Hiccup POV

As I fly off from Astrid's, I continuously think over in my head:

"You failed. You failed. You failed her, you failed herself, you failed your father…"

I choke back on that last one. it has been only a couple of months since his death, so the memories of him are still painful. I shake the feeling back to Astrid.

I knew that I had every opportunity to ask her. But I didn't. I, as per usual, chickened out. I had set it up perfectly. We were at the cove, it was a chilly day, the mist providing the most romantic setting I could ask for. The ring was accessible from both arms, and to top it off, that was where Astrid first kissed me. The place was perfect, the ring was perfect, gods the GIRL was perfect. It was just me. I look back, and sigh in disappointment. I could be married to her, but I am just too scared.

I flew back home, where mum was waiting.

"So? How did it go? Did you pop the question?"

Mum fluffs over me and finds the ring, still in the same spot where I had left it.

"So…no? Hiccup, Astrid won't say no. She has everything ready. The dress, the venue. All of the invitations are ready and waiting to be sent. The groom-to-be just needs to ask."

"I know mum. But that doesn't make me any less nervous. I know that she'll say yes, its just.."

"Your shy. I know. and so does Astrid. But she still loves you, even though you can't ask the most simple four words. What would your father say?"

I lower my eyes. I know the answer to this one. But it isn't easy to say.

"He would say…" I choke down my tears, "He would say that I need to face my fears, rather than avoid them. That's what a chief needs to do."

Mum nods.

"And thats what I'm going to say too. You need to ask Astrid, otherwise, she may move on, annoyed that you can't ask her something that you know she will respond positively to."

I nod. I know that if I do this, it will make my father proud. And I have always tried to make him proud.

"I'll ask Astrid tomorrow."

"No. Today."

"What?"

"You heard me." mum says. "Go back to Astrid's and ask her. You don't even have to get on one knee. Just hold out the ring and ask her."

"Ok." I whisper. "Ok."

I knock on Astrid's door for the second time today. I breath heavily. I know that this is meant to be simple, but it is terrifying. I wait only a minute before Astrid opens up the door. I breath...again

"Hey, um…Astrid."

I must sound so stupid. I look over my shoulder and see my mum, hiding behind Toothless. How she got here, I don't know. But I do know that it is now or never.

"Um..so…you know that we've been going out for a while…"

"Yeah." she smiles.

"So…um…oh gods…um…I…I love you a lot. You know that right?"

"Yeah. I love you too."

"So…oh gods…um…" I look over my shoulder and mum waves her hand telling me to continue.

"So could you…um…if you don't mind…oh gosh…um…would you do me the honour…oh man…will…will you…um…"

"Yes Hiccup?"

"Ok…here it goes…its not pretty or spectacular but…will you marry me?"

I look up, pulling the hand-made ring out from its pocket. I hold it in between my fingers, and nervously hope that what mum said was true.

"Of course! O my gods this is amazing! I love you!"

She jumps on me and I struggle to hold the ring and Astrid. She leans back and gives me a kiss.

"Why didn't you ask sooner?"

"Because I was afraid…really afraid."

"Why? I would never say no Hiccup. I love YOU! I was just worried that you wouldn't ask at all!"

I place her down and gesture to her left hand.

"May I?"

She nods and gives her hand to me. I grab it, afraid that this is just a sweet dream, and slide the ring onto her finger. She barely looks at it before she kisses me once more. I spin her around to the beautiful music which is our love. I place her down and our foreheads push together.

"I love you Hiccup. We will do this together."

I nod. I kiss her forehead before whispering to her.

"You, and me, as one."