The night had started to fall over the small town in the middle of nowhere. The streetlights had turned on not too long ago even though there's was no need for them since it was summertime and the nights were bright.

Hiccup and Astrid had made their way downstairs to join and help Steven with the dinner.

Even though Hiccup wanted to eat out with Astrid, they decided to stay. After all, it had been two years since Hiccup last had been home without any contact with his father, - Astrid had no idea why he'd waited that long because his father seemed to be a nice man.

After being caught and after Steven, - whose real name was Stoick - had left the room, Hiccup had told her that they had gotten into a fight when he was eighteen and that he had moved away, into the house he and Astrid were currently living in.

She asked him what made him just leave and he had said that he wanted to feel free. Free of duties and work. That he wanted to grow up on his own and teach himself stuff about life, learn from mistakes and then, he would return.

Astrid looked over at her boyfriend with a smile. She was sitting on the couch, watching TV and sometimes glancing over to the two men in the kitchen. 

Hiccup was talking with his father while helping him with betting the dinner ready.

Stoick sighed.

"Son," He started, his voice, low. Hiccup looked over at the aged man and observed him, waiting for what he would say next. "I'm sorry about that argument we had two years ago-" Hiccup interrupted his father and put the kitchen knife down, raising his hands.

"Dad, no. I'm sorry for starting the argument and for moving away..."

Stoick put a hand on his son's shoulder and looked at him. "No. It was better for you. You needed to be free and to learn how to live on your own. And, moving away seems to have gotten the best out of you. Not to mention, you have Astrid beside you now."

Hiccup smiled and crossed his arms and turned around, leaning against the kitchen bench behind him. Stoick did the same.

"Yeah, and, I'm thankful for it. I don't know what I would do without her. I just wish I could help her more. She's struggling..." Hiccup said, his voice low as he looked at the woman he one day wanted to promise eternity to.

The Mayor looked at him. "What do you mean, son?" Stoick asked. Hiccup sighed. "Before I got together with her, I was a teacher in school. You probably know that," Hiccup stopped and Stoick hummed. "I bumped into her one day as I was walking into the cafeteria and I had always wondered why she was wearing arm wrappings. When I did bump into her, they came off and it showed tons of scars on her arms.

Stoick inhaled.

"Yeah. She's suicidal," Hiccup paused and exhaled before continuing. "I haven't seen her with any fresh new cuts so I hope she stopped but, I'm scared that, one night, I'll go to bed with her beside me and when I wake up, l find her somewhere, lifeless. I'm scared I'll lose her because I know it'll be my fault. She said that the reason to why she does this to herself is because she knows her parents hated her and because she's such a weak person. But, she's not. She's the strongest, most beautiful and amazing person I know. She's my everything and I love her."

Stoick looked at Astrid before he turned his attention to Hiccup.

"Do you want to marry her?" He asked quietly but clearly.

Hiccup opened his arms and let them hang by his sides. "If I'll get the chance, I'll ask her and if she approves, I will. I do. I really do want to marry her. I can't imagine anyone else by my side," He said, his voice low but stern and full of confidence.

"You, my son, have my full blessing to marry her," Stoick said before pulling Hiccup into a light hug. "It's great to have you home, son."

"It's good to be home."

•••

The Haddock's and a hopefully-soon-to-be-Haddock sat down at the table, happy after finally reuniting with family.

Astrid now belonged in the family.

She'll always belong in the family.

The three were quietly eating the dinner Stoick and Hiccup had prepared.

"So," Stoick started and Astrid froze, suddenly scared of Stoick's booming voice. "Astrid, since  you're living with Hiccup now, what do you want to do with your parents' house?" He asked her and she relaxed.

Astrid turned her gaze from the Mayor to Hiccup. He shrugged. "I don't know, really..." She confessed.

"It is a fairly new house. You could put it up for sale, there's a couple of people searching for a good, family friendly house to live in and raise their kids in."

"Maybe...I at least want to go back someday soon and get the stuff that I need and then I'll see what I'll do with the rest..." Astrid said.

"Great idea."

Hiccup smiled at his girlfriend and she smiled back. 

"Now, come on you lovebirds. Eat before the food goes cold," Stoick joked. 

The two young adults looked embarrassed and continued to eat.