Ten: Retail Therapy

Going out shopping with Astrid was an interesting experience for she was treated almost like royalty-though she was gracious and went out of her way to try to be treated like a normal person. Her car and driver-a blonde woman who introduced herself with the name 'Camicazi'-swept through the busy streets and round to the service entrance of Hendrikson's, the most exclusive department store in the Archipelago, before disgorging the star and her supposed fiancé and gliding off to park somewhere discreet. Hiccup glanced around as she entered the back of the store and Astrid smiled and spoke to the security guard by name.

"Morning, Sven," she smiled. "How's the family?"

"They're good, Miss Astrid-and better for seeing you score that thirty yard screamer against Lithuania!" She smiled.

"Football is a team game," she smiled. "The girls all put in a great performance and we're one win from the European Championships!" The man grinned, his long blond beard moving as he talked.

"You know, if you make it, I may take my family on holiday to England for that!" he admitted and then his piercing blue eyes slid to the self-conscious auburn-haired shape at her side. "And this must be the man who captured your heart." He saluted. "You look after her, Mr Haddock. Many of us think of Astrid as family."

"It's Hiccup…Sven," he said quietly. "And I'm very fond of Astrid myself." There was a pause-and then Sven lunged forward and slapped him hard on the shoulder.

"I think I may like you, Hiccup," he said cheerily and ushered them to the service elevator. "Fashion floor, Miss Astrid?"

"Menswear," she admitted. "I want to make sure Hiccup doesn't feel too out of place." Sven winked and pressed the button.

"That'll be third floor," he said and backed away as the doors closed.

On the Menswear floor, the assistants knew who she was and Hiccup found himself measured and eyed up in a very unsettling way, treated with respect but no thought for his personal space or privacy. Thankfully, neither of them wanted him to roll his sleeves up or undress, but once they had his measurements, they smirked and ushered him to join Astrid in a neat little salon room, where they were served coffee as they sat on a small elegant sofa. To one side was a clothes rail and the door out and to the other, there was a curtain into the changing area.

"They'll bring you clothes in suitable styles, sizes and colours and you choose what you need…" Astrid said, sipping her coffee and checking her Twitter feed. Ashamed, he stared at his cup.

"Um…I just need some fresh underwear," he mumbled. "I mean, I can't afford this store on my wage anyway…" She sighed and gave a smile, resting her coffee on the table.

"Hiccup-as my fiancé, you need to be dressed for the part so I'm paying," she explained and then rested a hand lightly on his. "Just as long as we agree on the clothes, okay?" He nodded and hazarded a look up, emerald eyes wary.

"That's good because I just checked…and well, it looks like someone has stolen pretty much everything from my bank account," he admitted. "But I will pay you back…"

"No, you won't!" she told him firmly.

"Wow, way to bolster my self-confidence," he mumbled. "Now I'm your arm candy!" She leaned close, the smile dropping from her face and he steeled himself for a tongue-lashing…as he always got when he opened his mouth and sassed Bella. Thor, what was he thinking…?

"Hiccup-please let me foot the bill for the costs incurred by this deception I insisted on," she told him in a low voice. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable about any money spent…but I don't want you to look out of place and feel obvious because of that. Thor, the gossip columns and the tabloids can be really hurtful if you wear the wrong thing!" She paused and a little note of encouragement entered her voice. "And maybe…you can show Bella that you've moved on and she'll leave you alone?"

For a wild moment, he wondered if it would work out like that but a small portion of Hiccup reminded him that Arabella was a vengeful control-freak who would never be satisfied to allow him the final word. She would pursue him until she had broken whatever he had and then she would dump him and leave him shattered and shamed.

"Can always hope-though why would she leave all this raw Vikingness?" he asked sarcastically.

"Morning, Mister Sassy," she laughed and patted his arm, leaving him feeling mildly relieved. "And you're mine!" Then the door opened and the two assistants entered, bearing armfuls of clothes. For a moment, he looked surprised and then he glanced at Astrid, who was assessing the colours with a practiced eye. The two assistants shared at look at the waiting Hiccup and grinned.

"This is gonna be fun!" the first one said.

In fact, Astrid took charge, dismissing clothes that were ridiculous in style, the wrong colour or the wrong fit. Hiccup was tall, lean and wiry, his brilliant green eyes and warm auburn hair unusual and striking-so she was determined not to allow him to be pushed into the background or made a fool of. No matter how little confidence he seemed to have in his own appearance, he was a handsome man-and she was determined to make the most of that…and hopefully give him a little of the self-confidence he deserved.

She watched him head into the changing room to try on an outfit and sighed. When they had met at the airport, he had been playful, sassy and bright but it seemed that his girlfriend had really done a great job in undermining him. Her eyes trailed back to the curtain. The vivid memory of Bella, attacking him and verbally ripping him to shreds in front of everyone he knew flashed across her memory and she recalled Stoick's low but sincere words.

I am sure she's abusive…though whether physically or just emotionally, I'm not sure. She won't give up. And she's very devious and cunning.

She saw him emerge in a pair of dark brown jeans, a deep crimson shirt and a deep caramel embroidered waistcoat that flattered his lean silhouette and she nodded with a smile, offering him a thumbs-up. He smiled back and for a moment, she felt a protective surge run through her. Hiccup had been her friend for years but for sure, he had mental scars from his school days, bullied and teased and intuitively, she knew his lingering doubts about his inadequacies probably made him vulnerable to Bella's words. And she was to blame as well, for she had left him and not bothered about him. In fact, he was right when he accused her of abandoning him.

I won't abandon you now, Hiccup. No matter how we sort this out, you are staying in my life…and if Bella tries to hurt you, she has me to deal with as well. Now I just need to get all of this past Heather…

When she had finished, he had a selection of shirts, long-sleeved T-shirts, sweaters, a couple of waistcoats, black and brown jeans, a pair of dark chinos, boots and a brown leather jacket. He also had a tailored charcoal grey slim-fit single breasted suit that flattered his lean silhouette. Looking at the pile of clothes-underwear was brought by the assistants when requested-he felt a small sense of pride. He knew the clothes she had bought him made him look far better than anything Bella had insisted he wear and Astrid had carefully checked what he wanted, rather than ordering him to buy what she was told.

But as they headed out of the department, he caught her arm.

"I need to get a table…for my work…" he explained and she nodded.

"I'll get Heather on it immediately," she promised.

"I can order over the internet…I…um…just need to borrow some money…oh Thor, I sound pathetic," he admitted. She smiled.

"Never," she reassured him as he cringed inwardly.

Wait until Bella speaks with you, he thought.

"And I need to visit a pharmacy for a few items…" he admitted and she smirked at him.

"Sexy aftershave?" she teased.

"As if I need to fight the girls off any more?" he riposted. "I mean, I've captured the heart of the badass Captain of the Valkyries…" She elbowed him gently, chuckling at his reply.

"I'll have you know, sir, that my image is completely wholesome!" she told him lightly. "There is nothing badass about me! Or your ass, for that matter…"

"Did you really just eye up my ass?" he asked her and she smirked.

"I need to check out the merchandise," she giggled and slid an arm through his…and he was so shocked, he let her. "Okay, I'll get Cami to take us to Jotun Rise. It's a bit more discreet and the pharmacy there is very old fashioned…so they are less likely to call the paps!"

"Paps?"

"Paparazzi-intrusive reporters. Very intrusive. As in hiding in a tree outside your house for three days just in the hope of catching a hint of cellulite intrusive," she said tightly. "Usually, Heather arranges my photo opportunities so they leave me alone…but I think you may bring them out in full force!"

"Me? Why on Midgard would they be interested in an auburn fishbone?" he asked, shocked.

"Me," she told him easily, checking their shopping was being delivered downstair to the car. "I'm a famous soccer star, I am-I was-a very eligible young lady and I have always honoured my media commitments. And now, as my fiancé-especially since you are so cute in your own right-you will be subject to the same scrutiny."

Oh Thor-Bella will know that. She'll wait until things have settled and then she'll start spreading rumours about me…

"So what will I be expected to do?" he asked, enjoying the fact that her warm hand was firmly clamped around his and pushing the nagging thoughts away.

"Well, I will have training and matches," she said as they reached the elevator and headed down to the service level, waiting until the doors had closed before continuing. "You will be expected to come to matches, accompany me to any publicity shoots or functions and there may be some engagements that Heather organises. In return for your time, I think we should agree remuneration…"

"What?" he choked and ground to a halt. "You're gonna pay me for being your fiancé? Have you really thought about this?" She frowned, not understanding.

"But I will be making money out of this because the publicity is gold for all my merchandise and clothing lines…" she reminded him but he shook his head, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"Please, Astrid-I am doing this as your friend, not for money," he stressed. "Thor-can you imagine what it would look like if it got out that you had paid me a daily rate to be your pretend-fiancé? Gods, I can see the headlines now-and if they're kind, I'll be described as a rent boy…" She stared at him and then her hands flew to her mouth.

"Gods, I am so sorry," she gasped, seeing his shame at the very idea. "But you've had your whole life turned upside down for your kindness in fishing my ring out of your pudding-which I was stealing-and now you're on a different island with your former-girlfriend furious and your cards missing…I just thought it was only fair to make sure you didn't lose out…"

"Too late for that," he murmured though she still heard. "Look-we can sort something out later but…not that. Please…" She squeezed his hand and shrugged, schooling her face to remain impassive even as guilt crashed over her.

"Whatever you wish," she said as they smiled at Sven and exchanged a few words before getting into the car and being swept away. But she watched as Hiccup slumped down in the seat and scrolled down his phone, already seeking the equipment he needed for his job and checking his emails. And she saw him pale.

From: Berk Aerospace Inc plc - Dept HR

To: Hiccup H Haddock

Subject: Resignation

Dear Hiccup,

Your girlfriend as informed us that you intend to resign from Berk Aero as you have relocated without a forwarding address. We are disappointed to hear this but must remind you of HR policy that all resignations must be in writing and include a three month notice period and non-disclosure contracts must be signed due to commercial sensitivities of your projects.

Your girlfriend was also extremely abusive to the operator and her conduct has been reported to Berk police in accordance with our zero tolerance policy for verbal or physical abuse of staff.

You should speak to your line manager immediately to resolve this situation.

Yours

Knut-Bjarne Rasmussen

Director of Human Resources.

"Oh Gods," Hiccup groaned, pressing his right hand to his forehead, while he fumbled with his phone and punched in Gary's number, desperate to make sure he hung not his job. Silently, Astrid watched as he took a deep breath as the familiar voice of his boss answered.

"Hiccup? What's going on?"

"Oh Thor, I am so sorry, Gary," Hiccup said breathlessly. "Look, I am in Archi for a few days but I have my email and can do all the work you have assigned me…"

"You know your girlfriend rang up HR and said you had resigned?" the other man said, his voice exasperated. Astrid watched Hiccup digging his hands in his hair and looking frantic.

"Oh no no no no no!" he said urgently. "Look-she's not my girlfriend. We split up…and she's gone crazy-psycho on me! I'm not resigning…Thor, this is my dream job and I would walk over hot coals to keep it!"

There was a pause and the other man sighed.

"Thank Thor," he admitted. "Look, you're one of our best designers-immensely talented and the hardest worker in the department…so I was really disappointed to hear you resigned. But what you say makes much more sense. If you had to leave, you would tell me in person, I hope…"

"Never!" Hiccup said quickly and a small smile tugged his lips. "I have every intention of taking over from you when you retire…"

"I sincerely hope not!" Gary told him with a smile in his voice. "I am hoping you will have been promoted past me and on to greater things and that I will enjoy the kudos of saying 'I hired the great Hiccup Haddock'!"

"So we're good?" Hiccup managed in a relieved voice as they swung through the traffic in the sunny afternoon.

"I'll smooth things out," the other man assured him. "Don't want to lose my best designer. Is Bella your next-of-kin?"

"No!" Hiccup's word was a strangled squeak. "No-that's Dad…"

"Then we can just block her at switch and tell them not to accept any calls from her and that any communications regarding you can only be from you or your father. Okay?" Visibly sagging, Hiccup nodded.

"Thanks, Gary-that's a huge relief," he admitted.

"I take it you got a snotty email from KBR?" the man asked, amused and Hiccup nodded.

"Sounded like he was on the brink of terminating me himself," he admitted.

"Interesting-coming from the only man in the company who doesn't know which end of an aircraft is the front," Gary chuckled. "But he does get mad when people don't stick to his precious ninety-eight page HR policy…How's life with the lovely Valkyrie Captain?" Hiccup blushed.

"Interesting," he admitted. "Now I know what it's like to go out with a superstar…"

"Look-enjoy it," his friend told him. "You looked really happy in that picture with her-and if you care for her, whether she's a sports star or an admin temp from accounts, then you deserve to be happy."

No I don't.

"Thanks, Gary.. I'll touch base tomorrow with that preliminary calculation," Hiccup offered but the man laughed.

"You enjoy yourself-and speak to me at the end of the week. I'll sort everything else out." And he hung up. A gently touch on his arm almost had Hiccup jumping out of his skin.

"You okay?" Astrid asked as they swung into a leafy residential area. "I saw the email…" He groaned.

"A prank," he sighed. "But not a funny one."

"I gathered that," she admitted. "Is everything okay with work?" The concern in her voice seemed genuine and he nodded, tucking his phone away and forcing a smile on his face.

"Luckily my boss is a decent guy and the HR department have sticks up their asses-because I have to resign in person in wiring-which Bella can't do," he said in relief as they pulled up. "And…wow…"

They had parked outside a little row of shops, with a butcher, a greengrocer, a bakery and a very old fashioned pharmacy with large green glass jars in the window marked with mysterious labels such as 'Wine Ipecac' "Tinct. Iod' and "Sol Pot Perm'. Astrid almost bounced out of the car and waited for Hiccup to follow, his emerald eyes narrowing as he inspected the huge picture windows with polished wood surround and the mosaic sign inlaid into the sidewalk. Sighing, he walked in…

…and was almost bowled over by an elderly woman with a small Yorkshire Terrier on a long lead who was scooting rapidly round the aisles looking for some product. To Hiccup's relief-once he had regained his equilibrium-he saw a much more modern interior than the exterior suggested with metal and glass shelves laden with a full range of modern products including everything he would need. Swiftly, he sped around, collecting everything he was missing and then pausing, seeing the old lady staring mournfully at the top shelf, way beyond her reach.

"Can I help you?" he asked gently and her wrinkled face lit with a smile.

"I need to get some baby food," she admitted, pointing to the tin on the top shelf. "Though why they put it out of reach…" Hiccup smiled and reached up-he was over six feet tall and he had to stretch.

"Wow-obviously this baby powder is only meant for really tall people!" he commented as he leaned forward and handed it to her. "Anything else I can help you with, Ma'am?" She shook her head.

"No-but thank you, young man," she said genuinely. "Usually people avoid us older ones and to find a young man with manners is rare. Odin bless you!" And then she headed rapidly off for the counter to pay. Blinking, Hiccup allowed her as Astrid sidled up to him, carrying a box of 'Viking Raider' aftershave.

"Hmm…are you already two-timing me with other women?" she smirked and he grinned at the ridiculousness of the comment.

"Why yes, you have completely found out my secret," he sassed and she gently nudged him with her elbow.

"Easy, Mister Sassy," she chuckled. "Got everything?" He nodded and then he stared at the bottle. It was an extremely expensive brand. "I want you to have this…" But he was already shaking his head.

"I mean…apart from the fact I would definitely have to hold up the nearest bank to afford it, I've never tried it so it may smell terrible on me…" he protested. She grinned.

"You always smell nice," she commented and then blushed. "Thor, did I really say that?"

"And where's the confident Captain gone?" he teased her. And then he glanced at the waiting car. He didn't want to make a scene and he could see the determination in Astrid's face-but he wanted to repay her in some way…and he was having an idea. "Look, Astrid-you can get the aftershave if you will let me go into the other shops and get some food-so I can thank you by cooking you dinner."

Her eyes widened in shock: she was a hopeless cook and usually had her meals delivered or cooked by Heather or Cami…but to have a proper meal cooked for her by her new flatmate called achingly to a younger Astrid, the girl full of dreams of boyfriends and family and her best friend, Hiccup rather than the sterile life of training and business and profits that she seemed to inhabit. So she rose onto tiptoes and pecked a kiss on his cheek, her lips curved in a genuine smile that lit her entire face.

"I'd like that," she said. "It's a date."