Everytime we Touch

Mean

"Well, I can't exactly say I'm surprised, you know?"

Astrid looked up at James with watery eyes.

He sat on Hiccup's bed in front of her while its owner was beside her, stroking the small of her back reassuringly.

"W-what?"

James smiled sadly "Oh come on, I'm not dense. I saw the way you two looked at each other, everybody did except you two. I knew I was just a replacement but you know, Astrid... I loved it. I loved being with you even if I knew you would never like me fully"

"James, that's not-"

"It's okay. I knew all along. I expected it. Well, maybe not the pregnancy but still... I knew it and I lovef every single minute we spent together"

Tears streamed down her face and Hiccup was clever enough to remove his hand from her back and give her space.

As Astrid looked at James' features changed by hurt she felt a knot in her stomach.

Guilt laced around her lungs like a snake and took her breath away.

For a moment she saw the nice guy he actually was when he wasn't trying to impress her.

The guy she started to like during their first year at university when he would come to her door and bring her lunch when he didn't see her at the classes they had in common just to find out Hiccup had already provided to that.

Now she understood his cocky behavior towards her friends and Hiccup.

He knew.

He knew it since the beginning and just wanted to delay the moment he would've had to say goodbye to her.

A sob escaped her lips and James closed his eyes, shaking his head "Please, don't cry. I told you. I knew what I was getting myself into and I still decided to do it. It was nice until it lasted"

He stood up.

Astrid shot up as well, grabbing his arm as he put his hand on the doorknob.

"James" she whispered with a hoarse voice.

He turned and she bit her lip "I'm sorry"

He swallowed "Just... can I... did you ever like me? Even... a little bit?"

She nodded "Yes. Yes I did"

He smiled sadly and squeezed her shoulder "This is... better than nothing"

She let go of his hand.

"Hey Hiccup" James called.

Hiccup narrowed his eyes "Y-yes?"

"Just... take care of her for me, okay?"

"I will"

"Good"

Then, silent as he had introduced in the room, James disappeared in the dark corridors.

Astrid instantly heard the door creak open but she didn't have to look up to know who it was.

She could recognize Heather's light steps and Ruff's loud and heavy ones in a room full of thousands of people.

"Eating an entire box of chocolate cookies?" Heather asked in a gentle tone sitting next to her.

Ruff plopped on the bed and elbowed her "Make room" she grunted.

Astrid shifted.

"You'll get fat" Ruffnut made her notice gesturing to the candy carts that lied on the floor.