"Hiccup?" She stood in the doorway, her hair a burning halo in the early-morning light.
"Hey, Astrid. What are you doing up so early?" He was used to having these first few hours alone with Toothless, but welcomed her presence nonetheless.
"I- um..." At this, he finally turned away from his work- Toothless's saddle needed a few adjustments- and really looked at her. This was not the Astrid he knew. She was many things, but nervous was not one of them, and she never, ever, stuttered.
"Astrid? Is something-"
"No, don't. Just-just shut up for a minute, okay?" She waited for him to nod. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"I said shut up! Just," she sighed, "just let me explain." He nodded again. "I've been berating you for being stupid and crazy- and you are," he shot her an exasperated look, "but I've been just as bad, if not stupider and crazier.
"And I've lied to you." He opened his mouth to speak, but she stopped him yet again. "It's not what it sounds like, I swear. I've been lying more to myself than anyone. I-" She paused, looking up at him from under her bangs "I keep lying to myself, pushing down all of my feelings, and lying ot you, acting like nothing has changed. But I- I just can't do it anymore."
She was looking down at her feet by this point. "You are stupid, and crazy, but- but I like it.
"I-" She took a deep breath. "I just," she paused again, starting to back out of the arena.
"Astrid?" She didn't look up. He moved closer. "Astrid." Her head jerked up now, as he put his hand on the side of her face, brushing back a few strands of hair. "I like you, too."
They looked at each other for a moment, neither one knowing what to do next. And then the moment broke, because Astrid had thrown herself into his arms.