His Voice Of Reason
Author; Nightstar Fury of Nightstar Productions
Rated; M for Mature
Disclaimer; I do not own HTTYD, or any of the songs used in this story! :)
8; Darker Side.
{Regular POV}
Friday night had interesting to say the least. Hiccup ended up going to bed around 9:45pm or so because his father had come upstairs and saw his light still on. Hiccup of course, apologized saying he was helping Fishlegs with something for Science this time. Hiccup didn't like lying to his dad but he also couldn't explain to his father that he was secretly talking to a helper from the Not Alone Crisis Hotline through chat. That would be awkward to get out. He only imagined having to tell his father that the reason this started was because he wanted to slit his wrists and bleed out on the floor. Hiccup just told his father that he'd talk to Fishlegs tomorrow and go to bed since he was tired himself. Stoick seemed content with the answer and left the room. Hiccup turned off his light after his father shut the door but then he picked his phone back up to say goodbye to Angel.
Astrid on the other hand, worked the rest of her shift and went home. Her mind on Hiccup, it was hard to talk to him so casually when all she wanted to do was hug him tightly and tell him everything would be okay. But she had to stay neutral as it were, a third party observer who only listened and offered advice. What more could she do, after getting home around 10:20pm she relaxed on her bed. The last thing she got was a text from her boss, rather an e-mail to all workers that the building would be closed tomorrow for a system upgrade and all callers would be taken by the bosses themselves. A freaking miracle too, because Ruffnut had wanted her to come to her sleepover and originally she couldn't because she had work. After getting a snack and drink, Astrid went to sleep. It had been a very long day for her.
The next morning seemed to come faster than anyone anticipated. Hiccup was up around 6:30am in a decent mood for once. He showered, and got dressed. Today was Saturday, Heather would be going to Ruffnut's around 11am, and their father to work at 8am. Then Hiccup would have the day to himself, well that wasn't true. He'd be in the forest with Toothless. He couldn't wait. Hiccup rushed down the stairs seeing his father at the table drinking coffee and Heather came down right behind Hiccup. "Morning big brother. Hi daddy." Heather greeted the two males.
"Morning Heather." Hiccup replied.
"Morning princess, morning Hiccup." Stoick said now sipping his coffee and reading his paper as always. Hiccup got out the things to make breakfast. Mainly the eggs, butter, bread, and sausage links. Then get got the pans, whisk, tongs, and bowl to mix the eggs in. Hiccup worked on the sausage links first while also running the toaster for toast. When that was done after 8 minutes, Hiccup started the eggs. 3 fried for his father, then 2 scrambled with cheddar cheese for Heather. It was their usual. Hiccup on the other hand only ate 1 fried egg in a sandwich. As he finished breakfast he served his father first, then Heather and got his sister a glass of apple juice before he finally sat down to eat with a cup of milk.
Breakfast was mostly silent, Heather was texting Ruffnut about the sleep over. "Heather, what time are you going to Ruffnut's?" Stoick asked.
"She said I can come anytime after 11, daddy." Heather replied.
"Hiccup, take your sister when she's ready to go." Stoick stated.
"Of course dad." Hiccup nodded once continuing to eat. He finished fast then began to work on the dishes, then clean the stove off. Hiccup wanted to get everything done early so he'd have more time with his friend. Heather didn't have her license yet, she failed her road test because she got nervous with the instructor. She was eligible to re-take it in 6 months though, Hiccup had his. He passed with a 100 as expected. Had he scored lower, his father would have his head.
Hiccup finished dishes, swept the floor, and wiped the table. When it was done he checked his phone, nothing from Angel. He wondered what she did if she wasn't at work, not that it should make him curious because she was...just his helper, right?
(Few Hours Later)
Stoick had left for work at 7:45 as expected and Heather was packing her things already. Hiccup was in his room cleaning it up a bit by making the bed and putting away his laundry. He'd fold everything of his and his fathers but not fold Heather's for obvious reasons. Hiccup would put his father's folded clothes in the basket and leave it on his bed for him. Same with Heather's only they weren't folded. Hiccup would just fold and put his away as he went. When everyone was cleaned he plopped on his bed sighing out and reading over the script of the play. He did know it but it never hurt to go over things anyway. He was nervous about the kissing scenes, there was only one really. At the end after the scene where Beast transforms back to human. And the end again right before another quick dancing scene.
He'd have to kiss Astrid, one of the most popular girls in school and captain of the cheer squad. Wonderful. That on top of the fact that Eret, Snotlout, and Dagur didn't think he deserved the part of Beast and he assumed that was because they all wanted a chance with Astrid and she always turned them down but they'd been pining for her since the 8th grade. No one actually knew Astrid's type, they'd never seen her with a guy. For a while the rumor floated around she was a lesbian but she shut that down pretty fast, like within the hour of it starting. Had been a pretty interesting day too.
"Hiccup!" Heather called to him, he got off his bed and opened the door.
"What's up?" He greeted.
"Ruff said I could come now...Will you take me?" Heather asked gently.
"Sure. Got your things?" Heather nodded, Hiccup smiled. "Get in the car, I'll be right there." Hiccup told her. She rushed off. When Hiccup passed his road test, one of the nicer things his father did was give him his mother's car and registered it to him, as well pay the insurance as long as Hiccup kept his grades up. Small price to pay for freedom, if it could be called that. Hiccup got his wallet, then keys. He slipped on his shoes and headed out the door to the garage where Heather was already inside and buckled.
Hiccup got in and buckled himself starting it up then headed out. The ride was mostly quiet, "So what are you gonna do by your lonesome?" Heather questioned.
"I dunno. Read the script more, play Dragon Souls a bit, take a nap." Hiccup shrugged slightly.
"I have my laptop maybe I'll meet you online then. You sure you don't want to hang a bit with us? Tuffnut will be there, and Fishlegs too?" Heather offered.
"Nah, you girls have fun. Ruff's parents are there right? You know dad doesn't like you being where there are guys other than Tuffnut." Hiccup reminded.
"Yes the parents are there...Relax, Hiccup. I'll be fine. You know I'll call if something bad happens." Heather smiled, Hiccup nodded now satisfied with the answer he'd gotten. He turned onto Tuffnut and Ruffnut's street, then into the driveway. Heather got out with her bag and smiled at Hiccup.
"Be safe, Heather. I'm 5 minutes away..." Hiccup told her. Heather nodded as she headed inside to Ruffnut's as Hiccup went to back out when he heard someone tap on the window, glancing over he saw Astrid there.
{Astrid's POV}
My mother just dropped me off at Ruffnut's place when I saw Hiccup dropping off Heather too. I wondered if he was okay, he seemed to be. Maybe I could make him feel better about the play. He'd told 'Angel' that he was sure the girl playing as Belle was repulsed to be stuck with him for the entire duration of the play. This wasn't true, I didn't mind at all. Hiccup was a good guy, much better than Snotlout, Eret, or Dagur. I walked over after my mom drove off and tapped on his car window, he looked a me a little shocked. I smiled softly as he rolled his window down.
"Hi...Astrid." Hiccup said to me.
"Hey Hiccup...I uh...I just wanted to let you know that I'm...really looking forward to do this play." I tell him.
He arched a brow my way now, I expected such a reaction. "I'm sure you would of preferred someone else playing as Beast...I can...tell Mr. Bretson that I can't do it...I'm not a big fan of stages...or crowds." He replied bashfully.
"No no. Its fine, Hiccup. Honestly your...personality better suits the role anyway. Heather says yours quiet and keep to yourself but you're caring and gentle too." I say as he blinks a little surprised at me. "We...have a lot of scenes together so maybe we can meet up and practice our lines together outside of school?" I offer. Thought I don't know why. I worked most of the time after school. I suppose I offered it because I wanted to get closer to him, get a better feel for his depression. I know I'm not supposed to but as far as work could assume was that Hiccup was just a close classmate of mine going through a hard time and needed a friend.
"Yeah...Maybe. I better get home...See ya around, Astrid." Hiccup told me. I backed up from his car as he backed up and drove off. I frowned a bit, yeah. This was going to be hard. Hiccup was in what was referred to as the 'isolation' stage. Where he avoided confrontation, and was constantly nervous or unsure. A hard stage to crack, also that he hid how he really felt behind a mask, even harder to break through. I adjusted my back with a sigh.
"Astrid, get your butt in here!" Ruffnut called to me. I turn and see Heather and Ruffnut at the front door, I went over to join them inside.
"What were you talking to Hiccup about?" Heather blinked.
"Just letting him know if he wanted to work on our scenes outside of school, we could." I shrugged. It wasn't a lie, not exactly at least. I followed the girls in as we went to Ruffnut's room and started having fun with talking about the play or whatever else came to mind.
{Hiccup's POV}
Reaching home I parked and shut off the car. Finally, I was by myself. I didn't bother going back in the house, I went to the outside fridge and got a few things. Banana, apple, yogurt, then about 15 steaks. Toothless's pack all together with him was about 15 members. Toothless was alpha, then his mate who I named Stormfly. The two of them had about 5 pups together. 3 of those pups were older and 2 had mates of their own with pups. I named all of them just because I could. And Toothless didn't seem to mind. Toothless was all black with some lighter fur patches. Stormfly was reddish-brown and almost yellow eyes. Their 5 pups were all combinations of gray, black, brown, white and dark red that looked brown but in the sun you could tell it wasn't.
The 3 older pups consisted of 2 males and 1 female. I named them Fang, Skullcrusher, and Cloud. Then the two younger pups were a male and female who I named Shadow and Snowbell. Fang had a mate who I named Windshear, and they had 2 male pups named Scar and Simba. Yes I named them off the disney movie, The Lion King. Couldn't help it, the colors fit so I went with it. Then Cloud had a mate too, he was called Howler and they had 3 pups; 2 girls and a boy named Rain, Sapphire, and Hunter. Then I believe there was one wolf that didn't belong by blood relation and I named her Val after my mother, Valka because she was all brown with green eyes just like my mom. And then there was me, Hiccup. Honorary pack member or at least accepted among them. Sad that a wolf pack accepted me over my own kind. Oh well.
I stuffed the food in a plastic bag then grabbed two water bottles for myself. I also got my sketch book, pencils, and colored pencils before heading out back to the edge of the forest. Finally, time where I could just be me. Heather was busy at the sleep over, and dad would be at the station almost all day. Thankfully it was only 10:30am right now. I'd have all day until dark to hang with my pack. And no I don't care that I just called the pack mine, I was a part of it so why deny it. I moved inside the forest about a mile in before putting my hand to my mouth and letting out a howl to let Toothless know I was there. I moved in a bit more sitting on a log to wait for him. After about 10 minutes I heard a return howl and crunching behind me, I smiled.
As always, the large black wolf approached me slowly as I put my hand out to him. He sniffed it then licked my palm contently with a purr as I scratched the side of his face, he turned his head at gave an approval growl as the others from the pack came out. The pups as usual tackled me down licking me, it always made me laugh. The parent wolves of those pups would all come over to lick my cheek or hand, nuzzling against me. These wolves were big too, like I could ride on Toothless without hurting him. I've done it before, it was actually amazing. Toothless was scary levels of fast with me on him, faster without. I chuckled as Toothless ordered them off me so I could get up. "Hey bud...See just like I promised. Ready to go to our spot, I brought snacks for the pack." I smile.
Toothless purred nuzzling my face as he turned to let me on his back, I now understanding what he was saying. It was weird that I could. I understood his expressions, or noises. I got on his his back and held his neck fur as he gave a howl and we bolted farther into the forest to the spot we called ours. An open area that overlooked the ocean, big enough for all of us and incredibly relaxing. If it was safe too, I would live out here with the pack. Its one of the only places I felt totally at peace. We arrived not more than 10 minutes later and I got off. Going in the bag I handed all of the wolves a steak as I sat down in the grass enjoying the apple. I laid back closing my eyes to relax. For once, a perfect day. No hateful father, no school, no bullies. Just peace and quiet with my friends.
(8pm)
I opened my eyes a bit, I noticed it was almost dark. The sun was setting, I felt Toothless behind my purring. I saw him laying on his front paws, had I fallen asleep? The pack was around me. I smiled. Was it bad that I felt more at home here than with my own family? Sighing I checked my phone. I needed to get back, dad would be checking in soon. "Hey Toothless, I gotta get back to the house..." I tell him petting his head. He lifted it with a whine. "I know...I'm sorry but you know dad doesn't want me out here past dark because of the bear..." I sigh. Toothless gave a nod to affirm what I said. Obviously he knew about it too. Toothless sent the other wolves of the pack back to their area, further in the forest while I got on his back again and he rushed me through the forest back to my house.
Reaching it, I rubbed his head. "See you tomorrow bud." He licked my face and darted back into the forest. I threw away my bag which had the core, peel, and container from my snacks. I hid my notebook and pencils away, just as I was about to enter the house however, my phone began to ring. 'Must be dad...' I thought pulling it from my pocket to see who was calling. First thing I saw was a picture of Heather smiling with her tongue out at me, her contact ID photo, then the name 'Lil Sis' at the top. 'Why would she be calling me?' I wonder as I answered the call now.
"Heather?" I ask.
"Hiccup?...Can you come get me?" Heather asks softly. I instantly panic. Why would she need me to come get her. She'd been raving about the sleepover all week. I pulled the keys to the car from my pocket and got in the drivers side.
"I'm on my way. What happened?" I state firmly starting the car.
"A lot...Just get here." Heather says. I didn't like this at all. I get out of the garage and head down the street to get to the Thorston residency, thankfully it wasn't a far drive. I parked along the sidewalk and got out of the car after shutting it off, walking to the front door I heard loud music. I knocked and waited for an answer. The person to answer the Tuffnut.
"Uh, no one invited you." He stated, I rolled my eyes.
"I was asked to come by my sister. Where is she, Tuffnut?" I ask not wanting the deal with these idiots longer than necessary.
"Having a good time, duh." Tuffnut says. Now I begin to get frustrated, why would Heather call me to come get her if she was having fun.
"Tuff, who is at the door?" I hear Eret's voice now. Why were they all there?!
"It's Haddock, well the loser one." Tuffnut said. I've had enough, Heather called me to get her which meant something was wrong. I didn't see any other cars besides Dagur's and Snotlout's. When I had dropped Heather off, The Thorston Twin's parents were home. I push Tuffnut out of the way and walk in to the house, immediately on the right I see Ruffnut sitting in Eret's lap. Astrid was sitting on the couch next to Fishlegs, Dagur was by the stereo, Snotlout was...no where to be found but I knew he was there because his car was. I didn't see my sister and that made me worry.
"Shut up. Where is Heather?" I ask firmer.
"In the bedroom." Ruffnut chimes in pointing down the hall. As I walked down the hall, I heard it.
"No! I don't want you! Leave me alone...GET OFF ME, SNOTLOUT!" My eyes widen, that was Heather's voice. I heard it come from a door on the left and opened it quickly to see Heather on the bed trying to get Snotlout off of her, she looked terrified and that was all I needed to snap. I grabbed Snotlout by the waistband of his pants and collar of his shirt, the ripped him off Heather. I only pulled him off and shoved him back into the wall, I could tell he was intoxicated by how sluggish he moved in trying to recover.
"Y-You're...gonna...p-pay for...that...Had-Haddock..." Snotlout coughed getting to his feet. I heard that the music stopped out in the other room and foot steps coming down the hall now.
"Oh my Gods, Heather...What happened?!" I heard Astrid gasp, this got me to relax a little. I turned to look back at Heather now, she was slowly making her way to a sit up position and breathing heavily, clearly frightened by Snotlout's actions. I could see now her shirt had been undone, ripped and her bra showing. This actually made me angrier, that idiot was trying to take advantage of my sister. I wasn't having it. But I needed to take care of Heather first, I unzipped my outer sweater and shrugged it off my shoulders.
"Heather, put that on and tell me what happened in here?" I tell her. Heather took my sweater as my eyes stayed on Snotlout's form.
{Astrid's POV}
I had no idea when things got so out of control. First it was just Ruffnut, Heather and I talking about the play. Fishlegs came over and that was fine too. Then Ruffnut and Tuffnut's parents left for something at 6:30pm. After they were gone Eret, Dagur, and Snotlout showed up. I was going to leave, this wasn't supposed to be a party but when Ruffnut got tipsy I couldn't leave. I just declined drinking but stayed to watch. Heather hadn't had anything either, she actually said she didn't feel good and was going to lay down around 7:50. She went to Ruffnut's room to lay down. At this point everyone but Heather, Fishlegs, and myself were drunk. I wanted to leave but I didn't want leave Heather alone there so I'd tough it out.
I was sitting with Fishlegs talking about some of his ideas for the scenes of the play when there was a knock on the door. Tuffnut went to answer it, through the music I swore I heard Hiccup's voice. That assumption was confirmed when Eret asked who had come, Tuffnut replied with referring to Hiccup as the Haddock loser. I hated that they called him that. Hiccup wasn't at all a loser, not to me at least. Before I realized it, Hiccup said that Heather asked him to come and pushed Tuffnut out of the way and came in looking for Heather. She was in the bedroom sleeping, why had he come and acting so worried. She was okay.
Ruffnut motioned down the hall where the bedrooms were to tell him where she was. I saw Hiccup head down the hall, maybe Heather messaged him to say she wasn't feeling well and he came to check on her? That was sweet of him. Then we all heard Heather scream for Snotlout to get off her. My eyes widened, that's where Snotlout went! Down the hall, how could I of not seen it coming. Snotlout has had a thing for Heather for as long as I could remember. I was about to get up to go held when we all heard a loud crash, Dagur cut the music and we heard Snotlout say that Hiccup would pay for whatever he did.
At this we all got up and rushed down the hall, I pushed my way to see inside the room. I saw Heather sitting up on the bed, her shirt torn open revealing her in her bra. She was terrified too. "Oh my Gods. Heather...What happened?!" I asked quickly in fear. I watched Hiccup look at his sister now, his eyes had softened seeing the state she was in then he took off his sweater and gave it to her to cover up with. That was nice of him. I saw now that Hiccup was anything but weak. He was wearing a white under armor shirt, the type that sports players wore to block the cold wind while playing. Hiccup was pretty big up top, I could see his lean figure but also the muscles there. They weren't big, but they were definitely there.
"I—I had...called you because I wasn't feeling well and wanted to go home. I thought I'd lay down until you got here...Sn-Snotlout came in asking if I was okay. I told him I was waiting for you, he told he'd keep me company. He tried to kiss me but I moved away...He held my wrist down and tried again, I pulled away and he just...pinned me. He told me...he wanted me and to stop fighting him, to give in to me secret desires...He ripped my shirt open...I begged him to stop...and then you came and pulled him off me..." Heather explained shakily to Hiccup.
Hiccup said nothing at first, his eyes turning a glare on Snotlout almost. I'd never seen such a look in his eyes before. "Astrid. Will you take my sister to the couch please..." I heard Hiccup asked me, I nodded to him as I escorted Heather to the couch hoping to calm her down. Fishlegs got her a cup of water to help her calm down. "Fishlegs. Call the police, tell them your calling on behalf of his children and need to speak to chief Stoick Haddock. When you get him, tell him what Heather told me about what happened also that there is no adult supervision at a party where alcohol is being given to minors." I'd never heard Hiccup hold such a cold tone before.
As soon as Fishlegs nodded, Hiccup grabbed Snotlout's collar and picked him up pushing him into the wall. Hiccup punched him tight in the face, threw him into the hallway. Snotlout got up and tried to punch Hiccup but being Hiccup wasn't drunk it was an easy dodge. Hiccup ducked, elbowed Snotlout in the stomach then forced him into the wall hard using both hands with a dark glare. "If you ever...touch my sister again, Snotlout...I swear to Odin I will put you in the hospital on life support...Is that clear or do I need to repeat myself?" Hiccup growled out. Snotlout almost in fear shook his to Hiccup who then dropped him.
I couldn't believe what I just saw. Hiccup handed Snotlout's ass to him on a silver platter in a matter of 3 minutes, and threatened him. I saw Hiccup go over to Heather as she laid against his shoulder and he put his arms around her comfortingly as she whimpered sadly. Eret and Dagur tried to sneak away. "Sit. Down." Hiccup ordered them. They didn't dare test him right now. Eret, Dagur, and Snotlout sat down on the couch, Fishlegs standing by the door. Ruffnut sitting other side of Heather rubbing her back and I just stood there trying to process what the hell just happened. I never...knew Hiccup could fight or get so mean. What I saw tonight was a completely different side of him that I never expected.
After 7 minutes, "The police are here..." Fishlegs announced. Hiccup knew he'd get hell for this but he didn't care. He'd take grounded for life over his sister being taken advantage of. Stoick came through first with 3 other officers. I saw Stoick looking pissed with his hands on his hips.
"What is going on here..." Stoick asked as calm as he could.
"It was...just supposed to be a sleep over chief...Between Ruffnut, Heather, and myself. Tuffnut had Fishlegs over...Then the Thorsten parents left. These three showed up with alcohol...Fishlegs, myself, and Heather didn't drink at all. Heather said she didn't feel good and went to lay down. She called Hiccup to come get her, while waiting...Snotlout tried...to take advantage of her. Hiccup came in and got him off her...We've...just been sitting here waiting for police." I explained seeing no one else would step up to admit what happened.
"What happened to him?" Asked on of the other officers motioning to Snotlout.
"Hiccup did it...I was only trying to see if Heather was alright." Snotlout said quickly. Stoick's glare turned on Hiccup now.
"I never thought I'd have to arrest my own son. Hiccup you know better." Stoick grumbled.
"Daddy! Hiccup was protecting me. Snotlout is lying to you, he's drunk. All of them are except me, Hiccup, Astrid, and Fishlegs...Hiccup came in when I screamed for help...He tore Snotlout off me and was defending me..." Heather said quickly as she got up and Stoick was able to see Hiccup's sweater covering the ripped shirt now. Stoick sighed heavily.
"Hiccup, take your sister home. I'll finish up here..." Stoick said. Hiccup nodded leading Heather out to the car and drove her home. The rest of us had to stay and give statements, our parents were notified of course. Last I saw, the only ones in real trouble were whoever supplied the alcohol, Snotlout for attempted rape, and the Thorston's for leaving minors unattended. I went home with my parents and wondered if Hiccup would end up messaging me because of all this. Stoick outright said he would arrest Hiccup until Heather jumped in. It had shocked me that Stoick would move so quick to arrest his own son. Once I was home, I showered and relaxed in bed. It had been a long night and I was exhausted. All I knew was Hiccup had a darker side to him, and I never wanted to see it again after tonight.
