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Coming Together

What followed was the epitome of torture for Astrid. Ever since their date, every contact with Hiccup escalated into a tension filled moment designed for an entirely different situation - one they didn't get the chance to repeat for several weeks. Even casual glances from across the courtyard turned into heated stares; resulting in snatched moments of intense proportions.

Hiccup delighted in pulling her from everyday working activities into hidden alcoves and private corners; kissing her senseless and leaving her scowling at his retreating back, flushed and trying to pretend she wasn't as affected as she was. She tried to turn the the tables as often as she could - right now, in fact, she was striding towards his cabin determined to finally pin him down.

Not literally. Then again, maybe so...

A shout caught her attention. Slowing her pace, she craned her neck to see a puffing Fishlegs waving papers in his large hand. Astrid reluctantly trotted to a halt to face the amphibian expert, ignoring the warring urge inside her screaming that Hiccup was alone right now in his cabin.

"Astrid! Filled out those forms you wanted. Want to come look over them? I've only got the next hour to spare before the weekend."

The temptation to shriek no! And run away like a toddler was strong. But Astrid resisted; heeding the inner call of her responsible self.

Again. Stop. Watching. Re-runs.

"Sure." She sent a longing glance in the direction she had been headed before turning back to walk with Fishlegs. "Why not."

"Great! So I got all my medical history, here, plus those former employment details you needed. I also have a great idea of how to teach the new guys in my section! Hear me out..."

Hiccup watched, transfixed, as the two burly men greeted eachother with hearty back slaps and jeers. An old friend of Gobber's just happened to be a bird expert – what was this, a film? But he'd take all of the luck he could get. So he shook the large man's hand and told him he'd see him tomorrow for an interview, because miracles didn't often fall out of the sky.

Even concentrating during meetings with the office adviser was hard. His mind – and eyes – often wandered over to where Astrid sat, pretty as a picture, with her new reading glasses and businesslike bun. The memory of their time together would sometimes be so vivid he would have to excuse himself to the bathroom; splashing cold water on his face and telling himself to stop being such a creep.

Toothless ended up being a great help in this regard. When Hiccup got bogged down with too much paperwork, the panther would curl around his feet like some microwavable cushion; radiating heat and comfort. Or when he got overwhelmed; they would lie together on the couch while Hiccup sketched aimlessly in his book, allowing his mind to go blank while his fingers moved of their own accord. He developed a sort of fascination with drawing Astrid, and told himself he'd show her them sooner rather than later. But the park transition took its toll and soon a couple weeks had passed without so much as a date. His nerve weakened, and he ended up hiding them under an old notebook on his desk. She didn't need to see his lovesick drawings.

Despite that, what was going especially well was Hiccup's new game with Astrid. He referred to them as kamikaze kisses in his head; sudden and explosive. The gaping look of mixed pleasure and irritation made him chuckle as he sped away, clanking at his fastest pace so she didn't catch up. They were the result of pent up sexual frustration; an aching yearning in his gut to just fuck the lot and invite her to the cabin while everyone else was at work.

Speaking of the park, it was going splendidly – with new staff on board, people began to take proper time off. The animals benefited from more caretakers, since they could be attended to better. Even compliments from the guests filtered through – the park looked less tired; more full of life. The fresh coat of paint and refurbishing of the main areas also helped – Hiccup and the others spent their last weekend with the park closed in order to redecorate. Hiccup hoped to expand the animal enclosures; but that wouldn't happen for another good while; maybe even a year.

Schedules had to be changed, different types of regulations had to be introduced and implemented, and at one point Hiccup got a heart stopping phone call from the office advisor stating she needed everyone to take a day off somepoint in the future so she could completely rework the rota and work out their holiday entitlement.

But apart from that it; it was looking great.

Thank the gods.

"Oh, come on!"

Hiccup whined pathetically as he clanked behind an irritated Heather. Just when things were going so well...

"You said you'd help out here. Why haven't you even bothered to come by on days I do double shifts?"

Hiccup winced.

The promise to become part of the medical staff had fallen through – mainly because Hiccup had stepped into the role of overall park manager, and hadn't filled in the vacancy he promised to fill weeks ago.

"I know, I'm sorry, Heather. Things just got hectic."

"So that's your excuse? I work like 3 cabins away!"

She scowled at her paperwork and scribbled viciously on the white sheath of paper. An awkward silence descended on the pair; with Hiccup racking his brain to think up a decent apology. She hadn't been this irate with him before – even that one time he accidentally let loose those snakes about her office, she had only laughed and collected them with him.

"You could have talked to me." He countered eventually. "I respect your feelings on the matter, but I am not totally blameless. I really have been busy reinventing the park."

Heather only scratched harder on the desk. "Busy. As if. We both know what you've really been busy doing."

A stirring irritation prickled along his skin. He wasn't used to this backlash of anger; especially from someone who was usually so even tempered. "What is wrong, Heather?" He evened his tone to a soothing rumble. "I know you. Something's wrong. Is it your sister? She have another lowlife boyfriend?"

The vet pressed her lips together and turned her head. She didn't seem too inclined to answer.

"Because," Hiccup continued. "You've never been this angry at me. And I don't totally deserve it."

"You do!" Heather burst up and out of her chair, leaning over the desk to jab him forcefully in the chest. "You and that new blonde women skulking about the place; laying into eachother like rhinos in heat! I've been here for years, and I have never seen you smile like...like..."

Hiccup was honestly dumbstruck. Anger, he had expected. A confession? Way south of the border. Washes of embarrassment and guilt assaulted his senses and turned the situation on its head.

Heather slowed down her winding tirade. "...like when you're with Toothless. I thought that lug was the only thing that honestly made you happy."

"He does." Hiccup managed through numb lips. "They both do."

She sighed and lowered her hand, flopping back onto the chair with a squeaky defeat. "I can see that. Too bad for me, eh?"

Hiccup didn't want to ask, but his tongue tripped out the question before he could stop it. "Too bad?"

Those catlike eyes focused on him for an eternity; calculating and still fiery with anger. Another tense moment passed before she spoke.

"I still have unresolved feelings for you. But you were never interested. And I know you, Hiccup – I know that look when I see it. I'm glad you're happy – really."

Hiccup took the information like a physical blow to the chest. "What...wait...feelings?"

Anger melted into exasperated slyness. "Come now, boss. I asked you out after New Year, remember? You said no. I got over it – mostly. But seeing Astrid...seeing you two frolicking together like a pair of zebras makes me want to barf. So I must still like you, in a way."

"It could be indigestion." Hiccup choked out.

Heather exploded with laughter; whinnying not unlike a zebra herself until she got out all her hilarity. When she finally stopped, she looked him dead in the eyes and smirked.

"Exactly that. You were the attractive, dorky, funny guy who understood all my weird habits and love of fixing bleeding things. I couldn't have stopped myself if I tried."

He wasn't sure what the right response to a confession was. Apologise for catching her attention? Act all cocky to shoot her down?

"But Astrid...she's got you good. Better than I ever could have."

"It's not a competition." Apparently, defensive action was the best course.

"No, it ain't." Heather reclined further into her chair. "Pity."

"Heather, stop." This time, Hiccup was genuinely pleading. "I don't like seeing you like this."

The older woman waved a manicured hand at him. "Don't you bother about me. The real question is; why haven't you made it public?"

He caught onto a detail he should have realised earlier. "Holy...how did you know anyway?"

A flirtatious wink coupled with smooching sounds made his cheeks burn slightly with embarrassment. He guess he wasn't so subtle after all with his kamikaze kisses.

"It's still early." He hedged, not really answering. "I don't want to have major attention on us right now. It should be on the park."

"Bullshit."

"Hey!"

"No, listen to me, Hiccup Haddock. Stop doing...this."

"Like Gobber, you just gestured to all of me."

"Point still stands." She pointed a ballpoint pen for emphasise. "Stop over thinking it. She has taken you, for you. Prosthetic, park, weird obsession with mechanics; a wild animal for a domestic pet and apparently, insecurity high enough to melt the Arctic circle. For once, Hiccup, you don't have to prove yourself in this – you've found a good one. Don't be afraid of what others think – she certainly doesn't."

Heather then spun to face her wall of veterinary health posters; dismissing Hiccup from her sight. "I'll see you later."

Hiccup left with a slightly sour taste in his mouth; going over old memories in the hope of finding a way to preserve their friendship.

"...because in Egypt, did you know the frog is the ultimate symbol of fertility?"

"Will you stop that?"

Astrid rubbed her temples with cold fingers. She was sorely tempted to slap both Fishlegs and Snotlout with the end of her braid and storm out; but she had agreed to be part of the office management.

Meaning she managed morons like Snotlout when he came along.

"Of course...not that you have problems with fertility, babe." Said moron bit his lip and ran his eyes down her body in a disgusting display of appreciation.

"Call me babe one more time..."

"Okay, babe."

Little did he know, the phone ringing across the other side of the room would save his life. Enraged, Astrid lifted the nearest item she could grab – in this case, it was the stapler – and was fully prepared to ram it, open ended, on his head. She was stopped by one of the newstarts calling out her name and holding up the black corded phone.

"Uh huh...of course, sir. She is indeed. Yes, I'll just pass you on..." The girl lowered the phone. "Astrid! Phone for you!"

Grateful to escape the slavering idiot that was Snotlout, she waved an apology at Fishlegs and left them to go to the phone, smiling in thanks as she took it from the other girl.

"Hello, Astrid speaking. How may I help?"

A static crackle followed her sentence. Astrid frowned and repeated her greeting, growing impatient with the silence on the other end. Until the man spoke, and she just about dropped the phone.

"Astrid? Is that really you?"

Her brain took a second to place the voice. When it finally clicked, she choked out a disbelieving breath.

"...father?"

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