Dragon Music Tales

I'm Gonna Love You

Summary: Astrid tries to work up the nerves to tell Hiccup that she loves him, even though he already knows that she does. Juno tries to help her by letting her sing a song, and the result is so sickeningly sweet.

Post-RttE.

SPOILERS FOR AN UNPUBLISHED STORY! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!

The sun had just disappeared behind the horizon as the strangest lovebirds in history, Dagur and Mala, left Dragon's Edge on top of Sleuther. The Dragon Riders all watched them off until they vanished, and then they all started to get ready to retire for bed. The day had been long and dramatic.

Astrid glanced over at her boyfriend Hiccup, who was heading over to his hut to tinker with a new invention he had been working on. She felt her cheeks turning red and hot, remembering the kiss they had shared a few minutes earlier. Her lips were still tingling from the love and passion he had given her, along with him saying those three words that made her world seem a little brighter.

"I love you, Astrid Hofferson, with everything I have, and I always will."

How she wished that she could've told him that she loved him too, but instead, she had chickened out and said that she knew he did. She sighed heavily, the desired words weighing on her tongue as she heard Hiccup closing the door to his hut.

"Everything okay, Astrid?" The blonde shieldmaiden turned to the other side of her and saw Juno standing beside her. She sighed, remembering that the brunette had been trying to tell her all day not to get so riled up just because Hiccup wasn't noticing that she wanted some romantic attention from him, even going as far as to wear her betrothal necklace.

"You were right, Juno." She said. "About earlier. I was just being silly."

Juno smiled. "Hey, it's kind of a female instinct to want some special attention from her significant other." She assured her. "And besides, everyone's relationship is different. Dagur and Mala definitely have some sort of passionate, over-the-top kind of love, which is kind of strange for both of them."

Both young women giggled at that. "And Ragnar and I have this really strong bond, because we have been friends since we were five years old, and it only grew stronger as we grew older."

She then placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "You and Hiccup have something special too." She added. "Just because you two don't really spend much time together doing romantic things doesn't mean that Hiccup doesn't think of you often. You both have responsibilities as leader of the Riders, and as his top warrior, but at least you do make some time for each other. That's what really matters."

Astrid smiled at her friend. "Thanks, Juno." She said, before turning back over to look at Hiccup's hut.

Then those three words began pounding in her head, begging her to say them. "Why can't I say it to him?"

"Say what?" Juno asked, but then the realization hit her. "Oh. Well, we all know that you both love each other."

"Yeah, but..." Astrid trailed off, before sighing. "I just want him to know it from me. I had a chance earlier, but I didn't say it. How can I say it to him?"

Juno tapped a finger against her chin in thought. Then, she snapped her fingers.

"I think I've got an idea." She said, a sly grin appearing on her face. "Come on." She grabbed Astrid's hand and pulled her behind her.

Seconds later, they were in the Arena, both of them sitting on barrels. JUno handed a piece of parchment to Astrid as she got her lute from behind her barrel.

"You want me to sing to him?" Astrid asked, wanting to sound indifferent, but she felt like she was panicking inside.

"Well, you don't have to." Juno assured her. "I just thought that after you sing it, it might give you an idea on how you can tell Hiccup." She explained. "Or at least have the courage to do so."

Astrid wanted to plant her face against the parchment in her hand. She was a Hofferson, a fearless Hofferson! She wasn't afraid to go into battle, or even die in it! But here she was, getting extremely nervous to tell her boyfriend that she loves him.

"Chill, Astrid." Juno continued to reassure. "No one's gonna hear you. It will be just between the two of us."

She tuned up her lute and strummed it, making sure it sounded right. She then looked over at her friend. "It will be alright. Just listen for the cue, and then sing from the heart."

As much as that sounded cheesy, Astrid only nodded mutely. Juno then began playing the music, her fingers strumming the strings of her lute. The music felt so loving and beautiful, Astrid felt much more at peace. Then, she took a deep breath and began singing the lyrics Juno gave her.

Astrid: Angel in disguise,
Stories in his eyes.
Love for every true heart that it sees.

As she sang, Astrid couldn't help but feel like this song was written especially for her and Hiccup. Her boyfriend is like an angel, though sometimes he doesn't act like it, or doesn't think he is. His eyes tell her many things, proving that he was more an open book than he thinks. And despite the problems with Snotlout and the twins, he tries his best to be a friend to them all.

Was it just a lucky day
That it turned and looked my way?
Or is it Valhalla before my very eyes?

He showed me all new things,
The shimmer of moonbeams.
I was blind, but now he's helped me see.

Her mind went back to when they took that first magical flight on Toothless. He was trying to show her that dragons aren't the vicious beasts she had believed, and he was right. And the way he looked when he was in the clouds. He was truly happy, like he had finally found a place for himself. She'll never forget that small smile on his face, and it seemed to make the colors of the night seem brighter.

I was lost, but now I'm found.
His happiness surrounds,
And now I find that my dreams can come true.

Astrid then felt her heart swelling with such a warm and passionate feeling that her voice projected louder, and the music provided by Juno seemed louder as well.

'Cause I'm gonna love you
For the rest of my life.
I'm holding you safe here
In this heart of mine.

I can't live without you
'Cause my soul would die.
You know I'm telling the truth,
I'll spend the rest of my life loving you.

The music became softer as Astrid continued to sing, recalling so many memories of her and Hiccup, and of how far they had come to get where they are now, both in the world, and in their relationship.

It didn't start this way.
It happened just one day.
You smiled at me, and I saw you differently.

A small pang of guilt hit her as she remembered how she barely acknowledged him when they were younger, all because of her stupid pride, his infamous misfit reputation and her grudge against Juno. But when he showed her who he really is; not a normal Viking, but a Dragon Rider, she saw that he was destined to help their people by seeing dragons, and him, differently.

Now I would tremble just to be
A part of you as we
Begin a life that's sure to never end.

The power of the music swelled up again as Astrid finished the song, feeling like she was floating on air with all those thoughts of Hiccup swirling in her head.

'Cause I'm gonna love you
For the rest of my life.
I'm holding you safe here
In this heart of mine.

I can't live without you
'Cause my soul would die.
You know I'm telling the truth,
I'll spend the rest of my life loving you.

The rest of my life, babe.
Loving you.

Juno stopped playing once the song was over with a gentle strum. Both friends smiled at each other. But then, there was the sound of steps coming over to them, steps that sounded familiarly uneven.

"Astrid?" The slightly nasally voice struck a chord in Astrid, and she came face to face with her boyfriend.

"Hiccup." She said, suddenly feeling really shy. "I, uh..."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Juno slowly backing away to the exit, deciding that they needed to be alone for a moment. Well, there was no turning back now. Hopefully, she didn't just dig her own grave.

"Was that you singing?" Hiccup asked her, his eyes widened in... amazement?

Astrid just nodded. "Well, I wanted to tell you earlier, but my stupid brain didn't know how." She explained. "Juno thought that one of her songs could give me some ideas."

"Tell me what?" Hiccup asked, but then his eyes got that spark of realization in them. "Oh, I see." He said.

His cheeks were slightly turning red in the moonlight as he rubbed the back of his head. But then, he smiled softly at his girlfriend. "You didn't have to go through that much just to tell me something I already know."

Astrid smiled. "I know." She said, but then stepped closer to him. "But I wanted to. You're worth it all, and so much more."

Hiccup placed his hands on her waist, pulling her even closer. "I'm flattered you think so. And know that I would do the same for you."

Astrid blushed pink at his words, and then hugged him tightly, wrapping her arms around his neck. He returned the hug, his arms still wrapped around her waist. Soon, they broke the hug, but they were still in each other's arms. Finally, Astrid opened her mouth and said those three special words.

"I love you, Hiccup Haddock, with everything I have. And I always will."

Hiccup gently placed one hand on her cheek, slowly inching towards her face as she leaned into his gentle touch. "I know you do." He quoted her previous words from earlier, and then captured her lips with his.

Watching from outside the Arena, Juno was watching the cute scene with her boyfriend Ragnar beside her. She learned into him, his arm around her waist, holding her close.

"Was it worth it?" She asked him. "Getting Hiccup out of his hut when he was working on his new invention to hear her?"

Ragnar chuckled. "Well, never make me do it again, because we both know that it's almost impossible. But it was worth it."

He lightly tightened his grip on his girlfriend. "I would do anything for you, you know that?"

Juno smiled lovingly at him. "I know." She said simply. And then, they just continued watching the loving scene between their best friends.

A/N: Hey there, guys! I just wanted to post something for Valentine's Day. And I had been working on it since yesterday. Not too bad, if I do say so myself.

The song I used is "I'm Gonna Love You" from "The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2". I know, the movie wasn't that good, but I thought it was pretty cute. And the song was one of the most beautiful and romantic songs I ever heard. I thought it fitted Hiccstrid really well, especially from Astrid's point of view. However, I don't own the song in any way.

Well, until the next one-shot, I'll see y'all! Please leave a review about what you think, or if you want to make a request, please leave it in the reviews or PM me.

Happy Valentine's Day! Got to fly! ;)