A/N: So, here's chapter 3, a little sooner than planned. For personal reasons, I intend to update on Friday from now on. For now, writing ahead works well.

I don't like to give spoilers for my stories but in this case, I think it would be better to do so after all. I won't kill off any of our beloved characters! This is not a Deathfic and not a Cheatfic either (Someone actually asked that… why?).

In this chapter, I made two references to former occurrences. One would be Snotlout's birthday party and the other a prank Hiccstrid played on Gobber. If you are interested in what they are referring to, I recommend reading 'The Afterparty' and 'Only Teasing' by ladyamethyst21.

Chapter 3: Return

Astrid stood at the quay and waited. Impatiently, her eyes searched the water between the sea stacks that surrounded the harbor. After Heather had spotted the ship on the horizon, everything had become a blur. Two hours. They'd only had two hours until the ship was to reach the harbor. Relaying the information to those working inside, confirming that the feast indeed could start today. Making her turn around the village to spread the news there as well, telling everybody that every hand was needed in the Great Hall now. And getting ready herself.

Only minutes ago, she'd left their home after having a wash and a change of clothes. She'd seen the ship from up there, it had seemed so close and she'd hurried down through the village lest she'd be too late. But down here, they were still out of sight, hidden behind rock formations and it made her skin crawl. She couldn't wait any longer, wanted his arms and his warmth around her.

She was surrounded by other people, Heather, Ruff, and Lia were there of course as well as Valka, Gobber, Gothi, and Spitelout, probably to represent the council. Toothless was nowhere to be seen but that was not uncommon these days. After a bit of pondering and persuasion, they'd decided to leave him with the automatic tailfin attached. Astrid was by now able to operate the pedal but she'd hardly had time to fly with Stormfly these days, let alone Toothless as well. So it was no surprise to not see him here as both dragons were probably flying somewhere around the island catching their lunch.

It was a rather small welcoming committee, considering it was their Chief's return after two months of absence. But the last preparations for the feast had to be attended to and then everybody on Berk knew Hiccup, knew that he didn't like to be fussed about. And she didn't intend to give him time to be greeted by others anyway.

Gods, it was crazy! She'd always been strong and independent and still thought of herself that way. And it wasn't like she hadn't accomplished anything during the last weeks… She might not have been in charge of the preparations for the Winter Nights but the storehouses and stables were well stocked and secured and that had been her accomplishment. Why then was she teetering at the edge of sanity now, buzzing with anticipation to finally see him again as if there was nothing else that mattered? Ah, but that wasn't so far off… If there was one thing she knew for sure after these two months then it was that she never wanted to be separated from him for that long ever again. It just wasn't right! They belonged together, were better when together in every way.

Finally, the ship came into view and her heartbeat accelerated uncontrollably. She wasn't yet able to make out individual people but it wasn't long now anymore. Astrid took a step forward, blue eyes searching. For her, it seemed like forever but in reality, it probably took Eret at the tiller only a few additional minutes to near the pier. She spotted Tuffnut and Fishlegs waving enthusiastically while Dagur and Snotlout picked up rolled up ropes. Hiccup was nowhere to be seen.

Her heart thudded painfully at his absence. Why was he not on deck with the rest of them? Was he still in the cabin below, maybe sick? Or injured? She shifted nervously and watched as Gobber and Spitelout got ready to receive the ropes and secure the ship.

While the men down below were still pulling the ship closer, two warm arms suddenly wound their way around her waist. Astrid gasped and turned around to look up into Hiccup's brightly shining green eyes, his face framed by wind-tousled auburn hair. For a moment, they just looked at each other but then he leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers. The whimper that escaped her against his lips should have been embarrassing, but she didn't care. He was back! She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her hands in his disheveled hair, holding him in place as they kissed. His arms were still around her waist, holding her just as close and it probably was a good thing that his oversized fur coat was big enough to cover them both from view. Otherwise, at least Gobber would have made some crude remark about how tight their hold was, how fierce their kiss, about how close their bodies were, touching all the way down to their knees and how surely not accidentally Hiccup pressed his groins against that damp heat between her legs. Maybe Gobber did so anyway, she wouldn't have noticed.

"Gods, I've missed you!" Hiccup gasped against her neck when their lips finally separated, breath hot on her skin. It made Astrid shiver, unable to form any coherent words, her knees weak already by the way he held her close, his body heat seeping into her. Panting lightly, his nose and lips wandered along her neck, tickled behind her ear and she tipped her head to the side to give him better access. "You smell so good…" he mumbled huskily and she felt him swallowing before he buried his face in her hair. His mouth was still on her neck but it wasn't just lips lightly skimming anymore. She felt his tongue on her skin, hidden where no one could see it and a moment later, she felt his teeth scraping over her sensitive skin.

Astrid all but moaned and tried to pull herself closer still, slowly rubbing against him. It wasn't fair. How was he able to reduce her to a whimpering mess within seconds only? She wanted him, needed him, needed to reconnect, be one with him. They'd been separated for too long, she needed the reassurance, that he was back, that he was here.

Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder, too heavy and broad to be Hiccup's. She flinched and retreated just enough to look around, remembering just where they were and how many people were around them. Were looking at them!

"There he is again," Eret grinned and gave her shoulder another squeeze, an unreadable glint in his eyes. "Safe and sound, just as promised!" He winked and then turned back to kiss Ruffnut while Snotlout retreated his hands from her barely noticeable bump and glared at Astrid.

"Yeah," he grumbled. "There was no need to threaten us. As if we hadn't known ourselves that we had to watch over our fishbone of a Chief…" Beside her, Hiccup chuckled and squeezed her waist lightly.

They were really back, all of them. Behind Ruff, Snot, and Eret, Astrid saw Heather and Fishlegs gazing lovingly at each other and a bit to the side, Tuff had lifted Lia by her hips and was whirling her around in mad circles until they collapsed and landed in the water, laughing like the nutjobs they were. Gobber, Spitelout, and Valka had turned to Dagur to help him fix the ship and politely inquire after their journey while old Gothi stood to the side, watching the whole scenery with what looked like a fond smile. Relief washed through Astrid and only now did she realize just how worried she really had been, for all of them. As much as they all had been trying to convince themselves that this journey wouldn't hold any threats they all had known better. Entering the domain of a possibly hostile tribe without much armament to convince them of their good will had been risky!

Astrid leaned against Hiccup again though in a much calmer way now, her forehead resting against his chest. "I'm glad you're back!" She whispered, not entirely trusting her voice. She felt his rough hand on her cheek, covertly whipping away a single tear.

"Me too…" he whispered and pressed his lips to her forehead. "Believe me… me too! Gods, I…" he broke off but his grip on her waist tightened again.

For a minute, they were quiet, just basking in each other's closeness but the longer they stood there, apparently in desperate need of consolation, the clearer it became for Astrid what she'd thought ever since Hiccup had announced she couldn't come with him.

"I should have come with you!" She stated resolutely. Nothing was worth going through an ordeal like this ever again. She could hold herself back if necessary or could try to at least. But she would never let him leave her behind again.

"No!" His response was immediate and the closest to an order as he'd ever given her. "I never want you near this island, these people. Ever!" There was a strain in his voice, something other than worries or simple exhaustion after the journey. Astrid drew herself back, questioningly looking up at him and the expression on his face made her swallow whatever response she might have come up with.

He looked terrified.

In a way, this day stretched out longer than the entire two-months-journey before. The time on Redthorn Island had been hard. He hadn't allowed himself to think of Astrid, not while there had been all those loose women everywhere and not while there had been some form of sexual interaction, voluntarily or enforced (even though they'd denied it vigorously the few times he actually had tried to intervene), barely hidden behind one corner or other almost at every time. He hadn't wanted to taint any memories of her with those of that place. That hadn't been easy but after their departure, it became downright impossible.

After they'd finally left Redthorn Island behind, he'd allowed his thoughts to wander freely again where he'd been determined to rein them in before. Surrounded by nothing but the endless sea and his friends' enthusiastic banter, mostly about what they intended to do as soon as they were back home, he hadn't been able to keep his thoughts in check anymore. Not a single minute had gone by then without his daydreaming about her smile and her laughter, her sweet lips and her warm body, her soft moans and fierce screams, about how hot she felt around him and about how he wanted to have a go at all those things he overheard during that time.

Those had been two very long weeks indeed but this day still seemed to drag out even longer. Because she was there! All the time, she was there somewhere, sometimes directly at his side when he dutifully inspected the winter stocks, sometimes rummaging about in the background when he cleaned himself up and got ready for that night's celebration while Gobber or his mother filled him in on all the things he'd missed out on. She was always there, always reminding him of what he needed most and yet there never was a minute's time where they were alone just for themselves.

To be fair, it wasn't even a full day. Just those few hours between their arrival and the beginning of the festivities during which he needed to attend to all those chiefly duties while everything else had to wait. Being Chief had never felt as much like a noose around his neck as during those hours… And he even was prepared for all of it. He'd already thought about what to say during the expected speech for the Winter Nights and about their negotiations and he'd rested as best he could on board of their ship until shortly before their arrival, knowing he wouldn't get a calm minute until late into the night. And yet it seemed to drag out endlessly…

But now it was done. He had cleaned up and groomed himself after the long journey and wore the dreaded Chief-outfit that was expected of him for official occasions like this one. The heavy fur coat, the ornate waistcoat and exaggerated belt over, at least, simple trousers… He hated wearing all this, especially since he'd had to wear them all the time during their visit on Redthorn Island. He very much preferred to wear his riding leather with the flight suit instead but knew that wasn't possible tonight. At least he had been able to fly for a while again after Toothless had picked him up from the ship to make a turn around the island before they'd returned to the harbor just in time. Just in time to hold her in his arms for a few minutes before duties had caught up with him again.

With a sigh, he pickup up the helmet from its hook near the entrance, the last piece to complete this outfit and followed Gobber outside. The blacksmith was still filling him in on all the occurrences of the last months like which dispute had arisen and how he'd decided, which people had come to Berk to settle here and how the training of the youngest riders went. All important information he was bound to know although his mind felt cramped and crowded already. If he remembered only half of it in the morning he could call himself lucky. He just wasn't able to concentrate anymore.

"…and Spitelout decided to propose to Astrid in case you wouldn't return. You know, to provide an heir and all…" Gobber said cheerily and Hiccup stopped dead.

"What?" he asked, blinking in confusion. Despite his former plan, Spitelout had stayed on Berk, just like every other of the older men. They had a history with the Redthorns they'd said and their presence would only make any negotiations harder. But for the late general to make a move on Astrid?

Gobber laughed and his broad hand came crashing down on his back, driving the air out of his lungs. "Just kidding! You weren't listening to me anymore for at least ten minutes and I knew mentioning her would draw your attention again." His mentor winked conspiratorially and then nodded toward the doors of the Great Hall in front of him. "Now, let's go in there and have a feast that's worth all the trouble!"

Inside, he was greeted with loud cheers and raised mugs, many people congratulating him while he made his way to the Chief's table. This peace treaty had been Dagurs idea and plan but there was no doubt about who of the two of them had led the negotiations. Hiccup took his place between Dagur and Astrid, who was wearing a far more formal outfit than usual as well. It was weird to see her in a dress, so very different from the more practical and defensive clothes she normally wore but he had to admit he liked it. He loved her for the fierce warrior she was but this ornate dress with its floor long skirt… It made her look softer and more amiable and the stark contrast to who she really was was enticing. His eyes lingered on her a moment longer before he noticed her amused expression. They weren't alone, exactly… He accepted the mug of watered mead she held out for him and turned toward his waiting people.

By now, it was easy for him to slip into this role, to become the leader his people needed even though it still didn't feel natural. It was easy to be cheerful and confident because he was. He was glad, even happy to be here again, surrounded by Hooligans who were rough and rude but also honest and positive and he had missed that during the last two months. And he was confident because this treaty would keep them safe, for a little while longer at least. He just didn't feel like it had been the right thing to do…

Hiccup used this opportunity to inform the Berkians on what exactly it was they'd agreed upon with the Redthorn tribe. They'd agreed upon not attacking or assaulting each other except in retaliation. They'd agreed on surveying the possibilities of new trade routes. And they'd agreed upon trading visits annually. That last point had been Dagur's suggestion. To keep an eye on them as he'd said and Hiccup could only agree. He wasn't daft enough to believe a signed piece of paper would be enough to keep a violent tribe in check. So just like things had been between the Hooligans and the Berserkers up until a few years ago, the three Chiefs would visit each other every year again to renew the peace treaty.

This point, however reasonable it was, was one of those which made him anxious. He never wanted to return to this island, to that village but knew he would have to eventually. And he would have to leave Astrid behind, again, to keep her safe from these horrid men. Subconsciously, he reached for her hand and squeezed it while he kept talking. He'd gone over these words many times in his mind, they came fluidly although it didn't feel right to praise this treaty as an accomplishment.

But then his speech turned to a more cheerful topic. The end of summer brought the end of the hard harvesting season, the end of gathering whatever supplies they could find and they had been very successful this year. From now on, the days would become calmer. Yes, colder as well but that was one thing the Berkians were used to and their dragons had proven their capability of keeping the village from freezing over more than once. Now came the days of gathering, of meeting in the Great Hall, of telling stories, of mending broken tools and building new ones. The Winter Nights were a time to celebrate, to eat and to drink as much as possible, to get sick and start all over again.

At this, Hiccup raised his mug and under the hooting and yelling of his people took a big gulp of his mead, the first of this winter. At the tables below, the men and women followed his example and just like that the celebrations of the Winter Nights began.

And it was a long night. After the long months without Astrid, the long weeks of their journey back here, this long day with too many duties to be with her, this night seemed to stretch out endlessly. Hiccup wanted nothing more than to get out, to lead her away from the crowd, back home, into the shadows behind the statues outside or even just into a dark corner or behind a pillar in here. He wanted to kiss her until they both couldn't remember their names anymore, to let her warmth sooth away the icy cold inside him and let her heat smother every thought inside his mind like only she was able to.

But there was no chance in doing so, not now. It seemed like everyone wanted to have a talk with him, invited him to sit with them for a while and to share a drink or two. It was a good thing that he only drank mead that was watered down to the extreme least he would have been drunk and out after one hour at the lastest. Astrid was always at his side, taking over her duty to refill his drink when needed, smiling and chatting amiably with whoever was around them. She held his hand whenever possible, threw him teasing glances when the occasion called for it and cuddled close or kissed him when they had a moment's break but it was never enough. He saw the stress in her eyes and the impatience in her every movement. She too was yearning for this night to end.

It took what felt like hours before things began to calm down. Not everyone of his fellow Vikings had been content with watering down his mead and the number of those still celebrating in the Great Hall was slowly dwindling. Many had returned home already, most to or with the company of their wives or, more covertly, their intended while some seemed not to be sober enough to care anymore. He spotted more than one couple barely hidden in a shadowy corner, passionately making out. This was their way and it wasn't unlike how things at Redthorn Island had been and yet it was entirely different. He knew that those were more or less established couples and also knew they only behaved like this because of the celebration and the mead. Things like this didn't happen every day and surely not enforced in any way, not here. And then, he doubted anyone around him was still sober enough to even notice. In fact, he wasn't sure if anyone would notice him leaving to finally be alone with Astrid. To touch her like he wanted to… To draw those sweet noises out of her… Or doing the same right here as well for that matter…

He shook his head and gulped to chase away those thoughts. Surely, she would not approve. Not that he actually would do it…

It was then when he noticed that Astrid wasn't at his side anymore. When had she left? He could swear she'd been in his arm only moments ago. Hiccup took another look through the hall, head spinning more than he liked, and finally spotted her near the far wall close to the barrels of mead and water. Maybe she'd gotten up to refill their mugs once more but she wasn't moving. She just stood there, hands rested on the table in front of her, her head bowed. Hiccup watched her for a moment longer and then excused himself to Gobber, Mulch, and Spitelout who were still drinking and chatting, unperturbed by the incredible amount of alcohol they'd already downed.

To Astrid, it seemed like this night would never end. She'd been so relieved when Hiccup and Gobber had finally arrived, glad that all the preparations had been finished in time and also glad that this dreadful waiting was over. Hiccup's speech had been a good one, short but with the answers to those questions, they'd all been wondering about and also light and even funny to mark the start of the happier part of that evening. And she'd been glad to finally spend some lighter time with Hiccup, to feel his hand in hers or his arms around her shoulders, to kiss him lightly, to laugh and to talk. Of course, this wasn't enough, wasn't what she wanted and needed. She needed to have him all to herself, to kiss him for real, to feel, and to reconnect. But all that had to wait…

As the hours dragged on, his impatience became more obvious, to her at least and it would have been a lie if she'd said she didn't feel the same. The more they drank and the more the atmosphere loosened up, the more heated their occasional kisses became and his hand that had mostly been around her shoulder at the beginning of the feast found its way to her waist or the small of her back more frequently, even blatantly caressed and squeezed her behind a few times.

It was then when she realized that, apparently, they were more primed than she liked to be! Astrid had been careful to water down their mead as much as was tolerable. The average Viking had a fairly high tolerance for alcohol but she and Hiccup had not. They'd learned that the hard way after their return from Dragon's Edge. They'd been legal adults then and were allowed, even expected to take part in the regular nights at the Great Hall, to drink and to tell stories of their adventures. But neither she nor Hiccup were broadly built like the average Viking and while others of their age already were used to a fair amount of intoxication, their life on Outpost Island had demanded them to keep a clear head at any time. Well, except that one time at Snotlout's birthday party that was…

Astrid got up and took their empty mugs to fill them with pure water this time and maybe grab some bread on her way back. She sincerely hoped they weren't expected to stay until the last Viking had left. She still had plans for tonight… Oh yes, she had! Ruffnut's words from earlier that day had refused to leave her head and repeatedly echoed through her mind now, taunting her. It had sounded… gross at first. And Ruff had admitted it could be unpleasant, especially if he didn't know how to hold himself back. But, damn, it also was intriguing! To have him at her mercy in a way…

Astrid mischievously grinned to herself as she reached the table with the mead and water barrels. On its own accord, her tongue darted out to lick her lips and her vision began to swim as she imagined how it would be like, how he would taste like. Not exactly yummy, Ruff had said, but thrilling nonetheless. Oh, Gods, yes, she wanted to try! The idea alone made her gasp and she had to lean on the table as her knees threatened to give in.

She needed to get a grip on herself! She might be a little tipsy… or, well, drunk enough to let Hiccup grope her ass in public actually, but that was no excuse. She would go back to their table now, back to Hiccup and pull through the rest of tonight's feast without embarrassing herself. She would-

"Hey, are you okay?" Hiccup's warm hands were on her waist, startling a gasp out of her. "What are you- uh!" His sudden appearance behind her had surprised Astrid and instinctively, she'd straightened and stepped back from the table in front of her. Or had tried to… Of course, that motion made he bump into him, his warm chest covering her back, his breath suddenly hot on her neck and something was demandingly poking against her thigh. The unexpected contact made them both groan but neither of them made a move to retreat. It just felt too good... Without thinking twice about it, she further ground her behind against him, rubbing against his erection and drew another moan from both their throats. Gods, she wanted him! When would they finally be able to leave?

"Astrid…" Hiccup almost choked. "What-"

She leaned back, further against him, her head resting against his shoulder and almost reflexively, his arms wound their way around her, holding her close while his head dropped to nuzzle the crease between her neck and her shoulder. His lips and hot breath on her sensitive skin drew out another moan and that sound alone seemed to make his cock twitch interestedly.

Astrid ground back against him again, utterly helpless to it and it felt so good! The way he responded, gasping and panting, how his fingers dug into her waist as he uncontrollably rocked forward again and again in response to her teasing, it was overwhelming.

Then he caught himself and there was a shift in his behavior. He acted in earnest now and it became even better! He leaned forward, more closely against her and licked and nibbles at her neck. One hand, the right one, stayed at her waist, holding her in place as he slowly kept rocking against her. The left one wandered further down her skirt, fumbling and searching. It took Astrid's dizzy mind a moment to understand what he was looking for, just as long as it took Hiccup to find it. The gap in her skirt, hidden between the folds and layers of cloth to reach the pockets on the inside. He slipped his hand through it and suddenly his calloused hand was on the bare skin of her thigh.

"Is that what you want?" Hiccup asked, his voice a low murmur as his hand slowly wandered upward. But all Astrid could do in response was whimpering, needy and embarrassingly. Somewhere in the back of her mind, an alarm went on. Did she want this? No, there was something… She should push him away, should stop him… But she couldn't remember why anymore. All her hazy mind registered was how utterly wonderful his skin felt on hers and how much she'd missed him. And then his hand reached the damp heat between her legs and her mind went blank for a moment. She barely registered how Hiccup gasped and almost growled at her.

"You- You've got to be kidding me!" Hiccup's voice was caught somewhere between a snarl and a whimper while his fingers slowly explored her slick and completely uncovered center. He pressed his bulge more firmly against her ass while his hand on her front pushed her back against him, trapping her effectively between her objects of desire.

"Saves time… later…" Astrid gasped out, too distracted by his ministration for a more coherent explanation. Great Odin, it felt so good! He hadn't even really started to touch her in earnest, was still just exploring her superficially but she already could feel the tension coiling up inside her. The most embarrassing whimper escaped her as his finger lightly brushed over her clit and she trembled in his hold. His lips had wandered up her neck and were now peppering her jaw with sloppy kisses as he exhaled audibly in reaction to her noise of blatant lust.

Astrid smelled it then. She smelled the mead on his breath and it tore her out of her erotic daze in an instant. Because she suddenly remembered where they were! "Hiccup, stop!" She gasped, her hands fumbling through the layers of her skirt to restrain him. He growled but obeyed, his hand stilling though not retreating. "Not here," she added.

He seemed to realize it then, too, judging by the frustrated groan he tried to muffle against her skin. "I need you!" she heard him mumble and the twitching pressure against her behind seemed to agree.

With much effort, Astrid tore herself out of his embrace and turned to look at him. His eyes were glassy and darkened by unconcealed desire and probably by alcohol as well. "I know," she breathed and placed a hand on his cheek to let him know she felt the same. It took her a moment to regain enough control over her thoughts and her body again, and she saw in his eyes that he fought for this control as well. "But after all the effort to avoid the public consummation and the prank we played on Gobber, do really want to catch up on that now?"

Hiccup blinked but then a lopsided smile tucked at his lips at the memory of this part of their wedding night. "No," he agreed. "I don't…" He reached up to cup her face with his calloused hands and, swallowing hard, leaned his forehead against hers. "But I very much want to bent you over this table and take you right here!"

Astrid gasped and her heartbeat quickened noticeably at his words. Gods, when had he become so confident? Up until now, of the two of them, she had been the one who initiated most of their sexual interactions. It had taken her quite a lot of coaxing, teasing and frustration to occasionally get him to act more self-assured but even then talking dirty hadn't been part of it. It was hot! Gods, she wished he would do it…

She grabbed fistfuls of his tunic and bit down on her lip to keep herself from pulling him toward her again least they would perform the public consummation of their wedding after all. "How much longer do we need to stay?" She asked instead, longing clear in her voice. She wanted to go home and to, finally, have her husband all to herself.

Hiccup hesitated and then awkwardly lifted his shoulders. "I'm not sure, actually." He admitted. "My father… He always stayed the whole night but I don't know whether that was because it was expected of him or because there was no one waiting for him anyway. I…" He paused and then chuckled shakily. "Gods, this is silly… I'm the Chief, right? Shouldn't I be allowed to decide myself when I go home?"

A pained smile crossed Astrid's face, hidden from his view. As always, Hiccup thought far too much about what was expected of him and how to do things the right way. He was a great leader, he shouldn't bother himself with these thoughts. Doing something because that's how it has always been done, that was not Hiccup! Never had been…

"I think…" she began hesitantly and licked her lip. Sometimes he needed a small push into the right direction. "I think, I'll go home now. You know, to poke up the fire and look after Stormfly and Toothless…" She stretched to place a quick kiss on his lips, too short for him to react and rouse their passion once more. "And you stay as long as you think you need to. Ask Gobber if you need any advice, assuming he's still coherent enough to answer." She sneaked out of his embrace and made a challenging step backward. "Don't take too long!" She added, then turned without waiting for his reaction and all but ran out of the Great Hall.

The cool night air on her skin and in her lungs was cathartic and only now did she realize how stifling it had been in there. Astrid stood still for a minute, inhaling deeply before she covered the short distance to their home. She expected Hiccup wouldn't be too far behind her.

Hiccup took a long shuddering breath while his gaze followed her out of the Great Hall. It took almost all of is remaining self-control to not follow her right away and he raised his hand to bite down on his fist. The pain helped to clear his head, though not as much as he would have preferred.

I very much want to bent you over this table and take you right here! Had he really said that out loud? He'd definitely spent too much time with Eret lately if words like these rolled off his tongue that easily! But she hadn't seemed to have minded… In fact, she'd seemed to have liked it!

Hiccup groaned and bit down a little harder. He had to pull himself together! He'd been dangerously close to spilling into his clothes already from her rubbing against him and her moans alone. To think he actually had touched her, like that, here in the Great Hall, had almost brought them both off in public. Because she'd been close, too! If she hadn't stopped him… The thought was embarrassing and arousing alike. And if he thought logically, it hadn't even been that public…

True, they hadn't been alone. But the about two dozen Vikings left were too drunk or otherwise occupied to notice much. And then, his broad coat had efficiently hidden them from view anyway. They probably would have been heard, Astrid was anything but quiet but, damn, it would have been worth it!

He groaned again and shook his head in an attempt to get rid of this image. He couldn't function with the picture of her screaming in rapture in his mind, not now when he was so hopelessly aroused already. He shifted his erection into a less obvious position and slowly walked back toward the table where Gobber and the others still sat, drank and bawled, all the while trying to keep his thoughts in check. That was almost impossible though and Hiccup realized that partially the mead was to blame. Had he drunken that much? He hadn't even noticed until now. In that case, it probably was a good thing that she'd stopped him… They would have regretted it in the morning!

"What, you're still here?" Gobber exclaimed slurringly when he saw Hiccup. "Thought you'd finally left. You shouldn't leave a lady waiting and especially not yours. Odin knows she's been crabby for weeks! Lay her well, will ya? Or I fear she'll rip all our heads off in the morning..." With these words, the burly blacksmith turned back to his mug and left Hiccup stunned and flabbergasted. So, no one had expected him to stay this long after all? Dazed, he turned to leave and caught the suggestive smirk on Spitelout's face, who sat close enough to have heard Gobber's words. The late general raised his mug at him and the glint in his eyes told Hiccup more than he'd wanted to know. Dammit, he could have had her soft body in his arms for hours already!

The cold, almost freezing night air outside helped to partially clear his head, both from the alcohol and the arousal alike. He needed to cool down for a few minutes before he saw Astrid again, he had plans for tonight, after all. He was eager to try a few things he'd heard of during the last weeks and that one thing in particular. Although… Eret had said it might take a while. That drawing it out as long as possible actually was the point! He wasn't so sure whether that was an option today…

Well, he would see soon enough.

Swallowing once again, he stepped down the stairs and toward the Chief's house, his home. Toward his waiting wife.

A/N: Next Chapter coming soon. Please, feel free to tell me what you think of this! :)