Chapter 22: Astrid.

Hiccup's POV

My dad and Gobber decided to head home for the night despite the fact they wanted to stay with me in the hospital. I told them it wasn't necessary and that they need at least some sleep.

Even though I was technically alone in my hospital room, I still have my dog sleeping on the floor beside my hospital bed. I know that as long he's here with me, I feel safe from anyone and anything.

I flip through the channels on the tv with the remote. Nothing much on besides the news. It especially didn't help that I found out today that Dagny posted bail and has moved back in with her family. Not only it's not comfortable that she's out on bail, It's driving actually me crazy thinking about what she could do now that she's no longer in police custody.

My father though was absolutely certain that he wants a body guard with me at all times. Unfortunately, the police and the guy prosecuting my case agreed. I now have a guard outside my room at this very moment. He seems nice, but very stern and doesn't talk much.

" Dad. How long will this guy be here?" I asked him about it earlier in the day.

" Until the trial is over and you are safe." He says.

I get his need and his worry on protecting me, but come on. I don't want to be followed by some guy for who knows how long. It's creepy and very annoying. Plus I have to explain to people that I'm a victim and this is my guard. Looks like the normal life is never going to be meant for me. Then again it never was.

I hear a door knock and I look up at the door before it opens. It's Astrid.

I haven't seen her that much since I woke up from that night. It's been at least a week from how I have been counting. I really don't want to be in this hospital for much longer. But the pain doesn't help.

" Hey." I greeted her.

" Hey." She says quietly as she walks over to me and sits by my bed.

Toothless perks up and goes over to her so she can pet. Which she does gently.

Neither of us talk for a bit. From what I can tell from the look on her her face. She seems pretty sad. I really don't want her to blame herself for what happened.

" So how are doing?" She asks.

" I'm good as it gets." I answered. " The doctor says I have to have another leg surgery to see if they can be able to do extensive repairs."

" Oh." She says. " How long will t take for your to recover."

" It depends. Hopefully within six months. At least that's what Dr. Arnold says." I answered.

She sighs. " I should never had brought you to the dance."

" What?" I say. She is blaming herself. " It's not your fault. I wanted to go."

" I lost you and I let you get hurt." She argues.

" No you didn't." I stand my ground. " If anything, you helped me live."

Astrid and both stop talking right there. I can't believe I just said that. Of all the things to says. I said the most cheesy thing ever.

" You really think that?" She asks.

Gods. I might as well be honest than than to lie and cover this up.

" Yes." I said. " You gave me courage to go to the dance. I would never had done that if it weren't for you."

Astrid says nothing. I can see is conflicting about what to say about it.

" Look. It was no one's fault but Dagny's and her friends. They were the ones who did this to me. Not you." I say to her.

" I know. I just…. can't help with happened." She says in frustration.

" Even with the attack, I had a lot of fun at the dance and it was fun dancing…. with you." I say cautiously.

She stops looking guilty and looks at me in dumbfound which makes me even more uncomfortable with what is stuck in my throat at the moment.

I knew it's high time that I told Astrid the truth. Even though I wish I didn't have to. I don't want to lose my friend over the fact that I'm a freak to her.

" Astrid. There's something I need to tell you. Please don't freak when I tell you this." I say to her.

" I know you're a transgender male if that's what you're trying to tell me." She says.

" What!?" I think frantically. " Who told her!? Did my dad or Gobber tell her!? I told them that I needed to be the one to tell her!"

Nevertheless, I try to keep my response neutral.

" So you knew?" I ask her skeptically. She nods. " How?"

" I saw your prescription bottle in the bathroom." She admits.

" Oh." I can only say. Man I should've hidden that better.

I look down at Toothless. Who looks up me before sneezing and going back to his resting position. Not even caring about what's going on right now.

" I didn't say though. Because I just didn't want to hurt you." She finally says.

" I didn't want anyone to know because I was afraid of being rejected or what happened to me already. I didn't want you to know especially because…. I thought you wouldn't like me anymore. It's bad enough being an outsider and not having really much people to depend. When you started taking notice of me, I was shocked. I didn't think would like someone like me. " I decide on.

" Of course I still like you. I always liked you a lot Hiccup. When I was little I used to be really jealous of you. Besides a few instances, your parents didn't care what you did. You got to be someone you wanted to be. My parents try to make me as perfect as possible like wind up doll every single day. Told me I couldn't do this or that because it was very unlady like. Then being strict on me by forcing me to get A's in classes and being on sports teams. I like being sports teams, but my parents are tiger parents. I feel like I practically have no life." She says.

"You're kidding me?" I say frowning. " I would hate them for doing that. I didn't have things easy on my end. My parents tried to get me to wear a dress on picture days. It was so bad. It finally took them a bit to back off and let me be. But my dad up until this point would buy me some awful dress and try to get me act like my mom because I look like her. Plus he would drop not so subtle hints for me to go to business school like her. I honestly want to be an artist or an engineer."

We both laugh in response. Well me just chuckle because of my injured ribs, but still. Even with me being a transgender male, Astrid and I are not that much different. We have our own issues with life.

" Hiccup." She starts. " I don't care what gender you are. Of all people in my life, you're the genuine person I have ever met. And I…"

She doesn't finish, but I see her blush in response. I usually do that whenever I try talking to her. I never seen it happen to her. She's usually tough.

Neither of us say anything after that.

It was until Toothless starts barking that gets our attention.

" What is it bud?" I ask him.

He gives me the look that he needs to go now.

" Uh… Astrid. Can you take him out for me?" I ask her awkwardly. " I'm a bit tangled up and he looks like he's gonna blow."

She chuckles, " Sure."

I watch her leave my room. So much has changed in such a short amount of time. I can't believe that I can now be honest with people and feel like I don't have to hide my true identity anymore. I can just be myself and I can be myself with Astrid.

Unfortunately though, this is now only half the battle.


Sorry it took me a bit to update. I just got caught up in many things. Including class work and my other fanfic stories. Along with starting my first original novel!

I don't know what I'm going to do after I finish it. For now, it's a serious working progress. Years ago I never thought I would be able to do an original story. I guess fanfiction and hearing from every one of you giving me advice has helped up to this point where I am able to start creating original products at this point. So thank you all for allowing me to come such a long ways. It's going to be called Humanity's Desire. Well for at least now. It's a working title.

I have placed the story summary in my profile just now. So check it out and PM me of what you think of the idea.

Please Review and see you all next time.