Eye of the Striker

A/N: The song in this chapter is 'Marry Me' by Thomas Rhett. If you get the chance, watch the video on YouTube or something, and then read the chapter. I tried to explain it the best I could, but the actual music video was a big inspiration for how I've characterized Hiccup in this story. It truly encompasses everything about the Hiccstrid relationship and Hiccup's feelings perfectly. Hope you enjoy this change of pace and of it goes down well I may do more flashback chapters in the future. And after finishing this, I realise I got a bit carried away, so this is the longest chapter so far.

Chapter 10: 2 years ago

Hiccup tried to plant his foot on the pavement, but even the slightest contact was too much to bear. He strung his arm over Fishlegs' shoulder and groggily hopped towards the doors of the hospital. Berk General was definitely not on the list of his favourite places, even before the three days he spent there last year, but now it was somewhere he had never wanted to return to. Everything from the mechanical grey exterior to the daunting double doors seemed so cold, so dispassionate.

It didn't take long for him to be seen at the reception, so all that was left to do was sit and watch the minutes tick by. The waiting room was spacious in build, but the sheer number of people lounging about made it increasingly cramped the longer they were there. The twins came half an hour later, and two hours after that the four of them were still sat awkwardly on the uncomfortable blocky chairs.

People were vanishing off down corridors, never to be seen again, but the amount of people in the waiting area not once seemed to dwindle. It was like an endless cycle, and there seemed to be no end in sight. The comfort of the music could barely be heard over the spluttering of coughs and sneezes, but after a period to adjust, Hiccup was able to tune almost everything else out.

The time that passed was being measured in songs after that, and another thirteen tracks came and went in the blink of an eye. He wasn't even listening to the twins or Fishlegs anymore, just the gentle sound from the speakers. Even if his name was called to see a doctor, he likely wouldn't have heard it. Music let him live the lives of different people, even if only for a few minutes, and that felt like such a relief from the reality. All until that one song came on, slamming both worlds together so violently it left him frozen in his seat.

Hiccup was found staring almost vacantly at the wall opposite, when Fishlegs turned to look at him. When he'd almost forced Hiccup to listen to the song almost two years ago, he could never have predicted the situation they'd be in now. Maybe it would have been better if he hadn't done it. Maybe Hiccup wouldn't now be in as bad as a state as he is. But despite knowing he'd done the best thing at the time for both of his friends, Fishlegs suddenly felt extremely guilty. He couldn't have known what would happen only five days later…

/ FLASHBACK /

It was another scorching late afternoon in June, but this one was one everyone was ready to celebrate. Everyone had finished their last exams and now the entirety of the summer was ahead of them. School was done for the year and the prom one week away would be the last time many people would see each other. Some students would go to college, some to work or an apprenticeship, and the rest would be at Berk Academy for another two years in preparation for university. It had been such amazing news to Hiccup that all his closest friends would be staying on, and he couldn't be happier to have them right there at his side for little while longer at least.

When he was told Snotlout had decided to stay on, it was almost enough to make him spit out his drink. He had always assumed his cousin would fail his exams and then go work for his dad, as was the Jorgenson tradition, but instead Snotlout had determinedly chose to power through onto sixth form. Hiccup had never been told why Snotlout wanted to carry on with school and he never really cared, but it just meant that Snotlout would be annoying him for another two years. At least if he still had his friends and the football team with him, nothing his cousin could do would ever be able to get to him.

Hiccup and Fishlegs walked side by side towards the beach that stretched along the east of the town. A night of just sitting on the sand under the stars with food and friends couldn't have been more perfect after the stress of the last month. Winning the regional football championships had been enough of a boost to get him through the exams without even losing a smile, but times like this just made all the hard work worth it. With his favourite people, in his favourite place, he couldn't imagine it ever getting better than this, and there wouldn't be anything he would change. Well, maybe one thing…

The road they were walking on began to reach its end, and what laid ahead of them was like something from a postcard, especially on a day like this. Hiccup slowed up slightly as the firm feel of the tarmac transitioned into something soft and velvety under foot, but they kept going until they could see into the distance where the land ended and the ocean began. Yellow dunes sat waist high, but now they were close enough to climb over them and see the full scale of the Berkian coast. All that was left to do was to descend down the banking and they would be metres from the sea, but only one of the pair was still moving.

Fishlegs could see the hesitant, pensive look on Hiccup's face and he was almost certain he knew the reason why. His eyes followed Hiccup's over towards the ocean, where Astrid was already waiting. As soon as they were close enough to see over the ridge, Hiccup just couldn't take his eyes off her. Ankle deep in the water, she was spinning around with her hands pointed to the sky. With her golden hair shimmering under the setting sun and that smile that would melt a hole in his chest, there was nowhere else he could look.

"You've got to tell her," Fishlegs said quietly, turning around to face him.

"Tell her what?" Hiccup replied dismissively, but his eyes wouldn't stop wandering over towards the beach.

Fishlegs simply tilted his head to one side and crossed his arms over his chest. "Really? You're going to play this game. Come on, Hiccup. You're not fooling anyone but yourself."

"I know, Fishlegs," Hiccup replied sharply before sighing and covering his face with his hand. "Believe me, I know."

"Then it's time you do something about it. Come on, you've been waiting so long," Fishlegs said softly.

"It's just… How am I supposed to do that? What would I say? Just go, 'hey Astrid, I know we've been best friends for years, but I just want to tell you something. Funny thing is, hah, well it turns out I've fallen in love with you.' Yeah, that'll go down great," Hiccup groaned, shaking his head.

"If she feels the same," Fishlegs started, placing his hand reassuringly on Hiccup's shoulder, "it doesn't really matter how you say it."

"But what if she doesn't? What if she doesn't feel the same?" Hiccup swallowed. "I can't lose her. I'd rather have her as a friend than not have her at all."

"But you'll never know if you don't ask," Fishlegs told him firmly. "Just ask her to prom as a first step. If she says yes, then the rest will be easier to say."

"Thanks Fish, but-"

"-God damn it Hiccup," Fishlegs cut in strongly. "Come on. You sound like you don't even want it to happen."

Hiccup spared a long glance over to where Astrid was still in her own little world. "I want it more than anything I've ever wanted," he finally stated. "I don't know what I'd do without her."

"Then you need to tell her that, before it's too late. And if that's still not motivation enough, here you go," Fishlegs said with a smile, as he shoved his phone into Hiccup's open hand.

"What's this?" Hiccup asked Fishlegs, before his gaze turned downward. The screen could barely be seen because of the sun's glare, but he could make out the title at the top. "Marry me?" He read out, but he couldn't hide the smirk creeping across his lips. "Is that a proposition, Fishlegs? I had no idea you felt this way," Hiccup laughed loudly.

"What? NO!" Fishlegs exclaimed in a flustered manner, his face burning red. "Just listen to it, will you. If that doesn't make you want to take the plunge, I don't know what will."

With that Hiccup was left on his own, and for a few seconds, he watched Fishlegs walk away. The husky boy tripped and nearly rolled the full length of the sand peak, but luckily he caught his footing just in time. Hiccup chuckled momentarily, but his attention soon turned to the device in his hand. He paused for a moment after slotting his headphones into the port, but after one last look down to the sea, he slotted the buds into his ears, covered the glare from the sun with his hand and pressed play.

"She wants to get married, she wants it perfect. She wants her granddaddy preaching the service. Yeah, she wants magnolias out in the country. Not too many people, save her daddy some money. Ooh, she got it all planned out. Yeah, I can see it all right now." Hiccup watched as the video started with a young girl in a bride's dress, taking part in a mock wedding with her teddy bears as the guests. All Hiccup could think was why Fishlegs had even chosen this. It had nothing to do with him.

But as soon as he thought that, everything changed. The location changed to a stadium, where an American football match was taking place a decade later, where a scene almost identical to Hiccup's own life flashed across the screen. The girl from before, now in her late teens, stood on the side-lines, smiling and cheering on a boy in the team. Always there, always there for him. Oh, how much it reminded him of the incredible blonde that cheered him on at every one of his games.

"I'll wear my black suit, black tie, hide out in the back. I'll do a strong shot of whiskey straight out the flask. I'll try to make it through without crying so nobody sees. Yeah she wanna get married, but she don't wanna marry me." And now Hiccup understood. The two people on the screen, so close, so meant for each other, and the similarities to his own life were painfully familiar. He knew the twist in the song would soon show itself, and that twist would was the message Fishlegs had aimed to send.

"I remember the night that I almost kissed her. Yeah, I kinda freaked out, we'd been friends for forever. And I always wondered if she felt the same way. When I got the invite, I knew I was too late." The combination of the imagery and the lyrics was the final nail cracking Hiccup's resistance. How could a video show the essence of his and Astrid's relationship better than he could have physically put into words? She had kissed him before. They had held hands as if they were a couple. It was so obvious, but he had only thought of what he had to lose, not what he had to gain. "And I know her daddy's been dreading this day. Oh, but he don't know he ain't the only one giving her away."

It was what was shown next that hit Hiccup the hardest. The boy that had clearly loved her all his life was now nothing more than a bystander. Watching on the side-lines as another man holds her in his arms. Hiccup knew he couldn't let this happen. His future wouldn't be this future. He couldn't see that happen to Astrid. "I'll wear my black suit, black tie, hide out in the back. I'll do a strong shot of whiskey straight out the flask. I'll try to make it through without crying so nobody sees. Yeah she wanna get married, but she don't wanna marry me."

"Bet she got on her dress now, welcoming the guests now. I could try to find her, get it off of my chest now. But I ain't gonna mess it up, so I'll wish her the best now." Hiccup watched on, and a fire burned inside him. The man, now much older, couldn't face watching her walk down the aisle with someone else. Hiccup finally ripped his view from the phone and he looked once more across to Astrid. Fishlegs was chatting with her, but her eyes met Hiccup's and for a moment he knew this was what he wanted. She was what he wanted. She raised a hand to wave to him, and he matched the gesture almost in unison.

"I'll wear my black suit, black tie, hide out in the back. I'll do a strong shot of whiskey straight out the flask. I'll try to make it through without crying so nobody sees. Yeah she wanna get married. Yeah she wanna get married. But she don't wanna marry me. No. No." The video ended with the bride and her best friend back at the diner where it all started. He was a state, with his head in his hands as he sat in one of the booths by the window. She was staring through the glass on the other side, still in her wedding dress and with tears in her eyes. Both thinking what could have been.

And as the screen faded to black, Hiccup had fully made his choice. He slowly removed the earphones, and with a newfound determination, he headed straight for the beach. There really wasn't much subtlety to how he slid down the slope, and he had no idea what emotion expression showed on his face. Did he look anxious, happy, or just downright petrified? In truth he was a mix of them all, and yet he had never felt so confident in what he was doing. He would tell her. No more stalling, he had to know one way or the other. He quickly passed the phone back to Fishlegs, before he headed straight for her.

She could see there was something going on, just by the downward arch of his eyebrows, but with Hiccup that was never anything new. She could practically envisage the cogs turning in his mind as he came closer, but this time she found herself unable to work out what he was thinking. He seemed focused, fixated on something, and far too stressed for his own good. As she wrapped her arms around him, she could feel the tension gripping him, but after a moment he hugged her back and it began to fade. So she just didn't let go, and it seemed he had no desire to either.

Whatever it was, she knew he'd tell her. They shared everything. She just hoped it wasn't caused by Stoick, because she really just wanted to spend the night with Hiccup, and not his dad. She'd always hated bullies, and Stoick was one of the worst. Snotlout was a persistent thorn in his side, and she admired Hiccup for never rising to his cousin's bait, but he was really just a menial annoyance.

Snotlout she could handle in her sleep, but Stoick was a different matter. She could no longer count the amount of times she'd gone off on one at him in defence of Hiccup. How could Stoick not see his son is that smart, that gifted, that amazing? But at least if Hiccup has no family to love him, he would always have her.

"I need to ask you something," Hiccup finally said after the blissful silence. It seemed wrong to break apart, and he could have held her until morning came, but with reluctance he loosened his hold. Her light brown skirt danced in the wind, but her sleeveless blue shirt fit so tightly he could feel every curve as his hand ran across her back. He instantly missed the warmth of her when he fully let go, but the look in her eyes was enough to keep the fire burning.

"Ask me what?" She replied quickly, brushing her bangs away from her eye. She stepped back and looked up at him in anticipation, praying that it was about what she thinking. The fact she was barefoot made him seem taller, and there was that same warm softness in his eyes she never failed to make her feel special.

"Astrid… I… I just want to say," Hiccup stuttered, before taking one of her hands in his own. He took a deep breath, composing himself, and when he opened them and looked at her, he was sure. "Astrid, will-"

"-HEY GUYS! FOOD AND FIREWORKS HAVE ARRIVED!" Ruff shrieked, as her and her brother darted across the sand cradling two large cardboard boxes.

"Of course, I'm the fireworks!" Tuff grinned, giving a thumbs up. Fishlegs, who was sitting by the water, immediately jogged towards the twins, waving his arms to dissuade them, but they clearly misread his sign and bolted forward regardless. "Let's celebrate in style!" Tuff cheered obliviously, throwing his box to the floor. Fishlegs looked apologetically back at Hiccup and Astrid, but it was clear that the moment was gone. He just hoped they'd get another chance.

Astrid turned back to Hiccup, but he was just gazing up at the sky with a very clearly miffed expression. He sighed loudly, before he glanced back down to see her still staring at him. He placed his other hand on hers and tried his best to give a genuine smile. "I'll tell you later, I promise," he stated firmly. He had come this close; he could not go back now. He just had to get her alone somehow.

Tuff hastily unpacked his box that contained a very safe combination of fireworks and firewood, rummaging to the very bottom to pick out the daddy of all pyrotechnics. "The Zippleback," he mumbled under his breath in awe, as he stared at the cylindrical cannister that looked more like a hand grenade than a showstopper.

Ruff did the same with her box, albeit slightly more carefully, and in no time at all everything had been set up. For the next few hours, the five of them sat closely in a circle around the fire that Tuff had built, talking about memories together and what the future would hold. They enjoyed a feast of various meat skewers and sides, and to finish off with roasted marshmallows only made the night even more memorable.

The group chatted continuously all the way into the dark, but all Hiccup wanted to do was to get Astrid alone. She was here, at his side, and yet almost selfishly, it was no longer enough. He wanted more. It had always seemed unbelievable at times that he was lucky enough to have her as his best friend, but now the feelings had truly grown too strong.

Seeing that alternate outcome Fishlegs had shoved on him, that had been Hiccup's ultimatum, and it had set off a chain reaction that was consuming him. He no longer wanted to settle. He cared about her more than anyone else on the planet. He'd even told his father that when Stoick dared speak ill against her. He wanted to see her smile in the morning, to hold her hand and to tell her she is the most beautiful girl in the world. He'd probably get a punch or two from her for it, but it would all be worth it.

He could barely keep his thoughts straight as it was, but he could feel it every time she looked in his direction. He wanted to tell her now, but not with everyone else listening in, and he had to fight the urge to just blurt everything out. Every now and then they would catch each other's eyes, and it seemed impossible to draw them back away. The fire crackled and the reflection of the flames flickered in her eyes. The bright blue of them burning hotter and hotter the later the night went on.

Hiccup felt like he could hardly breathe when at one point she snuggled up to his side, laying her head on his shoulder, but he wrapped his arm around her waist nonetheless. He needed to make the most of tonight, and he craned his neck up to catch Fishlegs' attention. With a few repeated jerks of head in the direction of the twins, he hoped Fish would get the hint. Fishlegs almost immediately understood Hiccup's request, and he quickly looked around for the perfect excuse.

"Ruff, Tuff, can you help me set up these rockets, I think it's the perfect to set them off," he said pleadingly. The twins didn't hesitate, quickly scooping up all the fireworks laying in the sand. "Let's set them off on the pier, we'll get the best view there," Fishlegs suggested, and of course there were no disagreements. If they would see a bigger explosion by setting them off on the pier, then the pier is where the twins would be.

"You coming Hic, Ast?" Tuff called out loudly, as he hungrily cradled the Zippleback to his chest.

"Not this time, Tuff," Hiccup said clearly. "Astrid's not feeling so good, I think you undercooked the meat."

"Oh, bummer, sorry Astrid, my bad," Tuff replied nervously.

"Don't worry about it, food poisoning is part of the experience," Astrid replied jokingly. Tuff just gave her a sheepish smile before darting off towards the pier, followed closely by his sister and then Fishlegs lagging behind. The latter looked back and Hiccup gave him one grateful nod and mouthed the words thank you. Fishlegs smiled back, before turning and heading down the beach.

Hiccup took a moment to check they were far enough away before he tilted his head to look down at the Valkyrie pressed against him. Her eyes were narrow and trained, and she didn't even flinch as he brushed a stray dangling hair away from her face. She had always needed to keep up the warrior façade to hide her emotions, but here her guard couldn't have been lower. She twisted herself round so she was sat directly infront of him, and then she just stared. Stared into those bright green, earnest eyes that belonged only to her and she knew she couldn't wait any longer.

"Astrid, I…" He started, but he was forcefully cut short. Her lips crashed into his with almost as much force as her hand that dug its way through his hair. For a second, Hiccup was motionless, but then he equally matched her vigour with all he was worth. One hand found its way gliding seamlessly down her braid, whereas the hand still on her waist pulled her closer still. This wasn't just a peck on the cheek or lips like before, no, this was deep, passionate. This was a duel five years in the making and neither wanted to be the first to surrender. The warmth of the fire only added to the fierce aura surrounding them, locking them in a bubble of heat melding them as one.

After a few minutes, it was Hiccup who broke first, gasping for air. But he didn't dare take his eyes off of her. He couldn't even if he tried. For if his hand wasn't cupping her chin, he could easily have mistaken this for a dream. His words dissolved in his throat, leaving him just gawking at her with wide eyes and an open mouth. She just chuckled softly, biting her lip as she stared back.

Beneath the stars, with nothing and no-one in their way, they could speak to each other without even a single sound. Both were too lost in discovering each other on this new level that they didn't want to break the trance, and in moments they were locked together again. After a few mind-blowing minutes, Hiccup found the strength to speak again, but it was breathless at best, "I need to tell you something."

"Just show me," Astrid replied silkily, threading her fingers along the curve of his jaw, as he straddled his lap. He didn't hesitate, pulling her in and doing what he had wanted to do for so long. When everything had been bleak and cold, she had come in and lit everything ablaze.

Meeting her all those years ago had turned his life upside down and gave him something to fight for. He hadn't told her enough how much he cherished having her friendship, but now he had to make sure she knew how much she truly meant to him. So he kissed her as if his life depended on it, because one way or the other, they would always be tied together.

He really had no idea how much time had passed, but after what seemed like hours, Hiccup sat upright and placed his hands firmly on her shoulders. She still had her legs to either side of him, and this close he could the racing beat of her heart through her chest.. "Astrid…" He started, but that lustful look in her eyes made it hard for him to speak. "Please, I have to get this off my chest. I can't wait any longer. I need you to know… I-"

"-I love you," she said first, beating him to the statement by a fraction of a second. All he could do was stare at her, now certain that this must be the most life-like dream he had ever had. He must be asleep, there could be no way this was actually happening, but her soft touch brought him back to the real world. "I've been in love with you for some time now, I was just never strong enough to tell you. I've tried giving hints, I thought you didn't want me," she admitted yearningly, turning her head away.

Hiccup immediately brought her face back to face his, and he run a finger smoothly across her cheek. "You're all I ever wanted," he stated without a single shred of doubt. "Just you being here with me makes my life so much better. There will always be a Hiccup and Astrid, whatever that means, whatever you want it to mean, but I want it to mean that we're more than just friends. I want you to know that you coming into my life is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love you, Astrid Hofferson. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Astrid couldn't hide the joy on her face, but it didn't stop her swinging her arm and striking him firmly in the arm. "Ow, what was that for?" Hiccup grumbled, rubbing his shoulder.

"That was for taking so long to tell me," she replied with a wide grin. "But this-" She continued, as she leaned down to kiss him once more, "-is for everything else. Without you, school would have been miserable without having Heather here. I would have had no-one. Thank you for taking me in."

"I wouldn't have had it any other way," Hiccup said, smiling wildly. "There's just one thing I need to ask you."

"Oh?" She replied eagerly with a glint in her eye.

"Will you be my date for the prom?" He asked nervously, now fully aware saying it out loud felt completely different to the hundreds of times he'd practiced in the mirror.

Astrid faked an expression of contemplation before she spoke, as if going through the options, "Well, you know, Snotlout gave me quite an impressive invitation," she said teasingly, but Hiccup's dejected look made her instantly grab his cheeks to look back at her. "Of course, you idiot. Of course I'll go with you," she exclaimed loudly, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

The relief washed over Hiccup, and he reached forward to embrace her strongly. The sound of fireworks boomed overhead, and the two gazed up in amazement as the explosions popped time and time again. Bright colours of blossoming reds, pulsing purples and vivid yellows filled the night sky, and Hiccup had never in his entire life felt so complete as he did with her in his arms.

When an almighty ground-shaking blast reverberated all around, no doubt the infamous Zippleback, Hiccup tore his eyes away from the spectacular show overhead to one that to him was even more special.

"So, where do we go from here?" He asked her softly.

She placed her hands on his neck and leaned in so close he could feel her breath grazing against his ear. "We'll take it one step at a time," she whispered seductively, causing a shiver to run down his spine. "We've got nothing but time."

/ END FLASHBACK /

As the song continued, Hiccup just sat humming softly, and a smile made its way across his face. As much as it hurt to think about what could have been, Hiccup had been given five days with her as his girlfriend, and he couldn't thank his friend enough for forcing him to tell her everything. He knew if he'd been left to rue not telling her, he'd somehow feel worse. At least she knew she was loved before she disappeared. At least he got to know she loved him. And she knew that no matter what, he would never give up on her.

After the song had finished, it took Hiccup a few minutes to realise it was Fishlegs' hand that was shaking his shoulder. Hiccup turned to his friend with a confused expression, palms facing up to the ceiling as if to ask why, but all Fishlegs did was point towards the woman standing at a doorway to one of the hospital wards.

Hiccup's eyes trailed over to the short, brunette figure dressed all in white and subconsciously realised he'd blanked out his own name been called by the nurse two times already. With the sudden recollection, he forced himself up onto his one strong foot and with help, he began to stagger his way over to her. Seeing him coming, the nurse gave a warm smile and welcomed the group towards her. "Hiccup Haddock?" She enquired and he nodded firmly. "This way, the doctor will see you now."