Hiccup grunted as he awoke, all but falling out of his bed as Shadow the Sabercat loudly purred. "Was that really necessary?" he groaned, rubbing his head as he stood. "Thank you, Erikion," he grunted as his Nemean Lion walked over and allowed Hiccup to use him for support, though the lion did nudge the young viking insistently.
Hearing a squawk, Hiccup let out another groan, "Really Gale? You too?" Reaching up, Hiccup grabbed a rope and tugged, causing a segment of his ceiling to open and drop a cylinder down. Hiccup screwed his face up in disgust as a wet squelch echoed throughout his room. At least until the sound abruptly cut off.
"Huh, looks like we're going hunting today," Hiccup said, walking over to his cold storage as his many friends descended on the pile of fish. Withdrawing a cool bottle of sweetened lemon water, Hiccup took a long drought before setting his bottle down and stripping off his sleeping shirt.
"Wel, I certainly choose the best time to arrive," A voice purred, causing Hiccup to shake his head in amusement, "Well? Don't be shy, show me the goods~" Astrid Erikdóttir of Clan Hofferson purred, as she ran her eyes over Hiccup's tattooed body.
"Please come in, Astrid, just make yourself right at home," Hiccup said ironically, throwing his discarded shirt into a washing basket. "No, I don't mind you breaking in, why would I? Not like I value my solitude and space."
Letting a hum out, Astrid made no attempt to hide her enjoyment of a shirtless Hiccup. "Heather's going to be so jealous," she smirked, "A shame she's on another bonding trip with Dagur, but," a wicked grin crossed her face, "her loss is my gain!" a cackle left her lips,
Hiccup sighed, "A villain, one of my wives is an actual villain," a rueful grin crossing his features as he made his way into a small room he'd built for this situation. "Ah, thank you Sharp Shot," He said as his loyal terror dropped him his hunting tunic.
"Sooo, this hunting trip, is it for the both of us?" Astrid asked, stretching as she stood. "Cause I've been craving some of that famous Haddock Boar steak you're so proud of," Astrid said as grabbed her axe and bow, both made by Hiccup.
"Yes Astrid, you can come," Hiccup sighed as he stepped out, clad in a suit of black scales and golden fur, "I'll even let you play with Gust, but please, leave the actual skinning to me," the young viking said, causing Astrid to blush.
"One time-"
"Five times," Hiccup deadpanned, "With Master Grunge present and directly telling you not to stab so hard." Going redder, Astrid turned away, "What were his words? Oh, right 'Never seen a more mangled hide'," Hiccup stared at Astrid hard, "he's been in three wars, Astrid!"
Huffing, Astird stayed silent. Until Hiccup's arms wrapped around her waist and he leaned into her, "You're so lucky I love you," she huffed, learning into a smug Hiccup.
"Oh, believe me, I'm well aware of my luck," Hiccup said, "Loyal friends, many soul siblings and two goddesses made manifest for wives, yes. Being a Hiccup is good," he declared, tightening his hold on her. After a moment of enjoying the embrace, Hiccup let go and said, "Now, I believe we have some hunting to do!"
Prey was close, J'zadra could smell it. And because J'zadra could smell that prey was near, Brother Khajiit could also smell prey. "Hold brother," Brother Khajiit trilled, "the boar is tense, we must be patient," Khajiit chattered, frustrating J'zadra. But, Brother Kahjiit had been proven right many times in the past, so J'zadra waited.
"C'mon Hiccup, he's right there!" Sister Do-radhin complained with a low voice, showing the frustration J'zadra had with Brother Khajiit. "You've got a clear shot, Shadow's ready to maul it, Toothless has a clear shot, Hela's tit! Even Teemiis, your super tiny Elf Owl, is ready to dive at it!" Sister Do-radhin hissed, clenching her wind not-claw tightly.
"And the last time we rushed a boar like this, what happened?" Brother Khajiit yowled, glaring at Sister Do-radhin with Brother Morna's Alpha Eyes. J'zadra screwed up his nose as he smelt the sweet scent of Sister Do-radhin's mating signal waft from her. "That's what I thought. Now, focus on the hunt, and we can go have a little fun." Something in Brother Khajiit's purr caused Sister Do-radhin to shift, before she readied her wind not-claw.
Sister Khrasaat hooted her displeasure at waiting, a cry Brother Cathay-raht echoed as well. "Hush!" Brother Khajiit hissed, Brother Morna's Alpha Voice coming through him. "We're ready," Brother Khajiit readied his lifted not-claw not-hide and aimed at the now five members strong herd. "Go." Brother Khajiit's not-fang flew and pierced the biggest prey.
J'zadra pounced on the now fleeing small prey, biting into the neck like Brother Khajiit had instructed. Lifting his head, J'zadra saw Brother Morna swoop in and club a prey with his tail, knocking it down. Sister Khrasaat dove at another prey, allowing Sister Do-radhin to use her wind not-claw to spit her not-fang. The prey died quickly.
Brother Cathay-raht stalked toward Brother Khajiit, holding the final prey in his maw. A quick crunch ended the prey's life. "Good haul people, but we still need more, TOOTHLESS! GET THE DRAGONS! WE'RE GOING FISHING!" J'zadra hoped for a trout, or some eel, it had been too long since J'zadra had tasted either.
"You cheated," Astrid announced from her tree stump, "You cheated and I hate you."
"This coming from Miss Spine shot spammer?" Hiccup fired back with, handing the bag holding their haul to Shadow. "You were the one who brought companions into it, you don't get to complain that I can do more than just call for their help!" seeing that Astrid was still huffing, Hiccup rolled his eyes, "Besides, it's not like I'm keeping the best part of this - remember, we're refilling the stores."
"Fine," Astrid sighed, before pointing at Hiccup, "but, I expect a feast… and a new axe!"
"Such a needy wife I have," Hiccup rolled his eyes, a small tugging at his lips. "As it happens, I've been cooking something up to replace your last axe," he began, before pausing and resting a hand over his heart, a pose Astrid mimicked, "rest in pieces loyal Mutilator, your years of tireless service are not forgotten," Astrid allowed a mournful sigh to escape her lips and the clearing was quiet for a moment.
"As I was saying, cooking something up. Something involving a new alloy I've been playing with. Tell me, Mi'lady, how would you like your axe to spew fire upon your foes?" A loud squeal filled the area. Hiccup blinked. And again. And then he rubbed his eyes and checked his ears. "I'll take that as a yes then," he muttered as Astrid continued to dance around, squealing like a child with a new toy.
Eventually, she shot into his chest, knocking the air from his lungs and almost squeezing his head off from the sheer force of her hug, "THANK YOU! Also, tell no one, not even Heather, about what you saw just now," Astrid laughed, loosening her grip and adjusting herself to sit on his lap.
Any idea they had, however, was interrupted by another presence making itself known. "Well, hi there Freyji. Is Hiccup ignoring you too?" Astrid asked the newly arrived Norwegian Forest cat. Astrid giggled as Hiccup sighed, allowing the cat to get between them as she pet her. "You're such a pretty girl! Yes you are!" Astrid cooed, focusing all her attention on the cat.
Naturally, this caused Toothless to lead the others in a charge that left the duo buried under Hiccup's extended family,