[HTTYD] untitled (No)

[untitled "No"]

(rough draft)

A DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon fanfic by Raberba girl

Summary:  Astrid reflects on why she admires Hiccup.

o.o.o

I used to be the good girl, the golden child of Berk.  I was glad whenever the chief was nearby, because I wanted him to see that I was performing at my best and making my village proud.

That changed along with everything else, thanks to Hiccup.  I used to think that he was weak, spineless and pathetic, but that was before I knew him.  Before I started paying attention enough to truly know him.  If I had, I would have realized a lot sooner that Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third is one of the most brave, stubborn, rebellious Vikings in the archipelago, despite being a fraction of the size you'd expect a brave, stubborn, rebellious Viking to be.

Hiccup, my loving, funny, clever, idiotic, insane, infuriating boyfriend is the reason why I'm now usually second best, sometimes break the rules, and am now guilty rather than proud half the time his father's around, because I'm probably helping Hiccup hide the effects of our latest adventures and screw-ups from him.

I don't care much, though, because it's worth it.  The night I fell in love with him, when I realized with such amazement that he is someone I can respect and trust and care about and follow, I've never forgotten it.  He never lets me forget it, because he's always doing something or other to remind me why I love him so much.

Stoick comes storming across the deck toward us.

I have to make a conscious effort to maintain my stance and composure, to not squirm with guilt or cringe or hang my head or show that I'm intimidated by backing away.  This is between Hiccup and his father, as always.

Unlike me, Hiccup doesn't bother to pretend.  Stoick is about three times his size and twenty times his strength.  The apprehension is clear on Hiccup's face, in his bowed shoulders as he watches the chief approach.  Hiccup doesn't look or act strong at all; his real strength has always been elsewhere.

"Well, didn't you just pick the wrong ship, eh?  I am Eret, son of--!"

Stoick, without breaking stride or even looking at the dragon trapper, shoves him back as if flicking away a flea.  Hiccup is the one he addresses.  "You.  Saddle up, we're going home."

"No."

It's just one word, spoken softly, unsteadily; it's almost a whine.  Hiccup knows how easy he is to crush, that he has no chance of overpowering anyone in a confrontation.  If the chief were to scoop up his son and haul him kicking and screaming back to Berk, there isn't a thing Hiccup could do to stop him.

Yet he keeps speaking out anyway.  Hiccup always stands up for what he believes in, even if the path he chooses is a difficult one.  Despite all the disbelief and mockery and opposition and disasters, Hiccup has never obeyed or agreed just for the sake of conforming.  He is always, always willing to risk himself for things he feels strongly about.

"Of all the irresponsible--!"

"I'm trying to protect our dragons and stop a war!  How is that irresponsible?!"

Arguments between Stoick and Hiccup are so familiar that I feel myself relaxing even though I probably shouldn't.  Things will work out.  Stoick will rage and bluster and goad Hiccup into doing something stupid and reckless and dangerous, Toothless will save him, and he'll end up being right.  I just wish that Stoick would be...gentler, more thoughtful...I know it's too much to ask, but then maybe Hiccup would take his worries to heart and be more careful as he proves himself right, so he doesn't have to always nearly kill himself....

He's so rarely able to enforce his own beliefs.  He knows what to do, but he'd never be able to do it with no one to back him up.

I guess that's why he has a Night Fury now.  And that's why he has me.  Hiccup might need the two of us to forge a path for him, but we need him to show us where the path is.

"I'm still going to try."

That's my Hiccup.  Always challenging the supposedly impossible, always finding some way to make it possible after all.

"This is what I'm good at.  And if I could change your mind, I can change his, too."

My first instinct is to follow him, but the good girl in me never really died, my chieftain orders me back and he's endured enough frustration and heartbreak for one day.  My heart longs to fly, but my tribe needs me, and when Hiccup's always rushing off so impetuously, someone has to stay behind and take care of our responsibilities.  I'm going to have to train him to let us take turns or something, stop making me always be the responsible one while he always gets to chase the horizon....

In the meantime, it looks like I'll have to just trust him again.  Trust that Hiccup's instincts are still true, that Toothless can protect him even without my help, that they'll both come back to me safely with their usual glory and triumph.

Someday I'll be able to teach Hiccup that he can trust me just as much.

o.o.o

Author's Notes:  I could not think of a title. orz

Sorry for the posting drought lately.  I've been a good girl and have actually been spending more time working on important real life stuff than writing fanfiction.   (And the stuff I do try to write usually isn't cooperative. DX)

Anyway, I was watching HTTYD2 again yesterday, and that scene where the Berkians come to "rescue" Hiccup from Eret's crew, when Stoick orders Hiccup to get back on his dragon and come home, I love Hiccup's resigned, apprehensive tone when he refuses.  It's so Hiccup, he embodies that "strength in weakness" quality more than anyone else I can think of.  This vignette started writing itself in my head while I was watching that scene.

This is the first time I've written in Astrid's POV. XD  I'd like to do Stoick someday, though for some reason I anxiously shy away from the thought of trying to write Hiccup in first person. o.O