Three:

"Okay, sculptor boy-this can't be as hard as you say," Astrid said, sitting confidently in front of his potter's wheel in his apartment. They were due to move in to their house together at the end of the week and half of his things were already packed but he had finally persuaded Astrid that this would be the perfect time to see just how challenging his profession was. The studio looked bare without his tools and finished pieces-which were already packed safely away.

"Oh really?" he smirked, settling behind her so she was almost sitting in his lap. His warm body was pressed against her back, long arms snaking round her, making her feel enclosed and safe. He had insisted she wore an old T-shirt of his that tended to slide off her shoulder and her oldest pair of jeans-though even those were still newer and better than his best pair. "Okay-normally, you have to practice moulding clay long before you ever get near the wheel so you get used to the feel of the clay, how wet or not it should be to respond in a particular way..."

"I've watched you so many times," she reminded him and he chuckled into her ear.

"I'll quit now, should I?" he teased her. "Because of course that watching you've done for a few months, that's far more effective than years of tuition and practice..."

"You are getting very sassy," she warned him, rolling her shoulders and facing the lump of clay already waiting for her on the wheel. "I am a Hofferson. I don't fear anything-especially not a dumb lump of clay!" His hands slid over hers as he gently led her to touch the clay.

"Just feel it," he said huskily, his voice sending chills down her spine.

"Eurgh..." she murmured.

"Pottery is messy, as is any act of creation," he warned her. "You put your heart and soul into it and you get the result you deserve. Keep the clay moist but not too wet and be gentle but firm enough."

She smiled, her heart swelling with love for him. He was smart and kind and patient but he was incredibly passionate about his art and he had wanted her to at least visit his world...though being Astrid, she had insisted on the complexity of the wheel rather than starting with something easy. But he was warm against her, almost able to feel his heart beating through the thin T-shirt he was wearing as his chest pressed against her back. His soft auburn hair brushed her cheek lightly and his breaths were on her skin as his strong, dexterous and delicate hands moved her fingers into the clay as the wheel began to turn.

"Easy," he whispered. "Think of it as a lover, to be gently coaxed and moulded rather than pounded into submission..."

"Hmm...are we thinking about the same thing?" she murmured lightly as the shapeless lump was nudged into a circular shape and then he guided her to begin to gently create the well that would become the inside of the pot. He splashed water on and her hands slipped, digging into the mass and mis-shaping it, but he moved her hands instinctively to recreate what had been lost, the well almost kissing the wheel as the thick sides began to become attenuated and taller.

"This is the most tricky part," he murmured, his lips brushing her cheek. Her heart fluttered with desire and she leaned back against him, her damp, clay smeared hands gliding over the slick medium as the pot grew and narrowed. She tilted her head and kissed him, his head turning to meet hers and lips connecting. His head dipped and featherlight kisses peppered her cheeks and neck as she arched backwards, his hands sliding up her arms and over to encircle her heaving middle. Her fingers dug into the clay, tearing the fragile shape apart as she turned, clay-covered hands rising to dig into his tousled hair, mouth crashing into his and pouring all her desire and emotion into the contact. His hands, which had gently massaged her sides, cupped her cheeks, smearing them with the grey-white residue as they lost themselves in each other, the clay splattering from the wrecked would-be pot before the wheel slowed and halted.

"Never said...was so messy..." Astrid mumbled against his neck, drying clay all over her cheeks. He wiped a smear across her chin and grinned, his hair damp and clumped with clay.

"Nothing worthwhile isn't worth getting messy for," he smirked, his lips capturing hers again.

"I think...the wheel...may be a bit...mmm...advanced," she managed between kisses. "I think...maybe...stick to moulding..." His eyes fluttered open and he stared into her sapphire depths, two fingers tenderly stroking her flawless skin.

"I can think of something a little less...complex," he offered as she leaned in to kiss him again, cold hands sliding under his T-shirt and across his scorching skin, causing him to shudder and the blood to pound far more insistently in Astrid's core.

"Show me," she murmured as they kissed once more.

oOo

"I can't believe you talked me into this," Hiccup grumbled half-heartedly, adjusting his tuxedo and allowing Astrid to straighten his bow tie.

"You took me into your world, sculptor-boy...now it's my turn to have you in mine," she marked, looking stunning in a pale cream satin cocktail dress, the perfect amount of diamanté edging her low-cut neckline and swirling down her left hip to encircle the hem. Silver killer heels complimented the dress and plain white diamond studs were in each ear. Her blonde mane was swept into an elegant coil on the crown of her head. Hiccup was in classic black tux and pants with a white dress shirt and black bow tie. His tousled auburn hair had been tamed somewhat but still looked casual and his emerald eyes were sparkling. He offered her his arm.

"I'm usually the entertainment or the poor artist exhibiting," he reminded her. "Not sure your hotshot friends will appreciate an intruder..." She leaned in and kissed him, then wiped the smear of pink lipstick off his cheek.

"They're gonna love you," she assured him.

"Because you do?" he checked with a smile.

"You know it," she grinned and checked her dress watch. "Thor-we'll be late. Is the cab here?"

"For the last five minutes." he assured her as they headed to the front door, past the spotlighted sculpture and leaving a disgruntled Toothless curled in his bed. "Sorry, bud-this isn't walkies...can you watch the house for us, okay?" Giving a small whine, the black mutt rested his head on his paws and closed his eyes as they grabbed Astrid's shawl and headed down the stairs. Autumn had arrived and the evenings were getting cooler but this was the gala dinner that the Berk finance community held each year and this year, she felt confident enough to ask Hiccup to attend-as she hadn't last year when their very new relationship had been only a few weeks old. His presence beside her was warm and comforting and though she knew Heather would be there as well, it was a rare pleasure to be accompanied by someone who could look out for and support her during the evening. His hand laced with hers as they swept through the traffic and up to the entrance of the 'Great Hall', Berk's most sumptuous banqueting venue.

"Miss Astrid Hofferson and Mister Hiccup Haddock," Astrid said as they emerged from the taxi, handing in their invitation to the doorman and accepting two flutes of champagne from the waiter before they headed into the dinner. Before them, waiters deftly swirled and dodged, weaving trays of champagne and other beverages and huge salvers of canapés through the packed room, efficiently attending to the guests' needs. Hiccup sipped his champagne and glanced across the room with a sigh: this was the world he hadn't wanted to enter-but, as he reminded himself, he was visiting on Astrid's behalf. Though he would be infinitely happier at home in his work clothes, throwing a pot on the wheel or working on another abstract piece that was starting to nag at the back of his mind. She leaned in and ghosted a touch on his arm as she headed off for a knot of men in tuxedos, the scent of testosterone metaphorically discernible on the air.

Astrid smiled, her eyes sparkling as she greeted the brokers from the larger brokerage houses across Berk City. Every time she attended one of these functions, she had to deal with non-stop flirting and she sincerely hoped that Hiccup's presence would cause them to back down-but she could see the unfriendly narrowing of the eyes at his presence, coldly appraising the lean, handsome artist and then dismissing him as no threat to their ambitions. Then they launched into a tirade of very loud and very macho tales of their exploits on the floor of the stock exchange and of widening margins and fattening bonuses. Astrid rolled her eyes.

"Get some new stories, guys," she said in exasperation, knowing they were trying to exclude her companion. Heather had come up and was grinning and lightly flirting at the guys-Cnut, Ragnar, Steve, Dag and Erik-and egging them on so she half-turned to find Hiccup's hand. "Sorry," she murmured. "Men..." Hiccup gave a strained smile.

"Yeah," he sighed, catching Heather's disapproving glance as the bell rang for the meal. But as they checked the table allocations, it was very obvious that though Astrid had been placed on one of the top tables with the movers and shakers, Hiccup had been allocated a seat on table 19, at the far side of the room.

Her fingers trailed on the list and her brows dipped, anger filling her chest. Hiccup hadn't asked to come but had agreed to accompany her because she had wanted someone by her side on the boring evening. If she wanted to network, the table was the time-but she couldn't have the meal without him. She blinked. She had worked so hard for her chance to finally be included in one of the top tables and for this to happen now...it wasn't fair...

His arms wrapped around her comfortingly. A gentle kiss brushed over her cheek and she relaxed back against him. "Go sit with the movers and shakers, Astrid. I know this is important for you. I'll survive." His smile was gentle and she turned to face him, her eyes shining with adoration.

"Are you sure?" she checked and he nodded.

"Go-make my Dad proud," he told her and smiled as she walked towards the front of the room...her steps growing slower and slower and then she stopped. It was wrong in so many ways...and the biggest one was that she didn't care if she networked or not without Hiccup. Once, she would have trampled over her own best friend to get a place on the top table but now, she had perspective and she understood what was important. Acquisition of money without the man she loved was nothing. So she spun on her heel, turning away from the coveted table and marching through the throng to table 19 and stopping by the tall, auburn-haired shape who was just taking his seat. There were spaces on the table because this really was the back of the queue...but she tapped his shoulder and his emerald eyes looked up into her smiling blue gaze.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked cheerfully. His mouth dropped open slightly.

"Astrid? Aren't you supposed to be rubbing shoulders with the rich and powerful?" he asked her gently but she pulled the chair out and settled beside him, her hand finding his.

"I'm where I want to be," she said. "With my sculptor-boy."

"And my credibility finally curls up and dies," he replied with light sarcasm. "You should take the opportunity..."

"To be out with my Hiccup," she told him firmly and reached for the bottle in the centre of the table. "Hmm...Cabernet Sauvignon. That'll do..." He leaned closer as she expertly poured two glasses.

"Astrid? Are you sure?" he asked her softly and she smiled.

"Never more sure of anything," she grinned back. "Given a choice between them and you, I'll choose you every time..." He leaned in and kissed her.

"I love you," he breathed.

"Ditto. And don't you forget it!" she smirked. "Now let's just enjoy the time and..."

"ASTRID! Lass, what are you dong over here?" Hiccup winced at the booming tones of his father as Stoick marched over, his keen eyes having spotted her shape on a table she should not have been at. "I thought I had arranged for you to sit with me and..." She looked up at him and smiled.

"I'm very grateful, Stoick," she said honestly, "but you know I couldn't abandon Hiccup here without me. He was good enough to come to support me and I can hardly repay him by just leaving him alone..." Cool grey-green eyes swept over the young couple and his thick red brows dipped.

"They didn't..." he growled and then shook his head...before he pulled out the vacant chair on Astrid's other side and eased his bulk in. "I see you've opened the wine, Well done, Astrid," he said and helped himself.

"Um...Dad...aren't you supposed to be up on the top table?" Hiccup asked warily and the financier gave a broad grin, then emptied his glass of wine in one long gulp.

"I can sit where I damned well please," he admitted. "And why shouldn't I sit with my son and his beautiful and courageous girlfriend?"

"Um...you are the guest of honour and most of those guys want to see you?" Hiccup suggested.

"Too bad," Stoick said, grabbing his bread roll and smearing obscene amounts of butter on it. "If they wanted that, they shouldn't have disregarded my son and my future daughter-in-law...oops..." He clapped a hand to his mouth and stared at them with amused and not-at-all repentant eyes and both young people face palmed.

"Dad," Hiccup groaned, shaking his head. "Astrid I am so sorry. I swear I never said anything of the sort to him. Ever. Even slightly. No hinting. Nothing. At all. Please don't punch me again, okay?" Smiling, though blushing with embarrassment, Astrid kissed her boyfriend's scorching scarlet cheek and sighed.

"A bit premature but I rule nothing out," she told him benignly and Hiccup stared suspiciously at her.

"I am going to pay for this later, aren't I?" he guessed. She beckoned him closer, pressing a gentle kiss on his lips.

"Babe-life will happen just as it is meant to," she told him gently. "Give it time." And then she smiled at him. "Do you think I want to be with anyone else?" He leaned close and kissed her deeply, his scent filling her nostrils.

"You are the only one for me," he breathed.

oOo

Waking up but still not wanting to open her eyes just yet, Astrid felt the spot beside her for Hiccup...only to find it devoid of him. Her hand trailed over the familiar dent, still slightly warm and she waited for a few moments in case he had just trotted to the bathroom. But finally she realised he wasn't coming back. Frowning and finally forcing her eyes open, she looked and found Hiccup's side of the bed vacated. She groaned: it was odd because Hiccup usually wasn't a morning person but something must have gotten him up so she got up and dressed herself before heading up to look for him.

Her eyes swept the large room he had converted into his studio as she reached the top step, she found Hiccup at his usual workplace, his back to her as he hunched forward. Smiling softly, she slowly approached him, intending to sneak up behind him and surprise him. But she realised that something was wrong when she got close enough to wrap her arms around him-for while he was sitting where he usually made his masterpieces, there was no clay on the wheel waiting for him to mould into shape. Instead, he simply sat there with his shoulders slumped. And if that wasn't enough, the fact that Toothless had his head on his owner's lap looking up at him worriedly was a dead giveaway. Without taking his head off Hiccup's lap, Toothless turned towards Astrid, the look he gave her almost pleading for her to help cheer his friend up.

"Hey, babe" she called out as she came beside him and knelt down to get to his level. "What's wrong?" He remained silent for a moment as if debating if he should reveal what was on his mind. Then, without looking at her, he finally spoke.

"Why haven't you said it yet?" he asked tonelessly, which only succeeded in confusing her.

"What?"

"At first, I thought maybe it was too soon. That you probably weren't ready yet. But we've been seeing each other for so long now and you have yet to say..."

"Hiccup," she interrupted him before he had a chance to ramble, "What are you talking about?" The young man finally turned as emeralds met sapphires.

"Astrid... do you love me?" The question caught her off guard and stole her breath but she quickly masked her confusion it and covered with a fake laugh.

"Of course I do! Why would you even ask that?" Maybe her tone was sharper than she had intended-but she didn't understand where this had come from. But though she freely admitted she wasn't the most empathetic person, she could read Hiccup well-and knew this was something that was consuming him. And she knew that Hiccup was not reassured by her too-fast response.

"Then why don't you ever say it?"

"What are you talking about? We say it to each other all the time."

Hiccup shook his head then said in an unfamiliar accusing tone, "No, you haven't. You always say 'Ditto' whenever I say it and that's not the same, Astrid."

The formal use of her name raised her hackles and she found herself rising and standing to her full height, She folded her arms around her slender body and turned away from him as Hiccup continued to look up at her, his expression unreadable. Sensing the tension, Toothless looked on from his owner to his mate with a small, uncomprehending whine. Finally, Astrid turned and looked back at him. Her tone was cool and mirrored what she had been told all through her life.

"Hiccup, they're just words. People say them all the time, it doesn't mean they actually mean anything." But the moment she said it, she realised it was the wrong thing to say as a broken expression crossed his handsome face before he turned his emerald gaze away, resuming his stare at the empty wheel.

"Maybe some people would like to hear them," he said quietly. "Maybe they actually mean something to some people." His tone was dejected. "Maybe I need to hear them." And she stared in shock at him as he got up and walked away; Toothless pacing behind him, his tail tucked firmly between his legs. Astrid stared after him, watching his lean shape rapidly vanish down the stairs to the rest of the house, leaving her alone in the empty room with the horrible feeling that she had broken something very precious.

oOo

"I really don't know why you have such problems saying it," Heather pointed out as they sat in the office later. "I mean, it's three little words. I. Love. You. It's not like you're being asked to recite Ancient Latin Poetry. Just say the words!" Astrid huffed and collapsed in her chair, massaging her temples.

Why did she find it so hard? She knew it was the truth...but there was a nagging voice, scratching at the back of her mind, reminding her that admitting it would remove her last armour, the protection that she built up when her parents died and left her alone. Sure, she had Heather but Hiccup was different. He loved her deeply, his every emotion plain on his face and she knew he had no qualms in admitting his emotions. He had lost his Mom too, the painful and protracted end that breast cancer had given her still a painful subject. And she knew he loved her...but he was right. He deserved to hear them. Was she afraid of speak them?

But she was a Hofferson and she feared nothing! Except maybe the way that goofy smile made her legs feel slightly weak and those gentle, strong hands caressed her skin and melted her...

"I..."

Heather huffed at her, folding her arms. "You know, you used to be a complete go-getter," she reminded her friend pointedly. "But since you met Hiccup-and especially, since you moved in, you've lost your edge! Now, instead of focussing on the bottom line, you dream about time spent with him!" Astrid's temper flared.

"You wanted me to go to that stupid event last year!" she responded more sharply than she intended. "The aim was to meet Stoick Haddock-but instead I fell for his son. And I did fall for him and he is my everything, Heather. But as a result, I have gained Stoick as a mentor. I mean, by accident, I have got everything I ever wanted. He's proposed a joint fund between Haddock Corp and Hofferson Investments whereby we can co-fund projects and support more start-ups. He's also made some very good suggestions to tighten up our governance." Heather stared at her and Astrid sighed. "I guess I'm just feeling guilty that I ended up with what I wanted because I fell in love with Hiccup...even though I thought I had blown my chance..."

"You pretty much did!" Heather scolded her. "What were you thinking? You had a place at the top table at the Dinner and you..."

"Decided to spend the time with my boyfriend because the assholes split us up," she replied sharply. "What kind of person would leave the person they loved and came with to spend time with egotistical macho liars?"

"The kind who wanted the top investment firm in Berk?" Heather reminded her pointedly. "That was the dream, Astrid! The dream we shared!"

"Dreams change," Astrid retorted. "And my dream is with Hiccup, the man I love..."

"You know you have no problem telling me you love him," she pointed out with a shrug, turning to the door. "You need to tell him, Astrid. You need to decide if your dream is worth enough for you to say the words."

oOo

Back home, still thinking hard, she wandered up to join Hiccup in his third floor studio, finding him quietly moulding an almost perfect image of Toothless, who was dozing on the floor. Pausing at the top of the stairs, she watched him cautiously, not sure how he would react to her, before stepping in.

"Hey, babe," she murmured. "Mind if I join you?" He looked up, clay smeared in his cheek and his face lit with his smile.

"Milady-come to play with clay?" he asked brightly and she nodded, walking to his side and grabbing a handful and sitting beside him. She stared at it for a long second.

"Babe-are you okay?" she asked him, azure eyes almost worried at what he would say but he nuzzled against her, smiling.

"Astrid, I love you and that isn't going to change," he sighed, "but sometimes I just need to hear something back from you." Her fingers stroked the clay, squeezing here and there, thumbing the clay into bulges and teasing out limbs.

"I know," she murmured. "I..." His hand gently slid over hers.

"Astrid," he said softly, the sincerity in his words making her throat thicken with love, "I'm just glad to have you with me. That you choose to spend your time with me. So what are you making, Milady?" She smoothed the legs and tail and then stroked the head into shape.

"Don't laugh," she ordered him. He nodded.

"Promise," he murmured, seeing her cynical expression. "Cross my heart and hope to die..." She smirked at his hasty words, seeing his emerald eyes widen.

"Don't you dare," she warned him and pecked a kiss on his cheek. "Dragon." His eyes widened. "Yup. Was secretly a fan of that dragon show they had years ago in the cartoon channel..."

"Really? Me too," he grinned, his goofy smile warming her chest and chasing away all her doubts. "What are you making..." She picked a small stylus and gently began to pick out the details of the dragon, the spiny frill behind the head, the beak-like face, the wings...

"Deadly Nadder," she murmured and her lips lifted in a soft smile. "Stormfly." He sat back and watched her work, a proud smile on his lips.

"She's looking good," he told her gently. "I think we've found your talent, Milady. Once you've finished her, we'll fire her and she can take pride of place!" She looked up and grinned slightly smugly as he wrapped his ams around her. "My brilliant girlfriend..."

"Cut that out," she protested half-heartedly as he kissed her. "Now let's get this girl finished..."

oOo

She'd left early because she had meetings, kissing the dozing Hiccup lightly and running her hands through his wild hair. He had murmured he loved her and she had automatically murmured 'Ditto', though the smile stretching his sleepy features had mollified her guilt temporarily. And the day had been frenetic...until she texted him at lunch, asking him to meet her at a very special place. Heather had regained her good mood and was bouncing with excitement at her plan, very much approving of her decision.

But she had lost track of time as she finished the transactions and finalised the money transfer to the joint fund she had set up with Stoick Haddock that she privately thought of as the 'Hiccup fund.' Of all the people in Berk, she trusted Stoick to use the money wisely and do the most good for the most people while guaranteeing modest but reasonable returns for cautious but philanthropic investors. Then she logged off and flipped her small pocket diary closed, stuffing it into her purse. She took it everywhere with her, guarding the account numbers and passwords to every account and fund they managed jealously: not even Heather knew all the details, because ultimately, the money entrusted to the company was Astrid's responsibility. And a Hofferson never shirked her responsibility.

She checked her watch again and muttered a curse, grabbing her purse and coat and winding her aqua scarf around her neck. She had arranged to meet Hiccup by the Dragon Fountain at the edge of Raven Point Park: it was the location where he had asked her to move in with him, where he had planned to declare his love for her, before he accidentally mumbled the words in bed-and a favourite place for picnics and just meeting up. He had agreed to be there for seven but she knew he was usually five minutes late so she sped out of the office, making sure the door was closed and locked. It was already dark, for autumn was wrapping around Berk, turning the leaves gold and the mornings foggy and she pulled the scarf tighter round her neck as she accelerated. The streets were quiet and the chill in the air was probably discouraging the people of Berk from too much fresh air. The coffee shops were full and she glanced at the knots for friends, huddled together over warm treats-but she had her own warm treat on the way.

She was going to say the words. And she knew how Hiccup would respond, could already picture the delight in his stunning emerald gaze, already feel his arms wrapped around her...all because of three small words.

I love you.

And she did. It wasn't untrue, it wasn't an exaggeration: she loved him with all her heart. And now she had taken her decision, she had no idea why she was so reluctant to say it. It was a statement of fact and was something that would make the man she loved happy beyond words. It was the last little bump in their relationship-and she was going to iron it out. She smiled and rounded the corner, seeing the Fountain swathed in shadows, the main lamp out of order. The silhouette of the Night Fury was dark against the night sky, the shadows of the trees casting long shadows over the space. She turned and faced back to the gate, searching for the familiar tall shape-and seeing him round the corner. Hiccup was wrapped in a long warm coat, the soft green scarf she had given him wrapped around his neck and he waved as he saw her. She turned to face him and grinned, waving back.

Something hit her hard, an impact slamming her sideways. Instantly, hands snatched at her purse and instinctively, she grabbed back, holding on for dear life. The attacker pulled harder, shadows swathing his face with only a pair of pale green eyes glittering.

"Let go!" he growled.

"GET OFF!" she shouted, fighting furiously to hang onto her purse. Credit cards could be replaced and cancelled and she had very little actual cash on her-but her little book was in her purse and she wouldn't give up without a fight. The attacker was struggling and she heard shouts approaching, heard Hiccup's voice.

"LET HER GO!"

A shot echoed through her ears and she felt a blow to her chest as the mugger finally ripped the purse from her hands and sprinted off back into the park. Enraged, she raced after him, screaming obscenities. But he was far quicker than she was and he soon vanished into the gloom. Behind her, there was a brief flash of light and she wondered if the overhead lighting had finally come on-but when she turned round, it was still as dark as before. Dejected, she walked back...

And then a memory struck her. The shot.

The attacker had a gun. And Hiccup had been charging straight at him.

"HICCUP!" she shouted and accelerated back towards the fountain, hearing faint sounds. His voice. Oh Gods-if he was hurt, if he was harmed because she had been so stupid she didn't just let that felon run off with her purse, she would never forgive herself.

And her heart did stop as she got back, seeing him slumped on his knees, his back to her. She could hear his faint whimpers.

"Help," he breathed. "Thor, Odin...no...please..."

"Hiccup-are you okay?" she asked, running forward, azure gaze sweeping over him for signs of injury. But he was bowed forward, a shape clutched in his arms.

"Hiccup?"

"Astrid...please...please don't leave me," he whimpered.

"It's okay, babe-I'm here," she reassured him, walking round him. And then she froze.

"I love you," he sobbed, tears dripping from his face onto the familiar shape in his arms. "Please don't leave me."

Astrid stared down at the limp body clutched in his desperate embrace, into the face she saw every day in the mirror, blue eyes staring wide and blankly up at her, face colourless, blonde braid hanging limply from her tilted-back head. Hiccup was sobbing wildly, tears dripping onto the huge red patch over her chest where the bullet hole still leaked her blood into her blouse and coat.

And it was then that Astrid realised that she was dead.