After I had basically trespassed into Hiccup's home, he'd been letting me come over just to read the Dragon Manual whenever I felt like it. If I had it my way, I would've spent 10 hours straight just reading it all at once, but apparently people have 'things to do' and it's 'weird even for me to read something for so long', so I had to spread out my learning over the course of a week.
On this particular morning, I wasn't reading the Book of Dragons at Hiccup's home, but instead he had decided that we venture into a particular area of the island that I hadn't been to before. It was basically just a really long walk through the forest, but the final spot itself was rather pleasant. He'd brought the book, as well as a folded up map. It didn't have much on it, but Hiccup had informed me that it was a work in progress, and his goal was to map out as much of the islands around Berk and beyond as he could.
I was leaning against one of the larger boulders in this area, with the map spread open on the grass in front of my hands. Hiccup had been pointing out certain symbols on it for a bit before he had walked a few feet away, keeping his back towards me. I stared at him for ten seconds, but he didn't do anything except rummage around for something, so I went back to observing the map.
“Oh, hey, didn't your birthday just pass?” Hiccup asked casually. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He was still facing away from me.
“Actually, yeah it did, how did you remember...?” I drifted off, eyes trailing along the drawn islands.
“Whoops, is this a present I have for you? Maybe?” he said, pulling out a small leather pouch from seemingly nowhere. I furrowed my eyebrows, lifting my eyes toward him. He was biting his bottom lip, trying to fight a smile while he shrugged, holding out the bag. I looked at it for a couple seconds before returning my gaze to his face.
“You did not.”
“Oh, trust me, I did.. And you can't refuse it since it's a birthday gift. Take it!” he exclaimed, shaking the bag a little bit in an effort to get me to grab it. I inhaled deeply, pursing my lips.
“(Y/N)..” Hiccup raised an eyebrow before sighing, crossing his empty hand over his chest and holding his upper arm. I stared at him silently.
“Please take it?” he asked, tilting his head. I finally reached out and took the pouch.
“Now I owe you about 5 of these,” I mumbled to myself as I began to untie the string. He laughed, crossing his arms.
“It's fine, I promise,” he replied.
I felt some sort of metal in the bag, and I narrowed my eyes in confusion before managing to pull out whatever it was. I heard my breath hitch when I realized it was a piece of jewelry, specifically a necklace. It was a simple chain with a silver pendant in my hand, and I recognized the Book of Dragons' cover emblem. I traced my fingernail along the dragon and felt the indentation of the design.
“I know you don't have your dragon or anything yet, but you're always reading the book so I thought you might like it, I don't know..” Hiccup shrugged, resting his hands on his hips. I only stared incredulously at it in my fingers.
“Now that I think about it, it seems like a dumb idea.. I'm sorry, I could make you something else?” he rambled, resting his left hand on the back of his neck. He looked a bit embarrassed as well, and I couldn't really think of anything to say that would let him know that it wasn't a dumb idea at all.
So I opted on throwing my arms around his shoulders and hugging him as tightly as I could manage. He seemed a bit surprised and it took him a couple seconds to hug me back, but when he did I wasn't quite sure I could let go. Luckily I managed to do so a bit later, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
“No, I love it, Hiccup. Really, it's.. so great, thank you,” I managed to say, unable to stop smiling. He gave me a humble smile before looking at the floor.
“Here,” I said, holding it out. He looked up at me with a questioning expression.
“Do the honours,” I explained simply. He furrowed his eyebrows before he understood what I meant, and I couldn't begin to figure out whether I was imagining the light blush on his face or not because he had taken the necklace from my grip and walked behind me.
“Could you, uh..?” I felt his hand against my shoulder and I widened my eyes, reaching to pull away my hair.
“Sorry, yeah,” I mumbled, holding it in a makeshift ponytail so it'd be out of his way. I tried to ignore the rush of butterflies in my stomach each time his hand would brush against my skin, and I was just praying he'd hurry up so I didn't do something stupid.
“I've never had jewelry made for me before,” I said softly, and I felt a huff of breath on my shoulder as he chuckled.
“I've never really made jewelry for anyone, so it's a first for both of us,” he murmured, still attempting to tie the necklace. Not much later did he pull away, and I felt the cool pendant resting against my neck. He maneuvered his way back to the area in front of me, and I grinned.
“How does it look?” I asked casually. His eyes widened a bit and he shrugged his shoulders, gesturing towards me with his hands.
“You look great. Uh, well, not you, the necklace.. Wait, no, I mean, you look great as well, I just.. oh man.” He looked like he wanted to jump off a cliff, with an embarrassed red flush crawling up his neck and cheeks.
“You should probably stop talking,” I said, fighting back laughter. He only placed a hand on his face, shaking his head.
“I know, oh Gods..” he sighed, continuing to mutter to himself under his breath.
“Are you done?” I teased, waiting for him to calm down. He only shot me a slightly annoyed look before nodding.
“Thank you,” I repeated, holding the pendant between my fingers. He simply nodded again, glancing away. I tilted my head, about to ask if he was alright, but I didn't get the chance because he spoke up before I could.
“I should probably get going now, I have to meet up with Astrid soon,” he said with an awkward cough. I felt my face fall a little bit, because, right, he did have a girlfriend, and this whole thing was not supposed to be as strangely romantic as it had been.
“Oh, um, okay. Yeah, it's getting sorta late anyway,” I offered, trying to seem nonchalant. He was quiet for a moment before he nodded, and I followed after him once he began to walk. The journey back was silent and a tad awkward, with each of us keeping our eyes on our feet and our thoughts in our own heads.
“I'll get you two gifts for your next birthday,” I said once we reached the village. He laughed, and the atmosphere immediately felt better.
“I told you it's fine,” he shook his head, but I only shrugged.
“Oops, I don't listen, surprise,” I said playfully. He only crinkled his nose in my direction before smiling gently.
“I'll see you later,” he said, and I nodded, waving as he walked off. I resisted the urge to stay and watch him, instead turning and making my way towards my own home, holding my new necklace gingerly.
---
I had been frustratedly trying to fix my dragon sketches when I heard a knock on the door from downstairs. Eager for an excuse to get away in an attempt to keep me from setting fire to my journal in anger, I pushed away from the table and stood up.
“I've got it!” I shouted, rushing down the steps. My mother gave me an odd look and started her way back towards the kitchen area.
“Of course, come downstairs to answer the door when your mother is 10 feet away,” she teased me but I only stuck my tongue out at her quickly before reaching for the door.
When I opened it, Hiccup was standing patiently outside with his hands behind his back. I tilted my head.
“Hi!” he said with a grin as soon as I had opened the door.
“I thought you had a thing to do?” I answered, leaning against the door frame. He looked a bit lost before a sheepish expression covered his face.
“Oh, um, I did but not anymore, actually I came to give you something. Well, lend you something, I mean,” he changed the subject quickly, and I glanced down just as he showed what he had been hiding.
“The Book of Dragons?” I said incredulously, looking at his face. He nodded before a smirk fell upon his lips.
“Just don't, I don't know, drop soup on it or anything--”
“Oh, shut up!” I groaned, shoving him halfheartedly. He laughed sharply, holding out the book. I snatched it away, giving him a playful glare.
“I will take it right back,” he warned, trying to keep a serious tone. I raised an eyebrow and he broke the facade, chucking softly to himself.
“Just, seriously, be careful, okay?” he added.
“Of course I will. Goodbye, Hiccup,” I insisted, trying to usher him away.
“This is rude, this is very rude and I will not accept this--”
“You're leaving!” I interrupted him, pushing him out the door.
“There will be consequences!” I heard him shout from outside. I stifled a laugh, ignoring him and starting off to my room so I could continue my reading. I ignored my mother mumble something about the incident toward me as I headed up the stairs, too excited to care.