"It's a whole thing, how? People aren't going to accept that."
"They're just going to have to Astrid. Cause I don't even know how it happened. I changed slowly. A long, itchy, and painful slowly."
"People don't just turn into, uh, whatever the hel you are. Slowly or otherwise."
"You think I don't know that?" Hiccup snapped. He swore under his breath and he calmed himself. "Look, I don't know. Maybe I wasn't meant to be human. Maybe my soul is a dragon's and just became trapped in a human's body. Maybe for some reason my body adapted to living with dragons. Becoming harder to scratch and cut and stuff."
"So what, we're all going to end up like you if we hang around these dragons enough?" She smiled at him. He huffed a laugh.
"I don't know, maybe. I haven't seen any changes with the original group that came here so probably, so far so good on that front." They sat silently for a while. "This was a lot easier than my dad made it out to be."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Astrid sat up.
"He said you were gonna scream your head off and no matter what I said I'd be wrong."
"He'd probably be right if it had happened closer to now. But even I can't stay mad about something for that long. I'm angry about it. He shouldn't have died that day. But how can I argue against defending yourself? Anyone in your position would have done the same thing." Astrid brought her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them.
"I'm glad we had this talk, Astrid. And I want you to know that I've thought about that day a lot over the years. I always try to figure out a way to change what happened. But ultimately it doesn't matter. I made my choice. If I could go back and do something different, I would. But since I can't, we just have to live with it." Hiccup gave her a sad smile.
"I'm sorry for the way we treated you. You just weren't who you were supposed to be." She traced her finger over the rock.
"What is that even supposed to mean?"
"Well you're Stoick's kid, you know? You should have been some big, strong, leader type. And I may not have met your mom but I guess basically every woman in the village looked up to her. But you're not like either of them really."
"I'll have to disagree with that. At least according to Toothless, I'm basically the same person. I'm just not as big as him. But I am strong and am very much a leader." Hiccup defended himself.
"Hiccup you've definitely grown up and gotten bigger but look at our arms. They may as well be the same size. And let's be real, how much do you actually lead?"
"Astrid, I can nearly lift Toothless off the ground. I can pick my dad up with one arm. My change wasn't just on the surface. Plus what do you mean, 'how much do I lead?'. I'm an alpha of these people. I even 'lead' more than he does because that's how he wants it. I'm the one who has to fight to keep my position because no one wants to fight Toothless for it. They think I'm the weak one just because I'm smaller than him. Which hasn't happened in a while admittedly but that's because it tends to only happen when new dragons join our flock after mating season. You may see Toothless do a lot of the talking but I assure you that it's him translating for me. He likes to lead from the background. Doesn't want to shake up people because of what he's done to them in the past." Hiccup sighed to himself.
"So speaking of mating season. Do you and Toothless…"
"Yes, we do. We're mates, we're married. We do as married couples do."
"But how? Isn't he like…" She held out her hands. "Big? Big, big?"
"Patience and practice. That's all you're going to get on that."
"Is Toothless the girl sometimes?" Astrid asked innocently.
"Astrid, come on." Hiccup complained.
"What? I'm curious. I'm not asking to embarrass you. I just- I don't know. There aren't really any boy couples you know? I'm certainly close enough to them to ask them about it. And I don't think Fishlegs or Tuff are like that. So you're the only one."
"And you think you're close enough to me to ask this stuff?"
"Well I mean, the closest. Plus we just made up didn't we? Shouldn't we get to know each other?"
"By asking very personal questions about my relationship and sex life?" Hiccup dead panned.
"Well, you already answered half the question. I know you play the girl, I'm just wondering if he does too." She shrugged.
"Fine. Yes, sometimes."
"Really? Are you even able to like, pleasure him?"
"God's above Astrid…" He paused. "Yes, I can, and I'm leaving it at that. Now no more questions about my personal life. Don't want me to pry into yours do you." Hiccup threatened.
"A doesn't kiss and tell Hiccup." Astrid smiled.
"Sure but I wouldn't even need to bribe the twins to get it out of them."
"You think I told them anything?"
Hiccup started at Astrid.
"Okay fine…" Astrid broke.
"That didn't take much."
"They're blabber mouths. It's better if you get that kind of thing from me."
"Well if the need arises that I need that info I know who to talk to." Hiccup chuckled while he stood. He held out his hand. Astrid took it and he pulled her up.
"So, uh, friends?" Astrid asked shyly. Hiccup breathed through his nose loudly.
"I suppose but it's gonna be a long road to me trusting you lot."
"That's very fair. I'll let the others know we're on good terms." They started to make their way towards where they exited. "Is this whole dragon alliance thing really going to work out?" She asked while stooping low to start climbing through the hole.
"That's what I'm hoping for. In small numbers it's been great but until we can get everyone to meet them, we won't know."
"I don't know how realistic that is, Hiccup." She exited the hole and turned around.
"I'm not looking for realistic." Hiccup stood up out of the hole. "I'm looking for a miracle."
"You'll need more than that."
"Then a miracle with the help from some friends." He smiled at her.