Writer's note: Sorry it's been a while! With work and school back, it's been hard getting some time in to write. This chapter is NSFW. It's been a while since I wrote a little smut lol. Sorry it's kind of short. I try to write over 2k chapters, but this one was just not getting there. Hope everyone enjoys!
Unorthodox.
Gobber wasn't wrong when he used the word to describe the newest recruits' methods.
Hiccup worried with the hem of his tunic, his hands desperate to fiddle with something to calm his nerves. His father had summoned him to where he perched along the viewing area of the arena. The spectators and other teens had been sent away. Hiccup reluctantly released Astrid's hand, trying to channel all the strength and support that she could supply him up until the last brush of their fingers.
Hiccup waited. His father remained stock-still in deep thought. Hiccup nearly jumped out his skin when his father turned his head to peer at him. The downward crease on his father's brow – something Hiccup wasn't a stranger to - told him Stoick was not entirely pleased.
His father waved him to step closer, and Hiccup advanced on shaky knees. What if his father ordered another round in the arena – this time for the kill? None of the teens would be able to go through with it. They'd bonded with their dragons quicker than Hiccup could imagine - much to his delight. They wouldn't kill. Their only option if a kill order was given was to run away with their dragons. Exile until they could bring peace to Berk and the dragons - if that plan were to work.
"Hiccup—" though it was low and calm, his father's booming voice resonated through him, "Gobber told me your methods in the ring were…unorthodox. He also told me that the other recruits have begun to follow your leadership. They look to you for what to do. Every round in the ring, you have managed to lead them in pacifying the dragons."
His father gestured towards the ring. "What I witnessed today is exactly how Gobber described. They approached you for direction. They heeded your order when you commanded they stay back. They worked as a team," his father gave a dramatic nod toward him, "Under your leadership."
He sighed heavily, as if the world had been placed upon his shoulders at that very moment. His father averted his eyes to the ring. "I would have preferred to witness a kill in ring. When you are in battle, pacifying tricks may work for a few but not for the many. You will have dragons that will attack with fire and claws and no methods of that kind will stop them in their tracks. You will have to kill."
The word cut through Hiccup like tiny blades slicing into him. His, Astrid's, the other teens and the arena dragons' futures all hung upon Stoick the Vast's decision at this moment in time.
"But—"
Hiccup's breath rushed out of him at his father's tone shifting.
"Because you have shown excellent leadership skills, the kind of skills a future chief will need, I will allow training to end for the time being as now winter will be approaching soon. We will celebrate with the customary feast in 3 days."
"Thanks, dad."
"Son—" his father's hard gaze bore into him, "don't let me down."
"I'll try not to."
As soon as Hiccup walked through the door, Astrid popped in front of him. "What did your dad say?"
"Eager, are we?" Hiccup teased, his eyebrows disappearing into his bangs. Astrid cocked her head as she glared at him with the attitude of a disgruntled bear. Hiccup threw his hands up in peace. "He called an end to training for now. He's ordering the feast to take place in 3 days."
A smile bloomed on Astrid's face. "That's great! We did it!"
Hiccup brushed passed her moving farther into the great room. A small spread of bread and salted meat for lunch was laid out on the table. He pivoted to face Astrid again. "Dad also talked about how the team follows my lead." He averted his eyes to the table, tracing a fingertip around a cup rim. "And how I showed the leadership qualities for a future chief."
Astrid met him where he stood. She bent down to catch his eyes. "Then, he's seeing what I see."
Hiccup made an anxious noise. A thousand thoughts worked through his mind, crashing into each other in an out-of-control mess. Future chief? Would Berk even have him after his secret was revealed? Did he even want the position that he was born into?
Hiccup's mind barely registered Astrid's actions as she suddenly invaded his space. "Astrid, what are you doing?" He cleared his throat at the suckling of Astrid's lips upon his neck. Every disorderly thought screeched to a halt. "Not that I'm complaining or anything."
Astrid straightened up. She grasped both his hands and began to walk backwards toward the stairs leading to their bedroom. "Distracting you. You're overthinking and I can tell." Red heat colored her cheeks. She shrugged a shoulder, her voice taking on a husky tone. "And, I'm kinda in the mood."
"In the middle of the day?" Hiccup questioned but kicked himself right away. His beautiful wife wanted to be with him. Who cares what time of the day it was!
"It is lunchtime—" she yanked Hiccup to her, planting a kiss on him and nibbling his bottom lip as she pulled away, "and I could go for a snack."
Her suggestive words currented all the way down Hiccup's body leaving his nether reigns growing hard. "Let's get you that snack, milady." He wore an eager grin as she led him by the hand to their bedroom.
"What do you have in—" Hiccup's last word was muffled by fabric as Astrid relieved him of his vest and tunic. She pushed him backwards onto the bed and Hiccup landed on his bottom with a thump.
Astrid raised her eyebrows at him, giving a nod for him to continue the work she started. Hiccup caught her signal and yanked off the rest of the fabric barriers as Astrid shed hers. Hiccup watched, a little contented smile playing on his face – his previous worries successfully disolved.
They'd come a long way from being the shy kids that blushed at the lightest touch or peek of skin. Though the shyness made appearances at times, they were as comfortable with each other's skin as much as they were with their own.
Astrid paused in her place beside the bed, her clothes and other daily accessories heaped in a pile on the floorboards along with Hiccup's. A smirked played on her lips, and Hiccup couldn't help being mesmerized by it. She crawled onto the bed, pushing his back into the bed pad. She captured his lips and Hiccup mirrored her enthusiasm. He was thoroughly distracted now.
The position – Astrid hovered over him, having her way with him – had become his favorite way do the deed. His hands were free to roam anywhere on her body, and he took full advantage. He'd memorized every inch of her, mapped out her entire form in his head. It blew his mind even still that only half a year ago his imagination never made it passed just kissing her. But this? No dreaming ever amounted to the sweet taste of her that awaited him on this side of their marriage.
Hiccup wasn't sure what brought on Astrid's friskiness, but he wasn't complaining. She pulled away from kissing him, and Hiccup chased her lips. He opened his eyes to watch her lean higher over him. His heart picked up pace as she teased his lips with her breast. Hiccup knew what she silently asked for. He captured a nipple in his mouth. He teased the bud, sucking and rolling his tongue around it. Astrid moaned and peppered his forehead with little kisses, one hand shoveling through his hair while the other kept her steady.
Hiccup's body seized up and he let out a hiss against Astrid's breast. Her hand had found his cock, stroking it and causing Hiccup to see stars behind his eyelids. She pressed him to her. She was wet and slide him into her with ease. No matter how many occasions took pleasure in each other, Hiccup didn't think he'd ever tire of the sensation of sliding into Astrid. It sent a shockwave through him. It was like the first time every time.
Astrid rolled her hips, slamming down and sending waves crashing through him with every roll. Hiccup's fingers dug into her hips, holding on as if she were his only lifeline. Astrid panted with every roll and then a strained groaned tumbled from her lips. That was all it had to take for Hiccup to fall over the edge. He seized up, sucking in sharp breathes. Astrid held his face in the valley between her breasts as he clung to her. When his pleasure dispersed, Hiccup lay limply on the bed, his bones heavy.
He cracked his eyes open to find Astrid's blue eyes staring down at him. She kissed the point of his nose before carefully detaching from him and falling on the bed beside him. She handed him a rag they kept on their bedside table.
"I don't know what brought that on, but I'm happy it did," Hiccup remarked, cleaning himself up and handing the rag back to Astrid so she could do the same.
"I wonder if your father has begun the order for the feast yet," Astrid mused. She tossed the rag on the table to wash later then rolled onto her side toward him. She traced her finger along Hiccup's belly, drawing an invisible infinite line on his skin. "I can volunteer to help prepare the Great Hall."
Hiccup's stomach muscles twitch under her feathery touch. "You possess cooking skills. You don't want to help prepare the feast?"
Astrid playfully thumped his shoulder. "I can make stew and lay out bread and dry meat. Not much skill to that."
"You do just fine."
"Yeah, thanks to you teaching me."
"I'm sure my dad will be happy his daughter-in-law is volunteering no matter what you do."
A short beat passed. Hopfulness laced her voice. "Why don't you help too."
"With taking care of the dragons and manning the smithy, I'm better off not getting involved." Hiccup sat up, the beginnings of his discomfort seeping back in. "Besides, the more I stay away from my father right now, the better."
"You can't avoid him forever, Hiccup."
Hiccup grinned her way. "Care to distract me again instead of talk about this?"
"Sorry babe, but we have lunch to eat and work to do."
He groaned, screwing his eyes shut. "You're right."
Astrid crawled to him, planting a kiss to his cheek. "C'mon. I'll distract you a little longer. Help me get dressed."
