***Proud member of the Lokasenna Tales collection***

Hello everybody

I struggled a bit about whether I would write this story or not. I remember the exact day, the exact moment when this idea popped up in my mind. It was the 9th December 2017, I sat in my friend's car and we were on our way to London. (Awesome day btw!) We heard the CD Reputation by Taylor Swift and – BAM – there it was!

And since then, the idea was stewing. I struggled with how I could make it work, how I could place our beloved characters in a scenario that might lead to the situation I had in mind and how I could get them out of there again. It seemed impossible to manage. But it wouldn't let me go either! And maybe I thought about it for too long because to me it makes perfect sense by now. But it's quite possible that the characters are a bit ooc for others. Sorry about that.

So, what do we have? A Modern AU, Hiccup and Astrid are probably in their mid-twenties. M-rated, because, well, you know ;).

Have fun!

. o O o .

He was like a mountain lion, hunting his prey. Gracefully, he moved through the unsuspecting crowd and she was unable to tear her eyes off of him. Even in the stroboscopic light of the nightclub, it was easy for her eyes to follow him through the throng. His tall figure and distinct mane of auburn hair were impossible to miss anyway. Every now and then, she imagined the light catching in his impossibly green eyes, flashing in her direction and it made her heart beat fast.

Of course, Astrid wasn't the only one who felt that way!

She noticed the eyes all over the room that were glued to him, some blinking shyly, others gleaming predatorily. The majority of the woman in the big hall – and also quite a few men as well – were quite aware of his presence! And she could hardly blame them. Hiccup Haddock was one Hel of an attractive devil and the worst thing was: he knew it. When he was hunting, like now, every woman could only hope to be the lucky one he picked as his prey for the night.

And right now, he was making a beeline for her!

Astrid's breath caught in her throat when he was only two steps away, making no attempts to slow down. He came impossibly close, invading her personal space, making her press up against the wall behind her. His intent eyes were burning into hers and she fought hard to keep her racing heart in check, to keep him from seeing how he affected her. He leaned forward, one arm against the wall beside her head, to whisper in her ear.

"You, Milady, are too hot for your own good," he purred in a low voice. "The things you make me want to do to you..."

Oh, the things she wanted him to do to her! Astrid bit her lip and swallowed. She could feel his breath tickling her neck and it made the throbbing need between her legs impossible to ignore. But instead of giving in to him, like every other sensible person on this planet would have done, she gave him an unnerved look.

"Cut it out, Haddock," she sighed in half-fake exasperation. "You try that every fucking time we go out, it's getting boring!" Liar! a silent voice inside her head screamed but Astrid ignored it.

Hiccup retreated back a step, and it was as if someone flipped a switch. "As you wish, Milady," he said and gave her the lopsided grin only few ever saw. It made her heart beat even faster. "But honestly, you can't blame me for trying. You are hot!" He leaned toward her again but the erotically charged atmosphere from before was gone, even though he came closer than before and even pecked her cheek with those sinful lips of his. "See you tomorrow!" He winked at her before he turned to enter the dance floor once more.

Trying not to hyperventilate, Astrid gazed after him. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the stares she got. Like always. Those disbelieving looks she earned for turning Hiccup Haddock down! If only they knew...

It hadn't been her plan for tonight. But after Hiccup's little joking ritual, nobody seemed to dare to approach her anymore tonight. So, for the better part of an hour, she just watched Hiccup hunt.

She watched him as he slowly made his way to the centre of the dance floor. She watched a small group of girls picking up their courage and dancing up on him. She saw the moment when he decided on one of them, a cute girl in a green dress and with a crazy mess of curly red hair that had to be artificial. She watched them dance- or whatever their rubbing their bodies against each other counted as. She watched as the girl suddenly turned and stretched, stealing a kiss from Hiccup.

Astrid smirked, and muttered to herself, "Too bad, cutie. But you just lost him. He doesn't do kissing... Haven't you heard?"

And, as expected, a minute later, the red-head stood alone, disappointment clear on her face. Astrid couldn't help but feel complacent. These stupid girls never seemed to learn...

Astrid watched the girl disappear to the back of the room where the bathrooms were while now one of her friends had taken her place as Hiccup's dancing partner. Another pretty girl with almost white skin and platinum blond hair, braided into a thick plait. She wore a light blue dress that sparkled like ice, just likes her eyes and Astrid couldn't help the painful sting in her heart.

That could be you, silly goose! the silent voice inside her head screamed at her and Astrid bit on the inside of her cheek to silence it. She kept her eyes on Hiccup and the blonde girl, watching them dance. She watched his hands roam over her body and watched her eyes flutter shut with pleasure. She watched him press his leather covered crotch against her behind and watched her head fall back against his shoulder in response. And half an hour later, Astrid watched Hiccup lead her away, toward the cloakroom where he would pick up his black leather jacket, the two helmets and whatever the girl had handed in earlier.

With a sigh, Astrid stared at the non-alcoholic Caipirinha in front of her. It wasn't as if she hadn't known how this night would proceed. After they'd finished their latest assignment, she and Hiccup had gotten ready to head off to the club, just like on most other nights. And just like always, their declared goal was to relax, have a little fun and find some hook-ups.

Find might be the wrong word though. Because, of course, Hiccup didn't need to look hard for a partner. He was ridiculously handsome and his reputation as fantastic and responsible lover did the rest. It never took long before he had the attention of those girls and only had to pick. No surprises there.

Astrid wasn't even surprised he'd tried to hit on her first. Or fake-hit, she should say. It was kind of a ritual, an in-joke. He would try and she would turn him down. Because Astrid was not one of them! She and Hiccup were flatmates, co-workers, and best friends. They shared everything, except a bed.

Not that Astrid wouldn't want to... Hel, she was dying to get her hands on his leather clad ass, to feel his talented hands on her skin! But at the same time, she knew that wouldn't be enough. She was not one of his interchangeable one-night-stands. She valued the bond they shared too much, and she wouldn't risk it just for sex. Because, despite everything, he was no boyfriend material, his soul too scarred for anything like love to flourish. Yet... And if she had to choose between his friendship and meaningless sex, she would always choose friendship.

Downing the rest of her drink, Astrid got up and made her way toward the exit. She could go to the dance floor as well and surely would find some cute guy or other to warm her bed tonight but she didn't feel like it. Not anymore.

She picked up her own leather jacket and helmet, paid the bill registered in the electronic bracelet she'd gotten and headed outside. As expected, she found her bike, a sleek and fast beauty she'd called Stormfly, standing alone. Hiccup's black bike was gone from where he'd parked next to hers earlier. Trying not to think too much about what its rider was doing right now, Astrid kick-started her bike and headed to their flat, placing a bet in her head whether Hiccup and the blond girl would be there as well or whether they'd gone to her place instead.

She wasn't sure which option she desired more.

. o O o .

You see, this is going to have shorter chapters than most of my other stories, for now at least. Let's see how it develops xD I plan for weekly updates again, but you know me. I'm not good at waiting.

Please, let me know what you think! :)