When they were toddlers, Astrid had given Hiccup a flower. It was from that moment Hiccup's crush on her began and through the years it shifted, changed and blossomed into something more real.
He and Astrid had their ups and down but they also maintained a silent understanding.
Hiccup knew Astrid was a force to reckon with. He knew she wanted to prove herself as a shieldmaiden.
At the same time, Astrid knew Hiccup wanted to fit in and prove himself as a Viking. But she also knew that Hiccup was different and wished he would stop trying to be someone he was not.
As they approached their teenage years, both of them became more and more isolated.
Hiccup felt shunned out and spent all his days in the forge. He dreamed of being the center of attention and the one everyone would look up to in admiration.
Astrid wanted to be left by herself out of her own choice. She preferred it that way because she felt she was better off alone. She didn't need anyone. Only her axe.
Hiccup was wavering and rebellious. Astrid was steady and loyal.
But they ended up finding a middle ground when Astrid realized Hiccup was just as stubborn and devoted as she was. Likewise, Hiccup recognized the same spirit and loneliness within Astrid. He had once thought her to be perfect, but began to understand she was human just like him and shouldn't be put on a pedestal. Sometimes it just took a drastic turn of events for realizations like that to occur.
They were more alike than they had imagined. Both very driven people, fighting desperately to prove themselves.
Both running towards the exact same finish line, just taking completely different routes. Astrid following the more traditional, gritty one, while Hiccup trying to use an alternative and improvised but more effective route.
In the aftermath of it all, their relationship was sealed with a kiss.
A promise.
No matter what awaited them in the future, they were going to walk side by side this time around.
They were going to grow up into adults together.
A drabble I had lying around.