She watched as he hit the bookshelf. He was laughing nervously, but at what, she wasn't sure. "—Hiccup Horrendous Haddock, the mad prince," he said. As if to prove his point, he turned and fled from the spot, his face deep red in embarrassment. Astrid raised an eyebrow as a few moments later, she clearly heard him swear loudly.

She stood up and was about to follow him out of the library, when Thuggory came around the corner of one of the stacks. He leaned against the bookshelf, gazing at Astrid with a sly look. "What is it?" Astrid asked, biting back irritation at Thuggory's smug expression.

"You realize, don't you, why Hiccup asks like such a buffoon when you're around?"

Astrid turned her head slowly to give him an austere look. "Yes, of course I do."

Thuggory's smug expression deepened.

Prince Hiccup may be quite intelligent, but he was not subtle when it came to who—or what—he was attracted to. He acted the same way most women acted around her, and some men.

It didn't matter, she thought, shoving past Thuggory and headed towards the the doors leading out of the library. Like most people in the Archipelago, Hiccup had not caught on to the fact that Astrid was, in fact, a woman. Which meant his 'infatuation', or whatever it could be called, would… only lead into disappointment when he learned of the truth. She sighed, pausing by a window and looking out. In the courtyard, she could see Hiccup saddling Toothless, getting him ready for a flight.

Perhaps she should join them—Stormfly hadn't been flown recently due to the storm, and the weather was improving greatly in the last few hours. She walked to the window, kneeling on the cushions there, and gazed down, watching Hiccup contemplatively.

He was attractive. Lanky, of course. Rather skinny. He had crooked teeth, though she rather found them endearing. But… she didn't know what it was about the prince, but there was something she was drawn to. As if sensing her watching him, Hiccup looked up, glancing across the windows, searching for whomever had prickled his senses. She didn't hide, and instead waved when his eyes found hers.

She watched as he turned red again, and quickly turned away. He got into Toothless' saddle, and the dragon flew off.

For a second, Astrid had a self-indulgent moment of wondering if perhaps the prince hated her, instead of liking her. But… no. He seemed to take any opportunity, even beyond his responsibility as host, to spend time with her. She somehow felt reassured.

But it was useless, she thought, getting up and heading towards where the palace led into the stables. For she was not a man, just a woman attempting to keep hold of her rightful inheritance, and so she was sure Prince Hiccup would lose interest the moment he found out the truth.

Hiccup eased into the hot water. These caves were part of his favorite place in all of Berk, and they were his secret. No one else, to his knowledge, even knew about them. He closed his eyes, enjoying the relaxing steam from the hot springs, the water not quite scalding, but just a touch too warm for absolute comfort.

He tried not to think about the bead of wine on Aster's chin, those deft fingers, or Aster's lips. Or what those lips could do… He scowled and opened his eyes. This was beyond frustrating. Why couldn't he get Aster out of his thoughts? The damn man was practically consuming him.

And that led to thoughts that were a struggle to push out of my mind. He groaned, running a hand through his hair.

This infatuation was an anomaly. Hiccup had never considered men that way before. Not until Aster… He frowned, sinking deeper into the water. It might not be anything other than… than a simple admiring. Yes, that was it. He admired Aster. So much so it caused him to think about him in almost perverse ways…

He let out another groan of frustration.

"Hiccup?"

Hiccup froze, before turning to see… Aster standing a ways behind him, looking around at the sparkling caves in awe.

"What is this place?" Aster asked, walking towards him.

"How did you find me?" Hiccup squeaked in surprise, dropping lower into the water.

"Stormfly is a tracking dragon," Aster said. He finally looked at Hiccup. He looked amused. "I thought you'd know that."

Of course he knew it. He just didn't think Aster would use Stormfly to track him. "Well," Hiccup said, in his normal tone, "What are you doing here?"

Hiccup's face was burning. Oh gods… he was blushing.

Astrid tilted his head, before bending over, and slipping off his boots.

Hiccup's eyes widened. Was Aster going to join him in the baths? He thought Aster didn't like bathing publicly. He felt a rush of heat run through his body at the thought of seeing Aster without clothes on. Well, he thought, a tad wondrously. There went the assumption this was merely admiration for the man.

But Aster did not undress, and instead rolled up his trousers, before walking over to the place Hiccup was and lowering himself onto the ledge. His legs in the water, Aster continued to look around. "I hadn't heard of this place before," he said, his voice soft.

"Well, it's… supposed to be a secret," Hiccup said.

Aster hummed amusedly. "Well, I know a thing or two about secrets. Don't worry, this secret is safe with me."

"Thanks," Hiccup said. "You know," he began, astounded at his own boldness, "It's not really fair that I'm the only one undressed."

Aster snorted. "Then get dressed," he said. He leaned back on his hands, giving out a long sigh.

"Only if you won't look," Hiccup said, turning to hoist himself out of the water.

"Aren't we both men?" Aster asked, sounding amused. "But no, I wasn't planning on looking."

Hiccup should have felt reassured, but instead, he felt slightly disappointed at Aster's lackluster reply. No… he should feel reassured. Aster won't have to see his scrawny body as he hopped towards where he put his prosthetic.

If only he had not put it so far away…

"Are you alright?" he heard Aster ask, from somewhere far too close by.

"You promised you wouldn't loo—" Hiccup gave out a yelp as his foot slipped on the already damp floor of the cavern. He braced himself for a hard—and perhaps damaging—fall, but instead found something grabbing him.

Aster.

Aster had followed him.

And was now holding him upright.

Well, not upright. They were both balancing precariously for a brief moment, before they both fell onto the ground. He should have felt lucky, Hiccup would later think, that he only had about two feet to fall.

But in that moment, all he could think about was the fact that he was lying on his back, stark naked… with Aster having fallen directly onto him.

Aster's head was on his chest, and he groaned slightly, before pushing himself upwards onto his hands. His body and legs, however, were still sprawled over Hiccup. "Are you alright?" he asked, looking at Hiccup in concern.

It took a moment for Hiccup to respond. It seemed all his blood was rushing from his head, to a completely different, traitorous organ. Aster's eyes widened slightly. He rolled off Hiccup, landing into a sitting position, his back to Hiccup. "Right," he said, stiffly, standing up quickly. "I should… probably check on the dragons. Take… take your time…" he walked away without looking at Hiccup again.

Hiccup, on the other hand, covered his face with his hands and let out a long, embarrassed groan.

Aster was checking on Stormfly's saddle when Hiccup finally left the caves. "So…" Hiccup said, slowly, shoving his hands into the pockets of his britches.

"So," Aster replied flatly. Hiccup winced.

"That was…" Hiccup began, but Aster put up a hand to silence him.

Aster shrugged. "Don't worry," he said, his back to Hiccup, adjusting something on Stormfly's saddle. "I won't tell anyone."

Hiccup felt a rush of relief. But also a rush of disappointment. Aster's voice was tense. Obviously the young man was uncomfortable with what just transpired—but then again, who wouldn't be? For some reason, Hiccup was disappointed with the fact that Aster was suddenly acting coldly towards him. As he watched Aster get into Stormfly's saddle and the dragon and rider fly off towards Berk, he realized something else. He did fancy Aster.

And Aster, for one reason or another, didn't like it.

He hadn't seen Aster for a whole day, before he heard the news.

"Ill?" Hiccup asked, something inside him gripping at his chest. "What is his ailment?"

He suddenly recalled Aster mentioning he was sickly as a child. Surely he was not experiencing some kind of flare of his childhood illness…? Worry flamed inside of Hiccup at the thought of Aster in any pain.

"Nothing to worry you about, Milord" Hatchet, Aster's valet, said. "This happens often, and he'll recover soon enough."

As he servant left, carrying a basket of linens, Hiccup noticed a patch of blood visible on one of those cloths. He felt his blood run cold, feeling escaping his arms.

Turning, he headed without a second thought towards the guest wing, and knocked heavily upon Aster's door. It was the first time he had visited the Duke's chambers, and if he were honest, he wasn't sure why he was now, save only that he desperately needed to see Aster with his own eyes, to make sure he was well.

The door opened a crack, and Hiccup saw part of a face peer at him. Blue eyes blinked in surprise at the sight of him. Golden hair cascaded down his shoulders. "Aster," Hiccup breathed in relief. "What are you doing out of bed?"

"What?" Aster seemed confused. "What are you talking about?"

"Hatchet said that you were ill," Hiccup said. "And I saw blood amongst your old linens."

Aster's eyes widened, and he swore under his breath. "It's nothing, Hiccup, I'm fine."

He made to close the door, but Hiccup put a hand up, stopping it from closing. "Are you sure?" he asked. "I can have our family doctor come examine you—"

"No!" then quieter, Aster said, "Really, I'm fine, My Lord. I am just… a little under the weather."

Hiccup felt irritation flare up inside him. He wanted to tell the blasted Duke that bleeding was not under the weather. But Aster was now closing the door.

"Can I come in?" Hiccup asked, without realizing he had said it.

"Why?" Aster asked, sounding alarmed.

"I want to make sure you are well," Hiccup said, shrugging.

"Why?" then quickly, "I am not decent."

Hiccup's brows creased.

First Aster chastises him for being self conscious about being seen naked by another man, and now Aster is too self-conscious about decency? The Duke of Meathead Island made little sense at all.

"Hold on." Aster shut the door and Hiccup heard it lock. After some time, the door opened, wider to reveal Aster. He was wearing comfortable breeches, as well as a very loose and large white shirt. "Come in," he said, looking around his own room as if he expected something dangerous to be lurking around in some corner.

Hiccup entered, looking around curiously. It was very neat. Not a thing was out of place.

"I suppose you'll be stuck in your room for some time," Hiccup said.

Aster stood there, looking somewhat awkward. Or more… exceedingly uncomfortable. "What is it you're ill with?" Hiccup asked.

Aster's lips fell into a thin line. "That's—that's nothing to worry yourself about," he said, finally.

Hiccup frowned as well. Aster was hiding something. Perhaps his illness was more serious than he let on. "It's alright," Hiccup said, taking a step towards Aster, before halting himself. "I won't tell anyone."

Aster looked relieved. "I'd appreciate that," he said. "Please, Hiccup, I'd rather no one know about this. There are many, my Uncle Frederick included, who would see me displaced from my title. If word gets out that I am…" he coughed slightly. "Afflicted with my childhood illness, I am afraid it would make my enemies' job that much easier."

So that was it. Hiccup nodded. "Of course. Your secret is safe with me."

Aster's relieved look shifted into a more authentic one.

"Thuggory knows," he said, glancing out the window, "As well as Hatchet, obviously. And Honey, my maid."

Thuggory knows. Hiccup felt a bitter, sharp taste of jealousy. Of course Thuggory knew. Thuggory knew everything before Hiccup did. Thuggory had the benefit of knowing Aster for years. "Well you have nothing to worry about with me," Hiccup said. "I will not spill your secret."

Aster smiled appreciatively, before taking a deep breath. "I'll keep your secret as well," he said.

Hiccup blinked. "What secret?"

Aster tilted his head, gazing at Hiccup in confusion, before stepping towards him. Hiccup swallowed, as Aster strode up close to him, stopping far too close for propriety's sake. "I think you know," Aster said, somewhat quietly.

"K—know what?" Hiccup asked, feeling his breath catch slightly on his words.

Aster's head tilted again, as if he were trying to figure something out. Finally, he reached his hand up, and, pausing for a moment to wordlessly ask for permission, ran his hand through Hiccup's hair. Hiccup closed his eyes, his head rolling slightly with Aster's hand, his eye closing as his breath hitched. This feeling was…

He was aware of Aster stepping away, and opened his eyes hazily, gazing at the shorter man in hazy confusion.

Aster looked somewhat… blank. In fact, Hiccup couldn't decipher a hint of emotion on his face. "Why—why did you do that?" Hiccup asked, a little breathlessly.

"Just testing something out," Aster said. "It seems I was right."

Hiccup blinked. "And, uh, what were you testing out?"

Aster blinked as well. "Whether or not you were attracted to me," Aster said, as if this should be obvious. "I had suspicions for a while now, but… I think these past few days proved it."

Hiccup felt heat rise to his cheeks and ears. So… he was that obvious, was he?

"I'm sorry," Aster said, looking away. "I won't be able to give you what you're looking for."

Hiccup watched him, and noticed that Aster looked almost… sad. As if this disappointed him, or even aggrieved him. "What do you mean?" he asked.

Aster glanced at him, before glancing away. "It's just," he said, and then grinned. He face Hiccup fully. "Doesn't matter. Point is, I'll keep your secret, until you're ready to tell the world yourself."

Hiccup glanced at the hand Aster held out, before tentatively reaching out and grasping it. They shook. "So," Aster said. "We both know each other's secret."

"I guess so," Hiccup said, slowly.

He realized they were still holding hands, and quickly dropped Aster's. The realization that Aster did not—or could not—return his… feelings… was digging deeply and painfully into his consciousness. Aster didn't feel the same way about him. He always suspected this is how it would end up, but he never imagined this realization would hit him so hard—so…

So despairingly.

"Is something wrong?" Aster asked.

Hiccup shook his head hurriedly. "I should get going," Hiccup said, bouncing a little on his heels before quickly heading towards the door.

"Hiccup—wait—"

Hiccup paused, turning to look at the duke. The man had suddenly appeared at his side. "I wish I could, you know," he said, a little breathlessly. "Like you back."

Surprised into silence at these words, Hiccup's eyes widened as Aster stood a bit on his tip toes, and carefully, pausing just before to gauge whether Hiccup was receptive, pressed his lips against Hiccup's.

To be continued…?

Thanks for reading!

Some of you may have noticed that I upped the rating of this story to "Mature". Not for this chapter, obviously, but for the future chapters ;)

See you soon?