Chapter 3
A/N: Hi all. So this chappy is kinda short, but I hoping you'll forgive me after reading it! :D
Read on, my loves!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Astrid woke sometime later to find her arms empty and her head pounding. She groaned as she opened her eyes and saw Heather smiling down at her. Her friend was perched on the side of the bed and already dressed, so she assumed she'd slept much longer than she'd intended.
"Bout time you woke up." She said cheerily as Astrid struggled to sit up. "Here." She pressed a small cup of liquid into her hand.
"Thanks." The blonde muttered and Threw back the contents in one go. Then she gagged. "What in the name of Thor did you give me?" She cried as she tried to remove the taste from her tongue.
Heather giggled. "It'll help your head. I knew we had too much to drink last night. I felt like death when I woke up, so I whipped you up some too. Just don't ask what's in it."
"Blech. No problem there." She shuddered again. "How long have you been up?" She asked as Heather handed her another cup, this one filled with water.
"Not long."
"Well thanks. For the medicine I mean. I already feel better."
Heather smiled at her. "Good. Though I guess it wouldn't hurt to lie here for a bit longer."
"Storm still bad?"
The ebony rider nodded. "I'm surprised it's lasting this long."
Astrid shrugged and started to get out of bed. "It happens out here. We've had some last upwards of a week. Not as strong as this one though. We might get rain for a few days after this main monster passes, but nothing we can't fly in."
"How long will our supplies last?"
Astrid grinned. "Hiccup and I made sure we were well stocked just for occasions like this. With only two of us there should be nothing to worry about. We prepared enough for several people and dragons for at least a week. There's enough fish alone to sink a boat in the back storage area." She said with no small amount of pride.
Heather was relieved. "Good." Then she looked down and away.
Astrid caught the careful look on her face and realized her friend was hiding something from her. She finished pulling on her clothes from the previous night and then crawled back onto the bed to sit near her. "What's wrong?" She asked softly.
Heather sighed. "I'm worried about Windshear. We. We haven't been apart this long in a long time. I'm afraid she might hurt herself trying to get to me. I can't stop thinking about it."
Astrid sympathized, though she and Stormfly were used to separating at times, she still missed her dragon. "It'll be ok. I promise. Hiccup and the others will keep her safe. And Stormfly is with her. They'll keep her from doing anything foolish. And if anything does happen, Hiccup will make sure to send a signal."
Heather sighed. "I know. I just can't help but to worry. She hasn't really had a chance to get used to anyone other than us. I'm afraid she might hurt someone."
"If she does it will be Snotlout or the twins and it will be their fault. Though I'm pretty certain Tuffnut loves her enough to know better. He's probably out on the beach trying find sea slugs for her. You know how much he likes her and Ruffnut isn't far behind. They might be mutton heads, but they will keep her safe. And Fishlegs knows how to care for almost any dragon when it's injured or upset. They won't be able to help her stop missing you, but like I said, we will make it up to them once we can get to them, or them to us. I promise." Heather took a deep shaky breath and nodded. Astrid pulled her into hug. "It'll work out."
Without warning, Heather suddenly pushed her back on the bed and lay down beside her. Astrid was surprised for a moment before pulling her close. She didn't say anything as her fellow rider started to shake with silent sobs, simply rubbing her back and petting her hair. After a little while, Heather's sobs finally slowed. She clung to the blonde for a few moments, before taking a deep breath and pulling back with a teary smile.
"Thanks, Astrid."
Astrid pushed a small lock of hair out of her face and cupped her cheek. "Anytime." She brushed a lingering tear up with her thumb and brought it to her lips to kiss it away.
Heather smiled a little brighter at the gesture and lay back down, pillowing her head on Astrid's shoulder. Astrid hugged her tight, having no desire to get up. Her head was still a little sore despite the medicine and, though she was usually very active, she wasn't feeling up to much. It seemed Heather was feeling the same way, because she didn't attempt to move until a crumbling log in the fireplace broke the silence.
She sighed. "I suppose we should get up shouldn't we?" She asked, lifting her head slightly to look up at her friend.
Astrid looked down and smiled. "Maybe, but I'm pretty comfortable at the moment."
Heather grinned. "I am too." So she lay her head back down.
They talked for a little while, keeping to lighter subjects and mildly amusing stories. Heather talked about a few new islands she'd visited. One in particular she described as having a few spectacular waterfalls that Astrid commented she wouldn't mind seeing.
"Let's do it." Heather said suddenly, half sitting up and propping herself on the arm that wasn't around her friend.
"Do what?"
"Go see it. After the storm clears and we are able to fly again. It'll be a great way to reconnect with the dragons too. We can just pack a few things and take off." Her eyes lit up with enthusiasm.
Astrid contemplated this for a few moments. She knew that there were going to be some major repairs needed on the towers and compound after this storm, not to mention to the small plots of farmland they'd started. The trees would need tending, and the animals. Hiccup would also want to send some of them to Berk to check on things there and to help them if needed. Taking a trip while all of that needed to be done would be irresponsible, selfish even.
Yet, she wanted to do it. She could think of nothing better after being trapped for a few days than a long, no strings exploration trip with her best friend and their dragons. She longed to be among the clouds and out adventuring, maybe stirring up some trouble so she could have a good fight, though she knew she'd never actually do the last on purpose. It sounded perfect, but would she be able to do it without feeling guilty the whole time they were gone?
Heather seemed to feel her hesitation and could guess what was stopping her from agreeing. "After we spend enough time helping out so you can go with a clear conscious that is." She added in an amused tone.
"How'd you know I was feeling guilty?" Astrid asked, surprised.
Heather chuckled softly at her wide eyed expression. "It's you, Astrid. You have a very deep rooted sense of duty. Not that it's a bad thing but it does get in the way of fun sometimes."
Astrid blushed under her knowing look. "I know how to have fun." She grumbled.
At this, Heather laughed. "Did I say you didn't? You're a ton of fun, but only after you're finished working. Once again, it isn't a bad thing. I'll even stay and help so we can get done even faster."
"So you're going to stay?" She asked, pleased.
"For the repairs. After that." she trailed off, averting her eyes.
Astrid couldn't help the pang of disappointment, even though she'd known. Still, Heather had at least promised a longer visit and that was enough. "Ok. I promise to only delay the repairs for a few days then. Can't have you running off on me too soon." She quipped with a smirk.
Heather laughed and Astrid felt that all too familiar tug on her heart. She suddenly remembered her revelation from last night and couldn't help but to blush as she remembered some of the thoughts that had gone through her head; like just how kissable her best friend looked when she laughed.
Heather noticed and her laughter trailed off as she gave the blonde and inquisitive look. "Astrid?"
Astrid looked quickly away and tried to pull away. "It's nothing."
Heather would have none of it and quickly maneuvered herself to stop her. "Not so fast."
Astrid's blush intensified as the ebony haired rider straddled her, hands holding her own pinned to the thin mattress. "W-what are you doing?"
Heather smirked. "Why are you blushing?"
"I don't know!" She squirmed in an attempt to free herself, trying to ignore how good it felt to be held there like this by her best friend. "Why are you holding me down?"
"Why are you avoiding the question?" Heather asked, her voice strained as she tried to hold her grip.
"What question? Let me go!" Astrid was quickly growing panicked and had no idea why.
Heather noticed and suddenly grew concerned. "Astrid, calm down! What's with you?"
Astrid forced herself to relax and take a few breaths. "Sorry." She mumbled.
Heather loosened her grip. "It's ok. I didn't mean to freak you out or anything. I was just. messing around. I'm sorry too."
Astrid couldn't let her feel guilty over her own abnormal thoughts. "No, it wasn't you. I... I just had a weird thought was all and then ." She trailed off.
Heather smiled lightly down at her flustered friend. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"
Astrid met her gaze. "I know, but this is different."
Heather quirked an eyebrow and Astrid's heart flopped as she tilted her head in that irresistibly cute way again. "How so? It's nothing bad right?"
"No. Or at least, I don't think so." She said uncertainly. Were these thoughts bad?
Heather leaned closer. "Then tell me." She ordered.
Astrid weighed the thoughts in her head. Heather was right there, demanding to know. They were going to be stuck here for at least another night and Astrid knew that even if she dodged the question now, Heather would dog her about it until she broke anyway. Would it be so bad for her to know? Was she even ready to say these thoughts out loud so soon after discovering them? Would it change anything? Would her best friend hate her if she knew?
Heather was still looking down at her. Her green eyes sparkled in the light from the fire and her face was stern, yet soft and so close. Astrid let her gaze wander over her friend's face. The part of her hair, her thin eyebrows, her soft cheekbones, her tiny nose, her lips. Her gaze lingered there. They looked so soft, even scrunched up into a scowl like they were at the moment.
Astrid felt her breath catch as those lips relaxed and parted slightly and she realized she'd lifted her head towards them unconsciously. Blue eyes met green for only a moment, before their lips brushed ever so slightly and they drifted shut. They brushed again, firmer this time, and Astrid felt a zing of sensation, before Heather pushed into her and their lips meet in earnest. She heard the tiniest sigh as their lips parted and the kiss grew more passionate. Heather let herself fall on top of her friend, still loosely pinning the blonde's arms above their heads as they continued to kiss and Astrid couldn't stop a tiny moan from escaping. Heather ate the sound, nipping Astrid's lips lightly with hers, making the blonde dragonrider's head swoon. She had no idea how long the kiss lasted, only that she wished it would never end.
Finally, need for air broke them apart. Heather brushed her lips over Astrid's one final time before pulling back to look at her. Astrid's heart flipped at the look on her face. Her eyes were dark and her lips were still slightly parted as she panted lightly. Heather smiled brightly at her and she felt herself respond almost without thinking it.
"That was incredible." She whispered.
"I'll say. I'm just glad I wasn't the only one who wanted to kiss my best friend silly." She smirked.
Astrid blinked, her eyes widening in shock. "Since when?"
Heather blushed. "For a while now actually. I was just afraid to say anything. I wasn't sure if you'd feel the same way."
Astrid smiled. "I actually only realized it last night, but somehow I don't think I would have objected." She chuckled.
Heather grinned down at her. "Good." She let herself fall back down on top of Astrid and their lips met again.
Astrid met her with a fervor and tried to free her hands. Heather tightened her grip, deepening the kiss. Astrid soon forgot any thought of escape and simply lost herself to the sensations. She felt like she could go on kissing her forever.
XOXOXOXOXOXOX
First kiss! Squee! Hope you enjoyed! Remember to R&R!