HICCUP'S POV

I lay in bed that morning not wanting to get up and prepare for the day just yet. Today was suppose to be extravagant and exciting. The village had been buzzing about it for weeks. My joy had left a few days ago. For me, it was the day I put on a smile and hope for the best. I thought back to a few mornings ago when I had made the biggest decision of my life; besides befriending the enemy five years ago.
🐉
I sat in the kitchen doodling, listening to my mother clanking and clambering around the room.

"What's on your mind Honey?" She asked not looking at me.

"Huh?" I said taken aback just a little.

"Oh come on Sweetheart. I can tell you're thinking really hard about something from the way your brows are creased so intensely.

"Yeah Mom, I am."

"Ok, what's on your mind?"

"Well," I answered reluctantly. "how did Dad propose to you?"

"Oh, um, he surprised me that's for sure." she responds shocked by my question. "He asked me on Snoggletog actually. He got down on one knee in the middle of the dance floor. I was so emotional and shocked, it took me a while to answer. Your poor father thought I couldn't make up my mind. I broke down crying, blubbering on and on to where no one could tell if I had said yes or no." she laughed remembering the day.

"That becomes a very special day for couples. It stays with them forever. Now, why the sudden interest in my married life?" She asked clasping her hands together.

She looked at me expectantly. I ran my fingers through my hair and let out an exasperated sigh.

"I've been thinking for a few days about how I think it's time to take things a little further with Astrid. We've been dating for five years, and I'm worried she will get tired of us being in the same position we've been in for a long time. She might lose interest in me. You know how she is. So I think I'm ready to drop the big question." I had said, then looking up to meet her gaze. Tears began to swell up in her eyes then falling, staining her cheeks.

"Oh, Hiccup." she crooned coming over to hug me. She rested her chin on my head, stroking my hair.

"Do you think I should go through with it?" I asked.

"If you think you are ready. Do you want to spend the rest if your life with this girl? I know you love her, that's not what I'm saying though. You need to think about if you will be happy when you see yourself a few years from now."
I looked up and the crooked smile my mother loves, spread across my face. The one that creats dimples in my cheeks when I don't show my teeth. Mom grinned and grabbed my hand. We went down the short hallway to her room. She sat on the bed, opening a door to her bedside table.

"Give me your hand." she said.

I put my hand in hers and felt the weight of a small box on my palm. I turned it over in my hand, taking in the sweet sent of the wood.

"Open it." she insisted.
I unhooked the latch and peered inside. In the center a small ring glistened as light rays bounced off the diamonds.

"This is the ring your father gave me on that night. He got me a new one a few years later."

"Thanks Mom." I said hugging her again.
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I put the box back on my table next to my bed and force myself to get up. No matter how long I lay here, the night will still come. I can't not show up to the celebration. The chief is required. Great.

I put my armor and boot on, then run out the door before anyone can stop me. Toothless comes down from stomping on the roof to greet me.

"Hey, Bud. I'm ready to go flying now."

Toothless makes a low purr and licks my face.