Duplicity || HICCUP

CHAPTER THREE

A few days passed since Aja had woken up in Gothi's hut, and in that time, Hiccup, as she learned was the chief's name, had become a regular visitor. Each morning, he would stop by to check on her, the soft light of the sun would cast a warm glow around him, illuminating the kind lines of his face that easily disappeared behind the weight of worry.

"I don't feel comfortable letting you leave so soon," he said during one of his visits, responding to her desire to go home to her people and to search for her father. "I've already sent scouts to make sure it'll be safe before you travel." Hiccup paused, searching her expression for any signs of frustration, but Aja did well to hide any. "In the meantime, Berk will keep you safe."

Her thoughts were far from the assurance he offered, but she still nodded. They had come to the conclusion her ship was most likely attacked, so she appreciated the shelter and care she received, especially after being worried about being treated with hostility as a stranger, she still felt a growing restlessness. A nagging worry for her father loomed, despite their complicated relationship. What if he was still out there? What if he was injured and needed her? She knew seeking him immediately would lead to failure, still being weak as her body recovered. More than that, she was a stranger to the land, unfamiliar with this geography and its dangers. She needed a plan.

There was silence between them as Hiccup leaned against the doorframe. Aja sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes flickering between Hiccup and the door, betraying her curiosity and unease.

He caught her gaze, knowing what she wanted. He knew it was safer to tread with caution, let her know as little as possible, but there was nothing about her that he deemed as a threat, and he knew he couldn't keep her stuck inside if she was going to stay there longer.

"If you're up for it, we can get you out of here," the words spilled out before he could stop, his arm gesturing towards the door. "Show you around."

Her eyes sparkled with excitement. This was a perfect opportunity for her. "I'd like that," she replied, standing up, causing the floorboards to creak.

Hiccup could imagine what Astrid would say to him, how he was too trusting, but it was too late now. As he reached for the door handle, he had a realization and paused, turning to Aja with an unreadable expression, "One quick thing," he said. "How do you feel about dragons?"

She eyed him curiously, looking for some kind of hint behind the meaning of his words. Her home, like many others, had been plagued by dragons, a war she had been born into.

"They raided our village many times when I was a child," she answered carefully. "But my father has since solved our problem." She intentionally omitted the fact that her father had done so by simply killing an entire species.

Hiccup studied her expression. Aja's eyes, however, were carefully guarded, as if she were constructing a barrier around her thoughts, a way to protect herself from vulnerability.

"Right," he said slowly, allowing her words to settle between them. "I understand that dragons can be... complicated." He shifted his weight slightly, trying to ease the atmosphere. "But here on Berk, they've become part of our lives." He offered a small, hopeful smile.

He continued, "We've united our worlds, now a village of dragon riders." Aja was shocked, knowing only of Vikings and dragons forever at odds, forever enemies. It's why she had been too scared to ever reveal she was half dragon, scared of what the people would do to her, scared of what her father's blind rage would do.