A/N: New chapter, hooray! To celebrate the fact that I have just finished my last exam and am now free for the summer (except for some term papers and stuff), I decided to update this little something here for you guys. Sorry you had to wait so long; you know, student's life an' all...

Small warning here for all of you: in the second part of this chapter it will get a little...hot between Hiccup and Astrid. Nothing too bad, I'd say...just...well yeah. You get my drift. So read at your own risk ;D

Enjoy!

Fire and Flame

Hiccup was definitely not used to receiving such an overwhelming amount of attention. All of Berk, from the elders to the youngsters, as well as the few tribe-members of the Looting Liars, were currently gathered within the Great Hall, cheering, laughing, singing and drinking merrily together.

The number of stolen goods and destroyed housings had been the smallest in over fourteen months. Most dragons, kudos to Hiccup of course, had left without any loot. Not many of the houses were burnt down, seeing as the floods created by the Scauldron had extinguished the fires just in time. This caused the Berkians to be in the most celebratory mood since ages.

The hall was very warm, near to suffocating, with all the bright torches that burnt relentlessly and the squeezing masses of intoxicated Vikings. It was practically impossible to understand a single spoken word, seeing as the jubilation in the background rose in volume. Not one single soul was feeling sombre that night; no one except for Hiccup, understands.

Well, maybe sombre was a word too harsh to use for such an occasion; he had, after all, gained the trust of his people without killing an innocent, none-the-wiser dragon, just like he had intended since the start. His apparent final examination seemed forgotten, too, which pleased him greatly. Yet the fact remained that, that night, he had nearly lost someone who meant more to his heart than he liked to admit.

Astrid sat several feet away, in between her fellow warrior friends, a mug of mead in her hands as she smiled and sang along to the arrhythmic tunes that circulated around the hall. Hiccup's glances constantly swung towards her, checking her form, her posture, making sure she was indeed fine. That aggravated Rumblehorn nearly had had her heart chocked in between his maw; the thought alone always created a bitter taste of bile within the boy's mouth. Her pride and ego, which before he had begun to admire, had now nearly cost Astrid her life. He wondered if she was aware of that fact; if she was thankful that the gods had had mercy on her, or if the incidence was already was no longer considered and thus forgotten.

Alright, so death was an occupational hazard when being a Viking; that, Hiccup understood. But still; caution was to be expected, yet she seemed as nonchalant as ever. Maybe it was not her awareness of the fact that she had been so close to death which Hiccup desired, but rather a thankfulness towards the auburn-haired man himself. He was not one who demanded praise and reward; right now, he felt quite awkward and uncomfortable amidst all these men and women who celebrated him – but he wanted a reason to talk to her, to make amends, to improve their currently shaky relationship. So if words of gratitude could trigger such a conversation, he was more than ready to hear them.

He did not care if these Vikings showered him in gold or gave him a position of nobility; one of these men, after all, was his father, and only the gods, and his mother, knew who. He had not figured it out in all the time of his stay. No matter how many hours he spent sitting, or standing, in the workshop, watching passer-bys, analysing their faces and behaviours; no one seemed particularly like him. But was he really the one capable of judging? If only he had someone to help him out. But there was no one he could trust with the truth; not yet, at least.

Not until he managed to establish something with Astrid, preferably. And again, he did not want to consider with too much detail why exactly her. The answer seemed more than obvious, but it did not stop the red from dominating his face when he thought or spoke of it.

So, all these Berkians were currently patting him proudly onto the shoulders and back – laughing and bellowing at him what a great, heroic young man he was (no longer the child they claimed him to be during the raid). Even Snotlout had stumbled towards him, a large grin on his face and all hostility gone as he clapped Hiccup's arm with a snicker and praised him for his astounding performance.

"Great show there on th'battlefield, Toothpick!" He slurred his words slightly as he swayed from right to left, "Savin' Astrid n'all; y'know, our people say she's the best. So...you were better. Which makes you th'best!"

He would most likely not remember their talk by the end of that evening, when two to three further mugs of mead had coursed through his system and nebulized what little common sense he still owned. Hiccup could not care less, just smiling sympathetically and nodding at his words, but otherwise not bothering to deepen their exchange. His mind was too crammed with other thoughts as to burden itself with Jorgenson idiocy.

And again, he averted his gaze to fixate it on a certain blonde Valkyrie. She was talking lively with Fishlegs, both leaning forward on the table and seemingly discussing something of great importance as her brows creased and a sudden smile graced her lips. Just then, both parties stood up, disappearing into the crowd.

Curiously, he peeked past people, even stood up at his table to try and find the disappearing Vikings, but too many bumping figures and dancing bodies blocked his view. Nearly frustrated, Hiccup was about to sit back down and sigh miserably when yet again a strong hand smacked him onto his back, making his lungs vibrate.

"The man of the hour!" It was Astrid, and she was all jolly, grinning at his face, "Everyone is amazed." She sat down next to him, her tankard still half-full, as Fishlegs approached from the opposite direction.

"It really was something; seeing how you bested those dragons out there. No one would have believed it had they not seen it with their own eyes!" He seemed squirrelly, buck teeth gnawing at his lower lip in anticipation, "Say, how exactly did you do it? How did you frighten away those dragons without them stealing anything?"

"Err...well..." Not sure what he should respond without completely giving himself away, Hiccup merely shrugged, grinning sheepishly.

A fist met playfully with his arm, causing him to wince. Astrid had a hard haul, but he also had a bruised arm from when he fell over during the battle. He was not as Viking as to simply ignore the pain; Hiccup was not even sure how bad the injury really was. He wanted to inspect it once he got a moment of solitude back at the smithy.

"Not bad, Toothpick. Really not bad." The auburn-haired man was not sure if she actually meant it, or if the alcohol was doing the talking for her. Neither was he sure which of the two possibilities he preferred.

Then, he focused on the indigo hue of her eyes whilst considering something he could retort to brighten the mood even further, but found himself lost in the details that made up Astrid. He did not quite comprehend why he was always so fascinated by her presence, but he was, and he could not help it. There she sat, smiling all lovingly as if the bitterness and rivalry from before no longer existed. Even so, her current state was a product of too much honeyed beer, which did not hit well with him. He wanted her honest, genuine affection.

A tankard of sloshing, dark liquid was roughly placed in front of Hiccup, who sat back as the mead leaked over the edge.

"For you, sir!" Ruffnut giggled mischievously, leaning next to him, "No party without alcohol!"

Immediately, his hands were raised as he nervously glanced between the blonde twin and the beverage, "I'm fine! I don't really drink-"

"Nonsense! Everyone drinks!" Tuffnut interrupted, sitting down next to Fishlegs with his own mug which he swung around eagerly, "Drink! Drink!"

"Yes drink!" His sister added, Fishlegs nodding positively. Hiccup would not have thought the timid, sturdy man to be all in for party, too.

Another knock to his arm, softer however, "Go on, just tonight. We have all reasons to be happy." Astrid added.

"And you need alcohol to bring it forth?" Was it surprising that he frowned upon such a tradition?

If you were happy, you were happy. No need for some bitter-tasting beverage to help you bring out the good feelings. The one-legged man did not understand the logic in such an act.

"It's the way it is! You'll feel better, just drink some!"

The constant bribery from every direction soon had him caving in as he grasped the jug and swallowed thick masses of mead, feeling it glide down his throat. It was horrid, despite a sweetness that soothed the tongue, a bubbling sensation within his belly and a sudden wave of jolliness that overcame him.

"Way to go!" Tuffnut and Ruffnut sang in unison, crying with laughter.

Snotlout came tumbling by at one point, singing sloppily along with the rest of the people, but immediately stumbled away again. The fleeting chant was enough to arouse Fishlegs, the Twins and even Astrid to continue with their singing, their moods seemingly rising further and further.

Hiccup smiled politely at that, sitting there and letting the mead do its work; his head began to feel lighter, his vision became hazier. Everything seemed to fade a little in detail, which disturbed him. He felt the control over his body waver, which was much against his desire, so he pushed the tankard away from his hands, hoping the other Vikings would not notice this and simply believe he had finished his drink.

Astrid, who was terribly close to him, now turned to look at his face again. Had they ever been this close before, without there having maybe been a fight or an interrogation? He did not think so.

"Why so down, Toothpick?"

Her tender voice was something that caused him to bolt upright – he had never heard her use such a tone. He felt rather out of place with it. It was beautiful and melodic and he desired more; but was it true? Was it real? Or just the mood of the party having her mercy shine upon him?

"I'm...fine! Just tired." Absent-mindedly, he rubbed his arm with the swell.

"If you'd take your ridiculous armour off, I could look at that." Her statement irked him, having him eye her with raised eyebrows, until he realised she was gesturing at his injury.

"It's nothing."

"Why do men always claim it to be nothing?"

"Because it is nothing." He waved his hand dismissively in front of himself, turning to face the exit of the hall longingly.

Further complimenting Vikings came by, often wanting to down a tankard with him, but Hiccup declined with as much decorum as he could muster. He wanted to excuse himself for the night, but knew that that would be frowned upon. He was the honorary guest, after all.

"You really are strange, Hiccup."

Had he heard right?

Astrid had used his name for once. What a rarity! Her lips met the wooden edge of her drink, she swallowed several gulps and then swiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

"And that's a good thing?" He carefully questioned.

"I don't know. I'm not sure what to think of you. No one has ever frustrated me as much." He felt his heart sink at that, "But neither has anyone intrigued me as much." gradually, it rose again.

"That must be a good thing, then." Hiccup attempted to build up eye-contact, his hands folded in front of him

"I guess. You saved my life out there, after all."

Cobalt blue met emerald once more that cold night, trying to read the deeper meanings that were hidden within each other.

"You didn't really think I'd let you die?" He swore his voice had calmed to a whisper and that she would have trouble hearing him with all the ruckus still existent around them, yet she seemed to understand him just fine as she held his gaze.

"Anyone else would have, especially after I told you to go."

"An honour thing?"

"An honour thing."

"I'm not really one for honour."

"I realised that. Which makes you...unique." He frowned at that, earning himself a smug smile. Taking in a deep breath, she began to explain, "You are sitting, everyone is celebrating you, but you act like a mere onlooker in the corner, happiest when no one sees you. As if you are used to solitude."

"Maybe I am."

Suddenly, she twisted her body on the bank to face him more directly, her oculars as penetrating as they always tended to be when she desired a truth he hid with vehemence.

"Why? Don't you have friends back on the Island of Looting Liars?"

Friends? Hah! If only she knew...

"Not really, I'm more of the 'hides-in-the-workshop-and-talks-to-no-one' type." He chuckled, deciding that another sip of his drink could do no harm. He felt rather sweaty, avoiding Astrid's piercing eyes.

"Just like you are here." She pointed out, shaking her head, "But...it's nearly as if you're not around people much. As if...you have imaginary friends or..." and she began to laugh lightly at her next words, "Prefer to hang out with dragons rather than humans."

The auburn-haired man had to do his best not to spit out the mead all over the table and thus, at Tuffnut. The irony behind her words...

"I...just...don't find many people...I get along with." Hiccup shrugged about ten times as he stated just that.

"And that is why you are a funny person."

"Good funny or bad funny?"

"Why do you keep asking?"

"I don't know...maybe because you are the first Viking who's opinion actually matters to me?" The whole time, his peripherals were directed towards the exit, his desire to approach them and hide within the darkness of the night rising with the second. Toothless was most likely worried beyond sanity about him; he had not come for his evening flight, after all, and the dragon did not seem to have realised a raid had happened mere hours ago.

The silence that he was met with next to him had him unnerved, but he did not dare turn to see what her facial expression told him.

"Come." Was all he heard; a near to demand as a hand tugged at his, pulling him to his feet.

Before he could inquire why or what, or where, he saw her braid being flung over her shoulder, her body moving towards the exact exit he had just ogled like crazy, feet fast and well coordinated.

Seemed like a little mead did nothing to sway a Hofferson.

But with every step he took he realised the beverage was gnawing at his senses and limiting his actions. He was gradually succumbing to the side-effects of alcohol...

He blamed the alcohol when he felt is back slam against the back of a building, wooden planks digging into his spine as she pressed herself with incredible force against his body.

Every curve and dent fit perfectly into his; her pelvis grinding into his throbbing lower area as he felt her need inside his mouth.

For they were currently ravishing each other. Her plump, round lips slanted over his own, feeling so soft and creamy and perfect as he sucked and nibbled, pulling eagerly, yet with something akin to clumsiness. Her kisses were lust-ridden and steamy in response nonetheless.

Suddenly, he felt bold despite his earlier reluctance. Eager to explore all that she had within that sugary mouth of hers, he swiped his tongue across her cottony lips, pressing against them more urgently. 'Let me in' he pleaded without words, and she complied almost immediately. Her mouth parted, and his tongue thrust itself inside, licking and rubbing against the roof of her mouth, the side of her cheeks, her own tongue.

The contact between both muscles was electrifying; Hiccup felt as if he were riding on a Skrill. The blonde battled his tongue with her own, fighting with vehemence for dominance, but he did not grant it just yet.

"A man leads." He knew his mother had meant something entirely different when she had told him that, but he could not help but apply that lesson to his current situation anyway. He was already being so out of character with his sheer lack of prudence.

As their lips were interlocked, tongues tasting the aroma of the other as if their lives depended on it, the auburn-haired boy snaked his arms from her waist lower, towards the hem of her shirt. His fingers stuttered to a halt. It was tucked in neatly underneath her spiked skirt and leggings, but he would have no trouble tearing it out. Shyly feeling the fabric, he pulled, allowing his calloused, rough hands to wander over the flat plane of her toned stomach and soft skin.

She hitched several times upon the tender, yet fiery contact. Her skin burnt like a raging inferno, sending tingles and goosebumps over her whole body. Gradually, his appendages travelled further up, reaching the secure cloth that made out her breast-bindings. Hiccup prodded against the fabric as a test, unsure if he was overstepping boundaries already, but earned a lustful moan instead.

She twisted her lips, her hands dove into his hair, tugging angrily at the locks; or was it out of pleasure?

Feeling her force his face even closer to hers, he believed it to be the latter. Complying, he continued to explore the cavern of her mouth, his fingers groping her mounds gradually, then glided back down, tickling her side, stroking her stomach, stopping at her skirt.

Due to the fact that they were humans, and every human needed to breathe at one point, he tore himself from her with a whimper. He began cursing himself inwardly for the unmanly sound as he separated their tongues. Even so, he did not hesitate in planting his lips against her neck, sucking it in and licking it, hoping she had not noticed. She hitched and moaned some more, massaging his scalp, her hips rocking against his.

He hissed in response. A hand darted from her waist underneath her skirt, grasping her rear firmly. Alcohol really did give one courage.

"Gods you're good at this." she panted heavily, deciding to trail kisses down his jaw and neck as well.

Upon her words, Hiccup felt a surge of smugness and pride fill him. He would not admit now that he had never indulged in such an interaction before and was as inexperienced as one could be. He guessed his careful handling at the forge could somehow be blamed, or praised. Whichever.

'So much for being a shy little correct boy, Skeggi.' he smirked against her skin, which she interpreted as a response to her statement.

Feeling even bolder than before at that moment, he clung to her back and decided it was time to flip their positions; with one swift swing, she was slammed against the building. Not once did their lips break the contact to the other's skin. The thrust caused Hiccup's eager manhood to jolt against her own most private region, creating a terrifying friction which elicited hoarse moans from both parties.

Their lips reattached, their tongues curled around each other once more, her hands began to roam across his chest, stopping hesitantly at his trousers before wandering back up.

She pulled away from the kiss, "Go on, lanky boy, show me what you've got." she whispered, hazy azure eyes gazing with passion and need at his.

He nodded with a pant, clamping a thumb between her skin and the skirt, ready to tug it down.

Hiccup knew by the traditions his mother had taught him that any woman unmarried was bound to be a virgin. If not, she was considered worthless. Taking her most sacred maidenhood before she was betrothed was considered destroying her worth. She would be damned as a harlot, and undesired by any man, except maybe the very person who had conquered her in first place.

His mother would be aghast if she knew what he was doing here; she would never deem him the kind to heavily make out with a woman behind the house of a random Viking. And she would never even consider the possibility that he was about to throw shame upon a Viking maiden, either...

Valka always believed that, if her son were to court a woman, he would do it the right way, with wooing words and an adoring heart. With deeds of true love and subtle kisses under the moonlight. With pure romance; lust would be guarded until marriage came. Then, and only then, would he do what he was about to commit right now. Despite the fact that she did not desire to indulge in marriage, as he had found out a few weeks prior, it was still against the law, even if no one were ever to find out.

A pang stabbed his heart, causing him to wince and halt with his kissing. They separated, a trail of thinning saliva connecting their lips.

"What's up?" her husky voice invaded his mind and intoxicated his rational thinking; how he loved the sound of her voice! Like tender waves of liquid silk...

Almost immediately, he reconnected their lips, biting her lower one, tasting the honey-like scent. Then the aroma of mead returned on his tongue, and he cringed. Again, a bolt coursed through his body and he hesitated before stopping the groping and the snogging.

"Can't do this..." he uttered, his hot breath mingling with hers.

She frowned in confusion.

"You're a maiden." He declared, but her frown only deepened, "I'd take your worth." was the elaboration. He left out the part wherein he was a hundred percent sure she would not want anything to do with him were she fully sober.

She was acting upon alcohol, he knew it. Most likely, as the next day came, she would be insulting and mocking him just the way he came to know. He might have saved her life on the battlefield and she was sure to remember that; but Astrid was thick-headed and full of pride. She would not let that soften her – probably nothing did. This was only a regret to add to a list she did not want to have.

And Hiccup did not want to be on such a list.

To his surprise, however, the female giggled, lips pulling up to form a grin, "You are so sweet, and way too innocent."

Now, it was his turn to scowl.

"Remember? I want to be a maiden warrior. I'm not going to marry, so what I do with my virginity is entirely up to me." She declared, her rosy cheeks dimpling, eyes crinkling and soft tufts of blonde fringe tumbling above her forehead.

He shook his head, still grasping her around the waist firmly, "You're joking." He felt courageous still.

"Nope." a small pout of the lips followed, "We talked about this, like, three weeks ago or something."

"You're an absolutely breathtaking girl with the most astounding female complexions any Viking could ask for and you plan to stay single for your entire life? Where's the logic?" He snorted lightly at that.

And regretted his words immediately, for his face began to turn scarlet in response. Had he really just said that!? Oh, the alcohol...

Ignoring his compliments, for Astrid swore herself to never become flustered by anyone, even when drunk, she hooked her arms behind his neck, "Well, I was promised to another boy when I was just born, but he...well...died when he was a baby, so the marriage contract became extraneous."

Hiccup frowned even more, his eyebrows creasing heavily, "You were promised to a boy?"

The girl shrugged nonchalantly, "Chief's son. Never knew him - as said, died when he was a baby. Dragons killed him and his mother. Not like I want to marry, anyway, what with the grotesque choice of men here on Berk. I made a deal with my dad that I stay a maiden. Well, officially." She winked.

"W-Wait...baby and his mother?"

She sighed, twirling her eyes, "Good gods, Toothpick, are you seriously interested in this shit? Or are you not interested in something entirely different?" Once more, she grinded her hips against his, causing him to stiffen and sweat.

"Really, honestly, I want to. You are magnificent, but I can't." He swooped down, snatching her lips in a chaste, meaningful kiss. If she understood its meaning, he did not know, nor did he wait to find out, "Don't waste yourself, you have more than just looks."

And with that, he let go of her delicately, smiling with a gleam in his eyes before he distanced himself and disappeared from sight.

Astrid gently touched her throbbing lips, feeling blood rush into her cheeks.

"That little jerk..."

A/N: haha...haha..ha...cliché ending much? I played around with that for a while before I was satisfied...more or less. So yeah, Hiccup leaves Astrid hanging in the heat of the moment because he is a boy full of honour. What else did we expect? Well then, what'll Astrid do/remember once she is sober? And how is their relationship going to continue from here on out? Why was Toothless not alarmed by the raid? Anything else you might find suspicious? If so, tell me in a review and maybe just a hint will be dropped!

That leads me to something else: thanks a lot for all the wonderful feedback I have been receiving all this time. I am so grateful for every word you guys have to offer, and am glad when new readers jump on board and support me! I really hope to hear from a lot of you this time round too, it would really motivate me, seeing as I have more time to write now!

So, see you next chapter!

*Sends Smidvarg to spread some summer love in form of cookies*