Happy New Years everyone! Unfortunately, I have to work night shift tonight, so make sure you all have at least one drink for me. Lol

Just a note before we get into this, the titles of the last two chapters were both taken from lines in this one. I instantly fell in love with them because they were perfectly deceptive in the most beautiful way. Anyways, here's the next one. Enjoy! :D

Yubel578: Very angsty indeed, but I agree. Stormheart got what he deserved.

CB73: Indeed, Berk's image of Hiccup was one that they created in their own minds. They didn't know him then, and they certainly don't know him now. Though I think it is now time for Astrid to start unpacking some of her lover's baggage...

OechsnerC: Thanks :)

abbylucyP: WOW... thank you so much! I'm glad that my writing style encouraged you to stick around long enough to get hooked by the storyline. As a writer, the knowledge that I can get someone to get pulled into a genre that they do not usually enjoy is extremely gratifying, so thank you again for your absolutely beautiful review :D

Rainnnn: I love 5 a.m. brain reviews! Lol! I'm glad you picked up on the predator playing with their prey part. It's what I was aiming for anyways. Lol. I feel that psychological rather than physical torture was probably a little easier on the bystanders. Though I'm sure they have still gained an equally healthy measure of terrified respect for Hiccup and Ilweran. You did totally call it with the ring by the way. Gold stars to you! And yes, it is just a difference in the way they speak to each other. Astrid sees Stormfly as her battle sister and a slight mother hen, while Stormfly sees Astrid as a 'hatchling' (though not necessarily her own).

_

Stoick sat in the hall, his face in his hands. Listening to the chaos erupting all around him with a detached sort of interest. The Meathead man's father, Bloodheart, had been, understandably, furious. Shouting for Hiccup's immediate execution. Claiming that his son had been wrongly accused, and that Hiccup's actions were a brutally rash outburst from a dangerously unstable and violent man. The fact that he had simply murdered someone on the words of an emotionally damaged and unreliable orphan, instead of consulting the council, simply solidified this fact.

Bertha was having none of it. She adamantly refused to even consider the possibility of Hiccup being executed for avenging one of her Tribe members. Instead, she was questioning the reliability of Stormheart's father. Loudly proclaiming that if Bloodheart was trying to defend his son by slandering Heather and Hiccup's characters, than he was obviously just as bad as his child. Many of the council members supported Bertha's statement, and Stoick had to agree that she did have a valid point. The man's words against Heather and Hiccup may have had more bearing, if the evidence against his own son was not quite so damning.

There was no denying the fact the the Bog girl was assaulted, and most likely raped. Anyone could see that the moment that she had walked into the hall. That she had enough sense of mind to recognize her attacker and relay every horridly explicit detail to Gothi afterwards, simply showed her true strength of character. Stoick seriously doubted that Heather would mistakenly accuse another of the disgusting attack. Astrid's statement about how Stormheart had been following her and her friends around since he arrived, and how uncomfortable he made them all feel, seemed to support the claims from the serving maids in the mead hall. The vile man had managed to amass quite the reputation during his relatively short time on Berk.

After an extended period of shouting, which nearly ended with Bertha putting Bloodheart's head through one of the hall tables, the Meathead chief, Brawlknife, had stood up to say his piece. Shamefully admitting to the gathered council that this was not the first episode of the sort. Apparently, there had been many claims on Freezing To Death relating to Stormheart's behaviour, but the families always rescinded the charges before anything could come of it. Following this unsettling proclamation, Stormheart's father had been promptly escorted from the hall, on a one way trip to the village cells for some one-on-one interrogation.

With him gone, the serious talks could finally commence. The most important issue on the table was, of course, what should be done about Hiccup. Justified or not, the public execution of Stormheart was not acceptable without the council's support. Vigilante killings simply could not be tolerated on islands that were dependant on each other for survival. Feeling a surreal sense of despair, Stoick watched through his hands as the rest of the council deliberated the fate of his only son. The son that he had just gotten back, and now may be forced to exile, or worse...

Gobber sat beside him, mostly keeping his thoughts to himself. A small smile on his weathered face. As if the old smith knew with certainty that nothing was going to happen to Hiccup, and who knew? Maybe he was right. Those two had always been unreasonably close. Perhaps Gobber knew something that Stoick didn't. It was very likely, since Gobber already knew so many things about Hiccup that Stoick didn't.

Maybe Gobber could tell him how Hiccup had become this. What had happened to him that turned him into a ruthless killer? Was it the traumas of his childhood that made him unable to feel remorse, or was it something that happened later? Some event during Hiccup's absence that had turned his precious little boy's heart to ice. Stoick felt lost. Lost and ashamed. Was it all his fault that the boy he had once been preparing for the chiefdom was now too volatile to trust with the power? He should have loved the boy more. Spent more time with him. Maybe then, they wouldn't be here now. Trying to decided whether to execute or exile the only family that Stoick had left...

Despite Stoick's conspicuous silence, and Bloodheart's ranting, Bertha had remained steadfast in her opinion that Hiccup had not done anything wrong. That he had simply delivered proper justice. The fact that it was public and brutal was even better. Claiming in her deep voice that perhaps the violent nature of the execution may just persuade others to resist the urge to commit similar heinous acts. "If every rapist knew that they were going to be gutted like a fish in the village square, perhaps they would think twice before forcing themselves on a woman in the first place," she offered with a wicked grin.

Then she made the most uncomfortable statement of all. "You all heard him. He has no intention of suffering our judgement, whether we try to pass it or not. He and his handsome friend are both members of an elite Order with ultimate authority over the lands, and are most certainly above our reproach. I don't know about you lot, but after today, I find myself inclined to believe it. He does seem to be rather good at 'punishing' criminals, doesn't he," she added with a chuckle. The dry sarcasm in her voice showing just how sure she was of the coming verdict being to her liking.

"Now, I vote that we absolve him of all crimes and thank him for his services. If you men feel that he should be charged however, I will first ask you, which one of you would like to volunteer to hold Hiccup accountable for his actions?" Quirking one of her slender eyebrows, she gazed around at every single man gathered there. A humorous smile playing around her heavy lips at the uneasy silence and pale faces that filled the hall. All of the burly chiefs and council members shifting uncomfortably and refusing to meet her eyes.

Stoick looked up from studying the table. The first shreds of hope growing in his chest. If his boy somehow managed to get a pardon, then maybe they could start to figure out where they went wrong togther. After the Red Death was defeated of course. They would have all the time in the world after that. Stoick allowed himself to gaze around at the gathered Vikings as well. Noting their nervous expressions and fidgeting hands.

Clearly all of them were remembering the earlier duel, and now the more recent and graphic tale of the murder that Hiccup had just committed. He had warned them that he had no intention of spending time in the cells, and he would certainly not be taken without a fight. A fight that they would likely lose... "That's what I thought," Bertha finally stated with a cackle. A smug grin growing on her wide face.

"I will offer you all a boon, however," she said into the heavy silence still hanging in the air. "Since you obviously need to keep up appearances with your people, I will propose a deal. If you all vote to absolve Hiccup Haddock of any and all crimes, I will not demand steep reparations from the Meathead Tribe for Stormheart's actions. The extremely gruesome death of the rapist is sufficient for me, really. So what say you?"

There was a chorus of nervous "aye's" around the hall. Not one single council member was prepared to press this issue. Clearly, everyone was more than happy to have a good reason to not need to confront Hiccup. Stoick let out the breath that he hadn't realized he had been holding. Gobber reaching out his good hand to pat Stoick reassuringly on the shoulder.

"Well, shall we call him back in an' give him tha good news," the old smith chuckled. Grinning over at Bertha before adding, "I think we may haveta wait until he comes back on his own though. I doubt anyone could catch him an' Toothless if they didn' want ta be caught." Grunting in agreement, Stoick called the council for the time being. Announcing that they would convene back here and deliver their verdict once Hiccup had returned.

*

After Hiccup's unsettling pronouncement, Astrid had found herself simply sitting beside him on the sea stack. Frozen in shocked silence as she realized with dawning clarity that he was right. She really had no idea what he was. She had thought that she knew, but she had been horribly mistaken. Allowing her to remain lost in her thoughts, Hiccup looked calmly back out to the water. Not even trying to soothe her, or explain away his actions. Content to just let her think what she wanted of him.

Eventually the dragons had turned up. "I suppose I should head back. The council is likely ready for me," Hiccup stated with a sigh. Then he leapt off of the stack as Toothless swooped by beneath them. Landing easily on the saddle as the two of them took off back towards Berk. Astrid stayed where she was, watching them disappear. Trying to muster the nerve to follow him. Surely they were going to arrive in the village to a guilty verdict and some sort of horrible form of retribution lined up for Hiccup. Retribution that she knew with cold certainty he did not intend to suffer. How many others would he kill, simply to escape the council's judgement?

Finally mustering her courage, she hoisted herself onto Stormfly's saddle and took off towards the village as well. Arriving in time to watch Hiccup leave the mead hall with a smug smile playing on his handsome face. Ilweran and Minden waiting outside the doors to high-five him. All of them laughing heartily as Gobber stumped his way out of the hall too. The smith gave Hiccup an easy grin and a slap on the back before making his way back to the forge. All three of the others moving to follow him. Clearly the council had decided (probably wisely) against trying to punish Hiccup.

As the news of the verdict spread through the village, Astrid found herself wandering aimlessly through the throng. Everyone shying away from her nervously as she passed. Following the gruesome and startlingly public death of Stormheart, the Vikings had all begun to give Hiccup and Toothless a wide berth again, and by extension, her and Stormfly. All of them now realizing that Hiccup was exactly as dangerous as they had first suspected, and sensing that she was somehow the catalyst. Though he had appeared to be tolerant and mild mannered during their dealings, the image of the coiled snake was much more accurate. The mouse had made one wrong move and the snake had struck.

Astrid had been so sure that Stormheart was the monster lurking in their midst. Hiding in the shadows and waiting for his time to strike. This turned out not to be the case. Stormheart had always worn his evil on his sleeve. His true colours displayed proudly for all to see, causing everyone to feel incredibly uncomfortable around him. Leaving the people to stay on their guard whenever he was near. No, the real monster was Hiccup. It had always been Hiccup.

He truly was the viper in their nest, and he had been lying in wait for months. Patiently biding his time. Fully aware that the moment would soon come when he and his friends would be able to savagely kill a man. Either in public or in private, they didn't much care which. It was unsettling to realize that it was always going to happen. While waiting to commit brutal murder, he had been quietly leading them all to believe that he was diplomatic and calm. Luring the people into a false sense of security, convinced that he and his dragon were docile and loveable. This was a very dangerous misconception. They were not tame. Neither of them...

Word had gotten around about why Hiccup had killed Stormheart. Though no one knew exactly what had transpired, they were certain that the man had attacked a young rider and her dragon from the Bog Burglar Tribe. Astrid was sure that most of them had already concluded just what kind of attack it was. Somehow (Astrid suspected Tuffnut and Snotlout), everyone now knew about the horrible taunts that Stormheart had made about Astrid too. This made it more understandable for Hiccup to have killed him out of angry passion. Flying into a vengeful rage at the disgusting words. Unfortunately, that had not been the case.

Hiccup had taunted the man in return. Throwing out sexually suggestive remarks in a callously calm tone, meant to frighten everyone, as he laughed at Stormheart. He had not acted out of uncontrolled emotion. He had been cold, ruthless, and calculated. Every movement seeming almost planned and choreographed. Too perfectly executed to pass as a crime of passion. The bleak truth was, Hiccup was simply a killer, and a very good one at that. Besides Eret and Heather, Chief Bertha and her tribeswomen were some of the only Vikings that didn't shy away from Hiccup now. On the contrary, they greeted him warmly every time they crossed paths. Treating Ilweran and Minden with the same blatant respect and acceptance, as if to prove a point.

Now that Hiccup had been pardoned, everything was back to as normal as it could be. The imminent attack on the nest helping to distract the people as the villagers chose to plow ahead rather than sit around and dwell on the recent disruption. The riders were gearing up their saddles and dragons for the flight to the nest, while the Vikings were strapping down the last of the supplies on the ships. Everyone was studiously trying to ignore the large patch of bloody grass under the statue in the square. Stormheart was given a hasty funeral, but they were all still too shocked to really pay attention and the Bog's outright refused to attend.

Hiccup and the others had eventually emerged from the forge after their visit with Gobber, but Astrid had no idea what they had talked about in there. She had not been able to get up the nerve to ask Gobber, and she had been avidly avoiding Hiccup since their earlier conversation. Instead, she had gone to see Gothi after watching Hiccup leaving the smithy. She needed to talk to someone that she could be truthful with. Someone that would understand her troubles, and perhaps shine a different, and brighter, light on them. The wise elder had given her another mug of the lavender and berry tea, before sitting down in front of the fire with her.

"Tell me what is bothering you child," she croaked. Placing one of her withered hands comfortingly on Astrid's arm. A curiously soothing warmth spreading out from the touch. With a sigh, Astrid looked up to meet the old woman's blue gaze.

"I'm just not sure what to do Gothi. I don't know him at all! Maybe he should just be with Minden. He's a heartless killer after all, and apparently she's just fine with that as I'm pretty sure that she's one too. They all are... Gods, how could I have been so stupid!" She cursed loudly. Shoving one hand distractedly through her bangs in frustration at herself. "Over and over, he and Ilweran tried to warn me that he was dangerous, but I never believed them. I barely even listened to them, for that matter. What's wrong with me, Gothi?"

Surprisingly, Gothi chuckled at her. "There is nothing wrong with you my dear. You are simply in love. When we love someone enough, we tend to blind ourselves to some of their less desirable traits. Though, I will ask you this. Do you truly believe that he is a heartless killer? Or is it more likely that he was simply pushed to drastic measures by someone who was threatening his mate?" Astrid shot her a confused glance at the odd choice of words. Only Stormfly referred to her and Hiccup as mates instead of lovers or partners.

Gothi just smiled softly at her. "Yes, you are his mate, Astrid. Frankly, I think that Stormheart and the gathered spectators got off rather easily when Hiccup simply stabbed the man to death. He could just as easily have torn the man's throat out with those impressive teeth of his. I am sure he was very close to doing just that, and he controlled himself quite well, all things considered." When Astrid raised a skeptical eyebrow, Gothi merely gave a gentle shrug of her hunched shoulders. "I cannot be completely sure, of course, but I strongly suspect that our dear Hiccup is not entirely elf or human. It is my belief that he is, in fact, also part dragon now. Or, more accurately, part night fury."

"What?!" Astrid exclaimed loudly. Nearly spilling her tea as she gaped at the wizened old healer in shocked disbelief. "That's just completely..." then she trailed off, allowing herself to look past the improbability of it for once. Thinking over his growls and snarls, his behaviour, his movements, his fangs, his incomparable speed and agility, all of it.

"You know what? That actually makes a lot of sense. No wonder he's so much faster than the other two. Night furies have the highest top speed of any dragon, after all. I can't believe I didn't see it before! Although that would probably be due to the fact that it seems insane and impossible. Why would he do that to himself, though? How in Helheim would someone even become part night fury?"

Gothi just chuckled again as she shook her head. "Only he knows the answers to those questions. Although I would speculate that it was through some sort of highly dangerous and likely forbidden ritual, knowing Hiccup. Which is probably why he refuses to tell anyone about it. That, and you have to admit, it would tend to make people rather uncomfortable around him. Although I am also nearly certain that his friends suspect the truth, but they don't seem to mind."

She paused to fix Astrid with a stern glare. "I would suggest that you keep this knowledge to yourself as well. It may, in fact, be best to simply cast it from your mind for now. It is Hiccup's secret to keep, and a rather heavy one at that. You will know when the time comes to confront him about it. Hopefully you will now be better prepared for his... more intense behaviours," she added with a grin.

"Now, with that in mind, think for a moment about how angry you were at Stormheart's words. Imagine having to contend with the predatory instincts of a dragon at the same time. Do you really think that Hiccup was going to be able to stand by and allow someone to gloat about trying to rape you? It is not in his nature to let something like that slide anymore, child."

Then she leaned back on her stool and picked up her own mug. Gazing at Astrid over the rim for a moment before saying, "and if you are truly honest with yourself, would you really want him any other way?"

Astrid sipped her tea in silence after that. A million different thoughts running around in her head. She was still not sure what her answer was to Gothi's last question. Even as she thanked her and left to make her way back down the stairs. Completely lost in her thoughts as she wandered through the bustling village, barely even noticing the people milling around her. Nobody bothered to approach her anyways. They were likely too afraid of her 'mate'. She noticed Stoick glancing at her as she passed by the square, but he quickly averted his gaze and she didn't even bother to acknowledge him.

Stoick had been strangely distant and silent since the ordeal. Keeping to himself and speaking to no one. Astrid was sure that he was having an equally difficult time reconciling the innocent young boy that had left, with the hard new man that had returned to them. It was clear now that none of them really knew what kind of man Hiccup had become over the years. Although Astrid was starting to get a slightly better idea after her talk with Gothi...

Stormfly landed next to her then. Walking quietly beside her as she allowed her Rider to stay lost in her thoughts for a moment. Finally she couldn't handle the silence any longer. "He is not a monster, Astrid. I told you that he is not so different from me in how protective of you he is. I guess now we know why, but the knowledge of what he is does not make him a different man. It just means that you can now understand that man a little better."

"I know you mean well Stormfly, but that's not really entirely true, is it? My lover is an infertile half-elf/half-dragon with a dark side and a tendency to fly into calculatedly murderous rages. Worst of all is that I already love him too much to walk away from him, despite the fact that he really and truly is a monster. There is no way to deny that now. I'm not even repulsed by it, as any sane woman would be. What does that say about me?!" Her hands balled into fists and she looked away from Stormfly, really hoping that the dragon was not going to answer that question. She was afraid of what she might hear. In allowing herself to love a monster, had she already started to become one too? "It's just... I really need some time alone to think. It all feels like too much to handle right now."

Stormfly squawked and flapped her wings imperiously. "You worry too much, little one. Nothing has changed except your perspective. You just have your eyes open now, and that is never a bad thing. Do not dwell in your troubles for too long. It is not good for you. I will see you later," she finished softly. Nudging Astrid once with her snout before taking off again. Leaving Astrid to return to wandering aimlessly with her thoughts. Eventually winding her way to Ruff and Fish's house where the rest of the gang were gathered.

Fishlegs had, strangely, held himself back from asking too many questions of Hiccup. Shooting him confused and contemplative glances whenever he saw him, but keeping his opinions to himself. Tuffnut, on the other hand, was enjoying telling and re-telling the whole gruesome tale to anyone that had not witnessed it. This would usually cause Snotlout to gulp nervously and turn a pale green colour as he pictured what could have happened during the duel. If Hiccup hadn't been feeling so charitable, that is.

He now realized what had very nearly happened, all of the times before hand that he had dared to touch Astrid. Any one of those stupidly arrogant smirks he had directed at the dark rider could have been his last. Snotlout could still vividly remember the terrifying sound of those menacing snarls, even though he confessed that he had pretended not to notice them at the time. After hearing the same snarl right before watching a man violently slaughtered in the village square, he quickly realized that he had unknowingly teetered on the brink of death for months. Tuffnut making sure to remind him of that fact at every given opportunity.

Still, both men now adamantly proclaimed that Hiccup was the coolest and most terrifying Viking ever. This exasperated Ruff to no end, as she complained to Astrid. Though Ruff said that deep down, she also had to admit it was kind of awesome how he had dealt with Stormheart. She had always felt distinctly uncomfortable around the filthy man. Now she was one of the few who knew what he had really done and she respected Hiccup's quick action. Reminding Astrid that the four of them had often joked about doing equally horrible and violent things to Stormheart if he tried anything on them.

Ruff had been standing near enough in the square to hear the disgusting comments Stormheart had made about Astrid. Had been one of the ones to gasp at the outrageously repulsive slander the man had been spewing at Hiccup. She claimed that honestly, she didn't think she would have handled the situation any differently, if given the chance. Gushing about the whole thing as if it had been a personal fantasy of hers.

"Honestly, it was actually pretty hot, you have to admit. The way he just stabbed the fucker. Lifting the huge brute right off the ground using only two small knives. All those rippling muscles on display as Stormheart flailed and kicked. Such beautifully sexy justice, and the pig deserved it!" Astrid had listened distractedly as Ruff had carried on about it. She knew that her friend was trying to make her feel better. Using perverted humour to try and distract her from the reality of what they had seen. In truth, Astrid was not upset at all by what had happened to Stormheart.

She had wanted to kill the man herself at that moment in the square when he had dared to joke about committing rape. His taunting words making her realize just how close she had come to being in Heather's place. A place she likely would have been in long before now, if she hadn't taken to carrying her incredible axe everywhere again. That she could have been in at any moment during the last couple of weeks that she had been leaving her axe at home.

Stormheart had cleverly overpowered a warrior that was nearly Astrid's equal in skill and size. He would certainly have done the same to her. Somehow, Hiccup had protected her even without being near her. Had known that Stormheart had his sights set on her for months. Still, did that excuse his brutality? Did it excuse the way that Astrid had felt about it at the time? The uncomfortable wave of desire that had coursed through her at his words. The unacceptable heat that had flared inside of her as she had watched her lover taunt and slaughter a rapist. She hated the fact that a small part of her agreed with Ruff. It had been pretty hot...

Despite these conflicting emotions, it was not the death of Stormheart that bothered her. It was how easily Hiccup had done it. It had been messy, slow, and torturous instead of quick and clean. Still it had not seemed to affect Hiccup at all. As if he was so used to feeling men die in his hands that he was deadened to it by now. Though she felt it was truthfully almost the opposite of deadened. Judging by the devilish grin and suggestive words, he had actually enjoyed the fear and pain in Stormheart's face.

The shine of wicked cruelty had been uncomfortably haunting behind his emerald eyes, as he taunted a desperate and pleading man who was fighting for his life. Instead of disgust or anger, or any of the emotions you would expect, Hiccup had simply laughed at the man. Claiming that he was always planning to kill him, and had just been waiting for a reason. Callously admitting that he had been willing to use his own mate as bait. Astrid had often found herself puzzling over what Hiccup had done during his absence. The lost years that he was so secretive about. Now, for the first time however, she realized that she might not actually want to know.

Startlingly, the feast still went ahead as planned that night, though it began with a much more subdued atmosphere than the last one. Everyone seemed desperate to try and forget about the unsettling display from earlier. Refusing to see the rape of a rider, along with the subsequent public murder of the rapist, as a bad omen. They were sailing to the nest tomorrow, no matter how shell-shocked they all were. After a few tankards of mead however, the mood did gradually begin to lighten. When Heather showed up half-way through, accompanied by Eret, everyone rushed to offer her condolences.

The Bog Burglars had been glaring daggers at the Meatheads for most of the night. Once Heather had arrived, the Meathead chief stood up at the head table to apologize to her. Announcing that Stormheart's father had been disgraced and removed from the council for covering up his son's crimes. Currently, he was spending his time in Berk's dungeon awaiting 'interrogation'. Reparations would then be organized for the families of those he and his son had victimized. Now everyone was getting along again. Laughing and drinking as old friends and new.

It was a good way to end the night, Astrid thought as she gazed around the hall. All the chiefs had forced the heirs to sit at the head table with them during the feast. She kept catching herself staring at Hiccup where he was seated between his father and Bertha. He looked distinctly uncomfortable with whatever direction the conversation had taken. Suddenly Bertha let out a hearty laugh as Stoick crushed Hiccup in a one armed hug. As all the other chiefs and heirs joined in the joke, Astrid saw Hiccup look around desperately for an escape. Catching her eye, his pleading look won her over.

She laughed and patted the table beside her. Grinning, she watched as he made some excuse and extricated himself from his father's embrace. As he sauntered across the hall, she was struck again by how desirable he had become, despite the unease that he had spawned in the villagers. It had definitely gotten worse since the duel and now the episode with Stormheart. She noticed many women, and even some of the men, following him with hunger in their eyes as he made his way through the crowd. His movements fluid and graceful, like a wildcat stalking its prey. Or more precisely, a night fury, she realized with another jolt. Wondering again how she hadn't noticed it before.

He, on the other hand, only had eyes for her. It was a potent and intoxicating thing that caused the familiar warmth to bloom in her core again. She just couldn't resist him, even if she had wanted to. Reaching the table he came up behind her and leaned down to place a soft kiss on her neck. The resulting shiver causing her to close her eyes and tilt her head, begging for another. Chuckling softly in her ear, he gave a gentle nip to the sensitive skin below it before moving to flop down on the bench beside her. Stretching his long legs out with a satisfied groan.

She opened her eyes to see Ruffnut smirking widely. "You know, if that many women were watching my man, I don't think I'd settle for just a light peck on the cheek." The group at the table chuckling as Hiccup and Astrid both looked at her in feigned shock.

"If people are watching him Ruff, it's only because he's so terrifying and hideous that they can't look away." Eret's tone was pleasant enough, but there was a blatantly mischievous glint in his eyes. Hiccup promptly picked up a chicken bone from Astrid's plate and chucked it at him as everyone dissolved into full fledged laughter.

"I concur! This man has become a beautifully dangerous piece of Viking meat. You need to stake your claim girl, before someone else swoops in to take him away!" Everyone at the table started laughing again as Cami showed up behind Tuff. Telling him to scoot over and make room for her beside Ilweran. Minden shooting a sly smirk at her father as he discreetly rolled his eyes, making Astrid giggle. Apparently all of the heirs had begun to vacate the head table, taking Hiccup's exit as their cue to leave as well.

If night furies mate for life, then I seriously doubt that I have to worry about someone stealing him away from me, she thought. Surprised at just how smug that knowledge made her feel and extremely glad that she had remembered to keep her mental shields up for once. If only they all knew what he really looks like without the ring. They think he's beautiful now... Astrid allowed her eyes to stray to Hiccup. He really is very handsome. Even with his human disguise on, she found herself thinking as she looked over the rugged jawline that she loved.

His eyes shifted to the side and a smirk grew on his face as he saw her staring. Finally giving in, she pulled his lips down to hers and kissed him enthusiastically. Afterwards, they were both laughing along with everyone else as Tuff grumbled for them to "get a room". While the others made their own jabs at the couple, Hiccup leaned down and whispered into her ear.

"So, have you decided that you are not afraid of me anymore?" Astrid blushed when she realized that he had known she had been avoiding him all evening. After their talk on the sea stack she just hadn't been sure how she felt about him anymore. He'd said he was a monster. For a while, she had let herself believe it. Gothi's and Stormfly's words seeming to confirm her thoughts. Even though the elder had claimed that he was still Hiccup, just a darker, more primal version of him. His deep kindness shadowed by unknown hardship and feral instincts, but still there all the same. She had found that hard to agree with.

Still, could she honestly say that she had not seen the darkness in him before now? No, she couldn't. It had been there from the moment he had returned to save them. That uncomfortable moment when Snotlout had been manhandling her and Hiccup had very nearly put his knives through the idiot. Perhaps it had been present even longer. Perhaps it was not simply due to the night fury in him. Had she not seen glimpses of the beast lurking within that first night she had given herself to him five years ago? He had remained that same man, and she had just fooled herself into believing that she didn't notice it.

Over and over again she had ignored the warnings of others and the ones in her own gut. Even now, though she had finally seen a glimpse of the very worst in him, she couldn't seem to find the proper amount of fear. She was not avoiding him because she was afraid of the demons in him. Rather, it was out of fear of what his darkness brought out in her. Calling to the demons that she didn't even know she had. She let herself become a different person around him, and it had felt perfectly right every time, as if those were her true colours as well. Eventually leading to the realization that a part of her really did find it incredibly appealing to watch her half-dragon lover brutally murder a rapist...

That same aura of danger that had the other women salivating over him, had drawn her in as well. She had seen it when he had controlled her mind as she teased him, then again as he had ruthlessly ravaged her body the day she had bonded with Stormfly. Savagely dominating her as he left no room for discussion or hesitation. It had not scared her then because she had known that he would never truly hurt her. Instead, the darkness pulled her under his spell and drove her to burn with him.

So why would she be afraid of him now? Gothi was right. If she was truly honest, she would not want him any other way. He intrigued her in very dangerous ways, but she just couldn't seem to care. She loved this dark, protective, and somewhat savage beast that he had become. Giving him a look of feigned innocence, she decided it was time to dispel the newfound tension that she had created between them.

"Oh, I suppose so. Maybe it's only the impending doom of tomorrow, but I just don't want to stay away from you. It's probably stupid, and I will likely just regret it later. Still, I'm more of a 'live in the now' kind of girl." Hiccup's face fell a bit at her words, but she winked at him and pulled him into another kiss. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her.

"Next time you want to use me as bait to catch a rapist, could you please tell me first," she asked pointedly. Gazing up into his face.

He gave her an apologetic smile. "I think I can do that. Though I really hope that I never need to use you as bait again. I hope that the rest of them remember this afternoon and keep my woman well out of their heads..." he trailed off. The same feral shadow passing briefly behind his eyes as they met hers. She couldn't help the slight shiver that ran through her at that look, and she leaned into him. Returning his embrace. The rest of the feast passing in a blur of friendly banter between the group. By the end of the night, every one of their friends at least had completely relaxed around Hiccup.

Despite the earlier scene in the square, he was as friendly as ever. Though they were also still careful to avoid mention of the incident with Stormheart. No one really wanted to bring it up, as the gruesome scene was far too fresh in their collective minds. The only exception being when Snotlout, after a few too many tankards of mead, stood up to loudly thank Hiccup again for not killing him during their duel or before it. Apologizing again for ever daring to touch Astrid. All of the Vikings, including those at nearby tables, looked around uncomfortably.

Hiccup, Ilweran, Eret, and Minden however, all just started laughing hysterically. Recovering first, Hiccup said casually, "any time, cousin. Besides, being big-headed and obnoxious are not really punishable offences." He smiled amiably at Snot before Minden pulled the stunned and inebriated man back into his seat, still laughing. Ruffnut cackling at the look on Snot's face and reaching across Astrid to high-five Hiccup.

At the end of the night, Hiccup walked Astrid back to her lodge. As the were strolling hand in hand across the square, Hiccup suddenly turned to look at her. She realized distractedly that they were almost right on the spot that Stormheart had died, but for some reason, that thought didn't bother her now. Gazing up into Hiccup's face, the moonlight reflected brightly in his beautiful green eyes, all she felt was protected and loved.

"I am sorry for today Astrid. Not for killing the man. I will never be sorry for that, but I am sorry that you had to see me like that." He looked towards the statue for a moment before meeting her eyes again. His were soft, almost resigned. "I am what I am, Astrid, and I cannot change that. I can be cold, hard, and ruthless when I need to, yes, but I am not evil and I do not kill for pleasure. There are demons in my past that have shaped me into what I am, and they live within me still. They probably always will, but I do try my best to keep them contained..."

Cutting him off, Astrid said, "I know that you aren't evil Hiccup. Everyone has demons that they must contend with, but it doesn't mean you are a bad person. Though I would like to ask, if you don't mind..." She paused to take a deep, steadying breath before caring on. "You said earlier that after you kill enough people, it stops bothering you. Well, how many is enough? How many people have you killed, Hiccup?" It was an uncomfortable question that she wasn't really sure he would answer. Honestly, she wasn't even sure if she wanted to hear the answer, but she just had to ask.

Raising one hand to the back of his neck for a moment, Hiccup gazed at the statue again. Then he dropped his hand with a sigh as he looked back at her. "Honestly, I do not know, Astrid. Is stealing one person's life not already too many? Over the years, I have managed to steal enough lives to kill the nightmares and become one instead. All I can really say for certain is that Stormheart's was not the first blood on my hands, and it very likely will not be the last either."

Well, that was certainly vague and unsettling, she thought to herself. He hadn't really given her a straight answer, but the meaning behind his words was clear enough. The answer was 'a lot', but still she found the idea didn't really bother her as much as it would have earlier today. He had said that he wasn't evil, and she did believe that. So she had to assume that every life he had taken, had been for a very good reason at least.

Meeting his haunted eyes and offering a soft smile, she tried to ease the sudden tension. "I'm not sure what kind of dreams you have Hiccup Haddock, but I wish all my nightmares could be as sexy as you." She grinned as he barked out a laugh before leaning down to kiss her. Still laughing, they walked the rest of the way to her house with their arms around each other.

When they got to her front door, Hiccup pulled her around to the front of him. Taking her into his embrace and giving her another long, lingering kiss goodnight that set her heart racing. "Stay..." she murmured against his lips, but he just chuckled and shook his head.

"You need your sleep little missy. We leave for the nest tomorrow, and you need to be in top form for the next two and a half days spent aboard the S.S. Stoick..." he trailed off with a wicked grin as she groaned loudly. She'd totally forgotten that they would be travelling at sailing speed instead of dragon speed. This was going to be terrible! He pulled her tight against him as he claimed her lips again, causing the heat to flare in her core as a different type of groan escaped her mouth.

"Now, if I stayed, it would most certainly not be to watch you sleep, and we cannot have one of the best dragon riders exhausted for the battle. All because her horny elven lover could not keep his greedy hands off of her for one night."

She snorted out a laugh of her own at that. "You know, I really wouldn't mind being tired. I can sleep on the ship. Might help the time pass faster actually." She winked cheekily at him.

With a soft groan of his own, he kissed her again before pulling away. "Goodnight Astrid," he stated firmly. Taking a step back from her and crossing his arms as if in an attempt to keep his hands to himself.

With a giggled "fine," she turned and opened her door. Blowing him one last kiss before heading inside and making her way up to her room.

_

It's happening!!!!! *insert girly screams of excitement here*

They are leaving for the nest (again) in the morning, Astrid has forgiven Hiccup for his demons, AND SHE KNOWS THAT HE IS PART DRAGON! AHHHH!!!!!

Thank you Gothi! My number one MVP. I swear that Gothi does have a very important backstory in the trilogy that will help you guys to understand how she can possibly know so bloody much, but unfortunately you will just have to be patient... ;P

*Rainnnn: You totally called it (again)! Hiccup is the viper in the nest! More gold stars for you!