=Normal POV=
[Friday, 9/30/2022-8:15 am]
[Dragon's Edge; Drake's Lair Campground]
Hiccup and Astrid loved their two days at the theme park; they'd go in the morning and hang until 3 or 4 pm before returning to the campground to wind down, make dinner, and relax with their dogs. Of course, Wednesday night was spent at one of the campground-hosted events it was a movie night on the lake. Anyone who went could literally float on the lake in a floaty to enjoy the film. The cool part for Hiccup and Astrid were that they had their own dock on the site, so they just floated over to that when the movie was over. Now, though; it was Friday and they knew their family and friends were coming to see them. Hiccup woke up at 6:30 am to get started with the day; it began with using the bathroom, showering, and enjoying some coffee before cleaning the RV and outside for guests. With everything done now, Hiccup was sitting outside with the dogs and waiting on the message from his mom about them having arrived. Though, he found it odd his girlfriend was still asleep.
A vibration in his pocket alerted him that he'd just received a message. Hiccup pulled his phone out and checked who it was from; it had to be likely be his mother, father, or Gobber.
Mom's Cell, 8:15 am
We're all here, sweetie.
"Toothless, Stormfly…In the cart; let's go for a ride," Hiccup called to the dogs, who bolted into the golf cart. Hiccup started it up and drove to the campground's main office; he reached it a few moments later to see the two rental vans with everyone loaded in and split up between the two. "You all checked in?"
"Yeah, said to go to site 617 and gave us a map," Gobber held the paper up.
"Just follow me," Hiccup informed. "Come on," he smiled. Dagur was driving one van, and Stoick was driving the other. Hiccup led them through the easiest road to get to the site. "Pull along the trees there, side by side," he informed when they arrived. Hiccup parked in his spot and got out smiling as the two vans parked and everyone got out. Hiccup greeted his family members first, then everyone else with handshakes or hugs.
"We all brought what was asked of us," Asvora stated.
"Great, go ahead and set up your chairs around the fire. I'll take the bags inside and wake up Milady," Hiccup chuckled.
"Astrid is still sleeping? At this hour?" Calder blinked.
"We had a late night," Hiccup smiled. "Stayed up talking most of it. Didn't actually fall asleep til around 3 am," Hiccup took all the bags with food or supplies in them towards the camper. "Be right out," he headed in. Hiccup first put all the stuff away where it belonged and then he strolled over to the bed to find Astrid still fast asleep. Hiccup crawled into the bed and moved some hair out of the way before kissing her forehead. "Babe…Hey, time to wake up,"
Astrid groaned a bit but started to open her eyes as she turned her head to see Hiccup's face. "Hi…"
"Time to get up, Milady," Hiccup said calmly.
"Do we have to…" Astrid mumbled, burying her face in the pillow as Hiccup chuckled a bit.
"I've been up since 6:30, beautiful," Hiccup informed. Astrid lifted her head.
"Wait…What time is it?" Astrid inquired.
"Almost 8:30 am," Hiccup said. "Our friends and family are here as well. I just went and grabbed them from the office," he smiled.
"Why didn't you wake me up sooner!" Astrid hurried out of bed.
"Easy, easy, babe. It's all good. They just got here and setting up their chairs around the fire. Go use the bathroom and shower up; I'll start breakfast," Hiccup kissed her forehead.
"It was supposed to be ready when they arrived," Astrid mumbled.
"It's all prepped, love. Just needs cooking and won't take long at all. Now, go on and get ready," Hiccup urged.
"Okay, okay…" Astrid agreed as she got up and kissed Hiccup lightly before moving to the bathroom. Hiccup grabbed the breakfast stuff from the fridge and returned outside.
"She up?" Valka asked.
"Yeah, heading for a shower now. Give her like…" Hiccup paused, thinking on it. "Fifteen minutes or so," he added while getting the things to start cooking on the outside kitchen area. Hiccup did everything in fifteen minutes, and by then as he was setting it out on the table for a buffet-style breakfast; Astrid moseyed out wearing a green tank-top and brown shorts with a pair of brown slippers. "Good morning, Milady," Astrid grumbled a bit as Hiccup watched her move to her seat in front of the fire and plop down tiredly. Hiccup got her a cup of coffee and made it the way she liked before walking it over to her. "Here you go," he offered it to her.
"Thanks," Astrid took a few sips and smiled, relaxing more.
"If the shower doesn't fix you, ice coffee does," Hiccup chuckled. "Now, everyone up and eat before it gets cold," he said. Hiccup grabbed his and Astrid's plates, which were made first and sat down beside her with both, handing Astrid hers. "Here, babe,"
"You're the best," Astrid smiled as they shared a kiss and started eating their breakfast. Not too long later, the rest of the group had their food and were sitting around to eat as well. The breakfast was nice, and everyone just talked and caught up since the last time they'd seen one another, which was a week ago for the house-warming party.
. . .
[12:30 pm]
Everyone was having a great time thus far hanging out together at Hiccup and Astrid's site. Of course; they wandered a bit and enjoyed the campground. Hiccup and Astrid showed them around, but most of was at the campsite because it was a big group to have wandering around. Some time was spent at the field near the playground because Magne and Dagny wanted to play there. It worked out because the group could chill in the field and talk while the dogs ran around. Hiccup would play ball with Toothless and Stormfly while chatting with the others. Everyone was still at the field, after all; it was a beautiful day.
"This is so nice…" Adelaide breathed out, relaxing against Tuffnut.
"Yeah, it is. You picked a beautiful week to come camping, Hiccup and Astrid," Minden giggled.
"Originally…We were only going to come for the weekend, but Hiccup figured that since he was taking three weeks of vacation; we might as well use the last one effectively and spend it camping," Astrid smiled.
"We should consider heading back to the site for lunch," Hiccup informed.
"Let's relax a bit more, babe. It's a nice day. We can have a late lunch," Astrid chuckled.
"Whatever you want, Milady," Hiccup smiled, kissing her forehead. Everyone just took in a breath of air, totally relaxed.
"Well, isn't this a nice surprise," came a familiar voice from behind. Hiccup turned to see Viggo there with a small group of people.
"Viggo, hey. What's up?" Hiccup smiled as Astrid moved off Hiccup's shoulder to let him stand up and greet the man with a handshake.
"Camping with the family. Are you doing the same?" Viggo chuckled some.
"Well, it's just my girl and me with the dogs. But family and friends came up for the day," Hiccup informed.
"Always nice. I don't believe I've ever introduced you to my family. This is my wife, Kelda and her brother, Brenden," Viggo said, motioning to the two people with him.
"Pleasure to meet one of Viggo's coworkers," Kelda smiled.
"Viggo and I have a long history; I was one of his recruits originally," Hiccup laughed some.
"Pain in the ass too, but you were one of the best in training; that's for sure," Viggo agreed. "Kelda, Brenden. A few of my other recruits are here too; Dagur, Eret, and Thuggory,"
"So good to meet all of you," Brenden nodded. "Kel, where are the others?"
"Should be right along," Viggo said.
"Right here, da-Hey, Hiccup! Holy Odin it's been a while," exclaimed a man with brown hair and green eyes.
"Brynjar, hey! Yeah, it has. Haven't seen you since June," Hiccup connected hands with him.
"You two know one another?" Eret asked.
"Well, yeah…Hiccup leads the Elite Alpha Special Ops team I'm on with a few others," Brynjar stated. "And he dated my cousin, Vera,"
"That was ages ago," Hiccup muttered.
"So…That's still how I met you," Brynjar informed as Hiccup rolled his eyes.
"I'm pretty sure we met during Special Ops training," Hiccup corrected.
"Oh yeah! You're right," Brynjar nodded. "We had to face off against one another,"
"And you lost," Hiccup grinned.
"I would have beaten you if I wasn't already tired from the other fights," Brynjar huffed.
"That's such bull. I had just as many fights before as you and I was fine," Hiccup remarked.
"Yeah? I say we go again. It's been a couple years," Brynjar challenged.
"Brynjar!" Viggo glared.
"What, Dad? Just suggesting," Brynjar shrugged.
"Not everything has to be a competition," Brendan sighed.
"We'll fight again, Bryn. Just not now; I'm on vacation," Hiccup chuckled. "Maybe during next drill?"
"You're on," Brynjar shook his hand.
"Hi, Hiccup," came a female voice walking up; she had light brown hair and brown eyes.
"Vera, Hi," Hiccup greeted.
"How have you been?" Vera inquired.
"Good, good. How about you?" Hiccup asked.
"Living life; working, in a stable relationship," Vera smiled.
"Same, and I know on the dating thing. You're with Soren; he's another member of Elite Alpha," Hiccup stated. "I'm happy for you,"
"Happy for you too," Vera mentioned. "You seem a lot happier,"
"Got the love of my life back," Hiccup admitted. Astrid blushed a bit. "This is Astrid,"
"So you're the famous, Astrid? It's lovely to meet you finally. Hiccup and I stayed friends after the breakup; he's mentioned you a lot over the years. You always said you would get her back one day from what I remember, Hiccup," Vera giggled. "Oh. Kat and Dane said they're coming, Auntie Kelda,"
"Thank you, dear," Kelda smiled. Astrid tensed a bit at the name, but stayed put and understood that she could panic over a name because it might not even be who she was thinking of. Two more people strolled up as Astrid laid eyes on the male and sort of shifted a little to get behind Hiccup and out of sight. It wasn't like her to get scared and hide, but the guy she was looking at was the one who backhanded her. And unfortunately, fear came in the territory of being around someone who put their hands on you in a hurtful manor. Astrid wasn't going to say anything because she knew it would piss Hiccup off.
"Hi, sorry. We're here," said the girl.
"Hey, Katja," Hiccup stated.
"Hiccup! Hi!" the girl, Katja, smiled and hugged him. "It's been so long,"
"Maybe a bit," Hiccup returned the hug. "This the famous boyfriend Bryn told me about?"
"Yes, this is Dane Jakobson," Katja introduced.
Before Hiccup could shake the man's hand, Snotlout and Tuffnut were up. "We told you if we ever saw you again; you were dead," Snotlout remarked.
"Small world," the man, Dane, shrugged casually. "I'm just here with my girlfriend and her family,"
"Uh, what's going on?" Hiccup inquired as he looked back at them, and now noticed that Astrid had shifted to be behind him. "When did you move behind me?"
"When I saw him," Astrid said lightly.
"Why?" Hiccup asked.
"Hiccup, that guy is one of Astrid's ex's," Tuffnut mentioned. Slowly, Hiccup started connecting the dots from Astrid's stories about the guys she's dated. Astrid said that one of the guys had hit her; Snotlout and Tuffnut were the two who kept the man back from going after Astrid again. Dane saw Astrid and smiled.
"Been a while, hasn't it, Ast?" Dane greeted.
"Don't talk to me," Astrid remarked as she got up angrily. "You don't have the right to!"
"I'm just saying hi," Dane stated.
"Yeah? Well, you can say bye because I don't want to talk to or see you ever again," Astrid glared.
"No need to be a bitch," Dane said.
"Hey, past or not…Don't call my girl out of her name," Hiccup stepped in now.
"She started it," Dane shrugged. "Why you mad, Astrid? Come on…It was like two years ago and you left me,"
"With good reason!" Astrid yelled.
"Alright…It's getting a little heated," Heather stated. "Let's break it up…"
"Whatever happened, it's done and over with…" Eret remarked.
"Hey, it never would have worked between us. Astrid. Bitch was wicked obsessed with her ex," Dane huffed.
"I believe I already told you not to call her a bitch once. If you do it again; I'm gonna be far less understanding," Hiccup informed firmly.
"I ain't afraid of you. Don't go wasting all your time defending the slut; she only cares-," Dane started, but never finished because Hiccup cut him off.
"You were warned once not to call Astrid out of her name. Perhaps you don't fear me now, but if you call her anything other than Astrid again; I'll make you regret the day you ever met me," Hiccup glared.
"I mean…He had it coming," Snotlout said as Tuffnut nodded his head with a few others.
"Especially after what he did to her," Fishlegs informed.
"You keep saying that…So what did he do?" Brynjar inquired now.
"Two years ago, Dane and Astrid dated about six months and he-," Snotlout began.
"He backhanded me across the mouth because we were having a conversation about my ex…" Astrid seethed.
Viggo and Brenden instantly pulled Katja away from Dane while Brynjar joined them in making sure she'd be safe. "Dane…Is it true?" Viggo asked.
"Did you strike this woman?" Brenden asked.
"Of course not," Dane said.
"Bullshit. We all saw it!" Tuffnut claimed.
"I still have pictures," Snotlout informed.
"We took them just in case Dane went after Astrid again and we needed to take it to the police," Ruffnut interjected.
"Now…You have two courses of action. Walk away, or pursue and get beat," Hiccup said. Dane saw everyone glaring at him intently as he went to walk away, which had to be in the direction of going by Hiccup and Astrid. Dane started walking, but as he went by Astrid; he shoved her down. "Babe!" Hiccup quickly assisted her back to her feet. "Are you alright?" he inquired softly.
"Yeah…" Astrid replied. Dane was running for it.
"He's getting away," Minden claimed.
"He ain't gonna get far," Hiccup said before giving a light whistle as Toothless was up. "Toothless. Retrieve," Hiccup put his hand out, snapping his fingers once and pointing to Dane. Toothless darted after Dane, cutting him off and forcing him back towards the group by growling.
"Hey! Call your dog off!" Dane ordered.
"Don't run like a bitch then," Hiccup remarked. "You don't put your hands on my wife and run away to avoid the beatdown you're about to get," Astrid's eyes widened a bit. Did Hiccup just call her his wife? It shocked everyone else too, but didn't say anything.
Dane glared and went to attack Hiccup, but he seemed to know it was going to happen. Hiccup moved Astrid back, so she wouldn't get caught in anything. Hiccup blocked Dane's punch and shoved it to the side before lunging in and elbowing Dane in the chest. Hiccup then lifted his arm up and nailed Dane in the jaw before backing up. Dane panted a bit, preparing to attack again, but Hiccup dodged; holding Dane's arm in a lock with his own. Hiccup twisted it just enough to make Dane cry out in pain. Hiccup socked Dane in the gut, then hooked his leg behind Dane's before yanking it forward as the man lost his balance and started to fall. Hiccup released Dane's arm, and whipped around with a spin kick to the chest to force Dane on his back and sliding about a foot away on the grass.
Dane went to get up when Hiccup's back was turned; he pulled a dagger. Hiccup turned around, reaching behind his back and pulling out a black gun and pointing it at Dane. "I wouldn't if I were you," Hiccup said in a calm, stern voice. Dane instantly stopped with his hands up. "One more attempt on me or anyone I care about, and I'll end you. Understand?" Dane nodded. "Now, drop it," he ordered. Dane dropped the dagger as Hiccup used his foot to move it away. "Well, since you put your hands on Astrid, attacked me, and intended to use a weapon; I think that's more than worth calling in the authorities,"
"On it," Viggo informed. "Well done, Hiccup. That weapon is legal, correct?"
"Obviously," Hiccup rolled his eyes. For the next fifteen minutes; no one did anything. The cops arrived and at that point, Hiccup felt he could lower his guard when the police had Dane arrested and taking statements on the situation.
"Will you be pressing charges, Mr. Haddock?" an officer inquired.
"No. I just want him away from my family and friends," Hiccup informed.
"Well, that shouldn't be a problem. He has a few warrants on him from Hysteria, so that's where he'll be returning," another officer said.
"Good," Hiccup nodded. Moments later, Dane was hauled off and out of the campground.
"So…I know I said we should fight again…But uh…After that whole scene; I'm good," Brynjar remarked to Hiccup.
"Same," Dagur, Eret, and Thuggory added in right away.
"Can we address the hidden gun?!" Ruffnut exclaimed.
"Yeah, where was that?" Tuffnut wondered.
"In my jeans," Hiccup laughed a little.
"This is not funny. Why are you carrying around a gun?!" Stoick asked. Hiccup pulled the gun out and aimed it for his father, pressing the trigger as water fired at his father's face.
"Relax, Dad…It's just a water gun slightly modified and painted black. Pretty convincing, right?" Hiccup informed with a roll of his eyes. "Dane didn't seem to know the difference,"
"Neither did we until ya said something!" Snotlout said quickly.
"Uncle Hiccup made water guns for us when we play battle," Magne laughed. "We said that no soldier would use a bright colorful gun, so he made them look more real. We brought them because uncle said we could have a water gun fight later,"
"I mean…I do have a real gun I'm licensed to carry, but I didn't bring it on the trip. Dane didn't strike me as the type to stay down when beat, and I remembered having the gun, so I decided to see if it would work. Guess I was right," Hiccup shrugged. "Now…Let's get back to camp for lunch," Unable to argue much, they all agreed. Hiccup put his arm around Astrid's shoulders. "Are you alright, babe?"
"Yeah, just…Wow. Wasn't expecting something like that to happen…" Astrid admitted.
"Joys of life. But hey, it's over now. Back to the trip and having a good time," Hiccup smiled. Astrid nodded as Hiccup waved to the Grimborn family members as they went off to do their own thing. Obviously, comforting Katja who just learned the guy she was with had warrants and that the guy she was with had backhanded someone else. Getting back to the campsite, Astrid went to use the bathroom while Hiccup started on lunch. It would be something easy; today already had some craziness to it, best to take it easy for a bit. Hiccup knew Astrid was a bit shaken up, despite her strong front earlier. Everything else would be calm; he'd make sure of it. Hiccup knew exactly what he said earlier, that Astrid was his wife. And she would be, so Hiccup wondered if anyone caught it. It would matter because tonight Astrid would be becoming his fiancé, and very soon to follow his wife.
