The clubhouse hummed with its usual energy. The twins were dismantling and reassembling a small contraption, Fishlegs was absorbed in a weighty tome, Snotlout snored softly in a corner, Astrid and Heather were engaged in quiet conversation, and Hiccup meticulously sketched on his map.
Stoick’s unexpected appearance disrupted the rhythm. Everyone – even Snotlout – blinked awake, their attention snapping to the Chief.
“Oh, hey Dad,” Hiccup said, glancing up. “What’s up?”
“I have some news for all of you,” Stoick rumbled, his voice carrying the weight of authority. “Your cousin Aby is coming to Berk tomorrow. I want you all to meet her.”
“Okay, Dad,” Hiccup replied. “We’ll be there.”
“Good,” Stoick said, turning toward the stables. “See you all tomorrow.” He walked off to check on Skullcrusher. The gang resumed their activities, but Astrid and Heather lingered, exchanging a curious glance.
“So, Hiccup,” Astrid began, turning to him. “Can we ask you something?”
“Sure,” he said, his brow furrowing slightly.
“First…how did you not mention you *had* a cousin?” Heather asked, her tone sharp with a touch of disbelief.
Hiccup’s mind scrambled for an answer. He stared at his map, the ink smudging slightly under his fingers. He felt all eyes on him.
*Great,* he thought. *Just great.*
“I…um…I didn’t…um…” he stammered, feeling his cheeks burn.
“Hiccup, we don’t understand,” Fishlegs said, tilting his head in confusion.
There was no getting out of this. “I didn’t tell you because…well, Aby and I haven’t seen each other in thirteen years. Maybe I just…forgot to mention her.”
“So you haven’t spoken to her since you were five?” Heather pressed.
“Yeah,” Hiccup admitted, feeling a knot tighten in his stomach. “I didn’t even remember what she looked like.”
“So can you tell us about her?” Astrid asked, her voice softening with a comforting tone.
He nodded, relieved for the change in tone. “Well, Aby and I were friends when we were kids. Before I met all of you, she helped me calm my father down when he was mad at me, being his brother’s daughter. Then, when I started working with Gobber, we barely talked. She left Berk, and I didn’t hear from her until now.”
“Okay…um…what about sleep? We have to go to Berk tomorrow,” Heather said, nodding to the others. They all nodded along.
Hiccup excused himself and headed to his hut, exhaustion pulling at him. He slumped onto his cot, the weight of his long-held secret finally settling in. He stared at the ceiling, wondering what Aby would be like after all these years. He closed his eyes and drifted into an uneasy sleep.