It was one of those spring days where the sky couldn't decide what it wanted to be. Dark, rumbling clouds skirted along Berk's mountain range, shedding rain, and chasing behind it was the sky of brightest blue that any person on Berk would swear was their favourite colour. It had been raining for the past two days straight, and the reprieve found in the blue was enough to make anyone's heart fly.

More than anyone, Astrid probably felt the lightest. The windows of her apartment were thrown open, allowing the earthy smell of the rain to air it out. Ever since finishing her degree at Carleton and moving back to Berk for the summer, she had this feeling of calm that overtook her, so she wasn't urgent on unpacking. Unopened boxes still lay scattered around the room, even though she moved in a week ago – the only unpacked think was the kettle, some clothes, and her hockey bag (admittedly, she had unpacked that first for her workout – being drafted into the woman's league for the upcoming season, she had to keep in shape). She sat with her legs stretched out on the couch, sipping her tea and scrolling through her phone.

She hummed to herself, flicking away notifications, responding to a few texts. Rachel and Timothy wanted to meet up at some point, probably since they missed the old days. Tuff had been away at fashion school and had just finished his first year working at a bridal shop in Concord, but Ruff had stayed in Berk and taken a business degree. Now they were working together, trying to work up a portfolio and get Tuff's genius noticed, hopefully to open their own shop.

Astrid agreed to meet them at some point in the next few days, staving them off on their group chat.

She opened her texts from one other person. Apparently he was sleeping in, because he hadn't replied to her texts.

8:11 Astrosmurf (Astrid Hofferson): Goodmorning 3

8:30 Astrosmurf (Astrid Hofferson): Babe

Astrosmurf (Astrid Hofferson): Wake up

9:22 Astrosmurf (Astrid Hofferson): Hiccup

Astrid huffed, and typed out another text.

9:35 Astrosmurf (Astrid Hofferson): BABE

9:36 Hiccup (Harrison Haddock): Sorry! My phone was on mute. I'm awake

Hiccup (Harrison Haddock): I have today off – Gobber's treat – how about a date night?

Astrid rolled her eyes at the text. Of course, but how could she refuse?

9:37 Astrosmurf (Astrid Hofferson): Sure. Any ideas?

Hiccup (Harrison Haddock): It'll be a surprise. ;) I'll pick you up at 7

=0=

Astrid adjusted the hem of her skirt, scowling. The worst part of Hiccup's surprise dates were that she never knew if they were going somewhere formal or not. That's how she ended up wearing a two hundred dollar dress to a dive diner in Ompah.

Oh, Thor, she couldn't do that again. Astrid spun around, locating another one of her clothing boxes and digging out a jean jacket. Okay. Better. She could put it on to dress down her burgundy long-sleeve and black skirt, if she needed to. It would work if it got colder out, too. The clouds were all gone and it was crystal clear out, but after the sun goes down, that would bring a bit of a chill.

She trotted down to the main floor, swinging down the stairs, since the elevator always stalled on the third floor. It was five to six when she stood on the curb, watching that green Camaro roll down the street and pull to a stop. The passenger window rolled down, and Hiccup leaned over so Astrid could see him and the shades that were pushed halfway down his nose. "Mi'lady."

Astrid chuffed, flinging open the car door and dropping into the passenger seat. Some music was playing from the iPod dock – some song she didn't know – and there was the new addition of a Carleton Ravens ornament hanging from the rear-view, courtesy of her. "Babe." She planted kiss on his cheek.

She decided to try to get their destination out of him as they merged back into traffic. "So~ where are we headed?"

"Do you know what a surprise is?" Hiccup checked over his shoulder, then back at her, "Because that's where we're going."

"Oh, come on."

"Just wait for it, Astrid."

Astrid didn't pry further, but in their idle chatter they discussed all sorts of things, and she tried to pick out a common theme. They talked about trying to get everyone from their group together again at some point. They talked about how Fishlegs was moving to Jasper to work at the wildlife conservation in the park, primarily in botany. They meandered through conversation until Astrid realised that they were on the edge of town and were taking the road into the foothills – particularly, up the foothills.

She side-eyed her boyfriend, but he kept his eyes on the road, fingers tapping the wheel.

They finally pulled to a stop at the top of the hill – giving them a stunning view of the town as it settled in for the evening. The sun was just starting to touch the mountains to the west, spraying the sky with gorgeous array of purples, pinks, and oranges. Hiccup unceremoniously leaned over to open Astrid's door for her. She lifted her arms, laughing as he struggled, but he finally made it, popping it open and pushing it with his fingertips.

Astrid took it from there, opening it fully and sliding out. She swore she only stopped to look at the sunset for five seconds, but Hiccup already had dug out a big blanket and a basket from the trunk, and motioned her over. Together they spread the zigzag patterned blanket on the grass, and they sat, his right shoulder touching her left, as the sun went down behind the mountains. Behind them, the night sky rolled upwards, bringing the evening stars.

"I, uh, brought some food." Hiccup opened up the basket, pulling out wrapped sandwiches and two bottles of Coke.

Astrid took a bottle. "Ah, yes, Coke. So romantic."

"Hey, I have to drive afterwards, it would be no fair if you got a bottle of wine all to yourself."

"I suppose," Astrid smiled at him, clinking their bottles together. "Cheers."

They sipped at their drinks until night had completely drawn her light speckled cover over the valley, and they lay on their backs and gazed at the stars, fingers twined together.

"There's Polaris." Astrid pointed. She always caught that one first, mostly because she had difficulty finding constellations. That's why she had Hiccup. She just pointed out the brightest, sparkliest ones she could find in the sky.

"There's Sagittarius."

"And the Big Dipper." She pointed it out, but then retracted her arm. "But then again, everyone knows that one." She scowled, tilting her head off to the side to see if she could recognise any stars coming over the mountains. She found one. "That one's pretty too."

"How 'bout this one?"

Astrid twisted to see where he was pointing, but with a further squint she saw something right at the tip of his fingers. Oh dear Thor. Her mouth suddenly went dry. "I… uh… really pretty."

He brought it down, holding it to his chest, looking back and forth between Astrid and the ring nervously. "Ast-Astrid." His throat had gone dry from nerves but when he looked into Astrid's wonderstruck eyes it gave him the courage to continue. "Astrid Hofferson. You're the best thing that happened to me and the most important person in my life." A single happy tear rolled down Astrid's cheek, she wiped it away with the back of her hand. "Would you do me the honour of staying by my side for the rest of our lives?"

Astrid laughed into her hand, more tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. "Yes. Yes." She laughed again, leaning forward and kissing him.

Hiccup smiled into the kiss, breaking just long enough to slide the ring onto her finger. It took him a couple tries before it completely slid on, and Astrid hungrily pulled him back into the kiss.

"Am I really the most important person in your life?" She broke again. "I thought that was Toothless."

He laughed, shoulders shaking. "Yes you are." He cupped her cheek, stroking lightly with his thumb. "But the cat's part of the package deal."

Astrid's laugh turned into a hum as she pressed her forehead to his. "Wouldn't dare separate you two. Hmm?" She punched his bicep lightly. "Good thing I love you."