=Normal POV=
[Friday, 9/2/2022-4:00 am]
[Isle of Berk; Bazirk Residence]
Hiccup awoke to his Monday through Friday alarm going off, signaling that he had an hour to shower, grab a bite to eat, and get to work for 5 am. Of course, while Hiccup knew full well that he needed to get up to get his long day going; his body disagreed. Hiccup glanced down to find Astrid fast asleep in his arms; he smiled softly before kissing her cheek and breaking away gently to get up and start his day. Hiccup sat on the edge of his bed, and gave himself a minute to gage where he was currently at. Unfortunately; Hiccup's head was pounding and just overall felt sick to his stomach. Hiccup tried to shake it off as he got up and found his footing. Hiccup headed for the door, but stopped and closed his eyes a moment. Toothless perked his head up and rose, moving to his human's side, whimpering a bit.
"I-I'm okay, Toothless," Hiccup managed. Hiccup tired to catch his breath, but when he felt the vomit rise up; he left the bedroom and moved to the bathroom. Hunter quickly got inside and closed the door before puking in the toilet bowl. Hiccup threw up twice and coughed; then spit before panting a bit. "Ugh…" Hiccup wiped his mouth, flushing the toilet before sitting down on the floor and leaning against the tub. Hiccup hated how he felt right now, and if it was like then he wasn't gonna survive the day at work. Hiccup could hear Toothless whining outside of the door, scratching at it a bit.
"Toothless, stop it," Hiccup told him. "Lay down," he added softer. A few minutes passed as Hiccup heard footsteps coming down the hall.
"Hey, Toothless…Why are you guarding the bathroom door?" asked Dagur. Toothless whined a little, nudging at the door. "Hiccup in there?" Toothless looked back at the door. "Hic? You in there?"
"Yeah…" Hiccup groaned.
"You don't sound so good," Dagur pointed out.
"I'm f-," Hiccup instantly leaned over the toilet again, throwing up once.
"Are you throwing up?" Dagur questioned. Hiccup couldn't even answer before he puked again. "You okay?" he asked.
"I'm sick…" Hiccup panted a little and closed the lid, flushing the toilet again. "And feel really weak and lightheaded,"
"Let me help you out. You decent?" Dagur inquired.
"Yeah," Hiccup managed as Dagur opened the door and saw Hiccup sitting on the floor.
"You look like hell," Dagur stated.
"Hadn't noticed," Hiccup remarked.
"Come on, let's get you back to your room to rest," Dagur went over to help him up carefully. "How long you been in here?"
"Five or so minutes," Hiccup replied as Dagur supported him.
"How long have you been feeling sick?" Dagur wondered.
"Since yesterday after lunch, but seems to really be hitting the worst of it now. Woke up at 4 am with the alarm, and the nausea and vomiting hit two minutes later," Hiccup informed. Dagur helped Hiccup back to his room.
"You coming to work like this?" Dagur arched a brow upon reaching Hiccup's door.
"I can't exactly call out sick, Dag," Hiccup mumbled. Dagur opened the door and helped Hiccup inside to sit on his bed; the shuffling woke Astrid up. "I'm fine,"
"You are not," Dagur stated as Astrid sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"What's going on?" Astrid asked tiredly. "It's like 4 am…"
"Yeah, we're supposed to go to work for 5 am, but I disagree with Hiccup's choice to go since I just found him puking in the bathroom, and apparently he's been sick since yesterday," Dagur crossed his arms over his chest.
"Dagur, I'm fine. Once I get up and moving; I'll be good. I'll get through today and use the weekend to recover…" Hiccup mumbled.
"You've thrown up, babe?" Astrid frowned, flipping on the light that was on the nightstand.
"Yeah…Four times," Hiccup sighed. Astrid felt his forehead and cheek.
"You're warmer than last night, Hiccup," Astrid said softly.
"I can't just call out of work over a little sickness. Soldiers are soldiers all the time…" Hiccup retorted as he tried to get up, and failed.
"Look at you! You're pale, feverish, threw up four times, and you can't even stand Hiccup," Dagur huffed. "You're not going to work today, Bludvist will understand. Or they'll just send you home anyway, so cut out the extra time and stay here. I'm your second in command; I highly advise, sir; that you stay here and rest,"
"Now, wait a second-," Hiccup tried.
"As your girlfriend and doctor; I also advise the same course of action," Astrid joined in.
"I can't believe you're both ganging up on me like this. Dag, I'm in officer ranks; I can't just…Take days off," Hiccup grumbled.
"You can when you need them, Hiccup. Come on…For Odin's sake; we get thirty days per YEAR for vacation, death, personal, and SICK! Hiccup, you've been in the military for eight years, and we've been deployed three times…You never, ever take days off unless we're deployed. Now…Goddamn it, stop being so stubborn and just stay home today. I'll call Bludvist myself…" Dagur remarked.
Hiccup sighed. "Fine, fine…You win. I'll stay here…And no, I'll call him…" he agreed. "You sure you got today, though?"
"Hiccup, stop. You haven't even called out sick yet and you're worried about the workday you won't be attending…" Dagur mumbled. "Just…Lay down and take it easy, alright? I'm always at your side when we're at work; I know how to do your job," Dagur mentioned.
"Okay, okay…I'm sorry," Hiccup said.
"It's good. Now, I'm gonna leave you in Astrid's hands while I go shower and head for base," Dagur patted Hiccup's back once. "All I want ya to do is focus on you and getting better, okay? Love ya bro,"
"Love ya too," Hiccup replied as Dagur left the room, closing the door behind him.
"Go on and call your boss, babe," Astrid said softly. Hiccup reached for his phone, locating Drago's number. Hiccup waited through the four rings before there was an answer.
"Good morning, Captain; it's Lieutenant Haddock," Hiccup greeted, then a pause. "I don't need anything, sir; I'm just calling to let you know that I…Won't be coming in today," he informed softly. "I'm running a fever, and have thrown up four times since waking up at 0400…" short pause. "Started feeling tired yesterday, and the symptoms just got worse as the day carried on," Hiccup stated. "Fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, aching, weak. Staff Sergeant Bazirk insisted the idea I just stay home today and use this, and the weekend to get better. My CNA girlfriend also feels the same…" he mumbled. "I actually did forget it's drill weekend," he sighed. "A-Are you sure, Captain? I know we aren't supposed to miss that unless its an emergency," he replied. "As long as you say it's okay, sir. Thank you, and I'll see you Monday for sure," Hiccup responded. "Okay. Bye, Captain Bludvist," Hiccup ended the call and set the phone down.
"Excused for the weekend?" Astrid hoped.
"Yeah. Typically, we aren't supposed to miss the drill weekend without good reason. Even sick; it would have been confirmed by the base medic. But since Drago knows that for the time being; I live here with Dagur; he believes that if Dagur says I'm sick and need to be resting, then it's true that I'm sick. Dagur is my second in command for the Dragon Platoon, so what he says can be trusted," Hiccup explained.
"That's good then. Now, you need to rest, babe. Come on; it's still early. We can see how you feel again in a few more hours," Astrid offered. Hiccup nodded, not wanting to argue with his girlfriend with how he felt right now. Hiccup laid back down in his bed and Astrid stayed beside him. It didn't take long for Hiccup to knock back out as Astrid smiled, kissing his cheek, and getting comfortable to get back to sleep as well.
. . .
[10:45 am]
Astrid woke up a second time at 7:30 am, and quickly learned that Heather, Mala, and the twins were out; she already knew Dagur was at drill weekend. Hiccup was still knocked out on the bed, so she smiled and went to shower. Astrid made herself an egg on toast sandwich while Hiccup remained asleep; she was glad he was resting. Astrid tidied up the mess from breakfast and did the dishes; she even cleaned the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Astrid was just finishing up a little dusting in the living room when she heard movement behind her and turned to see Hiccup walking towards her with Toothless on his left side.
"Hey…Morning, babe," Astrid greeted.
"Hi," Hiccup smiled a bit.
"How are you feeling?" Astrid came over to check his forehead and cheek. "Still a bit warm,"
"Still feeling everything from before, but not as weak now," Hiccup informed.
"That's good. Up to eating? I can make you something light, like toast? Maybe just some crackers and ginger-ale?" Astrid offered.
"I think I'll hold off for now, Milady. Thank you, though. What have you been up to out here?" Hiccup asked.
"Cleaning up a bit," Astrid shrugged. "I take it you don't want to sleep more?" Hiccup shook his head. "Well, we could just sit and talk if you want?"
"Yeah, that sounds nice. Should we stay out here or move back into the bedroom?" Hiccup questioned.
"Here is fine," Astrid said as she sat down, patting the spot beside her. "So how's life?" she giggled.
"It's great. Good job, awesome friends, loving family, and amazing girlfriend. Who could ask for more?" Hiccup stated.
"I guess those who want more than perfect," Astrid replied calmly. "How's the house thing going?"
"Fantastically. I was sick and tired last night, so I never got to tell you. I signed everything yesterday; it's mine," Hiccup chuckled.
"That's wonderful, babe!" Astrid exclaimed.
"I was supposed to get the keys today, but sick and all, so I'll get them Monday," Hiccup said calmly. "Now, just to figure out how to move in around work," he laughed a bit.
"I could help out if you wanted," Astrid smiled.
"I'd like that. We could do a good portion on the weekends, since we both have them off," Hiccup informed.
"And I could go over and do more on Tuesday and Thursday, since I have half days," Astrid offered.
"What would you do?" Hiccup blinked.
"I could put stuff away according to how you want it," Astrid giggled some.
"I suppose so," Hiccup nodded. The two were quiet a moment. "So…I've been wondering, since we both seemed to have the same problem; what kind of guys you end up with while we were broken up?"
"A wide variety," Astrid laughed some. "Some were just dates, others I dated for a little bit, but it never worked out," she added.
"I feel ya," Hiccup nodded, understanding. "What's been your longest, since me?"
"Relationship? Probably six months," Astrid said. "How about you?"
"Six, maybe seven. It was only because I was deployed, and the girl didn't feel right breaking up with me while I was overseas. I respected it, and we went our separate ways," Hiccup mentioned.
"Have you…" Astrid paused a moment, not sure how or if she should ask.
"What?" Hiccup wondered.
"I-I just don't want you to get mad if I ask…" Astrid stated.
"Babe, just ask," Hiccup invited.
"How many of the girls you've been with have you had sex with?" Astrid inquired.
Hiccup stared a moment before taking a deep breath as Astrid prepared herself for the answer, understanding fully that she and Hiccup were broken up for eight years, so it was likely that he'd definitely had sex with some of the girls he'd been with. "None," came Hiccup's response, entirely shocking Astrid; her eyes even widened.
"What?" Astrid blinked a bit. "What did you say?"
"To answer your question, about how many girls I've slept with since you; the reply was none," Hiccup repeated. "I haven't had sex in eight years, Ast. What about you?" Hiccup wondered.
"None as well," Astrid admitted.
"Really?" Hiccup arched a brow, not in disbelief, though. Astrid shook her head.
"Every time it went that far; I'd just stop. Like…Everything in me would turn off and shut down. I've never done anything more than make out with other guys, and maybe they've made a few thigh or breast rubs, but that's it. I always stop it and say I can't," Astrid confessed softly.
"How'd that go over?" Hiccup asked.
"It's usually what ended things, to be honest," Astrid told him.
"Because you wouldn't have sex with them?" Hiccup questioned.
Astrid gave a shrug. "Yes and no. There were some who didn't like that I wouldn't get intimate with them and then there were others who…" Astrid paused.
"Go on, you can tell me…" Hiccup urged.
Astrid took a deep breath. "Who didn't like that I admitted to not feeling right about having sex with anyone except the man I still loved…Which is you,"
Hiccup's eyes widened a bit. "Wait…You wouldn't have sex with anyone else because you loved me still? And you admitted this to them? That you didn't feel right about sleeping with someone who wasn't me?"
"Yes," Astrid nodded. "That was usually a deal-breaker in my relationships. As I would have expected; holding onto my feelings for you because they were genuine kept me from ever truly moving on. At the same time; I didn't feel like I could move on until we had talked, since we left so much unsaid eight years ago. But after talking; I realized that it wasn't due to leaving things so unfinished; it was that my feelings for you just never stopped because I truly love you, Hiccup. I haven't gone on any date, or been in a relationships, except for now with you, for two years. Probably around the time I had to make the birth control switch. My last relationship ended a month or two before that happened,"
"I mean, I feel where you're coming from on the never moving on because our love is real. I realize that now too," Hiccup stated.
"Did you feel the same about just…Getting turned off by anyone other than me? Or…Not feeling right?" Astrid questioned lightly.
"At least you were able to get turned on by others, even if you didn't go through with it…" Hiccup mumbled a bit.
"What do you mean?" Astrid looked at him.
"Astrid, dead serious with you here…I couldn't get hard with anyone else," Hiccup confessed as Astrid's eyes widened. "There were a lot of dates, relationships, and even nights where I was drunk and had the chance to have sex…But I couldn't get an erection. I did the same as you, there was making out, touching…But that's it; couldn't get hard," he stated.
"But…You got hard with me the night we got back together," Astrid pointed out.
"Exactly. I can get hard with you no problem…I can even get hard masturbating without an issue. But if it was another girl…Forget it," Hiccup said. "I mean…It never felt right to sleep with someone other than you, and maybe that's why I couldn't get hard…I guess…After they'd leave because I couldn't perform or whatever; I'd sit there and try to figure out why I couldn't. Never found the reason, so I'd leave it be. But…I think I figured it out the time one of the girls, I guess, decided to give me another chance. She suggested I stroke myself to get hard and then we'd do it. Getting hard worked, but once she tried touch me; the erection faded almost instantly. She left, mad, of course,"
"Yeah, that'd probably be annoying," Astrid agreed slightly. "How did you figure out what was holding you back?"
"I constantly sat wondering why I couldn't get it up with anyone. Hell, I even thought about going to a doctor. But then I thought; I never had this problem with Astrid. And then it happened; I got hard. I hadn't touched myself or nothing; I just…Thought back to you, and how getting hard wasn't a problem then. I was confused, so I grabbed my tablet and brought up a porn website; watched a video of a girl masturbating and the erection faded. I closed it all down and thought about you; it came back. So…Yeah. I realized that despite all the time gone by…I just…Wanted you. I never got over you. I still loved you," Hiccup explained.
"When did you realize it?" Astrid asked. "Like…When did all this, test with porn and stuff take place?"
"If you want complete honesty…It was right before the third tour, when Heather and I had started to get closer. We'd been getting close before the third tour, probably about six or so months before. But we hung out a lot, had a couple friendly dates, etc. We started holding hands, sharing kisses. At some point, we ended up making out and she'd get turned on and suggest foreplay. I agreed, since it had been a while trying anything intimate with a girl. Before Heather; the last try ended…Probably when I got home from the second tour. I'm pretty sure the girl left me because we tried to have sex, and same result; no erection. That was…November 2018? I think. Yeah, that's when the second tour ended," Hiccup said.
"So, this thing with Heather started September or October 2021?" Astrid wondered.
"Yeah, sounds right. Like I said, before that; we'd always been like brother and sister. But one day; we just got to talking and realized we had stuff in common and decided to hang more. Developed a crush, but always hesitated on making the big move to dating one another. Also, the third tour got announced in January 2021, so that put a hold on things too. I told her we'd talk after the tour, but I sort of became less inclined to ask her out when I learned in June 2021, two months into tour, that we'd be stationing on Berk after it ended. I knew I'd…Probably run into you and wasn't sure how that'd go since I'd realized I still love you. It goes back to the couldn't get hard thing," Hiccup informed.
"About…February 2021 is when Heather suggested we use foreplay to alleviate some of the horniness. She made the move on me first; trying to give me a hand and blowjob…But I wouldn't get hard. I think after she tried, and I mean tried her hardest, for ten minutes…I told her to forget it because it was no different than any of the other times. I asked her to be alone, and that's just kind'a when everything started to get put together. And it hit more when our stationing orders were announced; realizing I'd see you again. I understood at that moment that the reason I couldn't get hard was because they aren't you. Looks, personality, all of that; it wasn't the girl I fell in love with and that's when I finally got that despite the time apart…It was you who I wanted in my life. I figured we'd need to talk, and probably, more than likely; end up back together as we are now," Hiccup looked into her eyes.
"I guess I can say that I felt the same," Astrid nodded, understanding. "I love you, Hiccup,"
"I love you too, Astrid," Hiccup smiled softly. "I'd kiss you, but I don't want you getting sick," he added.
"I'll just make a running tally of how many kisses you owe me then," Astrid giggled a bit.
"I'm totally fine with this," Hiccup agreed as Astrid cuddled up with him on the couch. "I'll make sure I pay all that I owe back," he chuckled.
"I know you will," Astrid remarked. "Want to watch a movie or something?"
"Sure. I'll use the bathroom real quick, and meet you in the bedroom. I have Hulu and Netflix in there; pick whatever you want to watch," Hiccup smiled as he got up and she did as well. Hiccup went off to the restroom as Astrid and Toothless moved into Hiccup's room and got settled with locating a movie.
Hiccup was gone about eight minutes before joining then on the bed. "Are you okay?" Astrid wondered softly.
"Yeah, felt nauseous and threw up once; then let stayed put until it passed," Hiccup informed lightly as he climbed into the bed beside his girlfriend. "What are we watching?" He asked.
"Descendants. I didn't know it was up here, and I never got to see it," Astrid chuckled. "Do you mind watching it?"
"No, not at all! I actually always wanted to, though. Its Disney, so its gotta be good," Hiccup replied.
Astrid smiled wide as she kissed his cheek and they snuggled up on the bed while Astrid pressed play and the movie started. It sucked that Hiccup ended up sick, but he couldn't deny that he enjoyed being home and spending time with his girlfriend.
