No Matter What
Rated: M
Pairings: Hiccup X Astrid
Disclaimer; I do not own How To Train Your Dragon, but I do own the rights to my OC characters!
Chapter Eight
=Normal POV=
{November 30, 2009-Monday-8:45 am}
Today was the day that Hiccup was returning to Arc City to complete his Marine training, and Thuggory too. Astrid and Thuggory had been talking as much as they could because Thuggory admitted to Astrid that he wasn't sure how much cell phone use he'd be able to get over the next two months. Astrid was alright with it, she was happy to have a boyfriend. With it being the 30th, the school was back in session. The next break was over Christmas from the 19th to the 27th of December, and that included the weekends too. However, they would get off Thursday the 31st and then 1st, 2nd, and 3rd of January 2010 because of the New Year. After all that, the next school vacation was in February, and one in April too. The February break was known as Winter Recess, and lasted from the 15th to the 19th, and would return to classes on the 22nd. April vacation was called Spring Break, and held from the dates April 19th to the 23rd while returning after the weekend on April 26th. At the moment, Astrid and Camicazi were in their Choir class.
As soon as Astrid saw her friends this morning, they were all over her about having a boyfriend, and being with Thuggory. Astrid and Thuggory decided to make it known that they were dating by changing their relationship statuses on their social media pages. The site allowed the user to say they were in a relationship, and with whom if that other person had an account with the website as well. So Astrid's said she was with Thuggory Hedsen, and Thuggory's stated he was with Astrid Hofferson; both in a relationship as of November 24th, 2009. Astrid noted to her friends that she and Thuggory hit off well the night of the Marine Ball, and went on a couple of dates before Thuggory asked her out, and she said yes. The friends were happy for her overall; mainly Cami because now she wasn't the only one in the school with a military boyfriend. Astrid got a laugh out of that, and so did Thuggory when Astrid messaged him about it.
"Alright, today we're going to be working on-," the instructor was cut short by the door opening to reveal Mr. Ogglebert walking in. "Good morning, Headmaster," she said.
"Good morning, Miss. Svenson. I'm just dropping these four off, they have my permission to stay until the end of class," Alvin smiled as he stepped aside to let in Hiccup, and Thuggory, then Eret and Cody.
"Yes, sir," Miss. Svenson, the choir teacher replied.
"Hiccup!" Camicazi got up from her seat and hugged him tightly.
"Hello, Milady," Hiccup greeted while returning the hug. Thuggory moved closer to Astrid, then she rose to give him a light hug and kiss.
"What are you guys doing here? I thought you were leaving for training?" Astrid asked afterward.
"Well, we don't have to report until 11 am as it turns out, so we thought we'd come here to see you two before we leave," Thuggory explained.
"I'll take it," Camicazi giggled. "Why did Eret and Cody come?"
"We're all flying to the base together, so they decided to come with." Hiccup informed.
"And you can be here as long as you don't interrupt the class," Alvin reminded.
"Yes, Uncle Al," Hiccup replied. Alvin nodded as he left the room, then the boys found an empty spot to sit while Astrid and Camicazi returned to their seats. The rest of the class continued calmly with the students listening to different genres of music; after a song played, the students had to tell the teacher what they felt were the emotions of the artist, and the message given from the lyrics. Basically, what did it mean to them, and if they possibly connected to it at all from past experiences. As 9:30 am was nearing, Miss. Svenson told the students that they could relax for the remaining time until the bell rang.
Camicazi was sitting on Hiccup's lap while Astrid sat next to Thuggory and everyone was talking among themselves. "So what happens at infantry school?" Throk wondered.
"Training for two months," Eret said.
"But, specifically?" Tuffnut asked.
"Combat Hunter Course, Marine Corps Land Navigation, Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, Marine Corps Physical Fitness, Foot Patrol, and Combat Marksmanship." Hiccup informed.
"And they do all that in sixty days?" Heather inquired.
"Well, it's fifty-nine, technically. The sixtieth day is graduation, and permanent duty stations," Thuggory corrected.
"Do you know where you'll be going?" Ruffnut wondered.
The four Marines shook their heads in response. "No, we don't get to know that until we're done. See, when a particular amount joins the Marines, that large group will all ship for Receiving Week at the same time, and then onto Boot Camp. Now, depending on what that recruit chose as their military job at the military entrance processing station; it will determine where they go after the thirteen weeks ends. For anyone NOT doing Infantry, they will move on to Marine Combat Training, which is only a month long, then they separate from training for their MOS or Military Occupational Specialty," Cody explained.
"That's right. Infantry finishes their training after SOI, or School of Infantry. After this, we move with the rest of the Infantry Battalion who trained with us to our PDS or Permanent Duty Station," Thuggory informed.
"And it's not actually permanent; we can be relocated," Hiccup stated.
"Seems annoying," Snotlout mentioned.
"It can be, but it's part of the job, so we just do as we're told," Eret shrugged. During all this, Astrid was thinking about her conversation with Cami about dating a military man; it had helped her make the decision in if she should date Thuggory if he asked. As such, Thuggory and Astrid had been together since the 24th, just six days ago now.
~Flashback; November 22, 2009~
Astrid sat on her bed while holding her phone after Thuggory had just messaged her saying that he had a fantastic time at the ball, and then their date on Saturday. The whole situation had ber nervous, and she didn't know who to talk to about. Ruffnut and Heather would tell her to entirely go for it. Fishlegs would say to her to take more time. Throk might suggest the same as Fishlegs, to take things slow, and go with what felt right. Snotlout and Tuffnut wouldn't care; instead, Snotlout would say to hook up with himself since he'd been pining after her since the eighth grade. Astrid did like Thuggory; he was kind, caring, gentle, understanding, and a Marine. However, he was a man in the military, and that's what worried her. Astrid couldn't turn to her friends, but perhaps Cami could shed some light on the situation.
Astrid called Camicazi with high hopes she would answer. "Hello?" came a greeting on the fourth ring.
"Hey, Cami, it's Astrid," Astrid said.
"Hey, girl. What's up?" Camicazi asked.
"I have a confession to make, and I need advice…" Astrid admitted.
"Oh, boy. Alright, lay it on me," Cami invited.
"I, uh, went on a date yesterday…with Thuggory," Astrid informed. Instantly, Cami screamed with delight.
"Oh, my Gods! You did?! What did you do? Where did you go? Did you enjoy yourself?" Camicazi listed off.
"Yes. Only out to dinner at Berkville's Fine Food & Drink, and yeah, I did enjoy it. That's my problem, Cami. I like him, a lot too. I just don't know what to do. He kissed me after taking me home," Astrid exclaimed.
"He KISSED you? What do you mean you don't know what to do? If you like him, and he obviously feels the same then go for it. Be with him!" Camicazi urged.
"What's going on?" Astrid heard Hiccup ask.
"Thuggory asked Astrid out on a date last night to dinner, and he kissed her!" Camicazi revealed. Astrid smacked her forehead, great, now Hiccup knew.
"It was an ACCIDENTAL kiss, and partially my fault. I was unlocking the door to my house, and Thuggory had leaned in to kiss my cheek. I turned, and it happened," Astrid explained quickly.
"Astrid, be with him," Camicazi said happily.
"I'm nervous to be, and he hasn't asked me to be his girlfriend," Astrid sighed.
"Why are you nervous?" Camicazi inquired.
"Because…he's in the military, and that is a worrisome lifestyle to be a part of. For example, when you came to BDA, Hiccup was away training, and up until a few days ago, you hadn't heard from him in three months. I know that can get worse if Thuggory deploys or something," Astrid enlightened.
"You can't be afraid to take a chance, Astrid. I know it's nervewracking to wonder if he'd be alright. Trust me, I get the same way with Hiccup, and I dread the day I learn he's deploying. However, I know that he's out there keeping the people he cares about safe, and no matter what; he'll come home. I know it's hard to consider that; returning home alive or dead, but you gotta know he went out there and gave it his all for the people he loves," Camicazi remarked lightly.
"I suppose you're right, but still. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to be so happy, and then worry if you'll have it the next day or not," Astrid said.
"I know, but as with any relationship you're in, Astrid; you have to take the good with the bad, or vice-versa," Camicazi reminded. Astrid supposed that was true, and it did make her feel better about the possibility of dating Thuggory. "Just go for it, Astrid. It can only go one of two ways if you start dating; either it works or it doesn't, and if it does, then great, but if not then be honest about it and end things, maybe stay friends afterward. All I know is you won't know unless you try,"
"Well, if he asks me to be his girlfriend, we'll see what happens. I should probably go, got homework to finish. Thanks, Cami, it really helped put things into perspective for me. I'll talk to you later," Astrid smiled.
"Bye, Astrid!" Hiccup called as Cami giggled.
"Bye," Astrid then ended the call.
~End Flashback~
"Astrid!" Heather yelled as Astrid shook her head a bit and looked at them.
"Hm?" Astrid tilted her head a bit, not knowing what was going on.
"You've been zoned out for two minutes, babe," Thuggory said.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Astrid replied, now feeling embarrassed.
"Are you okay?" Thuggory wondered.
"Yeah, I just didn't get enough sleep is all. My…stomach was bothering me," Astrid confessed gently.
"Are you getting sick?" Camicazi questioned.
"Maybe," Astrid shrugged as Hiccup put his palm to her forehead, then the back of the same hand on her cheek.
"She does feel a bit warm. I suggest going to the nurse and getting something to keep a possible fever down, and perhaps take care of any pain. Also, I would advise taking it easy, and getting to bed early tonight," Hiccup informed.
"I will," Astrid nodded.
"And with that, we gotta go guys," Cody mentioned as he checked his watch.
"I guess it's about that time," Hiccup said as he kissed Camicazi deeply, and hugged her. "I'll stay in contact as much as I can, Milady,"
Thuggory hugged Astrid, and kissed her lips softly. "As will I," he told her. After that, the Marines left the school, got on their dragons and zipped into the sky to reach Camp Drakonia. The bell rang as the students stood up, then exited the classroom to get to the next one. Today started two months that Camicazi and Astrid would not get to see their boyfriends; they hoped it went by fast.
