When I Come Back

He's Changed

Astrid

   Before heading down I remind the team, "No one tells Hiccup. No one."

   I look at each of them in the eyes before turning and heading down to greet the long missed heir.

   We pushed and shoved our way to the front, stopping next to Stoick and Gobber. Who looked at the ship with such intensity that it might have caught on fire. They held a look of hope, love, tiredness, and a bit of anxiety. 

   The boat hit the dock and there were already Berkians waiting to tie the boat down. The person that inhabited the boat went below deck, to most likely gather their things. 

   No one, dared to climb on the boat, offer the Viking help, or even see if this truly was our long awaited heir. There was a moment where all of berk was silent. Even the stubborn waves of the ocean quieted. The animal inhabitants stilled. The only thing that could be heard was the heavy breathing of the awaiting Viking and dragons. 

   A wooden crate full of clothes hitting the deck of the ship broke the silence like an explosion. Everyone jumped and watched as more belongings were sent up from the little hatch of the ship. 

   A terrible terror crawled up through the hatch and grabbed the attention of everyone there. it walked through the maze of belongings and stopped to scratch behind it's horns. Followed by a long silence and all of Berk stilled again.

  Then someone popped their head out of the hatch and observed all of the faces staring back at him. 

   His face held a strong jaw and was outlined by a crazy, fluffy, mess of auburn hair. Green eyes that brought shame to forests and freckles sprinkled across his face. 

   A smirk was brought to the face and he said, "Anyone want to lend a helping hand?" 

   All at once cheers broke through the silence, accompanied by dragon roars, and orders from the chief.  

"It's Hiccup!"

"He's come home!"

"Since when did he look like that?"

"Hiccup!"

"He's all grown up!!"   

   Hiccup watched as Vikings started to take his things up to the newly built hut and daily life resumed on Berk. While taking a deep breathe, he was tackled to the ground by an overjoyed Night Fury. 

   As if just now processing the morning, I whispered aloud, "Hiccup?"

   The auburn haired male stopped what he was doing to look up at the confused blond. Raising an eyebrow, he got up from the ground and dusted himself off. 

"Hey...." was all he said, as if he was struggling with what he was trying to say. 

"You've changed.... a lot..." he wasn't the only one having trouble trying to figure out what to say.

  He chuckled and ran his hand through his hair. "Well, Astrid. I may look different, but I'm still the same old Hiccup." 

   His voice was deeper and he was more sure of himself when he spoke. He's changed.

"Well, yeah I know, but...," I paused, not being able to think of the right word, "...I don't know. You've just changed. You're different."

He subconsciously ran a hand over Toothless' head, "I'm not the only one that has changed around here." 

   I smiled and just as I was about to say something, Snotlout cuts me off.

"Hey! Who are you and what have you done with my cousin?"

   Hiccup smiled at this. Even though Snotlout was saying this to be mean. 

"Ask that to the five years that I spent at The Academy." he responded. 

   I hadn't realized how much Hiccup had grown, until he was standing next to Snotlout. Judging by Snotlout's face, neither had he. 

   Hiccup stood a full head and shoulders above Snotlout and a full head above me. 

"Look at the H man sailing in five years late with a whole new look!" exclaims Tuffnut. 

"So H, how was the academy?" Ruff joins.