Chapter 16

Moments after the kiss began a crack of bone on bone could be heard, followed by a grunt and the sound of a large body roughly hitting wood.

Swiping at her mouth, Astrid turned on the man glaring, "what the Hel Eret?!" His boisterous laughter rang out from the ground as he began to stand back up–straightening his clothes as he did. The rest of the group still in silent shock at seeing the man they now know as Eret kiss Astrid. None more so than Hiccup.

"Oh calm down Ace, not like I haven't done it before." Astrid grumbled and rolled her eyes, turning away from him to look at the rest of the group. Immediately her eyes went to Hiccup. She could see his mouth was set in a tight line but his face was shadowed by his bangs as he looked away from her. Leaving her unable to read what he was feeling but if she had to guess by his tightly balled fist at his side–he was upset, very upset.

Damn it Eret.

Pushing aside the guilt for Hiccup's hurt feelings Astrid decided she would talk to him about later, when the rest of the group was listening. "Everyone this is Eret he'a going to be taking us where we are heading. Eret this is Fishlegs, Heather, Snotlout, Tuffnut, Ruffnut and Hiccup," she said as she pointed to each member of the group.

Eret looked over every member of the group throughly finally landing on Hiccup, who still had yet to look up. "So this is him?" Eret asked as he stepped closer to Hiccup. Who snapped his head up at the action. His eye narrowed in anger at Eret.

"Whoa there, what's with the death glare, mate?" He asked with his charming accent and smile. The group around the two men began to shift uncomfortably knowing exactly why Hiccup was so upset with the man.

"Yes, Eret this is him and on your ship I would like you," Astrid looked at the group, "and everyone else to refer to him as Henry." Eret took his gaze off of Hiccup and cocked an eyebrow up at the request.

"You don't trust my men Ace? You ask me to drop everything I'm doing and get you, with very few details and then you ask me to lie to my men?" His charming voice suddenly adopting a very business like tone.

"Yes." She said not explaining further. Knowing she would do so later in a more private setting.

Eret took a moment to contemplate her request before ultimately giving her a stiff nod. "Fine." He turned back the rest of the group his tense face gone replaced by his happy grin again. "Well what do you suppose, we get all of you aboard? I'm freezing my balls off out here." The group nodded and picked up their bags and began to follow him towards the now set up gangplank. Astrid couldn't help but notice the looks she received and more notably didn't receive as they all passed her. Ruffnut who had been staring starry-eyed at Eret until she passed when quickly her gaze turned into a narrowed glare before snapping back. The boys didn't seem overly mad, more confused than anything but they didn't seem to hold what happened against her.

Well all but one boy who passed by her with out so much as a glance, his eyes narrowed and his body ridged in anger. His bag slung over his leather clad shoulder. A painful reminder of how wonderful the day had started, only for it now to end up like this. Astrid only hoped that she could fix the problem that Eret had just caused her.

Last to pass her was Heather, stopping briefly in front of Astrid, who fully expected a stern glare and curt words. Instead she got a gentle hand on her own black leather sleeve. "I'll talk to him." She said quietly so the others wouldn't hear before giving Astrid's arm a slight squeeze and letting go, moving quickly to catch with the rest of the group.

Astrid stood there a minute baffled by the other woman's compassion. It was only less than 24 hours earlier that she had been calling her a traitor. And now it seemed she wanted to help her out of this mess. Letting out a sigh Astrid silently picked up her rifle and duffel bag and following the group onto the ship.

. . . . .

Hiccup roughly threw his duffel bag onto one of the two beds in his and Astrid's small shared cabin. The bag bouncing once before coming to rest on the patchwork quilt that covered it. Following the path of the bag Hiccup flopped directly next to where it rested, burying his head into the stiff pillow that laid there. Trying desperately to block out the outside world and the images from fifteen minutes ago that kept replaying over and over in his mind.

The way Eret had grabbed her waist and pulled her close, smashing his lips to hers. It was all so familiar, like it had been rehearsed hundreds of times prior to that moment. His chest clenched tightly at the thought.

He knew–he knew that Astrid had a past relationship with someone. She had admitted it herself–but seeing it first hand was unbelievably difficult. More emotionally and physically painful than he thought possible. On cue his chest tightened again, making it hard for him to breath. As tears began to prickling at the back of his eyes. He wasn't sure if it was from the pain in his chest or heart, not that it mattered.

A knock to his door brought him out of his world of pain and back to the present.

The knock came again, "go away." His muffled voice called out, his face still buried in the pillow. There was a pause and he thought that maybe the person knocking had listened but then the cabin door opened with a small creak. The person silently entered and shut the door behind them gently and moved across the room, before sitting in the bed next to him. Dipping the hard mattress down without saying a word. It was only when a gentle hand began to gently rub his back did he know exactly who had come to see him.

Heather.

"Go away Heather, I don't want to talk." She made a small noise as she kept rubbing his back. Clearly not listening.

"Okay if you won't talk will you listen?"

"No."

"Well too damn bad because I'm going to talk and if you would like to chime in–feel free." She chided. "So that was some kiss huh?" She stated boldly.

Hiccup instantly shot up at what Heather said his eyes narrowed at his sudo-Sister. "Really Heather? Are you trying to make me feel better or just twist the knife more?" His green blazing as he questioned her.

"Why would I be twisting a knife by talking about Astrid kissing another man, hmm? It's not like you're her boyfriend or anything." She asked nonchalantly. Clearly goading him.

"Oh come on Heather you know why." His voice was raising with every syllable.

"No, I don't think I do. Why would seeing Astrid with another man anger you Hiccup?" She asked him again her voice even and cool.

"Because it just does!" He all but shouted at her as he felt his pulse and breathing increase.

"But why?" She persisted.

"Because I'm in love with her!" He said quickly now fully shouting, only to have his whole body freeze as the last word flew out of his mouth. Green eyes widening as he realized what exactly he had said. His heart almost coming to a complete stop from the frantic pace it had just been at.

"…I'm in love with her…" He said his voice barely a whisper now, "and-and seeing her with Eret hurts more than I could ever have imagined. Because Gods knows I can't compete with that mountain of muscles." He let out a sardonic chuckle as he gestured slightly at himself. "Look at me Heather, I'm just some pathetic guy who can't even protect himself. I'm utterly useless." He said dropping his head into his hands, hiding the tell tell signs of the fresh tears that were prickling at his eyes.

With his head dropped he expected another comforting back rub from Heather after bearing his soul for her to see–what he didn't expect was a firm wack to the back of his head. Sending his whole body lurching forward, almost off the bed.

"Hey what–" He was cut off when an angry Heather pulled him by his leather collar only inches away from his face. Her bright green eyes blazing in fury.

"You listen here Hiccup. I don't ever want to hear you call yourself that word ever again. You are so much more than that. You are amazing and talented, incredibly funny and the most caring person I've ever met and you have more worth than a hundred Eret's combined do you understand me?" Hiccup stared wide eyed at Heather, half afraid half in awe of what she had said. The conviction in her voice made it hard to believe her. Tentatively he gave her a nod and finally felt her hands let him go. His collar now as rumbled as his nerves.

"H-Heather I know you're just saying these thing to make me feel better about what happened and while I appreciate it. You can stop. I maybe all of those things but Astrid obviously doesn't want those things. She wants something different from all this." He said gesturing to his lanky seated form again.

Letting out a sigh Heather shook her head, "Hiccup you did see that whole part where Astrid decked Eret for kissing her right?" Hiccup shrugged, looking not at all convinced.

"Doesn't change the fact that she and he were unquestionably a thing in the past or that she took so damn long to knock him away." Hiccup's eyes dulled thinking about the way Astrid had looked as Eret kissed her senseless.

She didn't seem to respond but she sure as Hel didn't push him away immediately either. He thought morosely.

"Hiccup do you remember when I dated Throk back in High school?" Heather asked out of the blue.

Hiccup took a moment to rake threw his memories until he finally found a few of Heather with the buff man. "Uh, yeah. Back in freshman year?" Heather nodded in agreement.

"Do you remember anything about him?"

Hiccup again tried to remember anything about the man, unfortunately all he could come up with was the guy had tons of muscles and very few brains. "Didn't he play football? I also remember him inviting me to the gym once, which was a waste of time because I could barely lift a ten pound weight at that age." He chuckled quietly thinking about how small he had been at that age before his growth spurt in between sophomore and junior year.

"Yup, star football player, gym rat, really easy on the eyes. Total package right?" Hiccup shrugged but ultimately agreed. The guy did seem like everything a girl would want.

"Wrong." That got his attention, "the guy was an idiot. Really pretty but not much going on behind that handsome face. I would sit with him for hours bored out of my mind, while he and his equally dumb friends talked about football, working out and girls. The depths of their conversations barely passed infant pool level. But I stayed and listened and smiled and hated second of it but I didn't leave him and do you know why?"

Hiccup shook his head.

"Because at the time he was what I thought I wanted and it wasn't until someone else showed me that I didn't have to settle for a dumb jock did I leave him. Do you know who that guy that was?"

Hiccup shook his head again.

"It was Fishlegs." She said with a smile. "I came over to your house after school one day and he was there. This was before Fishlegs had moved to our school so I had only heard of him in passing from you. He was so sweet, and funny and smart. We talked the whole time I was there, which you didn't even seem to notice because your Mom had videoed in from her newest dig site." Hiccup smiled at the memory. Heather was right he didn't notice that his two best friends had slipped away that afternoon. He had been totally wrapped up in the finding of his Mother's newest dig. A fully intact stormcutter. The first ever.

"When I was leaving Fishlegs asked me if he could possibly write me." She let out a sweet laugh and played with the necklace Fishlegs had given her for their last anniversary. "He asked if he could write me, Hiccup? Who does that? Anyways despite the fact that I would have much rather talked to him on the phone or in person I agreed. I knew he was shy so writing was probably easier for him. And it was during those back and forth letters that I fell in love with him. The kind, gentle, intelligent man that he is. Everything opposite of what I thought I wanted."

While Heather was speaking Hiccup had stayed silent, opting to take in the endearing love story of his best friends than comment.

"It was also during that time that I realized that I didn't just want Fishlegs but that I needed Fishlegs. I needed him to help me become the person I am today, just like he needed me. Just like Astrid needs you." She paused as the two sets of green eyes locked in an intense gaze. "She needs you more than she will probably ever know–or admit. Probably more than you need her Hiccup. So don't give up on her yet. She's gonna be a tough one to crack but just hang in there. Don't write her off so quickly, I promise it will all pay off."

Hiccup was quiet as he thought over what Heather said. The idea that Astrid, impossibly tough Astrid needed him more than he needed her was almost laughable. He was the one being hunted down like prey yet she needed him–impossible.

"Yeah, I get what you're saying but–"

"No buts Hiccup, if you really love her then you have to understand that she had a life before you and you can't change that but I know her future lies with you. She needs you Hiccup don't let a pile of muscles from her past stop that." She told him sternly, her eyes capturing his in a firm hold.

"But what if her past doesn't stay in her past?" At his question Heather softened a bit his fear of loosing Astrid to the man he deemed better than him almost palpable in the air.

"I'll ask you again…did you see that punch?" Hiccup's mouth ticked slightly on the left side. Replaying the moment again in vivid detail.

"It was a pretty decent punch." Heather grabbed a hold of his hands with her own and gave them a tight squeeze before standing up–straightening out her grey skirt and black leggings.

"Yes it was, now get yourself together and come to Eret's cabin they want to go over a few things." She said but stopped as she put her hand on the door handle turning to look over her shoulder. "But make sure you give her Hel later about that slow reaction." Hiccup grinned fully and she left the room.

. . . . .

Astrid stared down at the large map covering the span of Eret's desk, standing beside her was Eret–the two examining it in utter silence. Every so often Eret would pass her questioning looks and Astrid continued to ignore him, still brooding over the kiss.

Letting out a aggravated sigh Eret stood to his full hight and crossed his large arms over his chest. His boot tapping the ground in an annoying fashion waiting for her to acknowledge the tense air between them.

Astrid heard the taping and saw him standing there out the corner of her eye but she refused to look up from the map in front of her. Instead she gritted her teeth and narrowed her gaze downward openly ignoring him.

After several minutes of the silent stand off Eret had had enough, "dear Gods Ace what is your problem?" Blue eyes snapped up at the question, all thoughts of ignoring the issue long gone.

Astrid began to advance on Eret, finger poised at his chest. "My problem is you Eret!" She shoved the appendage hard into his muscular chest. Sending a tiny but sharp bolt of pain through the spot.

"Whoa what did I do?" He asked rubbing the spot gingerly, "wait don't tell me this is about the kiss. Oh Ace, you know I was just messing around. I haven't seen you in a while and felt like givin' you a proper greeting. Just like the old days." He winked and gave her a toothy grin which slowly dropped when he saw the angry scowl that seemed to only deepen with his words.

"Eret," uh oh, she used my real name again, she really is mad at me. He thought as she continued.

"I'm on a job and kissing me–like that or at all–is not acceptable. You know that. Not to mention the small fact that I didn't even want you too!" Eret threw his hands up in defense when it looked like another finger was heading his way.

"Okay Okay I'm sorry! Just calm down Ace." Astrid seemed to visibly relax at his apology. "I doubt that group would say anything to your Uncle anyways."

Astrid's large blue eyes rolled and she looked away from him, taking a moment to run across the cabin. She noticed that Eret had changed the room around since the last time she had been here. The bed and chest had been moved, he had gotten a new set of bedding and new maps and trinkets laid amongst the ones familiar to her. She turned back to Eret's expecting gaze and shrugged, "it would only give the man more of a reason to hate me." Eret's features softened as he moved towards her and placed a hand on Astrid's shoulder, cupping the spot gently.

"We all deal with pain differently, Ace. He chooses to lash out. We chose to distract ourselves with lots of alcohol and fantastic rolls in the hay. If I do say so myself." A wicked grin spread across his face and Astrid couldn't help up roll her eyes again as she moved away from him.

"Speaking of which could you maybe cut down on bringing up our past." He cocked an eyebrow at her request before narrowing his eyes at her stiff frame.

"Alright this isn't just about being 'unprofessional' on the job. What's got you actin' this way. Like you're tryin' to keep your past a secret from some…one–OH MY GODS!" Eret's eyes practically bulged out of his head as he pointed an accusing finger in her direction, "that's why you were so mad about the kiss because of someone in the group seein' it. You like someone!" He suddenly began gleefully smiling at the deadly blonde.

"Well, soil my britches! I never thought I would see the day when Astrid Hofferson would have a crush on someone." He stroked his chin thoughtfully as he ignored the icy glare that he was receiving. "Now who could it be…as lovely of a picture as it would make I doubt it was one of the ladies. So that only leaves–" his eyes widened and his hand dropped. "Hiccup…or should I say Henry. It's him isn't it? The one you're protecting. That's why he looked so damn pissed at me." Astrid quickly averted her gaze from his hoping to hide the truth that would be plainly written on her face.

"We're just friends." She quickly corrected him, even if the information wasn't wholly the truth.

"Just friends my ass and my name isn't Eret Eretson, Son of Eret, conqueror of the savage waters of the Archipelago, Major in the Berk Guard–"

"Oh Thor," Astrid mumbled under her breath as Eret continued his self absorbed gloating.

"–And…hey are you even paying attention to me, woman?" He abruptly stopped and shot her accusatory look. Before he could comment again a loud knock rang out through the room stopping him. He shot one more pointed glare at Astrid before turning to the door, "come in!" He called out.

The door opened to reveal a crew member named Baldbeard, a heavy set man who was both bald and had a beard. "Cap' you wanted to see the passengers." Baldbeard gestured to the six people behind him who all peered curiously into the room.

"Ah yes, come in–come in!" Eret charmingly greeted the group, all remnants of the heated discussion he and Astrid were just having completely gone. Once inside the room Eret thanked Baldbeard and he shut the door.

"Welcome, everyone. Astrid and I wanted to bring you here so we could speak with you privately." Everyone's eyes seemed to snap to the blonde bodyguard. A varying array of looks greeted her, the only one she cared to note though was the only one that wouldn't meet her gaze earlier. Hiccup's green eyes bore right into her, looking at her in a cautious and curious way. Like he was seeing her for the first time or something. Which stirred a strange unpleasant feeling in Astrid's gut.

Pushing past the strange feeling his stare was giving her Astrid pulled herself together and addressed the group. "As you all know we've left Berk, what you don't know is where we are heading." Astrid leaned down and pointed at the large map of the whole of the Archipelago in front of her. Her finger landing on the large island of Berk before slowly tracing a path south west until it landed on a smaller Island with a large mountain rising out of the center.

"Berserker Island." Astrid said simply, her eyes only resting now on Heather. Who had gone pale at the reveal.

"D-do you-you mean…" Heather quietly stuttered out unable to finish her question.

"We're going to see Dagur. I think the two of you are over due for a visit." Heather's eyes began to tear up, her body beginning to tremble.

"T-Truly?"

"Yes, we're going to see your Brother."

Quick footsteps carried Heather around the table and past the group toward Astrid, before launching herself into the other girls arms. Opening her arms automatically, Astrid grabbed hold of Heather as Heather wrapped her arms tightly around her. Burying her head in her neck. Tears rapidly soaking Astrid's black leather jacket. As Heather chanted a muffled 'Thank you' over and over. Cautiously Astrid wrapped her arms around the raven haired girl. Hugging her lightly.

As Heather continued the hug Astrid brought her line of vision forward, locking immediately with Hiccup's. No longer was he watching her with cation, now his eyes held her in a warm gaze. A soft smile on his face as he watched the two.

Slowly a half smile formed on Astrid's face as her grip tightened on Heather. Causing a new round of fresh tears to come out of the girl as everyone watched on.

. . . . .

Astrid stood staring at the wooden door of her and Hiccup's joint cabin for a good twenty minutes before she able to muster up the courage and enter the room. While the meeting in Eret's cabin had gone well and all strain with in the group seemed to dissolve she had yet to physically talk to Hiccup. The only interaction they had had was the brief smile while Heather hugged her.

Taking a deep breath Astrid rolled her shoulders and straightened her back preparing for whatever may lay behind the door and slowly opened it. Giving Hiccup time to object to her entering in case he was getting dressed or something.

Hearing nothing Astrid opened the door fully only to find Hiccup laying on top of his quilt, boots and leather jacket off, arms folded behind his head and eyes closed. Quietly Astrid closed the door and moved toward her own bed sitting down on the lumpy mattress, her back facing Hiccup. Gingerly Astrid slipped her own leather jacket off her shoulders exposing her long sleeve red shirt to the air and then moved down to her heavy combat boots, unlacing them before letting them drop to the floor with a loud thunk. Astrid shifted on the mattress and stretched out, lying in a similar fashion as Hiccup.

The two laid there silent for several minutes until finally Hiccup spoke breaking it, "its really nice what you're doing for Heather." He told her, opening his eyes and rolling to his side to face her. Astrid followed suit and rolled to her side, facing him.

"Those two deserve a meeting and honestly it's not solely for her, Berserker Island will be safe for you and I have a few questions that I think Dagur could help me answer. Maybe give us some more insight on who might want you dead so badly." The two were silent again but still continued to stare at each other, neither breaking the others gaze.

Letting out a deep breath Astrid began the conversation that she had been dreading for several hours. "Look Hiccup, about Eret–"

"You two had a relationship in the past." He said cutting her off. Inciting a cringe from her.

Clearing her throat awkwardly Astrid chose her words carefully for what she would tell him next. "Um–not exactly. Eret and I have been friends for years and after Thug died he and I…well…" Astrid trailed off again trying to find the words to describe the sort of relationship her and Eret had had. When suddenly Eret's words from earlier came to mind. Giving her the perfect way to explain herself to Hiccup. "Hiccup, everyone deals with pain differently, Eret and I, we chose to deal with ours with well…ourselves. That was the extent of our relationship past friendship. Nothing more, no feelings, no love, just a brief attempt to forget our pain." She finished quietly keeping her eyes locked on his. Refusing to back down now. For an unknown reason to her she felt like he deserved this explanation.

After a moment of digesting the information Hiccup gave her a small nod and rolled back onto his back closing his eyes. Seemingly done with the conversation. Rolling onto her back as well Astrid closed her eyes and let out a breath of relief. Not realizing how much stress she was carrying until it was finally gone.

"Astrid." Hiccup said suddenly from his side of the room.

"Yeah?" She asked opening her eyes and looking over at him.

"Your reaction time sucks." He said before rolling onto his other side and facing away from her.

A large smile spread across Astrid's face before she closed her eyes again. Sleeping coming easier to her that night then it had in days.

. . . . .

"You have failed me like your brother failed me Viggo." The chilling voice of his master said from his large desk.

"Sir, Krogan and his men had no knowledge of any extra security around the Haddock boy. Clearly Stoick has gotten wind that his Son is in danger and placed extra security." He said a slight uncharacteristic tremble present in his voice.

"Do we have any idea who is protecting the boy? Or where they are now?" Viggo swallowed the large lump in his throat before answering.

"No on both accounts."

"I see." His Masters chair screeched loudly across the floor as he stood up and moved away from his desk and toward Viggo. "What did I say would happen if you failed me Viggo?"

Viggo took a shuddering breath and averted his eyes downward as his Master looked at him. "You said I would pay the price, Master."

"Yes I did." He nodded and several men came out of the shadows and surrounded Viggo. Restraining him in a similar fashion as his brother. "Now I don't plan on killing you, Viggo but I do plan on giving you a permanent reminder of your failure." Strong arms tightened their grip on his arms and for a brief moment he tried to fight, until he saw the piercing glare from his Master and knew that fighting would mean his death.

"Now when you are done with your punishment I'll need you to activate our next solider to go after the boy. This time I want Hiccup captured alive and brought to me. I believe a chat with the Haddock boy is in order." Viggo tentatively nodded in understanding.

"Of course, who would you have me activate Master?"

A grim smile crossed his Master's face, "activate The Red Death."

So first off y'alls reviews for last chapter, woo. I hope this chapter eased the minds of those that are worried about an Astrid/Eret reunion. They have a complicated past but in no way is it going to be revived. I promise. This is a slow burn Hiccup and Astrid romance all the way.

As always thank you all for the reviews, good and bad. I appreciate that others can feel as passionate about this story, or any of my stories as much as I am.