Hiccup was shocked when he saw Astrid approaching his truck. She was wearing a pretty red sun dress, but she was pale and looking down at the ground. He was so used to seeing her bright and happy, but there was so much more going on under the surface.
Hiccup got out of the car and went around to the other side to open the door for Astrid. She gave him a small smile in thanks, but still didn't say a word as she slid into the car. It was actually worrying Hiccup quite a bit; Astrid didn't seem like the kind of girl to hold everything in.
Even so, Hiccup didn't press her as he climbed back into the truck and headed towards the hospital. She had brought along a plate of her amazing banana bread, and she played with the plastic wrap covering it.
They didn't say anything, but they didn't need to. Astrid was comforted simply by Hiccup's presence. As he drove towards the hospital, Astrid distracted herself by thinking about what a wonderful man Hiccup was. When she had first seen him at the bar, she could sense the sadness and defeated attitude that he sometimes carried around with him. But past all of that, he just had a kind, wonderful heart. He needed to believe in himself more. Astrid found herself wanting to help him realize that he didn't have to be sad all of the time.
She was pulled from her thoughts when Hiccup gently touched her hand—they had arrived at the hospital. She gripped the plate carrying the baked goods tightly in her hands as Hiccup opened the car door once again. She climbed out of the car and stared up at the hospital. This shouldn't be this hard. She should be happy to see her papa, since she only had three to five months left to actually visit him.
But that was the problem. Astrid didn't want to think about losing her father. It hurt too much. In the back of her mind, she knew that it was going to happen eventually. But she didn't think that she would ever lose someone in her family—especially someone so close to her—to cancer.
Hiccup still didn't say a word. He simply held his hand out to Astrid. She felt as if she was about to cry once again, because he was offering her support without asking any questions. His presence was strong and reassuring.
Astrid slipped her hand into Hiccup's. Together, they walked into the hospital. Since Hiccup had no idea where they were going, Astrid had to lead him. Her steps were slow but constant as she made her way to the cancer wing. When Hiccup realized where they were going, he stepped closer to her and squeezed her hand.
When the girl knocked on her father's door, she heard him laugh. He was laughing as if nothing was wrong, and she didn't know if she wanted to laugh with him or cry. He was so strong. Even though he knew that he was going to die, he still lived his life and didn't slip into a depression. Astrid was amazed at her father.
"Astrid, you know that you don't have to knock," Evan said. "You can come in whenever you want to."
Astrid managed a smile. "Right," she said. Her hand was still tucked in Hiccups's, and she gripped it tightly as she stepped into the room. Hiccup stayed close behind her, and she wanted nothing more than to lean back into him. She stopped herself, however; despite how wonderful Hiccup had been, she didn't exactly know him well enough for that.
Evan immediately noticed Hiccup's presence. "And who is this?" Evan knew exactly who Hiccup was, but he was going to make Astrid say it. Just like Alexa, he was thrilled with the relationship his daughter seemed to be developing.
Astrid decided to appease her father. "This is Hiccup Haddock, dad. I hope you don't mind that he came with me to visit today."
"Of course not!" Evan exclaimed. He gestured to the chairs situated by the bed. "You should sit down."
Still holding onto Hiccup's hand, Astrid took the seat nearest to Evan's bed. It was as if Hiccup knew that she couldn't let go, because he pulled the other chair right up to Astrid's and sat down. It was obvious that Astrid's father had cancer, but he hadn't figured out much more than that. It explained a lot about Astrid's behavior, however.
Evan's eyes zeroed in on the way the boy was holding Astrid's hand. He looked at the younger man, and Hiccup could feel the tips of her ears turning red. Here he was, in front of Astrid's father, holding onto to her hand like he did it every day. Honestly, it really did feel that way, but he pushed that thought away. He just had to be there for Astrid right now.
Evan gave him an amused look but didn't comment on it. Instead, he turned to his daughter. "Why don't you tell me about the new parts you've been offered, little star?"
Astrid's eyes narrowed. "Mom talked to you, didn't she?" When Evan didn't say anything, she sighed. "I haven't exactly been offered another part. I still have to audition for them, you know."
"But you'll get them for sure," Evan said. Turning to Hiccup, he added, "Have you heard my little girl sing. She's quite the star, you know."
Astrid's cheeks turned bright pink. "Dad!" she protested. "I'm sure Hiccup was too busy to see one of the musicals while we were in high school." She gave Hiccup a small smile. "I won't hold it against you."
"Actually, I have seen some of the musicals," Hiccup admitted.
Astrid's eyes widened in surprise at his admission. "Have you really?"
Hiccup smiled at the look of complete and utter shock on Astrid's face. "Just because I wasn't involved in the theater department doesn't mean I didn't see some shows from time to time."
"You mean that teachers were handing out extra credit points if you went to go see the musicals," she deadpanned. She gave him this look with one eyebrow slightly arched, and he chuckled.
"Yeah, you're right. Guilty as charged, Astrid. But that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy it." It was how Hiccup had remembered Astrid when she had walked into the bar. The first time he had heard she sing, she had only been a sophomore and he had been a senior. Her voice touched something in him that night, and he remembered that there hadn't been a single dry eye in the auditorium. He hadn't forgotten about it since then.
Astrid bit her lip as she looked up at him. Hiccup squeezed her hand again, and they did that thing where they just smiled at each other for an extended amount of time. Evan was practically beside himself watching the two young adults interact. Something was happening between them, and he was seeing it develop right before his eyes.
"I take it that you've heard Astrid sing, then," Evan said.
"Dad!" She exclaimed again. "Just because Hiccup enjoyed the show doesn't mean that he did because I was singing."
"That is why," he pointed out. When she turned to look at him, Hiccup sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. "I mean, the other parts of the plays were nice. But you're singing… it's really something else, Astrid."
Astrid was used to getting compliments. She got them all throughout her high school and college career. Due to her power and talent, it hadn't been difficult for her to find a part on TV. But there was something different about Hiccup's praise. His green eyes bored into hers, and it made her heart beat faster and her stomach flutter.
"Thank you," She said softly in response.
"If you thought that she was great in high school, you should hear her now," Evan said. "Will you sing for me sometime soon?"
And just like that, all of the lightness that Astrid had felt disappeared. Her dad wouldn't get to hear her sing for very much longer. He wouldn't get to see the new part she would get when she returned to New York. Astrid's chest constricted, and her grip tightened around Hiccup's hand once again. He shot her a worried look, but she couldn't bring herself to look at him. Seeing Hiccup's genuine and true concern and support for her was sure to make her cry.
"Of course, dad," She forced herself to say. "Whenever you want me to. I'll sing whatever you want, too."
Evan yawned. "Sing for me next time, Astrid. And you can pick whatever you want. Surprise me. I know it'll be a good song."
Astrid nodded her head. She could see that Evan was getting tired. Despite the fact that their visit hadn't been that long, it had really taken a lot out of him. He easily tired these days, but that was too be expected. That didn't make it any easier for Astrid, though.
"We should probably get going," She whispered. "You look tired."
Evan looked as if he was going to protest, but he ended up not doing it. Instead, he just nodded his head and smiled. "Give me a kiss and a hug."
Astrid took a deep breath and slowly released Hiccup's hand before she stood up. Leaning over, she kissed Evan's cheek and carefully hugged him. She held on to him as long as she could. Each hug now was more special than the last, because she didn't know when the last one would be.
Astrid stood and wrapped her arms around her body as Hiccup stood as well. He offered his hand to shake to Evan. The older man did so with a smile and a nod of his head; he didn't need to say anything, because Hiccup understood what Evan was trying to convey.
"I'll see you soon, princess," Evan said. "Love you."
Astrid gave her dad a real smile, then. "I love you too, dad."
Astrid was staring out the window, but she wasn't really seeing anything as Hiccup drove. She pulled herself from her reverie when he parked the truck and turned it off. She looked around at the semi-familiar surroundings before she turned to him with a questioning look on her face.
"Hiccup, what are we doing here?" It was a park that had been in Berk for as long as she could remember. Since it was the middle of the day during the week, it was empty. Hiccup, not saying anything, got out of the truck and opened the door for Astrid. He offered her his hand, and she took it.
"It didn't really seem like you were ready to go home," he said. "I thought you could use some time outside of the house for a little bit. I hope this is okay."
Astrid squeezed Hiccups's hand. How did he know her so well already? Home was the last place that she wanted to be at the moment. "It's perfectly alright, Hiccup."
Together, they made their way into the park. The girl took in the slide and the play castle and the old swing set. A small smile formed on her lips. "You know, I don't think I've been here since my sophomore year of high school."
"Really?" He leaned against the swing set. "What made you stop coming? Did you get too cool for it, or something?"
Astrid laughed. "No, it wasn't anything like that." She looked around the playground once again, and she couldn't help the sadness that filled her. "I guess I just got too busy."
Hiccup watched her for several long moments. "That's depressing," he stated.
"I know," She said with a sigh. It really was. She had stopped doing things like going to the playground or just relaxing and having fun once her junior year of high school rolled around. After that, it became about her future career.
"Well." Hiccup pushed off from the swing set and reached for Astrid's hand. He led her over to one of the swings and sat her down on it before he stepped behind her. He gently began to push her, his hand strong and firm on her back. "You're not busy now, are you?"
A bright smile formed on Astrid's lips, and she held on to the rusty chains of the swing. Nearly half an hour passed in silence as Hiccup pushed her on the swing. She had her eyes closed and she just reveled in the feeling of being free and light for that time.
But as always, reality crept back up on her. She gripped the chain of the swing tighter, and the words spilled from her mouth without any thought.
"My dad only has three to five months left to live."
Hiccup gently tugged the swing to a stop. He made his way to the front of the swing and put his hands on Astrid's shoulders. She was staring down at the ground; for once, she wasn't about to cry. She just forced herself to say it as it was.
Hiccup tucked two fingers under Astrid's chin and tilted her face up. Without a word, Hiccup tugged her from the swing and pulled her into his arms. One hand tangled in her hair as the other smoothed up and down her back.
As Hiccup held her, all she could think was this was the place she wanted to be.
