Living The Dream
Rated; M
Pairing; Hiccup X Astrid
Disclaimer; I do not own anything from HTTYD; it belongs to Dreamworks/Cressida Cowell
Something There
=Normal POV=
(Friday, September 14, 2018-11 am)
(Berk; Hofferson House)
Six long months had passed since the Hoffersons, and the Haddocks joined forced to locate their kids. However, no such luck was had thus far. Hiccup and Astrid appeared to have fallen off the map, and there were no leads other than they were both offered a once in a lifetime opportunity by the principal, Davin Hagebak of Hooligan High School. Unfortunately, Davin refused to tell the concerned set of parents the location of their children. The parents tried going over Davin's head to the school board, and even though the police, but the answer never changed.
"Your children are both eighteen years of age, and were free to leave when they wanted."
That was the law. Eighteen marked the beginning of adulthood, and any eighteen-year-old could drop school, move out, get a job; they could do whatever they wanted as long as it was legal. Sure, Hiccup and Astrid didn't tell anyone where they were going, or what they were doing, but that wasn't illegal because of their age. This did not deter the parents, of course. It only made them put more effort into the last bit of information they had. And that was what Snotlout, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut provided for them about the Friday that Hiccup and Astrid both suddenly went missing.
/Flashback; Monday, March 19, 2018-4:00 pm/
Sitting at Stoick and Valka Haddock's home; the two sets of parents eagerly awaited for Snotlout, Fishlegs, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut to arrive.
"Where are they?" Calder asked.
"They'll come, don't worry. Snotlout is my nephew," Stoick assured.
"And do you think any of this will help?" Alvina sighed.
"We can only hope," Calder stated. There was a knock now. Valka stood from the couch and opened the door to see the four teenagers there.
"Come right in, kids," Valka invited. Snotlout walked inside first, then the other three. After everyone was sitting; there was no hesitation in asking.
"What happened on Friday?" Stoick began.
"Well, we all have different classes, but we share lunch. Everything started regular, just talking about the fact we were almost done with High School," Snotlout started.
"And discussing what we might do when we graduated," Ruffnut added.
"Hiccup mentioned that he was sick of fighting with both of you and that it was over college choices or something," Tuffnut interjected.
"Hiccup and Astrid disagreed a little, then we turned the conversation to something else, but it went back to fighting. We all told Hiccup to drop the idea that he'd ever get to leave Berk. Astrid started on him that he had no reason to leave. Hiccup got mad," Snotlout continued.
"Told us that he didn't need to be around people who didn't support him. He and Astrid fought one more time, then Hiccup bailed out of the lunchroom," Fishlegs finished sadly.
"What happened after that?" Calder asked.
"Well, I'm in Study Hall with Astrid. Around 12:40, the intercom went off asking for her to go to the main office. Astrid left, and I didn't see her come back," Tuffnut said.
"And in Science at 1:30, Hiccup was called down to the office too, but he didn't return," Snotlout informed.
"We saw Hiccup show up here at 1:45, then start packing to leave. Hiccup never told us what it was for, but he said he was leaving, and headed for the door," Valka stated.
"Kids. Did you know about Hiccup having a Night Fury?" Stoick inquired. The four of them blinked, apparently confused.
"What? No. Hiccup didn't have a dragon. He's the only one of us who didn't," Ruffnut mentioned.
"Hiccup has a Night Fury?" Fishlegs questioned.
"Evidently. Val and I were close to getting Hiccup, but he whistled and a Night Fury came out of the woods. Hiccup jumped on his back, then he was gone seconds later," Stoick sighed.
"That's news to us. Hiccup must have been keeping the dragon a secret," Snotlout remarked.
"Hiccup called it Toothless, and that he was Hiccup's bonded dragon. I assume it's male because Hiccup called it bud before taking off," Valka responded. "We tried to chase him with Skullcrusher and Cloudjumper, but he was too fast,"
"Makes sense. Night Furies are supposed to be one of the fastest dragons around," Fishlegs interjected calmly.
"So, all we have is that Hiccup and Astrid were called to the office within an hour of one another, both graduated early, and given once in a lifetime chances. The principal knows but refuses to provide location. Both teens don't have their phones, and left with dragons…" Alvina told the other parents.
"Graduated…Early?" Tuffnut asked.
"Apparently, Mr. Hagebak graduated Hiccup and Astrid early since they both had more than enough credits to do so," Calder said.
"Oh," the four teens said, shocked.
/End Flashback/
"We've been over what your nephew and the others said five times in the last six months, Stoick. I refuse to believe that Hiccup and Astrid are together, my friend," Calder remarked to Stoick and Valka.
"They have to be Calder. It's more than coincidence that they both graduate early, on the same day," Valka tried.
"And received offers, which have resulted in them both ditching their phones, packing up, and leaving Berk," Stoick added.
"I have to agree, Cal. It's very possible to say the two of them are together as much as we could say they aren't. Yes, they got into a fight, but that happens between friends," Alvina put her hand on Calder's shoulder.
"But we don't have facts to support either claim," Calder reminded. "The Haddocks were told that Hiccup never took a plane off Berk, even though he told them he had an aircraft to catch,"
"But he does have his Night Fury, which is more than capable of making a long flight off the island," Valka said.
"That is true also. If both of them got offers, and they are in the same place; it's viable to suggest that Astrid made the plane, and Hiccup didn't," Stoick added in.
"Well, we tried the airport, and they wouldn't confirm if Astrid took a plane or not that day. I assume you might have gotten a response because you're the mayor, Stoick," Alvina responded.
"Likely," Calder muttered.
"I'll see if I can get them to tell me," Stoick said.
"I suppose that's all we can do for now, and hope that we get a lead," Calder sighed heavily. In agreement, the parents got right to work on finding other methods to locate Hiccup and Astrid.
. . .
{Denmark; Charlottenlund Beach Park}
For a job well done over the last six months; Viggo decided to reward the interns and trainers with a beach weekend. Ever since Toothless's tail rig got remade to handle more, missions and research had been a breeze. Sure, there were some complications, but that was part of the job. However, everyone worked good together, and that was something worth celebrating. Well, that and all the success they've had in learning information and rescuing dragons in need. This weekend was all about them sitting back to relax. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; just to them having fun. Both Grimborn families, the trainers, Mala, Dagur, and interns were arrived moments ago to their private spot on the beach. The dragons were safely back at the palace; a public place was nowhere for a Night Fury of all dragons to be.
"Alright, Dreki Heart Campers! We're going to set up, then have some lunch. After that; you're free to enjoy the three-day vacation. Monday; we're back to work!" Ryker announced.
Without a delay; everyone broke into groups to get the tents up. Following that was positioning the food coolers, grill, and table. Just like most overnight trips during rescues and research missions; Dreki Heart used their Pod Tents. Only this time; they weren't sleeping two per extension piece. They just brought the tent pieces they would need to rest everyone comfortably. Viggo, Kelda, and Katja had their own. Ryker, Hilda, and Vera had one for them. Brendan, Dagur, Throk, Alvin, Colden, and Henrik shared a large one for themselves. Atali and Mala had a smaller piece for just them. The eight interns were divided in one big pod but separated down the middle with a thick slice that you couldn't see through. There was still another large tent set up for the purpose of severe weather and everyone hunkering down inside to eat or talk.
By 12:35, everything was put up and tentmates settling in. Thankfully, there were bathrooms just a little walk away from where they were set up; those had showers too. Lunch was grinders, water or soda, and a bag of chips. All of that was made before leaving the palace, so it was easier to just get the one that belonged to you, then sit down to enjoy. Around 1:30, almost an hour later; everyone was done and getting changed into their bathing suits to hit the water and have some fun. This was going to be a fantastic weekend for all of them.
. . .
(8:45 pm)
Dinner had been great. Mashed potatoes, chicken and ribs on the grill, corn on the cob, chips. Everyone sat at the provided picnic tables with paper plates, cans of soda or bottles of water. Someone got the fire going, and others worked together to put down the blankets that everyone could sit on and enjoy the peaceful night with friends.
"Man, what a day!" Eret expressed, high fiving Soren and Thuggory. Hiccup was sitting next to Astrid, Dagur was close to Heather and Mala. Viggo and Kelda were together, as were Ryker and Hilda. Vera and Katja were near Ragna and Camicazi. The trainers sat near one another too.
"I don't think I've had this much fun since I was a kid," Thuggory laughed.
"Same. Remember all those summers, Dagur?" Heather giggled a bit.
"That I do," Dagur nodded to his younger sister.
"Reminds me of home," Ragna said, Camicazi and Soren agreeing. Hiccup, nor Astrid said anything as they couldn't relate given their sheltered lives until Dreki Heart. The two didn't say anything but just stared into the fire. The others were jabbering on about how things have been, recent calls home, waiting to see family and other friends again. It was mildly depressing for Hiccup and Astrid because they didn't have that.
"Why are you two so quiet?" Katja asked curiously.
"Hm, no reason," Hiccup responded.
"Just enjoying the fire," Astrid said afterward.
"But you're so quiet," Vera added with a smile.
"Well, we've all been talking about our families back home. What's it like in Berk?" Alvin motioned.
"Yeah…Rather not…" Hiccup mumbled. "You all can't wait to get; Astrid and I couldn't wait to leave, and hopefully not go back for a long time," he added.
"Oh, does this have something to do with what happened back in March? When you called Astrid a hypocrite?" Camicazi wondered.
"Eh…Something like that," Astrid muttered.
"Hey, come on, guys…We're past all that. Astrid and I made up," Hiccup said, seeing that Astrid didn't want to remember it. Hiccup couldn't blame her; it was their business, but him scolding her that first day made it well known to the others that there was a problem between them. Or at least was until they worked it out. The female interns knew about the situation, but Hiccup had kept what occurred to himself.
"Hiccup and I had a slight falling out because the day we got the invitation to be here; I told him to let go of the hold he had on wanting to get away from Berk. Hiccup has always wanted to leave, and see the world, explore; he was never shy about his dreams. Secretly…I always wanted the same, but Hiccup and I come from overprotective parents. I accepted long ago that my parents would never agree to let me leave, so I pushed what I wanted down. Hiccup did not," Astrid began explaining.
"Astrid told me in March that Berk was perfect, and why would I want to leave. I got upset that she and our other friends wouldn't support what I wanted to do. Arriving here, and seeing Astrid; it ticked me off that only hours before she was saying there's no reason to leave Berk when it has everything we'd ever need. But, we made up from all that, and now we're good. Back to being friends as we always have been," Hiccup smiled.
"Well, it's good to see that you two worked it out," Viggo said.
"So overprotective parents? That's why you won't about back home?" Katja tilted her head.
"It's pretty sad. My parents were protective, but Hiccup's are just…Wow, there is no word for it," Astrid chuckled.
"They continuously treat me like kid. Can't be outside alone, have to be in by streetlights, asking all the time if I'm okay. Need to come home every day after school, can't hang out with friends, but they could come over the house to see me. They wouldn't even let me have a job. Thankfully my Godfather let me work with him through the summers when my parents needed a babysitter," Hiccup huffed.
"But when you got older, they backed off, right?" Soren asked. Hiccup school his head.
"No. That's my entire point. It got worse as I got older…They wouldn't even let me go to Junior Prom without one of them chaperoning…" Hiccup muttered.
"Seems to me that the older you got, the more they held onto because you were becoming an adult from the child they had. A lot of parents do it; are afraid to let go of their only child. Eighteen years doesn't seem like a long time to them, and understanding that you wanted to leave pushes them to think that you won't be safe out here," Hilda informed.
"Speaking from a mother's perspective," Kelda added with a smile.
"I was happy to stay close to them after High School, go to a college that wasn't very far by dragon. But the more they told me no…" Hiccup sighed.
"The more it pushed you into wanting to go," Astrid said, understanding. Hiccup nodded to her. "Well, try to remember, Hiccup, that you were born two months early. And from stories I've heard, you almost didn't survive your birth. You spent a lot of time in the NICU, in a box, hooked up to tubes and monitors. You've always been this skinny, you get sick easy, and when you end up ill; it hits hard. You've ended up in the hospital for some of the cases,"
"And I get that Astrid, but it's tapered off as I've grown up. My parents can't expect me to stay home all my life in their protection. All kids are meant to spread their wings and fly, live their own lives," Hiccup stated. "There's being a concerned parent, but mine are just…over the top. Take me having Toothless; I hid him from everyone for three years because I knew it would cause panic and worry that I bonded to a Night Fury. The fastest, rarest dragon known to humans. One that was rumored not to let its victims live if encountered. But here I am, three years later, still alive and that dragon is basically my best friend,"
"Well, if I can just throw in here. You left at eighteen after getting the chance that everyone said you never would. So good for you, Hiccup," Eret informed.
"Yeah, but no one knows we're here except for all of you," Astrid enlightened. "I left to catch the plan before my parents even came home from work. All I did was leave my phone behind, but no note or warning as to where I was going,"
"Same. Well, kind of. My parents were home when I left the school to pack and catch the plane. We argued, and I told them that I was going and they couldn't stop me. I called for Toothless and bailed before they could catch up," Hiccup shrugged.
"Makes sense why you were concerned about being in the Archipelago now," Brendan mentioned.
"Yeah, we didn't want to take the chance of being seeing," Astrid nodded.
"Well, not to worry. We've taken precautions to ensure that we're hidden," Viggo said.
"Astrid and I appreciate it, Viggo," Hiccup replied gratefully. "So, Astrid…I do have to know while we're on the subject…Why didn't you ever say anything about wanting to leave? We could have teamed up, and run away together,"
Astrid glanced off a bit. "I can only imagine what chaos would ensue between our families if we ran off together," Astrid laughed a little. "I guess after seeing how everyone gave you crap…I didn't want the same response. And I never thought I'd get to leave Berk. I just felt like it was better to keep quiet, and accept that I'd never go anywhere,"
"Well, unaccept it, girl," Heather smiled. "You're did go somewhere, and you're here with us!"
"Heather is right. You both got your chance, and it seems to be working out just fine," Thuggory added. Hiccup and Astrid smiled, nodding.
"We did run off, Astrid. We both packed up and left without any hesitation. Our friends back home and parents don't know where we are. And just like it's always been…" Hiccup started.
"It's just us, the best of friends as we have been since we were little. We've always been closer together than the others. Paired up for all the projects, getting good grades…Seems fitting that things worked out the way they did that we ended up where we are now," Astrid added. "I'm happy I'm here with you, Hiccup,"
"I feel the same, Astrid," Hiccup replied and shared a hug. The others around them just watched, and some just grinned a little but stayed quiet. The embrace broke. "I told you a long time ago that there will always be a Hiccup and Astrid; we're basically inseparable," he laughed a bit, and Astrid did the same, nodding in agreement.
"As it's always been and always will be," Astrid said as the two stared into one another's eyes, blushing but it couldn't be seen with the glow of the fire. The interns noticed it, Hiccup and Astrid's hands were touching; Hiccup's was resting on Astrid's. For a split second; it looked like the two of them were going to kiss. However, the two teenagers faced the fire as Astrid tucked her bangs behind her ear.
"So! Who is up for campfire songs!" Dagur announced, trying to get the other's attention off Hiccup and Astrid.
"Yes, quite right!" Henrik added in.
"I brought my guitar!" Colden interjected. After that, everyone began talking again and singing at some point. Once it got later around 10:15 pm or so, the fire was put out, and they all got to their tents to get some sleep and prepare for another fun-filled day of their weekend vacation. However, all the others except for Hiccup and Astrid were thinking the same thing as they watched Hiccup and Astrid get into their tent after hugging again, and seeing that their hands slowly let go of one another, that there was definitely something there between the two.