I made you wait extra long for this one, but it's a pretty good one (I think). Hope you enjoy it :)
Agentwalkoff: Thanks :) I think Hiccup and Astrid are waiting for that too. Lol
Surfy: Thank you for that, and I'm glad to hear your mom is on the road to recovery. There are enough bad things going on in the world already... I'm sorry that I had to make you wait, but I swear it will all be worth it in the end :P As for your thought about Illy and Tin, that actually crossed my mind a couple times while writing this and it never failed to make me laugh. Glad I'm not the only weird one around here. Lol. And I missed you too :P
CB73: Ilweran is learning a lot from Hiccup and his world. Thank goodness he is accepting of it too, because he is already a part of it. Whether he wants to be or not ;)
Now Account: I will never abandon these babies. Especially with that threat looming over me :P The half-breeds really are never content to follow, and I feel like Astrid is almost the epitome of that. Even more so than Hiccup and Ilweran. I also would have to agree that it is cute the way Sigyn and Loki see Hiccup as family. He really is, even if he doesn't want to admit it right now. I think deep down he does see them as family, but feels like it is a betrayal against his father to feel that way... I must say, that visual of the two of them standing together as the worlds burn is so powerful. I absolutely love it. As for Ilweran's transformation, it's going to be interesting. That's for sure. Thank goodness he has Hiccup. I absolutely love that quote by the way. So true.
SL99: Glad you liked the chapter. Hiccup really is the master of the subtle hints, isn't he. And your right. That visual is epic. And yes, Ilweran's blood-bond request was in the works for a while. Surprising and unsurprising is a perfect way to describe it. After all, Ilweran really does need to catch up to Hiccup some how. Simply receiving his seal would not be quite enough. You're welcome for the 'action' :P
Guest: SH4MAN17: That really would be hilarious, and I think Astrid may just have to do that ;) lol
Guest: The Night Fury 1: Don't worry about Ilweran. I can see your frustration at the 'love triangle', but there is a reason for it. I swear. And it certainly won't stay that way. Otherwise, I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Thanks so much for the reviews (on this one and TGoP) :)
KevinLazar: Another nod to HttK indeed, yet still with my own authentic twist. I love the banter between the three of them. I feel like it is only going to get better once everything gets settled and Ilweran takes his place. It sucks that both Astrid and Hiccup have to keep secrets from their best friend right now.
NightHowler0: I get why that irks you, and I swear that's not REALLY how she sees 'her boys'. I don't think Astrid expects Ilweran to abstain for her, but she would certainly kill anyone that hurt him. It's kinda tough to explain, and I promise that Ilweran doesn't mind in the slightest. Everything will make sense soon anyways, but I'm so glad you're enjoying the rest of the story though. Thanks for the review :)
_
Hiccup was still laying on his bed as the sun reached its zenith the next day. A snoozing Astrid half draped over him with her arms and legs properly twined through his and her hair in her mouth. She had passed out like an unconscious drunkard after being thoroughly fucked and he just couldn't bring himself to rouse her. Happily staying in their room with her all godsdamn day, he had already decided that they would just figure out some sort of excuse tomorrow. Though he was getting rather sick of this whole stupid ruse anyways. He hadn't heard Ilweran return to his room yet either, so he was obviously still across the hallway with Golwen.
Perhaps this was the perfect opportunity to reveal the truth. Honestly, Thor and Sif had watched him shamelessly fondle Astrid as he made out with her the other night. Not to mention all the times that they had caught the two of them staring at each other like lovesick and lusty fools. They likely already suspected that there was something more than basic friendship between he and Astrid. They also already knew that Astrid was Hecate's descendant now. Would it really matter overly much if they found out about the rest of it too?..
A squirrel suddenly started chittering outside at that exact moment. Shaking him from his musings as Astrid finally began to stir. Raising her head enough to peer at his face, she found him grinning at her. "Good afternoon mi'lady," Hiccup said brightly. Watching in amusement as her sleep-sluggish brain struggled to pick up the words.
"Afternoon," she mumbled in confusion as she pulled the hair from her mouth with a disgusted grimace. Gazing at the bright light streaming in the balcony from a distinctly wrong angle. The sun much too high in the sky. "You let me sleep straight through the morning? Why didn't you wake me up?" Unwinding herself from around him, she scrubbed her hands over her face now as Hiccup chuckled at her.
"I know better than to poke the bear while it is sleeping," he teased. "Besides, the longer you remained unconscious, the more my male ego was stroked."
"I'll give you a stroked ego," Astrid muttered grumpily. Trying to make her disoriented way out of the bed to start the already half-over day. Struggling with the still somewhat tangled blankets wrapped around her legs as her perfect ass stuck up in the air.
"My ego was just one of many things that you already stroked last night darling, but I am always good for another round," Hiccup quipped. Watching her crawl awkwardly across the mattress as she kicked her legs free of the sheets with a grumble. "Just where do you think you are going, by the way? I was not done with you yet," he added with a laugh. Grabbing her by the hips, he dragged her back towards him. Making her squeal in surprise. Then he turned her around and pressed his mouth to hers as his hands started to wander over her skin and she moaned instead.
"Gods I love you," she murmured against his lips. Moulding herself to him again as she brought her leg back up to circle his hip. In response, Hiccup rolled himself on top of her then and rubbed his length against her centre. Wringing a strangled groan out of her as she clutched at his shoulders and bucked her hips up towards him. He could feel how wet she was getting already, and decided to forgo foreplay this morning. Her legs were wrapping around his and pulling him closer, so he let himself simply sink into her folds with a moan. The two of them fitting together like perfectly matched puzzle pieces.
Just as things were starting to get really heated, there was a loud knock at the door. This was followed by the somewhat confused voice of Thor. "H, is that you in there? I noticed that Toothless and Tintallë were back, but I can't find Il and Astrid anywhere. They're not in their room and we've already checked the rest of the house too." There was a slight pause, followed by another knock. "H, can you hear me? Saira just showed up and we've got a mission."
After dropping his head to Astrid's chest with a grumbled sigh, Hiccup hollered back, "just a minute, man. Be right there." Then he looked back down at Astrid with an eye roll. "What timing the Great Allfather has... How much do you want to bet that it is one of the contacts Viggo gave up? Odin must really want these guys dead, since he has interrupted my morning sexy time for it. You know how grumpy that makes me."
Astrid shrugged at that. "I have to agree that Odin's timing could certainly have been better," she giggled as she pushed up against him. The combined feeling of her laugh and her perfectly delectable warmth clenching around him making him throb with need and he buried his face in her neck to suppress another groan. Astrid carded her fingers though his hair as she giggled again. "Maybe he's giving us this mission as an early Yule gift," she offered with a smirk.
"Uninterrupted sex would have been a much better Yule gift..." he growled against her neck. Grazing his fangs over the tender skin and feeling her shiver. Astrid biting down on her lip to hold back her own lusty mewl now.
"We can do that later babe. For the entire rest of eternity in fact," Astrid finally mumbled with another laugh. Trying half-heartedly to squirm away from him as he kept teasing at her sensitive throat and collarbone, even though her hips were rocking against him again. Craving the release that he was already perfectly positioned to give her. That his body wanted to give her, and he felt himself twitch inside of her again.
Curse Odin and his stupid missions straight to the depths of Niflheim... "The more pressing issue is what we do about this," she added more seriously this time as she gestured at the door. "They already know that Ilweran and I aren't in 'our' room apparently," she pointed out. Enunciating the 'our' with a roll of her eyes, as if she was pretty done with this whole ruse too. "Should I get on Stormfly and sneak off somewhere?"
"Your sexual gratification has always been, and will always be, the most pressing issue to me mi'lady. Therefore, I refuse to leave you wet and wanting for any reason. Everyone else can just go fuck themselves while they wait," Hiccup countered blandly as Astrid snorted a laugh now.
"Speaking of which, I am getting a little tired of keeping my hands to myself all day when I could be fondling you. As such, we are going to show them exactly where you are. Then I am going to bring you right back to this godsdamn bed and finish what they have so rudely interrupted," he stated firmly. Not really leaving her room to argue.
Wiggling his hips, he pressed against her sweet spot before she could think up a counter argument. Making her suck in a sharp breath through her teeth instead, as her eyes fluttered shut and her back arched. A wanton moan escaping her lips despite her best efforts to hold it back. "This is about to get rather interesting," he added as he pulled out of her.
Rolling out of bed then and snatching a pair of loose trousers and tunic from the clothes chest, Hiccup slipped the pants on as Astrid giggled behind her hand. Tossing the tunic to her, he added quietly, "throw this on, but nothing else. I am not nearly done with you." Then he strolled over to the door and opened it up partway as Astrid crawled off the bed behind him and pulled on the too-big shirt.
"Oh, hey. Sorry to bother you, but I thought I heard noises in there and I couldn't find any of the others, so..." Thor trailed off as he looked Hiccup over once. Taking in the extra tousled mop of hair, bare torso, and loosely tied trousers hanging low around his hips, and he tilted his head as his brow furrowed slightly. Sif coming down the hallway behind him and looking Hiccup over too.
There was a gleam of obvious hunger shining in her eyes as they followed the intriguing path of the night fury tail south. Drinking in Hiccup's barely dressed and blatantly aroused state as his still visible erection strained against the light fabric. "Did you just get out of bed," Sif asked in confusion. Shaking herself out of her fantasies.
"I did," Hiccup replied with an easy grin as he leant his long frame against the door jamb and crossed his ankles casually. One hand holding his door from swinging the rest of the way open. "It was a bit of a long night."
"Elves don't sleep," Sif countered with a raised brow.
"How very astute of you," Hiccup teased. "No, we do not. I never said that I was sleeping though." He offered her a wink, and watched as her cheeks turned slightly pink at that. Her eyes flashing down to his groin again as the potent magic of the Dark God called to her.
"Oh... I guess that explains the noises... Though I thought you of all people would have silencing charms cast on your bedroom," Thor stammered in confusion.
"Of course I do," Hiccup offered with an arched brow. "You would not have had to ask what I was doing if there were no charms, and you likely would not have bothered knocking either."
"Oh, right... Well, then I won't bother you two much longer," Thor said awkwardly. Likely assuming that Golwen was currently in Hiccup's bed and Hiccup fought back a laugh. Thor handed Hiccup a rolled up piece of parchment as he added, "we have a mission, and Elder Noldo wants all five of us it seems. If you could just direct me to the other two, I'll let you tell Golwen. Then you can get back to... whatever you were doing... From what I could hear, it sounded like it was going well," he finished with a chuckle.
"Hmm..." Hiccup started. Rubbing a hand over his chin as Astrid stifled another giggle beside him. Her body hidden by the partially closed door. "The last time I saw Ilweran, he was going to talk to Golwen. That was late last night though. I am not entirely sure where he is now, but I never heard him come back to his room so you might try in there." He gestured towards the room across the hall and watched absolute shock and confusion flicker across both Æsir faces at that. A humorous smirk started twisting Hiccup's lips at their obvious discomfort. The cogs of Thor and Sif's brains almost visible as they tried to process the possible implications of what he had just said.
Just then, the door to Golwen's room opened up. Revealing Ilweran, who moved to stand in the doorway while dressed in only trousers. A lopsided smirk on his face too. "Thought I heard my name out here," he said as he leant against the doorframe as well. "What can I do for you?" Then he shot a grin at Hiccup as Thor's mouth dropped right open and Sif's eyes looked in danger of popping straight out of her face.
"Uh, what exactly are you doing in there," Sif asked in confusion. "Why are you nearly naked and where in Helheim is Astrid? Is she in there too? And who..." she spluttered as she glanced back at Hiccup, who just smirked at her in return.
"It is just us two in here," Golwen said then. Cutting across Sif's confusion as she came out to stand in her doorway as well. Smiling deviously at Hiccup and dressed in Ilweran's armoured tunic. Her shapely legs sticking out the bottom and completely bare, though Hiccup could see the faint outline of her own tunic concealed beneath the thin leather shirt. "I expect Astrid is likely in the same place that she usually is in the mornings, and she just overslept. It would seem you rode her a little too hard last night, Aldanil," she joked.
"You know it, but that is what happens when you prefer your dragon to be untamed. Not that she minds. That woman is both irresistible and insatiable," Hiccup grinned back. "You should try it some time brother," he added with a wink at Ilweran.
The prince barked out a laugh and shook his head at Hiccup as Golwen chuckled softly. "Been there and tried that once. Almost died for it," Ilweran drawled with an eye roll. "As gloriously perfect as Astrid is, even she is not worth that much pain."
"But... She said... You two... Just friends..." Somehow, Sif's eyes managed to get even wider as Thor started making choking sounds.
"What," Hiccup asked with a chuckle. "Did you guys honestly not figure it out after learning that Astrid was Hecate's granddaughter? Or how about the other night when she and I were only moments away from having sex on the grass in front of you all? Friends do not kiss friends like that." Hiccup allowed a feral smirk to twist his lips then as he took in the expressions on Thor and Sif's faces. "If anyone gets to share a bed with a real life goddess of darkness, you should have realized that it was always going to be me."
At that, Hiccup pushed his door open wider. Letting the rest of the group see that Astrid was standing beside him. Draped in one of his silk tunics and backlit by the sunlight streaming into the room. Looking distinctly sex rumpled, but still unreasonably beautiful. The enticing silhouette of her body through the thin fabric making it blatantly obvious that she was wearing nothing else aside from the laugh in her ocean blue eyes.
"Hey guys," she said brightly. Moving to stand closer to Hiccup as he dropped his arm to her shoulders now while she wrapped one of hers around his waist. "Golwen's right. I accidentally slept in this morning. I'm usually a pretty early riser, but someone decided not to wake me up after they screwed my brains out last night." She shrugged daintily as Hiccup, Ilweran, and Golwen all laughed again.
"What in Helheim is going on here," Thor spouted. Looking between the four of them in shock. Clearly lost. "Are you guys like, couples swapping or something, and you just decided not to tell us?"
Astrid snorted a laugh of her own at that. "Umm, no. Not quite. You see, this is my room that I share with Hiccup, and Ilweran normally lives at the palace. Although, I may just decide to keep him here from now on, to be honest. I have gotten rather used to it," she teased with a wink at Ilweran.
"Works for me," Ilweran grinned back. "Thank goodness I do not need to sleep or I would have to ask for a different bedroom though," he added cheekily. Making Hiccup bark out a laugh, and Astrid's cheeks turn slightly pink as she glanced back at Thor and Sif again.
"Now, if we were couples swapping, you would have found me in Ilweran's room and Golwen in here." Then Astrid tapped her chin with a finger as her lips twisted slightly. "Actually, that's not entirely true either since Ilweran and Golwen are not actually a couple," she answered nonchalantly. Then she glared up at Ilweran. "Speaking of which, I'm mad at you."
"What in Helheim did I do," Ilweran blurted out.
"I'll give you three guesses, but I think we just ascertained that it most certainly wasn't me," Astrid countered. Giving a very convincing huff and putting her hands on her hips now as Hiccup choked back a laugh.
"I did tell you that you were going to be in trouble," Golwen chimed in with a laugh of her own.
Ilweran started spluttering as he gaped at Astrid in utter astonishment. "How is this even fair," he growled. Equally as convincingly. "You know very well that I am not allowed to touch you! Even when you deliberately flash your naked breasts at me to try and lure me in. Hiccup would still kill me for it!"
"Details," Astrid replied flippantly. Waving a careless hand through the air now and reminding Hiccup strongly of Lerina. "The fact that you are afraid of Hiccup is not really my concern. That you slept with someone else is. You're mine, and you had better not forget it a second time."
"I beg to differ. Unlike Hiccup, I belong to no one," Ilweran pointed out blandly. "Yet for some reason, you seem to be labouring under the delusion that you have the right to make me abstain while you guys continue to hump like rabbits," he grumbled as he crossed his arms over his bare chest and arched a brow at her.
Astrid simply smiled sweetly up at him now. "Delusional as I may be, you still know better than most what happens when I get upset. Though I suppose if you really needed relief that bad, it might be worth the inevitable pain..." She trailed off with an exaggerated sigh and a gentle lift of shoulders. Laying it on extra thick and barely concealing the humour in her voice at the completely ridiculous statements.
"Tough luck bro," Hiccup teased. "Better start running. Looks like you are going to be the one that gets chased through the forest with the axe after all."
"You wish," Ilweran replied simply. Cracking a grin at Astrid as he added, "although you really have no say in the matter what-so-ever princess, you may still be interested to know that I did not consummate the thing with Golwen either. I did not even take my tunic off and give it to her until we heard you guys out here." Golwen nodded with a gleam of laughter in her eyes as Astrid gaped at Ilweran now. Her jaw dropping open as she was completely thrown off her game. Clearly they had both been joking earlier, but now she could tell that Ilweran was being absolutely serious.
Ilweran reached out and pulled Astrid across the hallway towards himself with a chuckle. Closing her mouth with a gentle finger under her chin before pushing her back towards Hiccup. His amber orbs bright with humour as he met Astrid's stunned gaze again. "You honestly think that I would do that? What kind of man do you take me for? Only Hiccup would deny one pushy woman just so that he could walk across the hallway and have sex with her friend. Although I should point out that he would not do it out of lust, but rather to prove a point."
"Although it has been many years since I played that game, I am not even going to bother trying to deny it," Hiccup smirked back. "You know me too well and the old Hiccup was an asshole. Thankfully a very good woman cured me of my awful, awful ways," he added. Winking down at Astrid when she giggled at him. "Thanks for making her perfectly jealous last night, by the way. Not over the top, but just enough."
"A little jealousy never really hurt anyone," Ilweran pointed out with a shrug. "Well, maybe me. Still, I suppose it was only fair that I returned the favour as best I could. I mean, she was never really mine to begin with, so it is a bit more difficult for me to push her to the dark side," he teased as he flashed a smirk at Astrid.
"You guys planned this," Astrid blurted out in surprise. Looking between Hiccup and Ilweran accusingly.
"Plan it we did not," Hiccup countered. "It was merely a happy set of coincidences based on a very predictable set of circumstances, but I appreciated the blow job all the same." Ilweran made a choking sound, as if struggling to hold back a laugh, and Hiccup smirked at him. "I told you that she would make it worth it."
"You two are completely unbelievable," Astrid grumbled then.
"Unbelievably in love with you maybe," Hiccup joked. "Well, I am at least." That earned him a blush and an eye roll in return. Astrid swatting him playfully in the chest before leaning into his side again, and he wrapped his arm around her in return. Grinning at her as he stuffed the paper he held into his pocket.
"I love you too dragon-boy," Astrid assented with a giggle as Hiccup pressed a kiss to her hair. Her free hand straying up to trace over his abs now. Tingles of pleasure spreading out from her fingertips and leaving fire trails over his skin. Making his body stand at attention for her again with nothing more than the potent magic of her touch. A tremor ran though Hiccup's body then, and it was impossible to hide what she was doing to him.
Hiccup growled low in his throat at her, and his little evil temptress simply smirked up at him with feigned innocence. Gazing around at the rest of the group, Hiccup let a feral smirk twist his lips. "Well, as fun as this has been, I usually prefer to start my day buried dick-deep in this goddess instead. In fact, Thor should be able to testify that I was already there when all this drama started. As soon as he finds his voice again, that is."
He shared a glance with Astrid at that. Watching her fight back another giggle, before looking at the others again. "You are welcome to stay and listen at the door if you want, but if I do not get my daily dose of Astrid I tend to get rather cranky. Noldo's mission, and your many questions, will just have to wait," Hiccup said cheekily to Thor and Sif as he turned his body towards Astrid.
Glancing at Sif, Astrid offered a shrug. "Sorry to be downer, but as you can imagine I'm more than a little possessive of this one. If you guys are in the mood to couples swap though, maybe you could try those two instead." She gestured towards Ilweran and Golwen, who both laughed in return. "Ilweran's right, after all. He's free to be with whomever he wishes, whenever he wishes..." she trailed off with another shrug.
Then Astrid grinned up at Hiccup as she slid her hands up over his chest until her arms were around his shoulders. "The Dark Rider on the other hand..." she started. Her voice taking on a much more sultry tone as her smile grew. "No one gets to touch him but me," she added quietly. Hiccup smirked at her in return as his hands skimmed down to encircle her tiny waist.
"Likewise mi'lady," he purred at her. Then he was lifting Astrid up so that she could wrap her bare legs around him as one of his hands slid down to cup her perfect ass under the baggy tunic. His other hand reaching for the door as she clung to him like a sexy leech. "Excuse us," Hiccup said then. Pressing his lips to Astrid's again before shutting the door with a thump. The two of them chuckling as he carried her back to the bed. Guess the secret was out...
*
Astrid could feel the huge grin on her face as she sauntered down the steps with Hiccup a good while later. Her hand clutched in his, and their outfits perfectly colour coordinated now. They had just sent off their letters with Lint, their relationship was finally out in the open, and Astrid couldn't be happier if she tried. It actually felt like her cheeks might just split right in half, but she couldn't stop smiling. She had also been right in thinking that she would be stiff and sore after all the sex last night and again this afternoon, but she couldn't find it in herself to heal the aches, or even care about them right now.
Thank goodness it was nearly dinner time though, since she was absolutely starving. Though, judging by the audience gathered at the bottom of the stairs, it looked like they may not be eating any time soon. The other four were all waiting for them by the hearth in the main sitting room now. Ilweran and Golwen both grinning at them as Thor and Sif just started staring again.
"So, these two have explained everything to us," Thor dived in as soon as Hiccup and Astrid had taken a seat as well.
"Everything," Astrid asked with an arched brow. Opting to sit on Hiccup's lap now that they didn't have to hide anymore. "We must have been up there for quite a while," she added with a glance at Hiccup. In response, he simply rasped a laugh and wrapped his arms around her. Placing a tender kiss to her neck as she leant back against him.
Thor gaped at the two of them for a long minute, before shaking his head in wonder. "You two have seriously been together this entire time? I saw you guys in Asgard during the summer and I never would have guessed that. I mean, it was obvious that there was physical attraction between you two, but that's no surprise to anyone that has met either of you, and Astrid and Ilweran just seemed so in love..."
"I will admit that we are as protective of each other as a brother and sister would be," Ilweran supplied with a shrug. "Perhaps even more so. However, our love is not romantic by any stretch of the word. We have simply played our parts well and have been exceptionally careful up until now. Although I am quite sure that Hiccup was already getting pretty close to breaking point before this."
"I am rather surprised that it has even taken this long. To be honest," Golwen stated with a shrug of her own. "Astrid and Aldanil are both pretty violently possessive of each other. Something we elves have gotten to witness on more than one occasion, and you have as well."
"The day you decided to goad Astrid into using her powers," Golwen clarified when Sif gaped at her. "You truly are very lucky that she was in control that day," the enchantress finished with a chuckle as Sif's mouth formed a comical 'O' in realization.
"We all are. As you can imagine, it can be rather daunting to play the part of Astrid's pretend lover. I would not recommend it," Ilweran added with an eye roll. Hiccup chuckling and smirking at him in response. "I had Hiccup's explicit guarantee that he would not murder me on the spot for touching Astrid that day in Asgard, but that boon certainly did not extend to Alfheim. In fact, if you were paying attention, you would have noticed that Astrid and I have had very limited physical contact this time around."
"Actually, now that you mention it, I had noticed that," Thor muttered. "I just thought that maybe the honeymonth phase was wearing off."
"Exactly," Ilweran offered with a grin. "That would be expected, and we were relying on it. Thankfully we no longer needed to be overly intimate to keep up the charade. Especially since Hiccup would honestly dismember me slowly with a rusty blade if I had touched her too much or overstepped the careful lines we had drawn."
"Lines that you did cross once, and did almost die for," Hiccup pointed out. "Just saying..."
"Yeah, well that was not exactly my fault now was it," Ilweran countered with a glance at Astrid that made her flush scarlet. Then Ilweran leant back in his chair as he casually stretched one of his long legs out in front of him. "Just let that sink in for a moment," he shot at Thor with a smirk. "If you had tried to bed Astrid like you normally would with other beautiful ladies, it would certainly not have been me that brought you to task for it."
At those words, Thor glanced over at Hiccup nervously. In return, Hiccup gave him an evil grin that made his sharp white fangs stand out starkly against his tanned skin. Astrid watching in amusement as Thor paled slightly and tried to hide a shiver. "Wish I'd known THAT a little sooner," Thor grumbled. "Good thing I've learned to keep my hands to myself when it's important, I guess. How in Helheim have you managed to keep something this huge a secret though?"
"Well, it is not exactly a secret amongst the elves," Hiccup pointed out with a shrug. "Only from your father and any that would reveal it to him, and only because of his never-ending mission of entrapping me. Just one of the many perks of being me and living where I want. Another perk is getting to spend every single night with a real life goddess. As you can imagine, it has been rather difficult to keep my hands off of her during the day."
Astrid felt her lips twist into a smug smile at that. "Same here babe, but can you blame me? You are a wicked sex god of the most dangerous kind after all," she teased. Smirking at Sif, who snorted an embarrassed laugh in return. Then Astrid shifted around on Hiccup's lap to press a kiss to his glorious mouth. One hand straying up to his hair as the other came to rest on his solid chest. Breaking away and resting her forehead against his, she found herself gazing into his eyes as she became completely lost in the emerald orbs again.
"Your wicked sex god, my delicious dark lady," Hiccup purred softly. Staring right back at her as his lips lifted in a small smile. Then he scrunched his nose up before rubbing it against hers. Making her laugh now instead as the trance finally broke.
"Oh my gods, you guys are absolutely adorable! I can't even," Sif gushed then. "I always thought that Ilweran would be the first one to settle down. He's just so... good! Not that Hiccup's not a nice guy and all, but he's not exactly relationship material. He never showed much interest in the ladies at all, really. Tended to push them away more than anything."
"Probably because he was already mine," Astrid supplied with a chuckle, and Sif shook her head slowly.
"All those years of denied advances, and I just thought he was scared of being tied down. The possibility of Hiccup already being in love with someone honestly never crossed my mind," Sif admitted. "Probably because I just never imagined that someone would actually be able to tame the Dark Rider in the first place. You know..."
"I don't want to tame him," Astrid stated honestly as she continued to gaze into Hiccup's eyes. "I love him just the way he is. Shadows and all," she added. Receiving a smirk and a kiss on the nose from Hiccup in return. Dragging her gaze away from his finally, Astrid was surprised to find a shine of tears in Sif's eyes and her hand clasped tightly over her mouth now. The other one fanning her face. It looked as if she was trying to hold back a sob.
"Are you seriously crying," Astrid asked with another laugh.
"She is," Hiccup stated with an eye roll. "Nothing gets to Sif quite like true love and open displays of affection."
"Yep," Golwen chimed in. "I also believe she called you adorable, Aldanil," she added slyly.
"Gross," Thor drawled. "That makes both of you now. Guess I'm the only real man left in this place."
"So it would seem," Hiccup said with a glance at Ilweran. "Our reputations are never going to recover from this, Moon Pie."
"You said it Sweet Cheeks," Ilweran grumbled in return as the rest of them all chuckled.
"Wait! I've had a thought," Thor cut in again. "Did you not actually sleep with Amee at headquarters that day then?"
Hiccup just smirked at him. "She certainly seems to think we did," he answered with a shrug. At that, Astrid couldn't hold back her laugh as she smiled at Hiccup. Leaning back to plant another kiss on his wonderful lips.
"You sneaky son of a..." Thor trailed off with a grumble. "I knew you could plant minor memories, but that's just..."
"I said the exact same thing that day," Ilweran offered blandly. "Speaking of our reputations though, your father should probably not know about this either," he added. "Once Astrid is no longer an apprentice the truth will surely be revealed sooner rather than later, but it would be pretty unwise to rush into it right this moment." He was giving Thor a surprisingly menacing glare that sent a chill up Astrid's spine. Ilweran may not be quite as powerful as Hiccup yet, but the sunshine prince was definitely still dangerous.
"I don't feel an overwhelming need to tell my father anything, and I haven't for centuries," Thor offered with a shrug. "If Golwen and the rest of the Council aren't bothered by this, then neither am I. If Odin makes me swear on it, I will just remind him that Astrid cares for both of you. He already knows that," he added with an eye roll. Looking completely unfazed by Ilweran's barely concealed threat this time.
"I mean, I would hope that my father would not actually be stupid enough to use Hiccup's lover to entrap him. I just can't say for sure though, and I am not overly willing to risk the consequences of that," Thor stated in a more serious tone. "I doubt any of us would respond well to having our partner used as a weapon of subservience," he added with a glance at Sif. Receiving a smile in return as his wife reached out to twine her fingers through his. "Thankfully, I have spent enough time around the two of you and the elves to know how to bend a lie all the way around until it becomes the truth."
Then he leant back in his chair and stretched his legs out in front of him. "Lets just say that reigning in the infamous Dark Rider is more of a personal vendetta for my father rather than an actual 'Order' issue. Honestly, I don't see why it matters so much to him in the first place. Who really wants to control everything and everyone all the time? Besides, what us young people get up to outside of work really is none of his 'godsdamn business'. I believe that's what Astrid told him at least, and I think it stuck with him," he added with a wink.
They all burst out laughing now as Astrid felt a blush creep into her cheeks. She had almost forgotten that she actually shouted cuss words at Odin Allfather and the memory made her feel both extremely smug and a teensy bit embarrassed. Finally, after reaching out to fist bump her, Ilweran saw fit to change the subject. "Speaking of work," he started. "What exactly is this mission that we all got out of bed for?" He smirked at Astrid as Golwen tinkled a laugh from beside him.
"Oh, right! I forgot all about that for some strange reason," Thor drawled with an eye roll of his own. Pulling out another rolled up scroll of parchment and handing it across to Ilweran, as Hiccup retrieved his from his pocket. Holding it out so that Astrid could read it too. Next to the symbols for Hiccup, Ilweran, and Thor, was a new symbol of a swan bearing a crown of moons. One empty circle representing the dark moon in the middle, and two reverse crescents on either side.
It was absolutely beautiful, and Astrid grinned at Hiccup for a moment. "I guess I'm going on the mission too," she stated with just a hint of smugness before looking back at the note.
"Heh, what do you know," Ilweran grumbled sardonically as he caught sight of the symbol too. "A swan princess." Hiccup, Golwen, and Astrid all started laughing at that. Thor and Sif gazing at them with furrowed brows instead. As if trying to figure out why that was so funny. Rather than filling them in on the awkward joke, Ilweran just scowled. "When we get to Asgard, remind me to punch Noldo in the jaw for this," he stated blandly. He and Hiccup sharing a glance at that. Then they both promptly broke down laughing again.
Finally calming her own giggles, Astrid looked back at the parchment again. "Why isn't Golwen's fox on here," she couldn't help asking in confusion. Elder Noldo must already know that Golwen was staying here.
"Because, as your 'official' tutor, I am already required to accompany you on your first mission," Golwen replied simply. "As with any other apprentice, the use of your new symbol implies you and your mentor are required. The use of my symbol would imply that I was required as a Rider, rather than as a mentor."
"Oh! Well, that makes sense," Astrid chuckled before looking at the note again. The last symbol of which was a diamond set inside of a circle. "What does this one mean," she asked interestedly. Pointing to it when Hiccup hummed and turned his attention back to her.
"That, mi'lady, is the symbol for Vanaheim," he stated easily. Meeting her eyes briefly, and there was a discreet warning in his not to react. Fighting back the urge to glance at Ilweran again, Astrid simply chose to look at the symbol again.
"Why a diamond," she questioned then.
"It is the rune Ingwaz, for the god Yngvi," Thor answered then and she turned to gaze at him instead. "He is said to be the patron god of Vanaheim. The first nature spirit that took physical form on the world. At least, according to their legends that is."
"Oh," Astrid spouted stupidly. Suddenly feeling like she really should study the histories of the other worlds and their symbology if she was going to be a Rider. "So I guess we are going to Vanaheim." Then she glanced between Hiccup and Ilweran in concern. "Please don't tell me that Vanaheim is full of demon/dragon hybrids too," she groaned.
"I really hope there are not any mythical monsters this time, but I will not make promises that I cannot keep either," Ilweran said with a chuckle as Hiccup huffed in agreement. "Though there will certainly be flesh and blood monsters of the humanoid variety. Many of whom can use both magic and weapons." He shared another glance with Hiccup then before sitting forward slightly in his seat. "Which reminds me... If you are joining us on this mission, I think you should probably get at least part of your Yule presents a little early," he added cryptically.
"Good thinking bro. Yule is less than a week away anyways," Hiccup added. Lifting Astrid gently to her feet then as both of them stood and walked back up the stairs together. Heads bowed close as they spoke in hushed voices to each other.
"What..." Astrid mused. Looking after the two of them in surprise before glancing towards Golwen. "Do you know what they're talking about," she asked the enchantress.
Golwen just offered her a delicate shrug in response. "Perhaps," was all she said. Pretending to seal her lips and smiling when Astrid scowled at her. Sitting down with a huff and crossing her arms, Astrid couldn't help joining in as the other three all laughed at her. Before Astrid could have much time to fret over what they might have gotten her though, Hiccup and Ilweran were both making their way back down the stairs. Large bundles wrapped in silk cradled in their hands.
They glanced at each other once more, before both of them locked eyes on Astrid. "Well, we talked about it and decided that you should open this one first," Hiccup said with a smile. Holding his own gift out to her. "It is a little early, but I know I will certainly feel better if you have this on the mission. Happy Yule mi'lady." Feeling her cheeks heat, and very conscious of their audience, Astrid got up from her chair and went over to the two of them. Taking the package from Hiccup and leaning up on her toes to kiss him in thanks before carefully unwrapping the silk.
Underneath was a decently large, yet plain, wooden box that felt curiously light for its size. It was also impressively silent when she shook it slightly. Shooting Hiccup a confused glance, she then opened up the lid and gasped. Inside was a beautiful sky blue tunic made of the same tough yet flexible leather material as his and Ilweran's armour. The incredibly strong and thin material carrying the same cloud white and pale gold designs as Stormfly. A dark blue stylized nadder emblazoned onto the cream coloured chest plate of it.
Setting the box down on the chair closest to her, she took the tunic out to marvel at it. Finding more material underneath that turned out to be matching trousers, boots, and bracers with Hiccup's signature knife-holding mechanisms inside them. There was even a sturdy weapons belt, though she had nothing to put on it yet. Though she supposed Hiccup had enough extra throwing knives and daggers in his armoury that she could just borrow some of those.
Hiccup had made her a full set of dragon scale armour in the elven style. Astrid knew from talking to Golwen that it usually took months to collect enough dragon scales to construct a complete set of armour. Followed by another month at least to slowly heat soften, work thin, and meld together every individual scale. Taking extra care not to sacrifice any of the strength or spell shielding qualities while achieving maximum flexibility. The process was a closely guarded secret similar to methril, except that the elves did not give their armour out as a trade item. It was for the elves alone. A sign of their status and power within the realms.
According to Golwen, there were very few that had even mastered the skill. Very few had the patience for it. As such, those craftsmen and women were highly valued amongst the elves. She had apparently forgotten to mention that Hiccup was one of those craftsmen however, but of course he would be. Hiccup jumped at every chance to learn and master a new skill and his artistic talents were legendary. Even back in the archipelago.
The armour was so incredibly beautiful that she felt tears well up in her eyes as she turned back to him. "Oh my gods, Hiccup," she exclaimed quietly. Forcibly resisting the urge to dance around like a child on Snoggletog morning, only because the others were watching. She would dance around later. "When did you find the time to make this?"
"Well, I started collecting scales back in Midgard right after you bonded with Stormfly," he stated with a shrug. As if it was no big deal. "She is still a relatively small dragon, so it took a little longer than usual. Once I had enough, I started working on it during your lessons with Golwen. Very occasionally taking to the workshop while you were sleeping too, as Golwen would meet me there to help with the sizing when I needed it."
"A necessary evil. Though you know how I hate to miss any of those hours of holding you for any reason," he added then with a grin. Choking back a sob, Astrid ran over and threw her arms around him as she buried her face in his neck. "You are very welcome mi'lady," Hiccup chuckled against her hair.
"Thank you Hiccup. I love it," she told him with a sniffle. "I love it so much, and I love you so much, and oh my gods! It's absolutely perfect!"
"I love you too, Astrid," he answered softly. "More than anything." Then he pressed his mouth to hers. Clutching him to her, Astrid kissed him back until she couldn't breathe. Not wanting to let him go, ever. Finally breaking away when she heard someone clear their throat from behind them. Laughing now, Hiccup locked eyes with her as he kissed her once more before setting her back on her feet.
Turning to glare at Thor with her hands on her hips, Astrid said pointedly, "yes, Mr. Thunder God? Is there something that you would like to say."
"Absolutely, princess," Thor replied easily as he grinned at her. Not looking ashamed in the slightest. "I was just wondering if you were going to try that armour on, or just leave it in the box? I mean, what if it doesn't fit," he offered with a shrug. "Hiccup will want a chance to fix it before we head to Vanaheim."
"Oh! Oh yeah! I'll be right back," Astrid said brightly. Kissing Hiccup once more before grabbing the box and racing up the stairs with it.
Before she had made it to the top, she heard Hiccup's deep velvet voice ring out again. "You, sir, are a dog," he shot at Thor with a husky chuckle. Pausing just out of sight in the upstairs hallway, Astrid peeked back around the corner. Just in time to see Ilweran punch Thor firmly in the shoulder as Golwen and Sif giggled.
"You know it boys," Thor laughed back. A devious grin lighting his handsome face as he rubbed his aching arm. "The dirtiest of dogs. Admit it though, I'm a genius. Every single one of us wants to see that beautiful woman in her tight new armour. You can thank me when she gets back," he added with a wink. Leaning back in his chair and folding his hands behind his head as the others all burst out laughing.
Just as Astrid turned to start back down the hallway, there was the crashing sound of someone tipping Thor out of his chair at that. Likely Hiccup. Astrid felt her cheeks flush slightly, but continued on to her room anyways. Dirty scoundrels or not, she couldn't wait to try on the beautiful armour either. Completely forgetting about how hungry she was as she practically skipped down the hall in her giddy enthusiasm.
Slipping it on, Astrid found the strange material to be wonderfully light and breathable. Fitting her like a second skin and moving with her, it almost felt like she was wearing nothing at all. Easily as comfortable as her silk tunics and woven leggings. If not more so. Standing in front of the large piece of reflective glass on the wall, she turned this way and that to admire her new outfit from every angle. Stormfly squawking her approval as she nuzzled her Rider affectionately.
Astrid had never been prone to vanity, but even she had to admit that she looked ridiculously sexy in this. Easily as appealing as Minden. In fact, she seriously doubted that she could look more alluring if she was properly naked. This armour hugged every curve perfectly. Leaving very, very little to the imagination. Just like Hiccup and Ilweran's, except as with Minden's armour, her bottoms were tighter fitting than theirs. More like leggings than trousers.
Honestly, Astrid knew her mother would probably throw a fit if she were to see Astrid dressed in something like this. Still, it just seemed to suite her. As if she had been born to wear it, and in truth, she had been. The lovely colouring even seeming to enhance her eyes to an almost surreal blue at the same time as it brought out the pink flush in her cheeks. Grinning widely and performing one more twirl for Stormfly, Astrid then made her way back downstairs.
Pausing just out of sight in the hallway again, she took a deep breath before sashaying out to the top of the staircase. Sensing her presence in that way he always did, Hiccup glanced up first, and froze. His eyes comically wide. Noticing him, Ilweran looked up next, and froze too. His mouth hanging slightly open. Slowly the other three followed suit. "If you two don't plan to share her, can Sif and I," Thor asked Hiccup then. His tone distinctly teasing.
"I dare you to try it," Hiccup growled back. An even mixture of humour and warning in his tone that made the others burst out laughing.
Smiling widely at her lover, Astrid sauntered her way down the steps. Stopping at the bottom to strike a pose as Sif whistled at her. Making her giggle. "I think it's safe to assume that it fits perfectly," Astrid offered innocently as she batted her eyelashes at Hiccup.
"You could say that again," Hiccup growled as he came over to take her in his arms now. "You may have been born to wear this armour mi'lady, but I'm pretty sure I was brought into the worlds for the sole purpose of taking it back off of you," he added quietly. His voice a sultry purr that made her shiver.
He ran his hands up her arms and down her sides with a wicked grin before crushing his mouth to hers, and she stretched up on her toes to meet him. Loving the wonderful feel of his touch through the super thin leather. Spawning that all too familiar warmth in her blood that no one else ever could. "I'm not sure how we didn't see it before," Astrid heard Sif mutter then. "Could two people in all the realms possibly be MORE suited for each other?"
"Nope," Ilweran chuckled in return. "They really are a match made in Helheim," he added cheekily. Hiccup chuckled low in his throat at that and held his middle finger up at Ilweran, but continued to kiss Astrid as if no one was there. Her body coming alive at his touch as she leant in tighter to him. Completely forgetting their audience for a moment.
"Alright, alright. Break it up lovebirds. This is no time for romance. We have a serious mission of the utmost importance awaiting us," came Ilweran's teasing voice from right beside them. Her and Hiccup finally broke apart with a chuckle as the others started laughing. Astrid glancing over at Ilweran questioningly. He had never interrupted her and Hiccup before.
She was about to jokingly ask him if he was jealous, when he cracked a grin at her. "Sorry, princess. I just thought that you might want to open your other gift before you get too carried away," he offered with a wink. Holding out his wrapped parcel now.
"Good point," Astrid replied in a serious tone. "This is no time for fornication. There are presents to be unwrapped." At that, she reached out to grab the long and slender package as Ilweran snorted a laugh at her. Deciding it was best to sit down before she tried to open it, she settled herself in the nearest chair and placed the gift on her lap. Proceeding to carefully unwrap the silk covering and reveal another wooden box just as plain as the one Hiccup's gift had been in. This one was also shockingly light, though it did rattle slightly when she gave it a gentle shake.
Intrigued by the sound, she opened the lid excitedly. Then she promptly dropped the lid on the ground in surprise. Inside the box, nestled in a bed of white cloth, was the most beautiful bow she had ever seen. Made of ash wood, and fashioned in the recurve design of the elves, it was the same lovely sky blue as Stormfly's scales and Astrid's new armour. Both the bow and the beautifully made quiver and arrows laying with it were decorated with inlays of bright yellow gold and a lovely whitish silver to match her armour, and there were swirling lines of blessing all over them that she recognized immediately.
"Did you make this," she asked Ilweran in shock. Picking up the bow in one hand to marvel at the incredible lightness of it as she ran the fingers of her other hand over the delicate blend of artistic and magical symbols.
"Of course I did," he answered easily. "I did tell you that I am fully capable of making pretty things too. Besides, every Rider worth their salt needs a bow, and no ordinary one would do for the granddaughter of Hecate herself." Astrid glanced up at him in wonder, and he just offered her a half-shrug in return. "Like mine and Hiccup's, it is made through the elven process of 'singing' and it will not easily miss or break. The arrows are also enchanted to always return to the quiver. Although you will likely need to use your enhancement magic to be able to draw it for now, the resulting power of the projectile is unrivalled."
"I have been begging you for an elf-made bow for well over a century. Even offering to pay shockingly obscene amounts of gold for it, and now Astrid just gets one given to her as a Yule present," Thor grumbled then. "What does she have that I don't," he added with a pout.
"Would you like me to make a list," Ilweran drawled sarcastically. Hiccup sniggering beside him and reaching out for a fist bump as Golwen and Sif giggled.
Still completely speechless at the unbelievable bow, Astrid ran her fingers over the intricate inlays of gleaming metal again. Then she set the box down carefully beside her before standing and throwing herself into Ilweran's embrace. Wrapping her arms around his waist and burying her face in his chest to stop from tearing up. Gods, these two were just far too perfect for words! "Happy Yule, Swan Princess," Ilweran murmured quietly. His cheek resting on her hair.
"Happy Yule, Illy," she teased with a grin. Leaning back to look into his eyes again. "I think I just might like you a little tiny bit."
Scoffing, he dropped his arms from around her as he rolled his eyes. "I love you too princess," he growled softly, "but do not push me woman. My promise of punishment still stands."
"Really," she quipped brightly. "Because that would be an absolutely lovely second Yule gift! I may need your help getting back out of this armour though," she told Ilweran with an innocent smile. "Maybe the three of us can just go back upstairs right now and get started on that." There was a chorus of laughter from behind her, and Astrid turned slightly to wink at Thor, who gave her a thumbs up in return.
"Try it bro, and I will run you through with the nearest blade I can find," Hiccup growled as Ilweran snorted a laugh and shook his head at Astrid bemusedly. Astrid grinning at him even as she placed a reassuring hand on Hiccup's arm and leant into him. Letting him know she was only kidding, and Hiccup glanced down at her with her favourite lopsided smirk. The humour in his eyes blatantly obvious.
"I would not dream of it brother," Ilweran drawled back. His amber eyes gleaming with the same spark of laughter as Hiccup's green ones. "For one, I know that you are rarely without at least one stashed stiletto, and I would like to keep my hands attached to my body. Secondly, she said the three of us, and I do not want to get naked with you. That would likely be the absolute worst Yule gift I have ever gotten."
"Likewise," Hiccup smirked at Ilweran. "Well, now that all the emotional rigamarole is over and done with, I suggest the rest of us get suited up in our armour as well," he finished with a chuckle. Everyone else rising and laughing as they all started up the stairs. Astrid grabbing her new bow and quiver of arrows before heading up with them. She still needed to get her axe and borrow some other weapons. That, and you would never catch her passing up an opportunity to watch Hiccup get undressed...
_
Well, there you go. The truth comes out. Big time...
How did you like Thor and Sif's reactions? Or Ilweran and Golwen's dirty humour and conniving trickery?
PS: Astrid is going on her first mission! Ahhh! So excited! (I did promise violence :P)