Growing Pains

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This is a slightly awkward drabble, but it just popped into my head randomly. It's set in my AU where Valka never left. I just thought it was kinda a cute idea for Hiccup to comfort Astrid in an awkward kinda personal situation. And just to clarify, Astrid is wearing bindings because children in that time most likely just swam in just underwear or underwear and leggings when they got older (which is what the guys are using in here; both girls have bindings) but she's too embarrassed to do that even though she really has no purpose for covering up, so she wore them to go swimming. She's really not comfy with her body, though she will change in front of Hiccup in just underwear until she starts puberty. After they're married, she's fine with him seeing her naked and she's more than happy to share her body with him and loves the special intimate moments they share, but she won't walk around in her underclothes like he will, haha. The two most surprising things in their marriage are that he's more comfy about his body and she's the snuggly one who always wants to snuggle and hug in bed at night. But anyway...I'll shut up now.

SUMMARY: Hiccup comforts Astrid after the others tease her about being a late bloomer. Not meant to be perverted in any way.

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Thirteen-year-old Astrid Hofferson tried to hide her reddening eyes as she ran from the beach to her house, yanking her tunic over head as she did so. She and her small group of friends had just been swimming, as it was one of the rare, warm days on Berk. The event had been great fun; that is, until a certain inappropriate remark was made from Snotlout.

Astrid still has a little girl's chest.

The words wouldn't have been so bad if Ruffnut, who - though a year younger than Astrid - had already begun blossoming into a young woman, hadn't joined in the teasing along with Tuffnut. Even Fishlegs had given into peer pressure and laughed along a bit. The only one who hadn't uttered a word had been Hiccup. Instead, he had sat on a log the whole time looking rather uncomfortable about the situation that was going on around him.

Astrid's tears finally let loose as she tossed open the door of her home and flung herself onto the couch. She was not one to typically cry, but the fact that a group of mostly boys had stared at her chest, which had been covered by wrappings, and poked fun at it was just a little to much for her to handle, mostly because they were right. She was thirteen - and would turn fourteen in a few short months - and she still had the same body that she did ten years ago.

After what seemed like a long time, Astrid sat up and took a deep breath. She then started to contemplate what she should do; she didn't want to go back to the beach and be ridiculed for both her lack of breasts and for running off in embarrassment, but at the same time she felt like she should venture out there again and stand up for herself. However, before she could make a choice, a knock sounded at her door.

"Who's there?" she called, struggling to hold back a sniffle.

"It's me, Hiccup. Can I come in?"

Biting her lip, Astrid rose to her feet and walked to the door. "Are you coming to tease me, too?" she sighed as she twisted the knob to reveal the guy who had been her best friend since either of them could remember.

"No, I uh...well...can I please just come in? You look like...you look like you need a hug."

"Alright," the girl concluded as she stepped aside to allow him to pass through the doorway.

Almost as soon as he was inside, Hiccup wrapped his arms around her middle. "Do you want me to get my dad to kick their butts?" he asked.

"No." She shook her head before burying it into her friend's shoulder. "I'd rather not have the news of my erm...my lack of development spread to your father. That would just be awkward."

"Alright. Well, do you...do you wanna tell my mom about it?" Since her mother had died whilst giving birth to her, Astrid had gotten "the talk" from Valka, who had also offered to help her with any concerns she might have about the matter.

"Not now. It's just..." She trailed off.

"Okay. What'll make you feel better, then?"

"Could we go for a ride? You on Toothless, me on Stormfly. I'll race you to the cove if we do."

A crooked grin spread across his lips as he broke the embrace. "It's on."

With that, the two young Vikings rushed out the door to find their respective dragons, Astrid thankful that she was lucky enough to have such a good friend and Hiccup happy that he had been able to cheer her up.