(Outtake) From "It Was Always You" (Chapter 1)
"Ah, you didn't miss all that much," Hiccup also laughed. "Toothless plays with everything, it seems. Did I ever tell you how he would chase the light reflection from the metal on one of my hammers?" When Astrid shook her head, Hiccup relayed the story to her. "…and that's how I knew that I could return the Terror in the ring to its cage by directing the reflection from my shield."
"I remember that!" Astrid replied. "You nearly blinded me with the light from that shield."
"Sorry," Hiccup apologized quickly. "I was trying to direct the light to the ground and I had a bit of a hard time getting it there." As he finished talking, Hiccup realized that he had been talking rather fast. Even though Astrid was his best friend and they'd hung out alone together often in the months since the end of the dragon war, he still felt a bit nervous around her, as if he would say the wrong thing and the whole illusion would come crashing down. He didn't know why he was always so worried, though; he knew that Astrid would always have his back…and he would always have hers.
The pair was silent, taking in the scene that played around them: the stillness and serene setting of the cove and their dragons nearby. Surprisingly, it was Astrid who spoke up first. "What are we, Hiccup?"
Hiccup started from his relaxed position, unsure how to answer Astrid's question. "What do you mean, Astrid? You're my best friend…well, you and Toothless, but…"
Astrid shifted to stare into the hazel eyes she knew so well. "Is that all? We've been through all this over the past year and we're just' best friends'?"
Hearing the disappointment in Astrid's voice, Hiccup amended his words. "Well, that's all I know for certain. I mean…I'd like to be…more than just friends, but…I just…" Catching the look Astrid was giving him as he stuttered his answer. "Yeah…I'll just stop talking now.
"No, keep going," she urged, obviously interested to hear what Hiccup had to say.
…
"Ah, you didn't miss all that much," Hiccup also laughed. "Toothless plays with everything, it seems. Did I ever tell you how he would chase the light reflection from the metal on one of my hammers?" When Astrid shook her head, Hiccup relayed the story to her. "…and that's how I knew that I could return the Terror in the ring to its cage by directing the reflection from my shield."
"I remember that!" Astrid replied. "You nearly blinded me with the light from that shield."
"Sorry," Hiccup apologized quickly. "I was trying to direct the light to the ground and I had a bit of a hard time getting it there." As he finished talking, Hiccup realized that he had been talking rather fast. Even though Astrid was his best friend and they'd hung out alone together often in the months since the end of the dragon war, he still felt a bit nervous around her, as if he would say the wrong thing and the whole illusion would come crashing down. He didn't know why he was always so worried, though; he knew that Astrid would always have his back…and he would always have hers.
"Hey, Astrid," Hiccup started, waiting for her to acknowledge his question. When she did, he continued, "Have you ever thought about…I dunno, becoming more than just best friends?"
Smirking, Astrid replied, "No, not really."
Hiccup's expression fell as he processed the reply he had just heard. "Oh…okay, well, I have. I mean…it's been almost a year since we became friends and I think about you all the time." He knew that he was rambling, but he knew that if he didn't speak his thoughts now, he would probably never tell Astrid how he felt.