HttYD: Behind Our Eyes

Behind Twin Eyes

Ruffnut and Tuffnut had not failed to notice the absence of Hiccup on their departure from Berk, but Ruff had elbowed her brother before he could ask. They sang loudly on the flight, allowing Astrid her thoughts rather then trying to make her join in their joviality. Everyone who'd been on Dragon's Edge, enemies included, could see the strong bonds between Hiccup and Astrid. Actually, Ruff figured the only one's they'd fooled since the day Hiccup first walked on his Hiccup-y not so peg leg were themselves and Snotlout for a time. Snotlout was an idiot, but even he eventually noticed and accepted how the two just fit. Ruff grinned to her brother as they made camp later that night, communicating in that way only twins could. He laughed, mumbling softly to his sister about foolishly blind Vikings and epic love stories. For all that Astrid was paying attention the two could have spoken much more openly.

Ruff observed their normally focused friend, considering the issue at hand. Astrid was fingering a dagger, tilting it so the light of their camp fire played on it's details. Normally seeing Astrid with a blade in hand was expected, seeing her focus on one was not strange either. Seeing her do so to the extend of not even noticing the twins antics however. . . Her concerned thoughts for their friend were interrupted when her brother nudged her and pointed to the water. Ruff squinted, before noticing the water kicking up someways off as if effected by something moving fast.

"Really fast." Tuff whispered to her, knowing what they were both thinking. Ruff stood and stretched, making an excuse that one viking took no notice of and another knew was just that. Ruff grabbed one burning branch as a torch and slipped down to the beach far below their cliff side camp site. She waved the torch, relaxing when the water track turned her way. A short time later Hiccup and Toothless made a nearly soundless landing before her, green eyes looking to her in confusion as she shook the make shift torch at him.

"Hiccup Haddock, whatever you've done this time you'd better make it right!" Ruffnut all but growled, Toothless took a step back to keep his still mounted rider from the flame. When Ruffnut shook it again the black dragon merely blew the flame out as if it were a candle wick. Ruff was unphased by this and continued to scold Hiccup in a quiet growl. "Astrid has not been herself all day and now she's staring at her dagger weirdly."

"She's doing what?" He seemed both confused and concerned.

"She's been playin' with 'er dagger but not in the normal way. She just keeps tilting it this way and that, catching the light."

"Ruff, can I ask you a favor?"

Astrid had set her dagger aside and was examining the edge on her battle axe when Ruffnut returned from the beach with Hiccup and Toothless in tow. Ruff noticed that Astrid hadn't even looked up at the sound, blue eyes fixed solidly on her axe blade, and shot a look at Hiccup. Tuff pointed silently at Hiccup, then adamantly to Astrid before mouthing the words "Good day, sir!" and following his sister into the trees outside the camp site. Ruff and Tuff went far enough to not be noticed, then turned to watch and listen to their friends. Ruff figured Hiccup should really be smart enough to realize they would not really leave. They hid behind some bushes and watched Astrid jerk in surprise as Hiccup settled next to her on the fallen tree she was sitting on. It was only then that the blonde warrior seemed to notice the absence of the twins.

"Hiccup? When did you arrive?" Astrid asked carefully.

"Oh, not so long ago." He smiled at her but their was a hint of worry in his eyes. "I asked Ruff and Tuff if they'd let me speak to you alone." He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck with a hand. "I'm sorry I was so caught up, Astrid. You, well you know how I get with my projects and this one was life changing so I had to see it through."

"I know, Hiccup." She finally gave him a small smile before setting her axe aside and crossing her arms. "So, did you finish this 'life changing' project before you came to find us?"

"Well, that actually depends on one more thing." He took a calming breathe. "You see I need an opinion and only yours will do." He dug something from a pack by his feet, but took care to keep it concealed in his closed hand.

"Oh?" Now Astrid was smiling and the twins thought she looked both amused and enamored as she spoke teasingly to Hiccup. "Is it a new weapon? Or another mapping tool?"

"No, and no." He seemed to be fighting to keep a nervous tone from his voice. "Astrid, we've known each other for a long time. . . All our lives if you count before we really became friends."

"What are you . . ?" Astrid started but Hiccup shifted, moving so that instead of sitting beside her he could kneel before her and take one of her hands in his free hand. She seemed very curious now as he gazed up at her.

"And I know we never exactly stated our intentions. . ." Hiccup said causing Astrid's blue eyes to get a bit wide. The twins, still hiding in the bushes, placed a hand over each other's mouth to prevent any surprised exclamations. Hiccup spoke steadily. "I've known for a long time that I love you, even before you kissed me the morning I finally woke after the Red Death incident. Over the last four years I've felt we were getting closer, to the point where I rely on you in a way I could never rely on anyone else. The way I feel for you, well it's incomparable to anything else I've ever felt. When we're together, no matter what is going on, I feel at peace. You are my best friend, my most trusted ally, my partner, my love. . ."

"Hiccup." Astrid was actually tearing up and Ruff and Tuff were nearly bouncing excitedly where they were hidden.

"Astrid, I spoke to your parents and my father, and with their blessing, I'd like to know if you'd marry me." He told her, finally opening his other hand to reveal a beautifully designed ring of silver. The detailed runes painstakingly crafted into the ring caught the fire light as Astrid gasped. Ruff and Tuff, still muffling each other, exchanged an excited look. Hiccup spoke again. "Astrid, mi'lady, would you marry me?"

"Hiccup. . ."

"It doesn't have to be soon, I know you want to train with the. . ." He started to ramble suddenly and a slowly grinning Astrid leaned toward him. She sunk her hand into his hair and pulled him into a searing kiss, drawing a loud groan from the young man before she broke the contact and smiled.

"Yes, babe, I'll marry you." She told him and the twins burst onto their feet with happy cries, startling the two so much Astrid nearly fell from where she was sitting. Hiccup clutched his chest as if he'd just had a heart attack, but slowly smiled as Ruff and Tuff did some sort of odd happy dance.

"Well, seems the twins approve too." Hiccup commented as Astrid laughed. He turned green eyes to meet the merry blue of Astrid's eyes, taking a moment to slip the ring on her finger. Astrid gave him a quick kiss, before indulging Ruff who was asking to see the ring. Tuff waited until Hiccup stood, then nearly tackled him in a bear hug, making Hiccup protest with an amused voice.

"You are forgiven." Tuffnut said, in a weirdly serious voice. He released his friend and looked to Ruffnut who took her turn hugging Hiccup. Astrid laughed for a while, then finally saved Hiccup from the elated twins and pulled him away for a quiet walk.

"You know what this means?" Ruff asked her brother when they were left alone at the camp site.

"Chicken needs new formal wear?" He stated and Ruff chuckled.

"Yes. . . But I was thinking about Snotlout." Ruff stated and Tuff grinned.

"Oh he is going to cry."

"So will Fishlegs."

"Yes, dear sister, but his will be happy tears." Tuffnut proclaimed theatrically.