A/N: Skipping forward a bit here.

Chapter Three

"I didn't even know my sister knew how to use instagram." Heather raised an eyebrow as Ashton slid her phone towards her "She hasn't posted anything in over a month, but since our birthday and her meeting Hiccup she's been posting things. And he's been in them. Like, ew. Look at this one."

Ashton pulled up a picture of Astrid and Hiccup. Astrid had her arms around Hiccup's middle, and he had an arm around her waist. To make it even better for Ashton, Astrid was on her toes, pressing a kiss to Hiccup's cheek. It made Ashton's heart melt to see the smile he had on his face in the picture.

Heather rolled her eyes "It's not ew, Ash. They've been together for almost a month now. He's happy, she's happy, accept it."

Ashton stared down at her phone "I am over it. I just.. It bothers me to see this. I don't know why."

"Because you're in love with the guy, maybe?"

Ashton shook her head frantically, scrolling to the next picture "Not in love." she frowned, turning her phone so Heather could see it "Look at this! They're even sleeping together!"

Heather sighed, taking the phone from Ashton's hand and looking at the picture. It was one of those cliche couple pictures. Astrid had apparently woken up before Hiccup, and you could see him behind her with his face buried in her shoulder, an arm around her waist "Who knew waking up next to someone special could make you so happy?"

"Ugh, sappy doesn't suit your sister."

Ashton scoffed, rolling her eyes and taking her phone but from her friend "It's gross. Hiccup doesn't suit her, he's too nice."

Heather shrugged, taking a bite out of her almost forgotten meal "I think she's pretty great. Everyone else agrees. She's your own sister, come on."

Ashton sighed, falling in to one of the chairs, resting her chin on her hand "I know. I guess it's just because she hasn't been around, and Hiccup was my friend first. I just -"

"So, you're pretty much jealous because she took Hiccup?"

"No."

Heather laughed, shaking her head "You totally are. It's understandable since she's your sister and all and she took your crush, but that's really no reason to hate her. I mean, did she know how you felt about it? Hiccup didn't – and still doesn't – know."

Ashton knew what her friend said was true. There was really no one to blame but herself for not telling Hiccup sooner. Astrid really had no idea that she had feelings for him, and she didn't talk to her sister at all before he left to give her a ride home.

That's when it all started. He gave her a ride back to her house and the rest is history.

"I haven't seen him this happy since... Forever. It's been awhile." she let out a defeated sigh, standing up "I'm gonna go ahead and go to bed. I'll see you in the morning."

00000

Ashton tossed and turned all night. She couldn't get the picture of Hiccup and Astrid sleeping together out of her head.

She had been trying to get Hiccup to like her for years, and then Astrid comes along he manages to get him in five minutes. How? They look alike. Although, Astrid has the blonde hair.. Bluer eyes... She's tough. Maybe Hiccup is just in to tough girls?

Ashton frowned, throwing her covers off. If what she's learned about Astrid is true, then she has her practice tomorrow, and she won't be at Hiccup's tonight. She sighed, looking over at the time. It's only midnight. Hiccup said his door is always open for her, so, she could go over now and things would be fine?

Ashton nodded, staring at the ceiling. That's what she'll do. She'll just go on over to Hiccup's since Astrid won't be there, and admit all her feelings to him.

Not that she's trying to take Hiccup from her sister.

She got out of bed, slowly opening her bedroom door and walking carefully through their living room so she wouldn't disturb Heather. She would kill her if she knew about this.

Ashton hesitated before knocking on the door. Was coming to Hiccup's a good idea? He was most likely sleeping, and she she knows how he gets when he's lacking sleep. What if he gets mad?

She pulled her phone out, checking the time again to make sure it wasn't too late. Still midnight.

Ashton heard the sound of him walking towards the door. She could always make a run for it. He would ask the next day if it were her, she would say no, and he'd never know that she was at his apartment at midnight to talk about her feelings. Why is she even doing this?

He pulled the door open in all his shirtless glory. Sure, she had seen him shirtless plenty times while swimming, but something just seems different about it right now. He was always so insecure about his body, and she has no idea why. Does he always sleep like this?

"Ash? What are you doing here so late?" he had an eyebrow raised, running his hand through his already messed up hair trying to make it better.

"I just.. I couldn't sleep. I figured I could come talk to you."

Hiccup smiled, pulling the door open completely, letting her in. He closed it once she was past him and turned to face his friend "You could have called, too, you know. That's what phones are for."

Ashton twisted her phone in her hands. Could she actually tell her best friend that she came all the way to his place in the middle of the night just to tell him that she's jealous of her sister for getting to him first?

"I just have some things to tell you that can't be said over the phone." Hiccup's eyebrows furrowed together "It'll be really weird after telling, but -"

"Hiccup?"

Ashton's sentence was cut off by the sound of her sisters voice.

What was Astrid doing here? She could have sworn her sister would have been at her own place because of the training she has the next day. She's always too exhausted – says Hiccup.

What if he knows about her feelings and just says that Astrid doesn't stay with him every night to make her feel better? Oh Gods, that would suck.

"Babe, who's – oh." Astrid walked over to Hiccup, placing a hand on his shoulder and staring at her sister "What are you doing here so late?"

"I… I uh, just needed to talk to Hiccup."

Astrid frowned at that and eyed her twin suspiciously "About what?"

Ashton stared down at her hands instead of staring at her sister and crush "Uh… Eret."

Shock took over both their faces. Astrid had been positive that her sister was here to try and get with Hiccup, but she was wrong, apparently. That made her feel better that Ashton wasn't after Hiccup.

"Eret? As in my friend Eret?" Ashton nodded and Astrid gently hit Hiccup's shoulder, a smile coming to her lips "We can definitely hook you up with Eret. Right, babe?"

"Yeah. Yeah, definitely!"

That's when Ashton noticed that Astrid was wearing one of Hiccup's shirts. Not just any shirt, but his favorite shirt. Ashton can recall a time when Heather and Hiccup were dating and she wanted to wear that same shirt that Astrid is in. Hiccup had said no, that it was the last gift his mother ever gave him and it was special. Astrid must be special then.

She took in the rest of their appearances. The fact Hiccup is shirtless, the messy hair on both them, Astrid no wearing pants, and how could she miss the flushed faces?

"Were you guys-"

"No ."

"Yes."

The couple answered at the same time. Hiccup shot Astrid a look "You can't tell her that!" Astrid only shrugged.

"Oh! Oh Gods, I'm so sorry! I didn't know! Of course I didn't know, how could I have? I'll just go."

Ashton rambled as she jumped from the chair. She started backing up, looking between the couple and shuddering. She can't believe she interrupted them – oh Gods.

"Uh, have fun. Have fun doing that."

00000

Ashton honestly wasn't expecting to spend her next night to be spent sitting next to Eret, across from her crush and sister on a double date.

Eret, who looked almost as unhappy about this as her. They kept their eyes glues to the couple sitting across from them. Astrid and Hiccup were talking casually and quietly, their hands linked together atop the table. Eret and Ashton made quick eye contact before looking away. If one thing was certain, it was that neither of them wanted to be here.

Ashton has to wonder what was even said to Eret to get him to agree to a double date. Ashton took another glance at Eret and noticed that his eyes were on Astrid.

Oh.

"Eret," Ashton's voice caused Astrid and Hiccup to stop talking and look over at her "can I talk to you for a minute?"

Eret eyed her suspiciously before looking to Astrid. She squeezed Hiccup's hand, nodding encouragingly at him "Yeah, sure."

Astrid looked to Hiccup, a smile on her face "If they get together, they'll be happy."

Hiccup returned her smile, lifting Astrid's hand to his lips and placing a kiss on it "I don't know, milady. Neither of them look too thrilled to be here. Maybe a double date wasn't such a good idea."

Astrid only shrugged "They both agreed, didn't they?"

00000

"You like Astrid."

Eret tensed up at Ashton's words. Had he made it that obvious? He shook his head, forcing a smile "Me? Like Astrid? No. She's just a really good friend. So is Hiccup! He's a good guy, I couldn't do that to him."

Ashton understood that completely. She narrowed her eyes at him. She knew that rambling. She does that kind of rambling when it comes to Hiccup.

"Eret, come on. I saw the way you were looking at her."

Eret sighed, leaning back against the wall, running a frustrated hand down his face "Is it that obvious?"

"I mean, not really. It's just that… The way you were looking at her is the same way as, well… As Hiccup does. You both care about her, but -"

"But, she's with Hiccup." he finished the sentence for her. She nodded in agreement. Eret gave her a sympathetic smile "Same goes for you, Ash. Astrid knows."

Ashton felt all color drain from her face. She had thought she was being so careful about how she acted around the couple. She thought she was pretty good at keeping her feelings a secret from her own sister. Ashton thought she was good at keeping her feelings secret in general.

"She brought it up to me. That's honestly the only reason why I'm here. She just looked so… so desperate, and that doesn't look good on her."

Ashton nodded. What Eret said was true. Astrid never seemed or acted desperate unless she was completely serious. Ashton stared down at her feet and sighed "So, she really cares about him?"

Eret nodded "Which is why I'm making a deal with you." Ashton raised an eyebrow at him "You want Hiccup, I want Astrid. They're both obviously off limits. So, let's try this out. See where it goes? Maybe just until we get over them?"

Ashton thought it over. Dating – or pretend dating, she guesses – Eret could help her.. Could help both of them. She bit her lip. Eret isn't what she wanted, but since Hiccup is off limits, this could really work for her. Maybe her and Eret could be, she doesn't know… Something in the near future.

She looked up, giving him a smile and a nod "Yeah. We could give it a try."