HttYD: Behind Our Eyes

Behind Green Eyes

   Hiccup Haddock liked to think he was smarter than the average Viking of Berk. That idea wasn't about ego, it was just his strength, the attribute which made Hiccup worthy of existing. He was stronger at nineteen, mostly from forge work and dragon training, than he'd ever been as a boy. He, however, was not Snotlout, or Tuffnut. They relied on physical strength to settle their problems, proven by the fact that Snotlout was actually trying to do push-ups in the town square to attract a woman.

   Since they'd returned from Dragon's Edge to Berk proper Hiccup had watched his friends go through various changes from Fishlegs' heart breaking goodbye to Heather, to the twins actually trying to learn their father's wood craft. Hiccup though, was still Hiccup. . . And who was Hiccup?

   He sat alone in his work room at the forge, the small door had bounced off the wall in the wake of a certain frustrated, blonde, shield maiden. The last thing he'd heard from Astrid was an angry sounding groan as she'd thrown her hands in the air and stalked out, slamming the door in her wake. He let his head fall between his hands, green eyes locked on to a sketch that his mind did not see.

   Hiccup was smart enough to know that he would never understand women, but he was in love enough to think that he should understand Astrid. They'd danced around each other for so long, even with the kisses she'd rewarded him with over the years. They had never put to words what their relationship was, even when his father and her parents had asked. They were Astrid and Hiccup, they were Dragon Riders, friends . . . And he'd lay his life down for her if that was the choice he had to make.

Hiccup drew in a deep breathe, letting his eyes slip shut and focusing on his thoughts. Less than an hour ago he'd been so focused on his latest project that he didn't realize he'd not truly spoken to anyone in a week. Almost as soon as they'd returned to Berk he'd locked himself away in the workshop, eager to get to work on the idea in his mind.

   It was delicate work, something he never could have done in his smaller forge on the Edge. It was something he'd been thinking of for a long time, something he designed and re-designed until he could get everything just right. . . But currently those thoughts were pushed aside in favor of sky blue eyes, of soft lips pulled into that playful smirk she treated him to so often. He could still smell her scent, even among the ashes and fire of the forge, it lingered in his mind.

   In his mind he could see their final night on Dragon's Edge, the walk down to the beach and Astrid's warm body cuddled close to his in the cool breeze. He could feel her soft hair under his chin, where her head was tucked against his shoulder. He could smell the scent that was so distinctively her filling his lungs, calming him in a way nothing else could. He could hear her voice, murmuring to him about preparations just before he'd broken. . . Before he'd used a finger to tip her chin just so, his dry lips meeting hers in a slow kiss. He could still feel her hand as it slipped into his hair, fingers pressing his head closer to hers as she'd drawn him closer and pulled him down to the sand with her. . .

   Hiccup forced his mind to the present, forced himself to center and not dwell on how it had felt to pin her against the sand and kiss each other senseless. Who was he to try to claim a Valkyrie as his own? What made him worthy to call this goddess his? Gods above, he knew he loved her with his heart and soul. He knew she was flawed, they all were, but for him she was perfect. She was his anchor, she was his muse, she was his confident, his adviser, his greatest support. . . Astrid Hofferson was Hiccup's everything. He took another breath, let it out slowly, and considered. As his father had reminded him, one day the entire village would be his responsibility, not just the five original Dragon Riders but the whole of Berk. He was not sure he'd ever be ready for that, in fact he was sure he was not ready. Not even close.

   He was certain, however, that no matter what he did there was one thing that would not change. There was one person, beyond all others, that he would always want beside him. He sighed, maybe it was not about being worthy but about having the courage to try. He needed to finish what he'd started, even though he'd love nothing more than to chase after his fiery love and beg her to understand. He'd made her a promise, and though he was late due to his preoccupation, he'd keep it. So he pushed to his feet, prosthetic squeaking, and strode back out to the forge proper. Gobber clapped his shoulder and offered the young man an encouraging smile.