"Did you hear the news?" Ruffnut asked, pausing in her loitering and turning to Astrid who just happened to pass by. She took a large bite of the apple she was holding, saliva dripping from the corner of her mouth, wearing an unmistakable smirk on her face that could only mean trouble.

Astrid, clutching her ax tightly after just completing her workout and wanting nothing more than clean clothes and a bite to eat, sighed inwardly without acknowledging the question.

Ruffnut shifted expectantly before finally continuing. "Stoick got asked to send Hiccup to Ruby Orchard; it seems they have a dragon problem over there. You know the island, right? The one with the young Chieftess Sif? Melon tits? The one who likes to stand an inch from our beloved next in line? The one who always tries to have some alone time with him?"

Astrid resisted giving into her inner turmoil as she glared at Ruffnut, biting down hard on her lower lip. Yes, she was familiar with Sif and the way she constantly seemed to be getting closer to Hiccup every chance she got. Astrid prayed that Ruffnut would not detect the lack of confidence those memories inspired within her, so she just shrugged nonchalantly and said "cool".

She just shrugged, as if she didn't care, but her heart became heavy. It's not that she didn't trust Hiccup; he was just simply too trusting, too kind, always seeing a nonexistent ideal instead of the often harsh reality. A cunning wench like Chieftess Sif could easily use his good nature against him.

She shrugged, as if all was right with the world, as if his... two? Three? Maybe even a four-day-long absence wouldn't put all her insides into a constant throbbing twist.

Without another word, she swung her ax and left Ruffnut behind.

Fresh clothes made her feel much better, and she was about to leave her room when her mother shouted from downstairs that Hiccup was there. Right. He was here to tell her that he would be gone, and she should not worry about him - as if that was so easy, as if that was even possible.

He stepped in the door with a big bright smile on his face - but she couldn't muster her own just yet, no matter how hard she tried.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked, walking up to her, putting a hand on her waist and drawing her close. "What is it?" He questioned softly before kissing her cheek gently.

"I heard you were going to Ruby Orchard. That's why you're here, right? To tell me?" She wanted to move back, but he held her still by placing his other hand on her waist.

"Partly. I mean it's not the world's most difficult task to relocate a bunch of stray Terrible Terrors who are ruining an apple orchard, because they think the buds and blooms are there to play with."

She blew out a frustrated breath. "I knew she was plotting something."

"Who cares?" He asked joyfully before placing a kiss on her lips.

"Me?"

Another kiss. "You shouldn't. Because I'm taking you with me." Another, deeper one followed.

She placed her hands on his chest, but she didn't push him away. "You've just told me that it's not the world's most difficult task."

He looked her in the eyes and shrugged. "That's not why I want to take you away."

"Why, then?" She was surprised when a rascally smirk appeared on his face. "Well, there's an island with a cave halfway to Ruby Orchard," he said.

"I can't make time for a trip, Hiccup; I still need to do dragon training and..." He lifted his left hand and placed one finger against her lips. "That is exactly why I'm taking you to that cave—because your schedule is full."

"That makes no sense. You want me to go on a road trip because I have no time?"

"Exactly," he said softly, leaning in closer. "I'm bringing you because you are too busy and because I miss this." He kissed her again. This time it was deep and sensuous, measured and bold, and it caused her legs to quiver while her arms wrapped around him without her even realizing it had happened. She missed this too.

They parted with swollen lips and racing hearts.

"That cave is just gorgeous...," he murmured into her face, "it has an opening which lets the glowing light of the Moon inside, plus its walls are full of ore that sparkle in the moonlight. I've always wanted to show it to you. Aaand..."

He paused and she raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "And?"

He tried to suppress a chuckle, but it came out anyway. His hands moved up further, stopping just underneath her breast line. "And... I want to have some uninterrupted, unhurried, unvexed sexy time with you."

She laughed up. "You're a pig. Really. Luring unsuspecting maidens to distant caves?"

"Just one maiden in particular." His hands climbed further up, covering her breasts. She sucked in a hot breath, feeling the fire growing in both of them. "And she is not unsuspecting..." He kissed her lips and squeezed her breasts gently. "She knows exactly what's going to happen."

She grabbed his wrists to stop him, but she leaned in for another kiss.

"So when are we leaving?" She inquired before one last quick kiss.

"I'm already packed."

She rolled her eyes and stepped away from him. There was no point in denying how much she wanted him.

"Just give me twenty minutes."

"Okay," he nodded, "I'll wait at the stables."

He left one last kiss on the top of her head, then turned around to leave.

"Hiccup," she called after him, "I hope this cave is really worth visiting... we haven't been erm... spelunking for some time."

The big bright smile appeared on his face again. "It's going to be phenomenal, milady, I can promise you that."