I do not own the How to Train Your Dragon franchise.

Sleepover!

"How's it look?"

Astrid leaned against the wooden fence that separated the grazing fields from wide, open freedom. She studied her female friend and could not hide her smirk. Ruffnut scowled and crossed her arms, a sharp pout on her lips. "It's not as bad as I thought it'd be," she said honestly, studying the girl's new hairstyle.

Ruffnut resisted the urge to pull on her blonde strands. She had just spent the better part of an hour soaking her hair in the pink paint (mixed with a bit of sap) and didn't want to redo it. So instead she watched as the pink drops splattered in the green grass. "My poor, greasy, fish-oily hair."

Astrid rolled her eyes and picked up the empty bucket of paint. "Come on. The guys are probably eager to start ragging on you."

"They better not. I'll punch them in the face."

The two girls made their way into the village, pausing only to set the metal can at the side of the forge, where Gobber would refill it later. They went to the old watch towers, where the guys were sitting on the edge, legs dangling above them. Ruffnut craned her neck up and put her hands on her hips. "Let's hear it," she said, though not without a threatening tone.

"I was wrong-you can get uglier!" Tuffnut cackled, swinging his legs childishly.

"I think it looks okay," said Fishlegs in an attempt to be supportive. "Brings out your eyes."

"Oh give me a break," snorted Snotlout. "You can't be that blind."

"Sorry, Ruff," apologized Hiccup, a bit guilty. "I thought Gobber had a lighter colour in stock. But it really doesn't look all bad."

"Alright," the female Thorston decided. "Snotlout and Tuffnut will get a beating later."

"We were being honest!" Snotlout protested.

"And Hiccup and Fishlegs were being nice. That's what gets you far in life." Ruffnut finally gave into the urge to tug on the end of her blonde hair. Due to the wetness, a little bit came off on her fingers, but not as much as she expected. Shrugging, she brushed her hand on her leggings.

In truth, her hair wasn't as bad as it could have been. It was a bright pink, but the colour did not look horrible on the girl. Which was rather ironic, since Ruffnut (along with most Viking females) detested the colour.

"Hey, we were going to go for a ride," voiced Hiccup. "You girls want to join us?"

"Nah," said Ruffnut airily. "I don't feel like it."

"Oh, come on!" Tuffnut whined, slapping the wooden platform in annoyance. "You suck, you know that?"

"You can ride with me," offered Hiccup. "Besides, Barf and Belch look a bit under the weather. They could use the rest. Astrid?"

"I think I'll stay and keep Ruff out of trouble," Astrid said with a smile. "But you guys have fun."

"Alright. See you later."

The two girls walked towards the Hofferson household. On their way they passed Toothless, who was no doubt searching for his human. Ruffnut and Toothless both froze once they saw each other. After a moment, the Night Fury cackled, his laughs coming out in short, raspy bursts.

Ruffnut scowled as the dragon sauntered past, still laughing. "Oh sure, I bet you think this is well-deserved payback! Enjoy it while it lasts, buster! The next time it rains I'll be blonde and you'll have nothing to laugh at!"

Astrid shook her head as her best (and only) female friend shouted at one of the most dangerous dragons in existence. "Alright. What are you up too?"

"I'm yelling at Toothless for not being a bigger person-uh, dragon. What does it look like I'm up too?"

"No, stupid. I meant what dare did you come up with? I can tell when something particularly nasty has worked its way into your small head."

"My head is normal sized, thank you very much," said Ruffnut indigently. "And as a matter of fact, I did come up with a dare-for you."

"Odin," muttered Astrid. "Should have seen this coming. Alright, what is it?"

Ruffnut rocked back on her heels, a pleased smirk on her face. "I dare you to sleep in bed with Hiccup-without him or his father noticing-for a whole night."

The girl's face burned an uncharacteristic red. "I hate you."

"You love me," shot back Ruffnut. "You have to. We're crib buddies."

…

It was only when the sky was pitch black did Astrid venture from her home, wearing her thin grey tunic with no sleeves and nothing more. Her blonde hair fell down her back and shivered from the cool wind, arms wrapping around her torso.

"I'm going to kill her," she grumbled under her breath, heart pounding nervously.

She stole through the village on bare feet, consciously aware that her sleep tunic barely reached her knees. All of her curves were visible through the thin material and it made her feel rather self-conscious.

And a bit powerful, if she were to be honest.

Thankfully, they were no Vikings out for nighttime strolls. She reached the Haddock household and cautiously nudged the front door open. She peeked inside and, upon spotting the main room empty, crept inside.

She could hear Stoick's thunderous snores, and she was grateful for the fact that he was a relatively heavy sleeper. She went up the stairs, flinching at every creak, and it came as no surprise when Toothless appeared at the top, snarling softly. The malice quickly melted from his face upon discovering it was only her, though suspicion remained.

Has the heathen sent you to get revenge? Toothless narrowed his eyes into slits. Where's the paint can? I'll blast it to smithereens!

"It's okay," soothed Astrid. "I'm here to, uh, have a sleepover."

Toothless relaxed and moved back a bit, allowing the girl entry. Astrid patted his head and moved to the end of Hiccup's bed. For a moment, she watched him sleep, the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, the soft wrinkle in his brow as he dreamed, and the way he clutched the blanket in his small hands.

It was extremely cute.

"It doesn't count if you're not in bed with him."

Nearly jumping out of her skin, Astrid turned to see Ruffnut peering at her from outside Hiccup's window. The female twin clung to the sill, her pink hair standing out against the silver moonlight. "You are such a creeper!"

"I was just making sure you were doing it!" Ruffnut defended.

"How'd you know I'd do it tonight?" Astrid demanded.

Ruffnut rolled her eyes. "Please. Like you'd delay this."

"Shut up! Go home. If he wakes up because of you I get an automatic win."

Toothless wandered up to the window and growled softly. Ruffnut quickly dropped to the ground, buckling a bit upon landing. "Geez, fine. I'm out of here. Don't get busted!"

She took off into the night and Toothless shook his head. He went over to his rock bed and curled up, snorting softly. Astrid gently climbed into bed beside Hiccup, draping a bit of blanket over her body and curling against his side. He was warm and cuddly and smelled really good-like a pine forest.

Best dare ever, she thought with a contented smile.

Soon after, she fell asleep to the rhythm of Hiccup's soft breathing.

…

It was not the sharp blast of sunlight that intruded Astrid's slumber, but rather the annoying birds chirping outside the window. Grumbling softly, Astrid opened her eyes blearily and attempted to roll over-only to discover that she couldn't.

During the course of the night, she had ended up in Hiccup's arms. They were wrapped around her, her head pressed against his chest and his chin resting against the top of her head. A bright red blush crept over the girl's face as she remembered where she was.

It quickly turned into horror when she remembered why she was where she was.

"Odin help me," she muttered, and with great reluctance tried to untangle herself from Hiccup. In her attempt to free herself from his arms, she accidently kicked his knee, jostling him awake.

"Wassamatter?" He slurred, sitting up and scrubbing his eyes.

Astrid froze, sitting on the edge of his bed and unable to move. Hiccup blinked at her, and it was after the fifth blink the sleepiness disappeared from his gaze. Green eyes grew comically wide, once he took in the clear view of a half-dressed girl of his dreams sleeping in his bed.

"Gah-Ugh…Astrid-"

"Ruffnut dared me!" Astrid blurted, feeling extremely awkward. She was aware of Toothless watching them from his own bed, and she could practically feel his amusement. "But if she finds out you busted me, we can count this as a fail."

"This is not decent behaviour!" Hiccup wailed, pressing a hand firmly over his eyes.

"Well, I wouldn't be complaining if the roles were switched!" Astrid snapped, trying to hide her embarrassment. "But you have to be weird and sleep in your clothes!"

"It's freezing! I don't want to freeze to death in my sleep!"

"Don't be a wimp, it's not that cold! Besides-"

"Hiccup! Are you up yet?"

The two teens whipped their heads to the stairs, where the heavy thumps from below them signalled an approaching Stoick.

Hiccup snapped his head back to Astrid, who was white with rare fear. She was in her night clothes, in his bed-Odin knew how this would look.

"Don't just sit there," he hissed frantically. "Hide!"

"Toothless, hide me!" Astrid pleaded, crawling over to the dragon. Toothless shook his head in exasperation, but unfurled his wings, allowing the girl to take cover.

"Stay quiet!" Hiccup instructed, clambering out of bed just as the steps fell on the stairs.

If we get caught, it's going to be much more than a slap on the wrist.

Dare suggestion by: ShadentheDragon

Next chapter: In which Tuffnut intervenes and issues a group dare.