Archive of Our Own ^beta

Viggo Grimborn was not a simple man. He worked in business, operated an entire empire, and led his tribe into their glory days of dragon hunting. He had many things. Resources, for one. Men, armadas, clients, dragons. But there was something he didn't have: A lover.

Viggo wasn't one who easily loved; in fact, he often tried to avoid such a feeling as much as he could. His passion lay in the art of the hunt, in the playing of the Game. Nothing peaked him more than a worthy adversary.

And, if you truly knew him, you'd know the only thing that attracted Viggo was intelligence. This was the reason for his latest problem.

His obsession over one Hiccup Haddock.

He hadn't meant for it to happen, of course not. But, after months of rivalry and increasing stakes in a dangerous Game, it was inevitable. All of Viggo's enemies barely lasted more than a month before they crumbled to his strategy and might. All of them. But this… young man had proven to be resilient and clever beyond all reasoning. He was a challenge.

Viggo loved challenges.

And sometimes? Viggo had to remind his challengers just how much they meant to him.

"What do you want, Viggo."

"Oh, many things, My Dear. And, I'm sure considering the state of your riders, you will be more than amicable to them."

Hiccup stared at Viggo with blatant hate on this face. He couldn't do anything, not now at least. He was tied to the chair across from Viggo in the man's personal quarters, for gods' sake.

"I don't care what you want, you perverted, sick, sorry excuse of a-"

"That's quite enough out of you, I assure you. I know exactly what I am, and I also know that you are more than willing. You always are."

"Well, maybe you should be ready to be disappointed because I'm not-"

Viggo cut him off, sighing.

"I have all of your comrades tied in a much less forgiving fashion than you are now, Dear, and if you behave, I'll even let a healer tend to them."

Hiccup paled considerably. He shouldn't have been surprised, Hel, he was even partially suspecting it, but it still horrified him to know that these were his friends Viggo was playing god with.

"What did you do."

Viggo then had the gall to smirk, leaning closer to Hiccup's face. Hiccup wanted badly to bite his nose.

"Why, nothing they won't recover from after some rest and stitches. Now, if you'd like them to receive such treatment, you'll do as I say, and nothing less."

"Fine." Hiccup bit out.

"Excellent."

Hiccup Haddock wished many times over he could say he was a virgin. Hel, he was supposed to be one in order to get properly married. Unfortunately for him, however, such a thing had been stolen from him too long ago for him to be in denial.

He was no innocent man.

"On your hands and knees."

Gods, was this happening to him? Of course, it was. He didn't know what he did in his past lives, but surely the gods hated him for it.

Hiccup squeezed his eyes shut in dread and bit his lip hard to keep from making a protesting sound. He knew better than that by now.

He lowered himself to the rough floor and took a second to feel the dry, scratchy wooden grain beneath his fingers. Oh, this time was sure to leave bruises on his knees and arms. At least he knew his friends were getting treatment. Gods, when they all got out of this, he was going to hug each and every one of them even though he could hardly stand the idea of being touched right now and make damn sure they got enough rest and recovery.

He would hold Astrid and breathe in her calming, wonderful, not Viggo's scent and let her presence take him far away from all the horrors swirling in his head; away from what he knew he was going to have to endure.

Maybe, in her arms, he could pretend that love was a beautiful thing. Something to cherish and hold onto as it bloomed into a glorious, resounding declaration of devotion and care.

Certainly, Viggo's love was anything but.

He wished he could say this was the first time he'd had to do this, but the truth was far from it. Hiccup was willing to nigh anything in order to protect his loved ones. Even this.

Every time he had the choice between their lives and wellness versus his pain, he'd let himself take the brunt of it every time. He didn't know what was easier to deal with. The physical torturing or… whatever this was. Some days, he'd look at his reflection in still water and think he'd have preferred enduring the whip or bludgeon again to having to go through these dehumanizing rituals of lust. It was simpler to deal with. Hardly any strings attached. He even had a process for how he dealt with it. Apply pressure to bleeding parts. If possible, elevate nasty injuries. Pop any dislocated joints back into place. Stitch gaping wounds. Apply salve to cuts and burns. Bandage. Chew on some willow bark for the pain.

It wasn't easy, but it was simple. Methodical. Something he could almost shut his brain off for. He'd gotten into many scrapes as a child on Berk, this was hardly his first go around having to treat himself. There was a reason Gothi gave him a private supply of medical equipment, poultices, salves and bandages.

Long enough as the unwanted runt of Berk, he had to become friendly with the idea that no one was going to patch him up after he got hurt. Especially if it was suspected to be his own doing.

"I'm going to let you have us of your arms now. I trust you know what to do with them."

Numbly, all Hiccup could do was nod. What was the point of struggling? He was in a vulnerable position in the first place, and even if he could somehow manage to escape Viggo's quarters, where would he go? His friends were detained Thor knows where, and he didn't have a good way to get to them without being instantly attacked by the sips' crew. The dragons were no easier; he knew Viggo would immediately separate the dragons from their bondeds, and thus they would be somewhere else in the armada. Oh gods, Toothless must be losing his mind right now.

Hiccup braced as he felt Viggo's knife which was way too close for comfort slide between his bonds and gently sawed at the rope. A few precise cuts, and he could feel circulation returning full force to his arms again. He shuddered.

"Now, do I have to tell you to start stripping, or shall I do it myself?"

Hiccup kept his gaze dead ahead, and gritted his teeth as he answered.

"I'll do it myself, you son of a half-troll."

From Hiccup's perspective, he couldn't see Viggo's eyebrows raise in amusement.

"Getting creative with your snips, aren't you, My Dear Hiccup? Glad to see your snark has not left you. Spending time with your intended, I see."

How did Viggo know that?! It wasn't even public knowledge on Berk! They hadn't even exchanged betrothal gifts!

…

He'd finally grown a backbone and asked Astrid for her hand after his kidnapping. After so long apart, and a week of frantic negotiating, searching, and dread, they had realized, for better or worse, they never wanted to live without the other by their side.

Hiccup had almost confessed after the Scourge of Odin fiasco, but he wanted to make sure Astrid felt the same before he breached the baseline of friendship they had built between them. He just needed to find the perfect moment.

After being kidnapped and bruised and battered by a dozen different captors for days, he realized that he might never be able to say goodbye to her, much less confess his love. It was a terrible realization.

After they were safe on the edge again, they had held each other for the entire night, not daring to let go for more than a minute. He looked into her eyes, and they barely needed words to understand the weight of what came next.

"A-Astrid, are we… can I-"

"Hiccup, " She closed her eyes and took a deep breath for a second, before starting again. "You told me you couldn't live in a world without me, and… and I just can't imagine the world without you. I know we've been skating around it for a while now, but I have never been so sure of something in my life. Do you- MMPHH-"

He cut her off, pulling her open lips to his in a gentle, affirmative kiss.

The, Yes, I fucking do, Astrid, went unspoken, but was certainly felt.

He pulled back just so he could look at her again, a soft and fond smile etched on his face.

She let out a breathless laugh, her eyes tracing over him. "Well, I guess I could get used to that."

"Astrid. That's my line."

She pulled him into another kiss, this one searing with passion.

"Glad we agree."

The rest of that night was spent with loving touches and softly murmured affections and promises.

The next morning, when they woke to find themselves still tangled in the other, they had smiled at each other before pulling the blankets tighter.

If they just so happened to hear a BANG coming from the Twins' hut, they didn't pay it any mind. As far as they were concerned, the day could stand to wait for a little longer.

…

Hiccup was snapped to the present by a hand digging into his hair.

"Had enough daydreaming, My Dear? Or shall I make it hurt more?"

Fuck, he hated this man.

"Oh, you've got it all wrong, Viggo." He drawled. "You see, I was just plotting how much I'd love to kick you right where the sun doesn't shine and walk right out of here with my- OUGH!"

Hiccup wheezed as he felt a boot connect with his stomach.

"Don't test me, Haddock. You know we both won't enjoy the outcome."

Right. This was why he shouldn't let his anger get the best of him.

"Now," Viggo laced a hand around Hiccup's waist, leaning into his left ear. "Let's not make things more difficult, no?"

Hiccup covered Viggo's hand with his own, glaring at the floor below him.

"Fuck. You."

He felt Viggo's mouth quirk into a grin as he retracted his hand. "Why, yes indeed. That is precisely what I intend to do."

Hiccup could feel his heart screaming at him as he loosened his belt. This isn't right!

"That's it. What a good boy you are."

Hiccup bit back a retort, his tongue protesting his sharp teeth.

His hands trembled as he untied the laces on his pants. Gods, he wished he was almost anywhere but here.

He shuddered through a shaky exhalation as he felt the cold kiss of air against his bare skin as he pulled down his leggings.

Viggo hummed appreciatively, and ran his cool hands over the bared flesh.

"See? It doesn't have to be difficult. Isn't it so much easier to obey rather than command?"

"I'd rather die a loyal, altruistic leader than a cowardly, morally unsound subordinate, Viggo."

"That you would, but that's not today, is it?"

"No. I suppose it's not."

"Glad we could come to an agreement, My Dear."

Hiccup wanted to scream as his shoulders were pushed down, having to brace himself against the wood boards with his arms.

He let out an unstable breath. He needed to relax, it was impossible to… if possible, or else this would hurt all the more for it.

He felt as Viggo removed one of his hands from his back and heard the clink of his belt hitting the floor. The rustle of fabric behind him.

"I'm going to enjoy this."

Hiccup squeezed his eyes shut in dread.

Iron-like arms hoisted his thighs high into the air, forcing Hiccup into a table top position. Doing it from behind was one of Viggo's favourites. Hiccup hated it.

One of Viggo's other favourites was tying him to the bed and looking him in the eyes as he did it. Hiccup wasn't sure which one of these options he loathed the least. The upside to being on the bed was that it was softer than the ground, but the cons. Oh, the cons. The wolf-like stare of an apex predator looming over him removed anything remotely soft and comfortable about the situation immediately.

Hiccup was trying to sike himself up for the inevitable sharp sensation that was coming. That was one thing that never changed, no matter how many times he'd been put through this.

He felt a hardness poking him from the behind and inhaled sharply. Here we go…

"AH!"

Like a sharpened stake, he was impaled. Gods, he was so big. As thick as a sword handle, at least. He knew. He had forged many.

Viggo's hands clamped down hard on his hips, holding him firmly in place.

He arched his spine, shaking as excruciatingly, Viggo pushed himself further into him.

It was a huge obtrusion, and Hiccup almost felt like Viggo's dick was rearranging his insides. If he wasn't nauseous before, he certainly was now…

"Excellent, my dear. You're doing such a good job taking me."

"D-don't h-AH-ve much choice, d-do I?"

"No, I suppose you don't."

"Wouldn't want this to be-EEH consensual, would we?"

Viggo grunted. He was almost sheathed fully in that delicious, tight heat.

"That would be where you are wrong, Dear Hiccup. You consented almost as soon as I offered."

"Th-that's not the same… I- I don't want this-ss" Hiccup hissed as he felt Viggo impossibly deep inside him. Gods, he could feel his abdomen expanding to accommodate the size. It made him feel full, like he had had an abnormally large supper. He took in a big gulp of air, hands scrapping the floor for purchase, and squirmed as he felt the pressure increase.

Viggo let out a low moan as he fully seated himself inside Hiccup. "Ah, but you see, I want this very much."

All Hiccup could do was keen as Viggo pulled Hiccup closer with an steely grip. The friction was immense. The pain? More so.

"You make beautiful sounds, my dearest. But remember, I don't do well with complaining or crying. None of that from you."

"Y-es."

"Good."

Viggo began to roll his hips, making his cock move about inside Hiccup, hitting every possible place he could find.

"Ah.. AH.. Ough.. V-Viggooo wh-whyyYYY?!"

"I enjoy it, really, to see you come apart like this. It also," Viggo paused as he grunted in poorly concealed pleasure, "Feels fucking amazing. I assure you, dear Hiccup, that no woman has ever felt like this for me."

And wasn't that fucking fantastic? Not only does he get used like a woman, but he gets compared to one too. Thor, the degradation would never stop, would it? Hiccup respected women, he did. Astrid was one. Mala was one. Two of his closest friends were one. But to be taken, so completely and utterly, and then compared to the opposite sex? Hiccup wasn't having it.

In his mind, his last dredges of boyhood protested loudly against this, but Hiccup knew he had no choice. Here, in Viggo's chambers, on Viggo's floor, he was no Player in this Game, he was a piece. Meant for nothing more than to be manipulated, used, and abused as the real Player saw fit.

"Ah, ah, ah, Hiccup," Viggo reprimanded, "Don't think I don't notice you aren't participating!"

Shit. Just when Hiccup thought he could get out of this and try to disassociate.

"You've taken my cock enough to know what you like. Ride it like you do with those dragons of those. I know you are quite the rider, if I do say so myself."

Hiccup used all his willpower to move his hips against Viggo's pelvis, his face screwing up in pure pain, not that Viggo would be able to see it.

"Come on Dear, let's pick up the pace."

And so they went faster. For Hiccup, it was agony incarnate. All he could feel was the p a i n …

He felt like he was being ripped from the inside out. Hiccup covered his mouth with one of his hands to hold in most of his cries, wet tears dripping down his face and arms like salty rain as he tries to squeeze his eyes shut and block out everything that was happening. He knew the outcome would only be worse if he showed how much he was suffering.

As they moved, obscenely lewd sounds starting filling the room, helping to over up what little of Hiccup's choked screams and sounds of pain could be heard over his attempt to stay quiet.

He knew there would be bleeding, this time. It was inevitable, with how much he was being battered and bruised, his trembling form pushed to its limits in a crude act that could've never been associated with the term 'love-making.'

Lust and possession didn't even begin to cover it. Hiccup, silent as he could be in his suffering, endured while he was being used for someone else's sinful pleasure.

Viggo finished in him twice in that position, Hiccup being too light-headed to even notice how long they'd been at it.

As his vision darkened, he felt a soft thumb tracing his cheekbone in a mockery of a lover's touch.

"Oh, my Dear Heart, I'm afraid our Game is far from over; I'm nowhere near done with you yet."

The last thing he saw was the devil's grin, ominous and knowing, as he drifted into unconsciousness.

The Riders were scared.

When they were loaded onto Viggo's ships, they were all put into separate cells, wrists and legs tied with rope.

Five different cells, five different Riders. A sixth cell stood empty in the hold.

Hiccup.

Gods, they were terrified for him. More so than for themselves. Every single time they'd been captured, they'd never once been too seriously hurt, all of them except for Hiccup.

Viggo had seemingly taken a personal interest in him, for whatever reason, and that meant that their precious leader came back with more cuts and bruises and fatigue than they knew what to do with. What did Viggo even do to him?

The Hunter Guards were rough to an incredible degree. Thrown into their cells, gagged, the whole shtick. And just when they thought it would get much worse, Ryker showed up.

"Well, you lot are a sorry sight."

Astrid squirmed in her bonds, yelling through the gag.

"Well, if you've got something to say so bad, then say it! Gods, I'm not paid well enough for this."

He slid a small dagger dangerously close to Astrid's eye as he ripped the gag from her face, cutting through the fabric.

"WHERE ARE YOU KEEPING HIM? WHERE IS HICCUP?"

"Ah. Feisty. Don't worry, little girl, you'll see Viggo's toy soon enough." He grinned with teeth. "It's really dependent on him, you see." He pocketed the dagger and unsheathed one of his larger blades, examining it.

The other Riders made outraged sounds through their bonds, squirming as if they could beat Ryker to a pulp if they thought about it hard enough.

Astrid's gaze on him sharpened tenfold.

"Let him go."

"Oh, well, you see, it's not really up to me. THAT's something you'd have to take up with my brother, and trust me, we both don't want that." Ryker examined his long, jagged blade, testing the sharpness on the pad of his thumb.

"I swear, whatever you want with him, I can do it. Just let him go, and I'll come without complaint, and you can have your damn lenses or whatever the fuck you want."

"HAH! Tempting, but no. What Viggo wants with him, well, I'd rather not put it into words around your delicate ears. Not fitting for a young lady, no?"

"YOU RAT EATING MUNGE BU- MRPHGH!"

"Andddd that's enough of that!" Ryker proclaimed as he shoved the gag's fabric into Astrid's mouth once more. "Now, since you've gotten that out of your system, you are going to go EXACTLY what I say."

Astrid gave him her most heated glare. Ryker flipped one of his blades in the air and caught it by the handle in one hand.

"This is going to be fun."

…

It hurt, was all Astrid could think. Over the last hour, she and her fellow Riders had taken several beatings and cuts to their arms. They were sedated by Odin knows what and had little control over their limbs, not even regarding their slashes and cuts. Their gags had been removed at some point after the Hunters figured they would do little more than scream. Some of them needed stitches. All of them needed rest.

Apparently, some God in Asgard heard their pleas because at that moment, a medic walked into the room, carrying gauze, thread, and other medical equipment. It wasn't much, but it was something more than any of them dared.

As the medic came to Fishlegs, he meekly asked, "Why?"

The medic looked at him wide-eyed and silent, glancing to the hall.

Ryker stepped out of the shadows.

"I hope you all are enjoying the treatment. Quite the luxury, I must say. Most prisoners do not get this."

"Then why us?" Ruffnut demanded.

"Why, courtesy of Hiccup Haddock, I suppose."

All the Riders paled.

"Oh gods…" murmured Snotlout, in horror of what his cousin might have done. Astrid gripped the bars as strongly as she could in her weak state.

"What did he do?"

"Oh, no small feat, I assure you."

"What did he-" Astrid's sentence was choked off with a hacking cough.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

Ryker watched them for a while, while the medic did their work, to make sure they didn't escape. Not that they'd make it more than a few feet, but still…

The medic packed their bags and gave a tiny nod to Ryker, signaling they were done for the day.

Ryker returned the nod. He addressed the Riders with a sneer, "You can expect to be released in about a week." Ryker turned away, and just as he crossed the doorway, he paused, turning his head slightly towards the Riders, expression subtly thoughtful. "You know, it's a shame, how things went. I was hoping the boy would have lasted longer. I like it when they scream."

Ryker left the Riders as they shook their cages and demanded to see Hiccup. They were not his problem. Not anymore.

It was a week later when they brought Hiccup to them. They didn't even realize it at first.

A hunter walked in, carrying something red over his shoulder. They couldn't quiet tell what it was, until Tuffnut gasped as he recognized his leader's auburn hair, matted and bloodstained.

Without much care for ceremony, the hunter dropped the body into the middle of the hold, in view of all the cages.

The body, they could tell it was a body, landed on it's back, arms splayed like a broken doll.

Astrid looked at his face, smeared with red, the tracks of tears visible down his cheeks, and started sobbing. It was at this moment that the other Riders realized who it was.

"No, no, no, no, no-" Fishlegs started rambling.

Astrid looked in horror at her beloved's blankly staring eyes, fixed on the ceiling and not moving. He- he looked dead.

Blood was smeared on him, especially running down his legs. It was impossible not to note that he was missing his prosthetic. Rings of red marks and bruises formed around his wrists and ankles and even his neck, like shackles. His boot was also missing.

Then, the hunter pulled a mechanism in the wall that unlocked the cage doors all at once, and walked away.

The Riders flooded around Hiccup, keeping a foot of distance away, terrified of what they might discover if they touched him. They watched his chest slowly rise and fall, and realized, with a world-breaking amount of relief, that he was still alive.

Next problem: He was unresponsive. Eyes dead, breathing slow. Limp.

Carved into the inner flesh of his right arm, was the word V I G G O.

Astrid scooped her boy up into her arms and cried over him, resting her head on his chest and letting her tears wet his shirt.

She took his hand into hers. She rocked him like she would a child, like she eventually would with Their child, when the day would come, and whispered to him.

"Come back to me, my love."

She stilled when she felt his hand tenderly start to squeeze hers.

"Oh my gods."

She looked up at the others crowding around her. Tuffnut looked green. Fishlegs was paler than snow. Snotlout looked like he might faint. Ruffnut looked uncharacteristically serious.

Ruffnut met Astrid's eyes. "Astrid, they can't keep doing this to him."

"I know."

"B-but what are we supposed to do?"

Before Astrid could reply, a quiet voice sounded from her lap.

"Nothing."

Everyone's eyes shot down to Hiccup, his eyes clearer, looking at Ruffnut.

"Hiccup!"

"H-hey, guys, how've you been?"

Astrid couldn't help herself from crying anew while she glared at him.

"What the HEL was that? What were you thinking?!"

"I was thinking you guys needed treatment, so I did what I could?"

"You idiot!"

"Well, the plus side is Viggo is letting us go now, sooo…"

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III. What. Did. He. Do."

Hiccup eyes became blank and glassy for a second before they refocused. "I can't talk about it right now."

Snotlout opened his mouth in protest, before Tuffnut slapped his hand over it with a hard, wide-eyed look.

Okay, Astrid. One step at a time. Astrid thought, letting out a puff of air through her mouth. "Let's just get out of here, okay?" 

Everyone nodded. Fishlegs, one of the strongest, offered to carry Hiccup. Astrid wanted to protest, but as she got to her feet, she recognized her difficulty staying upright. As much as she wanted to hold Hiccup, his safety came first, and right now, she didn't trust herself not to stumble while carrying him.

As they made their way through the ship, no hunters stopped them.

"Hey cuz?"

"Yeah, Snotlout?" Hiccup tiredly responded.

"Don't do that freaky corpse thing again. It freaked me the fuck out."

Hiccup bit his sore lips for a few seconds, and quietly whispered as he closed his eyes, "I have my reasons."

Fishlegs looked down in worry, but Hiccup was resting his eyes. Well, THAT's certainly something to address later… he thought. But not right now.

Eventually, they were off and flying back to the Edge. Hiccup had fallen asleep, and was now once again cradled by Astrid as she flew Toothless. The dragon had refused to leave without his Boy on his back, and Astrid had the most experience flying Toothless, clumsy as she was. She profusely thanked Past Hiccup for making her learn how to operate the rigging.

It was a silent flight, with many concerned looks thrown the black dragon's way as the others caught glimpses of auburn hair fluttering in the wind.

Astrid looked back down, where Viggo's fleet was disappearing underneath the low-lying cloud cover.

It was the golden hour, and the sun was beginning to kiss the sea in a shining display of explosive color. Pillows of clouds erupted around them, and it brought tears to Astrid's eyes.

She was thrown back to her very first flight with Toothless. Her very first flight with Him. Soaring through the clouds, touching the sky, and wrapping her arms around the small village boy in front of her that had made it happen. The one that had changed her world, and now, made up so much of it.

She truly couldn't imagine herself with Hiccup. It wasn't possible.

Maybe that's why this felt so wrong. To be mirroring her first flight, with him unconscious in her arms. He should be seeing the shimmering light of their escape. She gazed at his sleeping face. His features were mostly lax, yet somehow, he looked stressed even in his rest. She'd need to see about getting him a proper nap and something soothing to drink when they got home.

Stormfly flew up next to Astrid, looking at her rider in admiration and, possibly, a hint of impatience.

"I know, girl. I'll take you out for a proper ride soon," She adjusted the bundle of Hiccup in her arms, "but right now, I've got to show him all the love he's been missing for the last week."

Stormfly crooned at Hiccup, looking at him in obvious concern.

"It's bad."

Stormfly chirped. Astrid liked to think that was her dragon's way of agreeing with her.

Sometimes she wondered just how much the dragons understood them. Hiccup should know. He talked to them like humans companions, and responded seemingly directly to their trills and calls as if he understood exactly what they were saying. Astrid let her thoughts wander for a moment, grateful for the distraction.

Do dragons have a language of their own? I'll have to ask Hiccup as soon as… she sobered at the thought.

She looked down at him again, noticing the way his freckles stood out against his pale skin. She had the rag from her gag… should she clean him up a bit? It was a bit gross, but she didn't have anything better.

Hiccup won't mind that it's been in your mouth… NO! Bad Astrid! Save those thoughts for later! She scolded herself. Regardless of circumstance, Hiccup usually preferred being cleaner than not.

She sighed. It was going to be a longer flight anyway. She might as well give her hands something to do, as she tried not to ruminate on what had befallen her betrothed while they were captured.

You'll be okay, Hiccup. I promise.

As they were nearing the Edge, Hiccup stirred in Astrid's arms. He panicked for a moment, movements sharp and alert, before melting into her embrace and hiding his face in her shoulder.

"Astrid?" Hiccup whispered, choking on the word.

"I'm here Hiccup." She assured.

They dismounted Toothless, and she set his feet on the ground. She wanted him to have the option of walking if he wanted to, and if he was capable. He stumbled as he tried to bear his own weight on his legs for the first time in over a day. Toothless nudged him, offering his head as a support.

"O-oh, thanks bud," Hiccup turned to look towards Astrid, who was studying him as he moved. "I- I'm sorry-"

"For what?"

"Viggo. He… I…" Me made a pained face, eyes screwing tight against memories only he could see. He swayed, too much for Astrid's liking, and she reached out to steady him in her arms.

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Hiccup." Astrid said to him, as she started to stroke his hair in gentle caresses, careful not to overwhelm him.

Hiccup let out an, in his opinion, pathetic whimper into her tunic.

Astrid looked down at him, tracing over the dark circles and signs of abuse and fatigue littered over his form. "What do you need right now, Babe?"

"I- I need you to erase His touch."

"Oh, Hiccup," Astrid murmured. "Let's get you right to bed."

Astrid hooked her arms under his knees, and after a quick nod of confirmation, hoisted him into her arms, bridal style. She softly hummed under her breath as they made their way up to Hiccup's hut.

Careful not to disturb him too much, she climbed the steps and laid him out onto the bed.

"Do you want-" She started.

"Yes. Please."

"Okay. I can do that, Babe."

Astrid reached down and gingerly untied and took off his prosthetic. She knew it bothered him when he slept. She then climbed in, in front of Hiccup, and pulled the blanket over them. She buried her face into the crook of his neck and gently slid her arms around him, coaxing him to do the same.

"Shhh. I'm here. You're here. We're safe right now."

Hiccup breathed in her warmth and nestled his nose into her golden blond hair. Astrid would never violate him. He trusted her completely.

"I- I'm sorry, I couldn't stop him a-and I had to make sure you were safe and-"

"Shhh. Less repenting and more cuddling. You know how I like it."

"O-okay, Milady. I can do that."

He started to run his hands through her long, silk like hair. She hummed in pleasure at the action. The sound was soft. Sweet. So unlike what he had dealt with on Viggo's ship. It felt both grounding and unreal at the same time.

"Hiccup, I can hear your thinking from here. Gods above, I love you too, but for the sake of Odin, but a cork in it and get to sleep."

"O-oh, you want to sleep? Like, right now?"

"Yes, right now. You are ridiculously cuddly and are my favorite pillow. Now shush."

"Oh, that's all I am to you; a pillow, huh?"

"Mm hmm. Yep. That's my Hiccup. Soft, huggable, ridiculously comfortable, kind, courageous, and kinda hot too."

"Hmm. I think I like this Hiccup person," He softly murmured.

"As you should. Now, what did I say earlier?"

"Shut up and go to sleep?"

"Exactly. Fiancés need their beauty rest, you know?"

Hiccup's eyes shot open at the comment. "Guhh… right…" He slurred.

"Oh, you poor thing, so sleepy you can't even think straight!" She teased.

"Whoa, that's not what I meant-"

"Yes, Hiccup. I am your betrothed." Astrid deadpanned. "Case closed. And you know what that means? I'm going to be here for you: highs, lows, any other weird place you end up. I won't let you suffer in silence any longer, not when I'm around. I love you Hiccup Haddock, and I can't imagine a world without you in it."

"I love you too. More than the world. More than anything except Toothless."

"You're the sweetest, best thing that ever happened to me, and don't forget it! Now, can we PLEASE go to sleep?"

"Well, how can I say no to Milady?"

"Damn right."

"…"

"…"

"Hey, Astrid?" He whispered.

"Yeah, Hiccup?"

"I love you."

"I know."

…

fin.