You looked a Mess

III

'We are still kids, but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time'

It did surprise her a little...

"How did you even get them?" She asked as Hiccup had closed the door behind them, and then had fastened all of its locks.

He looked at her, astonished, as if he didn't understand the question.

"You have your own keys?" She said, completely aghast.

"And how do you think I got inside this morning?" He replied. "Through the balcony?"

"No, but... It's not fair!"

"Just come here!"

The boy gave her an urging glare, reinforced by the meaningful movement of his right hand. He was already standing in the midst of the stairs, waiting for his fair-haired friend to finally decide to leave her place in front of the door. She did that, but her expression told him she wouldn't let him change the subject of their talk.

"Hiccup, this is not okay."

"What again?"

"There are three people, who have keys to this apartment – Astrid, Heather and I. And it should stay this way."

"And don't you think it would be safer if someone else had it when you're staying there all by yourself?"

"This is exactly when no one should have it."

She almost jumped over the threshold, leaving the building with a determined gait, hastily getting past the boy, who held the door for her. Hiccup had to run up to draw level with her in the lane on which she was scrolling with such an eagerness.

"Look, it's not like I'll get into your house at 3 in the morning. I wouldn't have got in on my own at all, if only you responded to the bell."

"It's just strange to think you have them."

She stopped, gazing at him without anger, yet not entirely neutrally. Wonder reflected in her bright eyes, accompanied by some special, unconcealed reproach.

"Okay, fine." Hiccup sighed. "Those are not my keys, but Heather's. She left them in my car after I drove them to the airport last week and I simply didn't have the chance to return them. You can believe me or not, but I was going to give them back to you. Come on, did you really think I'd have a key to someone else's apartment cut, only to get you out of depression if needed?"

She peeked at him with a new, startled expression. It wasn't until then when she realised, how ridiculous and how gratuitous was her charge and all that annoyed reaction of hers. After all, it was nothing more than a harmless joke, and she was taken in - but as she was, she conducted the whole conversation as if she was personally offended by it.

Stupid, stupid...

She lowered her head, not moving in the slightest.

"I'm sorry." She mumbled under her breath. "That was dumb. Please, don't be mad. I really don't know what's happening to me."

Hiccup smiled reassuringly, not minding the fact that Rapunzel couldn't see him.

"I do." He answered, grasping her chin and raising it a little. "But you won't overcome it by halting 30 feet from your house."

She also gave him a smile, even if it was weak and uncertain; she nodded, and when Hiccup shyly pulled his elbow towards her, she immediately slipped her hand below it, linking their limbs in a friendly grip.