I know you should love your writing, but this chapter was really difficult for some reason. I think I rewrote it close to ten times before I finally just settled. So, I could definitely use some constructive criticism on this one you guys.

Astrid stood in front of one of the floor length mirrors in the infirmary, wearing only a sports bra on her torso and clutching a small pair of scissors. Under Hiccup's disapproving gaze, she'd already cut away half her stitches, earning herself a small, but harmless, trail of blood.

Hiccup was his normal self again, rummaging around in Ruff's medical cabinets looking for some ointment to put on her stomach. He hadn't participated much when they were testing Dagur's skills, which proved to be small, but useful. Hiccup had stayed in background, watching as they discovered Dagur had no other super ability besides reading their immediate thoughts. Anytime Astrid had peaked a glance at him during the evening, his large green eyes had been slits against the black scales.

"You're quiet," Astrid commented, cutting another black string. She heard the cabinets slam shut, but there was no answer. "You think Dagur will do alright here?"

"Can we not talk about him?"

Astrid glanced around, raising an eyebrow at his sullen voice. He was at the counter, dunking a rag into some clear liquid. "What's your problem?"

As she pulled her sweatpants down the tiniest bit and clipped away at the last line, Hiccup appeared beside her. "Just come here," he mumbled, taking away the scissors and pressing the rag to her healing scar. Astrid hissed at the stinging sensation and Hiccup gave her half a smile. "Sorry."

"You never answered my question."

He sighed and continued gently dabbing, staring intently at her flat stomach. "I don't like him."

"Who? Dagur?" she asked, confused. "He hasn't done anything."

"I know," Hiccup said, quietly. "He's just-I can't explain it. It just doesn't feel right. He's too happy to be here." He finished wiping the wound and he gently placed a new white bandage on Astrid's stomach. His fingers lingered over her waist longer than necessary, almost like he was debating pulling her in for a hug, but decided against it. His arms fell limply to his sides.

"It's not a bad thing if someone comes in confidently," she argued. "I was actually pretty impressed with how well he adjusted so quickly."

"That's not normal," he whispered urgently, slightly bending his torso to look her in the eyes. "He shouldn't have been adjusted to whatever the hell he did to get this way before he even got here."

"You were rather happy you're first night here," she pointed out, tightly folding her arms across her chest.

"That was different." Hiccup clutched her arms in desperate attempt for her to understand him, but all it really did was pull her in closer to his chest. "Anyone would be a little excited about finding out they could turn into a dragon and see in the dark. He came here acting like he already knew everything. He didn't even care. That doesn't seem odd to you?"

"Well, it was unusual," she admitted, biting on her bottom lip. "But from what I can tell, he seems harmless. We can't just kick him out because you have an odd feeling. I didn't think much of you when you first came here, but we didn't get rid of you."

"Thanks," Hiccup mumbled, sarcastically. He let go of her arms, but Astrid didn't step away. "I guess I'm just overreacting."

"Maybe that dragon in you is getting territorial," she laughed, poking him hard in chest. Hiccup pouted and rubbed the spot, earning himself another one of her giggles. For a second, he thought about how nice it would if it was like this all the time. Maybe if he had met Astrid at school or maybe work, neither of them a Guardian and living normal lives, things would be different between them; no stress or tension.

Astrid's smile disappeared, almost as if she was thinking the same thing. Hiccup could see everything written across her face, all the pain and confusion she hid so easily. She was so used to running from her problems, Hiccup half-expected her to bolt from the room when the mood changed. However, making the breath catch in his throat, Astrid wrapped her arms snuggly around his torso and leaned her head against his chest.

"Thank you," she mumbled into his shirt. "For earlier." Hiccup put his arms around Astrid, feeling her small, but strong, body mold into his. Laying a hand on her blonde hair, he didn't say a word. "It does bother me. I miss them a lot. Not every day though. I try not to think about it, but sometimes I imagine going to see them, confessing to them that I've been alive all this time."

"What's stopping you?"

"I can't." Astrid turned her head and looked up at him as she spoke, her blue eyes shining bright behind her bangs. "Its selfish, but I can't do it. They've been laying flowers at my grave, alongside my brother's, for four years. I can't admit to them that it was all pointless."

"Maybe when all this is over, you can." Hiccup gave her a small smile that she returned. "After we get this whole mess fixed and things quiet down, you can put your focus on that."

Astrid lightly shook her head, almost like she didn't believe it was possible, but her expression stayed light. She brought her fingers to his chest, tangling them in the front of his shirt. Hiccup's stomach knotted when he saw the unfamiliar look in her eyes as she pressed herself closer to him. Her skin seared through his jacket, sending shocks to every tip of his body. He was suddenly very aware of his hands and how awkward they felt holding her.

She was too close to him now. Astrid's warm breath caressed his face as the sparking blue eyes grew closer.

"The rules haven't changed," she whispered up at him. Hiccup bent his head, ignoring her statement, angling himself closer to her, but Astrid slightly pulled her head away. Their noses and foreheads bumped each other. "We still have a job to do."

"I know," he answered. "You can't worry about me and I can't worry about you." One of Hiccup's hands unwound from around her, travelling down her side until he gently gripped the small expanse of her waist. "Is that what you really want?"

Astrid didn't pull away. Her eyes closed and she slowly shook her head again. "This-we can't. This isn't supposed to happen."

"Who cares?" he demanded quietly. "You don't always have to follow the rules."

"Hiccup-."

"And I'd like to point out, you're the one who stepped closer to me."

There was a silent pause, then without warning Astrid was pressing her lips firmly against his. It was like he shoved a knife through an electrical outlet. Shocks surged through his body, radiating to the very tip of his fingers and toes as Hiccup's eyes closed, his lips molding slowly to the girl in front of him.

She was everything his guilty daydreams imagined she would be. Small hands tugged on his shirt while his dug with a bruising grip into her hip, being cautious of the white bandage. When his callused fingers tangled in her blonde hair, her gasp against his mouth allowed him to explore her further.

Just as he memorizing her taste, a mixture of something painfully sweet and exotic, there was a creak from the other side of the room. Astrid jerked away from Hiccup with lightning speed, flinging her hands from his chest and whirling on the spot.

Hiccup, who was still red in the face and in slight disbelief at what just happened, narrowed his eyes over her head when he saw the figure in the doorway.

"Da-Dagur!" Astrid gasped, pushing a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

Hiccup's hands didn't leave her waist and, keeping eye contact with the smirking man in the doorway, he yanked Astrid so that her back pressed against his chest.

"Ah, so this is the man behind the dragon." Dagur almost looked amused from his spot leaning against the doorway. "We haven't met when you aren't covered in scales."

"Um, yeah this is Hiccup," Astrid stammered, "who I thought had super hearing." She glared up at him and Hiccup shrugged in response.

"I was distracted. Is there something you needed?"

"Actually, yes." Dagur pushed away from the wall and smiled at Astrid. "It's getting pretty late and no one has showed me where I'm sleeping."

"Oh, sorry," Astrid replied, pulling away from Hiccup. She grabbed her t-shirt from the counter and shrugged it on as she walked. "You're in between Hiccup and Jack. I'll show you."

Without giving Hiccup a second glance, she strode from the room with Dagur at her side.

He originally planned on going back to his room, but Hiccup quickly caught the smell of something in the kitchen and his stomach got the better of him. That's how he found himself leaning against the counter, shoving a cookie into his mouth, as Punzie slid a pie into the oven.

"Why aren't you in bed?" he asked through a full mouth.

Punzie walked to Hiccup's other side and began kneading another ball of dough, before she answered. "I miss Jack. This keeps me busy."

"They'll be at the prison in the morning," Hiccup assured her. "Once they talk to Jinx, he'll be back."

"I know," she smiled. "I'm not worried. I just miss him is all. Not as bad as Astrid would miss you though."

Hiccup paused, then shoved another cookie into his mouth. "I don't think she'd miss me that much, Punz." Especially judging by the way she stormed from the room just a few moments ago. Punzie gave him a sad smile, dusting more flour over the countertop.

"You just don't know her as well as I do."

Hiccup was about to argue, when he could suddenly hear familiar footsteps coming down the hallway. Shoving away from the counter, he gave Punzie an appreciative hug around the shoulders before striding out the door.

Astrid was just rounding the corner, Dagur free, when he stepped out. Catching his eye, she smiled widely, and as she hurried to him, Hiccup had a sudden realization. It didn't matter what she did. Astrid could slice his throat and rip a hole through his chest and he realized he'd do anything to see that smile on her face again.

Hiccup was a lost cause.

"I was just looking for you. I think we need to talk." The words were harmless enough, but he still felt a sense of dread when she slowly shut the door to the kitchen, making sure they weren't overheard.

"Yeah, we do." Hiccup agreed.

"I meant what I said, Hiccup." Her voice wasn't upset, but her jaw set firmly. "We both still have a job to do. This won't get in the way of that. There's too much going on for me to focus on you right now."

Hiccup rolled his eyes and ran a free hand through his hair. "Astrid-."

"Hiccup. I mean it."

He stared back at her, but her penetrating gaze didn't waver. When it was obvious she wasn't going to budge, Hiccup gave an exasperated sigh. "Fine. I promise I won't screw the job up."

"Okay."

"Okay? That's it?"

Astrid's cheeks grew pink and she gave nervous shrug. "Um, yeah. The job comes first. As long as you know that, then there's nothing else."

There was still so much. All the things Hiccup wanted to ask her, find out about her, just kept adding up on an endless list. The conversations they needed to have weren't even close to being over, no matter how much Astrid tried to ignore them. However, despite all of this, he found himself nodding.

"Um, yeah. Okay then goodnight."

"Goodnight, Hiccup."

He didn't sleep that night. Every time Hiccup closed his eyes, she was there. His mind raced with images of blue orbs and blonde hair and it was all because of one kiss. They weren't even couple. Hell, he wasn't exactly sure what they were, although he was sure Astrid still considered him a friend.

He knew there were more important things he should have been focusing on. Any day now, the villains could be taking over the world and here he was losing sleep over blue eyed blonde. Hiccup almost wanted to laugh; in a sick, pathetic sort of way. She'd clawed her way into his head so deep, he wasn't sure if he'd ever get her out.

"You look tired."

Hiccup leaned back in his chair, finishing a yawn, before nodding slowly. "Didn't sleep much last night." Ruff rubbed her fingers together and leaned over, but Hiccup shot her a glare. "I don't need that kind of wake up, thanks."

Wiz sat at his desk, going over his multiple screens, while Hiccup and the twins lazily watched. No one else was awake yet and Hiccup was appreciating not having to force conversation with anyone.

"So, is this all everyone does? When do we get to kick some ass?" Dagur popped into the room, sliding into the chair in between Hiccup and twins. Wiz shared a look with Hiccup before looking back at his screen.

"We wait until we're called," Hiccup said. "Besides, there's bigger stuff going on now."

"Oh yeah, that's what Shadow-I mean, Astrid-was saying." Dagur suddenly leaned over and slapped Hiccup on the back, enthusiastically nodding his head. "By the way man, nice! Never would have guessed she'd go for a guy like you."

"Uh, thanks."

"No seriously. I mean, when I first saw her I thought I was going to have to try and get a piece of that," Dagur chuckled. Hiccup bit back a growl. "Didn't know dragon boy here had dibs." He gave a playful punch to Tuff's shoulder. "Should have warned me the hottest girl here wasn't up for grabs."

"Wait, wait, wait," Tuff laughed, leaning over the table. "Hiccup and Astrid-?"

Ruff laughed loudly, leaning back in her chair. Even Wiz turned around to listen. Hiccup felt his face heat up and wondered what kind of hit he would receive from the current girl they were discussing when she found out everyone knew now.

"I can't believe she didn't tell me!" Ruff beamed. "Damn, way to go Haddock."

"Dude, I need the dirty details," Tuff hissed. "Bro code man!"

"There's nothing to tell," Hiccup muttered. "Drop it before I get in trouble."

"We know who wears the pants." Ruff muttered while Tuff and Dagur snorted.

Hiccup was about to push away from the table, maybe take his bike out for a little while, when there was a beeping sound from one of Wiz's screen.

"Um, the C.I.A is on their way here," Wiz said, watching the screen in disbelief. "They'll be here in a few minutes."

The laughing in the room ceased and Hiccup shared a skeptical look with the twins. "But-but the satellite hasn't found anyone. What did we do?"

Wiz paused for a minute, then looked nervously at the others. "Has anyone talked to Jack and Snotlout this morning?"

As much as I love this story, I am even more excited now that I'm over this "hump." Plot gets heavier after this everyone!