They stared at each other again, only this time, her heart was racing not because of how close they were, but because he was stealing something. And not just anything, a horse. One of the Di Range's horses. It was Lady Heather's brother's favorite.

"Stop," Astrid said, cursing herself for speaking quietly. What did it matter if they had danced last night? What did it matter that her heart had been pounding all night? What did it matter that he was the first man to look at her as though she was just as desirable as Lady Heather was?

Hiccup didn't say anything, but he slowly got off the horse, who whinnied as though in protest, although she didn't know why. He sighed, but he didn't get closer to her. Still, she naturally moved towards the mop leaning against the wall. If he was to attack, then she would attack right back.

"Astrid," he murmured, almost as quiet as she, "that is your name, right? Lady Astrid?"

She was hardly a lady, and that should have been apparent now. Of course, yesterday, she had looked like something out of a book, but today, her rags were dirty, her blonde hair had soot, and her shoes were plain and brown. At any rate, calling her a lady would not flatter her - it would not sway her. Astrid was nothing if not loyal.

"Please let me explain."

"Explain, Mister Haddock."

Astrid winced at herself. Calling him Mr. Haddock hurt her, because just an hour ago, he was Hiccup. Hiccup who had seen a princess and chose to dance with the lady in waiting instead. Hiccup who was different. And now we was Mr. Haddock, stealing a horse. She wanted Hiccup.

Astrid missed the purity she had felt a mere few seconds ago.

"Lady Astrid, this is my horse." Hiccup pat the black horse, and it pressed against his hand lovingly. "This is Toothless. Toothless, Astrid."

Deciding to be bold, she stepped forward, narrowing her eyes. Did he take her for a fool? "That is Sir Dagur's horse. I will tell him that you attempted to steal it."

Hiccup's face morphed into one of obvious dislike at hearing the man's name. Her's usually did as well - the young master of the manor was nowhere near as kind as the young mistress. But Hiccup was not in servitude to him. In fact, she had seen them talking last night.

"Milady, I'll prove to you this is my horse."

Ignoring how her heart raced at his nickname - not just lady, but milady? Why did the one she liked have to be a thief? - Astrid willed herself to step even closer, close enough for him to reach out and grab her (although she would most certainly kill him if he did). Her eyes gazed over what he was wearing, which most certainly looked like riding clothes.

"How?"

Hiccup extended a hand. She stared at it for a second, and then realized what he wanted. He wanted her to ride with him. Not only was that incredibly inappropriate, seeing as how she was not married to him, but it was dangerous as well. What if he took her somewhere deep in the forest and tied her up until she died of starvation?

Her imagination was getting the best of her.

Why, Astrid thought bitterly, did he have to have such open, honest eyes? Was it the emerald essence that made them so beautiful, was it the way they twinkled when he smiled like he was now, in hopeful foolishness, or was it just her, falling for him?

Whatever it was, it made her take his hand. And of course, another flash of memories went through her head, remembering the last time he had offered her his hand. They made her blush brightly, which must have made him realize exactly what they were about to do, because his cheeks began to dust with red as well.

No, for Thor's sake, she wanted to scream. You broke my heart and you're a thief, you're not supposed to be cute as well. (But if she hadn't found his shy aura so cute in the first place, her heart would not have been broken).

Her arms around his waist did nothing to help their condition.

"Hold on," was the only warning she got before the horse - Toothless - was off like a light, and Astrid gasped sharply and tightened her grip. The wind was biting at her, whipping through her hair, and Hiccup, to his credit, did not complain about the vice-like grip on his body, he was grinning much too wide as he rode.

"Toothless, high jump!"

"Alright, now straight run, bud!"

"Turn around!"

"Head for the stables again - and fast!"

Those words were not what he said. They were in Astrid's head. The horse did not need to be told what to do. It was as if it could read Hiccup's mind, know exactly what to do when he was around. Which helped Hiccup's case - Dagur was never this fluid with the black stallion. Astrid held on for dear life, because the horse would not slow down.

"Alright!" she finally shrieked, burying her face in his neck. "Alright, alright, I believe you!"

The horse did not stop, but it slowed down considerably. Hiccup placed a warm hand over her two gripping him tightly, and she felt him turn his head. He was looking at her now. Her face heated, and Astrid willed herself to go back to last night when everything had been amazing.

"Lady Astrid," he murmured, his breath hitting her cheek and making her shiver, "look, please? I - I may not know you well, but I think you'll like this."

Astrid complied, not willing to risk another wild ride. They were riding in the direction of the rising sun, and the sky was lit up beautifully. Her breath was stolen as she gazed at it, and then down to the horse, and finally right into the green orbs that had been in her dreams all night.

And suddenly, she was right back to the ball. So close to him in a gorgeous surrounding, staring into his eyes while he returned the favor, and very much wanting a taste of his lips.

The only difference was Astrid herself. She was filthy, and she looked very much like the servant girl she was. But maybe that was a positive change, because this time, Hiccup leaned in, waited a second to see if she would be okay with it, and kissed her lips chastely.

The tingly feeling that had been in her gut the past twelve hours suddenly exploded into something that should have panicked her, but oh gods, it felt so good. Astrid's eyes fluttered close, as her mouth moved with his and matched his rhythm. Her hands, which had loosened their grip on his waist, tightened again, and when she felt an arm loop around her back to keep her firmly in place and not fall off, Astrid had such a head rush that she gasped and pulled back.

Hiccup did not look quite as embarrassed as she did, but he was close nonetheless. Especially after he tried to speak, and all that came out was, "Wow."

Wow indeed. Every part of her skin felt tingly, Astrid wished he would hold her tighter. As soon as the thought entered her mind, he pulled his arm back, obviously thinking it an intrusion. She was proud of herself for not making any sound of protest, no matter how much she wanted to.

Hiccup started speaking quickly. "I was out riding, and I was doing a stupid move, and I spooked out Toothless. He started going even faster than he usually does, and I fell off. I saw him run here. And of course, it wasn't my land, so I couldn't go." He took a deep breath. "That was two months ago. So I started dropping hints to my father about wanting to marry. I knew he would propose balls and whatnot. I went to two balls before he finally remembered Lady Heather. I had to make sure that I wasn't too convincing so Lady Heather and I weren't actually married, and I had to make sure we were invited to stay the night, so I could sneak Toothless out early in the morning. Dagur won't be happy if he ever finds out I did it, but I can't lose Toothless." He looked so sincere that she squeezed his hand lightly. "He's my best friend."

"I understand," she said, taking his hand and bringing it to her chest, "I understand, Hiccup, he's your best friend. You love him." Her gaze changed slightly, and she looked down. "So...you danced with me...just to make sure you weren't mistaken for wanting to marry Heather?"

Don't be upset, Astrid, she told herself quickly, you never really were going to be with him anyway. People like him don't like people like me. Of course he was faking it. Foolish girl, just because you're so upfront about your emotions doesn't mean everyone is.

Hiccup stared at her in disbelief, before shaking his head quickly. "No, no, Lady Astrid! T-that wasn't part of the plan!" He swallowed. "I-it wasn't every dance that I saw a - a really pretty woman - and I, uh…kind of...really...wanted...to dance with you?" He closed his eyes, glowing red with embarrassment.

Astrid's heart sung with relief, and without further ado, she kissed him again, and his eyes widened in shock before he cupped her cheek and kissed back fiercely. Their lips moved in sync, and again Hiccup pulled her closer, making the rosy blush return to her cheeks.

Once again, she was flooded with a sense of purity.

It's a good thing I finished this earlier today because right now I am so pissed with myself (please don't ask me why or leave condolences in the reviews - leave the reviews for reviews) and this would not have been okay if I did it now. At least, now it's average.