Wow! I can't believe the amount of responses to the last chapter! I'm sorry for the evil cliffhanger, but as I told you before, life is a cruel mistress, and so am I. Lol. Still, thank you guys for sticking with me through this journey :) Here's a super early morning post (for me at least) before I head to work. Just because I know you are all waiting impatiently for this one. Enjoy!

Ehickok76: Thanks :)

M.v.j.M: Thanks. I know everyone was impatient for this update, but Tuesdays and Fridays is the best you're getting :P lol

DeathBerryHime: He should've, but he probably forgot that he called it. Lol. I'm glad you liked the chapter. I honestly laughed most of the time while I was writing it. Who woulda thought that I would literally 'reveal' him to the village by using Snotlout's idiocy and a nearly naked duel. You're welcome everyone :P

Adrian Rainbolt: Haha, might not be very humble of me, but I would have to agree. Lol

Rainnnn: Evil cliffhangers are my thing ;) It is about time that Snotlout was knocked down off his high horse. I think one of my favourite episodes of RTTE is Zippleback Experience when Hiccup punches Snotlout in the face. Knocking him and a few of his teeth out. So good. As for Tuff, I always thought that his uncomplicated view of the world would probably let him consider things that others cannot. And yes, Inferno is better than his legendary swords, but still overkill for fighting Snotlout.

ghostpost: I know, but you like it :P

Yubel578: Indeed it is. Lol

CB73: I know, right! I'd had hints to it elsewhere before, but I couldn't resist adding a direct reference to your comment, since it made me laugh so hard. I think the Bog's are going to enjoy this duel the most of anyone. Except maybe Ruffnut...lol

OechsnerC: I gotta keep everyone coming back somehow.

Guest: I know, I am pure evil :P I really enjoyed writing this one, and I'm glad you enjoyed it too.

Scarve: Thanks! :D

Wodenfang: I'm just as excited for all of you to read this next chapter :)

Verdauga: Thanks! I think... hopefully that was a good wow...lol

_

Hiccup stood there in the middle of the arena with no shirt and no shoes, in front of half the Barbaric Archipelago, and watched the shock cross his father's face. His wasn't even close to the only one either. The unguarded thoughts of the entire crowd were crashing over Hiccup like the incoherent screaming of many gulls. No one was exactly sure what to do or say. All of them anxiously awaiting Stoick's reaction to his errant son suddenly appearing before him. Finally unmasked, and defending himself over allegations of rape.

Stoick kept opening and closing his mouth, like a fish gasping for breath, but no sound came out. The silence growing heavier and heavier until a rasping voice finally broke the tension. "Thor's tingly testicles! Hiccup got hot!" Grinning, Hiccup waved at Ruffnut as a few people laughed. Just like that, the heavy blanket seemed to lift from the crowd.

"Hel yes he did! Way to go Astrid!" That one was Cami from the Bog Burglars and promptly the rest of her tribe pitched in with their own shouts, including, "I'd like to take him for a ride myself!" Then, louder than the rest, came Bertha's booming jeer. "Look at those claw marks! Doesn't look like she was trying to get away!"

Hiccup heard Ilweran and Eret's lewd hollers at those words. Chuckling too, he looked straight at Astrid now. Feeling his lips twist up into the predatory smile he knew drove her wild. Those azure blue orbs of hers locking on him with a shimmer of hungry fire in return. Her cheeks were admittedly scarlet, but she still laughed with everyone else. Grinning back at Hiccup as she blew him a kiss that made the Boggies whoop again. Ruff and Tuff both reaching back to high-five her.

Despite all the noise, Stoick still seemed caught in a trance. Stuttering and gibbering as he stared at the intimidating beast of a man before him. "Hi-Hiccup? I don't... I don't believe it... It just can't be... Is it really you, son?"

"Last time I checked," Hiccup deadpanned as Gobber reached out to place a comforting hand on the chief's shoulder. The all too familiar sarcasm kicking Stoick right in the memory, as unmistakable recognition suddenly sparked in the chief's eyes. Hoping to buy his father some time before either of them had to navigate the emotional storm though, he quickly added, "I believe there was supposed to be some sort of duel happening. Or did I just take my clothes off for the enjoyment of Bertha and her tribeswomen?"

There were a few more laughs and whistles at this. "Anytime you want to handsome! We won't complain," Cami bellowed over the noise. Heather and Ruffnut both reaching over to high-five her too now as the whole group laughed again.

Across the arena, Snotlout looked like he had just been hit over the head with his own hammer. His dazed eyes slowly beginning to fill with a measure of desperation. Hiccup didn't even need to hear Snot's thoughts to know what he was thinking. He had just challenged the rightful heir of Berk to a duel. If he lost this fight, he would certainly lose the woman he had thought to claim as his own. He would now also lose any chance of becoming the next chief just by participating. Hiccup had to admit that it was a daunting decision, but they both knew that it was too late now anyways. The challenge had been made and the terms accepted.

"What is the matter Snotface," Hiccup taunted. Hoping to goad the stocky man to action. "I thought you wanted the chance to break my pretty-boy face. Finally win Astrid over with a display of good old Viking manliness." He paused to flex his own arms jokingly, as the resulting cheers and screams from the ladies made Snot's face flush scarlet. "You should hear the noises she makes when you touch her just right, cousin," he added with a smirk, before chuckling darkly. "Oh wait, you already did..." Snotlout's answering grimace was supremely gratifying, and Hiccup felt his grin widen.

Suddenly there was a loud 'WHACK' followed by a grunt from Stoick. Apparently Gothi had hit him round the head with her staff to break him out of his stupor. Cursing the old woman and rubbing his skull, the chief turned back to the two men in front of him. "Do you both still accept the terms of the duel," he asked quietly. Knowing full well that they couldn't refuse now. His eyes desperately searching his son's, and Hiccup felt a twinge of disappointment. How could his father look at him now, and still only see the weak and scrawny runt?

"Yeah I do, but I want a change of weapon first," came Snotlout's angry reply. At the realization that the runaway runt of the family had bedded his purchased woman, likely far more than once, Snot had started to find his rage again. The scratches on Hiccup's back were a pretty clear sign that the sex had definitely been consensual, and now Snot wanted to punish his cousin for making a fool out of him in front of everyone. Biting back on the urge to remind Snot that he didn't need help to look like a fool, Hiccup simply met his cousin's furious gaze with a nod. Watching as Snotlout quickly went to grab his trusty war hammer instead as the atgeir got shuffled to the side.

Honestly, Hiccup was actually starting to look forward to this, no matter what he told Astrid to the contrary. A little payback for all the times that Snotlout had picked on him and beaten him up when they were kids. Snot was just lucky he had chosen to do this today when Hiccup was in a good mood. A few days ago he would've been facing a one way trip to Niflheim. Even with Astrid, and now Gothi, both trying to protect the idiot. Gothi even managing to unobtrusively bypass his shields somehow to beg him to spare Snot's life for the sake of the Tribe. Did they seriously both think he wouldn't be able to keep his temper in check during a silly duel with his idiot cousin?

Once Snot had set the hammer by Gothi's feet, the elder leant down to place her hands on the weapons for a long minute. Finally looking back up at Stoick with a curt nod as she gestured for the boys to retrieve their weapons. When Hiccup was a child, he had always just assumed this was another strange tradition of the duelling ring. What could Gothi really be looking for when she approved the weapons? Now he could feel the waver of magic in the air, and realized she was checking for any enhancements that would provide an unfair advantage.

Marvelling yet again at the mysterious healer, Hiccup met her cool blue gaze with an arched brow as he moved to pick up Inferno. Feeling immediately glad that he had spent last night modifying the sword to use monstrous nightmare gel instead of magical fire. Gothi just smirked back at him and winked. Shaking his head with a chuckle, Hiccup turned to face Snotlout instead. Finding his cousin waving the heavy war hammer around arrogantly.

When he actually took a look at the weapon Hiccup planned to fight with though, Snotlout laughed loudly. "Your weapon of choice is a sword without a blade?" He guffawed again at the thought.

"So it would seem," Hiccup returned dryly. Twirling the hilt once in his left palm.

*

Although Astrid may look relaxed on the surface, inside she was screaming. Of course she had been mortified when everyone including her parents had first seen the marks on Hiccup's back. It had gotten a little easier to laugh after Ruffnut's shout followed by the chorus from the Bogs, but that didn't change what was happening. Sure Hiccup seemed calm, but Snotlout was furious. What if he did something stupid to push Hiccup. Sure she had made Hiccup agree not to kill him, but there was a lot of grey area between physically unharmed and death…

Too focused on fighting down her nausea, Astrid didn't even notice Minden arriving. "Have I missed anything? It hasn't started yet I hope," Minden suddenly asked. Plopping herself down on Astrid's other side. "Sorry," she chuckled at Astrid's squeak of surprise. Not looking sorry in the slightest.

"What took you so long? We have been here for nearly an hour already," Ilweran asked casually. Although Astrid could now detect the barest hint of fatherly reprimand in his tone, but she seriously doubted anyone else would notice.

"Bori was getting nervous with all the noise. I had to calm her down before running here," Minden shot back. At Ilweran's arched brow, Minden stuck her tongue out at her father before glancing at Astrid's face. "Don't worry," she soothed. "Hiccup won't hurt Snotlout too bad. We're going to need every single rider conscious and able-bodied enough to help bring the Red Death down."

"No, you don't understand," Astrid finally choked out. "Hiccup is really protective of me. If Snot says or does the wrong thing, that'll be it. Game over for Snotlout! If Hiccup kills him, it'll be all my fault," she finished guiltily as she buried her face in her hands.

Ilweran placed a warm hand on Astrid's shoulder, and she lifted her head to meet his eyes. "No matter what happens, it is not your fault Astrid," he stated firmly. "Unfortunately, she does have a point though," he added with a grimace at Minden. "Hiccup is unusually territorial when it comes to Astrid. More so than I have ever seen him get."

Minden's brows shot up, and she looked about to reply when Stoick and Gothi suddenly started moving out of the arena. Gobber patting Hiccup paternally on the shoulder before following them. Immediately the two men left in the ring began to circle each other, making Astrid's stomach clench in fear. "I can't just sit up here waiting to watch Snotlout die," she exclaimed. Jumping up and grabbing her axe before taking off towards the gate.

"Is Hiccup likely to kill Snotlout?" Ruff asked Minden curiously as she watched her friend dart away through the crowd.

"Put it this way Ruff…" Minden offered back with a shrug. "…I certainly wouldn't call him out for a duel."

"Excellent!" Ruffnut chuckled gleefully as her brother cackled in excitement. Both of them turning back to watch the men in the arena with wicked excitement written plainly across their faces.

*

As soon as Snotlout had started moving, Hiccup had too. Reading Snot's body language as easily as his thoughts. Keeping pace effortlessly as his cousin circled around like a burly vulture in search of an opening. There was no need to rush the poor boy after all. Snot needed to learn a lesson, not be out of commission for the coming battle.

When Snotlout finally made his first strike, it was almost too easy for Hiccup to follow with his draconic eyesight. It was also incredibly predictable, and a bit disappointing. Was he seriously aiming for a head shot with a heavy war hammer when his opponent was well over a foot taller than him? Clearly Snot was choosing to forgo technique in his anger. Sighing, Hiccup watched the other man charge at him with the hammer raised high above his head. Had Snotface really learned nothing from all the weeks of hard training?

The wild downward swing was slow even by human standards. As he dodged it, Hiccup barely had to remind himself to keep his strength and speed to a minimum. He wouldn't really need either here anyways. Leaning back just enough to be out of reach, he watched the hammer pass by his face. The heavy weight of the clunky weapon pulling Snot forward and off-balance. Sticking one foot out as he stumbled past, Hiccup sent Snot sprawling on the ground.

"You should never sacrifice balance for force," Hiccup chided lightly while Snotlout scrambled back to his feet. The stalky man's face burning scarlet. With a yell of rage Snotlout ran at him again. The next swing was no better, as he aimed another heavy blow at Hiccup's head. With a crouch and half turn, Hiccup ducked under the hammer this time. Standing up inside of Snot's guard as he brought the hilt of Inferno down in a quick arc. Slapping the steel sharply against the other man's wrist. This simple motion caused the hammer to drop from Snot's slackened grip, only to be kicked far beyond his reach in the next moment.

"You really should have stuck with the atgeir for a taller opponent," Hiccup pointed out as he sidestepped. Picking up the aforementioned weapon from the ground and tossing it to Snotlout. Reaching out instinctively, the other man caught the bladed staff before glancing down at it in shocked confusion. This was not how it was supposed to work, after all. Once you lost your weapon, you were pretty much done for. No dueller would give their enemy a new weapon after disarming them.

Visibly less confident now, Snot gripped the staff as he had been taught and widened his stance. "Much better," Hiccup grinned as he sauntered closer. "Take time to assess your opponent." Once he was within range, Snot slashed. Pressing the release, Hiccup extended the blade of Inferno and blocked the staff with it. There were gasps from the crowd as the weapon seemed to appear out of nowhere. Snot's eyes widened too, but he managed to stay focused.

Smiling at the improvement, Hiccup disengaged. Only to have Snotlout jab back at him. Striking out again and again while Hiccup batted each attempt aside with his sword. Occasionally correcting the other man's form or grip along the way. Even rapping Snot's thigh with the flat of his blade every now and then and reminding him to widen his stance.

"You are allowing your anger to make you sloppy and only exhausting yourself in the process," Hiccup chastised after a while. "Remember, it is always better to alternate between offence and defence." Snotlout yelled with rage at the criticism and lashed out again. This time Inferno caught the staff in the middle of the wood and held it there. Deciding it was time to end this, Hiccup struck the flint and the blade ignited.

He took a moment to appreciate the startled look on Snot's face before cutting through the staff. With a quick flick of his wrist, Hiccup hooked one half of the handle through the hollow, flame covered blade. A downward twist, and it was pulled free of Snot's hand and flung away. Bringing Inferno back in a quick arc to block the slice Snot was aiming at his ribs. Catching the curved axe blade of the atgeir with his sword, Hiccup jerked the staff and man towards him. Bringing his other hand up at the same time to smash the heel into Snot's face.

He felt the cartilage snap and contort as the man's nose shattered under his palm. Thick red blood beginning to stream down Snot's face as his weapon fell to the ground. Leaving his cousin dazed and bleeding, Hiccup hooked the tip of Inferno into the blade near his feet and flicked it up into the air. Retracting Inferno before catching the falling blade, he kicked out with just enough force to dislocate Snot's knee. The loud popping crunch grossly audible in the nearly silent hush of the arena. Dropping to the ground, Snot grunted and tried to roll away, but Hiccup held him still with a foot as he placed the edge of the axe against his throat. "Do you yield?"

There was a moment of pregnant silence as Snot glared up at him. Then he spat out a mouthful of blood. "I yield," he growled, just loud enough for everyone else to hear. Nodding, Hiccup stepped away from his cousin. Turning slightly, he threw the now poorly weighted weapon at the target mounted on the far wall instead. Landing a perfect bullseye as the axehead buried itself right to the neck, and Snot's eyes flew wide with shock. Hiccup simply smirked at his cousin before waving a hand towards the gate and Gothi. The elder would need to pop that knee back in before Snot could stand. Still, it was more of a nuisance injury than a disabling one.

That was when the tumult broke over them. The fight had ended so abruptly that everyone was caught off guard at first. Then, as realization slowly sank in, the cheers of the crowd grew into a crescendo like a gradually cresting wave. Wincing slightly at all the noise, Hiccup looked away from Snotlout now to watch Gothi and the others approach, only to find Astrid running towards him. Her beautiful axe forgotten by the gate in her exuberance, which Hiccup was admittedly thankful for a split-second later when Astrid positively launched herself at him.

As Hiccup caught her mid-leap, Astrid's arms and legs wrapped tightly around him as he put his hands on her in front of everyone. Cupping both around her fine ass in a bold display of ownership, and crushing his mouth to hers in a greedy kiss. Her fingers twining into his hair to pull him closer as she lost herself to his magic. Snotlout grumbled moodily at the public display, and Hiccup chuckled against Astrid's mouth. He may have spared Snot's life and limbs, but that didn't mean he wasn't still going to flaunt his prize.

Breaking away when she felt his laugh, Astrid giggled nervously too. A scarlet blush creeping its way into her cheeks as she realized that everyone was watching them. "Oops," she said awkwardly and started to let go. Hiccup simply grinned at her before wrapping his arms around her instead. Turning towards his father with a front full of Astrid, Hiccup gazed defiantly at the man. Wondering if the chief would dare comment on their embrace. Instead Stoick just smiled at him with a proud gleam in his eyes.

Amazed by this unquestioning approval, Hiccup removed his right arm from around Astrid and held his hand out to his father. Stoick grasping it in a firm handshake, as his smile grew even wider. "It's good to see you, my son," he offered quietly. Hiccup bowed his head in acknowledgement of the unspoken apology underlying the greeting, and Stoick nodded too. Clearing his throat gruffly before turning back to face the crowd. After waving a hand for silence he proclaimed grandly, "the challenge has been met and we have a yield. Both men fought bravely and with honour."

Hiccup let Astrid to drop back to her feet now. Clutching her hand in his instead as he moved to stand next to his father. "The winner is Scáth," Stoick stated as he gestured towards his shirtless son. "Or should I say, Hiccup." Hiccup pumped his free fist cheekily into the air, much like Snotlout had earlier, and Astrid choked out a laugh as she poked him in the ribs. Stoick allowing a small chuckle of his own before resuming his chiefly manner. "Snotlout must now uphold the agreed upon terms of the duel. Now get to the Mead Hall for the feast you crazy dogs and let these poor boys put their clothes back on in peace!"

There was another loud chorus of whoops from the Bogs as everyone began to make their way back to the main village. Gothi ambling over to the man on the ground instead and swiftly popping his knee back in with practiced skill. Pointedly ignoring his yelled curses. Then she shuffled back over to Stoick and Gobber. After letting him scream for a moment longer, Hiccup offered his hand to help his cousin up to his feet. "This was your lesson for today," he supplied with a lopsided smile. "Never underestimate your opponent."

Snotlout had the decency to blush as he carefully tested his injured leg. The stocky man looking over at Astrid now as if he was about to say something, but he was interrupted by a flurry of activity at the gate. Turning, Hiccup caught Ruffnut just as she was coming in for a tackle. Her arms and legs wrapping around him in a full body hug instead as she nuzzled her nose against his bare skin. "Mmmm… You smell good," she croaked by his ear.

"I know," Hiccup allowed with a chuckle. Trying to carefully pry the crazy woman off of him, and only succeeding in making her grip him tighter. He glanced at Astrid in search of help, but she just smirked and held her hands up in a 'you're on your own with that' gesture. Sighing in defeat, Hiccup gave up and just held a hand out to Fishlegs. The big man pulling him into three way hug instead. Tuffnut jumping on the dog pile a moment later.

*

Astrid watched with a smile while Hiccup was predictably surrounded. Finally managing to wriggle free of the Viking-pile, only to have his father swoop in and crush him in a great bear hug. Minden sidling over by Astrid instead, as she too chuckled at the happy reunion. "See, I told you that you didn't need to worry about him," Minden offered brightly. "He's a gooder, that one. Hold onto him."

Then she winked and sashayed her way over to where Snotlout was still standing alone. Looking more confused and worried than Astrid had ever seen him. His nose a mess as blood continued to drip down over his chin and chest. "Don't feel too bad Snot," Minden grinned. "I haven't been able to beat him in a spar in almost 5 years. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

Snotlout gave her a small smile that quickly vanished. "Id's nod dat I'b ashamed do lose do him," he countered, before his shoulders slumped. "Well, maybe a lidle," he admitted. "Okay, a lod. Id's jus' dat I don know wha' I'b gonna do now. He geds Astrid and he's da righdful heir of Berk."

Now that she didn't have to worry about being his little wifey, Astrid found that she actually felt a bit sorry for Snotlout. Even though she knew that Hiccup had no intention of staying on Berk and taking over as heir. He had already told her as much. Minden simply cut across Snot's gloom though as she put a firm hand on his forearm. "You are going to clean yourself up and get Gothi to set that nose before it heals like that. The rest is in the hands of Skuld." With that she tossed Snot his tunic, and he caught it with a soft laugh.

It was at that moment that Astrid realized Hiccup's clothes were gone. Looking around in confusion, she spied Cami and Heather over by the gate with Ilweran and Eret. The girls' arms loaded down with their recent haul. The boys laughing with them instead of trying to take the stuff back. Clearly they were not concerned in the slightest for their friend's modesty. Cami caught Astrid's gaze and winked mischievously, before taking off at a run in the opposite direction with Heather.

Just then, Astrid heard Hiccup's cry of, "where the fuck are my clothes?" Quickly trying to school her features into an innocently surprised expression, she looked at him and shrugged. Her met her gaze for half a heartbeat before he shouted, "CAMI! You had better run fast, because when I catch you, you are dead!" Then he dashed out of the arena on bare feet, as Eret and Ilweran laughed hysterically at him. The bonded dragons rasping their own chuckles from just outside the gate.

*

Eventually Hiccup had caught up to Cami and Heather. Taking his clothes back with a smile in his eyes instead of the violence he had initially threatened. As he had no need for the disguise anymore, Hiccup replaced his armour and weapons, but chose to ditch the cloak and mask. Claiming that he had never really liked wearing them anyways. This meant that both Riders, in all of their glorious perfection, were now dressed in only their form fitting armoured tunic and loose trouser combos. Astrid wasn't complaining of course, as they were entirely too delectable to cover up, but it did have the rather unsurprising side-effect of making all the ladies nearly lose their minds when the boys strolled into the Mead Hall together.

Ruffnut had been predictably jealous too. During the feast, she had indeed stolen Mace-y and chased Astrid around the village with it. The whole group following them outside and laughing at them. Astrid couldn't help but laugh right along with them, while 'casually' reminding Ruff that Hiccup had also been holding out on her. "Just think Ruff, you could have been ogling and fondling all three of them every day for the past two months if he hadn't insisted on hiding from you."

Ruff stopped in her tracks with the mace raised comically above her head. "You're absolutely right," she replied. Turning her head slowly, she set her gaze on Eret and the Riders where they were standing with the others. With a war cry, she started sprinting towards them instead. "Hiccup, how could you do this to me? I thought you cared," she yelled, as the men started running away from her. More people coming out of the Hall to watch the commotion. Cheering, raising their tankards, and placing bets on the outcome. Seems the villagers were getting two shows in one day.

As Ruff circled one of the lodges, she stopped short. Looking around in confusion as the three huge men somehow managed to disappear. Suddenly Eret came up behind her and grabbed her tight around the middle. Lifting her right off the ground as he pulled her against his solid chest. Ilweran dropping down from the roof above to grab Mace-y from her before she could swing it. After tossing it aside, he wrapped his hands around her flailing wrists as he sidled in close to her. A predatory smirk on his luscious lips as his golden eyes positively smouldered like liquid fire. The surprising heat of his gaze actually even making Astrid's skin tingle a bit from all the way across the square.

Of course Ruffnut was effectively disarmed by Ilweran's heart stopping beauty, and she gave up struggling. Simply hanging limp and dazed in Eret's burly arms now with her mouth hanging open and her eyes slightly crossed. Astrid couldn't help feeling a twinge of humorous pity for Ruff. Even after spending the last two months with Hiccup and Ilweran, she still hadn't stopped losing herself to their beauty. She seriously doubted that anyone could ever get used to the disorienting perfection of the Riders, and this was the first time they were unleashing it on someone else with no holds barred. Poor Ruff…

Suddenly Hiccup was there, almost seeming to appear out of nowhere. Taking the dazed woman from the other two with a wicked grin, and putting her over his shoulder as if she weighed no more than a child. She gasped in surprise at the bold manhandling. Slapping his ass playfully and Hiccup smacked hers in return - hard enough to make her squeal. The loud crack audible through the still night air. "Keep still woman, or there will be worse where that came from," he teased gruffly.

Ruff giggled like a child at that. Her face blushing bright crimson and her hips wiggling tauntingly, as if begging for another. Astrid, Fish, and Tuff simply stared in shock. Ruffnut rarely blushed, and she certainly didn't giggle. Ever!

Minden just smirked widely as she chuckled under her breath. Elbowing Astrid to get her attention before muttering, "lucky girl. Too bad for her husband, though. She's going to be insatiable after this..."

Astrid grinned at her in agreement. "Yep, poor Fishlegs. He's going to have his work cut out for him tonight. Although, what woman wouldn't be insatiable after being accosted by three of the most gorgeous men to walk this realm?" The two women laughed again, watching as Ruff continued to squirm and giggle while Hiccup carried her across the square. Her hands planted firmly on his backside, apparently to brace herself.

Chuckling and shaking his head at the crazy woman, Hiccup hauled her all the way back over to Fishlegs. Dumping her unceremoniously into his waiting arms. "You need to take this home and deal with its pent up frustrations my friend," he stated in a rather carrying voice. "Preferably before the rest of the village is trying to sleep, I would think." Grinning slyly as the large man blushed.

Ilweran came over to stand by Hiccup as he too glanced down at the manic smile on Ruff's flushed and flustered face. "Hiccup makes a very valid point Fish. I am terribly sorry, but we do seem to have stirred her up a bit," he offered with a smirk. "I suppose being manhandled by the men of your dreams will do that to a woman though," he added cheekily.

Eret, arriving in time to hear Ilweran's comment, barked out a laugh as he handed Tuff back his mace. "That it will," he agreed with a shrug of his broad shoulders. Then he gazed down at Ruff for a moment too as she grinned stupidly back. Her face bright red with a mixture of excitement and lust. "Please take her to bed and show her why she loves you. Before she explodes right here..." he trailed off with a wink.

Ruff cackled loudly at that before dragging Fish's face down and kissing him vigorously. "Always listen to the teachers," she said with a smirk. With one more embarrassed look at the lot of them, Fishlegs put his wife over his shoulder much like Hiccup had, and started racing towards their lodge with her. The rest of the group in hysterics as the villagers on the Mead Hall steps cheered.

Amidst the commotion, Hiccup reached over and pulled Astrid towards him. She was only slightly startled by the new freedom in their relationship, but then she looked up into his laughing green eyes and lost all coherent thought. Yep, she was never going to get used to this man. How could eyes manage to smile and smoulder, all at once? It just wasn't fair.

"Speaking of being manhandled by the man of your dreams..." he started quietly. Wrapping his arms around her and drawing her close.

Her heart stuttered at his words and the feel of his solid chest beneath her palms, but she tried to play it cool. "That sounds amazing! Where has Snotlout gotten to?" Glancing around curiously as Minden cackled at her.

Hiccup simply pulled her even tighter against his body. "Very funny mi'lady," he drawled with a roll of those smouldering green eyes. A smirk still twisting up one side of his mouth as one of his hands skimmed down to her grip her rear. The other fanning out across her back and making her feel perfectly petite, and more than a wee bit claimed. "Unfortunately for Snotlout, he will never get to manhandle you ever again. Unless he wants to lose his hands."

Then he leaned down to press his lips to hers, and the taste and smell of him caused her knees to go weak as always. Stealing every last shred of her sanity as everything around them fell away. Nothing existed in this space aside from the two of them and Astrid wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back hard. Moulding her body to his and grinding wantonly against him as she moaned against his mouth. The familiar warmth flaring in her core again as her leg came up to wrap around his hip.

When he finally broke away and grinned at her, all she could do was pant for a moment as she tried to steady her racing heart. Then the outside world flooded back in, and a hot flush rose up her cheeks as she suddenly became aware of the crowd at the Hall. "Oh my gods," she groaned in embarrassment. Dropping her leg back to the ground with a grimace and hiding her flaming face against his chest. "Everyone just saw that, didn't they."

"Yep," Hiccup smirked back as she peeked up at him sheepishly. Not looking ashamed or embarrassed in the slightest, and clearly in no hurry to move his hands or let her go. "And they are all going to see this too." She had one brief moment of confusion, before he picked her up and whistled for Toothless. Leaping onto the black dragon as he landed beside them, and cradling her in his lap. "I won you fair and square mi'lady. I think it is about time that I properly claimed my prize," he chuckled.

"Sounds good to me," she grinned back. Leaning up to kiss him again as the spectators screamed and whistled. Still blushing crimson but no longer caring who saw, she wrapped her arms around her man as Toothless spread his great wings wide and launched himself into the sky.

_

Finally, eh! Bout godsdamn time that the village found out who was under the mask. Of course the enthusiasm of the Bog's along with the outburst from Ruffnut likely helped to ease the tension of this awkward reunion, and I love Ruff chasing everyone around with her brother's mace afterwards. She sooo would. At least her delicious yak-chops finally manhandle her for a change. Poor Fishlegs. He's gonna be busy tonight...

How very nice of Hiccup to take it easy on Snotlout. How many of you saw that coming? You should've. He's not an evil asshole, after all. Just my beautiful Dirty Dark Swan. Gods I love him. Lol