It starts off as little things here and there that she notices. He would hug he a little tighter when he left in the mornings to attend to his duties. His kisses would linger, whether it be a simple peck while passing by, or in the heat of the moment; whatever it be, he would always linger longer than he used to. He would hold her closer at night, or always be sure to have some part of him constantly in contact with her while they slept; sometimes having her leg intertwined in between his, or his fingers hanging lightly against her wrist. It became constant, and Astrid couldn't help but soak up every moment she got of it.

She never mentions it to him; never brings up the fact that he's been growing closer to her through the months, because she knows why. She's held him through the tears and the anguish of his best friend being gone. She would be the one to go out and find him after he had been gone for too long, only to find him sitting in the same spot each time where he had let Toothless go, longingly looking towards the sky with glistening eyes and a tear stained face. She would never say anything, rather she just sit beside him and hold him, letting her presence be what he finds comfort in.

Ever so slowly, she finds him visiting the cliffside less and less as the months pass. He begins to engross himself fully into the village as it re-learns its ways of life without the help of the dragons. It's a slow process at first, but with their close knit group helping him every step of the way, it becomes easier and easier to manage the bigger tasks that used to seem so small.

He comes home early when he can and soaks up every minute with her. He tells her that he loves her more often than he used to, sometimes for no reason at all, and it fills her with warmth and love as she returns the confessions each time. Somedays, though not often, she's awoken to peppered kisses and promises of a day to themselves, and it's never a lie. They'll disappear to the cliffside that holds memories of growth and of loss with a small basket of food and the warm summers air whistling around them, leaving the village to Gobber and Eret for the day. They relish each other's presence, not taking a single moment for granted. Most often, they find themselves recalling moments from their time on the Edge, sad smiles gracing their lips as they remember the time when the sky was limitless, and the world was theirs to explore. She knows how much she misses it and knows that that can only compare to how much he must miss it.

Though as Hiccup pulls her into his side, kissing her temple with a touch as soft as his soul, she realizes just how much they have both grown. Not just as individuals, but as a husband and wife. She takes heart in knowing that he finds comfort and tranquility in her presence, as she does in him. They hold dear the memories of the past, but grasp firmly to those of now and what is to come, finding sanctuary in each other.