(A/N) Enjoy! Beta'd by BornWithTheSupercell.

Disclaimer: I do not own How to Train Your Dragon. This Story is Non-Profit.

Chapter Four

I felt like I was bruised all over, it felt like as if a million fire ants were biting me. If I tried to tilt my head, I would get dizzy instantly. Astrid sure can throw a punch. The worse part was, after a few punches I fainted. Fainting in front of Astrid sure did show how much of a weakling I was. Now tied to a boulder, I couldn't help but notice how familiar my surroundings were. I was in the cove where I met Toothless for the first time after I shot him down. I could see the lake over there, the drawing Toothless made on the ground. I stopped scanning the area when I noticed Astrid sitting down a few feet away from me, reclining on a tree.

"I see you're awake, finally." Astrid sighed. She looked tired. Probably from beating the snot out of me. But as I looked closer she looked sad. Disappointed even. Why is she sad? I'm the one that feels half-dead. She saw that I was glaring at her.

"What are you looking at?" Astrid huffed. Her face went straight back to being fierce.

"Why do you look sad? I'm the one tied up." I replied dejectedly.

"Because, Hiccup, I thought you were better than that. Better than being as low as Snotlout. Spying on me at the Hot Springs Baths. Really? Why would you do that" Astrid looked away, saddened by my unsatisfying answer.

My fighting spirit vanished. I sat there, quiet as a mouse. I needed to say this. But I didn't know how with Astrid right in front of me. But I couldn't, the thought of her denying me again was too painful. I've always jumped at the chance to be around her. Even if I was her punching bag. Everyday after the dragon training I would try to get her to acknowledge me in any way. She was Astrid Hofferson, the best female fighter in Berk. Why would Astrid notice me. The boy who always got in everybody's way. The crush I had on her was going to be nothing more than that, a crush. I laughed as I thought back to the time I was practicing in front of the mirror in my room. Before I could realize it, I was reciting what I was saying to, not to the mirror, but to Astrid.

"I've always liked you, but I knew you would never see me as your boyfriend. I could never be like a Viking. So why would you care. Even though I brought down the Green Death with Toothless and made peace with the dragons, I thought that would change things. But I don't want my fame to get you, I want me to attract you. I know I'm not as big as Fishlegs, or as skilled at fighting as Snotlout. But the only thing going for me is that I'm different. I'm ordinary, but not original. I'm the first Viking that couldn't, wouldn't kill a dragon. And since I don't see you with Snotlout, I was hoping you would like me, like I like you… a lot." I felt a huge weight come off my body, it felt so surreal. I thought I was dreaming and I was going to wake up.

Astrid got up, and walked away. What?

"Astrid…" I bowed my head, I knew this would be the outcome. Why was I so stupid?

As I beat myself up over the seemingly rejection. Astrid was silently crying with every step she took.

"He's lying. What would he see in you?"

Astrid stopped walking and whipped her head up, searching for the familiar voice. It wasn't her that just said that. Astrid sighed and continued walking home. She dismissed it as just her imagination. She didn't know how wrong she was.

(A/N Beta'd by BornWithTheSupercell. Laters!