Hiccup swung the door open, trudging out into the biting cold. The sunlight blinded him momentarily; when he could see he saw the fresh layer of pure white snow that had fallen in the night. It blanketed the houses and hid the streets and roads.
He carefully stepped down from his porch into the soft fluffy powder. As his feet - er, foot- sunk in, he realized he would have to march with high knees if he wanted to get anywhere.
Rubbing his head, he looked around for a moment before remembering his new invention. A few weeks before, the snow had gotten deep for anyone to walk on, especially for Hiccup because of his prosthetic. So he had taken an idea he had had and fashioned a pair of shoes that could be strapped onto the feet. He called them... snowshoes.
He clambered out of the snow onto the porch, shaking the snow off his leg. Sticking his head inside the window, he reached down for a pair of snowshoes he had finished a few days ago. He pulled them through the window and standing on one leg, strapped one to his foot. He repeat the gesture for his prosthetic, the left snowshoe slightly modified to fit the metal shape.
He stamped a few times, and clumsily started lumbering toward the snow. He told himself this wouldn't look foolish on the snow, this wouldn't look strange. Just... looked strange on solid ground.
He gripped the pole on the side of the porch in an effort to steady himself as he swung each snowshoe out onto the snow. When he was completely off the porch, he smiled in satisfaction. He hadn't sunk down at all.
He lifted one foot, and finding it was easier than he had thought, started walking to Gobber's forge. He didn't actually walk, but more so marched.
He made it to Gobber's forge a few houses down. The large structure had been reinforced with steel and wood this winter. Smoke billowed out of the chimney at the top of the forge, and a sharp clanging could be heard from inside.
Hiccup knocked on the door. "Gobber? You in there?"
A few seconds passed before the door creaked open and Gobber's face peeked out. "Oi, Hiccup!" He opened the door further, moving aside to let Hiccup in. "How're ya doin- why do ya have stuff on ya feet?"
"They're my newest invention. Snowshoes! Now, you don't have to trudge through snow, you can just walk on the top!"
Gobber looked skeptically at the snowshoes. "Yeh, right. Well, aside from the shoes, why are ya over here? Yer usually in the Great Hall or something."
Hiccup shook the snow off one shoe. "Astrid's not feeling great, and we haven't had a day together in a long time. Could you and Valka take over the village just for today?"
Gobber grumbled, "Well, I guess so. Is it just a cold?"
Hiccup shrugged. "Hopefully. Maybe something we ate didn't sit well with her."
Gobber puffed out the fire and poured water over the glowing coals. "Right. Well, ya take care of your wife. Try not to get killed." He chuckled. "I'll go to the Great Hall now, and tell everyone."
He nodded. "Thanks. Drop by later, will you? I'll still need to keep up to date with what's going on."
Gobber waved his hand away. "Ahh, of course. Get going, I'll clean up here."
Opening the door, Hiccup was hit again by the blinding sunlight. When the glare subsided, he stepped outside with his snowshoes firmly strapped on. "Bye, Gobber!"
He heard a grunt in reply and laughed, shaking his head.
He walked along the houses, then stopped as he heard a snickering from one of them. Rolling his eyes, he turned to face the house with two wooden Zippleback heads protruding from the roof. "Tuff! Ruff! I can hear you!"
A head stuck out of the window, laughing at Hiccup. "Hey, whatcha wearing on your feet?"
He lifted one up. "Ruff, they're snowshoes. Now, I can walk on snow without sinking into it."
She lifted an eyebrow. "TUFF!" She screamed back into the house. "Hiccup might've actually invented something useful this time!"
Hiccup deadpanned at her, "Oh really. Thank you sooo much." Tuffnut's head stuck out of the other window, both their heads uncannily below the heads of Barf and Belch on their roof. "You invented something useful?"
Hiccup facepalmed, then pointed to his feet. "They're snowshoes. For walking on snow. Well, bye, I have to go check on Astrid."
Ruffnut's face scrunched up suspiciously. "Is she okay?"
He nodded. "Just feeling under the weather."
Tuffnut shook his head. "Oh, no. How's she'd get under the weather? Did the weather sneak up on he-" He cut off as Ruffnut's head disappeared from her window and a hand hit his head.
Ruffnut spoke, "Tuff! Isn't it obvious? This is all Hiccup's fault!" Hiccup looked at her incredulously, then shook his head and marched on with his snowshoes.
Tuffnut creased his eyebrows. "Wait, wait wait wait wait. How is this Hiccup's fault?"
Ruff smirked and whispered something into his ear. His eyes widened and he slowly grinned at her. "Ohhhh boy."
Ruff nodded and crossed her arms. "Oh boy is right. C'mon, we gotta restart the polls!"
She dashed out the door, leaving Tuffnut standing confused next to the window. He stuck his head out again and yelled, "What polls?"
She rolled her eyes and groaned. Pulling him out of the window and ignoring his painful shouts, she told him, "Don't you remember? When they first got married, we started polls and bets to see how long..." She stared at him expectantly.
Tuffnut looked confused for a second, then snapped his fingers, saying, "How long they would stay married! Ah ha!"
Glowering at him, Ruff stalked over to the window and flicked him upside the head. "No, you muttonhead! How long it would be before she-" She whispered the rest into his ear.
His eyes widened and he smirked. "Oh yeahhhh. We can make a lot of money off this. Remind me, sister, didn't every Viking over the age of 16 vote?"
She clapped his shoulder. "Ohh yes." They swung their heads together and their helmets clanked with a finality only the twins could create.
Hiccup headed back up the path to his house, still shaking his head in bewilderment of the twin's words. Marching up the path to the small hill his house stood on proved to be a more tedious task than heading downhill, albeit a small slope.
He reached the porch and promptly unstrapped his snowshoes. Propping then against the door for future use, he opened the door and walked inside. "Astrid?" He called.
"I haven't moved from here!" A response came from up the stairs. Hiccup closed the door and headed up the stairs. Opening the first door, he poked his head inside to see Astrid still lying on the bed.
He laughed and sat down beside her. "Are you feeling any better?"
She rolled over to meet his eyes. "I told you, I'm fine."
He took her small hand in his and rubbed small circles on it with his thumb. "Last time you said that, you turned out to be sick with a deadly plague that no one had seen for centuries."
She smiled briefly, then tried to sit up. Pushing herself up, she slowly came to a sitting position and crossed an arm against her stomach.
He took note of how pale she looked, the usually determined smile now a queasy grimace. Reaching up, he carefully felt her forehead. It felt normal, although it did seem as if she was cold all over. "Are you cold?"
She shrugged. "A little."
He secretly took a fur blanket from behind her, then dragged it over her head. She shrieked and pulled it off her head, glaring at Hiccup while trying not to smile.
He laughed, but then broke off as Astrid hunched over, her arms covering her stomach. "Are you okay?"
She clamped a hand over her mouth, and Hiccup instantly understood. He jumped up to grab a bucket from the corner of the room, and gave it to Astrid just in time.
He winced at the retching noises, and rubbed his hand over her back soothingly. When she was done, Hiccup took a clean towel and gave it to her. She wiped her mouth and sighed.
He scooted forward and wrapped an arm around her. She tensed, then leaned back against him. Turning, she buried her head in his shoulder.
He stroked her golden hair softly. "How are you really?"
She curled up close to him, showing a vulnerability she could only express with him. "Nauseous."
He dragged the heavy fur blanket gently over her shoulders, and briefly kissed the top of her head. "Do you want water? Soft bread?"
She looked at him gratefully. "Yes, please."
He pulled their plump pillow over to her, and slid off the bed as she lay down. "I'll be right back."
She nodded, sinking into the pillow. He closed the door behind him and went downstairs to retrieve the food. He poured water from an already-warmed pot into a cup and sliced a few pieces of bread from the morning loaf. He put the bread on a plate and carefully walked back up the stairs to the first door.
He entered the room and set the cup and plate on the floor next to the bed, crouched down, then reached a hand out to Astrid. She stirred, and sat back up with some wincing. She saw the water and bread, and smiled at him, murmuring, "Thank you."
He raised the cup to her and watched as she slowly tried to down the water. She took a few gentle gulps to wash the bitter taste off her mouth, then gave the cup back. He then set the plate on the bed, and sat on the floor. "Y'know, we should really get a nightstand or small table to put here." She nodded, taking a slice of bread. "Maybe two. One for each side?"
He mock-pouted. "What, you don't want to share?"
She shook her head and tore a piece of bread off. "Ah, nah. I need my own space, "She replied jokingly. She bit a tiny corner of the bread to see how she would react to it, and recoiled when her stomach threatened to rebel.
She put the bread back on the plate and buried her face in her hands. She hoped Hiccup couldn't see how much she was trembling. Inside, she was a mess of wanting to desperately blurt her secret and wanting to save it for later.
Stop doing this! She told herself. You have to tell Hiccup sooner or later. It isn't such a big deal! But as soon as the last thought entered her mind, she tried to brush it away.
This was a big deal, this wasn't that big of a surprise, Hiccup needed to know, Hiccup wouldn't have to know for a while; crazy, contrasting thoughts battled in her mind until she made the decision to surrender to one.
She lifted her head and stared straight at Hiccup. She unconsciously moved her hands to his, clasping them together. "Hiccup," She began. "I have to tell you something."
He straightened up to meet her deep, penetrating gaze. She saw the questioning look in his eyes disappear to be taken by a solemn, slightly anxious face as he took in her grim expression.
She looked down to where their hands where intertwined, and breathed out slowly. Knowing it was now or never, with a thousand nerves and worries attacking her, she said, "I'm pregnant."
Silence reigned for a long, dreadful moment. Astrid was horribly aware of the quiet that blanketed them, and muffled her ears. She was sure the pounding in her chest could be heard by Hiccup, was sure he could see her trembling.
She looked up, seeing Hiccup's face in a perfect expression of shock. His eyes were wide, mouth slightly agape and his hands tightened on hers. "You're... pregnant."
She nodded uncomfortably, knowing her hands were sweating like crazy and wishing she could extract them from Hiccup's firm grip.
He repeated hoarsely, "You're pregnant."
She bit her lip, then jumped back a little when Hiccup jumped up and exclaimed, "Oh my Thor, you're pregnant! I don't even- oh my Thor!" She had to weakly laugh as she saw him jump up and down, as a comical child would do.
He pulled Astrid up out of the bed, and the blankets slid off with her as she was hoisted up to her feet. She yelped as Hiccup lifted her up and twirled her, her hands on his shoulders. Then, Hiccup put her down and wrapped his arms around her. "Oh my Thor-"
"You're not... mad? Or... upset?"
He looked at her as if she had lost all sense of mind but was also the only thing in the world that mattered. "Why would I be mad?"
He slid his hands down to her waist. "I'm not mad. I'm not even anywhere close to mad. You're pregnant. You're... carrying my child. How could I be mad?"
She almost collapsed against him in relief, letting out the pent-up emotions in one giant exhale. It was a good thing she took a giant breath too, because then Hiccup kissed her for another very long, yet nowhere near painful moment.
He pulled back and stroked her cheek. "We're gonna be parents. I'm gonna be a dad. Astrid, oh my Thor."
She smiled and looked into those eager, sparkling green eyes. This excited, screaming, jumping Hiccup reminded her so much of when he was younger it was painful. As any other adult, his emotions were less displayed than when he was a child. But now, it seemed as if he had thrown away all shields and walls and let himself be as happy as he wanted to be.
Which apparently was very, very happy.
He asked her, "So, you're not sick? It's morning sickness? Oh god, morning sickness. How- what- have you been hiding it?"
She nodded. "I hid it at first because I didn't want you to be worried, and I didn't know I was pregnant until yesterday."
"So yesterday..."
She looped her arms around his neck. "I went to Gothi's. And she told me I was pregnant. And I completely freaked out."
"Why?"
"I didn't know how you would react! We didn't plan this, it was unexpected-"
"Astrid." She was forced to look back up at him. "Nothing would make me happier. And nothing will make me happier. Give me a few hours and I'll be shouting the news from rooftops and be dancing like a crazy man. Or Gobber. Same thing."
She chuckled, then recalled some of his words. "Umm, when do you want to tell them the news?"
"They've probably been waiting for it some time. Hmm, let's see... As much as I'm sure they wouldn't mind, a full-village meeting would be too bothersome for us to tell them a few simple words. Oh gods, we have to tell them!"
She laughed. "You're really freaking out about this. Well," She racked her brain. "The Snoggletog Celebration is in a few days. Three, right? We can tell everyone then, in the Great Hall."
Hiccup nodded exuberantly. "And we can tell them! Oh god, you're pregnant. Oh, are you still nauseous? I'm sorry I spun you, do you need water? Are you cold, anything else-"
She clapped her hand over his mouth. "I'm fine. I'm still Astrid, just pregnant. For barely few weeks, by the way. I can still hurl an axe and kick you wher-"
He stopped her. "Okay, okay. I don't think that's necessary. Please don't, by the way."
He moved her to sit on the bed, her curled up in his lap. The shock from earlier had worn off, now transitioning to pure elation.
Astrid was pregnant. She was carrying his child. In nine months, they would have a baby. They would be parents. He recited those facts, over and over again, trying to fit them into his mind.
She looked up, and softly pecked him on the lips. "I love you."
Hiccup looked down at her, his voice filled with passion. "I love you too."
Exactly three days later, at almost 6 o'clock on Snoggletog Eve, Hiccup and Astrid stood in front of the expectant villagers. Several holding mugs of mead and ale and looking slightly tipsy, others being children who had stopped their chasing and playing to hear the speech they were about to deliver.
Astrid and Hiccup had rehearsed this speech several times, wanting it to be as perfect as possible. They wanted the village to feel as moved as they were by it, yet they were anticipating the excited shock that would surely arise as they told them the news.
They now stood in the front of the Great Hall, smiling nervously at all the faces. To the right, the twins lay slouched (they had been very secretive around Hiccup and Astrid lately, they hadn't any idea why), Fishlegs sat waiting for them to speak, Snotlout was finishing off a mug of mead, and Valka patiently stood smiling at them. They had told Valka early, as she was family, and she was overjoyed at the news.
Hiccup stepped forward to speak first, and all attention was directed toward him. "Berkians, welcome to our annual Snoggletog celebration!" The crowd roared for a moment, then settled down as he opened his mouth to speak again. "Every year, another Snoggletog comes. Another year passes, and this time of year, we celebrate it with our friends and family. We celebrate it with the people who are closest to our hearts."
He paused for a moment, seeing the Viking's heads nod in agreement and cast fond looks at loved ones. "But many of them are not here. Our dragons may be farther than we may ever go from us, and while we have accepted we must live apart, they still hold a memory here. In Berk. In our village. Our names. Our legacies. In us."
Astrid took over. "But it is also a great time of change. Our village is growing is prospering, and while the past is past, it chooses our future. And the future of Berk is looking brighter than ever."
Hiccup squeezed her hand, and she squeezed his back. This was the moment. Hiccup spoke in loud, clear words, "Because Astrid and I are very happy to announce that in nine months, Berk will have a new heir!"
As soon as the words left his mouth the Vikings leapt up and cheered. The sound of them roaring enthusiastically was deafening. Snotlout and Fishlegs has stared open-mouthed before running over and enveloping them in a hug. Tuffnut and Ruffnut high-fived, and for some reason pulled out a scroll with names on it. Valka smiled proudly, glad her village had such a bright future.
Gobber swaggered over to them, clapping Hiccup hard on the shoulder. "Aye, Hiccup! Proud of you, son. I'm proud."
Eret, Sven, Hoark, Mulch, Bucket, and so many other people from their childhood swarmed them, cheered in their ears and slapping Hiccup so many times he knew he would be sore.
People danced around them, elderly Vikings gazed on, proud of the new generation. Young Vikings partook in the excitement though they likely didn't understand the magnitude of the event.
Everywhere Hiccup looked, Vikings were celebrating. They were thrust into the spirited party atmosphere, having fun with loved ones.
He watched his village, watched as they grew into a new time, a new era. Part of them, dragons, were gone and always would be, but that wouldn't stop them from thinking of their beloved dragons. Hiccup thought of Toothless with a pang, and was sure Astrid was thinking of Stormfly.
He reached over and tightly took her hand in the midst of the hubbub that surrounded them. They smiled at each other and Hiccup suddenly felt as if for once, his life was certain.
No more people trying to kill them, no crazy suicide mission. Finally, he knew what would happen. His life felt surer than it ever had. And he was grateful for it. He was grateful for everything. Toothless and Astrid. His village. His parents. His friends.
Times were certainly changing, and nothing would be the same. But he knew that the bonds between them all, relationships and memories formed, would always, always stay the same, never to be forgotten.
So so so so so sorry this took so long to get up. Life is crazy around this time of the year. Ugh, I say it'll be up soon but I wait like a month until uploading and writing it. I'm sorry. I hope you enjoyed it, and the ending. I was very unsatisfied with about everything in this (Ha!) but I'd like to know your opinions about it. I may do some Hiccstrid parenting fanfics,