Symphony of Shadows

43. Sunset

A/N: You all are going to love this one:)

A couple of days had passed since Astrid decided to stop giving Hiccup the cold shoulder. It was nice not having to be so defensive around him and she felt like she could finally relax. Since she had virtually nothing to do to fill her time, she explored the island with her trusty companion, Stormfly. Her ancestors must be rolling in their graves.

The only thing that irritated her was when Hiccup would randomly fly his dragon, even when there was no specific destination. Why would he need to fly if they weren't really going anywhere? She wondered if it was even enjoyable to soar on the back of a dragon.

It was as if Hiccup could hear her thoughts because he came up behind her with his dragon's saddle in hand.

"We'll be back in an hour tops. Try not to destroy the island while we're away." Hiccup flashed her a coy smile and she turned her head to hide her blush. Gah. Her traitorous emotions betrayed her once again.

She figured now was as good of a time as any to ask him questions.

"Why do you like flying so much?"

He looked up from where he was securing the saddle onto a very eager Toothless. She still couldn't get over the ridiculous name for the notorious dragon, but it was such a Hiccup thing to do. Train a killing machine? Yup, sounds like a Toothless to me.

He answered with the widest grin on his face. "What's not to like? The sun on my skin, the wind on my face, the rush of it all. When I'm flying, it's like my mind turns off and any thoughts that plague me vanish in an instant. It's just me, Toothless, and nothing but sky."

That was... not what she was expecting. Astrid imagined that the sheer altitude alone would petrify any normal person. She had to admire Hiccup's bravery, however unusual it was.

Stormfly nudged Astrid's arm with her beautiful horn and chittered happily once Astrid scratched her chin. Astrid couldn't help but smile at the adorable interaction. Who knew dragons were so needy? She didn't mind, though; she liked feeling needed. Stormfly's vulnerability was a sign of trust, an olive branch that if Astrid nurtured, would eventually blossom.

To their side, Toothless cooed enthusiastically and practically bounced with happiness as Hiccup slid into the saddle. Hiccup was equally as enthusiastic as he laughed and affectionately patted his dragon.

She blurted out, "I want to learn how to fly."

Astrid wanted to know what all the fuss was about. Granted, she'd never been higher than Gothi's hut, but she would try it. Hel, she was brave, too. Astrid wanted to show Stormfly that her trust wasn't superficial. Astrid trusted her with her life. And what better way to show it than flying so high that falling surely meant death.

Hiccup hesitated for a moment, but then his smile spread from ear to ear. He looked like a child waking up on Snoggletog. It was an infectious grin that she hadn't seen before. It made him appear younger, before the troubles of the world made themselves known. She loved it. Hiccup ran over to his hut and almost tripped in his haste. Her chest fluttered at his eagerness and she didn't even blink when he came back with a rope. He brushed the hair out of his face and called Stormfly over.

"This is going to be a little rough, but it will do for now. Don't worry, I'll make you a saddle and everything so you'll be much more comfortable. It's a little odd riding bareback but you get used to it. I should probably get your measurements, you can even customize the saddle if you want."

She placed a gentle hand on his chest to stop his rambling. "Hiccup, I think we're getting ahead of ourselves here. I might not even like flying."

He just shook his head and laughed in response, like she'd told him a good joke. Astrid gave him an odd look. Maybe he was crazier than she thought.