Hi this is my examination as to the progression of the relationship between Astrid and Hiccup. Like how Stoick was so easily and enthusiastically calling Astrid his ''future daughter-in-law''. Stoick and Astrid were pretty close to begin with, as he trusts her so much with Hiccup, more than any other person on Berk as seen in the TV series. And changes in Astrid's costume; the smaller spikes and more feminine attitude mark changes in her relations with everyone. She is more relaxed and less about proving herself now. Now her relationship with Hiccup is key

Now this is before HTTYD2, so they might not be as close as they are then. But this is just a little drabble as to what i think happened. There's a little growth on Hiccup, Astrid and Stoick's side and will be in 2 parts.

Enjoy^^

Hiccup chafed under the rules. Stoick usually had not been this stressed about the whole 'chiefing', but ever since he crossed his 18th birthday, Stoick was getting on more and more about 'duty' and 'tribe-bound traditions' and so on. He made Hiccup fill out his quota of saddle orders everyday till nightfall and Toothless got edgier by the day as his rider was no longer with him to fly. He lay outside the forge, below the window where Hiccup always worked and dozed, often wandering off, then coming back and whining at the window. Hiccup had so much to do he often fell asleep in the saddle while flying on Toothless at night, and Toothless would just roll his eyes and fly him back to his house to dump in his 'nest'. Astrid always came by and always gave him warm yak milk for the cold days when he had to design and figure out schematics and blueprints in his workshop in the forge, and often brought him food when he forgot to eat. She hated that Hiccup's time was always taken up, and sometimes complained to him. But she understood that his father was the Chief; he was preparing his son. His time was not always hers to spend, and since she had almost officially taken over the Dragon Academy, both of them were actually rather busy.

Astrid always admired the way Hiccup could work. He had this intensity with things he was focusing on, such concentration when he was passionate about something. It showed in his leadership at the Dragon Academy when he solved everyone's problems except his own sometimes. The way his hands moved, were so skilled and graceful. A mechanics hands that were precise but delicate. His fingers were thinner and his entire body actually was so much lankier than his peers, often setting him up for adults to doubt him or his own friends to see him as lesser. But now, he had grown taller, more confident and exuding his own will. He had outgrown Astrid a while ago, and she found herself being attracted to his lengths, and breadths. Hiccup would try to get as much done in a day as possible, so that he wouldn't have to fill up the quota for the next day. And he would wear himself out, sometimes not eating for days.

On a particular chilly day, the azure sky darkening to an oncoming storm, Astrid visited the workshop; throwing back and then drawing close the curtains to his desk where he works almost all day. He was intent on drawings and designs that Astrid could never fully understand, and barely registered her presence. He continued sketching, measuring and erasing things he was unsatisfied with, and mumbled to himself. Astrid set down the mug of yak milk on the desk, and put a hand on his shoulder, looking down over his work. 'Hiccup…' She whispered. He looked up then, as if suddenly realising he wasn't alone, and blinked as if waking from a dream - a labour-intensive dream of cogs, leather and wood. His eyes were sunken a little and he looked dishevelled. His stubble had even grown out a bit and was a bit spikey around the edges now. His big head of brown hair was silky, just as Astrid loved it, but a tad too long much to her annoyance. He blinked and smiled at Astrid warmly

'Thank you, Milady…' He beamed, as if her face were a welcome sight to the schematics he had been intent on for days. He picked up the mug, sniffed it first and then downed it, checking discreetly in case it was Astrid's yak-nog. He smiled up at Astrid, who leaned against one of his thighs as she frowned down at him with concern. He wound an arm around her waist and rubbed her back at her tension. Her face was really so beautiful. She was always beautiful, but today especially. Perhaps it was because he had been looking and staring at schematics and corners of inanimate objects that made her face stand out. Maybe looking at and struggling to fit pieces of machinery into the perfect order had made him see more clearly the oblong, and imperfect perfection which was her eyes, her chin and pink lips.

'Hiccup… You've been in here for days. Can you please come outside? I'm sure you've done more than your share, and I don't think this is what your father meant when he said he wanted you to be more serious about your work…' Astrid said. She put an arm on Hiccup's neck, leaning her leg on his as he buried his soft hair and nuzzled his face on her waist, sighing.

'I know, Astrid… I just want to show him I can be serious. And I can finish things. He still sees me as irresponsible and immature…' Hiccup muttered. He tapped his charcoal pencil in a rapid beat on the table, an irritated rhythm drummed on the wooden desk.

'No, he does not. You've led the Academy so well all these years right? He just wants you to be more 'chief-y' that's all.' Astrid shrugged, patting his shoulder and smoothing his hair on her stomach. Hiccup sighed and leaned back in his chair, utterly exhausted.

'Well… That's a topic I do not want to bring up with him…' Hiccup sighed, and shut his eyes tiredly, his arms draped over the sides of the wide chair he sat in, sliding off Astrid's waist. Astrid looked at Hiccup with pity. He had such a burden on his shoulders for someone so young. She knew he loved the open air and the wind in his hair. That picture of him soaring through the sky with a wide exhilarated grin on his face; was one of her favourite memories of him. But him being stuck in that dark room all day, just to please his father and make a point made her sad. He looked so tired.

Astrid looked him over, and found herself appreciating him more. She too had felt like she had not seen him in so long. His body had grown out over the years. But, as did hers. She stared at his slack body, leaning back in the chair, legs apart and arms wide. That picture looked inviting. Without a word, she slid unto his lap, startling him. 'What…? What are you doing?' Hiccup blushed, his arms going up automatically to steady her as she straddled him on his lap.

'I'm helping you relax.' Astrid plainly replied. She wound her arms around his neck, and leaned in to kiss him. Hiccup was surprised but responded with his own lips. His tasted slightly of yak milk, and underneath that, was the Hiccup-taste she loved. She traced his lips with her tongue and sighed into his mouth, making him moan in response. 'Astrid…' He whispered. Yes, he was relaxing now.

Astrid slowly kissed around the side of his mouth, conscious of her heated parts leaning on his. She could feel the faint stirrings of activity down there, in both of them, and the thought turned her on. She was getting rather carried away with her 'helping Hiccup to relax' thing, but she didn't care then. Well, it was relaxing for her too. She kissed at his neck, where he was sensitive, and he sighed, his hands on her back, putting his lips on her neck too. She moved herself closer to him, very conscious as to move herself over his mound, which was starting to strain against his pants in excitement. 'Astrid…' Hiccup whispered. 'We shouldn't be doing this….' Hiccup warned. He could feel his body getting away from him now. Astrid's warmth on his nether and his body, contrasted to the wetness on his neck from her tongue and lips, were extremely arousing. He could feel himself being excited, and his friend betraying him with little twitches against Astrid's very tightly pressed valley. He moaned, when Astrid moved her hips, stroking through the fabric, which was frustratingly blocking the contact, but making all the more enticing at the sensation. Her grinding motion was making him very warm…

'Astrid…' Hiccup warned. But Astrid was busy, trailing her fingers down his chest, down to the fold of his tunic. She rested her palms frustratingly close to that area, and continued to kiss him slowly and with lots of tongue. She was beginning to enjoy this…. They were both so carried away they didn't hear the heavy but muffled footfalls outside the curtain. They did not notice, until the curtain separating the two love-birds and the rest of the world, ripped open, to reveal a glowering Stoick. Gobber stood behind him, his mouth in a big O, and his glimmer in his eyes were full of mischief and tease at the sight of the two of them

They gasped and pulled apart, faces reddening. 'Dad…!' Hiccup gasped, hands immediately flying off of Astrid's back and not wanting to touch her. Astrid burst apart from Hiccup and immediately extricated her legs from Hiccup's and stood up to face the Chief. Her face was red, but serious and apologetic. Hiccup was just plain mortified, especially with Gobber giggling silently behind Stoick.

'Just…what…do you think you two are doing? Stoick said. Hiccup and Astrid were stunned in silence. Then Hiccup immediately moved to cover Astrid with his own body, putting his hands up in surrender.

'Dad… Please, this is my fault. I'm sorry. This isn't Astrid's fault. I made her do it.' Hiccup fibbed, his face beet red at the lie and implication that he seduced Astrid unto his lap. Clearly he himself was unconvinced at that story, and clearly, Stoick and Gobber weren't either. Stoick's unreadable glare fixed on Astrid who was looking back at him.

'No, sir, it was mine.' Astrid tried to explain.

'Yes, it would be. Seeing as how she is on you, and not the other way around….' Stoick glared. At that, Gobber snickered more, adding to Stoick's irritation. Stoick looked Astrid in the eye. 'You; fetch your father, and tell him I am looking for him, right now.' He said. Astrid's eyes widened, for the first time she felt fear. Stoick glowered down at her and she didn't remember the last time he was this angry

At that, Hiccup's eyes widened. 'Dad, no. It's not Astrid's fault! Please!' Hiccup pleaded, his hands up to reach for his father.

'Now.' He reiterated when Astrid did not move. She was stunned and her eyes were afraid, but she steeled herself, as a warrior should, and shrugged past Stoick and out the forge to her house. Hiccup watched helplessly as she stalked away determinedly. He admired her for that. But right now, he was more concerned with what was going to happen.

Stoick turned and walked out of the forge, without another word to his son. Hiccup hurriedly trailed after him. 'Dad! Please. This isn't her fault. Please, stop. What are you going to do?' Hiccup cried, following his father out the forge and past the square, up to their front lawn. He stomped silently and did not answer Hiccup as he followed behind with Gobber. Hiccup's anxiety racked him like nails over his spine, as he saw Astrid and her father, Asger the Spear; emerge from their house, clearly quarrelling. Of course, she had to explain why he was being summoned by the chief, and had to be honest she was a little bit indiscreet…. Hiccup cringed at the thought, still embarrassed at the back of his mind, of his father, breaking in on him and Astrid making out.

Stoick stood, arms akimbo, waiting for Astrid and her father to approach. Both of their faces looked thunderous. An ultimatum was coming, the tensions charged in the air. Hiccup looked to Astrid, concerned about that fight with her dad, but she looked more annoyed than mad. 'Asger…' Stoick greeted the other burly, blond Viking who had Astrid's blue eyes, but none of the beauty of his daughter

'Stoick.' He nodded in return. 'We have much to discuss it seems…'

'We do…' Stoick replied. He turned to the two teens, Hiccup afraid, Astrid concerned, and Gobber, who was looking at the entire scene with plain amusement. 'Astrid. Return to your house and stay there. Hiccup, you go back to the forge and continue your work until all of it is done.' Stoick's stern voice echoed over them

'But, dad -' Hiccup started. Stoick cut him off with a glare, and he turned with Astrid's father into their house. Hiccup started to follow, only to be clopped on the shoulder with a hook-hand.

'Now, lad… It's not a good idea… You know that. You two need some time-out now. Astrid, you heard the chief. Go on.' Gobber gestured with his hook, pulling Hiccup with his good hand back to the forge. Hiccup couldn't resist the burly Viking, but he turned around to look back Astrid in fear. Her own fear mirrored his green eyes as she stared after Hiccup being wrangled into the forge, but she turned and walked back to her house.

Gobber herded Hiccup into the forge, shoving him and Hiccup tripped over himself, his prosthetic tapping against the floor, and turned to Gobber, 'Gobber… He's…not gonna do anything to Astrid right?' Hiccup asked. His eyes were wide and afraid; the anxiety gripped his lungs as he stared at the one-handed Viking polishing his hook

'Nehhh… He's not going to do that…' Gobber dismissively replied. He picked up a brush from one of the racks, detaching the hook from its place and fastening the brush instead.

'But… Gods… He looked so angry.' Hiccup gasped, running his hands through his hair in agitation and pulling it from its roots. 'He's not gonna…do anything to us? Right?' Hiccup fretted. In his mind, the scenarios played in his head - his father sending him off to distant islands, his father sending him away. Or worse, sending Astrid away? His father wouldn't be that cruel would he? It was only a kiss! But…Astrid was practically on his lap and they were in passionate embrace. It was rather scandalous for an unwed maiden to be doing that, and even more so to her being on Hiccup, as the Chief's son; the heir to the throne of Berk. Although they never actually said they were officially dating; the entire village saw it that way anyway. Whenever they went around together, or they did something for the other, they would always comment on how cute they were together, and would blush. But Hiccup now felt more than ever the burden which was his status. Why did he have to like Astrid? Gods, he hated himself for that. Why did it have to be him that his dad had to pick up on? If it were anyone else, the scandal would blow over. But now the whole village would treat her like a disease now… This was his fault. Why did Astrid have to be together with him? Hiccup clenched his teeth and huffed in frustration, pacing up and down, the metallic tapping increasing speed, and clenching his fists.

'Gobber… You're his best friend. Can't you do something? Talk to him?' Hiccup begged, opening his arms wide and his green eyes pleading

'You know him. Have you ever heard any amount of talking or anything that changed the mind of Stoick the Vast?' Gobber asked, slowly brushing out Grump's massive and sleepy side. The slow and deliberate brush strokes felt like an aggravating purposeful action to frustrate Hiccup. He grunted and threw his arms into the air, yelling in frustration. He turned to look out the door, at Astrid's house; the frown lines etching themselves into his forehead. It was still and dark and she probably was getting chewed out by her mother too…. 'Now, lad. You best be on your best behaviour now. No going over to Astrid's. She is already in enough trouble as it is. You go do what your father told you to…' Gobber pointed to the workshop.

'And then what? I'm expected to sit here, while my dad does gods knows what to Astrid?' Hiccup yelled in defiance, his eyes blazing as he gestured to the air figuratively.

'Just finish your quota and wait. There's nothing you can do now…' Gobber said. Hiccup sighed, the fear and anxiety still bleeding him dry slowly and painfully. He hated when Gobber was right. He turned slowly and walked back to his desk. Toothless peered in, curious as to why Hiccup had been yelling. He warbled, asking him what was wrong, but Hiccup ignored him and plopped himself into his chair, where minutes ago, he was having the time of his life, with Astrid. He really tried to get some work done, but his father's face was occupying his mind. His fear for Astrid was plain in his features and he rolled his pencil in his fingers, just fretting endlessly.

Hours ticked by, and the night engulfed them. Hiccup found himself sitting at the door of the forge staring at the front door of his home. Astrid was also sitting on the front step of her house, her chin cupped in her hands, staring in the same direction. Gobber sat on a stool behind Hiccup, casually whistling, the carefree melody felt entirely out of place given the tense atmosphere, and it grated against Hiccup's nerves and he was tempting to yell at Gobber for that. Gobber was occupying himself with his hook while Toothless and Grump dozed together, discreetly watching the two teens and waiting for the show to unfurl. Hiccup had not gotten any work done, and they ended up just waiting for Stoick to deliver his verdict. The more he thought about it, the less it made sense; why his father would summon Astrid's father and what was taking so long? He sighed. He tended to overthink things. He looked over at Astrid sitting forlornly in front of her house until he caught her eye.

You okay? Hiccup asked with his eyes

Astrid narrowed her eyes in irritation. What do you think?

Hiccup sighed, his eyes full of apology and guilt. I'm sorry….

Astrid shook her head, and pointed to her chest and smiled kindly at him. My fault… Hiccup smiled back; Astrid was always so strong. It was one of the first things he admired about her. Even through all the dangers they had faced together, she was always his bedrock. Hiccup sighed heavily. What was he going to do without her? He could never get through this. If his dad was going to send her away, then he was going to follow her and run away too. He didn't care about being chief. He would take Toothless and run away with her. He could not bear the thought of Astrid' facing the consequences of his mistakes. He could not bear the thought without Astrid. Whoa. Hiccup backpedalled. He ought to calm his thoughts a bit. That was overly irrational… It probably wasn't serious…right?

The door to the Haddock house creaked open, and the two burly Vikings walked out. Stoick and Asger were surprisingly in a good mood. They were laughing loudly with each other as they chatted. Hiccup, Astrid and Gobber sprang up, hastily making their way to them. Hiccup frowned. What were they laughing about? What is this? As they approached, their worried and scared expressions made Stoick burst into more hearty laughter and he patted Gobber on the back. 'The two of them been good this afternoon?' Stoick jovially asked

'Oh yes, Stoick. Best behaviour I've got from these two.' Gobber laughed. Astrid and Hiccup stood side-by-side, facing their fathers and utterly flummoxed. Stoick sobered and gazed at them serenely. The fearful eyes of the two teens contrasted with the barely concealed humour in his. He let the silence hang in there for a beat, the tension sparked and Hiccup shifted from foot to foot nervously.

'Hiccup. Astrid.' Stoick began. He looked them both seriously in the eyes. 'We have just agreed…' Stoick paused, looking to Asger who was smiling as well. Hiccup and Astrid waited, their impatience biting on them like nails.

Stoick took a breath and was cut off by Gobber. 'Oh for the love of Thor! Just tell them that you and Asger have agreed to marrying them!' Gobber blurted. He shut his mouth then, guilt overtaking his features when Stoick's eyes threw daggers at him

'Gobber! I wanted to say that!' Stoick yelled. Hiccup and Astrid stared in shock. This was most definitely not the verdict they thought they would get. Astrid looked relieved and a little pleased. But Hiccup on the other hand; his fear was now verging unto a full-blown panic attack.

Marriage? What?