Hiccup raises his eyes from the fire when he hears the familiar laugh of his daughter. And there she is, blue eyes bright with laughter and red hair bright against the winter snow. His daughter lights up the whole world with her smile and makes everyone laugh with her giggles. Hiccup’s living proof of this, as he grins when his daughter hops up the front steps of their home. Astrid walks next to her, keeping one hand near her back in case she slips on the ice. 

It’s one of the colder days on New Berk. Snowfall occurred overnight when everyone was asleep in their warm bed. Their daughter woke bright and early this morning to tell them about the white fluff covering the ground. He can still hear her delighted squeals as she ran through the doors to her parents’ room and jumped on the bed, shaking them awake. 

Astrid offered to take her outside while Hiccup attended to any chiefly duties that needed to be done. But because of the snow, there weren’t many, since most favored staying inside on chilly days to enjoy the warmth of the hearth. Once finished with all tasks at hand, Hiccup sat on the front deck, watching his daughter and wife run around in the snow, building snow vikings, and Astrid teaching the young girl how to make a snowball. At one point they left the front yard to somewhere Hiccup couldn’t see, and they’re just now returning. 

“Go on, Zeph. Go show daddy what you have, Astrid urges gently once they’re on the deck. 

Zephyr waddles on her toddler legs over to where Hiccup’s sitting. He only notices the small object that looks rather large in her tiny hands, once she is an arms length away. He smiles and holds out his arms, hoisting her onto his lap, and she waves the object in front of his face. 

“What do you got there, Zeph?” he asks, taking a closer look.

“Mama- Mama says-” she cuts herself off, glancing up at her mother for help. She’s not yet three, hence she’s still learning to speak. 

Astrid kneels down beside them. “We think it might be a dragon scale. Right, Zeph?”

Zephyr nods animatedly. “Yes!” 

“You think so?” Hiccup holds his hand out for the supposed dragon scale. Zephyr gingerly sets it on the palm of his hand, and she reaches behind him to clutch his tunic with her now empty hand. “Oh, yeah,” he breathes. It’s a black dragon scale, one he recognizes very well. 

“Is it, daddy?” his daughter questions, reaching for the scale. 

He lets her have it. “I think so, Zeph! It actually might be Toothless’.”

Astrid holds the scale up close to examine it. “Oh yeah. I didn’t realize that.” 

“Can I see again?” Zephyr asks. She makes an ‘ooo’ sound as the scale is back in her possession. Hiccup laughs heartily and Astrid pecks her freckled cheek. “That is Toothless.”

“And how would you know that, young lady?” Hiccup teases, tickling her round stomach. She giggles until she’s breathless. Astrid takes the scale before Zephyr can drop it. “Huh? Have you ever met him?” He laughs with her, but stops tickling her once her face starts to redden. 

“No, daddy!” she giggles. “But you said!” 

“Ahh,” Hiccup nods. “That’s right. I did. You must be right then.” 

Zephyr giggles and slides off his lap. “Come, mommy!” she runs off, leaving her contagious giggles behind her. With one last giggle, she jumps into the soft snow, emerging a moment later. Her hair is no longer red, but covered in white snow. 

Astrid chuckles fondly and kisses Hiccup’s cheek. She curls his fingers over the scale. “I believe this is yours, babe.” She then turns around and runs off after their daughter, both their laughs clinging to Hiccup’s ears. 

Hiccup leans forward, elbows on his kess. He turns the scale around in his fingers a few times, conflicted. He’s not sad anymore, really, he’s not. He’s actually very happy where he’s at. He has a goofball of a daughter and an amazing wife, there’s no reason to be sad anymore. Especially when he knows his bud is safe and not in danger. But he still wishes- hopes that Zephyr (and any future children he may have) would be able to meet him. And maybe one day, she will, but now right now. And that’s okay. 

“Daddy!” Zephyr shouts. “Come play!” 

He tucks the scale safely into his pocket and goes to join his family.