(31st October 2017)
Halloween had always been one of Hiccups favourite holidays, even as a kid it was a time he could go and be whoever he wanted to be. When he was a kid his friends where limited, his best friend throughout his childhood was Astrid and then going through his awkward teenage years he became friends with Fishlegs when Astrid and him became distant, they were his only friends before became interesting when puberty hit. Halloween was a time no one knew who he was, for one day. And he could just have fun with other kids before he went back to dorky Hiccup.
" why is this party important to you, we've only just got back from holiday and you wanna throw a Halloween party at our house" Astrid was putting on the final touches of her make up while getting ready for work, while Hiccup was walking out of their en-suit with a towel wrapped around his waste and hair was lightly towel dried.
He smiled when she said 'our house' it took her a while to eventually get to grips with she wasn't going anywhere.
" well I like Halloween" he shrugged, as he started to towel dry himself on the way to his walk in wardrobe.
" well your love for Halloween has made me draw the short straw with taking that little monkey of mine to go pick up our costumes after work," she yelled as she knew he probably couldn't hear her well as he was getting dressed.
" cutting it fine" she's ordered the costumes just as they got back and she's finally got order confirmation this morning as she woke up.
" yeah well Ollie wanted to go as the rabbit out of Alice in wonderland, so you are going as the mad hatter and I'm the red queen, I told everyone who could make this daft party of yours that the theme is Disney characters cause Ollie asked no scary ones" she felt his arms wrap around her and kiss her neck. His breathing was steady, calming, she had been relying on him to be her rock ever since they got back. Becky called they set a final court date, and the word final churned Astrids stomach, it meant the court had come up with a decision. The thought was sickening that in just a week would be the final decision.
" understandable, he's still only little" he kissed her cheek this time bringing her back to their room.
" yeah, anyway I best get him ready to go nursery, I left him half an hour ago saying he could totally get ready on his own, and I'm now scared to go and see how far he's got" she giggled with him as she climbed out of his loving grip, tying her long blonde hair up in a high ponytail as she walked to the bedroom door.
" hey Astrid" she turned around before leaving, getting full view of her boyfriend in his work pants and shirt undone.
" you okay?" She walked over to him, swiftly, kissing him slowly but not lingering too long.
" now I am" she walked away before Hiccup could even open his eyes, leaving him with the taste of her still on his lips. But he was still slightly concerned no matter how many time she told him she was fine.
Xx
" and you promise no scary costumes" Ollie held onto his mother's hand as they walked into the local costume shop.
" yeah I put it on the invitation and sent texts as well" giving him a little squeeze. She had to leave work early due to his nursery finished at 3 today, Hiccup had given her the keys to the Range Rover today while he took his Audi, this way she could get around faster with Ollies car seat in the back.
" okay, is Katie coming" Ollie was very fond of Katie and since he first met her he was overly keen on gaining her favour.
" hopefully, I invited her parents to come along so we will have to wait and see." They waited in line for other last minute Halloween shoppers to collect their orders. She hated waiting as much as her son did and the thought of having to get back and plan for a party. She blames Hiccup mainly but then really she should blame herself since she had said yes to this whole chaos when her two boys brought it to the dinner table just after their little get away together.
" mommy why taking so long " her son pulled on her hand as the two moved up line a bit, they were about fifth in line now and her patience too was running thin. She'd never like waiting, even as a child her patience ran thin.
She could only laugh as that trait had obviously been passed on to her son. " cause it is Ollie" she was never good at explaining things.
" but whyyyyy!" Hiccup on the other, he'd seem to get better at stuff like this day by day, when ever Ollie would moan or whine about anything, ask annoying questions that would give his poor old mother a headache, Astrid would watch as her boyfriend would handle it with ease, explaining it the only way a three year old would understand. He may not think it but he was very good with kids. Especially her kid.
By the time of his moaning and whining about it taking too long they were at the front of the queue, Ollie scratching up her leg to get up.
" it's under the name Hofferson" she bent down and picked up her little monkey. " mines the bunny, don't leave the bunny out" Ollie squealed from his mother's arms making the very flamboyant server wearing his very own costume that had many, many feathers laugh at the boy.
" done worry cutie I won't leave anything out" he brought it over, all three costumes in their own clear packages, with notes on all three with names and measurements.
" I ike your costume, it pretty colours " Ollie pointed at the bright vibrant feathers, loving the clashing colours.
" why thank you little man," the server then turned to Astrid, " three costumes, a mad hatter, a red queen, and of course a little bunny rabbit" he gave a wink to Ollie who smiled a little. " everything has been pre paid for, all I need is your signature right here" he pointed to a line with a star next to it to indicate where she needed to sign, making a quick jot down on the paper she handed the forms back to him and gladly excepted the costumes, grabbing them by the hanger.
" thank you" she placed her some down but didn't let got of his little hand before the two exited the small shop and headed back home.
Xx
This was definitely Hiccups fault, he'd been working extra hours this week since next Tuesday was her day in court, but with him spending time at work left her dealing with the organisation on this stupid party of his, Hiccup was good at all that stuff, he lived for it, she however would rather drink bleach than plan a friggin party.
" mommy mommy, wat you think?" She turned around from her focus on the kitchen buffet as the people Hiccup hired to help her, to her son who was coming from the living room, toothless wandering next to him in the ridiculous costume that was the Cheshire Cat, she would have felt sorry for the little dog if it wasn't for that fact he sat wagging his tail and a literal smile on his doggie face.
" oh my gods" she had no words, for the lad, he was just as excited as her boyfriend.
" I think he liked it mommy" she might hate this hold charade but at least he was having fun. Walking over to him she swiftly picked him up from under his arms and swinging him around a little before landing him on her hips. " I think so too" she kissed his head, to be completely honest with herself she was may have hated the whole idea of this party, but Ollie definitely was excited about it, and that's all that mattered.
At that moment Toothless started barking, next she heard the door bang, suggesting someone had just entered the house. " hello?" His goofy voice could have been spotted a mile off, and he had a lot to answer for. That ticked off blonde, who till held her son on her hip walked out of the kitchen and towards the entrance where Hiccup stood admiring the Halloween decorations going up, they weren't scary like they promised, they were Disney inspired like the little boy had requested.
" hey cool decos" he pointed to the ones around the house and gestures to the ones outside.
But she wasn't listening just held her firm glare at him. " don't you ever leave me to deal with this kinda shit again" she smacked him repeatedly over and over on the arm and chest, hearing as he protested but didn't stop for one of them, " mommy that a bad word" she stopped after that, knowing she should have probably done that without Ollie present.
" my day at work was lovely hunny thank you" he kissed her cheek hoping to distract her from her angry temper, walking past her into the kitchen of mayhem as staff ran about the house to prepare then house for this party of his for 7.
It was now 5:45 and even though the house was decorated and the food was being prepared there was still loads to do. " wow this is looking great" he heard Astrid's footstep being her, turning around to see she was still red faced and Ollie full of joy was still on her hip.
" Oh thanks, all my bloody hard work paid off, and I didn't even want this stupid party" yet again she threatened to slap him, but her held his hands up to block her, "oh come on babe, look I'm sorry, I should have helped out more since it was my idea, but look at this little face" he came over to Ollie, taking him out of his mothers arms with ease and bringing him to his chest. His hands cupped his face and both lads looked at the blonde with similar, if not the same, big doughy eyes. If Astrid had been 10 years younger, those big doughy eyes would not have worked on her, but Hiccup had learnt from being in the company of Astrid as a mother for a year, when Ollie was involved, really involved with something that made him excited, she had a hard time saying no./
She softened her facial expression, looking at her sons little smile, " fine, right come on, let's go get you dressed in your costume buddy" Hiccup placed the toddler back on the ground, and Astrid took his hand, " will I get face paint?" He asked as they walked out of the kitchen.
" Yes the face painter will be here at 6:30 to do yours first don't you worry," she looked back at Hiccup before they could walk out of his sight. " and you, sort out this chaos before I get back down stairs, Okay!" He knew she was serious, even Ollie knew she was serious when he too looked back at Hiccup and raised his little eyebrows.
xx
By the time the face painter arrived, both Astrid and Ollie were both dressed, and Ollie was sat in the entertainment room where all the chairs and buffet was set out, the face painter set up in the corner with Ollie as her first costumer of the night. Astrid was in her red queen outfit, it was a little boob tube black dress with a red bow around the waist and the red hearts, red diamonds and black clubs and spades at the bottom of the low thigh dress. It was cute and puffy, and with heathers help she wore red heeled booties and red lace gloves to match, of course she had a little head band with a crown on, but Hiccup hadn't seen her yet so she was hoping it would get his sexy smirk approval.
Ollie was in his bunny all in one costume, with little bunny ears and round glasses, it hand a blue coat that was sewed into the bunny costume and little grey pants. He had a big red bow near his neck, and a hand held pocket watch that was made to look bigger than normal. He looked super cute she had to admit, and he was extremely excited for the bunny nose and whiskers to be painted on.
Hiccup was all ready up stairs getting his mad hatter out fit, she'd seen the outfit before when she collected, hoping the Burgundy suit jacket would compliment his auburn hair and with his black jeans and white shirt and neck scarf she was thinking he would look very dapper indeed. However she was looking forward to seeing him in a top hat, she knew he was never one for hats but he promised he would play his part for Ollie's sake.
" Nope I'm not wearing this" speaking of the devil, she turned to see hiccup walking into the room from the kitchen, he looked very handsome indeed with his Burgundy suit, but she couldn't help the laugh that blurted out when she saw him in is top hat.
" Definitely not wearing it now," he whipped it off smoothly, throwing it on the floor as he walked in towards her, she was wasn't just gonna let hm get away with not wearing part of his costume when she was wearing this daft thing. His arms scooped around her, lifting her slightly as his lips pressed against her, it was so soft and smooth, and as they retracted she could only feel the tingle he left on her lips.
" You however look ravishing," it was like fire ran up her spine when he said that, and her stomach fluttered. She wasn't gonna deny it, she knew she looked good, but hearing it come from Hiccup himself just made it more sexy.
" Well you can keep that idea to yourself, you ain't getting any unless you wear your full outfit." Pulling herself out of his arms, she was able to walk away, picking up his hat in the process and towards where her son was still getting his face painted.
" Aww come on" she dared not look back, no was was he getting out of wearing his daft costume while she had to wear hers, so she used the only trump card that was effective. Ignoring her boyfriend with all she had, she put her focus on Ollie as he sat basically on the edge of his seat while the face painter finished off the last touches, he was like a ball of excitement waiting to explode, she loved the way he showed his excitement, with the biggest grin a 3 year old could have, and all he could do when he was that excited was fidget in his own seat, literally bouncing up and down like he couldn't contain it.
" Almost done" the lady said with a smile, noticing the boys movements get more obvious.
While she watched as they finished up, Hiccup came up behind her, taking the hat from her hands and placing it on his head, " fine I'll wear the daft hat," a smirk came upon her lips as he kissed her cheek softly. She had the top trump card of course, and it was definitely worth using once in a while.
" All done" the second the brush left Ollie's face it was off, running shouting a very loud thank you as he ran to the closes mirror. Laughing his mother paid attention to the lady in front, while Hiccup took off in the direction Ollie went.
Astrid thought best to let the boys have their fun, even though she had been complaining all day about Hiccup leaving her to deal with it all, she secretly liked in when the inner child came out of him, and he and Ollie bonded over the little things. So she did the one thing she was good at, offering a drink to the guest that was in her house.
Meanwhile Hiccup followed the footsteps of the toddler, along with Toothless who stayed close to his feet, finding him stood on the toilet seat feet stretched to take a look in the mirror, he was getting no where as he could only see the top of his head. It was quite a funny sight on Hiccups part, looking as the boy tried his hardest to push up and see, his smile only grew.
" need some help bud?" The question was not needed by the look on the boys face, Hiccup could of sworn he saw Astrid in the facial expression just then, as he came up behind him and the boy was literally begging with his eyes for a boost.
He picked him up with ease, from behind and resting him on his propped up knee that rested on the toilet seat, " oh wow" the little blue eyes opened wide looking at the fine detail that was on his face, " can ya see Hiccup, I a bunny" wiggling his nose like a bunny would.
" all you need now is a carrot" he joked, thinking about the bugs bunny cartoon he used to watch as a kid, but sure enough he a boosted yet another excitement rush in the little lad.
" I saw some in fridge" and once again he was off, running out the door back towards the kitchen.
Which only left man and dog," does that kid have an off switch" hiccup turned to the dog, his best bud, thinking he'd get an answer, but all he got was his four legged friend walking off in the same direction of the boy.
" brilliant, just fantastic"
Xx
The party filled up pretty quickly, Hiccup Haddocks lavishing party's were always a big hit, and now he was a host to a children's party, him of all people, he'd never thought he'd be hosting a children's party, not for a long while, but he's been in the centre of them all since Ollie.
But he found he quite enjoyed them, he found the little lad hilarious by the way he smiled and giggled and got so excited. It made it all worth it.
" Haddock!" He turned to see Astrid, stood with trays in her hand, she looked fantastic. But the glare in her eyes made his whole back stiffen up, he stood watch over the kids for ages now as the crowd came pouring in, and yes he had to admit that he'd been neglecting his duties at this party of his.
" hello milady" each step her glare got harsher, " what can I do for you?" His smug smile wasn't winning any brownie points.
" if you don't take one of these trays I swear to god Haddock your sex life will go to 0 in the matter of seconds" he loved it when she got a temper on her, but he dare say that cause she would make by her promise.
" of course milady" she held all the playing cards, and she knew how to deal them, he'll give her that. He took both trays from her hands, surprising her as she expected him to only take one, he smiled at her like he did when they were teens.
" I've got it from here milady, enjoy the rest of the night, I think Ollie is in the grand room, playing with some of the kids. " he was definitely something, and with a smile she couldn't hide, kissed him on the cheek as a reward? Or a promise? He didn't know yet.
" what was that for?" He had to keep mentally reminding himself that he was balancing two trays, and with her standing so close she was the obvious distraction.
" I'll tell you later" with a wink she was off, walking towards the grand room past all the guests, that was definitely a promise, he could tell by the way her hips swayed and his heart fluttered.
As he walked around his house, handing out bits of nibbles on trays, he realised how different this was, the last Halloween party he went to was before Astrid and Ollie, and it wasn't a party more like a club, he was 22 and heather and eret had dragged him to a new club four years later he was hosting a party at his house that was Disney themed and was filled with kids under that age of five. When did he get so old.
" you look lost in your own house" eret came up next to him, taking the empty trays from his hands and handing it to one of the hired help politely.
" just thinking when I started hosting children's parties" he said smugly, and he still couldn't believe it, it had snuck up on him quicker than he thought.
" when you opened your doors to a 3 year old" his friend was right, he never thought twice asking Astrid and Ollie to move in, even when she told him it would change things, cause he didn't think it would. And technically it didn't his relationship with Astrid was actually stronger as well with Ollie too, but it was little things like how Ollie playgroup friends were invited over, his stuff was literally everywhere. Like the other week he found a little sock in his jacket while in a meeting. And of course now the parties, and he threw them cause Ollie liked them, and never thought twice of it.
" hiccup!" The voice belonged to the little monkey himself, crashing through the crowd and into Hiccups arms.
" it nearly time for the costume composition" the older man only giggled at the wrong use of words.
" competition"
" yeah that what I said" in front he saw Astrid sliding out from behind some guests, smiling down at them. He looked at her, getting lost in those famous blue eyes, and look down at Ollie's similar ocean eyes, and knew then he didn't care how or when it creeped up on him that he was now hosting a child in his home, he was just lucky to have a child like Ollie to live with. He was worth it.
Xx
As the night came to an end the majority of the guest left, only leaving those close to the Hiccup hanging around to the last second, which of course were heather and Eret, Daniel, his parents and Gobber, and not forgetting his old high school friends. And he wouldn't mind at all, if it wasn't for the fact that none of them were interested in him, no the centre of attention was taken by the one and only Oliver Hofferson.
" and -and then he takes a look at his watch," which the boy did a reaction of this with his very own watch, " and then he say - erm, he say ' oh my goodness how late I am' ?" He had a questionable face on his face, knowing he had forgotten what then line was. But that didn't stop him from getting an applause, bringing the boys hopes and confidence back up to 100.
But with that done the boy let out his first yawn of the night, and his mother immediately looked at the clock on the wall 8:56 pm, it was past his bedtime. " alright little man time for bed" the disappointment in his face was unreal, he actually thought he could get away with it.
" aww but I don't wanna go" bottom lip was threatening to quiver.
" oh no young man, you've had nearly an extra half an hour, you should feel lucky" she went to get up from her seat where she was sat with ruff and tuff and snot, before hiccup took a step forward and scooped the lad up.
" oh no you did last night, tonight's boys night isn't it bud" the boys spirits immediately lifted, and it should spike Astrid jealousy that her son preferred her boyfriends presence more than hers, but it didn't, she loved their relationship, she loved her son had some boy time. Even when it wasn't with hiccup too, it could be with 'Uncle' Eret, a name she was finally getting use to. Or Stoick who gave him a grandfather figure when her farther wasn't here.
" yeah boys night, Hiccup promised a toy story before bed" and even though it was late she wouldn't deny him a cheeky short toy story.
" oh get me in that Action!" Eret jumped up from his place next to Valka and ran beside the boys, " I wanna be the big dinosaur this time, last time I got stuck with the bunny" Eret's child like behaviour brought the boy into a hysterical laughter. But he wasn't the only one who joined, from all the adults sat there the majority of the lads got up and offered there help in the story to, as if to win the boys favour. Stoick, Gobber, fishlegs, snotlout and tuffnut all ran after the other three, how they were all gonna get Astrids three year old to bed god knows, but at least Ollie would be entertained.
All that was left was her, ruff, heather, Daniel and Valka. All listening in on the sounds from upstairs, mainly a fainted giggle now and then.
Astrid hadn't had time to speak to Heather since their holiday and with the party going on she hadn't found time, but now was perfect, it was quiet and she had not toddler to distract her.
" Heather could you come help me in the kitchen" he eyes spoke more than her words, telling her friend she had no choice and she was joining her in the kitchen.
" yeah sure" so she followed Astrid, taking long slow strides not sure what she was walking into, however walking into the kitchen Astrid just sauntered over to the coffee machine, turning it on to boil the water. She didn't even start yelling she just suggested that Heather pulls up a chair, and that's when she knew it was gonna be a lecture.
" so? Have you decided what your gonna do yet?" The boiling water started to sizzle, leaving a faint squeaky noise as background sound to their conversation.
" not sure what you mean?" She was playing the 'act oblivious' card, hoping Astrid would just let it go, which obviously she was not going to do.
" Heather I'm tired, it's been a long fucking day," for some reason she found her self whispering the last part because of the maternal instinct maybe. " I'm not in the mood for playing games, so how about I spell it out to you and you spell it out to me yeah?"
The water brewed and Astrid boiled the coffee in a big pot. " have you decided with what you are going to do with your boyfriend and your new lover"
She said that so patronising but Heather didn't dare say anything, Astrid was right, she was in enough shit as it was.
" he's not my lover, and I don't know? And I know what you are thinking, how could I be so stupid? Sleeping with a guy who I know has feelings for me? How could I get so drunk to let it happen? Well I don't know, all I know is at the moment in time, I didn't care, I didn't care about anything at the exact moment, I just wanted to feel ..." she could seem to find the end of that sentence, but she knew what the word was, she was just afraid of saying it out loud.
" feel what?" Astrid poured her friend a hot cup first, taking the milk out of the fridge to offer her to help herself.
She didn't want to say it, saying it would make it real, saying it would me she'd have to make a decision, and she couldn't do that, not yet.
" feel what Heather?" But Astrid pushed not taking her silence as an answer, if she was gonna help her friend, she would have to face her fears first.
" love! I wanted to feel loved. The kinda love you feel with Hiccup, I wanted to feel that. Is that so bad?" She rubbed her temple, knowing she had unleashed a can of worms by opening her mouth.
" you don't have that with Daniel?" it wasn't that she didn't think that her friend was happy in her current relationship, but she knew something wasn't there. " yes ! No! I don't - know" Astrid watched as Heather poured to coffee down the drain and placing the cup down out of sight.
" I did, in the beginning it was great and now - it's complicated, but I love Daniel okay? Don't think that I don't. But with Eret, I know that there's something there, just haven't figured it out yet" she slumped in her chair, giving up on finding an answer, making Astrid set her coffee aside to help find her some answers.
" well you need to figure that out quick, cause you are doing no favours stringing them both along" in mid sentence Heather went to step in and defend herself in some way, but with Astrid's eyes literally burning their way through her, she decided to keep silent.
" so do you wanna stay in a safe relationship with Daniel, with a possible future, but maybe not the future you deserve? Or you could risk that by trying something new, finding something new, Eret maybe a playboy but with you it's different and you know I wouldn't say that if I didn't think believe it myself."
Heather nodded, understanding the decision she had to make. It would be so simple if she hated Eret, but she couldn't, 7 years give or take of friendship, she couldn't give that up nor would she want to. And the thought had past her mind of making the final decision, and she'd have to make it soon. But did she want to give up what she had with Daniel away or risk it all for Eret?
That was her decision alone to make!
Xx
When ever he had a phone call out of hours he knew it was business not personal. He was escorted down the hall hands chained to his feet, hearing the chains chime as he walked. It wasn't a nice sound, it was a reminder he was free. Shoved in front of the phone harshly, he was then left alone, knowing Drago must have pulled some massive strings to get this sorted.
" hello?" He croaked down the phone, he was tired and sleeping wasn't exactly fun here.
" how's it going on the other side" Drago's sounded worse, but then Walker was sure he never slept, the machine of a man wasn't even human.
" bit shit, when am I gonna get out of here?" His patience was running thin, he should have been out of here month ago.
" soon, I've just been informed by your lawyer and the final date is set, it's looking like it might be in your favour" for once he sounded happy, but Walker was not convinced.
" might be in my favour? I need a definite!" His whisper was harsh but low, he didn't want no guard butting their noses in what wasn't their business.
"patience! I promise you, you'll have your freedom and then you will pay good with your word on finishing off what you started. I want Hiccup Haddock to lose everything, and it starts with that girl!" He knew his plan, he wasn't an idiot.
" I promise, just get me out! And a ticket off to Canada after this too!" His demands were exact, he wanted to be a free man and no strings attached to this damn island.
" you'll be free, I promise"
But the thing was, Walker didn't trust a word Drago said, he just had to hold his tongue till he was out. But he knew Drago was on a revenge vendetta and if he got in the middle of the crossfire - Drago has no worries with collateral damage.