Symphony of Shadows HTTYD Hiccstrid

71. Reunion

A/N: Next chapter will be out next Wednesday at around 10pm just in time for Christmas:) Happy holidays everyone!

The sun shone on Astrid's skin as she chased a giggling girl around a canvas hut. The smile on her face didn't feel foreign and the hole in her chest seemed to be temporarily patched by the pure happiness of the moment. Astrid didn't know why she was playing chase with the little girl, but something about it made her feel so...at peace. The girl's auburn hair glinted under the warm summer sun as she spun and avoided Astrid's outstretched hands.

"Ha! You can't catch me!"

She was a fast girl, that one. Astrid was curious to see her face, maybe she'd recognize who she was. But every time Astrid managed to get close, the girl would twist away just in time.

"C'mon! Try harder than that!"

Astrid smiled at her taunts. She was reminded of her younger self—full of confidence and determination. It had been a while since she felt either of those. The numbness inside of her only allowed for sorrow.

The girl changed course and headed away from the hut. Farther away, Astrid could now recognize whose house it was. It was the hut she'd stayed with Hiccup on the island. The island he'd taken her to after the Submaripper attack wrecked her ship.

What am I doing back here?

The girl dashed towards a man who stood by a workbench, completely absorbed by his task. The man's shoulder's were broad and he had a solid build, even if he was slimmer than most Vikings. He seemed to carry himself with a soft confidence that was magnetizing as he navigated his work station and carried a hammer back to the project he was working on. 

"Papa!"

The little girl called out to the man and despite his occupied state, he turned to scoop her up into his arms. How adorable. His daughter burst into a fit of giggles and Astrid's heart skipped a beat when she recognized who the man was. The facial hair and matured features had thrown her off initially, but she could recognize those forest-green eyes anywhere.   

Hiccup.

The little girl was...his daughter. Astrid now saw the clear resemblance in their feautures. That explained her signature auburn hair. She was adorable, really. Her cheekbones were full with the vibrancy that only youth could bring and her toothy smile mirrored her fathers'. But her eyes—ocean-blue—were nothing  like Hiccup's. Her stomach twisted, who was the mother?

Hiccup's warm gaze flickered to Astrid's and her insides turned to mush at the intense affection held in the eyes that she'd fallen in love with time and time again. In them, she found her answer. He smiled wide at Astrid and it felt like a magnetic pull drew her to him as he approached her with a comfortable familiarity. He leaned down and cover her lips with his in a kiss that made her head spin. 

The little girl squealed in protest at their display of affection.

"Papa, stop eating Mama!"

Astrid's heart swelled at the confirmation that it was her daughter—their  daughter. No amount of trophies nor acclaims had ever made her soul this content. This satisfied. She'd never felt happier. 

Hiccup pulled back and chuckled as he ruffled their daughter's hair. He set her down and she ran off to a small grove filled with yellow wildflowers. 

Spring came early.

Astrid shook her head in amusement as their daughter inspected the flowers and picked the best ones. She had her father's brain, but her mother's tenacity. The perfect mix.

She turned her focus back to Hiccup and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close to her. A voice in the back of her mind whispered to enjoy the warmth of his touch while she could. The warning reminded her that she was out of place. This setting. The timeline. It was off. Astrid couldn't remember anything connecting her to situation. Her heart broke. 

It's just a dream.

A vivid one, no less. Hiccup seemed to realize that she figured it out and stroked her hair lovingly. 

"Everything is going to be okay, Astrid."

His gentle words caused a chasm in her chest as she began to bawl. He tightened his grip around her and held her like it would make the nightmares of her reality disappear. 

"I-I-I need you, Hiccup. Pl-Please. Please come b-back."

She pleaded in between sobs and fisted his tunic in hopes of keeping him tethered to her even in this dream state. 

It wasn't enough. Astrid could feel her consciousness slowly rousing and she was slipping back into her own body. Her face was wet from the stream of tears. It drove her mad that the only thing that had been real were her feelings. She'd dreamt of Hiccup before but never like that. If only it hadn't been a dream.

She could still feel the faint strokes of Hiccup's hand on her hair. The gentle brush of his fingers on her scalp. 

"Shhh. It's okay, Astrid."

Electric shocks traveled up her back and she rushed to sit up at the sound of his voice. 

Could it be?

Astrid's eyes widened as she saw Hiccup staring back at her. She burst into tears for the second time that morning. 

He was back. 

He was awake. 

Hiccup. Her Hiccup. 

She threw her arms around him and smothered his face in kisses and tears. He laughed softly and went to lift his arms to hug her back. Astrid felt him wince when he tried to move his right arm—his injured arm. Frowning, she checked his bandages for any bleeding. His wounds had healed significantly with the skin starting to repair itself. But there was still internal damage that would take careful stretching and monitoring to ensure a full recovery.

"Stop that. You're gonna hurt yourself."

He only smiled in response to her nagging.

"Gods, I missed you."

Her stern face fell and she smiled brightly before kissing him. 

"There was not a second in the day that I didn't long to be in your arms, babe. You have no idea the pain I've been in while you were asleep."

Hiccup pulled her close with one arm until she now sat on his lap. 

"You're so strong. If anybody could've done it, it would be you, my love."

His words were a welcome relief to her pent up burdens. It was a miracle how his mere present calmed all the doubts in her mind. He was the oxygen coming back into her lungs. She could finally breathe again. 

"I had to live my life without you. It was pure agony."

She sniffled and clutched his tunic—his real tunic—and thanked the gods. They hadn't failed her this time.

His knuckles brushed across her cheek and went to cup her face. He stared intently at her and his gaze moved down to her lips before returning to her eyes. She'd missed the warmth of his gaze.

"Now you don't have to. I love you, Astrid Hofferson, and I'll spend the rest of the time that the gods give me doing so."

A smile spread wide across her face. 

"I'd love nothing more."

She kissed him like it would catalyze all of their promises and dreams. Promises and dreams that would one day turn into reality. 

Rushed footsteps outside of their room had Astrid pausing and when the door opened, she braced herself.

"Hiccup?"

A frantic Valka stood in the doorway. Her eyes darted to the merry couple and she raised a shaky hand to cover her mouth in shocked joy. But Hiccup only stared in confusion at the strange woman.

"Should I know you?"