Soul of the Sky (HTTYD Runaway Fic)

The Hiccstrid Interlude

Astrid
"World, meet Hiccup Adorkable Haddock III and Toothless, the immature offspring of lightning and derp itself."
I snickered as I watched the pair dance around the Great Hall. The unexpected and extremely welcome arrival of the Gronckles had lifted all of our spirits, like the rising sun had taken our hopes with it.. Most of us celebrated quietly.
Not Hiccup.
No, the legendary Dragon Master and the terrifying Night Fury express happiness by excited jumping and happy warbles.

"Settle down, you two!" I laughed. "It isn't over yet." Hiccup turned to me with that smile that made my heart skip a beat. "It kind of is. Viggo's ships can't pass the wall or fire over it. They're stuck. Then the Berkians can attack them from a distance if they come." His enthusiasm was infectious, but I was determined to resist. "They might have something we don't know about. Besides, if Berk doesn't help, we're under siege."

"Then we'll find another way." he responded. "Don't be so pessimistic. Think positive!" That was the adorably goofy Hiccup I'd missed. Laughing, I let him drag me into him and Toothless' happy dance. We twirled around the hall like we were still six-year-olds, bringing out a more childish side of me that I'd buried under my warrior training. It was kinda nice. Until it became extremely embarrassing.

I caught my foot on Toothless' tail, tumbling into the floor with Hiccup pinned under me. We stared at each other for a very long moment, the awkward silence punctuated by the sound of draconic laughter. His face was as red as a tomato and mine wasn't any better.

Hiccup said something in Dragonese to Toothless, his tone irritated. That little...the dragon had tripped me on purpose! Just when it seemed that this couldn't get worse, the others came in. Four pairs of eyes stared at us in a surprised fashion. "It's not what it looks like!" I exclaimed panickedly.

Silence for a long moment. Then the others started laughing. "I ship it!" Tuffnut yelled, Toothless warbling in clear agreement.

"Thank you for nothing, you useless reptile." Hiccup muttered, his face burning with embarrassment.

Ruffnut
Oh, this was just too good. Tuff and I would personally make sure that the lovebirds will never live this down. Although they would be a cute couple.
An idea occurred, a way to annoy Hiccup and Astrid. What would their ship name be? Oh yeah...
"Hiccstrid! Hiccstrid! Hiccstrid!" I chanted, laughing my head off. Soon the others joined in, even the dragons yelling it in their weird growly language. And then Hiccup and Astrid were laughing too, the awkwardness gone. "So you ship us now?" Hiccup asked, trying to keep a serious face.

"Yep!"

Hiccup
Things could be worse.
Yes, I had just been embarrassed along with my former-and-maybe-current crush. Yes, they were now yelling our ship name to the heavens and even Toothless had joined in.

But we were all laughing together, like we'd wound the clock back fifteen years to when we were little and all best friends. Like I was one of them and I'd never left. Maybe, just maybe, this was a chance to be friends again. And that idea brought a smile to my face.

Toothless and Stormfly were whispering - very loudly - to each other. "How long do you give it?" Toothless questioned.. "I say two weeks." the Nadder replied. He shook his head. "Less. They have to get together. We shall do anything in our power to make our new OTP canon!" (Yes. Toothless is a fangirl. This is a crack filler chapter designed to distract you from the fact that I haven't written any actual story in ages.)

I groaned. "What?" Tuff asked. "The dragons are placing bets." I muttered, my face flaming red. This sparked a new wave of laughter from the gang, and I sighed happily. The missing piece had fallen into place. This felt like home.

I should have known it was too good to last.

A/N: What do you think will happen in the next chapter? 😏

Sorry this one took so long, I was having an episode of Writer's Block. Enjoy, and I'll see you again soon!
Peace, love and dragon plushies,
~ Isarn