Before they had realized it, it was dark outside and the clock had just passed 11 PM by a few minutes. If Hiccup would've lived alone, he would've gone to bed just past nine.

He was glad he didn't live alone though because she made his life so much more exciting. He could finally talk to someone other than Toothless and he could finally do things without them getting boring after a while.

However, with her, nothing was boring. They stayed up, chatted and played Monopoly from time to time, - Hiccup was a bad loser - and sometimes watched TV or a movie before going to bed.

He always felt like he would be like one of those cat ladies, living alone. Falling for someone but never having a chance, maybe having relationships but them never working out and just giving up trying one day and live with cats instead.

That wasn't the case now though. Or, at least he hoped it wouldn't be because she was sitting right there, beside him.

His arm was wrapped around her shoulder and his hand was resting on her collar. Astrid really enjoyed this. Cuddling. Even just sitting beside him was fine. She was very fond of the young man sitting beside her.

She laid her head on his shoulder, sighing. A smile crept onto Hiccup's lips and he squeezed her gently.

She started thinking about when he kissed her. Gods, that kiss. She had gotten to kiss him, - she hadn't really waited years to kiss him because he had only been a teacher to her. Well, up until a week or two ago but she couldn't stop thinking about him and that kiss.

Astrid turned her head upwards and looked at him. Hiccup seemed to notice and looked down at her. Their eyes fixated on each other and neither could look away from the other. One explored the endless sea and the other one walked through a forest, wanting to discover it's mysteries.

Astrid shifted and pulled her legs up, turning towards him and draping her right arm over his stomach. She buried her nose into his shirt below his collar and sighed in contentment, a smile on her lips. Hiccup put his free hand, - his left one - over hers and Astrid's fingers twitched.

Unknowingly, Hiccup's fingers curled under hers and he held her hand softly.

He leaned back and rested his head against the sofa, continuing to watch the movie, "Knight And Day."

•••

When the credits started to roll, he looked down and smiled at the sight. She had fallen asleep on his shoulder, again. It was starting to become a habit, - he didn't mind it though. grabbing the remote, he turned off the TV. Pulling away slowly, he carefully slipped his arm under her knees and back. Lifting her up, he slowly started to walk into their room.

Astrid stirred and looked at him.

"Shh," Hiccup hushed her as he softly placed her down onto the right side of the bed, - the side that had become hers. He pulled the covers over her before grabbing his pajama pants from the wardrobe. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, he took his jeans off and changed, throwing the piece of clothing on his desk chair because he really couldn't care about it at that moment.

He slipped into the bed and covered himself with the blanket. Astrid reached out and ran her hand over the length of his spine. "Turn around," He heard her whisper, almost begging.

He did.

Astrid smiled and scooted up to him, burying her face into his chest.

Hiccup wrapped his arm around her waist and rested his hand between her shoulder blades. "Goodnight, Astrid," Hiccup whispered and pressed a kiss on her forehead. Astrid hummed before opening her eyes slightly.

"Thank you, Hiccup."

"For what?"

"Thank you for letting me stay here and for being so nice. I don't know what I would do if I would've been alone right now. Thank you, Hiccup," She said, pulling her arm back from his waist and placing it on his chest. She tangled one of her legs with his.

Hiccup smiled and pulled back slightly, looking down at her. Astrid turned her head upwards and their eyes met.

He bent his neck slightly and leaned down softly, gazing her in the eyes until their noses touched. His eyes fell shut as he closed the space between their mouths. Her eyes rolled back and she hummed against his mouth.

Astrid moved her hand and slid it along his neck and let it rest on his jaw. She felt his stubble under her fingers and she moved them, caressing the skin along his jawbone.

Hiccup shifted and leaned over her. Their bodies crushed against each other and she swore she felt sparks wherever they touched.

She felt his arm move and land beside her head, his hand in her hair, grabbing fistfuls of it and gently caressing her scalp.

His courage must've gotten a boost because his tongue slipped over her bottom lip and she squeaked out of surprise but immediately answered him. Opening her mouth and meeting his tongue, she kissed him back with as much passion as he was.

Hiccup pulled away for a moment, pecking the corner of her mouth before saying four words that made her heart burst and make her resume kissing him.

"I love you, Astrid."

That was the moment she knew she would never let him go.