A/N: Because I love how Astrid prods Hiccup into action by refusing to let him settle for the status quo. Note the rating change and title: if you don't like lemon, stop reading. I purposely made the ending of "Edge of Glory" fairly solid for readers who wish to avert their eyes, but I think that consummating their relationship is pretty much the last step to get them to where they seem to be in HTTYD2. Timeline-wise, it would fall a few months after "Edge of Glory" (This is an edited re-post, for those of you who have been following for ages- think it makes more sense now!)

Thanks again to attachedtomybookshelf on tumblr for the beta!

It's hot in Berk only a week or so each year, and the whole village is so unused to balmy temperatures that everybody flocks to the sea to cool off. Shops and stalls open only in the early morning and close once the temperature gets uncomfortably warm. Nowadays people bring their dragons down to the seaside too, and by midday the village is deserted and its shores are swarming with hollering Vikings and their beloved pets.

Hiccup has always dreaded it- growing up scrawny with skin that both violently freckles and burns made him feel self-conscious when half dressed. And now that he has a de facto anchor instead of a left foot, the one thing he'd actually enjoyed about Swelter week has become impossible. So for the last couple of years he'd opted to avoid the oppressive heat by going flying instead: it's always cold at high altitudes and Toothless loves long journeys. Once the weather goes back to lukewarm, swimming induces hypothermia more than refreshment and village life goes back to normal.

Well, as normal as life on Berk gets, anyway.

But this year the prospect of being with Astrid at the beach is incredibly tempting. Their relationship has become increasingly passionate ever since they got back to Berk. She's always preferred to demonstrate her feelings and he's been more than happy to reciprocate in kind. Being in love has eroded the last few barriers between them and getting her half-dressed is something he now actively strives for. Getting her dripping wet as well?

The frigid air helps suppress the evidence of his train of thought, but Toothless can always tell when he's distracted in the saddle, and he gives an irritated rumble and smacks at him with his ears.

"Yeah, yeah, bad rider, I got it. Well, what do you say we take it up another hundred feet, bud?"

And with a shift of gears, the transgression is forgotten and they're flying as one again.

Several hours later, Toothless and Stormfly chase each other on foot, dodging through trees in a game of keep away while ignoring the moans and occasional exclamation coming from their riders.

It's a little perplexing that the humans still haven't managed to mate successfully. They've been actively courting for almost a year and show every sign of attachment. Perhaps it's because they are still fledglings- still too young to nest and clutch or even mate properly: they just kiss and stroke and hump each other without taking all their coverings off.

Still, they seem to enjoy it, so the dragons just occupy themselves within earshot. Their riders will call once they're dressed and ready to go again.

But it's only been a few minutes before Astrid rolls off Hiccup with a frustrated hiss, panting and flushed. "Gods, it's too hot! Gimme a minute- I'm all sweaty. I guess Swelter is coming up sooner than later this year."

Hiccup struggles to form coherent thoughts, sure his blood is pumping everywhere but his brain. He doesn't care how much she's sweating when she's kissing him and riding his hips like that, but hey…

"I can think of an easy way for you to cool down," he says, turning to slide hopeful fingers under her top.

She elbows him and he groans and backs off immediately. "Just a suggestion!"

She rolls her eyes with a laugh, pressing a kiss to his cheek before rolling back to catch her breath. The pounding of her heart will slow soon enough if they just stop touching each other, and once she has some control over that again, she can better ignore the wet ache between her legs.

They both know what their hearts and bodies want- they've seen livestock and dragons in the act and they've been in this frustrating pattern for months now.

But they've just gotten used to the responsibilities of adulthood, and they're in no hurry to add to them with an unexpected pregnancy.

It's hard not to crave full intimacy though.

Trying to distract herself, Astrid turns to look at their dragons as they tussle noisily over a branch. "We should make a beach ball for them. Not sure what'll be tough enough to stand dragon teeth though."

He shrugs a shoulder, giving his head a half shake. "Toothless and I usually skip the whole beach thing. Not really my favorite time of year."

She throws him a baffled look. "What, 'cause of the heat? Don't tell me you prefer working to swimming?"

He sits up on his elbows, raising an eyebrow and his left leg wryly. "Not really much of a swimmer anymore with this."

Her eyes widen and she sits up too. "Oh. Right. I guess I never really thought about it. I mean, most stumpers just wade on in anyway." She fans herself, grimacing. "Ugh, I don't know how the Southorn kingdoms get anything done in weather like this."

"Ahhh, they're probably used to it. They probably think we're crazy for living in freezing, dragon infested lands."

"Ha! Occupational hazard," she quotes, and he grins back at her.

They start getting dressed again in companionable silence. But she stops halfway through fastening her pauldrons, frowning thoughtfully. "Doesn't Toothless swim? Stormfly gets downright lethargic if she isn't in the water during the worst of it."

He shrugs. "I guess he can if he has to. But he goes where I go- and the last couple years we've just gone exploring. Always a good windchill at a thousand feet or so."

Her eyes light up with comprehension. "That's why you brought ice back from the Spiny Isles last year."

"A mere four hour journey to peaks with ice and snow year round. Toothless had good romp in the snow while I trussed up the ice block with some rope."

"That was such a good idea- the whole village loved you guys for that one."

"Yeah, my Dad was pretty pleased." Hiccup puffs himself out proudly, affecting an accent. "Well done, son. A Chief thinks of ways to ease the burdens of his people. …I'm betting he'll send us out for some again this year. Sweating is such a burden for us tough Berk folk."

"Hey!" She socks him in the arm playfully. "Well, you have to admit that having Yak butter parfait and ice cream in the middle of Swelter was pretty awesome. I bet some Vikings will fly out for ice themselves now that they know we can get it- Snotlout and the twins will be all over it if they can make a profit."

He shrugs, stretching. "Well, all power to them and their get-rich schemes- I'd rather explore what's further north. I was thinking it would be nice to have your company this year," he says, tilting his head with a smile and passing over her boots.

She smiles back, raising her brows speculatively. "Sounds exciting… But… you know- we can do that any week. And... I was kind of looking forward to seeing you without a shirt on everyday."

He coughs and laughs, flustered. "You never beat around the bush, do you?"

She grins, unabashed despite the blush on her cheeks. "Come on! After the way we spend half our dates now?"

He shrugs. "Still not really used to it, I guess."

She places a hand on his knee, waiting until he turns to meet her eye. "Hey." She loves how Hiccup lacks the preening overconfidence of typical Vikings, but sometimes that self-doubt needs a good reality check.

She grabs his shirt and pulls him close, and by the time she's made her feelings abundantly clear they're both sweaty and half-dressed again. But that dorky grin on his face –and the fact that he obligingly removes his shirt- makes it all worth it.

She brings it up again as they get dressed a second time.

"Didn't you used to like swimming? I remember you out in the water; you were in your own little world for hours."

"Well- Snotlout sort of took pride in destroying anything I made out of sand and excluding me from whatever the rest of you were doing, so it was pretty much my only option. I mean, it's fun, but it's not really the first thing I missed after I woke up with a peg leg." He smirks. "You're really set on this, aren't you?"

She gives him an exasperated look. "It's not just that! I mean, it's part of it. But what doesn't sit right is that you just… gave up. It's just not… you."

He quiets, considering.

She continues. "Like, how about just hanging out in the shallows, like Gobber does? We all- well, maybe not Snotlout, but at least me, Toothless and Stormfly- would have stayed there with you the past couple Swelters and you know it. There's no need to isolate yourself just because you can't swim. Or how about making, I don't know, a special swimming leg out of wood instead of iron? You'd only need it for ten days tops, and it would be light enough to swim with."

He shakes his head. "Wood wouldn't work- I'd be fighting its natural buoyancy. But if I used Gronkle iron…"

She smiles triumphantly when he gets that intense look of concentration, grabbing a stick to sketch in the dirt beside the blanket.

"If shaped like a Scauldron's tail it would provide better propulsion underwater- wouldn't be any good for walking or flying but I could swap the leg while on land… or maybe…"

He scratches out his first rough sketch almost immediately, the idea taking new form as he turns it over in his mind.

"…we put two legs in one? Will help counterbalance the buoyancy in the stump cap and double the functionality." He flashes her a grin. "Astrid, you're a genius!"

She laughs and presses a kiss to his cheek. "I play to my strengths," she says sweetly.

Astrid isn't surprised when Hiccup spends most of his free time in the forge the next week. He's brimming with excitement every time she drops by to visit- eagerly demonstrating some sort of swivel mechanism or showing off the molds and Gronkle iron castings or reporting his success with the unit in the bath.

It's the same thing he does whenever he's hit on some brilliant new idea, working late into the night after his shifts.

So she tries not to roll her eyes when the extra fruit she drops off remains untouched and forgotten on his worktable half the time- no wonder he has such a hard time putting on weight. He'd probably fall asleep on his projects if Toothless didn't take it upon himself to drag him out for rides and rest.

She's busy with all the summer foraging opportunities too- there's nothing better than taking to the skies in beautiful weather and bringing home saddlebags full of fresh produce. The light exercise helps to strengthen her right arm now that she can use it again, and she hopes to recover some of the lost tone and muscle by the time winter rolls around.

The shade in the market is perfect after a day spent in the sunshine, and she's replenishing the display produce with more from her saddlebags when Gobber and Gothi stop in front of her blanket.

"Well! Quite a few things on offer today."

She smiles winningly, inclining her head respectfully to Gothi. "Fresh picked this morning."

Gobber eyes the goods with a practiced eye. "Doesn't your dad do all the cooking? How can you be sure there isn't a bit of nightshade here if you can't even cook eggs without having to summon the fire brigade?"

Astrid keeps a firm grip on her temper although her smile freezes a bit- it's not the first time a potential customer has brought up the incident to try to bargain down prices. "They're two totally different skill sets. I've been foraging for our household for years, picking the same things my mother did, and I still refer to her notes and sketches when I'm unsure. Never had a customer come back with a complaint."

Gobber nods sagely, shrugging. "Hard to complain if you're dead."

Astrid sighs, refusing to be baited. "You buying or not?"

"Eh. Guess I'll take the fiddleheads, green onions and blackberries if you'll take credit towards those new saddle straps."

She smiles rather smugly. "Sold. Can I interest you in anything, Elder?"

Gothi's been picking up and sniffing some of the produce. She says something incomprehensible, and Gobber's eyebrows fly up.

"Ah…" He shuffles his feet and clears his throat. "Soooo. The Elder is wondering what you'd like for the Moon tea herbs."

"Moon tea herbs?"

Gobber points with his hook. "Rue, Smartweed, Wild Carrot Flowers."

Astrid's eyes widen, and she can feel color rush into her cheeks. She'd just picked them by rote because they always sell well. "That's what's in Moon Tea?" she stammers.

Gobber is obviously unimpressed. "Totally different skill sets, eh?"

She gives him an impatient look but her focus is on the Elder now, and she tries to sound professional. "I'd be happy to trade them for a portion of the brew."

The Elder smiles and mumbles something else. Gobber translates.

"Done. Says she'll make it tonight once this blasted heat drops off." His voice drops. "Although why the old fossil wants Moon tea is beyond me. Don't think I want to know."

He winces when he gets smartly rapped with a cane followed by a few stern words.

"Right, right- old, not deaf!"

A few hours later, Astrid practically skips as she navigates the steep path down the mountain away from the Elder's home, a still warm flask of tea in her bag. She can hardly wait to tell Hiccup.

He's out when she drops by his place and the forge though, and he's not at breakfast either when the Chief declares Swelter the next morning. She's already changed into her swim clothes and wondering if she should just get Stormfly to hunt him and Toothless down when he knocks on her shutters.

Her eyes go straight to the new leg slotted into the rigging, and she beams. "You finished it!"

"Yeah, just in time. Tried it out flying late last night, so we just need to try the swim attachment today. There's a beach I want to show you, but it's a couple hours away." He pats a basket on the saddle behind him, grinning. "I packed us food and drinks this morning. Ready to go?"

His excitement is contagious. "Give me one minute."

She throws her fur hoodie and boots on, runs out to saddle Stormfly and they're off.

"Feels like forever since I've seen you. Maybe I should keep my brilliant ideas to myself next time," she teases.

He proudly pats the new leg. "Well, hopefully it'll be worth the time spent working on it. I seem to remember you being a pretty decent swimmer, so we'll see if you can keep up with this new, improved version of my leg."

She laughs. "You're on, Viking."

When they arrive, she has to admit flying to a beach off Berk was a good idea- they don't have competition for shady spots to spread their blanket out in, and the sand is super soft and fine.

Astrid marvels at the feel of it underfoot as she unbuckles the clasps on Stormfly's saddle. "You always know where to go. This place is gorgeous."

He grins. "We've knocked around a few places. One of the benefits of needing a rider to fly, hey bud? Ready to get wet?"

Toothless barks an affirmative and gives Stormfly a curious sort of warble.

Astrid laughs. "Gimme a minute, Toothless. Ours is a bit harder to get off. Stormfly, sit."

Stormfly obeys, trembling with impatience. As soon as Astrid hauls off the saddle, she squawks and tilts her head imploringly.

Astrid laughs and gives her flank an affectionate slap. "Oh, go on, you!"

The two make a beeline for the surf and splash in with vigor, not bothered about waiting for their riders.

She plants the saddle over a corner of the blanket and sighs with satisfaction when she turns to see Hiccup pulling off his shirt.

"Have I told you how much I love getting my way?" she says smugly.

He laughs, blushing as he tugs off his boot. "Whatever milady desires."

Her heart skips at that. She needs to tell him the news. She's sorely tempted to just haul him down to the blanket now for her own test run, but she knows how hard he's worked on that new leg.

She shucks off her hoodie and throws it on top of her boots, noting that his eyes are on her body the same way hers were on his. She smiles innocently.

"Well, we can't let the dragons have all the fun."

And she whoops and races for the water.

She gasps at the chill when she first splashes in up to her chest, laughing when he grabs her from behind a couple seconds later.

"Not very sportsmanlike getting a head start on a one-legged Viking," he points out.

She laughs and turns to loop her arms around his neck. "Your legs are longer. Makes it practically even."

Maybe it's because it's been a couple days since their last kiss. Maybe it's because their beachwear is thinner than their normal clothes, and his body is so warm in contrast to the coolness of the water. But there's something electric about kissing him there, and she moans against his mouth.

They both gasp in shock a second later when a spray of water hits them full on, and the surf surges and then pulls them out a few more feet.

The guilty parties don't even notice as their riders sputter and laugh in their wake, treading automatically.

"We better test out your new leg before they drown us. Do you need to be standing? I can tow you in."

"Naw, I can reach- just-"

He takes a breath and sinks into the water, looking down as he grabs and twists the stump cap. The new attachment, shaped like a fin, flips forward and out obediently while his walking attachment flips back inside. He flexes his legs experimentally, popping smoothly back up to the surface.

"Well, let's give this a whirl. Still want a head start?"

She laughs and arcs gracefully back into the water, and an instant later he gives a powerful kick and follows.

They're both breathless and exhilarated when they decide to make for shore. She's thrilled with how free he seems- swimming up to their dragons and surprising a delighted Toothless; diving down to the bottom to check out the sea life; floating next to her and teasing her as they stare up at the clouds. And it only takes an instant in the shallows and a brief lean on her shoulder for him to switch the leg back so they can stagger out of the water. She wrings out her braid as they walk back to the blanket, and they both towel as much seawater as they can off once they're there. Hiccup digs out flasks and they both sit and drink, parched from a morning of activity.

She wipes her mouth and looks over. "So what's the verdict?"

"Well, I'll need to see how seawater affects the straps over time, but I think it does the trick," he says, grinning. He turns to the basket again. "You hungry?"

"Starving," she replies, and she pulls him close.

He's surprised for only a moment before responding eagerly, blindly shoving his flask aside so he can cup her close, and she makes an appreciative sound, dragging him down to the blanket with her.

She clutches hungrily at his hair and shoulders as she kisses him. Their swim clothes feel paper thin now that they're wet, and they'd been checking out the tantalizing view of each other all morning.

The anticipation of finally, finally not having to stop is just about killing her.

His body reacts predictably and she moans and wantonly rubs herself against the bulge.

"Gods- I- want you," she gasps when he moves down to kiss her neck and collarbone.

"Feeling is very mutual," he promises before kissing her again, but she breaks it off, needing him to understand.

"No- I mean- all of you. We don't have to stop."

His eyes widen. "We don't?"

She huffs a laugh, rolling her eyes. "Nope. I was picking and selling the herbs for Moon Tea the whole time and didn't know it. Had some last night and this morning so we should be good to-"

He groans and cuts her off, and they kiss with the urgency of months of repressed frustration. His hands are a bit rough in his eagerness, but so are hers- she doesn't think she's ever been denied anything this long.

It's a race to pull each other free of the last barriers. They've always avoided the temptation of being skin to skin, and they both moan with satisfaction when he peels off the damp bindings over her breasts. Full contact is glorious- even the thin sheen of moisture adds to how good it feels to rub against each other.

But she has to laugh at their impatience when he's confounded by the way her bottoms are tied on, and she stops pulling at the knot she's managed to make of his waist cord.

"You do yours, I do mine?"

"Good idea," he pants, although he makes a face when he gives the cord an ineffectual tug and has to look down. "What did you do to this?"

"Just hurry," she begs, untucking and pulling with practiced efficiency at her bottoms.

And then she's naked and his problem solving process stutters to a halt. She smiles shyly up at him as his face goes slack with wonder, taking in that golden triangle of hair, the pretty pink nipples and all that perfect, smooth skin.

"Oh wow. Oh Astrid."

She blushes, crossing her arms over herself automatically under the scrutiny. "Not fair."

He groans and forces his attention back to the knot.

But once the cord is unknotted and his swim shorts have been shucked off, she's as rapt as he was- she's so used to feeling that bulge caged in his underwear, and he's bigger and longer than she'd thought.

They touch each other tentatively at first- it's different doing this completely exposed instead of furtively under clothing. But they quickly become bolder- there's so much pleasure in each stroke, and love and trust are stronger than the butterflies. The kisses soon get hungrier; their breathing labored as hands and mouths go from gentle exploration to a deliberate stoking of desire.

She smiles as she guides his hand between her legs for the first time, panting with heady arousal and the sense of reckless freedom. She's already slick and hot under his fingers when she shows him how and where to stroke. Her whimpers quickly turn to cries as he obeys her increasingly frantic requests. He pants and watches avidly as her face tightens and hips buckle.

A couple of breathless moments later, she cries out, clutching at him as she goes tumbling off the edge.

Her eyes open slowly after, and she smiles at the tenderness in his expression.

"Oh Gods- much better. Your turn?" she gasps.

He smiles crookedly. "I want to. But I'm worried it'll hurt you."

She gently smooths her thumb over the weeping tip of his erection, smiling smugly as he groans and his hips jerk forward. "Hiccup. I'm not afraid."

He's still wavering. "…Fear and pain are two different things."

She rolls them over, straddling him and sighing as she slides that slick part of herself over his cock. She's still coasting on the residual euphoria, and she's matter of fact. "I love you and you love me. And this is just one more way to show it."

He nods. What she's doing feels amazingly erotic and he's not sure he wants to win this argument anyway. "Well, since you put it so roman- ah, ahhhh- "

He's unable to make coherent words as she first guides him in, pacing herself slowly. Still, he can't help watching her face through half closed eyes. And she doesn't look like she's in pain but…

"…Are you okay?" he manages.

She sighs, relaxing a little more once she sheathes him to the hilt. It doesn't hurt, but she's not used to feeling stretched like this.

"It doesn't hurt, but earlier was better," she admits. "Maybe it'll get better once I'm used to it?"

"We can stop," he offers unwillingly, and she smiles and bends down to kiss him.

"No way." She grimaces. "Let me just see if I can find a more comfortable-"

She lifts up and then re-sheathes him.

Her face goes slack with the jolt of pleasure and he moans and grabs at her hips.

"Oh." She does it again and moans as he thrusts to meet her. "I think we figured it out."

"Uh- huh. Feels- amazing." His voice is strained, and she throws a nervous glance over her shoulder. She really doesn't want Toothless hauling her backwards off him at this critical moment. But their dragons are immersed in the water and seemingly oblivious, so she focuses back on Hiccup and this new, delicious rhythm they're making.

Hiccup sits up so that he can kiss her as she rides, needing to hold her close. It's glorious to be joined like this, to feel their hearts racing and bodies straining together.

To see just how good he can make her feel, hear her gasp his name, gripping his shoulders and moving with an abandon that's driving them both into mindless ecstasy.

It doesn't take very long before the pleasure builds to an unbearable crescendo. But this time when she goes hurtling off the edge, he's caught her close and they're both flying into white hot space together.

When the weather begins cooling again, Hiccup is actually regretful.

It's not just the lovemaking, although that is definitely the highlight of the week. They've been conscientiously exploring this new aspect of their relationship, and it's exciting and amazing to finally be completely intimate. He's glad they've had the whole week to figure out and enjoy becoming lovers, although he's not sure how they're going to manage to wait until date day every week now.

The mind-blowing pleasure and accompanying emotional high are both rather addictive.

It's also so freeing to be able to swim again and he's just sorry he didn't think of it earlier. He doesn't even mind the bloom of freckles now that Astrid has been lazily tracing constellations out of them, and he's managed to avoid getting burnt since they spend so much time "otherwise occupied" in the shade anyway.

But the weather was bound to change. Their dragons are getting a little bored despite their approval of the new dimension to their rider's relationship, expectantly nudging the two of them together once the saddles come off. His dad will probably declare Swelter over either tonight or the next day so they'll all have to get back to work. But he's been thinking of further tweaks he can make to Toothless' rig once the Forge reopens, swapping out the swim attachment for a more streamlined one devoted to flying. Astrid's excited about all the fruit that will be Swelter ripened and ready for picking. Really, going back to normal life won't be so bad.

Especially since they've learned that they don't always need dragons to fly.

AN: Yes, I think they're well past the honeymoon period by HTTYD2.

I also think jumping from Hiccup's walking leg that fits perfectly into the flying rig to the flying or walking leg in HTTYD 2 actually isn't very logical, so I wrote this in-between step so that it makes more sense.

Thanks for reading! I really enjoyed writing this fic.

NRG