AN: Thank you for lovely comments! :) Really, from the bottom of my heart. (Except the one who thought they were funny *sigh* grow up ;) )

. o O o .

Chaper 10

Astrid felt torn. Ever since Heather's message had reached her about fifteen minutes ago, she didn't know what to think anymore.

On the one hand, she was angry. How dare he? How dare he come here and try to make those petty excuses? 'It wasn't what it looked like'? Oh, sure. The image of him and Cami entangled in each other's arms seemed to be etched into the back of her eyelids by now. And if that was not what it looked like, then why was he apologising? No, she couldn't believe him that easily, not after this day of crying and heartbreak. Not with feeling so raw inside.

Oh, but she wanted to believe him! In fact, there was little she wanted more right now. Which was why she hadn't let her uncle throw him out again. Which was why she'd even tidied up her room in a hurry — as best she could, at least. She wanted to believe every word he said, wanted to revive her hope that she hadn't been a complete idiot for the last two years. She wanted to wrap herself into the comfort of his voice and his words, even as it sounded a little off, too smooth. Not quite like him.

"…and Heather told us what you said you saw. But it really wasn't what it looked like. I hugged Cami, that's true, but only as a friendly gesture to thank her because… because she helped me a lot. That's also what I meant by what you probably heard me saying. She spent the entire weekend teaching me, and—"

"—and then she kissed you?" Astrid interrupted him, her voice weary and tired. No matter how he tried to explain everything else away, this fact remained.

Hiccup's shoulder slumped. "She… yes, but… but it was only a peck on the cheek," he tried to explain himself. "Just a friendly gesture and nothing more. She's not my girlfriend or anything, we're not a couple, never have been. Believe me, if I had a girlfriend, I wouldn't have accepted your invitation to a dat— to the dance."

Chewing her lip, Astrid averted her eyes. Gods, how much she wanted to believe him… But his words didn't really fit to what she remembered. She clearly remembered them wrapped around each other and… and… She halted, frowning. Had she really seen them kissing? Or was that just an image her mind had made up on its own with the picture of their embrace and the kissing noise. She wasn't sure anymore. Gods, she really wanted to believe him — but feared she wanted it too much to be reasonable. So instead, she tried to be logical, tried to analyse what he'd said.

"What did you do then when you spent all weekend together but are not a couple?" she asked quietly, trying to hold on to something. It was a stupid question. They were friends, and she'd certainly spend all weekend with Heather too. But there was still something… "What did she teach you?" New images rose in her mind, images she certainly liked even less than that of them kissing in front of Cami's house. It wasn't her business with who Hiccup slept, if he and Cami were friends with benefits, or whatever he called it, but she certainly didn't need to like imagining it.

Hiccup frowned, then his eyes widen. "Uh, no!" he backpedalled, shaking his head and his arms alike. "No, not what you think, it was… was…" He trailed off, a fierce blush spreading across his face, and he shifted his weight from one leg to the other and back again. Weirdly enough, the sight somewhat calmed Astrid. This seemed more like the Hiccup she was used to, shy and a little awkward. Real. He let out a deep sigh, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "She… taught me how to dance."

Astrid sucked in a surprised breath, but didn't get the chance to say anything.

"Last week, when you asked me," he went on without a pause, seemingly focused on getting everything out as long as she listened. "I was so… so happy. It was like a dream come true. But I didn't want to embarrass you by showing up with a limping fishbone as your partner. So I asked Cami to teach me how to dance, so that you wouldn't need to regret asking me right away. Because… well, I guess I was hoping yo-you might agree on going out again. Because I-I like you!"

. o O o .

There, he'd said it…

Finally, after what felt like a lifetime of admiring her as simply her friend, he'd said it. Unable to look at her, he waited for her reaction, eyes closed and head dropped. He didn't want to see surprise, pity, or disbelieve on her face. But there was no reaction at all, and that was even worse.

So he'd screwed up after all. He'd told her what he felt for her, but it was too late. Or maybe there'd never been a real chance anyway. Maybe she accepted his explanation as she hadn't objected anymore, but that apparently didn't mean that she wanted to have anything to do with him. Maybe she hadn't wanted that anyway. Truth be told, he didn't understand why she'd been interested in the first place anyway. She was so gorgeous, smart, kind, and talented, while he was just… just an awkward cripple who ruined everything.

Sighing, he turned away from her. He ought to leave. He'd tried and failed. Well, tough. Life would go on. He would get over her.

Eventually...

Probably…

But then she reacted after all. "I'm sorry," she whispered, so low that Hiccup wasn't sure whether he'd understood her correctly, but it made him pause nonetheless. Even though he shouldn't. He didn't want her apology. He should just leave. But instead, he stood still and listened.

"I'm sorry for… for reacting so…" She paused, then started anew. "I overreacted when all you did was… and I should have known better. I know you're an honest person. That's part of why…why I like you so much. I mean, you only tried to… and I thought you… I've been so stupid, and I'm sorry!"

Dazed, he turned toward her after all, and found her standing in the middle of the room now. She looked timid, with her arms tightly wrapped around herself. Remorseful even. And even puzzled as he was, his quick mind raced through what she'd just said, filled in the gaps as best he could. It wasn't hard, simply acknowledging the misunderstanding, that she understood now. But even more important...

…why I like you so much

Had she really said that? Did she mean it like that? Or did she mean something else? Could she mean what he hoped she meant?

Once more, he looked at her, intently, analysing what he saw. She was wearing jogging trousers and a loose-fitting shirt, comfortable and not meant for going out. Her hair was a dishevelled mess, probably not tended to all day, and her red-rimmed eyes, cast to the side, were glassy as if close to tears. As if her usual cheerful and confident front had crumpled. She looked incredibly vulnerable, hurt, yet still so beautiful. She had made a few steps toward him, but hadn't crossed the whole distance. As if her courage had left her in between? That was a stupid thought. Unless…

In the background, the low music changed to a new song. Hiccup's mind was racing, interpreting what he saw — and he made a decision. A crazy one maybe, but he didn't care. This was his only chance.

Taking a deep breath, he scrambled up every bit of courage he could find — and made a hesitant step in her direction.

. o O o .

Astrid felt incredibly raw inside. This whole day of tears and pain had been her own fault, her own foolishness. If she hadn't reacted so stupidly, if she'd simply trusted in Hiccup's honesty, or had confronted him last night right away, this day could have been just as happy as she'd hoped it would be. But now, she'd ruined it.

He hadn't even said anything anymore. She'd apologised, had even blurted out that she liked him, but he hadn't deemed it necessary to reply in any way. She'd wanted to go to him, but the prospect was daunting. She didn't even know what to feel or think anymore.

But when she looked up again, he suddenly stood right in front of her. He had one hand raised, holding it out for her, just as if—

"May I ask for this dance?"

Astrid gaped at him, wide-eyed, too stunned to really comprehend. Luckily, her body reacted even as her mind was too slow for that. She made a strange sound, something between a sob and laughter, nodded, and laid her hand in his. Ever so gently, he pulled her closer, looking incredibly concentrated as he placed one hand on her lower back, and a moment later, they were swaying in time with the low music.

With a weak chuckle, she dropped her forehead against his shoulder. This was ridiculous, silly, absurd. Who danced in a bedroom, wearing jogging trousers and no shoes? But it didn't feel silly. It felt just right.

And it wasn't much of a dance anyway, not really. Just slowly swaying and turning as their arms left their designated positions, winding around necks and waists until they ended up in a comfortable embrace. One that Astrid didn't want to leave again. Ever. Not even as the song ended and her stereo switched to another song on her playlist. They danced through another song, if what they did could be called dancing, before she finally found her voice again.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled against his shoulder, and went on when he gave a confused grunt. "For overreacting and ruining the spring dance for you. If I'd just…" she trailed off, shrugging awkwardly. Damn, she wasn't used to feeling this insecure. But Hiccup didn't seem to mind.

He laughed, shakily and a little embarrassed, before he replied, "I don't mind. Actually, this just now was the best dance of my life anyway."

Chuckling, Astrid retreated a little to look up at him, giving him a shy smile.

He gave her a similar look, cheeks flushing endearingly. "Although… We could still go?" he added. "If you want to, I mean. It's not that late, there might even still be some food left."

The mentioning of food reminded her that she hadn't really eaten anything today — and let her stomach rumble, which made her chuckle again, if a little self-consciously. "I… I don't know. I look horrible. My face, my hair, and I haven't even showered, and—"

"I think you look beautiful," he interrupted her, his voice entirely matter-of-fact and sincere. Then his blush intensified, and he hastily added, "Besides, next to me, you'd always look like a film star anyway." He indicated toward his jacket and shirt, stained by dust and dirt as she only now noticed.

Thinking for a moment, she nodded. "I… I think I'd like to go," she eventually muttered. Maybe this day wasn't entirely lost after all. And the image of her and Hiccup dancing for real and having a fun night out was very alluring. "That is… if you give me ten minutes to get myself in order?"

Beaming, Hiccup agreed. It took her a moment to convince her uncle to leave Hiccup unharmed as he waited downstairs while she took a quick shower and hurried to get herself presentable. She'd meant to braid her hair into a cute hairstyle she'd picked out over the weekend, but now, her usual simple plait would have to do. At least she could wear her new dress after all. After adding a discrete layer of eyeshadow and mascara, she decided that her look would have to do, and headed downstairs.

It was amusing to see Finn standing in the doorway to his living room with his arms crossed in front of him and with Hiccup standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. But when Hiccup's eyes landed on her and she saw his awestruck expression, she didn't feel like laughing anymore.

His eyes went wide and his lips parted in surprise, lips Astrid, in all honesty, couldn't wait to taste. But that wasn't a thought for now, not with her uncle eyeing her with that weird smirk.

"Guess I'm not needed here anymore," he grumbled. "Hope you're having a fun night, lass." He winked, then turned and left them alone.

"You look beautiful," Hiccup finally gasped, lips twitching into a wide grin. "I still can't believe this is really happening…"

The last words were barely more than a whisper, but Astrid heard them anyway. Smiling a little shyly as she often felt around Hiccup, she reached for his hand and carded her fingers through his. "It is," she murmured, peeking up at him through her lashes, reassuringly even though she sympathised all too well. She could hardly believe it either.

With his hand still wrapped around hers, they left through the front door. Astrid wasn't sure what she'd expected, but only when she saw Hiccup's black bike parked in her uncle's driveway did she realise that, of course, he'd not come here with a car. She would ride on his bike. The thought made her heartbeat quicken, and her hand around his involuntarily tightened.

"Everything okay?;" he asked, a little worried, and let his eyes follow hers. "Oh. Does… does it bother you to ride on my bike? I… maybe I could call Cami to pick us up, or—"

"No, it's fine," she assured him, biting her lip. "I… would like to ride with you on your bike." She firmly walked the rest of the way, studiously ignoring the heat in her cheeks.

His hands trembled slightly as he fished for his key and opened the small compartment that held a spare helmet. But before he pulled it out and handed it to her, he suddenly stopped mid-movement and groaned.

"I'm an idiot," he muttered, head dropping before he looked up and at her again. "I'm sorry! With… with all that chaos just now, I didn't think about that anymore, and I… I didn't mean to forget. I just…"

Not understanding what he tried to say, Astrid shook her head in bewilderment. "What are you talking about?"

He gave her a sheepish smile, and pulled a small box out of the compartment, wrapped in golden glittery wrapping paper and decorated with a deep blue, flower-shaped bow.

"Happy Birthday!"

. o O o .

So... that was the longest chapter of the entire story... I think... I hope it was to your liking! :) We're not quite through yet, there's one more to come. Soon ;)