I apologise profusely for my absence lately. Job, degree, anxiety... not a good mix. I'm hoping to update my fics a little more now but I will warn than I do have a lot of assignments and busy periods at work over the next few months so please bear with if I am slow.
thank you for staying with the stories. I hope I can stop disappointing followers and fans of them now!
Chapter Four – Challenges
It was stupid. Such a stupid challenge. But it would be easy right? Right? She walked in, legs bare. No. This was not going to be easy. He didn't know why he'd agreed to this. How had he even arrived at that? Oh yeah… Tuff.
"You know Carly isn't the right one."
"Shut up Tuff. I'm happy…"
"BULLSHIT!"
"I am!"
"So you don't think about Astrid, ever? In that way?"
"Not when I'm sober."
"BULLSHIT!"
"Tuff!"
"Ok… alright. I'll make you a deal, if you can successfully not look at Astrid and get turned on, if you can not think about her in a sexual way, if you can not stare, not kiss, not touch and essentially not be attracted to her, for as long as she's around, I'll chip in for the ring for Carly."
"Deal. It'll be easy."What had he been thinking when he agreed to that? He let his eyes travel up her gorgeous legs and up over her body, spluttering slightly.
"Is that…"
"Yeah it's your shirt. So what?" She retorted, waving a casual hand, the other resting on her hip.
"Why… what…" He could see her figure silhouetted through his shirt. Why did she wear the white one? Her rosy nipples were very visible and it was causing an unwanted reaction in his pants. "Why are you wearing my shirt?" He croaked, trying to drag his eyes off her body.
"Eh, it's comfy. And I like not being restricted. This just covers things."
"Just." She arched a perfect eyebrow.
"You looking are you?"
"Kind of hard to… to not." He swallowed hard as she sat up on the table, making it apparent she wasn't wearing underwear either as she crossed her legs.
"Shouldn't be looking at me. Last I heard, you still had a girlfriend."
"Not my fault you're sat there in next to nothing."
"Well you behave Haddock." She winked at him, a dazzling smile on her face.
"I always do."
"Oh really?"
"Yes really."
"So you don't do… naughty things?" She was taunting him. It was so dangerous… so tempting.
"No. Certainly not when I'm sober."
"So then, you can do me a favour?" Her expression was innocent but her eyes said otherwise.
"Umm sure?"
" I've got this knot, in my back? I just can't reach it and it's starting to give me a bit of grief. Think you can help me out?" Again, he swallowed hard, approaching her with extreme caution. She grinned and turned around, dropping his shirt from her shoulders so he could reach her back. He'd show Tuff he was wrong. He could totally do this without getting turned on. He just wouldn't think like that. He'd be fine.
His fingers made contact with her soft flesh, rubbing and kneading at the area she indicated was hurting. She rolled her head back and moaned at what he did. It was truly delicious.
"Oh… ooh… Hiccup… That's it… right there!" No… no he was going to fail at this. "Oh god Hiccup!" It was such a wonderful noise, hearing her moaning, and moaning his name. How long had it been since he'd had a girl moan his name? Too long. Far too long. "Mmmm oh… oh…OH…" Oh gods… this was too good. She was so tempting. The sounds, everything.
"Astrid…" His voice was low and heavy with desire.
"Hiccup…" Her voice was equally low as her head rolled back, looking at him with pupil's dilated. He leaned over her face cautiously, lips barely a breath from hers.
"Hiccup…" Oh she was brilliant, amazing, and so temptingly dangerous. "… I thought you were good when sober?" He wasn't sober. He was drunk on her. She grinned at him and moved away, pulling his shirt back onto her shoulders as she did so. "You be good Dr Haddock." She blew a kiss and walked out the room, her hips swaying invitingly as she did so.
Astrid had spent most of the day relaxing in the house with Toothless, having seen Hiccup off to work and was now getting ready to go to work herself. It was getting to be a fairly regular routine and not one she minded at all. It was always fun working with James at the bar. And the money wasn't bad. She was careful to spend very little, putting it away ready for her next adventure. Whatever it might be.
Hiccup arrived back looking tired and drained as she came downstairs.
"Hey." He said, collapsing onto the sofa. Astrid raised an eyebrow.
"Long day?"
"Very. We've had everything today. Even had to be there as Dr Martins put down some poor little girl's rabbit. That was brutal. Diagnosed a much loved family dog with cancer, and got scratched up by several cats and attacked by a budgie with an infection."
"That does sound like a rough day." She walked into the kitchen to grab her bag and then came back in with a tray laden with his dinner – a steak and ale pie complete with buttery potatoes and carrots. She even gave him a half pint of cider with his meal. She set it down on his lap and he looked up at her with a dopey, blissfully happy expression.
"You're an angel."
"There's a tub of chocolate ice cream in the freezer for you after. And I made cookies today, they're in the tin on the counter."
"I love you." He mumbled through his food before chuckling lightly. She laughed too before giving Toothless a scratch.
"I'll see you later bud. Don't wait up boys. Behave!" She laughed before waving them goodbye and heading out. She enjoyed spending time with them. And with Stoick and Gobber. They were great people and she very much enjoyed their company. It was like home with them. Her own had never much felt like home, so this was a new experience for her.
It took her a while to walk to the bar, but it was refreshing and she felt good for doing it. She was starting work from half six until close down. It could be long but she'd sleep in in the morning. The first hour would be a little more subdued, then things got more exciting. When she arrived James greeted her and left her to change into her work things (it saved them getting sweaty on route) and met her at the bar. Things were fairly normal until around seven when a group of young women came in, one of whom Astrid recognised as Carly. This could be interesting. Carly didn't like these places according to Hiccup. So why was she here? Astrid was another thing Carly didn't like so that could be fun too. Regardless, when the girls sat down at the bar, Astrid approached them with a friendly smile.
"Evening ladies, what can I get for you?" Every girl in the group fixed her with a cold stare.
"Is this…?" One curly haired redhead asked, looking at Astrid as though she were dog muck on her shoe.
"Yes." Carly responded. Oh goody, Astrid was their topic of conversation prior to entering. Well this WOULD be fun she thought.
"Hm. I see what you meant." The redhead scoffed, still looking at Astrid like something unpleasant.
"Ok ladies, flattered though I am that you've been discussing me, I'm just here to work. If you have a problem with me serving you I can fetch my boss. I'm here to do a job ladies, not to cause a riot." Astrid said, keeping her tone light, her hands raised in surrender. "So again, can I get anyone anything?" The girls all shared looks before speaking up.
"Six lemonades please." The redhead said in a very demeaning tone.
"Coming right up." Astrid said, rolling her eyes as she turned away. Girls like that annoyed her. Talking down to her. They thought they were superior. 'Please, girls, I've been dealing with girl shit like this a year and a bit longer than you. Don't try it.' She thought to herself. "Would everyone like ice and a slice of lemon?" She asked.
"Oh no ice in three please but no lemon in two with ice and one without and a lime in the other ice one please. And can they all have straws, of different colours so we can tell them apart." They didn't want much did they? Jeez.
"Sorry, we only have black straws here." Astrid said apologetically as she could as she began to prepare the drinks.
"Oh, pity." The redhead said in an annoying tone. If Astrid weren't working here, and she met this girl, she'd have slapped her. What an annoying human. Carly was giggling at her friend. Astrid served up the drinks and told them the total. "Actually could we put it on a tab and pay at the end of the night? Put it under Mya Court." The redhead said. Astrid obliged.
She busied herself serving other customers, some who were regulars that she had a good rapport with, but the girls watched her every move and discussed her fairly obviously. Astrid ignored them. She couldn't be bothered in engage herself in such juvenile bitching and gossiping habits. Carly however seemed determined to elicit a response from her.
"She's a total flirt. Very definitely a slut." She was telling her friends.
"Oh absolutely! If my Darren behaved the way your Hiccup is, well we'd be seeing lawyers!" One girl said. Astrid scanned her briefly. Judging by her behaviour, appearance – she wore a wedding ring and a dress she just fitted her breasts into - and mannerisms, Astrid would guess she was married and a fairly new mother out for the first night in a while.
"I think it's very impressive you've not ended things with him." Another girl said.
"Well Hiccup and I are adults. We're in love. I'm not going to throw it away because some slut is flirting with him looking for a one-night stand." She said, as if she was such a big and brave person. Astrid had to try very hard not to scoff. Instead she wiped down a table and then returned to the bar. "I really think he was close to proposing before SHE turned up." Carly said, careful to emphasize the 'she' and stare at Astrid. Astrid didn't care. The way she'd heard it, Hiccup hadn't been thinking about it at all.
"What a homewrecker."
"Eurgh such a slut. You'd think she'd hit on someone single. Disgusting."
"Totally." She had half a mind to slap them all. But it would be a waste of her energy. Besides, child abuse was wrong and they behaved like thirteen year olds.
"I've been pretty mad at him but I think we can move past that now. I'm sure he knows he was wrong." Carly continued.
"Oh I'm certain." The Mya girl said. "He knows better than to throw a girl like you away on some whore like her." Astrid elected to continue ignoring them as more customers entered, all very happy to chat to her. She was surprised to see Rosie come in, but there was no sign of Mitch.
"Hey Rosie, what's up girl?" She said cheerily as she approached looking slightly bashful.
"Hi Astrid." Rosie noticed Carly and her friends and pointedly looked away from them, focussing back on Astrid. "Umm, I know you're staying with the Haddocks but I thought I'd do this in person."
"What's up?" Astrid asked, eyebrows crinkling with mild concern for her friend.
"Well Mitch and I… We're engaged."
"Oh my gods really?! Congrats!" Astrid hugged her across the bar. "You want a drink on the house?"
"No, not today thanks but we are planning a big party soon so another time perhaps." Rosie said. "Mitch is in the car waiting. I just wanted to drop this to you." She held out a thick envelope.
"Wow invites already?" Astrid said surprised.
"We got engaged the other day. My mum owns a card shop and they do wedding invites so she made our save the dates. We decided pretty quickly when we wanted it." Rosie explained.
"I'm really touched… You want me there?"
"Yes. And I'd actually really love it if you'd be a bridesmaid."
"What are you serious?" Astrid said in shock.
"Yeah, I've got my sister and childhood best friend, Heather and Ruff. But I'd love it if you'd be one too. You made me feel proud of my body instead of ashamed. You've grown on me pretty quickly." She chuckled. "So will you do it?"
"Of course! Wow! Thank you!" She hugged Rosie again, looking and feeling dumbfounded. "You sure you don't want…?"
"No I'd better go, Mitch wants to drop by to give Hiccup his invite before we go home."
"Fair enough. Thank you, Rosie. This means a lot." She said again.
"Thanks for agreeing to be my bridesmaid. I'll see you tomorrow for a lunch with the girls maybe? Half one at Caluccios?" Astrid nodded. "Ok, see you there!" Rosie waved goodbye cheerily and Astrid stowed the envelope in her bag before resuming service. Carly and her friends didn't seem impressed by this interaction.
"Did she stay she was staying at the Haddocks?" One girl asked Carly and the others.
"As in, your Hiccup's Haddocks?"
"Isn't Hiccup staying with his dad too?"
"Does that mean they're staying in the same place?"
"They'd better not be." Carly snapped. Astrid rolled her eyes. It may not be her place, but Hiccup's girlfriend was a bitch. Although given that she and Hiccup had made out when they first met, she didn't blame Carly being a little bit suspicious and jealous. But she was in psycho mode. And not good psycho. Astrid approached cautiously to enquire as to whether they required any refills of their drinks. The girls all turned on her in a heartbeat.
"You slut!"
"You couldn't leave well out of it could you?!"
"Go fuck with a single guy and leave Hiccup alone!"
"You total homewrecker! You're a slut and a disgrace!"
"You disgust me!"
"Total whore!" Astrid just blinked and stood waiting for them to finish shouting abuse at her. She folded her arms and waited. She didn't flinch. She showed no signs of being affected. People were staring but Astrid ignored them. When finally they were done, they stared, looking mildly surprised at the lack of reaction from her.
"Are you done?" She said pointedly. They all exchanged looks and nodded slowly. "Lovely. I could have you thrown out for that. I don't have to take you shouting abuse at me. But that would imply that I was bothered by any of it. And I'm not. I have a rule ladies, likely the same one as you. I don't sleep with taken men. I'll admit that I think Hiccup is attractive, and prior to knowing that he had a girlfriend, the thought crossed my mind. But I do not do taken men. So rest assured nothing is going to happen. Now, before you all started shouting abuse at me I came to ask if anyone would like another drink." She said coolly. It was very hard for any of them to answer at all. She'd put them in their place without even raising her voice. She was completely calm and unaffected and that left them all looking a little bit stupid and childish. They eventually shook their heads. "I'll get your bill then." Astrid said, tending to the till. When they'd paid, a few of them leaving a small tip, likely to mark their gratitude for her not throwing them out, she said in a cheery tone "thank you, have a pleasant night" and watched them leave. The rest of the night passed much more easily after that.
"No way! No way!" Hiccup exclaimed as he sat on the sofa with Fishlegs and Rosie, staring at the ring on her finger in disbelief.
"Yes way. Engaged." Fishlegs said, a happy smile on his face. Rosie promptly pulled out a save the date for Hiccup.
"That was fast."
"Her mum made them up. We make quick decision." Fishlegs told him. "Hiccup, I wanted to ask, will you be my best man? I mean you're my best and oldest friend…"
"Of course I will! Awww congrats guys! I'm so happy for you both!" He hugged the couple and beamed brightly at them. Fishlegs then excused himself to use the bathroom and Rosie turned smiling to Hiccup. "You guys are going to be so happy together." He said.
"I know. I just wish you'd be as happy." She said, a note of sadness in her voice.
"What? I am happy Rosie."
"For us. But you're not happy yourself." She said looking seriously at him. Rosie was the kind of girl who always saw the little things. She had a beautiful and kind heart and only ever said or did things that would make others happy. She was never rude or unkind. "Hiccup… you know me. And I know you. And you know I wouldn't say anything unless I felt I really needed to." He nodded. He wasn't sure he wanted to hear it anyway. "You aren't happy like this Hiccup. We both know that. You miss this life, the relaxed life. With Toothless, with your friends. Drinking nights with Tuff and Snotlout. I know you do. Carly doesn't make you happy anymore Hiccup. I'm not saying you should try things with Astrid or anything. But I just think… you need to make choices that'll make you happy. I don't want to see you at my wedding looking like you do now. A little lost and incomplete, a false happiness on your face. I'd rather you came alone than came in a relationship you aren't happy in." She looked so sincere and concerned that Hiccup had to smile and squeeze her hand.
"I know you just want what's best for me. And I promise that on your wedding day, only you and Fishlegs will be happier."
"Hiccup…"
"Rosie, I promise I'll be ok."
"Astrid is coming to the wedding too… I asked her to be a bridesmaid." Rosie added.
"Ok, I'm sure that'll be nice." Rosie rolled her eyes.
"Hiccup. I don't say things like this much so you're going to shut up and actually listen and process this. You aren't happy. So you need to change that. Carly isn't the one so far as any of us can see. I think you need to think seriously about how much longer you're willing to be unhappy for." Toothless helpfully walked in to say hello at this point. "And you need to think about what things you're really willing to give up for her. Are you really willing to give up your friends? Your nights out? Your dreams of travelling? Are you really willing to give up Toothless for her? And if you are thinking the answer is that you're not willing to give up even one of those for her… then maybe you need to think about calling it quits." Rosie said gently as Fishlegs re-entered.
"Ready to go?"
"Yes. Think about it. Goodnight Hiccup."
"Night Rosie. Night Mitch." And they left, leaving Hiccup with more to think about than he had planned.
Astrid got back very late that night and felt completely drained herself. After all the drama of Carly and her friends, Rosie asking her to be a bridesmaid, and the usual chaos of a night at the bar, Astrid really did feel wiped out. She had only been in a few minutes when a soft padding and thumping on the stairs alerted her to the presence of Toothless. She smiled and gave the half wolf a treat.
"Hey bud. I told you not to wait up." She teased crouching down to scratch him. She sighed. "Oh Toothless, Hiccup's psycho girlfriend came in with some friends tonight. They all had a good bitch about me and to my face. In front of other customers. Charming group. I ignored what they said mostly, but it's not the greatest feeling to have a bunch of girls shouting and muttering abuse at you or about you." She hugged him and kissed his furry head. "It was a real challenge not to lose my cool with them. But I managed it bud. I really don't know what Hiccup sees in her. Or why they're together. She won't even let you stay. I guess in the end, it'll be a choice… you or her. I hope he chooses you bud. You're his best friend. And I think she's just going to make him miserable. I just hope he realises that sooner rather than later."
Hiccup was standing in the landing and heard every word. He sighed and slunk off to go back to bed. Carly seemed to be brushing people up the wrong way. His friends didn't like her, she didn't like Toothless. He already knew his dad and Gobber liked Astrid better. They'd only met Carly a few times. Carly hadn't even met his mother. He really was starting to question this relationship.
He tripped in the hallway and Astrid then became aware of his presence.
"You too?" She said in a hushed whisper, chuckling lightly. "Thought I told you boys not to wait up." Hiccup grinned sheepishly at her.
"Well you were good to feed me and things, figured I owed you at least a hot chocolate when you got home." He said and she smiled warmly.
"Sounds wonderful. Would you care to join me?" Now he was up, he figured, why not? And so they made hot chocolate and sat on the sofa together with Toothless sleeping on the floor in front of them as they talked. They discussed the engagement of Fishlegs and Rosie among other topics such as Toothless. Astrid didn't mention Carly and Hiccup didn't dare broach the subject. She told him about having lunch with the girls tomorrow and he told her about how he was overseeing an operation on a dog's knee tomorrow. Time ticked by and eventually, after a loud yawn from Astrid, they agreed it was probably time they headed to bed. Toothless lumbered sleepily up the stairs behind them. Astrid kissed Toothless goodnight and then bade goodnight to Hiccup before she slipped into her room. Hiccup sighed as she left them and closed the door to his own room. Toothless gave him a look, that even with sleepy eyes, Hiccup read perfectly.
"Don't give me that look. Everyone keeps giving me that look." He sighed again. "I just don't know bud. I just don't know." He climbed back into bed and Toothless came to lay by him. Very unhelpfully, Toothless appeared to have adopted Astrid's jumper as a blanket and bought it up with him. All night Hiccup could smell the sweet scent of Astrid in his bed. Between that and Toothless occasionally snoring, it was no surprise he dreamed of living with Astrid, in their own home, with Toothless. Part of him reminding, it didn't have to just be a dream.
