(Normal pov— Rome, capital of the Roman Empire)
Ever since the rebirth of the Roman Empire, every culture, race, and person was eager to get into the Empire's good graces, especially since the legends of the old Roman Empire were told throughout the Mediterranean; how a small, yet ambitious Republic rose and established the most powerful, prominent civilization in human history. And now that this great world empire and those who established it have returned, many sought to establish trade and commerce with the Romans. Not only did Rome allow these new, foreign people to do business with them, but they also ensured that their capital city was secured by seizing control of Carthage as well as Sicily, controlling both of these lands provided Rome with complete control of the Mediterranean as well as being stocked with enough grain to feed the millions of Roman citizens living in the capital city.
Proxima roamed through the streets of Rome with her slaves accompanying her as well as six men as her bodyguards should anyone be foolish enough to attempt to steal from her. As daughter to Rome's most powerful military leader, Proxima wielded great influence and sway over the citizens as well as the army itself. Despite this advantage, Proxima knew that power was a privilege, not a right, something her father had taught her and her brother, Septimus. Although coming from a house of position and prominence, Proxima was still looked down upon as a woman, especially within the Roman army.
"The men will underestimate you, just because you are a woman. You must make them regret underestimating you. Use your beauty to lower their guard, your flowery talk is laced with poison that will make them abandon reason and discipline and they will act on base impulses to put you in your place. You, my daughter, stand as the most dangerous figure in my army, simply because you are a woman, and everyone will underestimate you. Show them the cost of belittling you."
Her father's words echo in her mind as she approached a merchant selling various ointments and perfumes suitable for a Roman woman. Not only was she a woman of influence and status, but her beauty made every man's head in Rome turn, especially those who sought to elevate their current station in life. Proxima's ivory skin was flawless, the sun made it seem like she was truly a goddess walking among men. Her long, dirty blond hair was done in a waterfall braid. The bronze eyes she bore could draw many men to her side, another great weapon she possessed in her arsenal. She was wearing an elegant chiton dress while also wearing a cloak over her body and a hood over her head, the cloak's colors were that of her father's legion, and told everywhere that she was not to be trifled with. She also wore silver earrings and arm cuffs, but she had the appropriate footwear to roam the streets of Rome.
Whilst concluding business with a merchant who was selling necklaces embedded with fine stones, a Praetorian Guard approached her and cleared his throat. "Lady Proxima," when the young woman turned to guard before her, she gave him her full attention. "You have been summoned by the emperor's sons. Please, follow me."
Groaning under her breath, Proxima had no choice but to follow the guard as he led her through the streets and towards a structure that housed gladiatorial fights, only this place was reserved for Roman citizens of the elite or royal class. The Coliseum, however, was open for all citizens of the Empire to bear witness to the gladiatorial matches and contests. Upon entering the building, Proxima ascended a series of stairs before reaching a gate with two more Praetorian Guards standing guard. Those two guards soon opened the gate to allow their fellow Praetorian inside, as well as Proxima and those by her side. Once reaching the bowels of the building, Proxima could hear the roars of hundreds of Roman nobles, senators, high-standing citizens, or otherwise as they all cheered and placed wagers on their chosen gladiators. In the center of the inner sanctum was a large pit that housed the gladiatorial fights. Proxima stopped for but a moment to witness the combatants fighting to the death.
One of the gladiators was a Murmillo, these ranks of gladiators wore a helmet with a stylized fish on the crest, the mormylos or sea fish, as well as an arm guard, a loincloth and belt, a gaiter on his right leg, thick wrappings covering the tops of his feet, and a very short greave with an indentation for the padding at the top of the feet. They are heavily armored gladiators: the Murmillo carried a gladius sword and a tall, oblong shield in the Roman legionary style. Murmillones were typically paired with a Thracian opponent, but occasionally with a similar hoplomachus. And the opponent the Murmillo faced was a Retiarius, a net fighter.
The Retiarius, a net fighter, developed in the early Augustan period. He carried a trident and a net, equipment styled on that of a fisherman. The retiarius wore a loincloth held in place by a wide belt and a larger arm guard extending to the shoulder and left side of the chest. He fought without the protection of a helmet. Occasionally a metal shoulder shield was added to protect the neck and lower face. A variation to the normal combat was a retiarius facing two secutores at the same time. The retiarius stood on a bridge or raised platform with stairs and had a pile of fist-sized stones to throw at his adversaries. While the retiarius tried to keep them at bay, the secutores tried to scale the structure to attack him. The platform called a pons (bridge), may have been constructed over water. Retiarii usually fought secutores but sometimes fought myrmillones. There was an effeminate class of gladiator who fought as a retiarius tunicatus. They wore tunics to distinguish them from the usual retiarius and were looked on as a social class even lower than infamia.
"Go on, finish that fisherman!"
"Catch that brute in your net!"
"Take his head off!"
The roars of the crowd only spurred the two gladiators on, their attacks were flawless, proof that their years of training bore fruit. As the fight grew more intense, the Murmillo ducked underneath the Retiarius net and then swept his opponent's legs out from under him. Pressing his advantage, the Murmillo then landed a shattering blow to the Retiarius's face, staggering him and leaving him breathless. Casting aside his shield, the Murmillo raised his gladius above his head, ready to finish his opponent off. However, the Retiarius landed a heavy kick to his opponent's stomach, sending him back. The crowds watched in awe as the downed Retiarius rose once more and took hold of his trident, whilst the Murmillo assumed his position.
With a roar, the Retiarius thrust his trident at the Murmillo's head. However, the Murmillo severed half of the trident and caught the fork before driving it into his opponent's belly. Clamors of praise and disbelief filled the air as the Murmillo pinned his wounded opponent against the wall of the pit they were fighting in. Ripping the trident out of his opponent's belly, the Retiarius fell to his hands and knees while coughing mouthfuls of blood as well as clutching his rapidly bleeding belly.
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
As the crowds demanded the blood of the Retiarius, Proxima looked to the pavilion and laid eyes on the emperor's despicable sons— Janus and Flavius. Both men, not even men, boys would be a more appropriate description for the princes of Rome lifted their right hands and gave a thumbs down, granting Murmillo permission to finish his opponent. Looming over the condemned Retiarius, the Murmillo took his opponent's head off with one, precious swing. The roar of the crowds was deafening, but the Murmillo stood in the center of the arena, his arms extended as he was basked in praise, glory, and rose petals.
For a gladiator, no sound was more glorious than the roar of the crowd. Win the crowd, and you win your freedom.
Proxima too desired praise and glory, not only to elevate her family name but to prove to the Empire that women aren't frail and weak. She sought to show the Empire that Roman women are a force to be reckoned with, and she has shown her ferocity on the battlefield, though she had been part of her father's legion for a short time, she had earned the title of Legatus, proof of her commitment to prove her Roman brothers that a woman could elevate to great status as well.
"Lady Proxima?"
Snapping out of her stupor, Proxima turned to the Praetorian Guard escorting her to the emperor's sons. "This way, please," the guard continued. "You know full well that the princes of Rome do not like waiting for a supplicant when they have been summoned."
"That I do," Proxima murmured before speaking firmly. "You're dismissed, I will have words with the emperor's sons."
As Proxima reached the pavilion, she was greeted by the sight of Roman nobles storming past her in a fit of rage, she looked to see both Janus and Flavius with their fattened purses, telling Proxima that those nobles had wagered on the Retiarius gladiator and lost a substantial amount of coin. By the princes' side was Publius Calvisius Talio, otherwise known as Fat Consul. As his nickname implies he is so fat that a slave must support his stomach and help him move from place to place. His head is clean-shaven and he bore no facial hair. He wears a leaf wreath around his head and a large toga. Two large gilded arm cuffs were around each of his wrists and he wore large sandals for his large feet. In his hand was a chalice full of wine and in his other hand was a roasted chicken leg.
Seeing this revolting, bloated animal consume wine and food like it would be his last time made Proxima's lips curl in disgust. However, despite Fat Consul being a revolting man to witness while he was infatuated with food and drink, he serves the imperial family as Rome's Minister of Finance. On such occasions, he would accompany various legions and establish trade and commerce with the Empire to ensure that Rome's coffers swelled and remained secured. Not only that, but on rare occasions, he would serve as governing Roman provinces and territories, though the barbarian territories the Empire had reclaimed over the years already have trusted men to look after the territories and provinces and to ensure the populist don't rebel and attempt to overthrow the Romans.
"Ah, Lady Proxima, please, join us,"
Janus, the firstborn son of Emperor Dolphus, and the next in line to become Emperor of Rome. He had short, spiky brown hair and piercing blue eyes that craved power. He stood at average male height, he had lean physic but he was otherwise unimpressive body-wise. He was a sculptor as well as an artist, he was barely competent with a sword considering he was no warrior, and although he wasn't a warrior, he had a keen mind, if applied right, could be as dangerous as any blade. A lesson her father taught her and Septimus is to never underestimate your enemy, always anticipate that those you face on the battlefield as well as those in Rome who seek to belittle you are stronger, smarter, and more poised to see you to your ruin. And even though the emperor's firstborn son seemed as if he posed no threat, Proxima heeded her father's words, she would not underestimate Janus or Flavius.
The firstborn son of the emperor wore an elegant white and gilded tunic, he also wore a violet robe. He bore gilded arm braces on his wrists as well as a gilded ring on his left hand which bore the imperial seal. The sandals on his feet were made out of fine leather and fit his feet well. He also had several bags full of coin tied around his hips, some of them belonging to the nobles who had wagered against him. Janus had already been born into privilege and wealth, but the more wealth he amassed by betting against noblemen, Senators, and other high-ranking Roman figures, the more likely it would be for resentful figures in Empire would conspire together to assassinate the future emperor.
If such an undertaking would be underway, Proxima would gladly join those who resented Janus and cut his heart out herself.
"Please, join me," the emperor's firstborn invited with a smile. His words snapped her out of her stupor. He offers her a chalice of wine, but she refuses to take it, causing him to snort in offense. "You would reject my generosity—"
"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Janus, you and your brother didn't summon me here to watch your private showing of gladiators," Proxima crossed her arms across her chest and narrowed her eyes. "My time is precious, I was in the market buying necessary and pleasurable necessities that I will indulge in while on the impending campaign my father and his legion are about to embark on."
Fat Consul then belched loudly after drinking half of the wine in his chalice. "So, the time has come for your father and brother to lead the Empire's best legion into the mire, filth, and piss the Viking people call home," laughing, Fat Consul wiped the excess wine dribbling down the corners of his mouth with the back of his hand. "And you wish to visit such a place and deny the emperor's sons a chance to take you as their wife?"
"Ah, so that is why I am here," Proxima shook her head while a disbelieving smile spread across her face. "Yet again you attempt to make me one of your wives, even though you are already married." She then gestured to the masked whores straddling and fondling them. "Do your wives know you not only come here to make fools of powerful Roman nobles and senators but also that you come here whoring?"
Flavius pushed away two whore giving him a lap dance, he then sat up straight and eyed Proxima with lustful eyes, causing her to curl her lip in disgust and her skin to crawl at his gaze. The second son of the emperor resembled his older brother, physically speaking, not characterwise. Flavius knew many in Rome despised him and his brother, and although he didn't favor preparing for treachery, he and his brother would train in the ways of the sword, the emperor himself saw to that personally. Like Janus, Flavius had short, spiky brown hair and piercing blue eyes, many mistook the brothers for each other because they looked exactly alike, however, one way to tell the difference between the two of them was their personalities. Janus was tranquil and Flavius was like a raging storm, those who offended him would usually pay for it with their lives or otherwise.
He wore a gilded colored tunic and a violet robe, he too wore gilded arm braces on his wrists and he sported a ring similar to what Janus wore, but the ring Flavius wore was on his right hand. The sandals on his feet were of the finest quality and he too had an abundance of coin that he had won through wagers, like his brother.
Both Roman princes were the invisible rot that would lead to Rome's downfall, for good if they had the chance.
"Mind your tongue, girl," Flavius seethed before purring. "I know where that tongue can be of service—"
Proxima bore her teeth at the emperor's second son. "I will feed you your cock if you dare lay hands upon me," she then turned to Janus and gave him an impatient look. "Speak your piece, I have business to attend to."
"Because my father wishes to have dragons embedded in our armies, we're sending our man Publius to oversee the emperor's interests and to ensure your father does not scheme to rob me and my brother of our birthright," Proxima's jew clenched tightly as she looked into the eyes of the emperor's sons. They knew they had enemies within the Empire that would not see them ascended to the throne, many of those enemies were leaders of the Roman army, who boldly voiced their opinions about how weak and pathetic the emperor's heirs are. "Your father is second the most powerful man in the Empire, Proxima. Despite his loyalty and commitment to our father, we cannot take the chance that when Nihilus finds the legendary dragons and brings them back here, he will not be tempted to use the beasts and his undefeated legion to march against us and perhaps usurp us of our birthright."
Grunting in agreement, Flavius took a drink of wine from his chalice and added. "Not only will Publius join you, but a legion of the Imperial Praetorians. They will be under the command of Decius Quirinius Laetinianus, Prefect of the Praetorian Guard," he then smirked. "He has orders to kill you, your brother, father, and those within your family's legion if there is so much as whispers of betrayal or schemes to move against us."
"And I expect you and your family to share everything with me, Lady Proxima: battle tactics, how you will plan on dealing with the Viking people, and where to find the dragons," Fat Consul finished the remaining wine in his chalice and sighed heavily before smiling. "We do what we must for the glory of Rome, I must sacrifice my life of leisure and comfort to ensure the Empire thrives for all time. I trust your family will do what must be done for the glory of Rome."
Turning to Publius, the young woman gives a firm nod. "My family serves Rome and the emperor," she then reassured. "You needn't worry about my father and the commanders of his legions plotting to overthrow the emperor or his sons."
"Nevertheless, I will accompany you, as well Decius Quirinius Laetinianus and his legion of Praetorians. Rome always fears those who are strong, and your father is the strongest man in the Empire," Fat Consul then set aside the scraps of the chicken leg he had been eating. "Should your father overstep, Rome will lose its greatest warrior, but his death will serve as a warning that if you stoop to treachery, you will pay in blood."
Janus hummed in agreement, he then gave Proxima a dismissive wave. "We'll let you return to your business, take your leave."
As Proxima left, she knew that she needed to inform her father about this development and warn him if he or any of his legion's commanders plotted against the heirs to the throne.
Regardless, they would depart for Scandinavia soon enough, and Proxima was eager to not only put as much distance as she could from the emperor's foolish sons but she would also prove her worth as a woman in the battles to come.
Like the servant she was, Proxima would bring glory not only for herself but glory to Rome and ensure the Empire would last for all time.
(New Berk)
With Hiccup occupied with his responsibilities and duties as chief, Astrid and the rest of the former Riders of Berk showed Heather the extent of their new home; the village and the vast, lush forests. Astrid even introduced Heather to Eret, Valka, and the future chief of Berk, Zephyr. After hearing that Eret was a former Dragon Trapper who served Drago Bludvist, Heather was skeptical, but everyone reassured her that Eret had proven himself trustworthy and that he had even become a good dragon rider, even if he was the only man among the Hairy Hooligans who had ridden dragons the least amount of time. Once actually getting to know Eret, Heather found the former trapper charming and great company, Astrid had teased out the fact that Eret was quite full of himself, but living amongst the Hairy Hooligans has humbled the former trapper. Ruffnut expressed her earlier... craving for him, but now that she no longer desires him that way, the female Thorston merely assured Heather that even though he isn't Viking but Sami, he was a Hairy Hooligan.
Meeting Valka was something Heather hadn't expected, especially when Hiccup and everyone else on Berk believed that Stoick's wife had perished decades ago. However, when Astrid explained to Heather that before Stoick's death and the Hairy Hooligans abandoning their original home of seven generations, Hiccup sought out Drago in the hopes of changing the madman's mind about dragons. Valka, at the time, was living as a... "crazy, feral, vigilante dragon lady," Astrid quoted Hiccup's words exactly, such a creative description caused Heather to laugh, though she saw personally why Hiccup described his mother in such a way. Seeing Valka whilst sparring with female warriors her age showed that the years she had been absent from her husband and son made her move like a dragon. Her extensive knowledge rivaled both Hiccup and Fishlegs, only because Valka has lived amongst dragons for two decades. Getting to know the mother of the man Heather held affection for was extraordinary, Valka had told her stories of all the species of dragons she's encountered, the various Dragon Hunter and Trapper regimes she's put out of business, and how she's been a throne in the side of the now deceased Drago Bludvist.
However, when Heather met Hiccup and Astrid's firstborn daughter, Zephyr, Heather's heart thrummed with joy. The future chieftess of Berk inherited Hiccup's auburn hair color and freckles and Astrid's blue eyes. Her hairstyle and clothing also resemble Astrid's from her younger years. Her hair is pulled into two banded pigtails under a studded kransen. Despite her age, Heather was surprised that Zephyr was not only an instigator but she was also a creative mind, she would assemble and even build many traps whenever she'd go out into the forests. She's also cynical and sarcastic, much like Hiccup was in his younger years.
To add to Heather's surprise, Astrid informed her that she was one month pregnant, much to Heather's joy and excitement.
Eventually, as evening fell, the gang took their leave for the time being while Astrid, Zephyr, and Valka led Heather back to their home. Upon reaching the Haddock home, the women were greeted by the sight of Hiccup preparing stew over the fire pit. The delicious aroma caused the women's stomachs to growl.
"Father!"
Hiccup crouched down and swept Zephyr off her feet and into his arms. "My West Wind!" He then pressed a kiss to his daughter's cheek, causing Zephyr to giggle. "Did you help your mother and grandmother show our guest around the village?"
"Yes, father!"
Smiling, Heather found the sight of Hiccup conversing with his daughter to be touching. Hiccup already possessed the qualities needed to be a father: tender, patient, a loving heart, and maintaining a good relationship with her even though his duties as chief consumed most of his time.
"Are you hungry, my dear?" Hiccup chuckled when Zephyr nodded furiously. "Alright. Come on, let's get you fed."
As the three other women helped Hiccup with the final touches, Astrid set bowls, spoons, and drinking horns on the table. Valka helped take a freshly baked loaf of bread out of the oven and set it on the table to cool down. Heather had asked Hiccup for permission to add some extra ingredients to his stew, remembering just how well Heather was in the kitchen back at Dragon's Edge, Hiccup granted his old friend permission to do as she pleased. Eventually, the food was ready and everyone gathered at the table to eat.
"Alright ladies, we are having chicken stew," Hiccup then looked to both his wife and Heather before adding playfully. "Thank the gods Tuffnut isn't here to witness this." Remembering how the male Thorston twin was so fond of his pet chicken back at Dragon's Edge, Astrid and Heather laughed before nodding in agreement.
"Well, I don't think he'd mind too much, not anymore," Astrid said. "He's gone back to eating chicken."
Shrugging, Hiccup stated. "He's Tuffnut. He'll do whatever he wants and surprise you by his randomness."
"True," Heather chuckled while taking a drink of water from her drinking horn. "Something I've truly missed. Not just the twins, Fishlegs, and Snotlout, but you two as well." She then spoke in an apologetic tone. "I would've come to visit you all sooner after we defeated Johann, Krogan, and the Dragon Hunters all those years ago, but Dagur had given me responsibilities—"
"The important thing is that you're here now, Heather," Hiccup cut her off with his signature grin, causing the ebony-haired beauty to smile in return and for her stomach to knot and twist pleasantly. "None of us resent you for not visiting us sooner. As you said, you had responsibilities, and you no doubt had to ensure your future by looking for a husband."
Heather tensed, remembering how many insufferable suitors she had over the years. None of the Viking men who wished to have her as a wife were worthy, not only that, but they threatened to deny her the freedom of being a warrior and voicing her mind. When she informed Dagur of this outrage, the Berserker chief threatened to put his sister's suitors to the sword if they dared to continue threatening his sister, Dagur even promised to massacre their loved ones if they continued to tell his sister what they wanted her to do.
"I take it marriage is a sore subject, my child?"
Turning to Valka, Heather nodded. "You can say that," she then scooped a spoonful of stew and continued. "Let's just say the suitors who wanted me as their wife were all... insulting." As Heather took a bite of the stew, she sighed in contentment as the perfectly cooked chicken, potato slices, carrots, and other vegetables and spices added into the fray filled her belly.
"Are all men insulting to you, Heather?"
After swallowing her bite of stew, Heather looked at the curious Zephyr with a smile and shook her head. "Not all of them, your father is one of the kindest men in Midgard," her words caused Hiccup to smile as well as Astrid and Valka. Zephyr looked to her father and giggled before looking back to Heather. "Men like your father are diamonds in the rough, they're rare to find amongst Vikings. But if the gods bless you with a man who is kind, tender, and allows you the freedom to do whatever you want, Zephyr, then your life and marriage will be all the sweeter."
"Heather speaks the truth, one day, you'll need to be married and produce heirs to ensure the Haddock bloodline is secured," Astrid then playfully poked Zephyr's nose and smiled. "But you don't need to worry about that for many more years, Zephyr. For now, savor the freedom you have, learn from those who will live to serve you as you will serve them as well, and enjoy your childhood." The future ruler of Berk nodded in understanding and continued to eat her stew.
"Yes. Watching Zephyr grow into a fine young woman will be a sight to behold," Valka smiled after taking a drink of ale from the drinking horn. "Especially since I never witnessed Hiccup grow into the man he is today."
After swallowing bites of stew and pieces of bread, Hiccup looked at his mother and gave her a reassuring smile. "Had you not been taken by Cloudjumper, the dragons of Scandinavia might've been driven closer to the very edge of extinction by the Dragon Hunters and Trapper regimes. You saved so many dragons from being put to the sword or being used as nothing more than enslaved war beasts to those who crave conquest and domination. You're here now, amongst my family, and despite wishing to reverse the sun and take back the choice you made to abandon me and my father, you can't. All you can do now is remain at my side and be another motherly figure for Zephyr to look up to."
Smiling at her son, Valka nodded. "I promise you that I will be there for you and your family, son," she then looked to Zephyr. "As long as the gods grant me life, I will be by your side, West Wind." She reached out to caress Zephyr's cheek tenderly, causing the young girl to smile in gratitude.
Hiccup turned to Heather and spoke up. "We have a guest room for you to settle in for as long as you need, Heather," he then continued. "I'll talk with some of my architects and see if they can build you a house since you plan on living among us."
"Thank you, Hiccup, I appreciate it," Heather then gave an unsure look. "Are you sure it's alright for me to reside in your own home? I don't want to overstep my bounds—"
"You're not," Astrid reassured firmly. "You're free to live in our home as long as you want, let Hiccup know when you're ready to have your own home built and it'll be arranged."
Seeing that it would be pointless to argue with Astrid, Heather merely nodded in thanks before she resumed eating. The remaining time she spent with the Haddock family was sweet and made Heather long to be a member of this family. She wanted Hiccup and Astrid, and Heather knew that eventually, she'd have to confess her feelings to both rulers of Berk.
If the gods willed it, she would receive her heart's desire and be with Hiccup and Astrid. She dared not think of what they would do if they rejected her feelings for them.
It was late into the night, everyone in the Haddock home was sound asleep, at least that's what Heather thought at first. She had been having a hard time falling asleep due to having heavy thoughts on her mind, but whilst trying to fall asleep, she could hear muffled sounds coming from the hallway. Acknowledging that she wouldn't be falling asleep anytime soon, Heather rose from the bed and threw on her nightgown, and opened the door to the bedroom she had been offered, only to find there was nobody outside her door.
The muffling sounds were coming from Hiccup and Astrid's bed chambers, and as Heather drew closer, Heather heard a faint moan coming from the room her friends were in.
She froze and felt her heart beating faster. Heather instantly knew what that meant and instinctively licked her dry lips. Things were silent once again. Hiccup and Astrid weren't trying to alert anyone, but Heather couldn't help but admire their boldness to a certain degree. They wanted to make sure Valka and Zephyr got enough sleep but they were also doing what any husband and wife would want to do.
As Heather continued sneaking her way to her friend's bedroom door. Already she could see that it was locked. However, there was a small keyhole on the door. By now, Heather could hear soft whimpering and moans coming from inside. It was evident what they were up to, and Heather felt drawn to see for herself how capable Hiccup and Astrid were in bed. She knew how wrong it would be, to invade her host's privacy like this, yet as wrong as it was, that's what made this more exciting for her.
Wanting to get it over and done with, Heather took a deep breath and bent down to peer through the keyhole. Her eyes widened and her breath all but vanished at what she.
Hiccup and Astrid, stark naked, in a lewd embrace while having sex against the nearest wall of their bed chambers.
"Gods, Hiccup," Astrid breathed out. "Heather is right next door, don't you think we should keep it down?" She moaned as Hiccup skillfully mouthed her collarbone while continuing to thrust up into hot, silken heat.
Removing his mouth from her collarbone, Hiccup's lips ascended Astrid's throat, and the cords of her neck tensed as his tongue slid along her jugular. "I am being quiet, Milady," Hiccup groaned lightly while eyeing his wife in a teasing manner. "You're the one being loud."
"Y-You... O-Oh! You Buttelf!"
Chuckling against his wife's throat, Hiccup continued to thrust up into Astrid's slick heat, causing the both of them to moan. Watching the chief and chieftess making love threatened to make Heather faint, it was so passionate, after a lifetime of knowing each other, all the battles they fought in, as well as years of companionship, drew them closer. Heather herself remembered telling Astrid how perfect she and Hiccup would be together and to stop wasting time and take him, lest another woman set her eyes on him. And seeing the two people she desires the most in Midgard in such a lewd embrace makes Heather joyful and envious. Previously, she held great affection for Fishlegs, but after mending old wounds Dagur had inflicted on her, the two heirs of Oswald the Agreeable set out to rebuild the Berserker Tribe, that ultimately led to Heather saying farewell to Fishlegs. Since then, Heather has not been married nor has she taken up a lover because her thoughts settled on Hiccup and Astrid over the years. Not only did she miss her old friends, but she desired both of them.
Eventually, Hiccup carried Astrid to their bed and they became entwined once more. And while Heather continued to observe them, her cheeks were a dark shade of crimson and her heart was threatening to burst out of her chest. Her eyes were drawn to their nude bodies and how they entwined together perfectly. Astrid lived up to her name, she was truly, and undoubtedly the manifestation of divine beauty. Her body was toned, slender and soft, even with a thin layer of sweat beginning to coat her body.
Her perky breasts swayed back and forth whenever she took a hard pounding from Hiccup. Speaking of Hiccup, Heather always admired his companionship, and his character and his body body was mouth-watering. He was the perfect build of lean muscle. He was powerful and handsome, especially with the way he was bucking his hips and giving Astrid everything he had. Heather couldn't turn her eyes away from them. Something inside her stirred the longer she stared at them. The sights and sounds before her made her head go numb. Every gasp and every creak of their bed. Heather was drawn to it all. She bit her bottom lip and kept watching them.
Looking through the keyhole didn't give her the best view, but she could see all she needed to see. As she continued to watch, she felt her heat building up inside of her. If she wasn't gazing at their bodies working overtime to please each other, she was watching their faces. There was something primal yet loving, with how relentless Hiccup was taking Astrid, Heather feared that it was too much for her to continue watching. Despite wanting to leave her two friends to savor their lovemaking in peace, Heather was firmly fixed by the erotic display of love and passion.
She watched as Hiccup and Astrid continued to lose themselves in pleasure and love for a while longer before she felt her hand twitch and slowly move down her own body. Her breathing became rapid as she realized what she was about to do. Could she go through with this? She was already here watching them, was it any more wrong to relieve the sexual frustration she felt? She couldn't ignore the wetness that was starting to form between her legs. How long has it been since she pleasured herself? A good while now, but could she go through with it in this kind of way? Once again, she couldn't think too much longer about it before her hand was already slipping down and resting between her legs, just over her pants. She tried to suppress a moan as she watched more.
Watching Astrid clinging to Hiccup while pounded into her at a rough pace caused Heather to touch herself and begin to play with her sopping folds. She cupped her mouth with her other hand and began to stimulate herself while watching the rulers of Berk. She bit her finger as she felt her body tense up. Pleasuring herself further, she dreamed of what it would be like to be in the middle of Hiccup and Astrid's passionate nights for years. The sense of guilt she had felt for spying on them at the start was beginning to drift away as she allowed the erotic moment she was witnessing to capture her. It felt too good to stop now. She was starting to move her fingers in time with Hiccup's thrusts. She hadn't felt this good in such a long time. She'd never experienced or witnessed anything like this before, watching two people go at it like this, was an extremely overwhelming sensation that she wished she had experienced before.
She saw Hiccup's thrusts becoming erratic and messy. The chief's eyes closed as he grunted. ''M-Milady... I'm cumming!''
Astrid rolled her hips and gripped her husband's waist. ''Me too, babe!''
Hiccup leaned down to groan against his wife's neck. ''You first.''
Something about Hiccup's determination to please his wife made Heather smile. It was always good to have a considerate partner in these types of situations, and this caused Heather's mind to run rampant with thoughts of Hiccup making her soar to the heights of bliss. Gods, this was unbelievably wrong, craving a man who wasn't hers, Hiccup was married to the love of his life. Heather knew that if she confessed her feelings toward Hiccup and Astrid, they would most likely not return her affection, because they were madly in love with each other. Heather knew she would have wet dreams after witnessing this display of love and passion, but it would be a blessing from the gods if she experience something like this with both Hiccup and Astrid.
Astrid clawed the furs beneath her and her back arched as she released a cry of pleasure. Her climax washed over her. Hiccup swept in to kiss his wife on the lips, silencing her cries and preventing her from waking up Valka, Heather, and Zephyr. However, Heather grinned naughtily at Hiccup's attempts to prevent those in the home from hearing them. If only they knew she was outside their door, witnessing the lewd display they were putting on.
Heather was curious what Hiccup and Astrid would do if they knew she was watching them. Would Hiccup scold her for believing she could lay with them both or would they invite her into their bed? The thought of being in bed with Hiccup and Astrid brought Heather closer to her release. She writhed in pleasure, as did her friends.
''Yes!'' Hiccup panted in pleasure before he finally pulled out of his wife.
Heather watched curiously at what Hiccup was up to. The chief of Berk began stroking his cock furiously, the tip aimed right for Astrid. Before Heather could question what was about to happen, she watched Hiccup throw his head back and let out a primal growl and erupted, rope after rope of his seed splattered all over Astrid's toned body. The chieftess accepted her husband's seed with eager delight. Heather took in the arousing sight of Astrid being covered in Hiccup's seed. Her face, body, and breasts were coated in the thick white fluid, and once again, Heather was curious to know what such an experience would be like. She finally went over the edge herself. She simply stared at Hiccup's cock. It was so thick. So huge, and dripping in both Astrid's nectar and his seed. Heather climaxed while staring at her friend's cock, desperate to know what Hiccup would feel like inside her.
And then, Heather held back a gasp of horror as she saw Astrid look directly at her through the keyhole. But instead of shielding her nakedness from Heather's prying eyes, Astrid gave a coy smile and winked.
"Gods, that was a perfect way to end the day," Hiccup sighed in contentment. Looking at his wife, who was drenched in his seed, he offered an apology and gave her her wet rag to clean off the worst of his mess. "Have I ever told you how divine you look when you're covered in my seed?"
Heather silently agreed, Astrid was already beautiful, but seeing her coated in Hiccup's seed made her breathtaking.
"More than once," Astrid smiled while cleaning off her husband's mess. Once she no longer had his seed on her skin, Astrid then changed the subject. "So, Hiccup, have you ever considered taking a second wife?"
Heather's breath hitched and her heart threatened to burst from her chest. Was this going where she thought it was?
"You speak of Heather, don't you?"
Humming in affirmation, Astrid looked back to the keyhole with a smirk. "I do. And since we've both confessed that we'd like to have some fun with Heather over the years, maybe we should just show her how we both feel about her," Astrid looked back to her husband and shrugged. "Unless of course, you want to wait—"
"No, tomorrow I have no duties to perform, so with all my free time, you and I can broach the subject with Heather and see where it may lead."
"Sounds like a plan."
Heather finally managed to peel herself away from her friend's bedroom door. While making her way back to the room that was provided for her, she felt her heart soar and she nearly fainted from happiness. Both Hiccup and Astrid had imagined her entwined with them in their bed, and they would ask if she wished to join them.
Smiling from ear to ear, Heather thanked the gods that her friends, soon-to-be lovers, harbored the same affection she held for the two of them.
As Heather finally succumbed to sleep, she dreamed of what was to come in the following hours. She could hardly wait.
A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this update, and I'll see you in the next one!