Ok, let's start this bad boy at last! My first Future Firstie!

This first chapter, you will know, was written a while back. I've given it a quick once-over, but didn't edit it much.

This won't be like Open in many regards. I mean, Hicretstrid is end game but nobody is poly here at first. There's a clumsy, bumbling journey to that point rather than experienced polyamores. But hey, it'll be fun. I think. Mess of Eretstrid, Hiccstrid, future Hicret + Hicretstrid.

-HTTYD-

Astrid threw her hands up in exasperation, sighing loudly as Eret just shrugged at her. She was at a complete loss.

"What is it you want? Cus right now, I'm feeling like you want to break up."

Eret shook his head, but Astrid wasn't seeing any real conviction.

"I don't want to break up."

"Then please, for the love of Thor, tell me what's going on with you."

Her boyfriend had always been wonderful. Sweet and caring, a real gentle giant type. Astrid adored him. Loved him. But lately, he was secretive, irritable and Astrid was beginning to fear he was cheating on her.

"There's nothing going on with me."

Running a hand through her hair, Astrid knew if she stayed there would just be another row. She was done with that. Eret wasn't looking at her, so Astrid grabbed her keys, stepped into her shoes and reached for her jacket, wallet a reassuring weight in the pocket.

"This isn't working for me. I can't be around you like this. Call me when you sort your shit out."

"Astrid, wait!"

For a brief second, Astrid hoped he was going to finally tell her what was going on. She looked at him expectantly, but Eret just went silent, and the hope fell flat.

"Fine."

She left, feeling that lump in her throat that Astrid swallowed down. It could wait. Driving straight to Heather's, Astrid let herself in with her key, then flopped down on her friends sofa and allowed the tears to come out.

Heather didn't bat an eye finding Astrid had let herself into her friends house like she lived there. But she was quite perturbed about the crying. They lamented over chocolate and vodka, and while Astrid had a rotten hangover when she rose from her undignified face-plant into one of Heather's pillows, she felt lighter having gotten all the stress with Eret off her chest. Heather was snoring lightly next to her; the two had shared a bed as kids having sleepovers, and saw no need to change now they were grown.

Astrid clambered from the bed, clutching her skull as she raided the kitchen cabinet for pain killers, guzzled some water before trying to brush the horrid taste from her mouth - she had her own toothbrush, towel, shower gel and shampoo in Heather's bathroom. Hel, she had her own drawer and wardrobe section. Heather had her own things at Astrid's too - they were always prepared for a sleepover or an emergency.

Like Astrid possibly breaking up with her current live-in boyfriend.

Rinsing foam from her mouth, Astrid felt the tablets kicking in and headed out to the kitchen in search of coffee. Heather rose a little later, following much the same ritual as Astrid until they were bundled up under blankets on Heather's sofa.

"So what are you gonna do? You're welcome to crash here if you want to let him stew."

Astrid shook her head, tempting as the prospect was.

"Nah. I'm gonna go home, see if he's ready to talk."

She'd checked her phone at last - Heather had confiscated it when Astrid was drunk - but gotten zero communication from her boyfriend as of yet. Still, she knew Eret wasn't really a texter, and preferred face-to-face communication over phone calls. So maybe he was at home, waiting for her so they could talk.

Leaving Heather's after lunch when she felt less disgustingly hungover, Astrid drove home with a view to being open, and listening to what Eret had to say rather than starting angry. They had had too many fights already.

When she got back, the place was empty. Astrid glanced to the calendar they both wrote their work shifts on, and that day was blank. So she went through looking for signs Eret had even spent the night there and found none. The bathroom was dry, bed still made and cold. His phone charger wasn't looped up on the bedside table like it usually was.

Astrid scanned the worktops for signs Eret had made breakfast; he was always spilling protein powder or porridge oats on the side. Instead, she found a note in his messy hand resting against her hot chocolate tub.

Gone to stay at Teeny's to clear my head.

I love you.

There were a lot of dots and lines before the 'I', as though Eret had placed pen to paper only to change his mind about writing it. She could go to his cousins; she knew where Teeny lived and that he was a reasonable enough guy to not interfere if Astrid wanted to see her boyfriend.

If he was still her boyfriend.

Astrid wasn't that sure right now.

She texted Heather to update, but declined the offer to go over there again. Astrid cleaned when she was stressed, and so the vacuum and furniture polish came out. Playing music full blast, Astrid scrubbed and swept and wiped and buffed every surface she could. Four hours later, the place was spotless and sparkling, but she felt no better.

Collapsing into a bed lined with fresh sheets, Astrid sighed deeply and looked at her phone. Nothing from Eret. Despite urges to call him and demand an explanation, Astrid told herself he wanted to clear his head, and she would offer that time to him.

After three days, Astrid was a little put out but mostly ok. After a week, she sent Eret a text to check he was still alive. He replied, but it was short and functional. Astrid began to wonder if he actually missed her at all. She shook that thought off at first, told herself she was being ridiculous.

After two weeks, those thoughts were becoming more prevalent. Eret still hadn't been home. Not even for spare clothes.

Af week three, Astrid called him while in Heather's living room, cuddling a pillow and demolishing a tub of ice cream. His cousin answered Eret's phone, said Eret didn't want to talk to anybody. Heather did her best to comfort Astrid, but it wasn't enough to prevent an angry blonde telling Teeny to tell Eret Astrid was done waiting around.

"Did you just dump him?"

Heather asked, watching Astrid hang up and grab her ice cream, stabbing viciously at the little chocolate crunch bits.

"Kind of. If he doesn't call me tomorrow I'm going to assume he's made his choice. Honestly, I'm more disappointed about how he's gone about it... I thought he was better than that."

"Yeah. Me too. If you want to move out you know you can have Dagur's old room. Not that I think you should, since he's already gone. But the options there."

Astrid did so adore her best friend and the supportive nature.

"Thanks babe. Assuming he doesn't call me back tomorrow, can we go out?"

"Depends where we're going? Quiet drink? Liver destruction? On the pull? Only I have work the day after, so if it's the last two it'll need to be the night before a day I can be hungover."

"Just a quiet drink. I just want to get out of crying into ice cream and staring at my phone."

Heather nodded, patting her hair affectionately.

"We can do that."

Eret didn't call her. Astrid resigned herself to now being single, deciding her drink with Heather that evening would now be a toast to her future spinsterhood. She dressed for comfort, not caring who saw her in a pub in jeans and a hoody moping that her boyfriend - no, ex boyfriend had turned out to be a complete dick.

Heather followed suit, her well-worn favourite grey jumper draped over her slim frame. They headed out after a quick dinner of steak... only her chef best friend would call steak such a thing. The pub wasn't empty, but peaceful enough that they ordered drinks and found a table with no difficulty. The music wasn't thrilling, but it wasn't so loud they couldn't talk. All in all, it was what Astrid needed to break up her breakup moping.

"So, have you decided about moving out yet?"

"No. When I'm not ready to strangle Eret, I'll think about just throwing his stuff out the window for satisfaction."

Heather snorted into her glass, her fruity cider smelling sweet over Astrid's vodka and coke.

"I'm sure Dagur would help."

"I've no doubt, but I want a clean break from the relationship. Not Eret's legs from his body."

Dagur was a tad overprotective, considered Astrid as much his baby sister as he did Heather. It would be a shock for him too - he actually liked Eret. So the break up might dent that friendship. And Eret's face, if Dagur got the chance.

"I need more alcohol."

"Coke for me" at Astrid's raised eyebrow Heather added "one of us needs to be fit to drive."

Point taken, Astrid headed up to the bar. The guy who had served her was busy with a group of men, but he saw her waiting, turned and whistled to the door behind him. Someone came out, was gestured toward Astrid. Oh, he was pretty though. Bright green eyes, shaggy auburn hair and a jawline he could cut glass on.

"What can I get you?"

Oh. She should talk.

"Do I know you?"

That wasn't a drinks order. Astrid mentally slapped herself. Pretty man cocked his head, then smiled and nodded to himself.

"Astrid. Astrid Hofferson."

"That's me."

"Hiccup Haddock. We went to school together. Granted, I was about a foot shorter and looked about six."

This was Hiccup? Holy Hel. He had grown up.

"Do you work here?"

"Not quite. I live upstairs while I'm between homes, work here to help out. Here on a date?"

Gesturing to her outfit, Astrid gave Hiccup an incredulous look.

"Do I look like I'm on a date?"

Hiccup shrugged, giving her the once over.

"Depends on the date. Drinks?"

"Oh. Right."

Astrid ordered her drinks, paid and returned to Heather.

"What took you so long? The massive queue?"

"Familiar face. Hiccup's on the bar."

"Not Hiccup Haddock?"

"How many Hiccups do you know?"

Heather craned her head, almost falling out of her seat.

"That's never him. Damnnnn."

"Right?"

Taking a sip of her coke, Heather stretched in her seat. Looked at Astrid strangely.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just thinking."

Astrid eyed her friend shrewdly.

"What?"

"Well. You're allowed a rebound. He's cute."

She rolled her eyes at Heather, took a swallow of her drink.

"I distinctly remember not saying on the pull."

"So you don't mind if I hit on him then?"

Astrid glared.

"Not at all."

"Riiiight. So eager to refute me you forget I have a boyfriend."

Astrid was definitely going to kill Heather.

"Shut up."

"Come on. You've not gotten any in a while" yep, Astrid was going to kill her "and there is a hot guy over there who had a crush on you for about five years."

"What?"

Grinning, Heather nodded and made a shoo-ing gesture.

"You never knew? Haddock had it baaaad. Now go hit on him."

"Heather-"

Heather cut her off, literally hand over her mouth and not even blinking when Astrid licked her palm to get rid of it.

"I'm not saying jump the lad. But you wanted a change from crying over Phish Food. When was the last time you even looked at another guy? I know you're bummed out, and he always made you laugh."

Reluctant but aware of Heather's persistence and stubbornness, Astrid got up to return to the bar. Dressed in her comfies and not looking for anything, she hoped Hiccup wasn't on the bar so Heather could shut up and go back to letting Astrid contemplate burning Eret's clothes.

"Another drink already? I hope I'm not enabling a wallowing."

Damnit.

"What makes you say that?"

"I serve alcohol. You sense these things. Wanna talk about it?"

Sighing, Astrid slumped on a bar stool and looked expectantly at Hiccup until he presented her with her next drink.

"Alcohol administered. Talk."

She lamented the trouble with Eret loosely, complaining about an ex and some distress at the way be basically disappeared and ignored her.

"And you didn't go round and kick his ass?"

"Thought about it. But if I'm not even worth talking to... he's certainly not worth that much effort."

"Fair point."

Hiccup stayed chatting to her for a good fifteen minutes, only moving to serve an old lady a whiskey. Heather scuttled closer, nudging Astrid's arm.

"It's gonna get late and I have an early shift. You want a ride?"

Astrid wavered, but she wasn't done drinking.

"I'll get a taxi."

"If you don't come back to mine, let me know you got home alright babe?"

"Will do."

Heather squeezed her arm, kissed her hair, waved at Hiccup and left. Hiccup smiled politely, returned to Astrid's spot at the bar.

"So it was a hot date."

"Totally."

"You can clock off Henry, Gus is here."

Hiccup nodded at the boss man, then turned to Astrid.

"If you want, you can come upstairs and drink and whine about your ex?"

Astrid eyed him suspiciously.

"Are you trying it on Haddock?"

"No, I just know you're a private person. And drinking upstairs with me will be free."

Point taken, Astrid followed Hiccup around the back of the bar and up the stairs, tamping down on an urge to punch the guys wolf-whistling behind them. Did she look like she was on a booty call?

"Please ignore the decor. This isn't a long term place for me."

It was a bit sparse on decorations, aside from drawings stuck to the walls. Hiccup was always doodling away in school, she remembered.

"If you don't work here, what do you do?"

"Part time at my dads garage, part time designer for a motorcycle company. Best of both worlds. You?"

"Personal trainer. With all the ice cream and alcohol I've had recently, I've needed the extra work outs."

Hiccup lifted up a pile of folded clothes and put them on a table, gestured to the available space and Astrid sat on the sofa.

"Speaking of, what's your poison? I have whiskey, beer, vodka and a rather fancy wine... it's not what it sounds like. My uncle kicked the habit, we all cleared out his stash cus he wouldn't hear of it being poured away "

Having been worried Hiccup was a closet alcoholic, Astrid breathed an inward sigh of relief.

"Wine. Heather hates it, so we never drink it."

"Are you fussy about glasses?"

"No?"

Hiccup came out, handed her a tall glass tumbler - not standard wine fare - and plopped down on the other side of the sofa.

"So, would you like to rant some more about your ex? Or get hopelessly drunk and sleep on my sofa? We could do both."

Astrid sipped her wine, which was really quite nice, and sighed.

"You could tell me what this is about."

"How so?"

"Well. We haven't seen each other in six years. You hear I'm recently single and invite me upstairs for a drink. Be fair, it looks suspect."

Hiccup frowned into his drink, then nodded.

"Fair enough. And honestly? You looked sad. I didn't want you to be sad."

"That's it?"

He nodded and sipped from his glass. For some reason, Astrid actually believed him.

"So... boyfriend? Work? General life? I am available for all ranting."

"Really?"

"Well, I would wager I'm the only guy you know with an ex boyfriend myself."

Astrid almost dropped her drink.

"You're gay?"

Was she a little disappointed? Or just tipsy?

"Nope. Like I said... best of both worlds. I came out at uni, but obviously by then our lives had branched out."

"So, bisexual?"

Hiccup nodded, smiled.

"Does that bother you?"

"Nope. I am curious though. Boyfriend or girlfriend break up that brought you here?"

"Girlfriend. Well. Ex girlfriend. Mom offered to let me move in with her but it would have doubled my commute."

They talked for what felt like hours, only sipping from their drinks when mouths grew dry and Astrid wondered when the last time she'd had such an in depth conversation with someone other than Heather, Dagur or Eret was. Not that meaningful conversation with Eret had happened in a while. She had progessively sobered up from a relatively mild alcohol consumption by then, and her notice of how ridiculously pretty Hiccup was hadn't faded.

"Hungry?"

"I could eat."

"Pizza? Brownies? Or if you're on a health thing I've got chicken."

"Brownies."

Astrid immediately craved chocolate when he mentioned it, followed him to his little kitchenette. The haphazard slices said they were someone's home bake, Hiccups expectant expression telling they were probably his. Astrid bit into one, an explosion of rich, moist flavour bursting across her tongue.

"Oh my gods, these are amazing."

"Thanks. I like them."

Licking her teeth clean, Astrid resisted the urge to devour the entire plateful. They were delicious, but she'd had enough stress-eating days. Hiccup did the same, then eyed her strangely.

"What is it?"

"You have a little... do you mind?"

Astrid shook her head, watched Hiccup reach out and brush crumbs from her cheek. It must be that she had missed touch for so long, that her breath hitched slightly as his fingers brushed her jaw. If he noticed, Hiccup didn't point it out. He looked away, fingers twitching at his sides.

"Do you want to stay here? Or shall I call you a taxi?"

"Did you really have a crush on me for five years?"

What possessed her to ask, Astrid had no idea. Curiosity? A need to know somebody wanted her?

"That's very specific."

Well, that wasn't an answer.

"Heather told me earlier. Did you?"

"No."

Astrid wasn't sure why, but it stung, and she felt like she'd made things awkward.

"Fair enough. I should-"

"I still do."

Hiccup's words were low, barely above a whisper but Astrid heard every word.

"What?"

"Come on. You're still the gorgeous, whip-smart blonde you always were. Hel, more. Of course I'm still attracted to you."

Astrid looked up, made a snap decision and grabbed the babbling idiots shirt. Hauled him closer, kissed him. Hiccup made a sound of surprise, but he responded eagerly, hands on Astrid's hips pulling her even closer. Then he was pushing her away, shaking his head and she missed the chocolate she could taste on his lips.

"Wait. Wait. You're drunk."

"Nope. As my bartender, calculate how many drinks you gave me over how many hours."

Hiccup actually stood there, thinking about it.

"Ok. Not drunk. But-"

Astrid kissed him again, curling her fingers in his ridiculously messy hair. Hiccup's arms held her tight, but he pushed her away again seconds later and left her gasping, breathless. Damn, he could kiss.

"What now?"

"I'm not naive, we're both on rebounds. But I don't want you regretting this."

Gods, he was definitely still Hiccup.

"I won't. Will you?"

Hiccup shook his head, a deep flush of arousal staining his cheeks already.

"Gods no."

"Then stop worrying and fuck me."

His mouth landed on hers again, relentless and hungry and Astrid ached with need; she and Eret hadn't had sex, had barely even touched for weeks before the split. Now here was Hiccup all grown up and hot, kissing the living daylights out of her as he tugged up her hoody, hands soon exploring the bare skin revealed. She yanked his shirt up equally eagerly, leaving them both shirtless and Astrid's hand splayed over his groin to feel him swell beneath the fabric there

Astrid found herself braced over the arm of his sofa, bra still on and jeans around her knees as Hiccup probed her with his fingers, joking how fortuitous it was he had only been to the pharmacy that day when he pulled a condom from a bag on his table. Wanton, needy, she whined in frustration as Hiccup took his sweet time to put the damned thing on.

"Oh, fuck..."

Hiccup filled her steadily, sharp hipbones brushing against her skin as they came flush. He gripped her, so Astrid returned the favour, squeezing at his cock and Hiccup bucked, groaned.

"E-easy!"

"Don't want it easy" Astrid pushed back, words mostly low growls "I want it rough."

His hands stilled her, thrusts shallow. Little more than a tease.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

Pure need rushed her on, urging Hiccup with her until he was moving at last, still shallow thrusts at first but soon increasing in speed and depth. And confidence, too. Hiccup clearly enjoyed her responses, and when Astrid moaned and swore as he fucked her, he gave her the rough she craved, hand pressed on her back to pin her slightly while his other hand slapped across her ass and Astrid jolted, crying out as she shuddered

"D-do that again!"

Hiccup obliged, slapped her ass again and fuck that felt good, the pain a delicious burn that fuelled that churning heat his cock stoked with each thrust. His rhythm grew almost punishing and Astrid knew he'd needed it too, the abandon, the quest for pleasure and little more. It was evident in the power behind his hips as they slammed against her, it was there in the vice grip his fingers had in her skin.

Those fingers uncurled, sliding down to press to Astrid's clit, leaving her to topple under the fast, feral blaze they'd sparked between them. Hiccup made his own sounds of satisfaction when Astrid came, buckled under the pleasure himself if his stuttering rhythm was any indication.

That first time only took the edge off for both of them. His sofa, bed and bathroom all saw more of Astrid than most people had, and Astrid woke next morning to Hiccup's light snores next to her, a throbbing ache between her thighs that made her smile, a half-dozen missed calls and several more texts from Heather. The last one insinuated pretty much exactly what had gone on, starting with Astrid going off with Hiccup after Heather left. Had Astrid been that obvious?

Feeling a little guilty, Astrid redressed and slipped out without waking Hiccup. He'd said it himself - they were both on the rebound, and they'd gotten what they needed from each other. Called Heather from her taxi home, looking the absolute epitome of walk of shame and not caring a jot. It had been so good just to have fun again.

Of course, she wasn't expecting to find Eret in their- no, it was her flat when she walked in. Still with Hiccup's sweat on her skin and looking utterly fucked after not being home all night, Astrid reckoned ex boyfriend knew where ex girlfriend had been, and what she'd been doing.

"What do you want?"

"I'm bisexual."

Ok, she wasn't expecting that as an answer.

"I know. But that doesn't answer my question?"

"You what?"

Astrid had known a while; she saw her boyfriend checking out other men all the time. She just assumed he didn't think it mattered enough to mention.

"Look, Eret, I'm glad you had your epiphany. But I haven't heard off you in a month. And I really need a shower."

Astrid catalogued faint bruises here and there, a healing bite mark on her chest. Well, she had asked for it rough. She showered quickly, dressed in fresh clothes and felt infinitely more human for it.

"Ok. Talk."

"Are you seeing someone?"

"No. I did have sex last night, but that was... wait, why am I explaining myself to you?"

Eret looked hurt, and Astrid realised with a deep pang that she did still love the massive idiot. They sat, talked. And talked. And talked.

"I was... worried I was gay I guess. I didn't know how to handle it all, so I... I didn't. But I realised I still love you, and I am hoping I didn't ruin us so much we can't work it out."

Astrid didn't regret the previous night, but she also knew as soon as he said it that despite his poor handling, Eret had just been in an emotional turmoil and withdrawn from her out of fear. He was back there now, and seemed genuine about making amends.

"Alright. We'll try. But no more freeze outs or silent treatment. One chance here buddy."

And so they began work to patch up their relationship. She and Eret talked in depth about his epiphany, about coming out and so on. About how if he ever pulled the same stunt again Astrid would definitely burn his clothes. Heather was glad they made up. It was all good in the Hunter-Hofferson pad - even if Astrid felt bad dropping out on Hiccup without a word. It was just a one night thing, they both got what they wanted that night. She'd have liked to go back and actually befriend him properly, but figured that was a little weird when they'd hooked up the night before she got back together with her boyfriend.

A month or so after all of that had transpired, Astrid was glancing at the calendar in passing to check her shift at the gym. She spotted something, and started counting. Recounting. Double checking. In all the Eret-based emotions, she hadn't noticed.

She'd missed her period.

-HTTYD-

Like I said, it wasn't edited much, but let's get on with the fun!