CHAPTER 3: YOU SHOULDN'T BE ALONE

Hiccup had come home soaking wet, hoping nobody was home to question him.

"Laddie! What're ye doin' home so late?" Gobber's voice rang through the living room. Hiccup wanted to groan, especially when he saw his father sitting right next to him, most likely having mead.

"I-I dropped A-Astrid off at her-her house," Hiccup said nervously. He was hopeless when it comes to lying. "Nothing new."

Stoick raised an eyebrow. He was a mountain of a man, a flaming red beard that was braided traditionally in Viking braids. "Son, you lost your stutter years ago. What's wrong."

Hiccup tried to wave him off casually. "Me? Stutter? No way, I—Stutter? What? Pfft, I— I'm going upstairs." He took of his shoes and made his way upstairs.

The two men stared at the puddle that Hiccup had left. "Should I go after him?" Stoick asked.

Gobber shook his head, pouring himself more mead. "I'd recommend ye leave 'im alone. The lad needs space."

Stoick slowly let out a breath. "I think you're right."

After showering and changing into dry pajamas, Hiccup opened up his laptop and finished off any assignments, working vigorously, and in an attempt of trying to sort his thoughts through one thing he knew. Sketching.

He didn't know what he was drawing at first, just trying to envision his feelings. Feelings…

The feeling of her lips against his cheek made him grin. She… liked him? Or was it out of gratitude? She did have a boyfriend…

Who has abused her in every way possible. Who hurt her so much she went from the firey warrior to… a fragment of a person.

He concentrated on his sketch, how the angle for the lips had to be right to match the structure, the shading had to come from some light.

He realized he was drawing Astrid.

He should've noticed how she was distancing herself from the others. How she is so much more quiet and so doubtful of herself.

It was completely heartbreaking. He'd tried his best to make her happy, hating to see her frown or scowl or gods forbid, cry. He didn't mind at all. He would always be there for her.

Astrid sank into her bedsheets, just hoping they'd consume her. Her father knew. Knew about everything.

He'd been absolutely furious, immediately calling the police. Officers came to the door, and Astrid agreed to press charges. Though she was nervous at first, in fear that Eret would kill her before he'd be sent to jail, and acceptance that she deserved it, but her father insisted that this was for the best.

And she'd have to go to the police station tomorrow.

She grabbed her phone and went to her messages. Her throat was raw from crying and talking so much. She didn't have the energy to use her voice anymore.

[ASTY] 11:14 PM: Hey something happened.

[HIC] 11:14 PM: What's up? How r u feeling?

[ASTY] 11:15 PM: I'm fine. But my dad called the police and I have to go to the ps tmrw.

[HIC] 11:15 PM: R u ok with everything rn? Do u want me to drive u there?

[ASTY] 11:15 PM: I need a witness..

[ASTY] 11:16 PM: I'm sry, i shouldnt have asked, sry.

[HIC] 11:17 PM: Nonono, its fine, Asty. Anything. It's ok.

[ASTY] 11:18 PM: thx. Im sry for all the trouble.

[HIC] 11:18 PM: Id do anything 4 u Asty.

[ASTY] 11: 19 PM: Thx. Gn, Hic.

[HIC] 11: 19 PM: Sleep well.

Hiccup turned off the lights, a new feeling of determination going through him. He'd do anything to keep her safe, her happy. She deserves it.

Eret, you're going down, bitch.

Sorry for not updating as much! Life hit me hard in the gut. And the text scene was a pain to format XD.

Guest: Yes, it certainly is. Thank you!

CajunBear73: Great observation! Though I intend (spoiler) Astrid's mother to be someone who's just emotionally unstable, not a horrible person. She lost somebody she loved, and she doesn't realize that she's taking it out on her daughter.

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