Living in Berk meant that the cold was always biting at your fingers. And your ears. And your toes. And basically your entire body. Being cold was a sign of being alive.

So when Astrid woke up with the cold missing and a warmth that she had never known enveloping her, her eyes shot open so fast, it made her head spin.

"What the Hel!?" She screamed.

Hiccup was pushed away from her, and right into the water. That was such an awful awakening.

"Well, good morning!" He chittered, shaking the water from his face.

His voice pierced right into her brain. "Uhh…no! Shut up!"

Hiccup frowned. Cuddly Astrid was gone, and she had been replaced with violent, cranky Astrid.

He whispered, "You drank a lot of that juice last night, then you fell asleep on me."

She shut her eyes tight. "Please Hiccup, I have heard horror stories of what people do when they're drunk. Please save me the embarrassment and keep it to yourself." She rubbed her head.

"Oh, it wasn't that bad." He lied.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, you told some jokes, talked about Stoick…tried to give me a 'Hickey'."

She groaned in dispare.

"But you didn't!"

"Ugh, I have such a headache!" She moaned.

"Do you need me to get you something?"

"I'm out of water," she said as she climbed back up into her hammock. "I need fresh water, can you get me some?"

"Of course." He smiled. Her canteen laid on the floor and he snatched it up.

Astrid closed her eyes and listened to him moving across the ground. She didn't like to watch. The effort it took him to move looked incredible, and she felt sorry to make him do things.

He was back before she knew it. "Here you go." He said softly.

She took the canteen from him gratefully and took a drink. "Mmm, this is really clean water."

"It's from the pool back there." He pointed to a small dark hole in the corner. "I'll show it to you later, when you feel better."

"Okay." She amended.

"Anything else? Food?"

She shook her head. "No, I feel like I'm going to puke."

There was some clattering before he placed a silver bowl on her lap. "You can use this."

She handed it back to him with bleary eyes. "No, it's too nice. Do you just have a wooden bucket?" After the question she closed her eyes again. "You know, most times at home, hangovers were a joke. People were expected to keep working and go on with life as normal, even though they felt terrible. Others would come up and yell at them in jest to make it worse."

"Well, you're not home, now are you?" He returned.

So he cared for her. He made sure she was comfortable and warm, and then let her sleep in the quiet cave. She didn't really sleep though, mostly just rested her sore body and closed her eyes, soaking in the blissful sound of silence. Light brightly filtered through the nooks.

"What time is it?" She asked drowsily.

"Mid noon. You slept pretty late." He answered, softly.

"Okay."

It was then that Toothless finally awoke from his drunken stupor. He roused with a hideous growl. Astrid heard him smack his jowls.

"Well, about time you got up, sleepyhead." Hiccup chuckled.

Toothless hissed at him.

"Oh don't be like that, you big baby boo."

Apparently, the dragon didn't want to bugged any longer as he jumped into the water, splashing the two.

Astrid sat up by the sudden shock of chilling water on her face. "Hiccup!"

"Sorry!" He yelped, digging around for something dry for her to use. "I didn't know he'd be so cranky."

In the end, she wiped her face on her sleeve and turned around in the hammock, to sleep on the dry side. She sighed heavily, "it's fine." Though her tone conveyed otherwise.

His two closest friends were mad at the world, and refused company. What was a poor merman to do?

Hours passed in the silent cave. Astrid did finally fall asleep as Toothless continued to be aloof. All in all, it was a relaxing break from the day to day stress of the n life.

When Astrid finally shook off her hangover, she was awakened by a light scratching sound. Blinking her eyes open, she peered around, looking for her companion, but he was no where to be found.

The scratching sound was still prevalent and she searched for it's source, only to find her new friend sitting up on a ledge above her.

About the same time she spotted him, he met her eyes. He jumped, startled in surprise. "Oh! I didn't know you were awake!"

She wasn't phased. "Whatcha doin' up there?"

"Uhh, I was drawing."

She rose her brows. "Really? Can I see?"

He seemed torn. "I…I guess…"

"Just toss it." She held out her hands.

"It's a little heavy."

"I've got it," she insisted.

So he tossed the thick book down to her and then lowered himself with his swing.

His sketchbook was covered by a rich leather, inscribed with foreign designs, and locked with a gold clasp. Opening it, a musty smell, as the pages were brown and wavy.

"It used to be some book, you can see the print on it in some places, but the water faded the ink."

She nodded in understanding as she scanned the pages. He had copied objects in the cave with a charcoal stick. Some were crates, looked at from different perspectives. Others were highly details treasure pieces. He had sketches of the village and the ships from the distance, and lots of doodles of Toothless littering the pages. One page actually made her stop short, as the spread was decorated with interweaving lines.

"What is this?" She asked, tilting the book towards him.

"Oh, I was trying to copy the designs of a celtic book cover. I kind of messed it up though."

"No, it's amazing…" She hushed him. Then she quickly flipped to the other page and cleared her throat. "I mean, if you like that kind of stuff."

He smiled coyly.

"You should draw your tail," she noted.

"I did, there's a sketch in there somewhere…"

"No, I meant draw a design for your new tail for Gobber."

Ah. "I…don't know…"

"Just give it a shot! We can take the sketchbook with us when we go back."

"Thank you."

"Yeah, sure." She continued to peruse the pages. "What were you just working on?"

At that, Hiccup yanked the book out of her hand. He slammed the book shut and set it within the rocks. "Maybe some other time. Hungry?"

He was quick to change the subject, so she didn't bother him about it. With a sigh, she supposed that he was entitled to some form of privacy.

Little did she know, he was holding a large sum of secrets.

The light that trickled off the rocks and gold was a soft red. Astrid took notice as she glanced up to the opening up top.

"The sun is setting," she declared, biting into her dried meat.

"Yeah, it does that," Hiccup replied, smartly.

The blonde rolled her eyes and stood from her spot. "I want to go see it." And without another word, she climbed the rock face and crawled her way carefully over to the entrance.

For a moment, Astrid realized she missed the sun. She had been living in this solitary cave for the last two days. She squinted at the light, it's rays licking her face and warming her cheeks. The sky was on fire.

"Oh Hiccup…" She breathed. "Hiccup, you have to see this sunset! It's gorgeous!" She called down to him, not tearing her eyes away from the sight.

She heard a splash, indicating that he was taking the easy route out. The sun was a glittering orb, nestled on the horizon, clouds hugging it and sealing off it's light. The sky behind it blended from a flowery yellow, to an impossible blue. Overhead, the clouds burst with color; reds, blues, and purples wove in and out, cottony in form, and in a whole other world.

Hiccup sighed wistfully. "Yeah, the sunsets are very charming." Then he looked up to her from the water, "but I bet you've never seen one from the cloud's point of view."

She could agree that that was true.

"Have you?"

"That's Toothless' favorite time to go flying." The boy laughed, "he probably out there right now."

The girl searched the clouds for the black figure, but there was none in sight.

Hiccup shrugged. "Don't bother, he's probably way up there. Even if you could see him, he'd just be a speck."

The words came out of Astrid's mouth without her permission. "I wish I could be up there."

"I'll take you sometime," he answered.

She looked down at him, a part of her wondering if he was being serious.

"On Toothless," he clarified. "When he warms up to you. I promise he's just a big softy when he likes something."

Astrid smiled. "That would be nice." She looked out to the sun, as it slipped into the ocean. "I'd like that."

After the sun set, the duo went back inside. Since Astrid had spent the whole day sleeping, she was beyond energetic. Hiccup on the other hand, laid beside what was left of the fire. Embers and charcoal. He could bring it back up, or he could just wait for Toothless to come back.

The dragon did so, not long after sunset. He seemed apologetic and licked his companion.

"Okay okay, I forgive you." The boy replied, pushing away the lizard's sticky tongue. Toothless puffed flames on the wood stack and immediately curled up for bed.

"Whoa, that's it? You've been gone all day!"

The dragon's tail fin sung around and smacked him in the back of the head.

"Fine then! Be that way!" Hiccup snorted. He knew the dragon was sore about Astrid being there, taking his time and attention. Who knew dragons felt jealousy?

Astrid laughed silently at the exchange, and then wondered around the cavern, the walls only being lit with the dim firelight. "Do you mind if I explore?" The blonde asked, already testing out one of his swings.

Hiccup had resumed his place on the ground. "Be my guest," he replied, not opening his eyes. He continued to rest until he heard a clattering of metal, as things fell out of place.

"Oops." Astrid muttered. "I'll pick that up."

Hiccup sighed aloud. "Why don't I show you that pool now, hm?"

"Why, don't you like me filtering through your stuff?" She chuckled.

He yawned. "I don't mind. But maybe you'll understand when you see it, though."

His cryptic words spiked her curiosity, and the blonde lowered herself back to his level.

—

It was a black hole in the wall. The faint fire light seemed to be swallowed in this gloomy abyss. Astrid knelt next to her friend as they peered into the dark. An unknown chill ran up her spine.

"Well?" He asked.

"Well what? There's nothing to see. It's too dark."

"Go in," he urged.

"Nuh uh! I don't know what's back there!"

"There's a pool back there. I told you. You drank its water."

"Yeah, but, I don't know where it is, or how deep it is…"

He gripped her shoulder. "Just jump in, trust me."

"Hiccup?"

"Yes?"

"I can't swim."

He gave a mournful laugh. "Of course you can't." Never the less, his grip tightened as he said. "It's not that deep. You'll be able to stand. The water will come up to your chest though, is that okay?"

"Hiccup…"

"I'll teach you how to swim." He urged. "Please Astrid, just jump in."

The blonde was very hesitant. Hiccup had been nothing but sweet to her this entire time, but this was asking too much. The dark depths looked like they could swallow her whole. The great Astrid Hofferson was afraid of very little, but the great unknown and open water.

"Promise me, you won't let me drown."

"You won't drown." He assured.

Still, something bothered her. She swallowed. "Is there...something in the water?"

"Yes."

She bit her lip. "What?"

"You'll just have to find out."

It was then that she made the fool hardy decision to trust the merman. She slipped off her boots and leaned forward. "I can't believe I'm doing this." She muttered. A deep breath, and she leapt, cutting into the waves with slick grace like everything else she did. The water was cold, and the silt that settled at the bottom engulfed her feet. The surface ended at her rib cage, while she held her hands out.

"Cold?" He asked.

"A bit." She whispered.

She heard him slip into the water before he took one of her hands. "Okay, open your eyes."

So this was the cavern that Arvendale's fire disappeared to. It was like she wasn't even inside a cave anymore, but out in the sky, the entire cave glowed enchanted green and blues.

"Hiccup…" The blonde whispered.

"It's algae, in the water. It glows when it's disturbed."

Astrid cupped the water in her hands and held it up. True indeed, little specks glowed as they flittered through the water. Suddenly, she looked at him in horror. "I drank this?"

He laughed, "it's harmless." Then he took her other hand. "Alright, ready to learn to swim?"

She nervously grimaced. "It's not on the top of my list of things to do."

"Astrid, if we're going to be friends, you'll have to know how to swim."

He made a good point. "Okay, what do I do?"

"First of all, be have to practice holding our breath." Then he laughed. "Unless you want me to kiss you."

She quickly extracted her hands from his, and punched him firmly in the shoulder. "You lay a lip on me, and the vikings will be having fish sticks for dinner."

He chuckled, defensively. "Alright! I get it." He shook his head. "Plug your nose and place your face into the water. Hold it as long as you can."

She took a deep gasp and plunged her face under the water. Almost instantly, she popped right back out.

"What was that? That was terrible!"

"Well excuse me! This water is freezing!"

"Try again Astrid." He demanded.

She did, and she was able to hold it for a while, but the cold water certainly made it hard. When she surfaced, she shivered. "Okay, maybe we'll try again some other time. You know, when it's hot outside."

"I have a better idea." He smiled. The algae fluoresced as he glided through the water. At the edge of the pool, he picked up a small rock and threw it at his dragon, to wake him up. Toothless sat up with a growl.

"Hey buddy! Mind warming up the water?"

Toothless snorted loudly, but conceded if only to get more sleep. He stumbled over and blew heat into the water. The algae migrated to the back of the cave, as the heat rolled out pleasantly. Toothless withdrew solemnly and went back to bed.

"Thanks bud!" Hiccup called after. "Better?" He asked.

"Yes, much."

"Good." He then yawned, but attempted to cover it with his hand.

"Tired?"

"Well, yes, in a way. After all, I didn't spend the whole day sleeping like a certain someone."

She laughed. "Yeah, about that…"

"Let's just…practice floating." He suggested. "Just relax. He laid back on the water and drifted."

"I can't do that." She insisted.

"Just try it, it's easy. I'll help you." He swam near her and placed a hand on her back. "Lean back. I'll keep you up."

With a large exhale, Astrid leaned back, raising her feet from the floor and her head nestled in the water.

"Good, now spread out your arms."

She did, and he moved so she would have room, then his face appeared above hers. "Now, just relax and let the water hold you." Slowly, he removed his hand and she started to sink with him. "No…" he urged, pressing back into her. "Relax…" he whispered.

It was strange, she would claim. It didn't make sense and it was weird, but his words made goosebumps rise to her skin. It was not the temperate water, she knew, just his breath tinging across her brow. Suddenly, she felt the cold settle in as the heat from her back disappeared. The sudden shock of this…longing had her floating.

"There! See! That isn't too hard!" His voice was right to beside her, as he floated along. "Easy." Then he yawned. "That's enough for today, right? I'll teach you the kicks and strokes tomorrow."

Silence reclaimed the chamber. The rocks glistened with a receding light, that seemed to move, making the cave appear to be alive. Hiccup's head gently bumped against her's and she felt comfort in his presence.

Things had changed. Astrid had tasted the sweet honey of freedom, and felt the warmth of friendship. Despite his fins, he was so human, but at the same time, more different then anything she had ever encountered. This world of his was magic. It elicited things from her that she had not in many years.

Feelings.

Feeling that weren't anger or pride. Like right now, she was torn between elation and tranquility. He truly was amazing.

"Hiccup, I…I want to thank you. For this. For everything you've done these last few days…it means a lot. And…just…thanks."

She waited, but he was silent.

"Hiccup?" Her panic made her begin to sink, so she regained her balance on her feet. "Hiccup!" There was no sign of the boy. She stepped towards the back of the cave when she suddenly kicked a hard mass.

Hiccup popped up. "Ow! What was that for?!" He shouted.

"What were you doing?"

"What was I doing? What does it look like? I fell asleep! You didn't need to kick me, you know."

"Uh, yeah…sorry." She combed her wet hair out of her face. "If…if you're tired, we can go back."

With a grateful yawn, he darted under the current and moved to climb out.

As the cave grew dim, dread coursed through her. This would be their last night together. Tomorrow, the Gauls would leave, and she would be expected to return to her duties. The magic would come to an end. Hiccup would be fixed, and then they would part ways. Maybe never to see each other again.

The young woman couldn't explain it, but she felt a horrible pang in her heart at the thought.

"Are you coming?" Hiccup asked, smiling.

"Yes."

They had one last night together, and she would make it last.

Next chapter, we'll actually get onto substance (I hope).