AN: What's this, Ship, another update already? Yes. Because I'm horrible. And starving for feedback, haha. Your win, I guess ;)

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Chapter 4

Hiccup knew that he was damn lucky to have Cami as his friend. From Thursday night, when she gave him his first instructions, up to Monday night he practically spent every bit of free time he had with her. At first, she showed him where to place his hand – on his partner's back, not the waist or even lower – and how to hold their hand, showed him a couple of basic steps, and didn't seem to get tired of practising them with him. During the weekend then, they were mostly at Cami's aunt Mala's dancing school where the stern woman made him practise with others of her pupils too – so that he wouldn't get too accustomed to dancing with only Cami, she commented – and gently but firmly corrected him whenever she thought it would help him improve instead of discourage him.

"I think you're ready for your date, Hiccup," Mala commented Monday afternoon.

Hiccup had already showered and changed back into casual clothes, and sat at one of the tables to the side of the room. Cami still had training with her street dance group, so he'd retrieved his books from his bag as he waited for her to be ready to go. In between all this additional training, he still had to do his regular homework too, after all, plus the preparation for his engineering group meeting. But that was fine. It gave him breaks from the unfamiliar physical activity, and it meant that he'd gotten around to help Cami with her biology essay after all. But Mala's words efficiently tore him away from thinking about engines.

"Erm… da-date?" he stammered as he glanced up at the tall woman. "W-what makes you think I have a date?"

Mala gave him a deadpan look. "Hiccup, I have been trying to get you to take dancing lessons to improve your balance since you had that accident all those years ago–" she nodded at his leg, "–and I know that Cami has tried to persuade you too. Now, you certainly do not have to tell me, but your sudden change of mind coinciding with the grand spring dance tomorrow…" she trailed off, suggestively, and Hiccup dropped his head. It really was that obvious, wasn't it? Especially for someone like Mala who'd known him practically for all his life.

But then, it wasn't really his intention to keep this date a secret anyway. Hel, he'd even gotten a birthday present for Astrid, one that probably was a bit too expensive for just a friend.

"You're right," he mumbled sheepishly. He paused, self-consciously, before he went on, "A-and you think I'll be doing okay?" Carefully, he glanced up to interpret Mala's expression instead of just her words. But the small but warm smile playing around her lips seemed to be genuine.

"I think you will," she replied. "You learned a lot during the last days, and I would say you made good progress, all things considered. I mean, you probably would not be able to pull off an impressive Viennese waltz performance, but then, you don't have to. All you need to do is move with the music, don't be so shy when you place your hands on your partner's back, and stick to slow dances."

"Which would suit the purpose best anyway," came Cami's dry comment from behind them. "Although, I bet she won't notice anything beyond his dreamy green eyes anyway." She laughed, and nudged her aunt's shoulder. "I need to tell you the whole story one day, Mala. It's better than any rom-com. The way these two were tip-toeing around each other for two years now..."

"Sounds like a night of wine and laughter," Mala replied with a sly smile, and Hiccup dropped his head with a low groan and burning cheeks. Despite being her aunt, Mala wasn't that much older than them, and Cami and Mala were close, he knew that well enough. He had no doubts that this planned night of them gossiping about his so far non-existent love life would actually happen.

"Are you ready to go?" he rather obviously changed the topic, glancing at Cami and the packed bag in her hand.

She chuckled as did Mala. "Sure," she winked. "Let's head home and make sure you're getting enough sleep before your big day tomorrow." On their way out, they could still hear Mala chuckling.

Hiccup drove Cami home on his bike as he often did, the spare helmet practically always in the small compartment beneath the seat. Once they reached her home, he went out of his way and even accompanied her to the entrance door instead of simply waving her goodbye from his bike. Cami gave him a curious look, but there was something he wanted to say, and he needed a few moments to form the right words in his mind.

"Cami," he began when they'd reached the door. "I… I wanted to thank you. For your help I mean."

"Which help exactly?" she asked with a cheeky grin. "The dancing lessons or keeping you from going crazy with nerves?"

"Heh… both?" he laughed shakily. "Gods, I'm so happy you're here, Cami. Honestly, I can't imagine what I'd do without you."

At that, Cami laughed. "I know, I know," she chirped, winking playfully. "You'd be lost without me. But don't worry, I'll always be here for you."

Hiccup couldn't help himself and threw his arms around her in an enthusiastic hug. "Thank you so much!" he mumbled. "Remind me to invite you to a pizza if tomorrow really goes as well as you keep saying."

"Extra cheese," she reminded him smugly. "And it will go smoothly, don't you worry. Now, off with you, and get some sleep. See you tomorrow." She gave him a friendly peck on the cheek, as she sometimes did when she was in a good mood.

"See you tomorrow then," Hiccup chuckled fondly, waved her goodbye and returned to his bike.

But when he bent to stow away the second helmet into its place, he thought he saw something moving in the corner of his eye. He looked up and saw a shadowy figure disappearing around a corner, a figure with a familiar golden braid flapping behind her.

Hiccup frowned, but then shook his head, laughing quietly at himself. Was he already seeing things now? Was he so eager for the next day, so looking forward to his date with Astrid, that he imagined her appearing at the oddest places? It surely wouldn't surprise him; he was thinking about her often enough. All the time, actually.

He couldn't even say what exactly it was about her. Sure, she was beautiful with her sea blue eyes and golden hair, with her toned body and perfectly proportioned curves. But it wasn't just that, he insisted, he wasn't like Scott who only cared about how a girl looked. She was so much more, that spark of humour in her eyes when he made a sarcastic comment, how earnest and ambitious she got when it came to her classes and archery, the dreamy look she got when playing her guitar, as if she was somewhere else entirely. She was funny and kind, fascinating. And Hiccup was eager to get to know her better than just on the friends-level of the past two years.

He threw one last glance in the direction where the shadowy figure had disappeared. Then he shrugged, and with a faint smile on his lips, he put his helmet on and headed home, anticipation for the next day glowing warmly in his chest.

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duh~duh~duuhh...