This one's a tad more long winded than my most recent Hiccstrid one shots have been, but hey it should be fun.
Hiccup's a photographer. Astrid's a pop singer!
Gotta love the quirky prompts.
Let's roll.
-HTTYD-
Astrid glanced around the studio, seeing what she wanted to see before stepping in properly. Gearing up to release a new single, Astrid had to get new photos done. The record label and studio provided them, naturally, but Astrid trusted her own. Hiccup, sat doing a light reading in the corner, was her own personal gods-given gift with a camera. He did the photos for her clothing line - clothes he also helped design. Managed her website, kept an eye on her merchandise.
He was basically magical. Especially with a camera.
"Bloody diva, bringing her own photographer."
Astrid growled, making the inferior photographer jump when he realised she had overheard him.
"Some people value quality. Go be someone else's problem."
Hiccup waved at her from where he was setting up, but Astrid still had to go through wardrobe and hair and make-up yet. Having more crap slathered on her face than Astrid felt was strictly necessary - yes, the lights washed anyone out but her complexion was naturally pretty flawless - and scalp sore from the bitch wielding a hairbrush, Astrid had been squeezed into clothes that barely fit her by a sixty year old woman complaining she was too muscular.
But when Hiccup had her stand in the right spot, aimed his camera and flashed her that trademark dorky smile, Astrid fell into the work naturally. The two of them made an excellent team, Hiccup knew how her angles worked best, she knew how he would move her, they had worked together on what lighting suited her best.
Unfortunately, before the two of them could get into their zone, a most unwelcome intruder appeared.
"It's my photoshoot today, what is little miss autotune doing here?"
Cami.
They were, unfortunately, both signed to the same label. Both blonde, Cami was curvy rather than fit and firm like Astrid, which was fine.
What wasn't fine was the fact Cami was a complete bitch, and her bitter rival in just about everything.
Astrid had her clothing line; Cami had a pretty much equally successful jewellery brand.
Both got modelling jobs and sponsorships, and both had a few acting gigs under the belt.
She acknowledged Cami had a slightly better natural singing voice, but Astrid was more of a show, more went into her music videos and the general energy she put in.
The record label lapped up the rivalry, releasing their singles within hours of each other sometimes knowing that their equally rabid fanbases would make for tough competition, usually culminating in a fight for chart top slots.
Like a couple of months ago, when Astrid had lost her one-single lead and now they were neck-and-neck.
"Bite me princess, at least come up with original insults."
"You're just bitter it's true. Even your fans seem to catching on. Just look at how I beat you last time."
Hiccup tried to get her attention, but Astrid did so love to jibe at Cami.
"Doesn't really count if it's a charity single sweetie."
They both had been, so Astrid was far less irritated than she usually would be considering the proceeds went to various charities, but it did seem to leave a dent in Cami's ego just now.
The women bickered back and forth, Hiccup trying in vain to get Astrid's mind on the photoshoot while the others tried to shoo Cami off for hair and make-up. Eventually Cami's smile turned suspiciously malicious, and she threw out a challenge.
"Whoever wins the next chart spot... the loser has to do a photo shoot. Naked."
Taken aback for a heartbeat - Astrid hadn't known Cami had that much imagination in her - Astrid didn't hesitate.
"You're on. Get ready to strip off Cami-can't-win."
Scowling, Cami was finally hauled off. Hiccup came over to get Astrid back in the right light, fixing a few errant hairs back into place.
"You don't have to do that, you know?"
"Come on. I got nothing to hide. Besides, I'm not gonna lose."
Hiccup chuckled, shaking his head as he checked Astrid hadn't smudged anything, then he returned to his spot, waited for Astrid to pose.
"Hang on... do me a favour and unzip that top? Just to about here."
Hiccup marked a line on his own chest, and Astrid complied, confused. Hiccup never went for the cheap sex appeal - the man was an artist, worked angles and shadows before bare skin.
"Hold the zip. Look at me. Chin up a little... perfect."
Still perplexed, Astrid pulled her zip back up.
"What was that for?"
"Judging by their excitement" he indicated the representatives of the record label, who gave Hiccup and the other photographers briefings for what sort of imagery they wanted "they like the naked photo thing and will be using it to sell more records. So... I took the teaser, as it will save you coming back for another shoot just for that."
He smiled warmly, nothing lecherous even as they discussed Astrid potentially broadcasting her naked body for all to see. Hiccup was good like that, unlike the two she saw waiting for Cami clearly discussing who they'd rather see naked.
Cami had to make do with a far less skilled photographer, while Hiccup brought up the 'teaser' picture he had taken on the digital screen, and Astrid had to agree - she was looking fiiiine.
"I love taking your picture. You need so little editing, it's good for my ego that I take picture perfect pictures."
It was an artistic compliment rather than an Astrid-specific beauty one, but Astrid appreciated it all the same. Hiccup was an artist, so it probably meant more for him to say.
"I gotta run, but I'll see you for dinner tomorrow to talk with the clothing guys, yeah?"
Hiccup nodded, and Astrid took off to let him do his thing with his computer. The singles came out with the wager stamped all over the internet, and Astrid learned something quite swiftly - people bought the enemies single in hopes of seeing their favourite naked. It was probably the only time she would encourage Cami's legions to prefer the snooty cow, as then they would buy her single and force Cami to eat her words.
It was an incredibly tense week for everyone, waiting for the sales both disc and download to be counted, to come together in the chosen radio chart show. Astrid was on the phone to Hiccup as they waited, listening to the presenter draw it out.
"As we all know, these two ladies have had record sales this week owing to the wager we cannot mention on daytime radio... and we have the winner right here! Better get your kit off..."
-HTTYD-
Who doesn't love a cliffhanger?
*hides under rock*