See You in the Morning

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RTTE Episode 3. SPOILER ALERT! This takes place during episode 3...because it's so obvious they slept beside each other on that beach. There's no denying it.

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"It's all so beautiful," Astrid murmured. She was gazing at the waters before her, onto which the rising moon was reflecting a soft light.

"It is," agreed Hiccup. He cast a small grin at the blonde beside him. "And who knows what else we'll find out here, Astrid."

"I know. I can't wait." She smiled back. "It's been so long since we got to go on an adventure like this together. Too long. I've...I've missed it."

His grin grew wider. "Me, too."

Yawning, Astrid allowed her heavy eyelids to fall shut as she rested her cheek against Hiccup's shoulder. It had been years since she'd traveled the distance she'd traveled that day, and she was left feeling exhausted and sore.

The auburn-haired Viking bit his lip. A girl - a girl who just so happened to be his best friend - was learning on him. He wasn't used to this at all.

A soft, contented murmur escaped the blonde's mouth. He watched as she nuzzled deeper into the leather vest that was covering his shoulder. It wasn't like her to cuddle up to him - or anyone else - in this manner. Sure, they hugged on occasion, and there was that one instance a few years back when they had huddled together for warmth while trapped in an avalanche, but it wasn't typical for her to simply cuddle for no clear reason.

"Mmm."

"Alright, sleepyhead." Hiccup cautiously draped an arm across her shoulders. "I...I think we should go find our dragons and settle down for the night."

Astrid's eyes cracked open. "Huh?"

"We should go to our dragons and get some rest."

She lifted her head and, becoming aware of her surroundings, took note of her friend's arm around her. "Hiccup Haddock, who in the name of Thor gave you permission to touch me?" she scolded as she raised a fist to give him a playful punch.

"Oh, Astrid," he said. He caught her hand in his before she could make contact with his bicep.

The blonde's heart raced at the feeling of her fingers being intertwined with Hiccup's. His hand was warm, and the sensation of his calloused thumb caressing her skin made butterflies flutter in her stomach. "We...we should sleep right here tonight," she suggested. "I mean, it's beautiful, and we won't have to worry about waking up to Snotlout snoring."

"With...without our dragons?"

"I think we'll be fine. This seems like a peaceful place." Astrid squeezed his hand affectionately and pecked his freckled cheek before spreading herself onto the ground.

"Hey, who gave you permission to kiss me?" he asked as he settled in beside her. To his surprise, she simply let out a soft laugh and hugged his waist, her blue eyes connecting with his green ones. She was beautiful. No, she was downright amazing. So amazing that all he wanted to do was thoroughly kiss her cheeks, her forehead, her nose, her chin, her lips. But he knew he couldn't. What would she think of him if he just started attacking her face with kisses? She would think he was a pig. And that definitely wasn't the case. He liked her. He liked her more than he could ever use words to explain. But of course, she wouldn't know that if he simply began kissing her. So instead, he decided just to return her embrace for the time being.

"Hiccup?" Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, Astrid?"

"You're getting awfully close to my face."

Blushing, he realized that he'd subconsciously been inching closer to her. "I uh...I'm sorry."

"You want to kiss me, don't you?"

"I uh...I have no idea what you...what you're talking about."

"Hiccup, it's okay to kiss me. I've kissed you lots of times before. You don't have to be shy about it."

"It's just...I mean...well, could I?" By now, his face was as red as a tomato.

"Of course."

Closing his eyes, Hiccup leaned in to connect his lips with Astrid's. However, as he was doing so, their noses collided. "Uh...I...I'm sorry."

"You're such a dork," laughed Astrid. "Here, let me show you how it's done." Grabbing his chin, she pressed her mouth against his, the butterflies in her stomach fluttering harder at the familiar taste of his lips.

"Mmm, you're so much better at this than I am," he remarked when they pulled away from each other.

"Don't worry. You'll learn." She yawned before cuddling against Hiccup's chest. "Mind if you're my pillow tonight?"

"No. Not at all."

Astrid closed her eyes. Normally, she'd feel too uneasy and vulnerable sleeping out in the open without Stormfly's tail curled protectively around her. However, the sound of Hiccup's heartbeat, the comforting sensation of his arms circling her middle, and the fact that she knew he'd never allow any harm to come to her brought about a sense of safety.

"Alright. Well, goodnight. I...I'll see you in the morning." He reached up to stroke her hair. He'd never been close to Astrid in this way before, and Thor's hammer it was nice. Her slender body fit perfectly into his side, and the contended smile on her lips - the lips that had just touched his - made him grin. This was definitely something that he could grow accustomed to.

"See you in the morning," she echoed softly.