Astrid settled herself back into Hiccup's hold. She hadn't realised just how much stronger he was, sure she'd seen he'd changed from the muscles, and he had to be stronger with the weight lifting and there had been something strong in the way he held her... But then... When he wanted to stop her hitting Heather, there had been a surprising amount of force and strength... Why did she like that so much? She loved the feeling of him holding her there. His arms held her tightly and she felt happy against his chest, the steady thump of his heart beating through his ribcage... She loved it, his warmth radiated off him and through her. She wondered if that was all that made her feel so warm and well, hot. She didn't even care that Gobber and the others were all staring at her, sitting on Hiccup's lap, his arms around her.
Ruff raised her eyebrows in a suggestive manner and grinned at Astrid. She tried to glare at her best friend but found herself grinning instead, making Ruff snicker. She turned to look at Gobber instead but didn't bother to shift off Hiccup's lap. She was quite comfortable.
"Alright you lot. Second week. For those of you doing Dragon Training... Your lessons will start this afternoon. Don't be late. Now get lost!" Gobber bellowed and they began shifting out, Astrid slipped off Hiccup's lap, more reluctantly than she cared to admit.
"Oh and Astrid, after school your training program starts. Be there on time would you?" Gobber called glancing at Hiccup as he said the last sentence. Astrid opened her mouth with the intention of protesting about the glance towards Hiccup... Then closed it and shrugged. She kissed Hiccup again and then walked out, calm as anything, Ruff running after her giggling madly and leaving Hiccup and half the class looking dumbstruck.
"Well, that wasn't at all what I expected!" Ruff called as she followed Astrid down the corridor to her locker.
"Ruff... Don't go there..."
"That was pretty feisty. I mean I knew you were feisty, and I know you hate Heather's guts, but even for you... If Hiccup hadn't been there, you'd have decked her. And daayyyymmm when did he get so strong? Maybe I'll quit with Snotlout and tap that instead." Astrid shot her a death glare. "Woah I was kidding but man your reactions are perfect. You are soooo into him."
"Ok, maybe I like him and damn right I'd have decked Heather." She flung her locker open, perhaps a little more violently than she had intended.
"You two were quite cute actually, sat on his lap with his arms around you..."
"Shut up." Astrid spat, hiding her smile behind her locker door.
"You going to hit that?"
"Ruff!"
"Oh my Gods you already did didn't you?! You go girl!"
"I did not 'hit that'... Besides it's not like..."
"Are you telling me he turned you down?"
"I did not..."
"Oh... Wow, did he seriously turn you down?"
"Ruff I did not throw myself at him or jump into bed like you do! Hiccup's actually a decent guy, he won't just jump into bed even if I tried it."
"True... You'd be in the middle of it before he realised what was happening..."
"He's not that oblivious!"
"He's not getting the hint clearly!"
"I'm not hinting at anything!"
"Then you're as oblivious as he is."
"I think I'd know if I was..."
"Well you are so..."
"Am not!"
"If you were a dragon you'd be biting his tail and displaying your belly to him... Wait no the belly thing is lions... You get the picture..."
"Ruff I am not..."
"Hey what's going on?" Fishlegs was walking over with Hiccup. "You guys ready for chemistry?"
"Astrid is but she won't admit it." Ruff teased, grinning. Astrid glared at her.
"That is completely off the mark!"
"Is it really though? I mean, below the belt I could understa..."
"Ok we'll see you there, toilets!" Astrid snapped, dragging Ruff off before she could finish her sentence. "What is the matter with you?!" Ruff slid down the toilet wall laughing at her.
"Me?! Oh gods your face. I don't think I've ever seen you react like that! That was even funnier than when we were in the apartment and I knocked and you called out his name... Oh gods... This is going to be fun."
"You do anything... I'll..."
"You'll what? You got nothing on me!"
"But I will! Just you wait!" Ruff laughed again. "Just, no more jokes please? Until I figure this out a little more?"
"Astrid, if you haven't figured out yet that you like him... Then I don't know how to make that any clearer."
"Then don't try, let's just get to chemistry."
"Yeah maybe it'll make things clear... you know... it's chemistry?!" Astrid scowled and Ruff grinned as they exited the toilets.
"I know I said this last week but... Did you understand any of that?" Hiccup asked as he and Fishlegs walked towards chemistry.
"Oddly enough I did. Ruff was making insinuations about you and Astrid, Astrid did not approve. It's not that difficult to understand."
"I got the whole Astrid didn't like it... and I figured about the insinuations... But I don't understand what..."
"Dude... She's hot for you." Tuffnut clapped Hiccup's shoulder as he passed. "Astrid doesn't just make out with anyone. Trust me! I chipped a tooth for trying about a year back!" He laughed. Hiccup gagged.
"You... You tried to make out with Astrid?"
"Yeah, just about everyone has! You're the only one to succeed. If she's kissing you dude... She's definitely hot for you. You're in!" He grinned and clapped Hiccup's shoulder again. "See you in maths you lucky bastard." Hiccup turned to look at Fishlegs stunned but found he had a stupid grin plastered on his face.
"You're loving this aren't you?" Fishlegs asked as they waited to enter.
"Kinda yeah." He tried to stop smirking. "Oh come on, I just got told Astrid Hofferson likes me... You know I've liked her since..."
"You were about 5?"
"Pretty much... And then to be told that I'm the only guy she's kissed like that? Fish, for me this is as good as life gets!"
"Well get ready, it might get better... I'm certain it will but hey, I won't jinx it."
"Won't jinx what?" Astrid asked walking over, Ruff behind her still grinning.
"Hiccup's sex life." Fishlegs shrugged.
"Woah! Fishlegs!" Both Hiccup and Ruff exclaimed as Astrid stared open-mouthed at him. "Since when did you answer back with witty comments?!" Ruff laughed, staring at him with newfound respect.
"Umm... I dunno... I really don't know where that came from... Gods Astrid please don't break my teeth!" Astrid stared and then relaxed and held out her hand for Fishlegs to shake.
"That was very witty and quick for you. I have to give you credit for that." Stunned, Fishlegs shook her hand, laughing nervously. "Make a joke like that again..." She squeezed his fingers in a death grip "And I'll punch you." She warned letting go of his hand.
"Damn that's a lethal grip... Hope you don't use that on Hiccup's junk..." Fishlegs said before covering his mouth in surprise, just before Astrid's fist walloped him in the stomach.