Astrid was wheeling a barrow full of straw up the path, when she heard a yell from within the stables she was headed toward. Followed by an angry groan and a string of expletives.
She recognised the voice instantly and paused, setting down her load. "Hiccup, is everything okay in there?"
Her lanky, brown-haired betrothed emerged with a murderous expression on his face, covered head to toe in what she sincerely hoped wasn't dragon dung.
He shook his head in disgust. "I am never letting Toothless near a mud bath ever again."
Astrid fought back a laugh, putting a hand over her mouth to cover a growing smile.
Hiccup's eyes flashed dangerously, and a piece of mud slid slowly down the side of his forehead to reside as part of a larger blob on his cheek.
Astrid couldn't contain herself any longer and burst out laughing.
Hiccup tried to maintain his scowl for a time, but he couldn't help it either; her laughter was infectious…and well…it was kind of funny…he started to chuckle too, and soon they were both hunched over in uncontrollable fits of giggles.
Hiccup seemed to sober first, but then Astrid saw the wicked gleam in his eyes. He grinned at her impishly and started to stride over to her with arms outstretched, quickly gaining speed.
She looked at him curiously and then it clicked.
Astrid started to back away, squealing "No no no no NO…!"
Hiccup pounced, completely smothering her in the gooey mess. Astrid shrieked with laughter and Hiccup kissed her hard on the lips. They melted into one other like honey on a warm piece of toast, wrapped in each other's arms for an indeterminate number of sunny minutes. Suddenly he pulled away and looked over her shoulder with a slight frown.
"What's…?"
"We have an audience."
Astrid turned to see what he meant. Indeed, there were a few members of the tribe who had stopped what they were doing to watch the Chief and his future Chieftess, with reactions ranging from approving smiles to eye rolls.
Astrid flipped off the lot of them and turned back to Hiccup, who looked equal parts amused and horrified. "I don't see what the problem is." Astrid said with a smirk.
"Astrid you can't -"
"I just did, so deal with it."
Hiccup chuckled, "What am I going to do with you, Astrid Hofferson?"
Astrid ran a hand through his messy, mud-streaked hair. "I mean… you could always kiss me again? Since now we're both covered in this mess."
Hiccup shrugged and brought his lips back to hers with a smile.