ASTRID POV

After Hiccup left, I waited in my living room for Devon to arrive. I was really curious to see how he's changed. When we were children, his family used to visit us and we'd play together. He was a tough kid like me, but smart. It's not like we were filthy rich, but being nobles, Devon and I had a different life from my other friends. 

The door swung open and in walked Devon. My jaw dropped at the sight I saw. He's grown much taller than I expected. His long, blond hair draped over his broad shoulders.Expensive clothes covered the muscles which I could sense were there. I guess those are the perks of being a noble. 

"Astrid? Is that you? You look amazing!" Devon said.

"Um, thanks." I covered my blushing cheek. I guess I do look pretty good in this dress. "You've grown so much. You used to be so little," I said, inspecting him from head to toe.

"As if you were any bigger back then," Devon chuckled.

"C'mon, I'll show you around. A lot of things have changed since you were last here at Berk," I said as I lead the way to the door.

Devon and I stepped outside into the village. It was still morning, and the villagers were going on about their usual viking life. Devon walked beside me, taking notice of all the new buildings on Berk.

"How have you been? It's been like what, ten or something years?" I asked.

"Yeah, I can't believe it's been that long."

I gave him a playful shove on his shoulder. "Why haven't you visited for so long?"

"I'm sorry. Things are just so busy back in my village. How are you doing here?" Devon asked.

"Oh, you wouldn't believe everything that's happened with me. You do know about the dragons?" I asked.

"Everyone in the archipelago's heard about it. So you ride dragons now?"

"Yep, I'm one of the best!" I said.

"I'm not surprised. Even when we were kids you'd be better than the guys at sports," he said. 

"Even you," I added.

"Not anymore, though," he stated, puffing his chest out as subtly as he could.

"Oh, yeah? Let's arm-wrestle and find out," I said, offering my hand.

Devon chuckled, "I don't think that's a good idea, what with this being an engagement meeting and all."

"You just don't want to lose to a girl," I said.

"That too," he said, falling back to a more relaxed stance. "I was kinda surprised you accepted my proposal. I thought you'd forgotten about me." He smiled nervously.

"No, of course not. You were one of my best friends back then," I said.

"Really?" His sullen mood switched to delight.

"Yep," I said.

"Man, this is great. I can't believe we're getting engaged." His smile took up half his face.

I felt a little bad. I was so focused on my plan that I didn't even think about how it would affect Devon. I'm not doing anything wrong. It's my decision whom to marry, but I feel like I'm lying to Devon. No matter how well this engagement meeting goes, at the end of the day I'll still reject him. He doesn't even have a chance. Can I actually go through with this plan?

"Let's not think about it too much," I suggested. "How about we just take it one step at a time?" 

Yes, I have to do this. I mean, I like him, but he's not my Hiccup. And Hiccup is the only one I will marry, no matter what my parents want me to do. Sorry, Devon.

"You're right, let's just have fun like old times," he said.

I decided to take Devon to see Stormfly since he's never seen a dragon up close. In a friendly manner, that is. We flew around Berk and even sled down the mountain. Luckily, the mountains had a lot of snow this time of year. I was glad he wasn't one of those people who couldn't stand the idea of dragons living with vikings.

"They really are amazing," Devon said, brushing my dragon's side.

"Yeah, they are."

"Hey, any chance you could  teach me how to train dragons?" he asked excitedly.

"Sure. I'd love to," I said.

"Imagine an entire squadron of dragons aiding our armies. We'd be unstoppable! We could take any piece of land we desired!" he stated.

"Uh, I don't think so. We keep dragons as our friends, not as weapons," I corrected.

"I thought you were a soldier. You should be concerned with strengthening Berk's power," Devon said.

"I am, but we're not trying to take over the archipelago." I could feel my eyebrows tightening my face again.

"Who are you and what did you to the old Astrid? The one who always dreamed of making Berk an empire?" he asked. 

"I'm still me, Devon. But I see things a little differently now," I said. "I hope you understand."

"Okay, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything to upset you," Devon sighed. "Let's just do something else."

After that, I thought hard for something for us to do. I might as well make this day as fun as I can for the both of us. "I've got an idea."

I set up some barrels at the arena and we had an axe throwing competition, which I won easily. We even had some friendly sparring and that was where I noticed that Devon was just as strong as I was at fighting. For a while, I forgot that we were in the middle of a marriage arrangement. It felt like we were kids again, playing all day with little concern for the future. 

Although that feeling changed when we went into Mead Hall for some drinks. 

It was already late in the evening when we sat down at a table with a large pitcher of mead and two pints. Devon poured himself a drink and gulped it down.

"Ahh! This is some of the best I've ever tasted!" he stated.

And he was right. Berk may not be the prettiest or safest place to live, but we do have amazing mead. At least, that's what the adults say.

"Aren't you drinking?" he asked after downing another pint.

"No, I don't drink," I replied politely.

"Why not?"

"I've heard too many stories from my uncle about the times when he drank too much." I propped my head up with my elbow, trying not to look bored. I wasn't bored actually. At least I'm with someone I know, rather than some stranger my parents pick.

"Ah, you're missing out. You're already 16; other girls your age are already drinking."

I looked at the pitcher, debating on whether or not it was time for me to taste it. In the end, I decided to simply sit with Devon and try to enjoy our time together.

Suddenly, after his fifth or sixth pint, Devon started getting hiccups which made me giggle slightly.

"What's--hic--so funny?" he asked.

"Nothing. You've got a bad case of the hiccups," I said.

Hiccups. Hiccup. Wait.

"Oh, Sweet Freya on a donkey!" I exclaimed, grabbing my head with both hands.

"What?" Devon got startled from my sudden burst.

"I'm so sorry, I totally forgot I have to be somewhere right now!" I hopped off the bench.

"Where are you going?" he asked, standing up after me.

I racked my brain for a good answer. "Uh, I have to uh... help a friend out with something."

"With what? Can I help?"

"It's something... dragon related. Very technical stuff. You'd just get bored," I chattered. "So I'll just see you tomorrow."

"Okay, good night, Astrid," Devon waved me off and I speed walked to the large exit doors.

Ugh, Astrid, you are the dumbest girl on the planet.

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AUTHOR POV

Hiccup was busily pacing in his room until his dragon's warble interrupted him. 

"Yeah, I know bud. It's not that late. Maybe she's on her way," Hiccup sighed.

Toothless moaned depressingly. It was already late in the evening and the two had been waiting hours for Astrid to come. 

Hiccup crashed onto his bed and stayed there for a few moments. "Oh, who am I kidding? Of course she wouldn't come. It's my fault, really. I shouldn't have asked her out on the same day she has a marriage arrangement."

The Night Fury nodded his head. 

"Thank you, you useless reptile. A little support would be greatly appreciated here, you know," Hiccup said. "I just hope that it's not too awkward if I ask her out again."

Hiccup sat up and patted himself off. "That's if I can even ask her again," he sighed. "Do you think she'd ask me out on a date?" he turned to the dragon.

Toothless laughed with a huge smile as if he'd just heard the funniest joke ever told. "Oh, that is it. Come on, bud. Let's get those bags off you. I don't think she's coming."

Suddenly, the Night Fury turned his head to the window, alerted to someone's presence. Sure enough, the blonde shieldmaiden climbed through the opening and stepped into the room.

"You know, it's much less conspicuous if you go through the front door," Hiccup said, acting normally. "It looks like you're trying to rob everything in our house."

"Hiccup, I am so sorry. There was just so many things going on and I just completely forgot about us." Astrid gripped her hand nervously.

"No worries. I'm glad you could even make it," he smiled.

"You still want to go?" she asked, slightly surprised at his tone.

"Of course," he said. "Do you still want to go?"

"Oh, come on, we're already late!" she said, ending the delays.

Astrid didn't forget to greet the other "person" in the room. She scratched Toothless' chin, causing the Night Fury to purr in her touch. She noticed Toothless' saddlebags were filled with supplies. "What are these?"

"Those are for later," he said, covering the supplies so she couldn't see inside the bags. "Wait, did you change?" he only now noticed that she had slipped off her dress and was back in her usual outfit.

"Yeah, I wanted to get in something more comfortable," she said, making her spiked skirt clink with a sway of her hips.

"Of course, because spiked shoulder guards are known for their comfort," he teased.

Astrid wasn't fazed one bit. "They really are. You should try wearing them sometime. But I don't know if they make them that small," she said.

"Okay, you win," he smiled in defeat.

"Right? Because you're shoulders are so tiny!" 

"Astrid, I'm dead already! You don't need to rub it in."

"You started it." It would take more time before Hiccup could match her sass. "Where we going?" she popped another question.

"You'll see when we get there," Hiccup looked away, avoiding dropping any hints. Astrid wrinkled her nose at him in frustration. Having secrets kept from her wasn't one of her favorite things. "Shall we?" Hiccup asked, extending his hand.

Astrid mouth formed a smile and she gave him her hand without another word.

The two hopped on the Night Fury and flew into the sky. Astrid gripped Hiccup's chest tightly from behind, which drew a giant grin on the boy's face. She loved hugging his small chest, especially from the back. Astrid deliberately landed her right hand on his breast to feel his heartbeat, which was rising rapidly. 

Normally, that would be the closest they would touch when they flew. However, Astrid surprised him when she started nuzzling her cheek and nose into his neck. In the biting cold of the night sky, Hiccup's body was burning up with blushes all over. With her chest pressed onto his back, her hands wrapped around his chest, and her cheek attacking his neck, Hiccup tried not to pass out during the flight.

"Sorry for making you wait," she said apologetically.

Hiccup wondered if it was even possible for him to get angry at her, especially when she's hugging him like this. Maybe if she committed ten murders he could possibly start to dislike her.

Stepping out of Mead Hall, Devon looked up and saw the couple flying over the moonlight sky, his future bride touching the boy in a very intimate manner. 

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A/N: Sorry if this chapter is a bit all over the place. Originally I was gonna have Astrid meet loads of suitors, but that would probably be too many characters. Anyways, you should be able to guess where Hiccup and Astrid are going on their first date...