=Astrid's POV=
[Saturday, 6/11/2022-11:45 am]
[Isle of Berk; Hofferson Residence]
My eyes drifted to the calendar hanging near my bed, seeing the date, but more so; the year. It was 2022, and the month of June just four days away from the 15th. It's been eight years since the last time I saw Hiccup Haddock because of my foolish mistake that I still beat myself up over. I can't believe it's been this long. I know that his parents, Gobber, and even Snotlout and Adelaide are likely getting updates and being contacted because they are family. Well, Gobber is Hiccup's Godfather and unofficial uncle due to being Stoick's best friend. At least that's the story I got from Hiccup. I have a strong feeling that Fishlegs, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut also know and like how I was told about seven years ago…Hiccup doesn't want me knowing anything about him. I get he was hurt by what happened, and it was clear we broke up, but still all this time later; does he feel resentment towards me? I guess I'd never know, despite my heart still wanting and loving him. I don't know why I'm still holding on.
I think it's because of how things were left. I panicked and said no to his marriage proposal; then ran away from Hiccup. And he took it as I didn't want him at all, so he just left. Hiccup the proceeding to just up and leave Berk to distance himself to get over me. However, that distancing turned into Hiccup finding a job that kept him busy and always traveling. Last I knew, according to Stoick and Valka from the day I was told that Hiccup wasn't coming back for a long time; Hiccup was on Berserker Island, but wouldn't be there much longer. And as far as I know Hiccup hasn't been back to Berk since the day he left, but I could be wrong. The day I learned Hiccup was choosing to move on; I decided that I'd do the same. It hasn't done me much good because there isn't a day that doesn't go by that I don't think about Hiccup and wonder if he's alright…Or if he ever thinks about me.
I'm now twenty-six years old and officially a licensed Veterinarian; I graduated from college yesterday. Well, no official graduation, but it was my last day. I'm still a licensed CNA, and I'll continue that job until I find a vet one. Fishlegs also finished vet school as well. I still hung out with my friends, and enjoyed some of my social life outside of school and home. I've been on a couple dates, had a couple of relationships since Hiccup; nothing lasted. The dates were guys who I could never be with in a serious relationship, or they just wanted sex. And the relationships I ended up in weren't fantastic either; I don't think any of them made it past six months. Some ended because they didn't like that I still cared for Hiccup, and then there was one or two who wanted to rush things, and then there was one who slapped me. I ended that one real fast. So that's where my love life is right now. I'm single. My last relationship ended about ten months ago, and there was maybe two dates to try again, but I gave up.
I understand now that my heart belongs to Hiccup, and he's the only man I want to be with for the rest of my life. But if that's truly over; I need to hear it from Hiccup, maybe then I can move on. I felt like Hiccup and I needed to sit down and actually talk about what happened eight years ago; clear the air between us and officially end it. To me; things weren't over because there is so much that was left unsaid, and it was a complete misunderstanding that hurt Hiccup a lot. I got that, but that's why I wanted to speak with him to let him know I made a mistake and see if maybe we can get back what we had. I knew it wouldn't be easy, and after this long apart; we'd basically start over. But I didn't care; I'd do anything for another chance with Hiccup. I just hoped that I'd see him and I was praying he hadn't fully moved on either. If he did; I'd accept things and move on as well, but I wouldn't do any of that until we got to talk. So true to my world; I will continue waiting for him.
Today, I'm supposed to be meeting my friends for lunch and we'd be meeting two new people who just moved to Berk a month or two ago. I guess Fishlegs has made good friends with them, showing them around and what not; he's insisted we meet them. I suppose I don't mind; new friends weren't a bad thing. I checked my phone and sighed; it was time to go and meet the others. I grabbed my wallet and headed out of the house to get to my car and leave.
. . .
=Normal POV=
[12:50 pm]
[Isle of Berk; Raven Point Park-The Cove]
The weather was nice, so it was decided the friends meet up at The Cove, a picnic spot inside Raven Point Park. It was a beautiful place with picnic tables, a small pond, a couple porta-potties, and a lovely overlook of the ocean. The friends met up and smiled upon seeing one another; there were hugs and smiles all around as we picked our spot and sat down to get set up. All of them were in charge of bringing something to the lunch, so it wouldn't fall on one person's shoulders.
"It's good to see everyone again," Fishlegs smiled. It had been a while since they'd done this; everyone was busy with their lives the past six months or so. I knew I was focusing on my last year of school, so was Fishlegs.
"Definitely," Snotlout nodded. "I invited Minden; I hope that's okay. She ended up getting the day off last minute…"
"That's fine! The more the merrier," Astrid chuckled. "When is she coming?"
"She should be here in the next five to ten minutes," Snotlout informed. Astrid was happy for Snotlout; that he found someone to love. For the longest time; Snotlout wanted Astrid, but she refused to date him because he was cocky, self-absorbed, and downright annoying. Snotlout and Minden met when the Jorgenson's took a family vacation to Wingmaiden Isle. Minden was sort of the tour guide; she and Snotlout just clicked. The two of them dated long distance for about five months before Minden decided to move to Berk, and now they've been together nearly two years. Their anniversary is the sometime in August. Minden is twenty-six; her birthday is January 11th. Snotlout is still twenty-five until December 20th.
Adelaide was seeing Tuffnut; that was a huge shocker for the friends to see. Adelaide is now twenty-four, turning twenty-five in September on the 10th. Snotlout is actually only nine months older than Adelaide because their parents got pregnant with Adelaide, basically a month after Snotlout was born. And Adelaide was born a month early; she was due to be born in October 1997. Tuffnut and Adelaide got together three years ago in September 2019, which was Adelaide's twenty-second birthday.
Ruffnut has been in a few relationships, but like Astrid; nothing worked out, so she's currently single. Fishlegs had a couple dates, but nothing lasted. Ruffnut and Fishlegs dated briefly for maybe a month, but decided it wasn't for them, so they ended it and remained friends. Fishlegs was currently single as well.
"Fishlegs, where are these new friends you want us to meet?" Ruffnut wondered.
"They're coming, don't worry. They're still new to Berk, and getting settled into their house," Fishlegs explained.
"And how did you meet these people again?" Tuffnut asked.
"I was picking up my mom from the transportation center a couple months ago, come to find out that my dad and I had a miscommunication and he had already gotten her. But before I got that message; I ran into these two girls and two kids with them. I guess they moved here because they have a soldier overseas who will be stationing on Berk when the tour ends, so they came to find an apartment or house and get things set before the guy comes home or whatever. I offered to take them to the hotel, and said if they needed anything to let me know and I'd help out. Me and the younger girl, our age, just talk a lot; she's great," Fishlegs explained.
"Sounds like you got a thing for her," Astrid teased.
"Maybe…I've only known her like, three months," Fishlegs replied, blushing a bit.
"Well, good for you," Ruffnut smiled.
"Hi, everyone," greeted Minden, Snotlout's girlfriend; she had light auburn hair that was pulled back into a ponytail and green eyes.
"Fishlegs?" called a female voice. Fishlegs looked over to see a woman with dark brown hair and green eyes.
"Over here!" Fishlegs waved his hand to signal her. The friends looked to see the woman with brown hair and green eyes, then they saw an older woman who had short blond hair and green eyes. There were two kids, a boy and a girl, on either side of her and holding her hands. The kids appeared to be four or five; both having green eyes. The girl had red hair, but sort of orange-ish, and the boy had light strawberry blonde. The small group of four made their way down and over to Fishlegs.
"Sorry if we're late," the older female stated. "Still getting used to everything on Berk,"
"Oh, don't worry about," Fishlegs informed gently. "We all just got here too,"
"Okay, now I don't feel so bad," said the girl with dark brown hair.
"Everyone…This is Heather Bazirk. Next to her is her sister-in-law, Mala Bazirk, formerly DeFendor. And then the two kids are Mala's; Magne and Dagny Bazirk," Fishlegs introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you," Minden smiled. "I'm Minden Guarder," she said.
"Ruffnut Thorston," Ruffnut waved.
"Tuffnut Thorson," Tuffnut stated.
"Adelaide Jorgenson," Adelaide stood beside Tuffnut, holding onto his arm.
"Snotlout Jorgenson," Snotlout said, holding Minden's hand.
"Astrid Hofferson," Astrid replied with a light smile. Heather eyed Astrid a bit.
"Astrid Hofferson?" Heather stated curiously; then she snapped her fingers. "That's why it sounds familiar; you're the one who broke Hiccup's heart eight years ago," she remarked as Astrid's eyes widened a bit.
She knows Hiccup? Astrid asked herself. "How do you know Hiccup?" she decided to ask.
"He's my brother's best friend," Heather informed casually. Before Astrid could say anything else; Stoick, Valka, and Gobber walked up. "Hello, Mr. And Mrs. Haddock. Hi, Mr. Forger," she greeted.
"Hello, dear," Valka smiled.
"What brings you to Berk?" Stoick inquired.
"According to Dagur; they're stationing on Berk when the tour is over," Mala said softly.
"Oh, wonderful!" Valka clapped her hands together a few times. "I was wondering if they ever would with all of the other stationing assignments,"
"Easy, Val," Gobber said. "Pretty sure the tour is still another four months,"
"You're right," Heather nodded. "I just talked to Dagur this morning; he said his leave time wasn't approved when he wanted it, but he's trying to get for July or August. They're all dying to get back; I guess things haven't been great this time around,"
"I hope they'll be alright," Gobber said.
"We'll work through it as we've done the last few times," Mala informed softly. "We just want to see them again; it's been a while,"
"Then how about I let you see me now?" came a male voice as Heather, Mala, and the kids whipped around to see a male with short red hair and green eyes.
"DAGUR!" Heather screeched as she immediately hugged him.
"Hey, hey…Come on," Dagur soothed, rubbing her back and holding her. "Don't cry…"
"Sh-Shut up! I haven't seen you since you left in April 2021…It's been fourteen months…" Heather cried lightly.
"I know; I'm sorry…" Dagur sighed. "I did my best to get back sooner, but things just got so crazy and heavy; we couldn't leave, sis,"
"I understand," Heather pulled off him, wiping her eyes as Dagur kissed her forehead. Dagur turned to hug Mala and kiss her.
"I've missed you, Dagur," Mala said softly.
"Missed you too, Mala…" Dagur breathed out, pressing his forehead to hers. Dagur knelt down afterward and then he scooped his kids into his arms.
"Daddy!" the twins cried together, hugged him tightly.
"Oh, I've missed you two so much…Easy now…Daddy's here…" Dagur comforted his twins, placing a kiss on their cheeks and holding tightly.
"Do we get that hug too?" asked another male with short brown hair and blue eyes inquired.
"Thuggory! Eret!" Heather smiled, hugging both of them.
"Good see you again," Eret, the male with dark brown hair and amber eyes, said.
"Welcome home, boys," Stoick stated.
"Thank you, Mr. Haddock," Dagur said to him. Astrid ended up walking away to use the bathroom; it seemed she and Heather likely wouldn't get along because Heather's brother was best friends with Hiccup and knew that Astrid broke Hiccup's heart eight years ago. It seemed Heather held some resentment about the situation, so it would likely be best for them to only see or speak to one another if necessary.
"You all got to take leave at the same time?" Mala inquired.
"Special reasons behind it," Thuggory sighed.
"It wasn't intentional, mostly," Dagur informed. "Eret was scheduled to take leave in August. Thuggory was supposed to go two weeks before the end of July. But then our dumbass leader got hurt and we were all sent to make sure he takes it easy because he's a stubborn fool who never listens,"
"Oh, Gods…What happened this time?" Valka instantly inquired. "Where is he?"
"Easy, Dagur…" Eret rolled his eyes. "I mean, yeah…He got hurt, but he saved all our lives…I'd rather an injury than losing anyone else…"
"We've had enough of that this tour…" Thuggory mumbled. "Speaking of…Where is he?"
"I thought he was right behind you," Eret stated. A fourth male approached in uniform wearing a hat and sunglasses; there was an all black dog that had green eyes with him while he snuck up behind Heather. At this time, Astrid had returned, seeing the male.
"Boo," the male said as he grabbed her hips from behind. Heather jumped and whipped around and went to smack the person who did it, but the male blocked her hand and held it down. "As if your brother would let anyone other than me just sneak up and scare you like that," he chuckled. Heather relaxed, removing the hat to reveal short auburn hair with a wildness to it; then she took off the sunglasses and smiled with excitement to see who was there. "Surprise,"
Heather squealed with delight as she instantly hugged him tightly, locking her legs around his waist and arms around the neck. "HICCUP!" Astrid's eyes widened at the name. Hiccup was there, not more than two feet away? "You're back!"
"I am," Hiccup chuckled some. Heather hugged him tightly before cupping his cheeks and kissing him deeply. Astrid just stared in utter disbelief; and what got to her more was seeing Hiccup return the action fully. After a few seconds; the two pulled away from one another as Hiccup set Heather down on her feet and faced the others. "Long time no see," he smiled. Of course, Astrid was towards the back, and it seemed he hadn't seen her yet because she was behind Minden and Fishlegs.
"Ya think? It's been eight years," Tuffnut remarked.
"And you're in the military?" Ruffnut blinked. Astrid couldn't believe it; it really was him.
"Good to have you home, son," Stoick smiled, patting his shoulder.
"We've missed you," Valka kissed Hiccup's cheek.
"Who is that hiding in the back? New friend?" Hiccup wondered, trying to see. Adelaide noticed Astrid had returned; she accidentally bumped into Astrid, sending the girl forward into Hiccup. Hiccup let go of Heather and made sure Astrid wouldn't fall. "You alright?" he asked. Astrid quickly looked up and her eyes met his. The first thing Dagur did was pull Heather back beside him and Mala, giving her the firm eyes of; stay out of it. The area felt silent as the two former lovers were finally face to face after eight long years apart.
