Cuddles and Honesty

Ash fell asleep after the high of their mutual orgasm wore off. He was not an idle viking and he could spend his entire day swinging his axe, but there was something exhausting about sex that was refreshing. Physically or emotionally, it was taxing. For Hiccup, all it really did was give his racing mind a reprieve, so when Ash fell asleep, all he could do is lie there and stare at the ceiling.

He turned and saw Ash's sleeping face. He was gorgeous without effort. With his blonde hair framing his face the way it did, Hiccup imagined Baldur the Blessed would look just like him. Hiccup remembered when he was much younger and his dad would tell him the tragic story or Baldur and Hiccup's mind always imagined the god looking like Ash. This was before Hiccup realized that this was because he was attracted to Ash. He was only six after all. In hindsight though, it explained a lot.

Ash shifted in his sleep, rolling on his back. His legs were covered in the bed's warm furs, but Hiccup was given a moment to admire the rest of him. Ash's body was all muscle. Not a bulky wall of flesh that was typical from an adult vikings diet of meat and beer, but a controlled svelt physique that the light would draw like a pen.

Hiccup got out of the bed as quietly as he could manage to keep from waking Ash up and collected his clothes. He managed to dress himself, ignoring the pleasant ache he had from having Ash inside him, and climbed down the stairs. He brushed ash out of the fireplace and threw a few fresh logs into it, struggling for a few minutes to light it before managing to light the living room.

"Hiccup?"

He saw Ash at the top of the stairs. Hiccup caught himself staring, swallowing harder than he thought possible. Ash's braid was still immaculately tied, but he was still completely naked.

Ash acted like everything was normal, his the muscles of his naked thighs flexing with every step, his dark, flaccid cock between his legs, as he walked down the steps.

Ash sat on the same bench with Hiccup, giving his naked skin the chance to warm against the fire.

"Everything alright?"

Hiccup felt Ash wrap an arm around his shoulder.

Physical affection was new for Hiccup, and even now the idea that the object of affection touched him like this was overwhelming. He felt his cock grow hard beneath his pants and fought the urge to hide it.

"Yeah. Yeah, everything's good."

"Good."

The hairs on the back of Hiccup's neck stood on end, reaching out as they felt the heat of Ash's breath brush them before lips smacked behind Hiccup's ear.

"A-Ash, wait. Can we... can I ask..."

Ash pulled away, giving him his full attention.

"I just wanted to... I wanted to know why..." Hiccup wracked his brain for the words. "I've been having a great time. The things we do, I mean."

Ash just stared at him.

"And I don't mind if we did it some more, but... I just want to know something."

"Hmm?"

"Why me?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you're handsome enough. You could have any girl you want."

Ash gave a disgusted look.

"I mean, I'll admit that the dating pool is a tad slim here, but I've seen the looks Ruffnut gives you."

"I don't want Ruffnut."

"...okay. Yeah. Can't blame you there. But I'm sure there's someone out there. I hear the Bog Burglars are coming in a few weeks and they're always looking for--"

"I don't want Bog Burglars either. Where is this coming from?"

"Coming from? It isn't coming from anywhere."

"Hiccup."

Ash grabbed Hiccup by the chin and made Hiccup look him in the eyes. Hiccup responded by moving his eyes in various directions, trying very hard not to look at Ash.

"Hiccup. Look at me."

Ash's grip slacked a little. Hiccup thanked him by looking at him. Ash was concerned.

"I don't want 'any girl.' I'm happy with you."

This made Hiccup's eyes wet.

"No you don't."

"Yes. I do. I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

"But I--" Hiccup caught himself. "I, uh, I just think that you could do better."

"What?"

"You don't really want me. "

"I do."

"Nobody wants me. Even my dad doesn't want me."

Hiccup felt two strong arms wrap around him, a palm on his head.

"Don't say that," said Ash with a tenderness that surprised the Chief's son.

"Everyone hates me. I try so hard and..." Hiccup's breath hitched and tears leaked out. "...and you're here and I don't want you to hate me because..."

Hiccup broke free of Ash's grip which had slackened and Ash got a look at the tear-streaks on his face.

"I... I love you."

And there it was.

Ash heard those three words come from Hiccup and knew he meant it. His entire body reacted faster than a blink, and the only give-away from how fast his heart beat. Ash didn't think he'd ever love someone, even when he and Hiccup started their "arrangement", but he couldn't help but get attached to the scrawny brunet.

But Hiccup's confession certainly recontextualized everything they did. That funny feeling he would get when Hiccup cuddled against him when they finished. The same funny feeling he had gotten when he would give him that dorky smile when they crossed paths in the village. That funny feeling when Hiccup asked if he was okay after dragons raided the village.

Every family had on Berk had at least one talented bard that played music or wrote poems in their spare time, and every single one of them had talked about the same thing. Ash never understood any of it, but remembering their odes and lyrics and the passionate declarations, he understood it all in one big moment of clarity.

That funny feeling that Hiccup gave him was love. Hiccup loved Ash, and Ash realized that he loved Hiccup too.

"I-I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember and I was afraid you would hate me for it and--"

Ash grabbed Hiccup with both hands and their lips met. It was more tender than the more carnal kisses they did before and during sex, yet somehow this kiss was the most intense, most powerful they had ever had. The world could split in two and it wouldn't have stopped it.

"Hiccup. I love you too."

Hearing Ash say it back had an even stronger effect on Hiccup as his tears became a deluge of emotion. He wasn't just crying. He was ugly crying. Hard. A part of Ash panicked, not used to such intense expressions of emotions that he couldn't just ignore. An embarrassed Hiccup rubbed his crying eyes on his sleeve.

"So... so what do we do?" Hiccup hiccuped.

Ash gave it a thought and realized that that was a really good question.

"I mean... we can't tell anyone."

"I don't know what my parents would do if they knew," admitted Ash.

"I'm certain my dad has a list of heirs on standby to sell me too. You know, if he doesn't outcast me first," said Hiccup with a resigned snark.

Ash suddenly felt a twang of anger at the thought.

"No one is outcasting my boyfriend if I have any say about it."

"Yeah, sure. Wait, boyfriend!?"

"Yeah. Unless you'd prefer something else."

"What? No! No, I don't! I mean, I think we might have skipped a few steps on our way there, but I don't mind that."

"Good."

Ash slipped his hand into Hiccup's as their fingers intertwined.

"I think this calls for a celebration."

"Really? Like what?"

Hiccup must have blacked out, because in one moment he was sitting next to Ash, his boyfriend, and the next he found himself hoisted over Ash's shoulder, Ash giving his ass a firm smack as he walked up the stairs with him as though he were a bag of flour.

"Babe, I think you and I are going to have a long and fruitful time together."

Hiccup was too overwhelmed with everything that was happening to object. He has a new boyfriend, a new pet name and another roll in the hay. If Hiccup could stop time and enjoy a single moment for the rest of his life, this was that moment.