#grayghostgal

Merman!Hiccup is washed up onto Berk’s shore during a particularly bad storm, tangled up in the resulting debris. On her morning walk, Astrid happens upon him and stops to help, finding herself fascinated by the cute boy from the sea 🧜🏻‍♂️

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Stranded

@grayghostgal

The storm came out of nowhere. Hiccup had gotten fairly good at seeing them coming, diving deep enough to avoid getting tossed around, but this time he'd fallen asleep while sunning himself. The sudden downpour woke him with a start, the merman clamoring to get back in the water as the waves began to swell.

The current grabbed him, tossing him around helplessly. Hiccup fought it, debris getting pulled from the sea floor and getting thrown by the relentless waves with him.

A loose net tangled around him, constructing his movements. The last thing Hiccup felt was a surge of panic as a wave crashed him into a rock before his body went limp, the storm continuing to rage through the night.

---

Astrid had slept right through the storm. She had woken up that morning surprised to see the wreckage from it.

Trees and tree limbs were down, leaves scattered everywhere. Her village had a little damage, but it wasn't the worst they'd had by far.

Her walk took her down by the beach, curious to see what might have washed up. She stopped in her tracks at the sight of a boy about her age tangled up in debris, seaweed and driftwood covering his lower half.

He looked disoriented, blinking in the sun wearily as he lifted his head.

She started to run over, watching as he struggled to turn to lay on his back. The side of his face was covered in sand, and he had no shirt to cover his pale, freckled skin from the sun.

"Hey! You okay?"

The voice made Hiccup's eyes widen in panic, his body going rigid as a human girl approached him. His tail flailed, only getting tangled more in the debris that weighed him down.

Astrid gasped in shock at the sight of his tail. At his waist, his skin melded into emerald green scales that shimmered in the sun. A lighter green dorsal fin matched his fluke. If she had only seen his tail, her first thought would have been That is the biggest fish I've ever seen.

She knelt in the sand in front of him, studying him closely. Slowly, he turned, his green eyes locking with hers. Like her, he was studying her, likely wondering if she'd attack based on the tension in his upper body.

Swallowing, he asked, "You're...you're not going to kill me, are you?"

Snorting, she shook her head. "No. I'm debating on if you'll let me close enough to give you a hand freeing yourself, as long as you don't drag me to the depths."

"I'm not going to lure you, if that's what you mean," Her eyes didn't leave his face as he averted his gaze, considering. "...Alright. My, my arm is pinned, can you help me free it? After that I should be able to get my tail."

Nodding, she took out her knife, sawing carefully at the rope. She could feel his gaze on her, and despite her trying to ignore it, a blush colored her cheeks.

Why did this merman have to be cute? Those green eyes of his were unlike any she'd ever seen. His upper half looked all too human, so she had to keep reminding herself that he was half fish.

But his freckled face and forest green eyes were hard to ignore. "My name is Astrid, in case you were wondering. What can I call you?"

"Hiccup." His arm now free, he began to remove the driftwood and seaweed from his tail. "Do you really think merfolk just drown humans?"

"That's what the stories say."

"It's not true."

Her eyes were calculating as they looked into his. "No?"

Pressing his lips together, he shook his head. "Nope. Between you and me? Myths like that were fabricated to keep us safe from the humans."

The corner of her mouth pulled upwards, "Really?" She didn't quite believe him.

"Mhmm," he didn't know why he was telling her this, but he just got the feeling that he could trust her. "But like I said, you can't tell anyone this."

"Or what?" She asked, now grinning, "You'll splash me?"

"Are you saying I can't? Because let me tell you, this tail is lethal!"

She burst into laughter, and Hiccup felt as though he was seeing the night sky for the first time. This human, this Astrid...she must have been putting him under a spell of some sort.

Her laugh was now his favorite sound.

"Okay, okay, I'll have to see that in action. Your secret is safe with me, I won't tell anyone." she said, cutting the last line of rope and freeing his tail. "Are you going to need help getting back in the water?"

Hiccup quickly looked down, not wanting her to see the way he was just looking at her in such awe. There was a lot of debris still scattered on the beach, and it was likely that he'd damage his scales or scrape his torso trying to drag himself back into the sea. "Uh...Y-yeah, actually. If, if you don't mind?"

"Can I throw you back in?"

"What--no! No, getting thrown around is what got me into this mess!"

Laughing, she shook her head, "I was only kidding! Hold still, I'm going to lift you."

Bringing one hand around his back, she slipped the other beneath his tail. Hiccup wrapped his arms around her neck, holding on as well as she lifted him from the ground.

"You're much lighter than I expected."

"Uh...thanks?"

She waded into the shallows, not caring that her clothes were getting wet. Once the water hit her thighs, Hiccup spoke up, "Here should be good, thanks."

The water felt good on his tail. He didn't know how long he'd been on shore, but the rain certainly helped to keep him from drying out. He submerged fully before popping his head back out of the water. Looking up at the blonde, he flashed a grin, "...Can I see you again sometime? I have so many questions about humans, but I haven't had the chance to meet one yet...until you."

Astrid felt her stomach flutter when he smiled at her like that. Her gaze softened, and she nodded. "Only if you answer my questions about merfolk. It's not every day that one washes up on the beach."

"It's a deal!"

Post HTTYD 1, Astrid decides that Hiccup’s weapons training has been…spotty, at best. Spurred by her newfound interest in him, she takes it upon herself to train him in the places where she feels he’s been overlooked.

Only…she soon finds herself distracted as he practices his swordsmanship 😂 Meanwhile, Hiccup is (predictably) oblivious.

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Weapons Training with Astrid

"No, you need to be lighter on your feet, Hiccup!"

"I doubt that's actually physically possible, Astrid."

She groaned, "You know what I mean! Again."

Now it was his turn to groan. "Alright," getting back into position, he held his small sword up to continue practicing the defensive moves Astrid was teaching him. "Ready."

She paused, an unreadable expression in her eyes before she lunged with her sword at him. His swordsmanship was sloppy, but he was getting there.

It helped that he was now using his dominant left hand instead of his right.

These lessons had been going on for about two weeks now. Hiccup was grateful, since he'd never had any proper weapons training, but Astrid was a tough teacher.

They continued on for a bit, and the shield maiden was impressed that Hiccup was holding his own pretty well now. Something had changed, he was more determined than before, a new confidence in his movements and his eyes.

Astrid made the mistake of looking into those forest green eyes for a second too long...and found them a little too mesmerizing.

A searing pain was felt in her hand, and she inhaled sharply, her sword hitting the grass beneath them. "Agh!"

"Astrid! Oh, oh gods, I, I'm so sorry!" Hiccup dropped his own sword, his hands reaching for hers to inspect the damage. His eyes were focused on her hand, but she was looking at him.

His brows furrowed, concern in his eyes as he inspected the wound. His usual nervousness around her was gone, replaced with a calm composure laced with guilt as his calloused hands wrapped around hers. "You're bleeding! Hang on, I have just the thing," he stepped away, rummaging around in Toothless' saddlebags.

She may have been bleeding, but she didn't feel the pain at the moment. The shield maiden had become far too aware of the way his eyes had looked, the way he gingerly held her hand as if she'd break.

With anyone else, they would have received a punch for doing such a thing, but when it came to Hiccup, she didn't mind so much.

Before she knew it, he had returned, salve and bandages in hand. She arched a brow, "You carry healing supplies with you?"

"Yeah," he cleaned the cut, "in case you haven't noticed, I tend to get myself in quite a few scrapes..."

And she may have found herself in one of her own. How could she let herself get distracted by Hiccup? Those stupid green eyes and that lopsided smile of his were far too dangerous! She'd have to work harder to stay focused. These sessions would be as much for her as they were for him.

"This might sting a little, but it fades quickly," he warned, spreading some salve over the wound before wrapping it. With it now bandaged, he stepped back, "I'm sorry, I'll be more careful...that is, if you're still willing to teach me."

"It wasn't completely your fault," she bent to pick up her sword, "Who says I'm stopping? Get your sword, this isn't over."

His eyes lit up, grabbing his sword and getting into position. "Don't hold back."

"Believe me, I won't."

Hiccup learns that there IS something to Gobber's theory about stolen socks, after all. Only, it's not a troll sneaking in to pilfer the smith's belongings at night; the culprit is actually a sneaky Terrible Terror, who appears to be a bit of a kleptomaniac!

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The Sock Thief

@grayghostgal

"Gobber! You're here later than usual," Hiccup set down the axe he was sharpening, brushing off his hands. "Everything okay?"

The smith was irritated, which was also unusual. "No! Those trolls are at it again!"

"...They stole your sock?"

"Aye! Just about every single left sock I own!" He shook his head, replacing his prosthetic hook hand with a hammer attachment. "I've had it! I'm setting a trap for those troublemakers!"

"A trap? But, Gobber--"

"No, lad. No dragons will be caught in it. Hey! You ought to give me a hand with it! You used to hunt down trolls, didn't you?"

"Ah, well, I was just a kid then--"

"You still look like a kid."

"Hey!"

"Will you help me or not, lad?"

Hiccup had his hands on his hips, thinking it over. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. Yeah. We'll start tonight."

---

It was simple. Using Gobber's last left sock as bait, Hiccup had put around it some flour to track the perpetrator's footprints and supposedly lead them to where all of his socks had been taken.

Gobber would go about his evening as usual, while Hiccup would lay low and keep an eye on the bait.

It was very late, or possibly very early. Hiccup's eyes were feeling heavy, but he wouldn't allow himself to fall asleep. He had made a promise to Gobber, whose snores could rival Stoick's, that he'd keep watch the whole night.

A scuttling sound could be heard, and Hiccup sat up a little higher. Holding his breath with anticipation, he waited...until what he saw was certainly no troll.

A Terrible Terror was standing in the flour, sniffing at Gobber's sock. How he did that, Hiccup didn't know. Gobber wasn't exactly known for his good hygiene. But, seeing that it was desirable, the Terror snatched it up and scuttled away and out of the hut.

This was his chance! Jumping up, Hiccup quickly followed after it. It was a challenge in the dark, but after chasing the dragon into the woods, then into a small cave, he lit the Dragon Blade to find...

"What the...?" It was a nest of sorts. Made of socks, old tunics, little bits and baubles that he recognized from seeing in Gobber's hut at one point or another. He almost couldn't believe just how many socks there were in the pile.

The little dragon set the sock down in the nest, then looked up at Hiccup and chirped. Kneeling down, the Chief held his hand out, "So you're the one that's been stealing from Gobber, hey?" The dragon nuzzled his hand, purring. "Well. He's sure in for a big surprise, isn't he?"

Hiccup learns to dance before the Hiccstrid wedding? 😊 Maybe he's not so good at it, at first but he wants to impress her? (I think it could be cute!)

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Dancing and Dreaming

@grayghostgal

"Try again. Remember, be light on your feet."

Hiccup groaned. He'd been at this for hours, and he doubted he'd ever be light on his feet. "Mrs. Ack, I think I ought to take a break. My stump is getting sore," he moved to sit, and the woman sighed.

"All right. It's only the first day, you know. You'll get there." She watched as he removed his prosthetic, massaging his leg. "I was there when your parents wed. Oh! What a lovely song and dance they did."

Hiccup's eyes softened. "Yeah. That's why I want to do this with Astrid. I'm just a little...out of practice, is all..." More like six and a half years have passed since he last danced, but that was beside the point.

"Any why is the bride to be not at these lessons?" The woman asked pointedly.

"Ah, well... because I want to surprise her. You know Astrid, she's amazing at things like this. As you say, she's light on her feet. She'll have this down in no time. I just...I need a little extra practice."

The most frustrating part was that he knew how his ankle ought to move. He knew he should be on his toes for a certain step, but his prosthetic didn't bend that way. There was difficulty in learning how to adjust the movements to accommodate his leg, but he wasn't going to give up.

Mrs. Ack watched him thoughtfully before nodding. "Aye. We'll pick this back up tomorrow. Rest that leg of yours, now. Or you'll be answering to me," she said sternly, with a hint of a smile.

"Yes, ma'am."

---

As the days passed, he began to improve, little by little.

"Step, turn here...smile! You're getting married. Don't look so perplexed, Hiccup." Mrs. Ack stepped around him, "Alright. Turn again...good. Good." A proud smile was on her face as he finished. "I think you're ready. Just don't forget to smile at her, though once Astrid joins you I doubt you'll have any trouble remembering that! Let's run through it once more, to be sure."

Hiccup chuckled, but did as she said.

---

"Hiccup, where are we going?" Astrid followed, her hand in his.

"You'll see."

He didn't say anything else, so she followed him through the forest until they came to a large clearing. Lanterns cast a soft glow on the stone below, the stars twinkling above. Their hands let go as Astrid took in the scenery surrounding them.

Hiccup stood in the center, a hand extended towards her. "May I have this dance, Milady?"

She giggled, arching a brow. "Dance? I thought you didn't dance."

"I did, then I didn't...but a certain upcoming ceremony had me changing my mind," his smile grew when she placed her hand in his.

Guiding her into position, he took a deep breath. "I... just, follow my lead, yeah?" She locked eyes with him and nodded. "Okay. No teasing, alright?"

"I wouldn't tease--"

"Oh, yes you would!" He replied in amusement, "Need I remind you of your little impersonation last year?"

The memory flashed before her eyes, and she laughed, "Okay! Okay, no teasing. You have my word."

Satisfied, he nodded, a soft smile on his lips. "Okay. Good! Now that that's settled..."

She waited, and he heard him softly sing, "I'll swim and sail on savage seas...with ne'er a fear of drowning..."

Hiccup wasn't a singer. He knew that, but he did his best. Holding her gaze, his own was soft, affection and love in his eyes as he guided her in the dance steps, and continued singing his parents song.

Astrid stared at him in wonder, following his lead and they moved together as one. The ending came far too soon to her, and as he lifted her by her waist, her palms rested on his shoulders for support.

Hiccup lowered her back to the ground, and their foreheads rested against each other. Both were a little breathless, but smiling from the pure joy of it all.

"Astrid? Would...can we--"

"Yes." She smiled brightly, knowing exactly what he was asking. "I'd love that. I'll need you to teach me the words and the steps, you know. Can't have you do all the work."

Hiccup's eyes lit up, and he kissed her. Pulling away, he replied, "I think I can manage a few lessons."

---

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(Pick an ongoing thread! :D)

(((Honestly I'm having a ton of fun with this, so this time I'm choosing my thread with @p-artsypants , our Cinderella AU!)))

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wip game of birds!

@grayghostgal

All of these are from Part of Your World on AO3! Written with a friend! She writes Astrid, I write Hiccup!

🕊️ a sweet quote (something sweet, fluffy! maybe it's cute or funny banter! or sappy wedding vows!)

"Yes," he said, without hesitation. "Yes, because I realized that I need you like how my gills need water to breathe. I don't want to spend my life without you, because it would be as though a part of me had been cut out. I was trying to make peace with having to watch you be with someone else, but I couldn't. I can't."

🐦 a romantic quote (can be sweet or sad or sexy, or just your favorite interaction between them!)

“I don’t know what to do, Hiccup. I’m lost without you,” she said to herself.

Moving to kneel beside her, he clasped her hands, and the shell, in his own. "I think it's time you were found again, yeah?"

🦩dealer's choice (choose any quote at all! or the summary / ao3 tags thing! whatever! wild card!)

Hiccup gazed longingly at her, shaking his head. His eyes held a pain behind them that was almost fragile, "No, don't...don't say that," his voice was soft, maybe even a little shaky, but there was a heaviness to it. "Because I'd choose to be human in a heartbeat if it meant that I could be with you."

7, 25, 29, 37

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I see you, @grayghostgal !

7. What's your favourite ao3 tag.

Hmm, non httyd specific? I'd have to sayyy, probably Humor? Or Angst and fluff, because it's so contrasting and I find beauty in that. Emotional hardship, confrontation, change, settling problems and facing fears is my favourite type of angst, and for it to be followed by fluff? Chef's kiss.

25. Is writing the whole thing beforehand better or worse than writing it as you go.

Seeing as I have never written anything beforehand, I have to say writing it as you go by default, HOWEVER, I always have a general idea and where I want to go with the plot, and always make an effort to remember any really cool scenes, and go over them again.

I have noticed considerable betterment of said scenes that way, and I believe that is because writing as you go gives you and your story more space. Space to breath, space to revise, and space for the story to flow organically and evolve. The initial version of Until You Miss It I had in my head was considerably worse than what it is now, and I owe the improvement to writing as I go, instead of forcing myself to follow bullet points or whatever.

29. What's the hardest thing about writing?

Aside from procrastination? Characterization. Easily, characterization. I was writing a chapter of Until You Miss it a moment ago, and at every word of dialogue I have Hiccup utter I'm dead worried about if it fits his character, even though ironically I have the perfect setup of why he might behave a bit out of character! He's putting an act! But still, I never want to stray to far from character, because I always think that it is a major like...ick for people? It's for me sometimes at least.

37. Do you research before or while you write? Is it fun or boring for you?