apologized, unable to find any other words to describe how terrible she felt for putting him in this situation.

“It’s alright,” Hiccup shrugged his little shoulders.

If this event had fazed him, he was doing a very fine job of hiding it.

The prominent desire to hold him was growing brighter, perhaps as bright as his eyes.

She was hungry, even just to touch him again, just to feel the warmth of that sparkling contact. She wanted to hold his hand like before, but last time she had a reason to and this time she had overthought it too much and psyched herself out.

Her gaze wavered on his hand for a moment, only miles across the table.

Never one to act on how she really feels, she remained seated, so close, yet still so far away, forever out of reach.

Her brain called the shots, not her heart.

The heated anger that had just been at its record pique, today, just a few moments before, had already depleted from her. She wasn’t exactly relaxed now, still feeling tension. But a different kind now of tension now, perhaps from overthinking—being in Hiccup’s company—but more than anything, she was happy, even just after that nasty encounter.

A comforting thought clouded her—it was just Hiccup, here with her now. Just the two of them. Astrid fastened onto this idea, loving how it sounded in her head.

“It’s not alright, though. He’s such a low-life,” she said, sickened by her association with Cato.

“Is that guy your ex-boyfriend or something?”

“Gods!—No! Don’t make me puke,” she rasped, unable to bring herself to imagine that idea. “I hang out with his friends. I think he has a thing for me.”

“Yeah, you think?” Hiccup laughed softly.

She swallowed, enabling herself to study his lips.

Their mutual chemistry began to trickle back into their bubble.

“Maybe just a little crush,” She said, returning the amusement. Like I have on you. She wanted to say it so bad, there was no denying it at this point, but her tongue would never allow her.

“Well, he talks to you like he’s your ex. He treats you very disrespectfully,” he observed.

“Yeah, he thinks he owns me or something. That shithead.”

“I don’t like it. Makes me feel funny,” he admitted, wrinkling his freckled nose.

Was this a thread of protectiveness or even jealousy, she sensed?

It was gorgeous to think of Hiccup as protective over her.

She beamed at him, pestered by the flip of her stomach.

“But, um, on a real note,” he paused, his eyes meeting hers for a long note of undivided contact. More than he could usually handle at a time, “T-thank you for sticking up for me. You didn’t have to…nobody has ever done that for me before.”

Her heart melted with fondness over him, as well as it burned with a sting of mercy. She had hoped and prayed he didn’t deal with torments very often, but a disheartening feeling told her otherwise, reminding her not to be so naive. In this morbid, judgmental village, it would just be too good to be true.

“I won’t let them pick on you anymore, Hiccup, I won’t stand for it, not for a moment,” she promised.

“Astrid, really, I can—“

“Please. You tell me if he ever gives you trouble, okay? If anyone does,” she said firmly, feeling a charge of confidence to finally reach over the table and grab his hand.

At last! It felt so good. Finally, they had reunited. The feeling of their equally dainty hands flush against one another, was a scalding jolt of electric heat that bled down to her fingertips and snaked up her arm.

He glanced down for hardly a second, before his eyes darted back up to hers, the sudden, intimate contact making him blush.

This was all Astrid had craved for as long as she could remember—the past few minutes.

She had him in her hand. She dared to move her thumb delicately over his knuckles, tracing a line of affection across his milk-white skin and feeling him very slightly jump beneath the subtle endearment. For a secret moment to herself, he belonged to her, as he did every time they held hands.

“You’ll tell me,” she insisted, churning with butterflies, fighting to maintain eye contact.

It was apparent he was too, mesmerized by her awaited touch and attentive gaze.

“Alright, I will,” he obediently agreed, too caught up in the heat of the moment to care anymore what he was agreeing to.

She gathered her courage, deciding it was a decent moment to further his understanding of how she felt about him.

“I care about you, a lot, Hiccup,” she found her words slowly, wanting to say it right.

His cheeks burned rich as blood.

“I-I care about you, too,” he managed softly, perhaps turning a heavy gear of confidence as well.

The length of eye contact he was tolerating was incredible. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze for encouragement.

“And ever since I became friends with you, I feel like I’ve woken up from this boring, repetitive dream I’ve been trapped in for so long,” she confessed, the best way she could manage, feeling a quick, hot shade of red, like Hiccup.

He inhaled sharply, but quietly, “W-wow, Astrid..I, uh, it really does mean a lot to hear you say that…” he stuttered, “It’s also kinda funny.”

“Huh? What is?”

“Because, to me, ever since I became friends with you, not any of this has felt real,” his green eyes were chilling.

When he said this, her arms prickled with goose flesh. She closed her eyes for some heartbeats, knowing this was meant to happen, sure that they were meant to be. She felt as if they were following their path of fate through the dark like it was a buzzing, golden trail illuminated by lanterns and fireflies.

“Hiccup that’s beautiful,” she said opening her eyes, still holding onto his soft hand.

“Hm?”

“I love the way you said that,” she elaborated. “It made me feel funny. In a good way.”

He eyed her with his charming eyes, a boyish smile spread over his face.

It was silent for a few moments before Astrid was sure he would hear the sound of her pounding, racing heart, which she was far too prideful to address.

“Are you doing anything after this?” She blatantly asked.

His mouth frowned to the side a bit and he sighed, “Yeah, I have to help Gobber at his forge for a while.”

“Oh,” Astrid felt herself deflate a little.

Hiccup picked up on it, “But I mean if you’re not doing later tonight, after-“

“Yes! Wanna do something together? Let’s take a walk by the water,” she suggested excitedly, but when she caught the way his brow quirked, she thought to herself for a moment, the idea of the two of them walking alone under the stars, along the shore seemed pretty…romantic.

Her face suddenly felt hot enough to fry a fish on and she retracted her hand from his a little too quickly.

“To practice swinging some weapons or something,” she briskly added to clarify.

She wasn’t implying they do anything over there. Did he think that? Or was she overthinking it all?

“I’m not very good with stuff like that,” he smirked clinically.

“Aww c’mon, I’ll teach you,” Astrid implored, looking down at her plate, for the first time.

She flicked a carrot around with her fork, playing with it while she spoke.

“It’ll just be you and I, again. You can be my new training partner,” she purred, peeking up at him through her long lashes.

“Who’s your old one?” he challenged narrowing his eyes, though a playful note played in his voice.

“Oh, shut up,” she teased, “it changes all the time. I train with different people every day.”

“Must be nice,” he scoffed flatly.

Her heart sank and she worried for a second if he was annoyed.

“But I want to train with you,” she tried not to whine. “That’s why I’m inviting you to practice with me tonight. I’ll teach you how to swing a sword or a mace or whatever your type is.”

“My type?” when he cracked a gap-tooth smile she felt an instant wave of relief.

“You gotta have a type. Everyone does,” she said. I think I just figured out what mine is.

“My type, or class, I guess, is an axe. It has more cleaving power than a blade, yet less precision, that’s why I think you oughta use a sword instead, personally,” she went on to explain. “But then again, you should try out different weapons to see what you like.”

“Alright, alright,” Hiccup slowed her down, “I’ll be delighted to come and play sword fighting with you if it’ll make you happy,” he smirked, his cool eyes always grabbing her attention, “But seriously, you can’t make fun of me.”

“Hiccup,” she rolled her eyes. “I already told you. I’m always going to make fun of you.”

#hiccup #how to train your dragon #httyd #hiccup haddock #httyd fandom #httyd hiccup #httyd series #hiccstrid #httyd fanfiction #hiccup and astrid #hiccstrid fanfic

[frustrated-writer-skyeknight]

HiJack AU - Rise of the Guardians Plotbunnies

(Context: Before Hiccup returns to HQ when the Guardian signal came up, he was spending time with Jack, as per usual. When the signal came up, he had to go. Jack looked disappointed, because Hiccup had just arrived a bare ten minutes ago. It was the quickest the Aide of Hope had to leave. Hiccup was in a rush to leave, since it was the first time in a long time that the urgent signal was put up to assemble all guardians at the same time, the last time was to report about what had happened to Kozmotis. In his rush, he wasn't thinking, and accidentally kissed Jack on the cheek in a parting kiss.

They were both shock.

Before Jack could collect himself to make a respond, Hiccup dashed off, all the while thinking "Shit shit shit shit shit what did I just DO?!)

More details added to the Answer (an ask from @hamish-fanfic-fangirl )already mentioned here

The Guardians love children, as they are the Guardians of Childhood. They can't, however, have children. With the exception of Kozmotis and Anastasia's relationship, as they were created together at the same time by Manny.

Manny formed Pitch to safeguard chaos energy that would strike fears in children and leave them traumatize, impeding a healthy and happy development of growing up. Anastasia was formed at the same time, because children, and to an extent people, need to live in a harmonize environment, right?

The Guardians do consider themselves, as what humans coined nowadays, as 'Found family.' Addition to that, they think if they could have kids, they would be like and be treated like their aides.

They joke about it sometimes; North fits the role of a dad, as leader of the Guardians, Thiana being like the mother, with Aster, Sandy, and Kozmotis like uncles. Sandy's the "cool" uncle with a lot of stories to tell (or show). Kozmotis is the "chill" uncle who leaves you be but offers sage wisdom whether or not you ask for them. Aster is the one who nags a lot, sometimes more than the parents but is exciting to spend time with because of all his cool tricks.

Jamie and Astrid found it awkward, but Thiana was being playful and pretending to be like a parent and giving Jamie 'the shovel talk', when Astrid and Jamie got together, as she heard a story told to her by North, from Jim.

She was sweet about it though, going on about how they should be caring of each other and how lovely it all was so Jim made a remark later that he didn't think the guardian of memories got the point of a 'Shovel talk'

Even to the aides that aren't their own, the Guardians do feel rather paternal/maternal towards them.

Dialogue

North: Sandy, thank you for coming.

Sandy descends from the plane and floats to the ground. He joins North, Bunny and Tooth as they walk through the Globe Room. Sand glyphs appear above Sandy's head communicating

Jamie: He says that he is busy and has a lot of work to do.

North: I understand, you work ‘round the clock, da, But I obviously wouldn't have called you all here unless it was serious.

North, Bunny, Tooth and Sandy reach the center of the room. Tooth does her best to shush her mini-fairies.

North: Kozmotis as the Boogeyman was here at the Pole. *points to the globe. The everyone turns to look.*

Astrid: *shocked* Sir Kozmotis? Here? After all this time...

Jamie: Jim, did you really see...

Jim: Well, I didn't but sir North had. I think, I... Wait. *frowning as he looked around in concern* Where's Dimitri?

Tooth: But... Pitch Black? Was it really him?

North: Yes! There was black sand covering the globe.

Aster: What, what...what do you mean black sand?

North: And then a shadow!                                                

Aster: Hold on, hold on, I thought you said you saw Pitch.

North: Well, ah, not exactly...

Aster: Not exactly? Can you believe this guy?

Bunny turns to Sandy, who shrugs while forming a Dreamsand question mark above his head....

Aster: Yeah, you said it, Sandy.

Bunny goes back to painting one of his Easter eggs.

North: Look, he is up to something very bad. *gropes his gut* I feel it, in my belly.

Aster: *eyes narrow* Hang on, hang on, you mean to say, you summoned me here THREE DAYS BEFORE EASTER - because of your? Mate, if I did this to you three days before Christmas-

Tooth (to her fairies): Argentina. Priority alert! A batch of bicuspids in Buenos Aires.  Weather advisory, Astrid?

Astrid: *Pauses* Fair, all of them. Snowstorm warning in Moscow.

Jamie: Maybe that's where Jack is now.

Jim: And maybe Hic too; would explain why he's running late... Now Dimitri...           

North grabs Bunny's painted egg, casually juggling it in his          hand as he walks off. Meanwhile Sandy, who is being served          eggnog by a yeti, suddenly notices something high above.         

North: Please. Bunny. Easter is not Christmas.

Aster: *sarcastic laugh* Here we go... North, I, I don't have time for           this. I've still got two million eggs to finish up.

The moon rises into view, high up in the ceiling; its rays of light begin to shine brightly through as they cascade down the walls of the globe room.

North: No matter how much you paint, is still egg!

Sandy points to the moon unsuccessfully to get the others' attention. Even Jamie is distracted with Jim and Astrid, talking about whether one of them (Jim) should go and get Dimitri. Their guardians are distracted and they didn't want to interrupt them...

Aster: Look, mate, I'm dealing with perishables. Right. You've got all year to prepare.                                                

Tooth (to her fairies): Pittsburg, boy eight, two molars. Saltwater taffy.

Sandy puts his fingers in his mouth to whistle, a silent musical note forming above his head.                                                

North (to Aster): Why are rabbits always so nervous.

Aster: And why are you always such a blowhard!                                  

Tooth (to her fairies): Ontario, sector nine: five canines, two molars, and fourteen incisors. Is that all in one house?

Sandy waves a sand flag above his head, pointing and jumping and down as the moonlight continues to fill the room.

North: Tooth! Can't you see we're trying to argue.

Tooth: *Good naturedly* Sorry, not all of us get to work one night a year. Am I right, Sandy?

Sandy tries to signal with a golden arrow, pointing toward the ceiling, but to no avail as the others continue their bickering. Sandy thinks Tooth has noticed for a split second, but then-    

Tooth (to her fairies): San Diego, sector two! Five incisors, a bicuspid and a really loose molar on stand-by.

North: I know it was him. We have serious situation!

Aster: Well, I've got a serious situation with some eggs.

Tooth: Hey, I hate to interrupt the, "We work so hard once a year club" but could we concentrate on the matter-

A silhouette comes out from a black spot of a shadow in the middle of the room, and Dimitri comes up and stumbles out from it. The aide of the former Guardian of Chaos seemed recovering from injuries. Even with his quick healing, it's taking some time...

Jim: Dimitri!

Jim rushes to help support him...

Tooth: Oh dear!

Astrid: Is he okay?

Dimitri: Sorry... The darkness is more restless than ever for some reasons. I had to defeat about a dozen minions before securing and leaving the base.

Jim: Wha- so if Pitch is really back, why hadn't he showed up here yet?

North: He did lad!

Jim: All due respect sir, you said it was a shadow.

North: Shadows are his thing!

Dimitri: I don't think that was Pitch yet, but a harbinger, maybe? If he had awoken, I think I would be the first to know.

Aster: Hah!

Sandy can't take it anymore, grabs an elf by his hat, and vigorously shakes it's bell. The other Guardians are finally silenced and all turn to look at Sandy, who points up, a sand crescent moon forming above his head. The dizzy elf staggers away. Finally the others turn to see the shaft of moonlight as it concentrates on the circle between them as Manny starts beaming down into the room...

North: Aah! Man in Moon! Sandy, why didn't you say something?

Sandy gives him a deadpan stare, Dream sand smoke shoots out his ears.                                                

North (to Man in Moon as he finally appears, with Anastasia by his side) : It's been a long time old friend! Madam Mother Nature *bows curtly*

Manny: Likewise.

Anastasia: A pleasure as always, North.

North: So... What is big news?

Manny: Before I get that, there is one thing I need to address first...

Everyone looks to the center of the room where Manny manipulates moonlight to shine down intensely, the light ebbs away, leaving a dark spot ---- which resolves into the shadowed silhouette of Pitch. The Guardians look on, stunned.                                                

Aster: It is Pitch.                                  

North pats his belly and gives Bunny a look...

North: Manny... what must we do?

Manny: The matter I mentioned needing to be addressed...

The shadow of Pitch disappears and the circle of moonlight intensifies and shrinks, concentrating further luminating an ornate symbol on the floor, at the center of their circle. The symbol rises out of the ground revealing a large gem at the head of a pillar.                                                

Tooth: Ah, guys, you know what this means?

The moons light suddenly refracts through the gem casting          light all over the chamber.                                                

North: He's choosing an aide for himself.

Aster: What?! You never needed one before, why now?

North: Must be big deal! Manny thinks we all need help!

Aster: We have our help. *Gestures to all aides present* Now if my own would show up too...                                               

Tooth: I wonder who it's gonna be?

Then a bright flash, a rush of wind- and a FIGURE resolves over the central pillar: slight, hooded, bearing a familiar  hooked staff.                                                

North:

North: Jack Frost.

The Mini-Teeth all sigh and swoon as the Guardians stand there, stunned.                                                

Jim: Well then, at least Hiccup's going to be happy

Astrid: *Shrugs, and idly shifts her axe from one hand to another* Well, as long as he does his part in caring for the children…

Tooth: And Hiccup’s going to be motivated more than ever now too.

Aster: Jack Frost!? He doesn't care about children! All he does is freeze water pipes and mess with my egg hunts. Right? He's an irresponsible, selfish...                                                

Manny: Aide.                            

Aster: I can tell you that Jack Frost is a lot of things, but he's--

Hiccup finally flies in with Toothless

Hiccup: I'm sorry I'm late! *He jumps down from Toothless* Snow storm in Moscow delayed me... Er, among other things...

Everyone looks at him

North: Perfect timing Hiccup! We need you to find Jack and bring him here.

Hiccup, remembering his final moments with Jack before leaving, looked mortified...

Hiccup: Do you guys hate me or something?

#ChildOfSolace Plotbunnies #HiJack #JiMitri #JamStrid #Hiccup x Jack #Jim x Dimitri #Jamie x Astrid #The Guardians #North #Aster #Toothiana #Sandeson #Manny #Anastasia #Hiccup Haddock #Jack Frost #Jim Hawkins #Dimitri Sudayev #Jamie Bennett #Astrid Hofferson #ROTG AU #HiJack AU

[ickaimp]

[HTTYD] Break your heart, steal your crown

Sometimes ya just gotta write angst. Lotta people liked Coming Down is the Hardest Thing, my version of the ‘Hiccup runs away and becomes the “Dragon Master”, Astrid’s offered up as a Sacrifice years later’ tropes without Hiccup being a dick, and there were requests for sequels, which I didn’t do because this was all I had. Two years post Coming Down is the Hardest Thing, 4220 words, angst and some fluff.

"Berk is dying."

The words sat heavily in the air of the smithy, lingering like a spectre between Stoick and Gobber.

Stoick almost wished he could take the words back, but that wouldn't change the accuracy of his words. Berk was dying.

Gobber closed his eyes and sighed, giving him a weary nod of agreement. So he had seen it too. Or more likely, he had seen it in Gothi's last roll of the bones, before she had gone to bed and passed away in her sleep, leaving the fortune out for Gobber to read when he found her body this morning.

He hadn't actually told Stoick what the bones had said, giving him the same world-weary look he was currently wearing instead.

Even without the soothsayer's predictions, Stoick could see it. The twins had left years ago, declaring that the isle was too boring for their pranks, setting sail with only a chicken as their companion. It had seemed like a blessing at the time, less things exploding in their wake, leaving Berk a much quieter place than it had been.

Then came Spitelout's stupidity with Astrid, offering her to the savage Dragon Master. They'd gotten her back, only for her to disappear a week later. She'd left a note that this time was by her choice, but it'd been little comfort.

This left Berk's next generation without any women old enough to be wives. To become mothers to bear future generations. 

With the Jorgenson clan name soiled by Spitelout's actions, Snotlout was no longer able to be Stoick's heir. The other clans would never treaty with someone whose family had literally brought the Dragon Master down on their heads during a meeting of the chiefs. Except for maybe Dagur, and that was not a glowing recommendation, given the Berserker's... instability.

Which left Fishlegs as the only remaining of Berk's next generation to lead. The lad was smart, there was no doubt about it, and he would be fantastic as a second in command, the next Chief's Gobber, he was too quiet and soft to be a leader. The politics would eat him alive. And worse, Fishlegs was aware of this.

There were other children, Gustav and his ilk, but they were too young to start training as the next Chief of Berk. Stoick ran a hand down his beard, more grey than red from the stress and sorrow. He didn't have long enough to train one of them up.

And Berk's numbers were dwindling in other ways. Many had not been able to adapt to life without dragons to fight, finding a peaceful life did not sit well with their warrior blood. They'd left, being adopted into other clans. They'd just lost another family that way today. Stoick wished them no ill will, but if this continued, then they'd find their numbers too small to maintain the community.

Even Gobber was growing bored, not having enough work to keep the blacksmith busy. Without the dragons, there was no need for weapons, and the simple farming tools they had didn't need as much maintenance.  Stoick looked around the smithy, his eyes falling on the curtain leading to a small room that Gobber wouldn't allow anyone into, his own private shrine to his missing godson.

And then there was the loss of Hiccup, the first of Berk's children to leave. The Dragon Master's words, that Hiccup was happy and healthy where he was, was little comfort without being able to verify this. There was little Stoick wouldn't do in order to be able to see his boy again, for even just a moment. Sometimes he wondered if this wasn’t his fault. The path had seemed clear when they were constantly being raided by dragons. But without the raids, he was floundering. His people were looking to him for direction, and he had no experience with peace to know what to do. More and more they seemed to realise this, and left. Seven generations of vikings had lived on this isle, going all the way back to the first chieftain, his many times great-grandfather, and it was starting to look like he’d be Berk’s last chief.

"I wish I had some words of wisdom for ye, my friend." Gobber said softly. "I-"

Stoick jumped as something flew in through the window and landed on Gobber's face.

It was a green and brown Terrible Terror, who was making a high pitched growling sound as he crawled all over Gobber's head. "Don't move." Stoick rumbled, reaching for his sword.

"Ach." Gobber made a sound of annoyance, reaching up and grabbing the Terrible Terror by the scruff of its neck, pulling it off his head. "What're you-"

He trailed off, eyes drifting upwards and Stoick realised that it was the sound of a larger dragon's wings flapping. A Deadly Nadder, unless he missed his guess. Stoick gritted his teeth, feeling fire in his veins again, eager to have something to fight again, to take this rage and frustration out on.

"Oh no." Gobber said, a look of horror crossing his face as he glanced at Stoick. That was all the warning Stoick found himself being spun, his arms being bound behind his back with a pair of iron manacles, and he was flung through the curtain into Hiccup's old room. He landed against something softer than he expected, falling to the ground.

"GRUMP!" Gobber commanded, sticking his head through the curtain and pointing to Stoick. "Sit."

With a complaining groan, something large and heavy pressed down on Stoick. He grunted, trying to push himself up with his shoulders, but the weight was too much for him to get leverage.

"I didnae want you to find out like this." Gobber said, sounding apologetic, the Terrible Terror riding on his shoulder as if this was a common occurrence. "But if you value yer son's life at all, do not make a sound."

Stoick opened his mouth to bellow, only to find a rag shoved unceremoniously into his mouth. He growled, ire filling his veins as Gobber turned away, pulling the curtain shut. The torn fabric didn't go all the way to the ground, leaving Stoick with a clear view of the smithy.

When he got free, and got his hands on Gobber...

A blue and gold Deadly Nadder head stuck it's head into the doorway of the smithy, then carefully stepped in, taking care not to bump into anything in the small building. A crowned pale spectre rode on it's back, white and grey wisps obscuring the figure.

"Gobber!" The spectre greeted the smith with a cheerful voice. The spectre raised an arm, throwing what looked like a bridal veil over their crown, revealing inhuman features covered in glittering blue scales.

"Is good to see you, lassie." Gobber returned the greeting, his voice rolling with affection. The spectre laughed, reaching up for their head and pulling it off-

-Revealing Astrid's smiling face.

Stoick stopped fighting, going lax in surprise. It had been almost two years since he'd last seen Astrid, grim faced and bitter before she disappeared. She seemed to practically glow with happiness now, as she slid off the Deadly Nadder's back, giving a little hop before leaping into Gobber's outstretched arms, giving him a tight hug.

"Good to see you too." Astrid declared, holding him out at arm's length. Stoick could see that she was wearing armour now, covered in scales that matched the Nadder she rode. She wore a skirt, cape, and veil made out of ragged strips of a thin sheer white fabric that seemed to dance in the air when she moved.

The Undead Bride of the Demon was Astrid. Stoick recognised the Nadder now, it was the same one that she'd flown when the Dragon Master had kidnapped Stoick from the Althing.

"What brings ye here?" Gobber asked jovially, the merriment sounding slightly forced. "Not that I'm complaining, but was nae expecting t’see you for another week or two."

A stab of betrayal felt like a knife between his ribs.

"We have news." Astrid bounced and gave a little hip wiggle of delight. It was a gleeful carefree movement that Stoick didn't think he'd ever seen from the usually tacturn lass.

"Hey, wait. No fair." A shadow at the doorway protested, and Stoick found himself growling as he recognized the outline of the Dragon Master and his demonic Night Fury. The Dragon Master swung a leg over his so-called brother's neck, standing upright on his cloven foot and moving towards them. "I wanted to see Gobber's face when you tell."

"Not my fault that you're being slow, my sweet husband." Astrid grinned, giving another skip-hop to give a little kiss to the side of the Dragon Master's scaled helm and Stoick growled, wiggling as he trying to get free, but the weight on top of him didn’t budge.

"Wait a moment." Gobber breathed. "Astrid... Your belly... You cannot mean..." He trailed off, too choked up to speak.

Looking at her in silhouette, he could see what Gobber meant. Astrid's previously flat stomach was curved out in a very distinctive solid roundness.

Astrid was pregnant. And from the casual arm around her shoulders that the Dragon master had around her waist, the babe in her belly was that demon's.

Stoick would kill him. He'd kill him for touching Astrid. He'd rip the foul creature limb from limb, and then he'd get rid of that Night Fury who was sniffing around the room-

All thoughts faded from his mind as the Dragon Master took off his helmet, revealing his face for the first time, and Stoick's breath caught in his throat.

It couldn't be.

The messy brown hair, almost reddish in the candlelight. Green eyes. The fond crooked grin on his narrow face, having finally grown into his ears.

"Hiccup." Gobber said, his voice thick with tears. "Astrid. You've got a wee bairn on the way."

His son. That was his son standing there with an arm around Astrid, the two of them shining with happiness.

His son, the Dragon Master.

"I'm about five months along." Astrid beamed at Gobber, resting comfortably against Hiccup, the two fitting together like matching puzzle pieces.

"We were hoping you'd agree to be the Godfather." Hiccup said, and Stoick didn't know how he hadn't heard it before, in the Dragon Master's dry sarcasm. It was his son's voice, a little deeper than as a teenager, but the nasally tones could only be him. 

"Godfather-?" Gobber echoed in awe.

"It's not dependent on if you take up our offer to live with us." Astrid was quick to assure him. "But we'd like you to be. We wouldn't be having a kid if it wasn't for you."

"You got Astrid out of Berk, and you saved my life by taking me under your wing here." Hiccup said sincerely. "We're also open to them calling you 'Grandpa', if that's okay with you."

Grandpa.

Stoick was a Grandfather.

He felt tears prickle the corners of his eyes. He'd never thought he'd have that chance, not after his son went missing. And here his son was, was, healthy, happy, and with a wee one on the way.

"Och." Gobber shook his head. "I couldn't."

"You can." Astrid grinned, reaching out and taking Gobber's hand in hers, scales and claws curling delicately around calloused scarred skin. "We talked to Valka about it. She laughed and said she's fine with it. Someone else to share the responsibility of dirty diapers."

The tears spilled over his cheeks. Valka, his dear sweet Valka was alive as well.

He remembered now, the Dragon Master saying that he had his mother's eyes, and he did. Skies above, he did. Hiccup had always had Valka's clear eyes that seemed to penetrate and see more than anyone else.

"I mean, you did more to raise me than my own father did. It's only fair." Hiccup added without any trace of bitterness as he gestured around the smithy. "All of my fondest memories of Berk are here."

Stoick's breath caught, feeling as if a sword had just been thrust through his chest.

"Someone had to keep an eye on you." Gobber shook his head dismissively. "Otherwise some dragon would have flown away with your toothpick self."

The Night Fury, who had been circling around in the background, stuck it's muzzle under the curtain. The beast sniffed the air for a moment before poking its head all the way into the small room, it's acid green eyes narrowed into slits as it stared at him, a low warning rumble coming from its throat, lips curling back to show a giant maw full of razor sharp teeth.

Stoick stared back, uncomfortably aware of how vulnerable he currently was. The creature could bite off his head in one bite, and there was no way for Stoick to protect himself.

"Oh nooooo. How terrible." Hiccup deadpanned in the background as Astrid laughed. "Carried away by draaagons."

The great weight on top of Stoick shifted and grunted, and he realised that it was a giant heavy dragon that was currently sitting on his back. The Night Fury crooned what sounded like a question to the creature pinning him down, getting a snore-like rumble in return.

The Night Fury glanced back down at Stoick, giving him a look that could only be described as 'scornful' before turning away with a smug expression and trotting back over to his son. Stoick watched as the beast gave an amused warbling at his son, casually headbutting Hiccup, sending him into Astrid, who took a half step to keep them all upright.

"Oh!" She gasped, then took Gobber's hand that she was still holding and pressing it against her belly.

"They're moving!" Gobber gasped. "Oh, they're a fighter, just like their parents."

Stoick's breath caught again. His grandchild. His grandchild was moving.

"The only thing that really settles them down is when the dragons sing to them." Astrid looked amused. "Even if the dragons are confused as to why I haven't laid an egg yet."

The Night Fury gave Stoick a pointed look, then nudged Astrid's belly with it's broad flat nose, giving a soft affection croon, as if to point out that the creature could touch the babe in Astrid’s belly, but Stoick could not. Stoick choked on the gag in his mouth, silently swearing vengeance.

"Which is part of the reason why we stopped by early." Astrid said gravely, and Stoick wondered how much more news he could take tonight. 

"Valka says I'm probably fine for flying up until I give birth." Astrid said, wrapping a protective arm around her belly. "But we decided that fighting is out until afterwards. So it may be awhile before I'm back in the area."

"Trapper tried to kick her in the stomach." Hiccup growled, and all three dragons in the room echoed the sound, even the Terrible Terror on Gobber's shoulder. The sound covered up Stoick's own noise of outrage at such an act. "Stormfly stopped them, but it gave us all a bit of a scare."

Astrid nodded, leaning against Hiccup, who looked a little anxious, rubbing his hand up and down the blue scales of her arm. "I can still do air support, but the pregnancy is making me exhausted lately. Which is probably only going to get worse." Astrid looked annoyed. "So we're all going to be staying with Valka at least until I give birth."

"It's not like the Hidden World really needs Toothless and I to guard it." Hiccup said with wiry humour. Stoick blinked, finding he had no more room for shock. Of course Hiccup found the home of the dragons. Of course he had. "But if you did decide to accept our offer to live with us, we didn't want you looking in the wrong place and thinking the worst."

"And Valka promises not to cook in your honour when you do show up." Astrid smirked. And Stoick nearly choked on muffled laughter, aware he was crying again. Valka had never been the best cook, but she tried. And it'd been worth every burnt and raw bite he'd choked down.

"Thank you." Gobber's voice was thick. "But I cannae leave just yet. Your Father needs..."

"I know." Hiccup hastened to assure. He stepped forward, wrapping a clawed hand around the back of Gobber's head, resting his forehead against the blacksmith's. "When you're ready, we'll be there. Even if you're never ready, we just want to make sure you know that there is a place for you."

"You just don't want to be the only one with experience making protestetics." Gobber grumbled, and Hiccup laughed, tapping his cloven foot on the ground, making a ringing sound.

Hiccup's prosthetic foot, Stoick realised, watching the spring inside the metal contraption flex. His son was missing a foot.

And Stoick had no idea when or how it happened.

"You caught me." Hiccup didn't sound angry about it as he released Gobber, more jovial than anything. "But it doesn't make it less true."

"I'll think about it." Gobber promised with the air of having said the same thing many times before, taking the Terrible Terror off his shoulder and transferring it to Hiccup's.

"And I'll teach you how to make Dragon Iron when you do." Hiccup said with a grin, his voice both teasing and cajoling.

Dragon Iron, which the Dragon Master was the only one who knew how to make. Because Hiccup had been a smith since he was six years old, put under Gobber's eye to keep him out of trouble.

"Stop trying to bribe me, you brat." Gobber cuffed him upside the back of his head with a grin. Both Hiccup and Astrid laughed, even if the Night Fury gave Gobber a glare. "Now g'wan. Get out of here before you're seen."

"Yeah, yeah." Astrid rolled her eyes and stood up on her toes to give Gobber a quick fond kiss on the cheek. "We'll see you later, one way or another." She informed him matter of factly before putting her helmet back on and climbing on top of her dragon, settling the veil around her shoulders.

"Take care of yourself." Hiccup clasped Gobber's hand, then pulled the larger smith in for a back thumping hug before releasing him. "And say ‘hi’ to Grump for me, wherever he's snoozing at."

"Will do." Gobber agreed blithely. "Stay safe, all of you."

The Night Fury let out a warble as if to say that it was his job to keep them all safe as Hiccup fastened the helmet back on his head, transforming back to the Dragon Master. The beast gave Stoick one last pointed look as Hiccup climbed in it's back, before turning and heading out of the smithy, both the dragons and their riders losing their relaxed easy going postures.

Astrid followed a few heartbeats later, following Hiccup's soft whistle. There was the sound of wingbeats, and then they were gone.

Leaving the smithy empty aside from Gobber and Stoick. It was with a sinking realisation that he realised he probably wouldn’t get another chance to ever see Hiccup again.

The Dragon Master was essentially Chieftain to the dragons, a role that clearly kept him busy and constantly travelling all over the archipelago and beyond. Stoick knew first hand how busy having a newborn kept one as well. It would be months, if not another year before Hiccup would free to visit Berk. And there would be no way for Stoick to know where or when.

Gobber gave a great big heaving sigh before turning back towards Stoick, his peg leg sounding loud against the ground. Gobber moved the curtain aside, and then knelt down, removing the gag from Stoick's mouth.

"I'm sorry y'had to find out this way." Gobber said softly, and the thing that hurt the most is that he could feel how sincerely his oldest friend meant it.

"How long?" Stoick asked, ignoring the way his voice broke.

Gobber gave a thoughtful hum, reaching up and petting the dragon on top of him. "Almost two years now." He finally said. "I recognized Hiccup's work on the blade the Dragon Master gave Astrid when he returned ya both here. Astrid had suspected as much, it just confirmed it for her."

He'd travelled with his son for an entire day, and Stoick hadn't a clue it was him.

Stoick, who had sworn that he'd be able to recognize his son anywhere, any time, in any place.

Horror went down his spine as he remembered the accusations he'd hurled at the Dragon Master after the dragon had crashed into their camp. Threatening to kill the Dragon Master in order to find his son.

His son, who had been right there. Who had told him while hidden behind a mask, that Hiccup was alive, healthy and happy where he was, far away from Berk.

Away from Stoick.

"About a month after Astrid left, she stopped by for a visit, ta let me know she was fine." Gobber continued, nudging the dragon off of Stoick. The giant creature grumbled as it slowly obeyed, leaving Stoick still shackled and on the ground. "The next visit, she brought Hiccup, and we cried together for nearly an hour."

Gobber paused, checking his pockets for his keys, then started to work on the manacles around Stoick's arms. Stoick had broken through stronger bonds before, but he didn't have the energy in him now.

"They stop by every every other month or so to check in on me, let me know how they're doing, or send a Terrible Terror with a letter." Gobber continued quietly. "Valka's been by once as well, weren't real comfortable here and left just as quick. Too many memories of blood shed."

The manacles released with a click, and Stoick slowly moved his arms, his shoulders protesting having been twisted in such a position. He carefully sat up, turning to face the monster that had been on his back.

And found himself looking at the least dangerous dragon he'd ever set eyes upon, for all its enormous size. It was large enough that it had probably only been it's head that had been resting on Stoick's back, and looked like it was already asleep with its eyes half open.

And it looked like a giant turd. Large, brown, and lumpy.

"This magnificent fellow is Grump." Gobber motioned to the sleepy dragon, with a fond expression. "They left him with me for back up, and so I have a way to meet up with them some time. He's been running the forge fires for me. Never realised how helpful having a dragon in the smithy could be before Hiccup mentioned it, even if the great lump sleeps most of the time."

Grump slowly turned an eye in Gobber's direction, thick club of a tail bouncing a few times as if realising that they were talking about him. He briefly wondered how many months the dragon had been sleeping here and no one had even suspected.

Stoick felt as if everything he had believed in had suddenly been turned upside down and shaken about. Dragons possibly weren't evil. His son was alive. He had a grandchild on the way. Hiccup was the Dragon Master.

"Is he happy?" Stoick asked, mindful of the tears still on his cheeks. "Hiccup?"

Gobber thought it over. "Aye." He finally said, stroking his moustache thoughtfully. "The lad weren't never made for being a Viking. Living amongst the dragons brings him not only comfort, but joy. Astrid and Valka too. Once you've earned a dragon's loyalty, there ain't much that can break it. And the three of them fit among them like they were born for it."

Stoick nodded. "And you?"

"Me?" Gobber looked surprised at the question.

"Will you be joining them?" He had the invitation and the dragon.

Gobber hesitated, looking at the slumbering dragon. "I'd like to." He finally admitted. "Some day. But not any time soon."

Because he was staying here, for Stoick's sake. He'd told Hiccup that clearly enough.

Gobber was his oldest and dearest friend, loyal to a fault, and Stoick couldn't blame him for keeping HIccup's secrets. Not when Stoick's reaction to meeting the Dragon Master hadn’t been nearly so generous, even as he realised that the Dragon Master was only trying to help in his own way.

"You should join them." Stoick said, rising to his feet. Gobber looked like he wanted to protest, and Stoick stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "When you're ready."

Gobber closed his mouth and nodded. Stoick nodded back, then walked out of the smithy. The cold air hit the tear tracks on his cheeks, and he ignored it, trudging up the hill to his cold empty hut.

He had gotten his wish, to know that his son was not only alive, but thriving. Astrid too. And Valka as well, his wife living amongst dragons for nearly two decades now. He was so elated to know that they weren’t dead. 

Stoick wouldn't trade that knowledge for anything, not even with the understanding that the reason for their happiness was that they were living their lives far away from him.

-fin- (no, there are no plans for anything further in this au, but if it sparks something in you, feel free to play.)

#HTTYD #how to train your dragon #stoick the vast #gobber the belch #astrid hofferson #hiccup horrendous haddock iii #toothless #icka fic