The Gentle Sniper
Chapter 37: Two kinds of Strife
A/N: So my beta and I had an interesting conversation over Discord.
Beta: Will Hiccup lose his leg in this fic?
Me: Uh… I don't plan on it. If I did have him lose his leg, he'd also have to survive after the fact, because of the sequel I'm planning.
What sort of situation would work, considering there aren't any Red Deaths around?
Beta: uhh, bike crash? car crash? plane crash? (unintentional or intentional)
…Toothless bites it off? (lol)
Me: Bike crash?
That would take some doing, lol
Beta: I meant a motorcycle crash.
Me: Ah.
*Pictures Toothless biting off Hiccup's leg*
*Dies of laughter*
Welcome to the dark writers club. Here's your ceremonial Gus Fring ordained, Box Cutter, once wielded by the man himself
*later on*
Me: I'm tempted to share this conversation in the opening A/N of the chapter.
Beta: If you want to, go ahead.
Thanks for this, CommanderGreya. Lol.
If anyone who reads this happens to possess art skills and wishes to do fanart of Cat!Toothless doing mandatory limb removal, please do get in touch by PM. Lol.
Anyway, onto the reviews.
Review Responses:
CajunBear73: Further developments to come. Strap in now, dear reader :)
…
There was something warm pressing on her chest.
With a low groan, Astrid rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and tried to pry them open.
When she managed to do so, she was greeted by the sight of bored looking green eyes and black fur.
Miaow
"Go away," Astrid grumbled, not at all happy to have certain parts of her anatomy squished. She waved a hand at Toothless in a 'shooing' gesture. "Go on, get."
Said feline simply gazed at her with a deadpan expression, not at all impressed by her attempts to get rid of him.
Then with a brief hiss sent her way, the feline turned and lept from the bed, tail flicking to convey his annoyance as he made his exit.
A bark of laughter sounded from her right, and she turned her head to look at her boyfriend who was staring after the displeased feline.
"Find this funny, do you?" Astrid groused, punching his shoulder to both convey her annoyance at Toothless's antics and draw his attention.
His mirth-filled smile was infectious. "Good morning to you too, Asta. And of course I do. I put him there after all."
"Fine," she huffed mockingly. "You'll live to see another day."
"Yay me," he chuckled.
After saying this, she closed her eyes, deciding to savour the quiet moment before getting up and preparing to head to work became more than a suggestion, at least if she wanted to find out what she would be doing with the Tinnitus in her ear.
It was then Astrid paused, and began to smile.
My right ear isn't ringing! So it's the sort to come and go! Huzzah!
"Yes! Praise Odin!" Her arms shot out, accidentally jabbing a bemused Hiccup in his left side.
"Ow," he muttered pointedly, opening his eyes to look at her.
"Sorry, but the ringing is gone!" She enthused before kissing him hard.
"What?" She heard him utter against her mouth.
She pulled away. "My right ear isn't ringing now. My Tinnitus must be the sort to come and go."
"Oh…" he murmured before she sought his lips again.
"So you kiss… when you're happy?" Hiccup later asked, amidst both regaining their breaths.
"Mhm," she nodded.
"Well then. Mission 'keep-Astrid-happy' is a go."
Astrid smiled. "Oh? And what will you do to keep me happy?"
"I'm thinking of making you breakfast in bed, and buying you chocolate-since everyone loves chocolate. We can do this to celebrate you being lucky in regards to Tinnitus. What say you?"
"Well I, like every other Dane, am a fan of Anthony Berg. Oh, and for breakfast itself, I wouldn't say no to a roast beef Smørrebrød."
"Alright. I'll be right back."
…
"I'd like to meet your parents."
They were now in the kitchen of the apartment having breakfast, and both were dressed; him in his beret, leather jacket, jeans and boots that he had worn the night before, and her in her police uniform, with a gun at her hip same as he.
They were enjoying a quiet moment together, or they had been until Astrid had popped the question upon finishing the breakfast he had made her - bar the chocolate - she would be saving that for later.
Anyway, the out of the blue question had rendered Hiccup incapable of speech as he choked on a bit of sliced rugbrød - rye bread - spread with soft cheese and topped with a few pieces of beef left over from when he made Astrid's breakfast.
Sipping from his mug of kaffe - coffee - to sort out the issue, he set it down, took a deep breath then looked across the table at an apologetic looking Astrid.
"Great timing there, Astrid," he deadpanned at last. "What brought this question on?"
"I thought about it last night, while you were away, because it would be better to stick together, since Stoick could be targeted by the Outcasts as well."
"If they did, they'd get more than they bargained for, I'd wager. They'd have to contend with more than just my dad. All that aside; persuade me."
Astrid blinked. "What?"
"Persuade me. Tell me why you want to meet my dad now, of all times?"
"Uh… well you've met my immediate family, but I haven't met yours. Only fair that we change that, right?"
"Right," nodded Hiccup, with a hint of reluctance. "Well then, we can go visit tonight or tomorrow or something. If we go tonight with intent to sleep over, then you should that my dad snores a lot," Hiccup paused and smirked. "Like you do."
"I don't snore!" Astrid exclaimed, her expression turning indignant.
Hiccup's smirk became more of a teasing smile. "Not as much as him, no, but you definitely snore; and are a quick sleeper as well. Quicker than me at any rate."
"You're lucky I like you," she grumbled. "Otherwise you'd lose a limb right around now, on account of lies and slander."
"Mhm," hummed Hiccup, and for reasons not fully known, the act set both into a short fit of laughter.
"Hey, you wanna help me with something? I've just thought of something which might help the Outcasts relax. It'll involve that police helicopter and a fair bit of paper though," said Hiccup, once things had subsided again.
Astrid paused. "Would the pieces of paper you need have messages written on them?"
"Yes. I see you've caught onto my idea. Think your boss will let it happen?"
She shrugged. "Depends on what message you go with. What message is it anyway?"
"You'll see."
"Alright," sighed Astrid. "To the nearest print shop we go."
…
The left rear door of Astrid's car was pulled open, which was a concerning event, as both she and Hiccup were already seated, in the driver and passenger seats respectively.
They turned and looked back to see a woman with short black hair, enrobed in jeans, leather jacket and dark tinted sunglasses
More concerning still, in Astrid's opinion, was how Hiccup immediately drew his USP9 and levelled it at the head of the female carjacker.
"How horrible to see you today, Sloth."
"I could almost say the same," Anja Riel replied, her eyes sliding from Hiccup to Astrid as the latter drew her gun upon hearing the word, 'Sloth'.
She was wearing the same outfit as the night before, and despite the two identical guns pointed her way, Anja didn't convey any fear.
Crossing her legs, she addressed Hiccup. "I believe I told you that you shouldn't interfere with the Outcasts. Yet a little bug told me that you two are about to drop flyers via helicopter, bearing some kind of message. What is the message?"
"You think you're in any position to ask questions, you daughter of a half troll?" Snapped Astrid. "Consider your situation and get out of my car," she snarled.
Hiccup smiled. "Couldn't have put it better myself. Good job, milady."
"Thanks babe."
It was then that Anja started laughing. The sound lasted several seconds and only ended after there were tears of joy in her eyes, which she wiped away before addressing the pair with seriousness.
"Do you think I am the only person in Kasper's employ? That killing me would stop him? Consider your situation; or rather what me being unafraid of death means, and tell me what message you intend to give to the Outcasts. Otherwise, you will win the first battle, but not the war."
"Alright. I'll talk. Astrid, I'll see you later."
"What? Hiccup!-"
He cut off her protests with a shake of the head. "It'll be fine. Just keep your gun on her until I say otherwise."
He then got out of the car, followed by Astrid, before he stepped over to where the interloper was still sitting and opened her door, motioning her out.
Stepping onto the pavement, she turned to him expectantly. "Message, and I'll go."
"I'm not telling you shit. You and I are going to take a walk."
"Did you forget what I said about not being alone in Kasper's organization? You can arrest me or shoot and kill me here- you'll still not win."
Hiccup closed the distance, pressing the gun to her back. "And I said we're taking a walk. Start walking to that Range Rover over there."
Anja sighed. "If I must. It won't change your situation, as previously stated."
Astrid interjected then. "Shut up and start walking, unless you want to never walk again."
Thankfully, Anja did as asked without another word.
"Happy?" She asked them with an eye roll.
"Very," chorused the pair.
"Tell Kasper to get down here and we can talk like civilised people. Otherwise, he'll have to go through me."
Anja sighed. "Well clearly this is going nowhere. Don't say I didn't warn you."
click*
Hiccup looked over as Astrid lowered her phone. "Let's get going now," she said.
"Hmm. I thought you'd suggest we go after her."
"We can always get an APB on her later. It's why I took the picture."
Hiccup nodded. "Good call."
…
Propping the bag of flyers against the passenger side seat of her car, Astrid closed the door and turned to Hiccup, who was standing a ways away behind her on the pavement.
"So I guess this is where we part ways," she smiled at him, suddenly feeling giddy. "Hope you enjoy your first day with the DDIS, babe."
Hiccup became infected with her joy, smiling just like her. "You've always wanted to say that, haven't you milady?"
"Yep," she nodded, then her cheeks heated as a thought crossed her mind. "It's almost like we're a married couple…"
Sigrid laughed from where she was standing, a little bit down the street, leaning against her Range Rover. "Stop it you two. I'll need fillings from all this sweetness you're giving me at this rate."
"Yeah, yeah. I think you'll survive," Hiccup told her, then looked to his girlfriend. "See you later?"
"Yeah, I'll see you tonight," she grinned, eyes taking on a familiar glint of mischief before she turned away.
"Try not to think of me too much," she teased as she rounded her car to the driver's seat.
Seconds later, the engine roared to life and she was driving away.
"You two seem to have a strong relationship. I think I'm set to win the bet, future son in law."
"I have a name. It's Henry to you."
Sigrid nodded. "I know. I've read your file. Speaking of: paperwork awaits, so let's get going."
"Oh the horror. Alright, I'll try and contain my excitement for the paperwork," he replied, in a tone that expressed nothing but dread.
"Alright. Your office is here, your paperwork awaits and you're getting assigned a partner to show you the ropes," Sigrid filled him in, once they were inside the local DDIS building.
"Who?" Wondered Hiccup.
"An interpol agent who is on loan to us, and who is due to arrive between now and lunchtime."
"Okay." Hiccup shrugged. "I'll get started on the ghastly paperwork. Let me know when they get here."
When they did arrive, Hiccup had to force a smile as Sigrid introduced them. "This is Anja Riel. Your new Interpol partner."
"Nice to meet you," Anja said, now dressed in tight fitting black jeans and tie, which both contrasted against a white shirt.
"Nice to meet you too," said Hiccup, with enthusiasm he didn't feel.
"Try to get along. You've done so in the past, as I recall your files mentioned."
Sigrid then left, smiling in the wake of a surprised Anja gazing at the back of her head.
"Don't be so surprised; these people will know anything important about you, but fail to do enough to stop the bad guys," Hiccup told her before his tone became stern.
"You, in my office. Now."
The room had a desk and chair, with a door to the next room along on both sides of the office, in addition to the door that led to the hallway, through which Hiccup entered.
Settling into the chair behind the desk, Hiccup crossed his arms, resting his elbows on the pinewood, paperwork covered, surface, and directed his best withering glare at her as she entered and leaned against the aforementioned door.
"Explain."
She didn't waver under his intense gaze. "I'm deep undercover. Had to be convincing - from what I've heard happen, you clearly need any allies you can get. I'm trying to help you. So I'll ask again, what is your message to the Outcasts?"
Hiccup stood up and made his way over to her. "You want to know? Alright, here's your answer."
Sometime later, Anja scowled at Hiccup with her good eye as she held an ice pack to her black eye.
They were now in a staffroom, which happened to be right next door to Hiccup's office, reclining next to each other on a red couch.
"You're more stubborn than I remember," Anja stated, as she eyed him.
"And you have my apartment bugged and are associated with someone trying to incite violence. I think a black eye is a fair trade in this situation."
"Have you received a black eye recently?" She asked pointedly.
He nodded, surprising her a little. "Yes. Two at once in fact. I'm wearing concealer at the moment, so people don't stare and ask questions. In short: you're a wuss."
"Fair enough," Anja shrugged then smiled. "Oh, and give my commendations for that creative insult - 'daughter of a half troll' - I've never heard that before."
"Welcome to Berk. Home of creative insults, dumb muscular guys of Jorgenson descent and a criminal clan with a bit too much leeway for my liking."
Hiccup then stood up. "You can tell her you liked the insult yourself. No way in helheim am I telling her that you're apparently not completely insane, and we were once something approaching friends."
"Not sure why the latter would come up in conversation, but alright."
Hiccup simply shrugged, and she smiled a little.
"So how are you holding up? Not as filled with unresolved anger for your old man like you were when we met, I hope."
Hiccup paused by the door back to his office and sighed heavily. "Oh I wish. My life has gotten a whole lot more complicated lately. But I have Astrid, which is a plus. Anyway, I'm going to have a look around this place. You see that paperwork on the desk? That's your job."
"No, that's your job."
Hiccup shook his head. "I do believe you committed a crime known as carjacking. Unless you want Interpol to find out and be out of a job, you'll do the paperwork. Unless you can make me an offer I can't refuse."
She pursed her lips. "I can make such an offer. But you're not going to like it."
"Add it to the ever growing pile of things I don't like. Let's hear it."
"Don't say I didn't warn you," she sighed. "What's your phone number?"
Bewildered, he told her, and she brought out her phone. Some tapping at her device later, his phone received a text with a picture attached.
"Look closely at this picture I sent you," she told him, as she put her phone away.
One cursive glance at the screen of his phone later, he pocketed it, then lifted Anja from the couch with a two handed grip on her neck.
Shoving up against the nearest section of wall, his gaze was murderous. "Why does Interpol have a picture of my dead friend?" He demanded, with a voice that was deceptively calm.
"They don't," she rasped. "Kasper does. I got it from him this morning! Your friend isn't dead. He's wounded, in a coma! Look closer at the top right corner of the picture!"
He let go of Anja, who collapsed to the blue carpet floor, taking heaving breaths as Hiccup examined the picture as directed.
He gazed at the picture for several seconds. "What am I looking for?"
"A change in the picture that looks out of place. Think of hospital sheets."
Hiccup squinted at the image. "You mean this small patch of light blue?"
"Yes, that's it. Seems out of place, doesn't it? Almost like your friend was lying on something light blue. Like a hospital bed with light blue sheets."
Hiccup's lips drew together into a thin line. "So you're suggesting that my friend isn't dead but is in a coma, hence being unable to return to Berk. Certainly possible, but that seems too good to be true."
"Well this is obviously not the first time you've seen the picture, as you knew immediately what it was showing, so why not compare it to any copies you have?"
At the word 'compare', Hiccup started moving, and by the time she had finished her sentence, he had left the room.
…
In a certain hospital room, Fishlegs was irate, his wheelchair backed up against an empty hospital bed with a phone held to his ear and the doctors and nurses present knew to stay away.
His mood was particularly sour, on top of the news from Hiccup regarding their friend, but also due to him not having figured out how to walk on crutches, much like the day before.
"I tend not to swear lightly, so it is a serious matter when I say, Fuck Interpol."
"Rude."
"Go fuck yourself, disembodied voice," Fishlegs snarled. "You have knowledge pertaining to a great friend of mine, and are only now forthcoming with news of his possible survival, who you provided to my oldest friend earlier today. I am by no means in a mood for politeness. I care about it today."
"This is a delicate situation, requiring secrecy for the safety of your friend. So keep a level head-"
"Fuck off," Fishlegs spat. "Fuck all the way off. If you wanted a level head, then you should have spilled the beans sooner. Go take a swan dive into traffic."
Fishlegs then hung up with a heavy sigh as he turned to Hiccup. "What is this world coming to? I need a drink, or several. Thor Bonecrusher needs to come out, I think."
Piercing green met piercing blue. "And then what?"
"And then, he will deal with the Outcasts. There will be no rioting on my watch. Then we'll deal with the possibility of Aage No-Name being alive somehow. There's still a chance that your Interpol friend is lying."
"I know, but the chance of that is looking slim. You know that."
Fishlegs sighed sadly while looking forlorn. "Aye, but I wish I didn't."
"Me too. Anyway, I have to call Astrid."
So Fishlegs tossed Hiccup his phone, as the call to Anja's superior had been made through it.
"Hey, Asta, how did it go? …I see. Well, I'll be round to pick you up soon. Fishlegs and I have another plan. …Yeah, I'll see you soon."
"Asta huh?" Fishlegs smirked. "Didn't know you considered Astrid a goddess. …Maybe I should call Heather something similar."
"That's a good idea. In fact why not invite her and Dagur along? The more the merrier."
And so it later came to pass that Astrid, Ingrid, Dagur, Anne and Heather were all watching with either concern (in Astrid and Heather's case) or great amusement as Hiccup drove Fishlegs down the street on his motorbike.
The latter was now drunk following a visit to Johann's, and as such was in full 'Thor Bonecrusher' mode, yelling obscenities at all Outcasts present, while tossing handfuls of flyers from a plastic bag as they sped past.
The Outcasts who were watching as this occurred, couldn't help being as amused as the Berkians who were watching from afar, and nothing was thrown at either the driver or the irate passenger of the motorbike at any point of their journey.
"Thank you for driving with Haddock chauffeur's. Pleasure to be your driver this evening."
"Shut up, Fishbone. You're not my fucking chauffeur," Thor Bonecrusher shot back, prompting laughter from all involved at his words while the man scowled into the middle distance.
"Look. They're picking up the flyers you left. The problem seems to be solved now," commented Ingrid.
Everyone else stopped focusing on Fishlegs and looked ahead, to see the Outcasts converging on the dropped flyers en masse.
"Let's hope so," remarked Astrid, with Heather nodding along.
"Yeah. That way I can get back to my actual job, rather than babysitting duty," drawled Anne.
"No offense to you though," she hastily told the Berserker siblings.
They smiled to show they weren't hurt. "None taken."
As this was happening, Hiccup drew near to Astrid. "Still up for meeting my Dad later?"
"If not today, then some other time."
"Okay. To be honest, I was hoping you'd call the thing off, since things seem to have fixed themselves now, meaning there's no real rush for you to meet him," Hiccup commented, with a nod at the Outcasts as he rubbed the back of his neck.
She regarded him carefully, noting the subconscious act that conveyed his nervousness. "Too early to know for sure though, babe."
He sighed. "I guess you're right about that, milady…"
"So uh, Hiccup… how long will "Thor Bonecrusher" be around for?" Heather wondered.
He looked her way. "For as long as the alcohol is in his system. You'll have to let it run its course. Sorry Heather."
"Shit."
"Very eloquently put," Hiccup chuckled.
Heather tried to hold back a smile, but failed. "Shut up."
…
Later in the day, Hiccup was knocking on the door of the Haddock Lodge; his family's ancestral home, which dated back to Viking times, though it had been rebuilt and renovated numerous times over the years.
Following his knocking on the tall wooden door, it opened to reveal the slim but tall form of a woman.
A woman he knew quite well.
Hiccup and Valka stared at each other, their eyes going wide, before the eyes of the former narrowed in fury.
"I do believe you owed me a chat once you were done in Copenhagen. You're not going to tell me you just got back, are you?"
"Hiccup, little help with these suitcases?"
"Valka, who is it?"
Neither answered their respective partners for a moment, then Hiccup broke the silence. "You know, there was a time I considered you the best adult on Berk. How times change. Guess my mother really did die all those years ago, and you are simply an imposter."
"Hiccup, I-" she began, but Hiccup cut her off with a snarl.
"Go fuck yourself and your excuses. It's too late for that now," he snapped, then turned to help Astrid by taking one of the suitcases she had under her arms, before brushing past his parents without another word.
"Um… nice to meet you two," Astrid said, smiling weakly before also moving past them to hurry after Hiccup.
"Babe, wait up!"
…
A/N: Forecast for next chapter: Aftermath of the Outcast debacle and more on Aage No-Name's possible living status, with a small chance of continued Haddock family drama.
Not sure if I'll focus on that or continue to tie up plot threads/set up stuff for the sequel and leave the drama for later.
Who's excited?
Leave your thoughts in a review ;)