Strike
A/N: Okay, Night Changes was going to be the next story, but that is taking longer than planned. It will be up soon enough but in the mean time, have this! This idea has been driving me up a wall until I finally started it.
And some more news! I have in the works a Percabeth/Hiccstrid story, so it should be fun. I recently finished the PJO/HOO series and fell in love with it. I can't help my self!
So, if you're in to that, I shall keep you all updated about what's going on with that story.
TRIGGER WARNING FOR PTSD, CUTTING, AND DRINKING FOR LATER CHAPTERS.
There will also be talk of adoption, abuse (both physically and emotionally).
Chapter One
Astrid hadn't meant to drop anything.
She was sitting on the couch, her coffee cup in her hand staring at the TV when her boyfriends black cat jumped on the back of the couch and scared her. Her coffee mug slipped from her hand and spilled all over the carpet.
Her hands shook as she shook her head, mumbling to herself. Hiccup would be up any minute and she had to find some way to get the stain up before he noticed.
Toothless walked up to her, his big green eyes apologetic as she started breathing harder. He hadn't meant to scare her.
"Hiccup's gonna… He's going to freak." she pushed her fingers through her hair, jumping up from the couch and rushing to the kitchen.
She had been through things like this before. Accidentally spilling things and getting yelled at, getting hit. Hiccup isn't like that, she knows. But she also thought that – she shook her head. Thinking about that wouldn't do her any good at all. Her therapist had just been telling her about how good she was doing about not having episodes. The smallest things always set her off though.
Astrid was kneeling down in front of the couch, doing her best to clean up her mess. She heard the door open and then the sound of Hiccup's voice "Astrid?"
"Oh Gods." she started breathing harder when she heard his footsteps getting closer to her. She hadn't even realized she was crying until she reached up to push her hair out of her face.
His footsteps stopped behind her and she could hear the confusion in his voice when he started talking "Astrid? What's going on?"
"I uhm.." she took a deep breath, sitting straight up "Toothless scared me, not that he meant to or anything, and I… I accidentally dropped my cup. Coffee kind of.. Kind of went everywhere."
Hiccup raised an eyebrow, looking from her face to the spilled coffee and back to her face "That's fine, Astrid. Toothless scares everyone." she didn't look reassured at all. Astrid had always been closed up, he just hoped that she would open up to him soon "That's… Why.. Why are you crying?"
Astrid sniffled. She used the sleeves of her shirt to wipe her face as she pushed herself to her feet. Hiccup knows certain things could set her off. Even though they've been together for six months, he still hasn't figured out what things it is "I.. I don't know. I need to go."
"Astrid -"
Before he could say anything else, Astrid was out the door. She feels bad. Hiccup deserves to be told about what she's been through. All he does know is that she's been seeing a therapist since she was twelve. Astrid is more than thankful that he's never pressured her about it.
Astrid was on the phone as she got in her car. She needed to see her therapist.
00000
The drive to her therapist, Miss Atkin, was only twenty minutes but it felt like forever. She can't remember the last time she had called to see if she could fit her in last minute. Since moving in with Hiccup, she hasn't felt as horrible as she usually does. He makes her feel better without even really trying.
Astrid walked into the building, avoiding eye contact with the people sitting in the waiting room and walked up to the door to Miss Atkin's office. She wasn't sure if she was with a patient or not, but Astrid needed to talk to her. It was important to Astrid.
She raised her fist to knock but the door was pulled open. Miss Atkin's shocked face quickly turned to a smile "Astrid! I didn't know you'd be here so soon. I just finished up with Rachel, come on in."
Rachel gave Astrid a forced smile as she walked by. The two girls had talked plenty times before, both of them going through the same thing. They have known each other since they were both sixteen, meeting back when they were in the same foster care. The two had lost touch once they both finally went to good homes, but quickly got back in touch once they realized they were seeing the same therapist.
Rachel, or appropriately nicknamed Ruffnut by Astrid, had kept Astrid updated on her life. Apparently, Ruffnut has this long lost twin no one told her about, and only found out about him when he tracked her down. Their parents had separated them at birth. Theodore staying with his mom, and Ruffnut getting unlucky, and stuck with their father.
Astrid was almost as shocked as Ruffnut was.
"I'll give you a call later." Ruffnut said as she walked by "Lots has happened."
Astrid nodded "Yeah, I'll be waiting."
Miss Atkin waved Astrid in, holding the door open for her "What's going on, Astrid? Your appointment isn't for another week."
Astrid let out a sigh, walking over to the couch and falling onto it. She leaned her head back and stared up at the ceiling "This morning Heath's cat scared me." Astrid let out another sigh, this time a little more dramatic. She never wanted to call him Hiccup to her therapist. Something about letting his nickname slip was just too private for her, and she needs a little more private in her life "I had woken up before him, and I was out in the living room drinking coffee and watching the news. The cat didn't mean to scare me, I know it, but he did."
Miss Atkin leaned back into her chair, her hands folded in her lap as she watched Astrid "I accidentally dropped my coffee and it went everywhere." Astrid threw her hands out as emphasis "And I mean everywhere. The carpet, the side of the couch, and I just… I freaked out." Astrid shook her head with a frown, her eyes still glued to the ceiling "His cat was giving me this look like he was sorry, and I just kept having this thought that Heath would see it and flip out and just start -"
"Astrid." Miss Atkin leaned forward, her eyes set on Astrid. She didn't have to be looking at Astrid's face to tell that she was getting ready to cry "From what you've told me about Heath, he sounds like a good guy. I know what you've been through has been horrible, but people make mistakes. Not every one is going to -"
"Please don't say it." Astrid finally lifted her head and looked at her therapist "Heath is a great guy. I trust him everything. But please just… Speak as my friend and not my therapist. I just need a friend."
Miss Atkin gave her a sympathetic look "Astrid -"
"Please." Astrid felt on the verge of tears again "This isn't a scheduled visit, so can't it be a friend visit? You've known me for thirteen years. I trust you more than I trust anyone."
Miss Atkin got up from her chair and moved over to sit next to Astrid. She put an arm around her. It is against the rules, she knows. But Astrid has always been that one client she has that actually means more than everyone else. Is that bad for a therapist? Probably. "Have you told him anything yet?"
"No. I'm too scared to tell him. What if he's not prepared to date someone that has such a screwed up life?"
"He's been with you for six months already, yes?" Astrid nodded "Just sit him down, Astrid. He needs to know."
"I know he does. He deserves it, but -"
"No buts. This boy sounds like he really cares about you, and I'm positive he'll want to help you."
Astrid crossed her arms and stared straight forward "Or he'll want to just throw me out like everyone else has."
Miss Atkin's shook her head "You know you shouldn't be thinking like that. It'll be hard to get over, and I'm sure Heath won't just -" Astrid turned and gave her a warning look "He won't throw you out, Astrid. You're a special girl. Very sweet and beautiful. He's lucky to have someone like you."
Astrid scoffed "Daniel didn't think I was very special."
Just saying the name sent her head spinning. What he did to her was unforgettable, no matter how hard she tries. Miss Atkin had tried hard to help her forget but nothing she said or did worked "You shouldn't think about him. You know he was bad for you now. You know what thinking about him does."
Miss Atkin didn't have to point or gesture or anything. Astrid knew what she was talking about. She had scars running up and down her arms from some of her weakest moments. She had explained that much to Hiccup, that she's just had a rough life and at one point, the cuts made her feel better. He understood, and still didn't pressure her about why her life had been so rough.
"Heath is… I think he's too nice to his own good. He doesn't pressure me in to telling him anything unlike -"
"Astrid, stop." Miss Atkin's let out a sigh as she rubbed Astrid's arm "You just need to rest. You need to go back home, apologize for running out on Heath, and rest. Maybe also let the cat know you aren't angry at him."
Astrid snorted, running a hand down her face "That cat means the world to him. I'm sure he's already scolded the poor thing. I won't be getting much rest." Astrid pushed herself off the couch "I have some big plans with Heath tonight. Do you have any fun planned?"
Miss Atkin laughed, glad to see Astrid wanting to have a normal conversation "Oh yes. My son is stopping by tonight and I'm finally meeting his mysterious girlfriend."
Astrid smiled. She had heard bits and pieces about her son, never enough for her to know much about him, but enough to know that he seems like a friendly enough guy "Sounds like you have a fun night planned. I should let you go. I want to let Heath know that I'm okay and not mad at him."
Miss Atkin gave her a reassuring smile "You have a good night, Astrid. You have my number, don't hesitate to call if you need anything."
Astrid nodded, her hand resting on the door knob "I know. Thanks for everything."
00000
Astrid hesitated before opening the door to the apartment. She shouldn't be nervous at all to see Hiccup. She's done a lot of stupid things, and running out of a boyfriends apartment for something so little is top of the list. She honestly thought Hiccup would be mad at her, but as soon as she walked in the door Hiccup was off the couch and rushing towards her.
For a split second she thought he was going to hit her. When he pulled her to him for a hug she was confused. She ran out with no explanation after ruining his carpet. Why was he hugging her?
He let out a relieved sigh, and pulled her closer "Please don't run out like that again, Astrid."
Astrid hesitated before she wrapped her arms around him. This isn't what she was expecting at all. He almost sounded scared, like he wasn't expecting her to come back at all. Mostly, he sounded relieved that she had come back.
"I'm sorry.. I just freaked out, I thought you'd be mad."
Hiccup pulled back, cupping her face and giving her a smile "Over spilled coffee? It happens, milady. I couldn't be mad at you for something so silly."
Relief bloomed in her chest. He wasn't mad at her, and he looked happy to see her. Coming home to Hiccup was one of the best feelings for her, and she loves the feeling of actually being wanted. He leaned forward, quickly kissing her before dropping his hands to her waist "You need to get ready. It's not that far of a drive, but they like me to be early. More conversation before the actual dinner."
Astrid nodded, backing away and shutting the door. She made her way towards their bedroom, stopping behind the couch when she saw Toothless watching her. Picking him up, she pressed a kiss to the top of the cats head "I know you didn't mean to scare me." Toothless let out a purr, nuzzling her chin "Don't get too attached now." she mumbled to the cat as she walked into the bedroom.
Hiccup watched his girlfriend with his cat. If he could go back in time and tell his twenty-four year old self that a year later he would be living with and dating the most amazing and beautiful girl he has ever met, he would think his future self was crazy.
She was secretive, yes, but he loves every part of her.
Astrid walked out a minute later, Toothless right behind her. She looked up at him, giving him a smile "Ready?"
He held his hand out for her "Yeah. You look perfect."
00000
Astrid has never had the meet the parents dinner before. She's never met any boyfriends parents before, if she's being honest. She considers this a big step in their relationship. Moving in together was a pretty big step, too, but meeting the parents? Doesn't that just make things ten times more serious in a relationship?
"My mom is going to love you."
Astrid smiled "I sure hope so."
"You know my parents are divorced, right?" Astrid nodded. She remembers Hiccup saying something about it a few times, but never telling her why "They both agreed to be civil when they meet you."
Astrid reached over, resting her hand on his leg as he drove "They must know how important this is to you." she felt jealous. She really shouldn't at all, but she does. He was lucky enough to have parents who actually love him.
"I think its more of they know how important you are to me."
Screw having parents who love you. As long as Hiccup loves her, that's enough for her.
He pulled into a driveway and Astrid looked up at the house. She tilted her head. Was this Hiccup's childhood home? It was huge and she would love to live somewhere like this.
"Just… Heads up. My mom has a lot of dogs. She just has this habit that if she sees one up for adoption, she'll normally do it."
"Well, I do love dogs."
The couple walked up to the door hand-in-hand. Hiccup opened the door, letting Astrid walk in first before closing the door behind them. The look on her face must have been one of amazement because Hiccup laughed when he saw it "Why do you look so..."
"Amazed?" Hiccup nodded, reaching out to take her hand "I've never been in a house so huge before. I love it."
Hiccup pulled her forward "Like I said, a lot of dogs. She needs all the space she can get."
As if on cue, she heard the sound of claws hitting the ground. Hiccup let go of Astrid's hand and kneeled down "Is that my girl? Stormfly?"
Astrid's eyes widened when a greyhound came charging at Hiccup, her tail wagging out of control. Hiccup caught the dog, standing up and laughing when she licked his face. He turned to Astrid "This is my favorite dog mom has ever taken in. Stormfly."
Stormfly stared at Astrid, her tail not slowing down. She started wiggling, trying to get out of Hiccup's arms to see Astrid. Hiccup held her out "She wants to meet you."
Astrid smiled when she took Stormfly from Hiccup. The dog licked her chin and tried to climb up her to lick every inch of her face. She laughed, hugging the dog closer to her "I like her."
Hiccup crossed his arms, smiling at the scene "Stormfly is usually nervous around new people. She seems to like you, too."
There were footsteps and a voice that Astrid recognized all too well "Judging by Stormfly's disappearance, I would say my son is home." his mom, or as Astrid knows her as, Miss Atkin, turned the corner, freezing when she saw Astrid.
Hiccup didn't seem to notice at all. He was just so excited to have his parents and girlfriend meet for the first time "Mom!" he rushed over to her, pulling his mom into a hug before motioning to Astrid, who was still holding Stormfly close to her "Mom, this is Astrid. Astrid, this is my mom, Val."
Astrid hugged Stormfly closer to her. Her therapist is her boyfriends mom. Was she going to tell Hiccup everything she's been through? About everything she's said about him? Astrid was almost certain she was blushing. She'd told her therapist – or who she now knows is Hiccup's mom, Val – everything that has happened between them.. And she means everything. From how they met, and their first kiss, to their first time and how he made her feel better about herself.
Should she tell him that she already knows his mom?
Astrid opened her mouth to say something but his mom stepped forward, putting a smile on her face that Astrid has seen plenty of times before in therapy "Astrid. You're just as beautiful as Hiccup says."