=Astrid's POV=
[Thursday, 9/22/2022-8:00 pm]
[Isle of Berk; Hiccup's House]
Well, it had been an interesting two weeks since the memorial for Hiccup's fallen friends from the last sixteen-month tour in Iraq. Hiccup and I got to Dagur and Mala's place around 7:30 pm; we both showered and relaxed in his temporary room. Hiccup and I made sure everything except a set of clothes for that Sunday morning was ready; then we watched a movie and knocked out around 10:30 pm. Bright and early on the 11th of September; we woke up, ate breakfast, and got right to work in moving the bedroom items from Hiccup's temporary room to his new house on Drage Drive. After getting those items squared away how Hiccup wanted them; the truck arrived with a few extra hands to help us finish up the bedroom. We set the few bathroom items where those belonged in the master bath, and then we headed out to do the not-so-fun part of having to furnish a home; buy the stuff to furnish it with.
The first thing Hiccup and I did, was grab lunch at McViking; it was simple and easy. Around 1 pm; we headed to the furniture store to handle the bigger pieces for the house such as dining room and living room sets. Hiccup was currently using one of his two extra bedrooms as an office, since he did have work to do from the military at home sometimes; it made the most sense to use a free bedroom rather than shove it all in the master room. As Hiccup had the vacation time; he decided to have the store deliver the pieces on certain days so it would give him time to clean before it arrived. The military did a good job of cleaning, but I knew from the past that Hiccup had his own style of what clean was. I had to admit; it was fun shopping with Hiccup. Not just because he had a wonderful sense of style, but because he let me give my input on things.
On almost everything; he'd ask what do you think? It was nice. I loved that he valued my input; I helped pick the living and dining room sets. With the big stuff taken care of; we moved on the regular store to get accessories. Things like curtains, electronics, cleaning stuff, utensils, plates, pots, pans, cups, a couple of area rugs, towels, etc. And one of the most important, food. By the end of all that; it was 5:40 pm. We got back to the house and put the food away first and foremost, and when that was done; we decided to do an oven-made pizza for dinner. As it was late; we were both exhausted. I left around 7 pm to get home since I had work on the 12th. Unfortunately, I had such a busy day that I didn't get the chance to go back to Hiccup's to help him out Monday night, even though I was off at 4 pm. I went home and showered, then had dinner, and knocked out shortly after.
I worked Tuesday, the 13th, and despite having half a day or work; I had time to go home and get a shower before a dentist appointment at 1:45 pm. After that; I had a couple other things to do for mom and dad while they were working until 5 pm. We had dinner together as a family, and I ended up with a headache, told Hiccup, and he suggested just getting some rest. Wednesday was another full day or work, but Hiccup managed to come see me for lunch and we ate outside of the animal hospital at one of the circular picnic tables. Hiccup told me that the dining room set arrived earlier that morning and the delivery guys helped him get it set up in it rightful place. I also learned that Hiccup got all the accessories put away where they belonged before coming to see me for lunch.
Wednesday night; I had begun to feel worse than just a headache. I grabbed a bath instead of a shower, but it didn't help. I was so tired after getting out, dry, and dressed that I crashed on my bed around 8:30 pm. Thursday brought me learning I was sick with a fever as the confirmation that I was sick. It hit me full force when I woke up, but I muddled through my half workday and went right home to rest after the shift ended. Hiccup decided to take a break from house things to come take care of me as I'd done for him. I felt bad because I knew he took this time off to work on the home, but he assured me that it was fine and there wasn't much else to do until the living room set came on Monday; it was supposed to be Friday, but it had to be pushed back because of a booking deliveries issue.
I, unfortunately, had to call out on Friday because I was nauseous and could barely move. Hiccup and I wondered if I caught whatever he had, deciding that it was likely. And it was confirmed that a bug was going around according to news reports. I stayed sick through Saturday night, and thankfully woke up on Sunday the 18th feeling ridiculously better. Hiccup and I decided to get breakfast together, take a walk in the park, and then go to an afternoon movie. To thank him for taking care of me while I was sick; I made dinner for us at my house. We hung out for a bit until 9 pm, and then Hiccup left. I texted him a bit and knocked out around 10 pm. Monday, the 19th, after work; I stopped by Hiccup's to see the progress on the house. I couldn't believe how amazing it looked, and the living room set had arrived too.
I honestly had to say that Hiccup had done phenomenally with the place despite me barely being able to help between being sick and work all last week. Hiccup said it was alright, and he understood. I loved that Hiccup got everything put away, the curtains were hung, everything was stocked and cleaned to Hiccup's standards. The house was really coming together well. Hiccup assured there was still a lot more work to do, such as little knickknacks and pictures for decoration. On Tuesday, the 20th, when I got out of work, Hiccup and I went back to the store to get pick out some outside seating and décor. All of that arrived the next day, Wednesday the 21st and was set up to how Hiccup wanted it to be. We also did a buttload of gardening, but it was fun. And today, Thursday, the 22nd, Hiccup and I got a bunch of pictures done for him to hang up on the walls or on tables and stuff. In fact, we just finished the last one and stood back to admire everything.
"Well, it took two weeks, but it's finally done," Hiccup said with a proud look on his face, nodding in approval of everything.
"It looks great, babe," I smiled. "And the house-warming is tomorrow at…4:30, right?" I asked.
"Yeah, I told everyone on Monday, so they'd have time to arrange any plans to make it. I know everyone is dying to see it," Hiccup chuckled.
"I know," I nodded. "But it's exciting, Hic," I giggled.
"I suppose so. Oh, we do have a few more things to put out," Hiccup suddenly said before going to the entry way closet, which was kind of behind the door to get into the house; he got a mat out and held it up.
"A welcome mat," I laughed some.
"Come on," Hiccup said as I followed him out of the house and we set the mat down. "And now over here to the mailbox," he held my hand and pulled me over to it. Hiccup handed me a sheet of stickers with letters and numbers on them. I understood; it was to put his name on the mailbox. I placed a number 1 on the front as Hiccup was working on his name. I poked in and helped him out with setting a H. in front of the HADDOCK on both sides.
"Now, it's perfect," I said softly as we moved back inside the house and he closed the door. "It looks great, Hiccup,"
"Well, I didn't do it myself. A lot of this you helped me with," Hiccup reminded as we took a seat on the couch.
"I guess I just know your style; it's kind'a like mine," I shrugged.
"That's why I trusted your judgement when we picked stuff," Hiccup smiled. "The twins tried so hard to get me to hire them,"
"Hey, they do a pretty good job," I stated.
"I know; I've seen their work. But I guess I just wanted this to be a me thing. Well, me and you. I had fun with it," Hiccup enlightened.
"I guess it was a nice couple's activity," I admitted.
"I guess you have to head home soon, huh? You have work tomorrow," Hiccup informed.
"Actually…I took this Friday off for the party when you mentioned having it. I figured you'd want a little help cleaning up and preparing for everyone to come over," I said to Hiccup.
"Well, I don't need it…But I'll gladly accept it," Hiccup replied. "Would, uh, like to sleep over? I plan on going shopping in the morning for all the stuff; then cleaning and cooking everything before every arrives,"
"Sure. Should I take the guest room?" I wondered.
"Ast, you're my girlfriend and we've shared the bed plenty of other times. You can if you want, but I don't mind us being in the master together," Hiccup chuckled a little.
"Well, I figured we were sharing because we were either at Dagur and Mala's or my house. This is your place, so I didn't know if the situation would change," I blushed a little.
"I like sleeping with you," Hiccup said. "I meant that as in us…Actually sleeping and sharing the bed, not the sex…Although that was great too," he confessed nervously.
"Won't disagree with you," I responded to him gently. "Most couples don't start that sharing stuff until they have time in," I cleared my throat a little.
"I fully support that, but I feel that a couple with our particular past can skip a few things. We already dated once, for three years and went through all that…Take our time in a relationship to see boundaries and how things would go," Hiccup explained.
I nodded, understanding; he was right. "And we did sort of just pick up that intense friendship right away back in June when we saw one another again,"
"That's just how we are, though, Milady. We connected as best friends when we were in Kindergarten, and held it up until I developed a crush and asked you out. Even eight years apart and we didn't lost that connection as friends…Or lovers," Hiccup stated lightly.
"I know; it just comes…Naturally," I said.
"Exactly, so when it comes to all this…What most couples do stuff; I feel like we can bypass a lot of it," Hiccup admitted.
"And not have it feel totally awkward that it's been eight years," I laughed a little, leaning against his shoulder as he had his arm around me.
"I think the only awkward moments I've had were when our friends set us up on the blind date and we were sitting there trying to have it be normal, but couldn't because of the hanging tension about eight years ago," Hiccup said.
"And then nearly having sex after clearing the air?" I looked up at him.
"Yeah…That's the other one," Hiccup nodded with a light laugh. "I wouldn't even call it awkward, more like…Shocking how easily it came on. Like easier than us being face to face after so long. The instant burst of passion and need for one another. Well, that's how it felt for me. If we hadn't stopped kissing; I would have taken you, Ast. Dead serious…"
"I felt the same, Hiccup. But…It's good that we did since you got that call anyway and had to leave within the hour. I don't think it wouldn't have been great for us to just fuck and then talk, or rather; you'd have to rush off and us hold off the talk until you returned. So, like you'd said, always being the voice of reason," I giggled a bit. "We wouldn't have wanted us fixing things to go down that way,"
"Maybe I'm yours, but you're mine," Hiccup reminded.
"That's how we've always been," I stated gently. Gods, I'd missed nights like these. Just Hiccup and I alone, talking freely. I loved how open our communication was now, like before, except the one slip up with eight years ago. I was foolish to think Hiccup would have been upset with me, or not understood; I'd never make that mistake again. Hiccup and I both understood what we did wrong, but we suffered the time apart, we grew up and learned from our mistakes. Now, we were back together, and had nothing but our future ahead of us.
"And we always will be," Hiccup looked down at me. I leaned up and kissed him and he returned it. I'm sure we could have started making out, but Hiccup pulled back to yawn.
"Come on; let's get some sleep. Tomorrow is another long day," I informed.
"But hey, then we get a vacation all to ourselves, for a week," Hiccup said. I nodded; I couldn't wait for that. "You all packed?"
"Just a few more things to grab, last minute items. We'll have to stop at my house on our way home tomorrow so I can get the bag," I stated.
"I'm sure it can be arranged," Hiccup replied as we got up. Hiccup went to locked the door and then we headed to his room together. We both used the bathroom and got ready for bed; I ended up wearing one of Hiccup's army shirts, since they were a bit big and long, and then a pair of Hiccup's shorts. As I came out of the bathroom to see him in the bed already; he laughed a me a bit. "I think I'm gonna have to give you your own drawer or a space in the closet to keep some stuff here, in case we have more of these random sleepovers," he winked.
"Oh, hush…" I blushed and moved into the bed with him. Hiccup flipped off the light as we got comfortable. "I love you, Hiccup,"
"I love you too, Astrid. See you in the morning, babe," Hiccup held me close. I snuggled up, feeling entirely right as I closed my eyes.
"See you in the morning," I said as I yawned and soon drifted off to sleep.
