~Astrid~

God damn, I don't understand how anyone can live in mansions. These houses are so freaking huge. Five people don't need a trillion rooms. I guess for parties like this one, drunk guests can stay the night, but I'm pretty sure most of the people downstairs are going home tonight. It's Christmas Eve and I doubt they, or Rapunzel's family, want to deal with each other tomorrow. I know I wouldn't.

"Astrid, I don't think we're allowed to be upstairs," Hiccup says, nervously. I knew his nervousness had more to do with the fact that I'm holding his hand and rushing us to somewhere private than rather us breaking some house rules.

"Hiccup, you tamed a wild wolf," I reminded him, "Don't tell me you're afraid to go somewhere we're not allowed to be."

"I'm not scared," he defends, "I'm just trying to be respectful towards the owners of the house."

"The quicker we get this over with, the quicker we'll be back with everyone else," I state, smartly. "Besides, I doubt Rapunzel's parents will even know we're up here. They're too busy hosting the party. Our friends wouldn't snitch either. We'll be fine."

He said nothing more as we finished our journey up the long ass stairs. I chose the first room I saw, thanking all the gods that it was unlocked, and rushed us inside. I flipped on the lights and locked the door behind me. Hiccup stood by the bed, watching me, his face flushed and nervous.

"Astrid–"

"Wait," I interrupt, holding my hand up to stop him. "Let me go first. I…" I'm afraid. I don't ever like to admit, even to myself, when I'm afraid of something. But right now, I know the best outcome is one where I'm completely honest with him…and myself.

Like a switch, it's me who's suddenly nervous now. I noted the bed, the locked door behind me, Hiccup's disheveled appearance, his blushing face, and the way my heart is racing right now.

I could push him on the bed right now. I could crawl on top of him and straddle his waist. I could kiss him. It would be so easy, and no one would know. No one would interrupt us. I could do what I've been wanting to do for a while. That would be all the confession Hiccup would need. Actions speak louder than words. Words are so hard. Why talk when I can–

"Astrid," Hiccup interrupts, snapping me back in place.

And just like that, my words are coming out in a frantic rush. "Let me go first because I'm afraid," I look away, embarrassed. "I don't usually admit when I'm afraid of anything, but I'm…I'm going to be really vulnerable and honest with you, Hiccup. I'm afraid of love. I'm terrified of it. I've heard what heartbreak has done to my aunt when she lost her first husband on their wedding day. I've felt it when I lost my parents and uncle to death and Heather when she ditched me. It's the worst feeling in the world to lose someone you love. I tried so hard not to make any more connections but then Merida came along and so did everyone else. It was hard keeping them at arm's length. And then I thought, well as long as I don't fall in love romantically, maybe I'll be okay. Even though platonic love is just as strong and important.

And it was so easy not to fall in love because no boy I've ever come across caught my interest. Until you did. But it wasn't love at first sight; more like…curiosity. But even that took me by surprise because I was never curious or intrigued by any boy ever. And it was so obvious you were attracted to me, just like every other boy, so that never came as a surprise to me, but what did was the way you interacted with me. You were shy, but respectful. Kind. You would defend me when Jack or Flynn would tease me. A knight in shining armor I never needed but was nice to still have. You didn't treat me like all the other boys did. Like your cousin Snotlout. You respected me and I…I've always secretly admired you for that.

But I didn't develop a crush on you until after Toothless. When I saw how determined you were to protect him and keep him a secret from your father, it was the first time I had ever seen you so brave. So confident. You would have done anything to protect him, even if it meant going against me, and for some weird reason I respected the hell out of that. And I think it's because it was the first time a boy didn't have me on a pedestal and Hiccup, gods, that made me so happy. It made me feel like a normal person rather than some prized object. I had never seen that side of you and I…I wanted to see more of it. I wanted to finally get to know the boy that treated me differently from all the other boys.

So, I thought, since you were the most comfortable around Toothless, that spending time with you while you were with him would be the best way to do it. That way you'd be less awkward with me. And so, we wouldn't have to deal with our annoying friends teasing us too. And then…I don't know. Something happened. Somewhere down the line, a crush formed and next thing I know I'm seeing you in a light I never wanted to see anyone in. I should have stopped spending so much time with you the moment I realized I had a crush, but I couldn't stay away. I found myself wanting to spend every second with you, dreaming and daydreaming about you, writing our names inside drawn hearts in my notebooks, all that stupid typical girly rom-com shit. It's a miracle Merida never noticed.

The only one who knows about my crush on you is Elsa and she's a saint for not telling Merida. Merida, my absolute number one best friend, who is also your cousin. The one person who I should have told first. Not Elsa. The one person who will either be the happiest about us being together or the most furious. And even if she does approve of us, if she finds out I told Elsa first and not her, she's going to be furious regardless. But now she knows there's something going on between us. I literally kissed you in front of her, which by the way, you're my first kiss too. I'm sorry I didn't make our first time more special and private, I just…I saw the opportunity and I've been wanting to kiss you for a while now so…I took it.

But anyway, Merida is downstairs waiting for us to return and honestly, Hiccup, I'm scared. I don't want to lose her. I don't want to lose you. I don't want to make anything complicated. It's why I haven't said anything to you about it before. Because I know you like me. We could have been dating the moment I realized I returned your feelings, but dating my best friend's cousin is bound to cause trouble. What if we break up later on in the future? What if–"

I couldn't finish my list of what-ifs because Hiccup is stepping toward me quickly and before I could even register what he's doing, he's pulling me by the waist toward him, and kissing me like it's the last time we'll ever kiss again. I respond to him immediately, humming in delight at the feel of his warm lips against mine. Finally! I wrap my arms around his neck, noticing that he got a little taller, and nearly moaned when he gently bites my bottom lip. Hiccup!

I do the same to him, growing warmer when he does moan, and grinning wickedly against his lips. Hiccup pulls away then, the both of us panting hard. I didn't even realize I was out of breath until our lips were no longer connected, and as I stared at him, I wanted to say something along the lines of " Can we do that again?" but I restrained myself because 1) I have already talked a lot, 2) we probably shouldn't get carried away while our friends are waiting for us (they might get the wrong idea) , and 3) the wrong idea they might have will probably come true if we continue kissing like that.

"I'm sorry," Hiccup apologizes, taking me off guard. "I shouldn't have done that. I just–"

"No," I interrupt him, smiling so he knows I'm not mad. "No, I'm glad you did. That was…wow. I didn't know how great of a kisser you are."

Hiccup smiles. "Really? That wasn't uncalled for or too much?"

Too little actually. I want more. I shake my head, both an answer to him and so I could dismiss my silly thoughts. "No, definitely not. I probably would have kept rambling if you didn't. That was…um…a very effective way to shut me up. I don't usually ramble."

Hiccup's blush deepens and he shyly smiles. "And I don't usually interrupt people by…uh…kissing them." He chuckles, nervously. "Usually, I let them ramble until they're finished."

"Well," I chuckle next, "I think my brain is fried. I'm not sure what else there is for me to say."

"Then let me," he says, "It's my turn anyway." He clears his throat, still looking visibly nervous, but continues, the nervousness in his eyes turning determined. "Astrid, I'm not very good with words when it comes to you. You make me so nervous. Even now when I'm comfortable being around you and being myself around you. I know I've gotten braver; me kissing you is proof of that, but that's also because I know you feel the same about me. If you didn't, I certainly wouldn't have done…well…what I did. Anyway, you've helped me a lot these past two months, defending me against Snotlout and other bullies, keeping Toothless a secret, helping me pay for dog food for him, teaching me how to defend myself, and being a really great listening ear. You're caring even though you put up this tough girl persona, but you're genuinely tough too. You prove that girls can be in touch with both their feminine and masculine sides and it doesn't make them any less of a woman or weaker or less attractive or something stupid that dumb guys are saying.

You're able to find a balance. You're also super smart, the top of our class. You're skilled in every sport you do, you're a huge Norse and Dragon nerd even though you don't want to admit it, you're snarky with Flynn and Jack, which cracks me up every time, and you're so gods-damned beautiful. You're the whole package. But Astrid, you must know that your beauty was always a nice bonus. It was never the key factor that drove me to crush on you. Your personality is what captivated me, even when you intimidated me. And I know we're teenagers; I know we might not last, but I want us to. I want to spend whatever time we're given as a couple. I know there's going to be complications, like my cousins–Merida and Snotlout–and probably school stuff too, but as long as there's a Hiccup and Astrid, I know we can get through it. So…yeah. If you don't mind a walking, talking fishbone being your boyfriend, I would love to…well…be your boyfriend."

During his speech, I debated on if I should have interrupted him with a kiss like he did with me, but 1) I really wanted to hear what he had to say and 2) I really don't want to get carried away. I know both of our hormones are going to get us into a lot of trouble. But anyway, Hiccup had me smiling ear-to-ear when he finished talking, and in response to him, I took his hand in mine and gave it a squeeze.

"I would love to be your girlfriend." I cup his face and kiss him again, this time softer and gentler. A sweet kiss sealing a promise.

When we pulled apart, Hiccup had a goofy look on his face, and I nearly giggled. "What?"

"Nothing," he says, but continues before I could pry it out of him. "I just remembered you telling me before that you wouldn't kiss me in front of a bunch of people, which is exactly what you did downstairs under the mistletoe–OW!"

I had punched him in the arm, feeling embarrassed at the reminder. "I told you it was tradition." I grumbled, making him laugh.

"You're cute when you're embarrassed. And extra violent."

"I will hit you again."

"I don't doubt that."

"You know, I'm starting to think you're getting too comfortable around me."

"You don't mind it though." There's a mischievous gleam in his eyes that made it hard for me to keep my annoyed poker face. It broke instantly, changing into a stupid smile.

"Yeah, you're right," I lean forward for another kiss, "I don't mind one bit."

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AN: Omg I loved writing this one! I hope you guys enjoyed reading it ^_^