A/N: Yes, I know that Ryker is the older brother in canon but in this, he works better as a bit younger-but his personality is no more charming! And yes, Viggo is the 'teacher' Mr Grimborn. On with the action...

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NINE:

Time had ceased. Nothing else mattered in the whole Universe because Astrid Hofferson was kissing him. He could breathe in her floral scent, her closeness intoxicating. The pressure on his lips was everything and yet so gentle and it was all he could do to kiss her back, his breath stolen. And then she pulled back, leaving him totally breathless and flustered and aching to prolong the contact.

"Wow," Hiccup breathed, his emerald eyes wide with astonishment and a goofy smile curling his lips. "Um...wow." Astrid have a small chuckle.

"And I broke him," she said playfully as he cautiously raised a hand to her cheek, feeling the soft skin under his touch. He leaned forward, his forehead resting against hers and he exhaled.

"I-I...yes..." he mumbled. "I mean...thanks?" She gave a coy smile.

"Hiccup-haven't you realised that you are the only person here worth kissing?" she asked him gently, pulling her head back to stare into his shocked face.

"Um...persona non grata here," he reminded her. "Well 95% of one anyway..." She started giggling and he managed a smile as well. "But won't this cause you some grief?" he asked her more seriously, still standing still in the middle of the dance floor. The music had started again but couples were dancing round them.

"You know, I really couldn't care less," she said honestly. "At the beginning of the week, they weren't my friends, they were just assholes who treated me like nothing. And I am not nothing and never have been. And when they see that my Uncle is someone famous, suddenly they are all over me. And while it's nice to have friends once more, they don't always treat me well. No please and no thank you. Being dispatched like a servant to fetch them drinks and snacks. Snotlout was very plain that I was only included because they want to meet Finn. And that I should be grateful they are deigning to include me!"

"But Heather is your friend as well," he pointed out gently, resting his hands back on her waist and gently swaying to the music once more. She shrugged and then rested her hands on his shoulders, leaning close so they could talk once more. "And you have looked so much happier, so much more vibrant with friends..." She quirked an eyebrow.

"You been watching me, Haddock?" she teased him and he nodded with a smile.

"Well, you make the rest of them all look like Ugly Betty, Astrid," he quipped back.

"Harsh," she commented.

"But not inaccurate," he replied with a small smile. "Heather is pretty but the rest...are very ordinary. And the guys are a bunch of..."

"Asses," Astrid completed. "I asked Dagur why he still hung out with those losers..."

"Because they're not losers," Hiccup answered tonelessly. "They act like they own the school and everyone owes them...but they are outstanding football players, when all is said and done. They do at least have something real to offer..."

"And so do you," she told him sternly. "I mean, you're smart, you're kind, you're caring, you're thoughtful, you're hot..."

"Not hot," he corrected her.

"Hot. Definitely hot," she smiled back.

"I am like a few degrees above Absolute Zero compared to you, Hofferson," he teased her.

"First up-am not," she argued. "I mean Heather is much prettier than I am..."

"Not to me-or most of the guys in this room," he corrected her. "I mean, all the guys have tried to hit on you...even Eret who is probably gay..."

"Wow. And here I thought he was a maybe..." she commented. "Dagur's not sure but he wants to ask him for a dance."

"Oh, Eret will never admit in public-because his father wanted a macho son and a chance at Eret the Third," Hiccup told her in a low voice.

"He could still have a little Eret of his own, even if he is gay," Astrid reminded him. "And pretending to be what he isn't won't make him happy."

"Though he can't see that-because he is still brainwashed by High School hierarchies and addicted to being popular," Hiccup told her.

"Poor Dagur," Astrid sighed, her eyes flicking over to the buff, carrot-haired jock who was sipping his third 'punch' and gathering his nerve, his eyes fixed on the tall shape of Eret.

"What was the other thing?" Hiccup asked.

"What?"

"Well, you said 'first Heather is prettier" implying there must be another point to be expressed," he reminded her.

"Oh. Well, I just wanted to say that I hate being called 'Hoff'," she remembered and he smiled.

"But I called you Hofferson-just like you called me Haddock," he responded, his eyes twinkling.

"Oh."

"But your point is noted, Astrid. And I promise not to call you Hoff. Even when it could be quite sweet. Maybe Hoffy?"

"Helheim, no!" she told him firmly.

"AstHoff?"

"That's terrible-but would be a good login," she shot back and he chuckled.

"Sure sign of a nerd thinking about that," he told her. "Atali or Mindy would think it would be a good monogram or clothing line..."

"So true," she sighed and snatched a glance at the girls, who were still hanging onto their dates and whispering between themselves, while casting her unfriendly glares. "And I may have blown my chance with the girls."

"You could always claim I hypnotised you or kidnapped you," Hiccup offered as she giggled again.

"You lunatic!" she chuckled. "I was grateful you rescued me from Ryker. And I am still grateful...because this is amazing."

"But I am getting thirsty," he admitted as they started their fifth tune. She swatted his shoulder.

"Wimp," she condemned him.

"Hey-only 95% of a person here!" he protested. "It's harder to dance with only one proper foot." She looked contrite.

"Are you okay?" she asked him in a concerned voice and he nodded, smiling.

"It aches sometimes," he admitted. "And I get phantom pains, where I get sensations-not all of them terribly pleasant-from the missing limb. It's incredibly weird to want to itch my left big toe and know it doesn't exist any more!"

"Um...wow. But are you okay now?" she asked him. He nodded.

"I still run," he revealed. "Just not terribly well. But I was pretty active before the fire and I hated the idea of vegetating. Though, of course, I steer clear of the jocks because they would tease me mercilessly about my running prosthetic..."

"I wouldn't," she promised. "And I like running as well. Maybe we could...go for a run together?" He smiled then, his eyes twinkling with humour.

"Wow-that is the most...unusual date anyone has ever asked me on," he admitted. "And possibly the only one ever..." She paused and looked into his face.

"You know, I think it won't be the last," she promised him.

"As long as the second isn't rock-climbing..."

"You mean you don't have a prosthetic for that?" she teased him.

"Hey-I'm just a student, not Inspector Gadget!" he protested with a mock pout and she burst out laughing.

"You know, I may need to reconsider," she told him. "I am sooooo disappointed...."

"I could make one," he said hastily, his tone a little edgy and she rested her hand on his.

"Hiccup, you are perfect just how you are," she reassured him. "Now shall we get that drink?" His warm hand closed on hers, fingers sliding between hers and he fell in step beside her.

"I thought you'd never ask," he smiled as they walked to the table. There were curious looks at the pair but most students were enjoying the dance as Hiccup poured her a cola and then got himself one. She took a sip and then drained the paper cup.

"Wow-I am out of shape," she admitted, refilling her cup. He sipped his drink and took a deep breath.

"You look a perfect shape to me," he said and then he groaned. "Oh my Thor-that was so cheesy! Sorry, Astrid!" But she giggled and swatted his shoulder again.

"You know that was worthy of Snotlout?" she teased him and he groaned.

"Kick a man when he's down," he grumbled. "And what's with the hitting me?"

"It's called communication," she told him smugly.

"Wow-no one warned me you were so violent!" he replied with a smirk. "I may have to hide my bruises..."

"And I could kiss them better," she replied and then blushed. "Oh my Thor. Ruff is infectious!"

"Inappropriate sometimes but good-hearted and genuine," Hiccup told her. Her eyes widened. "I'm friends with her brother, remember?" She nodded. "He describes a very different person to the one who hangs with Atali. And she came and helped him rescue me from the dumpster!" Her eyes widened at the reminder and a pang of guilt hit her.

"I-I'm sorry," she said, suddenly contrite. But he lifted her hand and kissed it gently.

"It's forgiven," he assured her, smiling. And then her eyes widened.

"So that's why she didn't do her Health homework," she realised. "She said she was doing something with her brother..." Hiccup nodded.

"She was very helpful...and she did help save my life," he confirmed.

"I like her," Astrid admitted and drained her cup once more. "Okay-I guess we should face the music." Her hand found his. "Wanna walk me back?" He finished his drink and nodded.

"Well, the rest of your friends look as if I may swing you over my shoulder and steal you away...not knowing you would probably beat me up for even trying!" he quipped. "So I better walk you back across this dangerous dancefloor..." She chucked again as they wove their way through dancing couples and finally made it back to the group. Hiccup offered a small smile to the wall of unfriendly faces.

"Um...hi?" he tried. Ryker scowled at him, his cold eyes filled with anger.

"Who the Helheim do you think you are, grabbing the girl I am going to dance with?" he sneered. Hiccup blinked, aware of Astrid suddenly tense and furious next to him.

"Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third," he said pleasantly and stuck out his hand. "And who are you?" The bigger man bunched his fists, his face almost puce with fury at the gesture, subtly insulting him.

"I am Ryker Grimborn!" he snarled and punched Hiccup in the face. The auburn-haired teen flew back and slammed to the ground, knocking over three other students. Every head turned as Astrid stared at the Football Star.

"You total ass!" she spat and punched him in the nose, throwing him back into the arms of the jocks before she marched over to the slumped Hiccup, moving dazedly and blinking.

"Wha' happened?" he mumbled thickly. "Why's the room spinning?" Kneeling at his side, Astrid tenderly lifted his head and stared into his face.

"Because a complete yakbrain, whose continent-sized ego was hurt because you apparently didn't know who he was, punched you in the face," she said, fishing in her purse and getting out a paper tissue to press against his face. "Your nose is bleeding, by the way."

"Jus' perfec'," Hiccup mumbled, raising his hands to try to staunch the flow. "My Dad will go crazy if I ruin the suit..." Then his eyes widened. "Look out!" Her head snapped round as Ryker loomed over them, grabbing at Astrid and snagging her hair in his hand. She hissed in pain as he hauled her up.

"You don't get away with rejecting me, bitch-and certainly not with hitting me!" he said, raising his hand.

"BERK!" a voice yelled and blond shape hit Ryker at waist height and knocked him off his feet. Tuffnut straddled the much bigger man and punched him a couple of times until he was hauled off by Thuggory, who shoved him away and punched him for good measure.

"Get off my brother!" Ruff screamed and launched herself, wrapping herself around his shoulders and clawing at his face, then biting his ear. Desperately, Thuggory bellowed and staggered across the dance floor, pinballing off various students as he futilely tried to dislodge the enraged Ruffnut. Ryker tried to scramble up and fixed on the shape of Tuffnut.

"You!" he growled and headed for him but Dagur instantly interposed himself between the Football Star and the male twin.

"Enough!" he said firmly. "Ryker-clean up your face and get a grip on your temper!" But the taller man was so furious he couldn't control himself, shoving Dagur aside and bearing down on Tuffnut. Dagur shot an apologetic look at Atali. "Sorry," he said and then tackled Grimborn, bringing him down very efficiently and pinning him.

"Dag-you get off him!" Snotlout threatened.

"Or what, Snotface?" Dagur growled. "This guy doesn't like you or me or anyone here. He's been turning his nose up at us all and has been dismissive to all of you. He isn't your friend-he's just using Atali to look good. And he was going to punch my sister."

"He was nowhere near Heather!" Eret pointed out.

"Astrid," Dagur said, grunting as Ryker struggled.

"But she's not..." Mindy argued.

"I've known her for years and she's a decent human being who didn't deserve the way you all treated her," he said firmly. "And talking to her as we danced reminded me of what a great person she is. And how much better she is that most of you!" His green eyes lingered on Eret.

"You'd choose that nerd over us, a bro?" Eret asked in a sneering voice as the carrot haired man gritted his teeth.

"Guess that's exactly what I said," he said tightly. Astrid looked up and shook her head but he stared at her and nodded. "Funny how seeing people in a new environment reveals their true colours."

"That crazy bitch!" Thuggory swore, staggering back, his face covered in scratches and an ear bleeding. "Gods, Atali-you cannot have that insane girl as part of your friends..."

"Thuggory, you can't tell me who I can and cannot choose to be friends with!" the Queen Bee said, her voice sharp with anger. "I choose my own friends!"

"And I can choose not to have anything to do with you and your lunatic bitches!" the Football player sneered.

"And who do you think you are? I'm the Queen Bee and the students look at me!" Atali hissed. "You're just some thick as yak shit boy who kicks a ball around and thinks far more of himself than he is! The only reason you will graduate is because the teachers will bend the rules to let you go get your Scholarship!"

"While you buy tutors and assignments, you brainless rich bitch!" Thuggory spat back.

"Hey-who're you calling thick as yak shit?" Snotlout asked angrily, squaring up to stand alongside his friend.

"Ah, the opposite of genius-and definitely the opposite of tall-speaks up," Atali sneered.

"Hey, I am a...what's the opposite of opposite of genius?" Snotlout snapped.

"Where is my sister?" Tuffnut demanded, walking forward, his fists bunched.

"REVENGE!" Ruff yelled, sprinting forward with bottles of ketchup and mustard grasped in her hands like weapons. Before Thuggory could even move, she had squirted the condiments into his face and his open mouth. Spluttering and coughing, he swung out at her and missed, catching Snotlout and knocking him backwards. Ruff promptly drop-kicked him and Thuggory slammed into Eret and knocked him down.

"RUFF!" Atali's voice cut across her yodel of triumph. "This behaviour is completely unacceptable!"

"Hey-he started it by trying to punch my brother!" the female twin snapped. "You know I will defend him to the death!"

"Actually, Hiccup frickin' Haddock started it by insulting Ryker!" Mindy cut in.

"No, he didn't," Astrid retorted angrily. "He was pleasant and polite. He gave Ryker his name and offered his hand. And he asked Ryker who he was. It's Ryker's problem if he expects the entire world to know who he is-because I can tell you, there are plenty of people who have no idea who he is! So he punched someone who was expecting an introduction...as you do in civilised society!" Atali opened her mouth to snap a retort...and then she closed her mouth again...because what Astrid had said was completely true.

"You should have danced with him," she hissed. Astrid's eyes widened-and then she shook her head.

"I didn't want to!" she replied. "And I have no compunction to dance with someone I dislike. He's your date, Atali-not mine. And he's snide and lecherous and all he was interested in was my Uncle. Well guess what? I spent today with Finn-on the set of the movie. It was great. I really like Dane-he's a fantastic guy-completely the opposite of your supposed boyfriend who treats everyone like dirt because he's doing well in a small local college football team-as opposed to being a global film star!" She helped Hiccup to his feet. "And Finn asked me if I wanted to bring my friends to visit the set. But who are my friends, Atali? Because you're blaming me for your date punching the guy I just danced with and behaving like an ass. Hardly the action of a friend!"

"Then I'm not your friend!" Atali hissed. "And none of my girls will even acknowledge you exist, right?"

"Right," Mindy said firmly. But then there was silence. Atali narrowed her green eyes.

"Heather?" she prompted. The raven-haired girl glanced from the red-head to the blonde, standing by the one-legged pariah and who her brother had calmly declared was his sister. And while being popular was important...there were only three months left of High School and Astrid was her friend. Through thick and thin and without any artifice.

"Not right," she said. "Astrid is my friend and I am not pretending she isn't." Ruff looked up, finishing emptying the mustard squeezie on Thuggory and Eret.

"Right," she said. "Astrid is far more fun than you. And being popular is such hard work. Especially when it means being nice to asses and uber-asses and people who want to punch my brother!"

"She goes as well!" Thuggory snapped. Eret nodded.

"Atali-you should control your girls!" he said to the annoyance of the Queen Bee and every female present.

"Oh stick it up your ass, Eret!" Atali snapped.

"Well, he'd like to stick something up there," Ruff said loudly enough for everyone to hear.

"That's it..." Eret growled. Dagur sighed, his expression disappointed as Ryker snorted.

"And you thought I could make you look good here," he commented cruelly. "Nothing can rescue you from this disaster, Atali!" And he finally managed to break free from Dagur, getting up and glaring at the others. "What a bunch of losers and nobodies!"

"Rykie..." Atali whined.

"Um...is everything okay?" a timid voice asked and the students looked up to see the husky shape of Fishlegs, who had finally come over to see what was happening with his friends. Snotlout looked up.

"Buzz off, lardass!" he sneered. "This is none of your business!"

"Hey-that was mean!" Tuff commented.

"And you know what? I don't care, you freak!" Snotlout snapped and then his eyes widened. "Oh shit..." With a yodel of anger, Ruff threw herself onto him, squirting the remaining ketchup in his face and then head-butting him.

"No one insults my brother!" she shouted.

"ENOUGH!" a voice yelled and three teachers closed on the group, all scowling at the Seniors who were disrupting the dance. "Who is responsible for all this?"

"Ryker started it by punching Hiccup," Dagur announced, an eyebrow raised challengingly at Mr Grimborn, Ryker's brother. "Everything went kind of downhill from there."

"It was Astrid's fault for not dancing with Ryker and instead dancing with a loser like Hiccup!" Mindy put in. The teachers all shared a look.

"I believe that she has every right to dance with whomever she chooses," Mr Shepherd said. The Zoology teacher was a bald man with a bushy blonde moustache, jug ears and a very high pitched voice. Mr Throk swept the group with his cold glare.

"I think you have all disrupted the other students' enjoyment enough," he decided. "I think you should collect your coats and head home."

"Mister Throk! That's hardly fair when it wasn't our fault..." Atali protested but the teacher looked sternly at the red-head, her gold silk dress splattered with ketchup.

"I will decide what is fair and what is not!" he said coldly. "Now leave. For all of you, the dance is over!" Ryker obviously glanced at the stern shape of his brother but there was no sympathy in Mr Grimborn's cold dark brown eyes. The man was shorter than his brother with close-cropped dark hair and a manicured beard, his black suit, shirt and tie lending him a sinister look.

"I have nothing to add," he said coldly as his younger brother growled. "Do I need to add detentions to your humiliation?" That silenced the protests and the group began to gather themselves and help each other up, several covered in food and injuries. Astrid took Hiccup's hand.

"You okay?" she asked as he nodded. He had managed to stuff some paper tissue in his bleeding nose and he gave a wan smile.

"Well, 15% of a Valentine's Dance is 15% more than I ever expected to attend," he said philosophically. "Would you like a lift home?" Her eyes widened.

"I was going to ask you if you wanted one but...really?" He nodded.

"I have a large SUV and I'm giving Fish and Tuff-well, probably the twins-a lift," he explained. "I could drop you off home." It took her less than a second to nod.

"Thanks, Hiccup-that would be perfect," she said. "I mean, you've been punched and it was my fault..."

"I think it was Ryker's fault for behaving like an ass," he said generously. "After all, no one forced him to punch me in the face..." Then he gave a small smile. "I may have provoked him though...just a little..."

"If he wasn't such an insecure big-headed snide muttonhead, he wouldn't have responded-but he clearly feels everyone should just swoon at his feet," Astrid commented as the others followed them out. There was a shout and they paused as Heather and Dagur trotted up.

"Have you got room for two more?" Heather asked, looking unhappy. "I don't think I can get a lift back with Atali and Mindy tonight..."

"And I certainly don't want to be near those girls," Dagur added. "Or the guys." Hiccup gave a small nod.

"There's plenty of room," he said as they gathered their coats and headed out to the parking lot. Hiccup's car was in a disabled space close to the entrance and was a large black SUV with ample room for all of the students with him. Calmly, he unlocked the doors and held open the passenger door for Astrid, offering her a hand to help her in. And though they both knew she didn't need it, the chivalrous gesture had her smiling.

Dagur, Fishlegs and Heather got into the back seat and the twins scrambled easily into the boot, grinning and scuffling.

"Everyone okay?" Hiccup asked, getting into the driver's seat. "Belts, everyone!" Heather glanced up and met Astrid's eyes in the rear view mirror. The blonde looked happier than Heather had seen her for a long time and she sighed. She had no idea what the fallout would be but for now, sitting in the car with Fishlegs solicitously asking her if she had enough room, her brother sitting beside her, squeezing her hand and the twins bantering over who was the more awesome in the scuffle, she realised she was probably in much better company than she had been for some time-with people who were more genuine and certainly more decent.

As they pulled onto the road, Hiccup looked over at Astrid. He really honestly couldn't believe that Astrid Hofferson was here in his car as he was taking her home.

"I hope you don't mind," he murmured, "but I'm dropping you off last. Simply so I can spend as much time as I can with you. Is that okay?" Her face lit with a smile. She was exhausted and hoping for her bed but her heart was soaring. From Valkyrie to Valentine, it had been a very busy day. But she didn't want to end the date either.

"You know, that would be perfect," she said.