#httydcweek2021

Astrid’s eyes opened as she rolled over to find that Hiccup’s side of the mattress was cold. She knew he’d stayed up late the night before, but not coming to bed at all was rare for him, especially since Zephyr’s birth.

“Babe?” she mumbled, still half-asleep. When she didn’t hear a response, she climbed out from beneath the furs. At the feeling of the cold floor on her bare toes, she quickly slid her feet into a cozy pair of slippers. Wrapping a thick blanket around her shoulders, she shuffled to the window and pulled back the curtains, letting sunlight into the room.

It was then that she noticed Zephyr’s vacant crib. Although the little girl was nearly a year old, she still slept across the room from her parents, just in case she got fussy during the night.

“Hiccup?” she called again, this time raising her voice as she made her way into the hall. “Zeph?”

No reply.

Frowning, Astrid trudged downstairs. Just as she was about to call her husband’s name again, she noticed him curled up on the couch, fast asleep with Zephyr snuggled against his chest and an array of papers scattered about them. A smile playing on her lips, she reached over to gently tug the furs up over them before quietly heading to the washroom for her morning bath.

…

Hiccup groaned as he picked up yet another piece of paperwork.

Just give it up, Spitelout, he thought to himself, shaking his head at the realization that Spitelout had started yet another petition to put his name on the island’s storehouse. He had enough chiefing duties to worry about, not to mention an eleven-month-old daughter who was growing more energetic by the day. He didn’t have time to waste on muttonheaded requests.

The sound of Zephyr’s babbling was a welcome distraction from his work. Setting the papers aside, he trudged over to her crib and lifted her into his arms. “Hey, munchkin,” he murmured. “What’s going on?”

Zephyr babbled again, this time reaching up to tug on Hiccup’s braids.

“Can’t sleep?” he guessed, leaning down to kiss her forehead. He thought about waking Astrid to see if Zephyr wanted to nurse, but decided not to bother her once he noticed that she appeared to be peacefully snoozing amongst the covers, a contented look on her face.

“How about Daddy makes you a little midnight snack?” he suggested, turning to leave the room. Although Zephyr still sometimes nursed at night, or on the rare occasions when she was particularly fussy, she was more or less weaned, and eating mainly soft foods that Hiccup and Astrid either mashed or cut into bite-sized pieces.

The little girl smiled with a partially toothless version of her mother’s smile.

Hiccup carried his daughter into the kitchen and, placing her in the high chair, rummaged through the icebox for berries and ice cream. He knew Zephyr shouldn’t be eating sugar so late at night, but she’d been so excited about the ice cream ever since he’d first churned it a few days ago, he couldn’t resist the thought of seeing her face light up with excitement. Besides, he could use a little sugar rush to fuel him through the rest of his paperwork.

“You want some?” Hiccup asked, holding out a small spoonful of ice cream.

Zephyr eagerly grabbed the handle from his fist and shoved the spoon into her mouth, ice cream falling down her chin.

“You like that, huh?” he grinned, leaning over to ruffle her already messy hair.

The little girl reached out a sticky hand and babbled, evidentially asking for more.

Grabbing a bowl, Hiccup mashed a few berries and scooped out a small helping of ice cream before fixing his own serving. “Here you go, Zeph,” he said, passing her the dessert.

Zephyr let out an excited squeal.

“I know, I know, you’re happy. But shhh, don’t be too loud. We don’t wanna wake up Mama.”

After the two finished their ice cream, Hiccup quickly washed the dishes, lifted Zephyr into his arms, and carried her upstairs to fetch his paperwork. Taking care not to disturb Astrid, he blew out the candles and shuffled to the living room, where he settled onto the couch and placed the little girl in his lap.

Zephyr grabbed the bottom of the parchment and tore them, giggling.

“Zephyr!” Hiccup quietly scolded, bringing the papers out of her reach. “Why would you do that?” Despite his frustration, his tone remained calm.

The little girl offered a smile.

“I think it’s time for you to get back to bed,” he decided, standing up and settling her onto his hip.  

Rubbing her eyes, Zephyr whimpered.

“See, you’re getting grumpy,” Hiccup remarked, kissing the top of her head.

“Dada,” the baby insisted. She tugged on her father’s tunic and pointed to the couch.

Hiccup let out a sigh. “Fine, you can stay with Daddy. But only if you actually sleep.” He turned around and grabbed some furs before settling back onto the cushions and cuddling Zephyr against his chest.

The little girl cooed in satisfaction as she nestled into the furs.

“Mama will be disappointed I didn’t come to bed,” Hiccup continued. “But Thor forbid I bring you in with us. We both know she doesn’t let you spend the night with her anymore. She says you’re a big girl now, and you are, but Daddy wants to spend as much time with you as possible before you reach the age where I’m an embarrassment to you.”

Zephyr closed her eyes.

“I know, I know, I talk too much.” Hiccup tugged up the covers.

The baby let out a small grunt.

“You okay, Zeph?” He looked into her face to find that she was already drifting off to sleep. “Goodnight,” he whispered, pressing a kiss against her forehead. “I love you.”

As she continued to fall asleep, Zephyr grabbed a chunk of Hiccup’s tunic in her little fist and curled closer to him, causing a wide grin to light up his face.

Zephyr might not have been a replacement for Toothless, who he still thought about every day, but she was one of the greatest blessings the gods could have given him. Her bright blue eyes, her feisty personality that was already so much like Astrid’s, her adorable giggle. Yes, he was definitely blessed to have her as his daughter, and as he waited for sleep to overtake him, he thanked Freja for giving him such a special gift.

…

Hiccup opened his eyes as he felt Zephyr stir on his chest, signaling she was awake. Turning his face towards the window, he squinted as the sunshine hit him, prompting him to rise. It was already past dawn, and Astrid was probably already awake and wondering where the rest of her family was.

“Morning, babe!”

He grinned as he saw his wife descending the stairs, dressed and ready for the day. “Morning, milady,” he returned, making his way over to kiss her. “Sleep well without me?”

Astrid offered a small smile. “I suppose so,” she said, holding out her arms to take the baby. “And good morning to you, Zeph. You were down here with Daddy all night, huh?”

“She’s a great daughter, but a bad helper,” chuckled Hiccup, gesturing to the papers that still lay scattered over the floor.

“She’ll learn,” Astrid laughed. She pressed a kiss against Zephyr’s head. “Won’t you, sweetie?”

Zephyr cooed as she stuffed a fist into her mouth.

“Hungry?” the blonde guessed.

The little girl babbled in response.

“Well, why don’t you come cuddle with Mama while Daddy cooks something for us?”

Hiccup’s eyes widened. “What? Why me?”

“Come on, babe,” Astrid teased, delivering a gentle slap to his chest. “We all know you’re the better cook.”

“Yeah, uh…sure, but you—”

“Eggs and bacon would be great,” she cut in, winking as she turned towards her favorite chair.

Hiccup smirked. “And what do I get in exchange for this?”  

The scratch of charcoal on paper, the small, but deep scrapes of a knife on wood. Hiccup and Stoick sat at their dining table together, both working on separate projects, appreciating each other’s company despite the silence.

Hiccup was working on a drawing of Astrid. Gods, her face was beautiful. That’s what he was focusing most of his work on: her beautiful face and her lovely hair. He’d made a mistake on the previous page, but that was okay. That was practice. Paper could be expensive sometimes, but Hiccup still didn’t see it as a waste.

Stoick was working on making a set of toys for a new baby that had just been born in the village. Currently, he was carving a Gronckle. He’d thought of doing a Deadly Nadder, but the edges would be too pointy for a baby. A Gronckle was just perfect.

Toothless lay by the fire, tail over his nose. Every once in a while, he would move his tail, take a look at Hiccup and Stoick to make sure they were still there, and then go back to dozing.

It was raining outside, so it was a good day to stay indoors and work on hobbies. There wasn’t much to do around the village today. So, Hiccup and Stoick just stayed indoors and appreciated each other’s company.

“Dad, how’s that Gronckle coming along?” Hiccup asked, taking a break to scratch at his head with the end of the charcoal pencil.

“Really good, I think,” Stoick responded. He held the Gronckle out to show Hiccup. It had its basic shape, and Stoick was going to begin working on some of the details. “What do you think?”

“I think I’d like to paint it after,” Hiccup said. “If that’s alright with you.” He had some small brushes he could use for it. It wasn’t very big, being given to a baby and all.

Stoick chuckled a little, nodded. “Yeah, sure. Are you going to paint all the toys I’m making for this child?”

“Maybe,” Hiccup said. He liked painting, hadn’t done it in a little bit.

Stoick set down his knife for the moment, opened and closed his hand to get the muscles to uncramp. Hiccup was familiar with that exercise himself. Sometimes his hand cramped while drawing.

“May I see what you’re working on?” Stoick asked.

Hiccup blushed a little, but showed his father anyway. Stoick smiled and nodded at the picture of Astrid. The two weren’t officially together, had only kissed a few times, but Stoick understood how Hiccup felt for her.

“Very good, Hiccup,” Stoick responded. “I like it.”

“Thank you.” Hiccup turned the sketchbook back to himself. He stuck his tongue between his teeth, continued working.