A/N: Another early update thanks to your great feedback. Weird how clicks and likes and comments can mean so much but they do. They mean a lot to me! So thank you guys! :D

I'll just.. leave this here and, yeah... have fun ;)

To Narnia: Thanks. I'm glad you like it :D

To Latinkon91: Thank you for that feedback! Good to know that I get across what's important here :) And believe me, you're not the only one with a bad feeling about this feast O:-)

To Antox: Haha... I make no promises ;)

To HephaestusBuilds: Here you go, your lucky day ;)

. o O o .

Chapter 9: Annoyance

Astrid was annoyed.

This was a weird word to describe how she felt but it was the best she could come up with. Everything around her was unnerving and she was annoyed!

It was too loud! Earlier, when she'd first entered the Great Hall, with Eret as her bodyguard today, it had been a welcome diversion from last week's solitude. The entire village was gathered here, along with several dragons and everyone was talking. It had reminded Astrid of how she wasn't the only one who'd practically been imprisoned all week. By now, she remembered why she'd declined the offer to spend these days with Ruffnut or her mother though. Astrid wasn't one for female company, for endless chatting and giggling. And here now, where the entirety of Berk's female population met again after a week without gossip, there was a lot of chatting and giggling.

With a heavy sigh, she massaged her temple. All these noises gave her a headache! And the stuffy air didn't help either. There were too many people in here for too long a time. Normally, the attendants' number of such a feast would dwindle soon after it started but today was different. Today, far more people stayed and far less alcohol was consumed. Almost the entire village was on guard only to make sure that their guests stayed where they were supposed to be. The signing earlier today had gone to plan and in two days, the Redthorns would be gone. So far, nothing bad had happened and everybody was keen on keeping it that way.

But that meant she had to stay where she was, sitting at a table with Ruff, Lia, Valka, Gobber, Spitelout, and Eret and had to stay where countless eyes could watch over her instead of returning to the solitude of their home. Even just stepping outside to get some fresh air wasn't possible for her. Because she would have to pass the Chiefs' table to go outside.

Hiccup, Dagur, Legs, Snot, and Tuff shared a table with Magnus and his sons while their guards stood close-by. It was the table closest to the entrance where the small windows would serve for at least some ventilation and where chances were low any other Berkians would get close to them by chance. And then, Toothless laid around there somewhere as well. None of the Redthorns would dare to pass him.

But all this was annoying, too. That she had to be here, had to stay here, couldn't leave and could do nothing but watch Hiccup and the others all night. She'd been right, after over one week on Berk now, the Redthorns seemed desperate for a lay but it wasn't as much fun to watch as she'd hoped. Astrid saw their gazes flicker through the Hall to where the women sat whom they'd barely seen all week, greedy and lecherous and she saw how their hands rubbed and scratched their crotches every now and then. It was disgusting!

Tearing her eyes away from the Redthorns meant letting them drop on Hiccup though and that was barely better, though in an entirely different way. Because just like Hiccup had said last night, she was insatiable. Today, it had been even worse than during all the weeks and months before and watching him now over the distance of the room in his regal Chief's outfit with the ornate vest and the heavy fur coat… He looked delicious.

Astrid bit her lip and forced herself to tear her eyes off her husband. It wasn't like she hadn't had him today already. After last nights exchange, they'd had some lazy morning sex, just like Hiccup had predicted. And when he'd come over to grant Eret a break from his bodyguard duties for lunch, Hiccup had gone down on her after just one scrutinizing look. And yet, here she was, wet and wanting all over again just from watching him through half the Hall.

She groaned and rubbed her tight belly, muscles tensing up already in preparation for another Braxton-Hicks contraction. Yep, her body was definitely annoying as well but that wasn't anything new.

"And then they all just stood there, stunned and without moving a bit. Because of Meatlug!" Eret's voice tore her out of her thoughts and Astrid welcomed the distraction over the pain, even though she'd heard the story already. "I mean, honestly, Meatlug? How can anyone be afraid of Meatlug!" Lia and Ruff giggled, at the story and Eret's overly disbelieving face alike.

"Well, not all of them," corrected Valka with a mixture of humor and disapproval on her face. As one of Berk's best fighters and dragon caretaker, Valka wasn't forced to stay indoors all day. Trying to force her to do that would have been pointless anyway. But then, Cloudjumper was with her all the time, he probably was enough of a bodyguard anyway. "That boy, Laif. He wasn't afraid, just wary and in the end even agreed to feed her and Barch"

"Did they bite off his hand?" asked Ruff and Lia almost simultaneously and silly giggled some more without paying attention to Valka shaking her head. Her friends, too, were annoying today, Astrid decided.

"What is it with this boy anyway?" asked Gobber with a deliberate casualness that made Astrid perk up her head. "Do we know anything about him by now, where he comes from all of a sudden?" Astrid frowned. Even she knew a bit about that by now and she was usually the last person to learn anything these days.

"Ah, right, you only returned today, I forgot," Eret said and began to fill Gobber in on what Hiccup had found out the other night. Apparently, Gobber had gone on some important errant right after the Redthorns arrived and had returned just in time for the feast today. Astrid frowned slightly. It wasn't like Gobber to leave Hiccup and Berk with a burden like their guest. He must have had a very good reason to do so!

"I see," the blacksmith finally said and exchanged a weird glance with Spitelout. Astrid watched the two men carefully as they whispered to one another, nodded in agreement and turned their gazes back to the Chiefs' table and toward the young boy in question. Her gaze followed them and for the first time since she'd seen him that first day thought more about him than as just another Redthorn on their island.

Laif sat there, next to his half-brother and apparently neither said nor drank anything. It was true, they barely knew anything about the boy. Hiccup only told her about Magnus and Geir and occasionally their guards. Laif seemed to… behave. Watching him now, he seemed to blend in with the background, making an effort to not attract attention. He was calm, didn't boast like the others of his kinsmen, didn't drink mead and made no remarks, crude or otherwise. It seemed suspicious to Astrid, like he deliberately averted all attention. He could be-

-and why did Hiccup need to look so damn eatable in these damn clothes? He hated these clothes, she knew that. She shouldn't enjoy seeing him in them so much. But, thank Odin, he wasn't wearing his beloved riding leather instead or she might devour him whole. Right here!

Groaning, Astrid rubbed her forehead. Hiccup only had needed so much as to walk into her line of sight to make her lose her line of thoughts. What had it been? It couldn't have been important. She looked over at Hiccup again and put some effort into keeping her thoughts reasonable this time. At least he seemed to be more at ease today, not as tightly wound and stressed as yesterday. Although, that could also be because of the mead.

Since she wasn't allowed to go near the Chiefs' table, Bucket, Mulch, and Sven were taking care of getting refills for those sitting there, again to keep their guests from wandering about in this crowd. But that surely meant that Hiccup's drinks weren't as much watered down as when Astrid did it. Slight apprehension began to grow inside her but so far, Hiccup seemed sober enough. Not completely sober, but enough. Mmmmhh, oh, how she wished she could get a bit tipsy as well. Drunken sex always was such fun! They could-

"Stop drooling, chuck. It's getting a bit obvious" Eret nudged her lightly and smirked when she flinched.

"It's that bad?" Astrid asked quietly with a guilty smile and dropped her gaze down to the table a moment later. She did not want to look up and into the knowing grins around her.

"Naw, not really. Might just be me after I've watched you fidgeting all day." Eret chuckled quietly and Astrid blushed. Of course, she hadn't been able to fool Eret. Slightly embarrassed, she stood up and grabbed her empty mug.

"I'll get myself some water!" She announced and turned hastily when Eret began to laugh louder. It wasn't a pretense though, not this time. She wasn't hungry, hadn't been all day but the stifling air made her thirsty. Of course, she obviously also was horny but Hiccup was occupied otherwise, there was no way they could sneak out of here right now. Although, how late was it anyway? How much longer would this feast go on?

She strolled along the wall of the Great Hall to where the water barrels stood today, in the shadowy far back. It was actually quite pleasant back here, much cooler than between all those countless people over there. Astrid filled her mug with some refreshing water and for a minute, she just enjoyed how peaceful it was back here. She wasn't even so far away from all her neighbors, could still see them sitting at the tables or scampering around. She could even see Hiccup over at his table, talking to Snot and Dagur right now. And she also could still hear the noises but it seemed like they were much further away now, low and hushed somehow. For she didn't know how long, she leaned against one of the columns, sipping her water, watching the people celebrating and most of all watching Hiccup before she heard footsteps approaching her.

"Ah, here you are!" Eret exclaimed, relief clear in his voice. "I thought I lost you, don't ever do that to me again! Hiccup would roast me alive!" Astrid glared at him for a moment and the ex-trapper had the decency to uncomfortably scratch his neck. "Well, you know what I mean. Not sure if you noticed but he's just the tiniest bit edgy lately."

Astrid sighed. "Yeah, I noticed." She said flatly. "But can you blame him?"

"Not really, no," Eret admitted. "He gets the undiluted dose of Redthorn charm every day, that's enough to wear down even the strongest. Let's just hope he doesn't snap until they're gone"

Astrid didn't say anything to that and just nodded. Last night's outburst that had made him flee the Great Hall and hurl his coat and belt against a wall had been just the latest incident. Hiccup wasn't violent, was always calm and composed but these men tested his self-control to no end and he became more thin-skinned with every day.

"Are you coming back? To our table, I mean?" Eret sounded a bit hopeless and it made a small smile tug on Astrid's lips.

"No, I'm going to stay here for a little while longer," she said and turned back to the crowd. "But there's no need for you to stay as well. The Redthorns won't leave their table so I'll be safe here" This, too, was a bit annoying. How everybody felt the need to make sure she was safe. As if there was any danger as long as everyone kept their eyes on their guests. She could even see them from here, Magnus' imposing form and Geir's abhorred one, their disgusting guards in the background and even young Laif was still sitting silently at his place and stared down at the table.

"I guess you're right… But don't wander off on your own, alright?"

"I won't!" Astrid promised and finally, Eret left her alone. It wasn't that she minded his company much. Out of all the bodyguards Hiccup had assigned to her, Eret surely was the best company, far better than Snot and even better than Valka. But it was liberating to really be on her own for once again, to not constantly feel a pair of anxious or concerned eyes on her when she struggled to stand up or groaned when another Braxton Hicks contraction made itself noticeable.

Like – Fuck! – like now!

Astrid leaned against the column more heavily as the pain hit her in full force. With a small whimper, she bowed over, one hand on the stone beside her and the other clutching at her bump.

Shit, shit, shit

These contractions had become constantly stronger during the last weeks and this one was no exception. Astrid concentrated on breathing through it without making to much noise. She wanted to enjoy the solitude here a little longer, having people come running to help her wouldn't do.

The pain went as fast as it had come and a few moments later, Astrid straightened up again, a little dazed. Damn, how she wished this would be over already! It was enough, really and truly enough!

"Could you please hurry, little one?" She murmured while rubbing her tight belly. It was enough! But, of course, she got no answer. No further contraction within a short amount of time that would indicate she'd go into labor soon, no breaking of her waters and none of the other signs her aunt had told her to look out for. Nothing but a nudge against her warm hand which at least made her smile. "You're impatient, too, right? I know how that feels. Hurry, daddy and I are waiting for you"

For the better part of an hour, Astrid leaned against the stone column, murmured nonsense to her unborn child and herself and didn't really register much of what happened around her. Twice, she thought she heard footsteps, probably Eret checking on her but he didn't come close enough to talk again. It was wonderful to have this time just for herself, peaceful and relaxed. But, of course, it couldn't stay that way, especially the relaxed part.

After a while, her body began to tighten up again and, involuntarily, her eyes wandered to where Hiccup sat at his table. He was watching Dagur right now who seemed to be telling some story that made everyone around him laugh but the whole scene looked off. It looked like everyone was playing a role and badly so, nothing looked natural. Not the smiles on any of their faces, not the casualness with which Redthorns, Hooligans, and Berserkers sat together and not their laughter either.

Hiccup especially seemed too tense. Astrid couldn't see his hands from where she stood but she could imagine how they were balled into tight fists below the tabletop from the way he sat there, unmoving and too calm in a way. He would definitely need to relax later again. Despite the grim situation they all were in, that thought made Astrid smile. She was looking very forward to helping him to relax! Moaning lowly, she bit her lips and closed her eyes as that thought made her body coil up with desire even more. Damned be her annoying body! She pushed herself off the stone and slowly walked back toward the tables at the water barrels to lean on them and get her muscles to relax in her usual manner. It felt good but clearly was not enough. Insatiable indeed, she thought to herself with a wry smirk.

She wasn't sure for how long she stayed there and tried to calm her body down a bit. It didn't work and it was annoying! Like everything else today was annoying, too. There was no way around it, she needed-

She flinched as she heard footsteps again. Eret was a nice guy but she didn't want him to find her like this. At the best, he would lecture her when he thought she'd had another Braxton Hicks contraction – which was true after all – and at the worst, he would drag her back to their table for her to sit down again. Why were all their men so annoyingly overprotective? She didn't want to sit down again where it was so noisy and stifling. She wanted to stay here until the feast was over and then drag Hiccup off into some shadowy corner.

That thought made her chuckle when the footsteps came closer and she recognized them. How she hadn't noticed the alternating sounds of leather and metal on stone right away was beyond her though. Well, she could always blame her dizzy head.

A moment later, Hiccup's lean arms were around her, his mouth and nose pressed into the crook of her neck and shoulders. He held her tight and inhaled deeply, just like he did so often when something upset him.

"What are you doing here?" he asked indignantly a few seconds later, voice slurring ever so slightly. "Why are you not with Eret? Damn, you just scared the Hel out of me!"

Astrid sighed and leaned back against this warm torso. A part of her wanted to give a harsh reminder of how she wasn't a prisoner but his warmth felt just too good to argue. "Sorry," she whispered. "I just needed a break from the hubbub over there and a little movement as well."

For a moment, Hiccup didn't answer but then he took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I just needed a break as well" His hands wandered down to cradle her bump and she sighed happily when part of the weight was lifted off her hips. "How are you feeling?" He then asked, calmer now and nuzzled her neck for a moment before he abruptly stopped and lifted his head to kiss her hair.

"Alright," Astrid said hesitantly. "A little restless maybe but…" She shrugged. It wouldn't help to let him know how much she wanted him, right?

"It's almost over," Hiccup assured her. "Most Berkians are leaving now, one after another while we keep several eyes on our dear guest." He sounded tense and just as annoyed as she felt about this night as well.

"Don't you need to go back then?"

Hiccup snorted. "Not sure I'm such a good observer today. I don't think letting Bucket water down my drinks was such a good idea." He chuckled shakily and Astrid noted the slight edge in his voice. He was more primed than she'd thought. "And there are enough people watching them anyway. Sober people! Trice as many as usual! Thought Geir or one of the others would try something tonight with you all around here. But they didn't, we have an eye on them. Many eyes" Hiccup was babbling and it was endearing in a way. While he spoke, his mouth wandered down to her neck again and his breath and lips and tongue on her skin made her tremble in anticipation. One of his hands was still on her bump but the other one was roaming up and down her body now, seemingly of its own volition She could feel him everywhere! His warmth surrounding her, his eager mouth on her neck, his bold hand on her waist, her breasts, her thighs... It felt good!

"And I don't want to go back…" he mumbled almost inaudible. "I want to stay right here…" He used his hold on her lower body to draw her closer against him, just enough to let her get an idea of the bulge in his trousers. Yep, he definitely had drunken more than usual if he got physical like this but she didn't mind. Not at all!

Astrid decided on a whim and moved, pushed her ass against his crotch and his reaction was beautiful. Hiccup groaned and bucked against her a few times, involuntarily, before he caught himself again.

"Nnghh, Astrid… Don't tempt me," He growled against her shoulder and she felt him tremble with the effort to hold himself back. "My self-control is not the best anymore tonight. I'm not sure I can stop"

"Then don't," she said in a low voice and leaned further against him, pressing her behind against his rock-hard erection. Everyone was leaving or watching their guest. And it was dark back here, they were hardly visible to those standing in the more illuminated areas. She laid her left hand on his and slowly pushed it down and between the folds of her wide skirt. Gasping, Hiccup got the message and hastily fumbled to find the hidden opening until his hand caressed the hot skin of her thighs. She moaned as he went directly for her center, pushing her undergarments aside as best he could and when his fingers brushed over her tender flesh, she couldn't help but rock into his touch.

It felt amazing! The knowledge that, theoretically, they could get caught at any moment added to the sensation of his deft fingers on her sensitive clit. It was exhilarating! She alternatingly bucked into his hand and back against his crotch until Hiccup started to move on his own and rutted against her in time with his probing fingers. She gasped and clutched at his arms around her.

"Oh Freya, yes! Don't stop, please" she whined, dignity long gone when she was with him. This was stupid and daft and completely crazy but she didn't care. She just didn't care! She just wanted him to go on, to feel him until-

"You gotta be quiet!" Hiccup growled against her neck, speeding up his movements and soon, Astrid felt the edge coming closer. His breathing behind her had turned fast and irregular, interspersed with low grunts and groans and it was so hot!

"Hic-" She moaned when she was close. She needed him to go on, just a little bit longer, just-

"Shh-shh!" he gasped and sealed his lips to her neck, licking and sucking and that was it. Astrid made no sound as she came in his arms, shaking and spasming, digging her fingers into his arms and suppressing every moan or cry that threatened to escape her. She heard and felt Hiccup behind her, his irregular groans and thrusts until he shook and grunted against her neck and finally became still and quiet, heavily leaning against her. For a few seconds, they stayed like that, panting heavily but without moving. And then, as if on some invisible sign, they began to laugh.

It wasn't loud or high-pitched, more of a low chuckle but it was heartfelt and liberating.

"You're utterly crazy!" Hiccup gasped in between, his mouth still close to her skin on her neck and it made her giggle.

"Maybe," she admitted. "But so are you! Messing about with your wife in public…" She felt his body vibrate against her back, something between a low hum, laughter and a growl resonating through him at her words.

"Completely crazy…" he mumbled again before he turned her around and gave her a warm and loving look. Then he bent down to lean his forehead against hers. "Thank you!" he murmured. "For always making my life better, lighter, with everything you do. Even if it's something totally crazy like this." He added chuckling.

"Mmmmhh, you're welcome!" She whispered and drew him into a kiss. She knew what he meant, what he was referring to. The Redthorns were still on Berk, they all still needed to be on their guard and Hiccup especially still had to make sure their guests behaved. But this small encounter belonged to them and them alone. It had been simple and fun an, yes, a little bit crazy but it had lightens both their moods considerably.

"Let's go," He said after they'd separated again and he'd thrown a look around the by now almost empty Hall. He reached for her hand and pulled her along. "Eret can escort you home now. I still have a couple of things to attend to but that shouldn't take long"

"You better hurry, I'm not yet finished with you tonight!" Astrid pointed out and noticed the small smile tugging at his lips.

"I will," he promised. "if only to get out of these clothes. They got a bit uncomfortable, no idea how that could have happened…"Astrid giggled and Hiccup lifted a hand to beckon someone over as they reached the brighter part of the Hall, probably Eret. But before the ex-trapper reached them, another figure approached them.

"Well, that was entertaining" sounded a too calm voice from behind them and Astrid sobered up in an instant. Slowly, they both turned toward the source of these words, Hiccup making a step forward to stand between her and the other man.

"Geir! What can I do for you?" Hiccup asked, calmly but without hiding the edge in his voice in the slightest.

"You can step aside and let me have a good look at your pretty wife," Geir said in his too calm voice. "You know, something to entertain me during the night. Or maybe she wants to entertain me. I'm sure I could-"

"Chief? Any problems here?" Eret's imposing form approached them, the threat in his voice not concealed at all.

"No problems," Hiccup said cooly and without turning away from Geir. "Would you be so kind as to escort Astrid home?"

"Sure" The atmosphere had become noticeably colder and Astrid shivered. Only seconds ago, she and Hiccup had joked and smiled but there was nothing left of that now. She felt Eret's hand on her arm as he pulled her away and she squeezed Hiccup's hand one last time before they parted. Throwing a glance at the two men over her shoulder while she walked away, she noticed that Hiccup moved to keep standing between her and Geir and that Geir's eyes never left her retreating figure.

. o O o .

duh-duh-duuhh...

As always, every reasonable feedback is welcome! ;)