I was going to go back and put the reviews at the top of Ch 3, but then I figured I'd just put them at the top of a new chapter instead. It took me a little longer than I wanted to get this one up, but between work, Snowmageddon, and cleaning up after Christmas, things have been a little hectic lately. Anywho, enjoy :D

Zafirya: Ch 2: Thanks :) I feel like I'm starting to get back on track. Hopefully it stays that way. And it does seem like sharing a room was going to be an inevitable thing (Hallmark movies are so wonderfully predictable :P), but I hope I'm able to do the awkwardness justice. I know I'd feel pretty awkward. Lol. And I agree. Grumpy Toothless is awesome!

nandjferon: Ch 2: Agreed. Check dog first. Then tend to own wounds so that you can help dog.

Guest: Ch 2: Aww, thanks :)

dbfox007: Ch 2: Thanks :) And yes, it's definitely the Norns bringing them together. Too many coincidences to be anything else. Happy (Belated) New Year to you too! Ch 3: I'm glad you liked it. He really did grow up to be a hottie, and I think everyone notices, though not as much as Astrid ;) lol

CB73: Ch 1: Astrid and love do seem to evade each other, but that's probably just because the Norns know she's supposed to be with Hiccup ;) (Thanks for the kind words btw) Ch 2: Yep, he definitely had good reasons to want to leave, but I'm sure Stoick has equally good reasons for wanting him to come back. The reunion should be fun though. Ch 3: They truly are reconnecting, and rekindling a lost friend. Astrid isn't the only one that was crushing on their old school bestie though. Hayden's perspective will be explored in this next chapter, and we will get some more insight into exactly what happened between them back in senior year.

Now Account: Ch 2: Good to hear from you too! It feels like it's been forever since we last spoke. Lol. Hope things are going well for you. They are getting better for me. Happy (Belated) New Year :)

b3ach5oy: Ch 3: Thanks for the wonderful praise. I doubt my work would be anything worth the best seller list, but it is really nice to hear that just the same :P I'm still slogging away at the other stories, so hopefully soon-ish.

Onyxiuos: Aww, thank you so much for that :) It might take me a while to update, but I will do my very best to never give up on my stories.

~oOo~

As he drove back to the hotel, Hayden was torn between cursing his chivalrous nature, and excitement at the prospect of spending a bit more time alone with Astrid. It was also admittedly nice to reunite with his old school friend. They'd been almost inseparable when they were kids, but he hadn't seen, or even really spoken to her since the Snoggletog Ball during senior year. A movie-worthy evening with a less than happy ending that still haunted him sometimes.

That night, the two of them had danced slow and close while soft Christmas music played in the background. Astrid in a sparkly red halter dress that caught the lights beautifully, as her long blonde hair flowed loose and curling down her bare back. Hayden in a black suit and red tie that his dad had practically forced him into (his fashion sense had been severely lacking back then). Astrid's head resting upon his shoulder and his arms holding her close as they'd twirled in the dimly lit banquet hall. Hordes of others had been dancing around them, but Hayden had barely even noticed. He was too wrapped up in Astrid to care much about what anyone else was doing.

They had still been holding hands as they'd left to wander the decorated courtyard outside. The stars shining in the clear night sky above as they'd made their way to the gazebo in the centre. Astrid leaning tight to his side as the cold winter air hit her exposed skin. Falling back on his deeply instilled Haddock manners, Hayden had politely offered her his jacket - which she'd accepted gratefully.

It wasn't until they were already standing under the sheltering roof of the romantic little structure that Astrid realized there was mistletoe hanging from the eaves. Her cheeks brightening with a splash of scarlet as she pointed to it with a slightly nervous giggle, though she hadn't made any attempt to leave. She had turned towards him instead. Looking up into his face as she wrapped her arms teasingly around his waist.

As he embraced her back with a sarcastic smirk of his own, Hayden had been so sure that it was finally the right time to show her how he felt about her. How he had always felt about her. Astrid was the only girl that Hayden had ever really wanted, and he wasn't going to pass up this golden opportunity. Even if he had to lie and tell her that he had only been playing along afterwards.

His belly had been full of butterflies when he'd leaned in, but to his utter surprise, she hadn't pulled away. She'd actually returned the kiss with enthusiasm. Her hands coming up to twine into his hair and pull him closer to her as his jacket slipped from her shoulders. Then she'd taken his hand with a smile afterwards as she dragged him back in for another romantic waltz. By the time he'd dropped her off at her house that night, Hayden felt like he was finally getting everything he'd ever hoped for.

Of course, it hadn't worked out that way. Instead of spending the rest of the Christmas break together revelling in their newfound love, Astrid had ghosted him. Ignoring all of his texts and refusing to answer her phone when he called. When they saw each other again on the first day back at school, their conversation was stilted and awkward. Over the next few weeks, Hayden grew more and more confused as the girl that had once been his best friend now completely ignored and avoided him. Leaving him with the distinct feeling that he had misread the situation that night, pushed himself on her, and ruined everything.

When he'd started dating Heather Berserker near the end of senior year, he'd thought she would help him overcome the heartbreak of losing Astrid. Heather had been sweet, funny, smart, and stunningly beautiful in a completely contrasting way. Unfortunately, that still hadn't been enough. The fledgling romance had fallen to pieces halfway through Hayden's first semester of college.

Sure, a major part of it was probably due to the challenges of a long distance relationship. A smaller portion was because of Astrid. She was the one that got away, and no matter how hard he'd tried for Heather's sake, Hayden just hadn't been able to forget her. Her perfect smile, her laugh, the hilariously serious look she got on her face when she was doing math homework - like she was about to take an axe to the pages. The way a touch from her hand would make his heart stutter in his chest and his breath catch in his throat.

Back then, his dreams had been constantly filled with images of deepest regret. The heartache may have faded over time, but the memories hadn't. Throughout the next 6 years, they'd managed to find their way in to cast a shadow over every attempted relationship he'd had. In all honesty Hayden could barely remember most of his time with his exes, but could still vividly recall everything about that last night with Astrid. The moments right before everything went so wrong. Like a photograph permanently etched upon his mind.

The twinkling white Christmas lights trimming the gazebo had been reflected like little flecks of diamond within Astrid's incredibly blue eyes. The smell of her perfume, warm and enticing - mixed with the faint scents of pine and snow on the air. Even with his oversized jacket draped around her shoulders, she had still looked impossibly lovely. Gazing up at him with a mischievous little smile.

There had been a teasing challenge hidden within that familiar blue gaze. Almost as if Astrid was daring him to try his luck. Feeling a sudden surge of unexpected confidence, Hayden had brought one hand up to gently cup her cheek as he leaned in. The wonderful softness of those perfect lips against his had completely stolen his sense of self. The taste of them even better than anything he'd ever imagined.

He wanted to help her. To be a good friend, since it was clear that she really needed one right now. He also wanted nothing more than to taste those lips just one more time. To pull her back into his embrace and kiss her until she forgot all about that cheating asshole she was running away from. To protect her and tell her that everything was going to be alright. That he would look after her.

That same small part of him that still loved her was starting to wonder if, just maybe, he could change her mind about them. After all, it was during this same season 7 years ago that they had very nearly become more than just friends. Wasn't Christmas supposed to be a season for love, and for wishes to come true?

Astrid didn't seem adverse to his company right now. Heck, she was even willingly spending the night in a shared hotel room with him - even if it was in different beds. Maybe, if he spent enough time with her over this holiday, they might be able to rekindle that magic spark again. Maybe this time he wouldn't screw it up and scare her away. Maybe this time he could convince her to give the two of them a shot.

As quickly as those thoughts came into his mind, Hayden pushed them roughly back down. Stoick had raised Hayden to respect boundaries, and Astrid was the most fiercely independent woman he had ever met. She wasn't one to be coerced or manipulated into something. She had also already made it abundantly clear years ago that she didn't feel the same way about him. He'd misread the moment before, and it had bit him in the ass. He wasn't keen to make the same mistake twice and risk her friendship again.

By the time he backed into a parking stall at the hotel, Hayden had his priorities properly sorted again. Glancing over at Astrid, he offered her a cheeky smile. "Please tell me we don't have to cart both of those compact car sized bags inside," he moaned. Trying to keep the mood light and easy, and seriously hoping she hadn't noticed any of his recent inner turmoil.

Astrid met his eyes with a raised brow. "No, I don't think we need to take both," she answered primly. "Just the one with my toiletries bag should be enough."

"Thank the gods for small miracles," Hayden quipped back with a smirk and Astrid stuck her tongue out at him. Making him laugh as they both climbed out of the vehicle.

Thankfully the suitcase she needed just happened to be the one on the top of the pile. They also managed to wrestle Hayden's duffel bag out from under the other one without too much fuss either. Coaxing Toothless into the cat carrier took a bit more effort, and Stormfly stubbornly refused to go to the bathroom on a cold snow pile at first (not that Hayden blamed her), but eventually they had themselves and the two animals sorted. Astrid slinging her backpack and purse over her shoulder and wrapping Stormfly's leash around her waist so that she had both hands free for the suitcase.

Hayden briefly considered offering to haul Astrid's bag across the snowy lot for her, but he knew she'd never let him. Instead, he just slung his considerably smaller bag over his shoulder while clutching the cat carrier in his other hand. Walking quietly beside Astrid as he tried very hard not to laugh at her struggles. That would just earn him another punch in the arm, and maybe a face full of snow.

After a couple near rollovers, they finally made it into the welcoming warmth of the lobby. The plastic wheels on Astrid's bag clattering noisily over the dark grey tile floor and making the concierge at the desk peek his head out of the back room in interest. Upon recognizing Hayden, he offered a friendly smile of greeting.

"Welcome back Mr. Haddock. Can I offer anything to aid you with the luggage? A cart perhaps," he inquired politely as he eyeballed Astrid's clunky bag and large dog.

"Nah, I think we're good. We'll try to keep the noise down in the upstairs hallway though," Hayden returned with a grin, and Astrid's cheeks flushed pink. The older man nodded in what Hayden could only assume was approval. Then he ducked back into his office - likely to return to whatever it was they had so rudely interrupted.

As the door clicked shut behind him, Hayden glanced sideways at Astrid for a moment. She caught his eyes in return, and that was it. Both of them were muffling their laughter as best they could until they were safely within the closed confines of the glass and wood trimmed elevator. Then they lost it.

They were still laughing when the elevator arrived on the third floor. Trying to keep the noise to a minimum as they struggled the bags, the pets, and themselves out into the narrow hallway, and failing terribly. Stormfly stopped to sniff at a spot on the carpet, and Astrid accidentally ran into the dog with her bag. The suitcase tipped into one wall with a loud thump that startled the dog even more. The retriever jumping the other way with a yelp - bashing into the cat carrier and causing Toothless to give a grumpy hiss of warning.

"Dear gods. They're going to throw us both out in the snow at this rate," Astrid chortled in between fits of quiet giggles. Forgoing her attempts at dragging and simply heaving the large case up by the side handle instead.

"Not gonna happen. I paid good money for this room, and I'm not leaving without a fight," Hayden countered blandly. "I think between the two of us we could probably take that old guy at the desk."

He flashed Astrid a smirk as she snorted loudly in response to his sarcasm. The two of them starting off down the hallway again. Thankfully the room wasn't too far down the line, and Hayden swiped his key card over the lock before pushing the door open to let Astrid and Stormfly through first. Astrid unhooking Stormfly at the threshold so that she could maneuver herself and the bag through the door easier. The dog ignoring them all now as she started sniffing around interestedly at her new surroundings.

The room was a large sized King Suite with a separate seating area and a private balcony that boasted a view of the mountains. It was also rather modern, chic, and looked well worth the price. Everything from the laminated writing desk to the bedroom furnishings was decorated in rich blacks, browns, and creams with chrome accents, and the bed frame had soft golden lighting filtering out around the bottom edge. The massive bed with the overstuffed mattress looking warm and inviting, with its mound of fluffy pillows and a cream and gold down duvet.

Not that he was actually going to get to enjoy that comfy bed, Hayden mused as he glanced around. His eyes falling instead on the couch near the window. Judging by the size of it, the pullout was probably going to be a double bed at most. It was likely meant for young children. Not 6' tall adult men.

Reminding himself that he was doing this for a friend, he huffed a quiet sigh as he took in the rest of the room. Usually he only splurged on expensive hotel rooms for the sake of having a nice bathroom, but the added luxuries were admittedly a perk. The separate seating area was intimately cozy, with a gas fireplace beneath the 42" TV screen. The twinkling lights along the balcony railing sending dancing sparks of colour over the snow softly falling beyond the window.

Then Hayden's gaze landed on the little coffee table in front of the cream and gold coloured sofa and he let out an audible groan. "Oh my gods," he muttered in mild horror. Sitting in plain view was a bottle of white wine chilling in an ornate silver bucket, and two crystal wine glasses.

At the sound of his voice, Astrid paused in the process of hefting her suitcase onto the little bench near the desk. Taking note of his growing blush, she then followed his gaze towards the romantic little setup before turning back to him with an arched brow. "Classy," she stated simply.

"I swear to gods Astrid, I did NOT ask for that," Hayden defended himself. His voice coming out uncomfortably nasally in his sudden awkwardness. "I would never… You know I wouldn't…" He floundered when she just continued to stare at him in silence.

After another long moment where Hayden felt certain his face must now be as red as his father's hair, Astrid suddenly burst out laughing again. "I'm just bugging you Hiccup. If there was anyone I'd trust not to try and take advantage of me during my time of need, it's you," she grinned.

"Oh thank gods," Hayden sighed back in relief. Setting down the cat carrier and freeing Toothless as he spoke. "I thought I was in for a broken face of my own."

Astrid just grinned wider at him before hoisting her suitcase the rest of the way onto the bench. "I'd never break your face," she said brightly. "You're much too hot for me to want to risk permanent facial disfigurement. I'd break your arm or leg instead." Then she shot him a cheeky wink as she wandered over towards the coffee table to inspect the wine.

Hayden chuckled and shook his head at the lopsided combination of compliment and threat that was just so… Astrid. His eyes not quite able to keep from following her swaying hips across the room, even if he knew he shouldn't be staring like this when they were already in such an awkward situation. Then he paused for a moment as his brain caught up to what she'd said. Had she seriously just called him hot?

No, she must have meant that as a joke too, Hayden concluded as he watched her bend over to pick up a folded piece of white card stock that had been propped up next to the wine glasses. "It's a treat from the hotel," she informed him after her eyes quickly scanned the note. "I'm guessing the guy at the front desk saw me waiting in your car and figured we were a couple out on a romantic holiday vacation."

She set the note gently back down on the table before turning to face him again. Hayden tearing his eyes away from her waist just in time. "Well, you'll never catch me complaining about free wine," she grinned - making him laugh in agreement. "If you don't mind though, I think I'm going to take a shower before I crack that bottle open," she added with a grimace. "I feel disgusting and I look like an absolute mess."

"I think you still look beautiful," Hayden found himself saying before he could stop it. Then he felt a hot blush climb his neck as Astrid's lovely blue eyes widened in surprise. "So-sorry," he stammered awkwardly. "That came out wrong. I uh, just meant that you don't look half bad for someone who crashed their car and then spent an hour outside in a blizzard. Now, before you fixed your hair it was a different story."

Always trying to hide your discomfort behind sarcasm eh Haddock, he inwardly face-palmed. Thankfully Astrid didn't comment on his slip-up. She just stuck her tongue out at him instead as she flipped open the lid of her suitcase. Rifling through the clothes that had clearly been tossed in there in a hurry until she found a small toiletries bag and a bundle of what must be sleep clothes before making her way to the bathroom.

As he watched her walk past, Hayden's brain instantly conjured up an image of Astrid in a set of baby dolls, but he forcefully shoved it back down. Setting to the task of putting some water bowls down for Toothless and Stormfly instead. Then came the sounds of the shower turning on, and a soft moan echoing off the walls as she stepped under the welcoming fall of warm water. The realization that there was a wet and naked Astrid in his room right now hitting him full force, and Hayden had to bite his cheek hard to get his to head clear again.

When that only barely worked, Hayden set his duffel on the desk chair with a sigh as he tried his damndest to ignore the sounds from the bathroom as best he could. Figuring he might as well take advantage of these moments alone and change his jeans and hoodie for lounge pants and a clean t-shirt. He didn't typically sleep in anything other than his boxer briefs, but he seriously doubted that Astrid would appreciate him stripping down to his underpants tonight.

Come to think of it, he wouldn't appreciate it much either. Unlike Astrid, confidence in his physique was not a trait that Hayden had ever possessed in spades. Likely because he'd been a scrawny runt for most of his life, he thought blandly. Glancing in the full length mirror and trying to smooth his messy hair, before giving up on that. It wasn't as if he was hoping to impress Astrid with his manly good looks anyways.

It wasn't until he was picking up his phone to slide it back in his pocket that Hayden finally remembered he was supposed to call his mother. Glancing at the bedside clock he saw that it was 3:00 in the morning already. A part of him felt incredibly guilty about phoning her at this time of night. His mom was a night owl much like him though, so he knew she wouldn't mind. There was actually a very good chance that she was still waiting up for his call while sipping hot cocoa and watching old Christmas movie re-runs on TV.

When she picked up before the second ring, Hayden figured his suspicions had been correct. The blatant relief in her voice though did serve to make him feel guilty for a whole other reason. "Oh thank Thor, you made it," Valka sighed. "The roads must have been absolutely terrible."

"They were, but it wasn't actually the roads that made me so late," Hayden admitted with a grimace as he flopped himself down on the little couch and carefully propped his feet up on the tabletop. "I ran into an old friend from school on the highway just after Visithug. She'd gone off the road in the snow, and even though she wasn't hurt, her car was. We spent some time digging it out, but I ended up just bringing her the rest of the way to Freezing with me."

"Visithug is only 3 hours away from Bog. You two must have spent an awful long time digging that car out," Valka hedged. Clearly noting the discrepancy in the timing.

"Well… I checked into my hotel and then we uh, kind of went out for a really late meal together." Hayden felt his cheeks heat again, and vaguely wondered why he was so nervous about telling his mom this. It wasn't like anything had happened, or was going to happen, between he and Astrid. He had simply been helping a friend. "She seemed pretty down, so I thought she might appreciate a bit of cheering up," he offered in his defence.

His mom gave a soft chuckle at that. "Aren't you just the nicest boy," she teased. "I suppose your father deserves some serious credit for raising you right." There was a bit of an awkward silence following that statement. The two of them typically tried to steer clear of the fact that Stoick had been left to raise Hayden all on his own. Then Valka cleared her throat before adding in a lighter tone, "so who is this friend anyways?"

Hayden felt the blush climb all the way to his hairline now. "If you must know… It's uh… It's Astrid Hofferson," he finally managed with a sigh. Knowing that he was in for a razzing and seriously regretting the rash decision to tell his mother all about the girl that had been his best friend during school. Though he had purposely left out his true feelings for Astrid, or just how much it had hurt when they fell apart, he was sure his mother had seen right through him anyways.

"Ooh… Astrid," Valka repeated knowingly. Drawing out the words in a suggestive way that confirmed she knew exactly how Hayden felt about the blonde girl.

Just then, the bathroom door opened up and Astrid's voice wafted out. "Oh my gods, that shower is absolutely divine," she gushed loudly as she peeked her head out into the hallway - a towel still wrapped around her wet hair. Then, realizing he was on the phone, she promptly blushed and mouthed an apology before ducking back into the bathroom.

"Oh my goodness, is she there," Valka asked. The enthusiasm in her voice making Hayden blush all over again, and he groaned at his terrible luck. He was never going to be able to explain this, or live it down.

"No, it's not like that mom," Hayden tried to interject. Toothless jumping up onto his lap at that same moment and giving him a distinctly judgemental look as if to say, 'yeah, sure it isn't'. "She just didn't have anywhere else to stay, so I offered her the bed here. I'm going to sleep on the pullout." Even Stormfly looked up from her spot in front of the couch with a 'I'll believe that when I see it' look now, and Hayden flipped his middle finger up at both animals. Bloody turncoats.

"Sure, sure. Whatever you say son," Valka laughed. "I'll just leave you two to it then, shall I," she added brightly. Disconnecting the call before he had a chance to argue some more.

With a huffed sigh of frustration, Hayden shut off his screen before tossing the thing on the table. "Who was that," Astrid asked as she came out of the bathroom again. Likely hearing the thud of the device dropping and figuring he wasn't on the phone anymore.

She was wearing an itty bitty set of baby blue sleep shorts and a thin white tank top. Though he could tell she was wearing a sports bra underneath, it was clearly unlined and didn't provide much in the way of modesty. Leaving every toned line of her perfect body easily discernible beneath the tight cotton. Even with her damp hair braided back from a cosmetic free face, she still looked absolutely breathtaking, and Hayden felt his heart skip a beat as his palms instantly clammed up. Dear gods, how was he supposed to get any sleep when he knew this goddess was laying in the next bed over?

Still he forced his male brain to smarten up and answer her question, rather than keep staring at her until she got uncomfortable. "It was my mom. I promised her I'd call her when I got to town, but in all the excitement I totally forgot. Turns out she was waiting up, so I'm sure I'm going to catch hell for that later when I see her," he added as a way to hopefully excuse his red cheeks and generally flustered expression.

"My parents don't even know I'm coming," Astrid replied with a shrug. "I'm sure I'm in for one heck of a lecture about rash decisions and responsible choices when they find out about all of this though," she added. Rolling those big blue eyes of hers in fond exasperation. "Now what do you say we get into that wine before we go to bed?"

As she spoke, she stopped by his duffel bag on the way past and casually swiped his discarded green hoodie off the top of his clothes pile. Slipping it on as if she stole his clothes ever other day, and in truth she had when they were kids, but this felt different somehow. Probably not to her though, Hayden mused. Arching a brow at her, even as he momentarily allowed himself to enjoy the sight of Astrid Hofferson wearing tiny shorts under his baggy hoodie.

When she noticed his expression, Astrid blushed a little. "What? It's comfy! And I've always liked the smell of your cologne," she defended herself with a shrug. Leaning down to flick on the gas fireplace and grab the TV remote before flopping down beside him on the couch.

Without even bothering to ask if he wanted any or not, Astrid just uncorked the wine bottle and poured them both a full glass. Hayden accepting his with a quiet chuckle. Yep, Astrid was still the same forcefully confident girl he had been so enthralled with in school. She took a sip out of her own glass and smiled in approval before picking up the remote.

After searching through the cable menu twice, she settled on some sappy holiday movie that made Hayden suppress an eye roll. Reminding himself yet again that he was doing this for a friend, he settled himself more comfortably on the couch as he took a gulp of his own wine. Barely tasting it as it passed his tongue, as his traitorous eyes trailed over the smooth skin of the bare legs stretched out beside his.

After another 45 minutes, all Hayden knew about the movie was that it had to with a Christmas Tree Farm. Apparently one of the characters owned it, and the other was trying to buy it for the land, but somehow they were falling in love anyways. It was all a bit ridiculous, and Hayden had to admit he sort of sided with the 'antagonist'. A Christmas Tree Farm couldn't possibly be a very lucrative business. What did you do for money the rest of the year?

When he made this view known however, Astrid started laughing at him. "You're missing the entire point Hiccup," she giggled. "The value of the Tree Farm is sentimental rather than monetary. Her great grandfather opened it back in the 1930's, and it's been in the family ever since. That's why the lady is trying so hard to get the investor guy to open up and find the spirit of Christmas. She's hoping that will finally make him understand why the land means so much to her, and then he'll help her keep it."

"If you say so," Hayden drawled with a shrug - contentedly resigned to the fact that he would probably never understand these girly movies. His blasé attitude made Astrid snort a laugh, and she punched him in the shoulder before shifting around on the couch. Snuggling into his side now to watch the rest of the movie as she curled her long legs underneath her. His arm coming up to drape over the back of the couch to allow her a bit more room.

They had watched many a movie just like this back in the day, so much like the stolen hoodie she was still sporting, it wasn't really that strange. Just unexpected. Well into her second glass of wine now, she had a lovely flush on her cheeks and was much more openly affectionate than was typically her style. Her hands becoming more animated as she talked and making him a little concerned that she was going to spill wine all over his 'bed'.

Not that Hayden would ever dream of saying anything to her about it. This was the most open and happy he had seen her all night. Her easy laughter and sappily romantic tendencies reminding him strongly of the Astrid he had known throughout their youth. The Astrid that no one else had ever gotten to see. Unfortunately this was also the same Astrid that he had fallen hopelessly in love with.

The movie ended just as Hayden finished the last of his wine. If he ever tried to claim that he'd watched the ending, it would be a lie. He had been too distracted by the woman beside him. Every nerve in his body on high alert at the feeling of her slight weight pressed to his side, and he was sure he'd never fall asleep at this rate.

Astrid, on the other hand, looked contented and sleepy. Yawning and stretching as she set her empty wine glass down on the coffee table. Then she glanced over towards the nightstand and gasped. "Oh my gods, is it seriously 4:30 in the morning already?!"

"Yep," Hayden confirmed. Trying to stifle an unexpected yawn of his own and blaming it purely on the contagious nature of such things. "Good thing I paid extra for late checkout. We don't need to be out of the room until 1:00."

"Well that's a relief," Astrid sighed happily. Getting to her feet and heading to the bathroom to brush her teeth. As soon as she was gone, Hayden quickly snatched up the remote and shut off the TV before another dry heave-inducing holiday horror could start playing. Then he got to work setting up his bed for the night.

After shifting aside the coffee table and cushions, he pulled out the foldable bed frame. Without even needing to lay on it, Hayden could already tell that he had been right. It was barely a double bed at most - likely only a 3/4. His legs from about mid-calf down would be hanging off the end. Not that this overly mattered, since he was destined to be uncomfortable no matter what length the bed was.

The thing had no bedding on it. No sheets, no blankets, nothing. Only a thin white futon mattress that made his back hurt just from looking at it. Sure there were spare pillows on the king bed, but he wasn't about to steal Astrid's blankets from her. With a sigh of frustration, Hayden made his way over to the coat closet by the door. Hoping to find a spare blanket stashed on the upper shelf, like in some other rooms he'd stayed in.

Apparently here, you had to request spare bedding if you required it. Didn't that just figure, he grumbled to himself. Breathing a few calming breaths through his nose and glaring at the naked mattress as he debated the pros and cons of just sleeping on the couch under his jacket.

He was still glaring at the offending bed when Astrid came back out of the bathroom. Stopping beside him, she put her hands on her hips as she looked over the pullout as well. "Where are the blankets," she asked in mild confusion.

"No idea."

"You can't possibly be planning to sleep on that. You'll never fit and there aren't even any sheets."

"Would you suggest I sleep on the floor instead," Hayden drawled back. "I'm a bit limited on options here Hofferson."

Astrid glanced over at him now instead as she crossed her arms - one hip jutting out to the side. "As if I'd make you sleep on the floor," she replied with an exasperated eye roll. "You can share the big bed with me. There's plenty of room for 2," she added before glancing over towards the huge and inviting bed. "Honestly there's probably room for 3 or 4 in that thing."

"I don't…"

"Oh stop being such a baby Haddock," she cut across him. "We've slept in the same bed before."

Hayden arched a brow at her as he crossed his arms over his chest as well. "Yeah, when we were like 7," he exclaimed loudly. Trying to convey to her just how different this situation was. When he was 7, of course he'd known she was a girl, but the concept of what that meant wouldn't really occur to him for another 5 years or so. Now, it was all his brain could seem to think about.

Astrid got a thoughtful expression then as she tapped a finger against her lips. "No, I think we were at least 11 the last time," she finally offered back.

"Same diff," Hayden grumbled back with an eye roll.

Astrid sighed in defeat as she held her hands up now - palms towards him in a calming gesture. "I was only trying to be nice, but it's alright Hiccup. If you don't want to sleep with me, you can just say it."

Several things flew to Hayden's mind at that, and he had to bite his tongue to keep from voicing them as he stared blankly back at Astrid. The moment she realized what she'd said plainly displayed by the bright flush of scarlet that bloomed on her cheeks. "Oh my gods," she gasped - clutching her hands to her mouth with an awkward giggle. "That came out so wrong."

"You think," Hayden quipped back. Finally he wasn't able to hold it back any longer, and he broke down laughing. Astrid joining in after a moment, and even Stormfly pitched in with her own quiet whines and tail wags. Toothless, on the other hand, just looked at them all in disgust as if wondering why they were even still awake and talking instead of sleeping. Then he hopped up onto the big bed and proceeded to dig a comfortable spot for himself right in the middle near the pillows.

"I think Toothless is vetoing your pullout couch idea," Astrid giggled. Watching the cat turn little circles as he built himself a nest in the blankets. "What do you say Haddock," she then added as she glanced back up at Hayden. "For old times sake?"

He couldn't deny those big blue eyes even if he'd wanted to. They held the same hint of challenge that they had that night so long ago, and it was as if she was daring him to take the chance. Apparently Hayden wasn't very good at learning from his mistakes either, since he just sighed in defeat and started folding the mattress up again. Astrid helping him put the cushions back on the couch with a grin before they both moved the coffee table back into place.

Hayden tried not to watch as Astrid started pulling off his green hoodie. Opting to leave and brush his teeth instead. When he got back, she was already propped up against a pillow on the left side of the bed. Looking at something on her phone while Stormfly lay in what would be the middle - her head positioned just below the curled form of Toothless.

Trying to ignore the nervous butterflies flitting around in his stomach, Hayden plugged in his phone, checked his alarms were set, and then placed it on the nightstand on his side. Then he crawled awkwardly between the sheets as he silently cursed his excess of clothing and the way it hung up and twisted around him. Once he was finally as comfortable as he could be - and also as close to the edge as was reasonable - he reached over to turn off his bedside lamp. Keeping his back to Astrid.

Shortly afterwards, he could hear the soft sound of her setting her phone down on her nightstand. The room plunging into darkness a moment later when she shut off her own light, and now only the soft glow from the Christmas lights outside could be seen dancing on the ceiling. Then the bed was shifting around beneath him as she slid the rest of the way down and adjusted her pillow.

"Goodnight Hiccup," he heard her mutter quietly as she snuggled down deeper into the blankets. Her head clearly facing towards him judging by how close her voice sounded.

"Goodnight Astrid," he offered back. Resisting the urge to glance over his shoulder at her.

Hayden was sure that he would never be able to fall asleep knowing that Astrid was laying beside him in bed. After all, the only thing separating their bodies was a small stretch of mattress and a large golden retriever. This bed was very comfortable though, and after a short time he found his eyes starting to get heavy.

The last thing he remembered was the sound of Astrid's deep, even breaths as she slumbered next to him. Her feet stretching out to seek the heat of his leg - just like when they were kids. He almost couldn't believe it was real, but the ice cold toes pressed against his warm skin were tough to ignore. A small smile curved his lips, and with a soft sigh he followed her off to dreamland. Knowing full well that morning, and the end of this wonderful dream, would come much too soon.

~oOo~

Looks like Hayden's got it bad for a certain blonde friend as well. Astrid's not the only one dreaming about a holiday romance. Lol

What do you think about the Snoggletog event? Why do you think Astrid ghosted him? Do you think Hayden will be able to look past the hurt and put himself out there again, or do you think she's going to have to convince him this time?

Also, that holiday movie scene is definitely me on the couch with my hubby while I watch Hallmark movies and he cuts them down! Lol