So I'm sure if Hiccup actually would have had time to enroll for the Spring semester in November - probably not, but for the sake of the story I'm going to say that he can.

This chapter turned out more transitory than I had imagined. Beware. Also - smut.

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Chapter 15: I'm a Viking

That Monday morning he'd gone to the Admissions office to enroll. The woman behind the desk had looked at him like he was crazy for waiting so far in the semester but she helped him anyway. It had taken a few hours, several phone calls, and tedious typing, but Hiccup eventually became an official Southeast Missouri Viking. The woman had even given him a commemorative magnet.

He went back to Astrid's, magnet in hand, with his new class schedule folded up in his pocket. He was surprised by Astrid who'd gifted him his first Viking apparel, a black t-shirt with a stylized axe-wielding Viking on the front.

"Thank you," Hiccup said as he held it up.

"Try it on," Astrid said as she stepped closer. Her hands were on the buttons on his coat. She undid them with ease. She held the t-shirt while Hiccup hung the coat on the back of a kitchen chair.

"Okay," Hiccup laughed, a little nervous at her hands at the hem of his shirt. Her fingertips grazed his stomach as she pushed his shirt up his torso. There was wide-eyed excitement in her blue eyes as she watched her hands and bit her bottom lip. She lifted the fabric to his shoulder and he yielded, letting her pull it over his head and down his arms.

He reached for the black t-shirt that he'd been grasping with white knuckles. He pulled it over his head and jumped when he felt Astrid's hands on the bottom hem. She pulled it down his torso and let her knuckles graze his sides.

"It's good." Astrid nodded, that same wonder-struck joy on her face.

Hiccup looked down at the Viking on his chest. "Thanks, Astrid."

She smiled and leaned in for a quick kiss on his cheek. Her hand lingered on his arm, her breath was moist on his cheek, and Hiccup took a chance. He turned his head toward hers, lips barely parted, and kissed her. She didn't pull away, instead, she kissed him back. Her hands slid around his torso and wrapped around him.

"Thank you," Astrid said against his lips.

"For what?" Hiccup asked.

Astrid smiled, that girlish blush warmed her cheeks, and she buried her face into his shoulder. Hiccup slid his arms around her shoulders and returned her embrace. There was a jumping flutter in his stomach but it faded. To his surprise, he wasn't nervous about holding her like this. He wasn't nervous about her touching him. It was…comfortable.

"I'm glad you decided to stay." Astrid said into the shirt. "I really like having you around."

Hiccup felt a blush come to his own cheeks. She liked having him around. She'd said that before. But, that day at the mall, it had felt too soon. It left him with a knot in his stomach that had taken days to ease. But today, right now, those words filled him with a cheerful security that he'd long assumed was too far out of his reach.

"I'm glad I found you." Hiccup said, pressing his cheek to her hair. Astrid's arms tightened around him.

"Me too." Astrid sighed, and lifted her head away from his shirt, "What're your plans for the rest of the day?"

"I don't know. Might watch some TV. Do some sit-ups. The usual." Hiccup shrugged. He felt Astrid smile against him.

"I've got the rest of the day free," she said. She straightened up to looked up at him. That girlish blush was joined by a fiendish glint in those blues. "You want to hang out?"
What did she meant by that? Hiccup swallowed before he answered, "Sure. What did you have in mind?"

Astrid smiled. She leaned up to kiss him. He kissed her back. Her first kiss was sweet, like their previous one, but her second was harder against his lips. Her third was followed by the gentle prod of her tongue. His heart thumped hard against his ribs. He parted his lips slightly and Astrid took his welcome. Her tongue founds his and licked it, poked it, and provoked a tongue-war between his teeth. Her arms tighten around him, fists clutching his shirt, nails grazing his skin through the material.

Honestly, he'd always thought that tongue-kisses sounded gross. Of course that was before he'd tried it. It was wet, and still a little gross, but oddly enthralling. He felt the blood surging south but he didn't want her to stop. She had taken control but he wasn't about to take it away from her. She was doing fine. However, her lips did eventually part from his.

"Was that your first time with tongue?"

"Do I need to answer?" Hiccup shrugged. Astrid smiled at him and kissed him once more, letting her lips linger.

Hiccup hadn't noticed, until her lips separated from his, that her hands had slid down to his waist. She looked up at him while her deft hands reached for the button of his jeans. Hiccup's breath caught in his throat. Of course she'd noticed.

Her eyes were pinned on his. She was looking for his reaction, his rejection. Even though his nerves were struck he kept his hands on her shoulders.

"Is this okay?" Astrid whispered.

He swallowed. His throat had gone strangely dry.

Astrid stepped backward and pulled him by the waist to the couch. She gently pushed him to it, urging him to sit. She knelt on the floor and nestled between his knees. She unbuttoned his jeans and at the sound of his zipper his heart set out on a breathless race.

What should he do with his hands? He placed them on either side of his legs and gripped the edge of the couch as Astrid's hand slipped into the front of his underwear. Her hand fastened around his erection and his breath caught on a lump in his throat. He swallowed several times but it wouldn't budge.

Her other hand gripped his thigh, running her nails up and down, ushering a shuttering breath out of him before she'd even put it in her mouth. When she did, the sound that escaped his mouth was as involuntary as his twitching feet. It felt absolutely amazing. He tried to hold the moans that came so naturally but it was increasingly difficult.

A blowjob was either easy or she knew exactly what she was doing. God, did it feel good. He didn't know what she was doing but he didn't want her stop. Ever. He could feel it rising. The pleasure was building, the tension that made his feet twitch and his grip turn white-knuckle. When he thought he was there, Astrid would tease him, drawing it out. When he finally came he let out a groan of relief, the tension spilling over and leveling.

"Oh god," Hiccup gasped as Astrid released him, wiping her mouth on the back of her hand. She reached over to the table and handed him the box of tissues. She went to the bathroom while Hiccup cleaned himself off and refastened his jeans.

So that's what everyone was going on about. Yeah, it was good. He'll admit it.

Hiccup got up to throw the tissues away in the kitchen's trash can. It was strange to know that those tissues weren't the result of him, but of someone else's. He set the tissue box back on the table as Astrid came out of the bathroom.

"Well?" she asked, a smug but charming grin on her face.

"It was okay." Hiccup shrugged. Astrid raised a brow. "Okay, it was great." He cleared his throat and shuffled his feet, watching the toes of his shoes, "So…uh…is it your turn?"

Astrid didn't say anything immediately. She cocked her smile, "Do you want to?"

No. Yes. He didn't know.

"You don't have to." Astrid said.

"Well, you did," Hiccup said, pointing to the couch.

"Yeah, but that wasn't my first…rodeo." Astrid said.

"So?"

"Your first time is almost guaranteed failure." Astrid deadpanned.

"Are you saying that I won't do it?" Hiccup asked. Although failure wasn't anything new to him, he didn't like the insinuation.

"No, I'm saying that on your first time going down on someone you won't get them off. Typically." Astrid said. She shrugged.

"So I need practice?" Hiccup asked, taking a step toward her. She bit her lip, trying to hid that girlish smile, and he felt an abnormal surge of confidence. He sucked at flirting and he knew it. But he loved that girlish look on her face.

"Do you want to try?" Astrid said, a tilt in her head and a glint in her eye.

"Yeah," Hiccup nodded.

Astrid pulled him into the bedroom.

"Do you not like the couch?" Hiccup asked.

"No, but unlike you I can't just pull it out.' Astrid said as she closed the curtains. "And I'd rather be pantless in the bedroom."

"Right," Hiccup nodded. It made sense. Astrid. Pantless.

Astrid stood at the edge of the bed. Hiccup walked up to her, nervous beyond what he thought he would be, even twenty seconds ago. He rested his shaking hands on her shoulders.

"Are you sure?" Astrid asked.

"Yes." Hiccup nodded. He swallowed. He slid his hands down her arms and gripped her slender waist. He lifted up the hem of her shirt to expose the waistband of her Vikings sweats. He slid his fingertips underneath the waistband and worked them down her legs. Her skin was spotless, a beautiful peach tinted cream, save for the occasional freckle. She was beautiful head to toe, or at least, waist to toe.

She stepped out of the puddled sweats, using Hiccup's shoulders to steady herself, and Hiccup pushed them aside. Besides that first night this was as close as he'd even been to a woman's underwear. Hers had stars on them. From what he's seen, mostly from her dirty laundry piles in the bathroom, she liked patterns.

He gently slid his hands up her thighs to the hem of her underwear. Or were they panties? What was the difference?

"Are you okay?" Astrid asked.

"Yeah," Hiccup nodded. He tried to regain that burst of confidence that had fueled this decision. He gripped the sides of her underwear and pulled them down her thighs. They fell to the floor and using his shoulders, she stepped out of them, and Hiccup pushed them aside.

Hiccup stood, frozen, because he realized that he didn't know how to proceed. He swallowed, "Okay, we're not wearing pants. Now what?"

Astrid smiled, and sat back onto the bed. Hiccup let his eyes drift down between her legs. He couldn't say that he'd never seen one before, but never in real life, and it was more than intimidating. He scooted closer to the edge of the bed, mimicking what she had done, and nestled between her legs. Astrid situated her legs onto his shoulders.

"It's here," Astrid leaned back on her elbow and used her other hand to show him.

"Okay," Hiccup nodded. He inhaled, and brought his mouth to the bundle that her finger had pointed out. She let out a gentle sigh that sent a shiver down his spine. He'd been unprepared for how wet it would be. Everything was slick and warm.

He wrapped his arms around her thighs. What was he supposed to with it once it was in his mouth? He licked it, pulling it into his mouth, moving his lips around it, just exploring the sensation of having Astrid in his mouth.

"That's…good," Astrid said, her breathless gasp an audible pleasure.

Her hands were fisting in the blankets. Her toes were curling against his back. Her breaths were quick and joined by increasingly frequent moans. He wasn't sure what he was doing, let alone doing right, so he continued the same motions. His jaw was tightening but he couldn't stop. He loved the sounds that she was making.

"…Hiccup," Astrid gasped as her back arched and her entire body seemed to go into a split-second spasm before relaxing limp. Her legs fell from his shoulders.

He pulled his mouth away from her and understood why she's wiped her mouth. Her wetness was now on his lips, his chin, and he wiped it on his hand. He stood as Astrid curled her legs underneath her.

"Did I get it?" Hiccup asked her.

"I did not expect you to." Astrid said, breathless.

"Did I?" Hiccup asked.

Astrid smiled, "You nailed it."

Hiccup wiped his face off with a paper towel from the kitchen while Astrid vanished into the bathroom. She reemerged into the kitchen wearing just her underwear and shirt. She had such fantastic legs.

"What do you want for lunch?" Astrid asked, setting the tea kettle on the stove.

"I don't know." Hiccup shrugged. "I'll eat whatever."

Astrid laughed as she reached for the box of tea from the cabinet.

"What?" Hiccup raised a brow.

"Nothing," Astrid said as she turned around. She leaned to him and kissed him firmly on the lips. She licked his lips and shoved her tongue into his mouth. He'd intended to go brush his teeth, or gurgle, but he hadn't. The taste of her still lingered on his tongue.

"Then why'd you laugh?" Hiccup smiled. She didn't seem perturbed by the extra taste. Maybe she was into it.

"Because, going down on a girl is also called 'eating a girl out'." Astrid smiled. "It was a coincidental and innocent comment but it was nicely placed."

Hiccup felt redness surging back into his cheeks. "You know, why don't we stay here and cook something?"

"You sure?" Astrid asked.

"Yeah," Hiccup nodded. "I don't want to go anywhere. I also don't want you to put on pants."

Astrid smiled, that girlish smile remerging.

X

Hiccup stared at the empty suitcase that Astrid had lent. He was sitting on the edge of his floppy air mattress. His ceiling was vibrating and it had stirred his old headache before he'd even unlocked his door. His apartment was dull compared to Astrid's. Her shelves were neat, dusted, and organized. It didn't look like there was enough room for the minimal amount of things that he had.

He sniffed. God, was that him? He needed a shower. Maybe two. He smelled like work. He glanced at his phone. It was already almost midnight. Astrid would already be asleep. He might was well shower here. He tossed the contents of his pockets onto the bed and pulled off his shoes. He pulled off his shirt and momentarily remembered the sensation of Astrid's hands on his skin.

He left his clothes on the floor beside the suitcase as he flipped on the bathroom light. Even it looked less inviting. He showered in the lukewarm water and walked, dripping wet, to the laundry pile in the bedroom to fetch a towel.

The suitcase was still empty. He sighed, his things weren't going to pack themselves. He gave his body a quick one-over with the towel and wrapped it around his waist. He emptied his sock and underwear drawer into the suitcase. He started on the shirts and used the rest of the room for what pants he could squeeze in. Surprisingly, all of his clothes fit inside. He'd bring his other stuff on another day.

It was close to one in the morning when Hiccup was fumbling with the lock on Astrid's door. He opened it as quietly as he could. He didn't want to wake her up. He pulled the suitcase in after him and pushed the door closed with his left foot. He reached over the suitcase to lock it. He left the suitcase by the door. He'd worry about that tomorrow.

He tiptoed across the living room and to the bathroom. Why did everything make more noise at night? The floor creaked and the door squeaked. He sink faucet squealed as he twisted the water on. He brushed his teeth and washed his face and turned the light off before he opened the bathroom door again. He tiptoed to the bedroom where he pulled off his clothes and shoes. He'd sleep in his boxes tonight.

It was strange how much more comfortable and welcoming Astrid's apartment was than his own. He'd only spent about a week here and it already felt more like home than his ever had.

He crept onto the bed and slipped underneath the covers. Astrid moved and he immediately froze. He feared that he'd woke her.

"What time is it?" Astrid asked.

"About one."

"Where have you been?" her voices was hoarse with sleep.

"I was at my place." Hiccup said. "I took a shower."

"Okay," Astrid said and scooted back into the blanket. She rolled over, closer to him, and curled into his side. He arranged his arm under her pillow and she laid a hand across his chest.

X

Hiccup woke up with a frightening pressure on his chest. His moment of panic faded as he realized it was because of a golden haired head resting against his collarbone. Her hand rested against his bare side. His other arm was trapped under the pillows. He took a deep breath and the disruption in movement must have stirred Astrid.

She lifted her head, her hair sticking at odd angles and messed in tangles, and peered about the room. Her sleepy eyes found Hiccup and her lips broke into a gentle morning smile.

"Hey," Hiccup smiled.

"Morning," she laid her head back down and stretched her legs. She sleepily pushed herself from the bed. "Just underwear?"

Hiccup blushed, "Yeah, it was late. I didn't feel like rummaging in the dark for pajamas."

"Don't be embarrassed. It's fine with me." Astrid smiled, running a hand deliberately across his lower abdomen, dangerously close to the band of his underwear.

They reconvened in the kitchen where Astrid was busying herself with the tea kettle. She hadn't changed from her t-shirt and flannel pants or combed out her hair. She looked a little crazy but it was a beautiful crazy.

"Do you want coffee? It's instant, but it's not bad." Astrid asked.

"Sure," Hiccup nodded. "I've never been into teas."

"I work this weekend," Astrid said. She turned around, back to the stove, leaning on the island counter.

"Yeah?" Hiccup asked. "Late night?"

"Yeah," Astrid said, in a trailing tone that meant there was more unsaid.

"What?"

"I work one weekend a month in St. Louis." Astrid said. Before he could ask any more, she added, "The guy that owns the restaurant here owns a fancy place in St. Louis. It's a great gig and I can't pass it up. One weekend's worth of tips pays more than my month's rent."

"Must be one of those suit and tie places." Hiccup said. Astrid looked like she belonged among the delicate rich people. He could see her, dressed in something slinky, serving roasted duck and caviar to men in suits and women in diamonds. He had never set foot in such a place. He didn't belong among the upper crust, not like his father.

"Yeah," Astrid nodded. "But it's a weekend thing. I'll be gone Saturday and Sunday. Are you good staying here my yourself?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Hiccup asked.

"I don't want you to be lonely." Astrid said.

Hiccup smiled. "I'm used to being alone." Astrid's face fell and he quickly shook his head, "Don't worry, I'll be okay. I'll watch TV and bring some stuff over. Maybe I'll do some laundry."

Astrid smiled, a warm humor playing on her lips.

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