Chapter Two
A/N: I seem to have opened a can of worms with this pairing. Whoops. Still. I have no plans to change it as this is more a story about their friendship than the actual pairing.
Don't like? Don't read. Cause you REALLY aren't going to like the next bombshell!
NOTE: I shall no longer be allowing hateful reviews to be posted and shall remove all that are inappropriate or that contain profanity unless they are from people who have signed into their accounts. If you are going to flame, please at least make an account and do it properly! Have a nice day! :D
Anyway, for those of you who DO like it, read on! I'm posting this early just because.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Astrid woke to total darkness. She was slightly disoriented for a moment, before Heather's scent and soft breaths reminded her where she was. She relaxed and just stayed lying there for a few moments, before gently untangling herself from the sleeping rider. She gingerly made her way to the stairs and went up them. Her first order of business was the chamber pot and, though she could still hear the storm raging, she opened one of the shutters anyway to see if it had lessened any. It was still daylight, she could tell, probably late afternoon, though she had no accurate way of judging. If anything the storm was worse and the wind was fiercer. The ocean was white with sea foam and the snow whirled dangerously. They wouldn't be leaving today.
At any rate, they had enough supplies to last more than a week so her only worry was her dragon. She hoped that the others could keep Stormfly and Windshear secured. She hated to think of her dragon trying to fly in this. Deciding not to dwell on it, she pulled on a fresh suit of clothes and started a fire. As she was doing so, she thought about possibly heating enough water for her and Heather to bathe after eating. The stew could be reheated for their meal and there was plenty of mead left. Yes. That was what she would do.
She got a few large cauldrons from the kitchen area and, using a clever set of pipes that Hiccup, Fishlegs and Gobber had worked up, filled them with some water from the large reservoir outside. Since it was so open, she didn't really trust it for drinking or cooking, but for bathing it was just fine. She lit the fireplace again and arranged the cauldrons near enough to heat the water to a comfortable temperature. She felt another pang from missing her dragon as she thought about Stormfly being able to heat it in seconds. Her dragon loved showing off for her and enjoyed doing those tiny things for her and she herself enjoyed spending time with the Nadder. She hoped that Hiccup would remember her liking for chicken and feed her some. Maybe it would perk her up.
Then she realized that she probably shouldn't put so much reliance on Hiccup to dote on her dragon. The young Dragonmaster had enough on his plate as it was and was probably still worried sick about her and Heather even though they'd flown the all clear flag. She then wondered how Windshear was getting on. She knew that the Razorwhip rarely was away from Heather for more than a few hours at a time now that they were free again. She was probably even more worried than Stormfly and just as deadly when provoked. She couldn't stop an evil snicker at the thought of Snotlout trying to deal with two very deadly dragons along with his own. Hookfang would probably be just as amused as she was. The Nightmare had a well-known love-hate relationship with her rider. It didn't help matters at all that Snotlout was convinced she was male. She shook her head remembering that conversation.
"What are you snickering about up here by yourself?" Heather asked in amused tone from the top of the stairs.
"Bout time you woke up. And I was thinking about Snotlout being maimed by our dragons."
Heather laughed. "Definitely the only good thing that can come out of us being separated from them." She glanced at the wiggling shutters. "So I'm guessing it's still rough out there?" She asked as she dressed in another set of Astrid's spare clothes.
Astrid nodded. "If anything, it's worse. We may be here a day or two."
Heather looked disappointed for a moment, before perking up. "Well at least I'm stuck with you."
Astrid grinned. "Right? I'd die if I'd been trapped here with just about anyone else. Want me to heat up the stew?"
Heather shook her head. "No. I'm not hungry yet. I could use a glass of mead though. Want one?" She asked over her shoulder as she went to get a cup.
"Sure. I've got water heating for a bath later." Astrid stood from where she was crouched near the fire and went to sit at the table again.
Heather poured them both a glass and they tapped cups again, both grinning as they remembered doing the same thing last night, before tossing back a few gulps of the sweet alcohol. Astrid found she was actually growing to like this batch more than the milder, sweeter variety. She was definitely going to find out who made it and request more for both here and the compound.
The two riders made short work of the rest of it and managed to find a small barrel containing more. They started in on it, reminiscing and laughing at the misadventures of themselves, their friends and their enemies. After a particularly hilarious story about Dagur somehow managing to attract the undivided attention of a particularly vindictive and mischievous Terrible Terror and being unable to kill it, Astrid had to wipe tears from her eyes.
"So how did he finally manage to get rid of it?"
Heather tried to compose herself enough to finish. "I convinced him to wear and eel like a necklace while Windshear and I relocated the little guy somewhere else. The smell got so bad no one would stand near him for nearly a week, but he refused to take it off, convinced that tiny dragon was hiding just out of sight waiting for the time to strike. He was definitely living up to his title of deranged!" She finished with another laughing fit.
Astrid howled with laugher and slapped the table so hard she nearly knocked the drinks over. When she finally was able to breathe again, she managed to take a gulp of her drink to sooth her throat between giggles. Heather was in a similar state. Neither of them could remember laughing so much in a very long time.
Heather let out a heavy sigh. "Gods, I wish we could just stay like this. If Windshear and Stormfly were here, I'd be content to stay trapped in this tower forever."
Astrid hummed in agreement. "It is nice. Though I wouldn't mind not being trapped by the storm. I could go for another spar right around now." She lifted her chin in a taunting manner.
Heather arched an eyebrow. "Who says we can't spar? I could use some hand to hand practice." She finished the contents of her cup and stood, though she wobbled slightly as she did so. "Whoa." She sat back down. "Maybe in the morning. This stuff is wicked strong."
Astrid laughed at the look on her face. "Well. If we can't spar, then how about another contest."
Heather smirked. "I'm game. What kind've contest?"
Astrid unstopped the barrel and refilled their cups. "Whoever passes out first, loses."
Heather was intrigued. "Let's make it more interesting."
"I'm listening."
Heather carefully stood and went to her pack, from which she pulled out a set of throwing knives. Without warning, she threw on into a support post, where it stuck. "Every time you miss, you have to drink a full cup."
Astrid grinned wickedly. "You're on."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
A few hours later, they had to settle it as a draw. Neither of them could accurately hit the post anymore and had tired of retrieving the knives from the far wall. Heather slumped onto a cushioned bench near the fire and Astrid joined her. She lay down, propping her feet on the far arm and put her head in Heather's lap. Heather giggled at her flushed face and tickled her nose. Astrid grasped her hand and bit it lightly in admonition. Heather gasped and swatted her lightly. Astrid responded by tickling her and the two of them were soon in an earnest tickle fight that only ended when both of them fell off the bench and hit the floor hard. They lay there laughing for a few minutes, before sighing in contentment. They stayed as they were, tangled together. Here, alone with each other, they felt oddly free. Both of them had taken to hiding their emotions and acting tough for so long, it felt nice to just be themselves.
"You're my best friend, Heather." Astrid whispered after a moment of silence.
Heather smiled and snuggled into her fellow rider more comfortably. "And you're mine."
Astrid lay there and played with Heather's soft, dark hair. She'd always loved it, and had secretly very much enjoyed the way she looked when she'd dyed it to match that day so long ago when she'd gone undercover to get the Book of Dragons back from Alvin and the Outcasts. Had it really been four years ago?
She looked down into Heather's contented face and felt herself flooding with emotions. She'd utterly hated her at first, then had grown to like her, only to be seemingly betrayed by her again and then find out it was ploy in their favor. She'd secretly met with her, plotting behind the back of Hiccup, the one she thought she trusted more than anything. If anyone else had asked it of her, she wouldn't have been able to do it. Heather had put a fire inside her, when she'd come back a literal badass after all those years and had stoked it higher with every visit. She had grown, faster, smarter and stronger since Heather had come back into her life. It was wonderful. She'd never had a close female friend before her. Hiccup was wonderful, and he was a fantastic friend, but he wasn't a girl so she couldn't be close to him in the same way.
Heather seemed to feel her gaze and blinked her eyes open. "Astrid?"
Astrid blinked and looked away. "It's nothing. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
Astrid looked back at her and grinned. "About how much I hated you when we first met. You had all the boys wrapped around your finger and even managed to steal Stormfly's heart. Gods, I wanted to pommel you."
Heather chuckled. "I hated you too. I even had to flirt with Snotlout to get what I wanted and yet, there you were, ruining everything and keeping me from being able to save my parents. Still not as bad as me having to flirt with Snotlout, but still."
Astrid laughed. "I always thought you had to be tough to have managed not to lose your lunch pulling that one off. It still makes me laugh that he genuinely thinks he had a chance with you. Still does for that matter. And me."
Both of them pretended to be sick and giggled. "I should just tell him I'm interested in Fishlegs. Maybe that will get him off my back."
Astrid snorted. "I still can't believe you said you were interested in Fishlegs that day in the woods."
Heather swatted her. "I didn't say I was interested. I just said he was cute. Especially when compared to Tuffnut and Snotlout."
Astrid conceded that point. "Still."
"Speaking of that conversation, is the thing with you and Hiccup official yet or are you both still being mutton heads about it?"
Astrid growled in frustration. "How many times do I have to say `just friends'? Hiccup and I are just friends. I have no romantic interest in Hiccup. If he fantastic? Yes. Is he cute? In his own nerdy way, yes. Do I want to date him? No."
Heather simply smiled and waited out the rant. "It really amuses me how defensive you get about it."
Astrid growled again. "Yeah, well you're not the only one who thinks it and so I'm a little sore on the subject." She grumbled.
Heather chuckled. "Well I only say it `cause you get all cute when you're mad."
Astrid glared at her. "Just you wait `til I can hold an axe again. I'll show you cute." She half threatened, half joked.
Heather opened her mouth to respond when Astrid's stomach growled. Instead she laughed. "You're worse than a man when it comes to eating!"
Astrid said nothing, looking pointedly away to try and hide her blush, which only made Heather laugh harder. She kissed the embarrassed blonde's cheek and got up to move the stew to the fire. Astrid simply watched her, figuring that if her friend was going to tease her then the dark haired nymph could do it herself. She grinned when she realized she'd just womanized another woman and got up to help. The blonde rider moved the cauldrons of water closer to the fire and checked the storm. The only change was that it had grown colder as the sun set, rain turning back into ice. They sat at the table again and, against her better judgment, Astrid poured them another drink.
Heather beamed and took a few gulps. Astrid did the same. After a few minutes, her head, which had finally begun to clear, was fuzzy again. "You realize we've been drinking almost nonstop since we woke up right?" She asked.
Heather assumed her most serious expression. "Tis the life of a Viking, lass, to eat his fill and drink in merry, `til the bloodlust of battle calls him to the field once more! Valhalla awaits!" She yelled in a very poor imitation of Stoick.
They both burst out laughing and clunked their cups together. "Valhalla!" They toasted and drained them.
They refilled their cups and Astrid had a funny idea. She held out her cup and said, "For the storm that keeps us here! To Thor!" She yelled the last.
Heather tapped the outstretch cup with her own. "To Thor!" And they drank.
Then Heather held out her cup to Astrid. "To Johann who prompted my visit!"
Astrid grinned and tapped their cups. "To Johann!"
They continued like this for some minutes, their toasts growing more and more ludicrous until they toasted Gobber's hook for its lovely hook shape and couldn't drink for laughing so hard. "Oh, gods, you're killing me!" Heather managed to gasp.
This prompted Astrid to hold up her cup and yell, "To Valhalla!" Which set them both off again.
By this point the stew was smelling lovely again and Astrid got up and stumbled over to bring it to the table. Heather, meanwhile got them bowls and spoons and they both set about stuffing themselves silly. Both of them sighed as they finished it off.
"Ah, that hit the spot." Astrid murmured happily.
"It could have been a shoe and you'd thought the same thing."
Astrid stuck out her tongue and blew her a raspberry. Heathers eyes went wide at the display and immediately contorted her face, crossed one eye and stuck out her tongue as well. "Oh yeah. That's a great look for you right there. You'll have Snotlout drooling in no time." Astrid said dryly.
Heather gagged and glared at her. "Ew. Now I wish I hadn't eaten." She shuddered.
Astrid laughed. "He's not that bad."
Heather rolled her eyes. "Ew."
The blonde rider held up her hands in a placating gesture. "Ok. OK. Maybe he is that bad."
Heather shook her head. "I actually feel sorry for him. If I thought he'd take the advice, I'd try to help him get a girlfriend."
It was Astrid's turn to shudder. "Snotlout and dating advice. Two things that should never, ever be put together in a sentence." Then she thought about it. "You know. I just realized maybe the reason he can't get a girl is because he doesn't actually want one."
Heather tilted her head in what Astrid could only describe as a cute, confused way. "What makes you say that?"
"Well, I mean think about it. The only people he actually expresses true emotions to are guys. He actually nearly fell in love with Fishlegs that time he was all manly and tough. You remember don't you? Us telling you about the hypnosis?"
Heather's eyes widened. "Oh my gods. It make so much sense!"
Astrid leaned forward. "Right? It's perfect!"
Then Heather snickered. "I wonder how long it'll take him to figure it out."
Astrid snorted. "It's Snotlout."
"So never."
"Pretty much." They laughed.
Astrid stood and stretched. "Want to see if our water is ready?"
"Yes. I think that would be perfect. I'll wash your back if you'll wash mine."
The blonde rider grinned at her. "Sounds perfect."
She checked the water, which was now steaming slightly and found it to be the perfect temperature. With Heather's help, the dragged a large wooden tub up from the sleeping rooms and in front of the fire. Heather went back down to collect some soap and furs for them to dry and wash with, while Astrid carefully poured the water from the cauldrons into the tub and collected a small pot for them to rinse with. They quickly stripped and got in, knowing the water wouldn't remain so warm for long and both of them sighed contentedly as they settled in. It was large enough for them to sit facing each other, with their legs up and between each other's. Their knees brushed as they got comfortable but neither of them minded, soaking up the warmth from the water.
"Now this is the life." Astrid groaned happily, draping her arms on the sides of the tub.
Heather hummed in agreement and mirrored her. Before leaning her head back and closing her eyes. Astrid did the same and they sat like that until the water began to cool noticeably which was far too soon for their liking. Astrid sighed and sat up. "Alright, come on. Turn around and I'll wash your back."
"Ok." Heather reached for a few cloths and the lump of soap. She handed them to Astrid, before shifting around to sit between her legs.
Astrid soaked and soaped the rags and handed one to Heather so she could wash her front at the same time. They set to work and Astrid couldn't help but to watch the way the water glistened as it rolled down Heather's smooth, pale skin. There were a few small scars, but they did nothing to detract from her beauty. If anything they made her more beautiful. She saw a newer one and frowned.
"How'd this happen?" She asked softly, lightly tracing the puckered skin on the back of her shoulder.
Heather sighed. "Is it bad?"
"No, it isn't bad, I just don't remember it."
"It's pretty recent." She sighed again. "Promise not to laugh."
Astrid was confused. "Why would I laugh?"
"Because I know you."
"Ok." Astrid said slowly, drawing out the word. "Fine, I promise. Now tell me."
"Well, you know how I raid ships and stuff and redistribute the stolen goods right?"
Astrid growled. "I thought you'd stopped doing that. It's dangerous and you know it."
Heather turned her head to glare. "Listen first, lecture later."
Astrid humphed. She most certainly would bring it up later, but she let it go for the moment. "Go on."
"Ok so everything went fine. I got the goods and went to deliver them to Johann, as usual. Well, Johann had laid over in a small fishing village and had neglected to tell them he was expecting company from a dragon rider. Every single man, woman and child in that village went berserk." She paused to grab the rinsing bucket. "Now. You'd think that because they were a fishing village they wouldn't be well armed. Wrong. They had everything. Including catapults. It was worse than some of Dagur's attacks. Johann finally got them all calmed down and I was able to land. You can imagine how mad I was for them having shot at me and I slipped off of Windshear intending on giving them a good verbal thrashing." She paused again.
Astrid waited for a moment for her to continue. When she didn't, the blonde poked her. "And?"
Heather sighed heavily. "And I tripped on a stupid crab and fell on Windshear's tail. That's how I got the scar."
Astrid held her breath. She tried her best not to laugh, putting up a mightily heroic effort not to, but when Heather turned around and glared at the look on her face, cheeks still pink with embarrassment, she couldn't hold it in any longer. She literally had to hang on to the side of the tub she was laughing so hard.
"Wash your own damn back. "Heather snapped and went to stand up.
Astrid immediately sobered and wrapped her arms around the other girl to keep her there. "Oh, Heather, I'm sorry. Come on, don't be mad." Heather still didn't relax. "To be fair, if it had happened to me, I would have fully expected you to laugh." No response. Astrid sighed. "I'll make it up to you."
Heather was quiet for another moment before glancing back and seeing the earnest expression on Astrid's face. Astrid laid it on thick, letting her eyes get big and pouting just a tiny bit. Heather pressed her lips into a frim line, trying not to smile, but Astrid could see her the corner of her mouth twitching and strengthened her attack. Her eyes widened even more and she let her lower lip tremble. She let out the tiniest whimper. Heather giggled and then sighed in defeat.
"Alright. How do you plan on making it up to me?"
Astrid smirked smugly. "It's a surprise. You get it when we get to leave." Heather pouted, but Astrid's smug look didn't fade. "I promise you will absolutely love it."
"I'd better." The dark haired rider growled. "Alright, hurry and let me wash your back. The water is getting cold."
Astrid did so and quickly washed herself, while Heather got her back. They stood to wash their lower halves and rinse and then stepped out onto a towel and helped each other dry off quickly to ward off the chill in the air. It was colder tonight, than it had been the previous night. Astrid didn't dare open on of the windows in the main room to check the storm, instead climbing back up the stairs after she'd dressed. It had started sleeting and snowing in earnest and the wind was as strong as ever. Shivering, she went back down to the fire.
"It's still pretty bad out there and the temperature is dropping like mad. We should keep the fire going all night and light one in the sleeping room too. Help me gather the wood?" She asked, gesturing to the pile near the doors.
Heather rolled her eyes. "Like you even need to ask."
Astrid grinned at her and they did so as well as dragging the still full tub to the doors so it would be out of the way and ready to dump the next day if the weather permitted. Astrid grabbed another torch and juggled it and a large armload of wood down the stairs. Heather followed her with an equally large load and tinder and soon they had a roaring fire there as well. Astrid dusted her hands and stood after arranging the last log on the fire.
"There. That should do us for a while."
Heather nodded. "We can take turns checking on it in the night."
"Sounds like a plan to me." A yawn caught her by surprise and she wasn't able to stifle it. Heather giggled, then yawned as well. "I think it's time for bed." Astrid chuckled.
"I second that motion."
Astrid went up to throw another log or two on the upstairs fire and make sure all the shutters were fastened properly. When she got back down she saw that Heather had put a few extra blankets and a large fur on the bed and was slipping into it in only her underwear. Astrid stopped short at the sight. Then smiled and stripped as well.
"I figured we could share body heat easier this way.' Heather explained as the blonde rider slipped into bed beside her.
Astrid reached over and pulled her close. "Not a problem. I enjoy holding you like this."
Heather grinned wickedly up at her. "Why, Miss Hofferson. You wouldn't be after my chastity would you?" Astrid jerked and looked down at her, sputtering in shock, her face beet red. Heather giggled and kissed her on the cheek. "That reaction!" Her giggles turned to laughs and it took her a moment to compose herself.
"Harpy." Astrid growled.
Heather simply smiled. "You know you love me." She cooed, batting her long eyelashes.
Astrid couldn't hold onto her anger. "Of course, I do. And you love me."
Heather smiled wider. "Of course, I do." And then she snuggled back into Astrid's side, sighing happily when the blonde pulled her even closer and started to play with her hair. She linked their fingers again and felt Astrid sigh. "I think I want to sleep like this forever. I feel so safe with you, no matter where we are."
Astrid kissed the top of her head. "I feel the same way."
As Astrid continued playing with her hair, Heather drifted off to sleep. Astrid, however, couldn't stop thinking about what Heather had said about her chastity. She felt strange, just thinking about it but now that it was in her head, she couldn't shake the thoughts it brought up. Hadn't they just talked about Snotlout being attracted to other males? Neither she nor heather had thought it was strange for him to like someone of his own gender, even going as far as to praise it.
Was that kind of relationship really possible? She looked down at Heather's sleeping face and felt her heart clench in a familiar way. Now though, that familiar feeling that she'd been feeling for so long took on a new depth. Could she possibly have a crush on her best friend?
She mentally shook herself. It had been an eventful day and she'd had quite a lot to drink. Maybe she should revisit this issue when her mind was clear. Sleep was what she needed now. Everything else could wait until morning. Still, she couldn't stop herself from burying her nose in Heather's soft hair and taking a long, slow breath, taking in her scent and feeling contentment settle over her. Yes, there was nothing to worry about. Everything would work itself out. She relaxed and let the sound of the crackling fire lull her to sleep.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
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