Hiccup pulled back when air became more important than kissing her, though he do so with great reluctance. He framed her face with his hands and just stared at her. The thing within him purr in time with his racing heart. He rubbed his thumbs across her cheeks. Having grown so used to Sharpshot hopping onto and off his back he did not think twice at a sudden weight upon his shoulder. His entire focus rested upon Astrid.
"I love you," he whispered. "And thank you."
Astrid smiled and Hiccup felt both pride and the urge to tremble. Astrid's lips were plump. Her eyes were shining. Hiccup's eyes closed as he leaned forward. He had to kiss her again. He had to show her that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. His lips caressed something that was decidedly not Astrid's warm, soft, and slightly rough lips. He jerked back, opening his eyes. A familiar wing stretched in front of his face.
[We let you have the first,] Sharpshot said from his right shoulder.
"I said we wouldn't break trust," Astrid grumbled.
[We know,] Sneaky said. [But it's getting late and neither of you need to be out in this cold.]
Hiccup looked up. The night had fallen in full and the air did have a frosty bite to it. He sighed as he looked down again. He did want to let her go but he knew he had to. She needed rest and he could feel fatigue creeping into his bones.
"Move your wing, Sharpshot," Hiccup ordered.
Sharpshot curled his wing close. Hiccup frowned.
"You too, Sneaky."
Sneaky snorted but closed her wing as well. Hiccup smiled and kissed Astrid, keeping it soft despite his desire to crush her to his body and not stop kissing her. He pulled back a few heartbeats later.
"Let's get you home," he whispered.
Astrid hugged him close then slowly moved away. She did not release his hand and she smiled at him. Hiccup returned the smile.
Hiccup entered his house, feeling as if he could fly without Toothless. Astrid did not run because of the thing his soul housed. She did not think him a monster. She loved him. She wanted him, something he never thought would happen. Nothing could pull him from the clouds. Then he saw his father and the Changewing king and remembered they wanted to talk to him. Astrid said he was not a monster. The other dragons said he was not a monster. Gyda said he was not a monster. This did not mean his father or the Changewing king would share their belief. This did not mean his father and the Changewing king were pleased by all the had happened.
Toothless nuzzled him as Stoick and the king faced him over the firepit. Sharpshot climbed onto his shoulder and ran his chin across the top of Hiccup's head.
"Come in, son," Stoick said. "Please sit down."
Hiccup shifted so Toothless could enter the house in full and then shut the door. He made his way over to his chair, sitting down gingerly, fearing the outcome of this talk. He tilted his head. Neither his father nor the king looked annoyed or mad. They actually looked happy and proud.
"Son," Stoick began, "I am proud of ye."
Hiccup blinked. Stoick smiled.
"Ye handled everythin' jest as a chief would. Ye aided someone in need. Ye responded as I would ta an invasion. Yer Riders acted as a team that been doin' this fer far longer then they have."
Hiccup looked down. Hearing his father say all of that unshackled something in him that Hiccup did not realize was bound.
"Now," Stoick continued and Hiccup tensed again.
He knew of the honey and the hatchet and feared now that his father gave him the honey the axe blade would swing.
"Yer ally here has brought up a point and I find meself agreein' with him. I can lead people. I can make sure an island of Vikings works together 'n is safe and content. I can teach ye all of this. I will teach all of this ta ye cause you'll need ta know it when ye become chief. But neither ye nor I know exactly how ta lead dragons though." Stoick's gaze fell upon Toothless and Sharpshot. "I know all the dragons be helping ye, son, but none of them ever been the chief of their kinds. They all followed the orders of 'nother. The king has suggested he be the one ta teach all ye'll need ta know. I've agreed."
Hiccup turned to the Changewing, finding him smiling.
[You are doing a great job, but almost all of the dragons who live here and who bow to you are ones you personally forgave. There will be a time that dragons who have never wronged your nest and risked exile over civility laws come to live in the nest. They won't see you through the veil of gratitude the dragons do now. You'll need to know how to handle them.]
Hiccup frowned. "I don't really want to handle them. I just want them to have a safe and happy life."
[And that proves you are honorable and kind and nothing like that fallen queen, but you also must be a leader to them and not just their friend or their kin. I wish to teach you this. If you will let me.]
Hiccup looked between his father and the king. "This wasn't because of my voice?" he asked. "You immediately wanted to talk to me after I used whatever this power is to run the Speedstingers off," he added staring at the king.
[Partially,] the king said. [I see the power you hold and knowing your temperament as I do, I know it would devastate you if this power harms another human or dragon.]
Hiccup could only nod. That had been one of the toughest issues to overcome. His voice could freeze a dragon and said dragon could be injured due to it not being able to move out of the way fast enough. His voice also prevented bonded dragons from following their riders unless he gave an all clear. He knew that would hurt his friends and he did not want that.
"Hiccup, yer voice be no different then us Vikings learnin' ta fight and defend. It jest be somethin' ye need ta train ta use properly."
[The elders of my nest were old when that fallen queen was a youngling,] the king said. [They know stories and tales of things most dragons have forgotten. I know they will have the knowledge to help you with this.] The king stared at him, head tilted. [I will ask them to seek the answers we need to understand the power your voice can hold and how it came to be. In the meantime, will you let your father and I teach you all you need to be the chief of your kind and the alpha of the dragons who bow to you?]
Hiccup looked to his dragon brothers. Both faced him and nodded their heads.
[They are right, Hiccup,] Toothless said. [Both Sharpshot and myself have been taught how to lead due to our respective parents being the leaders of our flocks and nests, but neither one of us have been a position to actually used that training in an leading role. Even if when I was Nest Protector my authority only came to be when out on raids. At the nest and for all normal everyday issues, that monster dictated. The Elders, except Sage, were also under that queen's directed authority. Sage could train you but there are more than Tiny-fangs in the nest. He maybe the king of the Changewing nest near here but I'm sure he has dealt with more of a variety of species than Sage has. He could help you.]
[I agree with Toothless,] Sharpshot said.
Hiccup looked to his father and the king and smiled before nodding his head. "Thank you," he said.
Stoick reached over and clapped Hiccup on the shoulder. The king smiled.
[No, young one,] the king said. [Thank you. Your actions have proven humans and dragons can coexist and now all of us can strive to do so.]
Kirika: Hehe, breathe, my friend. And yep, Astrid had a point to make and she did so.
Prince: I'm glad you loved it and I like that it's your favorite chapter. Hehe, Hiccup can't think no one wants him now. Not when Astrid declares it like that.