"Dragon hunters. Just stay here." He ordered. She tightened her hold refusing to move.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Astrid, it's not safe."
"And if something happens to you, I'm stranded in the middle of nowhere. I'm going with you."
After a minute more of protests, Hiccup knew he wasn't going to win. She managed to take out six hunters with her new axe, while Hiccup and Toothless took out the others.
"AH!" Astrid spun round to see Hiccup with an arrow sticking out of his upper arm.
"HICCUP!"
***
"Will you stay still?!" Astrid chuckled. She had managed to fight off the remaining hunters and the young couple flew away, landing back on the sea stack so Astrid could tend to Hiccup's injured arm. Hiccup's good hand found its way into the back of his messy auburn hair.
"You knew." Hiccup glared at her, she looked down in defeat. "You knew my name this whole time?"
She didn't respond.
"You're Astrid Hofferson? Aren't you?"
She sighed and nodded.
"You've been missing for twelve years!" Hiccup stated. "Wait. But if you knew who I was then why didn't you say anything?"
"You hated me when we were kids, remember?"
"I didn't hate you. I was just... You were so good at everything. Everybody loved you. They still do, and you've been missing for over a decade. I've been there all this time and... nobody loves me, not even my father." Hiccup explained.
"I do."
Hiccup froze. His eyes shot up and locked with hers. Forest met ocean. His face turned bright red.
"You do?"
She nodded.
"I do too. You, I mean." It was Astrid's turn to blush. "So, you're being strangely cryptic as you wrap your magic hair around my injured arm." He changed the subject.
This wasn't the first time she had healed him with her magic hair, but that didn't make it any less amazing.
"Yup."
"Tell me the story again."
After healing Hiccup's arm, Astrid began to tell him the story of her magic hair. How the power came from a magic flower, said to be created by a ray of sunshine.
***
They landed on a beach where a few teens were playing with their dragons.
"Hiccup! Where have you been?" Fishlegs called. "Who's this?"
"This is..." Hiccup looked towards Astrid who shook her head, nervously. "Tower girl. I don't know her name."
Astrid winced as Toothless stood on her hair.
"Watch it, Bud." She said, patting his head.
"Bud?" Snotlout wondered.
"Here, let me help you." Heather approached the young blonde. Astrid looked up at Hiccup who nodded in reassurance.
The riders all introduced themselves to Astrid as Heather began braiding her impossibly long hair.
***
Hiccup took Astrid on a tour of Berk, it was a lot different than when she left. They ended at the docks where Hiccup hopped onto a small rowing boat, offering a hand to Astrid.
"Hiccup, what are you doing?"
"You wanted to see the lanterns, I figured you might as well get a decent seat."
She smiled and bit her lip childishly before hopping onboard.
***
The lanterns were lighting up the night sky like Fireworms fleeing from the island.
Hiccup reached into his saddlebag, pulled out a small blue heart-shaped crystal, and handed it to Astrid.
"Happy Birthday."
"How did you-" She admired the blue heart for a moment.
"Astrid, who do you think these lanterns are for?" Hiccup asked.
"You mean...?" Hiccup nodded.
***
"Why did you lie? About your name?" Astrid finally asked.
"I'm a Hiccup, not exactly something I'm proud of. Besides, you didn't tell me who you were either." He retorted.
"I know." She looked away, hiding a tear she felt slipping down her cheek. "I should've told you before today, but then I fell in love with you and I was scared that once you knew who I really was, you were gonna leave. But, I'm not scared anymore, you know what I mean?" She asked, shyly.
Hiccup turned her to face him and wiped the tear from her face with his thumb as he cupped her cheek. He leaned in, their lips barely touching, driving Astrid insane. He spoke against her lips, the vibrations driving her wild. The feel of his breath against her lips making her crave his touch.
"I'm starting to."
Flower Power
Начните с самого начала
