HTTYD Oneshots

A Not-So-Dreadful Dreadfall

Happy Halloween! This drabble was inspired by the Dreadfall promo in Rise of Berk. Takes place almost a year after the second movie, as HTTYD2 takes place in early winter and this drabble is the following autumn. Hiccstrid is about 21.

Hiccup was just about done being scared out of his wits by the twins.

Fall had begun to permeate the air, and that meant Dreadfall was just around the corner. Vikings were carving pumpkins that had been brought by Johann, setting out lit candles and little scarecrows made out of string and hay. Dreadfall was the time of year where the spirits of the dead would come back for the night, or so the legends said. Drawings, stories, and various food items were left for the spirits to enjoy. Children dressed up as monsters and hid in the shadows to scare their friends. Some of the adults would give the kids a small piece of chocolate if they liked the costume. Even the dragons were getting into the holiday spirit, giving people a good scare here and there.

Unfortunately, this was the twins' favorite time of the year, when they would prank people like it was their job. And Hiccup was their prime target. Since he'd become chief, they'd let up a bit, but not enough that Hiccup was left alone.

The young chief was busy painting Toothless up for the Dreadfall feast that night, when the bucket of paint disappeared. Hiccup turned around to look for it, only to come face-to-face with Tuffnut's creepy Dreadfall mask. Hiccup yelped and fell back against Toothless, glaring when he realized it was the twins.

"Do you two ever get tired of pulling the same pranks every year?" Hiccup asked, rolling his eyes.

"No," Tuff said simply.

"Not really," Ruffnut said at the same time.

Hiccup sighed in exasperation. "Well can you please go prank someone else? I'm a little busy here."

Ruff and Tuff looked at each other before looking back at Hiccup. "Alright, since you said please." Tuff handed Hiccup back the bucket of paint, then ran off with his sister to scare some of the little kids.

No sooner did Hiccup return to painting Toothless than Astrid appeared with Stormfly beside her, the dragon wrapped in cloth strips to resemble a mummy often found in the southern land of Egypt. Hiccup snickered. "Not bad. Although I think you should have added a few more rolls of cloth. I don't think she has enough."

Astrid rolled her eyes. "Hilarious."

"I thought it was."

"Yeah, I could tell." Astrid walked over and knelt beside him. "Toothless's paint job is coming along nicely."

"Thanks." Hiccup smiled at her. "I've been working on it all day."

"You should see the Great Hall. Your mom and Gobber have got it all spookified. I don't think it's ever looked scarier. The spirits will surely have fun tonight"

"Yeah..." Hiccup sighed, trailing off.

Astrid plopped her fists on her hips. "Alright, what's on your mind? Spill, now."

"You have an interesting way of saying please, you know that?" Hiccup snarked, avoiding the question and keeping his attention on Toothless.

"You've never been this aloof about Dreadfall before. What's got you so reclusive all of a sudden?"

"It's nothing, I'm fine."

Astrid's demeanor softened, recognizing Hiccup's usual answer when a certain topic was brought into the conversation. "It's your dad, isn't it?"

Hiccup sighed, dropping the paintbrush back into the bucket. "I really don't want to talk about it."

"It's all the legends, right? You want them to be true."

"Astrid, please..."

"So you can see your father again."

"Astrid."

"It's not a bad thing, Hiccup. Lots of people wish for the legends to be true. I remember when my uncle--"

"Astrid!" Hiccup yelled a little louder than he intended, attracting the attention of a couple passersby. Astrid stopped abruptly, and Hiccup sighed again. "I just want to finish Toothless's paint job, if it's all the same to you."

Astrid nodded and stood up. She wasn't too keen on leaving him alone, especially when he seemed to be grieving Stoick again, but she understood that he needed space and was more than willing to give it to him. "Alright. I'll see you tonight then?"

Hiccup nodded, but said nothing, returning to painting Toothless's wing. Astrid brushed her hand through Hiccup's hair, then walked off to the Hall.

That night, the Dreadfall party was as lively as ever. Kids snuck chocolate from the food tables. Adults swapped spooky stories to their friends. The twins managed to prank just about everyone in attendance. The dragon costume contest was a big hit, with Toothless winning yet again.

The only thing missing was Hiccup.

"Where is he?" Valka looked around from where she stood by the ale dispenser. "It's well after nightfall. He should be here by now."

"Lad's never missed a Dreadfall celebration that I can remember," Gobber said, taking a swig of his mead.

"I'm worried about him," Astrid said, glancing towards the door. "I'm gonna see if I can find him."

"Should I come with you?" Valka asked.

"No, I think it's better if I talk with him alone," Astrid said. "But thanks anyway."

Valka nodded, watching Astrid leave the Hall.

It didn't take long for her to find Hiccup. The young chief was in his house, sitting by the window with his head resting on his arms, which in turn rested on the windowsill. A half-eaten plate of food sat in his lap, his eyes staring blankly towards the Hall. He didn't even notice Astrid until she bent down to take the plate off its lap.

"You shouldn't be here alone," she said softly, setting the plate on the table.

Hiccup didn't even look at her. "It's been almost a year," he said softly.

Astrid walked over, standing behind his chair to rub his armorless shoulders. "I know. We all miss him, Hiccup. It's been hard for everyone."

"It's been harder for me..." Hiccup buried his face in his arm. "You don't understand..."

Astrid sat in his lap, lifting his head up so he looked her in the eyes. "I know this is difficult for you. All these legends about people coming back from the dead for a night...it makes you hopeful. Too hopeful. Your childish hopes are at war with your adult sense of reason. You're stressing yourself out."

Hiccup sighed, turning away from Astrid. "I think I just need some sleep..."

Astrid nodded and kissed his forehead.

It is pitch dark outside. The Hall is quiet. Everyone is asleep. A lone spirit walks through the town, his fur cape just barely above the ground. He walks through the door of the Haddock household, heading up the stairs to where his son is asleep with his young bride-to-be. He brushes back the auburn bangs to kiss the pale forehead, barely causing the boy to stir. He leaves a note on the bedside table before leaving, as if he had never come.

Thanks for the memories

S.H.