Something was going on.
Snotlout, Fishlegs and the twins had noticed. Hiccup and Astrid were spending way too much time alone away from the group lately. They never let them know where they went – they just suddenly vanished in thin air. One second Hiccup or Astrid was there, and then the other, he or she disappeared the moment they turned the corner.
Definitely. Something was definitely going on.
...
Astrid was pacing, her boots digging in the bright sand. She had an arm wrapped around her middle while the other was up to her chin. Hiccup hadn't arrived yet, and she was starting to get a little worried of the reason. If any of the other riders knew about them, it would be a disaster.
But all her worries instantly vanished when she heard the Night Fury's whistle from above and a great black shape dropped to the ground close to her.
''Good afternoon, milady..!'' said Hiccup as he dismounted Toothless, and approached Astrid.
''You're late for another rendezvous.'' said Astrid, crossing her arms tightly over her chest. She seemed angry, but Hiccup knew her and he knew she was just glad to see him. She just always started things with complains.
''Come on,'' said Hiccup as he cupped his hand in hers and walked closer to the water while Toothless and Stormfly went playing together at the back.
They walked the beach hand in hand, Astrid leaning her head on Hiccup's shoulder. This whole secret relationship made her feel weird, but for once in her life; Astrid was able to take off her armor. With Hiccup, she felt like she didn't need it.
''Alright, so I have to ask,'' said Hiccup, as they walked. This question had been bugging him for a while now, and he just had to ask it. ''You and I are just friends, right?''
Astrid lifted her head, meeting his eyes in shock. ''Well I did perhaps tell Heather we were...'' she said.
''Yeah?'' said Hiccup, stopping to face her.
''Are we?'' asked Astrid, her sky-blue eyes digging in his. ''Aren't we more than that now?''
''Well...'' said Hiccup, uncertain. ''Maybe.'' He put his hands around her waist as she moved in closer.
''So what are we?'' she asked so softly. ''If the riders ever come to discover us, and ask, what do I tell them?'' As she spoke, she brushed the tip of her nose against his lovingly making Hiccup smile shyly.
''Why do we have to tell them anything?'' asked Hiccup, as if it was an option. ''Why does it need a label?'' Astrid began giggling. ''W-what does that do?''
''No I—Ok, you're right. It doesn't need a label.'' she said and moved even closer.
''But... If we were just friends,'' Astrid slowly reached for his cheek and kissed him. ''Would I do this?'' She kissed him a couple more times, wrapping her arms around him. ''Would I? Huh? Hmm?''
''Okay,'' said Hiccup laughing, his eyes down. ''I told the others I was going on patrol...''
''Oh, I'm not stopping you.'' said Astrid, pressing her lips against his.
''You're not stopping me?''
''No, you can go patrol.''
But Astrid kept kissing him anyway, until Toothless and Stormfly ran too close to them and crashed the party, sending both riders to the ground. Even though they were covered of sticky sand, their laughs continued to echo along with their quiet kisses.