Part Two
Astrid's focus had sharpened with the years, dedicating herself to ensuring nothing would stop her taking up her place at College for a Physical Education Degree. She had honed in on relevant subjects, dropping irrelevances like Dragon Studies, Viking Mythology, Physics...and so she saw less and less of Hiccup even in classes since those subjects were very much on his radar. Of course, he had remained the class loser, a shy pariah despite his status as Mayor's son, bullied by Snotlout, Dogsbreath, Gustav and Tuffnut. Astrid saw him in the few classes they shared, frequently partnered with him in projects and class tasks because their names were next to one another in the register and she had to admit, he was easy company. He remained self-conscious, stammering and blushing when he spoke to her but hard-working, still very smart and inventive.
The one indulgent class she had hung onto was 'traditional weaponry', a very Viking subject where the students trained in a variety of old weapons. Astrid had chosen the axe, a unique choice where the others all went for swords or spears. While not as massive as students such as Dogsbreath, Snotlout or Fishlegs, she was strong and athletic, using her agility and skill to wield the axe with accuracy and precision...but practice had one undesirable effect: it dulled her axe edge, forcing her to get the weapon regularly sharpened. And she had been astonished to find Hiccup working at the School Shop and Forge when she turned up to get her axe serviced.
"You!" she choked in shock. He spun to see her and his forest green eyes glittered as he walked towards her.
"Milady," he said smoothly and grinned his lopsided smile. "How may I serve?"
She looked at him. For years he had remained disappointingly small and undergrown, a skinny fishbone of a boy with dark auburn hair, pale skin with faded freckles and sparkling forest green eyes, but over the last year, he had finally hit his growth spurt and shot up to outstrip the rest of the year. He had remained skinny and awkward but his hair had thickened and grown wilder, his puppy fat had gone and his jaw had sharpened. His skin was still pale but the few remaining freckles had almost faded and his kind face was still filled with a hopeful expression. She found herself stammering as she gazed into the sparkling green eyes.
"Um...my-my sharpening needs axe..." she gabbled and the face-palmed. Gods! Could she have looked more embarrassing? He quirked a definite eyebrow and gave a small smile.
"Are you sure?" he teased her gently, his voice amused. She reached over and punched him in the shoulder.
"Don't get cocky with me, Dragon Boy!" she scolded him and he lurched back a step, clutching his numb shoulder.
"Oww!" he protested. "Why-why is it always violence with you?"
"I am a Viking through and through!" she smirked, quoting the School Motto. He sighed.
"And I am the least Viking ever to come to Berk High," he sighed. "Seriously-and without beating me up, Milady-do you want me to sharpen your axe?" Instinctively, she held it protectively against her chest and frowned.
"Do you actually know what you're doing?" she demanded. He managed to look hurt, his glorious green eyes looking wounded.
"I've worked with Gobber since I was ten," he admitted. "He's taught me to build and repair engines, devices and weapons. I will take good care of your axe!" Blue eyes flicked up and then she reluctantly handed her beautiful axe to his dexterous hands. He pretended to almost drop it, gulped as she growled and more carefully took the axe to the grinder.
"So...why are you here?" she asked. "I thought you were all about dragons?" He carefully positioned the axe and carefully honed the edge , trying not to get sparks and metal fragments on his hands. He adjusted the blade.
"I am," he admitted, "but I have an aptitude for engineering as well so my Dad insisted I register for a double Major-Dragonology and Engineering. That way-to quote my Dad-'if all this dragon nonsense doesn't pan out, you'll still have a proper career, son!'"
"Hmm...harsh," Astrid commented as he sharpened the other side and then inspected the blade carefully.
"What have you been using this on?" he asked thoughtfully, taking a rag out to polish the blade.
"I practice throwing on a patch of waste ground," she admitted and he shook his head.
"Too many hidden rocks," he admitted. "Um...don't hit me please, but I believe that Viking warriors used to practice the axe by throwing at trees and hacking away at trees. Not so good for the trees...but much better for your axe. And you are able to practice actual combat moves without another person..." She gaped at him, seeing him easily handle the sturdy weapon.
"How did you know that?" she frowned. He shrugged.
"Um...Viking History," he mumbled. "My Dad and Gobber are both really keen I embrace my Viking heritage...like that's working for me..." He handed the shining weapon back and her hand ghosted his. She peered into his warm green eyes.
"And when did you get those muscles?" she asked, seeing the toned muscles in his lean arms. He shrugged-he was still lanky and lean but closer inspection showed there was more to him than met the eye.
"Um...working in a forge for years," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck again. She weighed the axe and then smiled, laying it down-and punching him in the shoulder again. "Oww!" he whimpered.
"That's for being a smartass!" she scolded him...but he didn't have a chance to protest more when she grabbed his grubby green T-shirt and hauled him forward, firmly planting a kiss on his cheek.
"And that's for everything else."
oOo
Astrid came to look forward to her weekly visits to the forge to get her axe sharpened and she never hurried to get away. Hiccup was still awkward around her and he blushed easily, but he had a dry sense of humour and a very sarcastic wit that was a real and welcome change from the incessant flirting that she got from Snotlout. She came to think of him as more than a friend and even found her heart speeding up a little when she approached the forge.
It was the end of October and she arrived, her cheeks flushed from practice, to find Hiccup waiting for her, his eyes sparkling. He tutted as she handed her the axe.
"Have you been using this on concrete?" he sighed. "Honestly, Milady...you do like to keep me busy!" She smiled brightly.
"Always, Dragon Boy," she grinned, bouncing up to sit on the counter and watch him delicately sharpen the blade. "Is Gobber keeping you busy?" He nodded.
"He gets me teaching Freshman Shop Class when he can," he admitted. "He seems to think I'm less intimidating than he is!"
"I think that's for sure," she grinned. "So...are you going to the Halloween Dance?" His green gaze flicked up and he lifted the axe from the wheel.
"Um...about that," he stammered, blushing and turning to face her. "I-I was wondering if...if you would want to come with me to the Dance?" There was so much hope in his eyes and she stiffened and stared at her lap.
"Oh...I'm so sorry, Hiccup," she said softly. "Snotlout asked me last week and the week before-and every day this week...and I finally said yes." She heard his breath catch and hated herself for admitting that had he asked her sooner, she might have said yes.
Would have said yes, she added privately.
She finally had the courage to lift her eyes and saw what she had feared: hurt and disappointment in his face. He swallowed and blinked then turned away.
"It's-it's okay," he said softly. "Someone as fabulous as you would always be snapped up early. What-what was I thinking?"
I would have gone if you had asked me sooner, she thought, seeing his courage evaporate and realising it had taken him all this time to work up the nerve to ask her...a day too late.
"You-you have a great time," he added, handing her the axe back swiftly. "I-I gotta go..." His voice was hoarse and she had the horrible feeling she had hurt him.
"Hiccup..." she called, seeing him retreat into the shop. "You-you will be at the dance?" He turned back to her, giving a small, brave smile.
"Of course, Milady," he said softly. "Wild dragons wouldn't keep me away."
But when the evening came around, there was no sign of the tall, skinny shape in a dragon outfit and Astrid spent the evening regretting not waiting that extra day to be with her friend, rather than the handsy and arrogant Snotlout. Even punching Snotlout and pouring pumpkin punch all over him didn't cheer her up. Next time she would wait for Hiccup.
A/N: Acknowledgement to Shadowspirit020 for the term (and concept of) Dragonology.