Not What You Expected
Author: Nightstar Fury from Nightstar Productions.
Rated: M for Mature.
Disclaimer: I do not own HTTYD, Frozen, Tangled, or Brave.
21; You Got Me.
Stoick, Calder, and Hiccup all sat around the living room. Astrid was in her room and had fallen asleep again, crying would make anyone tired. Hiccup had dinner cooking in the stove for the 4 of them, it had 30 minutes to cook. Calder had wanted to know all he'd missed since the accident, and about this project since all he understood was that his daughter had to act engaged and have a fake marriage to this boy. There was so much he wanted to understand. "Well uh...where to start?" Hiccup asked looking at Calder now.
"From the beginning would be nice. It was the project yes?" Calder asked him. Hiccup nodded to him, "Well lets start there then." Calder said.
"Okay well, It was towards the end of November when it was announced by our first period teachers. A project where we would be partnered with the person all year until a month before graduation. This project would determine if we did graduate at all. It was basically where they wanted us to act like couples who had been together for a while, anything after two years. The first step was the guy would propose with a ring, fake obviously. The girl had to accept it and then once that was turned in they'd start panning a wedding together with a set budget and a few months were given. We had to show all work, do actual research on catering, decor, and what not." Hiccup began.
"Ah, I see now. Was wearing the engagement ring required?" Calder asked him.
"No actually. After the initial proposal, they girls didn't have to wear them anymore. We only had to wear them when we did recordings to show the 'marriage' It still baffles me why Astrid has never taken it off. I guess it's paid off that she hasn't. Anyway...Astrid originally wanted no part of it but we agreed to be civil or the project. We said we'd meet up that night on my break at work to talk about it. So after school, I heard Eret and Astrid fighting, he wasn't happy about her being partner to the loser of Berk High. I had to leave for work but as I took the side roads, I saw Astrid walking by herself in her cheer leading outfit with no coat. I pulled over and gave her a ride home, she denied it at first but I didn't give her much choice." Hiccup chuckled a but.
"Good lad. She's quite stubborn. What happened next?" Calder asked curiously.
"Well I took her home, went to work then on break and called her. She came by the burger café and we talk for an hour. Find out after I went back to work she got stuck there and I offered to take her home. Her phone was dead, and didn't have her key. I said she could stay at my house until her mom got off work. We went to my house and did our homework, listened to some Fire Storm, talked more about the project. Eret called me trying to find Astrid, she wanted me to tell him she was with her mom and picking you from the airport. We argued as usual, he brought up my mom and I threatened to kick his ass." Hiccup explained.
"Hiccup. You know better than to resort to violence..." Stoick sighed.
"Really, coming from the world known wrestler dad? And you tell me not to resort to violence? Hypocrite." Hiccup asked crossing his arms over his chest arching a brow.
"Well I think Hiccup had the right to when Eret wouldn't shut up about his mother...Besides, he was doing me a favor..." Astrid said as she slowly came out of the room. Hiccup got up quickly and moved beside her, he looked into Astrid's red, puffy eyes and frowned taking her hand in his and kissing the top of it.
"How'd you sleep?" Hiccup asked gently.
"Crappy, I heard you telling dad the story and thought I'd come out for a bit...and I'm kind'a hungry..." Astrid told him.
"Lucky for you, dinner is just about done. Lets get to the table and I'll set things up." Hiccup said smiling.
"I'll help you, Hiccup..." Astrid said as they walked in to the kitchen together and started setting the table for dinner, Astrid sat down with her father and Stoick as Hiccup brought over the food and sides.
"That looks excellent Hiccup. Where did you learn to cook so well?" Calder stated with a wide smile. Hiccup didn't want to answer with the real reason, he didn't even want to say the word mom or mother incase it upset Astrid again. He knew it was going to be hard for her the first few days, after the funeral would be worse.
"Oh you know, I just have so much free time that I get bored and start looking through recipes in the cook books." Hiccup chuckled nervously.
"Hiccup...you can say it. You don't have to hold back on my account..." Astrid sighed closing her eyes.
"I know that but I'm still not going to purposely make you upset babe..." Hiccup kissed her forehead as she smiled softly.
"He's a gentleman, Astrid." Stoick laughed now as Hiccup served everyone.
"Oh I know already...And he's quite the artist as well dad. Maybe you can show my dad some of your drawings later?" Astrid asked looking at Hiccup now.
"Sure if he'd like I can. But after the story." Hiccup smiled.
"Ah yes, please continue, Hiccup. You left off with Eret making remarks about your mom?" Calder said, Astrid winced a bit and Hiccup squeezed her hand.
"Well after we got off the phone, he called Astrid. They argued, and I went to the kitchen and got a drink and some pie. Astrid came down later and looked upset so I offered her some pie, she said that her mom was home and was ready to leave. I took her home and that was it for a few weeks. We hung out, got closer as friends. Then one night around 10:30pm, she called me crying and asked if I'd come pick her up. I didn't ask questions. I just got in the car and drove to get her. She told me what happened with Eret and once she told me that you guys weren't home. I told her she was staying with me for two weeks." Hiccup took a pause to eat a few bites.
"And what did happen with Eret, Astrid. You just told me he hurt you and you two broke up." Calder asked now looking at Astrid.
"I was hanging out at his house and we were..." She coughed, "Making out. He was throwing a party later on so it was just us...He got a little to touchy wanting...that. I told him no, he didn't want to stop so I shoved him off me. I demanded he take me home. He said fine, we got in the car and I guess I was so tired that I fell asleep...when I woke up, we were in downtown. I didn't know where it was, but it was scary. I asked him where we were, before I knew it he opened the door and threw me out of his car. I stumbled back and hit my head on a brick building..." Astrid said, Hiccup stared at her. He didn't know that before. "He said that he hoped I'd get attacked...as in raped so I'd be broken in and stop being afraid of having sex..." Astrid blushed deeply, this was hardly a conversation for dinner. "Anyway, he drove off quickly...I tried calling everyone I knew...then finally I called Hiccup and he came rushing to me in 10 minutes. He let me cry a few minutes and then we came back to town...He said I had to stay with him until you and...mom got back from your trips. We left the house, and Hiccup kicked Eret's rear end, then we came back here and that was it...I broke up with Eret that night." Astrid said softly.
"You never told me he threw you out of the car, you said he pushed you out, Astrid..." Hiccup stated.
"I didn't want you to worry babe...It's fine...It's past and over now..." Astrid tried to smile.
"I should find this man and beat him myself..." Calder stated.
"Dad...I said it's fine. Hiccup took care of it, if you let him finish the story...You'll find out." Astrid stated as took another bite.
"Right, yes. Sorry Hiccup." Calder said.
"Its alright, I was fuming too. But anyway...the first week was calm. No one knew she was with staying with me. The second week got hectic since there was a field trip to a dragon race. And the Fire Storm concert, and the engagement portion of our project was due. That morning, I did the proposal. She loved it. She went to the race, I didn't feel good so I stayed home. Astrid won the honor of getting her picture taken with Fury and Toothless." Hiccup said as Stoick arched a brow at him, Hiccup gave him a look that said he'd explain later. "Then she was going to stay at Ruffnut's with Heather for the night. I told her she could as long as Eret didn't show up. Few hours later, she called me and had me come get her because Heather and Ruffnut were giving her crap about being my friend." Hiccup explained.
"Yeah, it was before they knew Hiccup wasn't a loser. I was told to keep it a secret that Stoick was his dad, he didn't want the popularity. I respected that. The next night was the Fire Storm concert. Hiccup had given me his ticket because he had to work and couldn't go. I did go, Eret showed up wanting to get back together. Then out of nowhere...Strike, the lead singer showed up to save me, he even left me sing on stage with him...I came back here and saw Hiccup asleep on the couch. I–I kissed him, he kissed me back. I got scared and ran upstairs. That's when...I started avoiding Hiccup...I was scared of my feelings for him...Then in the car that night with you and mom, I was going to text him so we could talk about things...then we had the accident. I still don't remember much of that...Hic, you wanna take it from here?" Astrid said looking to him.
"Of course mi'lady. I was setting up the tree for Christmas and hoping Astrid would call. Fishlegs and Tuffnut were on their way of for Christmas movie marathon. I heard my phone ring and it was Astrid calling. As soon as I heard her scared voice, I knew something was wrong so I jumped in the truck and raced to get to her. It didn't take long to find her. When I got there and saw the accident, I was terrified. I raced over to the car and saw Astrid. She was upset wondering how everyone else was. I checked you guys, and the other drivers. They were just unconscious with a few cuts. I came back and sat with Astrid. I called 911, and demanded they bring an ambulance right away or I'd have the dispatcher's job. Wasn't trying to be mean, but I was scared for Astrid and everyone else." Hiccup took a drink.
"Understandable in a situation like that. You handled it well." Stoick said as Calder agreed.
"Thanks. Fish and Tuff called wondering where I was, I told them to meet me at the hospital. Astrid was freezing so I got to the truck got her a blanket and the skis. I snapped them in half and made a splint for her leg. The ambulance arrived and said they could only take 4. I flipped out saying I'd take Astrid myself, the tried to stop me and I threatened them with calling my lawyer. They stopped fighting me. I laid Astrid in the back seats and took off. I talked to her the entire time. We were talking about the kiss the night of the concert, she kept apologizing to me. She passed out 2 minutes before we got to the hospital and I rushed her to the door. Eret tried to stop me and I put him on his ass. The doctor took her in and I went back outside to call my dad. I scared Eret and Snotlout off with Sharpshot here..." Hiccup chuckled as the small green dragon rested on his shoulder.
"After all that, the doctor called me in and started telling everything that was wrong with Astrid. I asked why he was telling me and that's when the doctor told me that it was because when I brought her in he saw the ring and assumed we were engaged. I went along with it. He told me about you being in a coma and Astrid would need 24 hour care, I said I'd take her obviously. He took me to see her and then my dad showed up. I told him everything leading up to the accident. He said it was okay. Astrid woke up and I told her everything, she agreed to stay with me. Then from there was us living in this place together. Fishlegs and Tuffnut came the next morning, then I guess Ruffnut forced Tuffnut to bring them along, meaning her and Heather. Then I come to find out that Eret, Dagur, and Snotlout tagged along. Everything was fine at first, then Eret started getting bossy and reminded him whose house he was at. My secret was out that I was a Haddock and I really didn't care." Hiccup stated.
"I sat with Heather and Ruffnut as Hiccup and the boys went to get my things from the house. I gave Hiccup the key and a list of what to get. They came back about an hour later and Eret started with his crap and Hiccup put him in his place, again. Heather and Ruff helped me unpack my things. Snotlout and Dagur ended up staying here wanting to be Hiccup's friend. He told them to prove they actually wanted his friendship. Christmas Eve came around and it was just perfect. Hiccup and I kissed again and then I finally told him that the reason I avoided him is because I was scared of how fast my feelings for him developed. He told me he loved me, and we made things official Christmas morning at 12am. Then we finally went to sleep." Astrid said to give Hiccup a small break.
"And the rest was really just Christmas and going back to school. Only other big thing was me beating Eret's ass when he wouldn't leave Astrid and the other's alone. He wanted her back, he kept saying I took everything from him. I wasn't aiming to hurt him, only ware him down so he'd listen to me. I made him understand that it was his fault he lost everything, and that popularity sucked. I like being a loser because I was happy. He finally understood and we forgave him for everything. He's one of our close friends now." Hiccup finished as he got up and started cleaning things up at the table.
"That's some story. And the wedding is in two weeks, correct?" Calder asked now.
"Yeah it is. Just have some small things to take care of. Whenever you're ready of course love." Hiccup said looking to Astrid.
"Its our project babe we can't...put it off.." Astrid mumbled sadly. Hiccup wrapped his arms around her softly and placed a soft kiss on her lips making her blush a bit.
"Astrid, look at me. Screw the project, they can get over it. I'm not pushing you to do anything. You know that." Hiccup told her.
"I know Hiccup...but still, it's just a small wedding. I can...mourn after that..." Astrid sighed.
"Astrid, you can mourn whenever you want. We picked a quick ceremony to do anyway. We'll whip things out real quick and send everyone home okay? Don't stress out...Please?" Hiccup said gently.
"Okay...I'm going to go to bed then..." Astrid said getting up slowly.
"You okay?" Hiccup asked looking at her.
"Yeah, j–just tired...I love you. Night Stoick, night daddy..." Astrid said
"Night Astrid, sleep well." Stoick said.
"Night baby." Calder called to her as Hiccup led her to her room. Hiccup kissed her softly.
"If you need me...call me. I'm only a room away. I love you, Astrid." Hiccup said gently.
"I will...Hiccup...thank you for everything..." Astrid whispered as she closed her eyes. Hiccup nodded and stepped out of the room and closed the door with a sigh.
"Its going to be a long night for you son, we'll get going. I'll take you home Calder." Stoick said standing up now, Calder did the same.
"You're a good man, Hiccup and I know you'll never let her fall. Thank you for this. I'll see you both tomorrow after school. Have a good night." Calder said as he and Stoick left. Hiccup locked the door and sighed out as he started cleaning the house up and doing the dishes. As he walked by Astrid's room he heard soft cries, it broke his heart to hear her. He shut off the lights and walked to her room, he lightly opened the door and saw her sitting up with her knees to her chest, arms wrapped around them and head down. He sighed softly and sat beside her.
"Come here babe..." Hiccup told her, hearing his voice she instantly cried against him hard.
"Why...why did she have to die...it's not fair...it's not true...it can't be true...I'm just...dreaming still...we're still...at the hotel...having a good time...my mom..isn't...she isn't gone...she can't..be..." She sobbed, still in denial.
"Astrid...What can I do for you...I'd give anything to take the pain from you..." Hiccup said softly. Astrid lifted her tear filled eyes looking at him now, she leaned forward and kissed him deeply. Hiccup's eyes widened, he was going to start kissing her back when he felt her push him down and crawl over him and he knew he had to stop it. Hiccup put his hands on her arms and pushed her back breaking the kiss.
"What...are you doing!?" She snapped at him, Hiccup didn't mind because he knew she was only reacting out of hurt.
"Astrid. We can't do this right now..." Hiccup told her softly.
"Why not! You said anything to take the pain away from me...take it then! Make me feel something else..." Astrid cried to him. He sighed sitting up now.
"Anything but this...Believe me, you don't want it right now..." Hiccup told her.
"Don't tell me what I do and don't want! I want you Hiccup! Please!?" Astrid pleaded.
"Damn it, Astrid. Stop this! Right now!" Hiccup yelled at her, she was taken aback by his tone. "Listen to me...you're acting like this because you're hurting and you want the pain to stop. Having sex with me isn't going to make it stop, Astrid...It's not a solution. Trust me, you don't want this right now. You'll hate yourself in the morning...You know I'm right..." Hiccup said softly. Astrid's lip quivered a bit, the tears still falling freely. He was right. Why was she doing this? Astrid lowered her head in shame now. Hiccup pulled her in to an embrace as she cried hard again against his chest. Hiccup sighed, glad she'd come to he senses. He laid with on the bed now as she stayed curled in to his arms, clinging to his shirt.
"When the fear takes you down. When the doubt takes you under. When you sink like a stone, and you can't breathe..." Hiccup sang softly to her. "When the tears take control. When the demons take over. Won't be in this alone...You got me." Astrid's cries seemed to lesson as she listened to him singing.
"Ooh...Oo yeah. Ooh...You got me." Hiccup smiled a bit now feeling Astrid snuggled against him.
"When the walls all cave in. When the nights all get colder. When you hang by a thread, of sanity..." Hiccup paused taking a breath. "Rest your head on my heart! And your pain on my shoulders...Make your way to my arms. 'Cause you got me." Hiccup sang out gently.
"Ooh...Oo yeah. Ooh...You got me." He hummed lightly now.
"I'll be the one to lead you home. I'll be the one to keep you warm. I'll take you way out of the storms. When you can't stand, I'll stand up for you!" He held it a moment kissing her forehead. "When the fear takes you down. When the doubt takes you under. You're not in this alone, you got me." He sang gently.
"Ooh...Oo yeah! Ooh...You got me! Ooh...Oo yeah! Ooh...You got me!" He sang a little louder then softened as he saw Astrid slowly falling asleep, a light smile on her face.
"I'll be the one to lead you home. I'll be the one to keep you warm. I'll take you way out of the storms. When you can't stand, I'll stand up for you..." Hiccup finished as he pulled the covers over them and moved a piece of hair from her face. "You'll get through this...I promise. Because you have me and I'll never let you face anything alone...These arms will always keep you safe and warm. I love you, Astrid." Hiccup whispered before sleep took over him.