Work Text:
“It's look interesting. It's your idea?” she asked her husband, who was cutting strips out of thick leather with great concentration.
Astrid was leaning against the pillar with her legs stretched comfortably forward. She wore a loose tunic, leggings, and light summer boots - it had been a warm, pleasant evening on the island that she had spent in the smithy accompany with Hiccup. He wasted no time and just worked hard. She explained to him that they have to time, but he insisted.
He has worked hard on various projects and has devoted most of his heart to plans to prepare their home for a baby that will be born in a few months.
When she told him that he was in a hurry too much, Hiccup answered her one thing:
“The longest days are behind us. Praise the gods it has not snowed yet. I cannot waste this time on nonsense. I have to take care of you and the baby.”
Repeatedly.
After a few tries, she quit and began looking for an occupation for herself - unfortunately, Hiccup and the rest of the village (literally) also forbade her to do anything with at least a minimal risk. They did not want her to hurt herself. Someone had to be beside her when she was coming down the stairs. It was absurd.
But she really was not complaining. It was so new to her... Besides, she thought excessive caution could hurt. However, she did not want to get angry and quarrel with those who only wanted good for her and the unborn baby.
“Let's say I saw it somewhere,” he replied after a moment, then straightened up and looked at her. He smiled warmly at her. “I can't imagine you or me would still carry this baby in our arms. It will be much more comfortable to wear it as you now - close, steady, with your hands free.” He walked over to her, holding the cut strips in his hand. He held it up so she could watch them. “My mom will take care of securing and finishing them. It was her idea. Apparently, she was carrying me in a baby carrier like this.”
“Baby carrier. Sounds cute,” she admitted.
Hiccup set the stripes aside and looked at her. He put his hands on either side of her stomach, his eyes focused on her. Astrid smiled as her heart flooded with the familiar warmth of her family, love, and concern from her husband. She looked at him - he looked relaxed, but Astrid immediately thought that he would need a bath and a razor; he had dusty hair, charcoal smeared on his cheek and forehead, and stubble that irritated her every time he kissed her or pressed his face against her neck or nape.
“What’s up?” he asked, still not looking at her belly. He kept massaging her skin with his thumbs.
She rolled her eyes, sensitive with his impatience and curiosity. She knew what he meant.
“Since I am here with you, a baby is calm. I think, it is sleeping or hiding from you,” she replied, unable to contain a laugh.
Hiccup muttered with disappointment.
“I have been hunting for several days to feel how it moves. Why does he never do this in front of me?” he continued massaging her belly as if to summon the baby.
It was true - some time ago Astrid felt the first clear movements of the baby. She could not feel them at hand, but there was no doubt that she had a tenant in her. She could not describe it because she did not know the feeling that would perfectly describe such a child's movements. Of course, as soon as Hiccup found out about this, he could not let her go. Sometimes for hours when he could afford it, he would sit with her, and pressed his hand and ear on her stomach.
He had never felt these movements.
And the baby began to move when Astrid had to move to the side or change position.
“It’s stubborn after you, babe. I'm so sorry,” she covered the back of his hand with her own. She squeezed his fingers. “Be patient, I promise you'll feel them eventually,” she said softly, reassuringly.
“I hope so,” he muttered, then sighed in resignation and looked at her face.
She gave him a warm, loving smile.
He kissed her forehead.
“Time to go. You must be tired,” he said, hugging her gently.
Astrid threw her arms over his shoulders and narrowed her eyes at him.
“Come on! I think, you are more tired,” she replied, laughing softly.
Hiccup looked at her resentfully, but for a long time he could not help but smile.
Since Astrid was with him, he felt much better. He was less stressed, and time passed more slowly when he had her with him. He honestly hated it when the day slipped through his fingers - the rush of chores and preparations for winter filled every gap in his already busy schedule. Therefore, spending time with Astrid and their yet unborn child was something that gave him a moment of respite.
“I think I'll finish the cradle in a few days,” he said, walking over to the desk where the projects he was working on were laid out. “You'll like it,” he added happily.
“I can't wait,” she admitted honestly. Hiccup would not tell her anything; she guessed she was going to have a big surprise. Her husband was able to surprise her, especially when it came to handicrafts.
Astrid leaned more comfortably against the pillar behind her back and massaged her stomach. She looked down at her hands. She could still see her feet but knew that would change in a few weeks. She grew more and more every day, which made her happy. The beginning of pregnancy was troublesome for her - she could not eat much, and vomiting stopped only recently (unfortunately not for good).
She began to gain weight and her well-being improved enough to allow her to resume her daily activities.
As Hiccup cleaned his workplace, she closed her eyes and relished the feeling of closeness and connection she had with this child. Astrid celebrated every moment, even the smallest one, to enjoy her unique state. Yes, it was difficult, but it was not the most important thing... She knew that even if it were difficult for her, someday, in a few years, when they had a bunch of children, she would miss about it.
She never thought that focusing on her breathing and thinking about their baby would make her feel presence of a baby. And it so intensely.
Astrid flinched and suddenly straightened. Her eyes widened and she held her breath as she hurriedly massaged her stomach. She could even have sworn she felt a movement near her hand that had not been like anything before. She must have looked terrified because a worried Hiccup was watching her closely.
He put the bag down and walked the distance between them in two quick steps.
“Honey, are you okay?” The concern in his voice was endearing, so typical of him.
Astrid swallowed loudly and corrected hair that fell over her face. Those few seconds of silence made Hiccup dizzy.
Before he could say anything, she reached for his hand and placed it where he could feel the greatest, most intense movement.
His expression changed from worried to surprised and then to confusion. But he did not withdraw his hand, looked at her, at his fingers gripping the fabric of her tunic.
“Wait...” she whispered.
At that moment, he did not care about everything. The whole world would disappear into thin air, the village would burn, and he would not be there. He could feel nothing but the hard beating of his heart, her hot, rapid breath against his neck, and that little movement he could feel at his hand.
His baby's movement.
“Oh gods...” he whispered, barely finding the strength to utter any words. “It's really...?” he asked without taking his eyes off his fingers.
“Say hi, Hiccup. I'm sure a baby can feel you,” she said, her voice breaking. It was so sweet to see her husband experience this for the first time with such excitement. With these extreme emotions, she wanted to cry.
She put her hands to her sides and directed her stomach towards him, revealing herself more. The baby moved harder than before, apparently reacting to the mother's change of position. Hiccup sensed it too, for he immediately looked at Astrid. His eyes shone with tears and excitement. Her husband's expression screamed: “This is our baby!”
Hiccup only now fully believed that Astrid was really carrying their baby. Until now, it had seemed so surreal to him - he had seen her body change, but he could not understand with his mind that a living human lived in her. That is why he wanted so much to feel the baby move. He knew Astrid could sense them already, but he was unable to break through all these barriers. Until finally, after so many long days of waiting, he felt his baby's clear and courageous movements.
Both were close to tears.
He could not help himself, so he just fell to his knees in front of her and, still with his hand on her stomach, placed a few quick, tender kisses against her skin hidden under a layer of cloth. Astrid cried, no longer able to control her emotions.
“Hey, buddy,” he whispered, then slipped his hand under her tunic. He stroked the taut skin of her belly with his thumb. The little one must have felt the movement because it was moving again in that place. “I'm glad you finally stopped hiding from me,” he said jokingly. He could hardly hold back crying. He felt Astrid gently dig her fingers into his hair. “I love you very, very much,” he confessed.
Although these words were directed mainly a baby he was talking to, Astrid felt that a large part of them was addressed to her.
She ran her thumb over his forehead.
“Your mommy and I can't wait to see you, sweetheart,” he rolled up the tunic fabric and kissed gently to her belly. “Hope you are well there. Be good to your mom, okay? She does so much for you…”
“Oh, come on,” she said softly. Hiccup had always appreciated her, even when she was doing what nature had created her to do.
For Astrid, listening to his whispers, that quiet conversation he had with their baby was like the most beautiful, calm melody that would always ring in her head when she felt safe and loved. When she felt like home.
She had never imagined it; she could not understand what waiting for a baby was. Now she understood and felt, somewhere deep in her heart, everything she could not even name.
They were family - together they created what was already a new life.
Looking at him, she could not help but smile. The warmth that radiated from his body, from the gestures he had given her and their child, was so pleasant that Astrid managed to lose herself in it, forgetting the whole world around them.
Only the soft murmur from the side of the forge entrance caught her attention. Astrid looked in that direction. Her lips were still twisted into a warm smile.
Valka and Gobber were standing in the entrance, interrupting the lively discussion as soon as they saw a view painted in front of them. Astrid nodded to kneeling Hiccup and shrugged. She did not have to say anything because the two newcomers knew what she meant.
Valka smiled brightly at her and put a hand on Gobber's shoulder, urging him to leave. She did not want to disturb them at such an important moment. The older woman immediately remembered the day she had to deal with it - with the insistence of her husband, who waited impatiently for the baby's movements while still in her womb.
Astrid saw Gobber about to say something but cut him off before the words left his mouth. His lower lip was trembling, and the blonde was sure their old friend would cry soon.
Once they were alone, she glanced again at her husband, who was pressing his cheek against her belly. His hands cupped her hips, pulling her closer to him. His eyes were open, slightly narrowed. He was focused, listening.
“I think baby got bored of it already,” he said softly, a bit disappointed.
Astrid stroked his cheek and temple.
“He's still awake, but take it easy, I can assure you, this is just the beginning,” she laughed.
She remembered Valka telling her, warning her while she would have enough of the baby's movements. Especially when she will be trying to fall asleep or rest peacefully.
Hiccup got up from his knees and dusted his trousers and tunic. His eyes shone with pure happiness. He was calm.
By the time they got home, Hiccup had embraced her tenderly and placed a few short, sweet kisses on her lips. In his heart, he hoped that even today, before they fell asleep, he would be able to re-feel those wonderful movements that were clear evidence that they would soon be parents.