#daytwoquestions

“Why?”

Astrid rolled her eyes as Zephyr questioned her instructions for the third time in a row. “Because you can’t leave your dirty dishes on the table.”

“But why?”

“For the love of Thor, Zephyr, just put your dishes in the sink!” snapped Astrid, lifting a fussy Nuffink out of his high chair and grabbing his favorite blanket.

Shrugging, the little girl climbed down from her seat and placed her bowl and spoon on the counter.

“That’s not the sink,” Astrid reprimanded as she turned to walk out of the kitchen.

“Why do I need to put them in the sink, Mama? They’re okay right here.’

Biting back a curse, the blonde carried Nuffink to her bedroom and placed him in his crib. “There you go,

little one. Enjoy your nap.” She bent down to press a kiss against his forehead. “I love you.”

Whimpering, the toddler reached out a hand towards his mother.

“Fine,” sighed Astrid, picking up Nuffink and settling him against her chest as she climbed onto her mattress.

Having Hiccup away at tribe meetings had always been rough for her, but having him away while she had two children under five to care for, one of whom wouldn’t stop asking questions about everything, made his trips even harder.

“Mama, where are you?” Zephyr’s small voice drifted up the stairs.

Cautiously sliding off the bed, taking care not to disturb Nuffink, Astrid shuffled into the hall. “I’m sitting with your brother,” she explained in a hushed voice.

“Well, I’m bored. I want you to play dragons with me.”

“I can’t, Zeph,” sighed Astrid, rubbing Nuffink’s back as he stirred.

The little girl crossed her arms over her chest. “Daddy always plays dragons with me when I ask,” she insisted. “Why can’t you?”

Astrid struggled to suppress her emotions. She’d always had a feeling that Hiccup was Zephyr’s favorite, but hearing her daughter actually compare her to him hurt, even if she was only four years old.

“Why?” repeated Zephyr.

“Mama’s busy,” the blonde explained, keeping her voice steady. “Maybe I can play in a little while, after Nuffink wakes up.”

Frowning, Zephyr plopped onto the couch and folded her arms over her chest.

As Astrid walked back into her room, a wave of guilt washed over her. She was perfectly okay with the kids when they were babies; that was the easy phase. All she had to do was feed them, cuddle them, and change their diapers. But with Zephyr, she almost felt as if she didn’t know how to be a good mother anymore, now that there was more to it than nursing and snuggling.

“At least you’re still easy,” she murmured to Nuffink, who was still comfortably resting on her chest.

…

Two days later, Hiccup arrived home, weary from his journey, but happy to be reunited with his family. While he liked getting a chance to catch up with old friends like Dagur and Alvin, Astrid and the kids were the most important people in his life, and he felt a sense of emptiness when they were apart.

“How was everything while I was away?” he asked, kissing Astrid’s lips before lifting both Zephyr and Nuffink into his arms.

“Mama didn’t play dragons with me!” Zephyr complained, wrapping her arms around Hiccup’s neck.

Astrid sighed. “It was…okay,” she answered, pretending to ignore her daughter’s comment.

“That okay didn’t sound very convincing,” Hiccup began as he walked upstairs with his wife, each of them lugging one of his travel bags.

“Am I a bad mother?”

“What?” Eyes widening, the Chief raised an eyebrow. “Why would you be a bad mother?”

Pushing her hair out of her face, Astrid sank onto the bed. “I just…you’re so good with the kids…and sensitive…and patient…especially with Zephyr, and I can hardly balance spending enough time with both of them and running the island when you’re not here.”

Hiccup eased himself down beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Hey, just because parenting is a little harder for you, doesn’t mean you’re not good at it.”

The blonde didn’t reply.

“Look at my mom. I don’t know if she ever told you, but she had a hard time with me when I was a baby. That’s why she didn’t bring me with her when she left; she was afraid she wouldn’t be a good enough mother to parent me by herself. But I’m close to her now, and she certainly hasn’t been doing a bad job since she came back.”

“I don’t know,” Astrid shrugged. “I just feel like I’m failing. I mean, Zephyr clearly hates me already and she’s only four.”

“She doesn’t hate you,” smiled Hiccup. “She might act like a spoiled Daddy’s girl sometimes, but she doesn’t hate you.”

“Yeah, right.”

“I’m serious,” he insisted, pressing a kiss against her cheek. “Zeph loves you. Both the kids do. And you’re an amazing mom.”

Astrid rested her head against his shoulder. “But if there was a contest, you’d still win parent of the year.”

“Don’t say that. We’d both win.” Hiccup grinned. “And I’ll talk to Zephyr about how she’s been treating you. Maybe she just needs a little nudge in the right direction.”

…

The next morning, Astrid awoke to the smell of her favorite breakfast — scrambled eggs with cheese and fried potatoes. Climbing out of bed, she put on a cozy robe and shuffled downstairs to see Hiccup standing in the kitchen with Zephyr.

“Is today a special occasion or something?” the blonde asked, her eyes narrowing.

“Today is Mama Appreciation Day,” announced Hiccup.

“And I made you a drawing!” Zephyr chimed in, running to her room. A moment later, she returned with a sheet of paper, which she proudly handed to Astrid.

Astrid studied the drawing. Although it was largely composed of scribbles and stick figures, she could still make out the image of herself hugging a smiling Zephyr. “Good job, sweetie!” she complimented.

“Turn it around!” the little girl shouted. “Daddy helped me write you a note!”

Flipping the page to the other side, Astrid read:

You are the best Mama in the archipelago. I love you.

Zephyr

“Babe,” Astrid began cautiously, turning towards her husband. “Did she come up with this, or did you?”

Hiccup paused. “I uh…I’d rather not answer that, milady. I —”

“You are the best Mama!” Zephyr interrupted, flinging her little arms around Astrid’s waist. “I don’t want to have any other Mama but you.”

The blonde felt her heart melt as she lifted Zephyr up and settled her on her hip. “And I don’t want to have any other daughter but you,” she smiled. “I’d also love to play dragons with you after breakfast.”

Zephyr grew thoughtful. “Actually, I want to go axe-throwing.”

Astrid’s eyes widened as she cast Hiccup a puzzled glance.

The Chief shrugged. “She is your child.”