HTTYD One Shots

The Duel

He silently stepped out the back door, his saber at the ready. The kids were hiding somewhere among the bushes and small trees, possibly up in the clubhouse. He smiled, slowly easing himself down the steps of the back porch.

It always started this way. He would leave Astrid alone in the house for a few moments of peace. She probably be doing laundry, washing dishes, or maybe some yoga. Anything to keep herself busy and her mind off her work for a little while. He would hand the kids their array of toy lightsabers that he and Astrid had collected throughout their own childhood and tell them to go.

Astrid had always been the better fighter, but she would always go too hard on the kids. They didn't need any more scrapes or bruises, Gods knew they got enough of them just by being kids. So she left it to him to play-fight with them.

"I'm going to the grocery store. I'll be back in an hour." Astrid called out the door then kissed him on the cheek.

"Bye, Mom!" He heard two little voices call out.

"Good luck!" She mouthed before the door closed again.

He smiled. Thank the Gods she was doing the grocery shopping! He liked to cook, but grocery shopping always made his anxiety shoot through the roof. There were just too many options and too many people. It was all so overwhelming.

Hiccup shook his head as he rounded the first row of bushes. Nuffink giggled and attacked, swinging wildly. Placing a hand on the young kid's head, he used the other to hold a finger to his lips.

"Shhh... We can't give away our position to Zephyr. I'm sure she has some sort of trap planned."

"Me thinks we should go that way, but first..." Nuffink said as he swung his green lightsaber. Hiccup smiled as he blocked the clumsy swing.

The two traded blows back and forth across the width of the fenced-in yard. Smiling, Hiccup glanced up the yard to the playset and clubhouse halfway up the hill. She's got to be up there. He thought, distracted just long enough for Nuffink to sweep his good leg.

He landed hard on his butt as Nuffink laughed heartily. "Oh, you sir, are playing a very dangerous game."

"Da, ya can't keep all this raw vikingness contained!" He replied, holding out a hand to help his poor old dad up.

"Ok, you got me. Now let's go find Zephy." Hiccup pointed up to the clubhouse. "You try there. I'll go that way." They nod to each other then slowly approached the clubhouse door.

Excited Nuffink swung the door open and got whacked in the stomach by a swinging log. He rocketed, head over boots, back down the hill and landed tangled in a blue hammock below.

"I'm ok." Nuffink called out from his soft landing spot.

Kid can take a hit. Hiccup smiled as Astrid's voice rang in his ear, then he turned to the open door.

"Zephyr! Come on out! I surrender!" He shouted encouragingly.

"Not gonna happen! You tricked me before and it isn't gonna happen again." Zephyr answered from the top of the playset.

Rolling in a perfect aerial somersault, Zephyr slid down the slide and sprang to her feet with her saber raised. Hiccup turned just time to block the falling saber. A proud smile curled at the corners of his mouth.

Astrid's battle skills and my inventiveness. Gods we've got our hands full with this one.

She swung, blocked, paried, reposted, and swung again. Hiccup matched each strike with a block or dodge. They kept it up for a solid fifteen minutes.

Finally, Hiccup tossed his blade aside as he dropped to one knee. He held his arms open invitingly and smiled sheepishly. Ignoring that, Zephyr jabbed her plastic blue blade under his chin and smiled triumphantly.

"I win!" Zephyr states.

"Me thinks Da gave up!" Nuffink pointed out.

Zephyr's smile faltered and she hung her head.

"No, Zephyr beat me! You guys win!" Hiccup said placatingly.

"Usual reward?" Zephyr asked hopefully.

"Two scoops of ice cream after supper, you got it." The kids cheer. "Speaking of supper, I should get on that or your mom will and we all know how that goes." The kids both mined puking and they all laughed.

They were almost at the back door when it swung open. Astrid stuck her head out.

"Hiccup, kids, come help me put the groceries away!" They raced to the door.

Turning for one last look, Hiccup smiled deviously. He was looking forward to their next duel.