Chapter 15: In which there is bonding over doing each other's hair
The Night Fury. He'd found the Night Fury! Hiccup couldn't believe his eyes. There in the cove was the dragon he'd successfully shot down then unexpectedly released. He grabbed for his notebook to quickly sketch it. He didn't think he'd get the opportunity to see the elusive dragon one more time. But after it's erratic flying two days ago on top of Gobber's comment about going in for the kill, he knew he had to find the dragon in hopes of getting answers to his many questions.
Hiccup wasn't sure what he'd actually do if he encountered the Night Fury again. The dragon may not have mercy on him a second time, but that was a risk he was willing to take.
"Why don't you just…fly away?"
Then it caught his eye. The missing tail fin.
Hiccup rubbed away the charcoal lines, leaving a smudged spot where the matching tail fin should have been. He watched as the Night Fury, frustrated and exhausted, tried to snap a meal from the crystal clear pond below, only to come up empty. It was hungry and trapped in a magnificent, lush prison.
The pencil slipped from his hand and tinkled down the edge of the cliff, drawing the dragon's attention. Two sets of greens eyes made contact. The intense stare of the dragon softened just a tad as it tilted its head at Hiccup.
Hiccup's racing heart slowed the longer he stared back at the dragon as if a silent curiosity stood between them. He couldn't leave this dragon there to die of starvation, not after it spared his life.
He'd return.
As interesting as the Book of Dragons was, it was absolutely useless for any information regarding Night Furies. Hiccup slapped the book closed and tossed it on his desk with a dejected sigh. He fell back onto his pillow, arms folded over his eyes. Was he the first person to ever come in close contact with a Night Fury? Out of all the Vikings in their 300 years of residing, was he really the only one?
Footfalls echoed up the stairs and Astrid appeared in the doorway a moment later. "How was the book?"
Hiccup gave her a half-smile. "Interesting. I learned about species I'd only heard of in name." Except for the Night Fury.
He'd wormed his way through half the book before suppertime then promptly stuck his nose back in the pages right after helping pick up the dishes for Astrid to clean. He hadn't noticed the frown she'd worn as he disappeared into their bedroom. He'd missed their evening routine of hot drinks by the firepit.
Hiccup turned his head to watch from his sprawled position on the bed as Astrid made her way to the trunk to retrieve her nightgown. Facing the wall, she removed her shoulder guards and skirt. Hiccup released a shuttering breath as Astrid pulled her shirt over her head and unwound her bindings, leaving the creamy skin of her back exposed.
A part of Hiccup throbbed at the sight. He witnessed the expanse of her bare back several times since his accidental viewing, but Hiccup knew he'd never notbe affected by the sight of her bare skin.
To Hiccup's chagrin, Astrid tugged the nightgown over her head and pulled off her tights from underneath the fabric. She discarded her kranson onto the nightstand and began to undo her braid. She grabbed the brush, slapping it on Hiccup's stomach. He winced at the none-too-gentle smack.
"Brush my hair," she ordered, dropping down beside him. She gave her hair a dramatic swoosh that tickled across Hiccup's face.
Hiccup sat up with brush in hand and a warm pit in his stomach. He'd never brushed her hair, let alone touched it before. He'd longed to comb his fingers through the fringe of her bands and tuck a long lock behind her ear. This was far more than he'd imagined.
The brush hovered at the crown of her head as Hiccup pondered this new ground in their relationship. Astrid glanced back over her shoulder, questioningly. That one look stimulated his limbs to move.
He tentatively sank the bristles into her blonde locks, the stroke settling the waves created by the daytime braid. There were a few tangles to work out. Astrid suggested using his fingers on the tangles, and Hiccup hoped his hand wasn't trembling as his fingers combed the strands.
After a couple minutes, the brush freely ran through her hair and Hiccup thought that was it. "Keep going…please," Astrid said, hesitantly.
Hiccup didn't need to be told twice. He continued the slow strokes through her hair. Astrid's head tilted to the side just slightly as a tiny moan drifted from her throat. It was clear that this was something she enjoyed, and Hiccup to took note. He was rather enjoying this new form of intimacy between them. Her hair was softer than what he'd assumed. The tips of his fingers sometimes skimmed her back unintentionally. He could do this every night if she'd allow him.
"Your notebook fell out your vest pocket," Astrid broke the comfy silence that had blanketed them, "it was open to a sketch of a dragon I didn't recognize."
Hiccup's hand suddenly froze on her cascading blonde locks.
Astrid twisted to face him. "What species is it?"
Hiccup wracked his brain. Should he spill the beans that he'd found the Night Fury? He could full out lie that the dragon had gotten away while he was fighting it, but that'd probably be even less believable than the truth of him setting it free. Either way, both scenarios would be shameful. "It's my theory of what a Night Fury looks like. I pieced together different ideas of what it could look like. It's fast and dives at incredible speed, so it's body must be sleek and streamlined with the various fins to maneuver it."
Astrid nodded. "That's an impressive theory."
Hiccup blew out his cheeks before sighing in relief. She believed his theory, which was actually the truth. "Thanks."
Astrid scooted around, tucking her knees under her. Golden locks poured over her right shoulder. Her eyes pierced his like blue lightning, electrifying his blood. Her cheeks were tinged pink and her lips were oh-so-inviting. Her question just moments ago was forgotten as Hiccup's longing to kiss his wife sent his mind whirling.
He leaned into her space, catching Astrid's eyelids closing as his shut naturally. Tentatively, their lips brushed together as they became more familiar and comfortable with the feeling. The warmth radiating from her was incredible and he could have stayed there the rest of the evening bathing in it.
His lips were slightly chapped and as they parted for a brief second in their explorations, he slicked his tongue across his bottom lip accidentally catching Astrid's bottom lip as well.
Hiccup kicked himself as Astrid withdrew out of reach. "Sorry, I didn't do that on purpose."
"It's okay," she reassured. The pink of her cheeks darkened. "I just wasn't expecting it."
The moment had passed. Hiccup's tunic felt sweltering on him at the mistake. He didn't know what to do. Should he try to initiate another kiss? Should he move on and start a chat? Or maybe go to bed and sleep off the embarrassment –
Thankfully, Astrid decided for him.
"Turn around."
Hiccup's brows drew together, questioningly. "Why?"
"Just do it," Astrid ordered, twirling her finger.
Hiccup obliged. He wasn't sure what Astrid had planned, and nearly jumped when she touched his hair, a sensation he was not used to. She smoothed her palms along his scalp, her digits catching a bundle of hair and pulling it to separate from the rest of the strands. She was hard at work at her task.
"What're you doing back there?" Hiccup asked, twisting his neck to glance at her.
Astrid forced him to look forward again. "Braiding."
"I don't really want a braid." Hiccup gave a little yelp when Astrid yanked on the braid she was forming. "But I could get used to it."
Hiccup caught the sly smirk running across Astrid's lips as she leaned into his peripheral vision. She tied off the braid then smoothed her fingertips feather-light down his back, causing a pleasant wave through Hiccup's body.
Hiccup frowned at the loss of her touch as she scooted off the bed to finish her nighttime routine. He reached back and slid fingers down the braid to the end. There were many things he could get used to be close to her.