I had hoped to have this up yesterday, but editing just didn't allow for that. Meh, such is life I guess. This was originally going to be Halloween themed (of course), but the plot and timeline just felt WAY too rushed. Instead, it and the next chapter are just inspired by one of my fave holidays, and dedicated to all those ghouls and goblins that spent their night out Trick or Treating, or partying under the full moon. Or, perhaps more so to those like me that thought Halloween wasn't going to happen this year so they spent the entire night hiding in the house with the lights off :S Oops! Oh well, at least I managed to get a chapter written...lol

CB73: It really is the timing, isn't it. The right person at the wrong time sort of deal. I just love Frank and Heather. It's innocent, adorable, and so much different from the kind of love we tend to see in rated R fanfics :P She's absolutely going to have to make the first move! Not to mention protecting Frank from Big Brother Dagur. Lol

Guest: Thanks :D

Now Account: Hayden really is a charming asshole, and we (and Astrid) all love him for it. Tyler and Rachel are totally awesome though. You were definitely right. Of course Hayden and Eret knew they had an audience. Having three pretty ladies swooning over you is certainly going to catch your attention. Frank is probably oblivious though. As for the beach scene, Astrid is definitely playing with fire, but it's also nice to see just how much of herself she gained back after one weekend with Hayden. This is the playful, confident, and mildly violent Astrid that we know and love. Not to mention her secretly insecure and romantic side that only Hiccup really gets to see (and Frank in a couple episodes of RTTE)

IcyForest: Haha, I'm glad you like it, and I miss the gang too :D (They will be making an appearance in TWoB soon tho) Never underestimate the wiry ones, my dear :P My husband looks quite scrawny, but he's actually pretty strong. We see multiple times where Hiccup is MUCH stronger than he looks too. Especially in RTTE. During Zippleback Experience he knocks out Snot with one punch and holds his own against dragon hunters that are way bigger than him. (They look pretty surprised too lol) Not to mention that in Buffalord Soldier, Hiccup catches a dead-weight Astrid in his arms from height after she rolls off of Stormfly. Yeah, he could totally lift a wolf and lug around a chainsaw and logs. After all, even in the Thawfest episodes, Hiccup actually beats Astrid in the feats of strength... Hayden really is much like Hiccup in TGoP, but he's also not. I know Astrid thinks that this Hayden (Hiccup) sleeps around, but even he has said that he doesn't really. Lol. I think we all are on the same side as their terrible friends tho and really want them to break the rules together too! ;)

ooOOoo

Scott was feeling pretty good for the first time in a week and a half. Since Tyler had decided to go with Frank to visit Frank's parents for some strange reason, he had taken full advantage of the empty apartment. Last night he had taken Sabrina out for dinner to apologize for last Friday. That had turned out to be a stroke of genius. Especially since she was more than willing to come home with him afterwards.

It had been admittedly weird to have sex with someone that wasn't Astrid, but Scott had forced those thoughts from his mind. He really did need to make up for his appalling lack of performance last weekend, and he knew full well that the girls loved to gossip. Your reputation amongst the cheerleaders could make or break a guy in this group. Did Scott really want to get ranked alongside the nerdy Fishlegs just because he was still a little hung up on his ex? Not a chance!

Still, as soon as Sabrina had left in an Uber this morning, Scott's mind had immediately strayed back to Astrid. He just couldn't help wondering what she was doing this weekend. Was she studying with her friends? Or maybe sitting at home alone instead? Secretly wishing that he would call. Of course he had eventually surrendered and tried to ring her up this afternoon, but her phone had gone straight to voicemail. Astrid probably just wasn't ready to admit that she was sorry yet.

Scott refused to consider the possibility that she had truly moved on with her life. No matter what she had said in her anger, Astrid had to miss him. At least a little. What they had was amazing, and Scott was even more sure of that after spending the night with someone else. It had been decent, as far as sex goes, but that didn't change anything. It was just sex. You can't just throw away 4 happy years that fast!

Now it was Sunday evening, and Scott was sitting on the couch watching the highlights from some game last night. His mind not even focused enough on the tv to know what sport it was. Too lost in his thoughts to even care, really. Only the sound of Tyler crashing through the door with a duffel bag was enough to shake him out of his funk.

"How was your weekend with Fish," Scott asked as Tyler dropped his bag on the floor. "Did you two nerd out over Viking Wars: Age of Dragons the whole time? Or did you convince him to get out and finally lose his virginity instead?"

Tyler glanced over at him with an arched brow. "I don't 'nerd out' over video games. I just think they're fun," he offered with a shrug. "You shouldn't hate on the big guy so much. Frank's actually pretty easy going away from school. Well, easy going for Frank. Honestly he'll probably even have a girlfriend soon."

Scott snorted a laugh at that. "Pfft, yeah right," he scoffed. "Well, unless he's got the hots for one of those other science class nerds he hangs with."

"You do realize that your ex is one of those other science class nerds," Tyler replied with a smirk. His grey-blue eyes almost seeming to laugh at some joke that Scott wasn't privy too.

"Yeah, but Astrid would never date Fishface," Scott countered flippantly. Sure that Tyler was trying to rile him up by hinting that Astrid might get with Frank. As if! "He's not her type."

"Nope," Tyler agreed with a chuckle. "Frank's not Astrid's type at all. She prefers her men to be sexy, dangerous, and charming. Three things that Frank is not."

"Exactly," Scott agreed. "Speaking of science nerds though, have you talked to your sister at all this weekend?" He was hoping that Tyler would see the question as just casual interest rather than desperation. Of course Tyler saw right through him.

"I'm pretty sure Astrid and the girls took a trip out of town this weekend," Tyler offered blandly. "Camping I think, which means no cell service if you tried to call her again like a stalker." Scott grimaced slightly at that, and Tyler snorted a laugh. "Knew you would. Anywho, what did you do with your weekend? Oh Lord of Coolness. You finally fuck Sloppy Sabrina?"

"There's nothing sloppy about her. Well, not until after I finished with her at least," Scott replied. A smug grin splitting his face. "This stud rocked her little world last night. Probably the best lay she's ever had."

"I'm sure you were," Tyler drawled back with an eye roll. The action kind of making Scott want to throw something at him. "So are you two, like, a thing now? Just asking, since I'd rather not be here all the time if she's going to be."

Scott arched a brow at his roomy in return. "Of course we're not a thing. Astrid would never take me back if she heard I was dating someone else. Especially Sabrina," he reminded Tyler with an eye roll of his own. Seriously, Tyler could be so dumb sometimes! Just when Scott was about let Tyler know as much, a thought suddenly occurred to him. A terribly wonderful thought, at that.

"Wait a minute... That's not a bad idea. I bet Astrid would get super jealous if she heard that I had a new girlfriend already," Scott added with a wicked grin. "I know she misses me. She's just too proud to say it. If she thinks I've moved on though, she'll be begging me to take her back." Scott draped an arm over the back of the couch now. Even impressing himself with his cleverness.

"Yeah, not likely. I don't think you're getting Astrid back dude," Tyler chuckled. "With or without Sabrina. It's probably better if you really do just let her go and move on instead of wasting your time concocting evil schemes."

"Do you even know what 'concocting' means," Scott asked rudely.

"Not really. I was hoping you would," Tyler answered honestly. "I've just heard Rachel use it and I like the sound of it. Concocting. I mean, it's got 'cock' in it. What's not to like," he finished with a shrug.

"You're an idiot," Scott snorted as he shook his head. Not that he knew what that word meant either, and he didn't care to. Only people with little muscles need big words. "And just what makes you think I'm wasting my time on Astrid," he shot back now. Refusing to let himself be distracted by Tyler's rambling as he glared at his friend in accusing disbelief. Tyler was supposed to side with him. Was bro code worth nothing anymore?!

"Maybe because I have a twin sister and probably understand girls a little better than you do," Tyler shrugged. "Astrid already beat you to the rebound sex by about a week. Remember? According to Rachel, Astrid could barely walk by Sunday. That dude with the sick car rode your ex like a champ, and now you just need to deal with that. Tough shit, but you did break up with her first."

Scott could feel his face twisting into a glower as he cracked his knuckles menacingly, but for once Tyler didn't flinch or run away. Instead he just stated blandly, "look man, I know it sucks to hear. Astrid's gone. It's over. Done. Finito. Comprende? I'm just trying to be a good friend and save you the prolonged heartache." Then Tyler picked up his duffel bag again and headed towards his room without another word. Leaving Scott to stare after him in stunned confusion.

There was no way that Tyler was right, Scott thought furiously. Astrid wasn't gone for good. Sure, Tyler probably new Rachel better than anyone, but Astrid wasn't Rachel. It didn't matter that Astrid had whored it up with someone else for a day or two. Scott had just done the same thing. Even a good rebound was still just a rebound. When this all blew over and the two of them were back together, the first thing Scott was going to do was rub it right in Tyler's stupid face.

*

Hayden just couldn't help his good mood. He also couldn't help being proud of himself for how well he had handled being around Astrid. Sure, every part of him wanted her, but he had managed to ignore those desires. Still, Hayden had allowed himself a mildly smug smirk when he heard one of the other girls asking Astrid about her new 'tattoo' during Tuesday's class. Astrid blushing slightly as she stammered for explanations, while Rachel and Heather broke into fits of silent giggles. Both of them locking eyes with Hayden across the room.

The off shoulder smock top Astrid had been wearing that day left the smooth curve of her neck and shoulder completely exposed. Perfectly displaying the faint design of vines and flowers that now decorated her lovely skin. The moment he caught sight of it, Hayden's mind instantly flashed back to Saturday afternoon. Feeling her sun-kissed body beneath his hands again. The way she had shivered and leant towards him, and he wanted so badly to wrap his arms around her right now and press a kiss to her neck.

By Wednesday Hayden had almost completely forgotten that he had agreed to meet up with Amelia Cope. Thankfully she stopped by his office again at the end of the day. Hayden grinning and gesturing for her to wait just a moment. The he grabbed up his bag before joining her in the hall. The two of them following the herd of students now filing out of the school.

As they walked together, Hayden noticed than many of the students were staring at them. Distinctly interested looks on their faces. With a small sigh, Hayden glanced over at Amy. "It looks like we are already giving the kiddies something new to talk about," he offered blandly.

Amy gazed around at the students too before looking back at him. A small smirk on her face as she moved ever so slightly closer to him. Her arm actually brushing against his now. "Well, you know what they say," she joked. "If you haven't heard a good rumour by noon, you're required to start one." She rolled her eyes dramatically then, and Hayden choked on a burst of laughter at her surprising nonchalance.

Hayden didn't feel quite so carefree, but he certainly couldn't explain that to Amy. After all, how long would it be before Astrid heard those rumours? Very likely she was going to immediately assume the worst of him too. Oh well, Hayden would just have to deal with the fallout when it hit. Just one more thing to add to the list of shit waiting to hit the proverbial fan...

These worries only served to make Hayden wonder why his traitorous mind seemed to always venture back to Astrid these days. So what if incredibly beautiful women were inviting him out on date/not-dates. So what if he was seen walking down the halls with other women. He didn't owe Astrid anything, and she didn't owe him. So why did Hayden still feel so oddly guilty for agreeing to have coffee with Amy? Why did he suddenly find his mind searching for some way to back out of it now? The soft brush of Amy's arm over his making his body just yearn for another instead.

"So, where did you have in mind," Hayden started lightly. Deciding that conversation was really the only thing that might save him from this uncomfortable downwards spiral he was trapped in. Desperately hoping that Amy wouldn't suggest the campus cafe. Or somewhere cozy and romantic instead. Both of those were no-go's for Hayden, for various reasons that he didn't really feel like trying to explain either.

"I was thinking Hunter's Cove," Amy offered with a shrug. "It's close, relatively inexpensive for a fancy coffee shop, and the food is delicious. Not to mention that the atmosphere is not really what I would call romantic," she added cheekily. Grinning up at him, and Hayden found himself laughing out loud now.

"Well, it would seem you've got my number," Hayden chuckled. "Am I really that obvious," he couldn't help asking. Wondering now if he was offending her with his carefully guarded behaviour.

"You do seem distinctly gun-shy," Amy shot back. Her expression clearly teasing. "Not that I blame you," she added with a shrug. "The lengths some women will go to just to nab a guy with status, money, or both is downright pathetic. It gives the rest of us a bad name. We're not all like that, you know."

"I know," Hayden allowed. His mind once again drifting straight back to Astrid. A beautifully perfect woman who was somehow convinced that he wouldn't want her because of his status and money. Shaking himself roughly out of his thoughts, Hayden smirked at Amy. "I see you've heard about my ex."

Amy's cheeks flushed a light pink when she met his gaze. "I may have overheard Dagur and Eret talking about her the other day," she offered sheepishly. "Rather rudely too, I might add."

"They would. Neither of them liked her much," Hayden laughed. "Even before she got caught cheating. That probably should have been a red flag right there, but I allowed my loins to sway my head it seems. Such is the plight of the Y chromosome."

At that, Amy actually choked on her laugh. "I must admit, I have the utmost respect for a man that is able to use the term 'loins' so eloquently," she teased. "It's a far cry from some of my English students." The two of them laughing even harder now as they reached their cars in the lot.

Looking over his Satin Xenon Grey Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, Amy's eyes widened slightly. "Just how many cars do you have," she asked. Arching one carefully sculpted brow at him.

"A fair few," Hayden grinned back. "I like to rotate through them depending on my mood." Chuckling at her expression, he climbed into the low slung car and waited for her to drive away first. Admittedly he would likely be driving the DBS for the next while. Venom was easily his favourite, but Hayden was trying to avoid drawing that much attention to himself right now. He may not be ready to store the super cars for the winter quite yet, but this one was probably the most discreet of the bunch.

As they pulled onto the busy side street in downtown Berk, Hayden still made sure to park close to the cafe. Wanting to keep an eye on his car in this part of town. Walking in the door of the coffee shop, he was pleased to find that it was exactly what he had been hoping for. A hole-in-the wall bistro style place that had a strong bohemian vibe to it. The mixture of eclectic furnishings pairing perfectly with the mellow jazz pumping out of the speakers. The regular patrons all a blend of stoners, skaters, and artists.

The young woman behind the counter was definitely college age, and didn't look like she would be spending much time here if she wasn't getting paid to do it. She was also unreasonably perky. Her long blonde hair tied up in an artfully messy ponytail, as carefully curled blonde tendrils framed her pretty face. Everything from her voice to her mannerisms making Hayden think she was probably a cheerleader. The fact that she greeted them as 'Professor Haddock' and 'Miss Cope' affirming that she was indeed a student.

As she passed them their mugs, the girl batted her eyelashes coyly at Hayden. Amy quietly chuckling and nudging him with an elbow, and he discreetly rolled his eyes in return. The moment they started to walk away however, the girl was pulling her phone out of her apron pocket. Tapping out a hurried text as she scampered off to hide in the back room for a moment. And so it begins, Haden thought with a head shake. No doubt she was currently texting every school friend in her phone to tell them the hot news.

Sinking into faded purple armchairs by the window, the two of them fell back into easy conversation. Spending the entire next hour talking about work. Amy even sharing some hilarious horror stories from the last two years she had been teaching at Berk U. Once again reminding Hayden how lucky he was to be a guy. The girls may be relentless flirts, but he had yet to be smacked on the ass while he walked past a desk. Though he honestly wouldn't put it past Rachel...

"You know, they have live poetry slams here every Thursday night," Amy offered when she saw Hayden glancing around the cafe again.

"Like, good poetry slams," Hayden asked tentatively. Already suspecting the answer just based on the decor and patronage alone. Checking his watch and downing the rest of his coffee now, since he still needed to get home and walk Toothless.

"Dear god no," Amy chuckled as she picked up her purse and blazer again. "It's absolutely atrocious, but it's usually good for a laugh. Some of the other teachers and I come here every now and then. You should join us sometime." Clearly seeing the slight glimmer of unease in his eyes, she added, "still not a date Hayden. You can bring Dagur and Eret with you as bro back-up if you want. The more the merrier, really." Then they were both laughing again as they struggled out of the overly squishy chairs.

Making their way back outside, Hayden waved goodbye to Amy as he watched her climb into her car. Standing in his open door as he waited until she started driving away. Having Valka Haddock as a mother had instilled a strong streak of chivalry into Hayden. You never drive away and leave a beautiful woman alone somewhere. How would you feel if something happened to her because you had been too busy or selfish to wait 2 minutes? Gentlemen simply do not abandon a lady.

Getting back to his condo, Hayden had barely clipped the leash on Toothless when his phone started buzzing. Pulling it out of his pocket, he glanced at the screen as they rode the elevator back to ground level. The first messages were from Dagur and Eret. Congratulating him for scoring a date with Cope. Asking if he was going to start banging her too.

After sending a few choice words back to his idiot friends, Hayden opened up the next message. A part of him already knowing who it would be from. Though he still couldn't help being a little shocked at the incredible efficiency of the rumour mill around here.

'So, you and Cope huh,' Astrid had sent. The vague question seemed polite enough, but Hayden couldn't help feeling a distinct chill radiating from the text. Though that could just be wishful thinking on his part. Not that it was any of her business really, but Hayden also couldn't help feeling that same twinge of guilt again.

'Wow. That was even quicker than I thought it would be. We only left school an hour and a half ago. Do you kids have nothing better to do with your time than stalk your teachers,' Hayden answered blandly. Hoping she could read the sarcasm in his words.

Astrid's reply popped up on his phone so fast that he almost couldn't believe that it was all spelt correctly. 'Very funny. Sabrina's friend Stacy texted her from the coffee shop you two showed up at. Then Sabrina told Scott because you're his cousin, and Scott told Tyler of course, who immediately called Rachel. BTW, she's mad at you.'

Hayden couldn't help barking out a laugh at that. Getting a few strange looks from people on the street, but he didn't really care. 'Well Princess, if that's not the most high school answer ever... Are you sure Rachel is the only one who's mad at me?' he shot back. Perhaps stirring the pot just a bit. If only to get a more telling reaction out of her. He just wanted to confirm that his jealousy suspicion was correct.

Her next words gave his ego an instant boost. 'Oh shut up, Smartass!'

Hayden waited a few minutes to see if she would say anything else. When the silence simply dragged on, he decided to put her out of her misery. Not because it was any of her business really, but just because it was the nice thing to do. 'It wasn't a date Astrid. Amy and I simply went to Hunter's Cove for a quick coffee after work.' As an afterthought, he added another text to the thread. 'That place is just about the least romantic setting I can think of. Seriously.'

After another moment, his phone finally buzzed again. 'Yeah, that place is pretty shabby-chic as Rachel calls it. Stacy said that you two were flirting and holding hands though. At least according to Sabrina...'

'Stacy needs to get her eyes checked,' Hayden countered bluntly. His temper flaring ever so slightly at the way some people felt the need to bend the truth for the sake of a juicier story. Often at someone else's expense. 'Contrary to popular belief, I happen to be completely capable of spending time around beautiful women without wanting to jump into bed with them. Miss Cope was not trying to get between my sheets either, so don't start hating on her now. It was nothing more than two co-workers meeting up to talk about work.'

Then Hayden did the very thing that he despised the most. He held up his stupid phone for a selfie. In public. Dear god, Astrid was ruining him. Hopefully word of this never got back to Dagur and Eret. He'd never live it down.

'Here Princess. Look at this. I am currently alone and walking Toothless in the park. See.' Hayden snapped a quick pic of himself and Toothless with the duck pond behind them. Hayden still in his work clothes, and Toothless giving the camera a ridiculously toothy grin. As if the evil mutt somehow knew the picture was going to Astrid. Then Hayden promptly removed all traces of the incriminating image off his phone, lest his friends find it.

'Oh...' The short reply made Hayden chuckle as he pictured the pink flush that would probably be colouring Astrid's cheeks right now.

'Yes. Now do me a favour and please delete that image ASAP. Dagur and Eret would never let me hear the end of it if they found out I was sending selfies to girls.'

'Yes, sir,' she quipped back. Making him snort another laugh. At least no one was close enough to hear it in the noisy park now. 'Rachel says she's still mad at you though :P,' Astrid added cheekily. Clearly baiting him now, and he couldn't help but take it. Hook, line, and sinker.

'That's too bad. Is there anything that I can do to make it up to Rachel?' Hayden knew that he was asking for trouble. This game they were playing was just too addictive though. Much like speeding down the highway, the risk was like a drug. The ever-present danger of getting caught simply feeding the craving, and he had always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie.

Once again, her reply was unreasonably quick. As if she had been sitting on it and just waiting for him to offer the set-up. 'You could come out with us for Halloween. It's on a Saturday for once, and it's going to be a full moon! Not to mention that it's the first time since Grade 10 that I will actually get to party like a single girl.' Her request caught him so by surprise that Hayden honestly couldn't make his fingers type an answer right away.

Of course, he should say no. That was the logical thing to do. Before he could though, Astrid sent one more message that sealed the deal. 'You'll be in costume at a bar full of drunk people. No one is going to recognize you. Besides, Dagur and Eret have already agreed.'

'Well then, count me in. I'm sure they've already made up their minds to drag me along anyways,' Hayden surrendered.

'Excellent! You won't regret it :D' she gushed. 'Oh, and one more thing. Apparently we are doing some sort of group costumes. Us girls are picking them out. You'll just have to show up in time to put it on.'

Wrong, he thought as he grimaced at the message. He was already regretting it. Group costumes?! Ugh! Dagur would never have been able to talk Hayden into something like this without some serious bribery. Astrid, on the other hand...

Fuck my life, Hayden grumbled to himself before texting her back. 'You're dangerous. Did you know that?'

'Yeah, but I thought you loved doing dangerous things ;)' Hayden could practically see the smug smirk that would be twisting those wickedly perfect lips now. His body instantly coming alive at the slightly suggestive joke. The winking emoji at the end making it perfectly clear that the evil vixen knew exactly what she had just said.

This woman was the devil... 'I am expecting to see ample cleavage from you ladies, and I draw a hard line at wearing tights,' Hayden stated simply. Then he muted his phone completely before stuffing it back in his pocket. Wondering yet again why he was such a pathetic push-over when it came to Astrid. For this, her costume had better be so goddamn skimpy that saints everywhere would start praying for her mortal soul. Actually, come to think of it, that might just make it worth it...

ooOOoo

As an author, I absolutely LOVE writing Scott and Tyler. It's such a delightful challenge to write crass and somewhat dumb characters! They are both such 'guys' and it makes me put in a solid effort to make it not feel forced. BTW, how do you all like Tyler goading Scott? Tyler is so perfectly bad! He and Rachel are absolute beauties!

Halloween should be interesting though ;) Any thoughts on what their group costumes should/will be? Suggestions are welcome :D I have a pretty good idea in my head already of course, but if someone comes up with a better one I will be more than happy to use it! Lol.