"I wonder if they're trying to make clones or something."
"Quiet down."
"Or make mutants or make mutant clones-."
"Hiccup. Shut up."
Astrid gave him annoyed stare over the rim of her sunglasses, before looking back to her magazine. Sighing, Hiccup put his head back against the seat. He hated airplanes. His legs were always too cramped and stewards were either too cheerful or acted like they hated their lives. Snotlout, on the other hand, seemed to be having a great time. He managed to find some red-haired bimbo across the aisle to talk to.
He wished Jack or Punzie had been the ones to come as their backup instead. It was too risky for Ruff to be shoved onto an airplane and the twins needed someone responsible to stay behind with them. So, Hiccup and Astrid had to bring Snotlout along so Jack and Punzie could hold down the fort.
The redhead gave a loud, fake giggle and Hiccup rolled his eyes. On the other side of him, Astrid continued to numbly thumb through her magazine.
"Think Snot will make it into the mile high club?" he whispered. Astrid snorted back a laugh, then gazed around Hiccup's torso to glance at the pair.
"Gross."
Hiccup laughed, then attempted to stretch his legs again. They were growing more uncomfortable with every passing minute and a familiar heat was tingling his spine.
"You alright?" She shoved her glasses onto her hairline and leaned in, furrowing her brow.
"Yeah, I'm just too tall for airplane seating," he mumbled, craning his neck.
Astrid pursed her lips then moved closer to his side. "When was the last time you phased?"
"Um, I don't know…a couple days before we did that training, so three-four days ago."
"I think you need to do it more often," she whispered. Hiccup tried to keep his pulse from racing when her small hand reached over and squeezed along his arm, up to his shoulder, before she started kneading his neck. "Your muscles are crazy tense. It's probably not good for you to have so much time in between changing."
"Mhm." He didn't trust himself to say much else. His brain was having a hard time forming coherent thoughts with the feeling of her fingers on his hairline.
Instead, Hiccup tried to focus on the party. They'd be arriving in France in the morning, allowing them a few hours to prepare before meeting Felix LeBeau. Hiccup had wanted to talk about it, discuss every possibility of what could be happening, but Astrid had been annoyingly adamant on keeping quiet about those things on the flight.
The sun had started to set long ago and night was settling in the cabin. Astrid was still absentmindedly kneading her fingers into his shoulders and back, when Snotlout whispered something else to the bimbo who let out another fit of laughter.
"Ugh." Astrid withdrew her hand and crossed her arms, struggling to snuggle into her seat. "They better not be doing that all night."
"Just be glad he isn't bugging us," Hiccup mumbled, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.
Astrid laughed quietly and drew her legs into her seat. God, it was uncomfortable. For several minutes she struggled to find a position that wasn't killing her back or making her neck twinge. Poor Hiccup. At least she could fold her legs up.
Looking quietly over at him, she saw his head was leaned back and legs stretched out as far as the small space would let him. Too bad they weren't able to take the jet, but they needed to set up their ruse as 'married couple' as early as possible. On his other side, Snotlout was still speaking quietly with the girl. Astrid silently prayed he wouldn't end up saving her from something and then they'd all be stuck with her in the family.
Astrid noticed Hiccup had his eyes closed and hands clamped in his lap. His long arms were taking up both armrests.
"Dragon boy," she whispered harshly. "You're taking up my armrest."
"I'm bigger than you," he mumbled, without opening up his eyes. "I need more space."
"But I can't get comfortable."
"Join the club."
Astrid huffed. Fine. He didn't have to share, but she wasn't going to let him win. She leaned on the armrest anyway, wrapping both arms around his firm bicep and leaning the side of her cheek against him. She wanted to laugh when she heard Hiccup's breath catch in his throat, but she was too tired. Curling her legs tightly in her seat and praying she wouldn't drool in her sleep tonight, Astrid finally drifted off.
"God damnit," Hiccup muttered under his breath, tugging at the bow tie around his neck.
Snotlout snickered from the sidewalk, leaning against the fence. Hiccup shot him a glare and banged his fist on the back of the van they had snagged. Astrid swore it had been a completely legal transaction, but Hiccup wasn't too sure.
"C'mon Astrid. We're burning daylight."
"Well, excuse me." Her voice was muffled through the metal doors. "You get to just throw on a tux, but I have to actually look nice enough to seduce a billionaire and I have to do it in the back of a van."
"I'm sure you look fine." He rolled his eyes and glanced down the street to where the party was taking place. Music was drifting in from somewhere and several cars were pulling up to the front. "I just want to get this thing over with."
The back doors swung open and Hiccup flinched, grabbing the pair of heels that were thrown at him. Astrid hopped out, smoothing down her dress and tucking tendrils of blonde hair out of her face. Any doubt that Hiccup had of her being able to get this LeBeau guy alone suddenly flew out the window. Her dress was fitting, allowing Hiccup to see every curve of her small frame and even though it reached the floor, the long slit down the side exposed one long, smooth leg.
"Gun, please."
Hiccup looked away, blushing, as Astrid lifted up her skirt and secured the gun Snotlout handed her on her upper thigh. When she was done, he handed her the shoes while she spoke.
"Snotlout, you have your earpiece? Good. Now remember, I can't risk LeBeau seeing I have one on, so only Hiccup will be able to let you know if we need backup and I don't care how many hot girls walk by. Stay. At. The. Van. We'll probably need a quick getaway."
"I know. I know. I'll be here waiting to save the day, as usual."
Astrid rolled her eyes, put the last strap into place on her ankle, and smoothed out another wrinkle in the bright red dress.
"Ready husband?"
Wiz had done his job well.
Their names were on the list and with Astrid hanging off Hiccup's arm and batting her eyelashes, they were quickly ushered inside. They were surrounded by black suits and revealing dresses. Music came from a group of players on the far end of the room and several servers were offering drinks and food.
"I don't see him," Astrid hissed as they made their way through the crowd. She was suddenly glad for Hiccup's tall stature. He was cutting through the crowd much easier than she could have managed.
"Don't worry," Hiccup whispered out of the corner of his mouth. "If Wiz did his homework right, then this guy will be all over you as soon as he spots you."
Astrid's gripped tightened on his arm and she smiled up at him. "Time to be noticed, Mr. Haddock."
She dragged him to the center of the floor, where several other couples were slowly twirling, and Hiccup instantly tried to plant his feet into sparkling floor. "No no no, Astrid. Now way"
"Don't be such a baby," she muttered, pulling him into the very middle of the dancing couples. "We want to be noticed."
Hiccup sighed, but held her anyways. Gripping Astrid's hand and holding her back with the other, it was her turn to sigh in annoyance. "God Hiccup, we're supposed to be married. Don't hold me like a twelve year old."
Astrid grabbed his hand that was on the middle of her back and thrusted it far lower, then stepped closer so she was practically leaning against his chest.
"See him?" she muttered, as they turned.
"No." Hiccup peered over her head, looking into the crowd but he didn't see anyone that matched the picture Wiz had shown them before they left. "No one yet."
He felt her hand tighten in his as she gazed around them, occasionally glancing around his torso. Nerves and anxiety rattled his body as the seconds ticked by. He hated the idea of sending Astrid in with this piece of scum alone. He knew she was more than capable of handling herself, but if things went wrong…
"Hiccup, you're shaking."
"Oh, sorry."
Astrid looked up at him, narrowing her blue eyes. "You feel alright?"
"Super."
"Not funny," she muttered, but continued to gaze up at him. Several tendrils of blonde hair had come loose and were framing her face now. "You think your emotions might be…contributing to your-uh condition?"
"I don't know maybe-."
Hiccup suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder and turned his head, struggling to hold in his gasp. There was he was. Nearly a whole head shorter than Hiccup was Felix LeBeau. His thin black mustache was curved into a smirk, his suit looked more expensive than Hiccup's old apartment, and he dark, mouse like eyes weren't even looking at him. LeBeau was staring right past him at the small blonde clutched to his chest.
"Bonsoir. Puis-je couper en?"
Astrid flashed a brilliant smile to the man as he spoke and slowly let go of Hiccup's arm. "I'm going to dance with our host for a bit, darling. I'll find you soon?" Hiccup forced a grin and let go of Astrid's back as she leaned up on her toes and placed a heated kiss to his jaw.
Then, he forced himself to walk away.
Astrid didn't watch Hiccup's retreating figure as the stranger gripped her waist and hand. He was shorter and didn't hold her with same softness and security Hiccup had. A heavy cologne wafted off of him, but Astrid kept her smile welcoming and batted her eyes.
"You'll have to forgive me," she laughed softly as he began to turn her. "I know very little of your wonderful language."
"Ah, fear not Madame." His voice was slick like oil. The hand on her back, she noticed, was slowly drifting lower. "But it iz your turn to forgive me, I'm afraid, for I do not recognize you or your partner. How iz it you received an invitation to my party?"
"Mutual friends," she replied smoothly. "I work in biochemistry over in the states while my husband is quite high on the engineer career ladder. We have many friends in high places."
"Not just a pretty face then," LeBeau chuckled. "Your husband iz a very lucky man."
"Would you mind telling him that?" Astrid put on her best pout face, then suddenly beamed. "Oh, sorry. I'm being impolite. You don't need to hear about my relationship problems."
He spun her again. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted Hiccup in the outskirts of the crowd. "Euh, Madame-?"
"Heather Haddock."
"Madame Heather, there iz no need to be shy around Felix LeBeau," he smiled, revealing perfectly straight, white teeth and Astrid pushed away her feeling to cringe. "I will always listen to a beautiful woman's sorrows."
"You seem like a very kind man Mr. LeBeau." Astrid pressed herself tighter against him. Judging by the way he grinned at her and lowered his hand even further, she would have him in his bedroom in five minutes. "I wish all men had such…class that you do."
"Tell me, dear one," he purred, brushing his hand across her abdomen. Resisting the urge to snap his wrist, she looked up at him through her eyelashes. "What iz the matter? This iz a party after all. I want you to be happy here."
"Well, you have to understand, I love my husband very much," she whispered sadly. "But he just doesn't…care anymore. I try so hard to make myself beautiful for him and he never pays me any attention. All I want is to feel like someone loves me and he doesn't anymore. Tell me Mr. Lebeau, am I beautiful?"
"Madame Heather." His voice was low and he leaned in closer to her, his hands tightening around her. Astrid's thoughts suddenly went to Hiccup and wondering if he was witnessing this. "You are exquisite."
She moved her face closer to his and her next words were barely audible. "I'll be honest Mr. LeBeau, I've heard many rumors about you and your talents." His moustache twitched and Astrid smirk before continuing. "I was hoping you'd scout me out."
"Then, forgive me if I'm being frank my dear," he whispered next to her skin. "But may I suggest we sneak by that husband of yours and go somewhere a bit more private?"
Astrid bit her lip and nodded slowly. She had him.
Hiccup shoved past a group of young girls, all giggling and moving out of his way as he stalked by.
"They just went into a hallway off the main room," Hiccup muttered. "I'm headed there now."
"It won't take her long." Snotlout's voice cackled in his ear. "Keep me posted."
"Will do."
Hiccup was on edge. Fire surged through his veins and his teeth were digging into the side of cheek. He kept his fists shoved into his pockets as he walked quickly to the hallway Astrid had disappeared in. The looks that guy was giving her made him sick. He thought of the way his hand kept going lower and bit back a growl. He was a complete dirt bag and Astrid was alone with him. Glancing around to make sure no one was looking, Hiccup slipped through the hallway. It was dim, but just as extravagant as the main room. Several large, impressive wooden doors were in front of him, but judging how quickly they disappeared, they were in one of the closest ones.
Hiccup started forward, planning on listening at each one until he knew where she was, when he was suddenly grabbed from behind by a pair of small hands.
"As-Astrid?" Spinning around, prepared to deck some security guard in the face, he was greeted with the sight of the small blue-eyed blonde smiling up at him. He looked wildly around, but there was no sign of Felix LeBeau anywhere. "What are you doing? Where is he?"
"Some business guy interrupted us. He needed to take care of some things before we could be alone. So," she spoke softly. Hiccup's eyes grew wide and he lost the ability to form words as she trailed her fingers up his chest. Astrid's teeth dug into her bottom lip, giving Hiccup a look he'd only dreamed about as pressed against him. His back hit the wall and his hands hung limp at his sides, completely confused at what was happening. "I was thinking you could help me kill the time."
Hiccup's head slammed back against the wall as her lips pressed against his neck. His head was complete mush. Everything except the feel of her lips on his skin and her small hands holding his shoulders was fuzzy. Words, he told himself. Speak words.
"Wh-what are you doing?" he gasped.
"I saw the way you were looking at us," she whispered against his pulse point. "You hated watching him hold me. Don't lie." Astrid brought a hand to his ear, and skillfully took out his receiver. "I don't want to be interrupted."
Ignoring every sense of logic that was screaming at him, Hiccup's hands shot out to grip her waist. God, her dress was smooth; just as smooth as he imagined her skin to be. This was too good to be true. It was like a fantasy coming true. He swallowed thickly as her lips travelled over his skin. His hand wandered further, down to her thighs…
He froze. Growling, he grabbed the body and flipped their positions, shoving the girl, whoever she was, against the wall.
"Who are you?" he hissed in her face. It looked like Astrid, felt like Astrid, but…
"What are you talking about," she demanded. "It's me-."
Hiccup barred his arm against her chest and the girl yelped out. "Astrid has a gun attached to her thigh and wouldn't go anywhere without it. Now tell me. Who. Are. You."
The fake Astrid smiled, sickly and devilishly. Hiccup lost his fierce stance as the body he was holding tight onto shifted and changed beneath him. The skin quickly darkened, changing into a light tan color, and the hair grew black, falling out of the messy bun and into thick waves. Her red dress shrunk to her skin and changed into a dark purple color.
He knew that suit, but it didn't belong to any Super.
"Mirror," he hissed, remembering the times he was planted in front of TV as one of Guardians threw her in prison multiple times.
"Took you long enough," the girl laughed, wickedly. "I thought I might get some action tonight."
She hit him square in the jaw, twisting his arm back and tripping him as he stumbled back. Mirror swung her leg, aiming for his face, but he grabbed her foot and knocked her on the ground. Giving an annoyed yell, her boot caught him in the face, snapping his head back. Suddenly, she had thrown herself at his torso, knocking him on the ground.
"You have no idea what you're doing." She shook her head, laughing to herself. Mirror pinned Hiccup's arms down with her boots and whipped out sharp blade from a pocket on her waist, pinning it to his throat. "God, you're hopeless. It took one look of that girl wanting you and you completely crumpled in my hands. Tell me, did you guys actually come in here with a plan? Who are you? Why are you here?"
Hiccup threw her off his torso and slammed her back into the ground. The blade fell from her fingers as he gripped her wrists and straddled her, holding her in place. She struggled, but he was much stronger.
"Why are you here?" he demanded. "What do you have to do with the robberies?"
Mirror snorted and rolled her eyes. "I've been doing this for a long time handsome. You'll have to do better than that. Besides," she glanced down the hallway and smirked wickedly. "I'd be more concerned about other things if I were you. You just found out we know why you're here and you haven't thought to check on your girlfriend at all."
Hiccup pulled back from her in horror and looked wildly down the hallway. Suddenly, from a few doors down, there was a piercing scream and Hiccup's insides turned to ice.
"Too late," Mirror hissed.
so you guys are like the most amazing reviewers. just saying :) so review it up and let me know what you thought! What do you guys predict will happen?