Behind the mask

Finishing Post

Graduation Day dawned, bright and sunny and Astrid leapt out of bed, eager to get moving. She was in the shower early and was braiding her hair as her parents emerged. Her father gave a small smile.

"See? You can get up when you want to," Martin teased and she scowled at them-but not for long. She was just so excited at finally reaching this day. Hiccup's door opened and he trudged out.

"So no chance of a lie in," he grumbled, running his fingers through his wild auburn hair and yawning. The weather was still hot so he was wearing shorts and Astrid found her eyes drifting to the scars on his left leg. They were still ugly and red, though starting to fade a little and she recalled that horrible moment when he had been struck, when she had heard the thud and the scream as he fell... She closed her eyes...

Warm hands closed gently on her shoulders and she opened her eyes as Hiccup leaned close, his emerald gaze concerned.

"Are you okay, Milady?" he murmured gently. She managed a wan smile, sighing.

"I just saw..." Her eyes drifted to his legs. "And I remembered..." He kissed her forehead gently.

"I'm alive, Astrid," he reassured her. "Still got two legs as well...and the most fabulous girlfriend, a dead mother, a father back from the dead after five years, a crazy three-legged dog and a frankly insane two-limbed godfather." He grinned. "Would've taken that all day long when Al threw me out in October. I never thought I would graduate, I never dreamed I would ever have such a wonderful person in my life...and I will never stop thanking Odin for you...for you all..."

Ingrid blinked, her eyes suddenly moist and hugged her husband. "We're going to be so proud...of you both today," she said. Hiccup shrugged.

"Astrid's the one to be proud of," he told them cheerfully. "I'm just there to make up the numbers!"

"You're more than that," she protested.

"Carry your bag?" he suggested. She smirked.

"My own private footman," she grinned. "Carry me?" He looked appealingly to Martin.

"Um...little help here? How is this fair?" he protested. Martin smiled back.

"She's your girlfriend," he reminded Hiccup and the boy sighed, reaching forward and picking her up bridal-style. Her parents both gaped, realising he was stronger than he looked. "Okay, Milady..." he groaned, "where to?"

She giggled and draped her arms around his neck. "Breakfast please," she said superiorly and he walked carefully to the stairs.

"Your wish is my command," he said cheekily and stole a small kiss before carrying her downstairs.

oOo

Graduation was held on the sports field with the proud parents seated behind the graduating students. Hiccup was amazingly self-conscious in his deep brown cap and gown. The stage and lectern were decorated in the brown, red and green colours of Berk High and the students were all seated ready to start. Hiccup had checked that Gobber and his Dad were seated in their finest next to the Hoffersons. And Astrid was at Hiccup's side because her name was next to his in the alphabet and at the edge of the row as she was the Class Speaker.

His hands drifted down and his fingers touched hers. She smiled and her hand curled around his as Principal Johann stood up as the ceremony started.

"Welcome-students, friends, parents, staff," he said clearly, his voice echoing around the stadium. "Today is a momentous day, the day the Senior Class graduates and we send these young men and women out into the world with Berk's values of hard work, single-minded determination and loyalty to gird them against the trials they will face."