=Normal POV=
[Friday, 6/17/2022-6:40 pm]
[Isle of Berk; Bazirk Residence]

Hiccup and Astrid's friends, along with Hiccup's soldier friends were all at Dagur and Mala's house to semi-hang out and eat dinner. Mala had made a large pot roast with potatoes and carrots; there was also garlic bread too. With everyone now finished and just sitting around as they had started dinner right after Hiccup left, then Ruffnut and Minden arriving; they decided to break the silence and get to the obvious question on everyone's mind.

"I'll start it…How does everyone thinks it's going?" Ruffnut spoke up first.

"Well…Both of them agreed to go on their blind date we set up, not knowing who the other person was…" Snotlout informed.

"Astrid agreed, but said this was the last time she was doing this," Minden interjected.

"That's fine because we want them to talk anyway, and hopefully; this will do the trick," Dagur stated.

"Want who to talk?" came Heather's voice as she came in; the others knew she had work tonight. Heather was a lawyer, and the office she worked in closed at 4:00 pm. Apparently, she had some other things to do to get home this late, though.

"Hiccup and Astrid," Fishlegs informed. "We set them up on a blind date with each other,"

"What?!" Heather screeched.

"Enough, sis," Dagur stared firmly. "You and Hiccup aren't going to be boyfriend and girlfriend because you're too much like sister and brother. Alright? Just let the idea go. Hiccup's heart belongs to Astrid, and hers belongs to him. We all had a big conversation about how Hiccup's and Astrid's lives have gone since the breakup,"

"And it comes down to neither of them being able to move on with anyone else; the dates and relationships just fail because their hearts aren't fully in it," Thuggory added in.

"The two of them need to talk, whether they get back together or not," Snotlout said.

"It's either going to clear the air for them to move on, or open the door to get back together," Eret shrugged.

"How…Are things going with them?" Heather mumbled, sitting down on the couch.

"We don't know. Neither of them have messaged in, so safe to assume they figured out they were each other's dates and decided to continue…" Tuffnut mentioned.

"Also, don't forget that Hiccup said he wasn't in the mood for a date because he planned to message Astrid himself and ask her if they could meet up to talk," Fishlegs put a finger up, remembering what Hiccup told them before the date.

"Yeah, that too. So…They are probably talking over dinner right now as we speak," Dagur nodded.

. . .

[Drake's Nest]

Hiccup and Astrid already received their food; it came about ten minutes after they placed the order and then the two of them spent that time enjoying their drinks, the bread with olive oil on the table, and just talking. The topics were basic, and stuck to small responses. As the food had arrived just five minutes ago, the two former lovers hadn't spoken a word to one another.

"So…What made you change your mind about joining the military?" Astrid broke the silence.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Hiccup inquired.

"I knew you always wanted to join, but then in senior year; it seemed like the desire tapered off, and then you…Suddenly joined after graduation," Astrid wondered.

"The desire never faded to join, Astrid. It was the only job I wanted. I…Put the opportunity behind me for you because I knew you didn't like the idea of me joining," Hiccup informed.

"I would have supported you, whether I liked it or not, Hiccup," Astrid reminded.

"I know, but people in love make sacrifices…And mine was to find another career that would allow me to be home for you," Hiccup said as Astrid pushed her food around with her fork a bit.

"And then everything happened, so you…Changed your mind?" Astrid questioned.

"Yeah, I figured that since we were over…And some distance might do us some good; joining the military was the best choice," Hiccup shrugged.

"How come you didn't want anyone telling me anything?" Astrid looked down a little.

Hiccup sighed. "I didn't want you to stay hung up on me," Astrid's eyes widened a little, looking at Hiccup now. "I knew that fresh off the breakup; you knowing I decided to join the military would make you worried about me, as the idea of me joining made you concerned for my safety…I just thought it was better, for both of us, not to have any contact or know anything about the other person. Just a clean break, and going about our lives, separately,"

"I…Suppose that makes sense," Astrid agreed, understanding why Hiccup didn't want her knowing anything now. "I…Never really moved on,"

"No?" Hiccup looked at her questioningly. "Neither did I. Like…I still went on dates, had a couple of short relationships…Something held me back from moving on completely,"

"Same," Astrid stated softly. Silence between them again.

Hiccup put his fork down and sighed heavily. "Astrid, look…I think we should talk…About what happened eight years ago because I feel like we both…Never got any closure,"

"You feel that way too?" Astrid asked as Hiccup nodded. "Me as well," she revealed.

"I…Happened to overhear a conversation between Dagur and Heather last week regarding us…Everyone keeps saying we should talk, so…I think we should," Hiccup responded. "If you want a truth, before this whole blind date thing was set up; I was planning to message you and ask if we could meet up to talk,"

"Really?" Astrid stared.

Hiccup nodded. "Yeah. I just…Don't think this is the place to do it. Why…Don't we box this up, and head to Dagur and Mala's place? We can talk in my temporary room there, and eat?"

"That sounds okay," Astrid agreed. Hiccup lifted his hand to call over Ander; he strolled over with a smile.

"How is everything?" Ander asked.

"Bigger portions than expected. Two boxes and the check please?" Astrid smiled back.

"Certainly," Ander nodded as he hurried to get two boxes; he took care of the transfer from plate to the to-go box, and then he set the check down. Hiccup grabbed it before Astrid could as he set $35.00 in the folder and handed it back.

"It's all set, thank you," Hiccup informed as he got up, grabbing the bag with box boxes. Astrid got up and made sure she had her purse. "What? Don't give me that look,"

"I could have paid for mine," Astrid muttered.

"I know you could have, but I paid for both, so deal with it. Come on; you can follow me to Dagur and Mala's house," Hiccup stated. Astrid nodded, getting to her car and then following when Hiccup left in his.

. . .

[7:00 pm]
[Bazirk Residence]

Hiccup parked in his spot, and Astrid right behind him. The two got out and headed for the door. "Seems the others are all here," Hiccup pointed out.

"Probably waiting to find out how things went between us," Astrid sighed; then grinned a bit. "Think we should play with them a bit?"

"I'm so glad you and I can think on the same wave length still. Follow my lead," Hiccup said as Astrid nodded. Hiccup opened the door and walked in first.

"Hey, you're back!" Heather smiled.

"Yes, we are," Hiccup informed as Astrid came in beside him smiling.

"Hi," Astrid waved as Hiccup closed the door.

"Astrid and I ran into one another at the restaurant, and since both of our dates didn't show; we decided to have dinner together," Hiccup mentioned.

"Yeah? S-So how did things go?" Adelaide inquired.

"So good that we decided to keep the night going," Astrid beamed, linking her hand with Hiccup's. "Hiccup invited me over, so we could keep talking and having a nice time," she added.

"Come on, Ast," Hiccup started for his room.

"Well, see you later," Astrid giggled, walking with Hiccup. The two of them got inside Hiccup's room as he closed the door.

"I have no comment to what I just witnessed," Eret spoke up first.

"You and me both," Thuggory nodded.

"At least their on good terms…" Minden shrugged. Inside Hiccup's room; the two of them were laughing a bit.

"Worth it," Hiccup said. Astrid took in the room; it looked like a den or office; there was a twin-sized bed against the wall, a night stand and dresser. No closet, but there was a computer desk and love-seat type couch with a table in front of it. "You can have a seat on the couch if you want, or the bed…Doesn't matter," he invited. Astrid decided to go with the couch, attempting to not make it awkward by sitting on the bed. Hiccup grabbed them both a beer from the mini-fridge and sat down beside her while setting the food on the table before them. "Alright…" he took a deep breath. "Let's talk about what happened eight years ago. I…Know what happened on my side of things, but everyone keeps saying or believing that you wanted a chance to talk to me and now you have it…So what's going on?"

"Hiccup…First of all; I feel I should start with how sorry I am," Astrid looked down. "And I need you to know that I did not mean to hurt you so deeply," she added.

Hiccup flinched a bit, having not expected to hear that. "Mom tried to tell me that I didn't understand…I refused to listen eight years ago. Is this…What she meant? You never meant to hurt me?"

Astrid nodded. "Hiccup…The night you proposed to me was just so unexpected. We'd…Just finished making love, you were getting ready to leave before my parents got home at 11 pm…And then you just popped the question. I was…Shocked, and…I got scared; I panicked and ran away," she informed softly.

"Astrid…What do you mean you got scared? Of what? Marrying me?" Hiccup questioned.

"I don't know," Astrid sighed. "I mean; I do, but I don't. There were a lot of factors that sprang forward and scared me. I just…Wanted to get away to think and process things," she admitted.

"Astrid…I would have given you time to think about it if that's what you needed…" Hiccup stated.

"I know, Hiccup…But like I said; I just…Panicked. I said no and ran…But that's not what I meant," Hiccup arched a brow at her words. "The truth everyone is talking about is that I realized the mistake I made as soon as I heard you leave the house and drive away…" Astrid confessed as Hiccup's eyes widened a little.

"What?" Hiccup asked in a tone of shock and disbelief.

"I realized as soon as you left that I made a huge mistake," Astrid repeated. "I beat myself up for two weeks; hating myself for what I did when I didn't mean to hurt you like that. Hiccup, you have to know that I never meant to hurt you, and you'll never know how sorry I am that I did. I didn't mean to say no; I didn't mean to run away," Astrid began to get a little worked up, which Hiccup was not used to seeing her do. Astrid was always a very strong woman, and if she cried; it was because of something big.

"Why didn't you come talk to me?" Hiccup inquired. "Why didn't you call, text, visit…Anything? Why didn't you come tell me you made a mistake?!" Hiccup pushed.

"I was scared…" Astrid looked down.

Hiccup couldn't believe what he was hearing. "You not saying a word to me is why I left, Astrid," he informed as Astrid looked at him. "I left because you didn't come talk to me. After you said no and ran off; I figured maybe you needed some time to get your head together. I fully expected a call or text from you saying you needed time, and I was happy to give that to you. But you didn't say anything, so I took it as you really meant no, and running away as you didn't want what we had anymore. I took all of two days to decide to join the military and then I spent that entire two weeks signing up and swearing in. I shipped out for Reception, Basic, and Advanced Training on the 30th of June. Just…Fifteen days after our breakup," Hiccup mentioned. "Astrid…Why were you scared to come talk to me? All our years of friendship, our three-year relationship…We never had an issue communicating about anything. Why, when it was something this big, would you be afraid to come talk to me?" Hiccup asked.

"Because I knew I'd hurt you…And I didn't want to make you mad or more upset by instantly chasing you after accidentally rejecting your marriage proposal…" Astrid looked down, closing her eyes.

"Astrid, chasing me is exactly what I'd hoped for. You not chasing me gave me that assumption that I got, so that's why I left. I joined the military for a job, and it got me off of Berk. I left to move on…" Hiccup looked down. "But I can't because I'm still stuck on June 15th, 2014; the day you told me no and ran away from me. I know we can't change what happened…But Astrid, for Odin's sake…Please tell me why you said no and ran if that's not what you meant? Please? I have to know…"

"We'd just graduated high school…You proposed out of the blue when we'd never even discussed getting married. I panicked and over-thought everything regarding the subject," Astrid confessed.

"What do you mean?" Hiccup asked.

"Hiccup, we were eighteen-years-old…We just graduated…I don't know. I don't know, okay? To this day; I can't figure out why all that made me panic. All I know is that I didn't come talk to you because I tried to figure it out. Why I freaked out and over-thought the situation. I didn't want us to talk until I had a clear head, so I wouldn't do what I'm doing right now where nothing I say makes sense. All I figured out after two weeks was that I fucked up, Hiccup. And I knew that the night you left my house, but like I said; I wanted to work out why I did what I did. I ended up with nothing and left it on the fact it didn't matter. None of it mattered because I love you, and I want a life with you. I raced to your house on the 30th, because I was going to beg you to forgive you; tell you I wanted to get married…But I learned you left…And I've waited eight years to be able to tell you all this…" Astrid explained.

"So you just got panicked about being married young? That's what it was all about?" Hiccup asked.

"I know…It's stupid…And look what it caused?...All this because I panicked over a silly reason that ended up not mattering…" Astrid looked down again.

"Astrid…It's not a stupid reason. What was stupid was that you believed you couldn't come talk to me…That you were afraid to. If…You had sent me any form of communication, saying that you didn't mean to do what you did, but needed some time to figure things out; the entire outcome of that situation would have changed. If you had told me your concerns; things would have been different. Just because you say yes to a proposal doesn't mean we had to get married right away…We could have waited as long as you wanted; I wouldn't have minded as long as I knew that I still got to get married to you at the end of it. But you didn't give me anything except silence. And that hurt more than you saying no. That's why I didn't listen to anyone when they tried to tell me everything was a misunderstanding. I didn't want to hear it from them and it wasn't about things being a misunderstanding with what you said, or your intentions…It was the fact you didn't chase me. You didn't talk to me,"

"Hiccup…I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…You know if I could turn back time; I'd change the mistake I made…I beat myself up everyday knowing I messed up and lost you…" Astrid lowered her head and started crying. "All I've wanted is the chance to explain things…To beg your forgiveness and get another chance to fix what I broke, right what I wronged…The first time in my life I'm ever wrong and it cost me you. It cost me a life with you, and your love. All the dates I've been on, the people I dated…None of them are you. I can't move on, not because things between us were left the way they were, but because my heart belongs to you. I love you, Hiccup,"

Hiccup's eyes widened a bit, seeing her cry but realizing that she just confessed to still loving him, and being unable to move on because of that love for him being so strong. A point that she didn't want anyone but him in her life. The sad thing was; Hiccup felt the same way about her. And he realized it now that them talking wasn't going to help him move on. It cleared the air from that day eight years ago, but Hiccup couldn't move on because he wanted her. Hiccup loved Astrid and wanted her. Despite all the time gone by, everything that happened; Hiccup knew exactly what he wanted. Hiccup had prayed to the Gods for this; Astrid still wanting and loving him; he had that, and he felt it for her. Was he going to let it pass him by knowing what he did? Absolutely not.

Hiccup gently grabbed Astrid's hand, pulling her closer to him. Astrid looked at Hiccup, but before she could ask what he was doing; his lips crashed against her in a passionate kiss. And though shocked, Astrid did nothing more than close her eyes and kiss Hiccup back fully.