Disclaimer: I do not own the characters just this fic.

Astrid bit her lip, body shifting from side to side as she stood outside Hiccup's door. It was silly, she shouldn't be nervous about paying her friend a visit, and yet she was. There was something she'd been thinking about, something that she wanted, and he was the only one who could give it to her. Steeling herself, she finally raised a hand and knocked on his door.

"It's open." Came Hiccup's voice, inviting her inside. Slipping into his hut Astrid followed the source of his voice up to his bedroom. The ground floor was for cooking and minor forge work, while upstairs was his bed and the desk where he pondered and drew. Climbing the stairs the blonde's nerves came flooding back, halting her in her steps as she stared at his lean back hunched over his latest design. Biting her lip she waited until Hiccup turned to face her, the inventor wondering why his guest was so quiet. "A-Astrid! W-what can I do for you?"

Shifting her weight to her other foot Astrid tried not to talk herself out of it. She was here now, if she left Hiccup would think something was wrong, and then there's be a big conversation and he'd probably think it was his fault she was having trouble talking to him. Taking a deep breath she finally opened her mouth. "It's silly, really." She told him, blue eyes suddenly finding the floor far more interesting than his face, despite how much she adored his face. "I just, I saw a couple of guys with them, and I thought it looked really cool and...I want a marking on my body like them."

Whatever Hiccup had thought she'd come to talk to him about, that was not on the list. In fact it hadn't even come close to the list. "Okay." Hiccup replied, processing what she'd told him with the information he knew. "W-well we can talk to some traders and see if they know who to speak to about getting one." If Astrid wanted one of these inked markings on her body then he'd help her get one.

"W-well I was hoping you would do it." Astrid replied softly, eyes finally lifting to meet his. Noticing Hiccup about to open his mouth Astrid pressed on. "I mean, you're a great artist and...you're the only one I'd trust to do it."

One look at her trusting blue eyes and there was no way Hiccup could say no. Nodding to the chair beside him, he invited her to sit down. "Okay, so I'm guessing you want a Nadder or an axe or something?" Astrid was a girl with few interests, weaponry and dragons being at the top of that list.

Pausing for a moment the girl thought about that. Initially that had been her instinct but somehow it didn't feel quite right. "I uh...I actually don't know what I want." The blonde admitted softly, it felt strange to say she had no idea what design she wanted on her body.

With a pensive face, Hiccup grabbed one of his sketch books, sliding it over to Astrid. "Uh, maybe this will give you an idea?" His mind was already racing, thinking about what he'd need to mark her body. He had a few bottles of squid ink tucked away, and he certainly had needles to set the ink into her skin. Cloth and water were easy enough to grab, he had those waiting downstairs, and there were plenty of candles if he needed more light.

Astrid flipped through the pages, keen eyes raking over each design so carefully sketched by his hand. Most were sketches of Toothless, but there were a few more abstract pieces in there. Turning the page she felt her breath catch in her throat, the image of a valkyrie staring back at her. The face was soft, a small smile on her lips while the wind whipped at the strands plucked loose from her braid. Was that how Hiccup saw her? Blue eyes flicked up to his face wondering, not for the first time, if he felt the same way about her and she did for him.

Averting her gaze back to the book before he could grow suspicious she gasped, fingers lightly tracing the paper just beside the charcoal drawing. "This one. This is the one." Placing the open book down on the desk she let Hiccup see the design that had her so enamoured.

Hiccup faultered at the picture she'd chosen, it was one of Toothless but not quite. It was a stylised design based on the Night Fury with slightly more angular features. He'd drawn it to look like it was defending something, just seconds away from attacking if needed, and he had to admit that seemed like Astrid. She was so graceful and fluid, but she could easily switch into an attack without a moment's notice if she needed to. "Okay, uh, where did you want it and when should we do this?"

"Now." Astrid replied, her voice quavering slightly. "Right now, before anything stops this happening." If she left his hut she wasn't sure she'd have the courage to come back. "And on my back, please." Apprehensive blue eyes gazed up at him, she'd just asked him to see and touch her bare back while he placed a design on her skin, something that really should only happen between betrothed vikings.

Hiccup drew in a shuddering breath, sweet Thor, how could she ask him to mark her back and know she'd most likely end up a shield maiden or married off to a viking like his cousin? No, he couldn't think like that. Astrid asked him for a favour and he was going to help her. "Okay, let me just grab some stuff. I'll uh..." Standing up he grabbed the blanket off his bed, passing it to her. "...s-so you can cover up. I'll uh...give you some privacy. Come on bud." Grumbling about leaving his warm stone, Toothless followed Hiccup downstairs to grab what they needed while Astrid removed her top.

Staring at the blanket Astrid froze, was she really doing this? Suddenly realizing Hiccup could come back at any moment, Astrid took her armour off, setting them down on the desk, her shirt and bindings were next. Hearing his metal foot clanking downstairs she quickly wrapped the blanket around her chest. "Okay, you can come back now."

Hiccup stalked back up the stairs, Toothless close behind him. Setting out the cloth and water basin, the dragon rider began to set up candles to give himself more light. "Okay, face the desk and I'll take a look." Setting his stool down directly behind her, he waited until she was settled before peeling back the edges of the blanket to stare at her naked back. Oh Thor, what had he gotten himself into?

Astrid held her breath as he reached for his charcoal, eyes closed as she waited for his touch. Careful hands shifted her braid to rest over her shoulder before gently touching her skin. His breath ghosted over her skin, fingers dancing over her back as he slowly began to map out the design over her body.

Once he began drawing it was easy to lose himself in the work. Using charcoal he began to replicate the design, cleaning away flubbed lines and re-sketching them until he was satisfied. This was for Astrid, and only the best would do. Slowly but surely he lovingly recreated his design over her back. Setting the charcoal down he let out a sigh. "Okay, now this part's going to hurt. I-I won't think less of you if you need to bite down on something."

Astrid glanced at him over her shoulder, throwing him a gentle smile. "Hey, it's not fun without a little pain, right?" Setting her elbows on the desk, her chin resting on her folded arms she got comfortable. "I'm ready when you are. I trust you." Turning back to face the desk she waited for the first sting.

Nodding to the blonde valkyrie he poured a small measure of ink into a dish, sterilizing a needle before taking up position once more. Ink on the needle his hand hovered over her back. He had his design set but now that it was time to actually mark her skin, he was terrified of messing it up. Taking a deep breath he pressed the needle into her skin, hating himself when he heard her sudden intake of breath. "We can stop if you like. We don't have to do it."

Squaring her shoulders Astrid shook her head. A little pain wasn't going to stop her, not when she'd set her mind to it. "Keep going." Gritting her teeth she was tempted to take him up on the offer of something to bite but her pride refused. Instead she clenched her teeth while trying to relax her muscles.

Hiccup couldn't even begin to describe how nervous he was. He was in his room with the girl of his dreams topless before him, expecting him to inflict pain on her while permanently marking her with one of his designs. And if that wasn't enough to make him sweat, one wrong move and he'd ruin the whole design for her, especially when she was trusting him to do it for her. Mopping the beads of sweat from his brow Hiccup dipped the needle in the ink once more and pressed the sharp tip into her skin.

Slowly but surely, Hiccup found his confidence, each prick of the needle surer than the last. It helped that Astrid had become accustomed to the constant piercing of her skin and had relaxed into it. In fact he was fairly certain she was on the verge of falling asleep. A few more pricks of the needle and the outline was complete. "What d'you think Bud? Look alright to you?" The young inventor was actually quite pleased with how the outline had turned out. He'd have to go back and shade it in but at least the bones were there for him to work with.

Toothless warbled a pleased noise from his spot on the stone slab, green eyes glancing over at the humans before settling back down for a nap. It was clear this was going to take a while so any chance of a flight was out so the dragon may as well take a nap. Wings unfurling to stretch before folding back against his body, the black dragon settled himself before closing his eyes.

"Okay, time for a break." Hiccup muttered, standing up so he could stretch his back and legs. "There's a mirror over there if you want to take a look so far." He pointed to a large sheet of polished metal over in one corner, he normally used it to reflect more light onto his projects.

Astrid stood carefully, clutching the blanket to her chest as she moved over to the mirror. Turning around she peered over her shoulder at the reflection of the dragon taking shape on her back. "Hiccup, it's beautiful." Blue eyes remained fixed on the reflection, missing the way he stared at her.

"Yes, you are. I-I mean, yeah, I think this might be some of my best work." Hiccup stumbled over his words, hoping she hadn't heard the slip of his tongue. He'd always though Astrid was gorgeous but seeing her under the golden glow of the candles, the way it seemed to illuminate her skin, he thought she was stunning. Thor, why did he have to fall for the prettiest, most intelligent and capable viking of their age? He knew why, it was because she was so intelligent and quick on her feet. Astrid was grace and fury in one delectable body, a divine beauty if ever he saw one.

Astrid was too busy staring at the ink on her back to hear what he said completely. "Yeah, I agree. This is incredible Hiccup." Walking back over to the stool she settled herself back in place for more ink. "Ready when you are Dragon Boy." The blonde waited with baited breath for his hands to reach for her once more, eyes fluttering closed as his fingers brushed against the slightly tender skin. The pain had become a memory but even if it hadn't she would've wanted it to continue for as long as possible just so she could feel his fingers on her spine, his gentle breath blowing at her skin after he pricked it to sooth the nerves beneath. It was a silly fantasy, she knew, but she wished they were more than just friends.

Hiccup had finished the head and wings when he noticed the blonde had actually fallen asleep. Smiling fondly at the girl he paused to stretch before settling back in to work on the tail. "Sometimes I wish you knew just how much I adore you." Hiccup muttered to the slumbering blonde, taking solace in the knowledge she would never know he spoke these words to her. "Every night I dream of you by my side creating a future of our own design. Those dreams are so wonderful I never want to wake up, but then Toothless demands his morning flight and it's back to reality." Gingerly he leaned forward, placing the lightest of kisses to the knape of her neck, jerking backwards as he felt her shift, before shaking his head and turning back to his work once he was sure she wouldn't wake up. "Thor, I wish I was less of a Hiccup just so I'd be worthy of someone like you, Milady."

The brush of lips against her neck had Astrid's eyes snap open before she promptly shut them, hoping he didn't notice. Did Hiccup just...kiss her? It wasn't the sloppy, slobbery messes Snotlout tried to place on her, nor was it like the few quick pecks she's placed on Hiccup throughout the years. This kiss was slow, gentle and somehow far more intimate than she'd expected from Hiccup, and she wished he'd do it again. His next words broke her heart, how could he think he wasn't good enough? Hiccup was the only viking to view the world differently and find the truth between the blood-feud that had plagued humans and dragons for generations. Hiccup was better than all of them, it was Astrid who'd been doubting if he actually held any affection for her.

"You never kissed me back." Astrid replied softly, one of them had to be brave enough to say something and it seemed clear now that Hiccup needed this as much as she did. "All those times I kissed you, you never kissed me back, and I thought it was because you just didn't want to hurt my feelings, or you just weren't interested." Blue eyes fluttered open but she kept her gaze on her arms pillowing her head, not quite brave enough to face the man she'd fallen in love with.

"W-what? No, that's insane!" Hiccup exclaimed, eyes wide as he stared at the blonde who was supposed to be asleep. "How could I not want to? I mean, you're you! You're Astrid!" The needle hovered over her back, his focus locked on the blonde's face rather than his work for the moment. "But you surprised me a-and then the moment was gone and I didn't know how to get it back."

Setting the needle down he spun her around to face him, careful to keep the blanket pressed to her chest. "Astrid, I've been in love with you since before I even knew what love was." A trembling hand reached out to brush his thumb against her cheek, a small smile reaching his lips as she leaned into the contact. "You're brave, and smart, and Thor, have you seen you? How could I not want you?"

One hand pinning the blanket to her chest, Astrid reached her other hand out to grasp his. "I know I was hard on you when we were in Dragon Training, but then you opened my eyes and made me see the man you truly were, and Hiccup, he's incredible." Finally free to express how much she adored him, Astrid's eyes gleamed with all the passion she held for him. "You might not see a big, brave viking, but I do. Hiccup, you're thoughtful, and inventive, and sensitive, and you're not afraid to show how much people mean to you, and that's pretty brave if you ask me. Braver than me, anyway." Gazing up at him she began to lean a little closer. "So if I were to kiss you now...?"

Green eyes dropped from her eyes to her lips, fleeting memories of her quick pecks still colouring his dreams. "Oh Thor." He whispered before closing the gap and kissing her as he'd wanted to for so many years. His lips molded against hers, parting the moment he felt her tongue requesting entrance, his own returning the favour. Panting slightly he pulled back, eyes alight with desire as he stared at her. Claiming a couple more kisses Hiccup finally retreated. "As much as I'd love to keep doing that, I kind of want to finish your marking."

Nodding silently Astrid turned back around. Hiccup was right, they should finish the dragon on her back, and the sooner he did, the sooner she could go back to kissing him. Biting her lip, a devious glint in her eyes, she let the blanket go, the woolen fabric pooling in her lap before dropping to the floor.

"A-a-astrid!" Hiccup's slightly panicked voice sounded behind her, his eyes staring at what the blanket had obscured. From his place behind her, he could see the gentle curves of the sides of her breasts, especially when she leaned forward to fold her arms over the desk to brace herself.

The blonde permitted a small, pleased smile to cross her face before replying. "Yeah, yeah, only a woman's intended husband should see her in such a state of undress." Rolling her eyes she turned her head to gaze at him over her shoulder. "I kissed you, you're mine Dragon Boy."

Hiccup's mouth dropped, of all the things he expected to come out of Astrid's mouth, her declaration of wanting to be his wife one day was not one of them. "Oh you, Milady, are going to be trouble." He chuckled, picking up the needle and continuing his work, his voice letting her know he was completely content with her brand of trouble in his life. Leaning in he brought his lips close to her ear. "Pretty sure I kissed you first." He whispered, ducking his head to place a kiss to her shoulder before lightly nipping the spot. The inventor chuckled at her soft whine when he pulled back to complete his artwork on her back.

Soft cloth pressed against her skin, removing any excess ink before sitting back to look at his work. She was stunning, sitting in the candlelight, her skin covered in a golden glow while a Night Fury covered her back. That tricky little Nadder, she'd just made him place his own mark all over her back. If that wasn't a declaration of who held her heart, he didn't know what was. "What'd you think Bud? Does it look like you?"

Toothless grudgingly stood up, wandering over to take a look at the design on Astrid's back. Giving them both a soft warble of approval, he tilted his head as Hiccup encouraged the dragon to lick her back. Rolling his eyes the dragon dragged his tongue over the tender flesh, dragon saliva was fairly useful for killing off infection and assisting the healing process.

Astrid scrunched her nose up as she felt Toothless' drool cover her back but she had to admit, her back felt less tender afterwards. "Thanks, both of you." Reaching behind her she petted the dragon's snout, using touch alone to locate the spot under his chin that always got him purring.

"What? No chin-scratches for me?" Hiccup teased, hurrying to cover his and Toothless' eyes when the blonde stood and made her way over to the mirror. "Sweet baby Thor in a thunderstorm, are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Astrid shook her head at him before admiring his handiwork in the mirror. "It's perfect Hiccup. I love it." Stalking back over to the man she loved she bent down, placing her hands on his knees so she was eye-level with him. "And no you don't get chin-scratches." Warm, supple lips pressed against his, smiling at the hand still firmly planted over his eyes. "But I'd like it if you held me tonight. I mean, I don't think I can put my shirt back on at the moment, and I don't want to try to get to my hut without it, but mostly I just really want to be close to you for tonight."

The brightest smile she'd ever seen lit up Hiccup's face. "Do I get to kiss you again?" Holding Astrid was more than he could possibly want, but the idea of kissing her again, of feeling her lips against his, Thor, that was his idea of Valhalla. "Anytime I want?"

Astrid was hard pressed to bite back the laugh bubbling up her throat. Most guys would try to push for so much more knowing a half-naked woman would be in their bed, but all Hiccup wanted was more kisses. "Of course, I mean, kisses are a requirement."

Darting forward Hiccup pressed his lips to hers once more, grinning like a fool for having permission to do that as many times as he wished. Nodding his head towards the bed, he stayed seated with his hand over his eyes until he knew she was on the bed and settled. Dropping his hand he walked over to the bed, placing a hand in her hair and caressing the golden strands. "I'll go grab us some dinner and feed the dragons. Be back soon, Milady." Dropping a kiss to her shoulder he slipped out of the hut, Toothless remaining to guard Astrid.

It didn't take him long to grab what he needed and slip back to the Valkyrie waiting for him in his hut. With Stormfly fed, and a basket of fish downstairs to occupy Toothless for a while, Hiccup climbed the stairs to share a meal with Astrid, blanket pressed to her chest once more. It wasn't until their plates were clean and placed aside that Hiccup began to feel a little awkward. "So uh, h-how should we do this?"

"Take your shirt off." Astrid told him, watching as he hesitantly removed the crimson fabric, as well as his boot. "Prosthetic too." The last command earned her a wary look before he dutifully removed the metal leg and set it against the side of his bed. "Now lay down."

Hiccup shuffled down until he was lying on his back, wondering what Astrid had planned for them. He watched as she fussed with the blanket until it was covering both of them, before rolling over and laying so she was half-on top of him, her head resting on his chest. Smiling down at her his gaze lingered on her back and the Night Fury emblazoned on her skin. Slipping his arm beneath her he had thought to rest his hand on her back but suddenly realised how terrible that would be. "Would uh, would it be okay if my hand was on your-uh...backside, Milady?"

Astrid chuckled at how sweet he was for requesting permission once more. "Very much okay, Babe." The blonde replied, shifting closer to share his warmth as his hand very carefully shifted to rest on the very base of her spine on the swell of her backside. "And Hiccup? I love you too."

Reaching down, Hiccup tilted her head so he could kiss her one last time. "I can't wait to wake up to this." He muttered reverently, the idea of one day being able to do this on a regular basis was everything he'd ever dreamed of, plus dragons. One by one the candles blew out, Toothless no doubt snuffing the flames out before settling down on his stone slab, the fire downstairs built high enough to keep the hut warm all night. Closing his eyes the young dragon rider finally drifted off, a smile still plastered on his face.

May your thoughts and creativity flow

-Lady Ami DragonHeart