HilfsbereitGast - no, Astrid's not actually adopted by the Berserker sibs family, they are just that close. It's why I picked an axe for Astrid's tattoo - all three of them carried one :)

This chapter will get heavy in places, just like last one.

-HTTYD-

They naturally immediately set off on the drive to Heather and Dagur's home, all piled in to Hiccup's car at the crack of dawn. There was a crowd despite the early hour, the five of them alighting from the vehicle to look upon the burnt building.

"You can't come closer sir."

Dagur growled at the firefighter.

"That's my house!"

"You're the owner?"

"Me and my sister. We were visiting friends last night. What happened?"

"We think someone poured accelerant through the letter box and dropped a lit match. The front of the building is fire damaged but the majority is smoke damage. If you had been home sleeping, you'd probably have suffocated."

Heather frowned.

"Can we go in? I'm worried it's going to have destroyed our photos."

Hiccup knew that photos would be all the siblings had of their parents, so it would be a huge priority.

"Yeah, but its not real breathable in there."

They weren't wrong. The air was wet, smelled of petrol and smoke and didn't quite seem to fill the lungs properly. But the stairs were still structurally sound, and they immediately headed up to the resident bedrooms. Hiccup had a sense of dejavu standing in Dagur's room, though it had been much brighter before.

"Damn. We could have died."

Dagur started looking for something, frowning as he pulled out blackened objects from a half-open wardrobe.

"I'm so sorry guys" Hiccup realised Astrid was shaking "this happened because of me."

Her big brother immediately stopped, turning to Astrid and shaking his head. Hiccup let Dagur get this one, assuring Astrid.

"This happened because of Viggo. Astrid, don't you dare let this scare you. Then he wins."

"He could have killed you!"

Dagur shook his head, hugging Astrid to him against her protests.

"I sleep with the window open. I'd be fine. And I'd get Heather out. I don't even think it was about us, anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, this is where Viggo knows you lived last. It's no coincidence he finds out he's going to court and this happens within twenty four hours."

"I guess... but your home..."

Heather joined them, hugging Astrid too so she was in a sibling sandwich.

"Is a loss, sure, but we can deal with that. We're not losing you."

The precious things like their photo albums had survived, and pretty much everything else was either salvageable or replaceable. Heather and Dagur had already packed up some things as they didn't know how long they would be over at Stoick's behest.

Packing the rest of their save-able belongings, Astrid naturally insisted they stay in her place. Five people in two one bed places was a bit of a squeeze, but they would manage. So long as Astrid was still paying her own rent, they weren't technically breaking any laws.

Hiccup checked.

"If tha' was a coincidence, I'll eat my own beard!"

"I know dad, but what matters is that everyone's alright. If you want to make sure the police don't write it off as an insurance scam, that would be good."

Stoick nodded seriously, twiddling his moustache as he thought.

"I'll make a call to be sure."

"Thanks. Come on Astrid."

The blonde frowned, looking up at Hiccup in confusion.

"Where am I going?"

"Counselling today."

He understood her reticence, but Hiccup had hauled a reluctant Eret to therapy before, he was more than happy to do it for Astrid. She stood up, going to search for her shoes while Hiccup turned to Eret.

"You want a ride to work Ret?"

"Sure. I'll go grab my stuff."

It meant Astrid got a cuddle from Eret in the back until they dropped him off, and then she shimmied into the front with Hiccup, sighing deeply.

"I know this is hard Astrid. But me and Eret are so proud of you for having the strength to go do this."

"I just wish it wasn't so hard."

Gods, he loved her strength. Even as Astrid lamented the depth and length of trauma recovery, she was gearing up to go in there and get on with it.

"This time next year, you won't believe how far you've come. I will, cus I know you're tough and brilliant. But you'll be surprised."

Smiling shyly, Astrid leant across and kissed him.

"See you in an hour."

"I'm gonna drive over to the cafe and get a drink, so I'm not far ok?"

Astrid nodded, turning to grab the handle and let herself out. Hiccup stopped her, smiling.

"Love you."

She still beamed when told that. Hiccup made a point to tell her often, just because he adored her smile. And it was true, so it was fun to remind her.

"I love you too."

Hiccup drove the five minutes to the cafe, ordering a hot chocolate and exchanging texts with his mother about how Dagur was apparently play fighting with Koira, and losing. Chuckling to himself, Hiccup went to pick up Astrid, outside ten minutes before her appointment was over as he often was. She often came out quiet and a little raw, but that was to be expected when one was opening up the buried trauma and fears.

"Are you alright to go to the shop?"

Astrid nodded, and Hiccup couldn't help but smile as she leant into him when they were debating which yoghurts to buy, and the way she cuddled him randomly just because. Living with a tactile, playful Eret, Hiccup was ecstatic to see Astrid was the same. He did so love cuddles.

Returning home, his dad had finished going through everything necessary with Heather and Dagur, and so they were one step closer to being prepared for their day in court.

"Hey Dagur, lets go finish sorting our stuff. Looks like Astrid could do with a nap."

Agreeing to host them for dinner again that evening when Eret was home, Hiccup and Astrid were left alone and did indeed go to bed. Astrid wriggled out of her clothes beneath the covers again, curling topless against Hiccup's equally bare chest. There was a little unsettled angst in Astrid, but Hiccup reassured her that he and Eret didn't have an unrealistic expectation of it always being the three of them together. The two men were still intimate without Astrid, and even without each other; to expect her to perform to a different standard would be grossly unfair.

It was very much a slow exploration when it came to what Astrid was comfortable with; if they didn't try she wouldn't know, but all three were wary of pushing her. Hiccup touched her back with measured gentleness, brushing what he knew was scar tissue but Astrid distracted herself, taking his mouth with her own and clutching at his jaw and neck with almost painful hands. He understood, though. Astrid wanted out of her comfort zone, but not so far that she couldn't retreat back when she needed that security. Her every effort, success or not, to be intimate and close with them was appreciated wholeheartedly.

Hiccup jumped when he felt her hands work his belt, Astrid kissing his stomach before he could quite register she was moving, ducking down beneath the covers. Her lips were soft and warm on his belly, hands rubbing his hips as they pulled down his jeans and hot breath hit his shaft. Hiccup loved watching her, but if Astrid wanted to do it that way he wouldn't stop her. Little kisses covered the underside of his cock, making him squirm and gasp.

Astrid's lack of sight didn't seem to be slowing her any, hand squeezing at the base while her mouth covered his tip, tongue sliding down and round as though Astrid had designed his every hot spot and knew them by heart. His hand slipped under the covers, wanting to bury his fingers in her hair, connecting them despite the fact they couldn't see each other.

Soft, hot suction and sure strokes of her hand were quickly Hiccup's undoing, Astrid's soft hums as she tormented him to the brink only heightening the pleasure she gave him. That hot little tongue traced his glans, swiping over his swollen head until Hiccup came with a low, satisfied groan. Astrid swallowed him down, tonguing him clean before she surfaced from beneath the covers, cheeks pink and lips swollen as she pulled his boxers back up.

"I'm not sure that's what Heather meant by naptime."

Astrid giggled, nuzzling his neck and feeling the warmth of skin flushed by climax.

"I'm in bed, what more can she want?"

Smiling, dopey and happy, Hiccup wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Her breasts were hot against his chest, even when Astrid rolled them so Hiccup was on top of her.

"You want something milady?"

His playfulness hid deeper meaning; seeking Astrid's consent without explicitly saying it. It also made Astrid giggle, which he loved hearing. She ran her hand over his back, mewling in his ear.

"Touch me."

Hiccup - well, and Eret too - had gotten plenty of practice and enjoyment at getting Astrid off over her clothes, something she was comfortable with and happy to ask for. He stroked and pressed the way he knew would make Astrid shudder, moan and buck. She buried her face in his neck, holding his shoulders and quieting herself, possibly because of the presence of her siblings next door. Hiccup still felt them melt on bis skin, felt her nails tighten in his shoulders as she trembled.

"Mmm" Astrid hummed, stretching leisurely against him as she came down from her high "I needed that."

"Well, you're very welcome."

Giggly and playful, Astrid kissed his face repeatedly, moving just before he could catch her mouth properly. Hiccup eventually managed to capture soft lips, winning himself a sweet kiss.

"I better go clean up."

Feigning sulking, Hiccup pouted until she kissed him again before smiling.

"I'm gonna go get a wash on, you can bring your stuff out if you want."

He left her in the bed to change and dress at her leisure, spotting the crescent moons in his shoulders and grinning to himself at the marks left by her nails. His tattoo was no longer wrapped, but was occasionally twinging and he was mindful to wash it gently after handling dirty clothes.

"So, have you decided what sort of thing you want for your other tattoo?"

Astrid shrugged, waiting for Hiccup to sit down before perching on his lap.

"I was thinking about stuff that would represent my parents, but nothing seems to fit in my head. I was hoping that semi-commital statement to Mac would inspire me, but it hasn't."

"Well, we can always talk about your parents and see if you think of something. What are your favourite memories of them?"

Hiccup marvelled again at his girlfriends strength; she had only just lost her parents when Viggo sought to break her, and yet she was still fighting, still going. He reckoned they would be just as proud of Astrid as he was.

"Thunderstorms. Me and my dad would set up camp on the living room floor, all the lights turned off and a window open to hear the sounds better. He always made us sandwiches, mine cut into triangles. Mom would always fall asleep to the sound of the rain, but me and dad could sit there for hours."

"What about your mom?"

Astrid thought for another minute, eyes a little wet with memories.

"Flowers. Surprisingly, I was quite the tomboy as a child" Hiccup mock-gasped and she mock-glared, then smiled "and so I wasn't really one for dresses and shopping and pretty stuff. But mom grew flowers in the garden, and I always liked seeing how they changed and grew, how they needed just the right care but they bloomed to show you did it right. Plus, it was messy, a bona fide excuse to get in the mud."

Hiccup's mind was already whirling with images, and Astrid seemed surprised when he asked her to hand him his sketchbook. She sat, watching as he drew quickly, obviously not to the highest quality but he wanted the rough image down.

"It would look better coloured, but... what do you think?"

Hiccup had drawn a silhouette of a family, two parents holding their child's hands. Instead of distinguishing features, he filled the dad in with storm clouds while the mother was flowers, mixing together in the child - Astrid.

"How do you even come up with this stuff?"

"Do you hate it?"

"No. I love it. Just... can you change it so they are standing behind me?"

"Sure. Like they're watching over you, you mean?"

Astrid nodded.

"Exactly that."

Hiccup redid the sketch quickly, and Astrid nodded that he had gotten the right idea.

"I'll clean it up and colour it... any particular flowers your mom liked? Do you want their names on it?"

"Hmm. Lilies. And fruit blossoms... we had a plum tree, and mom loved the colour of the petals. I don't need their names. I'll know."

Hiccup nodded, jotting down alterations.

"Can you stand up for me love? I just want to measure the page against your thigh."

Astrid complied, taking care to lift her skirt and smirking at Hiccup's best efforts to focus on something other than the view of her ass in cute briefs. Little minx. Putting his sketchbook away for the moment, they retrieved Heather and Dagur from next door, then started on dinner prep and discussing upcoming court dates.

Eret was equally entranced by the drawing, sweaty and sexy when he arrived back from work and Hiccup did sulk a little that he couldn't jump him with multiple family members in their living room. Still, they had the night for that.

For reasons Astrid didn't totally understand, she was getting ready with Heather while the boys were all next door. It felt like a bizarre "can't see the bride" thing, but she supposed it did mean not fighting for the mirror with Hiccup on a day she was already so fraught with nerves it was edging on terror. Finished, they headed back around to wait.

"I can't remember the last time I wore this. It's kinda tight."

"You wanna borrow a shirt? You can get away with no jacket."

"You don't need to wear suits you know. I'm just used to it cus dad always wore a suit to court."

Their voices emanated from behind the bedroom door, intriguing Astrid somewhat as she sipped water and ignored her shaking hands. The knock at the front door made her jump, glass falling to the floor and shattering loudly. As the bedroom door flew open to investigate the news, Heather was letting Hiccup's parents in and Astrid was frozen, unsure where to move to.

"I'm sorry!"

"Astrid, it's fine. Just a glass. Are you ok? Did you get glass on you?"

Hiccup gently moved her, hugged her close. She saw Eret and Stoick cleaning up the mess, cringing that she was such an absolute wreck today. Transferred to Eret for more hugs, Astrid saw Hiccup fumbling with a tie, his mother tsk-ing and taking over.

"Just like your father, hopeless with ties."

Hiccup chuckled, thanking his mother as she straightened his collar.

"Hey, you guys go on down. We'll be along in a minute."

"Sure."

"We'll be by the car son."

Everyone else cleared out, leaving Astrid with her boyfriends. They hugged her gently, wiping treacherous tears and stroking along shaking shoulders.

"I can't do this."

"Astrid, you've come this far. You survived everything that happened to you."

"Now you get to shove it in his stupid Grimborn face that you're stronger than him."

"We'll be right there with you."

"Every minute."

Gods, Astrid wasn't sure how they did it but she felt stronger just hearing them. Coaxed outside and into the car, Eret hopped in front so Heather and Dagur could sit either side of her in back. The drive to the court left Astrid nauseous, tense and ready to bolt, but her boys were right.

She had made it this far.

The courthouse looked huge, looming over her like a physical display of what she was up against. There was a surprise waiting there though; Elsir and Eret Sr, greeting everyone as they stood outside waiting for the others to arrive.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Told you we'd be here lass. Siida."

With them all there, lending her strength, Astrid found the push to make her numb legs move again. They met the prosecutor, and at that point only Stoick could stay with her while the others had to go wait in the courtorom. Hiccup and Eret both kissed her, Dagur and Heather hugging her and Valka brushed hair off her face, patting her shoulder. Eret's parents didn't skip out either, both brushing affectionate hands over her arms as they were shooed off to wait.

"Who we up against?"

"Bludvist and his lackey."

Stoick swore under his breath, which definitely didn't help Astrid's anxieties. Taken into the side room by the prosecutor, he showed her the list of charges for Astrid to agree with. It made for sickening reading, but was all sadly accurate.

"Alright. You can go through now."

"Is he in there?"

"Yes, but he can't get to you. He can't talk to you. He can't touch you."

Astrid had to stop, taking several deep breaths before she managed to head through. Eret and Hiccup had left her a space between them, and she kept her eyes on them until she felt ready to look at him.

There was a scar down his cheek, spidering around his eye and permanently twisting half his face up into a sickly sneer. Viggo stared right at her, not looking even a little bit concerned about what was happening. His lawyers weren't exactly friendly looking - one was about the same size as Stoick, with what she assumed was a prosthetic hand made of cruel, spiky looking metal extending from one sleeve. The other was slimmer, but he had an air of coldness and disregard to him. Both wore business suits, but Astrid wouldn't have thought them out of place covered in blood and animal skin.

Right. They were talking. Astrid tried to listen.

"... include aggravated assault, grevious bodily harm with intent, assault, rape and sexual assault. Plus an additional charge of witness tampering."

Astrid hated hearing it put so bluntly. Being victimised by the crime itself and again by having it named.

"What, no murder charge? You've gone for everything else."

The skinny(ish) lawyer aimed his remark at the prosecutor, teeth bared in a somewhat menacing manner.

"Counselor, control yourself! I hope this isn't about quantity over quality of charges, prosecutor."

"No your honour. The victim" Astrid hated that word most of all "was subjected to repeated beatings, assaults and abuse over an extended period of time. Frankly, I don't think it's enough charges but we picked our battles."

"Save the wit for the jury. What do you intend to present as evidence?"

"Victim and witness testimonies, as well as biological and photographic evidence."

The judge looked rather blank. Astrid didn't know if that was bad. It didn't feel good.

"How does the defendant plead?"

"Not guilty."

With a voice that could melt steel, the Stoick-sized lawyer answered quickly.

"Bail?"

"Remand, your honour. The defendant poses an ongoing threat to the victim, not least based on his pathological violent streak. He's also implicated in the arson attack on the victims last known address."

"Preposterous! Your honour, the prosecutor is grossly over-reaching."

"The arson attack occurred less than twenty four hours after the defendant received his court date. Had the residents been home, they'd likely have perished."

The judge pondered, then smacked her gavel down with a loud crack! that made Astrid jump. Eret squeezed her hand.

"Remanded. Any motions to file?"

"None, your honour. Our client wishes to have his day in court to answer these spurious allegations, and requests the trial be expedited so he can move on with his life."

Viggo wasn't even really paying attention, instead leant over the defence table looking to be... making notes? Astrid dragged her eyes away, but that sense of threat kept making her check he was a safe distance away.

"I'll bear that in mind. Remove the defendant until trial."

Before he was hauled off, Viggo handed a note to his lawyer with a smirk. Then asked the escort to wait, as he wanted an answer. The note was passed to the prosecutor, who frowned.

"Haddock, bring your son here."

Hiccup frowned as he stood and approached the prosecutor with his dad, and a never-before-seen sight of an angry Hiccup needing to be physically restrained by his father only made Viggo smirk more.

"You're a sick bastard Viggo, you know that?"

"Come now Hiccup, we've only just begun."

Finally hauled away, still chortling at whatever cruel joke he played, Astrid only felt able to stand when he was out of the room. Everyone leant around to see what was written on the note, and Eret looked ready to join Hiccup's efforts.

"If I'd known you wanted another Grimborn cast-off, I'd have called you when I was done with her "

Even now, Viggo managed to make her feel dehumanised, worthless. Hiccup's shaking hands almost tore the note, but then he seemed to have an idea.

"Hey, since the judge saw him send this over, can we use it as evidence? Speaks to pattern and refers to a repeat of something already on record."

The prosecutor looked surprised, then happy.

"Stay there, I need an officer to ensure chain of custody."

Once the note was inventoried as evidence, they were free to go until the trial date. Stoick promised to call them about it, but it was clear as day Astrid couldn't handle anything further today

"Take her home boys, we'll see you tomorrow."

They did so, and Astrid spent several minutes just curled up between them, shaking and probably ruining Eret's shirt with all her crying. They didn't complain for a second, Hiccup making soothing noises while Eret wiped her tears

"How am I supposed to get through a trial?"

"By being you."

"All you have to do is tell the truth."

"Viggo has to deal with all of us. The only people in his corner were the ones he paid for."

After a while, Astrid used the calming breaths technique her counselor had taught her; it didn't work when she was getting worked up, but it did help her calm down sometimes. Finally unwinding, she stood and stretched the kinks out of her back from the earlier tremors. Turning around, Astrid realised that she had been committing a criminal offense all day long.

She hadn't appreciated how good her boys looked in suits.

"Hey, why have you never put on a suit before for me?"

"Because we are very informal people. Why?"

Hiccup answered, but she reckoned by Eret's grin he had worked out she quite liked the look. Even without their ties, which they had taken off when they got in.

"I kinda like them."

The two stood up, eerily in sync as they surrounded her. Astrid never minded them doing that, always feeling safe rather than trapped between them.

"Just kinda?"

"Maybe a little more than kinda."

Eret's low chuckle vibrated in his chest against her back, hands sliding low on her hips - he always avoided her scars without even looking.

"Just a little?"

Hiccup nuzzled her cheek, placed a soft kiss on her jaw but wouldn't allow her lips to touch his.

"Ok, I really like them."

"Thought so. When this is all over, maybe we should take you on a date wearing them."

Astrid greatly enjoyed that mental image, almost as much as she enjoyed their ability to put her at ease.

"I hope you don't think dressing up means you'll get lucky."

Hiccup kissed her, leaning up to kiss Eret after before looking down at her again.

"I'm already lucky. I have you two."

-HTTYD-

I tried to end on a slightly cheery note? Just so you aren't all super sad... next chapter won't be cheery either. Bring tissues and flaming torches.