UPDATED A/N (2/3/2015): Don't read this. Its awful. Its my first stab at writing a fanfiction, and its terrible. I have come back to re-read this story a few times since I posted it and I absolutely cringe. It was supposed to be my version of how they have sex for the first time, but its terrible. So... if you do read this- please don't judge me on this story. My newest story, He's All That, while its a modern AU (which I know some people don't like) is much better, though I'll probably say that's horrible in a few months as well, but hey, it means my writing is improving, right?) I'm thinking of doing a re-write, but idk. Its taking a back burner though to my 5 other ideas for HTTYD fanfics.

Thunk

I opened my eyes to the rising sun over the hill. The thunk was the ever inpatient jumping up and down of Toothless. Rubbing my eyes and stretching, I smiled to myself. As annoyed as I get sometimes at Toothless' insistence on our early morning flights, I wouldn't have it any other way.

"ok bud, I'm up!" I yawned. Toothless bounded toward me, rubbing his dragon head against my shoulder as I pulled my tunic over my head. "ok, ok toothless! Just let me get my riding suit!"

Toothless gave me a knowing look that let me know he understood that I was coming, but also said "ok, but don't take too long" and bounded out the door to stretch his legs outside. I was still perfecting my riding suit. I had a few ideas for some additions, but hadn't had a chance to implement them yet. I sighed to myself that it would likely have to wait. Between my dad giving me more and more duties around the village, continuing to train new dragon trainers, and spending as much time as possible with Astrid, I just didn't know when I'd have the time.

I slipped on my leather riding suit and adjusted my peg leg. I proceeded to follow Toothless outside, seeing that my dad was already out of the house. As I stepped outside, I spotted Stormfly and Astrid descending from the sky in front of us.

"Good morning, milady!" I grinned at her. I couldn't help it. Every day that I saw her, I was just in awe that she had chosen me. We had been through a lot together and had learned to trust each other implicitly. "Decide to join us this morning?"

Astrid swept her hair across her shoulder and smiled back. "of course! Stormfly seemed particularly eager this morning for a ride, and I knew you guys would be heading out soon." She looked at me a little shyly, but still with all the confidence that is Astrid, and said "If you don't mind of course". She fully well knew I would never refuse any request she would make.

She jumped off Stormfly and walked over towards me, casually. I swept her easily into my arms, as had become second nature, and planted a kiss on her soft lips. "It's not every day that a beautiful lady requests to join me on a crack of dawn dragon ride" I smiled. "Just don't let my girlfriend find out, she will literally tear your hair out, maybe knock out a tooth or two, she can be a little violent"

That did it, of course. "ooof!" I teased as Astrid punched me in the arm

"… AND don't you EVER forget it!" Astrid teased back. But I knew she meant it.

I think part of me will always be a little bit awkward. It was true, since defeating the Queen dragon that caused me to lose part of my left leg, I had really had a chance to come into my own. My village finally began to accept my differences, even celebrate them. I had grown more confident, more sure of myself. But 15 years of "the worst Viking Berk had ever seen" kind of sticks with you. But when Astrid was by my side, and she looked at me with eyes of admiration, I felt I could do anything.

"Ready to go?" Astrid asked, already heading back towards Stormfly, who had been able to finish her hearty breakfast of fish at the nearest feeding station. I nodded in agreement and Toothless was by my side within seconds. We both hopped on our dragons and off we went.

Gliding through the air on Toothless was something that I really treasured. It felt so free. I could forget all of my mounting responsibilities, clear my head, work out my problems, well… you get the idea. My mind was mulling over a few of my most recent puzzlers, when Astrid's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Hey, wanna take a break over on that island? Looks like there is a nice cave, maybe we can relax a little and let the dragons play?"

"Your wish is my command, milady!" She knew it was.

We landed easily, dismounting from our dragon friends. Just as she had suggested, the moment we landed, the dragons began to play. Sometimes I think they just liked to get away so they could really be themselves without worrying about knocking down a house. Sure enough, there was a cozy cave. There was a chill in the air, so it would be nice to get out of the wind. Astrid, being ever prepared, pulled a blanket out of her pack.

We walked hand in hand into the cave to escape the wind. I pulled out my flaming sword (another of my proud inventions, if I do say so myself) to make sure the cave wasn't already occupied. Astrid made her own once over. It was one of the things I loved about her, and admired. She was fiercely independent and I never had to worry about her. She could definitely take care of herself, and she made every opportunity to make sure I knew she would never be my damsel in distress. At the same time, I would take care of her if she ever had the need.

We found a nice spot close to the entrance but out of the wind where we could keep an eye on our dragons. She wrapped the blanket around our shoulders and settled her head into my chest. Before we knew it we had both dozed off lazily together. The lazy morning snuggle didn't last long, a crack of thunder snapped us awake.

"Well, it looks like we are trapped here for a little while" Astrid posed. The dragons rushed into the cave with us as the rain began to fall. For a moment I contemplated other options. It's not like the dragons can't fly in the rain, it just wasn't all that convenient. Plus we weren't all that far from the village, we had only flown maybe an hour, at most. I went over a mental checklist in my head of things I needed to get done today, and by the looks of it, it was nearly noon as it was. Dad had commissioned a few new boats, I was supposed to oversee the launching of the boats into the harbor, say a prayer to Njord, God of the sea, that it may be kept safe. Lost in my contemplations, I knew that given the choice, I would choose Astrid every time. I knew a time would come where I would not be able to choose her over my duties around the village. The more I ran over scenarios in my head, the more I convinced myself that this is where we were meant to stay today.

Astrid was looking at me quizzically. "I swear, Hiccup, sometimes I wish I could get inside your head. You just get so, lost, when you are thinking." She raised her hands to my face and cupped my head in her hands. On instinct I leaned forward and our foreheads touched. I wrapped my arms around her, eyes closed. "well?" She said, almost as a whisper. Something about the way she said it made me take notice.

"There is nothing, Milday," I began in a low voice, "that I would rather do than be stranded here with you today." I felt her smile. It really made me realize how busy I had been the last few days, because it suddenly felt like I was home again, wrapped up with my Astrid.

"Good answer." She finally said, smiling. She stroked my cheek with her hand and then wrapped her arms around my neck. My Hands slid down to her waist and I had a sudden need to touch those smiling lips. I leaned in, lips searching for hers, missing first and kissing her check. She met me halfway and I took her sweet lips to mine.

As it usually did when we were alone for any amount of time, away from all the curious and nosy vikings of Berk, things got heated fast. She never ceased to amaze me, the way she gave herself over to me so easily during these moments. Her kisses were hot against my skin, I could feel her losing control of herself. I ran my hands down her body and…

Hiccup! I said to myself, you CANNOT lose control! Not like this. When Astrid loses control, you need to try harder than ever. This is not how the chief's son should act, what would the village say if this went too far! I scolded myself. I could already see my dad's disappointed scowl. "Wait!" I said aloud and pushed away, both Astrid and I breathing heavy. I couldn't help but notice Astrid's beautiful chest as it heaved up and down.

"What, what now, Hiccup?" Astrid said, half surprised and half annoyed.

"its, its just, I can't… we can't… lose control." I stammered nervously. Yep, there it is, the viking screw up coming out.

"Would you JUST stop it, Hiccup!" Astrid eyed me carefully, but sternly. "Whatever happens, its OUR choice, OURS! No one has to know what we do in private. It's NONE of their business! My Gods!

She was getting frustrated. Not just with me, but both of us knew she was also frustrated with the intense scrutiny that we were under in the village. It seemed when we were back on Berk, everyone was always toeing some imaginary line. They wanted desperately to see us together, but they also didn't want us breaking any rules. After all, as the chief's son and the "Pride of Berk", I was held to a higher standard and expected to set an example. It's a lot of responsibility to take on at age 18, when my hormones were raging most of the time, and stopping myself with Astrid was sometimes the most painful thing I had to do.

I grabbed her and held her close. She struggled at first because she was upset, but she knew I was just trying to help. "I.. I know, Astrid" I said gently to her. "Its not fair, that we have to watch our every move." Its not exactly like others in their age group weren't crossing the line, or even being all that secretive about it. "I just… I want to do what's right," I stumbled. I grabbed her chin and lifted her head up to me, so her eyes met mine. 'I want to do what's right for you, Astrid. I want to do this right. I… I will... Marry you, Astrid Hofferson, once the time is right for us, and it will be great. And I won't let ANYONE stop us then!" I said with a glint in my eye, hoping she'd caught my flirty innuendo.

She smiled then and punched me in the chest. "That's for being such a 'good guy'". She said. Then she wrapped her arms around me and kissed me again. "And so is that."