When I Come Back

Freeze

Astrid

   When hiccup finished his apology, he gently leaned his forehead against mine.

   I let all the air out I didn't realize I was holding and instinctively closed my eyes. When I inhaled, his scent filled my nose and I was thankful he still smelled the same after all those years. 

   Hiccup slid his hand up my arm and cupped my face, tilting it to the perfect angle and cautiously leaning in....then there was a loud knock on the door. 

   The two of us froze and Hiccup growled in frustration followed by a sheepish apology. He walked to the door and Stoick came in.

"You two have some explaining to do." he said, pointing at the two of us. 

"Dad, we were just messing around, there's nothing more to read into it." Hiccup starts. 

"Do you realize the ideas coming into people's heads when they see a man carrying a women over their shoulder?" he questions. 

"Well then tell them that we were just messing around." Hiccup definitely gets his anxiety from his father, they just didn't worry about the same things. 

   The chief sighs, "Astrid, would you like to chime in?" 

"It was all a misunderstanding, that can easily be cleared up." I said, basically summarizing their conversation.

"See?" Hiccup gestures towards me, "Astrid agrees with me." 

"The two of you get to talk to the village then. Make sure it's cleared before we leave tomorrow." Stoick orders.

"Where are we going tomorrow?" 

"To meet the next suitor of course!" Stoick announces. 

***

    Over a month's time Hiccup and Stoick met with numerous suitors from all over the archipelago. Many of which Hiccup said were only willing to marry him due to his looks and titles, not caring at all to get to know him. Except for a few girls who were interested in actually getting to know him, those were the girls I worried about. 

   The whole Gang was in the arena wiping down saddles, grooming their dragons, reading, or simply just resting when Stoick walked in and distracted us from our activities. 

"For tomorrow no one needs to take over Hiccup's chores." He announces, earning a sigh of relief from the others. 

   Hiccup decided, that'd it only be fair if we all took turns covering his chores. I was especially thankful for this decision of his. 

"Did we finally make it through the list of suitors?" Hiccup asks hopefully 

"No, There is one more." At this Hiccup's shoulders drop and Toothless grumbles. 

   It had almost slipped my mind that Toothless has been to every single one of the islands with Hiccup and dreaded it just as much if not more than his rider did. 

"Then how come we don't just meet with them tomorrow and get it over with?" Hiccup asks.

"You're still meeting with the last suitor tomorrow. You're just meeting her here."  

Great. Now I have to watch some stuck up heiress be all over Hiccup for a whole day.

"Here? Really?" This news had caught Hiccup's full attention, "Who is it?"

   A slight smile found its way onto the chief's face, "Well she's actually not an heiress, but she's from a respectable family. You know her too."

"I need a name." Hiccup said dryly. 

"Gobber wanted to make sure it was a surprise." Stoick states with a sigh. 

"Well then can I at least get a few hints?" Hiccup wasn't the type that was fond of surprises or teasing, it was just a waste of time to him. 

"No, Now it's getting late. Go on patrol and then turn in for the night. That's an order."

***

Hiccup 

   The next morning, I wake up early to go on a flight with Toothless, and head back in time to find my father walking up to my door.

"I'm assuming you're here to pick out the day's outfit." I greet. 

"I actually came to tell you that you can wear what you're wearing now. Even if I prefer you wear something different." 

"I'm definitely sticking with what I have on." Which was my flight suit. 

"Then let's go get her, shall we?" 

   I follow my dad and we unexpectedly end up at an all too familiar door.