3 hours, 26 minutes and 43-44 seconds give or take. He should know, he had been keeping count. They had spent 3 and a half hours in that god damn court room as astrid got torn to pieces by Walkers barister, she was good no doubt, she made astrid look week in some ways, make her look like she was bending the truth about her attack. It was no lie that astrid was indeed attacked, the evidence was there, but Walkers barister was trying to make it out that astrid was blaming and 'innocent' man for what had happened to her.

" What a bitch!"

Heathers harsh words brought hiccup out of his thoughts as her, Eret and himself walked out of the court room too meet up with astrid after she has a quick talk to her lawyer and barister.

" She is just doing her job H, maybe too good, but still her job" Erets words muttered as he stood walking at the other side of her.

" Yeah well she doesn't have to be a bitch to do her job" she may have said that way too harsh than she should of, but her and Eret weren't on talking terms. Well he tried talking to her but all he got in reply was a glare or a stare. So while to two kept the talking to a minimum, hiccup stayed out of it, mind on one thing. One person.

xx

He saw her from a far, her bright blonde hair stood out from the rest. Stood there along with Becky, probably discussing the trail further, without him knowing he was picking up pace, he reached Astrid before the other two, though they were caught up in petty arguments.

" Hey?" He said catching her attention.

" Hi, how was I?" Asking after she pulled him in for a hug.

" You, you great, you did great" he tried his best to boost her spirits, but even she knew how bad it looked.

" If you think getting crucified is good" rolling her eyes at the thought, she knew how bad it looked, she knew because how she felt. Like someone had stuck a knife in her heart and was twisting it around for torture.

" Astrid you were fine, she was just being..." he couldn't find the word, a word that would make her feel less useless and more confident.

" cruel, bitchy, damn right deserves a slap in the face" heathers voice butted in before he could find that word.

" In other words, yeah. She was cruel in there Astrid, and no way is she going to make it out that your a liar, cause we all know your not." She showed a small smile but her eyes still looked distant.

" Thanks, but that still doesn't make me feel better" walking closer, pulling herself towards him, asking for a hug he gladly except, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her away from reality for a few minutes.

" Want me to punch a few of his teeth out chicken" Eret peeped around hiccups shoulder, giving the blonde something to smile about.

" No Eret, but if you could chop his balls off I'd appreciate it" her body still crushed against hiccups.

" I'll put it on my to do list " giving her a cheeky wink before slipping behind hiccups shoulder once more. Still curled up in hiccups arms, she felt as if all the weight in her shoulders were finally being lifted, only to be thrown back on her again by a single tap on her shoulder.

Pulling away she looked to see Becky standing there with that professional look on her face. " Astrid if I could just have a word in private" the blondes hand slipped into Hiccups as a sign of support.

" Anything you want to say, you can say infront of these, they're family" Eret and heather took that as a sign to step forward.

" I just - I just wanted to bring up the DNA test once more, if we could-" as beck continued her cliented butted in, not wanted to hear anymore of what her friend had to say.

" No! I will not put my two and a half year old son through that, he will not be used in court he is my son, not a peace of evidence. And I will never let that bastard know he has a son, he doesn't deserve that" her face went sour, but her hand still grinned onto hiccups, showing the fear she was trying to hide.

" Astrid, I only wish to help you" Becky pushed further, trying not to anger her client any more.

" Help me by winning this case" Astrid tried to hold herself together but she could feel herself slipping.

" It's not looking good, with this new evidence shown, the Grimbeard taxis confim he was working the day you were attacked."

" they are lying, cause we know he was there otherwise ollie wouldn't be alive." Her voice stared to break, it was no longer strong and firm.

" It's what I'm trying to say, with Ollie we can prove he was lying"

She didn't know what to do, what to say. Protect her son, or protect herself. What's a mother's first instinct.

" can we have a minute?" Hiccup voice spoke out from behind, and she was secretly happy for it, she no longer wanted to be apart of this conversation.

" Of course" and Becky left them too it.

He took her by the forearm, pulling her to the side so they could have a private word. But the way astrid blood was boiled he wasn't sure if he was going to get word in edge ways.

" Don't say it Hiccup, don't you dare!" They hadn't even come to stop before she was accusing him.

" Wait-"

" No, don't you dare tell she's right, don't you fucking dare tell me to sell my sons soul up to the devil. I'm not doing it Hiccup, I won't do it, so don't tell me that I should" She was about to go for another round when he place both hands on her shoulders and made her listen to what he had to say.

" Why would I tell you to do that. Why would I tell you, to tell that monster he has a beautiful, amazing, intelligent little boy, that I have come to love so much. Why would I want that." They weren't really questions he wanted her to answer, they were just to prove a point.

" I- I-" she was speechless, utterly speechless. She couldn't literally utter out the words.

" I will agree to what ever you choose milady, no matter what, cause I know no matter what you choose, it's for your child and your child alone." He pulled her stunned form into his, holding her close, letting her know she wasn't alone.

" I - I thought you wanted me to do it," he gave her a quick squeeze before burying his head deep into the crook of her neck.

" no baby, I would never tell you to do something you don't want to do, but if you do change you mind, I'll support you anyway" he hugged her deeper as she tried to hold on to what ever dignity she had left, though it was hard with hiccup, for whenever he was around her, she'd just cripple at his every word. But she loved it.

" okay, okay" Her voice was beginning to sound small and frail, she didn't like it, but she felt like an emotional wreck. Slowly sliding out of his arms those tears that were once forming were slowly sliding away, but it didn't help that the moment she turned around, what she came face to face with, brought them tumbling down again, leaving her frightened in her spot, unable to move.

There he stood. In his tacky court suit, being escorted by police, but why wasn't he in chains, Why was her rapist walking around hands free.

He stopped as well, looking over to the blonde and her auburn protector stood behind her. No words were said of course, though astrid had a few for starters, like why he was being escorted though the main entrance for one.

But with no words being said, it only left her to play mind games with herself, as her blood went past boiling point, her rage only grew larger, he just had to tip it off with one big dirty smirk, on his smug ugly face.

She snapped lunging towards him, if not for hiccup latching his arms around her waist she would have been over there is seconds, punching her fists into his worthless skull.

" Let me go!" He screens could be heard by the whole court, as she kicked as screeched bloody murder. She watched as the guards escorted him out of her sight, which only made her kick and punch even more. He had forgotten how strong she was, and was thankful for the fact that her screaming had caught the attention of his dear, and strong friend Eret, for with his strength and Erets the two were able to pull the blonde back.

She kept punching his chest, again and again and again, and he just took it, for once she had worn out, collapsed on the ground, flooded with tears and emotions, he brooded to the ground with her, and held her close.

" Why didn't you l-let me g-go?" From screams to whispers her voice had given out.

" It wouldnt have helped you beating him, it would only do him favours" rubbing her back repeatedly, his voice had a hushed tone.

" I would have felt better" there was no longer emotion in her voice, there was just nothing.

" I know, I know"

" I hate him so much" he felt her grip tighten, as a sign of security, holding him tighter.

" I know, so do I. It's okay, it's okay" his hand never stopped moving as he held his girl close.

His eyes wander up to his friend, who's eyes flickered up to heathers, who, while bitting her nails, looked down on her best friend, they all did. Looking down at her broken form, feeling utterly helpless.

xx

3:15, 3:15 that's when he had to go, he should go now, what time was it? 2:55. He'll go now, he can't be late.

With Astrid 'not being well' that's what they said to ollie when ever he asked why his mommy was upset, she stayed at home, well his home, curled up with toothless a big blanket and gone with the wind on a continuous loop. Longest movie ever made. So being the gentleman he is, he offered to pick up Ollie from nursery at 3:15. That time had been printed in his head for the past two hours.

To be honest he couldn't wait too, he knew why astrid likes it so much, ollie would always run out and give whoever stood waiting for him a huge hug, with a picture to present them, Hiccup had about five pictures on his fridge, he adored each one.

So coming up to the the nursery, he climbed out of the car, people were already heading in, and he joined them, a little skip in his step.

He entered the nursery, he knew now why astrid always felt out of place all the mums were well in there thirty's, where as he just only turned 26. And Astrid only turned 25 in January and already had a two year old. No wonder she felt out of place, the other mums had a judging look on their faces.

It didn't really matter as a hand tapped on his shoulder from behind, and he turned to see a familiar face.

"Laura?"

" Hi stranger" she pulled him in for a hug, which of course he expected, but pulled back immediately to see what she was doing here.

" What are you doing here? Last I heard you went east to beserker, for your education and that was what four-five years ago?" She hadn't changed much, ombré blonde hair, green eyes, she was taller than he remembered, but maybe it had to do with the heels she was wearing.

" Well after I left four and a half years ago, I went to berserker to get my degree in management and now I'm back here, I'm managing a taxi company that mainly worked down south but has moved up north a bit more. My boss has given me manager position on the company up here." She was quite smug about herself, but even back then, he knew her as a person who wanted to better herself, he was proud she did.

" Well that's great, but what you doing here?" He gestured to the nursery they stood in.

" Oh I'm here picking up my niece, she four now, remember my sister was pregnant before I felt. She'll be going into primary soon, she's so big" right that baby.

" Oh yeah I remember" how could he not.

" What should be the question is why are you here? The reason we broke up is because you clearly stated you didn't want kids" her face went sour, as if he had just pushed her under the bus or something.

" Well technically I never said never, I just didn't want kids back then, I was 22 young and just got a new business, and you started bringing up babies because your sister was pregnant. I freaked, I didn't want kids back then, but now-" he stopped, now things were different, he was different, he whole interpretation of life was different.

" Now what?"

" Things have changed, I have changed, my life has changed" he knew she could understand, they both weren't the same people, they were different, better maybe.

" Well-" she started, but never got to start that sentence never mind finish it.

" ICCUP!" Little feet one after the other, tumbling towards the tall auburn man, he wore no coat, was wearing no shoes, and had no bag. All the boy had was a sheet of paper, as he ran toward him holding it would to him.

" Hey!" A smile immediately appeared on his face as hiccup bent down and greeted the little man with a hug.

" Where mommy?"

" she's at home, resting with toothless" he rubbed his little head before lifting his little body onto his lap.

" Okay, I got picture for fwidge" he held the piece of paper out, showing a black looking monster on the page.

" Oh thank you" he begged he didn't ask what it was.

" You ike it, it toothy, " ' oh thank god' otherwise he would have had to stick a black scribble on his fridge without knowing what it was.

" Oh I love it, it's amazing, toothless will be so honoured you drew a lovely picture of him."

" Yeah?"

" yeah" kissing the top of his forehead he hovered a little before pulling back, he truly loved this little boy. " where is your coat? And bag? And shoes?" A cheeky grin appeared on his little face.

" In there" he pointed towards the other room.

" And why are they in there?" The grin grew even more, he knew ollie had him wrapped around his tiny finger.

" You put them on for meee?" The smile, the dough eyes, the way is little nostrils flared when he knew he was being cheeky.

" Okay, go on, in be there in a minute"

" yes" he jumped off his lap and ran into the other room, well stumbled. Getting up, picture still in hand, he turned to the woman he had temporarily forgot about.

" You let your son call you by your name?" He didn't answer, only gave her a look, that look, the look which clearly told her the truth.

" Because he's not yours" a small smile appeared, but the truth was the truth.

" That's what changed, him" he gave her a small nod before he gave her an explanation.

" I didn't just fall in love with his mother, I fell in love with him too. I wish I could say the girl changed me, but it was her son, he changed me." He gave her a smile, and she gave one back.

" I'm glad happy"

" so am I, and I happy your happy" he gave her one last hug before ...

" ICCUP!" And that was his cue.

" Coming ollie!" He pulled out of her embrace and gave her one last wave, before existing off into the other room, to deal with the very impatient little boy. Oh how he was just like his mother.

xx

" mommy, mommy, mommy?" His voice echoed through her ears before he even entered the room, she place the book she was looking through down, got up from the sofa and looked towards the entrance of the living room.

Her little boy came running through, coat still on, back pack still on, with toothless running behind his heels, chasing the little human.

" Oh my big boy!" He came running around the horse show shaped sofa, right into her arms, feeling the warm embrace of his mother.

" Hiya mommy" his grin spread wide.

" Did you have a good day?" She asked like she always does when he comes home, he likes to tell her what he did that day, whether he played or drawn or sang a song, and she liked listening.

" Yes mommy, I drew a picture of toothy for iccups fwidge" she turned to see hiccup stood behind them, holding the piece of paper with a black scribble on it, she giggled at the smile on his face.

" Oh that's a wonderful picture"

she turned back, " Can I go play now?"

" Of course you can, but make sure that you put your coat and bag in the right place" she soft voice never lost her firm tone, ever.

" Okay" and the boy knew it, as he ran off to head upstairs, he knew that she would check later on, and when she did, his coat and bag would be in the right place.

Hiccup joined his blonde girl hopping on the sofa with her as he giggled at the little boy running off, he always put a smile on his face, always.

" How was he, good?" She asked basically sitting on his lap, though she didn't need to ask, she knew the answer, it was always the same.

" When is he never?" A smirk appeared on her face, she loved this, her life, her boy, her man. If it wasn't for the cloud of a trial that hung over her head.

" What you reading?" She question brought her out of her daze, as she watched him lean over and pick up the book.

" My photo album?" He brought it home not long after he found it in his parents house, he left in his his underwear draw, thats where he kept personal items. So of course now he knew what she did when she was alone.

" Yeah, I was just looking back on us" but even though she was trying to guide the conversation in another direction, hiccup still had that one question in his mind.

" And where did you find this?" He might have asked it in a serious way, but the smirk on his face gave away how he truly felt.

" Okay fine so I was snooping, so what? I'm your girlfriend can't I do that?" She took the book off him, throwing it in some distant corner, and straddled his lap.

" Of course you can, can I ask what you were snooping for?"

" Your enjoying this aren't you?" He only replied with a smile. " okay fine so I was snooping in your underwear draw, I like to look through them" She ran her hands through his hair, scraping his scalp with her nails.

" Really?" He leaned forward kissing her jaw line, she only hummed in response. But just as he went to kiss her lips she pulled back, hovering for a question.

" I never asked how you got to own one of the biggest companies in the archipelago" he rolled his eyes first, before resting his hands on her hips.

" You know, this is how I expected this to go" gesturing to the way she was sat on his lap.

" And how did you think this was going to go?" She leaned forward, inches away from his face, that teasing grin on her face.

" A little more kissing and clothes ripping off to be honest" he quickly pecked her lips before she could move away.

" Shut up and answer my question" giggling at she cute cocky side.

Huffing, that was about five years ago, most people who have forgotten, but not hiccup, he remembered what happened in the August of 2012, he was 21 and just as his dad was leaving to take on the major positions he left Hiccup the job of co CEO.

" Well, I was 21, just coming out of university that June, and was looking around for jobs, but my grandpa died and the major position was now handed down to my dad. So with him leaving Haddock industry, the CEO position he was leaving was now open, he handed me the job, said it was mine for the taking, and I did but.." he paused, thinking back to that year.

" But what?" Astrid sat, completely in a trance to what her boyfriend was saying.

" But then I met my dads previous partner and well, that's different story." She shuffled closer laying her head on his shoulder, suggesting she wasn't going anywhere.

" At first he was off with me, maybe cause I was young and didn't know what to do, but I got the hang of running my family company quite well, and he was still off with me. Everything was fine till the October when I was looking at our income sheets and the amount of money we were making was double than what it should have been. And I know you're thinking, how's that bad. But Haddock industry owns half, maybe more of the electric and oil factories in the archipelago, never mind the fact that everything that has been built, made, produced, and all trades are made through Haddock industry. But with the amount of money we spend a year we only reall get a 70% profit at the time, not its about 150% since the company had grown, but that's not the point. The point is these sheets were calming to be profiting 110% which wasn't adding up, and that's when I found out. All the oil that Haddock industry used or was in charge off, was supposed to be payed for to get rid of it. I found out that my dads business partner was dumping oil in the ocean to save us millions, but with saving us millions he ended up costing over 1000 people living in the archipelago their lives. The water was contaminated with oil, which formed a blood poisoning in our bodies, killing thousands. I stopped it before anymore people get ill, but my company was responsible for that. So I humiliated him, told everyone, and soon enough the police came knocking at our office door, I don't know whether he is still in prison, or if he is out. But he robbed 3.7 million from this company when he left, so I don't know what he's doing now. After that our company wasn't making its payments, people quit and I was loosing the company day by day. Then an old friend of my dads turned up, oswarld, since his son would take on his family business heather his daughter offered to pay what was her inheritance towards my company if she became my partner. Her farther wasn't very happy but she was her own woman and did it anyway. Now we run a multi- billionaire company together, and everything is clean energy. But that still doesn't change what happened"

He blamed himself, of course he did, that's what he does," Hiccup that wasn't your fault, that was his" she snuggled deep into his neck, feeling his arms wrap around her more. " who ever he was"

" I will never forget his name, or his face, or his voice, especially what he said to me as the police escorted out of the building that day. I will make you pay, I will make you pay in ways you didn't think I was capable of, I will hurt you when you're least expecting it, and when your world is shattering and you have no reason left to live in the world, you will know it was all because of me" She hugged him tighter.

" What was his name?" She asked out of curiosity.

" His name was Drago, Drago Bludfist."

xx

Walking through the halls, step by step, it was getting colder as he walked away from the entrance to the farthest door at the bottom. Busy busy day, if that's what you call it, reaching the door and opening it, to only see his partner and friend on the phone, yelling down the end of it before slamming it back down.

" Tough day" the man sat at the desk slowly looked up.

" I have had enough of this shit, grimbeard" which only turned a smile on Grimbeards face.

" How many times has walked called?" Sitting down in front of his friend, that dark expression on his face never scared him.

" six, he wants this trail to be over, but I'm the one paying for the lawyers, not him. Keep telling the little shit, it's his fault for getting caught." He slammed down papers and books, shuffling things around his desk.

" I don't know Drago, why did you pick him in the first place."

" I liked his work, fast, quick, simple and he never got caught, I only asked him to kill the girl not attack her, and the fucker ended up getting caught cause he couldn't stick the knife in her face. And now just to make sure he doesn't name drop us two I'm having to bail him out" slamming another thing down as he spoke.

" Why not dispose of him?" Grimbeard suggested from the chair.

" No! I still need him to finish the job, I made a promise to a young man and I tend to keep it."

" I might be able to help with that" Drago cocked his eyes up, looking towards the smug man sat in front.

" How?" Curious.

" I recently sent an employee up to Berk, who may or may not have information on a mutual friend of yours." She grin never faulted.

" And?"

" Let's just say, they had a thing once."