So, I apologize that this took so incredibly long to complete. There's been a whole ton of factors going on that's interfered with my writing time, motivation, and inspiration. Not to mention, it was really tough to write a Christmas chapter when Christmas was over! It feels super weird posting a holiday chapter when it's about as off-season as it could possibly be, but unfortunately this is where the story goes next, so oh well!
I don't have a single word of the next chapter written, so I can't make any timely promises of when that will be ready :( Hope you enjoy this for what it is, and... Merry Christmas? :)
"I can't believe Christmas is here already!" Astrid rubbed her hands together, blowing warmth into her mittens.
"Yeah, it sure snuck up quick this year," Hiccup agreed, blasting the heat in the car.
"I love it though, all the lights are so pretty." She gazed out the window at the twinkling decorations.
"Oh, that reminds me! We're gonna go on a slight detour, I have to take you past this one house." He checked the street signs and turned left after another block, heading into suburb territory.
"It's coming up on the right. You won't miss it though."
"No, oh my gosh I can see it from here," Astrid said, wonder in her voice. Her mouth dropped open once Hiccup pulled up alongside the house's curb and parked.
The grand house in front of her had been transformed into a winter wonderland with beautiful white and pastel colored lights. Large luminous ornamental balls hung in the trees, solar lights sprinkled around the yard, every inch of trim on the house lit, and rope lights and sparkling snowflakes decked the quaint white picket fence.
"It's breathtaking, absolutely gorgeous! Oh, is that a walking path?" she gasped, spying a few other people strolling through the yard.
"It is, they have a little garden they let people walk through to see the whole display up close."
"Can I get out?" she asked eagerly. She barely waited for Hiccup's reply as she tossed off her seatbelt and exited the car. He followed, leading her to the garden path.
"It's like stepping into the Sugar Plum Fairy's land or something!" She twirled, marveling at all the lights twinkling around her.
"Right? They do this every year, I can't even imagine how long it takes them to set all this up."
"This is downright magical, I've never seen such amazing Christmas lights." Astrid slipped her hand through Hiccup's arm and gazed up in awe. He smiled at her and kissed the top of her head.
"Well milady, shall we?"
"I could stare at this forever."
"Fine, maybe another minute or so," he laughed.
After Astrid had gotten her fill, they drove to Stoick and Valka's house. They parked alongside another car in the driveway belonging to Hiccup's aunt and uncle.
Valka came to greet them and take their coats when they entered. Cloud jumper barked excitedly with all the new visitors.
"It's later than I expected you," she teased.
"I know, sorry Mom. I took Astrid by the Svendsen house."
"Ah, understandable," Valka said, nodding. "It's gorgeous, isn't it?"
"So beautiful, I've never seen anything like it!"
"I'm not surprised, it is definitely one of a kind. Well, even with your detour you've still managed to get here before your cousin and his girlfriend; they're fashionably late as always."
"More like just late," Astrid laughed.
Hiccup said hello to his father and introduced Astrid to his aunt and uncle. Though Astrid had seen Snot's parents from afar at sporting events and such, she had never talked to them personally.
Stoick prepared everyone's drink of choice while Hiccup deposited their presents under the gorgeous Christmas tree that stood nine feet tall in the cathedral ceiling of the living room. The tree and the entire house had been festively decorated, most likely by a professional designer. Astrid marveled at the trimmings. She had only seen Christmas decorations like this in magazines.
Just as they were settling into the standard catching up small talk of family gatherings, Ruff and Snot arrived.
While Hiccup and Astrid had worn dressy attire, Hiccup sporting a green button down dress shirt and black pants, Astrid in a white blouse and gray pencil skirt with knee high black boots, Ruff and Snot had chosen a different... aesthetic. A notably ugly Christmas sweater one. Snot's red sweater boldly proclaimed "Merry Christmas ya filthy animal," while Ruff's said "Snow's out Ho's out" and upon closer inspection of the pattern knitted across the bottom and on the sleeves, one reindeer mounted another one in the middle of a mating act.
Astrid rolled her eyes. "Ruff... you know what, no. I'm not even going to ask where you found that sweater."
"Amazon," Ruff said brightly. "You want one? I bought two."
"Why would- why... why two," Astrid trailed off weakly. "Nevermind, of course you did. I should just expect this of you now."
"Um, if I accidentally spill booze on this one and light it on fire, then I have a spare, duh," Ruff said, like it was obvious.
"Smart thinking babe, I like that about you," Snot approved, slapping her a high five.
Astrid gave Hiccup an incredulous look that could only mean "how are you related to him? And why is she still one of my best friends?"
Hiccup shrugged with a "you can't choose family, but you can choose your friends and that one's on you" smirk.
Astrid snorted and shook her head, drawing in a large sip of wine.
Valka and Stoick took Ruff and Snot's antics in stride, watching with an amused sort of disbelief as the family gathered at the table for dinner. The two were definitely entertaining, at the very least.
To Astrid's relief, Ruff and Snot provided plenty of distraction and nothing about Hiccup's major or any other sensitive topics surfaced during dinner discussion. His handsome face lit up whenever Snot or Ruff dropped a particular gem that he would definitely repeat later, when they were alone and could fully laugh about it together.
After dinner, everyone filtered down to the living room to open presents.
Astrid rummaged around for Hiccup's gifts and presented them to him with a sweet smile. He grinned as he opened them, babbling excitedly about a sketchbook he had his eye on and several high quality paintbrushes.
"See if you look here, it's reusable, so once all the pages are filled up I can add more paper to it. This is so nice, thank you." Hiccup gave her a peck on the lips.
"Ugh, barf. Get a room you two," Ruff teased.
"It was just a little kiss," Astrid said defensively. "Unlike the tonsil hockey you and Snot do right out in front of everyone."
"What can I say, I'm a sensual lover." Snot suavely dusted his knuckles on the front of his sweater.
Hiccup groaned and Astrid poked out her tongue with disgust. "Anyway," she stressed, "I have one more present for you." She handed Hiccup another gift. "Well, it's not actually for you, but also in a way it totally is."
Hiccup gave her a questioning grin, tore it open, and laughed. "Ooooh he is going to hate this, it's absolutely perfect. I'm putting it on him the second we get home and then I'm gonna take a million pictures."
He held up a little elf sweater, stocking cap, and booties the perfect size for a fluffy black cat.
Astrid cackled and rubbed her hands together. "I couldn't help it, it's just so cute!"
"Cute and humiliating, the perfect combination. Alright milady, I have something for you, too." He handed her a few small wrapped gifts.
Astrid smiled at him. "Awww, what did you do?"
"Open them and see." Hiccup smiled tenderly at her.
The first was a ceramic mug from the coffee shop they frequented with a giftcard. Astrid cooed over the beautiful pattern on the cup and laughed about the giftcard. "You just want me to buy you coffee, is that it?"
"You don't have to use it on me, silly."
Astrid grinned at him and opened the next present. A pair of small diamond stud earrings nestled in a jewelry box. "Oh babe, these are gorgeous! You didn't have to do this?!"
"Ah, well. I know you usually wear smaller earrings so they don't get in your way in the lab, so I thought these would be nice."
"They're wonderful!" She tipped the box back and forth to admire the gemstones sparkle in the light.
When she opened the last gift her eyes lit up and her mouth dropped open. "Hiccup," she breathed. "This is so pretty? Where...?"
She held up an old worn medallion on a chain, intricate runes carved on the surface.
"I found it when we went into that antique store. You told me that some of your ancestry traced back to Nordic roots, and I guess this medallion reminded me of that. I went back and bought it after class." He bashfully rubbed the back of his neck.
"It's gorgeous," Astrid said, tugging him in for a solid kiss.
"I'm glad you like it," he mumbled against her lips.
"Right, now that they're done being all mushy-" Ruff got up and plopped some presents into Snot's lap. "-We can start opening the awesome gifts."
"Oh, nice! Hooky will love this," Snot nodded, revealing a new log for Hookfang's tank. He fawned over a case of a particular craft beer he had been wanting to try, and thanked Ruff for renewing his gym membership.
"Here you go, babe," Snot winked. Ruff received an incredibly soft blanket for lounging on the couch, since their apartment always got a bit drafty, and new soft slippers she had wanted.
She opened up her last gift from Snot and held it up with a huge grin. "Oh... my... God."
"Snot, what did you do?!" Astrid laughed with disbelief.
"You certainly aren't the jealous type, huh?" Mirth twinkled in Hiccup's eyes and played on his lips.
"You just can't share me, is that it?" Ruff turned the gift in her hands with glee.
Snot had taken a picture of himself in just a pair of tight black boxer briefs leaning in almost the exact same pose as Ruff's other infamous mug and had it printed onto a coffee cup.
"Yeah, see now you can just forget all about stupid Brad or whatshisname-"
"Chad," Ruff corrected him.
"Fine, Chad or whatever! He can stay in the back of the cabinet because now you can simultaneously sip the nectar of the gods while contemplating their gift to women. Which is me, of course, in case you didn't get that."
"Ha!" Ruff snorted. "So do your pants disappear too when I put hot liquids in here? Because then things are getting interesting."
"No! I refuse to debase myself, Ruff," Snot said haughtily.
"Apparently lowering your pride to create this mug wasn't an issue though," Hiccup snickered.
"Alright fine! Give the cup back to me if you're all going to be so stupid about it," Snot grumbled, attempting to grab it from Ruff.
"Nuh uh! It's a gift, it's mine and I'm keeping it." Ruff clutched it to her chest and smacked his hands away.
Astrid picked up the coffee mug Hiccup had gifted her. "Well gee, that just makes my coffee mug look boring. Guess you'll have to step it up next year, babe." She wiggled her eyebrows at him.
Hiccup laughed. "Sorry milady, unlike some people, I still have a stiff sense of dignity." He leaned in and whispered in Astrid's ear. "Besides, I'll give you the real thing anytime you want. Isn't that better?"
Astrid shivered and a tint rose to her cheeks that she blamed on the fireplace.
The rest of gift opening went without hassle. Half way through Valka got up and set out Christmas cookies, pie, and coffee. Once everything had been opened and they were settling down for the evening, satisfied from dinner, desert, and presents, Snot peered out the patio doors.
"Hey, so is the hot tub good to go out there or what." He pointed his thumb toward the deck.
"Ah, yeah, I think it's running." Hiccup rubbed a hand on the back of his head, his telltale sign he felt uncomfortable.
"Well then what are we waiting for, suit up," Snot said. Ruff gave him a high five.
"Oh! Uh, yeah that's... that's fine, you guys go on ahead."
"Hiccup," Astrid said quietly. "Are you sure?"
He shrugged, looking down at his feet. "Yeah, it's fine. Go have fun, okay?" He smiled at her, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Ruff and Snot exchanged looks.
"Hey, ah, cuz," Snot said. "You know it's cool, right? We'd really like you to join us."
"Thanks, but I'm good. Don't really do swimming much anymore."
"Astrid, can you show me where the bathroom is?" Ruff asked. Astrid gave her a questioned eyebrow raise, but Ruff nodded her head toward the hall, indicating she wanted to talk in private.
"Oh, sure! We'll be right back, boys."
Once they were out of earshot, Ruff frowned. "I feel bad. I really want to go in the hot tub, but I don't like excluding Hiccup."
"I know, poor guy," Astrid said. "If he doesn't go in I won't. But I know he isn't ready to take off his leg yet."
"What if you help him get in first and turn on the hot tub jets, and then Snot and I get in after?"
"Hmm," Astrid mused. "I don't know if I can persuade him, but we could try?"
"Does he have a swimsuit? I mean, if he doesn't that's okay, I'm always up for a little skinny dipping-"
"Ruff, no," Astrid laughed, rolling her eyes. "Down girl."
"It was just a suggestion!"
"You and your suggestions. Why don't you and Snot go get ready and I'll see if I can convince Hiccup to come with. Okay?"
"Sounds like a plan mi amiga."
The girls returned, Ruff and Snot heading to their room to change. Astrid beckoned Hiccup to follow her upstairs to his old room.
"Hey, are you sure you don't want to come in?" she asked kindly.
Hiccup shrugged. "Nah, I'll be fine. Don't worry about me."
"It would be way more fun if you were there."
"You'll be fine, Astrid," he chuckled.
"Hmmm, mmhm, okay," she said, nodding. "I guess only Snot will get to appreciate my bikini then."
Hiccup's eyes widened and a flash of jealousy flitted across his face. He schooled himself back to neutral and shrugged it off. "I guess so."
"You haven't seen me in a swimsuit yet, have you?" Astrid grinned.
"No, I have not," Hiccup said lightly, tapping his foot and crossing his arms.
Astrid leaned over her dufflebag on the floor, bending at the waist and wiggling her hips for his benefit. "Such a shame. I thought you'd really like it."
"I'm sure it's nice," he said, pretending and failing to feign indifference.
"Oh, it's really nice. It's super cute and I look fantastic in it." She unzipped the bag with a pointed snap. She grabbed a little piece of fabric and string and straightened up with a hair flip.
His mouth parted as he took in the skimpy suit and Astrid could see the gears turning in his mind.
"But you know, if you don't want to join us, that's okay." She tossed the suit onto the bed and smirked at him, unzipping the back of her skirt. It fell to the floor around her ankles.
Hiccup groaned in the back of his throat.
She unbuttoned her blouse, maintaining sultry eye contact with him. The silk slid down her arms as she turned her back to him, unclasping her bra and shimmying it off with a peek at him over her shoulder. How much would it take before he caved? She picked up the bikini top and tied it on, ensuring she didn't flash him in the process. She ran her hands through her hair and slinked her underwear down her legs.
That did it. Hiccup's hands glided onto her bare hips and tugged her to him, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Fine, fine, you got me," he huffed. "I'd love to go with you, but I don't know what to do about the leg situation."
"We have that all worked out." She patted his hand and leaned her head against his. "You and I will get in first and we'll turn on the hot tub jets. Then Ruff and Snot can come in. Once we're done, they'll leave first and then we'll get out. Sound like a plan?"
Hiccup deliberated for a moment. "I mean, I guess it could work. But I don't know, sometimes the deck is really icy."
"I'll help you so you don't fall, no big deal." He didn't answer and she turned around in his arms. "What's wrong, you still look uncomfortable?"
He shrugged, clearly bothered by something but unwilling to share.
"Babe, please tell me. I can't help fix it or talk it through if you don't speak up."
He sighed. "I don't like needing help. It makes it seem like you're my nurse or caretaker or something."
"First of all, that's ridiculous, I'm obviously not your nurse," she laughed. "If I were, I'd probably be fired for strip teasing in front of you and all the other things we do in bed. And second, you are missing a body part and you should give yourself a break. I know you want to do things on your own without needing help, believe me I totally get that. I'm a proud person and I fall into the very same trap all the time. The thing is, even able bodied people fall on ice and you're at a disadvantage. These are just facts, babe. You need help sometimes, there's nothing to be ashamed of and I am more than happy to help you."
He still looked glum and Astrid tried to figure out why her pep talk didn't have more success. Then she recalled something he had told her about his past, specifically things Thomas had insinuated about his relationship with Heather.
Oh.
"Hiccup, I'm not your nurse and I will never get tired of you, or helping you during the times you need it," she said firmly. "I help you because I want to. That's what people who love each other do, okay? There's no obligation or pity on my part. I want you to have fun and I want to help you have fun. So please, let me get you into the hot tub? We all want you there."
He took in a deep breath and nodded. "Okay. You're right, it's silly for me to feel this way."
"No," Astrid said, shaking her head. "You're not silly for feeling this way at all. It's a valid concern. But I'm also reassuring you that I love you and I'm not just fulfilling a caretaker role in your life. I'm your girlfriend and anything I do for you, it's because of that."
A genuine tender smile graced his face and Astrid's heart lit up. "Thank you," he said. Then promptly dispelled the seriousness of the moment as his hands slid around to her bare bottom.
"Babe!" she shrieked, giggling.
"Sorry. It was too tempting."
"Can you grab the rest of my bikini for me, please?"
"You're sure you have to put it on?"
"I do unless you want Snot to see a full moon tonight."
"Bikini bottom it is," he said quickly, handing it to her.
Hiccup found one of his old swimsuits from high school that still fit him and changed. He pulled on a pair of sweat pants and they headed downstairs to the deck.
Once outside, Hiccup removed his leg and Astrid helped him avoid the icy patches. He got into the hot tub on his own and she started the jets. He settled in as she went inside to fetch Ruff and Snot.
"Let's get this party started!" Ruff crowed, holding a newly refilled wine glass. Snot clinked her glass with his beer bottle and they clambered into the tub.
Astrid slung her leg over the side, two glasses of wine in hand, and Hiccup held up his arms around her as she climbed just in case she slipped. She sat down next to him and handed him a glass. He promptly wound his free hand around her hip under the water.
"So! Who's up for a little friendly game of Never Have I Ever?" Ruff said gleefully, leaning back against Snot as he rested his arm behind her.
Astrid rolled her eyes. "Ruff, we decided you don't get to play this game, remember? You've done everything and you just get wasted."
"First of all, getting wasted is literally the point of drinking games and second it sounds like you're just jealous of the adventurous life I've led."
"More like stunned speechless," Astrid snorted.
"Okay okay, I'll start- never have I ever... ummm... shit you're right. There is literally nothing I can say that I haven't done and you losers have."
"Shortest Never Have I Ever game ever," Astrid teased.
"Fine, fine. How about a friendly race? Hiccup can be the judge. First one around the house and back into the tub wins. "
"Wins what."
"I don't know, bragging rights? Come on, it'll be fun!"
"How much have you had to drink, Ruff. It's freezing and there's two feet of snow in the yard."
"Exaggeration. Let's do it, come on!"
"My hair is literally ice right now and you think I'm crazy enough to run around the house?"
"Maybe you're just a wimp. You'll do it with me, right Snot?"
Snot groaned. "Now you're dragging me into this?"
"Hell yeah I am. Come on, let's do it, do it, doooo it!" Ruff chanted.
Astrid sighed in exasperation. "She won't shut up unless we do it."
Hiccup leaned back with a grin. "Have fun with that."
"Oh shush, at least you have a good excuse."
"The one time missing a foot pays off."
Ruff set down her wine glass and snatched Snot's beer from his hand as he protested.
"Fine, if you guys are going to chicken out, let's up the stakes then. Last one back has to strip."
"Ruff, no!"
Snot deliberated. "Actually..."
"No!" Astrid said. She glanced at Hiccup for backup.
His eyes widened and he shrugged. "As long as Snot doesn't lose I don't care."
"Hiccup!"
"What?!"
"How am I the only voice of reason right now?!"
"Because you're going to lose, that's why," Ruff cackled. "See ya suckers!" She leaped out of the tub and took off down the deck, screeching as she stomped through the snow.
"Shit!" Snot said, hopping out of the tub and following after Ruff, almost slipping on an ice patch.
"Fuck, fuck! Fuck this," Astrid grumbled. She jumped up and squawked in indignation when her bikini bottom didn't go with her.
"Hiccup!" She shrieked and plopped back down into the tub.
"Oops, did I accidentally untie that?" he said casually, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.
She splashed tub water at him and attempted to re-tie it with frantic fingers, listening to Snot and Ruff whoop as they raced each other around the house.
Astrid crossed her arms with a grumpy frown as Ruff and Snot came barreling back neck in neck. Right before they reached the wooden steps Ruff body checked Snot and sent him flying into a snow bank. He howled in frozen outrage as Ruff dove back into the hot tub, cheering in victory.
Snot jumped in and wrestled with Ruff, shoving a handful of snow onto the back of her neck. Hiccup and Astrid held up their hands to block splashing water from the tussle.
"Whoo!" Ruff said, readjusting her swimsuit top as she sat down.
"Was it worth it?" Hiccup asked, as Snot chugged his beer and Ruff grinned into her wine glass.
"Seeing Snot disappear into that snow drift? Yes absolutely worth it," Ruff said deviously.
"Just you wait. I am so paying you back for that." Snot took another grouchy sip and finished off his bottle.
"So, Astrid, loser has to strip. Take it off, baby girl," Ruff said, twirling her finger at her.
Astrid turned her nose up. "I was not in this race, therefore I did not lose."
"Um, yes you were and you didn't even leave the tub."
"Astrid already stripped," Hiccup said. "She took off her bikini bottom. You never specified when and how long she had to do it."
"Shut up, she did not," Snot said.
"Yeah, she did. That's why she didn't race," Hiccup said smugly.
"Actually it's true, Hiccup untied my suit." Astrid glared at him. "So I stayed and re-tied it. We all know I would've kicked your asses if I had played."
"Strong words for a loser. But since you're disqualified, that leaves you, Snot. Let it all hang out, bro," Ruff said. "You gotta ditch the duds."
"I am not taking off my trunks!" Snot sputtered.
Hiccup grimaced. "Yeah, please no. I don't want Snot's bare ass tainting my parents' hot tub."
Snot pointed a finger at Astrid. "She's the one who lost, she should be the one who strips!"
"Guys, this all could've been avoided if you had just let me get wasted playing Never Have I Ever," Ruff said. "Somebody's gotta bare all, it's the rules of the honor challenge. I don't make 'em, I just enforce 'em folks."
"Why don't you strip then, if you're so eager for someone to get naked?" Astrid huffed.
"Is that a challenge?" Ruff reached for the strings of her top.
"No! Ruff oh my God, stop!" Astrid cried. "No one needs to get naked!"
"You're all no fun." Ruff crossed her arms and pouted.
After another good forty five minutes of banter and teasing, Ruff and Snot exited the hot tub, snuggling into the heated towels as they hurried inside.
Astrid smiled at Hiccup and glided through the water, straddling his lap. She peeked at the sliding deck door to make sure they were alone and no one could see them.
"So," she said, kissing the tip of his cold nose, "that was a mean trick you played on me."
"What, this?" he said, pulling the string of her bikini bottom loose.
"Hey!" She protested, but her disapproval quieted when he slipped his hand over her hip and between her legs. She stole a slow lingering kiss, melting into his touch.
The kiss deepened and the pace quickened as Hiccup's fingers slid into her and she gasped against his mouth. His other hand pushed her bikini top up and toyed with a hardened bud.
"Babe!" she chided, breathy and playful as she ducked her top half under the water and checked the patio door again.
"Is there a problem?" His smirk complimented the spark in his eyes.
"We could get caught."
"Eh." He shrugged, punctuating it by plunging his fingers deep as they could go. She sighed and tilted her head back, her grip on his shoulders tightening. He leaned forward and caught a nipple with his teeth, water lapping at his chin.
He slid his fingers out slowly, slipping the material of her bikini aside. Something hot and hard pressed against her flesh under the water and she sucked in a breath, rising up on her knees where she perched over him and disconnected the contact.
"Babe!" she hissed. "We can't do that out here!"
"Mmm, why not," he said, in a low voice slurred with arousal, focused on the breast that now took up his line of sight. He attempted to get his mouth on it but she covered it with her hand.
"How much have you had to drink?" she accused.
"Barely anything. I'm not drunk." His fingers started seeking other places and she wiggled her hips to shake him off.
"Then what's gotten you all riled up?"
"Are you really asking like you don't know? That little strip tease you did and the swimsuit. It's more than my primitive male monkey brain can handle."
Astrid snorted. "Okay but public displays of affection are not really your thing."
"This is hardly public."
"Right, but it is out in the open and anyone could come looking for us at any moment. You really want to get caught out here with your pants down? By your parents?"
"I don't see how this is any different than you waiting for me naked-"
"Okay, I never would have waited for you naked in your bed had I known you were bringing your parents home! This is not even remotely the same!"
"You are pretty and I love you. Do I need any other reason?" he pouted while his hand sneakily tugged at her bikini top. She screeched again and dove into the water.
They tussled around, giggling and play fighting as the water lapped at the sides of the tub. Somehow Hiccup managed to pin her arms down and he leaned in to whisper against her mouth.
"Maybe we should take this upstairs."
She snorted. "You think?"
"Yeah. Because..." his lips grazed against hers and she arched into his hint of kiss. He held up his hand. "...My fingers are all wrinkly."
She shoved her freed hand against his shoulder with a scoff. "So sexy, babe. Your dirty talk needs work."
He kissed the corner of her mouth. "Fine, let's go upstairs and practice until I get it right."
She shivered, goosebumps raising on her skin, unrelated to the frigid winter air.
"You have to tie me back up first."
"Fine, turn around," he said, put out. "Tying it back on is not nearly as fun as untying it."
"Poor you," she laughed as his fingers grazed the skin of her back while he tied the strings of her bikini. She stood up and promptly rubbed her hands on her arms, huffing in the chilly air. She stepped out of the tub and hurried over to the heated towel box. She wrapped one around her shoulders and handed one to Hiccup.
She watched as he climbed out of the hot tub, holding his hand as he hopped down, careful to avoid the ice. He quickly dried off his legs, accepting his prosthetic when Astrid handed it to him.
They hurried inside the warmth of the house.
Valka and Stoick cuddled in front of the fire place, talking low with Snot's parents. Hiccup waved to them and said goodnight with a mention they were turning in for the evening.
Ruff and Snot were already holed up in their guest bedroom, so Hiccup and Astrid returned to his room, eager to peel off their wet suits.
Astrid towel dried her hair, squeezed the water out as best she could and braided it. She pulled out a t-shirt to throw on as pajamas, but Hiccup snatched it before she could tug it over her head. She gave him a questioning look as he locked the door to his bedroom with a suggestive smirk and a raised eyebrow.
"Always wanted to get laid in this room," he whispered.
"Yeah?" Astrid returned his grin, placing a hand on her bare hip.
His eyes scanned her up and down. He gave her a sensual lingering kiss that spread heat through her belly.
He reached down, grabbing under her thighs and hefting her up, wrapping her legs around his waist and depositing her onto the bed. Astrid fell onto her back with a breathless grin.
He leaned over and peppered slow methodical kisses along the curve where her hip joined with her thigh, a highly ticklish place for her. She squirmed and he kissed more, working his way up her stomach. When he reached her breasts he situated her legs, gently opening them wider so he could slot between them. She ran her fingers through his hair as his mouth kissed across her chest, right above her heart.
He climbed up on top of her, their bare skin sliding together as he kissed her, their mouths opened and his tongue teased with hers. His lower half pressed against her, poking underneath and she grinded on him, the sensation sending pleased tingles through her abdomen. Astrid pulled away breathless, cutting herself off before she lost control. Hiccup hopped up and dug out a packet from the dufflebag, tearing it open and sheathing himself as quick as he could.
Already too cold waiting for him, Astrid burrowed herself under the covers. Hiccup slipped in and snuggled up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and sneaking a hand down to help line them up for a little spoon and slip. Astrid wiggled her hips to assist.
"Merry Christmas, milady," he whispered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
She sighed happily as he slid inside, warm and content. "Merry Christmas, babe."