Symphony of Shadows HTTYD Hiccstrid

77. Future

A/N: Life is crazy but here's a new chapter! I'm thinking two more chapters(ish) to finish out Hiccup and Astrid's journey in this fic🥹.  Thank you for sticking around if you're still reading I know it's been a long time since I last updated.

"Oh, I forgot to give you this."

Astrid tried to peel off Hiccup's arms from around her naked waist, but he refused to let her go just yet. She squirmed in his hold but her soft legs were still trapped under the furs. Hiccup scooped her back onto his lap and relished the feeling of her bare skin against his.

"Not so fast."

Now that they had set up a functioning home base, life was much easier. Astrid had insisted that she didn't want to sleep in a tent, and it made sense that they have a proper house. It had taken them both a couple of weeks, but with the help of Toothless and Stormfly, their house was finished in no time. The hut wasn't fancy by any means but it was comfortable and more importantly—it was theirs. This also meant that it was almost impossible for the two of them to keep their hands off of each other.

Astrid gave him a mischievous look before she nipped playfully at his nose. Due to the distraction, she was able to get away from his gentle grip.

"Hey!"

Hiccup called out but Astrid just smiled coyly over her shoulder before digging into her trunk. He was about to protest further until he took a half moment to enjoy the view of his soon to be wife.

Today Astrid will be my wife.

The thought shouldn't make him as nervous as he already was. It wasn't like today would be a surprise. There would be no runaway bride of groom. He'd been mentally rehearsing his vows while they lounged lazily in bed.

Their family and friends would be flying in later today and he could tell Astrid awaited them with anticipation. So when she pulled out a letter from her neat pile of things she'd thought to bring from Berk, he assumed that it was from her family.

"You should read this."

The wax seal of the letter was unbroken so Astrid hadn't even seen its contents. Her expression wasn't so lighthearted anymore as her eyes grew hesitant.

"Okay...I love you."

He leaned up and pressed a peck on her cheek. What was she so worried about?

Turning his attention back to the letter, he saw that the wax had a Beserker seal.

Is this from Dagur complaining about not being invited to the wedding?

Hiccup thought humorously. He carefully broke the wax to avoid making a mess and sobered once he read the opening line.

Dear Hiccup,

You don't know this, but I owe you my life.

That was very Dagur-unlike.

When my parents died I took to trading whatever was left of our home in the Eastern Markets. I was used to brushing off any trouble until one day. They day that you went out of your way to help me. I was taken by a man thrice my size and he took me to the edge of the forest. I screamed and I cried for someone to stop him.

Then I saw you. And you chose not to walk away. Somehow you called the Changewings. I'm not sure how it happened, and I'm still not sure to this day, but I'm grateful

I'm not sure if you remember me or what you did, but when I recognized you I felt a weight off my chest. I knew I had to thank you. All these years later, I still haven't forgotten what you did.

Thank you, Hiccup.

His lips parted as he processed the ink on the page.

Dagur's sister was the girl in the Eastern Markets? No wonder she'd looked familiar. Of course, her face had changed with the passing of the years but her expression was lighter. Hiccup was happy for her. It seemed like the Berserker tribe was growing on her the brief time he'd seen Heather and Dagur.

"What is it?"

Astrid chewed her lip nervously and he pulled her back onto the bed before kissing her cheek.

"I first met Heather some years ago. She was in distress and I sent some Changewings after her attacker. She managed to escape. I didn't even realize it had been her, but she recognized me in Berk. She says thank you."

Astrid's expressive eyes widened in surprise.

"What in Odin's name?"

He rested his head on her lightly freckled shoulder.

"I know it's pretty crazy to think about."

She pressed a kiss to his head and ran her fingers through his hair that was still messy from sleep.

"Well, that's nice she wrote you. She handed the scroll to me before they set sail back to Berserker Island."

Tugging gently at the braid she'd formed a few days ago, Astrid frowned.

"Babe, your hair's a mess. Sit up and let me fix it."

Hiccup didn't really mind what she did with his hair, but he knew she liked leaving her mark on him.

In more ways than one.

He cleared his throat as he felt a blush creep up his neck.

"We have a busy day today, don't we?"

"We do. I got letters from everyone saying they could make it."

It was finally the day Hiccup had been dreaming of his whole life. The seal of their promise to each other. He had to pinch himself to remember this wasn't a feverish dream.

Astrid's beautiful voice cut through the noise in his head.

"It's time to start getting ready, babe."

Hiccup groaned.

"Damn tradition."

Astrid scoffed mockingly and gave him a shove to get out of bed. Somethings never grew old.

"Careful now, wouldn't want Thor to strike you down at the altar."

"Very funny, Astrid. But you're probably right."

Even though traditional Viking weddings were a pain in the ass, Hiccup figured it was better than cursing their entire marriage.

"Do you need help with your bath, my love?"

Hiccup begrudgingly started to put his clothes back on before pressing a kiss to his betrothed's forehead.

Astrid gave him a peck on his cheek in response.

"I'll figure it out. Thanks, babe."

Despite the ordinary action, the kiss made his heart flutter and as he begrudgingly left their hut, his chest tightened. This wasn't any other day—it was the day that he declared his love for Astrid before the gods themselves and tied himself to her for eternity.

It was a long time coming.