They'd been sitting there quietly for about 10 minutes, not really saying much to one another. It seemed like they were both trying to process what exactly went on this morning since last night with Dagur's attack and trying to take Astrid's hand in marriage. Now they sat alone with no distractions to ask each other questions and neither talked. Astrid was supposed to be asking questions, they both were but it was Astrid's turn first and Hiccup was shocked she hadn't said anything yet. "So...no questions for me?" Hiccup asked finally.
"I do...I just...don't know where to start." Astrid smiling softly at him.
"Ask anything, Astrid. No boundaries." Hiccup smiled back.
"A–are you...sure?" Hiccup nodded to her. "W–well I guess...I'm curious as to...how this happened?" Astrid asked.
"Define this?" Hiccup chuckled now.
"Well just everything since I came here to now...Literally, its only been what...2 months...from us meeting again after 6 years...so much has happened and I'm just trying to understand it all...I mean I know you gave us the explanation but it just doesn't...seem real to me..." Astrid shrugged slightly.
"You want me to take you through it again?" Hiccup asked her.
"I–if you...wouldn't mind?" Astrid smiled nervously.
"No, I don't mind. I actually left out quite a bit the first time...So...want me to start from when I was cast out?" Hiccup smiled at her.
"Please?" Astrid replied.
"Alright then. Well after I left Berk 6 years ago, Toothless and I flew for hours until we got tired and eventually reached Outcast Island. I assumed that being an outcast, I'd be welcomed. Especially being Stoick's son, I thought Alvin might love that opportunity to have a dragon rider and tamer on his side. Be the only island that didn't have raids...So we were shot down by Savage and the other soldiers. Questioned on why we were there, they knew who I was. My bag that I grabbed from the cove had the Berk crest on it. Alvin came out, asked why I was there. I told him I was an outcast for befriending a dragon, motioning to Toothless to prove it. I said that if he let me stay...I could help him. Training, flying, living in peace with dragons. He told me if I stopped the raids on the island, I could stay. That night I was led inside, given a room for Toothless and I, food, a bedroll, blanket, and pillow and that started it all." Hiccup took a breath, Astrid offered him a drink from her canteen. He smiled and took a sip from it.
"Can't believe it's the one place Stoick never checked...He looked everywhere for you, all around the Archipelago." Astrid replied.
"He did? So he really did immediately regret casting me out...and went looking for me but never checked Outcast Island?" Hiccup asked.
"Yeah. He was in a deep depression too. He started drinking, he barely left the house, Gobber and Spitelout were basically in charge...He started his searched for you maybe 2 weeks after you left on Toothless. There was never any sign of you, no traces or trail to follow. Stoick never came here I guess because he assumed that you wouldn't come here being Berk was always enemies with the outcasts. But anyway, sorry...your story." Astrid said looking at him again.
"Within the first few months of being there...I stopped the raids there, they never got hit by many dragons. First raid I dealt with there were 15, the next 10, so on and so forth. They got raided once a week I'd say so for the first month I would break the hold the queen had on them, train them, and then they would stay on the island away from her control. I taught the outcasts how to train them on their own, to ride, and take care of them. Finally the raids stopped all together and we had close to 100 dragons on the island. That's when I started reshaping the homes to what they are now. Took a few tries but got it eventually, now they are stronger than ever and can survive blizzards, tornados, hurricanes, hail, sleet...everything. Even lightning. When the outcasts and their dragons had their homes going. People started showing up having been cast out of their homes. At first, they weren't okay with staying on a place with dragons but after seeing the peace we had, they stayed there." Hiccup smiled.
"So that's what started you going out and looking for people?" Astrid asked.
"Yeah it was. The first things I built were the forge, and the hall, and the dragon pens. Since all of us humans resided in the actually homes, we gave the dragons the old rooms that were inside the rocks, we took the biggest and made it the stables. Then while I was searching, the outcasts were building the academy since we made it a main rule that if you were going to live on the island you had to learn how to train a dragon for your own safety but no one was required to have their own or ride if they didn't want too. Once the main areas were designed by yours truly, they were built by the Vikings who were best at building. That's when I suggested to Alvin to start separating people by their jobs to make the village run smoother. Every day people would know where to go instead of showing up and asking him. Alvin liked it a lot too." Hiccup explained.
"That's amazing and how long did it take you to do all the houses, dragons pens, and what not?" Astrid asked him.
"3-4 months in total. We were good at getting 4 houses done every week. The dragon stable and hall took the longest. A month each. Forge was my main area being I had been Gobber's apprentice for the longest. Made all my armor and weapons there, Toothless's rig, the other saddles. I had people working under me that way when I started venturing out they could handle things while I was away. Camicazi was one of the first people I found who was cast out like I was, having befriended a dragon. She befriended Sunflower but only an understanding of not killing one another. She never learned to ride her or anything. When I found Cami, her ankle was sprained and her arm broken and Sunflower had been protecting her. So when I brought them to Outcast Island, I taught her how to train and ride Sunflower and that's when she decided she wanted to stay." Hiccup smiled looking down a bit.
"So she's the one who became your first friend, and the first person you met who had been through what you had...and you fell in love with her?" Astrid smiled softly, she could see it on Hiccup's face when he talked about Cami how much he loved her.
"She's the one who made me start thinking that there were more like me, so after Cami healed we started flying together looking for others like us. She helped me make the map that shows the Archipelago and beyond. We found so many people like us, and they all came with us. About a year after originally being cast out the village was thriving with people and dragons. There was grass growing, trees, plants, it was amazing how much happened in a year, making it livable for both species. Cami had a crush on me for so long, I saw all the signs but I was so busy with the village, I wasn't sure if I wanted a relationship...the only other girl I'd had a crush this big on, was you Astrid and well we saw how one sided that was on Berk...heh you didn't even know I existed until I starting beating you in training..." Hiccup chuckled a bit.
"I never knew you liked me..." Astrid looked away slightly.
"Eh, my fault. I suppose I could a made a bigger effort to show or tell you. Anyway...When I turned 16, Alvin came to me saying he was stepping down as chief...and wanted me to take over. During that first year, he and I had gotten close. Like him being an uncle or father to me. He didn't make me his heir until just before I became chief...when I used his name to announced who I was. I was going to turn it down at first but then...after meeting with Cami, asking her to be my girlfriend and talking more about it...well I guess it just seemed right to take over as chief. So at the end of that week, I told Alvin I would accept the chief position. He announced it at dinner and a week later, was the ceremony." Hiccup said to her.
"And that's where you announced yourself as...Alvin's son?" Astrid asked.
Hiccup nodded to her, "Yep. When asked to present my name, I gave my original name with the formal denouncing myself as Stoick's son, and being the heir of Berk...and then gave my new name, as Alvin's son and heir to Outcast Island. It was at that moment that Alvin adopted me because from there on in, he referred to me as his son. After the ceremony, Cami and I were dancing...funny too because just like you, she didn't know how to dance either. The celebration went for hours until one of my men announced there was a mysterious rider in the North Woods. I reacted right away, seeming to step in to my role of chief as if I'd been training for years to do it...I made everyone go home and then found the rider trying to escape the island, Toothless and I cut her off. She fell off her dragon, I tamed it to relax and questioned her." Hiccup explained.
"And she...turned out to be your mother? Must of been a shock for you. Having thought she was dead all your life." Astrid added.
"Oh I was. I couldn't believe it at first...I didn't even know it was a possibility until she saw the scar on my chin, she said my name and I asked if I should know her. She told me, 'No. You were only a babe...but a mother never forgets...' That was all it took for me to be confused. At first I denied it but then Camicazi told me to give the woman a chance so I asked her easy questions that only a mother would know. I asked her my father's, my mother's, my uncle and cousin's, then finally mine. When she answered those right, I made her tell me the story. And she did, saying she wanted peace but no one would listen. That I got this scar on my chin because of Cloud Jumper playing with me...that he took her away and believed I'd be safer if she stayed away...she's spent last 16 years saving dragons from people who wanted to kill them. I invited her to live on the island with us, she brought B-King and her dragons and was peaceful. I couldn't believe she was alive after so many years..." Hiccup laughed a little.
"What happened afterwards? Because I have a feeling this is about to get...rather depressing." Astrid asked.
"Right you are...After a few months, I stopped searching for people. I was sure that word was getting around about our island so things were calm for a few months. Cami and I were doing great, had made love a few times. The rule in my village is that people can make love, have sex, get married, have kids or whatever...whenever they wanted as long as they were over 16. And I only set it that way because well...I was 16 at the time, well...almost 17 when she and I started doing it. As long as people understood their responsibilities, then I didn't care. I was happy to marry whoever, bless any child in to the tribe...Our village is easy going, case you didn't notice. Well about 6 months after my mom had showed up...everyone was wondering when I'd take a wife and so...giving how much I was in love with Cami, I decided it was time to finally ask her." Hiccup looked down slightly as Astrid put her hand on his shoulder.
"You don't have to tell me it all if you don't want too...I think I can get where it went." Astrid told him.
"No no...I promised to tell you everything so I will...I remember that day so well, I had my mom keep her busy so she wouldn't find me in the forge...working on her ring..." Hiccup trailed off as he pulled it out from his pocket, he'd taken them from the jar that morning when he left the beach to go to the hall. The silver ring glimmered in the sunlight, shining when the light touched the stones on top. Hiccup smiled at it.
"Its...beautiful...can I...see it? I understand if you don't want me too." Astrid asked lightly, Hiccup carefully put it in her palm as she smiled and looked over it. She took in all the detail of it, the engraving pattern around the outside, Hiccup's and Camicazi's initials inside, the 3 purple stones on top. One large in the middle, and then two smaller on either side of it. "Gods Hiccup...your forge skills are incredible...You made this? By yourself? How long did it take?" Astrid asked.
"One day. I started it as soon as the sun was up...finished around dinner which is when I asked her." Hiccup said as Astrid handed it back to him gently. Hiccup looked at it again before looking at Astrid, "That night I met her on the hall steps, everyone one else was inside. She asked me how I felt about kids, I told her I loved them and wanted my own in the future, she seemed upset as I asked what was wrong she told me she was pregnant. I was shocked but happy too. At first she didn't think I wanted her to have one, I told her I couldn't wait. And then afterwards...I asked her to marry me. She said yes of course then we announced it to everyone that I'd not only be giving Dragons Edge a chieftess, but an heir too. 3 months later we got married...It really was an amazing day too. Nothing went wrong..." Hiccup chuckled a bit.
"Tell me about it. You were 17 right, her too?" Astrid asked.
"I asked her when she was 16, but by the time the wedding came she was 17. She was...glowing that day. Couldn't tell if it was from the pregnancy or the wedding...She was so beautiful. Her smile could set my soul on fire...The ceremony was traditional...Alvin did it for us, married us. I had made our bands too..." Hiccup said pulling them out and letting Astrid look at them, she handed them back to keep listening.
"What were your vows? Traditional ones?" Astrid asked.
"The ceremony was yes. Our ring vows...we wrote them ourselves...'This ring, a gift for you. Symbolizes my desire that you be my wife/husband. From this day forward...as this ring has no end...neither...will my love for you'." Hiccup sighed a bit.
"You can cry if you want too, I won't say anything...I know it must be hard, Hiccup." Astrid told him rubbing his back a little.
"No...its okay. I'm alright...Helps to talk to someone about it, other than my mother or father...Means a lot you'd sit here with me just to listen to the story..." Hiccup smiled a bit.
"Well...I love you, Hiccup. And when you loves someone...you love all of them. Flaws, and past. You accept it all so, I want to know everything." Astrid smiled back at him. "So...come on. Tell me the rest...and take as much time as you need." Astrid encouraged him.
"After the wedding, we danced to the dancing and the dreaming...standard song for chief's and their wives according my mom...Heh...But we went home, made love...everything was great. The next 6 months went by easy, and then the day came for our child to be born. I was busy storing food for winter she was as home by herself. Gods I'll never forget how scared I was when it happened. So fast it went by, she screamed for me...Toothless heard it and made me aware. My mom came, so did Eira...was a long process and my only job was to be by her side. We had never picked names...so while she was pushing we picked them. Viggo for a boy, Thyra for a girl...and when he came out. I never knew I could feel so much love for the bundle in my arms. Thus Dragons Edge's first heir was named, Viggo Holgerson." Hiccup smiled lightly as he closed his eyes remembering that day well.
"And then...Thora was born a year later right?" Astrid asked.
"Right...As soon as Cami wasn't pregnant anymore...her sex drive was through the roof." Hiccup chuckled a bit. "When Viggo was 3 months old, she announced she was pregnant again. Still couldn't of been happier. I was 18 when Thora was born 9 months later...easy pregnancy and birth again and this time...I was with her when she went in to labor because I refused to leave her side that whole week...So there we were...married 2 years almost and 2 amazing children...then it happened..." He trailed off slowly.
"You don't have to tell me, Hiccup. I know how painful this is for you..." Hiccup shook his head at her.
"And it helps to talk about, Astrid so just...let me say it..." Hiccup mentioned, she nodded to him and continued to listen. "I remember that day...so clearly, as if it just happened. I had a feeling something wasn't right that day so I ordered everyone who would be flying, including the guards and patrol to stay in a 5 mile radius of the island...Cami never got the message...she took Viggo and Thora to my mom's so she could watch them because Cami I guess wanted to go flying with Sunflower...Around lunch I went to my mom's to see the kids and Cami wasn't there. Just the kids, so I sat with them but was still worried. It wasn't like Camicazi to be gone so long...Alvin and mom assured me she was fine so I went back to work...but after another 3 hours, I couldn't stop worrying so I decided to go look for her..." Hiccup looked down now.
"Take your time, Hiccup..." Astrid told him.
"I headed West because that is where people said they saw her flying...I made it as far as just past Berk before saying there was no way she went that far. I turned back and half way back to Dragons Edge, Savage found me and told me Alvin sent him after me, to tell me I had to come back to the island and fast. I said I was looking for Camicazi and he told me she was there and...she wasn't good. I never flew faster back home and before I even landed...I saw it, her. I jumped off Toothless before he even touched the ground and made my way through everyone...She was covered with injuries, scratches...gashes beyond healing...First thing she did was tell me I made it...her voice was so weak but she still smiled..." Hiccup tried to smile but couldn't.
Astrid only listened, no one else had gotten this story not with all the details. Yet Hiccup was trusting her with it, hearing how it all happened with Camicazi passing away made her want to cry but she held firm, for now at least. "I asked her where she'd been, what happened to her. That's when she told me while flying she was blown off course, past Berk...and on the queen's island. She found Runa there, whose village had been decimated by a raid and family gone. Cami promised to give her a new home, and family...meaning us. But when the queen realized they were there...she ordered her dragons to attack them, which is how she got the injuries...Cami got away with Runa and flew back to Dragons Edge with her...asked me to take care of Runa...like she was one of our own...I agreed and said lets get her some help and called for Eira...but Cami told me not to bother because she wouldn't make it much longer..." Hiccup clenched his fist a bit.
"She told me she was surprised she was still alive as it was...she said she guessed it was because she had to see me one more time before she left...I begged her...not to leave because there was still time. I told her she could leave...because she promised me forever...and Gods...as wounded and weak as she was in my arms...she still smiled at me...the one I fell in love with...she told me that no matter where I went...she'd always be with me forever...She told me to be strong...because the kids needed me...I told her they needed her too, that I...couldn't do it myself..." Hiccup felt tears forming again, just as they had that day.
"The whole village was around us, the village we built together...everyone was crying...myself included. Just like I am now..." Hiccup said turning his head to wipe his eyes. "She told me she'd always be around...that I'd never really lose her and to take care of the kids, Runa too...She thanked me...for everything I gave her. A home, a family...that all of it had made her life worth living. She asked me for one favor...to see all of us again. Me, Viggo, Thora...and Runa together. I didn't deny her of course...there wasn't anything I wouldn't do for her...I had my mom give me Thora, and Viggo stood beside me...she introduced us to Runa. Told her that she kept her promise to give Runa a new home and family...I played along telling Runa she was a Holgerson now. All the while...I still couldn't believe it was happening, telling myself it wasn't supposed to be this way, that she couldn't leave me. Because it was supposed to be us forever, until we died together..." Hiccup cried, Astrid rubbed his back slowly trying to fight back her own tears now.
"Cami told Runa it wasn't her fault...that she wanted to save her...that it was her choice to do it...and to never blame herself for her death...She apologized to all the kids for not being there to watch them grow up and she'd always be with us no matter what...to listen to me and be good. I knew Viggo and Thora were to young to understand it...which made it harder because I had to tell them later on the truth...I told my mom to take all 3 kids home...while I sat there with Cami, unable to stop what was happening. She made me promise to never give up, and never let go...to never stop being who I was..." Hiccup closed his eyes tightly.
"She told me she loved me, and always would...I told her that I loved her too, and always would until the end of time. She asked me to sing for her, the song I wrote when we'd gotten together. You've heard it before...the one I sang on Snoggletog... We sang it taking a fly on Toothless...when we landed after the song...I begged her again not to leave me because it wasn't her time yet...She told me to be strong for the kids, and watch Sunflower for her...She kissed me deeply...and I held her in my arms, refusing to let go. Last thing she told me was that she loved me, forever and always...I remember feeling a tear slip down her cheek...and then she stopped breathing, her body going limp in my arms." Hiccup stared at the water now, tears still falling slowly.
"Gods Hiccup...Gods I'm so sorry...I had...no...idea..." Astrid cried out, she couldn't believe what he'd been through losing his wife. No wonder it bothered him so much, and wanted revenge on the queen.
"How I pleaded for her to wake up...Begging there in the village square on my knees for it to be a joke, for her to wake up again. 'Cami...' I had said shaking her a little, 'Cami.' I said again. No response. 'No...no come on...you can't do this...Cami! Wake up...please wake up!' I pleaded her. Still nothing. Her body was motionless. 'No...no this isn't happening...no...Cami...damn it! Joke is over...its not funny anymore!...Wake up...please...open your eyes...come on!' I yelled. "You promised me forever! Cami...please...please don't go...you can't leave me...you promised...you said forever...' But she never woke up, she was gone and it was to late. I kissed her again, covered her body with a cloth and carried her to the beach...I swore I'd never let go...I took her rings from her...we had the ceremony and that was it...for 3 years...every year on the anniversary of her death, the kids and I along with Alvin and mom...go sit on the beach all day for a picnic...just to think about her..." Hiccup tried to smile now.
He looked over at Astrid, seeing how distraught she was over it. Hiccup reached over and hugged her gently letting her cry against him. "Ssh...don't cry, Astrid...please don't cry..." Hiccup asked her.
"Ho–how can I not after hearing that...You...suffered so much, Hiccup...I don't think I could ever...love again if something like that happened to me..." Astrid sobbed.
"Yeah...yeah I thought that too, Astrid...for 3 long years...I said I'd never love again...and then...I met you after 6 years and it changed. I still can't tell you how it happened, because I really don't know...after saving you from the queen, you saving Runa...my kids trusted you with their lives, as I do with my own...You sat with me, talked with me...got me to forgive Stoick...and the fight with Dagur...that did it for me. Sitting on the beach last night...just thinking about everything. Before I kissed you in front of everyone...I asked Cami to forgive me for it...and then when he brought her up...I lost it. Everyone in the village knows...don't ever speak about Cami outside of her name...I wanted...to kill Dagur last night, Astrid...and I would have...until I felt her with me, touching my shoulder. I knew she wouldn't want me too so I didn't...Sitting on that beach, I asked Cami what to do...because that kiss Astrid...it started something in me that I never thought I'd feel again...love." Hiccup explained.
"D–Did you...mean what you said in front of Dagur, Hiccup?...About liking me since Berk, and wanting me?" Astrid asked.
Hiccup nodded to her, "Yes...I did. Still do. You see Astrid, I've always had a crush on you...probably since I was old enough to like girls...but you ignored me like the rest and when I was cast out and met Cami...I assumed I'd never be with you because of what happened. So I let it go, the idea of being with you, the feelings...but dancing with you...and that kiss Astrid...the one we had last night...it brought it all back and honestly...it scared me. Because I told myself that my heart belonged to Cami forever, even in death...so on the beach crying...I asked her what I should do...and strange as it may seem...she answered me with two words. 'Be Happy'. I was confused at first and then...she appeared before me...well in my mind I guess...our souls were talking...she said Odin was allowing this brief meeting between me and her...so she could help me move on." Hiccup said gently.
"What do you mean?..." Astrid asked, she'd never heard of something like this happening before.
"Bare with me...it was a very quick talk...maybe 3 minutes...but she told me this. 'Hiccup, you've fallen for that girl. The one you protected from Dagur...You asked for my forgiveness but there is nothing to forgive my love. I've told you before, the heart wants what it wants. You can't stop this and you shouldn't either. You knew you loved her from the moment you kissed her, she was the one you liked before meeting me. I want you to be with her.' and I of course...argued with her. Telling her that I'd promised to never let go...so she retorted with, 'Hiccup, I wanted you to never let go of yourself. I wanted you to keep being you, who you are and not stop just because I'm gone. I want you to let go of me, and move on. You can't stay hung on me forever, Hiccup and you know that. Our vows are binding until death do us part...death has parted us. You saw what happened tonight, our children pushed you and Astrid together for a dance, one where you looked at her like you used to look at me. And when Dagur attacked, you protected her without a moments hesitation. You even told him that Astrid was under contract to marry you to protect her, you didn't care about the repercussions of your words, you just did it because you knew deep down you loved her and would never let Dagur have her. Everyone saw you tonight Hiccup, that's why they stopped dancing and watched you. You have haven't danced since you and me. Its in your eyes...you love her. I want you to be with her, our kids want it too because they see how happy she makes you. Runa told you that too, that Astrid makes you smile again.'." Hiccup chuckled a bit reciting his late wife's words to Astrid.
"Sh–she really...said all that?" Astrid asked blinking in shock.
"Every word. And yes...Runa did tell me that you made me smile again, the night after the fight with Stoick...when you stayed over. Runa asked if you were staying on the island, because you made me smile again. Heh, I guess my kids saw it first...but back to the soul talk with Cami...I still protested, in confusion. I told her I wanted her, because I still loved her. She told me, 'But we cannot be again, I'm here because you asked me what you should do and I'm telling you...my time is short. Hiccup...I will always love you and be with you and our children forever more. I always walk beside you and guide you. You can love me, Hiccup. I'm not telling you to stop. I'm telling you to be happy, and Astrid makes you happy. Do that for me Hiccup. Be with her...and be happy. Please?' I asked her how I could love you and her...and this is why I asked you how you felt about me because what she said tipped me off. 'Astrid knows you will always love me, Hiccup and she understands that. She doesn't expect you to stop just for her sake. But you can love again, your heart is already telling you what it wants. Listen to it.'. After she left...I noticed her rings were off my neck, and my ring off my ringer...they were sitting in a jar on the beach by her stone, a note on it reading these words. 'Hiccup, our love will never truly die. It will always live on in our rings and our children. I will forever be with you and them. I want your happiness, Hiccup. She makes you happy, and you make her happy. Its time to move on, you avenged me and your mission is complete. Now its time to let go and move on in life. Be with her...and be happy. I love you always.'." Hiccup smiled as he took Astrid's hand in his.
"It's...weird...you...said this happened while you were on the beach?" Astrid asked.
"Yeah, why?" Hiccup asked back.
"I saw you there leaving the hall...I went to the inn and laid in my bed...and I remember...praying to her, to Camicazi..." Astrid looked up now having shocked Hiccup a bit. "I told her I was sorry...sorry for falling in love with you...because I knew your heart belonged to her..." Astrid looked down.
"What did you...say to her?" Hiccup looked over.
"I said this. 'I'm sorry, Camicazi...I never meant to fall in love with your husband...I wish I could stop it, but I can't...I do love him but I know he still loves you. I don't want him to stop loving you...you gave him...3 amazing children. I just...want to see him be happy...and he was only happy with you...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...please forgive me for wanting him to love me back...'." Astrid replied now.
"I'm guessing...your prayer...and me asking her what I should do...is why she came to me...and told me to move on. She knew you loved me, and she knew I loved you so she made it so we could both be happy...she told me to move on, and then earlier...she said she knew you'd take care of me and the kids, and thanked you for loving me..." Hiccup said softly.
"So I guess the question is now...Where...do we stand, Hiccup? I'll understand...if you aren't ready for another relationship right now." Astrid told him calmly.
"There was a time I thought that. Before I met you again, Astrid. I said I'd never love again, or be with anyone. You changed that for me, you showed me...there's nothing to be afraid of. I love you, Astrid. I do and I want to be with you, if you want to be with me that is. I guess...I'm asking if you'll be my girlfriend?" Hiccup asked staring in to her eyes.
"I do want to be with you, Hiccup. And yes...I'd be happy to be your girlfriend. And don't worry...no rush on anything. We can go as slow as you want...its new for both of us." Astrid blushed a little.
"That it is. Thank you, Astrid. For everything...I'm glad I have you beside me." Hiccup smiled.
"And I'm glad to have you beside me too, Hiccup. I love you." Astrid told him lightly.
"I love you too." Hiccup replied as he leaned in slowly, she did as well as their eyes closed and lips locked in a light kiss. Both pulled apart smiling, blushing with their foreheads against one another. It would be slow, for them both but they knew they'd get there in time. For now...it was more than enough to just have them in one another's lives.