With dragons there was never any need for words- he could understand them in their every motion and he was starting to see that same principal extended to humans. The way Castiel straightened and her eyes lit up when he returned, could only mean she was happy (to see him) and the only thing that stopped him from believing fully was the doubt in his own heart. Astrid had given him all the certainty he had ever needed to know he was wanted but then she inveterately crushed him. While he didn’t hold it against her it had hurt. Smiles held between them might never be quite as warm again- even if they were still friends. She’d had looked at him with all the affection that Castiel sometimes did but it had meant nothing down the road. It made him a tad doubtful.
But she was smiling, his hand in hers, leading him out into the brisk morning- sunlight shining brilliantly over a fresh coat of snow and she simply seemed to glow. Kicking up fresh powder and mounting the dragoness with excitement washing off her like static in the air. He smiled and leapt onto Toothless back, clicking his foot into the pedal and ascending. He hung back in a lazy drift, merely to watch the light streaming off her. The Vikings of Berk rode dragons but they didn’t really fly WITH them. Castiel did and she had been doing so all along. When she looked back and a grin split her face he leaned closer to the saddle, eyes calling back a challenge and suddenly they took off.
His laughter might have been the only one heard but he didn’t believe he was alone it. When they landed he‘d watching her take up the bow, notching back an arrow with a smile on her face. He’d caused that. It wasn’t some big mess up, it was the opposite of that and he was so very glad.
Her face-
It was the picture of surprise and he couldn’t help but smile. Then before he could ask her what she thought she answered- throwing herself at him and her hug was so soft… his bones didn’t creak under the exertion of another’s muscles. Obviously not a Viking hug. When Astrid got this excited she was likely to snap his spine with an overly enthused embrace. He chuckled weakly “I’m glad you like it…” It was really all he could think to say, so surprised by her reaction and at the same time, warmed by it.