I'm back after a long hiatus! There's nothing much to say about the story I have below, just a prompt from an online friend. This does gets a little more... suggestive and intimate than previous works but nothing overwhelming, it's mainly a heck ton of fluff. As always, do R&R and enjoy!

The Storm King

Inspired by the lyrics of 'Heather's Lullaby' performed by Heather in 'Tone Death' or the Norse Lullaby by Eugene Field

Hiccup Haddock loved the rain. It was something about the rhythmic pitter patter of fat raindrops against the roof that eased his weary mind and lulled him to sleep. He often enjoyed simply peering out the window, watching the performance staged by Skrills gracefully darting amongst lightning clouds-elegant, yet dynamic. And the rain brought about a slight chill. Not the kind of frigid, nose-nipping gust of wind that howled through the night, but more of the crisp breeze that fluttered into his room, cold enough for him to snuggle under warm blankets and relish in the peaceful tranquility.

Astrid Hofferson, however, hated the rain. How the wetness clung to her skin and the humidity lingered in the air. The constant rumble of thunder and fluctuating temperature caused a dull migraine at the back of her head which rendered her less competent than usual. The rain also meant no training, no exploring, no flying; detaining her series of plans to a screeching halt. This awful lack of productivity caused by the storm spelt trouble for her uptight self and hectic schedule and its side-effects dampening her spirits further.

It's full effects had taken its toll on her that day. She tucked herself closer into her fur hood as she bolted down the steps of the Academy. Her meeting with the rest of the Berk Guard had ended later than expected, stretching into the late evening. Much to her dismay, Thor had decided to unleashed an intense storm the moment she set foot outside the Academy.

She cursed inwardly as the first few droplets of rain hit her. Stormfly was in the stables that day which meant that she had to make her way home herself.

By foot.

In the rain.

She bit her tongue, holding back from blurting out another splutter of expletives. Merely halfway through the journey and she was already soaking wet. Her clothes, as well as everything underneath, wrapped around her body tightly, hindering her movements. Warm, wet and heavy. Boots caked in dirt and toes wiggling in mud inside. Blonde locks of head plastered across her face and vision.

Her house slowly faded into view through the thick rain and she made her final break for it. She swung the door open with such force that the house rattled before she plodding clumsily into her abode, ignoring the fact that she was trekking mud all over. When she ensured that she was fully under the shelter of her house and had slammed the door shut, she finally sighed in relief and relaxed slightly as she began removing her boots and wringing her hair dry. She hastily made her way inside.

But something was off. Way off.

Normally when she came back, he would skip, for he was holding back a sprint, up to her. Then wrap his arms round her waist and greet her with a proper 'Welcome back' kiss. He would throw his head back with a childish chuckle, full of pure joy and excitement upon seeing his partner after a day apart. And he would eagerly present to her a bowl of hearty dinner so that they could sit down and talk about their day over a generous serving of stew.

Today was just… silence.

She peered round a corner, slightly concerned. As the living room came into view, she saw him sitting by the window with an arm perched up against the sill and under his chin. His eyes were closed and his breathing slow.

"Hiccup?" She took a tentative step forward.

The man stirred slightly, turning towards her with bleary eyes. "Hey," he replied coarsely, managing a smile.

Astrid padded towards him and kneeled down. "Y'alright?" She held the back of her palm against his head but he brushed it away.

"Nothing. Just a little tired."

Astrid returned the smile, albeit disappointment by his lack of enthusiasm upon her return. She walked towards the bathroom and pulled out a creaky drawer with a ear-piercing screech. Wincing, Hiccup sat upright and leaned forward to get a better look at her. She ransacked it for a towel, tossed the rest back in and slammed it back shut with a sickening thud. This time, Hiccup was fully awake and his attention was fixated on the fuming Viking in the washroom. She sighed once more, scrubbing her wet hair hard. "Frankly, I don't know what has gotten you so tired," she muttered passive-aggressively under her breath.

Hiccup had heard it loud and clear. "Now, now, what has gotten you so sulky?" he mocked light-heartedly, crossing his arms.

Astrid shot him a glare. Oh, how she wished she could wipe that smirk right off his face. Flailing her arms dramatically in the air, she begun. "We can start with the horribly failed discussion with the Guard. We almost risked two infiltrations this week. Two! I'm sure that they're hell-bent on driving me to my grave." She paused to untangle a stubborn knot in her hair. "And the rain's not helping at all." She spat in disgust, desperately trying to unravel the clump in her bangs.

Drumming his fingers on the table impatiently at her, Hiccup shifted his position such that he was leaning against the window in a laid-back fashion.

She shot him a glare. "You're not helping either," she remarked distastefully. She finally let out a weary groan and wrenched her fingers through her hair, despite the pain that shot through her skull. Bad move, she decided. Her head was already plagued with a pulsating ache and she had chosen to yank follicles out of her scalp. She angrily kicked at an imaginary pebble on the ground, cursing in her mother tongue.

"So… bad day?" Hiccup reaffirmed once more with a teasing grin.

She gave him a defeated wheeze. He stopped when he saw her face drop. It wasn't a frown. No. He could handle her fury. It was a pout. He hardly seen her pout. And she was fighting back tears. Tears of anger, sadness and sheer frustration. Drago could have slayed everyone she loved one by one, but she still wouldn't pout. She'd be more bent on killing him and sentencing him to eternal misery than pout. But Hiccup didn't know how to deal with the trembling mess of emotions that stood in front of him. There was a risk of him being assaulted by a shieldmaiden and face inevitable death the moment he opened his mouth.

He stood up tentatively, eyeing her. Despite his better judgement, he simply croaked an observation. "You're wet." His voice cracked under the pressure of the unknown.

Astrid regained the composure she lost for that second and gave him a steely glare, clearly unappreciative of his blatantly obvious statement. But she hesitated when Hiccup walked up to her purposefully. He stopped before her, stood up straight and looked down into her eyes, their faces less than an inch away. Without warning, he reached for the bottom of her red vest and pulled it up.

"Hiccup," she warned sternly, pressing her vest back down, clearly not in the mood.

His eyes didn't even acknowledge her words and he continued to peel the soaked clothing off her body and through her arms. Astrid shivered slightly, goosebumps rising on her skin and she subconsciously folded her arms together. Her skin cold and stuck to her wet locks of hair. Hiccup didn't seem to be bothered at all and continued working. Silently, he resumed fiddling with the hooks of her garments, trying to remove them. She was confused and upset, yet relished in the soft and intimate touch of his that glided across her skin, slowly warming her but sent chills down her spine in that pleasant way.

When he finally bared her to the skin, her blue eyes met his green ones. He proceeded to remove his tunic with swift motions, exposing his own skin while wringing the clothing in his hands. But his eyes, still untelling. Her breath hitched a little and she crossed her arms over her chest tighter. "Hiccup, I'm serious. I'm not in-"

She held back a surprised squeak when he looped his tunic over her head and quickly eased her arms into the sleeves. The tunic was a tad bit too big, but was warm with his body heat and clung on to her fittingly.. Astrid shifted a little in it, eyes darting back to Hiccup's with anticipation.

"You'll catch a cold," he simply stated, rolling up her sleeves that fell limp over her hand.

Was that it? Questions raced through her mind for that moment as she pondered how she had misinterpreted something so seemingly genuine, a blush creeping up her face.

"Wait… did you think that I was actually going to-" He erupted into a fit of chortles, clutching his hand of his mouth as his body shook in the childish way it would when he saw her. Her face reddened further but she couldn't help but giggle.

"Well, I mean, if you want to," Hiccup flashed a suggestive grin. "I really wouldn't mind."

His smirk was wiped off when Astrid punched his side forcefully. But at the same time light-heartedly, as they often did as kids. As he rubbing his sore ribs with a hand, Hiccup brushed her bangs away with another. "See, you're lightening up already."

Astrid merely rolled her eyes. But when the rain got significantly heavier the next second, she let out an audible groan of displeasure. The twitching sensation in her head had only grown sharper. But for some reason, the urge to wreck the whole house had been reduced. Something told her that it was caused by the tunic she now donned.

With swift motions, Hiccup scooped her off her feet and carried her to his bed bridal-style. "I'm going to make you like this rain," he exclaimed confidently. Since when had her boyfriend became so bold and unpredictable? She silently thought as she struggled in his grip. But her efforts were futile for she was weary after the long day.

When she finally gave in and rested her head against his lean chest, he set her down on her pillow and lay down beside her. Astrid sighed contently, practically melting into the soft covers and turned to her side to face Hiccup. He returned the gaze, smiling back with his soft eyes. Slowly, he lifted his free hand and traced it over her temple before rubbing it gently. His massage released the wound-up tension that inundated her thoughts previously. She sighed once more, relaxing her shoulders before cuddling up closer to him.

He didn't speak. Simply threading his fingers through her hair and over the comfortable spot near her temples. For that moment, it was as if she forgot all about the storm outside. No thunder echoing through the sky. No noisy thudding of rainfall. No puddles splashing under footfalls outside. There was simply peace.

Just the soft crackle of the fireplace beside their bed and Hiccup's steady breathing behind her. His chest under her, his hands through her hair and his tunic clinging fittingly over her curves. The rise and fall of his chest against her head as she took in his scent that hung on both him and his warm tunic. That familiar smell of old books, fire and pine. And the snug warmth that radiated off him while she curled up tighter against him. She peeked at him, vision half-covered by bed sheets. His eyes closed behind auburn hair, with that blissful small smile of his. It felt as if she was a baby again, when she lay in bed between her parents and slowly waited for sleep to claim her. It was like she was safe and sound between bodies and sheets and seemingly nothing could break the little moment.

"I like the rain," she said, almost in a shy whisper.

He lifted an eyelid. "Hmmm?"

"Then I can cuddle up with you."

"I like it too."

I know I said that this piece would be an angsty one, but I didn't have enough iNsPiRAtiOn for it. Sorry folks. But hoped you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. Thanks!