Author's Note: Rated M in part 2 of this chapter.
The next week seemed to fly by for me; my days being dedicated to training the riders and my nights being dedicated to Hiccup. Even the days were starting to fly by for him as he begun drawing up huge designs for improvements to Berk to allocate for the potential influx of dragons. He was moving a lot more aptly now too, wincing less, sleeping more. The wound from the blade nearly completely gone and our nights were spent in each other's embrace.
Still, each morning was its own challenge to have to leave his bed and go train without him, but on the plus side, the riders were showing vast amounts of improvement. Hiccup relished in listening to me talk about the day, how I challenged the Jorgensen's, or the twins did something crazy. Fishlegs, for the most part, was helping maintain some semblance of control, along with Eret and Valka. Gustav was older but still a kid at heart and acted like it a lot. He spent most of the training sessions trying to impress either Ruffnut or I with his acts of dashing bravery. It made for a solid laugh every night with Hiccup.
Gothi had given up being a member of the Auxiliary Riders to ensure the healing hut was always staffed. Random cuts and burns were far more frequent than a few years ago, but much less severe. Where she used to treat amputations, she now treated minor gash wounds from people playing a little too rough with their dragons. Plus, it allowed her to help Hiccup throughout the days, who was spending it mostly in his house.
Hiccup told me of a couple times he was allowed to leave the house during his healing process by Gothi; he said allowed with a hint of sarcasm because that little woman could really swing a stick. Gobber had needed help officiating an exchange between Mulch and Sven when they were arguing. Luckily, both were quick to reach a decision with Hiccup. As we sit together and describe our days, I realize what Valka said struck true.
I am no where the negotiator Hiccup is, and my anger can flare. He is not the fighter I am, but he has proven he will fight for what he loves. Together we make a perfect match of prowess and negotiations that few can aptly match. And just making that realization helped me work through these days where we were apart for most of them.
The night trainings I had planned sometimes went close to midnight, though every time, when I came back to the house, he was there. Waiting with a fire lit, food heated and cooked and working on some sketch of his. He never slept before I got back, always stopped what he was doing even if he was mid sketch when I got in. If this were the type of married life that I could expect from him, its something I could get used too to be sure. Though he would not always be stuck in the house, and rightfully so. It's the attentiveness; it's as though I was the most important part of his day, idea or crazy event aside.
It wasn't always that way, and I remember the aching feeling of being forgotten about for some secret project back on the edge or the dragon lenses. It had changed so dramatically since thing, he had said he was taking me for granted and sure, for a little while I may have felt that way, but it wasn't the case. I do not think for a second that he was anymore, we were just constantly in peril, looking for the next edge over Viggo or Krogan that our relationship had to put on the sideline. That is how I reasoned it anyways but ever since the Armorwing Dragon that we saved; he's never not given me attention. Like there has been born a balance of work and love.
Tomorrow would be different, Gothi had given him a tentative clean slate of health and he was eager to get back into the air with Toothless. But that was later, for tonight, it was just us. I can still feel his arms tightening their embrace around me as we sit staring at the fire. He had just told me about a refined design for different dragon stables and fire control systems and I had just finished telling him about my day. We were sitting in silence and I had a soft smile on my face with my eyes lightly closed as I feel his lips still tracing my new favorite spot along my neck, until they stopped. I heard the hitch in his voice, and he took in a breath.
"Astrid." He says softly and I turn my head to look at him.
"Mmm?" I mumble in acknowledgement, asking him to continue his thought.
"Thank you." He says simply with zero context. I almost wanted to hit him when he did that.
"For what?" I ask, staring into the fire.
"Being here. Five years ago, if anyone told me that in only five years' time, I'd be sitting in front of a fireplace holding you in my arms, I wouldn't have believed it. I couldn't have. Trials and challenges aside, I wouldn't change any of it if it meant changing this."
"Wouldn't change any of it?" I ask solemnly. It was sometimes easy to forget he had lost his father barely a month and a half ago. Glancing over to Stoick's empty chair where his mug still sits, I close my eyes and he tightens his grip around me.
"Any of it." He reaffirms to me. "I miss my dad. But I take heart in knowing he sits with the gods and the other great Chiefs. And I take heart in knowing that we would, that we do have his blessing." He says then I wince slightly and shift.
"Speaking of" I begin, pausing and turning to fully look at him. "My father wants to speak with you the next time you have free time. I would've recommended sooner but he insisted it be after you recover." I admit finally. I had been sitting on that gem for a week now, the raid, the visit from Alvin, none of it seemed like a good time, then with his injury.
"Oh, boy… should I be concerned?" Hiccup asks in partial jest, but I shake my head.
"No- I mean, I don't think so. They've already given us their blessing already but they also… suspect." I admit softly and his eyes narrow as his brow furrows before the shoot wide with fear. The abrupt change almost made me laugh to be honest.
"What? You mean, us. Like, us? How-how, how did they, do they know?" He stammers in his classic nervous response that does make me laugh softly. I place a finger on his lips, and he quiets down and his arms relocate my hips.
"According to them, they are parents." I answer and he scoffs.
"Yeah, that's basically what my mother told me. 'A mother knows, son' or something like that." Hiccup sighs. "I'm glad that we have their blessing, though."
"I agree. When do you think you'll talk to him?" I ask slowly and he shrugs.
"Probably tomorrow. We're giving the riders a break anyways from your torture trainings and afterwards you and I can just go for a flight, just us and our dragons." He jests with a nudge and I scoff, rolling my eyes.
"Who said that? Snotlout? The Twins? Maybe Gustav?" I say sarcastically as he laughs.
"Ah-ha, Fishlegs actually used that term when I saw him during lunch the other day."
"Fishlegs! Wow." I say, not hiding my astonishment that Fishlegs of all people would say that to Hiccup. But it was probably during one of their dragon geek-out sessions, Fishlegs had sent a Terrormail to the Berserkers about the Doomfang and must have gotten something back. "What else did he say?" I ask, narrowing my eyes at my lover.
"That was it about the training, and he used it cause apparently that's been what Snotlout and Spitelout have been calling it. He came to give me an update on the Doomfang." Hiccup states and I smile knowingly. I loved that I knew him so well. "What're you smiling at?" He questions and I shrug.
"Just how well I know you. We're good for each other, babe." I say, planting a kiss on his lips.
"Yes, we are." He answers against my lips with a smile as I feel one of his hands trace the back of my head and filter through my hair, pressing our lips together again for a long moment amid the fire. After a long, breathless kiss, we part to regain our breath and I smile. My face flushed red and eyes gazing into his, I bite my lip.
"Speaking of, how's the wound?" I ask meekly with a smile. I'm not one to submit, but I have no shame in showing this side of me to Hiccup, not anymore.
"Much better; well enough that I can probably carry you up to bed again." He answers with a smile and I swear, I cannot stop it as my tongue traces my lower lip I nod.
"Well enough to do more than that?" I ask suggestively and he nods.
"Definitely." Is all he says before his grip around my hips shift and tightens as I feel his arms snake around my legs and back, standing up and carrying me up the stairs. I usually hated being carried like this, and I would never in public, but in private. On the way to our bed, I'd allow it, I'd always allow him like this.
There was plenty to be thankful for on this night; my wound had been mostly healed, my people were fed, and content and I was with the most beautiful Viking in all the archipelago. Her beauty was intoxicating, her smell was ravishing. In the hue of the firelight her eyes seemed to sparkle into nearly a violet hue as the red firelight dances against her sapphire eyes. It made me wonder which of the gods I had appeased to earn this woman's love; or if they had anything to do with it at all and it was merely that she loved me. I dare not say, but I dare not question it either.
The night was a beautiful one, and Toothless had no qualms about moving outside as Astrid and I made our way up the stairs. The dragon had been present on one such night, but kept his attention diverted. This time, it seems, he was all too happy to let us have the room and house to ourselves.
"Think he knows?" Astrid jokingly laughs as we make our way up the stairs, my eyes finding hers as I just shrug.
"Who knows." I answer with a smile as I place her on the bed. She slowly starts to unhook her bindings until my hands find hers and I push her back on the bed, laying on top of her and pressing our lips together. She stifles a laugh that is quickly replaced with a soft moan as our tongues don't even need to ask to meet before they are dancing together between our lips.
One of her lips propped up as I feel her hips grinding to mind with a sense of longing. As our lips part, she looks at me breathlessly and smiles. "I've missed this." She admits and I smile.
"It's hardly been a week?" I counter, though I could not hide that I missed it as well.
"That's already too long" She says wish a light gasp as my lips find her neck and bite down. I feel a pressure on my ribs but no real pain, telling me I am clear to proceed. "Hi-hiccup" She stammers between gasps as I apply light kisses to the area I had just bitten, my tongue tracing the mark. We were careful, and I only ever bit down where she could hide it the next day. "I'm- We're still dressed. I've a problem with that." She playfully says, pushing me up and I put a finger to her lips and relish in the look on her face as I do.
"Please, Astrid… allow me." I say simply and her gaze changes to a suggestive smile as she leans back on the bed and lets hers arms rest, she knew full well my intentions and I had just been given the nod of approval to continue. So, continue I do.
Slowly unlatching each of her straps, I remove her shoulder pads first, and her necklace. She wore the one I made her every day since I've given it too her. It lands perfectly between the red vest, which comes off next as she raises her hands and smiles. I gently place the necklace on the table next to the bed before continuing. Article by article, I slowly remove her clothing, giving each portion of her body due attention as I do. My fingers trace up her arms as I remove the laces. My lips trail across her chest, to each of her breasts; my tongue lightly tracing each of her nipples as I undo the under sashes that protect her chest.
Moving lower, I remove her knee pads and start unstrapping her skirt. Her boots had come off hours ago, which allowed for her skirt to slide right off. Kissing her waistline, I hear her gasp as my fingers find the leggings and slowly tug them down. Revealing her lower body inch by inch, my lips trailing her leggings as I slip them past and off her rear. The gentle candlelight illuminating her as I work, still sliding her leggings down slowly, I allow my lips to trace down further in between her legs.
I hear her let out a soft gasp as my lips make contact with her most sensitive area followed by a light moan as I slide my tongue across it. Her leggings all the way to the floor, I glance up to her and admire her naked body as it lays bare before me. Just as it was at the Spring, just as it always has been. Her very presence was intoxicating, she had come to use a beautiful flower from Gothi's herbs which resonated with her smell when I was this close to her which was alluring.
"Hiccup." I hear her say beneath her breath. Hiking her legs under my arms and settling on my knees I take one more look at her body as she lay back on our bed and smile. Moving closer, I lace her area with tender kisses before trailing her slit with my tongue. Her back arches at the attention as she rocks her hips. I can see her grab at the blanket and clench as moan escapes her lips. Tenderly moving my tongue around her as my lips caress her, her legs involuntarily seem to lock behind my head, and I smile. She need not do that, there was no place I'd rather be at this moment.
I feel her hips rock against my attention, her taste as it was at the spring, perfect to me. I hear her gasps as she takes sharp intakes of breath while stifling moans, her hips rocking as I slip one of my fingers and move in with my tongues gentle caress. Softly, repeatedly, I hear my name murmured from her lips as her back arches and she begins to shake, her legs going soft as I taste my handiwork.
Trailing my lips upward, I kiss to her nipples and give them each a bit of attention as she hips slowly calm down and I feel her hands on my shoulders as she pulls me into a kiss.
"You're turn" She says softly against my lips and I shake my head.
"No way, you've been taking care of me for a week. Let me take care of you…"I pause, pecking her lips and resting my head against her forehead. "tonight." I finish and she smiles. Crawling back on the bed completely, it doesn't take me long to completely disrobe as I was wearing nothing more than house wear, and soon I was crawling on top of her. Her warm body pressing against my as I lightly peck her lips again and kiss down to her neck, finding the spot I had bitten earlier, I bite again and hear her gasp and release a long, steady moan.
I feel her legs lock around my hips as she presses her hips up against mine and looks into my eyes with a longing, tantalizing gaze. I press my lips to hers and grind my hips with hers against the bed, my member already stiff and ready but not entering yet as I press it against her area. Breaking our breathless kiss, she bites her lip then reaches up and bites my lip softly before pulling back.
"Please." She whispers. It was such an enticing tone, she wasn't asking, she was demanding in the most playful way possible. She knew I wouldn't say no; that my stiff member was about to slide inside her area. She knew what she wanted, but she said it anyways. She said it for me, because she knew what that tone did to me; it made my member throb and our hips involuntarily rock together. Like our minds were losing control to the desires of our bodies and barely able to keep hold. Like that one word is what breaks the dam; and it was.
Leaning down, I kiss her passionately, feeling her moan as our tongues caressed each other. Sliding one of my hands down, I guide it into her slit without looking down or breaking the kiss. If I suffocated from this it would be worth it to me. I feel her area contract around my member as her hips grind against mind and her legs tighten behind my back. Slowly our hips rock and grind together, picking up speed but keeping close. My member doing the familiar motion of pressing in fully within her, exploring her every inch as she moans. Gripping my neck, I feel her teeth bite down on my shoulder and a moan escapes my lips as she returns what I've been doing to her in kind. It hurt, a little, but the pain was washed away with the passion and sensation of feeling our bare bodies grinding together vigorously. My hips rocking, pressing her deeper into the bedding as she grinds up against me, her legs starting to shake as I feel my own passion and heat begin to build up.
How I longed for the day when I could release within her. Perhaps something else I need to work on, something that'll let me do that… maybe there is an Herb for fertility… these thoughts wash away as I hear her gasp and moan my name. "Hiccup. Hi-hiccup. Keep going. Please. Keep. Ah. Hiccup. Mmm" Her voice trembles as she bites down on my neck again stifling a moan so the sound does not travel, her fingernails tracing my back as she grinds up and presses against my hips hard as her passion erupts again, her legs going weak as they shake. I feel my own passion about to erupt and quickly withdraw as her legs unlock while they tremble.
Unfortunately, not swiftly enough as my seed layers her stomach as her hips continue to shake. Sitting back on me knees I run my hand through my hair.
"S-sorry." I sheepishly say and she shakes her head, running her finger across her stomach brings it to her lips and tastes my seed.
"No need to apologize, babe. We needed that." She says with an alluring smile and I smile. We definitely weren't the average Vikings, that's for sure. "I could use a towel, though." She admits meekly and I nod. Getting her a towel, I help clean her up and she then takes it, sitting up on her knees and wipes me down as well.
I feel her finger trace along my member and up my stomach, gently around the wound that was mostly gone, up my chest and finally to my lips. Leaning in, she kisses me and pulls me down on top of her.
"I love you." She says softly against my lips, kissing down to my neck I smile do the same.
"I love you." I state to her. "And I always will." I add, kissing and gently biting her neck as she moans again.
I don't think either of us realized until that moment how much we missed each other's touch in that way. Sure, for the past week we had fallen asleep in each other's arms, but after giving into each other then being unable to for a week was tantamount to torture for us. So long as we could help it, we'd end each night like this, maybe begin each morning like this if time permits.
The thoughts of breaking tradition, of doing this more than we should, more than for the sake of reproduction but for the sake of giving into each other completely. For our own passion and longing for each other; knowing it went against tradition, knowing we might break the rules in the future in more ways than one. We had only just begun to explore each other and our bodies, and there were likely nearly countless ways we could experience each other. And we'd explore them all, together.