Chapter 3- New Discoveries

The early morning sun shimmers through the window in my room, resting calming on my face, alarming my eyes that it's time to wake up. With a mighty yawn I sit up and open my heavy eyes. "Rawr!" Toothless says jumping onto the bed to lick me as a good morning.

"Bud, you know that doesn't wash out!" Wiping his saliva off my face, he laughs at me before disappearing out of the window. I sweep my feet off the bed and perch on the edge, smiling at the memories of last night.

Flashback

"Celebration at the Great Hall tonight!" My father beckons over the cheering crowd at the academy. He laughs at everyone's excitement. I find my father's eyes and he nears me. "That's for you, son!" He says, slapping my back. Ow! I smiled. Hiding the pain. Even with the build up of muscle that offers some protection, it still hurts A LOT! "I need to talk to you before tonight, okay?"

"Okay." Toothless nudges my arm. I mount him obeying his orders.

"Where do you think you're going!" I see Astrid, standing hands on hips.

I jump off Toothless,"I was going home." We stand face- to- face. I Grab her hands and loom her fingers with mine. I hide our hands between our close bodies. Astrid looks down at our hands and smiles hesitantly. And lifts her head up so I can glance into her iced blue eyes. Oh Thor I want to kiss her! But I know she wouldn't like that! I lightly brush my lips on her blushed cheek.

"I'll see you later," she whispers softly. The world around me disappears for a moment. How could I live without Astrid?

"Okay, wear something pretty!" Withdrawing my hands and with one final weak smile, I mount Toothless and take off into the sky. My heart thuds. Is that what love feels like?

I jump off Toothless in my room, "feels weird to be back in here, huh Bud?" He nods. I walk around feeling like a stranger. I stroke my fingers across the bed frame. My heart sinks when I see my dragon toy resting on my pillow. The last memory I have of my mother. I enclose it in my hands and give it a light squeeze. I sigh. "I wish I knew her Toothless." He growls in response with a sympathetic smile. I shake my head, "she wouldn't want me to feel sad." I place the toy back where it belongs.

I glare over my shoulder at Toothless, brightening up. "Let's get this paint off us!" I grab a cloth and fill a huge bowl of clean water. I dip the cloth into the chilled liquid, "come here, Bud!" I gently brush it across Toothless' forehead, taking to red paint straight off. I patiently clean the paint away from his wings and legs. "I think we're a good team, you know!" I dumped the cloth on the floor, "we whipped everyone's butt at Dragon Racing!" I smile proudly. I grab another cloth, wet it and brush it against my own face. But a sudden thought hit me. I twirl to see Toothless playing with his tail. "Toothless," I say, seriously. He leaps up at me. I hold his face in two hands, manipulating his face to touch mine (like the scene towards the end of HTTYD2) "'til the end of the line Bud." (A little Captain America Quote there!;)) we rest our heads together, eyes closed.

"Oh! Sorry!" I hear my father say as he enters my room. I step back away from Toothless.

"Go play with the other dragons!" I instruct him as he hasn't seen them for months. I wipe the cloth across my face one last time, erasing the last patches of red paint. "Shall we go down stairs?" My father nods and holds his arm out as if to say 'after you'. I skip down the stairs with a sort of rhythm and sit at the table, placed in the middle of the room. The chief sits opposite me. He plants his hand into his jacket, taking out my notes and map. He unfolds the map and lays it across the hard wood. I open my note book, reflecting on all my studies.

"So, this island is full of dragons but they're under threat?" My dad questions, pointing to an island on the map which I named Dragon's Castle.

I nod, "I saw traps hidden in the trees as we flew over the island. But I couldn't identify the person behind them. I don't think it's any one we know." I refer to my notes again and show my father the drawings. He nods repeatedly, taking in the information.

"What about this island?" He points to the neighbouring island.

"That is the home of a very nice tribe, but they're still at war with dragons. I don't think they've heard about my defeated with the Red Death. And because of that I had to hide Toothless when.." I trailed off.

"What son?"

I scratch the back of my head, "er- I needed help and they helped me."

"Help with what?"

"Er- I dislocated my shoulder."

"Awe! Well thank Odin to them for helping my son!" He laughs. The conversations goes on for hours, but my father listens very carefully. I also tell him about my unexpected encounter with Alvin the Treacherous and the outcasts. They locked me up in a rotten cell for a solid week because they wanted information from me about dragons, they even took Toothless away from me to work on tactics. "If I ever seen him again, he'll never know what hit him." He says quite angry.

I laugh, "he starved me and tortured me for information..." I stop mid sentence to remember, "but I had a genius escape plan." I shared every little detail, I watch him fathers mouth grow wider and wider into a smile. "I think I scarred Alvin for life... Literally."

"That's my son!"

"The torture encouraged me body build and get stronger, that's why now I look like a man- I mean Viking," I correct my words. Stoick's grins proudly.

He slaps his hands again the table, "right, I think it's time to celebrate." He stands up, knocking the table. "I think you should hide those notes! But is it okay if I show off your map tonight?"

"Sure dad." Closing my note book, I tuck it under my chest piece. The chief walks up to me and hugs me tightly,

"I wish your mother could be here, she would be so proud." I rest my head on his shoulder.

"I wish I could have known her," I whisper, holding back the tears for my long lost mother.

"Me too. Let's go celebrate."

"Okay!" My face turns dramatically. I'm actually excited about tonight. Normally, I don't want to go, but today I do.

I can hear the music echo from the edge of the docks. Toothless and I wait for the new batch of fish. My dragons butts my arm when a fishing boat comes into view. He jumps up and down excitedly. A laugh escapes my mouth, "patience!" I pat his head to settle him. The boats sails closer and closer towards us.

"Ah! Hey Hiccup!" Bucket says, surprised. "Here for the fresh fish?"

"Hi, yeah if that's okay?" He nods his head at Toothless, indicating that he can jump on board and eat until his stomach explodes. "Don't eat it all, Bud!" The crew tie the boat up to the docks, each one makes a comment either about me or what it has been like on Berk for the last few months. I laugh at some of their comments but one that really takes my attention is about my father considering taking a step back from being chief.

"What! Why?" I ask Mulch. My heart immediately stops. If he steps back I will have to step up. No! My stomach twists and turns. I don't want to be chief. I can't. I'm not my father.

"Oh! Don't panic yourself! It wouldn't be for a few years!"

I exhale, letting out all my worries out. All of them look at me, "don't you want to be chief?" An anonymous face asks.

I scratch the back of my head, "err, one day." I look at Toothless, who's still eating. Come on! I tap my foot on the docks.

"Need to be somewhere?" Bucket asks, tying the final ropes up.

"Yeah, the Great Hall where all of you should be!" I try to force a laugh, "Come on, Toothless!" I jump onto the boat, I try to pull Toothless away from the fish. He growls playfully. "You've had enough now! Save some for the village!" He pops his head up, mouth full of fish. I laugh, "you can eat that on the way to the Great Hall!" I push him away with all my body weight. Three of the crew members take the fish out of Toothless' reach. I jump on Toothless' back.

"We'll see you later Hiccup!"

I smile at them all individually and express my gratitude, "thank you."

I hike up the steep stairs to the Great Hall. The dimmed sky makes the Great Hall look bright and festive. Cheers and laughter rattles in my ears. It has been ages since I've heard so much laughter and happiness. A shiver sparks through my spine. I couldn't help but smile to myself. I stroll into the building to everyone dancing or chatting to their friends and family.

I search the crowd for the gang- why is everyone so tall? I see my dad in the far distance at the chief's table. I head over to him as I have no luck finding any of my close friends.

"Aha!" Stoick shouts, holding his arms out towards me, "there he is!" He lefts me up into a tight hug. How embarrassing!

"Dad, I can't breathe!"

"Oh right!" He puts me down and slaps my back, proudly. "Just showing off your map to everyone!"

"Okay, cool dad. Where are the rest of the gang?" He stands taller, towering over the crowd. "They just came in!"

Before another word I leg it to the front of the hall. "Guys!" I jump on them.

"Eww, it's Hiccup!" Tuffnut smiles evilly. Ha ha! What a joker! I've missed them all but no word in the world can describe my happiness right now. I gather the gang to a table and show them my notes; tell them about my discoveries; my tense moments with the Outcasts and the new dragons I found on the surrounding islands.

"Wow! That's amazing, Hiccup!" Fishlegs squeals.

I nod at him, words quickly slipping out of my mouth, "but, someone, no idea who, is trapping dragons on an island where they all live in peace. We need to do something!"

"Agreed!" They all say, banging there fists onto the table.

"Well, we will arrange-"

"ASTRID!" Ruffnut jumps up, knocking the table over. She runs to a blond girl standing in the door way. Astrid turns to Ruff and smiles brightly. Wow, she's changed her whole look. Her beautiful blonde hair, freshly brushed and braided, the complex braid drapes over her shoulder and her new bang falls over the forehead. I stand up and walk towards her, slowly, but I'm completely taken aback by her beauty. She sees me and pushes Ruffnut out of the way.

"Wow!" I immediately stop and realize I said it out loud.

"What!" Astrid giggles,"you upgraded your armour, I upgraded mine!" She stares down at herself.

"I love it!" I say shyly. Astrid smiles and walks to the rest of the gang. I stand frozen to the spot with a smug smile on my face. Wow.

The music in the background changes and I hear gasps escaping the gangs mouths, I pivot around to look at them. Ruffnut grabs Astrid's hands and pulls her to dance. I watch her go by and she just smiles at me. "Come on!" Fishlegs grabs my arm and drags me after the girls.

Fishlegs pushes me to Astrid shouting, "dance!" I grab her hands and dance awkwardly as I'm not a great dancer and I don't really know the routine. She laughs. All the couples around us dance perfectly while Astrid and I struggle slightly.

To love to kiss to sweetly hold

For the dancing and the dreaming

Through all life's sorrows and delights

I'll keep your laugh inside me

I'll swim and sail on savage seas

With ne'er fear of drowning

And gladly ride the waves of life

If you will marry me

Astrid and I hold our last position, trying to catch our breaths. My mouth splits into a smile and pull Astrid into my arms. That was so much fun! The band now play a calming tune.

As soon as the music fades my father stands up on a table, attracting attention. Ergh.. He's going to make a speech. I collapse against a pillar, hiding from my dad's eye sight. Astrid stares at me, arms crossed, laughing at my immaturity. I press my back against the hard wood. Stoick's voice drones around the room, "I couldn't be more proud," I watch Astrid as she stares at her chief going on and on. "Where are you son?" Like a small child I lean back against the pillar, hiding. I hold a laugh in my mouth. "Oh! Come on! Son."

"He's here!" The twins shout in sync. Astrid grabs my arm and pushes me towards my father.

"Ah! There he is!" He laughs out loud. Jumping off the table, approaching me- arms open! Oh great! He embraces me, then lifts me into the air to perch on his shoulder. The crowd roar. I glance at Astrid, her smile shines brightly. I shrug my shoulders not able to contain my laughter any longer. The crowd cheer louder.

"Hiccup!"

"Hiccup!"

"Hiccup!"

I walk through the huge wooden doors to escape the party. I just need some air. Luckily, no one was outside. I sit on the top of the stairs, taking in the deepest breath. I lean back on my arms and glance across the village. It feels strange to be back. 6 months is the longest I've ever been away from home. I breath in and the soft chilled air runs through my trachea, relaxing all my muscles.

The Great Hall doors open with a groan, I tilt my head back to see Astrid walking towards me. "Hello m'lady!"

She sits beside me, "hey!" She says sweetly.

Perfect.

My lips hide a smile.

"Why are you out here?" She leans back onto her elbows.

"Just needed some air." I nudge her arm, so she'll look at me. Once our eyes connect, "why are you out here?"

She smiles and looks away shyly, "I came out to find you actually."

I nudge her again, with my shoulder, "were you now!" I wink as soon as I can see her ocean blue eyes. She giggles quietly.

"I missed you, you know" she looks away again. Is Astrid Hofferson shy?!

I sit up, I manipulate her chin to face me and I press my lips onto hers. I feel her lips kiss back. A firework explodes in my stomach. I brush my lips against hers and push her towards my body, closing the space between us. "You. Were. Never. Off. My. Mind." I say in between kisses. I feel a sense of hunger at the pit of my stomach. I am not going to push away first. Okay, I have to admit I have never made out with someone before, I have no idea what to do. Our lips part for a moment to breathe.

What do I do now? I stretch my legs out. My arms wrap around Astrid, trying to pick her up, "what are you doing?" She pulls away.

"Err... Putting you on my lap."

"Oh!" She moves herself and sits on my lap. Our lips connect, another spark sizzles in my stomach. Astrid pulls away again, my eyes snap open at the lose of her touch. "Sorry! It isn't comfortable!" She giggles. She stands, but immediately sits back down, legs either side of me. Okay, this is a lot better! I smile in our passionate kisses. I feel Astrid shuffle closer.

The doors groans in the background, our kisses stop but we don't dare move. We both looks up towards the hall, cheeks touching. Her arms around my neck relaxes. "Were you two making out!" Snotlout laughs, with flushed cheeks- he's jealous! Astrid's cheek moves up and down- she's nodding. Snotlout runs back into the hall laughing really loudly. Astrid and I stare at each other.

"Aww!" Ruffnut says running out of the hall. She sits next to us, smiling like an idiot. I'm really surprised that Astrid hasn't rushed off all embarrassed. Instead, she sticks like glue on my lap. Tuffnut pushes his sisters "you disgust me!"

I stare at Astrid ignoring the twins fighting, "do you want to go?" I whisper into her ear.

"Yeah!"she whispers, her voice very tender. She jumped up, offering a hand to help. I accept her assistance. I grip her hand tightly, not planning on letting go. Where can we go? Ah! An idea snaps into my head. I pull her down the stairs.

"Bye then lovebirds!" We both ignore the gang and run off hand- in- hand.

I've never felt this sort of emotion before. Is this really love?

Is love this ache in your heart when you think so a specific someone?

A feeling making you want to be with this one person for an infinity?

It must be.

My arms rest around Astrid's waist as we sit cuddled together on the roof top of my house, staring up at the stars.

Perfect.

There are so many stars in the sky tonight. But only one shines through my heart. And that's Astrid Hofferson.

There is nothing in this world I wouldn't do for her. I'll do anything.

Anything.

I will love her always and forever.

So.. Yeah this isn't the best chapter but I thought I should upload it anyway as it's a few days late! I'm sorry for that!:3

In the next chapter I'm thinking about spicing things up:) and I may start writing in third person so you can see how the other characters are feeling through the different events! Is that okay?

By the way, if anyone can help me promote my story it would be most appreciated:3

Thank you for reading:)

review-follow-favourite