A/N: Well, since things are moving along nicely in this story and quite obviously heating up, I wanted to ask you guys what you would like to see as I tackle Rider's of Berk and continuing series, of course I plan to do Race to the Edge as well, but with Hiccup how he is, the story will change slightly to suit what I think this Hiccup would do and respond. However that doesn't mean I don't want to cater to a few wants and extra idea's are always welcome, the only thing I will draw the line at his early little Hiccstrid children, I mean, I will probably throw a lemon in this fiction at some point (It'll be marked, don't like it just skip it.) Just because I think that's how relationships naturally progress and the characters a barely supervised teenagers, I mean come on.
The idea I have for the first season actually involves a second Night Fury, so basically what will line up to be Toothless's mate, but I have a number of idea's I think are actually pretty original surrounding this so I hope you enjoy it when it comes around, I'll stop talking now and let you get into the chapter!
Hiccup stood in the arena stiffly, he hadn't gotten the opportunity to go see Toothless that morning, his father had been up, excitedly clapping him on the shoulder as he offered him a new sword, a new set of armor and few tips on Nightmare killing, Hiccup had declined the weapons and armor, as he preferred to stay light on his feet, his father had appeared to understand.
Hiccup glanced up at his father, he was standing beside Gothi, he gave the boy a small wave, a large proud grin on his face, Hiccup waved back nervously as he rolled his shoulders, in the time it took getting to the arena he had concluded that Astrid knew he was doing something although she couldn't possibly know he learned the tricks from a Nightfury, she continued to eye him curiously all morning, she had apparently calmed since the day before, but of he decided to use that trick he discovered on Toothless he doubted she would just calmly accept it, which meant he had to fight properly.
Hiccup took a moment to survey the arena, set's of wooden barricades that were about as high as his waist were spread around the area, Gobber released the blue Nadder and the teens darted to the barricades sliding behind them quickly.
Hiccup's hand tightened on his blade, he found he had no desire to even try and fight he Nadder, being more aware now that the dragons were not nearly as dangerous as the Vikings believed than he had ever been before. He grimaced as he peered over the barricade, his glanced at his father again, the man excitedly watched him, he expected a show, Hiccup mentally chastised himself for succeeding in the other tests, why couldn't he of just faded into the background.
His eyes trailed over to the blond hair of Astrid as she peered over her barricade, gripping her axe tight enough her knuckles whitened, he knew exactly why he couldn't just fade into the background, he definitely wanted her to notice him, in the first two tests the two of them worked as a tight-knit team, even if he had gained more of a spotlight he didn't want that to end, he peered at the Nadder again, the dragons head snapped to him and it's eyes narrowed 'Well, it's about time I put my teammate in the spotlight.' He thought to himself as he ducked under the volley of spikes sent his way, he rolled out from the barricade and circled the arena, he dropped to a slide as more spikes flew at him, snapping around to his feet he darted towards the dragon, it squawked and hopped slightly, trying to bring its tail around, he lifted his shield and locked against it, the spikes grated against the wood as he heard Astrid let out a loud shout, her axe flew over his head, the Nadder tilted its beak and battered the weapon into the air, it clattered to the stone with a loud metallic clank. The tail pulled away from Hiccup's arm as the beast's maw descended at him, he jammed his shield in its jaw and the beast charged forward, Hiccup glanced over his shoulder and jumped into the air, the sole of his feet touched stone as he glared at the Nadder as it continued to force him into the wall, attempting to crush him, Hiccup pulled his arm free from the shield and pushed off the wall, rolling over the dragons head and sliding down it's back, he narrowly avoided the tail and vaulted a barricade as he grabbed another shield.
"That's my boy!" Stoick shouted excitedly, clapping a man beside him roughly on the shoulder and pointing at him.
Hiccup grimaced again, his plan had completely backfired as he peered over the barricade, the shield was still wedged in the dragons jaw as Astrid reacquired her axe, she dropped into a dead sprint as she charged the now incapacitated Nadder, it's wings extended threateningly as it launched its spikes at her, she folded her shield in front of her body and hid behind it, not slowing her pace as spikes continued to descend on the plank of wood, she battered the tail away with the shield and lifted the axe as the Nadder bit down hard, the shield splintered in its mouth and fire built up in its throat Astrid's eyes widened a the realization she was in no position to defend.
A black blur passed her vision, a loud wooden thud caused the fire blast to singe a strand of stray hair next to her ear, Astrid fell tot eh ground as Hiccup dragged his fingers across the Nadder's neck, the dragon stiffened and fell to the ground limply.
Astrid's eyes widened, the emerald behind the boys mask held the slightest flicker of what looked like pain when he looked down at her. She didn't realized it was relief that he had made it in time.
She gritted her teeth and glared at him 'Now's he's pitying me?!' Her mind growled angrily, she got to her feet quickly seething rage painted on her face as she watched Hiccup.
The boy could feel the blonde's gaze on his back, he shivered slightly, there was no way around it now, she was going to chase after him wherever he went after this.
"Are we done cause I'm kind of late for-." Hiccup cut off as Astrid pulled him around, placing the blade of the axe against his neck.
"What?! Late for what, EXACTLY?!" He spat venomously
Gobber clasped the boy on the shoulder and Astrid was drawn around his side with his hook as the pair looked at the elder and Stoick.
"Okay, quiet down," Stoick commanded, the arena fell silent "The elder has decided."
A number of hushed whispers spread through the crowd, it seemed that the spectators were torn between Astrid and Hiccup, Hiccup let out a silent prayer for it to be Astrid.
Gobber hovered his hook over the blondes head, Gothi paused for only a moment before her head slight shake, Astrid's eyes widened and she turned her glare on Hiccup, the boy had never wished he didn't leave his forest more than at that moment.
Gobber's hand moved over Hiccups head, Gothi nodded pointing an aged finger at the boy with a small smile on her face.
Hiccup slumped as Gobber pulled the boy onto his shoulder "Oh, you've done it boy! You get to kill the dragon!"
Hiccup's eyes fell on Astrid's for a moment, they reflected a number of emotions, anger was the most prevalent, suspicion and something he couldn't place, it reminded him of hope. He frowned slightly as he threw and arm in the air "Yes, I can't wait I am soo-"
"Leaving." Hiccup voiced aloud as he entered the cove, looking around for Toothless "Come on, let's pack up, looks like me and you are taking a little vacation, forever." He added with a slightly pained shrug.
He looked around the cove, usually Toothless would be bounding towards him by now, especially since the dragon could fly when he was around, the Nightfury's lack of well, anything worried him.
'Was he found?!' Hiccups mind raced as his head darted around, the sound of stone grinding on metal caught his hearing and he snapped to a frame he recognized sitting atop a rock.
From Astrid's calm but furious expression he could at least be assured she didn't know about Toothless, but he was definitely in her crosshair at the moment.
"I want to know what's going on," She voiced simply, tone indicating if her heard a lie he would most surely regret it "You downed that Nadder with your palm, I don't care how many similarities dragons and wolves have, there is no way you would just try that suddenly in the heat of a moment like that!"
Her gratitude at saving her wasn't lost, a small voice in the back of her mind was attempting to fight control of her mind back to itself, but her anger was winning as she advanced towards Hiccup.
His emerald locked on her azure for a moment, fire meeting what would be easily considered a calm ocean and she faltered, her affection causing her to miss a step, she planted her foot harshly as anger reentered her system.
"I can't tell you how I know how to do that." Hiccup answered bravely, meeting her glare with a flat gaze.
Astrid practically snarled "Fine, I'll just have to beat it out of you." She threatened as he darted towards him, axe whirling around her body.
Hiccup wasn't unsurprised, he was aware anger was fueling most of her movements and decisions at the moment, his knife flew into his hand as he parried the axe swing and sidestepped, hopping on his feet in order to stay slightly out of her reach.
Toothless stayed still in his perch, watching his human and a female break into a fight, he could smell his humans affection for the blonde on from here and thought it best to stay out of it, if however, his human was put into real danger he would be the first to move.
Hiccup dodged again 'If I can get rid of the axe I might be able to calm her down,' He thought hopefully as he spun out of the way of another blow, he locked his knife into the curve of the blade towards Astrid's hand and yanked hard, the girl was already unbalanced from her strike, the axe slipped from her hand, the knife and the axe embedded into a tree not far from then, the knife securely locking the axe in its position as it buried itself in the wood.
Astrid gritted her teeth as she charged the boy, hand to hand combat was not exactly her strongest point, but it was by no means her weakest, she threw a quick set of punches that Hiccup weaved around, a thought occurred to her as he blocked the kick aimed at his head.
'He's not attacking me at all.' She wondered in surprise, at how someone could be assaulted so viscously and not hit back at all, she mistook the gesture that he thought she wasn't worth his effort, despite an equally loud voice telling her it was because of his kindness.
Anger won again, only barely as she flipped into a forward roll, planting both her feet against his armguard with a loud thud, she crouched against him and drew a small dagger from her boot, the weapon flipped in front of Hiccup's eyes and he momentarily rolled his eyes 'Of course she has a dagger too.' He thought to himself as she caught the weapon and brought it down, the dagger grazed against the black of his leather mask, opening a small white scratch over the left eye, if Astrid was being completely honest, it actually made the helmet considerably more badass, but the thought occurred in the farthest reaches of her mind.
Hiccup darted forward, grabbing her wrist and pulled it around her back he locked the appendage with a firm grip and the dagger clattered against the ground.
Toothless continued to observe in silent curiosity, he had almost jumped into action when the second weapon appeared, but the lack of fear he sensed from his human had stopped him.
Astrid paused as Hiccup held her arm, the girl spun, kicking her foot back and causing his grip to slacken, she pulled her arm free and spun around, not before Hiccup kicked the dagger into the lake, Astrid darted forward, grabbing the boys arm and slamming her body into his chest, he let out a grunt as she pulled him over her arm, he flipped around his feet landing on the ground with a thud, he reversed Astrid's grip and the two spun in what mimicked a strange dance of each of them trying to gain leverage of the other, Hiccup spun Astrid away as her leg flew over his head, she darted back towards him and threw a quick punch.
Hiccup watched the girl in front of him, they way she moved, the she looked at him, with those striking azure eyes, they shined ever so slightly in the light, the way her hair bobbed around her as she twisted and turned, his eyes fell lastly on her mouth, the slightly rosy lips, her arm sped towards him and he caught it in his hand, he threw his helmet off and pulled her towards him.
Astrid's eyes widened when his helmet was pushed off his head and he pulled her forward, placing his lips against hers, the action took her completely by surprise, her eyes widened her arms went limp and she just stared at the boys closed eyes for a few docile seconds, her anger drained from her body as she finally responded, eyes drifting closed as her arms wrapped around his neck, ruffling his hair ever so slightly as he pecked at her bottom lip when the pulled away.
Her brain lagged a few seconds behind, the heat of his body completely enveloped her, his scent filled her nose causing all of her previous accusations to suddenly evaporate, he eyed her cautiously afraid of what she might do.
Astrid shook her head and snapped out of her daze, she hit the boy in front of her with her fist, hard enough to make him bounced back and let a grunt as the air in his lungs was forced through his nose "That's for kissing me out of nowhere!"
He chuckled when she pushed a stray hair behind her ear, she shifted slightly closer to him and pulled him by the collar, planting another lingering kiss on his lips "That's for…helping me calm down."
Hiccup titled his head and smirked "Anytime milady." He flourished and bowed, Astrid moved over the tree to retrieve her axe, she tossed his blade back to him silently, he sheathed the weapon quickly and looked around.
Toothless had had enough hiding, he exited his perch and hopped towards Hiccup quietly, the boy heard Astrid gasp and his head whipped around as the Nightfury tilted it's head to the side curiously wondering who the newcomer was, Hiccup lifted a hand towards the dragon and Astrid's mind snapped into combat mode as she yanked her axe from the tree, she let out a cry as she ran towards the Nightfury, Toothless eyes narrowed ever so slightly, Hiccup moved in between them as the Nightfury pounced towards her, he grabbed her axe and threw it along the ground, before stopping Toothless, the dragon paused against his hands.
"It's okay, it's okay!" Hiccup shouted in explanation, Astrid froze on the ground as Toothless paused, his eyes dilating slightly, although not nearly as much as when he was alone with Hiccup "You just scared him." Hiccup explained to Astrid calmly.
"I scared him?" She shot at him incredulously.
"He's not dangerous Astrid." Hiccup attempted to explain
"Who even is he?" She demanded
"Toothless, Astrid," Hiccup gestured from the dragon to her "Astrid Toothless."
A very sharp Toothed growl followed as Astrid frowned at the boy, the look on her face was one of shock and hurt, honestly he did feel like he had kind of stomped on her trust completely, he ran a hand through the hair as she got to her feet and ran out of the cove.
Toothless made a sound that sounded similar to 'good riddance' as he moved away on his hind legs.
"Da, da da, were dead." Hiccup sounded with a slump, turning around.
"Whoa! Where are you going?" Hiccup chased after Toothless quickly, jumping on the dragons back.
They took off after Astrid quickly, said girl was hopping over a log when Toothless grabbed a hold of her arm, they pulled her up and the dragon unceremoniously dumped her in the top of a tree before landing on it, the tree groaned under the weight but did not snap.
Astrid glared at the dragon, even if she was surprised to see Hiccup riding it, she didn't show it "Hiccup! Get me down from here!" She demanded angrily, pulling herself up the tree slightly.
"Astrid, please you have to let me explain." Hiccup attempted to defend.
"I am not listening to anything you have to say." Astrid spat at him.
"Then I won't speak," Hiccup sounded resolutely "Just let me show you."
Astrid watched the boy, the almost begging puppy dog eyes he was giving her caused her face to soften immediately, as much as she would rather not to, she still like the boy in front her. He held his hand to her as she moved towards him. She moved it away and climbed onto the saddle, resisting every urge in her body to grab a hold of the boy in front of her tightly.
"Okay," She voiced nervously "Now get me down."
"Toothless, down," Hiccup patted the dragons neck "Gently." He added after a moment.
Hiccup tilted his foot, the tail opened and Toothless extended his wings "See, nothing to worry-." He cut off into a scream as Toothless launched into the sky.
The unexpected movement caused Astrid to begin to fall back, a loud scream broke form her mouth as her legs caught a hold of Hiccup's back, she used them to pull herself against him, her arms wrapped around his chest as she held on for dear life.
"Toothless! We need her to like us!" Hiccup shouted over the roaring wind, the dragon heard him but paid no mind, nobody and he meant nobody, treated him or his human that way and got away Scott-free.
Toothless turned down, spinning his body in every direction, Astrid screamed in terror as the ground and sky melded into one amorphous blob of color and she could no longer tell up from down.
"Thank you for nothing, you useless reptile." Hiccup voiced sarcastically, silently praying Toothless would level out before they hit the ground.
Astrid's nail dug into Hiccup's chest and he winced when she finally spoke "Okay! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, just get me off of this thing!" She shouted in fear.
Hiccup's eyes softened as he examined the girls expression, she was only a few inches from him, her eyes scrunched tightly closed, fists grabbing him to tightly her knuckles had whitened.
Toothless very abruptly leveled out, hovering in the air calmly, a small grin on the dragons face didn't go unnoticed by Hiccup, the boy rolled his eyes, the action moved his shoulders slightly and prompted Astrid to open her eyes, she stared at the sunset in bewilderment, a sigh of sheer awe escaping her lips, Toothless ascended through the clouds gently, Astrid lifted her arms into the fluffy white formations, she was surprised when she pulled them back down to see small droplets of water on ice on her arms, the finally peaked the cloud formation and popped up above them, they were greeted by a large glowing full moon and millions of stars, both the teens smiled gently as they took in the sight, Astrid's arms wrapped around Hiccup's waist gently and her head rested on his shoulder as they began descending, a sudden squawk caught Hiccup's ear as his eyes darted around, he could barely make out other dragons around them.
Astrid noticed a moment after, Toothless trembled ever so slightly beneath him, Hiccup and Astrid flattened themselves against the Nightfury's back.
"What's going on?" Astrid questioned, looking around.
Hiccup's eyes narrowed as he peered through the clouds around him, the dragons were carrying sheep, fish, pretty much any piece of food they could get their claws on "It looks like, they are um, hauling in their kill." The boy explained
"So, what does that make us?" Astrid questioned fearfully.
"Don't worry, Toothless can't fly without me and I won't leave you behind." Hiccup replied strongly, his tone did give her some comfort as her hold on him tightened.
"Toothless you gotta her us out of her bud." Hiccup whispered to the dragon quietly.
Toothless gave him a quick growl, giving Hiccup the impression of 'working on it' as Toothless entered a cave, he quickly pulled up and landed on a high perch, waiting for the stream of dragons to get into the nest.
"Well, it's satisfying to know that all our food is being dumped down a hole." Hiccup voiced as he watched the horde of dragons drop the food into the mist.
"They're not eating any of it." Astrid voiced in confusion.
The horde of dragons dispersed, a slower Gronkle hovered above the mist, spitting a single small fish down the hole, before attempting to hover away, a loud growl shook the cavern and Hiccup could recognize the fear on the dragons face from where he was.
"What was that?" Astrid asked worriedly
The massive head of a dragon emerged from the missed, closing around the Gronkle with a loud snap, Hiccup's eyes widened and Astrid's face paled, the monstrous dragon began returning to the mist before one it's eyes flickered over Toothless, the Nightfury whimpered slightly as Hiccup opened the tail, he gave Toothless a reassuring rub and the dragon launched into eh air as the pillar they were was crushed, Toothless sped down the cave they had entered from and into the night air.
As they landed Astrid was the first to dismount, quickly retrieving her axe "It all makes sense, it's like a giant beehive they are the workers and that's their queen, it controls them." She voiced as she grabbed her weapon.
"No, a queen wouldn't just kill something that displeases her," Hiccup shook his head "That's more like a dictatorship."
Astrid just shrugged.
"I knew something was off about the dragon attacks, animals make it a point to avoid humans, the only time attacks of that scale happen is due to fear or during mating season, it's the only time and animal will behave so erratically." Hiccup explained as he dismounted Toothless, he ran a hand through his hair.
"We have to tell your dad." Astrid voiced simply.
"No, wait," Hiccup caught her wrist "We can't."
"Hiccup, we just discovered the dragons nest, the thing we've been after since Vikings first settled here," She responded "And you want to keep it a secret, to protect your pet dragon are you serious?" She asked in surprise.
"Yes." Hiccup replied resolutely, Astrid paused and nodded her head in acceptance.
"So, what are you going to do?" She asked curiously
"I don't know." Hiccup replied.
"Hiccup, your final exam is tomorrow," Astrid pointed out "You don't have a lot of time."
"I know," Hiccup exclaimed in annoyance pulling on his hair and kicking a rock in anger "I know, I have to figure something out, I don't even know where to start how do you end a three hundred year war in an hour?!"
Astrid pursed her lips, pointing out anything else he had to worry about would just have the reverse effect, she shifted towards him slowly and punched him lightly on the arm.
"Ow." He glanced at her in surprise.
"That's for kidnapping me." He shot at him, trying and failing to hide the playful grin on her face.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him into her, giving him a light peck on the cheek, his hand jumped to the point and rubbed at it slowly "That's for….everything else." She added slowly before darting off.
Even she thought it a little odd, that she was suddenly embarrassed by a kiss on the cheek, but she had been coming off an adrenaline high when it happened, being hyper aware of him now only made it worse as she moved towards her home. Stopping once at the entrance of the cove to take a quick glance behind her.
Toothless made what appeared to be a teasing snort towards the boy, who shrugged and simply responded with "What?"
She chuckled into her hand as she continued home.
Hiccup sighed in worry as he stared at the ceiling, sleep completely eluding him 'I just hope this works.' He thought to himself as he rolled over, he let out a silent prayer as exhaustion finally pushed him into sleep.
A/N: There, it is, the conclusion of my romance subplot for the Hiccstrid of this story, I hope it wasn't too obvious (I mean, the way in unfolded not the relationship itself.) and I also hope you enjoyed it, the next two chapters will be the finishing of the first movie! *queues confetti, one lousy streamer falls the ground disappointingly* Well, yeah, again I hope you enjoyed this chapter and again, if you have an idea for a funny section for the Rider's of Berk or something you'd like to see hit me with them and I will see what I can do! Of course, my standard ending, I hope you guys enjoyed and I will see you in the next one, Peace!