3:

Graduation Day.

He gazed at the image, taken in his own sitting room with candles reflecting in the mirror and the pair of them kissing tenderly. They had taken another, more formal picture as well but he loved the original, showing him and Astrid on the evening that they had finally confessed their feelings. She had broken up with Erik and there was no impediment to them properly being girlfriend and boyfriend…except Hiccup's own reticence and the fact that she was leaving school. But that reticence hadn't stopped him from being her best friend and possible boyfriend so he had accompanied Ingrid to Astrid's Graduation.

It had been weird, attending a Graduation other than his own-it had never been a thought that had crossed his radar at all-but dressed in his best suit, shirt and tie, his hair tamed and eyes sparkling, he had found himself seated among the parents waiting for Astrid to receive her scroll. He recognised many of the Seniors and as he watched, he found his anger at Erik growing. The jock was popular, joking with his friends and lauded by the Principal for his athletic prowess but no one mentioned how he had behaved-truly, what happened at Prom stayed at Prom.

Except…there was markedly less applause for Astrid when she stepped forward for her Diploma than all of the others. Somehow, she was blamed for her anger at the popular student's treatment of her. However, Ingrid and Hiccup cheered loudly and he made sure that he snapped the shots of her receiving her Diploma. Her brilliant smile at his loyal support had been worth all the effort and he hadn't cared at the murmuring it had earned him for his complete lack of decorum. And he didn't care at all about the eyes that fell on him when he embraced Astrid and kissed her urgently after the end of the ceremony. Photos were taken of Astrid with her Mom as well as Astrid and Hiccup for posterity but it was the time they spent together that meant the world to them both. And he could feel the waves of relief rolling off Astrid as she left the school for the last time.

He sighed. Astrid had deferred going to College because she had a plan. She knew that he was aiming for the Engineering Programme at the Berk Campus of Archipelago University and while she was intending to study Physical and Sports Therapy, she had decided she was going to spend the year improving her kickboxing, earning some money and getting a job so the pair could start University together. And the unspoken implication was that she could also spend some of that time out with Hiccup, taking him out for proper boyfriend-girlfriend dates without having to hide their relationship. He sighed and glanced up at the Graduation gown, hanging ready to be donned.

They had it all worked out…until life intervened once more. And then, the best laid plans had gone sideways…again…

Senior Year.

Becoming a Senior hadn't signalled much of a change for Hiccup. He was a bit taller and a little more cynical but Thuggory and his friends continued their persecution of him, never once considering that he was no threat to them and that he had never made any move to interrupt their own lives. The twins continued to be on-off friends, concentrating on their own projects and craziness while Fishlegs had almost completely devoted himself to Heather and their friendship, leaving Hiccup isolated. What was worse was that there was no longer even the possibility of catching sight of Astrid during the day though she made a concerted effort to text him several times during the day to cheer him up. Especially since he was taking AP classes in all subjects and was working furiously hard.

Two weeks into the school new year, a new student joined the Seniors. She was blonde, petite and sassy and she made no bones that she was interested in Hiccup. What was worse was that he actually knew her: Camilla 'Cami' Bogthorpe, the daughter of the former Mayor of Bogby, a town about fifty miles away. They had spent summers together when they were children and Cami latched onto him as soon as she arrived, grateful to have a familiar face. Knowing how miserable it was to be isolated, Hiccup had generously taken her under his wing, introducing her to his friends and making sure she got to know the rest of the year. Even Thuggory had foregone his favourite pastime-tormenting Hiccup-to leer at the pretty blonde and it had twisted his insides to see her grin back at the darkly handsome jock, her blue eyes glittering. Cami was vivacious and perfectly capable of making up her own mind-but seeing her warm to his tormentor made his world a little darker.

He didn't mention Cami to Astrid, though he spent a lot of time with the new girl. Cami was bright and shared a couple of classes with Hiccup but she had relied on him to help her catch up with the standard at Berk High and help her with her homework in the library in study periods. Even when they didn't have the same lessons, she had sought him out at lunch and they often ate with Fishlegs and Heather, with Hiccup feeling uncomfortable as Cami referred to them as 'we'. Inside, he felt more and more dishonest that he was just allowing Cami to assume they were best friends…and he was her friend…but the whole flavour of their friendship was feeling like something more than what it truly was.

Shortly before Halloween, he had to re-evaluate the whole situation when Cami stumbled round the corner and found Thuggory and his gang shoving Hiccup against his locker. He had fallen twice and there was a red mark on his cheek from where he had slammed into the locker. But none of the guys had been expecting Cami going almost berserk and attacking the boys. Faced with a furious blonde kicking and punching, they had withdrawn, especially when Cami had jumped on Dogsbreath's shoulders and had tried to scratch his face off. And Hiccup had just stared at her in shock.

"You okay, sport?' she has asked him, her eyes concerned. He nodded.

"Yeah…just a bit…shaken…" he confessed. She peered worriedly into his eyes.

"Hiccup-does this happen a lot?' she asked and he blushed in shame.

"Um…a bit…" he confessed as she turned to glare after the fled bullies. "In my defence, they have been better this year…" Since Astrid and now you beat them up. Thor, why couldn't I do something similar? Except I'm not that guy. I'm not a fighter…

"Well, they won't-not any more," she decided. "And I'll make sure everyone knows what pathetic cowards they are…" His eyes widened and he shook his head.

"Cami…please…" But she was determined.

"No, Hiccup-this has to end," she said and marched off, leaving him to cover his face.

"Yeah-every last semblance of any pride with it,' he mumbled.

She had followed though and suddenly, everyone was gossiping about him. Everywhere he went, there were whispers and he found himself shrinking inside. This was what he had feared, becoming that pathetic one-legged runt, the one who needs a girl to protect him. It was one of the unspoken reasons that he had agreed to keep their relationship secret and not have Astrid ride into his rescue: he wasn't strong but he did have some pride. And Cami's well-meaning determination to ignore his wishes had stripped him of the last vestiges of it. Even the twins had teased him and his cousin, Snotlout, had been unbearable.

"I cannot see what she sees in you," the stocky, black-haired young man had commented as they changed for basketball. Hiccup sighed.

"We're old friends," he explained in a subdued voice. "Her Mom is Bertha Bogthorpe, former Mayor of Bogby and one of Dad's oldest friends. I think she's just clinging on to our friendship from when we were wee ones."

"Then she needs to meet the Snotman," Snot preened, flexing his guns. He was muscular and good at all forms of exercise, his balance excellent and aim peerless. However, he was seriously oblivious and tended to flirt horribly.

"Be my guest," Hiccup replied brusquely as Tuff frowned, lacing his shoes in a quadruple knot.

"You sure?" he asked, stirring. "She seems pretty invested in Hiccy here."

"Hiccy? When have I ever been Hiccy?"

"Ever since I first met you, Hicster!"

"Tuff-no! Just…no."

"Hey, she's just not got to know me yet," Snotlout announced brashly, ignoring the by-play. Straightening up, Hiccup sighed.

"Please, whatever you want," he said as his cousin paused and stared at him, a hint of sympathy entering his cool blue eyes.

"Are you okay, Hicc?' he asked softly. "I mean, she's not been subtle in showing she wants to spend her time with you. And I know you don't have a girlfriend." Suddenly, the stocky young man looked self-conscious. "I may be an ass but I'm also your cousin and I won't flirt with her if you really like her." Suddenly, Hiccup found himself blushing and wondered if the floor would kindly oblige and swallow him up. He took a deep breath.

"It's okay," he told Snotlout with a wan smile. "I-I don't really like her like that. Thor, I just recall the sassy kid who used to get me into all sorts of trouble. She's fun and direct and carefree but she doesn't take other people's feelings into account and just barrels on regardless, expecting everyone else to go along with her desires. And much of the time that's okay, in this…no. So knock yourself out. But be warned. She might as well." Snotlout offered a broad grin.

"Advice duly noted," he commented. "But she may just fall for the Snot's charms…"

"Good luck," Hiccup commented as they headed into the Gym.

However, Cami seemed resistant to Snotlout's charms and clung determinedly to Hiccup's side. Even more annoying, Snotlout was equally thick-skinned in recognising her rejection so Hiccup found himself caught in the middle of a very persistent flirting war when he knew he wasn't interested in the girl who had apparently chosen him. She kept coming round unannounced and he had to ensure that he let her know that he would be spending alone time with his Dad or would be out to stop her appearing when he was spending time with Astrid. Though having two blondes fighting over him when there was only one he actually wanted to spend much time with would be a nightmare and he was desperate to avoid any conflict.

Astrid had spent a lot of time training and working on her kickboxing and she was winning more and more tournaments. She attended selection for the Archipelago team and was included in the training squad, which meant she was spending more time away and leaving Hiccup alone more. Of course, he supported her with all his heart because she was an awesome fighter but a tiny selfish corner of him wanted her to put him somewhere on her list of priorities. Yet he couldn't bring himself to voice that, knowing how upset she had been in sacrificing what she had wanted the previous year for her selfish so-called friend Erik. Astrid was the girl he loved and he knew he would do anything to make her happy-even if it meant sacrificing time with her, because spending any time with her and seeing her brilliant smile was worth his loneliness.

Thanksgiving rolled round and this year, Stoick was definitely going to be home. Gobber was invited-and so were Bertha and Cami. Bertha Bogthorpe had recently stepped down as Mayor of Bogby-hence her relocation to Berk-and was looking forward to seeing her friends over the holiday. Hiccup almost felt guilty that he was less than keen, because he hadn't seen his father this enthusiastic and happy since his Mom died. Bertha was a good friend and the fact that her daughter and his son seemed to be friends only made his father more cheerful.

"It'll be a good day, son," he reassured Hiccup as he switched the oven on. "It's the first time since your Mom…passed that we've had anyone over." Hiccup's green eyes narrowed.

"Well, let me think," he retorted more sharply than he had intended. "The first year, you were moping around and getting drunk with Gobber and then last year, you didn't even bother to come home. I was on my own for Thanksgiving…or I would have been if one of my friends hadn't…"

"Well, I'm here now," Stoick told him obliviously. "And this year we will have Bertha and Cami here. It will be more like it was…more like normal…" Hiccup stiffened and his eyes darkened with betrayal.

"What-so you're having a friend over for Thanksgiving and suddenly everything's alright again?" he asked sarcastically. "I'm just supposed to forget Mom and carry on like nothing's happened?" Stoick's eyes flickered but his face was set in a determinedly good-humoured expression.

"Of course not!" he said a little too quickly. "But Bertha is an old friend. Her long term partner separated from her about five years ago and since she finished her term in Bogby, she's been spending more time with me. And honestly, it's a relief to have someone I can talk to about…normal things. Someone who understands."

"I would understand!" Hiccup protested. "But you never talk to me. In fact, your response to Mom's passing has been to give me up as well. You're always away working! You missed my birthday, Thanksgiving, New Year…were you actually working or were you seeing Bertha even then?"

"Hiccup-I thought it would be nice for you to have a friend round!" Stoick cut in, ignoring the accusation. But not actually answering either way. "And I know from Bertha that Cami and you are close. You have lunch with her every day. You share classes. You hang out most days. Is there something you want to tell me, son?" Hiccup gaped.

"No!" he snapped and turned away. Stoick was beaming and Hiccup felt incredibly uncomfortable.

"You know, it's natural that you should be a little self conscious but you are a catch, son," he said, misunderstanding the boy's discomfort. "And Cami is a pretty girl. She…"

"Dad…you've got it all wrong," Hiccup interrupted. "She's not my girlfriend. I-I already have a girlfriend!" For a moment, his father stared at him-then laughed in his face.

"That's preposterous!" he said disparagingly. "You've never brought a girl home before!"

"And how would you know, Dad?" Hiccup spat. "You're never here! I come home to an empty house. I sleep alone half of the nights. Gobber sometimes remembers to check in on me but most of the time not. I have a friend who I do see. I go round to hers and she comes over here. We shared classes. And we talk every day. So yes-I have a girlfriend-but you're such Gods-damned awful father that you never even noticed. Or asked." Stoick's brows folded down into a furious scowl.

"You will be civil to Cami and you will not make her feel unwelcome!" he growled.

"Ah-the shouting," Hiccup sassed desperately. "Now this feels more familiar…"

"She thinks you are her boyfriend. You have clearly never disabused her. So either you stop leading her on or you act like her boyfriend. And you will not shame me!" He paused. "Also, make Bertha welcome. It's not her fault you're an ill-mannered brat!" Hiccup flinched.

"No, it's not her fault you're setting me up with her daughter when she's just a friend and NOTHING more!" he snapped. "You know, I had another offer for today and when I heard nothing from you, I accepted. I wish I'd told you I wasn't being here. I'd rather be there!" Stoick frowned and almost spoke again-but instead he just turned.

"I expect you to be civil, son," he said in a tight voice. "We'll talk later."

Thanksgiving had been awkward with Cami being overly familiar and friendly. Hiccup had tried to remind himself that it was just her way, that she was always confident and knowing…but it irked. Bertha, a large women with greying blonde hair stylishly twisted into a braided bun and an excessively buxom chest, had been charming and welcoming. And despite his misgivings and anger at his father's crass assumptions, he had found himself warming to her, because she had been a friend when he was much younger. But he was grateful when the washing up was being done so he could grab his phone and text Astrid for a few precious moments.

babygiraffe:

Thank Thor that's over.

valkyrie:

that bad, huh?

babygiraffe:

worse. I nearly died about 17 times with all the embarrassing stories. Cami was pretty cool about it though. she only teased me about three times.

valkyrie:

Cami? She a friend?

babygiraffe:

childhood friend. I think my Dad is dating her Mom.

valkyrie:

awkward. he wants you to double date

babygiraffe:

someone kill me now

valkyrie:

never. you're mine. unless…

babygiraffe:

Astrid, I love you. You are literally the only person who understands me and keeps me going. No one else has ever been there for me like you are.

valkyrie:

your dad only wants you to be happy.

babygiraffe:

not sure our definitions match up

valkyrie:

you've never introduced me to him. is he really that oblivious?

babygiraffe:

more

valkyrie:

are you ashamed of me?

babygiraffe:

wtf?

valkyrie:

you've never introduced me to him

babygiraffe:

kind of difficult when he's away more than half the time

valkyrie:

if you wanted to, you could

babygiraffe:

you wanted us to be a secret. i couldn't arrange a meet…

valkyrie:

then. not now. are you ashamed of me?

babygiraffe:

Astrid, I am the luckiest guy on Berk…on Midgard…to have you as my girlfriend. I don't want anyone else. I guess…I guess I'm just used to hiding everything about me because every time I have anything good happen to me, it all goes wrong. I'm worried if I tell the world the world will kick me in the teeth again. I'll try to find an evening when Dad is here

valkyrie:

you don't have to do anything you don't want

babygiraffe:

I want to be with you. only you. I'm just…frustrated. I would rather have been with you.

valkyrie:

you told me yourself that life is too short. you don't know how long you're going to have your Dad. enjoy the time with him. you'll regret it when he's gone you didn't take the time to make memories. give him a chance.

babygiraffe:

wow-words of wisdom, my sensei.

valkyrie:

all my extra experience

babygiraffe:

you are like 7 months older than me

valkyrie:

a lot can happen in seven months

babygiraffe:

ominous words since there are about seven months to Graduation

valkyrie:

so now you've tempted the Norns. oops.

babygiraffe:

gotta go. time for dessert love u

valkyrie:

3 xxx

-o0o-

Following Thanksgiving, Cami was more determined than ever though nothing was officially said. Hiccup tried to hint that he had other friends and even spent an awkward evening playing wallflower with Fishlegs and Heather in an attempt to persuade her that he needed his space. Unfortunately, his father suddenly decided his son needed a lot more parenting after his conversation and he found not only was his father home more, but Bertha and Cami were almost constantly round, making it almost impossible to bring Astrid round and for him to get away, especially on a 'school night'. It had finally led to him missing one of her matches, which made her angry and cool with him for a few days.

And those had been worst days he had experienced for a couple of years. He hadn't realised how much he depended on her contact, her texts, her kind words and her genuine interest in his wellbeing. So he had sneaked out on a Thursday evening and walked round to her house in the cold Berk night, finding the lights out and the door locked. Desperately, he had stood on the frosty grass and tried texting then ringing her and finally, he had resorted to throwing pebbles at her window until she finally switched her light on and wrenched the window open.

"What?" she snapped. "Do you have any idea what time it is?"

"11.34pm," he supplied helpfully. She rolled her eyes.

"So why are you here now?" she asked. He rubbed his hands: it was a bitterly cold but clear night, the brilliant stars filling the sky.

"It took me this time to walk over here after I couldn't get any response," he told her simply. Her eyes widened.

"You must be crazy!" she told him sharply. "It's dark and freezing and…why did you walk?"

"Because I didn't want my Dad to know I was going out because he would try to stop me," he told her. "Look, Astrid-I am really really sorry. My father roped me into some dinner with Bertha at the last minute and I tried texting you but I guess you must already have locked your phone away and…" She sighed and ran a hand over her face. Her hair was only loosely braided and and wisps were escaping, moving in the cold breeze.

"I'll let you in," she told him. "It's too cold." Then she closed the window and in a minute, the front door opened, admitting his shivering shape into the hall. Instantly, she wrapped a hug around him and he clung to her, allowing the shivers to settle.

"I'm so sorry,' he whispered. She hugged him harder.

"Your nose is freezing," she told him as he nuzzled into her neck.

"I missed you," he mumbled into her neck.

"I missed you," she whispered.

"I was going crazy without you," he admitted. "Without you, I just feel so alone…"

"But you have your Dad and…Bertha and your friend Cami,' she pointed out.

"You're my special best friend," he told her without hesitation. "My girlfriend. My Valkyrie. Thor…if I lost you, I don't know what I would do…" She pulled back and looked into his face.

"Hiccup-I know you are a Senior now and I can't help but notice you seem to be getting hotter by the week," she pointed out. "I'm not there and you don't have to feel beholden to me just because we were friends…" He gave a groan.

"Astrid…I can honestly say that there is no one I know who I want to be with except you," he said. "And I know it must be hard for you too because I am still at school while you're insanely hot and out there, working and winning tournaments and…"

"I didn't win last time," she reminded him. He shuddered.

"I am so sorry," he whispered. She sighed.

"You're my good luck charm, I think," she sighed and then kissed his cheek. "You're still freezing."

"I'll live,' he told her, his heart feeling lighter.

"I was angry you weren't there," she confessed, "and it put me off my game." She silenced him with another kiss. "Don't apologise again. Please. Just…promise you'll tell me if there is someone else." He nodded.

"And you," he said, though his throat was thick with misery at the thought. "If you find someone else…you deserve everything. So you don't have to stick to your promise if it means you miss out on something you really want. I couldn't do that to you." She wrapped her arms around him once more.

"I know," she sighed. "And I love that you're so sensitive and kind and thoughtful. It's what makes you great friend..and a great boyfriend." He hugged her again.

"Love you," he murmured and sighed. "I better head back." She smiled.

"You're not walking," she told him. "I'll get my bike. I need to know you're home and safe…" He winked at her determined expression, knowing there was no point in even considering arguing.

"Yes, Milady," he said.

He developed a nasty cold that cost him two days at school but he reckoned it was worth it to spend the time with her and following the late night visit, things had returned to how they had been. He treasured every text and made sure he never missed another date-including escaping through the window when his father had tried repeating the same trick a week later. Of course, he had his ear chewed off by his infuriated father for vanishing but he had reckoned it was worth it to see Astrid return to winning ways.

Christmas came and went and he managed to spend the 26th with Astrid as his father and Bertha were going out to a concert. Bertha, Cami and Gobber had shared the day with them and it had been a fun-filled and happy day. Cami was passing unsubtle hints-and it was more than obvious that Stoick and Bertha were growing closer together, especially if their hideously romantic presents were anything to go by. Hiccup could sense his father was definitely hoping that his son would show some sign of reciprocating Cami's obvious attraction so that it wouldn't introduce any complications in his own relationship but Hiccup was determined not to compromise his own happiness for a relationship that he never wanted or sought.

The time with Astrid and Ingrid was a blissful relief from any family pressure. Ingrid had made a roast pork joint with crackling, apple sauce, roasted potatoes, broccoli and carrots and they had eaten until they were stuffed. But he managed to get his present to Astrid-a little gold chain and pendant in the shape of an axe, which she thought was cute. She bought him a book he had wanted and a photo of them together taken by her mother. He had been surprised and delighted and promised to treasure them. And then they had curled up on the couch and watched some random Hallmark Christmas Film that was completely unsurprisingly in its plot but ended happily anyway. And Ingrid had snapped pictures of the young couple, curled on the couch and kissing under the mistletoe and she had sent them to him for his collection.

The New Year was horrendously busy as Hiccup worked towards his Finals. There were projects and papers to submit and he found his evenings crammed with work. Fortunately, Cami slowed down her visits as he worked himself almost to a standstill, the additional classes pressurising him as well as the tutoring duties he had accepted for three Freshmen who were struggling. And for Snotlout who was in danger of failing once more. But he refused to let anyone down and he pushed on through, maintaining his solid A average and ensuring all his charges improved. When even Cami asked for help, he couldn't help an inward sigh but he gamely set to helping her through the Math assignment she was struggling with. But things came to a head the week before Valentine's Day and he finally had to admit he was exhausted when he fell asleep at the back of Astrid's latest fight and had to be woken by her at the end.

She wasn't angry though, just worried that he was overdoing things. He looked pale and exhausted and she had ensured that she treated him to dinner and then she had taken him home on her motorbike-to find Stoick and Cami talking animatedly on the porch. Hiccup had tensed up as they pulled up and had pulled his helmet off. Stoick waved an arm happily.

"HICCUP! There he is!" he bellowed. "SON! Where have you been?" Cami was glaring at him as he took a deep breath.

"I was out with Astrid," he said clearly. Stoick's eyes widened and then moved to the rider, who pulled her brilliant blue helmet off to reveal the beautiful face of Astrid. "Astrid-this is my Dad, Mayor Stoick Haddock. Dad, this is Astrid Hofferson. My girlfriend."

Stoick's jaw dropped open and Cami looked as if she was ready to kill him.

"You…her…what?" he gabbled as Cami drew herself up.

"Funny-that's what I thought we were, sport," she said icily. Hiccup felt guilt crash over him and cursed himself for never having the courage to tell her bluntly to back off.

"I never said we were anything but friends," he protested.

"You never said we weren't something more-all those times you asked me to come around,' she said slyly. Astrid stiffened and her face stilled, her eyes glittering dangerously. Hiccup sighed tiredly.

"Cami-you kept coming around despite my telling you I was busy, I had other things to do-even that I was going out!" he replied in exasperation. "You never listened or cared about my wishes, what I wanted."

"You never protested!" she snapped. He balled his fists and walk towards her.

"Cami-you showed up at school and I was happy to show you around and help you get settled in because I understand how hard it is to be alone with no one helping you or showing you any real consideration. You latched onto me and I was happy to see you-but you just carried on as if we had seen each other last week, rather than twelve years ago! I'm a very different person now than I was then-and you never asked me ONE SINGLE THING about my personal life, likes, whether I had someone…"

"You clearly didn't," Cami sneered. "You're pretty much an outcast at school!" Stoick's eyes widened.

"Son?" he asked, his tone worried.

"Oh-it's too late to be worried about it now, isn't it?" Hiccup yelled, his eyes flashing with rage. Just for once, he wanted his father to understand. "When I first started at Berk High, I was bullied because I was small and skinny. And I actually tried to tell you and Mom several times. But all I got was 'it's just good natured rough and tumble, son' 'you need to learn to stand up for yourself' 'you'll never get anywhere if we mollycoddle you'! So I came home with bruises and scrapes, I had work destroyed and had to avoid certain parts of the school because of the bullies. And when I lost Mom and my leg, it got worse-but by then, you were pretty much missing! So yeah, I'm an outcast. I have four friends-five counting Cami-who are fine in their own way but none of them are close and they can't stop anything happening."

"I did," Cami told him shortly. "I only did it because I liked you." Astrid chewed her lip.

"I helped him because it was the right thing to do," she said sharply as Cami focussed her ire and obvious jealousy on the older girl.

"And who are you anyway?" she sneered. "I haven't seen you around school."

"I graduated last summer," Astrid told her crushingly as Stoick stared at his son.

"Son…" he began but Hiccup turned on him.

"You were never around!" he shouted. "I was alone all the time. I was bullied most of the time. Astrid was the one person who cared if I lived or died. And yeah, she's the year ahead of me-but that really isn't any problem. Because she's amazing and ferocious and beautiful and she's been here when I needed her-just as I have been there for her…"

"Yeah, I bet!" Cami snarked.

"Get your mind out of the gutter!" Astrid snapped. "Hiccup is a perfect gentleman and we have done nothing…of that sort." Stoick's eyes widened in shock and just a hint of disappointment.

"Thank Thor," he mumbled. "Not ready to be grandparent yet…"

"I am going to tell Mom that he led me on!" Cami hissed as the Mayor turned his gaze to her. Then he sighed.

"You will obviously have to do what you feel is right. Camilla," he said sternly. "But whatever happened between you is just that-between you. I just wish I had listened to him when he said he wasn't interested before you arrived on Thanksgiving. And if you're threatening in the hope of making Hiccup cast off the girl he clearly cares deeply for in favour of you who he has already stated he doesn't see in that way, then you aren't his friend. Any attempt to upset whatever your mother and I have between us is of course on your conscience-but Bertha is lonely and I am lonely-and I enjoy spending time with her. If you cause her pain just because your undeclared hopes are thwarted, then that damage is on your conscience and yours alone."

Astrid blinked.

"Wow. I can see why he's the Mayor," she murmured.

"I might have known you would side with this sneaky cowardly two-timing runt!" Cami shouted and stormed off to her car, parked at the end of the drive. Hiccup folded his arms and frowned. A couple of weeks shy of his eighteenth birthday, he was just six feet in height now, though still pretty skinny, with bright green eyes, a sharp jaw and thick, wildly tousled dark auburn hair. Honestly, Astrid could see why Cami was disappointed that he had rejected her, though of course she was delighted that Hiccup had chosen her instead. She kicked the stand down and dismounted her bike, to walk to his side.

"Babe-I think I need to say hi to your Dad," she said in a low voice, wincing as Cami accelerated away, narrowly missing her bike. He nodded and took her hand, then walked forward.

"Dad-this is Astrid," he said as Stoick smiled and offered his hand.

"I am delighted to meet you," he said and there was honest delight in his eyes. Then he glanced at Hiccup. "Though I wonder why you didn't introduce us sooner…"

"Yeah, I was wondering that," Astrid replied, her lithe form perfectly outlined by her pale blue biker's leathers. Hiccup gestured wildly in the direction of the departed Cami.

"That was the reason!" he said wildly. "She just kept coming round and I knew she would turn up unannounced and cause a scene. And I just wanted to put off having to deal with that." His shoulders slumped. "And she was my friend and I did tell her not to come round but she never listened. And now I guess I've lost her as a friend as well as whatever she imagined we were."

"As long as it's not step-sister," Astrid noted. There was a pause and Stoick cleared his throat. Hiccup sagged.

"Please no…" he murmured as his father cleared his throat.

"Um…I was going to talk to you tonight, son," he mumbled. "I was considering the idea of asking Bertha to consider becoming my wife on Valentine's…"

"If Cami hasn't already scuppered that," Astrid noted dryly. "Maybe you should talk to her. Soon? Before Cami has a chance to fly in and wreck your relationship." Stoick sighed.

"I don't think she would really but better take no chances, eh?" he said. He shook her hand. "Nice to meet you, Astrid. Hiccup-I think you've had enough excitement for one day." But as he turned away, Astrid grabbed Hiccup and kissed him urgently, her hands sliding into his hair. He deepened the kiss, eyes closed and pulling her body flush against his as they continued, finally releasing her. He smiled.

"Now I've had enough excitement," he said huskily. "Speak to you tomorrow? We need to decide what we're doing for Valentine's as well." Astrid winked.

"Don't you worry, lover-boy," she told him. "I've already got everything worked out. You just need to turn up and be yourself."