A Hiccstrid Story | When worlds collide

The Pro

Short chapter, sorry.

***

"Okay, just breathe." Hiccup suggested. "Try bouncing him."

Astrid hesitated but did as told.

"It's not working."

"Just keep going. I have to go to the bathroom." He fibbed. "I'll be right back. Just relax."

Hiccup left the room and hid on the other side of the wall. The sound of Hugo's cries echoed across the house.

"Shhh," Astrid said. "It's okay." She wasn't sure who she was trying to comfort with those words. Her or Hugo.

She started humming in an attempt to soothe the child. Hiccup listened intently.

'The sky is dark and the hills are white,

As the storm-king speeds from the north to-night,And this is the song the storm-king sings,As over the world his cloak he flings:'

She started to sing. The baby soon began to calm, slowly drifting back off to sleep.

'Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;

He rustles his wings and gruffly sings:Sleep, little one, sleep.'

Astrid let out a sigh of relief as Hugo closed his eyes.

"I thought you didn't sing." Hiccup smirked, leaning against the door frame. Astrid flinched, spinning around.

"Hiccup!" She gasped, shocking Hugo. "How many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on me!"

"Sorry." He chuckled. "Keep going."

Astrid took a deep breath.

'On yonder mountain-side a vine,
Clings at the foot of a mother pine;The tree bends over the trembling thing, And only the vine can hear her sing:

Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;

What shall you fear when I am here?Sleep, little one, sleep.

The king may sing in his bitter flight,

The tree may croon to the vine to-night,But the little snowflake at my breastLiketh the song I sing the best,—

Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;

Weary thou art, anext my heart Sleep, little one, sleep.'

"See, you did it." Hiccup whispered. "Where did you learn that song?"

"Heather sings in the shower." Astrid chuckled.

"I told you, you could do it. You followed your instincts and got him back to sleep." Hiccup explained.

"I guess you're right." She sighed in defeat. "But, now we have a bigger problem."

Astrid glanced at Hiccup who returned that gaze. His eyes widened in realization.

"Not it!" He threw his hands up. Astrid let out a small whimper.

"But, I don't know how to change him." She whined.

"That's why I'm here." Hiccup assured. "To talk you through it."

"This is so not fair, Haddock."

***

Over the weekend, Hiccup never left Astrid's side, talking her through everything. By the end of the weekend, she was finally getting the hang of it.

"Hey, Lucy." Hiccup greeted as the young woman came to pick up her son.

"Hey, how's he been?" She asked.

"Uncle Hiccup!"

Hiccup scooped Harley up in his arms and tickled her as she threw herself at him.

"He's been great." He assured.

"How did Astrid do?" She wondered.

"See for yourself." Hiccup stepped out of the way, gesturing to the living room. They entered the living room to see Astrid distracting Hugo with a game of peek-a-boo while trying to change his diaper.

"Looks like a pro to me." Lucy smiled.

"Just wait."

Astrid tossed the rolled-up diaper like a basketball, landing perfectly in the trash can. She scooped the baby up and held him on her hip.

"Here you go." She handed him over. "He's all yours."

"Thanks for watching him."

"Of course." The young couple said.

***

The young couple returned to college after a long weekend.

Things were steady for a month or so until...

Hiccup walked Astrid to her dorm to find suitcases piled on Heather's bed.

"Are you leaving?" Hiccup asked as Heather continued stuffing clothes into her case.