Chapter 1

"Hiccup's awake," someone shouted. Villagers dropped what they were doing and started running up to the chief's house.

"Astrid," Snotlout yelled at the young blonde Viking who was throwing her axe at a tree. She stopped and turned toward him, "Hiccup's awake!" She dropped the axe she had been holding and stared at him wide-eyed.

"He is," she asked breathlessly and Snotlout nodded. Astrid ran past him excitedly, up to the top hut where a crowd had now gathered. Gobber was commenting on Hiccup's new prosthetic leg. Astrid had only heard rumors but now she finally saw it for herself. It was true, Hiccup had lost a leg during the battle and was now limping around on a leg made of wood. She cringed at the sight of it. She pushed her way through the crowd and toward Hiccup.

"I might make a few tweaks," Hiccup was saying as she approached him, gesturing to his leg. Astrid smiled at the sound of his voice and punched him in the arm, "Ow, wha-,"he said as he turned around to face her.

"That's for scaring me," Astrid said.

"What? Is it always going to be like this…," Hiccup started to say but Astrid rolled her eyes. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and pulled him in for a kiss. She pulled away slowly and smiled at him. "I guess I could get used to it," Hiccup said and Astrid smiled again. Suddenly, Toothless came bounding out of the house and jumped toward the two of them. The village laughed as he embraced them as if he was their pet. Hiccup laughed and rubbed his head.

"You want to go for a ride buddy," Hiccup asked and Toothless nodded happily, "Alright, lets go!" Hiccup climbed up onto his dragon's back and held out his hand for Astrid. "You wanna come?" Astrid nodded and took his hand and Hiccup pulled her up. "Okay, buddy. Lets go!" Toothless bounded into the air and out of sight.

Once farther away, Toothless slowed and glided peacefully over the ocean. Astrid had her arms wrapped tightly around Hiccup's waist and her head on his shoulder. He smiled at the warmth of her body against his. "So," Hiccup said awkwardly and Astrid lifted her head off his shoulder. "What exactly was…that….back there," he asked avoiding her face.

"You mean me kissing you," she asked with a giggle in her voice.

"Yes that," Hiccup said.

"I really like you," Astrid said, "I want to be with you." Hiccup smiled and turned to face her.

"It never seemed like that before," he mumbled awkwardly.

"I know I know," she said, "I'm sorry about that. I thought I knew you, but as it turns out, I didn't know you at all. I see who you are now and I really like it."

"I've always really liked you," Hiccup said and Astrid squeezed around his waist tighter.

"Really," she said and he nodded, "Why didn't you ever tell me before?" Hiccup laughed.

"Yeah right," he said, "You're only the most popular girl on the island and I was so…not."

"Oh come on," Astrid said, "I am not the most popular girl on the island."

"Yeah you are," Hiccup said and Astrid laughed.

"Well," she said, "Now I'm your girl. If you want me to be." Hiccup turned to face her again.

"Of course I do," he said and smiled. She smiled back before leaning in and kissing him again. After a few moments, they broke apart. Hiccup smiled at her and put his forehead against hers. He tore his eyes away from her to lean over and pat Toothless on the head. "Lets go home Buddy." He leaned back again and Astrid put her arms around his waist again. Hiccup smiled as Toothless turned around and headed back towards Berk.

Toothless touched down outside of Astrid's house and she slid off the dragon's back with Hiccup close behind her.

"I'm glad you finally woke up," Astrid said suddenly and took his hands in hers. "You really scared me." Hiccup put his hand on her neck and pulled her into another kiss.

"Everything is fine now," he said after they broke apart, "Much better than fine actually." Astrid smiled and kissed him again quickly.

"See you tomorrow," she asked and Hiccup nodded. "Okay, bye," she said before turning and opening the door to her house. Hiccup smiled and stood there for a moment before turning back to Toothless who was staring and smiling at him.

"Oh stop it," he said as he climbed onto his back and kicked him off toward his house at the top of the hill. Toothless touched down to the ground lightly and Hiccup jumped off his back. "Come sleep in my room," he whispered and Toothless nodded happily. Hiccup pulled the door open and Toothless jumped inside with Hiccup close behind him.

"Hiccup," his father yelled from the front room, "Are you there?"

"Yeah dad," he said as he walked into the room. Hiccup was limping slightly on his new leg as he sat down at the table.

"How's the leg," Stoic asked his son as he threw a fish to Toothless who swallowed it whole.

"Its alright," Hiccup said, "its just going to take some getting used to." Stoic smiled and nodded in agreement.

"And how is Astrid," he asked with a smile. Hiccup blushed and shrugged. Stoic laughed at his embarrassment.

"She's a fine girl. Very strong, She'll make a fine mate." Stoic said, "I've always liked her." Hiccup found this conversation too awkward and got up suddenly.

"I'm going to head to bed now dad. It's been a long day," he said and Stoic smiled.

"Alright," he said, "Sleep well." Hiccup nodded as he and Toothless ascended the stairs toward Hiccup's bedroom. Hiccup limped more and more with every step and began wincing in pain. Toothless nudged him affectionately with worry in his eyes. Hiccup smiled.

"Don't worry buddy," he said as he sat down on the bed, "I'll be fine." Toothless did not break his gaze as Hiccup pulled the covers over him and went to sleep. Toothless curled up next to his bed on the floor.